US Men's National Team at World Cup 2014

I agree with most of this

Except offsides. There is nothibg wrong with that, it's a pretty simple concept that helps control the game

 

I just hate paying attention to it. Removing it would also increase scoring.

 

Soccer has become much more aggressive in the past 40 years. There is a new emphasis on athleticism and fast play, something that I believe makes the game more entertaining. I don't know how much more aggressive it can be. Flopping is a common problem with basketball, and the NBA has yet to solve the problem. Ties should not be eliminated; one of soccer's best attributes is its ability to play a game in 2 hours every time. Ties are simply a part of the game; Americans tend to want to go for the glory of a win and don't like ties. If ever offside was done away with the art of the well-timed pass and equally well‑judged run to keep the move onside would be lost altogether. Without offside you will see crappy teams park a 9 man bus in front of their goal and 2 strikers near the opposition goal. All the 9 men need to do is kick the ball up to the front two who do not have to care about offside and try to score a cheap goal.

 

Kompany and Vermaelen could miss match for Belgium vs. USA on Tuesday? I have to admit I've never heard of either player -- somebody aware me of the implications of this potential development.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/worldcup/2...rral&utm_content=WorldCup&utm_campaign=Unpaid

 

thanks, interesting matchup

 

Eh you do not follow english premier league I take it?

Lets just say that if they do not play the usa has a good chance to advance. Belgiums strongest attribute are their defenders and these are 2 of their best defenders.

 

I personally enjoy penalty kicks. But seems to me Penalty kicks could be resolved by just continuing to extra overtime. Reset lineups after 2 extra times. And just keep going. I would think most soccer players can run for a good 4 hours with water and food and breaks. Add in fresh subs whenever you want in the 3rd extra time. And you would think a goal could be scored in that amount of time.

 

To me, this is the worst argument. Why do we need more scoring? Scoring in soccer is supposed to be hard. Just because one country doesn't like it doesn't mean they should fundamentally change the game for everyone.

The MLS tried it in their early years (no ties) and it was a miserable failure. It wasn't until they became a traditional league that it started to grow.

 

Got to love Americans offering changes that would "improve" the most popular sport in the world.

 

It happens every World Cup.

 

This is a popular opinion amongst Americans, but its a bad one. If offsides doesn't exist you don't get more goals, you get slower soccer. Instead of runs being made both teams will stretch the field and possession will be a snails pace. I do agree though, the MLS should experiment with removal of ties by PKs at the end of every game sometime in the future.

 

Using early MLS years as a comparitor is also a weak argument. The MLS sucked early on, now I think its actually a great product. The dynamo years with DRo and Ching were some of my favorite as a soccer fan.

 

I would like to see an off side line about halfway between midfield and the box, where you could not be offside - it would stretch the field and open up play, IMO.

DD

 

I think we need to start a forward regardless of if Jozy is ready or not. This allows us to go back to a shape that works and that allows Bradley to do the things that make him effective. That means jones is back and Dempsey is coming from a little deeper. Just pepper the box with crosses and let Wondo do what he does best.

 

that would be like letting a wide receiver line up 5 yards in front of the line of scrimmage.

 

Then where is the disincentive to plant a player next to the opposing goal keeper all game?

That's like saying you want a WR in football to be stationed in the end zone waiting to catch the ball before the snap on every passing play.

https://twitter.com/netw3rk/status/480877337610031104

 

No, it would be more like the blue line in hockey - it would open up the midfield considerably.

DD

 

Removing would increase CAMPING.

 

Never mind, of course, that soccers' rules - like all other sports - are constantly changing and adapting.

 

Thibault Courtois (the Belgian goalkeeper) has never lost with the Belgian team.

In the World Cup, he has conceded only one goal, on penalty.

They weren't impressive in the group stages, felt like they were sleeping, and yet got 3 wins.

Can't wait to see what they are capable of doing in the knock-outs.



P.S: Arno, there is no Belgian that would want to join forces with the Dutch team. Ever.