Topic: Soccer Discussion: 1.67% Chance of Being the Best Thread on the NWR Forums

[Toruresu]

I knew that Germany was a tough team, but dang. Howard has been working his butt off!

[Ceric]

I didn't get to see the action of the game I had to follow 2 separate blogs so I ended up watching the game through Mostly statistics.  Portugal and a good goalie is the only reason we are making it.  Germany could have literally not had a Goalie and the outcome would have been the same.

[NWR_insanolord]

It wasn't always pretty, but we got through the group of death despite losing our best striker 20 minutes into the tournament and getting three straight mediocre performances out of our best player. If we get Jozy back in time for the next game and Michael Bradley gets back to his usual form this is a team that could make a real run.

Single elimination here on in. Not necessarily about the best team, but who's clicking at the right time. Under those circumstances anyone could win four straight.

[Manthony Chopkins]

I think it's funny how all the South American teams found themselves in the same bracket. On another note, I was hoping for Chilean style upset today. Also, Colombia is the tournament's dark horse.

[Shaymin]

The broadcaster up here gave Man of the Match for Brazil/Chile to Julio CĂ©sar; I suspect they only did that because goalposts aren't eligible.

[Stratos]

I loved the matches today. Uruguay and Colombia were crazy intense.

[NWR_insanolord]

Michael Bradley calls Belgium “one of the best teams in Europe,” goes on to say “but this ain’t Europe, so prepare to get wrecked Western Hemisphere style.”

[Manthony Chopkins]

Mexico might just tip over the dutch! This most certainly ain't Europe! 

[BranDonk Kong]

Couldn't have said it better myself...

[Stratos]

And I thought Mexico had this one...

[Stogi]

Most depressing game of the tournament thus far.

[NWR_insanolord]

As I always say, any call that goes against Mexico is a good call, but damn.

[NWR_insanolord]

Really, though, Rafa Marquez has to be aware of his (wholly deserved) reputation in that moment and realize that he's never going to get the benefit of the doubt on a close call. He can't put himself in that position.

[Manthony Chopkins]

And Arjen Robben is still one of the biggest floppers in the game......I know there was contact but Im not sure if I would've called that.

[NWR_insanolord]

One of the people I saw argued it should be both a penalty and a yellow for embellishment, which sounds about right to me. It was a clear dive, but Marquez came in late and there was contact, just not as much as he made it look.

[Stogi]

The only penalties that should be called are a blatant missed tackle and a handball. PERIOD. They are simply too important.

[NWR_insanolord]

It's a shitty situation either way. No matter which way he calls it he'll get criticized heavily and he'll probably second-guess himself forever.

[Stogi]

It's a 1-1 tie in the 93rd minute. As a Ref, he should know that this call basically decides the game. So unless it is hard to NOT call it, then let the game play out as it should.

[Stratos]

The game yesterday with Colombia and Uruguay was one of the most entertaining games I have watched in part because there was a noticeable decline in the number of calls based on "floppers". They just tumbled and hopped back up or everyone ignored them and kept playing. It was a refreshing change of pace. Though it did seem to be one of the most physical games I've watched.

[NWR_insanolord]

It's a 1-1 tie in the 93rd minute. As a Ref, he should know that this call basically decides the game. So unless it is hard to NOT call it, then let the game play out as it should.

There's also the argument that there was a play that absolutely should have given a penalty to the Netherlands earlier in the match that wasn't called, which may have factored into the call.

As someone who hates Mexico and its fans, I guess I'm biased in regard to this call, but it seems to me like a 50-50 call. I can see the argument for it being a penalty, and I can see it for it not being one.

[Caliban]

Couldn't have said it better myself...

What a retard.

[NWR_insanolord]

Jozy Altidore is ready to return. He scored in four straight games last June; how about July this year?

[Ceric]

So for the people who would actually know what are our chances like against Belgium?  Just doing a quick look at there stats they seem pretty strong.

[NWR_insanolord]

It depends on who you ask, but I'm seeing a fair number of analysts going as far as to say we might not even want to consider us underdogs. Belgium's good, and a trendy pick, but somewhat unproven. They'll also be missing at least one key piece for this game, unless something changes in the next 24 hours.

[Manthony Chopkins]

Not surprised. We still have a long way to go. Kudos to Klinnsman for bleeding some young talent though!