The More I Watch This WC The More I Hate Football

[AKCJ]

Last night was painful.

 

A horrible match up of two contrasting styles that were always going to clash and result in a dull game, a ridiculous over-the-top half time show that surely didn't appeal to a single person and a frankly pathetic showing from the man-child that is the most powerful person on the planet.

 

I cannot imagine that any part-time fan watched that in America and fell in love with the sport. Surely that was the idea of America hosting? To bring in swathes of new fans?? Oh, no. Of course it wasn't. It was purely to cash in on the obscene levels of consoomerism. 

[Nalis]

All eyes were on Argentina with their shit housery but Spain did a lot of dark art shit too, unfortunately all major teams do it

[gerblod]

10 hours ago, CosbehFox said:

It won't but its already surpassed Ice Hockey - and attracts big crowds than basketball (which is an absolute fortune to attend).

 

There's a market which isn't the type of person what watches those traditional sports and the second/third generation immigrant that is more and more apparent across the US. 

 

Average crowds on the last complete recorded data 

 

MLS is around 22k, NBA is 18k, NHL is 17-18k while MLB is 30k. 

I guess part of the swing is down to Hispanic fans - generations of immigrants from football following nations south of the border down Mexico way. I also guess venue size limits ice hockey and basketball attendances.

From what's been happening since the resurgence of soccer in the US they'll turn it into something which reflects their need for razzmatazz, hyperbole and endless stats.  

[gerblod]

11 hours ago, davieG said:

The final wasn’t a typical game that we see in England although sadly it’s becoming so the higher up the league you go mainly due to the financial inequalities. 
 It’s also down to managerial approach. Argentina had enough skill to have played a more attacking game but chose not too. 
 I think I understand the beauty of the game and for me it’s 2 teams of similar ability trying to outplay each other, trying to score more goals than their opponents. Your analogy of a bullfight does some up this game but I don’t find bullfights entertaining at all. 

Horrible 'sport'. But I saw an anology in the way Spain controlled the game.

I think that the Argentinian game plan was to surrender possession and use their undoubted defensive prowess and fouling to frustrate Spain into losing focus. It was a gamble - relying on Messi to swing the odds. They did pressure Spain after the goal but the opportunities were limited by time and the rock solid Spanish defence.

The England - France game was the most entertaining game of the tournament for me. Pressure was off both teams and the result was great football. 

Edited 17 hours ago by gerblod
Spelling and clarification

[davieG]

13 minutes ago, gerblod said:

Horrible 'sport'. But I saw an anology in the way Spain controlled the game.

I think that the Argentinian game plan was to surrender possession and use their undoubted defensive prowess and fouling to frustrate Spain into losing focus. It was a gamble - relying on Messi to swing the odds. They did pressure Spain after the goal but the opportunities were limited by time and the rock solid Spanish defence.

The England - France game was the most entertaining game of the tournament for me. Pressure was off both teams and the result was great football. 

If they'd played most of the game like they did after the Spanish goal, even with out the fouling they still had a decent chance to win as with our defeat although the opposite way around.

[gerblod]

9 hours ago, davieG said:

If they'd played most of the game like they did after the Spanish goal, even with out the fouling they still had a decent chance to win as with our defeat although the opposite way around.

Surely. The Brasil teams that won the World Cup always played their games on the front foot. Which made them a joy to watch. And made them the most successful nation.