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[Regulus Tera]

Felicidades, pinche cabron

[edit] That may sound harsh to some native Mexicans, I'm really not sure... sorry if it is!

¡Bésame el culo!

Spoiler

Thanks dude, but that was in 1999.

 

[Verano]

Mexico won the final against Brazil too!

este way...lol.
But dont forget we went against a good Brazil team back in 99 even when they were diving especially for that BS PK call they got. Overall, we samba'd they asses out 4-3 in the end.

 

[Regulus Tera]

este way...lol.
But dont forget we went against a good Brazil team back in 99 even when they were diving especially for that BS PK call they got. Overall, we samba'd they asses out 4-3 in the end.

Yeah, but we played at the Azteca. Playing at the Azteca is like playing with twelve men.

I wanna make it count. I wanna beat Brazil at their own soil (not a Herculean task considering how they played today).

 

[Heretic]

That happens in EVERY sport, in EVERY nation. It's not exclusive to the US. They're called band wagon fans who don't necessarily have any interest in the sport other than special situations, like these. While a lot of people hate them, it also tends to get new fans excited in the sport, which I'm all for.

Bingo. I said this a couple of pages back. Any interest in this beautiful sport is a plus. Even if its bandwagon-ers that only watch big tourneys. Some stick with it and that's a plus.

Many snobs talk about the MLS being a place where big names come to retire, I see it as big names = big turnouts in attendants. It helps and I welcome it.

 

[Socreges]

Except the sport does have a relatively small interest compared to the major sports in the US, Football, Basketball, and Baseball. Hell, Hockey probably has a much bigger interest in the US than soccer. Not only that, the US has 300+ million people living here it's only natural that is has many more people registered than smaller countries, IMO. Numbers don't always mean quality. A lot of these people don't have the same structure in soccer like many of other countries whose main sport is soccer. I'm not saying high numbers don't help, but it isn't always the case. I'd wager that many of the High School football teams in Texas have A LOT better facilities, coaching, equipment, financing, and structure behind them than many of these professional soccer players in the US.

What's your point? Obviously I'm not saying numbers = success. After all, the U.S. would then be ranked 2nd in the world, and not 24th.

And facilities/equipment aren't the most important factors. Soccer development requires coaching, and that's obviously where the U.S. seriously pales in comparison to the most successful nations. That's changing, though, and will continue to.

 

[Regulus Tera]

Unlike in the men's game, there is nothing you can dislike about these two teams - there's no need for resentment or cheap shots at any player(s). A love of respect, genuine respect, and plaudits all around.

It is what the men's sport and the game globally needs. It's one thing being an ultra, even for one game, but at the end of the match both teams played the game with their hearts on their sleeves and still offered that hand to when an opponent when down in front of them. And with the quality of entertainment on show today, although this may sound cliché, there really are no losers in this.

A fantastic advertisement for the sport and how it should be played. Applause for the Japanese, the Americans, every other nation that took part and also the German people for supporting the tournament through filling the stadiums.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/07/17/article-2015693-0D0DB92100000578-667_634x423.jpg

After watching this and the U-17 World Cup I have to blame the heavy commercialisation of professional football. Just look at the goal by Julio Gómez in the u-17 semifinal: no professional player nowadays would think of doing that; there's just too much potential money at risk.

 

[Regulus Tera]

Just a question, which you are free to ignore if you want. Are you first generation or second generation immigrant?

I was born in the United States, but was raised in Mexico for fifteen years and now I'm studying in Houston. I fully support the Mexican national team and feel no attachment to the USMNT.

What does that make me?

 

[Luixfern]

After watching this and the U-17 World Cup I have to blame the heavy commercialisation of professional football. Just look at the goal by Julio Gómez in the u-17 semifinal: no professional player nowadays would think of doing that; there's just too much potential money at risk.

The chilena?

 

[Regulus Tera]

The chilena?

Not just the bicycle kick, but coming back to the pitch when you are fucking bleeding your head out.

I cannot link the picture, but Google-search "herida julio gómez". That son of a bitch won the game against Germany with his skull cracked like that.

 

[Heysoos]

What's your point? Obviously I'm not saying numbers = success. After all, the U.S. would then be ranked 2nd in the world, and not 24th.

And facilities/equipment aren't the most important factors. Soccer development requires coaching, and that's obviously where the U.S. seriously pales in comparison to the most successful nations. That's changing, though, and will continue to.

My point was, that higher numbers than smaller countries doesn't mean that interest is suddenly high, in a country of 300 million people. Or that quality should suddenly increase, like you pointed out, many of these players lack the infrastructure many of the other countries have. So higher registered player is kind of a moot point.

 

[travisbickle]

Ha ha, America lost. There will be a bunch of Jingoistic, Xenophobic, Nationalist wankers crying into their piss-weak beer after this damning result proves you guys are poor at all sports that have global recognition. Go back to your poor-mans rugby and rounders leave the real sports to real men and women.

And if you are angry at this post I'd like to respond with words borrowed from Carly Simon "You're so American, you probably think this post is about you."

 

[Heretic]

I was born in the United States, but was raised in Mexico for fifteen years and now I'm studying in Houston. I fully support the Mexican national team and feel no attachment to the USMNT.

What does that make me?

A loser!

USA! USA! USA!

Spoiler

=p

 

[Brazil]

Not just the bicycle kick, but coming back to the pitch when you are fucking bleeding your head out.

I cannot link the picture, but Google-search "herida julio gómez". That son of a bitch won the game against Germany with his skull cracked like that.

Well, technically, you can't play while bleeding. It's against the rules.

Edit: Oh, nevermind. I just saw that he didn't have the wound exposed when he got back

 

[Regulus Tera]

A loser!

USA! USA! USA!

Spoiler

=p

See you at Brazil 2013.

Oh wait, we won't see you there. olololol

 

[Luixfern]

I think you're giving Julio too much credit. I've seen plenty of professional established players come back with wounds. Besides, Julio did NEED to do that if he wants to earn that ticket to Europe.

 

[GorillaJu]

Japan loves and treasures their women and for them to go on and show the world the strength of character and desire to win for their tsunami-ravaged country, even as massive underdogs, well... the atmosphere here in Tokyo is beautiful. It really means a lot.

The idea that there is any malice, revenge or negative motivation is misguided and silly.

I couldn't be more thrilled for our girls - they had a lot more to show than just technique, and they succeeded. My gf couldn't stop crying after the second equalizer. Truly a meaningful victory.

 

[Regulus Tera]

Japan loves and treasures their women and for them to go on and show the world the strength of character and desire to win for their tsunami-ravaged country, even as massive underdogs, well... the atmosphere here in Tokyo is beautiful. It really means a lot.

The idea that there is any malice, revenge or negative motivation is misguided and silly.

I couldn't be more thrilled for our girls - they had a lot more to show than just technique, and they succeeded. My gf couldn't stop crying after the second equalizer. Truly a meaningful victory.

What's the Japanese press saying, and how are the people taking it? Any parades planned for the girls?

I hope this means an even more serious interest of the Japanese in their football. I love watching the men's team play, and hope they do well in future World Cups.

I think you're giving Julio too much credit. I've seen plenty of professional established players come back with wounds. Besides, Julio did NEED to do that if he wants to earn that ticket to Europe.

I've never seen anyone with that sort of wound, but I will take your word for it.

 

[Nesotenso]

I was born in the United States, but was raised in Mexico for fifteen years and now I'm studying in Houston. I fully support the Mexican national team and feel no attachment to the USMNT.

What does that make me?

I dunno, but you from your post I guess you hold an american passport and might have Mexican parents, so Mexican-American ? Only you can answer that question and I have no problem with which country you chose to associate yourself.

Anyways as I mentioned in a subsequent post, its understandable for first generation or second generation immigrants ( or people with any particular ancestry , doesn't matter which generation) to support their countries of origin. Its not an isolated case with soccer and happens in lot of other sports and immigrant communities in other countries.

But badmouthing your adopted homeland, even in something as trivial as international sporting competitions (which in the grand scheme is trivial as opposed to other issues), irks me though, I admit.

It's fucking pathetic when your Men's national team gets booed on your home soil but you could fault Americans for not turning up at the Rose Bowl in larger numbers and the general disinterest in soccer. I just hope the sport grows in this country.

 

[Heretic]

See you at Brazil 2013.

Oh wait, we won't see you there. olololol

OH YEAH!? Well, i hope mexico loses! And... and... and their shit gets stolen!

 

[Regulus Tera]

I dunno, but you from your post I guess you hold an american passport and might have Mexican parents, so Mexican-American ? Only you can answer that question and I have no problem with which country you chose to associate yourself.

Anyways as I mentioned in a subsequent post, its understandable for first generation or second generation immigrants ( or people with any particular ancestry , doesn't matter which generation) to support their countries of origin. Its not an isolated case with soccer and happens in lot of other sports and immigrant communities in other countries.

But badmouthing your adopted homeland, even in something as trivial as international sporting competitions (which in the grand scheme is trivial as opposed to other issues), irks me though, I admit.

It's fucking pathetic when your Men's national team gets booed on your home soil but you could fault Americans for not turning up at the Rose Bowl in larger numbers and the general disinterest in soccer. I just hope the sport grows in this country.

I have both Mexican and American passports.

I may have been born in the United States, but I have never felt American. I don't celebrate 4th of July, but do celebrate September 16th. I rather speak Spanish than English when given the chance, and I have a Mexican flag at home, not an American one.

Argentine essayist Jorge Luis Borges once said something akin to "one is not from where he is born from, but from where he loves". And that applies to football as well. Why should someone root for the colours of a place where he was chosen by luck/fate/whatever-deity-you-believe-in to be born at? One should support the team that represents the culture he feels a connection with, or the ideals he thinks represent his the best.

 

[Socreges]

My point was, that higher numbers than smaller countries doesn't mean that interest is suddenly high, in a country of 300 million people. Or that quality should suddenly increase, like you pointed out, many of these players lack the infrastructure many of the other countries have. So higher registered player is kind of a moot point.

Understand the context. The point is to contest people saying that Americans succeeding at soccer is so great because they don't care anyway.... yet have millions registered.

And no, it's not "kind of a moot point". It's not a causal relationship, but it's not moot. You're trying to argue against an one side of things, and then take it to the other extreme. Stop being an apologist.

 

[Nesotenso]

I have both a Mexican and American passports.

I may have been born in the United States, but I have never felt American. I don't celebrate 4th of July, but do celebrate September 16th. I rather speak Spanish than English when given the chance, and I have a Mexican flag at home, not an American one.

I have no problem with the fact you consider yourself Mexican. It's up to an individual how they define themselves or with which country they pledge allegiance .

 

[Regulus Tera]

Time for some some celebration music:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzC4hFK5P3g

She looks like Rise from Persona 4.


HNNNNGH

 

[xbhaskarx]

See you at Brazil 2013.

Oh wait, we won't see you there. olololol

This year it was "tainted chicken" leading to positive drug tests and prostitutes stealing Apple products from hotel rooms, what's the Mexican team's scandal going to be in 2013?

 

[coldvein]

what the fuck, women of america? totally let me down..

 

[Regulus Tera]

This year it was "tainted chicken" leading to positive drug tests and prostitutes stealing Apple products from hotel rooms, what's the Mexican team's scandal going to be in 2013?

Chicharito's Mexican passport is discovered to be fake; he was actually an American all along.

 

[Luixfern]

Chicharito's Mexican passport is discovered to be fake; he was actually an American all along.

More like Chicharito is actually a female with a crew cut.

 

[coldvein]

More like Chicharito is actually a female with a crew cut.

snap.

 

[Heretic]

Chicharito's Mexican passport is discovered to be fake; he was actually an American all along.

I'd kill myself...

I have both a Mexican and American passports.

I may have been born in the United States, but I have never felt American. I don't celebrate 4th of July, but do celebrate September 16th. I rather speak Spanish than English when given the chance, and I have a Mexican flag at home, not an American one.

Argentine essayist Jorge Luis Borges once said something akin to "one is not from where he is born from, but from where he loves". And that applies to football as well. Why should someone root for the colours of a place where he was chosen by luck/fate/whatever-deity-you-believe-in to be born at? One should support the team that represents the culture he feels a connection with, or the ideals he thinks represent his the best.

That's quite an interesting take you have there. I'm quite the opposite. Born here and my parents were born in mexico but I've never felt I was "mexican". Born and raised in the US and don't follow any traditions or the culture despite being around it my whole life. Sept. 16 is just another day for me while I celebrate the 4th of July by getting a ticket for carrying fireworks =p

 

[Regulus Tera]

More like Chicharito is actually a female with a crew cut.

Dammit Luixfern, now my red herring strategy is busted!

 

[Heretic]

what the fuck, women of america? totally let me down..

Can't win them all...

 

[GhostWriter24]

So proud of our girls. They played the hearts out and showed class in defeat.

 

[Luixfern]

Dammit Luixfern, now my red herring strategy is busted!

Hah, my bad. Pero no te preocupes, Chicharito es mi gallo!

 

[Patrick Bateman]

What an interesting game yesterday. Two of my favorite teams in the finals. Unfortunately only one team could win. I'm happy for Japan, because it's their first time winning this. I'm just satisfied that it wasn't Brazil.

 

[Gigglepoo]

PK's have been a part of the game so long and are there only in the rare chance that peeps are tied after 120 mins of play.

And I mean rare. What we saw in this Women's cup doesn't happen very often.

Wasn't the 2006 Men's World Cup determined with penalty kicks? That doesn't sound too rare at all. I remember a few different World Cup matches settled with kicks last year, in fact. Am I wrong?

I just think it's a baffling conclusion to a tournament. Kicking point-blank, undefended shots barely ever comes up during the course of a match. Why they think that's a good way to determine a winner is beyond me.

I really don't understand why people defend this. Just seems really anti-climatic to me. I think it's interesting that NFL fans get in frequent argument about the way overtime is handled -- and that is a real game, just sudden death -- while soccer fans defend penalty kicks.

 

[yellow submarine]

Diving is a problem but only a few players do it regularly. It is also more physical (and some team is worse than other) so a lot more sliding tackle that can break people's leg. They also used a lot more small movement (like shirt pulling) that is hard for the ref to spot the foul. And then finally the boring tactic of keep passing the ball around indefinitely or placing 9 defender is getting very popular.

The men's final was not very good. One team has 2 destroyers that will break your leg with no regret, the other has a few players that will roll on the floor with the face covered if you barely touch him. The stake is also much higher so both team played rather conservatively. Overall the 2010 WC was pretty boring in my opinion, except with some Uruguay game (especially the one vs Ghana) which is full of drama.

Was trying to catch up with the thread, and I hadn't seen that interpretation of that foul yet. Hilarious! And the best part was that there wasn't even a yellow shown there.

I enjoyed this final more than when I watched the men's world cup final as well. The skill level was lower obviously; but the sportsmanship displayed made it better to watch. Also, it was a high-scoring game which was more entertaining, and the goals came at great times and you could sense the shift in momentum. While I appreciate the technical discipline needed to shut out a team like Holland, I also like watching goals!

 

[KidA Seven]

Wasn't the 2006 Men's World Cup determined with penalty kicks? That doesn't sound too rare at all. I remember a few different World Cup matches settled with kicks last year, in fact. Am I wrong?

I just think it's a baffling conclusion to a tournament. Kicking point-blank, undefended shots barely ever comes up during the course of a match. Why they think that's a good way to determine a winner is beyond me.

I really don't understand why people defend this. Just seems really anti-climatic to me. I think it's interesting that NFL fans get in frequent argument about the way overtime is handled -- and that is a real game, just sudden death -- while soccer fans defend penalty kicks.

The coin toss kind of ruins it though. Whoever scores on the initial possession (non field goal) wins the game.

 

[Regulus Tera]

Holy shit, over fifty percent? De Jong needs to be nerfed.

 

[yellow submarine]

Holy shit, over fifty percent? De Jond needs to be nerfed.

Even when I was watching it real time, I saw that he did not even go for the ball. Just straight up kung fu kick. Didn't even need the slowmo replay for this one. At the time I was thinking "Welp, let's see how Holland do with 10 men, here comes the ref with his red card". I was pretty shocked that he didn't get carded at all for that one.

Edit: He did get a yellow card, I remembered it wrong.

 

[Hasphat'sAnts]

Even when I was watching it real time, I saw that he did not even go for the ball. Just straight up kung fu kick. Didn't even need the slowmo replay for this one. At the time I was thinking "Welp, let's see how Holland do with 10 men, here comes the ref with his red card". I was pretty shocked that he didn't get carded at all for that one.

Didn't he get a yellow for it? I'm pretty sure he did because at the time, I was thinking that a yellow card made even less sense than let him go scott-free.

 

[Gigglepoo]

The coin toss kind of ruins it though. Whoever scores on the initial possession (non field goal) wins the game.

Obviously. The point is, NFL fans recognize a flaw and try to figure out a better way to handle tie games. That doesn't seem to be the case with soccer fans. I refuse to believe penalty kicks are the best solution. In fact, it's one of the worst solutions.

 

[lush]

The coin toss kind of ruins it though. Whoever scores on the initial possession (non field goal) wins the game.

That specific rule you mention is only used in the postseason, you can win in OT with a field goal during the regular season I believe. Pretty terrible way to go about OT. I think if you mixed the college football version of OT with the NFL's that would be the best way to go about it. Don't really care/follow the NFL though so it's not that big of a deal to me.

Can't really come up with anything better than PKs as I don't necessarily thing unlimited extra time is the best way to go about it. I do dislike PKs though as they're all luck and very anti-climactic but what can you do.

 

[Verano]

]Ha ha, America lost. There will be a bunch of Jingoistic, Xenophobic, Nationalist wankers crying into their piss-weak beer[/B] after this damning result proves you guys are poor at all sports that have global recognition. Go back to your poor-mans rugby and rounders leave the real sports to real men and women.

And if you are angry at this post I'd like to respond with words borrowed from Carly Simon "You're so American, you probably think this post is about you."

That's another reason for that one dude that wanted to know about why I call mls fans "dumb"...it also applies for nads supporters. too with their veiled xenophobia.

 

[yellow submarine]

Didn't he get a yellow for it? I'm pretty sure he did because at the time, I was thinking that a yellow card made even less sense than let him go scott-free.

You are right, I remembered it wrong. Updated post to reflect my error.

Yeah, it's even more shocking that it wasn't a straight red.

 

[Brazil]

Even when I was watching it real time, I saw that he did not even go for the ball. Just straight up kung fu kick. Didn't even need the slowmo replay for this one. At the time I was thinking "Welp, let's see how Holland do with 10 men, here comes the ref with his red card". I was pretty shocked that he didn't get carded at all for that one.

Edit: He did get a yellow card, I remembered it wrong.

I'm bitter about that to this day. That's not even red card-worthy. It's assault and battery accusation-worthy.

 

[KidA Seven]

Obviously. The point is, NFL fans recognize a flaw and try to figure out a better way to handle tie games. That doesn't seem to be the case with soccer fans. I refuse to believe penalty kicks are the best solution. In fact, it's one of the worst solutions.

TBH I like penalties because of the drama. On the other hand, I always say it's a terrible way to decide the game. But what can you do? Playing after 120 minutes would wreck your body. I'm also against the golden goal.

It's hard to find a solution.

 

[Atlagev]

I just read that no Japanese TV station bothered to broadcast the group games. The quarter final against Germany was only offered by a cable channel. Only when they got into the semi Fuji TV bought the broadcast right and assembled a team in a hurry.

I don't think this is accurate. NHK BS 1 at least broadcast the group games:

vs. New Zealand:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ccUFldPz2o

vs. Mexico:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgWkRO51JAk

I can't find any YouTube videos of the England match, but that's probably because Japan lost. ;-)

 

[Brazil]

TBH I like penalties because of the drama. On the other hand, I always say it's a terrible way to decide the game. But what can you do? Playing after 120 minutes would wreck your body.

It's hard to find a solution.

They could always flip a coin.

Like they did back then during Copa América 1975.

(*) Peru qualified through the drawing of lots

That'd be great.

Personally, I think PKs are the best way to decide games after 120 minutes. It's not like the players are even able to continue play after all that time anyway.

 

[Regulus Tera]

Very interesting article:

The victory of the Japanese women’s soccer team at the FIFA World Cup tournament in Germany smashed a lot of preconceptions, most of them having to do with Japan’s international sports profile. However, a more specific truism bit the dust Sunday afternoon in Frankfurt when Japan came out on top, and that’s the notion that the more money you spend on a sport, the better your chances. About 1.5 million girls and women play soccer in America in some sort of organized fashion. There’s a popular professional league. Women’s soccer is a huge business. In Japan, about 45,000 girls and women play soccer. The women’s semi-pro and pro leagues are barely solvent, and there are no organized teams in Japan for elementary school girls. In fact, one of the more interesting factoids to come out of the news about the victory is that many of the members of the Japan national team started playing soccer as children on boys teams.

As pointed out in an article in the tabloid Nikkan Gendai published before the championship victory, Nadeshiko Japan was winning in spite of their meager remuneration. Very few of the members have pro contracts. Two members, Aya Samejima and Karina Maruyama, earned the most at one time playing soccer, about ¥5 million a year each, but that’s because they originally played for the Tokyo Electric Power Co. team — in Fukushima, as a matter of fact — and were thus company employees. After the disaster of March 11, Tepco’s soccer team activities were suspended, but by that point Maruyama has already left. She went to the U.S. and played for while but ended up returning to play for JEF Chiba. Gendai says her salary there is “very small.” Samejima stayed with Tepco until March and then moved to the USA, where her salary was better, the equivalent of about ¥300,000 a month. Team captain Homare Sawa earned about ¥3.6 million a year playing for the Nihon TV team, which among women soccer players is considered “good.” NTV dissolved its team not long ago, and Sawa now “makes less” playing for a team in Kobe.


They’re the exceptions, though. Gendai characterizes most of the players’ financial situations as being “borderline poverty.” When the national team was preparing for the World Cup they couldn’t start practice until after 7 every night, because most of the members had part-time jobs during the day at convenience stores and other small businesses. They had to provide their own food and were usually too tired to cook for themselves and so ended up eating a lot of junk food and instant meals, thus obliterating another truism: that athletes have to eat well to win.

Compare this to the men’s national soccer team, which employs its own chef who travels with them wherever they go. In fact, if you compare the two organizations’ financial situations, it’s easy to see how much more “cost effective” the women’s team is. Most of the pay for national players comes through incentives. Nadeshiko Japan will receive a total of ¥1.5 million from the Japan Football Association for their first place finish at the FIFA World Cup. If the men’s team came in first, they would receive ¥35 million. Second place? ¥25 million for men, ¥1 million for women. Even if the men place in the top 16 they receive some sort of bonus, but the women’s team have to place at least in the top four to receive a bonus. Also, the men’s team receives a bonus of ¥2 million for each game they win during the World Cup final. The women’s team receives ¥100,000 per win. The men’s team even get a bonus for a win during the preliminaries. The women don’t. According to Gendai, seven members of the the men’s team received a total of ¥20 million each in various bonus payments from the last FIFA World Cup in South Africa, even though the team only placed in the top 16.

It’s not clear what the women will receive after their stunning victory but some rough arithmetic would indicate that each player will probably get less than a million yen at most. If the USA women’s team had won, they would have received from the relevant American soccer association a bonus of $3 million, or ¥237 million, not to mention lots of promotional opportunities. (At present the members of Nadeshiko Japan are only being used for a lowkey ad campaign for the lunchbox chain Hotto Motto.) Not to put too fine a point on it, but do these figures make the Japanese women’s victory all the more impressive? Local news are already reporting projected “economic effectiveness” of ¥1 trillion. It’s difficult to get any more impressed with the team at this point, but even taking into consideration the size of the men’s soccer market compared to the women’s soccer market, already the Japanese language Twittersphere is exploding with one sentiment: Given what these women have done for Japan, not to mention the Japanese media, they deserve to be paid.

 

[Kinan]

Very interesting article:

Holy shit, thats shocking. I hope the success will stimulate the development of healthy football market in Japan, they should use this chance wisely.