2026 World Cup thread

[Bubbler]

Um … I was responding sarcastically to someone pointing out I was wrong. I don’t think kicking me in the nuts after was really needed.

I’ll rephrase my response:
First point: stat is trash.
Second and separate point: Americans meddle too much.
Third and still separate point: get off my lawn.

Cite examples of “Americans” meddling in soccer too much.

I have one. Donald Trump insinuating himself into a red card suspension.

Beyond that? Please provide concrete examples. Because I think you’ll find that it’s FIFA, not “Americans”, who are responsible for some of the things that people don’t care for in the game.

 

[da man]

Not sure why that matters, since he's writing for an American publication. "British sports English" has become the norm during the World Cup, regardless of the nationality of the author or commentator. Hell, ESPN sometimes screws up and uses singular and plural verbs in the same story. I was mainly referring to that one sentence in particular that simply sounds jarring to this American.

And since it's not really a soccer thing --- the British use plural verbs for teams in all sports --- are we going to adapt that style for the Olympics? We didn't five months ago.

USA wins Olympic gold in thrilling men’s hockey final against Canada

The sentence in question reads and sounds VERY awkward.

 

[da man]

Don't know the exact context, but to say something like "Argentina's XI" is a relatively standard, if somewhat British construction synonymous to "starting lineup." It would be XV for rugby.

I admit to trying to make IX-player football a thing in my section but it hasn't exactly caught on. (This is mostly because in Minnesota, competitive sections are also denoted using Arabic numbers so "Section 7-9 Man football" could read "section seven to nine man football."

That's a really easy fix. It should be "9-man football". Or nine-man. Either way, it should be hyphenated.

Edit: What is the hyphen for in your example?

 

[TigerVols]

I feel like it’s not just Argentina. Almost every game I watched, players want to fight each other as soon as it’s over. Grown ass men.

I sorta wish the NBA was still like this, instead of the ceaseless bro hugs between all the giggling participants after every game.

 

[da man]

John Strong needed a Jim Nantz like sentence after the final whistle.

Didn't someone say something like "Spain reigns!" after the win?

I remember that because I told my wife they should have said "The reign of Spain!"

 

[ChrisLong]

If I was still working, before this event started, I would have suggested to our editors that we make a style ruling on jargon, and make sure the writers got the word.
My opinion: quote them accurately, but in text, do it in American English. In a quote, "Spain were awesome." In text: Spain was awesome.

 

[Spartan Squad]

Cite examples of “Americans” meddling in soccer too much.

I have one. Donald Trump insinuating himself into a red card suspension.

Beyond that? Please provide concrete examples. Because I think you’ll find that it’s FIFA, not “Americans”, who are responsible for some of the things that people don’t care for in the game.

Good God man, I was being self deprecating. I was ranting about a bull**** stat from bull**** analytics. I got a key fact wrong. Shame on me. I criticized Americans because Americans have, despite your assertions, tried to Americanize soccer because it’s what we do. With everything. It’s why we have Viking claps at nfl games and contrived chants that do nothing but make the world mock us more. Rather than actually developing people based on what the rest of the world does, we force families to pay for the privilege and then hand wring when it doesn’t work. We have a hit tv show about an American and Canadian (who works mostly in the US now) buying a Welsh soccer team.

But again shame on me for getting a fact wrong, criticizing the US and making fun of myself for it.

 

[Jake from State Farm]

The late, great Sid Abel did that all the time. “DeTROYit are moving over the blue line.”

 

[micropolitan guy]

The late, great Sid Abel did that all the time. “DeTROYit are moving over the blue line.”

Gordon Lightfoot must have been a huge Sid Abel fan.

 

[Jake from State Farm]

Gordon Lightfoot must have been a huge Sid Abel fan.

Gord lived in Detroit for a spell with Chuck and Joni Mitchell

 

[Driftwood]

In other football news, Kevin Keegan has passed away.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

Don't know the exact context, but to say something like "Argentina's XI" is a relatively standard, if somewhat British construction synonymous to "starting lineup."

And it’s still wrong.

 

[UPChip]

That's a really easy fix. It should be "9-man football". Or nine-man. Either way, it should be hyphenated.

Edit: What is the hyphen for in your example?

In Minnesota, your section tournament is (Section number)(Class), so 7AA, for example. Except the class is called 9-player (gender inclusive), which would then mean the section is "Section 7-9 Player"

 

[Dog8Cats]

And John Strong on the call will bring it down even more. Darren Fletcher was pitch perfect for this match.

Wasn't familiar with Strong until this event. Prototype of describing everything as if his broadcast were on radio, not TV. Seems in love with either his voice, his research or both.

 

[HanSenSE]

In Minnesota, your section tournament is (Section number)(Class), so 7AA, for example. Except the class is called 9-player (gender inclusive), which would then mean the section is "Section 7-9 Player"

View attachment 23378

Much like they label postseason Little League, Cal Ripken, etc. groupings by age as well as distance between the bases.

 

[Bubbler]

I like John Strong. Y'all are haters!

 

[Inky_Wretch]

I like John Strong. Y'all are haters!

He's OK.

But Fletcher and Hargreaves were the top team of the tournament.

 

[Shropshire Slasher]

In other football news, Kevin Keegan has passed away.

Quite the sad day both Merseyside and Tyneside.

My social media was blowing up all day with tributes.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

Always read Leander Schaerlaeckens ...

 

[HanSenSE]

Or they could just leave it there, since it's probably better than what the Giants and Jets play on.