June 12-July 13 in Brazil





Ten topics of conversation a white soccer douchebag in your office might bring up to sound smart:

1. Croatia's midfield is underrated
2. Belgium is young and talented
3. No European team has ever won a World Cup in South America
4. England will lose if it goes to penalties
5. Germany always makes at least the semifinals
6. Spain is too good and no one else has a chance
7. Messi has to lead Argentina to at least the semifinals to cement his legacy as an all-time great
8. The phrase "beautiful game" will be used or better yet a real douche would say "joga bonito"
9. African teams are talented but not organized enough (like the Germans)
10. Brazil are huge favorites and the shadow of the 1950 World Cup (which they hosted and lost) still hangs over the nation


Let's get some predictions:

Winner: Brazil
Runner Up: Uruguay
Golden boot (most goals): Messi
Will the USA get out of the group stage? No

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Back off, Warchild. Seriously.

I predict more stadium collapses than US wins.

Oranje makes it out of the group stage to make up for their shitty Euro performance.

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Ghana, Iran, and Costa Rica will combine for two goals for the tournament.

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"All crowds boycotting football games shouldn't care who sings or takes a knee because they aren't watching." - Nas

The people of Brazil sure are excited about this event.

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Back off, Warchild. Seriously.

Radamel Falcao of Colombia is out for the World Cup. Real shame. No Falcao and no Zlatan. Less competition for Jozy for the Golden Boot.

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Back off, Warchild. Seriously.

Hopefully Suarez will be healthy enough to beat him out for it.

I'm in a Yahoo Pick'em league for those interested. ID is 9191. PM me for password.

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Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

Opener is tomorrow afternoon. GET HYPE.

Brazil v Croatia 3pm ESPN.

Lame that there is only one match on the first day. But Friday has three (including Spain v Netherlands)

The media is really reaching with this narrative that Ghana has eliminated the USA from the last two World Cups. Technically true, but in 2006 they did not play in the knockout stage. It was just the final group game. But we can't let truth get in the way of this HUGE rivalry US soccer now has with Ghana.

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Back off, Warchild. Seriously.

Not sure if you guys know, but I was just telling my coworkers that Marco Reus and Franck Ribery won't be playing in the World Cup.

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-- source

I have to pee.

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Back off, Warchild. Seriously.

Ok I got a daughter that wants to keep up with the World Cup.

I have never really paid much attention to it.

Someone give me some help. When and where can I find these games?

Am I understanding this correctly that the US has pretty much no shot of doing well?

Anyone got a recommendation for a fun team to adopt and pull for?

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

All the games are on the ESPN/ABC family of networks.

The US is in a tough group. Germany is considered a lock to win the group, leaving the US, Portugal, and Ghana to fight for the last spot. Portugal has the best or 2nd best player in the word and Ghana has beat the US in the last 2 cups so the US isn't really expected to get out. Despite my lack of faith in the US team, I will say they do tend to play up to the competition, especially against European teams. With that said, if they lose or draw to Ghana they might as well go home. They can steal a point against Germany and Portugal on a good day, but probably not a win.

African teams are usually fun to watch, with Ivory Coast being at the top of the list. The Netherlands are cool and if you hate diving cheaters, Japan and South Korea "play the game the right way."

Beat Ghana, draw with Portugal, and lose to Germany is the best case scenario.

I love that FIFA is taking all this shit about the Qatar bid right in the middle of their signature event.

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Back off, Warchild. Seriously.

I think the US could beat both Ghana and Portugal. I do not think Portugal is really that great. IMO, US, Ghana, and Portugal will be evenly matched. It would be a coup if they could draw Germany.

If the US wins the first game, they will get out of the group.

Will the games be streamed online?

Yeah, ESPN3 or the WatchESPN app.

Croatia 1-0 over Brazil at the moment.

Brazil OWNed that goal.

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-- source

Andres Escobar trending on twitter.

1-1

Croatia playing decent.

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Back off, Warchild. Seriously.

phew, they can call off the motorcycle assassins...for now.

Hasn't the USA been the nail to Ghana's hammer in international play? In other words, is USA-Ghana the Canucks-Blackhawks of World Cup soccer?

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This pitch looks immaculate.

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-- source

It would look so much better with Marco Reus and Franck Ribery running on it.

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Back off, Warchild. Seriously.

Certainly have the US' # the last couple Cups.

Have you heard if they're playing?

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-- source

Yes, but it's like saying in 2014 the Blackhawks are better than the Canucks because of what happened in 2010 and 2006.

And that penalty is why soccer sucks sometimes.