The Official 2018 World Cup Thread...

[fsUTampa]

I know this will be an extremely unpopular comment but soccer, unlike football, can save itself from future generations of kids not playing because of what is being learned from head injuries and CTE. Sub-concussive hits apply to the head most times a player heads the ball (or when he misses and collides heads with an opponent). IMO, ban the act. Teams will adjust...
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-teams-continue-ignore-concussions-170836604.html

Eh...no, that's bs and overblown media stuff for clicks. How many soccer players in later age really suffer similar to football players (or boxers, or whatever)? Yeah, none...this is dumb.

The dudes that get KO'd (like that Moroccan guy the other day), sure...hold them out and put them through some proper concussion protocol. But heading the ball...yeah, no, this is stupid.

 

[noleit]

I've eaten many a danish, but never the other. Go Denmark!

Bloomin onions are delicious.

 

[GwinnettNole]

Eh...no, that's bs and overblown media stuff for clicks. How many soccer players in later age really suffer similar to football players (or boxers, or whatever)? Yeah, none...this is dumb.

The dudes that get KO'd (like that Moroccan guy the other day), sure...hold them out and put them through some proper concussion protocol. But heading the ball...yeah, no, this is stupid.

Not true. https://www.cnn.com/2017/02/14/health/brain-damage-dementia-cte-soccer-football-study/index.html

"The study investigated the lifestyles and career paths of 14 deceased soccer players who had had dementia, 12 of whom died of advanced dementia."

Another article:
https://thebiglead.com/2017/10/15/the-famous-cte-doctor-is-coming-after-soccer-now/

I was hoping soccer would not fight this like the NFL did but apparently the fans and FIFA are. Don't put your head in the sand.

 

[LesClaypool]

Not true. https://www.cnn.com/2017/02/14/health/brain-damage-dementia-cte-soccer-football-study/index.html

"The study investigated the lifestyles and career paths of 14 deceased soccer players who had had dementia, 12 of whom died of advanced dementia."

Another article:
https://thebiglead.com/2017/10/15/the-famous-cte-doctor-is-coming-after-soccer-now/

I was hoping soccer would not fight this like the NFL did but apparently the fans and FIFA are. Don't put your head in the sand.

Those guys probably had collisions that led to concussions too, like the Morocco/Iran clash. Those happen ALL the time, and are dangerous.

There's no way they measured the number and/or type of headers that guys who died in their 60's (and therefore played in the 1970's and 1980's) performed though. That's nonsense.

As such, the article you posted is only partially relevant.

Anyway...why are you trying to crap on our thread, Gwinnett? This is a fun thread talking about the World Cup, while it happens. Save your recurring Sky is Falling bit for after the WC, por favor. We know you want to talk about it.

 

[DDennis73]

Just quick glance shows that headers account for roughly 20% of all goals scored. You cannot simply eliminate headers. And games are not the biggest issue it is all the practices. I think if this is a real problem then perhaps using the rugby type head gear either in games or practice to reduce the impact could help. I know Peter Czech (sp?) used one after his skull injury but he was a GK.

 

[GwinnettNole]

Those guys probably had collisions that led to concussions too, like the Morocco/Iran clash. Those happen ALL the time, and are dangerous.

There's no way they measured the number and/or type of headers that guys who died in their 60's (and therefore played in the 1970's and 1980's) performed though. That's nonsense.

As such, the article you posted is only partially relevant.

Anyway...why are you trying to crap on our thread, Gwinnett? This is a fun thread talking about the World Cup, while it happens. Save your recurring Sky is Falling bit for after the WC, por favor. We know you want to talk about it.

The main reason I post this stuff is I'm a huge soccer fan (you guys know this). The athletic ability required to play and artistic skilled required is second to none, thus the beautiful game. And it can be saved (unlike football) as long as the fans are educated on what is going on.

I won't say anything more but I would love to see more soccer fans be aware of this. Finally If you have 10 minutes watch this video from National Geographic. It puts the whole thing into perspective: http://channel.nationalgeographic.c...97LRH65wqkJxXffsnYOGGNJmOVlcGYmCOFu7DiPuKVKg/

 

[seminoleed]

On a different note, just read where it's being alleged that the center for yesterday's Morocco/Portugal match asked for Ronaldo's jersey during the match. If true (and of course it's being denied), that'd be a big no-no.

And who was that ref? Why, Mark Geiger, of course, the absolutely worst MLS official there is. Just sayin'.

 

[seminole97]

Just quick glance shows that headers account for roughly 20% of all goals scored. You cannot simply eliminate headers.

Easy, just replace them with bicycle kicks.

 

[LesClaypool]

11am...it's Mbappe time!!

 

[LesClaypool]

Peru bringing it to France early.

French look super timid in first 10 minutes.

 

[LesClaypool]

Peru by far the better team thru 33 minutes.

France can’t get anything going.

Their RB, Pavard, is particularly awful today.

EDIT: France on the board now 1-0, against the run of play.

 

[NoleLizards]

Peru by far the better team thru 33 minutes.

France can’t get anything going.

Their RB, Pavard, is particularly awful today.

There goes your boy!

 

[ReliableOstrich]

I tend to agree, the world soccer community will hopefully be more willing to change and less blindly tied to tradition than football here in the States.

 

[LesClaypool]

France starting to put together some beautiful attacks...

 

[noleit]

Peru just isn't getting anything going offensively.

 

[NoleLizards]

Aside from Renaldo's gem against Spain, the quality of free kick goal-scoring attempts in this WC has been pathetic.

 

[DDennis73]

The Serbian scored a great free kick goal. Free kicks are hard to score from. Seems like the best free kick takers are doing good if they score on 10-15% of those taken.

 

[NoleLizards]

The Serbian scored a great free kick goal. Free kicks are hard to score from. Seems like the best free kick takers are doing good if they score on 10-15% of those taken.

The ones I've seen have gone either straight into the wall or right at the keeper (like Peru's at the end against France). I know it's not easy to score on a FK percentage-wise, but your side should at least have someone who's well-practiced enough to make the keeper work.

 

[GoNolesTX]

Yeah, was coaching a 6th grade baseball team the past two days in tourney play. I miss anything fun? Did I see someone ask why US Soccer isn't playing and what the problem is?

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Yeah, was coaching a 6th grade baseball team the past two days in tourney play.

Get in any fights?

 

[GoNolesTX]

Get in any fights?

Ha! Nah, got someone upset because I got his pitcher called for a balk, so that satisfied me.

 

[NoleLizards]

I wonder if Jack White ever had any inkling of an idea that "Seven Nation Army" would become a worldwide sports anthem for decades to come?

 

[NoleLizards]

That's an Excedrin headache for Messi!

 

[noleit]

Penalty fest first half Arg vs Cro.

 

[LesClaypool]

Argies may well be going home. Not looking good for them at all.

 

[NoleLizards]

Argies may well be going home. Not looking good for them at all.

Messi has a lot more talent around him. I wouldn't be shocked if Argentina wins the whole thing.

The power of my jinxing ability in full display.

 

[Fijimn]

Croats going with the rough play with the theory that the Argentinians will play to avoid contact

 

[LesClaypool]

Croats going with the rough play with the theory that the Argentinians will play to avoid contact

It’s a good strategy. They largely are playing to avoid contact except for Mascherano.

 

[noleit]

Looks like that strategy might pay off.

 

[LesClaypool]

Croats 1-0 Argies

 

[Fijimn]

It’s a good strategy. They largely are playing to avoid contact except for Mascherano.

It’s well known to play South Americans this way. They are not very big and their style is interrupted by rough play.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Argentina looks very one dimensional.

It's either Messi standing around watching his team do stuff or his team standing around watching Messi do stuff.

I'm no expert in soccer but in bball you've got to move without the ball, seems that would be the case here as well. Or not?

 

[DDennis73]

Ive been listening to some of the podcasts and while I have not watched Argentina the last year or so it seems like a good analysis that the players and even coaches are just looking to get Messi the ball and have him work his magic. Plan A is get the ball to Messi and Plan B is to get the ball to Messi. There is no Plan C.

In La Liga that seem to protect Messi and Ronaldo more than say the Prem would and Im guessing than what he is seeing in the WC.

If Arg go out I dont know if that clears the path for some of the other favorites or whether they simply arent that good and facing them is nothing to fear.

 

[Fijimn]

This referee has very poor control on this game. Croats now spreading the fouls around

 

[Fijimn]

Croats can fake near death with the best of them. And the ref stops play during the attack. So poor

 

[noleit]

Croats up 2-0 now. Arg goalie sux.

 

[NoleLizards]

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Damn, looks like Argentina will be going home early. Ugh.

I guess the good news for them is that Buenos Aires beats the hell out of Nizhy Novgorod.

 

[funksouljon]

Damn, looks like Argentina will be going home early. Ugh.

I guess the good news for them is that Buenos Aires beats the hell out of Nizhy Novgorod.

Croatia is making Argentina look like... well, the US. 0-3, and they just teed off for the 3rd goal.

And that second shot was a beaut.

 

[DDennis73]

Even with this result I believe they are still alive. They really need Iceland not to beat Nigeria. That would make their work very difficult as they could not better Icelands point total and would need to overcome the GD. That 2nd goal for Croatia was big in that respect.

If Iceland doesnt take the full 3 points that does create a strange situation where Croatia knows they are top regardless and losing to Iceland would knockout Argentina.

Just saw where Croatia knocked in a 3rd. Going to make it incredibly hard to advance based on GD. An Iceland win all but knocks out Argentina. But a Nigeria win and as crazy as it sounds the Argentines are still well and fully alive.