OT: 2023 Soccer and Vancouver Whitecaps Thread

Just A Bit Outside

Playoffs??!
Mar 6, 2010
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Didn't the US tie England (and not win) way back when Wetcoaster first became a senior?

England has a history of farting in the World Cup. Irony is their only World Cup win was in that same 1966 North Korean almost Cinderella story. Former Vancouver Whitecap (to bring the thread about the Caps lol) Alan Ball was on that England World Cup winning team.
US beat England 1-0 in the 1950 WC.

I know all about England’s history. Dad is English and have supported them my whole life.

It’s basically like supporting the Nucks.
 
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MS

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New Zealand drawing 1-1 with defending WC champions Italy at the 2010 World Cup was the craziest result I can remember. This Saudi Arabia result might top that.
 
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I have your gold medal Zippy!
Oct 1, 2015
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Hiding under WTG's bed...
Geoff Hurst. 66 WC Final.
Thanks. Apparently when something similiar happened between the Vancouver Whitecaps & New York Cosmos, Ball & Beckenbaeur just said to each other something to the effect: "1966?" "Ja! 1966" :laugh:



"non-goal" happened at the 2 hour 46 minute mark of the video
 
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SeawaterOnIce

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New Zealand drawing 1-1 with defending WC champions Italy at the 2010 World Cup was the craziest result I can remember. This Saudi Arabia result might top that.


North Korea beating Italy in 1966
Ireland beating Italy in 1994
Costa Rica beating Italy in 2014

That 2014 group with Italy, England, Costa Rica and Uruguay saw Costa Rica top that group. Wild.
 

4Twenty

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Dec 18, 2018
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Olivier Giroud has to be among the most underrated players of this generation.


One goal away from catching The King - Thierry Henry in goals for France.

He’s not as good as Benzema individually but he’s a better player for France.

Still scoring worldies for Milan regularly too.
 

MS

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Olivier Giroud has to be among the most underrated players of this generation.


One goal away from catching The King - Thierry Henry in goals for France.

He’s not as good as Benzema individually but he’s a better player for France.

Still scoring worldies for Milan regularly too.

He's had such a weird career.

Great international career. Some great moments in big games for his club teams and some big years in Europe. But never consistently great over a league season.

As an Arsenal fan I have a soft spot for him but also, man ... some of his squandered chances in 15-16 when Arsenal lost a winnable league to Leicester City were just awful.

He's kind of like soccer's Claude Lemieux or something. Clutch player who continually pops up in big moments but never the overall consistency and league production of an actual great player.

Also he seems to get better with age which doesn't happen with strikers not named Zlatan.
 
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4Twenty

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He's had such a weird career.

Great international career. Some great moments in big games for his club teams and some big years in Europe. But never consistently great over a league season.

As an Arsenal fan I have a soft spot for him but also, man ... some of his squandered chances in 15-16 when Arsenal lost a winnable league to Leicester City were just awful.

He's kind of like soccer's Claude Lemieux or something. Clutch player who continually pops up in big moments but never the overall consistency and league production of an actual great player.

Also he seems to get better with age which doesn't happen with strikers not named Zlatan.
That season was never winnable. Im also an Arsenal fan. The final point total required to win was low but they weren’t all that great and pipped 2nd b/c Spurs are shit.

Even though Leicester’s only two losses were to us (welbeck’s extra time winner still gives me shivers).

I’m still mad Arsenal were only given 2 PK’s the whole season.


World Cup winner. Europa League. Champions league. French league (with a minnow). Italian league at 35. 100 goals at Arsenal.

Top 3 header of the ball in this era (Ronaldo 1).

As an Arsenal fan, with hindsight (knowing they’d sign Aubameyang 6 months after lacazette) they should’ve just kept him and not signed Laca.

He scores crazy goals. Not sure if you watch serie A bit he scored a volley a few weeks back that was so aesthetically pleasing.

Hated seeing him win in Blue, but my second team is Milan, so I’m pretty pleased with how it’s all turned out. I attended a match at San Siro on ‘02 (year they won CL) and even though it was only 1-0 it was by far my fav live sporting event ever.
 

Burke's Evil Spirit

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Oct 29, 2002
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He's had such a weird career.

Great international career. Some great moments in big games for his club teams and some big years in Europe. But never consistently great over a league season.

As an Arsenal fan I have a soft spot for him but also, man ... some of his squandered chances in 15-16 when Arsenal lost a winnable league to Leicester City were just awful.

He's kind of like soccer's Claude Lemieux or something. Clutch player who continually pops up in big moments but never the overall consistency and league production of an actual great player.

Also he seems to get better with age which doesn't happen with strikers not named Zlatan.

He's such a weird guy. If you look at every aspect of being a striker *other* than finishing, he's absolutely world-class: off the ball movement, defensive workrate, counter-pressing, positioning, all of that stuff. And then he actually gets a look and *thud*.
 

4Twenty

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He's such a weird guy. If you look at every aspect of being a striker *other* than finishing, he's absolutely world-class: off the ball movement, defensive workrate, counter-pressing, positioning, all of that stuff. And then he actually gets a look and *thud*.

What he can’t do is create his own shot through dribbling.

Here’s an example for a few weeks ago why I disagree with your last statement:



Start at 2:33

It’s weird how much hype a guy like Drogbs had in his career when he scores at a lower rate in the premier league than Giroud.

Anyways….

Canada beat Japan last week. Japan beat Germany today. Does that mean Canada beats Belgium? Hopefully.

So glad no Lukaku. Hope Canada isn’t too naive. They need to play compact and wait for counters.
 

4Twenty

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Dec 18, 2018
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I can't believe I'm reading a Canadian starting XI for a world cup match.

And I can't believe Adekugbe isn't on it...
I like it. They can change formations very fluidly with this starting 11.

Sammy can come lock it down after we get the lead.


I think Hoilett will likely move into a #10 role when in possession with Phonzy holding the width. Hopefully get him one on one with Dendoncker.


Lots of slugs on this Belgian squad: Hazard, Witsel, Vertonghen, Alderweireld...
It’s a weird formation too. Tielemans is not fleet of foot either (have to be aware of his long shooting though).
 
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Just A Bit Outside

Playoffs??!
Mar 6, 2010
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A team like Belgum does not rely on speed. It will be their movement and passing.

Everything will revolve around De Bruyne.

Neutralize him, and you have a shot.

But Canada is going to need to play with high energy for 90+ minutes. Like the States, need to rely on their fitness and speed.
 

MS

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Mar 18, 2002
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A team like Belgum does not rely on speed. It will be their movement and passing.

Everything will revolve around De Bruyne.

Neutralize him, and you have a shot.

But Canada is going to need to play with high energy for 90+ minutes. Like the States, need to rely on their fitness and speed.

Their lack of speed is relevant if we can burn them on the counter. And yeah, they have a bunch of 30+ slugs in their squad.
 
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