OT: 2024 Soccer and Vancouver Whitecaps Thread

[SeawaterOnIce]

They haven't played too bad IMO. Just poor passing in the middle. Spain has had chances but Italian team is super strong defensively and Donnarumma has been fantastic.

Been one of the more lobsided games in the tournament. It should be 4-0.

 

[Frostage]

Well, them and Spurs and that utter twat Harry Kane plays/played for both. And goes to Bayern and they impossibly start losing, too.

Its super fun to hate on Tottenham. Now I don't follow the EPL super closely but what makes you call Kane a twat?

 

[DFAC]

england are the toronto maple leafs of football. you absolutely love to see it.

I actually find this new generation of England players pretty likeable and easy to cheer for. So not really like the Leafs

 

[God]

I actually find this new generation of England players pretty likeable and easy to cheer for. So not really like the Leafs

it's funny you say that because i think the same thing about the leafs core players sans marner.

it's just that... they're the leafs.

 

[Bubbles]

The game was super close in the 1st half, but eventually Argentina wore down the defense.

Canada had tons of chances but they can't score. Crazy stat on TSN said they haven't scored on top 10 teams since 2008.

Gotta score against Chile and Peru otherwise it's a short tournament.

 

[VanJack]

Canada with an heroic effort against World Cup champs Argentina. After a nil-nil first half, Argentina scored early and late in the second half for a 2-0 win om game one of the COPA tournament.

Same old story for Canada unfortunately. They actually generated some glorious chances but nothing in the way of finish. Until this country develops a world class striker, they're always going to struggle to generate goals against top clubs in the world.

 

[Lindgren]

Lisandro Martínez also spoke after Argentina's win: "It was a very tough match for us. The important thing is that everyone who comes in can perform at their best."

Speaking after full time, Lionel Messi spoke about his side's performance: "We knew it was going to be a tough match, very physical. In the first half there was little space. Luckily we found the goal quickly in the second half, but even so it was complicated."

From the NYT.

 

[Frostage]

From the NYT.

Definitely encouraging, but after watching the highlights man do some of the Argentinians go down easy. (and cry)

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

Definitely encouraging, but after watching the highlights man do some of the Argentinians go down easy. (and cry)

Should have watched the Spain-Italy game. Jesus it was ridiculous.

Good effort from Canada. Just can’t finish. Which is interesting given David is a hot commodity and Larin has a decent club record as well.

 

[VanJack]

The thing you notice immediately about soccer at this level, is just how hard it is to break down the defenses and get scoring chances.

And when you do get those chances, if you can't finish, you're not likely going to get the result. I'd like to see the Canadians just take a chance and blast a shot on goal. Too many chances wither away from over-passing the ball in the box.

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

The thing you notice immediately about soccer at this level, is just how hard it is to break down the defenses and get scoring chances.

And when you do get those chances, if you can't finish, you're not likely going to get the result. I'd like to see the Canadians just take a chance and blast a shot on goal. Too many chances wither away from over-passing the ball in the box.

We have attackers that can do straight line runs. The same attackers lack any ability to dribble or kick/head a ball in motion. David showed this in the Lille but has been so severely underwhelming CANMNT. Larin is just a step behind each time. Tajon can be put in an attacking role with his pace but lacks any quality up front.

 

[Red]

Respectable performance against the world's best. Crepeau had a great game.

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

No real surprises in the Euro or Copa America so far.

Canada is in a must-win matchup against Peru tomorrow. A loss eliminates them from Copa America, a draw likely sees them out too (needing a sure win against Chile and Peru loss against Argentina who may rest their starters).

It's good to get this double dose of soccer since the Whitecaps have been so mid.

 

[Bubbles]

LOL being an Azzurri fan, it's not for the faint hearted! Equalizer in the final minute of extra time just to make it to the final 16.

Shades of Totti in 06.

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

LOL being an Azzurri fan, it's not for the faint hearted! Equalizer in the final minute of extra time just to make it to the final 16.

Shades of Totti in 06.

Beat the Swiss and you guys face England in a QF.

 

[Bubbles]

Beat the Swiss and you guys face England in a QF.

If they don't go out in penalties first.

 

[VanJack]

Whitecaps are rapidly finding their natural level in the Western Conference of MLS. A lackluster 2-0 loss on the road in Portland drops them to ninth.

Every Caps season is like 'groundhog day'. Good enough to struggle for the final playoff spot, but far removed from having a roster that's much of a threat to win anything. Season after season of mediocrity.

But I suppose as one of MLS teams with a limited payroll, that's the lot for Caps fans.....they should be resigned to it by now.

 

[I Hart Conor Garland]

Whitecaps are rapidly finding their natural level in the Western Conference of MLS. A lackluster 2-0 loss on the road in Portland drops them to ninth.

Every Caps season is like 'groundhog day'. Good enough to struggle for the final playoff spot, but far removed from having a roster that's much of a threat to win anything. Season after season of mediocrity.

But I suppose as one of MLS teams with a limited payroll, that's the lot for Caps fans.....they should be resigned to it by now.

I can't imagine how anyone wants to follow the Whitecaps. They're a have-not franchise in a crap league. Local pride? The league ain't proud to have Vancouver. They gleefully let Messi wipe his ass all over us because we are Vancouver and they can.

 

[God]

the whitecaps really just need richer owners willing to take spending risks in order to draw more fans in. you could continually sign any of the has-been european players and start to create a culture of winning. then season tickets wouldn't average to $20/game.

one of the funnier signings is marcel hartel. st pauli is maybe the only club i follow next to bayern munich, and they just promoted to the bundesliga. their leading scorer, marcel hartel, announced after the promotion that he was leaving the club, and everybody expected him to go to a top division team in europe. no. he signed for st louis sc in the mls. they're literally below the whitecaps in the standings. insane behaviour but he would've instantly made the whitecaps good if they spent the money.

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

the whitecaps really just need richer owners willing to take spending risks in order to draw more fans in. you could continually sign any of the has-been european players and start to create a culture of winning. then season tickets wouldn't average to $20/game.

one of the funnier signings is marcel hartel. st pauli is maybe the only club i follow next to bayern munich, and they just promoted to the bundesliga. their leading scorer, marcel hartel, announced after the promotion that he was leaving the club, and everybody expected him to go to a top division team in europe. no. he signed for st louis sc in the mls. they're literally below the whitecaps in the standings. insane behaviour but he would've instantly made the whitecaps good if they spent the money.

Whitecaps owners were spending money on the pitch. They cheaped out on the scouting aspect which has resulted in a lot of dud and wasted money on crap like Schöpf and Cavalini.

But yeah, now, they are now reverting back to tightening up the purse strings, judging by their recent transfer windows.

The harsh reality compounding matters is European soccer players are a different breed compared to hockey players and seek nicer climates or cities with a bumping nightlife unless you seriously pay them a hefty amount.

 

[I Hart Conor Garland]

the whitecaps really just need richer owners willing to take spending risks in order to draw more fans in. you could continually sign any of the has-been european players and start to create a culture of winning. then season tickets wouldn't average to $20/game.

one of the funnier signings is marcel hartel. st pauli is maybe the only club i follow next to bayern munich, and they just promoted to the bundesliga. their leading scorer, marcel hartel, announced after the promotion that he was leaving the club, and everybody expected him to go to a top division team in europe. no. he signed for st louis sc in the mls. they're literally below the whitecaps in the standings. insane behaviour but he would've instantly made the whitecaps good if they spent the money.

Frankie Blueberries owns the wrong Vancouver franchise.

 

[alternate]

Rough first 45 minutes. Need to move the ball quicker and string some touches together.

 

[CRDragon]

1-0 canada

 

[Red]

Canada win. Peru should have been down to 9 men.

Insane to play in these conditions.

 

[God]

it's kinda funny watching the euros all morning, and then watching prison rules concacaf and jacob shaffelburg misplay the ball on every possession