GDT: 2026 World Cup (of not-hockey)

[Drivesaitl]

Mexico should be doing much better than they are against a very weak looking RSA side. As per usual Mexico build up and moving ball up looking good but failing at feeds in the box. They always seem to lack that last touch. Mexico strikers doing good considering they're getting some questionable service.

Nothing like the Atmosphere of an Azteca game. Could just feel the crowd.

But RSA showing us why a 48Nation WC feels like a letdown. They have looked horrible. Can't complete two passes.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Thread interest died. lol. Oh well. Mexico brings it on home. Jimenez with a great game. South Africa were plain awful, cynical play, clumsy dirty tackles all day. They looked all day they don't belong. I suspect more than a Dozen nations will look that way. Shame because only one real club on the pitch today. Mexico were fighting against air and their own lack of quality service into the box. Perhaps shockingly Mexican fans were booing their own team at around 60mins mark and deservedly so. Both teams were awful for awhile and just looking like running clock down. Not a startling start.

 

[rboomercat90]

why are they using BMO field? That's so embarrassing.

Yeah I get that Edmonton isn't a 'word class city' but at least Commonwealth is a world class soccer facility

What’s funny about this is they’re not calling it BMO Field during or referring to the World Cup. It’s Toronto Stadium in this world.

 

[brentashton]

What’s funny about this is they’re not calling it BMO Field during or referring to the World Cup. It’s Toronto Stadium in this world.

It’s a FIFA sponsorship issue. BMO didn’t nut up to be a sponsor. In this day and age of businesses paying for naming rights, I agree as much with FIFA to disallow them as I’m sure BMO has exclusivity on any other banks having their trademark in the facility for other lesser sponsorships. It works both ways.

SOFI in LA is being called Los Angeles Stadium for all the same reasons.

It’s not a big deal other than FIFA is a corrupt criminal organization.

 

[EchoesoftheEighties]

These hydration breaks are basically just being used for ads. f***ing gross

 

[EchoesoftheEighties]

Korea really taking the game to the Czechs after 45. Son easily the best player in this game but has missed chances that he definitely scores if he's a bit younger, a shame he's basically washed at this point. Love that guy.

 

[rboomercat90]

Great game between the Koreans and Czechs. Back and forth with momentum changing with every possession.

 

[Oilhawks]

Hoping that Cristiano finally gets his World Cup.

 

[EchoesoftheEighties]

Much better game than whatever the hell that opener was. Great second half. Probably a fair result based on play, credit to the Koreans. If Son can shake off the rust by the time they play Mexico they might even have a shot at the group.

 

[OilersaretheMcBest]

It was literally impossible to get tickets to watch a game at Snowtecca, played in winter conditions, the last go round. There was much more enthusiasm here for that game. Not so much for the latest one.

Well that was a qualifier and the first game here in a long time. This one was a friendly with a lot of stars out so it makes sense. And arguably watching in the snow is easier than in the rain lol

 

[brentashton]

I don’t watch much World Cup footy, so I have a question.

Does the player of the game get a FIFA Peace Prize for their significant efforts?

 

[PinSeeker]

Much better game than whatever the hell that opener was. Great second half. Probably a fair result based on play, credit to the Koreans. If Son can shake off the rust by the time they play Mexico they might even have a shot at the group.

Frankly I thought Mexico looked dreadful vs a very weak SA side. I don't see them breaking S Korea down really at all. Think Korea does take the group.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Frankly I thought Mexico looked dreadful vs a very weak SA side. I don't see them breaking S Korea down really at all. Think Korea does take the group.

Hard to say. Czechs weren't very good and didn't generate much. You have to play Korea tougher, be stronger on the ball and in possession, and use your height and size to dominate air balls. Korea very susceptible to that and Czechs didn't exploit enough although they did get 2 goals with one called back on offside.

Korea strengths are pace and flurry and trying to dictate but can be beat with what I mention. Mexico has more possession skill on the ball and can move it around which might give Korea problems.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Much better game than whatever the hell that opener was. Great second half. Probably a fair result based on play, credit to the Koreans. If Son can shake off the rust by the time they play Mexico they might even have a shot at the group.

Other than South Africa being awful at least Mexico was entertaining. The atmosphere through the roof which of course wasn't the case in the later game.

The fans alone at Azteca made the Mexico match more enjoyable. jmo.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Smallest Stadium to host a WC game, BMO, not even sold out. Hundreds of tickets available, prohibitively priced. Imagine if they had this in a standard stadium with more tickets they wouldn't have to charge 4K or something for tickets. Toronto sucking yet again and being an embarrassment.

Can't wait for the world to lol at this pathetic stadium hosting a WC opener. What a sad reply to seeing the glory of Azteca stadium that can fit more than 100K for concerts and 85K for games. The Canadian vetted Stadiums put together have less capacity than Azteca. The stadiums alone are going to make the Canadian hosting so 2nd rate and a shame as we actually have better stadiums. Higher capacity stadiums. Hint.

 

[ujju2]

Smallest Stadium to host a WC game, BMO, not even sold out. Hundreds of tickets available, prohibitively priced. Imagine if they had this in a standard stadium with more tickets they wouldn't have to charge 4K or something for tickets. Toronto sucking yet again and being an embarrassment.

Can't wait for the world to lol at this pathetic stadium hosting a WC opener. What a sad reply to seeing the glory of Azteca stadium that can fit more than 100K for concerts and 85K for games. The Canadian vetted Stadiums put together have less capacity than Azteca. The stadiums alone are going to make the Canadian hosting so 2nd rate and a shame as we actually have better stadiums. Higher capacity stadiums. Hint.

I have no issues at all with BC Place hosting. It's a beautiful stadium in a beautiful city, and a large capacity. It also has a roof. And unlike Commonwealth, BC Place has stand that go all the way around, which can make it seem bigger. But agreed that Commonwealth would make a much better venue than BMO.

 

[Drivesaitl]

I have no issues at all with BC Place housing. It's a beautiful stadium in a beautiful city, and a large capacity. It also has a roof. And unlike Commonwealth, BC Place has stand that go all the way around, which can make it seem bigger. But agreed that Commonwealth would make a much better venue than BMO.

Yeah BC place is fine. I didn't single it out for criticism. But BMO is straight up joke to be hosting these WC games and Canada games as well.

BC place is also visually appealing after the retrofits. Not so much before when it was a Kingdome clone. heh.

Commonwealth is better for soccer as almost all the seats are sides. Watching Soccer from endzone seats is just plain weird. Not something I have a taste for.

 

[ConnorNova0929]

BMO field looks like Clarke Stadium. Toronto should be embarrassed

 

[Drivesaitl]

BMO field looks like Clarke Stadium. Toronto should be embarrassed

I laughed and then cried.

But as we know Toronto incapable of being embarrassed. Gotta be pretty centric to think thats a great stadium but talk to any Toronto fan and they'll swear up and down at you that you don't know shit. Its the best, because its in Toronto. They have the best Mountains too. (sarcasm)

 

[Oilhawks]

I laughed and then cried.

But as we know Toronto incapable of being embarrassed. Gotta be pretty centric to think thats a great stadium but talk to any Toronto fan and they'll swear up and down at you that you don't know shit. Its the best, because its in Toronto. They have the best Mountains too. (sarcasm)

Why go anywhere else in the world when you can live in Great Value New York?

 

[brentashton]

Yeah BC place is fine. I didn't single it out for criticism. But BMO is straight up joke to be hosting these WC games and Canada games as well.

BC place is also visually appealing after the retrofits. Not so much before when it was a Kingdome clone. heh.

Commonwealth is better for soccer as almost all the seats are sides. Watching Soccer from endzone seats is just plain weird. Not something I have a taste for.

I watched the Mexico v South Africa game yesterday. Obviously that’s a world class stadium but BMO, omg. Seeing BMO field on the pregame is like going to watch the Oilers at Kenilworth Arena.

 

[brentashton]

Connor’s at BMO!!

 

[brentashton]

The booing of said nation has become boorish behaviour.

Ironic because it’s that same behaviour that rankles the same people booing.

 

[EchoesoftheEighties]

Azteca is one of those heritage stadiums like Wembley, Bernabeu etc. Mexico are basically the real hosts let's be honest. They bring the vibes and world cup flair whereas Canada is just happy to be here.

BMO sucks but there is a lack of real stadiums in this country, is what it is.

Go Canada

 

[brentashton]

Jesse March. Full on singing.