World cup opinions...

[Unregistered]

This was the 1st year that I, myself, followed the World Cup. Solely due to the fact that our offspring has started a second year of club soccer & has been following a few professional players. My offspring & I, & even my wife, thoroughly enjoyed the whole process. Twas very entertaining. And after it all played out it turned out that our offspring had been following a France player this year during his regular stint with Aletico Madrid. So the fact that France won it all was very exciting. Soo, we are just curious what the thoughts might be for entertainment value for this year's cup compared to previous years?

[Unregistered]

This was the 1st year that I, myself, followed the World Cup. Solely due to the fact that our offspring has started a second year of club soccer & has been following a few professional players. My offspring & I, & even my wife, thoroughly enjoyed the whole process. Twas very entertaining. And after it all played out it turned out that our offspring had been following a France player this year during his regular stint with Aletico Madrid. So the fact that France won it all was very exciting. Soo, we are just curious what the thoughts might be for entertainment value for this year's cup compared to previous years?

This World Cup was very entertaining and unpredictable

[Unregistered]

This World Cup was very entertaining and unpredictable

It certainly was. It also appeared to be well run, much to the chagrin of the Russia haters. I know someone who went and he had a blast.

[Unregistered]

Best World Cup ever!

[Unregistered]

Best World Cup ever!

Vive la Hinkle

[Unregistered]

It was a really good one. some great games, some big surprises, no major ref controversies. Game times sucked - didn't get much work done :)

To the OP: it's great that your player is taking an interest and is watching top professional games. It's part of learning the game.

[Unregistered]

It was a really good one. some great games, some big surprises, no major ref controversies. Game times sucked - didn't get much work done :)

To the OP: it's great that your player is taking an interest and is watching top professional games. It's part of learning the game.

Also to the OP: if you don’t have a preferred Premier League team your kid follows, encourage him to find one and then watch the games in the coming months. I say Premier League because those games are easiest to find on TV.

It’s really surprising how few kids really watch the pros (not MLS) but those who do learn a lot.

And it’s fun to watch with your kid.

[Unregistered]

Also to the OP: if you don’t have a preferred Premier League team your kid follows, encourage him to find one and then watch the games in the coming months. I say Premier League because those games are easiest to find on TV.

It’s really surprising how few kids really watch the pros (not MLS) but those who do learn a lot.

And it’s fun to watch with your kid.

Seconded. There's really no reason not to be watching high-level soccer if the family is involved in it. There are games on every Saturday and Sunday mornings, and most of those afternoons as well.

[Unregistered]

I thought the World Cup was disappointing. The laws of the game allow for massive amounts of strategic and hard fouls, players diving, and players in the faces of the referees.

Dives, flops or gamesmanship, no matter what you want to call it, is CHEATING. Change the rules to automatic RED card.

The only player that should be able to speak to the referee should be the captain. Any other player that contentiously argues fouls or calls should get...yeah you guessed it...an automatic RED card.

Other sports have controls to discourage or deter a high number of fouls.

As far as the play, I think fouls are ruining the game. It doesn't happen in every game, but they are allowed to factor into some. Makes the rules sketchy and inconsistent. Keeps the scoring lower and gives the advantage to defenders. Clarifying and enforcing all of the Laws of the Game should be done for starters, but more strict changes are needed. Yellow and reds should be used more, and perhaps a penalty box is needed. The reward for fouls sometimes is not enough reward for the advantage that player took away. I think it will help speed up the game, all for more of a running game and counterattacks, and viewership will grow.

[Unregistered]

Seconded. There's really no reason not to be watching high-level soccer if the family is involved in it. There are games on every Saturday and Sunday mornings, and most of those afternoons as well.

OP here, yes! We are mostly enjoying LaLiga, but enjoy that games are accessable for viewing. And SO entertaining! Those guys spank MLS! Talk about talent! I recently purchased a Modric shirt for myself! Guys unreal

[Unregistered]

I thought the World Cup was disappointing. The laws of the game allow for massive amounts of strategic and hard fouls, players diving, and players in the faces of the referees.

Dives, flops or gamesmanship, no matter what you want to call it, is CHEATING. Change the rules to automatic RED card.

The only player that should be able to speak to the referee should be the captain. Any other player that contentiously argues fouls or calls should get...yeah you guessed it...an automatic RED card.

Other sports have controls to discourage or deter a high number of fouls.

As far as the play, I think fouls are ruining the game. It doesn't happen in every game, but they are allowed to factor into some. Makes the rules sketchy and inconsistent. Keeps the scoring lower and gives the advantage to defenders. Clarifying and enforcing all of the Laws of the Game should be done for starters, but more strict changes are needed. Yellow and reds should be used more, and perhaps a penalty box is needed. The reward for fouls sometimes is not enough reward for the advantage that player took away. I think it will help speed up the game, all for more of a running game and counterattacks, and viewership will grow.

The World Cup is the big boy game. Get over it.

[Unregistered]

Big boy game? Flopping like wimps? Arguing and harrassing referees 5 on 1? Fouling because your skills are not good enough?

I say use those cards, get a penalty box for team fouls over the limit, and start fining these unprofessionals that act like babies.

The game will change real fast and actually might become a big boy league someday.

The World Cup is the big boy game. Get over it.

[Unregistered]

I thought the World Cup was disappointing. The laws of the game allow for massive amounts of strategic and hard fouls, players diving, and players in the faces of the referees.

Dives, flops or gamesmanship, no matter what you want to call it, is CHEATING. Change the rules to automatic RED card.

The only player that should be able to speak to the referee should be the captain. Any other player that contentiously argues fouls or calls should get...yeah you guessed it...an automatic RED card.

Other sports have controls to discourage or deter a high number of fouls.

As far as the play, I think fouls are ruining the game. It doesn't happen in every game, but they are allowed to factor into some. Makes the rules sketchy and inconsistent. Keeps the scoring lower and gives the advantage to defenders. Clarifying and enforcing all of the Laws of the Game should be done for starters, but more strict changes are needed. Yellow and reds should be used more, and perhaps a penalty box is needed. The reward for fouls sometimes is not enough reward for the advantage that player took away. I think it will help speed up the game, all for more of a running game and counterattacks, and viewership will grow.

Need a sin bin and zero tolerance like rugby

[Unregistered]

Big boy game? Flopping like wimps? Arguing and harrassing referees 5 on 1? Fouling because your skills are not good enough?

I say use those cards, get a penalty box for team fouls over the limit, and start fining these unprofessionals that act like babies.

The game will change real fast and actually might become a big boy league someday.

Right, a US fix for an int’l sport.
We’ve been so successful so far...

Plus, the S Americans and continental players have great flair for the dramatic; take that away and it will expose them for how good they really are.

And the greatest irony of all is that these complaints derive from the most angry and ignorant lack of soccer knowledge poseurs anywhere, courtesy of the Massachusetts board of t/s.
Can’t make this stuff up...

[Unregistered]

How about a FIFA fix for a lousy and unclear Laws of the Game? That would be a start.

Yeah, like Colombia, 6 yellow cards, a head butt, trying to injure players and ganging up on referees. Such flair. They should be banned from the next World Cup.

You have shown no knowledge or any insight in your post. Oooh, what an authority.

Right, a US fix for an int’l sport.
We’ve been so successful so far...

Plus, the S Americans and continental players have great flair for the dramatic; take that away and it will expose them for how good they really are.

And the greatest irony of all is that these complaints derive from the most angry and ignorant lack of soccer knowledge poseurs anywhere, courtesy of the Massachusetts board of t/s.
Can’t make this stuff up...