World Cup (Copa do Mundo) 2014 Master Thread

[The Big Train]

PK shootouts are so absurd

It's about the best thing about soccer. Goals in minutes not hours is fantastic

[star seed 7]

Goalieless overtime is looking better and better 

Also sudden death

[SdK]

I hate PKs. I also hate PKs for penalties inside the box. They should be a spot kick imo.

[Cartierfor3]

PK shootouts are so absurd

It's about the best thing about soccer. Goals in minutes not hours is fantastic

I used to think PK shootouts were better than the game, before I was a real hardcore soccer fan. Now I know that its probably the worst part of the game. I feel bad that it comes down to a goal keeper guessing right/left.

[Dugout DickStone]

The Dutch are very ugly

you post a lot of really dumb things

  Doesn't change fact that the Dutch are physically unattractive. 

[Tobias]

all of tim howard's saves against belgium

[star seed 7]

all of tim howard's saves against belgium

All but like 3 were straight at him

[Tobias]

All but like 3 were straight at him

that means you've done a good job as a keeper fwiw

[star seed 7]

Alright, but doesn't seem that hard to stop a ball Kicked straight at you. I notice in penalty kicks, they kick the ball away from the dude (and it goes in usually). Maybe offenses should try that strategy in non-pk situations (the goal is rough ridin' huge fwiw).

Holy crap, did I just reinvent soccer?

[star seed 7]

Should I delete that post and instead email it directly to the US coach for 2018?

[joda]

The thing about being a good GK is that the goal IS rough ridin' huge. The best (and Howard was fantastic at this in that game) put themselves in position to make the goal as small as possible. During the flow of play it's much more difficult to place a ball in the exact spot you want it as it is on a PK or a set piece. If the goalie had positioned himself correctly the player is left with very little space to aim, meaning anything but a perfect kick will appear to be "right at" the keeper.

[star seed 7]

The thing about being a good GK is that the goal IS rough ridin' huge. The best (and Howard was fantastic at this in that game) put themselves in position to make the goal as small as possible. During the flow of play it's much more difficult to place a ball in the exact spot you want it as it is on a PK or a set piece. If the goalie had positioned himself correctly the player is left with very little space to aim, meaning anything but a perfect kick will appear to be "right at" the keeper.

So the credit should go to the rest of the team for keeping those holes small.

[SdK]

Seven. Stop. Soccer is fun.

[joda]

The thing about being a good GK is that the goal IS rough ridin' huge. The best (and Howard was fantastic at this in that game) put themselves in position to make the goal as small as possible. During the flow of play it's much more difficult to place a ball in the exact spot you want it as it is on a PK or a set piece. If the goalie had positioned himself correctly the player is left with very little space to aim, meaning anything but a perfect kick will appear to be "right at" the keeper.

So the credit should go to the rest of the team for keeping those holes small.

Wut

[Cartierfor3]

sundance kid stop being an elitist. Its ok for people to question things about soccer. Some of you act like a member of a cult where nothing is allowed to be questioned and should be accepted with no explanation.

Soccer elitists: "Soccer is the best thing ever! The whole world likes it! If you don't like it you're an idiot! EVERYONE LIKE SOCCER NOW!"
Soccer Noob: "Hey I'll give this soccer thing a try. Can you explain to me (insert rule or part of the game that that makes no logical sense)?"
Soccer elitists: "YOU DUMBASS! EITHER ACCEPT EVERYTHING ABOUT SOCCER EXACTLY LIKE IT IS OR LEAVE! HOW DARE YOU QUESTION IT!"

[Spracne]

sundance kid stop being an elitist. Its ok for people to question things about soccer. Some of you act like a member of a cult where nothing is allowed to be questioned and should be accepted with no explanation.

Soccer elitists: "Soccer is the best thing ever! The whole world likes it! If you don't like it you're an idiot! EVERYONE LIKE SOCCER NOW!"
Soccer Noob: "Hey I'll give this soccer thing a try. Can you explain to me (insert rule or part of the game that that makes no logical sense)?"
Soccer elitists: "YOU DUMBASS! EITHER ACCEPT EVERYTHING ABOUT SOCCER EXACTLY LIKE IT IS OR LEAVE! HOW DARE YOU QUESTION IT!"

That is not what happened here.

[Cartierfor3]

pretty much

[asava]

pretty much

not really. he explained the fundamentals of being a keeper: make the goal small by using depth/angles/making yourself big and cutting off shooting lanes. not to mention a good amount of Howard's saves were ridiculous foot saves on top of great positioning. not sure what else you are wanting here.

[SdK]

Wow CF3. Good thing they didn't make you a mod. I am a soccer noob as I have said many times. I also, irl, know seven and was being silly.

Grow up.

[ChiComCat]

More PK takers need to kick the ball right at the goal keeper.  Dare the goal keeper to stay put.  I think fivethirtyeight did a piece on how that is where you make the highest percentage of your PKs

[asava]

More PK takers need to kick the ball right at the goal keeper.  Dare the goal keeper to stay put.  I think fivethirtyeight did a piece on how that is where you make the highest percentage of your PKs

it is such a ballsy shot. i mean you are talking about a huge area to score against some of the best keepers in the world. to just say "eff it" and go right at him, or chip him, takes some huge stones. Speaking of...

[michigancat]

More PK takers need to kick the ball right at the goal keeper.  Dare the goal keeper to stay put.  I think fivethirtyeight did a piece on how that is where you make the highest percentage of your PKs

it is such a ballsy shot. i mean you are talking about a huge area to score against some of the best keepers in the world. to just say "eff it" and go right at him, or chip him, takes some huge stones. Speaking of...

[Kat Kid]

I think, if you are good enough, the stutter step and stop is the most effective because the keeper will almost inevitably flinch and lose momentum.

[asava]

I think, if you are good enough, the stutter step and stop is the most effective because the keeper will almost inevitably flinch and lose momentum.

Are you good enough, KK?

[Rage Against the McKee]

Guys, I'm still pretty down in the dumps about how USA played against Belgium. At least Argentina is still alive I guess.