Soccer... I just don't get it

[Reel Deal]

That penalty kick call at the end of the first half of the US v. Ghana game?? What the fuck?? That's beyond ridiculous.

[PShabi]

I've tuned in for every US game this World Cup, mostly because of the discussion on this board, I guess.

However, this is absolutely comical. I've never seen a sport where the officials have such an impact on the outcome of the game. I'd assume that these are the best officials in the world. That's hilarious.

The first yellow card on Ghana was funny, too. That guy has to sit the next game (if they beat us) becuase of some bullshit.

The officiating, in US games and others, has totally turned me off to this event.

[PShabi]

The stoppage of play for "injuries" is absolutely laughable.

[Reel Deal]

I completely agree with you shab... I'm trying to give this sport a chance. But so far from what I've watched, only one word comes to mind to describe this sport... GAY.

[Robbie Robb]

The Simpsons covered soccer best....

[Defendant]

The PK was a questionable call. Heres the deal though: ANYWHERE else on the field, its a clear foul on Onyewu for pushing off/blocking out. The thing is, usually you dont call that in the 18 yard box because youre majorly impacting the outcome of the game. As far as the ref goes, Dr. Markus Merk is widely recognized as the best ref in the world. He has refed countless Champions League, World Cup, and UEFA cup games, 2 world cup finals, and many many huge games in the German Bundesliga and League Cup.
As for stoppage time, thats well warranted because the clock never stops in soccer. If someone is down...clock keeps running. If the ball is out of bounds...clock keeps running. Stoppage time is added to ensure that the proper amount of playtime is granted.
As far as calling soccer players sissies and primadonnas...have you ever played this game? You dont have padding. Shinguards, thats it. Taking a bunch of studs across the back of your leg fucking hurts. Trying to kick a ball, having all your weight on one leg, then that leg being taken out...great way to blow a knee. 95% of the the time when a player is down, its for a damn good reason. Also, unlike american football, you dont get a 40 second break for every 10 seconds of play. You run nonstop. If late in the game you take a hit and you get the chance to catch your breath for a second...by all means, go ahead.
Ill be happy to provide the experience of getting kicked in the ankle while running full speed to anyone insisting soccer players are sissies, just let me know.

[Talking Poker]

I'm with you guys.... I don't get it either. The refs have WAY too much control. And I definitely don't get how they don't have the technology to stop a clock, but would rather just add a handful - some arbitrary and unknown amount - of time to the end of the game. That way, the players will be surprised when the game ends - it could be any second!!! Ohhhh, how exciting is that???

I'm so glad the Simpson clip is on YouTube, because I agree that it perfectly expresses my views towards the game.

[Talking Poker]

I think running a marathon is pretty demanding too. Sure, there is no defense, but that's 26 miles of running with no breaks.

But that doesn't mean it's entertaining to watch. PLAYING soccer is great, but how in the world is it the most popular sport in the world to WATCH???

Boooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iinnnnnnnnnnnng.

[PShabi]

Dude, the stretcher comes onto the field 15 times a game for kicks to the ankles. Then the player is running down field, full sprint 3 minutes later, 99% of the time.

Save it.

And by stoppage, I meant the fact that play was stopping every 5 minutes to let some dope roll around on the field, get on the stretcher, and then come back 3 minutes later, sprinting full speed down the field.

[Reel Deal]

I couldn't believe the stat they flashed up about Donovan having not scored in our last 17 national team games!! That's supposedly one of our star players??!?! Why should I care about these players if they only score a goal once every few years??

I respect the guys that play this sport b/c you obviously have to be in good shape, but as far as watching this goes?? Shit, I'd rather watch bowling, at least that can't be completely compromised by some wack official.

[jillaj]

Pushing off? With what? His hands never touched him and they were both going after the ball. The guy took "some" contact and flopped to the ground as soccer players do. Thats the thing that turns me off is all the acting. If anyone takes any bit of contact they hit the ground and scream and grimace as if they just took a bullet in the back. I have played soccer and know it hurts to get kicked, elbowed and everything else that happens to player while playing. But seriously be a man, I have seen men get their legs broken and not roll around and scream and cry like some of these people do.

[PShabi]

This is the biggest line of fucking bullshit I've read on here in a very long time. Possibly ever. Seriously.

[PShabi]

Nike and the media hyped up these players for the Cup. The fact is, the US has no truly "world class" players.

[Boobie Lover]

For all that can be said about soccer being boring, it is made up for the fact that there is never any commercial breaks. With my short attention span, I can't stand watching any major US sport that has forced TV timeouts.

[lightfungus]

I actually got pissed off like the rest of you at this game today. But before this, I had started to understand why the world loves soccer. But todays game...oh man, I seriously wanted to slap all those players with my cock, and say "One more drama moment, and this might as well be in your mouth." I mean for fucks sake, your adrenaline is pumping on top of the fact that you just got brushed by someone, and you still feel the need to fall down and moan.

Please do. And then we can see how much faster I stand up than a world class athlete. They aren't necessarily pussies, more like PUSSIES.

[Kurn]

I appreciate what you're saying, but in US sports, no matter how much it actually hurts, the athletes tend to try to underplay how bad the pain is, rather than writhing on the ground like Jack Bauer just shot them through the kneecap. Maybe its a cultural thing.

That being said, I only watch the sport during world cup years and I actually enjoy it. I do think the officiating has been bad, especially the way France got jobbed on Sunday. But our Super Bowl had some pretty pathetic calls, too, so who are we to talk.

[Tony Cheval]

Yeah, it sure ain't as bad in most games as it's been in this WC, but 95% is definately too high.

[eejit101]

Show Me The Money

[PShabi]

Show me the fucking money, bitch.

I call you out on not paying out a bounty you owed me. You tried to deny playing in the tourney at all. Figured out that wouldn't work. So then, you type right in the chat box, "I just sent it."

Guess what? You didn't send shit. Are you seriously that much of a DIPSHIT or do you have ANOTHER EXCUSE? There's an honor system here that should be followed if you're going to run your mouth. $2, $200, or $2,000.

And yeah, I just neg repped you. Don't even think about bouncing some back either. You don't want it with me, eejit.

[eejit101]

Soo chill the fuck out, ill send it again now to "Pshabi" ons tars. im literally gonna restart, and i just watched a film, and it fucking this up, load stars, and send it.

[Talking Poker]

You need to learn to pay your debts.

You ut a bounty on me 2 tourneys ago. pshabi took me out in the third hand. You were definitely playing in that tourney, AS YOU COLLECTED THE LAST LONGER THAN YOU AND I HAD. You also gave me lots and lots of shit when I got knocked out - how you could forget this is beyond me. I sent the $ I owed you right away. Maybe I should have cut out the $2 you owed shabi, since you SUCK ASS when it comes to paying people what you owe them.

Anyway, moving on the the next tourney. Shabi DID remind you, you went through all the excuses, and finally agreed. I SAW you say that you "sent" (past tense) the money right then, just ask shabi stated. Yet..... the money never got there. Go figure.

I know it's only $2 and it's not even owed to me, but it's annoying as hell when people take bets they can't and won't cover.

Tell me... and try to be honest for a once - had the U.S. won the World Cup, would you have paid anyone a dime??? It's ok to say no if you wouldn't have. Just admit it, and don't ever ask for the money "owed" to you.

[PShabi]

Mess with the bull, get the horns.

[eejit101]

i put the bet out, id have paid it. straight up.

What i dont like was shabis reaction, dont go mad at me here, read...

I played the game, and i hate to say it but you tok my reaction the wrong way TP. You said "i knew he had a set, and still called" I said, why did you call, you said "i thought he had a set, f u eejit.." and so on. That didnt bother me, made me shut up though

Shabi at that game didnt remind me on the $2, or id have sent it instantly.

Then on the next game he says something, i think i didnt play the last one, i check the HHs in my folder, it says i did. So i come back after checking, and say im sorry, i did play the game.

So he says he wants his $2. i Then send the $2. Its obvious i had money in my account to do so, a shit load more than $2. The $2 wasnt in anyway a factor to my bankroll on stars. I thought i sent the $2, and logged off. I come back on today, make the usual cocky eejit joke about the USA bombing out of the world cup. then shabi responds.

I immediately check stars, see that it hasnt left my account. I then restart, and send it again, as i promised.


I have made bets with you guys before. In no way have i ever not payed anyone back. I may have been slightly delayed in doing so, but i try not to keep alot of money on neteller, and use my real bank for alot of it, as not workinf ull time its a fuck on paying bills, so i have to leave alot in there, after paying bills, whatever i have left i play with, more often than not i win alot with it, pay more bills, some previous debts from moving home, and make some crazy bet takings on the world cup


I know me and you TP have had last longers on our league games, and ive won 2, youve won 5 Ive paid you on the same day twice, instantly, and the other 3 came the next day, as i said, its hard to get money from my bank to stars, i have to go through paradise - neteller - stars. Normally that takes 2 days, sometimes longer.



I apologise in any way if it seems i never pay debts, or pay up on bets. I have paid EVERY bet or debt on this forum, it may be a day late but it got there.




if you in no way believe i would have paid up on the USA bets on the world cup, then dont pay me your stake of $5, same for john. If you think i cant be trusted with bets, then cancel the last longer we have where i have paid you each one, and ill just play straight up with no side action.