FIFA World Cup 2014

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Croatia got one, I guess a sendoff for them as the leave the tournament.

[Casperian]

Final standings group A

1. Brazil
2. Mexico
3. Croatia
4. Cameroon

First two fixtures in the next round

Brazil - Chile
Netherlands - Mexico

[fairweatherfan]

Football is probably the best example of a sport that makes exactly zero sense unless you understand how it works.

Counterpoint: cricket.  At least in soccer the main objective's pretty easy to figure out. 

Curling also kinda works but it's not nearly as popular as unAmerican football and cricket.

If you could find someone who was coming into both sports cold, football would be more daunting. At least in cricket the scoring system makes sense.

Oh, you were talking about American (aka "real") football.  Given the thread I assumed you meant soccer.  Yeah the scoring in American football is pretty bizarre.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

CONCACAF representing.

After 2 games
Costa Rica with 6 points
Mexico with 4 points

After 1 game
United States with 3 points
Honduras with 0 points


Not a bad start for a "lesser" group of nations.

  In the long run it's good news. The better the teams do in the tournament, the (relatively) more slots they end up with next time.

CONCACAF is playing a great tournament.

Costa Rica advances.
Mexico advances.
USA is on the verge of advancing.
Ecuador still has a chance to advance (although against France, that's a tall order).

They are doing pretty well.

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

Africa not as badly off  as earlier in the round. Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Algeria well placed to go through, Cameroon out really early and Ghana up against it.

[AngryAndIrritable]

Netherlands-Mexico will be a fantastic game. The way Mexico have been playing I wouldn't rule out an upset.

[D.o.s.]

[azzenfrost]

Italy vs Uruguay in less than an hour. Any favorites?

[Who]

Italy vs Uruguay in less than an hour. Any favorites?

I think Italy has to be the favourite. More strength and depth throughout their team.

[Casperian]

Very excited for Italy - Uruguay. Italy is the clear favourite, but I wouldn't rule out Uruguay, either. They have some good players, and we've seen quite a few upsets by south american teams at this WC already.

[Who]

Yeah, Uruguay definitely in with a chance.

Italy been uncharacteristically open defensively and Uruguay have incredibly talented forwards in Cavani and Luis Suarez. Dangerous combination for Italy.

[Who]

Happy to see Italy change their backline and put their trust into Juventus' back four.

              Buffon
Barzagli  Bonucci  Chiellini

That should give them more security at the back.

[Who]

I just realized De Rossi isn't playing. Neither is Thiago Motta.

A very offensively inclined midfield from Italy with Pirlo, Veratti and Marischio. Playing two out and out forwards as well in Balotelli and Immobile. Very attack minded team.

I wouldn't have thought Immobile and Balotelli would have played well together. Both seem like players who want to the lead the line. Not guys who like to drop deep and link things together. Seems like they might have too many similar players in midfield (Pirlo, Veratti) and attack (Balotelli, Immobile) to have good balance going forward. That will be interesting to watch.

[azzenfrost]

Italy is ahead on talent but Uruguay is really fighting for a goal.

[KGs Knee]

I just realized De Rossi isn't playing. Neither is Thiago Motta.

A very offensively inclined midfield from Italy with Pirlo, Veratti and Marischio. Playing two out and out forwards as well in Balotelli and Immobile. Very attack minded team.

I wouldn't have thought Immobile and Balotelli would have played well together. Both seem like players who want to the lead the line. Not guys who like to drop deep and link things together. Seems like they might have too many similar players in midfield (Pirlo, Veratti) and attack (Balotelli, Immobile) to have good balance going forward. That will be interesting to watch.

This post sums up just about all of my frustrations with the Italian side over the last few years.

They have so many talented players, and players that do fit well together, but the coach is just always tinkering, and never seems to be able to settle on a lineup/system and stick with it.  Makes it very difficult to build any sort of continuity.