Canadian National Teams & International Soccer

[T-Bone]

We know who @YungYuri is rooting for in this years #WorldCup. #Brazil #Argos #CFL pic.twitter.com/Wf1p9Ey9LY

— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) June 12, 2014

[argonaut11xx]

ONLY 1 OSCAR ...handed out in game 1...

Croatia was winning 1-nothing, and a player from Brasil (acts like a girl)...fakes being shot by a bazooka...(while in the crease)

And of course the very afraid looking referee, calls a penalty shot(kick)....wow....

Brasil should have won regardless...but that act by the brasil player, was a joke, ...

I suggest that all soccer players must "bath" in the magic spray (that aerosol stuff that can make a fatally injured soccer player jump off a stretcher and be ready to play)...before each game...

Sadly, im no fan, BUT, im in a POOL, and thats the only reason im remotely interested...(Hmmm..isnt there another scenario like this in Toronto)

why dont they use that MAGIC spray in other sports?...

[T-Bone]

ONLY 1 OSCAR ...handed out in game 1...

Croatia was winning 1-nothing, and a player from Brasil (acts like a girl)...fakes being shot by a bazooka...(while in the crease)

And of course the very afraid looking referee, calls a penalty shot(kick)....wow....

Brasil should have won regardless...but that act by the brasil player, was a joke, ...

Brazil tied the game in the 29th minute and the penalty goal was in the 71st making it 2-1. Fred's dive in the box was bullshit but from the refs angle it looked like he was pulled down. The ref made the call right away and did not look "very afraid." Brazil's third goal was legitimate which is good because it would have sucked if it ended at 2-1 and it should have been a 1-1 draw.

[argonaut11xx]

Hey T-Bone...

just my take..but that Japanese ref ran like he was scared for his life, and finally was surrounded by the croatians, when he made the call....

and again...looked like a dive.....

I like watching and learning about the sport,

[T-Bone]

Hey T-Bone...

just my take..but that Japanese ref ran like he was scared for his life, and finally was surrounded by the croatians, when he made the call....

Brazil vs. Croatia: Highlights

and again...looked like a dive.....

I like watching and learning about the sport,

It was a dive that's why I said it was bullshit. I'm not a fan of diving and I don't think many are. In fact I own this t-shirt:

Unfortunately I can understand why Nishimura awarded it because of the angle he saw it from. It's easy to see when you have the advantage of multiple TV angles and replay.

[ArgoZ]

Diving in soccer has become more of a strategy or manipulation of the rules to benefit oneself. The payoff is just so strong, that it encourages it. Penalties are freebies, but any free kick around the box is high percentage with a world class specialist on every national team. Getting the opposition red carded is even more of an advantage gained. When stakes are so high, humans resort to anything. It is like pass interference in football. A vet in pre-season doesn't care, but during the Grey Cup, he alleges that he's interfered on every pass he doesn't catch. The only solution, which is years away, would be replay. Refs could red card a diver and rule on a replay. It will be most interesting how the CFL fairs with their pass interference replays this year.

[argonaut11xx]

Diving in soccer has become more of a strategy or manipulation of the rules to benefit oneself. The payoff is just so strong, that it encourages it. Penalties are freebies, but any free kick around the box is high percentage with a world class specialist on every national team. Getting the opposition red carded is even more of an advantage gained. When stakes are so high, humans resort to anything. It is like pass interference in football. A vet in pre-season doesn't care, but during the Grey Cup, he alleges that he's interfered on every pass he doesn't catch. The only solution, which is years away, would be replay. Refs could red card a diver and rule on a replay. It will be most interesting how the CFL fairs with their pass interference replays this year.

hahahahaha....REPLAY???....in soccer?...

NEVER ever going to happen, they are still in the stone-age, and haven't even clued in that an official timekeeper, and a "scoreclock"...would make more sense (and be more fair) than having the referee "time" the games on his wristwatch. The "extra time" is a joke, and should be done properly and accurately.
So the idea of replay...maybe in another 500 years or so....

[ArgoZ]

hahahahaha....REPLAY???....in soccer?...

NEVER ever going to happen, they are still in the stone-age, and haven't even clued in that an official timekeeper, and a "scoreclock"...would make more sense (and be more fair) than having the referee "time" the games on his wristwatch. The "extra time" is a joke, and should be done properly and accurately.
So the idea of replay...maybe in another 500 years or so....

At international events, it's only a matter of time before we see some kind of replay. Goal line technology has been introduced, so I wouldn't say never, but we are in agreement that it is "years away". Soccer is such a world wide sport, that it is a challenge to change any rules and have the whole world follow. It is important to keep it simple for many nations.

We also do not want to get too technical with time and have 3+ hour games. It flows and works well as is. The game has more important issues when played at the highest level, than time keeping. I often ponder if off-side technology would work, because that is quickly becoming an issue as seen in the Mexico game today.

[1argoholic]

Trying to watch a bit of World Cup but every time I see some suck roll around like he's been shot it pisses me off. I grew up playing hockey with the mentality that you NEVER want to show that you're hurt. I never wanted a guy to have the satisfaction of knowing that his massive hit actually hurt. So to watch this circus is painful. Hondurous (however it's spelled) were either rolling around or taking cheap shots. Still difficult to believe with how many kids have grown up in Canada as first generation Canadians who's parents moved from massive soccer playing nations and that we still can't field a decent team. I guess it's the luck of the draw and we have to get through the States and Mexico to name a few.

[ArgoRavi]

Trying to watch a bit of World Cup but every time I see some suck roll around like he's been shot it pisses me off. I grew up playing hockey with the mentality that you NEVER want to show that you're hurt. I never wanted a guy to have the satisfaction of knowing that his massive hit actually hurt. So to watch this circus is painful. Hondurous (however it's spelled) were either rolling around or taking cheap shots. Still difficult to believe with how many kids have grown up in Canada as first generation Canadians who's parents moved from massive soccer playing nations and that we still can't field a decent team. I guess it's the luck of the draw and we have to get through the States and Mexico to name a few.

I wonder whether we wouldn't be better off having our own domestic pro league rather than latching onto the Americans' leagues. Have the three Canadian MLS franchises made much of a difference in the development of Canadian soccer players? Perhaps it is too early to tell but I haven't seen an effect yet.

[Will]

The effect may take longer than just 5 or 6 years, Ravi, consider the NBA where more Canadians are starting to be drafted. Agreeably, it is only a couple of guys, but it's been almost 20 years since NBA teams came to Canada.

[T-Bone]

I wonder whether we wouldn't be better off having our own domestic pro league rather than latching onto the Americans' leagues. Have the three Canadian MLS franchises made much of a difference in the development of Canadian soccer players? Perhaps it is too early to tell but I haven't seen an effect yet.

I thought this was one of your favorite blogs. You haven't read this yet?

[ArgoRavi]

I thought this was one of your favorite blogs. You haven't read this yet?

To be honest, I only read that blog sporadically - like every couple of weeks - but my question was certainly addressed there. Thanks for the links. I remember when Canada made it to the '86 World Cup which was very exciting. At that time, we were ahead of the U.S. in soccer and then started the Canadian Soccer League shortly after. Then things went south from there. I would love to see Canada back in the World Cup at some point but I wonder how much longer we will have to wait.

[T-Bone]

Reminder that you can watch the Canada v Germany friendly live Wednesday on @Sportsnet One at 22.00 ET / 19.00 PT.

http://t.co/8oUMtwgCWn

— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) June 18, 2014

Proud to introduce the 2014 @CanadaSoccerEN Home Jersey.
Head to http://t.co/oPdU9PQG2D for more details pic.twitter.com/0QJrWSJOVN

— Umbro Canada (@UmbroCanada) June 18, 2014

[T-Bone]

#USMNT advance to Rd. of 16 at the @FIFAWorldCup! #USA will play 1st Place in Group H. 4 pm ET on July 1 in Salvador! pic.twitter.com/DVxztpmSLp

— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) June 26, 2014

[Wobbler]

I don't like to cheer against the host nation, but go Columbia tomorrow! There's a chance that Columbian success will translate into an earlier end to the FARC rebellion, which would be pretty amazing.

[LLB997]

Booyaaa

10514556_733550890040197_2789868611382873180_n.jpg

[Wobbler]

I don't get it.

[argolio]

I don't get it.

You don't know who Pele is?

[AngeloV]

You don't know who Pele is?

Didn't he used to play goalie for the Flyers before a tragic accident?