- 08:02 AM
- 11/23/24
If Wales wins through their play-in, group B will be the only group with no teams outside the top 25 (regardless of who wins the other play-ins). Every other group will have at least one lower than 25 and a couple groups will have two lower than 25. I'd say B is the group of death if Wales can make it. I hope they don't.
posted by Ricardo at 11:50 PM on April 04, 2022
The U.S. has never won in Mexico's great soccer cathedral.
We did. In a 2012 friendly.
posted by Ricardo at 04:07 PM on February 04, 2022
I'm still amazed that the team agreed to leave the old name behind without any sort of contingency plan except just calling themselves the Football Team.
I was amazed also. But being more of a soccer fan, I liked it and wish they had kept it. I had naively hoped it would start a trend in America. I don't hate the new name, but find Washington's color scheme of red and gold an odd bedfellow of the military theme.
posted by Ricardo at 01:31 PM on February 02, 2022
This does away with home teams playing overly defensively in the first leg
Home team plays overly defensive, not away team.
posted by Ricardo at 08:18 PM on June 26, 2021
Away goals>Penalties
While that might be true, it isn't a case of one or the other. Getting rid of away goals gives the teams thirty minutes to try to decide it on the field.
extra time > away goals > penalties
With that, you either take the middle position or you take the two outer options being possibilities. I wonder what the percentage of games are that get decided in the extra time as opposed to having to go to penalties.
posted by Ricardo at 10:29 AM on June 26, 2021
This does away with home teams playing overly defensively in the first leg creating more exciting matches. I much prefer extra time to settle it.
posted by Ricardo at 01:17 AM on June 25, 2021
I don't know that either side was really in the wrong here. The tour rightly asks players take interviews and a player should rightly decline if that's weighing on them in such a negative fashion.
It sounds like she said the right things when she withdrew (when I'm ready, I want to have the discussion on how to make this better for players, press and fans) and it sounds like all four majors are now saying the right things (mental health is a real issue and needs to be addressed, we'll work on finding how to make sure all stakeholders do their job to the best of their ability, without impacting player health).
posted by Ricardo at 03:23 PM on June 01, 2021
I think they're trying to create an alternative to the Champions League as opposed to La Liga. And a better move is to work to make those countries have more than a couple dominant teams. It shouldn't be necessary to cross borders to create a competitive national league.
posted by Ricardo at 04:14 PM on April 21, 2021
As a long time fan of the beautiful game, one of the things that made it beautiful for me was the very antithesis of American sports. There are few meaningless games towards the end of the season with teams fighting for spots at either end of the table, whether it be for the title or a spot in the Champions League or a team fighting relegation. The romance of the little guy being able to fight through to achieve something special as Leicester did a few seasons ago. This just feels like an Americanization of something that was much better beforehand and hopefully it doesn't come to fruition. This is the first time in 15 years as a Liverpool supporter I'm ashamed to be so.
posted by Ricardo at 07:53 PM on April 19, 2021
I've worn a different Liverpool shirt every day since the Chelsea/City match. It would feel more like dreamland if we didn't have several months to brace for it and had already been running away with it to begin with. Still seems a bit surreal. Time to design my next tattoo. UP THE REDS!!!
posted by Ricardo at 03:17 PM on June 29, 2020
Wow! Cindy Parlow Cone has been named President in Cordeiro's place. This will get interesting I suspect.
posted by Ricardo at 12:24 AM on March 14, 2020
Within each team, an argument can be made for different pay scales. You can pay each male the same as each other male or you can pay them based on their individual skills (e.g. the best male makes more than the worst male).
Revenue should play into it, but country is slightly different than club. At a club, you can shop your skills around to the highest bidder. You cannot do that for your country (for the most part). That gives the USSF (and other federations) an unfair bargaining chip.
If a federation is going to pay the worst male the same as the best male, then each female's pay should be very close to that same amount, with some allowance being made for the difference in revenue whether it be in the favor of the men or women.
posted by Ricardo at 05:59 PM on March 13, 2020
The USNSTPA is a labor union for the men's team. I think they're using this as a springboard for their own CBA negotiations as opposed to being outright supporting of the USWNT. They've not voiced these concerns until now when there is no CBA in place for the men and it benefits them to paint USSF as greedy (probably correctly).
While the women are most likely woefully underpaid, I also don't understand why anyone thinks their pay should be commiserate with any other group, male or female. Sports are revenue based and players, all players, should be paid based off that.
If the women generate more revenue (wouldn't surprise me), then they should get MORE pay than the men. There's zero logic to it being the same either way.
posted by Ricardo at 02:14 PM on February 13, 2020
Mr. Tweedy : Mrs. Tweedy! Deadspin is revolting!
Mrs. Tweedy: Finally, something we agree on.
posted by Ricardo at 12:01 AM on October 31, 2019
I was already thinking our chances for any trophy had slipped after City won Monday. This has me believing Brighton can pull something off for us next week and we can beat Spurs bringing the double to Anfield.
Shellback, 1991 USS Constellation CV-64
posted by Ricardo at 08:33 PM on May 08, 2019
For me, it isn't a sex issue at all. Simply revenue. I could see where the womens team, with their continued success over the years, could be bringing in more revenue. If that's the case, they should be paid more, not the same.
As for ticket prices, that should be (and probably is) dictated by attendance. Less people go to WNT games. The last 10 MNT matches have averaged 33,000 people whereas the last 10 WNT matches have averaged 10,000. I do feel the USSF should market them equally and treat them equally, which they probably don't. This is the kind of thing that should be focused on so that the revenue stream comes more in line with the MNT. It's much more compicated than simply saying they should pay them more though.
I've watched both for years and as far as I'm concerned, they deserve it, but until the revenue is there, I don't think it's possible.
posted by Ricardo at 10:23 AM on March 12, 2019
I agree that a woman and man who do the same job should make the same amount. But I think revenue generation is part of certain jobs and certainly part of a professional athletes job. If one team generates twice the revenue OR half the revenue of another team, shouldn't their pay reflect as such.
Individually, athletes on a club team are treated this way. Lebron James generates more revenue than Jason Ball and is paid accordingly.
posted by Ricardo at 11:28 PM on March 11, 2019
Winner: France
Score: 2-1
Scorer: Griezmann
Cards: Lovren
Golden Ball: Mbappe (although it should be Kante)
First Card: 40th
Extra Minutes: 7
posted by Ricardo at 11:31 PM on July 14, 2018
3 & 4 are pick a player in "each game" and grum has chosen one from each team. It sounds like it was meant to include the 3rd place match but since that has passed, I now assume we aren't picking anything for that match. But if we are, I choose Belgium winning 2-0 with Hazard to score and Stones to get a card.
posted by Ricardo at 03:35 PM on July 14, 2018
.
posted by Ricardo at 08:13 AM on July 11, 2018
WINNER (SCORE) GOALS/CARDS
France (2-1) Griezmann/Kompany
England (3-1) Kane/Maguire
posted by Ricardo at 02:18 PM on July 09, 2018
Would like to change my yellow card pick from Neymar to Fallaini in the Brazil Belgium match if possible. Match is about to begin now
posted by Ricardo at 02:03 PM on July 06, 2018
Winner/Goals/Cards
France/Mbappe/Suarez
Brazil/Neymar/Neymar
England/Kane/Maguire
Croatia/Mandzukic/Lovren
Most/England
None/Russia
posted by Ricardo at 10:17 PM on July 05, 2018
Almost everyone also stole my picks of Belgium over Japan, England over Colombia and Brazil over Mexico. I demand reparations.
posted by Ricardo at 11:45 AM on July 03, 2018
WINNER - GOALS, CARDS
France - Messi, Rojo
Portugal - Ronaldo, Pepe
Spain - Costa, Kudryashov
Croatia - Modric, Lovren
Brazil - Neymar, Layun
Belgium - Lukaku, Dembele
Switzerland - Toivonen, Schar
England - Kane, Mina
Shootouts: 3
posted by Ricardo at 11:51 PM on June 29, 2018
Group A: Russia, Uruguay; Luis Suarez
Group B: Portugal, Spain; Cristiano Ronaldo
Group C: France, Denmark; Antoine Griezmann
Group D: Argentina, Croatia; Lionel Messi
Group E: Brazil, Switzerland; Neymar
Group F: Germany, Mexico; Timo Werner
Group G: Belgium, England; Harry Kane
Group H: Poland, Colombia; Robert Lewandowski
3. Brazil
4. Germany
5. 12
6. 7
7. Brazil
posted by Ricardo at 06:15 AM on June 14, 2018
Does this mean there will be some way to change our passwords? I hardly ever log in anymore because the site uses one of my old passwords and I can never remember which one. I have to go request it every time I do want to log in.
posted by Ricardo at 12:30 AM on May 28, 2018
Giving a team that last corner and not blowing the whistle until the "attack" has failed is akin to a kickoff in football with 1 second left and playing the play out until it's dead.
I much prefer the excitement of the unknown time in soccer as opposed to the asinine way the clock is used in football and basketball. The longest 5 minutes is the last 20 seconds of an American sport.
posted by Ricardo at 09:20 AM on June 20, 2017
Hernandez has been found dead in his cell this morning. Apparent suicide.
posted by Ricardo at 09:12 AM on April 19, 2017
Without taking goals scored into account, there are 27 possible outcomes in a group of 3 (3 games ending in 3 outcomes win, lose or draw) and 729 possible outcomes in a group of 4 (6 games, 3 outcomes). In the 3 team group, there are 3 ways in which all teams can be tied and 3 ways in which 2 teams can be tied for second place. This gives a 22% chance of needing some form of tiebreaker (6/27). In the 4 team group, there are 7 ways all teams would be tied, 20 ways 3 teams are tied for first, 12 ways 3 teams are tied for second, and 168 ways 2 teams will tie for second. This gives a 28% chance of needing some tiebreaker (207/729).
So it seems more likely to end up in the drawing of lots with 4 teams than 3. Of course this doesn't take into account that some teams will be more likely to win than others. And there are other possibilities when the top two teams tie where you would need to figure out which team comes out first and which comes out second.
posted by Ricardo at 02:53 PM on January 11, 2017
Wales 3-1 (Bale)
Germany 4-1 (Muller)
posted by Ricardo at 02:19 PM on July 06, 2016
I missed yesterday's game, DAMMIT!
Belgium 3, Wales 1 (Lukaku)
Germany 3, Italy 1 (Muller)
France 3, Iceland 1 (Griezmann)
posted by Ricardo at 12:29 PM on July 01, 2016
Switzerland 0 - 1 Poland - Milik
Wales 3 - 0 Northern Ireland - Bale
Croatia 1 - 0 Portugal - Peresic
France 3 - 0 Republic of Ireland - Payet
Germany 4 - 0 Slovakia - Muller
Hungary 1 - 3 Belgium - Lukaku
Italy 0 - 3 Spain - Morata
England 3 - 0 Iceland - Sturridge
posted by Ricardo at 03:11 PM on June 24, 2016
It was terrible how many times the ref motioned for the players to get away from him only to have two of them yelling in his face. He was unable to take control of them which turned a bad situation worse.
posted by Ricardo at 12:16 PM on June 13, 2016
Group A:
France
Switzerland
Player: Antoine Griezmann
Group B:
England
Wales
Russia
Player: Jamie Vardy
Group C:
Germany
Ukraine
Northern Ireland
Player: Thomas Muller
Group D:
Spain
Turkey
Player: Nolito
Group E:
Belgium
Italy
Sweden
Player: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Group F:
Portugal
Austria
Iceland
Player: Christiano Ronaldo
posted by Ricardo at 01:21 PM on June 09, 2016
I found their starting 11 on the offical united twitter page. It's pretty strong with Marcus Rojo injured in training the day before and Morgan Schneiderlin out with an illness.
https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/731831543182835712
It will be interesting to see how this compares to the starting 11 they field tomorrow.
posted by Ricardo at 10:29 AM on May 16, 2016
I presume Man United was going to use a lineup of mostly kids and reserves considering the FA Cup final on Saturday
I would think not because this game was probably bigger to the club than the FA Cup final. They were going to more or less be playing for that last Champion's League spot. Now that the game has been postponed and they know the outcome of the City match, they know there is no hope of getting Champion's League football next season and can absolutely field a weakened team and save the heavier hitters for the cup final.
I assume they did it on purpose so they would know exactly how to handle this match (I don't really).
posted by Ricardo at 10:18 AM on May 16, 2016
If you're looking for the nastiness, I would suggest watching the entire match over. There was quite a bit of it. I couldn't believe that game made it to the full 90 with 22 players still on the pitch.
posted by Ricardo at 12:06 PM on May 03, 2016
Soccer is my first love and as a longtime Liverpool supporter, I can't remember a time when this wasn't the case over there. So I agree with rcade. This won't bother me because I barely (subliminally) notice it anymore.
posted by Ricardo at 09:15 AM on April 18, 2016
Soccer is one of the most free flowing games in the world and replay could change it drastically. I dislike diving myself but do see it as part of the game. I wouldn't mind if blatant dives were punished after the fact. Marcel's shenanigans in yesterdays Real Madrid-Wolfsburg match were ridiculous.
posted by Ricardo at 02:09 PM on April 07, 2016
They already throw a yellow flag. They just need to throw a red one immediately after for a second offense. And of course, change coach's challenge flags to a different color.
Also, I agree with grum. Yellow and red cards, as well as penalties are too steep a price beyond the norm and are the reason flopping permeates soccer.
posted by Ricardo at 02:20 PM on March 23, 2016
Shouldn't her first place take be higher than someone like Victoria Azarenka or Simona Halep?
Being a higher draw usually equates to skill level (although not 100% of the time). Factor in long term winnings, appearance fees and endorsements typically given to a higher draw and she is paid more. It isn't as simple a separation either. And I agree tennis isn't the right sport. From my limited knowledge of it, the sexes are pretty equal as far as draw and popularity, in which case I would advocate the pay to reflect as much.
posted by Ricardo at 08:30 AM on March 23, 2016
Don't mistake my arguments for sports related pay to mean I don't believe in equal pay in the real world. I am very liberal and absolutely feel women in the work force should be paid as equals.
posted by Ricardo at 09:55 PM on March 22, 2016
On what specific grounds should men be paid more for that tournament?
I'm not saying any specific sport or tournament should pay men more, or women more for that matter. I'm saying each should be paid according to the revenue they generate. If they generate the same revenue, pay them the same. I don't know whether they do or not. But we can take a different example. The NBA generates WAY more money than the WNBA and for that reason, NBA players should be paid more.
posted by Ricardo at 09:15 PM on March 22, 2016
From your link ...
1. Female tennis players work just as hard as men.
Lower ranked male players work just as hard as Djokovic and Nadal. This doesn't mean they should be paid the same.
2. Longer contests are not worthy of higher pay.
I agree here. Length of the contest shouldn't play into it.
3. It's a myth that fans are always more interested in men's tennis.
I also agree here. I watch many women's sports and often enjoy them more than the male counterpart.
4. Men get paid the same as women in figure skating and gymnastics.
Why should this matter? The counter argument (which is also incorrect) is that women get less than men in other sports. I would argue the reason behind this is that women's gymnastics and figure skating draw a similar or larger audience than the men's does. And their pay should reflect that.
5. The fact that women's sports are (sometimes) less popular is a vicious cycle.
I'm not sure this is true. There are plenty of women's sports that thrive, tennis being one of them.
posted by Ricardo at 01:02 PM on March 22, 2016
Etrigan, I don't think it has anything to do with equality. If you look at a sales job which is based off commission, then one salesperson is going to get paid more than the next person because he or she is selling more. I don't think men should be paid more by default. I think whoever is generating revenue should be paid accordingly.
posted by Ricardo at 09:22 AM on March 22, 2016
I don't think Djokovic is entirely out of line. While I wholeheartedly agree anyone doing the same job should get paid as equals, I think sports are a different thing altogether. These people are revenue generators and if any group generates more revenue than another, the pay should reflect that. I don't see that as sexist and I would say if a woman's sport brings in more cash than the men's equivalent, then they should make more than those men. I don't really know the breakdown as far as tennis goes, but if it is correct that more people watch the man's game than the women's game, how can you justify equal pay. In everyday life is where this needs to be corrected, not on the field.
posted by Ricardo at 12:19 AM on March 22, 2016
It's more likely it was due to the international break than getting a draw at Goodison. As another long time Red, I agree with Bill ... four months (at least) late. We've done almost nothing with the Suarez and Sterling money.
posted by Ricardo at 09:09 AM on October 06, 2015
What's worse than not winning? Not deserving to win. Although Tejada may have been offside when Perez gave him the ball before scoring, we didn't play well enough on the night to warrant anything better than a draw and may not have warranted that much. Guzan was big for us.
posted by Ricardo at 11:41 AM on July 14, 2015
The sun on the third goal is a stretch. The defender was angled away from it for the most part. It looked more like just a tricky bounce.
posted by Ricardo at 04:26 PM on July 06, 2015
I thought maybe Johnston's hand was on the shoulder but not applying any real pressure. Not the smartest move but when the German went down the ref didn't have much choice. IF the ref saw it that way as well, it might explain the yellow as opposed to red. It easily could've been a red though and I think we were a bit lucky on both PKs. I can see why the ref gave the second one as I thought she was a yard into the box watching live. And I too would've liked to see how we handled France.
posted by Ricardo at 08:44 AM on July 01, 2015
I think that headline is a bit generous. We didn't impress until Australia ran out of juice in the second half of the second half. It seemed like the midfield couldn't complete most of their passes before that. We couldn't even take throw ins very well. Australia did a great job pressing. Also, what the hell are the refs wearing under their shirts? Inner tubes?
posted by Ricardo at 10:16 AM on June 09, 2015
I bet the Las Vegas bookies aren't very happy.
I think bookies could care less who wins any sporting event. Bets are usually hedged and they win regardless. Probably not always, but in most cases.
posted by Ricardo at 03:31 PM on January 13, 2015
After seeing some pictures of the marks left, I'd say it's more than any 4 year old should receive.
posted by Ricardo at 10:40 PM on September 16, 2014
I was under the impression domestic corporal punishment is still legal in the US. I understand there's a line where it crosses into child abuse, but where is it drawn? And how do we know whether it was crossed in this case?
I am not playing devil's advocate here, I just don't think I understand the facts well enough.
posted by Ricardo at 04:15 PM on September 16, 2014
It saddens me that she married him.
posted by Ricardo at 12:20 PM on September 08, 2014
You seem to have made up your mind without much evidence.
posted by Ricardo at 10:32 PM on August 10, 2014
Jurgen Klopp Leaving Liverpool
I'm gutted. What a revelation Jurgen has been for us. I'm glad we rebuilt our midfield before he left. This could spell the end of Mo Salah at Anfield also. I'm anxious (not in the good way) to see what happens in the next few years. YNWA.