I think this post proves my point rather than disproves it. First, the amount of time that one team controls the offense says nothing about the number of turnovers that occur during the course of the game - it's more a statistic that may indicate a mismatch.

Secondly to highlight a match where there were 12 successive passes as something incredibly exciting (i.e., out of the norm) is indicative of the fact that the norm is one of more frequent turnovers. Even if 12 passes was the norm, can you imagine a football game (American variety) where there was a turnover every 12 plays? It would be described (correctly) as a very sloppily played game and the fans would be booing.

I'm not going to claim that soccer players are not good athletes. I suspect they are. But, I find the constant change of possesion, mostly without even a shot on goal, to be very boring. Obvioulsy, I'm at odds with the majority of the world.

I rest my case

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imc7yMY9amc[/ame]

There are winners and losers in most soccer ties.

In the England vs USA tie: England heavily favored to win, USA down 0-1 early in game, came back and tied. The USA was a big winner and England were big loser.

In USA vs Slovenia Tie: USA heavily favored to win; USA down 0-2 in first half. came back and tied. USA was expecting to win the game going into it and normally a tie would be a USA loss; however, because they were down by two early and fought back to the tie, the USA was a winner and Slovenia a loser.

in England vs Algeria 0-0 Tie: England heavily favored to win; a tie was a major win for Algeria and a major loss for England. And the USA and Slovenia were winners by the tie of the other two group C members.

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Stick with kicking around dogs.

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obviously.


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I didn't know the circus is in town ,,,,,,,

fumar

Whether they were winners or losers because they were upset or upset the other team by kicking to a tie or a draw, the only thing that counts in the end is the standing in the division at the end of the day.

A 0-0 tie is zip points. A 2-2 tie is 2 points each (I think) but still a tie.

But they have bragging rights at the bar because they beat a team they should have lost to.

You're correct - the only thing that matters (in the tournament) is the standings.

0-0 is 1 point and zero goal differential and 0 goals for

2-2 is 1 point and zero goal differential and 2 goals for

2-2 is better than 0-0 which is why the US is ahead of England in the group standings even though they both have 2 points from tieing both their games so far. In next week's last game of the group round England has to score 3 more goals or more than the US to get a higher position IF they both have the same result (win, lose or tie). They are both favored to win so the 2 goal advantage the US has is a very good position, it could mean the difference between continuing in the tournament to the knock out games (where the group stage results are not involved) and heading home; or playing the 1st place team in Group D (probably Germany) or the 2nd place team in Group D (probably Serbia). . . NOBODY wants to play Germany when they can play Serbia or whoever finishes second to Germany.

Like other sports, soccer has some complicated nuances that take time to understand. (want to discuss offside or handball?)


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That sure was a disappointing loss to Ghana for the US Team.
 

Except that I am glad that an African team is in contention for the 2010 World Cup. Makes for more entertaining games if the host continent still has a team in play.

The 2014 World Cup should be a shoe-in for Brazil with Brazil's history in the World Cup as well as that country being the site of the next World Cup.

World Cups have only been won by teams from Europe and South America.

They need to change the name of the Cup.


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what happened ...
 

Hey guys , What happened yesterday, I didn't get to see the game...I had to trim my toe nails and then fell asleep .........

narcoleptic fumar

I thought I saw you in the luxury box with Bill Clinton, Mick Jagger and Katie Couric.




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I agree, Soccer is boring. Anytime a game goes on forever and the score is only 1-0 is boring. I can appreciate the skill of the players as compared to the average player, but I'm tired of them trying to shove soccer down our throats in this country. If its so great we will get interested, but for now I'd rather clean my garage than watch a world cup match.

Would you rather clean mine, by any chance? :D