2014 World Cup

[Freed Roger]

That goal came just when it seemed Argentina was getting in Germany's head with the hacks.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

[expletive] right, kid!! The music needs to be changed to some techno party stuff as well.

[Freed Roger]

A great WC. Followed by weird disorganized post game awards.
2018 Putin again does not excite.

[Maclowery]

Thanks for the 320 bucks, Germany. Yay for winning a work team-from-a-hat pool.

Fantastic tournament, in my opinion. Lots of thrilling games, surprises, and drama. USA came so close to a fantastic showing, but still gained respect simply through Howard's amazing game v. Belgium, and our great 88 minutes in the middle of the Portugal game, probably the best football the American team has ever played.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

I was watching the post game ceremony without sound. Thought it was odd Messi got whatever it was he got. Thought maybe it was a 2nd place trophy or something.

http://screamer.deadspin.com/maradona-c ... 0/+barryap

Super weird to have him accept it right after losing the championship game, regardless of rather or not he deserved it.

[Radbird]

A lot of people seem to be anti-Messi, even in Argentina. Is that because he plays for Barcelona?

[pioneer98]

There seems to be some magic formula re: major sports and international competition. If it's too mainstream, if it's league gets huge TV ratings, the international competition doesn't get huge tv numbers (Olympic Basketball, WBC) but it's relatively small (hockey, soccer) it gets massive ratings for international competition?

I'm speaking solely about the USA here.

With the NBA and MLB, I've already bought into the idea that the Finals and World Series are the pinnacle of those sports, and I think they are. Most people already have a favorite team they are rooting for in those sports. So when the Olympics or WBC come around, it's kind of cool but hard to really get behind your national team when the players from your favorite MLB team might be scattered around to several national teams, and are now playing on lesser teams than you are used to seeing.

With soccer, MLS is not the top league and a lot fewer people have that diehard allegiance to one MLS team. But the World Cup is a big enough event that casual fans (like me) still want to be a part of it, and it is only natural to root for your national team.

I think hockey gets a big boost from the Olympics in the USA because the USA actually has a legit shot at winning the gold, and in fact has won it in the past, in legendary fashion. People want to be there in case something like that happens again. Having a real chance of winning is hugely important in hockey. There is also a nice rivalry with Canada, Russia, etc nowadays.

[Freed Roger]

A lot of people seem to be anti-Messi, even in Argentina. Is that because he plays for Barcelona?

I think that rival Barecelona/success thing is probably most of it.

Not knowing much about the guy - his mannerisms etc appear petulant. But that could be a mis-read. He probably can't help but have a bit of napoleon syndrome.

Amazed by what a non-factor he was yesterday. He's definitely a matchup problem, with that amazing quickness with the ball -saw glimpses of it in first half yesterday -then it stopped. Argentina seemed to be all defensive, hoping for a breakaway or a shootout. It almost worked.

[33anda3rd]

A lot of people seem to be anti-Messi, even in Argentina. Is that because he plays for Barcelona?

Messi's greatest crime in the minds of Argentines is that he's not Maradona.

http://www.espnfc.com/blog/wright-thomp ... and-of-god