2014 World Cup

[Schlich]

Just out of curiosity, have PKs always been used as the tiebreaker? What's the history of it?

[Jocephus]

Altidore trains with U.S. team

http://www.espnfc.us/fifa-world-cup/sto ... n-salvador

[Schlich]

Just out of curiosity, have PKs always been used as the tiebreaker? What's the history of it?

After doing some research, I'm going to answer my own question. Apparently FIFA adopted the PK shootout tiebreaker in 1970, didn't hit the WC until '77. I'm not sympathetic.

[Freed Roger]

Personally, I don't understand the desire to "fix" a sport that's hundreds of years old and is loved by billions. Seems to be working just fine.

Well said. The conversation gets tiresome.

That said, with how FIFA and WC soccer changes occur at biblical speed, I find it odd that they allow changes to the ball, something so elemental. from article on STL soccer old-timers

Just about everything about “the beautiful game” is different, including the ball. It’s made from lighter, synthetic material. It has six panels, instead of 32. It flies truer, lands softer, stays in the air longer. There are more goals scored off set plays, more scored on head-balls.

“They kick the ball 60 yards and there’s not a player in this World Cup that can’t receive it and put it on the ground like they caught it in their hands,” said Vaninger. “It’s a totally different ball. You see true shots, where the ball doesn’t spin. You can read the name on the ball as it’s going in the goal.”

Meanwhile, France Nigeria game starts at high-pace.

[Schlich]

Personally, I don't understand the desire to "fix" a sport that's hundreds of years old and is loved by billions. Seems to be working just fine.

Well said. The conversation gets tiresome.

Meh. To me, it'd just be like getting rid of the DH.

[lukethedrifter]

Personally, I don't understand the desire to "fix" a sport that's hundreds of years old and is loved by billions. Seems to be working just fine.

Well said. The conversation gets tiresome.

That said, with how FIFA and WC soccer changes occur at biblical speed, I find it odd that they allow changes to the ball, something so elemental. from article on STL soccer old-timers

Just about everything about “the beautiful game” is different, including the ball. It’s made from lighter, synthetic material. It has six panels, instead of 32. It flies truer, lands softer, stays in the air longer. There are more goals scored off set plays, more scored on head-balls.

“They kick the ball 60 yards and there’s not a player in this World Cup that can’t receive it and put it on the ground like they caught it in their hands,” said Vaninger. “It’s a totally different ball. You see true shots, where the ball doesn’t spin. You can read the name on the ball as it’s going in the goal.”

Meanwhile, France Nigeria game starts at high-pace.

So is the flight of the soccer ball truer with less spin on it unlike every other ball?

[thrill]

No, you can get funky knucklers.

[Radbird]

Personally, I don't understand the desire to "fix" a sport that's hundreds of years old and is loved by billions. Seems to be working just fine.

Well said. The conversation gets tiresome.

Meh. To me, it'd just be like getting rid of the DH.

Does that mean any question I ask is going to be interpreted this way? Then I'll stop. The shootout hasn't been around for hundreds of years. Seemed like a reasonable question/discussion topic.

[Freed Roger]

Personally, I don't understand the desire to "fix" a sport that's hundreds of years old and is loved by billions. Seems to be working just fine.

Well said. The conversation gets tiresome.

Meh. To me, it'd just be like getting rid of the DH.

Does that mean any question I ask is going to be interpreted this way? Then I'll stop. The shootout hasn't been around for hundreds of years. Seemed like a reasonable question/discussion topic.

You're fine Rad, I don't know what the hell I'm talking about either.

[thrill]

Personally, I don't understand the desire to "fix" a sport that's hundreds of years old and is loved by billions. Seems to be working just fine.

Well said. The conversation gets tiresome.

Meh. To me, it'd just be like getting rid of the DH.

Does that mean any question I ask is going to be interpreted this way? Then I'll stop. The shootout hasn't been around for hundreds of years. Seemed like a reasonable question/discussion topic.

I think you got a lot of feedback. It's not like you were ignored or told to shut up. I even provided video of mustachioed men in short shorts doing the very thing you suggested!
Where the irritation enters for me is the way people who have been paying attention for 5 minutes come in and say, "hey guys, you've been doing it wrong the whole time. now that I've graced you with my presence, let me show you how you can be doing this better."

Not saying that's your attitude, it's just been happening a lot and as a soccer fan, I'm not used to having these conversations with people who used to insinuate that I'm gay or communist for liking this sport. Although in the grand scheme of things, listening to half baked ideas about how to improve the sport is better than being told it's boring and feminine.

Jozy is available for selection tomorrow. Big time!