Time to eat some crow.
After picking on professional soccer as a sport for decades I will have to admit this World Cup has been great. The stars have come to play for sure and we are seeing some of the best athletes in the world here in North America. Glad the US men have pulled together a much better team than we’ve put in the field in decades, maybe ever. They are much more fun to watch than the plodding US teams of recent past.
The last World Cup in America helped build MLS. Maybe this one will really push the sport even higher in the US. And I haven’t heard anyone complain about the transfer portal or NIL in weeks so maybe I’ll watch soccer more.
26 Replies
1mo
on the pitches to the amazing street crowds. We couldn’t have asked for better. ⚽️🇺🇸
(In response to this post by GreenvilleVT)
1mo
and the prices don't seem to have fallen at all. This has far exceeded anything I would have ever expected.
(In response to this post by PhotoHokieNC)
1mo
Don’t really care about. I leave it on and look up at it if something exciting happens…a goal or broken leg or something like that…
It is exciting watching the US do well. Other than that I watched the US Open and college World Series over the World Cup.
(In response to this post by GreenvilleVT)
1mo
(In response to this post by HokieGator)
1mo
Messi goal. I even knew who he is. I remain unmoved.
(In response to this post by GreenvilleVT)
1mo
(In response to this post by Coach McGuirk)
1mo
I thought you got banned for running your mouth. And no. No laxatives here. You?
I'm thinking you are surely an enema guy by your posting history.
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
1mo
As I've said many times, I'm done with this.
(In response to this post by Coach McGuirk)
E
EDGEMAN
1mo
...think I'll let my DVR pick that one up. I'll watch it Friday.
(In response to this post by GreenvilleVT)
1mo
of their games and had no chance at the knockout round?
(In response to this post by GreenvilleVT)
1mo
Appreciate great talent so getting to see the stars play game after game is pretty cool.
(In response to this post by UTPr0sim)
1mo
Manchester in the hey dey of United. So I get World Cup.
(In response to this post by PhotoHokieNC)
1mo
time due to the Canada/Mexico/USA venues not only close to home, but in 'our' time zones. This WC is a helluva lot newsier because USMNT is better and international fans are happy to be here.
(In response to this post by UTPr0sim)
1mo
class coaching feels like and Pocchetino IS a world class coach. He's made the right tactical moves and has picked the right team and is man managing to have them peak at the appropriate time.
We need to move away from American coaches until they prove themselves in the crucible of Europe's professional leagues.
(In response to this post by GreenvilleVT)
1mo
but let's not kid ourselves...
(In response to this post by ElbertoHokie)
1mo
(In response to this post by mancunian)
1mo
can provide finally gets USSF to stop pulling from the MLS ranks every few cycles.
It's just not as a good. Pay the money required and give us the best chance of developing.
I think you offer Pocchetino whatever we can(double his salary) to stay but I don't think he will. It's not about the money that can be offered at national team level. A high quality European coach can make $15M-$25M a year if he's hired by the one of the big clubs. No national team can pay that.
(In response to this post by Nova Hokie 95)
1mo
Belgian or Dutch leagues) until they are fixed. Some MLS games remind me too much of English Championship or League One games. If the US is serious about competing on the World Cup stage, then I am not sure MLS can be a part of their development. Now if MLS clubs are able to sign more international players in their prime, then MLS has a shot to change its perception on the international stage. MLS has so much potential, but hasn't been living up to it for various reasons.
(In response to this post by ElbertoHokie)
1mo
club management(more $ too). He's a wanted figure especially with how this USA team looks. National team jobs are typically for guys wanting to coast into retirement with the much less rigorous year long schedule.
I'd love for him to stay but I think we need to prepare for him to leave. Plus the GM that hired him is now the GM of Saudi Arabia so much like a coach leaves after an AD change, could be the same.
** Edited by ElbertoHokie at 6/23/2026, 8:50:21 AM
(In response to this post by Nova Hokie 95)
1mo
the next World Cup because he'll end up back in Europe coaching from one of the clubs. It is just a question of which European league he ends up in. If he wants more money (aka club money) and a slightly less grueling schedule than what the European clubs deal with each year, then I guess he could make a brief stop in the Saudi league first.
(In response to this post by ElbertoHokie)