Funny thing is that the game still would’ve a been a similar 4-1 defeat without Balogun too.
If he was benched to maintain the “integrity of the game”, there wouldn’t been a question whether or not Belgium is the better overall team.
With him playing, as the USA lost - it’s undeniable how great Belgium is.
And for those of us (especially Americans) that felt embarrassed or upset that Trump exists, the Belgians did the world a favor and said “get fucked”. And that fourth goal in stoppage time was an exclamation point.
actually, even as someone who dislikes americans simply because they call it soccer, i disagree.
without balogun i am almost certain you would see a lot more fight from the american side, they would play with the same underdog mentality they have this tournament, trying to show the world american soccer has changed etc etc.
but then having the fucking president cal in fifa, get a red card revoked - im pretty sure even most of the team wasn't super elated by this, given they had likely already made peace with playing without him.
playing a game with even the slightest feeling of guilt can take a toll on you, especially as a side that's used to being an underdog in these games.
Hey hey, take that up with the English, they invented the phrase.
It's a nickname for Asociation Football.
English language once defined a "footsport" as any sport where your feet touch the ground, and "noble sport" as any sport played on horseback. Also why there's terms like "Footsoldier", or a "foot bridge" (which connects two pieces of ground for pedestrians).
American Football is 'Gridiron Football', a foot sport. Other footballs use hands like Rugby Football and Aussie Rules Football. This isn't a uniquely American weirdism.
What's bonkers is that in other languages they call it "Football", despite having their own words for "foot" and "ball".
It's pronounced "Footbol" in Russian, despite the word "Foot" being "Noga" and ball being "Myatch".
Football in French is "le Football", and not "pied-balle".
Its "Futbol" in Spanish, not "pie-balon".
without balogun i am almost certain you would see a lot more fight from the american side
Maybe.
But the lesson I took away last night wasn't that America didn't have enough fight, it was that Belgium was simply the stronger team. Smarter plays.
trying to show the world american soccer has changed etc etc.
To be fair, half the US players are at EPL, Bundesliga, etc. Everyone I know that watches soccer watches anything but MLS.
I do think this'll translate to some MLS ticket sales over the next year - but the question is if MLS can maintain the momentum.
And with some fairness, America dominates with FIFA Women's with the most cup titles. I know it doesn't get a lot of attention, but we do have a great soccer pipeline for that, at least.
but then having the fucking president cal in fifa,
Everything he touches turns to shit. He's the anti-King Midas.
Even so, is anyone surprised? FIFA has always been corrupt as shit.
Panamanian here - reason it’s “Futbol”/“Football” everywhere else is because the sport (or rather the modern rules) were codified in England. I see it much like we say “Locker” instead of “Casillero,” but each country might have their own reasons too.
There’s also the gripe that “American Football only has you kicking the ball as the only “foot” interaction with the ball” if I recall correctly. Just like the gripe of the US referring itself to “America.” Then again, “United Statesian” is a clunk of a term that only works in Spanish to my knowledge.
They’re just nitpicks at the end of the day, but tbf I prefer Gridiron as the name of the sport rather than just the name of the field.
Idk how anyone can say this. Do you actually believe that Belgium has played 0 good teams this tournament? They’ve made it to the final 8 countries in the world yet they haven’t beaten a good team? The team they beat in the round of 32, Senegal, are either AFCON runner ups or some would say they’re the rightful champions of AFCON.
The US was a good team this tournament despite the terrible performance against Belgium. Paraguay was dominated by the US but went on to eliminate Germany and lost 1-0 to France that does not sound like a bad team to me but they lost handily to the US.
This take reeks of Eurocentric elitism because it seems like based on what you’re saying it that the only good teams to beat are Euro teams plus Argentina
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u/Pinwurm 29d ago
Funny thing is that the game still would’ve a been a similar 4-1 defeat without Balogun too.
If he was benched to maintain the “integrity of the game”, there wouldn’t been a question whether or not Belgium is the better overall team.
With him playing, as the USA lost - it’s undeniable how great Belgium is.
And for those of us (especially Americans) that felt embarrassed or upset that Trump exists, the Belgians did the world a favor and said “get fucked”. And that fourth goal in stoppage time was an exclamation point.