Shadowlight
Master
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2013
- Messages
- 3,882
We used to have a slew of articulate well versed soccer commentators here at CF but for reasons I am not privy to most everyone of them have flown the coop. Or at least taking a long vacation away from this site. A shame either way.
We have an exciting women's World Cup going on and nothing but crickets here? I have tried to watch the matches when I get a chance. Seen the semifinals and a few earlier matches. The final is Sunday as the USA plays Netherlands. TV ratings are up and in general expect soccer to continue to make inroads into the American psyche.
To take advantage of the momentum ESPN has announced that they will televise 14 NSWL games this season culminating in the final October 27. The Lifetime network ditched this women's pro soccer league (NSWL) after two seasons, one year prior to their three year deal. Women's soccer are hoping to capitalize while the iron is hot so to speak.
Megan (gee is she a dyke) Rapinoe has grabbed the headlines but the two USA players with the movie star looks have gotten my attention. Scoring machine speedster Alex Morgan headed in the winning goal in a tight semi final against England. And Rose Lavelle, who I believe has Irish blood, is the most entertaining player I have seen here. She is mesmerizing when she dips and swerves away from defenders. Her fake out of an English player was the move of the tournament. Whiter than chalk, she came up limp in the semifinals but the latest word is she will be ready for the final. Same with Rapinoe who didn't play in the semis.
In general the tournament has been dominated by white players. A few are drop dead gorgeous. Kosovare Asllani the brilliant and creative MF for Sweden leads the pack. She was injured in the semis so not sure she will play against England Saturday in the third place game.
While the women's pro league has had issues drawing viewers the MLS churns along without much juice. But interest in international soccer here in the state continues to grow. Go to bars on the east coast when international soccer is on and you will see packed bars. The Premier League and other European soccer leagues can be found on multiple stations during their seasons. Soccer is steadily becoming a major sport in this country. Not there yet but the build up suggests a much bigger audience as time passes. At least that is my prediction.
The men's team is playing Mexico in the Gold Cup final. 20 year old MF Christian Pusilic is the rising star on the squad. I first brought him up here at CF a few years back.
In other soccer news in the white men can't run category speedster supreme Dutch winger Arjen Robben has announced his retirement.
I first recall watching him in the 2006 World Cup and thrilling to his blistering long runs on the wing. His Dutch team made the finals in 2010 and they placed third in the 2014 World Cup.
One of my favorites. His breathtaking speed was something to behold.
See below a tribute to Robben.
We have an exciting women's World Cup going on and nothing but crickets here? I have tried to watch the matches when I get a chance. Seen the semifinals and a few earlier matches. The final is Sunday as the USA plays Netherlands. TV ratings are up and in general expect soccer to continue to make inroads into the American psyche.
To take advantage of the momentum ESPN has announced that they will televise 14 NSWL games this season culminating in the final October 27. The Lifetime network ditched this women's pro soccer league (NSWL) after two seasons, one year prior to their three year deal. Women's soccer are hoping to capitalize while the iron is hot so to speak.
Megan (gee is she a dyke) Rapinoe has grabbed the headlines but the two USA players with the movie star looks have gotten my attention. Scoring machine speedster Alex Morgan headed in the winning goal in a tight semi final against England. And Rose Lavelle, who I believe has Irish blood, is the most entertaining player I have seen here. She is mesmerizing when she dips and swerves away from defenders. Her fake out of an English player was the move of the tournament. Whiter than chalk, she came up limp in the semifinals but the latest word is she will be ready for the final. Same with Rapinoe who didn't play in the semis.
In general the tournament has been dominated by white players. A few are drop dead gorgeous. Kosovare Asllani the brilliant and creative MF for Sweden leads the pack. She was injured in the semis so not sure she will play against England Saturday in the third place game.
While the women's pro league has had issues drawing viewers the MLS churns along without much juice. But interest in international soccer here in the state continues to grow. Go to bars on the east coast when international soccer is on and you will see packed bars. The Premier League and other European soccer leagues can be found on multiple stations during their seasons. Soccer is steadily becoming a major sport in this country. Not there yet but the build up suggests a much bigger audience as time passes. At least that is my prediction.
The men's team is playing Mexico in the Gold Cup final. 20 year old MF Christian Pusilic is the rising star on the squad. I first brought him up here at CF a few years back.
In other soccer news in the white men can't run category speedster supreme Dutch winger Arjen Robben has announced his retirement.
I first recall watching him in the 2006 World Cup and thrilling to his blistering long runs on the wing. His Dutch team made the finals in 2010 and they placed third in the 2014 World Cup.
One of my favorites. His breathtaking speed was something to behold.
See below a tribute to Robben.
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