Posted on 06/30/2014 12:03:51 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
SAO PAULO Lost amid all the talk about the World Cup making soccer grow in popularity within the United States is one very real and unexpected development taking place right here in Brazil.
The United States is growing in popularity within soccer.
Don't look now, U.S. men's national team, but you are increasingly becoming the second favorite team for a lot of folks from other countries, including the host nation.
"Brazil is falling in love with the U.S.," said Brazilian businessman Mario Ribiero, who partied with American supporters in Recife last week. "It is seen as something new and exciting and surprising. We love the team because it is an underdog. And we love the fans."
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.yahoo.com ...
The injury actually was what Germany needed
Not tone mean but looks much better
There it is!
And that’s that! 2-0 Germany.
Well Algeria didn’t get revenge for ‘82.
But could France get their revenge for ‘82?
Not so fast! Algeria gets one!
True.
Ok, you guys can breathe now.
Agreed. Very bold performance by Neuer.
Belgium is going to have all kinds of people missing, mostly by injuries.
http://us.soccerway.com/news/2014/June/30/defour-to-miss-usa-clash/n343687/
We could challenge Argentina too should that come up.
American ref Mark Geiger was very good again today.
The only thing that might keep him from getting more assignments is if the U.S. wins tomorrow. He set a good tone early on that he was not going to allow rough play and the teams adjusted to that reality quickly. Very few arguments even though the yellow card could have been a red card for reckless play. Had it not been the World Cup, it likely would have been red.
Belgium; sidelined.
Injured, Vermaelen, Kompany, Vanden Borre
Disciplinary, DeFour
http://us.soccerway.com/teams/belgium/belgium/281/
A lot of players and 2 at least who are important to the side.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.