World Cup nail-biter

[Paul S.]

The England V. Columbia match, 1-1 now in overtime. Need I say more.

[Paul S.]

And England wins! 4-3 penalty kick victory!

[Aragorn243]

World Cup? What's the World Cup? Is that like watching paint dry? I've heard it's like watching paint dry.

[Ridolpho]

Like many (most?) North Americans, my wife and I get interested in soccer precisely once every four years. And every World Cup we struggle to figure out the rules (unsuccessfully). For some teams (like Colombia today) "taking dives" seems to be their main strategy and it's painful to see important games won over a faked injury. England's win today was exciting.

Ridolpho

[Aragorn243]

Most North Americans don't even know the World Cup is going on and are not watching a single match. Ratings are down 43% this year from what could only be said to be abismal ratings in the first place for the last one. While kids play soccer through their school years, it has never translated to interest in watching it. It is slowly growing but no where near any of the main sports we typically watch. Out of all the people I know, two are interested in soccer and the World Cup. I had thought only one but the second is young and in love with a Columbian girl.

[Paul S.]

I think you would be surprised how well followed soccer, fussball, or Association Football is followed in many parts of the US and the rest of North America. It is a growing sport, otherwise there would not be the MLS teams there are in such places as New York, Los Angeles, Portland (Oregon) and - SURPRISE - Philadelphia.

I can only speculate about why this year's World Cup has poor ratings. That, I suspect, is because; a, it's being held in Russia; and b, the time the live broadcasts are aired (GMT +2 for Western Russia).

[enfield303t]

I watched it again today and a good game. Good England won and the Colombians were their own worst enemies. Just read the players that the Colombians that missed the penalty shots have received death threats. Poor sportsmanship on behalf of the Colombians, so fitting they lost.