My brief review and photos of the Brazil - Sweden game that ended about 2 hours ago

[Stefinitely Maybe]

I went to this game tonight: yI-uDsNrmUQ

It was a good game, fast paced, with a lot of action for a friendly. There was some beautiful football played, and both sides created a lot of chances. In the end Alexandre Pato came on as a sub with around 25 minutes left, and quickly scores, with a stunning goal, thanks to a mistake by Sweden's keeper.

Anyway, here are some photos:

http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v188/72/116/513846286/n513846286_1067938_5972.jpg

http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v188/72/116/513846286/n513846286_1067940_6581.jpg

http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v188/72/116/513846286/n513846286_1067931_3961.jpg

http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v188/72/116/513846286/n513846286_1067939_6282.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v188/72/116/513846286/n513846286_1067968_6051.jpg

http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v188/72/116/513846286/n513846286_1067981_1198.jpg

http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v188/72/116/513846286/n513846286_1067946_8438.jpg

http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v188/72/116/513846286/n513846286_1067986_4143.jpg

http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v188/72/116/513846286/n513846286_1067981_1198.jpg

http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v188/72/116/513846286/n513846286_1067978_9974.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v188/72/116/513846286/n513846286_1067928_3157.jpg

http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v188/72/116/513846286/n513846286_1067965_4935.jpg

[amyzzz]

Does anyobody care about soccer here?

[Stefinitely Maybe]

Well,there's a few people who sometimes discuss the games, so I thought I'd share.

[nationocean]

CHICK FIGHT!

[PotVsKtl]

Paddy Power?

[Stefinitely Maybe]

Paddy Power is a really lame (Irish) bookmakers, but they generally offer pretty good odds.

[mob roulette]

Dude, you had good seats. Looks like anyway. Is it pricey like it would be for seats like that at an American sporting event?

[Stefinitely Maybe]

Yeah we had great seats - fourth row. Ticket was £30 ($60).

[PotVsKtl]

Isn't paddy an Irish slur though?

[Stefinitely Maybe]

Isn't paddy an Irish slur though?

Sort of, but it's also a genuine Irish name, and I guess it's okay if an Irish person says it themselves. You know, like the N word.

[PotVsKtl]

That's racist.

[Down Rodeo]

Nice photos. That goalie fucked up royally. I've never seen that before.

[algunz]

Does anyobody care about soccer here?

Yes.

Ooole, ole, ole ole . . .

[theburiedlife]

Everyone pretends to care around FIFA...

[JClemy]

Those are great photos. I don't care about soccer but it's still cool

[SojuGorae]

Even if the U.S. soccer team was any good(which they aren't), Americans still wouldn't care much about soccer.

As long as upper/middle class suburban housewives continue to look to soccer as an alternative to baseball, basketball, and football for their athletically challenged and wimpy offspring, the world's most popular sport will always be mocked and ridiculed over here. Because over here, soccer camps and little league soccer is run like daycare for retarded kids. Everywhere else in the world, soccer academies and youth leagues are run like fucking bootcamps.

But I digress...

Cool pictures

[NiceArthur32]

the US SOCCER TEAM ISNT GOOD!?

im a huge team mexico fan, for obvious reasons...

But the US team ALWAYS gets a bad rap..

theyre good... they are FAR from shitty...

and the reason Soccer isnt as big as other sports here in the US is because theres no money in pro soccer... so people who are natural atheletes go to other sports where they get the BIG BUCKS!

[SojuGorae]

the US SOCCER TEAM ISNT GOOD!?




Exhibit A

USA vs Czech Rep

rWJe6NknYUo


Exhibit B

Ghana vs USA

Rglp1ho57bo


Sure, USMNT tears shit up in the CONCACAF, but they play against top CONMEBOL, UEFA, and AFC nations, you'll see them struggle.

And even though Mexico's record against USA has been dog shit as of late, they're still the traditional powerhouses of CONCACAF, not USA.

[orbit]

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2007/07/22/sw_becks_narrowweb__300x445,0.jpg

[jazzz]

come on.... wheres' California Surf?? used to be here. anyway Go Liverpool!!

[canexplain]

ok, like the 5th person to say this, really great pics dude .... way cool .. and the tic price, not bad at all imho ... x*****

[bug on your lip]

http://sp1.yt-thm-a03.yimg.com/image/25/m1/1922121148.jpg
http://sp1.yt-thm-a03.yimg.com/image/25/m2/2488700516.jpg
http://sp1.yt-thm-a02.yimg.com/image/25/m2/2490403322.jpg

[downingthief]

I love the Beautiful game. Keep the Footy posts coming, Stef!

I've never had the oppty to see a match live. I was supposed to go to the US-Mexico match last year, but I was unable to attend. :(

[ruetheday]

Everyone pretends to care around FIFA...

You do realize FIFA isn't something that just comes around every now and then right? FIFA is always here. I think you just don't know what you are talking about and that you are referring to the World Cup which is watched over by FIFA the worlds governing body on football. Before you ask this is what it stands for, Fédération Internationale de Football Association.

[gmoneyak]

That's pretty fucking sweet, anyone would be lucky to catch a Brazil game at least once in thier lifetime. And for a friendly, it's looks like you got a halfway decent look at some first-teamers.

[sonofhal]

That's pretty fucking sweet, anyone would be lucky to catch a Brazil game at least once in thier lifetime. And for a friendly, it's looks like you got a halfway decent look at some first-teamers.

The majority of them play for European clubs. Australia play most of their friendlies in London these days too, as it's just easier.

[jimmycrackcorn]

nice photos...
i only watch international soccer...
national or domestic leagues just are not intersting for me...
:pulse USA baby! :pulse
:thu

[gmoneyak]

The majority of them play for European clubs. Australia play most of their friendlies in London these days too, as it's just easier.

Yeah, I do realize that and most of the Brazilians on the lineup play in La Liga but it's cool regardless.

[artgutser]

Great pics dude.

And also the US Soccer does suck, but right now its a safer bet that the Mexican Team, specially with Hugo Sanchez at the helm.

[bballarl]

Solid 3-0 win for the US yesterday.

[Down Rodeo]

Yes, the US had a shitty 2006 World Cup, but that doesn't make them a shitty team. Need I remind you that the US was robbed of a goal that would have sent the Germany game to overtime in 2002, where the US might have won and gone on to the semifinals. This should refresh your memory:

nPKdb8pH3C0

While the US isn't quite a major player on the international stage yet, they've been steadily improving for the past decade or so. I think the time won't be long before the US is a major contender at the World Cup.

[downingthief]

Nice post DR. I agree. Only thing I will add is that US players (unfortunately for the MLS) need to continue to play Club in Europe. Better football over there, and closer to the level of play that is needed to really compete on the World Stage.

[bballarl]

I am an unabashed MLS defender...obviously the level of play is not up to par overall with the top leagues in Europe. But it continues to improve, and should not be discounted.

I think the next step for MLS is increasing the salary cap. We could retain a lot of players that way (who leave not because of the level of play but because they don't get paid as well as they can overseas). Maybe more teams in soccer-specific venues will make this a more viable option.

[downingthief]

Oh, no doubt the MLS has made some serious strides. But, it cannot compare to anything in Europe. And, honestly, I don't think it ever will. And, I also think that is just fine. I'm glad we have professional footy over here!

Now, if we could only get a team to Arizona...

[TomAz]

in the NYT xword the other day one of the clues was "Common soccer score". the answer was ONENIL.

but Stef which had the better looking women fans.. the brazilians or the swedes?

[wmgaretjax]

I love soccer. I spend most of my time paying attention to the Italian leagues because that's what I grew up on.

[theburiedlife]

You do realize FIFA isn't something that just comes around every now and then right? FIFA is always here. I think you just don't know what you are talking about and that you are referring to the World Cup which is watched over by FIFA the worlds governing body on football. Before you ask this is what it stands for, Fédération Internationale de Football Association.

Hey fuckwit, in case you could not tell, I'm talking about the World Cup. So before you slam those meat-hooks against the keyboard in an attempt to ridicule someone I suggest you take a fucking second and think about it, thanks.

I didn't know i had to spell out the entirety of it for those who couldn't make that connection on their own.

[gmoneyak]

While the US isn't quite a major player on the international stage yet, they've been steadily improving for the past decade or so. I think the time won't be long before the US is a major contender at the World Cup.


I do like the younger generation of US players coming up, there's an infusion of athleticism there that has been lacking in the past. Also, MLS' realization that a lot of the US players are better off honing their skills overseas will definitely improve this country's chances as a whole.

I think US soccer will rebound over the next few years, but I just wish they would dig into our latin population a bit more. There are thousands of players in this country that are undiscovered, or unsupported, that can bring some much needed flair to the national team.

[suprefan]

Does anyobody care about soccer here?

Yes, theres plenty. Why dont your kids play soccer, its like a rite of passge for being a parent.

stef, you always get a prime spot for these games, lucky.

[ruetheday]

Hey fuckwit, in case you could not tell, I'm talking about the World Cup. So before you slam those meat-hooks against the keyboard in an attempt to ridicule someone I suggest you take a fucking second and think about it, thanks.

I didn't know i had to spell out the entirety of it for those who couldn't make that connection on their own.

Yes, you do need to spell it out. Otherwise you look like an ass.

[Stefinitely Maybe]

but Stef which had the better looking women fans.. the brazilians or the swedes?

This is genuinely an impossible question for me to answer.

You know how sometimes your brain just can't handle it, when you start to think about the complexities of the universe, or the concept of infinity or something? Well I get the same feeling when I ponder this question. Impossible.