i just finished watching the first half of a replay of the US vs. Haiti game, and i must tell you that's the worst bit of soccer that i've ever seen. if i were a prisoner of war and they played that game as my torture, i'd tell them anything they wanted to know. sure the us won 3-0 but it looked like an even game to me. haiti could actually pass. all the us could do is boot the ball anywhere but to a fellow team mate. and they play at such a dead slow pace, no wonder they can't get the ball up to the forwards. they'll get an opening but hesitate for like 5 seconds then have to pass back to the sweeper and start all over. and what's agoose still doing on the team? the guy can't even watch the play and run at the same time. 3 times i've seen him trip over himself during a counter attack from the opposing team, and he's the captain. eddy lewis is really dissapointing me too. i used to somewhat respect him after i saw that 25 yard goal he scored during a clash game last season, but ever since then he's been horrible. if the point of being left wing was to cross the ball to the camera crew behind the goal, he'd be a superstar because that's all i've seen him do. sure he assisted the first goal but that was the only pass he made the whole first half. seeing three passes linked together is a rare treat when you're watching this team. if my high school team and i faced haiti, i'd bet we could score at least five against those poor bastards. i can't wait for my generation and generations after to start playing professionally. they actually have talent. i'm tired of watching these old farts from the 90 and 94 world cups. claudio reyna and joe max moore are the only players i respect right now. reyna can actually dribble and look for passes at the same time whereas everyone else seems to look at the ball and dribble themselves into the ground or knock the ball into a place where they think a player is going to be, even though 90% of the time no one is there. Moore is doing good in england with everton which is encouraging. 4 goals in 5 games is pretty good. other than that, the us is crap. i say we pull them out of competition for about 5 years and wait for a new batch of players to come of age.

[This message has been edited by rob_0606 (edited 02-16-2000).]

Please note, Max-Moore and Reyna both play in England and Scotland respectively. Not to bash the MLS, but they need to let the quality Americans go to Europe where they will be developed.

Was Keller in GK?

Brad Friedel was the goal keeper. And I didn't think it was all that bad of a game, though I must admit I didn't see more than about 5 minutes of it, and let me tell you those 5 minutes I saw were damn exciting!

who is this that needs to let the good players go to europe? no one is holding them back. they're in the mls because they can't impress anyone from europe, not because they're being forced to stay.

MLS contracts are very binding and hard to get out of. A starting player from the MLS could easily make it onto a 1st or 2nd division English side and they would learn more from playing there. However, most wouldn't because they want to be in the top division.

Polish Power what game where you watching or maybe those 5 min must have been the highlights.The U.S vs Haiti game was boring especialy because Haiti is the weakest team in the Gold Cup.The U.S should have destroyed Haiti 6-0,instead they chose to pass the ball back and do long balls and just wait for Haiti to screw up.rob_0606 i feel your pain.To watch that footie game and be 100% certain that you can do better than those dumbasses wearing the national shirt hurts.If my scrimmige buddys (most are beer bellied old farts) played against Haiti we wiould have showed them a true lesson of how to play footie !!!

I watched the tape of this match last night.
I found it to be a mixed bag.
The first 15 minutes were OK.
The USA dominated completely and put together some nice possession... but they still lack that last touch.
Reyna was not nearly involved enough.
I though Friedel looked much more confident, which is good.

Haiti was playing above themselves. Let's not forget that.
They had a good home crowd, including their President.

After the USA scored, the game went flat.
Haiti didn't really ever threaten.
After the second goal, Haiti came to life a bit, but it was still to no avail.

I find Lewis interesting... he is very inconsistant. He makes some great plays, but 5 minutes later, it's that cross to the scoreboard...Very puzzling.

I'd like to see more of Kirovski. He looks like he could be a solid player, but he's getting no playing time with Dortmund. I hope he joins up with MLS next season. It'll be good for both.

I actually agree with the criticisms, though not on such harsh terms. I'd say there was some playing to the level of the competition going on though...

hey rob0606, Joe Max Moore plays for Everton not Leicester you stupid dumb ass. When is Landon Donovan gonna get called up, i hear he is a very good young talent.

FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN U.S. FOOTBALL(SOCCER TO YANKS) SUCK!!!

THEY'VE GOT THE DEVELOPMENT TO IMPROVE WITH VASTS AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR THE FUTURE.

P.S. WHY DO THEY CALL THE BASEBALL SEASON 'THE WORLD SERIES' WHEN IT'S ONLY PLAYED IN THE U.S AND CANADA.

sorry inter09, you're right. i didn't catch that when i was reading over my writing. i was thinking blue and that was the first team that came to mind. i was thinking about other things.

and HNAFC, you're right about baseball. the cubans can kick out asses any day. they probably call it the world series because of tradition. they called it that because back then nobody else played the stupid sport.

[This message has been edited by rob_0606 (edited 02-16-2000).]

The amricans think they are the center of the universe .Here are some examples
1)Player of the century ,the top 10 were mostly americans and 1 canadian,Pele or Maradona doesnt even come close
2)During the superbowl,they said that the superbowl is the biggest sporting event in the world,bull****,I think the world cup is much bigger than the superbowl.

the people that call the superbowl the biggest sporting event are old brain damaged retired players from the 70's who announce the games. they say it's the biggest because to them it is, and they don't think about what's coming out of their mouth.

We call our baseball championship the World Series because . . . well . . . it sounds good. The truth is however, that there isn't any other nation that can beat us in baseball (don't get me started on Cuba). Same thing with basketball. In soccer, globally speaking, we suck. And I don't recall any national sportscaster referring to the Super Bowl as the "biggest sporting event in the world." I think most U.S. sportscasters now realize that it's not the world's biggest sporting event.

It's Australian Rules Football.

Yes, the US does suck and CANADA rules!

Anyways, Baseball sucks a$$ until the playoffs... the only reason Americans are so good at basketball is because they have so much money, so much more people and because they have more people to choose from (and I know some stupid a$$ would write 'then why isn't China the best at b-ball?'... well, read the above reasons

And the only reason that I can think of people saying that the Super Bowl is the biggest sports event is because it happens every year, not every four years... if that's not the reason, then they are smoking crack.

Btw, did anyone see that Honduras beat Colombia 2-0?!?!? What the hell?!?!?!

Actually they did say that the superbowl was the greatest and biggest sporting event in the world.ABC(US televison station)had commercials even saying that .Even the broadcasters were saying how the superbowl is the most watched sporting event in the world.If im calculating right ,the only people who gets to watch the superbowl are the americans,canadians and some countries around the world(not many though),the world cup is viewed by nations around the world.

I think it's more then just a few countries, for ex. I know that the Super Bowl is shown live on tv in Poland and that some people even find it pretty interesting. But I'm pretty sure they didn't mean it was the biggest as far as viewership.

But, as a money maker, I would not be at all surprised if the Super Bowl was the biggest event in the world, a 30 second commercial spot cost 2.5 million dollars or somewhere in that range! Also I think the tv contracts for NFL are in excess of 1 billion dollars per year(in a season where most teams play about 20 games), and each team in the league has a player salary cap in the range of 40 to 50 million dollars per year.

<< I actually agree with the criticisms, though not on such harsh terms. I'd say there was some playing to the level of the competition going on though... >>

I totally agree. The U.S. National Team didn't suck per se, but they really should have played more cohesively for the full 90 minutes. Plus they still lack a true finisher. But you're right - I think the whole game went pretty flat after the U.S. scored the first goal.


<< Haiti was playing above themselves. Let's not forget that. They had a good home crowd, including their President. >>

Perhaps the Haitian team was afraid that their president was going to do to them what the Ivory Coast president did to HIS team recently. http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/frown.gif


-G

Italia82,
Who's "Player of the Century" are you talking about?

If you are referring to ESPN or CNN's listings, then of course they are going to focus on American sports. These are American media outlets, focusing on American audiences.

I saw SkySports' listing and it included many British sportsmen, and few Americans.
When you leave it to the media to pick sportsmen, they are also going to look at it from their own perspective.
ESPN failed to mention many of the soccer players that have impacted world sports... (and a few Olympians) and Sky failed to mention many baseball players that also had a large impact on the history of sport. (Jackie Robinson and Babe Ruth are two examples...)

As for the Super Bowl... from a $$$ standpoint, it is probably the biggest money maker. I agree with PolishPower. I'm pretty sure it is broadcast in most countries in some form. Whether they care that it is broadcast is another matter! http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif

What is this crap Various Styles is hearing about Baseball that and superbowl this and IT DOESNT MATTER.The U.S still sucks and that is what this topic is about.If the U.S can win this cup, im sure it will shut lots of mouths up,until then lets discuss their suckyness is it contagious? is kicking the ball into the score board as bad as it looks? is playing pass back keep away footie against a weak third world players are not even professionals, anybody and their mothers can play in the Haiti league were in it for the kool-aid team, pathetic.I honestly hope the U.S loses in the next rond by an embarrasing score so that Bruce Arena "still a sell out in Various Styles eyes" gets fired and the USSF hires somebody better, hopefully someone that hasnt coached in the Universitys.PISS ON THAT !!!

The World Cup is definitely the most watched sporting event in the world. I was just wondering: does four years worth of Super Bowl ad revenue and other money equal the revenue of the World Cup (which happens only once every four years), or does one exceed the other?

Just curious! http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif


-G

Why did God give life to the ignorant ?

Goodsport, go play american football. Any brute with half a brain can play that.

Anyway, I came to dispute the fact that the US team does suck. Nuff said, nothing more can be brought up about it.

The US needs to stop recruiting players and needs to go to its cities where wonderfully skilled young players are being stripped of a chance to play.

The US team still has players from 1990, as the women do with players from 1986. They fear presenting new skill, because they believe they will lose more than they do now.
It can't get any worse...so why not try it.

US teams need to employ younger players from the US, and stop buying out nationalized players from other countries...it's just not working guys.

Anyway, too much to say, let's just sit back and watch

Thanks for your time

Oh, I forgot to ask: how much do halftime commercials cost during the World Cup? And do the price ranges differ vastly from country to country, or are they pretty much even?

Thanks again! http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif


-G

Hey numnuts,

out of all the people that I have asked why they watch the super bowl (a small number of people), the majority tell me that's all they watch it for, for the lame commercials

People watch the World Cup to watch their teams play, not to waste their time with commercials. Commercials during the WC also promote football, not BEER OR OTHER CRAP that just encourages self destruction.

Nuff said. Kicked yer ass once again. =)

<< the majority tell me that's all they watch it for, for the lame commercials >>

I agree that most of the commercials ARE lame, but I doubt that the people you talked to would watch them for their lameness... otherwise, why would anyone want to watch them (I know, it doesn't make much sense... oh well http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif )?


<< Commercials during the WC also promote football, not BEER OR OTHER CRAP that just encourages self destruction. >>

I guess you've never seen the Budweiser commercials during the World Cup halftimes, huh? They've been on AT LEAST for the last two World Cups... if not more.


<< Nuff said. Kicked yer ass once again. =) >>

On a computer in cyberspace? Man, you're taking this WAY too seriously... but I have to admit, it's pretty fun! http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

It's kinda late here now. Sleep well. http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif


-G



[This message has been edited by Goodsport (edited 02-17-2000).]

hey, the world cup may have displayed them, but there were so few that i don't remember !

and anyway, i only remember the game, because that's what i watched them for

and as for the conflicts, it is up to me to point out the ignorant among those who know about real football

how dare you bring up such a disgraceful event as the super bowl in a place where we crown real football ? how dare you compare such an important event such as the world cup to a mediocre gathering such as the super bowl >?

Go talk about american football somewhere else...no one cares about it here


nuff said

<< and as for the conflicts, it is up to me to point out the ignorant among those who know about real football >>

The blind leading the blind, I guess. http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/biggrin.gif


<< how dare you bring up such a disgraceful event as the super bowl in a place where we crown real football ? >>

I thought that this was a place to discuss FIFA 2000 in particular... but I guess no one's following that rule anymore. Besides, I definitely wasn't the one who brought it up! http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif


<< how dare you compare such an important event such as the world cup to a mediocre gathering such as the super bowl >?

I didn't... I was comparing their commercials! http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/wink.gif


<< Go talk about american football somewhere else...no one cares about it here >>

Except perhaps for the person who brought it up in the first place.

http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/biggrin.gif


-G



[This message has been edited by Goodsport (edited 02-17-2000).]

And ironically, if you scroll up you will see that it was a Canadian who brought up the Super Bowl in the first place! http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/wink.gif


-G

TeKNoS,

"Anyway, I came to dispute the fact that the US team does suck. Nuff said, nothing more can be brought up about it. "

If you came to "dispute" it you are doing a poor job. http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif

"The US needs to stop recruiting players and needs to go to its cities where wonderfully skilled young players are being stripped
of a chance to play. "

Can you explain more specifically what you mean? Who's being stripped of a chance, and by whom?

"US teams need to employ younger players from the US, and stop buying out nationalized players from other countries...it's just
not working guys."

If you were paying attention over the last year and a half, you'd have noticed that this is exactly what Bruce Arena is doing.
Brown, Armas, Olsen, Lewis, Williams...all played in the Haiti match. That's 5 out of 12 players played. None of these players played in France 98.

Goodsport,
As for revenue,... I'm under the impression that the World Cup has only been a serious money maker in the last 2 incarnations, I'd guess that one Super Bowl brings in more revenue than the World Cup.
It's kind of hard to measure though...
And I have to agree that the tangental topic is a bit off.
(I know you didn't raise it.)
For a World Cup, do we count the money that goes into building all the stadiums and infrastructure as expense against the profits?

Actually, isn't about 90% of this whole forum off topic?

Your point illustrates exactly what I meant by it being hard to calculate. If a stadium is built or renovated for a WC, how does someone calculate the cost versus whatever money that stadium will produce for years after the Cup?
There's no easy answer.
Statistics given on money usually are biased to favor whatever source they come from.
Just a fact of life, as I'm sure you know.

<< Actually, isn't about 90% of this whole forum off topic? >>

Good point! http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif


<< Your point illustrates exactly what I meant by it being hard to calculate. If a stadium is built or renovated for a WC, how does someone calculate the cost versus whatever money that stadium will produce for years after the Cup? >>

I know what you mean. Last I heard (although this could be slightly outdated information), they still couldn't find a permanent team to call the Stade de France home. That's gotta hurt... especially after the use of taxpayer money to build it caused a lot of controversy there.


<< There's no easy answer. >>

There never is, despite people's assertations to the contrary. http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/frown.gif


<< Statistics given on money usually are biased to favor whatever source they come from. >>

Also, who knows whether or not the figures the beaurocrats give are completely accurate? http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/wink.gif


<< Just a fact of life, as I'm sure you know. >>

Yeah, although I WISH I had that much money! http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/biggrin.gif


-G

<< And I have to agree that the tangental topic is a bit off. (I know you didn't raise it.) >>

I wouldn't worry about it. This whole thread is completely off-topic of what this website is about (i.e. talking about the FIFA 2000 PC and video game). http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif


<< For a World Cup, do we count the money that goes into building all the stadiums and infrastructure as expense against the profits? >>

I'm not completely sure, but I think so. I imagine, though, that a country will build a stadium (like France did leading to '98, and what South Korea is doing right now) and have the profits offset that.

I think the reason that USA '94 was (and still is to this day) the most profitable World Cup in history is because all the stadiums were already in place, and only minor renovations were necessary. I know, for example, that they only had to spend about a million dollars or so to renovate Stanford Stadium... a paltry sum by today's standards. http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif


-G




[This message has been edited by Goodsport (edited 02-17-2000).]

This was posted by BBC about WC 98:

"The tournament is not a money spinner, at least not for the organisers. Global television rights were sold for a pittance - little more than $100m, a tiny fraction of the sum gained by the organisers of the Olympics.

The biggest sponsorship deal, Nike's virtual purchase of the Brazilian team, took place outside the official sponsorship system."

By contrast NFL tv cotract is worth about $2.2 billion per year(how much networks pay the league for rights to televise games), and NFL league revenues are somewhere around $3.3 billion.

FIFA revenues for 1998 were somewhere in range of 300 million dollars.

So does that mean that the amount of money advertisers are willing to spend doesn't necessarily correlate to viewership? Or are they both symbiotically connected?


-G




[This message has been edited by Goodsport (edited 02-18-2000).]

The amount of money advertisers are willing to pay for spots is somewhat directly related to amount of viewers, but demographics also play a huge part in this equation(they determine this to a reasonable degree of certainty with help of rating services). So a show that is likely to attract affluent viewership is likely to demand high rates, as opposed to a show which attracts a less desirable demographic.

Anyway, sorry for going off topic here...

<< The amount of money advertisers are willing to pay for spots is somewhat directly related to amount of viewers, but demographics also play a huge part in this equation(they determine this to a reasonable degree of certainty with help of rating services). >>

That's why advertisers don't only look at the numbers, but at the type of viewers watching as well.


<< So a show that is likely to attract affluent viewership is likely to demand high rates, as opposed to a show which attracts a less desirable demographic. >>

And usually they do a good job of identifying the correct demographic, but when they don't... with that much money spent, it can REALLY backfire on them! http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif


<< Anyway, sorry for going off topic here... >>

Why be sorry?


-G

I only saw the highlight`s of the US teams 2 group games and they were pretty bad except for Cobe Jones.

Now i`m not saying he`s the only good US player because i`ve seen how Claudio Reyna, Joe Max Moore and the two keepers perform in europe.

The two goals Jones scored in the 2 games would have impressed the best of strikers (especially the header) and isn`t he a midfielder?
Also how old is he?
And when the hell is is going to cme and play in britain?

Actually Cobi played in the Premiership years ago, around 94 or so...
Coventry City.

Who was the wally that said Aussie Rules Football is the biggest event in the world?!?!?!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!
GOOD ONE!!
HAHAHAHAHA