World Cup

[TrailerParkFlyers]

Canada is not even close to being on same talent level as Croatia. Even Morocco is better. They be lucky to score a goal, but I doubt it.

Canada is there for a cup of coffee and something to build on for 2026

I hope you are wrong but I think you are right. I am caught up in the Canada hype but we may not score a goal. Argentina's loss today does show anything can happen but I am keeping my expectations for Canada low and will hopefully be surprised.

[2014olympicgold]

David plays for Lille in Ligue 1 as well for Canada. I would also not call Hakimi and Ziyech exactly stars (same as Johnathan David). Both are better than David, but not by a whole lot (I don't think Ziyech even starts for Chelsea? I could be wrong tho).

Davies is a top 25 player, Hakimi and Ziyech aren't top 40. I guess it's a talk about what stars are considered.

[Stifler]

David plays for Lille in Ligue 1 as well for Canada. I would also not call Hakimi and Ziyech exactly stars (same as Johnathan David). Both are better than David, but not by a whole lot (I don't think Ziyech even starts for Chelsea? I could be wrong tho).

Davies is a top 25 player, Hakimi and Ziyech aren't top 40. I guess it's a talk about what stars are considered.

Lille isn't a top club. Lille is a tier below. Morocco has plenty of lesser tier known clubs too. Canada is mostly made up of MLS players, and MLS is a joke of a league.

[2014olympicgold]

Lille won Ligue 1 in 2021, 4th in 2020, 2nd in 2019

Morocco's top 5 is better than Canada's top 5. But Canada has star power because of Davies and Morocco lacking that guy.

And David is a top player on Lille. It's actually pretty crazy that David and Hakimi are rated pretty similar in the soccer equivalent of WAR this yr. David is having a very strong yr for Lille (10g, 17app)

I don't disagree with your take on the other teams, it's just the sheer "No chance" stance and lack of respect for the Canadian squad that I don't agree with.

[Stifler]

Lille won Ligue 1 in 2021, 4th in 2020, 2nd in 2019

Morocco's top 5 is better than Canada's top 5. But Canada has star power because of Davies and Morocco lacking that guy.

And David is a top player on Lille. It's actually pretty crazy that David and Hakimi are rated pretty similar in the soccer equivalent of WAR this yr. David is having a very strong yr for Lille (10g, 17app)

I don't disagree with your take on the other teams, it's just the sheer "No chance" stance and lack of respect for the Canadian squad that I don't agree with.

You win.

I can't argue with someone that doesn't understand soccer well.

[ross10019]

You win.

I can't argue with someone that doesn't understand soccer well.

Ok we get it you are the only guy on this forum who understands soccer.

Geez…

And btw if you think MLS is a “joke of a league”, maybe its you who’s clueless. Sure MLS cannot compete with the top national leagues, but a joke? Get real.

[Atomic Wedgy]

Davies is a top 25 player

Top 25 what?

[Atomic Wedgy]

I would love for Canada to win games and advance, I just dont think its a realistic expectation. Hope is fine and cheering for Canada is great! I just think its overly optimistic to think they will win a game. Could be that the ARG loss gets in the heads of a few players? I think that can only work in Canada's favour.

Regarding Davies... at Bayern, he can press forward as Bayern has the skill in other players to cover him. In the Canada setup, he is very much needed to defend. Not much skill to cover if he goes forward. Davies playing with Canada is a different player than Davies playing with Bayern. It will be very hard for them.

[Feenom]

Canada needs to play an almost flawless defensive game and hit the Belgians with speed on the counter. We all know the majority of possession will favor Belgium. So when Canada gets the ball they need to be resourceful. Patience and counter attacking with speed on the wings should help. Most of all in soccer you need luck, so hope they get some of that too.

[Stifler]

Ok we get it you are the only guy on this forum who understands soccer.

Geez…

And btw if you think MLS is a “joke of a league”, maybe its you who’s clueless. Sure MLS cannot compete with the top national leagues, but a joke? Get real.

Not my point at all that I'm the only one that knows soccer. In fact, quite the contrary. Atomic Wedgy, and Feenom for example seem to understand the position Canada is in quite well.

What you accuse me of, is actually true for 2014 Olympicgold across the forums. He seems to think he has the expert opinion on any and all threads I read. And that's fine, as in hockey he probably is more knowledgeable than I am. But in this specific circumstance, he is just plain wrong.

As for MLS being a joke, yes it is 100%. If you think otherwise, that says enough about your soccer knowledge more than mine lol.

[renello]

Saudi Arabia beats argentina....like what the. This is the one thing I hate about soccer. It is so fickle, argentina have not lost a game in three years. They could play 100 times and Saudi's would maybe win one or two times. They will have to probably beat poland and mexico to get through.

[Stifler]

Saudi Arabia beats argentina....like what the. This is the one thing I hate about soccer. It is so fickle, argentina have not lost a game in three years. They could play 100 times and Saudi's would maybe win one or two times. They will have to probably beat poland and mexico to get through.

Isn't that also the beauty of the sport though? While we all expect the competition to go a certain way, anything is ofcourse possible.

I wish NHL would get rid of best of series, to a winner advances to next round. It would make for much better playoffs in my opinion. Its an unpopular opinion but I think it would improve NHL. But thats for a separate discussion.

[renello]

Isn't that also the beauty of the sport though? While we all expect the competition to go a certain way, anything is ofcourse possible.

I wish NHL would get rid of best of series, to a winner advances to next round. It would make for much better playoffs in my opinion. Its an unpopular opinion but I think it would improve NHL. But thats for a separate discussion.

Yeah, that is another way to look at it. I am sure the Saudi's are in celebration. He he.

[Atomic Wedgy]

Saudi Arabia beats argentina....like what the. This is the one thing I hate about soccer. It is so fickle, argentina have not lost a game in three years. They could play 100 times and Saudi's would maybe win one or two times. They will have to probably beat poland and mexico to get through.

Not even! Crazy game. My kid is 13 and its the first world cup that he has gotten into. We both watched the highlights together and freaked out! hahaha Good times. He's gonna watch a few games with me this tourney. That makes me feel awesome.

[Feenom]

Saudi Arabia beats argentina....like what the. This is the one thing I hate about soccer. It is so fickle, argentina have not lost a game in three years. They could play 100 times and Saudi's would maybe win one or two times. They will have to probably beat poland and mexico to get through.

I can see them beating Poland. Control Lewan and you have a great chance at beating Poland. Easier said than done of course. The big game is against Mexico. With the Saudi's winning, one of Poland/Argentina/Mexico needs to step up and win a game at the least. If Saudi Arabia get any more points, then it will be very hard for the other 3. They (Poland or Mex) have to beat SA to have a shot, not tie. So, Argentina is still ok but a lot of work ahead of them. But what an upset for sure.