# World Cup 2022 - discussion, predictions, and thoughts **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-soccer-fifa\ **Created:** [November 6, 2022, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476 "2022-11-06T20:37:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 55
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1081 "2022-12-03T16:34:13Z")
Was that an assist by the US? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1082 "2022-12-03T16:37:47Z")
damn… ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1083 "2022-12-03T16:38:16Z")
Ah! too easy. No one marking at the back post, far, far too much time. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1084 "2022-12-03T16:38:26Z")
Damn damn damn ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1085 "2022-12-03T16:38:45Z")
Ridiculous ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1086 "2022-12-03T16:39:04Z")
just to bring the mood down a bit, looks like Pele is not doing so well. > **[Pelé says he is feeling ‘strong’ after reports of move to end-of-life care](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/dec/03/pele-moved-to-end-of-life-care-in-hospital-reports-say)** > > Brazilian football legend posts note to social media as hospital says he is in stable condition ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1087 "2022-12-03T16:47:08Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > Senegal, Marroco from Africa (two out of 4) 2 of 5 (the others Tunisia, Ghana, Cameroon) ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1088 "2022-12-03T16:53:57Z")
Well, 5 minutes of hope. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1089 "2022-12-03T16:56:18Z")
Going out to Netherlands in the round of 16 is a fair return for this US team. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1090 "2022-12-03T16:59:10Z")
Agree but a tie with England gave false hope. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1091 "2022-12-03T17:01:14Z")
I think it was real hope. Pulisic missing that early chance could’ve changed everything. It was just a poorly organized defense that sunk the US today. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1092 "2022-12-03T17:06:04Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > just to bring the mood down a bit, looks like Pele is not doing so well. That’s too bad. I wonder what will happen if he dies while this WC is still going on. It would cast a dark shadow over this tournament. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1093 "2022-12-03T17:11:56Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > It was just a poorly organized defense that sunk the US today. I think also a lack of a top goalscorer is sorely missing from this US side. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1094 "2022-12-03T17:13:49Z")
Our Diego, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy left foot come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily dribblings; and forgive us if we let the turtle ran away; and lead us not into a draw, but deliver us from penalty kicks. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1095 "2022-12-03T18:33:00Z")
The US lacks: 1. A real striker 2. Depth 3. Midfield creativity 4. Passing out of the back And you can get away without some of those, but eventually depth and finishing is going to catch up. Finishing 2nd in the group and then playing a competitive (Pulisic scoring at the opening would have completely changed the game) but losing effort to the Netherlands is what you’d expect for the talent level and only really Brazil and France are clear favorites against the Dutch. Not embarrassing at all for the US. If 2 or 3 of the things in my list are rectified, the US has a chance to make the quarters+ in 2026. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1096 "2022-12-03T18:49:43Z")
Obviously a frustrating result for the USA, but this is the first time I’ve seen the USA play against one of the big soccer powers and feel like we’re playing the same sport they are. We’re not as good still, but if you think back to USA vs Belgium in the round of 16 8 years ago, it was just clear from any 120 seconds of game time that Belgium was the better team, and that for us to won would have been a fluke. I didn’t feel that way here. Not that we were better or deserved to win or anything, but at least we’re playing the same sport they are, and deserve to be on the field against them. Remember, less than one year until the Women’s World Cup starts… USA USA USA! ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1097 "2022-12-03T19:01:38Z")
The US should give young Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun a call up ASAP to tie him to the US team. He’s also eligible for England and Nigeria. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1098 "2022-12-03T19:02:59Z")
As I understand it Balogun has refused call ups. He won’t unless he thinks England is off the table. ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1099 "2022-12-03T19:22:46Z")
So, pray for Harry Kane to have a long and productive international career? (And, hey, maybe Matt Turner puts a bug in his ear…) ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1100 "2022-12-03T19:26:08Z")
Argentina’s offensive play has been strangely restrained so far. The Aussies don’t have much defensive troubles, not a single shot on goal to defend. ETA: and in the last five minutes, Australia was the more offensive team and had a few corners. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476.md?page=54) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476.md?page=56)