2026 World Cup starts today

[Ted124]

It seemed like an average game, but they had to play 120 minutes plus the overtime minutes.
The last 2 goals were pretty awesome though, especially the their #2 goal. That was a killer shot, what a curve ball!

[Coach]

Spain v France right now…

[Coach]

Spain winner 2-0.

[Coach]

Final is set. Spain v Argentina

[Hatchdog]

For me this will be an easy choice to root for. My DIL’s family is from Argentina, both her older sisters were born there but my DIL was born in the states after they immigrated to the US. Her father passed away recently but was an avid soccer fan. When Argentina won several years ago she told me he was so happy he had tears. A win Sunday will be a nice tribute to him and his memory. He was a great guy.

[Ted124]

My money is on Spain. I haven't seen Spain playing and there is a slight edge that Argentina continues to show.
I am gambling on a wildcard, that's what makes it fun.

[Ted124]

Quite a game, England 3. Place!

[Coach]

That was a fun game to watch in the end.

6-4 final.

[Ted124]

Spain is World Champion.

Quite a game. One goal in the 106th minutes. Not for the faint-hearted.
I took a short cut, I got in around the 87th minute with the good feeling that I had not missed anything.

[Coach]

Congratulations to Spain. They deserve the trophy. Argentina finally got exposed with 0 shots on goal.

Next year is the USWNT World Cup run…

[Hatchdog]

Congrats to Spain. I will say as a non soccer fan I was super impressed with the saves by the Argentinian goalie. All that with a broken finger. Well done both teams.

[The Wiz]

I am glad it is over. All that drama! You know, it is not like the Super Bowl. Give me a 38 to 40 shoot out any day.

[CT_Shooter]

I don't know anyone who was as invested in these games as you were, Coach. Not even close. However, I watched various newsclips about the games and the visiting people from competing countries and enjoyed that coverage, but I didn't watch any of the games. Soccer wasn't part of my childhood and I never actually had a favorite team for any sport, American or otherwise, so the World Cup was just entertaining spectacle for me.

That said, I did watch the men's and women's semi-finals and finals at Wimbledon. Wow. I recorded and watched them about two hours after they began each match without knowing the outcome so I could experience the championship as if it were live. I could also Zoom past commercials -- up to a point. Loved it. (I can and do occasionally enjoy watching individual sports competitions like Tennis and Golf).

[cooperhawk]

I'm not a soccer guy either but I did watch the final game yesterday. I found it, well, boring.
I'm glad I watched it, but that's probably it for me.

[Coach]

I don't know anyone who was as invested in these games as you were, Coach. Not even close. However, I watched various newsclips about the games and the visiting people from competing countries and enjoyed that coverage, but I didn't watch any of the games. Soccer wasn't part of my childhood and I never actually had a favorite team for any sport, American or otherwise, so the World Cup was just entertaining spectacle for me.

That said, I did watch the men's and women's semi-finals and finals at Wimbledon. Wow. I recorded and watched them about two hours after they began each match without knowing the outcome so I could experience the championship as if it were live. I could also Zoom past commercials -- up to a point. Loved it. (I can and do occasionally enjoy watching individual sports competitions like Tennis and Golf).

I started playing soccer at 5 years old. I played until I was about 35. My brothers all played soccer and I was the youngest of the bunch. My oldest brother played soccer in college, so I got to be ball boy for his college team. I was let in the locker room with the team. That’s where I saw grown men naked for the first time. It was a little disturbing but I got past it…

I played many school sports growing up but soccer was the sport that I loved the most. I played Football, Basketball, Baseball, Wrestling and ran track in high school.

I was a walk on for my D1 college soccer team. Earned a scholarship and went on to be the team captain. In the offseason I was recruited by a Semiprofessional team and played in that league for about 15 years.

While was playing Semiprofessional I got asked by my brother in-law to come do some practice sessions for a group of little girls he was coaching. Then he reeled me in to assistant coach and then head coach. While I was coaching the club team the local high school coach recruited me to help at the high school team. We won a couple of state championships.

I spent a couple years as an assistant coach in the club level with the district all star team after the little girls went to college. Again I was recruited…

After all that I did another 10 years of coaching with my nephew and his group of players. Again I got recruited by the high school team.

The girls I coached are in their mid 40’s now and the boys are in their mid 30’s.

Thus the name COACH.