Lionel Messi survived 'Drake curse': Rapper bet $1 million on Argentina to win World Cup final — and lost
... Drake was 10 minutes away from a $2.75m (£2.3m) windfall – but Argentina failed to triumph inside the regulation 90 minutes, so his gamble on them to prevail within that timeframe lost....
What is the 'Drake curse'? ...
...
Yep.GoCubsGo wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 4:03 pmSoccer great Pelé reportedly receiving end-of-life care in Brazil
Pelé, transcendent soccer superstar and Brazilian ‘national treasure,’ dies at 82
Pelé, the Brazilian soccer legend widely hailed as "O Rei do Futebol," the king of his sport, the only man to win the World Cup three times, died Thursday at a hospital in Brazil. He was 82.
His death has sent the entire soccer world — and specifically Brazil, the nation who’d nurtured and worshiped him — into a state of mourning. It was as if a national treasure had been lost forever, because, in fact, Pelé was one. The Brazilian government made that official declaration at the height of his powers. It kept him at his Brazilian club, Santos, where he ultimately scored most of his 1,281 goals — a still-unsurpassed, albeit disputed, world record.
... At age 17, he led Santos to a league title with a still-standing-record 58 goals. Then he boarded his first airplane, touched down in his first foreign country, and scored six times in three World Cup elimination games to lead his nation to its first world title....
But Pelé’s contemporary preeminence was undisputed. Various organizations named him the greatest athlete of the 20th century. In the 1960s, some believed him to be the most famous person on the planet. Popes, emperors and presidents sought his company. Companies sought his endorsement. Admirers everywhere sought whatever they could get. “In some countries, they wanted to touch him. In some, they wanted to kiss him,” a teammate once recalled. “In others, they even kissed the ground he walked on.”
... His health further deteriorated earlier this month, with the soccer world gathered in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup. He watched from his hospital bed as an upbeat group of Brazilian players tried to follow in his footsteps. After they danced into the quarterfinals, they posed with a “Pelé” banner to broadcast their well wishes. “All of us here are sending you our love,” head coach Tite said.
(lots on his personal and pro life, much of it sad)
... “LONG LIVE THE KING.”
RIP
Try to contain your excitement, try hard.
Ouch, how humiliating for Mexico!Referee ends USMNT rout over Mexico early amid anti-gay chants
The United States men's national team's 3-0 win over Mexico in the Concacaf Nations League semifinal on Thursday
That's a lot. I never played in a game with that many. Ftr, I never got a red card, but I may have gotten a yellow or two for overly aggressive goalkeeping.was halted before the completion of second-half stoppage time by the referee amid anti-gay chanting.
Referee Ivan Barton, who had already handed out four red cards in the game,
Sounds like it was Mexico fans chanting. Sad regardless. Idk why opposing goal kicks are the occasion, but it would have pissed me off.paused the game in the 89th minute because of anti-gay chanting heard from the crowd at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Play resumed, and with four minutes left to go in injury time, Barton blew the final whistle after a goal kick by U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner was once again greeted by the anti-gay chant....
The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) has struggled in recent years with curtailing the anti-gay chant that is typically yelled during opposing goal kicks.
FIFA has issued fines to the FMF because of the action of fans, which included a $108,000 sanction in January for the chant at the 2022 World Cup.
The FMF has made attempts to eradicate the discriminatory yells through avenues such as public service announcements, social media posts and pregame announcements from players....
Hey Megan, being a retired woman does not mean that you have to be a blue hair. 
She does say there'll be more to come for her down the road -- presumably meaning she'll still be involved in soccer in some capacity -- but first, her focus is on snagging the gold.
During her remarks ... MR got a little choked up as she reflected on her storied career, thanking teammates, coaches, fans and everyone who's supported her over the years. She also touched on the game itself and commented on just how far it's taken her in her life.
She also shouts out her partner, WNBA star Sue Bird, for giving her inspiration in coming to the decision -- ICYMI, SB announced her retirement from pro basketball just last year.
Perhaps the greatest athletic couple ever.
Megan's thoughts are touching ... and it's a huge moment, seeing how she's been on several U.S. Women's Soccer teams, having played with some of the greats of the modern era. She's played with the likes of Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, Hope Solo and so many others ... and is, by and large, considered to be one of the final players of the old guard to still be on the pitch today. She's also served as a captain on the team for years now.
Of course, her accolades are many. Megan's helped the U.S. win the World Cup twice, and she's also led the U.S. to a gold medal in the Olympics before. MR's won a lot of awards, too, including the Golden Boot and Golden Ball from FIFA for her standout performances.
It's the end of an era -- but not before one last go-around. The Women's World Cup kicks off in New Zealand on July 20, and the U.S. has its opening match scheduled for July 21st.
Thanks for the memories! GO USWNT! 2-0Vrede too wrote: ↑Wed Jul 19, 2023 9:52 pmWomen's World Cup
1st time in the Southern Hemisphere.
https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/scoreboard/
Go futbol:
Thu, 7/20
Nigeria vs Canada, 10:30 PM EDT
Fri, 7/21
USA vs Vietnam, 9:00 PM EDT
Mon, 7/24
Italy vs Argentina, 2:00 AM EDT
Colombia vs Korea Republic, 10:00 PM EDT
GO:
Thu, 7/20
Host New Zealand > Norway, 3:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Norway
1-0. Upset I'd guess.
Host Australia > Ireland, 6:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Ireland.
1-0
Good on the hosts! Both are in winnable groups, I think.
Fri, 7/21
Philippines > Switzerland, 1:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Switzerland
Costa Rica > Spain, 3:30 AM EDT, but I don't hate Spain, amigos
Sat, 7/22
Zambia > Japan, 3:00 AM EDT
Haiti > England, 5:30 AM EDT, but I don't hate England, mates
Denmark > China, 8:00 AM EDT
Sun, 7/23
South Africa > Sweden, 1:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Sweden
Netherlands > Portugal, 3:30 AM EDT, but I don't hate Portugal
Jamaica > France, 6:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate France, mon
Mon, 7/24
Morocco > Germany, 4:30 AM EDT
Panama > Brazil, 7:00 AM EDT
3-0, hat trick to start.Vrede too wrote: ↑Wed Jul 19, 2023 9:52 pmWomen's World Cup
1st time in the Southern Hemisphere.
https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/scoreboard/
Go futbol:
Thu, 7/20
Nigeria vs Canada, 10:30 PM EDT
I'm going to cheat a bit.
A tie game where I didn't pick a favorite is a win for me.
A non-tie game where I didn't pick a favorite is not a loss for me.
0-0
Fri, 7/21
USA vs Vietnam, 9:00 PM EDT
Mon, 7/24
Italy vs Argentina, 2:00 AM EDT
Colombia vs Korea Republic, 10:00 PM EDT
GO:
Thu, 7/20
Host New Zealand > Norway, 3:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Norway
1-0
Host Australia > Ireland, 6:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Ireland.
1-0
Good on the hosts! Both are in winnable groups, I think.
Fri, 7/21
Philippines > Switzerland, 1:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Switzerland
0-2
Costa Rica > Spain, 3:30 AM EDT, but I don't hate Spain, amigos
0-3
Sat, 7/22
Zambia > Japan, 3:00 AM EDT
Haiti > England, 5:30 AM EDT, but I don't hate England, mates
Denmark > China, 8:00 AM EDT
Sun, 7/23
South Africa > Sweden, 1:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Sweden
Netherlands > Portugal, 3:30 AM EDT, but I don't hate Portugal
Jamaica > France, 6:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate France, mon
Mon, 7/24
Morocco > Germany, 4:30 AM EDT
Panama > Brazil, 7:00 AM EDT
They went, 3-0. Go USWNT.
. It's not like the back of the net is foreign territory to her, though:3-0, hat trick to start.Vrede too wrote: ↑Wed Jul 19, 2023 9:52 pmWomen's World Cup
1st time in the Southern Hemisphere.
https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/scoreboard/
Go futbol:
Thu, 7/20
Nigeria vs Canada, 10:30 PM EDT
I'm going to cheat a bit.
A tie game where I didn't pick a favorite is a win for me.
A non-tie game where I didn't pick a favorite is not a loss for me.
0-0
https://twitter.com/brfootball/status/1 ... 4330911744
Fri, 7/21
USA vs Vietnam, 9:00 PM EDT
3-0
Mon, 7/24
Italy vs Argentina, 2:00 AM EDT
Colombia vs Korea Republic, 10:00 PM EDT
GO:
Thu, 7/20
Host New Zealand > Norway, 3:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Norway
1-0
Host Australia > Ireland, 6:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Ireland.
1-0
Good on the hosts! Both are in winnable groups, I think.
Fri, 7/21
Philippines > Switzerland, 1:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Switzerland
0-2
Costa Rica > Spain, 3:30 AM EDT, but I don't hate Spain, amigos
0-3
Sat, 7/22
Zambia > Japan, 3:00 AM EDT
Haiti > England, 5:30 AM EDT, but I don't hate England, mates
Denmark > China, 8:00 AM EDT
Sun, 7/23
South Africa > Sweden, 1:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Sweden
Netherlands > Portugal, 3:30 AM EDT, but I don't hate Portugal
Jamaica > France, 6:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate France, mon
Mon, 7/24
Morocco > Germany, 4:30 AM EDT
Panama > Brazil, 7:00 AM EDT
. It's not like the back of the net is foreign territory to her, though:3-0, hat trick to start.Vrede too wrote: ↑Wed Jul 19, 2023 9:52 pmWomen's World Cup
1st time in the Southern Hemisphere.
https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/scoreboard/
Go futbol:
Thu, 7/20
Nigeria vs Canada, 10:30 PM EDT
I'm going to cheat a bit.
A tie game where I didn't pick a favorite is a win for me.
A non-tie game where I didn't pick a favorite is not a loss for me.
0-0
https://twitter.com/brfootball/status/1 ... 4330911744
Fri, 7/21
USA vs Vietnam, 9:00 PM EDT
3-0
Mon, 7/24
Italy vs Argentina, 2:00 AM EDT
Colombia vs Korea Republic, 10:00 PM EDT
GO:
Thu, 7/20
Host New Zealand > Norway, 3:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Norway
1-0
Host Australia > Ireland, 6:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Ireland.
1-0
Good on the hosts! Both are in winnable groups, I think.
Fri, 7/21
Philippines > Switzerland, 1:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Switzerland
0-2
Costa Rica > Spain, 3:30 AM EDT, but I don't hate Spain, amigos
0-3
Sat, 7/22
Zambia > Japan, 3:00 AM EDT. 0-5, stomped.
Haiti > England, 5:30 AM EDT, but I don't hate England, mates. 0-1
Denmark > China, 8:00 AM EDT. 1-0
Sun, 7/23
South Africa > Sweden, 1:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Sweden
Netherlands > Portugal, 3:30 AM EDT, but I don't hate Portugal
Jamaica > France, 6:00 AM EDT. Jah love, mon
Mon, 7/24
Morocco > Germany, 4:30 AM EDT
Panama > Brazil, 7:00 AM EDT
. It's not like the back of the net is foreign territory to her, though:3-0, hat trick to start.Vrede too wrote: ↑Wed Jul 19, 2023 9:52 pmWomen's World Cup
1st time in the Southern Hemisphere.
https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/scoreboard/
Go futbol:
Thu, 7/20
Nigeria vs Canada, 10:30 PM EDT
I'm going to cheat a bit.
A tie game where I didn't pick a favorite is a win for me.
A non-tie game where I didn't pick a favorite is not a loss for me.
0-0
https://twitter.com/brfootball/status/1 ... 4330911744
Fri, 7/21
USA vs Vietnam, 9:00 PM EDT
3-0
Mon, 7/24
Italy vs Argentina, 2:00 AM EDT
Colombia vs Korea Republic, 10:00 PM EDT
GO:
Thu, 7/20
Host New Zealand > Norway, 3:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Norway
1-0
Host Australia > Ireland, 6:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Ireland.
1-0
Good on the hosts! Both are in winnable groups, I think.
Fri, 7/21
Philippines > Switzerland, 1:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Switzerland
0-2
Costa Rica > Spain, 3:30 AM EDT, but I don't hate Spain, amigos
0-3
Sat, 7/22
Zambia > Japan, 3:00 AM EDT. 0-5, stomped.
Haiti > England, 5:30 AM EDT, but I don't hate England, mates. 0-1
Denmark > China, 8:00 AM EDT. 1-0
Sun, 7/23
South Africa > Sweden, 1:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Sweden
1-2
Netherlands > Portugal, 3:30 AM EDT, but I don't hate Portugal
1-0
Jamaica > France, 6:00 AM EDT. Jah love, mon
0-0, likely a moral victory for Jamaica.
Mon, 7/24
Morocco > Germany, 4:30 AM EDT
Panama > Brazil, 7:00 AM EDT
. It's not like the back of the net is foreign territory to her, though:3-0, hat trick to start.Vrede too wrote: ↑Wed Jul 19, 2023 9:52 pmWomen's World Cup
1st time in the Southern Hemisphere.
https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/scoreboard/
WEEK 1
Go futbol:
Thu, 7/20
Nigeria vs Canada, 10:30 PM EDT
I'm going to cheat a bit.
A tie game where I didn't pick a favorite is a win for me.
A non-tie game where I didn't pick a favorite is not a loss for me.
0-0
https://twitter.com/brfootball/status/1 ... 4330911744
Fri, 7/21
USA vs Vietnam, 9:00 PM EDT. 3-0
Mon, 7/24
Italy vs Argentina, 2:00 AM EDT.
Italy scores in 87th minute, 1-0.
Colombia vs Korea Republic, 10:00 PM EDT
GO:
Thu, 7/20
Host New Zealand > Norway, 3:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Norway
1-0
Host Australia > Ireland, 6:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Ireland.
1-0
Good on the hosts! Both are in winnable groups, I think.
Fri, 7/21
Philippines > Switzerland, 1:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Switzerland
0-2
Costa Rica > Spain, 3:30 AM EDT, but I don't hate Spain, amigos
0-3
Sat, 7/22
Zambia > Japan, 3:00 AM EDT. 0-5, stomped.
Haiti > England, 5:30 AM EDT, but I don't hate England, mates. 0-1
Denmark > China, 8:00 AM EDT. 1-0
Sun, 7/23
South Africa > Sweden, 1:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Sweden
1-2
Netherlands > Portugal, 3:30 AM EDT, but I don't hate Portugal
1-0
Jamaica > France, 6:00 AM EDT. Jah love, mon
0-0, likely a moral victory for Jamaica.
Mon, 7/24
Morocco > Germany, 4:30 AM EDT.
0-6
Panama > Brazil, 7:00 AM EDT. 0-4
. It's not like the back of the net is foreign territory to her, though:3-0, hat trick to start.Vrede too wrote: ↑Wed Jul 19, 2023 9:52 pmWomen's World Cup
1st time in the Southern Hemisphere.
https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/scoreboard/
WEEK 1
Go futbol:
Thu, 7/20
Nigeria vs Canada, 10:30 PM EDT
I'm going to cheat a bit.
A tie game where I didn't pick a favorite is a win for me.
A non-tie game where I didn't pick a favorite is not a loss for me.
0-0
https://twitter.com/brfootball/status/1 ... 4330911744
Fri, 7/21
USA vs Vietnam, 9:00 PM EDT. 3-0
Mon, 7/24
Italy vs Argentina, 2:00 AM EDT.
Italy scores in 87th minute, 1-0.
Colombia vs Korea Republic, 10:00 PM EDT. 2-0.
GO:
Thu, 7/20
Host New Zealand > Norway, 3:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Norway
1-0
Host Australia > Ireland, 6:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Ireland.
1-0
Good on the hosts! Both are in winnable groups, I think.
Fri, 7/21
Philippines > Switzerland, 1:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Switzerland
0-2
Costa Rica > Spain, 3:30 AM EDT, but I don't hate Spain, amigos
0-3
Sat, 7/22
Zambia > Japan, 3:00 AM EDT. 0-5, stomped.
Haiti > England, 5:30 AM EDT, but I don't hate England, mates. 0-1
Denmark > China, 8:00 AM EDT. 1-0
Sun, 7/23
South Africa > Sweden, 1:00 AM EDT, but I don't hate Sweden
1-2
Netherlands > Portugal, 3:30 AM EDT, but I don't hate Portugal
1-0
Jamaica > France, 6:00 AM EDT. Jah love, mon
0-0, likely a moral victory for Jamaica.
Mon, 7/24
Morocco > Germany, 4:30 AM EDT.
0-6
Panama > Brazil, 7:00 AM EDT. 0-4
Dance, girls, dance! 2-3, rough start.Vrede too wrote: ↑Tue Jul 25, 2023 12:13 amWomen's World Cup
https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/scoreboard/
https://www.espn.com/soccer/table/_/league/FIFA.WWC
Local times are 12-16 hours ahead of EDT.
WEEK 1: 5-7
WEEK 2
Go futbol:
I'm going to cheat a bit.
A tie game where I didn't pick a favorite is a win for me.
A non-tie game where I didn't pick a favorite is not a loss for me.
Tue, 7/25, 4:00 AM EDT
Switzerland vs Norway, 4:00 AM EDT. 0-0
Sat, 7/29
Sweden vs Italy, 3:30 AM EDT
France vs Brazil, 6:00 AM EDT
Sun, 7/30
Germany vs Colombia, 5:30 AM EDT
GO:
Tue, 7/25
Host New Zealand > Philippines, 1:30 AM EDT, Kiwis rule! 0-1
Wed, 7/26
Costa Rica > Japan, 1:00 AM EDT, Viva Los Ticos! 0-2
Zambia > Spain, 3:30 AM EDT, Africa represent! But I don't hate Spain. 0-5
Canada > Ireland, 8:00 AM EDT. Go O Really, but I don't hate Ireland. 2-1
Netherlands > USA, 9:00 PM EDT. Go Oranje, but I don't hate the USWNT.
Thu, 7/27
Vietnam > Portugal, 3:30 AM EDT. But I don't hate Portugal.
Host Australia > Nigeria, 6:00 AM EDT. Go Matildas?
South Africa > Argentina, 8:00 PM EDT, Africa represent!
Fri, 7/28, 4:30 AM EDT
Denmark > England, 4:30 AM EDT, EU > Brexit.
Haiti > China, 7:00 AM EDT.
Sat, 7/29
Jamaica > Panama, 8:30 AM EDT.
Sun, 7/30
Morocco > Korea Republic, 12:30 AM EDT.
