2014 FIFA World Cup

[BridgeTroll]

I have to say Thank you to Crabernacle!

http://variety.com/2014/digital/news/espn-video-streaming-service-crashes-during-usa-germany-world-cup-match-1201251221/#

ESPN Live Stream Crashes During USA-Germany World Cup Match

Many users across the U.S. were unable to access ESPN's WatchESPN video-streaming service as the USA-Germany match in the 2014 FIFA World Cup kicked off at noon Eastern time on Thursday.

An ESPN rep said the sports programmer was "investigating some limited issues due to unprecedented demand." WatchESPN viewership for the first half of the USA-Germany match peaked at more than 1.4 million concurrent viewers.

During the match, WatchESPN peaked at 1.7 million concurrent users — a record for the service — but that was across all live streams, not just the USA-Germany match. The pivotal Portugal-Ghana match was streaming at the same time, along with ESPN's live Wimbledon coverage.

The match was a critical one for the U.S. national soccer team. Despite its 1-0 loss to Germany, the Americans advanced to the round of 16 after Portugal beat Ghana 2-1.

Univision Communications, which holds the Spanish-language broadcast and Internet-streaming rights to the 2014 World Cup, apparently did not have similar issues delivering the live stream online. In fact, Univision Digital delivered 750,000 live concurrent streams for the USA vs. Germany match, a record for the company. "Our live stream absolutely did not experience any outages," a rep said.

The WatchESPN issues may have been related to the infrastructure that handles the authentication process to verify a user's pay-TV subscription, which ESPN requires to access the service. (Univision's Internet stream is available free to all users in the initial rounds, but will require authenticated pay-TV logins starting July 4.) ESPN declined to provide details on the WatchESPN problems except to note the service saw record demand over a short period of time.

[Steve]

Seriously. We play Ghana, and frankly don't play great and get the win. We play Portugal, and I felt like we played excellent and get the tie that felt horrible, yet prior to the game I said I'll take the tie, and then we play Germany, lose, and we all high-fived.

Weird,

[blizz01]

I love the lead ups to the knock-out rounds - it's a three game collective body of work.  This has been by far my favorite World Cup to date.

[CityLife]

Only losing 1-0 to Germany is an accomplishment in itself and something that a lot of people may not realize. Germany has arguably the best keeper in the world, and just about every player in their lineup is in the top 10 in the world at their position (excluding 3 of the 4 defenders... only Hummels would be imo).

Portugal were losing to Germany 2-0 before they even got their red card and were well on their way to getting blown out. Germany were in complete control and would have won by 3 or 4 goals even without the card, they took their foot off the gas in the 2nd half. Germany had a goal differential of +26 in the World Cup qualifying and destroyed both Ireland and Austria, which are both respectable teams. Basically, Germany has the ability to blow out decent teams.

Not only did we beat Ghana and tie Portugal, but we gave Germany a game, which Portugal didn't. Portugal could have EASILY scored another couple goals against Ghana. If we had been down 2-0 to Germany at any point, there is no doubt Portugal would have stepped it up and made a run at catching our goal differential.

Belgium have a lot of individual talent, but haven't played great yet. I like our chances as underdogs with nothing to lose.

[Ajax]

Only losing 1-0 to Germany is an accomplishment in itself and something that a lot of people may not realize. Germany has arguably the best keeper in the world, and just about every player in their lineup is in the top 10 in the world at their position (excluding 3 of the 4 defenders... only Hummels would be imo).

Portugal were losing to Germany 2-0 before they even got their red card and were well on their way to getting blown out. Germany were in complete control and would have won by 3 or 4 goals even without the card, they took their foot off the gas in the 2nd half. Germany had a goal differential of +26 in the World Cup qualifying and destroyed both Ireland and Austria, which are both respectable teams. Basically, Germany has the ability to blow out decent teams.

Not only did we beat Ghana and tie Portugal, but we gave Germany a game, which Portugal didn't. Portugal could have EASILY scored another couple goals against Ghana. If we had been down 2-0 to Germany at any point, there is no doubt Portugal would have stepped it up and made a run at catching our goal differential.

Belgium have a lot of individual talent, but haven't played great yet. I like our chances as underdogs with nothing to lose.

And we've done it without Jozy, who has been considered a crucial component to the attack.  Dempsey has done a decent job moving up top, but since they were forced to do that it means the team is weaker in two positions than it was at the beginning of the Ghana game.  We've also done it in spite of the fact that the guy who everyone thinks is our best player (Bradley) has not lived up to the high standards he's set over the past few years. 

Tip of the hat to Jurgen for maneuvering this team out of the group.  On paper, we've already played two European teams that are better than Belgium.  I feel good about Tuesday. 

[AuditoreEnterprise]

Spanish broadcasters are way more fun to watch bridge troll

[Jumpinjack]

Spanish broadcasters are way more fun to watch bridge troll

True, I turned the volume low because I was trying to finish some work but the announcer's excitement always escalated in volume at the critical moments. Thanks for the link.

[ProjectMaximus]

And we've done it without Jozy, who has been considered a crucial component to the attack.  Dempsey has done a decent job moving up top, but since they were forced to do that it means the team is weaker in two positions than it was at the beginning of the Ghana game.  We've also done it in spite of the fact that the guy who everyone thinks is our best player (Bradley) has not lived up to the high standards he's set over the past few years. 

Tip of the hat to Jurgen for maneuvering this team out of the group.  On paper, we've already played two European teams that are better than Belgium.  I feel good about Tuesday.

Bradley has played better since the Ghana match and it seems defensively he's played up to his standard...just hasn't been able to create and connect as he has in the past. Also seemed like they let Jones push forward with much more freedom...at times almost like he took over Jozy's position. Lots of positives.

Backline still worries me a lot...seem decent when they're settled but so many mistakes here and there. And I wonder how that closed scrimmage with Belgium will affect this match!

[BridgeTroll]

Swiss fans have copied our Green Bay Packer fans... I like the cheddar version better...

[Ajax]

And we've done it without Jozy, who has been considered a crucial component to the attack.  Dempsey has done a decent job moving up top, but since they were forced to do that it means the team is weaker in two positions than it was at the beginning of the Ghana game.  We've also done it in spite of the fact that the guy who everyone thinks is our best player (Bradley) has not lived up to the high standards he's set over the past few years. 

Tip of the hat to Jurgen for maneuvering this team out of the group.  On paper, we've already played two European teams that are better than Belgium.  I feel good about Tuesday.

Bradley has played better since the Ghana match and it seems defensively he's played up to his standard...just hasn't been able to create and connect as he has in the past. Also seemed like they let Jones push forward with much more freedom...at times almost like he took over Jozy's position. Lots of positives.

Backline still worries me a lot...seem decent when they're settled but so many mistakes here and there. And I wonder how that closed scrimmage with Belgium will affect this match!

I went back and watched the USA-Portugal game and Bradley isn't playing that badly...he's just set such a high standard over the years that it just seems like he's playing poorly.  He's playing out of position because it's what the team needs.  I've just noticed that his first touch isn't as reliable as I'm accustomed to seeing from him, and his passes aren't as precise as usual.  I'm sure the fact that he's run farther than every other player in the tournament may have something to do with that, but it's happening all the time, not just late in games. 

Yeah, I'm still a little worried about the backline, but Omar looked pretty good against Germany (after that initial whiff right in front of the goal!)  I wonder if Johnson will be able to attack more against Belgium - he really didn't get to move forward very much because Germany had us pinned back. 

The closed-door scrimmage with Belgium never happened.  I think Belgium cancelled it just a few hours before it was supposed to take place because they said traffic was too thick. 

I think Belgium should be nervous (not that we can over look Hazard, Mertens, et al).  They haven't looked great in any of their games, they're seeing that CONCACAF teams are taking European teams to the wire, and they play with 4 centerbacks in the back.  If we can get some fast guys out there to run at them, we could really create some mismatches.  I've heard that Kompany is hurt, although at this stage I doubt anyone is at 100%. 

[BridgeTroll]

After multiple close calls... France finally puts a ball in goal... FR-1 Nig-0

[BridgeTroll]

Nigeria finally puts a ball in goal... unfortunately it was their own... France advances... 2-0

[ProjectMaximus]

And we've done it without Jozy, who has been considered a crucial component to the attack.  Dempsey has done a decent job moving up top, but since they were forced to do that it means the team is weaker in two positions than it was at the beginning of the Ghana game.  We've also done it in spite of the fact that the guy who everyone thinks is our best player (Bradley) has not lived up to the high standards he's set over the past few years. 

Tip of the hat to Jurgen for maneuvering this team out of the group.  On paper, we've already played two European teams that are better than Belgium.  I feel good about Tuesday.

Bradley has played better since the Ghana match and it seems defensively he's played up to his standard...just hasn't been able to create and connect as he has in the past. Also seemed like they let Jones push forward with much more freedom...at times almost like he took over Jozy's position. Lots of positives.

Backline still worries me a lot...seem decent when they're settled but so many mistakes here and there. And I wonder how that closed scrimmage with Belgium will affect this match!

I went back and watched the USA-Portugal game and Bradley isn't playing that badly...he's just set such a high standard over the years that it just seems like he's playing poorly.  He's playing out of position because it's what the team needs.  I've just noticed that his first touch isn't as reliable as I'm accustomed to seeing from him, and his passes aren't as precise as usual.  I'm sure the fact that he's run farther than every other player in the tournament may have something to do with that, but it's happening all the time, not just late in games. 

Yeah, I'm still a little worried about the backline, but Omar looked pretty good against Germany (after that initial whiff right in front of the goal!)  I wonder if Johnson will be able to attack more against Belgium - he really didn't get to move forward very much because Germany had us pinned back. 

The closed-door scrimmage with Belgium never happened.  I think Belgium cancelled it just a few hours before it was supposed to take place because they said traffic was too thick. 

I think Belgium should be nervous (not that we can over look Hazard, Mertens, et al).  They haven't looked great in any of their games, they're seeing that CONCACAF teams are taking European teams to the wire, and they play with 4 centerbacks in the back.  If we can get some fast guys out there to run at them, we could really create some mismatches.  I've heard that Kompany is hurt, although at this stage I doubt anyone is at 100%.

I've read that Jozy is ready to play...will be interesting to see if/how we use him. Did not know that the scrimmage was canceled! I guess that is a good thing for both sides.

German game was sloppy in the rain, and Portugal was in the humidity of the rainforest. These aren't good excuses but simply contributing factors. And it's a good point that Bradley is playing out of position.

Now there's this...
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/6/30/5857462/usa-beligum-2014-world-cup-referee-djamel-haimoudi

Klinsmann expressed his displeasure about the referee selection.

[AuditoreEnterprise]

Nigeria finally puts a ball in goal... unfortunately it was their own... France advances... 2-0

Nigeria fought hard, but France was beating down that goalie. It was only a matter of time.

[urbanlibertarian]