I lose respect for people when I find out they still frequent that hellhole. If I know you well, it's more disappointment and a downgrade. If I don't know you well, I increase my desire to keep it that way. Of course, honest, open conversations can change that ... though even this is less likely.

Just checked in and Cape Verde is beating Uruguay!?

Spain decided maybe they are the favorites afterall. That 3rd goal is pretty.

We're almost halfway through the first arc of the A Thousand Li hardcover re-release with Ace Books! All three books will include an exclusive bonus short story that you can only get from these editions, and an illustrated map of the Kingdom of Shen! You can preorder the next book in my bio.

When it comes to scoring goals, Ecuador has zero latitude.

I don't care who you are or what industry you're in or how you think you're doing them favors. If you're making somebody work for you for free, you're a piece of shit.

Germany losing as halftime approaches but looking to have switched into another gear. This game is quite enjoyable at the moment.

The Telemundo reaction to Elanga's backheel is what I wanted (r @bighoney69.bsky.social)

The USMNT remains largely untested on defense and in their mid game ... and, if I'm being honest, to the extent they have been tested ... it's only solidified the questions that exist, imo.

Turkey: Woof USMNT: Woot

the World Cup is so good. they should invent a fifa that isn’t evil

Earned victory for about 60 minutes but Australia pushed them significantly after that point and a bit better performance on their ability to finish and this game could have gotten tight. But that didn't materialize and it's Dos-a-cero to end the match. Far from flawless but USMNT has to feel good.

The chippiness of this game is a direct result of officiating, imo. They've let a lot go for a matchup that involves teams with the recent history of Australia and the USMNT.

Rough looks for the USMNT for a long shift now. Australia has the better of them at the moment. A goal feels inevitable without a mentality reset.

I have yet to feel Berhalter is anything but a big drop off in quality. With him about to sub in, that might matter a ton for the USMNT.

The officiating in the USMNT v Australia is letting a lot of physicality go. You can almost sense the frustration rising for Australia.

The USMNT defense is so bad.

Fox showing random ass "celebrities" long after the game restarted is beyond frustrating. Trash broadcast.

🦅

USMNT defense will absolutely start getting called in the second half for running Australia off the ball. They need to be careful.

I must be getting old because every time this Fox broadcast cuts to some celebrity in the stands or in a private box, I'm about 20% knowing who they are and 80% wondering what I'm missing.

The USMNT with a beautiful tribute to the War in Iran (own goal)

LFG! USA! ISA! USA!

The USMNT defense is so bad.

You always need to capitalize on your opportunities but it's gonna be especially important for the USMNT without Pulisic. Will be interesting to see who they bring on for him and if it changes their formation or not.

Oof. Pulisic out today is no good. I think it's a good strategic decision to let him rest in a game that isn't must-win but it narrows the success window. You can easily lose to Australia and Turkey is pretty good. They could lose this one and then drop Turkey as well, which would be a tough spot.

who are the dickheads who scheduled the USMNT game for 3pm Friday. Bozo behavior

If the USMNT was a proper fan base, they'd make a chant about how all of their chants suck. "Our chants are shit! They just didn't fit! But we've got Chris-ti-an Pulisic." ... something that. They'd own it in self mockery and be better for it.

South Africans know an unnatural hand movement when they see it

I honestly might prefer this guy sounding like he gets assassinated hallway through every "goooooooaaaaaaal" than the typical neverending call.

Hahahaha ... what a call!

What a goal for Columbia!

Some astoundingly bad shooting from both sides to draw this Columbia v Uzbekistan game to a close.

I've officially watched enough World Cup games that any highlight on a football field with shitty hashmarks and yardage numbers is a hate crime.

When do we burn hydration breaks in hell.

A gentle plea from an author holding a very real copy of The First Stop: If you’ve ever thought “I’ll just buy it when it comes out”… consider this your sign to preorder instead 👀

Music was droning in the background; just a dusting of life mixed into the all-around like the fuzz of ventilation. Unnoticed detail. I only realized it had always been there when I thought back to it later that night. In the moments I was there, it was nothing more than a small aspect of the whole.

David Beckham doesn't look like David Beckham anymore. Easy to wonder about as an average looking, unimportant person rarely judged on appearance but I do think we're in a weird phase of iconic people being sold a line about maintaining their look by becoming dollar store versions of themselves.

Things that are timeless: 1. Messi 2. Calvin and Hobbes

Messi is too good.

this is why “ball watching” is bad 1. messi under pressure, drops the ball back to teammate 2. defense keeps pressuring the ball, messi backs away slowly 3. defense stays *locked in* on the ball while messi slides behind the ref 4. pass fired back up to—hey, who was supposed to be on messi???

Messi magic on the finish but that pass was excellent.

Two goals, one for Argentina and one for America ... two goals called back for offside. Both very close. We've got a game.

I haven't been back to Argentina since 2001. Life always seems to get in the way. But it is still my second home and close to my heart.

Pre-Elon Twitter

I love that Pochettino is willing to talk truth to US Soccer. I don't know if he would work as coaching in the long-term, certainly not for the developmental aspect, I imagine, but I love that he's not playing politics and It's comfortable talking about some of the sports problems in the US.

The Norway team photo remains in my mind. It goes so hard.

for further reading www.expectinggoals.com/p/the-set-pi...

Haaland's body is so interesting. He's got these oddly square shoulders and combined with his stature and posture... he always looks like he's stalking and prowling. He just looks built different from the others, even those his general size.