JT

Wolrd Cup Fever: Catch It!

Jun 11, 2014

TC
Stage· 71 messages
Jun 11, 2014

The biggest sporting event in the world starts tomorrow, and this year it means more than just determining the best soccer team. Join Terry Clouth and Jack Terry as they discuss how this global phenomenon will resonate for years to come.

JT

Jack Terry · 7:01 PM

Hello and happy Wednesday everyone. Along with Terry Clouth I'm Jack Terry and we're here to talk about World Cup 2014. Naturally we'll talk about soccer (or futbol if you prefer) but there are lots of behinds the stories to cover as well.
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:01 PM

Hey Jack...
JT

Jack Terry · 7:02 PM

How are you Terry? Have you got your World Cup fever vaccination shot yet?
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:02 PM

this is going to be one of the more interesting FIFA World Cups in a very long time!!
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:02 PM

I'm excited to see if the USA can do anything without Landon Donovan...
JT

Jack Terry · 7:03 PM

It certainly is. The action on the field is only going to be half of it. Let's start with some trivia though. Do you know how many people watched the last World Cup final?
JT

Jack Terry · 7:03 PM

Playing in the Group of Death, as much as I like Landon I don't know how successful team USA is going to be with or without him.
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:03 PM

What was the attendance at the World Cup last tijme?
JT

Jack Terry · 7:04 PM

The stadium held 120,000 and 320 million watched on tv. I bet the NFL wishes they could do that with the Super Bowl!
JT

Jack Terry · 7:05 PM

Of course, this years a lot of eyes are going to be on Brazil to see just how successful they were in preparing the country for such a monumental event.
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:06 PM

Brazil is highly favored in this years FIFA World Cup
JT

Jack Terry · 7:07 PM

They are, and that's part of the reason FIFA awarded Brazil the right to host World Cup 2014.
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:07 PM

Although there are many, many teams to keep an eye on...Spain, Argentina, Italy...
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:08 PM

Isn't the winner of the World Cup traditionally the host for the next?
JT

Jack Terry · 7:08 PM

As dfending champion Spain is an early favorite. Argentina, on the other hand, has somehow become the team everybody loves to hate.
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:08 PM

I don't know all the ins and outs of the sport...
JT

Jack Terry · 7:09 PM

I believe they used to do that, but now with the amount of time that host nations need, much like the Olympics, to build the stadiums and facilities, they need to have the host nations in place years in advance.
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:09 PM

I read that the facility in Brazil was barely finished in time!
JT

Jack Terry · 7:09 PM

Well, you see, there are 11 people on a team, they kick the ball, and....too basic?
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:09 PM

Shut up...I mean the rules, rankings, etc
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:10 PM

My football is American football
JT

Jack Terry · 7:10 PM

Some aren't finished!! And the first game is tomorrow. Airports aren't completed, streets aren't finished, promised public transportation isn't in place. It's a mess!
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:10 PM

Speaking of mess...the FIFA World Cup sweetheart is Leo Messi of Argentina...right?
JT

Jack Terry · 7:11 PM

To most people around the world he is. but there is player on Brazil, Nedyer (I gotta check my spelling) who is the darling, in more ways than one
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:12 PM

I have a question for you also...how does a country/team qualify for the world cup?
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:12 PM

And what is the basis for the World Cup Seeding?
JT

Jack Terry · 7:13 PM

there are 8 regions created by FIFA around the world and the national teams in each division play against each other, earning points.
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:13 PM

As I understand it both are based on seasonal points...is that correct?
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:13 PM

So the higher thepoints, the higher the World Cup Seed...
JT

Jack Terry · 7:13 PM

Exactly. Teams play each other to qualify for their regional torunaments
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:14 PM

OH, so similar to our college level sports?
JT

Jack Terry · 7:14 PM

NEYMAR!! That's the guy!!
JT

Jack Terry · 7:15 PM

Exactly. Picture 8 March Madnesses around the world and you have a sense of how FIFA chooses the teams for the World Cup.
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:15 PM

So this is literally the Olympics of Soccer...
JT

Jack Terry · 7:15 PM

In more ways than one.
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:16 PM

FIFA takes the best of the best and puts them in a tourney...International Tournament...how fun
JT

Jack Terry · 7:16 PM

Brazil is actually hosting Summer Olympics 2016 and many people are seeing this as a test. There are rumors if the infrastructure is as bad as people fear, the IOC will move the Olympics.
JT

Jack Terry · 7:16 PM

It is probably the greatest spectacle of sport in the world.
JT

Jack Terry · 7:17 PM

The best is to find an ethnic neighborhood in your area and visit it when that team's nation is playing.
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:17 PM

As one who rarely watches soccer, I have to admit the FIFA World Cup is the only time I really watch
JT

Jack Terry · 7:17 PM

you and 2.2 billion other people in the world.
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:17 PM

OH, during the last World Cup, I was slaving away in a restaurant kitchen...with some big Mexico fans!!
JT

Jack Terry · 7:18 PM

HA! I'm surprised they could even focus on work!
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:18 PM

That is when I decided to have a look at this amazing international sporting event...
JT

Jack Terry · 7:18 PM

I remember when it was held in South Korea a number of years ago and getting up at 3 in the morning to watch Team USA
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:18 PM

They really didn't...lol
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:19 PM

I'm a little worried about Team USA this time around. We've lost to Ghana in the last two consecutive World Cups.
JT

Jack Terry · 7:19 PM

You're worried? Coach Jurgen Klinsman of Team USA even said we don't have a chance to make it out of the Group of Death.
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:20 PM

I've read the same thing...The group of death is ridiculous!!
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:20 PM

Uraguay, England, Italy and Costa Rica...
JT

Jack Terry · 7:20 PM

Yeah. I sometimes think the officials in FIFA have it out for us.
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:20 PM

the only one of those four who haven't taken the World Cup in recent history is Costa Rica
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:21 PM

I think ALOT of international organizations have it out for the uber priveledged USA
JT

Jack Terry · 7:21 PM

I think you're looking at World Cup 2010 Group of Death. This year its Germany, Portugal, Ghana and USA.
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:22 PM

I read it was group D
JT

Jack Terry · 7:22 PM

No, group G. We're screwed!
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:23 PM

Oh, you know what....they are calling group D the only group that can compete w/the group of death, my mistake
JT

Jack Terry · 7:23 PM

But regardless of how team USA does in the World Cup, I assure you I'll be watching most of the games. Just as soon as golf's US Open is done this weekend!
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:24 PM

So...as a FIFA World Cup fan, Jack...who is your pick to take it all...before it begins
JT

Jack Terry · 7:24 PM

I think Spain repeats.
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:24 PM

I was going that direction too...either Spain or Argentina
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:25 PM

they say that Argentina is going to quietly defeat every team they come across...
JT

Jack Terry · 7:25 PM

When Messi's on your team, there isn't anythign quiet about you!
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:25 PM

But "They" also said that California Chrome would take the triple crown!!!
JT

Jack Terry · 7:25 PM

Thanks for joining me Terry. Look forward to comparing notes after all this is over.
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:26 PM

Good deal Jack...let's do an after tawk...
JT

Jack Terry · 7:26 PM

Yes they did! I wonder if the losing team will call the other teams cowards and cheaters.
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:26 PM

LOL Steve
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:26 PM

Coburn kinda acted the ass didn't he?
JT

Jack Terry · 7:26 PM

Just a little. Take care Terry!
TC

Terry Clouth · 7:26 PM

Anyway, nice chatting with you Jack, have a great day!!