Watch the Semi Finals of the Women's World Cup Wednesday

[alfredo]

The first match will be the US vs France at 11:30 EST on ESPN 1 or 2

The Second match will be Japan Vs Sweden. That will be a 2:15 EST

You should be able to catch them online at http://espn.go.com/espn3/

If you haven't been paying attention to the Women's World Cup, you have missed an incredible show.

Support Women's futbol (soccer), it kicks ass.

I will be backing the Japanese against Sweden.

[Dawgs]

1. Can I support France?

I don't like the arrogance of some players on the US team.

[alfredo]

16. go for it. They are all deserving of our support.

[Nailzberg]

2. unrec for backing Japan instead of Sweden.

Ah, I'll still recommend this cause more people should watch this great tournament.

[alfredo]

17. Ha! Japan won my heart with their gutsy play against Germany.

[burrowowl]

3. Brazil vs. US was most

probably the most amazing football game ever both men's and women's

[ChairmanAgnostic]

5. only saw the 1st half, and I was floored.

What a game

[damntexdem]

11. It didn't even know it was on. Walked into a restaurant just in time to see ...

the winning penalty kick.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

14. lucky you.

In the first half, I thought the refs were somewhat Brazil oriented. I dunno about #2.

[VWolf]

21. Wow, then you missed essentially everything

Wasn't the best match from a technical perspective, but the drama was unparalleled.

Ranked up there with US-Slovenia & US-Algeria last year.

[malaise]

6. Good game but hardly the best game ever

:hi:

[Upton]

10. "the most amazing football game ever"..??

good exciting match, but that's just ridiculous....you either don't follow the sport or you've been listening to too much of ESPN's coverage.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

4. The most beautiful game ever devised.

I saw Pele live twice, I've been to 6 out of the last 8 whirled cups, and I've seen the US women play a bunch of times. Thanks for the heads up for the time and date!

[banned from Kos]

12. Maybe, but the offsides rule drives me crazy. There is no line like in ice hockey

and this moving imaginary line with players in motion like they are just seems stupid.

That said, I will certainly watch. And Solo is hot.

[VWolf]

26. The moving line is what ensures the

defenders are always active. Yeah it can get confusing, but as a defender myself, I have to say it's one of the best parts of the game.

And yes, Hope Solo is hot. Very nice teeth. Wasn't she frozen in carbonite once?

[VWolf]

24. Cool, I met Pele twice when I was young.

Once at the studium club in the old Giants stadium, and another time at the Pele Soccer Camp.

The late 70's was a great time to be growing up.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

25. Even when he was old and creaking, he was magic.

I still enjoy seeing black and white clips of some of his moves and goals. Usually followed by, "How the HELL did he do that?"

[VWolf]

30. Yeah, put me in the

Pele >> Maradona camp.

[rabs]

32. I saw Pele when he scored his goal 1,000

In Rio's Maracana stadium. Everyone expected a dazzling play by O Rei (The King), but he scored No. 1,000 on a penalty kick.

Still, the 140,000 fans in the stadium "ficaron doido." (Went crazy.)

One of my cherished futebol memories.

[MADem]

7. I have tried.

It just doesn't do anything for me, no matter who's playing it.

I like baseball, and a lot of people find that boring too. To each his own, I suppose.

[alfredo]

20. Think of the military conquests in Europe over the millenium.

They ran back and forth across the fields. It was advance, retreat over and over again. When France plays Germany, it isn't a game, it is the Franco/Prussian wars.

The geometry, the graceful athletes, and anticipation are a big part of the game. When there is a goal, it is so satisfying because it usually comes after many attempts.

[MADem]

33. I know, and I can't argue with you--it still puts me to sleep!

People say the same thing about baseball, that it's slow and boring. I can deal with the pace of baseball, but futbol puts me on edge. Ya like what ya like, I guess.

[alfredo]

37. I've learned to love Cricket. I want to give Net Ball a view too.

[MADem]

42. I admire your fortitude!

Cricket is one of those games where it's nice if you're in fine company. You can have a nice visit with your companions, and glance at the match on occasion!

[alfredo]

43. Kind of like NASCAR. The T20 matches move along just fine..

Each side gets an inning of 20 overs. It can be quite exciting.

[MADem]

45. HAHAHA! Love the NASCAR analogy! nt

[alfredo]

46. Both put you at risk for severe sunburn and alcohol poisoning.

[VWolf]

22. Have you ever played?

I find that once a person plays the game, he or she is hooked. At least 90% of the time.

I'm in my mid-40's and I'm still on the field once or twice a week in an adult league.

[MADem]

34. No, I was far too old for the "soccer culture" in America

...and when I lived in Europe, we never played organized sports at all. We'd kick a ball around on occasion, but nothing on a groomed field with any rules.

I think if people like it, more power to them. I used to enjoy going out to restaurants overseas when big matches were on, because you could actually get a table at some very trendy and pricy places that were impossible to get into most nights but would be almost ghost towns on the day of a game. AND...so long as you knew what you wanted, you could give your waiter your entire order, tell him to deliver the stuff during lulls in the match, and the waitstaff and chefs would be happy (they'd often give us extra crap, and we'd politely ask "What's the score?" and be pleased for them if their team was leading). I am not a fan of hovering waiters anyway, so it suited me just fine.

Don't get me wrong, I don't hate it, and it's not a nails-on-the-blackboard thing with me, it just doesn't pique my interest. I don't mind hearing the scores, I just don't want to sit through the match!

[ChairmanAgnostic]

27. no offense, but that's a passed thyme, (SP?)

not a sport.

[VWolf]

29. I used to think so - not so much anymore

There's plenty of room for athletic ability in baseball.

Perhaps it's more of a game than a sport, but I wouldn't call it a pastime.

Watching it, on the other hand .....

[MADem]

35. Don't tell that to David Ortiz!

He'd probably sprinkle the thyme on his patatas fritas!

[tkmorris]

8. I doubt anything can top that US/Brazil quarterfinal

That was about as exciting as it gets. I have been trying to watch the women's professional league (whatever it is called) here but the quality of futbol was... let's just say not terrific. As a result I was not really thinking of watching the World Cup much, but decided to tune into that game since I had some time to kill. A world of difference I must say. The skill level on display was just excellent, and of course the drama of the game just made it better. I won't miss another game, I can tell you that.

One thing though. FIFA? Either stop using the female referees or get them the training and games they need to get better. They just are NOT up to officiating a tournament at this level.

[alfredo]

40. That one Aussie really sucked, but the rest didn't seem to be bad.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

15. Why do you think garbage disposals were created?

for kicking butt, and taking no pri . . . . no, nothing good can come from this post.

[ZombieHorde]

13. I don't make D&D posts in GD. nt

[Change Happens]

18. Go Sweden! Go USA!

[AsahinaKimi]

19. I will of course..

Root for Japan!

[VWolf]

28. Japan are pretty much

the sentimental favorites this time around, but they back it up with excellent skill and teamwork. They're fully deserving of their 4th place FIFA rank.

[alfredo]

36. Sawa!

[rabs]

23. Thanks for the heads up and schedules for tomorrow

The Brazil-USA match is being called "the miracle of Dresden." Amazing comeback by USA ladies. A crusher for Marta, her Brazilian teammates and for Brazil in general. .

For a futbol aperitif before the matches tomorrow, you might check out Chile vs. Peru tonight in Copa America tournament being played in Argentina. They really don't like each other so should be tense.

8 p.m. Eastern, 5 p.m. Pacific. Live on UNIVISION from Argentina.

[alfredo]

39. Crap, I missed it. I was caught up in photography stuff

tonight.

From what I have read, the US is good at getting done what needs to be done. Japan showed they can do the same.

[VWolf]

31. THIS is why I will support Sweden

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cT3NXR1kW8&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_279573

:evilgrin:

[some guy]

38. knr

mostly marking this so I can find it tomorrow.

Thanks :hi:

So you like Jaan over Sweden. Who you rooting for in the other game? :D

[alfredo]

41. Gooooooooooool!

[alfredo]

44. Finals, US/Japan Sunday 2PM EST on ESPN.