I’m a bit surprised this hasn’t gotten much (any) attention from the board, since it’s it full swing, in North America and represents the world’s most popular sport.
The US is, perhaps, over-performing but playing some inspired soccer. And is close to putting us in a round we haven’t played in before.
My family is soccer- crazy… primarily with the English Premier League. And there a lot of Premier League players on many of the national teams featured in this Wold Cup.

Any fans out there? Any favorite teams? Players?

I've been following as much on TV as possible, but haven't attended any Reliant matches. Felt priced out of the market at first, although the market may have softened a bit since.

Though it would be nice if the U.S. does well for another round or two, I don't have special rooting interests for teams or players. Having officiated the sport for some 30 yrs (mostly locally but also got to work in other states and even briefly in England), I learned to watch matches with appreciation but without concern for outcome. Our son says my sports spectator behavior is "eerie" because I sit and view proceedings as if in church.

I sure hope others are enjoying the Cup finals as well.

It’s been a tremendous success. Outside of France, I’m not sure there is another team that Team U.S.A. can’t compete with.

The Fan Fest in town was a waste of time.

Cape Verde - Argentina is INSANE!!

(07-03-2026 07:22 PM)Rice93 Wrote:  Cape Verde - Argentina is INSANE!!

Great match. And Cape Verde almost tied it up in the closing minutes for a 3rd time. Feel bad for their goaltender who played exceptionally as Argentina played over 75% of the match deep in CPV territory, taking "batting practice" on the goalie. He stopped two Messi free kicks.

I’ve enjoyed the World Cup fans, in particular, the Dutch fans. I was really hoping they’d be back in town for the quarter finals match at “Houston” Stadium.

(07-03-2026 01:25 PM)Aged Whistler Wrote:  I've been following as much on TV as possible, but haven't attended any Reliant matches. Felt priced out of the market at first, although the market may have softened a bit since.

I have acquaintances who attended the Brazil/Japan game at the last moment that said prices took a nose dive around an hour before kickoff as scalpers started to fear total loss, but they still weren't specific about total cost. Canada/Morocco at noon today is the last match in town.

(07-03-2026 07:22 PM)Rice93 Wrote:  Cape Verde - Argentina is INSANE!!

Really an enjoyable game. And I think there were a few MLS players on the Cape Verde squad (?).
That sort of inspires me to start paying more attention to that league…beyond the obvious interest in Messi.

(07-03-2026 01:25 PM)Aged Whistler Wrote:  Having officiated the sport for some 30 yrs (mostly locally but also got to work in other states and even briefly in England), I learned to watch matches with appreciation but without concern for outcome. Our son says my sports spectator behavior is "eerie" because I sit and view proceedings as if in church.

I'm a multi-decade sports official also, and like many of our guild-mates, I find that whatever sport I watch, I pay far more attention to the officials than most fans do. My wife makes fun of me for knowing when a play is going to be disallowed/called back/etc. long before the announcers pick up on it -- it's just because I notice what the officials are doing.

I've been keeping up with the games. I have also hosted (Airbnb) several people for the Houston games. People from Japan, Norway, China, Mexico, and all over the US.

Went to Houston fan fest twice to get the popular bracelets. Rice has a some advertisement ares around the fest including a painted soccer ball similar to the ones that are around campus.

Great Canada- Morocco match. Although I think Canada was favored, today IMHO Morocco was clearly the better team. And they advance to the round of 8.
Morocco emerging as the sneaky, under the radar team of the World Cup. (Although they have 3 players who are members of PSG, the European champs.)

(07-04-2026 04:31 PM)greyowl72 Wrote:  Great Canada- Morocco match. Although I think Canada was favored, today IMHO Morocco was clearly the better team. And they advance to the round of 8.
Morocco emerging as the sneaky, under the radar team of the World Cup. (Although they have 3 players who are members of PSG, the European champs.)

I believe Morocco was favored. Going into the game Morocco was ranked #6 in FIFA rankings, Canada was #30. In the last World Cup Morocco made the semifinals (final four).

(07-04-2026 04:40 PM)dragon2owl Wrote:  

(07-04-2026 04:31 PM)greyowl72 Wrote:  Great Canada- Morocco match. Although I think Canada was favored, today IMHO Morocco was clearly the better team. And they advance to the round of 8.
Morocco emerging as the sneaky, under the radar team of the World Cup. (Although they have 3 players who are members of PSG, the European champs.)

I believe Morocco was favored. Going into the game Morocco was ranked #6 in FIFA rankings, Canada was #30. In the last World Cup Morocco made the semifinals (final four).

Yes, Morocco definitely favored...and they're not sneaking up on anybody this time round after their stunning emergence in the last World Cup.

France totally dominated play against Paraguay, yet score the only goal in the match on a late penalty kick. I'm guessing France owned the time of possession by something upwards of 75% - 80%. Paraguay's only shot on goal (and it was a weak one) came at the 87th minute. They had no offense whatsoever.

Went with my wife to a lovely sangria bar and grotto, the ENG-MEX game was on as we came in.

I’d not watched much televised coverage of this tournament, but have been following the results closely and tracking a few games on the internet (ESPN app has been good IMO). But I was looking to catch some of tonight’s tilt from Azteca.

“Would you like to sit inside, or on the patio?” The hostess asked.

Always* the gentleman, I deferred to my wife.

“Outside would be perfect!”

And you know what? It was! The weather was great. The patio had two separate sections and being Sunday night it wasn’t busy and we really had a nice section pretty much to ourselves. Very romantic!

I only checked the app every 5-10 minutes, and of course would provide any key news to my sweetie.

Around the 35’ or so I picked up my phone and it still showed nil-nil. No, check that, it just updated. Englands up 1-0!

Maybe 5-10 seconds later we heard the cheers from inside where apparently some ENG fans were pleased to see their team score first.

So glad we sat outside, got the best out both worlds. Romantic dinner, really good housemade sangria, AND we knew about the first goal before anyone else in the joint

Love that video delay

Anyway, go USA tomorrow (and go Spain, too)


* - technically I’m not always the perfect gentleman but I get it right once in a while
** - once we broke the code I didn’t have to check my phone to know when a goal scored. Just listen for the cheers then check phone for details

A tale of two bars, approximately 1414 yards apart:
- The Phoenix (on Westheimer about 1000 yards east of Shepherd), one of the default soccer places in Houston, was the site of the semi-official Aussie watch party this past Friday for Australia v Egypt. On Sunday, it was at least 80% Mexico fans, and had the Telemundo broadcast on all the TVs.
- The Red Lion (on Shepherd, about 1000 yards north of Westheimer) is the default British ex-pat place in Houston. On Sunday, it was 100% England fans plus one Norwegian lady.

Horrible red card on Balogun. Defender clattered into him causing Balogun to get spun 180 degrees and land inadvertently on defender's foot. Never a red.

Wish that US Soccer appealed and got the decision without any involvement from our politicians though.

Now it's a no-win situation for us if we play Balogun tonight.

Sucks.

(07-06-2026 02:55 PM)Rice93 Wrote:  Horrible red card on Balogun. Defender clattered into him causing Balogun to get spun 180 degrees and land inadvertently on defender's foot. Never a red.

Wish that US Soccer appealed and got the decision without any involvement from our politicians though.

Now it's a no-win situation for us if we play Balogun tonight.

Sucks.

Nicely summarized!

Houston Parliamentarians: where are you watching the game tonight?

The effort and build-up vs Belgium was akin to some recent Rice football bowl game performances.

(07-07-2026 06:49 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  The effort and build-up vs Belgium was akin to some recent Rice football bowl game performances.

Excellent summary …

Unfortunately