U.S. Men get boost from World Cup scheduling irregularity

[Ponietz]

There are 4 teams in Group D: the U.S., Paraguay, Australia, and Turkiye. The U.S. plays Paraguay Friday the 12th, but Australia vs. Turkiye isn’t until Sunday the 14th, and it’s the late game.

Our next game after that is against Australia on the 19th. So, the U.S. has a 7-day rest window, while Australia has less than 5 full days. That’s a sizeable advantage given the margins and the stakes.

I’m rooting for the U.S. men but I’m embarrassed for my country. They can’t do anything without ratfucking it.

[RockRaven]

1. Observers: "Hmm... Could FIFA *be* any more corrupt?"

FIFA: "We're trying, we're trying!!!"

[Laurelin]

2. Not a great system

But I've been watching soccer tournaments for years and it's pretty routine. Some teams have to travel farther between games, and some teams have shorter rest periods. Unlike a lot of bad things the US is doing to the a World Cup, this one seems like it happens everywhere.