Thursday cannon fodder: dodgy sellout defense

World Cup

We were promised sell-outs for the Women’s World Cup – so why the empty seats? | FourFourTwo
Increased interest, media coverage and first-of-their-kind sponsorship deals built up excitement around France 2019.

England and Neville face Norway test amid heatwave and a dodgy haircut | Football | The Guardian
Phil Neville has injury concerns before the quarter-final but backs ‘ultimate predator’ Ellen White to lead England to the semi-finals.

Anyone who reads this could manage the USWNT to a World Cup title - SBNation.com
Jill Ellis is a bad coach, and it doesn’t matter at all.

The Women’s World Cup Has A Refereeing Problem
Rule changes, not VAR (although haphazard VAR implementation hasn’t helped), are the biggest problems in the World Cup.

Bielsa-esque Pierluigi Collina defends referees and Fifa’s new rules | Suzanne Wrack | Football | The Guardian
The chair of Fifa’s refereeing committee gave an energetic presentation in Paris following controversial incidents in the Women’s World Cup.

England’s Phil Neville keeps cool amid World Cup fitness and heat fears | Football | The Guardian
Steph Houghton is a major doubt for the World Cup quarter-final against Norway on Thursday.

Premier League/England

Inter step up efforts to sign Romelu Lukaku with £62.8m offer | Football | The Guardian
Antonio Conte’s club attempt to sign Romelu Lukaku from Manchester United this summer.

Gold Cup/Copa America/MLS/Americas

Trinidad and Tobago vs. Guyana - Football Match Report - June 26, 2019 - ESPN
Kevin Molino’s 80th-minute equalizer salvaged a 1-1 draw for Trinidad and Tobago.

United States 1-0 Panama | ESPN Soccer
Jozy Altidore scored on a bicycle kick (!) to close out the group stage unbeaten and un-scored-upon.

Are we enjoying Paulo Guerrero for the final time? - Football365
Paulo Guerrero has scored in five successive Copa Americas, but he is now 35.

On Football And Cascadian Cultural Identity - Howler Magazine
The Pacific Northwest is a soccer mecca for many. It only makes sense for them to have their own national team.

Meet Charlie Lyon: The MLS ‘Pool Goalkeeper’ Who Can Play for Every Club | Bleacher Report | Latest News, Videos and Highlights
One of the last vestiges of the old MLS is still a thing.

Not bad for an old man:

AFCON/Rest of the World

Uganda 1-1 Zimbabwe: Africa Cup of Nations Group A game ends in draw in Cairo - BBC Sport
Uganda and Zimbabwe play out an entertaining draw in Group A of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cairo.

Nigeria 1-0 Guinea: Kenneth Omeruo goal takes Nigeria into last 16 - BBC Sport
Nigeria become the first team to qualify for the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations as they beat Guinea 1-0.

Egypt 2-0 DR Congo: Mohamed Salah helps Africa Cup of Nations hosts into last 16 - BBC Sport
Mohamed Salah’s goal helps hosts Egypt beat DR Congo and move into the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Other

Inside the world of a Pro Evo data editor, the analyst who sets the stats
For pure simulation, Pro Evolution Soccer has always been the gaming benchmark. We caught up with a man who sets the stats in the game.