andy_b
Footballguy
I agree, but if and only if he does not use up a DP slot. They are one of if not the worst team in the league and they can't afford to waste a DP slot on a keeper.
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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter jpeace121
- Start date
andy_b
Footballguy
yes.When the new boss at Newcastle took over, it took him all of 25 seconds to end the loan deal with Gooch.DMB's loan deal with Man City is also over.
jpeace121
Footballguy
He's headed back to the Netherlands, no?
andy_b
Footballguy
B Maverick
Footballguy
Sammy3469
Footballguy
Adu's with the U-20s preparing for their WC and didn't Hejduk tear his ACL?ETA: I'd be stunned if we scored with this lineup....with arguably 6 of the best 8 players in that team being defenders, I wouldn't be surprised to see us line up in a 5-4-1 (or something like that).
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jpeace121
Footballguy
Loving that Bradley is bringing in young blood, especially up front. This is a good chance to see if any of them has the goods.
andy_b
Footballguy
The U20's that play in MLS have not yet joined the U20 national team for training. Freddy is still with RSL.Unless Hedjuk just got hurt in the last couple of days, I think he is 100% healthy. He went the entire 90 this weekend and he also made the Gold Cup roster for the games this summer
Here is the Gold Cup roster for those that have not yet seen it
USA
GK: Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC/ENG), Kasey Keller (Borussia Moenchengladbach/GER);
DF: Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC/ENG), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC/ENG), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege/BEL), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Frank Simek (Sheffield Wednesday/ENG), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United/ENG);
MD: DaMarcus Beasley (Manchester City/ENG), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen/NED), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC/ENG), Benny Feilhaber (Hamburg SV/GER), Justin Mapp (Chicago Fire), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), Steve Ralston (New England Revolution);
AT: Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Ed Johnson (Kansas City Wizards), Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution).
Sammy3469
Footballguy
My bad...I guess I'm thinking of something else. So is it pretty much a given that anyone of the GC roster will start this next game?
andy_b
Footballguy
it seems to make some sense since this game should be part of the prep for the Gold Cup.As you already indicated though, the forwards will likely be new since thats the biggest difference between the two squads.
It is interesting that arguably the 4 best strikers for the US are all in MLS. Seems like striker is the last position that US players need to prove themselves at over seas. It doesn't help that both TT and Landon did not perform well overseas.
McBride has been solid but outside of him, I can't think of another US national MLS player who has performed well as a striker overseas.
andy_b
Footballguy
MLS is Vegas seems to be picking up some serious steam
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/.../566643116.html
$35 million bet on pro soccer
Expansion fee ready to go; Vegas just wants an OK from the league
By Rob Miech
Las Vegas Sun
Soccer has provided Paul Caligiuri with some indelible memories, from booting the United States into its first World Cup in 40 years to watching the fall of the Berlin Wall from the other side.
The Hall of Fame defender hopes to experience another when Major League Soccer allows the Las Vegas Sports & Entertainment Group to start a franchise in the valley.
The sports group is ready to wire a $35 million expansion fee to a league account in New York if it gets that endorsement.
"I hope this changes the scope of soccer in America forever," said Caligiuri, the group's main spokesman. "I'm also realistic and patient."
Mark Noorzai, the sports group's president who says he's assembled a financial group worth several billion dollars, said he sent a letter of intent to MLS headquarters two weeks ago. He requested a response by today.
Although league officials said they are interested in Las Vegas, they don't seem prepared to react that quickly.
In the letter, Noorzai highlighted some of his group's ambitious plans, including a $500 million retractable-roof stadium, an adjacent hotel and casino, practice fields and other amenities on 200 acres.
Noorzai, 40, acknowledged that the deadline is soft and he won't be dismayed if he doesn't hear from MLS by today, Friday or early next week.
Neither will Caligiuri.
"The proposal on the table is by far the best proposal that this league has ever seen," Caligiuri said. The sports group " is committed to building a franchise that will compete with teams in the rest of the world, not just MLS."
MLS Commissioner Don Garber, who is attending the FIFA Congress in Zurich, Switzerland, intends to add three clubs to the 13-team league by 2010.
MLS President Mark Abbott, who oversees expansion, said the realistic timetable for the construction of a stadium is 18 months, so awarding a franchise to a particular group or city isn't a pressing issue.
Speaking from his New York office Wednesday afternoon, Abbott declined to comment about any prospective ownership group or proposal.
"It's fair to say that Las Vegas is a market that's interesting to us," he said. "We think it would be very supportive of professional soccer, so it's a market we're looking at."
Since the Sun first revealed the sports group's intentions two weeks ago, it has been offered first-division teams in Belgium and Italy, and a second-division squad in Spain, Caligiuri said. Officials in Brazil and Ghana inquired about starting Las Vegas Football Club youth academies in their countries.
"That's how Chelsea does it," Caligiuri said of the elite English team. The sports group " is in this for the right reasons. This is the best new brick in the foundation of the league, if done properly. "
"And I believe this group will do it properly."
Noorzai said the project wouldn't have progressed to the brink of Las Vegas landing its first major sports franchise without Caligiuri.
The two met in January at a soccer clinic in Simi Valley, Calif. They kept in touch. Noorzai talked about his financial group seeking to buy a pro soccer team in Japan or Serie A, Italy's top-flight league.
Caligiuri (pronounced cal-a-JURY), persuaded Noorzai to concentrate the group's soccer ambitions between these shores and pointed to the Nevada desert.
Almost four months later, Las Vegas Football Club continues to gain steam.
"It all starts with Paul," Noorzai said, "from the goal that put U.S. soccer on the map to everyone he knows in the game."
Caligiuri, 40, helped UCLA win a national championship. Near the end of a final qualifier in 1989 in Port of Spain, Trinidad, he scored from 35 yards to slip the U.S. into its first World Cup since 1950.
He played in 110 games for the national team, including two World Cups.
His six professional seasons in Germany included a stint behind the Iron Curtain, for FC Hansa Rostock, in the months before the fall of the Berlin Wall.
East Germans marveled about the prospect of owning telephones and automobiles.
They also marveled over this new defender, who became a fan favorite by helping Hansa win the Oberliga title in the final season of East Germany's top division. Yet, he was from America, the enemy.
Outside Ostseestadion one day, a man waited with his eager 8-year-old son after a training session. Caligiuri, fluent in German, bent to speak with the lad.
Caligiuri confirmed that he came from America. The kid asked, Aren't you the bad guys?
"I nearly swallowed my Adam's apple," Caligiuri said. "I said, Do you like me? He said, 'Yes.' Do you think I'm bad? 'No.' Then I'm not a bad guy, am I?"
Caligiuri played six seasons in MLS, and he has coached the men's team at Cal Poly Pomona, in Southern California, since 2001. He has held his A license, allowing him to coach any national team in the world, since 2002.
As a member of the U.S. Soccer Federation board of directors, he helps shape the direction of the sport in the country.
Caligiuri has gotten Alan Rothenberg, the founder of MLS, to back the sports group's plan. Caligiuri, who would play a main role for Las Vegas FC, also is pondering potential coaching candidates.
"It's really gotten a lot of people excited, even if they're not big on soccer," he said. "I think that's what the sport needs, a boost and excitement that doesn't exist. It'll bring soccer to a new level.
"That's what my heart and mind tell me."
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/.../566643116.html
$35 million bet on pro soccer
Expansion fee ready to go; Vegas just wants an OK from the league
By Rob Miech
Las Vegas Sun
Soccer has provided Paul Caligiuri with some indelible memories, from booting the United States into its first World Cup in 40 years to watching the fall of the Berlin Wall from the other side.
The Hall of Fame defender hopes to experience another when Major League Soccer allows the Las Vegas Sports & Entertainment Group to start a franchise in the valley.
The sports group is ready to wire a $35 million expansion fee to a league account in New York if it gets that endorsement.
"I hope this changes the scope of soccer in America forever," said Caligiuri, the group's main spokesman. "I'm also realistic and patient."
Mark Noorzai, the sports group's president who says he's assembled a financial group worth several billion dollars, said he sent a letter of intent to MLS headquarters two weeks ago. He requested a response by today.
Although league officials said they are interested in Las Vegas, they don't seem prepared to react that quickly.
In the letter, Noorzai highlighted some of his group's ambitious plans, including a $500 million retractable-roof stadium, an adjacent hotel and casino, practice fields and other amenities on 200 acres.
Noorzai, 40, acknowledged that the deadline is soft and he won't be dismayed if he doesn't hear from MLS by today, Friday or early next week.
Neither will Caligiuri.
"The proposal on the table is by far the best proposal that this league has ever seen," Caligiuri said. The sports group " is committed to building a franchise that will compete with teams in the rest of the world, not just MLS."
MLS Commissioner Don Garber, who is attending the FIFA Congress in Zurich, Switzerland, intends to add three clubs to the 13-team league by 2010.
MLS President Mark Abbott, who oversees expansion, said the realistic timetable for the construction of a stadium is 18 months, so awarding a franchise to a particular group or city isn't a pressing issue.
Speaking from his New York office Wednesday afternoon, Abbott declined to comment about any prospective ownership group or proposal.
"It's fair to say that Las Vegas is a market that's interesting to us," he said. "We think it would be very supportive of professional soccer, so it's a market we're looking at."
Since the Sun first revealed the sports group's intentions two weeks ago, it has been offered first-division teams in Belgium and Italy, and a second-division squad in Spain, Caligiuri said. Officials in Brazil and Ghana inquired about starting Las Vegas Football Club youth academies in their countries.
"That's how Chelsea does it," Caligiuri said of the elite English team. The sports group " is in this for the right reasons. This is the best new brick in the foundation of the league, if done properly. "
"And I believe this group will do it properly."
Noorzai said the project wouldn't have progressed to the brink of Las Vegas landing its first major sports franchise without Caligiuri.
The two met in January at a soccer clinic in Simi Valley, Calif. They kept in touch. Noorzai talked about his financial group seeking to buy a pro soccer team in Japan or Serie A, Italy's top-flight league.
Caligiuri (pronounced cal-a-JURY), persuaded Noorzai to concentrate the group's soccer ambitions between these shores and pointed to the Nevada desert.
Almost four months later, Las Vegas Football Club continues to gain steam.
"It all starts with Paul," Noorzai said, "from the goal that put U.S. soccer on the map to everyone he knows in the game."
Caligiuri, 40, helped UCLA win a national championship. Near the end of a final qualifier in 1989 in Port of Spain, Trinidad, he scored from 35 yards to slip the U.S. into its first World Cup since 1950.
He played in 110 games for the national team, including two World Cups.
His six professional seasons in Germany included a stint behind the Iron Curtain, for FC Hansa Rostock, in the months before the fall of the Berlin Wall.
East Germans marveled about the prospect of owning telephones and automobiles.
They also marveled over this new defender, who became a fan favorite by helping Hansa win the Oberliga title in the final season of East Germany's top division. Yet, he was from America, the enemy.
Outside Ostseestadion one day, a man waited with his eager 8-year-old son after a training session. Caligiuri, fluent in German, bent to speak with the lad.
Caligiuri confirmed that he came from America. The kid asked, Aren't you the bad guys?
"I nearly swallowed my Adam's apple," Caligiuri said. "I said, Do you like me? He said, 'Yes.' Do you think I'm bad? 'No.' Then I'm not a bad guy, am I?"
Caligiuri played six seasons in MLS, and he has coached the men's team at Cal Poly Pomona, in Southern California, since 2001. He has held his A license, allowing him to coach any national team in the world, since 2002.
As a member of the U.S. Soccer Federation board of directors, he helps shape the direction of the sport in the country.
Caligiuri has gotten Alan Rothenberg, the founder of MLS, to back the sports group's plan. Caligiuri, who would play a main role for Las Vegas FC, also is pondering potential coaching candidates.
"It's really gotten a lot of people excited, even if they're not big on soccer," he said. "I think that's what the sport needs, a boost and excitement that doesn't exist. It'll bring soccer to a new level.
"That's what my heart and mind tell me."
El Floppo
Footballguy
Why weren't you watching the US game?More importantly- why wasn't I watching the US game?
The **Official Soccer Thread** really let me down this week- I didn't even know this game was on tonight.Anybody watch? A buddy called while I was out to dinner with the wife- told me the US looked great... is that true? I caught the end (and so the know the final score) but it was essentially over by the time I turned the TV on.
andy_b
Footballguy
My bad, I usually try and post when games are. The US did look solid tonight but it was against weak competition.The next game will be Thursday night at 7:00pm on FSC/Telefutura and will be their first game in the Gold Cup.In some MLS news, Eddie Johnson is white hot. He just completed back to back hat tricks in his last two games and now leads MLS in scoring.Why weren't you watching the US game?More importantly- why wasn't I watching the US game?
The **Official Soccer Thread** really let me down this week- I didn't even know this game was on tonight.Anybody watch? A buddy called while I was out to dinner with the wife- told me the US looked great... is that true? I caught the end (and so the know the final score) but it was essentially over by the time I turned the TV on.
During the game tonight they were saying that Celtic was really interested in him.
Nothing spectacular tonight but he looked pretty comfortable out there.
andy_b
Footballguy
yes he as a solid young player. Picture an old fashioned two-way midfielder, almost like John Harkes in a way.
El Floppo
Footballguy
Andy- I was completely joking- my own fault for not keeping up with things. Thanks for the heads up on Thursday's game.Here's some news..Angel scored again for my Bullstars, but was undone by EJ's hat trick. I didn't watch the game.My bad, I usually try and post when games are. The US did look solid tonight but it was against weak competition.The next game will be Thursday night at 7:00pm on FSC/Telefutura and will be their first game in the Gold Cup.In some MLS news, Eddie Johnson is white hot. He just completed back to back hat tricks in his last two games and now leads MLS in scoring.Why weren't you watching the US game?More importantly- why wasn't I watching the US game?
The **Official Soccer Thread** really let me down this week- I didn't even know this game was on tonight.Anybody watch? A buddy called while I was out to dinner with the wife- told me the US looked great... is that true? I caught the end (and so the know the final score) but it was essentially over by the time I turned the TV on.
From the NYT
The Z Machine
Footballguy
WTF mean a "dedicated channel on Youtube"?
andy_b
Footballguy
no different than any other channel on youtube. The NHL has a channel, the NBA has a channel, US Soccer has a channel etc.MLS finally added one of their own. A channel is just a single point to find videos of the same topic.
http://www.youtube.com/mls
andy_b
Footballguy
best fans in MLS bar none.Its the first stadium that really has that Euro feel. I think once DC's fans get in a smaller place they can create a similar atmosphere but for now nothing holds a candle to Toronto's atmosphere.And its great that they continue to win for the home fans even with a relatively average(IMO) side.1-0 TFCThis is becoming a tough place to play.
best fans in MLS bar none.Its the first stadium that really has that Euro feel. I think once DC's fans get in a smaller place they can create a similar atmosphere but for now nothing holds a candle to Toronto's atmosphere.And its great that they continue to win for the home fans even with a relatively average(IMO) side.1-0 TFCThis is becoming a tough place to play.
To be honest, I was a little weary, because the rap around Toronto, prior to getting a team, was that the large diasporia will always support their home countries (World Cup time is madness down here) and nothing else. Now, I know why I didn't really buy into that. Of course competing against each other, and it's no contest, but that's obviously unfair and fairly irrelevant.wow, 2 quick strike goals and NY are up.
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HellToupee
Footballguy
studio guy Shep Messing looks a little creppy in a kid toucher wayandy_b said:
El Floppo
Footballguy
studio guy Shep Messing looks a little creppy in a kid toucher wayandy_b said:
Messing is a HORRIBLE color guy. Despite playing with some great players in NASL- the guy can't get his mind around the game, IMO. Typical goalie...
El Floppo
Footballguy
Dammit! Yet another RedStars game I've missed...HoTnickZ said:andy_b said:best fans in MLS bar none.Its the first stadium that really has that Euro feel. I think once DC's fans get in a smaller place they can create a similar atmosphere but for now nothing holds a candle to Toronto's atmosphere.And its great that they continue to win for the home fans even with a relatively average(IMO) side.HoTnickZ said:1-0 TFCThis is becoming a tough place to play.
And you shouldl've mentioned Angel scored both of those (six goals in 5 games)- how did he look out there? Is he finding a rhythm or connection with any of his team mates, or he is doing all of this himself?eta: FCT and their fans are doing an amazing job of showing MLS how it should/could be for US fans.
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JaxBill
Footballguy
So I was looking into the Directv packages since I'm thinking of upgrading to HDTV in the fall for NFL season. It looks like under the new packages, you have to order the Premier package in order to get Fox Soccer Channel. I still have the old Directv "Sports Plus" package so I get every FSN affiliate and FSC.
Anybody else notice this?
Anybody else notice this?
andy_b
Footballguy
not sure. According to this link on directtv.com it seems like you can just order the Sports Pack like we always used tohttp://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/packProg/cha...assetId=1100069
"Add SPORTS PACK to your package for just $12 (or less) per month. Then save even more with every additional premium you order.
Or, choose our PREMIER package, which includes all of our premium channels."
jpeace121
Footballguy
Transfer market is really heating up, more big names on the move:
Klose to Bayern
Real is claiming Robben's contract
Also, Viduka is having a medical with Newcastle and Florent Malouda says he'd like to be at Anfield next season.
We're gonna need a flowchart by the time all these deals are done.
Klose to Bayern
Real is claiming Robben's contract
Also, Viduka is having a medical with Newcastle and Florent Malouda says he'd like to be at Anfield next season.
We're gonna need a flowchart by the time all these deals are done.
Bonzai
Footballguy
any theories on a lineup for tonite?
how about:
Howard
Heyjuk... Gooch... Boca... Bornstein
Ralston... Feilhaber... Bradley
Donovan... Johnson... Beasley
i'm sure dempsey will see the field as well.also: any word on bobby convey? i liked his play in the WC, but haven't heard much about him since the new staff signed on.
how about:
Howard
Heyjuk... Gooch... Boca... Bornstein
Ralston... Feilhaber... Bradley
Donovan... Johnson... Beasley
i'm sure dempsey will see the field as well.also: any word on bobby convey? i liked his play in the WC, but haven't heard much about him since the new staff signed on.
andy_b
Footballguy
The US rarely plays a 4-3-3 but if they did that would be a good set up.more likely they will play their normal 4-4-2 against central american competition at which DMB would drop back to the left wing midfield slot and Landon would play slightly withdrawn from EJ and Dempsey would likely start in place of Ralston.
You have not heard much on Convey due to injuries. He was hurt back in October and missed the rest of the EPL season due to surgeries.
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jpeace121
Footballguy
Bradley is know for fluid formations and switching players all over the field during the course of the match, as he showed in the China match and others before it. It's kinda hard to lay out formations, as players will shift and slide throughout the match.
Having said that, my guess:
Howard
Hejduk, Boca, Gooch, Bornstein
Dempsey, Feilhaber, Bradley, DMB
Donovan
EJ
In other words, what Andy said. However, like I said, its very fluid with Bradley. Dempsey was pushing up all day long against the Chinese. I would expect the same, especially if Guatemala tries to grind out this game like they did our last matchup.
Having said that, my guess:
Howard
Hejduk, Boca, Gooch, Bornstein
Dempsey, Feilhaber, Bradley, DMB
Donovan
EJ
In other words, what Andy said. However, like I said, its very fluid with Bradley. Dempsey was pushing up all day long against the Chinese. I would expect the same, especially if Guatemala tries to grind out this game like they did our last matchup.
Bonzai
Footballguy
that's why i thought they might go with a more offensive approach.i just don't think the 442 uses our strengths.
i like beasley pushing up like he does with his club team, and i hate donovan in that forwad position. Donovan is such a talented player, but i just don't think we use him properly. I'd like to see him more on the wing.
Bonzai
Footballguy
thanks.any idea what his role might be once he's healthy?
El Floppo
Footballguy
Thanks Andy!
El Floppo
Footballguy
The 3 midfielders will give away too much defensively, IMO- it's still Guatemala, and the US needs to win here. Plus- the US lacks a true number 10 who can control the center of the midfield that would allow a 4-3-3. As it is, that lineup would require one of the forwards to work back and on the flanks all game- essentially a 4-4-2 at the end of the day.
El Floppo
Footballguy
Seems to me Dempsey was being used up front for Fulham... no? He might be able to push up front for the US with Convey's return to the Right MF. I don't see Convey playing anywhere else besides that position for the US- so either he beats Dempsey out, Dempsey plays up front or slides into the middle (could be interesting, but he seems to do better out on the flanks) or Convey is going to be riding pine. Didn't Convey slide into the Right back role for a game or two a while back? I guess he could go there too- but no way he'd win the starting role over the kid who plays in Germany (name?).
andy_b
Footballguy
El Floppo, your brain farting on Convey
Convey is really a left sided player. He has only played left midfielder and left back for the US, with a very occasional play in the middle.He was being groomed for the left back slot as the staff loved his ability to get forward from that slot but injuries have pretty much kept him out of the picture for a while.
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El Floppo
Footballguy
El Floppo, your brain farting on ConveyConvey is really a left sided player. He has only played left midfielder and left back for the US, with a very occasional play in the middle.He was being groomed for the left back slot as the staff loved his ability to get forward from that slot but injuries have pretty much kept him out of the picture for a while.
I have mental a image of the US lineup being DMB on the left with Convey on the right... ... they're in competition with eachother...The person sliding to the middle would Dempsey, IMO- never Convey. Hey- do you see Bornstein beating out Convey at the Left back? And wtf is the name of the US right back- plays in Germany (Ennergie Cottbus? Wolfsburgh?)- probably my favorite USMNT player and I can't think of his name...
andy_b
Footballguy
Dempsey has rarely if ever played in the middle either for the US or at club level. Convey has experience in the middle going back to the youth national teams, along with DC United for a spell.I love Bornstein. The longer he is healthy the more chance he has to lock that position down on his own. Granted he has yet to play a top flight winger and that day will come to see his true defensive capability.The name that escapes you is Steve Cherundolo from HanoverThe person sliding to the middle would Dempsey, IMO- never Convey. Hey- do you see Bornstein beating out Convey at the Left back? And wtf is the name of the US right back- plays in Germany (Ennergie Cottbus? Wolfsburgh?)- probably my favorite USMNT player and I can't think of his name...
Bonzai
Footballguy
Feilhaber.this looks like a kid we can build around.eta:El Floppo, your brain farting on ConveyConvey is really a left sided player. He has only played left midfielder and left back for the US, with a very occasional play in the middle.He was being groomed for the left back slot as the staff loved his ability to get forward from that slot but injuries have pretty much kept him out of the picture for a while.
... they're in competition with eachother...The person sliding to the middle would Dempsey, IMO- never Convey. Hey- do you see Bornstein beating out Convey at the Left back? And wtf is the name of the US right back- plays in Germany (Ennergie Cottbus? Wolfsburgh?)- probably my favorite USMNT player and I can't think of his name...
you said right back; andy b got you.
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andy_b
Footballguy
Fielhaber is not a wing back. He is central player. Great skill set and I agree about him being a nice building block.I am almost 100% sure El Floppo was refering to CherundoloFeilhaber.this looks like a kid we can build around.El Floppo, your brain farting on ConveyI have mental a image of the US lineup being DMB on the left with Convey on the right...
... they're in competition with eachother...The person sliding to the middle would Dempsey, IMO- never Convey. Hey- do you see Bornstein beating out Convey at the Left back? And wtf is the name of the US right back- plays in Germany (Ennergie Cottbus? Wolfsburgh?)- probably my favorite USMNT player and I can't think of his name...
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