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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (3 Viewers)

CletiusMaximus said:
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
El Floppo said:
So 7yo Floppo Jr (Floppinho) is wrapping up his first week of soccer camp ever.

I've been very intentionally slow with pushing organized sport on him- he's done a soccer "class" pretty regularly but nothing competitive. I can see he's got some innate ability (plus he's a lefty with kicking), but he doesn't really have a competitive bone in his body... at least not yet. He'd rather run around and chat with the coaches and other players than be the guy who has to go and get the ball.

So I was a little nervous for him as I dropped him off at camp on Monday. But then I saw some really small, young, nerdy looking kids showing up so I figured he wouldn't get overwhelmed by other kids experience or abilities. I was right on one count- he didn't get overwhelmed. But every kid I've seen at this camp- one of many camps in Manhattan- is really, really good. These kids are waaaaay past the basics of "this is how you kick the ball" and onto doing moves and skills I only saw as a teenager. And this isn't one of the elite or advanced soccer camps in the area.

Dunno why I'm positing this...I guess as an update that most of your are probably already aware of- there are a LOT of tiny American kids playing this sport at levels way beyond what I thought were possible based on my own, specific experience with the sport.

The future is bright, my friends.
Click to expand...
All the sweeter when I raise my kid to kick the **** out of those little *******. I've got Nigel De Jong tapes playing in the womb.
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Does this mean congrats are in order? If so, congrats Scooby!
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Still early.

 
NewlyRetired said:
Ethevery, Moreno, Pope, Harkes, Agoos, Lassiter, Olsen, Sanneh, Llamosa
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Damn. There's a huge nostalgia for me seeing that. Early 30s and single and just getting into soccer. Had season tix with two of my best friends and saw almost every game from 1997-1999.

 
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Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
CletiusMaximus said:
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
El Floppo said:
So 7yo Floppo Jr (Floppinho) is wrapping up his first week of soccer camp ever.

I've been very intentionally slow with pushing organized sport on him- he's done a soccer "class" pretty regularly but nothing competitive. I can see he's got some innate ability (plus he's a lefty with kicking), but he doesn't really have a competitive bone in his body... at least not yet. He'd rather run around and chat with the coaches and other players than be the guy who has to go and get the ball.

So I was a little nervous for him as I dropped him off at camp on Monday. But then I saw some really small, young, nerdy looking kids showing up so I figured he wouldn't get overwhelmed by other kids experience or abilities. I was right on one count- he didn't get overwhelmed. But every kid I've seen at this camp- one of many camps in Manhattan- is really, really good. These kids are waaaaay past the basics of "this is how you kick the ball" and onto doing moves and skills I only saw as a teenager. And this isn't one of the elite or advanced soccer camps in the area.

Dunno why I'm positing this...I guess as an update that most of your are probably already aware of- there are a LOT of tiny American kids playing this sport at levels way beyond what I thought were possible based on my own, specific experience with the sport.

The future is bright, my friends.
Click to expand...
All the sweeter when I raise my kid to kick the **** out of those little *******. I've got Nigel De Jong tapes playing in the womb.
Click to expand...
Does this mean congrats are in order? If so, congrats Scooby!
Click to expand...
Still early.
Click to expand...
All the best

 
Eephus said:
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
CletiusMaximus said:
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
El Floppo said:
So 7yo Floppo Jr (Floppinho) is wrapping up his first week of soccer camp ever.

I've been very intentionally slow with pushing organized sport on him- he's done a soccer "class" pretty regularly but nothing competitive. I can see he's got some innate ability (plus he's a lefty with kicking), but he doesn't really have a competitive bone in his body... at least not yet. He'd rather run around and chat with the coaches and other players than be the guy who has to go and get the ball.

So I was a little nervous for him as I dropped him off at camp on Monday. But then I saw some really small, young, nerdy looking kids showing up so I figured he wouldn't get overwhelmed by other kids experience or abilities. I was right on one count- he didn't get overwhelmed. But every kid I've seen at this camp- one of many camps in Manhattan- is really, really good. These kids are waaaaay past the basics of "this is how you kick the ball" and onto doing moves and skills I only saw as a teenager. And this isn't one of the elite or advanced soccer camps in the area.

Dunno why I'm positing this...I guess as an update that most of your are probably already aware of- there are a LOT of tiny American kids playing this sport at levels way beyond what I thought were possible based on my own, specific experience with the sport.

The future is bright, my friends.
Click to expand...
All the sweeter when I raise my kid to kick the **** out of those little *******. I've got Nigel De Jong tapes playing in the womb.
Click to expand...
Does this mean congrats are in order? If so, congrats Scooby!
Click to expand...
Still early.
Click to expand...
All the best
Click to expand...
 
guru_007 said:
I have some thoughts on United's 3-5-2....reminds me a bit of Juve's system, with Lichsteiner role bombing forward easily filled by Valencia who can also cover as a back. And Shaw can bomb up the other wing, also adept as filling in as a back. Obviously United has no Pirlo, but Mata fillls a nice space as an attacking central midfielder with space, and Herrera as Vidal? United's top two will be better than any combination Juve can throw out there.

It also allows 3 center backs on the field at once, which can cover each of their deficiencies as a primary center back, as 3 may be better than 2.. I like the change.

But, it also was against the Galaxy.

And, you also have to swallow the 3 center backs that United runs out there are Jones, Smalling and Evans, not necessarily one good back among the bunch, something that I've already stated as United's primary need.

and that Liverpool/Roma game was putrid :X wtf was I watching. Maybe it was because the field was smaller, there seemed there were no open spaces, no fluidity by either team.
Click to expand...
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
I only watched the first half of the Man U, and I understand that things are likely to be different when opponents have scouted and game planned for them, but I thought it was an extremely impressive performance. The ball moved quickly form side to side. For all the talk that United has always used "every inch of the field" this was as effective as I've seen them use diagonal balls to bypass the midfield.

The team just looked set up to use players at their strengths and to not fit square pegs into round holes. Rooney appeared to be having a ball with the freedom to move around like Robben. Herrera was a monster. Constantly pressing and winning the ball and then making the safe, clean pass. Vidal would be nice, but I think another set of midfield legs like Herrera who would come a bit cheaper would probably be fine. The system just needs energy alongside Mata to give him the freedom to drift into pockets of space. Valencia could be a monster as a wing back (Shaw, perhaps because he's young and a more natural full back actually didn't use the space he was given as effectively).
Click to expand...
Was at the game and enjoyed it tremendously. I realize it was just the Galaxy so.....

Galaxy looked disorganized and flat for a midseason team. Whether they didnt care or were starstruck, who knows. Keane looked good. Donovan subbed in at the 60th mark and basically stood in the middle of the field pointing and directing. Got muscled off the ball and took an elbow from Cleverly. A couple ok chances but never really threatened.

Hererra looked fantastic. Mata was a little slow on the ball but had space. Rooney was up and down, very rooney like game. Evans and Jones looked good in the 3 man back. Smalling and Fletcher can go away. Fletchers body cant keep pace with his mind. Valencia and Shaw up the wings were nice. Rafael and Januzaj should get a lot of time out there as well. Nani and Young looked good up top actually. I think they need a strong Center Back to split between Jones and Evans if they stay 3 in the back. Welbeck had a good goal but was crap the rest of the match.

Yes its just the galaxy, but it was good to have United come out and put some excitement into its game. Free Flowing, side to side and lots of interchanging. And 7 goals is nothing to overlook.

Tomorrow in Denver will be a nice test.

 
ESPNFC has a rumor Dortmund is signing some kid considered the "Swedish Balotelli" I just spent about 5 minutes trying to figure out if that's a compliment. :shrug:

 
The Gator said:
Liverpool getting pretty serious about this whole depth thing...
Click to expand...
Sakho.......Lovren

Agger.......Skrtel

Not too shabby, though I doubt Agger and Skrtel both stay

Hated Skrtel and Agger as a 1st and 2nd, but love them as a 3rd and 4th. Hope they keep both now, but sounds like they're moving Agger.

 
wdcrob said:
The Gator said:
Liverpool getting pretty serious about this whole depth thing...
Click to expand...
Sakho.......Lovren

Agger.......Skrtel

Not too shabby, though I doubt Agger and Skrtel both stay
Click to expand...
Hated Skrtel and Agger as a 1st and 2nd, but love them as a 3rd and 4th. Hope they keep both now, but sounds like they're moving Agger.
Click to expand...
Agger is the better of the two and will want to start somewhere.

The only way to have backups that are good enough to start on top teams is to pay them astronomical salaries. There are very few teams that can afford to do that.

 
wdcrob said:
The Gator said:
wdcrob said:
El Floppo said:
Dunno why I'm positing this...I guess as an update that most of your are probably already aware of- there are a LOT of tiny American kids playing this sport at levels way beyond what I thought were possible based on my own, specific experience with the sport.

The future is bright, my friends.
Click to expand...
I'll second that.

My 8 year old has just playing with a travel team (regional -- no overnight stuff). This is kids who were mostly all-stars on their rec teams, but not an elite travel team or anything. The team play is disjointed still (it's mostly pickup play until September), but there are some really skilled kids out there.

Oh, yeah...updating my earlier post -- my son made the team. They ended up taking 29 of the 43 who tried out. Which...wow. Fourteen eight year olds got cut.
Click to expand...
29 kids on one team???
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One 'academy' with three 'squads'. They practice together, hang together at tournaments, will typically have games at the same location (not always same start time) and kids can be moved around to cover positional needs or absences on other squads as needed.

So sort of one big team, but really three smaller, related teams. And they try to make the three squads of equal quality.
Click to expand...
My 9 yo is doing something similar, except it's a pretty large academy here in St. Louis (and apparently one of the top in the country). They put together Academy teams starting at age 11 that end up doing quite well nationally. The U18 Academy team here played the USMNT U17 squad and lost 3-2 about a year ago.

It's a much larger club here with like 18-20 teams per age group (about 10-12 kids per team). Some of the kids are just ok but some of these kids are pretty unreal. They've been working on footwork since the U7 groups.

I get to brag a little on him now since he got invited to their soccer school which is only about 20 kids from his entire age group. It's usually from this pool that they form at least part of the academy teams in a couple years. Unfortunately, my son is one of those kids that practices a lot better than he plays because he's just not that aggressive on the field. Hopefully that will change one day, but he seems to have the skills already to do well.

:proudpapa:

 
So the real question is whether this better base of youth talent can produce better top tier talent in the next 10-15 years.

I have always thought it would but while I think our pool of players is deeper than it was a decade ago, I don't feel our upper talent is that much better.

 
NewlyRetired said:
So the real question is whether this better base of youth talent can produce better top tier talent in the next 10-15 years.

I have always thought it would but while I think our pool of players is deeper than it was a decade ago, I don't feel our upper talent is that much better.
Click to expand...
If they get taught the same way, with too many games then they won't be. Coaches will stifle the creativity and freedom.

All these young kids didn't get their touch/moves from games, they got them from farting around with the ball and just having fun. More coaches need to embrace and encourage that

 
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The Gator said:
NewlyRetired said:
So the real question is whether this better base of youth talent can produce better top tier talent in the next 10-15 years.

I have always thought it would but while I think our pool of players is deeper than it was a decade ago, I don't feel our upper talent is that much better.
Click to expand...
If they get taught the same way, with too many games then they won't be. Coaches will stifle the creativity and freedom.

All these young kids didn't get their touch/moves from games, they got them from farting around with the ball and just having fun. More coaches need to embrace and encourage that
Click to expand...
or from taking 10,000 touches every day.

pool or a pond.

 
NewlyRetired said:
The Gator said:
NewlyRetired said:
Brady Marino said:
ESPN FC ‏@ESPNFC 2m

BREAKING: #LFC midfielder Adam Lallana ruled out for six weeks with a knee injury
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Somewhere, Borini is laughing like Mr. Burns.
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Did this happen during the Roma game?
Click to expand...
No, he didn't play..happened in training
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Did some one get hurt during the Roma game? I was barely paying attention but I thought some one did.
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Borini sprained his shoulder, should be back in training next week

 
That came out of nowhere, looks like Calum Chambers is the newest Gunner on the backline. He's played primarily RB, but it looks like he could be moved to CB.

Any thoughts on him?

 
NewlyRetired said:
So the real question is whether this better base of youth talent can produce better top tier talent in the next 10-15 years.

I have always thought it would but while I think our pool of players is deeper than it was a decade ago, I don't feel our upper talent is that much better.
Click to expand...
the real question is why this post is in this thread

 
8ebok24 said:
That came out of nowhere, looks like Calum Chambers is the newest Gunner on the backline. He's played primarily RB, but it looks like he could be moved to CB.

Any thoughts on him?
Click to expand...
12M seems a bit steep for him, but he's decent. He should provide good cover for Dooshy i guess

Not the same position, but close and Davies is better and went for less

 
Eephus said:
NewlyRetired said:
So the real question is whether this better base of youth talent can produce better top tier talent in the next 10-15 years.

I have always thought it would but while I think our pool of players is deeper than it was a decade ago, I don't feel our upper talent is that much better.
Click to expand...
the real question is why this post is in this thread
Click to expand...
Because Floppo, Gator, wdcrob, Gianmarco and others were talking about how they are noticing that the youth players are improving shortly before my post and I thought this question was relevant to the conversation.

I apologize if the question bothered you for what ever reason.

 
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8ebok24 said:
That came out of nowhere, looks like Calum Chambers is the newest Gunner on the backline. He's played primarily RB, but it looks like he could be moved to CB.

Any thoughts on him?
Click to expand...
Wait, what? I found the rumor, is it a done deal?

Chambers is a nice looking kid, saw lots of minutes as a sub. Has a deft touch and good feel for the game, I thought his biggest weakness was speed.

 
roadkill1292 said:
8ebok24 said:
That came out of nowhere, looks like Calum Chambers is the newest Gunner on the backline. He's played primarily RB, but it looks like he could be moved to CB.

Any thoughts on him?
Click to expand...
Wait, what? I found the rumor, is it a done deal?

Chambers is a nice looking kid, saw lots of minutes as a sub. Has a deft touch and good feel for the game, I thought his biggest weakness was speed.
Click to expand...
I don't think it's happened yet.

 
Christo said:
roadkill1292 said:
8ebok24 said:
That came out of nowhere, looks like Calum Chambers is the newest Gunner on the backline. He's played primarily RB, but it looks like he could be moved to CB.

Any thoughts on him?
Click to expand...
Wait, what? I found the rumor, is it a done deal?Chambers is a nice looking kid, saw lots of minutes as a sub. Has a deft touch and good feel for the game, I thought his biggest weakness was speed.
Click to expand...
I don't think it's happened yet.
Click to expand...
Some important twitter people are confirming he's had his medical and all terms are agreed upon.

 
8ebok24 said:
Christo said:
roadkill1292 said:
8ebok24 said:
That came out of nowhere, looks like Calum Chambers is the newest Gunner on the backline. He's played primarily RB, but it looks like he could be moved to CB.

Any thoughts on him?
Click to expand...
Wait, what? I found the rumor, is it a done deal?Chambers is a nice looking kid, saw lots of minutes as a sub. Has a deft touch and good feel for the game, I thought his biggest weakness was speed.
Click to expand...
I don't think it's happened yet.
Click to expand...
Some important twitter people are confirming he's had his medical and all terms are agreed upon.
Click to expand...
If Arsenal's doctor was as good as Dr Zaff, there'd be pics

 
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Highlight of the day:

A Palestinian guy in a 3,000 person deep Free Gaza demonstration in the streets of Chicago today took a break from it to compliment my Liverpool jersey. Several fans spotted around town today. Apparently, the team is staying at the Four Seasons. Word on the street. #IWanttopartywithAgger

 
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