***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (2 Viewers)

[The Z Machine]

Interesting... We'll see if LD gets some starts in real Bundesliga games. I don't see how he'll get that much PT, but good on him if he does.

 

[The Kansas Comet]

Atlético screwed the pooch today, losing at home to Athletic de Bilbao. WTF mang. Not good. They've slipped to a three-way tie for the 5th, 6th, and 7th in the league table. They've really had a great chance these last two weeks and effed it up. Bah.

After Schuster left Real, people were wondering if they were gonna slip into EUFA Cup territory, but lo and behold, they're now #2 in the league after thrashing Mallorca. Nonetheless, they're probably gonna be 12 points back from Barça.

Right now, Osasuna is giving Barca all they can handle, 1-1 with about 20 minutes left.

Tied at 2 now, this is an ugly match.

In the last ten minutes Barca comes from down 2-1 to win it 3-2.

I had mild hatred for them before, but it's full blown animosity now.

:X Messi's game-winner was a golazo. And Dani Alves was worth every penny spent on him in the off-season.

 

[Desert_Power]

Atlético screwed the pooch today, losing at home to Athletic de Bilbao. WTF mang. Not good. They've slipped to a three-way tie for the 5th, 6th, and 7th in the league table. They've really had a great chance these last two weeks and effed it up. Bah.

After Schuster left Real, people were wondering if they were gonna slip into EUFA Cup territory, but lo and behold, they're now #2 in the league after thrashing Mallorca. Nonetheless, they're probably gonna be 12 points back from Barça.

Right now, Osasuna is giving Barca all they can handle, 1-1 with about 20 minutes left.

Tied at 2 now, this is an ugly match.

In the last ten minutes Barca comes from down 2-1 to win it 3-2.

I had mild hatred for them before, but it's full blown animosity now.

Messi's game-winner was a golazo. And Dani Alves was worth every penny spent on him in the off-season.

Indeed it was.Alves is someone I wanted on the team for a while. A big problem with Zambrotta was that he was never able to fill into the attacking roll that our right backs play with Messi and Alves is just as good in the attack as he is at defending.

 

[The Z Machine]

Alves is just as good in the attack as he is at defending.

I think he's a better attacking player than a defender. I'd prefer Sergio Ramos over Dani Alves, but he's right behind him.

 

[scoobygang]

Interesting... We'll see if LD gets some starts in real Bundesliga games. I don't see how he'll get that much PT, but good on him if he does.

Goal.com had a link to highlights of the match. Donovan was heavily involved in just about every offensive move, FWIW. And it certainly looked like something close to a first team setup from Klinsman. Ribery was in. Toni was in. Schweinsteiger was in.Landon's assist certainly wasn't an "OOOH" pass. It was relatively simple, but he made it without fuss. His half volley really wasn't that close, and the shot that forced the save was sort of a half chance. It was almost a toe poke from a scramble.Some commenters on Goal mentioned that they felt that LD lacked some fitness and faded a bit toward the end.

 

[Desert_Power]

Alves is just as good in the attack as he is at defending.

I think he's a better attacking player than a defender. I'd prefer Sergio Ramos over Dani Alves, but he's right behind him.

Sergio Ramos is a good player, but I don't think I could pull for him on Barca so I am very glad we went for Alves.

 

[scoobygang]

And the second Bayern friendly goes even better for Landon, who scores in injury time.

 

[The Z Machine]

Alves is just as good in the attack as he is at defending.

I think he's a better attacking player than a defender. I'd prefer Sergio Ramos over Dani Alves, but he's right behind him.

Sergio Ramos is a good player, but I don't think I could pull for him on Barca so I am very glad we went for Alves.

My buddy who's a big Sevilla fan was devastated that he bounced, but it was sort of inevitable. BTW, what's wrong with Ramos? The dude is the total package, and IMO plays better D than Dani Alves.Good to see LD get some chances and even put one in. I hope this ups his international game, as he's played poorly against competition that's any good while kicking the crap out of lower class opponents.

 

[scoobygang]

Good to see LD get some chances and even put one in. I hope this ups his international game, as he's played poorly against competition that's any good while kicking the crap out of lower class opponents.

He was clearly the US' man of the match in the draw against Italy in the 06 World Cup. He ran his socks off in that game.

 

[Desert_Power]

Alves is just as good in the attack as he is at defending.

I think he's a better attacking player than a defender. I'd prefer Sergio Ramos over Dani Alves, but he's right behind him.

Sergio Ramos is a good player, but I don't think I could pull for him on Barca so I am very glad we went for Alves.

My buddy who's a big Sevilla fan was devastated that he bounced, but it was sort of inevitable. BTW, what's wrong with Ramos? The dude is the total package, and IMO plays better D than Dani Alves.Good to see LD get some chances and even put one in. I hope this ups his international game, as he's played poorly against competition that's any good while kicking the crap out of lower class opponents.

I can't pull for someone I watched dive for Real Madrid so many times, that just wouldn't be right.

 

[The Z Machine]

As suspected, Cristiano Ronaldo is the FIFA World Player of the year.

 

[B Maverick]

As suspected, Cristiano Ronaldo is the FIFA World Player of the year.

well deserved

 

[LHUCKS]

Good to see LD get some chances and even put one in. I hope this ups his international game, as he's played poorly against competition that's any good while kicking the crap out of lower class opponents.

He was clearly the US' man of the match in the draw against Italy in the 06 World Cup. He ran his socks off in that game.

I wouldn't say he's played poorly...I'd say he just becomes average.I don't know why people continually ride him, but he's a solid player.

 

[The Z Machine]

LD was non existent in the biggest game in WC2006, against Ghana. He ran his socks off against Italy, but the man of that match was Kasey Keller (I was there, and we were chanting his name during the last 10 minutes of the game). He was the leadership of that team during that stretch. Also, Bocanegra (aside from the terrible header) and Cherundolo played very well in the 2nd half of that game.

 

[andy_b]

LD was non existent in the biggest game in WC2006, against Ghana.

You are 100% correct that he was invisible in that game.You are 100% incorrect to taint his entire career as arguably the best US player ever because of one very poor game.

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

Looking forward to Monday's Everton v. Liverpool matchup and the forthcoming re-match with them six days later in the FA Cup. Despite some of Everton's injury problems and their problems at striker the past few games, they have successfully won the matches they have needed to (5 wins and a draw in their last six with no goals given up) so I hope that clean slate can continue.

I just noticed that the following two matches are against Arsenal and ManU. Holy crap that's a rough 4 game stretch. It does give them a chance to move up the table in to the 5th UEFA Cup spot though.

I was hopeful after seeing some talk of Jozy Altidore going to Everton but those plans seemed to have been shot down by Villareal.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Based on what I saw of Chelsea in the match against Fulham, I thought Chelsea could look very vulnerable in this game. Now, I'm no Premier League expert by ANY stretch of the imagination, but looks like I was proved right.Meanwhile, my boys at Liverpool haven't lost since November against Tottenham. A nil-nil tie against Stoke City yesterday was....odd. Kinda has me worried going into next week's match against Everton, who's a much better opponent.

Manchester hasn't allowed a goal in league play since November 8.Before Liverpool plays another game, they may be looking up to United in the standings

Their March 14th contest is looking HUGE right about now.

Without Rio, Carrick was a sub, and Park played the full 90. Wasnt their top team and they still handled chelsea. I loved it. Great goals by Vidic, Rooney and Berbatov. How can anyone hope to contain the speed on the left of Ronaldo and Evra?? Love that combo out there!Giggs had his best game in quite awhile. Good to see him in form.The reffing was questionable both ways. Lots of early needless yellows (esp on Carvalho and Ronaldo) and some questionable calls, but nothing that caused the game to be determined outside of the players.United is rounding into form, have 2 games in hand and are past the worthless world club cup games. Its going to be quite a finish!

I'll continue to hope for Chelsea and Big Phil to pull it together, but would honestly have to say that hope for any silverware in west London is effectively extinguished after this weekend. Chelsea has arguably the best back 4 + GK in the league, but has been repeatedly burned this year by unimaginable blunders off seemingly routine set pieces. They have very talented individual players, but are poisoned by several key players who appear to be playing only for the paycheck - Drogba, Ballack and Deco for starters.I think the league will be a two-team affair by the end of February, and ManU will pull away to repeat as champions. If Torres can get healthy and stay healthy, there may be an exciting finish. I don't think ManU or any other English club will go far in the Champions League, where Barcelona appears to be unstoppable. I don't expect Chelsea to survive the current round against Juve.

 

[guru_007]

I'll continue to hope for Chelsea and Big Phil to pull it together, but would honestly have to say that hope for any silverware in west London is effectively extinguished after this weekend. Chelsea has arguably the best back 4 + GK in the league, but has been repeatedly burned this year by unimaginable blunders off seemingly routine set pieces. They have very talented individual players, but are poisoned by several key players who appear to be playing only for the paycheck - Drogba, Ballack and Deco for starters.I think the league will be a two-team affair by the end of February, and ManU will pull away to repeat as champions. If Torres can get healthy and stay healthy, there may be an exciting finish. I don't think ManU or any other English club will go far in the Champions League, where Barcelona appears to be unstoppable. I don't expect Chelsea to survive the current round against Juve.

I do think Chelsea back line is about the best there is, and Cech is the best gk in the world (imo), but Terry didn't look that great against United, and you are right about them being burned on set pieces. Guys weren't marked very well at all. I was very impressed with Carvahlo (sp) last game, didn't remember him being that good to be honest....Chelsea defensive schemes for the most part gave United fits, where they had to move Ronaldo from left to right flank and back again to try to free him up. Fortunately Chelsea fell apart on corners and free kicks.I think chelsea is better than Liverpool, I just think they need to figure out an attack that works best for their personel. Ballack seemed invisible and barely part of the play. Deco was ineffective, Drogba seemed disinterested. Lampard and Cole work pretty well out there still.And I'll have to respectfully disagree that the English clubs will not go far in CL play. Barca seems the best club in the world right now, but I think the talent in England will get at least 2 or 3 teams deep, and obviously United and Chelsea are near impossible to defeat at home. United's heavy workload may work against them a bit - they are running deep in many tournaments, and had a lot of travel with other cups late last year - but they are deep enough that they could have a special year. Of course, losing Evra for 3 weeks isn't going to help, just have to hope O'Shea and Johnny Evans can step up their games until Rio, Brown and Evra are able to return.

 

[scoobygang]

I'll continue to hope for Chelsea and Big Phil to pull it together, but would honestly have to say that hope for any silverware in west London is effectively extinguished after this weekend. Chelsea has arguably the best back 4 + GK in the league, but has been repeatedly burned this year by unimaginable blunders off seemingly routine set pieces. They have very talented individual players, but are poisoned by several key players who appear to be playing only for the paycheck - Drogba, Ballack and Deco for starters.I think the league will be a two-team affair by the end of February, and ManU will pull away to repeat as champions. If Torres can get healthy and stay healthy, there may be an exciting finish. I don't think ManU or any other English club will go far in the Champions League, where Barcelona appears to be unstoppable. I don't expect Chelsea to survive the current round against Juve.

I think Cech has been in spotty form about a year now, and that Ashley Cole is slowly losing it. Boswinga was the EPL player of the year through about the first half of December, but as teams have started working to shut him down offensively, I'm not sure he's been in the game consistently on the other end. Terry and Carvalho are both excellent when both are healthy and Alex is an able enough third centre back. I think United's back four is tough to beat. I've seen Vidic, Rio, and Evra all make certain writers' and players' Worlds Best XI teams.I just think Chelsea is vulnerable to being outworked in the middle of the field. United almost always has two workhorses in midfield. Some combination of Park, Fletcher, Carrick, or even Anderson. When he's feeling his oats, Ronaldo does a lot of running too. Players like Deco and Ballack lack the capability or the desire to deal with that stuff. Ballack just wants to push up in the hole behind the forwards and Deco wants to lay back and distribute. Both are effective if teams let them do it, but top teams won't let that happen. Considering that neither Drogba or (especially) Anelka have tremendous workrates themselves (at least compared to someone like Rooney who somehow plays a "box to box" striker), I think Chelsea just got outworked at United. Yeah, goals came off setpieces, but United seemed to have a huge possession advantage. I know he's not a sexy player, but the injury to Malouda has hurt Chelsea. They have no one to play wide on the left.

 

[The Z Machine]

LD was non existent in the biggest game in WC2006, against Ghana.

You are 100% correct that he was invisible in that game.You are 100% incorrect to taint his entire career as arguably the best US player ever because of one very poor game.

I'm not tainting his entire career, just observing that in the big games (not against Mexico) he hasn't done a whole lot. As a USMNT fan that cares about playing well at the top level, LD has been a disappointment.He's the best player that the USMNT has, and not by a little bit. It's pretty sad that I feel that the USMNT can't count on him against elite level competition. I hope that his play for Bayern will give him the confidence/experience to go up against that elite level competition and come out on top. I want him to score/create goals against Ghana, Italy and the Czech Republic. That's what I want out of LD.

 

[The Z Machine]

... I don't think ManU or any other English club will go far in the Champions League, where Barcelona appears to be unstoppable. I don't expect Chelsea to survive the current round against Juve.

Even though Barça looks unstoppable right now there's too much talent on other teams in the other leagues to say that they're gonna win it. Sure, if I'd have to pick a team to win the competition, I'd pick them, but there's no way they're better than a +300 right now. (someone else check, I'm at work, and that's a no-no).If there was a wager against Barça, I might take it.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

And I'll have to respectfully disagree that the English clubs will not go far in CL play. Barca seems the best club in the world right now, but I think the talent in England will get at least 2 or 3 teams deep, and obviously United and Chelsea are near impossible to defeat at home. United's heavy workload may work against them a bit - they are running deep in many tournaments, and had a lot of travel with other cups late last year - but they are deep enough that they could have a special year. Of course, losing Evra for 3 weeks isn't going to help, just have to hope O'Shea and Johnny Evans can step up their games until Rio, Brown and Evra are able to return.

There are some great match-ups coming in this first knock-out round. I've seen very little of the other leagues - mostly just highlight shows - so don't pretend to be an expert. However, I would not be surprised if ManU, Chelsea and Arsenal are all knocked out by their Italian opponents this round. I think Inter and Juve will be very tough, and Roma looked great in the one game I've seen them play this season (humiliating Chelsea at Stadio Olimpico). Barca of course is a monster, and Bayern is my surprise pick for the final 4. I would not be surprised to see England with 1 or 2 teams in the final 8 and, depending on matchups, none in the final 4.

 

[scoobygang]

LD was non existent in the biggest game in WC2006, against Ghana.

You are 100% correct that he was invisible in that game.You are 100% incorrect to taint his entire career as arguably the best US player ever because of one very poor game.

I'm not tainting his entire career, just observing that in the big games (not against Mexico) he hasn't done a whole lot. As a USMNT fan that cares about playing well at the top level, LD has been a disappointment.He's the best player that the USMNT has, and not by a little bit. It's pretty sad that I feel that the USMNT can't count on him against elite level competition. I hope that his play for Bayern will give him the confidence/experience to go up against that elite level competition and come out on top. I want him to score/create goals against Ghana, Italy and the Czech Republic. That's what I want out of LD.

I seem to remember him also playing well when the US upset Portugal in the 2002 World Cup, which was a pretty important game. You're holding him to an impossible standard. Yes, Landon Donovan has failed to dominate in some games where the US were clearly the inferior team. Leo Messi failed to dominate some games at the last olympics. Cristiano Ronaldo failed to dominate in Euro 2008. At other times, Ronaldo has helped his team get to semis of the last two major competitions. Wayne Rooney made his reputation with a great European Championship in 2004. And then failed in the biggest game of the World Cup in 2006 (with a stupid red card) and went on a one year scoring drought internationally just as England was failing to qualify for Euro 2008. Who short of Maradonna, and Zidane could possibly pass your test? Under your criterion, the Spanish players who you constantly pimp were all failures until last summer. Landon has scored against Poland. Against Sweden. Three times in a game against Ecuador (a perennial World Cup qualifier). He's scored against Korea. And yes, against Mexico, including in the biggest game in the US soccer history. He's the all time leader in US goals and assists. In assists, nobody is close, despite the next guy on the list having 60 more caps.

 

[scoobygang]

There are some great match-ups coming in this first knock-out round. I've seen very little of the other leagues - mostly just highlight shows - so don't pretend to be an expert. However, I would not be surprised if ManU, Chelsea and Arsenal are all knocked out by their Italian opponents this round. I think Inter and Juve will be very tough, and Roma looked great in the one game I've seen them play this season (humiliating Chelsea at Stadio Olimpico). Barca of course is a monster, and Bayern is my surprise pick for the final 4. I would not be surprised to see England with 1 or 2 teams in the final 8 and, depending on matchups, none in the final 4.

Totti is out again for Roma, FWIW. With DeRossi and Zarete, they're still dangerous, but Totti is a big loss.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I'll continue to hope for Chelsea and Big Phil to pull it together, but would honestly have to say that hope for any silverware in west London is effectively extinguished after this weekend. Chelsea has arguably the best back 4 + GK in the league, but has been repeatedly burned this year by unimaginable blunders off seemingly routine set pieces. They have very talented individual players, but are poisoned by several key players who appear to be playing only for the paycheck - Drogba, Ballack and Deco for starters.I think the league will be a two-team affair by the end of February, and ManU will pull away to repeat as champions. If Torres can get healthy and stay healthy, there may be an exciting finish. I don't think ManU or any other English club will go far in the Champions League, where Barcelona appears to be unstoppable. I don't expect Chelsea to survive the current round against Juve.

I think Cech has been in spotty form about a year now, and that Ashley Cole is slowly losing it. Boswinga was the EPL player of the year through about the first half of December, but as teams have started working to shut him down offensively, I'm not sure he's been in the game consistently on the other end. Terry and Carvalho are both excellent when both are healthy and Alex is an able enough third centre back. I think United's back four is tough to beat. I've seen Vidic, Rio, and Evra all make certain writers' and players' Worlds Best XI teams.I just think Chelsea is vulnerable to being outworked in the middle of the field. United almost always has two workhorses in midfield. Some combination of Park, Fletcher, Carrick, or even Anderson. When he's feeling his oats, Ronaldo does a lot of running too. Players like Deco and Ballack lack the capability or the desire to deal with that stuff. Ballack just wants to push up in the hole behind the forwards and Deco wants to lay back and distribute. Both are effective if teams let them do it, but top teams won't let that happen. Considering that neither Drogba or (especially) Anelka have tremendous workrates themselves (at least compared to someone like Rooney who somehow plays a "box to box" striker), I think Chelsea just got outworked at United. Yeah, goals came off setpieces, but United seemed to have a huge possession advantage. I know he's not a sexy player, but the injury to Malouda has hurt Chelsea. They have no one to play wide on the left.

ManU dominated the entire field, and I agree the midfield was particularly disastrous. I would say the extremely harsh yellow card for Lampard in the third minute was partially to blame, but would not want to be accused of making any excuses for this game. It was a relief when Deco was finally removed for Anelka, but that just seemed to allow the United players more fun in streaking through a wide open midfield. I'd rather have Damian Duff (or a healthy Robben) back on the team over Joe Cole or Deco. I'm still a fan of Obi-wan Mikel, but he's not making anyone forget Maka just yet.

 

[The Z Machine]

LD was non existent in the biggest game in WC2006, against Ghana.

You are 100% correct that he was invisible in that game.You are 100% incorrect to taint his entire career as arguably the best US player ever because of one very poor game.

I'm not tainting his entire career, just observing that in the big games (not against Mexico) he hasn't done a whole lot. As a USMNT fan that cares about playing well at the top level, LD has been a disappointment.He's the best player that the USMNT has, and not by a little bit. It's pretty sad that I feel that the USMNT can't count on him against elite level competition. I hope that his play for Bayern will give him the confidence/experience to go up against that elite level competition and come out on top. I want him to score/create goals against Ghana, Italy and the Czech Republic. That's what I want out of LD.

I seem to remember him also playing well when the US upset Portugal in the 2002 World Cup, which was a pretty important game. You're holding him to an impossible standard. Yes, Landon Donovan has failed to dominate in some games where the US were clearly the inferior team. Leo Messi failed to dominate some games at the last olympics. Cristiano Ronaldo failed to dominate in Euro 2008. At other times, Ronaldo has helped his team get to semis of the last two major competitions. Wayne Rooney made his reputation with a great European Championship in 2004. And then failed in the biggest game of the World Cup in 2006 (with a stupid red card) and went on a one year scoring drought internationally just as England was failing to qualify for Euro 2008. Who short of Maradonna, and Zidane could possibly pass your test? Under your criterion, the Spanish players who you constantly pimp were all failures until last summer. Landon has scored against Poland. Against Sweden. Three times in a game against Ecuador (a perennial World Cup qualifier). He's scored against Korea. And yes, against Mexico, including in the biggest game in the US soccer history. He's the all time leader in US goals and assists. In assists, nobody is close, despite the next guy on the list having 60 more caps.

I am setting a high standard for LD, yes, that's true. But I feel as the best US player in at least a generation or most likely ever, it's not that high of a standard. I'm not looking for Zidane or Maradona production, but I'd settle for a Ballack, Cesc, Lampard, etc. like production. One of the things that limits LD in some respects is that the US doesn't face the same quality of competition that teams from South America or Europe face. We all know that CONCACAF qualifying is more or less a joke, and the Gold Cup is basically a US v. Mexico clash every time. That's not the case with UEFA or CONMEBOL.I think that the "other" tournament in South Africa, the Confederations Cup and this stint with Bayern hold the potential to change my mind on LD's game against stiff competition before WC2010. The US needs to strive to be better than the Swedens, Koreas, and Polands out there, and that begins IMO with the best player showing it on a big stage. I want to see the USMNT be level of Portugal, Holland, Russia, etc. They aren't there yet.

 

[scoobygang]

I'm not looking for Zidane or Maradona production, but I'd settle for a Ballack, Cesc, Lampard, etc. like production.

Cesc Fabregas has had one goal in 37 senior international appearances (he did have several assists in the Euros this summer and made the team of the tourney as a sub). I love Cesc, and I thought he played very well as a sub, but he was at best Spain's third best midfielder behind Xavi and Senna last summer. Obviously in a midfield featuring Iniesta and David Silva (and Santi Cazorla also off the bench) that's not chopped liver, but Cesc hasn't really imposed himself on the international game yet. Lampard's 2006 World Cup was a horror show. I've never seen anyone miss so many sitters. And he took a lot of the flack for England's failure to qualify for the Euros. I'd "settle" for Ballack as well, considering he's the best player of his generation from one of the five most traditional soccer powers.

 

[Desert_Power]

I'm not looking for Zidane or Maradona production, but I'd settle for a Ballack, Cesc, Lampard, etc. like production.

Cesc Fabregas has had one goal in 37 senior international appearances (he did have several assists in the Euros this summer and made the team of the tourney as a sub). I love Cesc, and I thought he played very well as a sub, but he was at best Spain's third best midfielder behind Xavi and Senna last summer. Obviously in a midfield featuring Iniesta and David Silva (and Santi Cazorla also off the bench) that's not chopped liver, but Cesc hasn't really imposed himself on the international game yet. Lampard's 2006 World Cup was a horror show. I've never seen anyone miss so many sitters. And he took a lot of the flack for England's failure to qualify for the Euros. I'd "settle" for Ballack as well, considering he's the best player of his generation from one of the five most traditional soccer powers.

You say this like Inesita isn't a world class midfielder.

 

[The Z Machine]

Cesc's production in his limited time during the Euros was fantastic. He played exceptionally IMO. Senna was the best of the bunch though that's not LD's role to play.

My point is that all of the players I named have come up big for their countries in high level international competition. LD hasn't. That's what I want to see. Is it too much to ask that the best US player of a generation (or ever) get at least one man of the match against a team ranked in the top 25?

 

[Texas Football]

Does anyone follow the Championship League? In my eyes it is generally more competitive than the Prem, but definitely not as pretty.

My main question is why don't more American youngsters play here? I know work permits are an issue, but they seem to be granted for other nationalities. Altidore would be be playing serious minutes in a leagu like this. The top teams are ex-Prem teams and many of the other sides could be contenders for mid-table. Hell, look at Hull!

I am huge Ipswich fan and with the BBC and a few sites I can keep up with most of the goings on. Just FYI Ipswich was in teh Prem not too long ago and has a pretty decent history. They have won the FA and a few other titles (decades ago). They are a potentiel playoff team this year, but have some internal strife going on. Fans want the manager, Magilton, out and I am starting to agree with the folks on the 606. They are linked and possibly bought a 50% stake of a young kid from Argentina that would shore up a gaping hole on the left side. Also, they are true footballing side and keep it on the ground w/ an attacking style. Too much of the league is long ball, but it works against some of the competition.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Does anyone follow the Championship League? In my eyes it is generally more competitive than the Prem, but definitely not as pretty.My main question is why don't more American youngsters play here? I know work permits are an issue, but they seem to be granted for other nationalities. Altidore would be be playing serious minutes in a leagu like this. The top teams are ex-Prem teams and many of the other sides could be contenders for mid-table. Hell, look at Hull!I am huge Ipswich fan and with the BBC and a few sites I can keep up with most of the goings on. Just FYI Ipswich was in teh Prem not too long ago and has a pretty decent history. They have won the FA and a few other titles (decades ago). They are a potentiel playoff team this year, but have some internal strife going on. Fans want the manager, Magilton, out and I am starting to agree with the folks on the 606. They are linked and possibly bought a 50% stake of a young kid from Argentina that would shore up a gaping hole on the left side. Also, they are true footballing side and keep it on the ground w/ an attacking style. Too much of the league is long ball, but it works against some of the competition.

The Tractor Boys' downfall was the UEFA qualification right after their Prem promotion, IMO.

 

[Texas Football]

Does anyone follow the Championship League? In my eyes it is generally more competitive than the Prem, but definitely not as pretty.My main question is why don't more American youngsters play here? I know work permits are an issue, but they seem to be granted for other nationalities. Altidore would be be playing serious minutes in a leagu like this. The top teams are ex-Prem teams and many of the other sides could be contenders for mid-table. Hell, look at Hull!I am huge Ipswich fan and with the BBC and a few sites I can keep up with most of the goings on. Just FYI Ipswich was in teh Prem not too long ago and has a pretty decent history. They have won the FA and a few other titles (decades ago). They are a potentiel playoff team this year, but have some internal strife going on. Fans want the manager, Magilton, out and I am starting to agree with the folks on the 606. They are linked and possibly bought a 50% stake of a young kid from Argentina that would shore up a gaping hole on the left side. Also, they are true footballing side and keep it on the ground w/ an attacking style. Too much of the league is long ball, but it works against some of the competition.

The Tractor Boys' downfall was the UEFA qualification right after their Prem promotion, IMO.

Yeah, and no financial backing was a bummer, too. Administration seems to hit clubs that go up too fast. At least they didn't drop too far and Marcus Evans seems to be a solid bankroll if we can sneak back up in the premier. Portman Road doesn't need work (seats 30k). They have a few young players in Garvan, Haynes and Bruce(possibly out this window) that could all play in the Prem for smaller sides.if they make the playoffs it's anyones game. If you have no one else to pull for then pull for the Tractors!

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Sportscenter just reported Real will buy C Ronaldo from Man U for 85 million Euro

 

[The Z Machine]

Sportscenter just reported Real will buy C Ronaldo from Man U for 85 million Euro

???????WHA???????

 

[Texas Football]

Sportscenter just reported Real will buy C Ronaldo from Man U for 85 million Euro

Nothing on Sky or BBC about this. ManU was talking like 120+mill this summer. I don't see him leaving, but a hell of a scoop TU if true.Here is some Kaka/ManC news. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,110...?20090113230558

doubt that one happens,too.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Sportscenter just reported Real will buy C Ronaldo from Man U for 85 million Euro

???????WHA???????

Just reporting what they reportedAnd they reported it as fat, not rumor

 

[The Z Machine]

I don't see anything in the Spanish press yet.

as.com nor marca.com

 

[The Z Machine]

Nothing on elmundo.es either.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Wonder if they were basing it on this story in The Sun:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport...icle2126479.ece

I don't trust ESPN with soccer, just relaying what they said

 

[Texas Football]

Wonder if they were basing it on this story in The Sun:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport...icle2126479.ece

I don't trust ESPN with soccer, just relaying what they said

Sir Alex "I wouldn't sell them a virus" was a nice quote.

 

[Desert_Power]

Z, I know you do most of your soccer reading at Marca, but Soccernet's new Spain columnist has some withering commentary for Atletico this week: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=60...ope&cc=5901

Also seeing calls for firing their coach, what are your thoughts on this?

 

[Desert_Power]

Wonder if they were basing it on this story in The Sun:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport...icle2126479.ece

I don't trust ESPN with soccer, just relaying what they said

Sir Alex "I wouldn't sell them a virus" was a nice quote.

Brilliant

 

[andy_b]

I want to see the USMNT be level of Portugal, Holland, Russia, etc. They aren't there yet.

how are you determining this? I am not disagreeing, just wondering how you are making the determination?On second thought, I absolutely disagree with Russia. I would take the US's last 10 years over Russia's last 10 years.And of course the last time we met Portugal, we know what the result was of that game.

 

[Desert_Power]

Racing with a beautiful bicycle kick to send the Valencia tie in the Copa del Rey in extra time.

 

[The Z Machine]

Z, I know you do most of your soccer reading at Marca, but Soccernet's new Spain columnist has some withering commentary for Atletico this week: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=60...ope&cc=5901

Also seeing calls for firing their coach, what are your thoughts on this?

I prefer AS.com over Marca, as I can't stand the over the top Real Madrid slat from them. It's sickening. I met a VP from Marca once though, and he was pretty cool.One would think that bringing in 2 very good defenders would make Atlético's defense a bit mroe sound. Instead, they look even more suspect than last year. It's a real disgrace.

Anyway, I'm not totally in favor of sacking Aguirre right now. Not really for his failure to shore up the defense, but more so that I don't think that firing a coach in mid-season does a whole lot for the team. I think he's still got the locker room's support right now, and that counts for a lot. Schuster didn't have the support of Raúl ever, and that was a determining factor in his departure (also, he didn´t look like he ever enjoyed it).

If Atlético fail to make CL this year, then I say let Aguirre go back to Mexico or to another, lower level La Liga team. Atlético has enough of a profile, and enough good talent that they'll likely be able to snag a good coach. The only issue I have is if Kun is a fan of Aguirre (which I have no idea about), then that could save his ###. Losing Kun would be a huge blow to Atlético. If they make the 4th spot again, I say that Aguirre could go either way at the end of the year.

Atlético drew a good match up against Porto, a team on paper they should beat. That would put them into the "octavos" of the CL, and they might get an easy draw there. IF (big if) my Atleti make it through to the semifinals, then I think Aguirre has a decent shot at sticking around.

 

[The Z Machine]

I want to see the USMNT be level of Portugal, Holland, Russia, etc. They aren't there yet.

how are you determining this? I am not disagreeing, just wondering how you are making the determination?On second thought, I absolutely disagree with Russia. I would take the US's last 10 years over Russia's last 10 years.And of course the last time we met Portugal, we know what the result was of that game.

I syaing this based on their recent play. All 3 of those teams looked miles better than USMNT during the Euros. The Russians had a wonderful brand of attacking football that the US has never shown. Portugal looked good for long stretches controlling the ball, something the US has never done against good competition. Holland was probably in the top 4 teams in terms of full end to end team play. Their attacking MF puts the US to shame, and their defense is at least as stout as the USMNT.I'm basing this mostly off of where these teams are right now.

 

[andy_b]

I want to see the USMNT be level of Portugal, Holland, Russia, etc. They aren't there yet.

how are you determining this? I am not disagreeing, just wondering how you are making the determination?On second thought, I absolutely disagree with Russia. I would take the US's last 10 years over Russia's last 10 years.And of course the last time we met Portugal, we know what the result was of that game.

I syaing this based on their recent play. All 3 of those teams looked miles better than USMNT during the Euros. The Russians had a wonderful brand of attacking football that the US has never shown. Portugal looked good for long stretches controlling the ball, something the US has never done against good competition. Holland was probably in the top 4 teams in terms of full end to end team play. Their attacking MF puts the US to shame, and their defense is at least as stout as the USMNT.I'm basing this mostly off of where these teams are right now.

fair enough and I won't disagree using that methodology, although it slightly unfair to the US since they are in a phase of basically playing no one of consequence. Until the US finds a way to take Copa America seriously, we are stuck not having much information to go off of.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Bayern is apprently very close to completing the long-expected deal to send Podolski back to Cologne, which is very important development for Landon Donovan's career if he hopes to stay in the bundesliga (Link). I have a good friend in Germany who is a huge Bayern fan, and this is what he wrote in an email to me two days ago:

Luckily they've got the bad affair of Podolskis contract almost solved. He will play the second half of the season in Munich (as they don't get another forward in time, - but Klinsmann has already announced that Dononvan is the first player to replace Klose or Toni, if they have to get out) and then go back to his beloved Cologne. He was a huge failure. I saw him quite often and believe that he will never become a superstar, for sure not by returning to lowly Cologne.

Donovan had a promising start to the season in two frienlies in U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia where he had two assists and one goal. I believe that Klinsmann wants him under all circumstances if he doesn't fail in the upcoming three months. He just has to convince the rest of the "rulers" in the club, like Rummenigge, Hoeness and Breitner. Donovan seems really determined to succeed this time.

As of two days ago, my friend did not expect Podolski to leave until after the season because Bayern had only Donovan and Podolski behind Toni and Klose, so I would say if they do sell Podolski this week or next, this can almost certainly be seen as a very strong positive for LD.In unrelated news, it appears Drogba played his last game for Chelsea last weekend, something I pined for in this thread probably about 50 pages back.

Finally, an interesting, completely unsolicited comment from my German friend, a huge fan of american sports, which relates to discussions in the trolling thread on this board. He watched the NFL playoffs this weekend and said this:

By the way, what has happened to this great sport? I watched three of the four games this weekend and I couldn't believe the amount of commercial breaks they had. I think, they kill this sport. One game took 3 1/2 hours and had only about 1 1/2 hours playing time. I couldn't stand it in the end. We get stupid advertisements while you at least see some more interesting ones. I couldn't stand it at the end and shut it off. I hear from a lot of Europeans who are watching the games that the many breaks turn them off the

American Football. They hurt themselves. I doubted for some time which Football is more exciting, but now I am sure it is our Football European style. There is so much more action and we don't have to endure these dreaded advertisements.

I replied that, if I'm not at the game or at a bar, I only watch NFL on dvr these days for this reason.

 

[Kendall]

Bayern is apprently very close to completing the long-expected deal to send Podolski back to Cologne, which is very important development for Landon Donovan's career if he hopes to stay in the bundesliga (Link). I have a good friend in Germany who is a huge Bayern fan, and this is what he wrote in an email to me two days ago:

Luckily they've got the bad affair of Podolskis contract almost solved. He will play the second half of the season in Munich (as they don't get another forward in time, - but Klinsmann has already announced that Dononvan is the first player to replace Klose or Toni, if they have to get out) and then go back to his beloved Cologne. He was a huge failure. I saw him quite often and believe that he will never become a superstar, for sure not by returning to lowly Cologne.

Donovan had a promising start to the season in two frienlies in U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia where he had two assists and one goal. I believe that Klinsmann wants him under all circumstances if he doesn't fail in the upcoming three months. He just has to convince the rest of the "rulers" in the club, like Rummenigge, Hoeness and Breitner. Donovan seems really determined to succeed this time.

As of two days ago, my friend did not expect Podolski to leave until after the season because Bayern had only Donovan and Podolski behind Toni and Klose, so I would say if they do sell Podolski this week or next, this can almost certainly be seen as a very strong positive for LD.In unrelated news, it appears Drogba played his last game for Chelsea last weekend, something I pined for in this thread probably about 50 pages back.

Finally, an interesting, completely unsolicited comment from my German friend, a huge fan of american sports, which relates to discussions in the trolling thread on this board. He watched the NFL playoffs this weekend and said this:

By the way, what has happened to this great sport? I watched three of the four games this weekend and I couldn't believe the amount of commercial breaks they had. I think, they kill this sport. One game took 3 1/2 hours and had only about 1 1/2 hours playing time. I couldn't stand it in the end. We get stupid advertisements while you at least see some more interesting ones. I couldn't stand it at the end and shut it off. I hear from a lot of Europeans who are watching the games that the many breaks turn them off the

American Football. They hurt themselves. I doubted for some time which Football is more exciting, but now I am sure it is our Football European style. There is so much more action and we don't have to endure these dreaded advertisements.

I replied that, if I'm not at the game or at a bar, I only watch NFL on dvr these days for this reason.

I haven't really watched lick of the NFL playoffs for this reason. The NFL is getting a big head thinking they're the number one American sport now.That's really interesting stuff about Podolski and Donovon. I hope Donovan gets some serious PT there and keeps his head in it. To me his biggest problem always seemed that he didn't want to challenge the comfort he had in being an American soccer star. If he pushes himself to be an international football star who knows where he could take himself.

A shame for Podolski though. After the 2006 World Cup I thought he was primed for an amazing career. Obviously its to early to sell him short, but right now his path is oddly mirroring that of a young Landon Donovan.

 

[Texas Football]

Looks like Chelsea - Ipswich Town. At least it might be on television.