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

[scoobygang]

1. Fergie needs to shut his trap about the ref in the Liverpool game. He should be more concerned with his pitiful midfield. 2. The US kicks off in the U-17 today (game on at 2pm ESPNU). I think this team is suppose to be better than the U-20s with McInerney, Gil, and Jerome being the bigger names I recognize.

i heard they left a couple of the bigger talents (guys that were playing in europe) off the roster in order to push team chemistry. Is this true? if so, its a bad move. But yeah, i am excited about this team. i read that they play a very attacking style.

I've heard conflicting reports. Gyau had fallen down the depth chart recently anyway. Renken didn't want to miss training in the Hoffenheim youth setup and/or was being punished for leaving the Bradenton facility.Today's 2-1 loss to Spain sounds like a respectable result until you realize that the U.S. played a man up for 88 minutes.

 

[TLEF316]

1. Fergie needs to shut his trap about the ref in the Liverpool game. He should be more concerned with his pitiful midfield. 2. The US kicks off in the U-17 today (game on at 2pm ESPNU). I think this team is suppose to be better than the U-20s with McInerney, Gil, and Jerome being the bigger names I recognize.

i heard they left a couple of the bigger talents (guys that were playing in europe) off the roster in order to push team chemistry. Is this true? if so, its a bad move. But yeah, i am excited about this team. i read that they play a very attacking style.

I've heard conflicting reports. Gyau had fallen down the depth chart recently anyway. Renken didn't want to miss training in the Hoffenheim youth setup and/or was being punished for leaving the Bradenton facility.Today's 2-1 loss to Spain sounds like a respectable result until you realize that the U.S. played a man up for 88 minutes.

Just finished watching the game. the US blew 2 1 vs 1's with the keeper and Spain flat out pulled them down from behind to save 2 more. Spain got both their goals within 8 minutes. the 2nd one was from a kid named Sarabia (not sure how to spell it) who is an absolute stud.Spain had like 10 kids from either Barca or Real's youth teams. The US played well as a team, but they blew 2 wide open chances. Spain didn't get a ton of shots on goal, but they finished enough. The US showed they belong, but they still don't have the individual talents that the Spanish had. One their kids has already scored in La Liga and another was on the bench for the champions league final last year. If Renken is as good as they say he is, the US could have won the game. The US future at full back appears to be bright. Both kids (Polak and Herald) looked pretty good on the attack.edit: o yeah, Spain's first goal should have been disallowed anyways. The kid was offside.

 

[El Floppo]

I watched the Liverpool/ ManU game over the weekend and I watched the Real Madrid AC Milan match...I have no idea if these were live or on delay (I am assuming delay).

I think you were watching the ManU Liverpool game live.However, AC Milan was involved in a normal Serie A game this weekend so you must have been watching some sort of replay from a previous year(I don't remember Milan and Madrid playing each other this season but they may have).

That is embarrassing. But also my favorite part about soccer. I never have any idea who won what so even old games are new to me.I could watch a college football game from 1997 and know who won.The final was 3-2 AC Milan won...Ill go look to see when it was from. I saw Kaka, Rhonaldinio, Raul....so it wasnt a 1970's game I know that.

Christo is right- Milan and RM played that Champions' League match just last week... you watched either watched it live or as a repeat. Interesting game too- RM controlled everything until the moment they decided to turn off their defense. Funny to watch a team be so good offensively AND so bad defensively. Considering the amount of money they spent, they should be absolutely ashamed of themselves (am I wrong that they've also been giving up a fair number of goals in La Liga?)

 

[El Floppo]

This is no way to get game time Jozy!!!

Agreed.But his heart is in the right places. There are far worse reasons not to get a game. It's a learning experience about being a professional. I wouldn't be too concerned.

As an aside, as the rise of social networking and web connectivity grow, we're going to see many such examples of inappropriate professional behavior from the younger generation who have been facebooking, tweeting, posing on message boards, etc. since they learned to type. These faux-pas are going to be really widespread in 5 years.

I agree with Z here.Funny, but Jozy tweeting apologies to the Hull fans for making a bad mistake doesn't strike me as bad as say... Bellamy whacking a team-mate with a golf club in a drunken brawl. I think Jozy will be just fine. Plus- I honestly believe his game has improved since going to England. He's showing fantastic composure on the ball and more of a direct explosiveness with it (versus some of his #####-footing passing-off in the box nonsense from the summer). He seems like a kid really eager to learn- the anti-Eddie Johnson- but hopefully he won't tweet his apology for tweeting his apology.

 

[LHUCKS]

Plus- I honestly believe his game has improved since going to England. He's showing fantastic composure on the ball and more of a direct explosiveness with it (versus some of his #####-footing passing-off in the box nonsense from the summer).

He'll be our best player in 2014...he's special.

 

[El Floppo]

1. Fergie needs to shut his trap about the ref in the Liverpool game. He should be more concerned with his pitiful midfield. 2. The US kicks off in the U-17 today (game on at 2pm ESPNU). I think this team is suppose to be better than the U-20s with McInerney, Gil, and Jerome being the bigger names I recognize.

i heard they left a couple of the bigger talents (guys that were playing in europe) off the roster in order to push team chemistry. Is this true? if so, its a bad move. But yeah, i am excited about this team. i read that they play a very attacking style.

I've heard conflicting reports. Gyau had fallen down the depth chart recently anyway. Renken didn't want to miss training in the Hoffenheim youth setup and/or was being punished for leaving the Bradenton facility.Today's 2-1 loss to Spain sounds like a respectable result until you realize that the U.S. played a man up for 88 minutes.

Just finished watching the game. the US blew 2 1 vs 1's with the keeper and Spain flat out pulled them down from behind to save 2 more. Spain got both their goals within 8 minutes. the 2nd one was from a kid named Sarabia (not sure how to spell it) who is an absolute stud.Spain had like 10 kids from either Barca or Real's youth teams. The US played well as a team, but they blew 2 wide open chances. Spain didn't get a ton of shots on goal, but they finished enough. The US showed they belong, but they still don't have the individual talents that the Spanish had. One their kids has already scored in La Liga and another was on the bench for the champions league final last year. If Renken is as good as they say he is, the US could have won the game. The US future at full back appears to be bright. Both kids (Polak and Herald) looked pretty good on the attack.edit: o yeah, Spain's first goal should have been disallowed anyways. The kid was offside.

Ugh.Thanks for the write-up- I had no idea they were even playing. I hate these kind of results... the "oh, we only lost by a goal against one of the world's best". Up a man for 88 minutes?! What was that red for, btw?

 

[prefontaine]

Ugh.Thanks for the write-up- I had no idea they were even playing. I hate these kind of results... the "oh, we only lost by a goal against one of the world's best". Up a man for 88 minutes?! What was that red for, btw?

Last man challenge that he purposefully took down Mcinerney. It was a clear red. Also, imo, the talent on the u17 squad is very good. I don't think the skill level between the two was much different. What was different was the spacing and positioning. The more I see of our youth national teams, the more I see Bradenton as a total failure. The sooner these kids sign with a club the better IMO. Speaking of which, they said during the telecast that Luis Gil either has signed or is about to sign with Arsenal. He's 15.

 

[El Floppo]

Ugh.Thanks for the write-up- I had no idea they were even playing. I hate these kind of results... the "oh, we only lost by a goal against one of the world's best". Up a man for 88 minutes?! What was that red for, btw?

Last man challenge that he purposefully took down Mcinerney. It was a clear red. Also, imo, the talent on the u17 squad is very good. I don't think the skill level between the two was much different. What was different was the spacing and positioning. The more I see of our youth national teams, the more I see Bradenton as a total failure. The sooner these kids sign with a club the better IMO. Speaking of which, they said during the telecast that Luis Gil either has signed or is about to sign with Arsenal. He's 15.

Good to hear that the yutes are playing at high level... but if they're playing at or near the Spanish AND they're a man up but can't put the game away- wtf? I havne't payed enough attention to compare the various youth teams over the years- do they uniformly play badly as teams, positioning/spacing-wise? I always put that kind of tactical mistake on the coach... but if they're all doing it, I guess it's something ingrained in the system.

 

[prefontaine]

Ugh.Thanks for the write-up- I had no idea they were even playing. I hate these kind of results... the "oh, we only lost by a goal against one of the world's best". Up a man for 88 minutes?! What was that red for, btw?

Last man challenge that he purposefully took down Mcinerney. It was a clear red. Also, imo, the talent on the u17 squad is very good. I don't think the skill level between the two was much different. What was different was the spacing and positioning. The more I see of our youth national teams, the more I see Bradenton as a total failure. The sooner these kids sign with a club the better IMO. Speaking of which, they said during the telecast that Luis Gil either has signed or is about to sign with Arsenal. He's 15.

Good to hear that the yutes are playing at high level... but if they're playing at or near the Spanish AND they're a man up but can't put the game away- wtf? I havne't payed enough attention to compare the various youth teams over the years- do they uniformly play badly as teams, positioning/spacing-wise? I always put that kind of tactical mistake on the coach... but if they're all doing it, I guess it's something ingrained in the system.

I'll be honest and say I skimmed thru the game during this boring MNF (halftime and a bit after). But the thing that really stood out to me is how often our defenders were running around aimlessly. They really seemed to lack an understanding of where they should be. Offensively, we showed good creativity in open space and put some very nice through balls in giving us the one on ones vs the keeper that TLEF mentioned. However, we did a poor job in breaking down their defense with possession as we had players making runs on top of each other and not spacing well to keep the possession going. Spain had no such problem on either end and I do put that on coaching. The Spanish players were not faster, bigger, or even more technically gifted. They just seemed to play a more mature level of football, stringing together passes and making runs. I can't see how this is anything but coaching, especially when you consider this is a problem from the senior squad on down.

 

[El Floppo]

Ugh.Thanks for the write-up- I had no idea they were even playing. I hate these kind of results... the "oh, we only lost by a goal against one of the world's best". Up a man for 88 minutes?! What was that red for, btw?

Last man challenge that he purposefully took down Mcinerney. It was a clear red. Also, imo, the talent on the u17 squad is very good. I don't think the skill level between the two was much different. What was different was the spacing and positioning. The more I see of our youth national teams, the more I see Bradenton as a total failure. The sooner these kids sign with a club the better IMO. Speaking of which, they said during the telecast that Luis Gil either has signed or is about to sign with Arsenal. He's 15.

Good to hear that the yutes are playing at high level... but if they're playing at or near the Spanish AND they're a man up but can't put the game away- wtf? I havne't payed enough attention to compare the various youth teams over the years- do they uniformly play badly as teams, positioning/spacing-wise? I always put that kind of tactical mistake on the coach... but if they're all doing it, I guess it's something ingrained in the system.

I'll be honest and say I skimmed thru the game during this boring MNF (halftime and a bit after). But the thing that really stood out to me is how often our defenders were running around aimlessly. They really seemed to lack an understanding of where they should be. Offensively, we showed good creativity in open space and put some very nice through balls in giving us the one on ones vs the keeper that TLEF mentioned. However, we did a poor job in breaking down their defense with possession as we had players making runs on top of each other and not spacing well to keep the possession going. Spain had no such problem on either end and I do put that on coaching. The Spanish players were not faster, bigger, or even more technically gifted. They just seemed to play a more mature level of football, stringing together passes and making runs. I can't see how this is anything but coaching, especially when you consider this is a problem from the senior squad on down.

I can see not being able to break them down after then go a man down with 20 minutes to go and they bunker in... but for the whole game? ugh. There's just no excuse for a "good" squad to not take advantage of that- even against a better team.Interesting assessment about the defense. And the lack of ability to possess effectively.And I'm sure we're saying the same thing here... but when I mentioned "coaching", I think of that as falling more on the individual coach and less on a national system.I wonder though- if the system is at fault, or just our own immaturity in the sport? Or probably the two are mutually inclusive. I'd like to think that the supposedly top tier of training and selection in the US (ie: Bradenton) would be giving those players something equivalent to what's going on abroad- there must be some top coaches from all over the world down there in FL, right? It's not like Bradley and Gulati are ruling all of the national teams with Iron mittens. I wonder if the lack of top-tier league to watch and emulate regularly is just as much of a hindrance? MLS is progessing well and all... but it's still fairly far from that, despite being able to put up competitive results (much like our USMNT). Watching European games on TV just doesn't cut it- no chance for young players to watch all the action going on off the ball/camera... which is where 90% of the learning would happen.

 

[TLEF316]

Spain played 10 men behind the ball for most of the game. Their goals were both on counter attacks.

The things that stood out to me were the anticipation and finishing. the second a counter opportunity opened up, you could see the Spanish players perk up. they knew what to do like they were born to do it. The US players still have to think about it.

while the talent level was fairly equal, Spain clearly had at least the 2 best (and most mature) players on the pitch. (probably the best 3). Sarabia was an absolute killer. they look fully developed. The US players are talented, but they looked younger out there. They need another year to get bigger and stronger. If Gil does sign with Arsenal, he'll be on another level a year from now.

And yes, the center backs were a joke. The kid they brought in the 2nd half (some sort of European sounding last name) was better, but they were just tall kids that didnt appear to know what they were doing.

 

[andy_b]

This is no way to get game time Jozy!!!

Agreed.But his heart is in the right places. There are far worse reasons not to get a game. It's a learning experience about being a professional. I wouldn't be too concerned.

As an aside, as the rise of social networking and web connectivity grow, we're going to see many such examples of inappropriate professional behavior from the younger generation who have been facebooking, tweeting, posing on message boards, etc. since they learned to type. These faux-pas are going to be really widespread in 5 years.

I agree with Z here.

can you tell me what the reason was that he was late?

 

[El Floppo]

This is no way to get game time Jozy!!!

Agreed.But his heart is in the right places. There are far worse reasons not to get a game. It's a learning experience about being a professional. I wouldn't be too concerned.

As an aside, as the rise of social networking and web connectivity grow, we're going to see many such examples of inappropriate professional behavior from the younger generation who have been facebooking, tweeting, posing on message boards, etc. since they learned to type. These faux-pas are going to be really widespread in 5 years.

I agree with Z here.

can you tell me what the reason was that he was late?

no. and it's annoying that he was- very immature and unprofessional.but admitting that he "made a big mistake by being late" via tweet doesn't seem like a thing worthy of public derision and threat of massive fine by his manager. being late- yeah. tweeting an apology... ... not like he gave away some kind of Hull state-secret that will affect how teams can easily beat them in the future (tip to Brown- to do that, teams pretty much just have to show up). Not blaming or disagreeing with you here andy- but this story should have been focused more on his being late more than on the tweeting

given Hull's performances- it's getting worrisome that Jozy can't find the pitch (on time or otherwise). I can't imagine he's any worse than the guys they've been trotting out up top... selfishly, this is a case where I wish all the secrecy Brown/EPL/pro-sports seems to endorse (keep team issues behind closed doors) disappeared and he'd just tell us USMNT fans why the kid isn't playing. Are there maturity or work-ethic issues at play? Is his game really just behind those other clunkers playing in front of him?

 

[andy_b]

This is no way to get game time Jozy!!!

Agreed.But his heart is in the right places. There are far worse reasons not to get a game. It's a learning experience about being a professional. I wouldn't be too concerned.

As an aside, as the rise of social networking and web connectivity grow, we're going to see many such examples of inappropriate professional behavior from the younger generation who have been facebooking, tweeting, posing on message boards, etc. since they learned to type. These faux-pas are going to be really widespread in 5 years.

I agree with Z here.

can you tell me what the reason was that he was late?

no. and it's annoying that he was- very immature and unprofessional.but admitting that he "made a big mistake by being late" via tweet doesn't seem like a thing worthy of public derision and threat of massive fine by his manager. being late- yeah. tweeting an apology... ... not like he gave away some kind of Hull state-secret that will affect how teams can easily beat them in the future (tip to Brown- to do that, teams pretty much just have to show up). Not blaming or disagreeing with you here andy- but this story should have been focused more on his being late more than on the tweeting

I don't care as much about the story, I am mostly interested in Z's comment "There are far worse reasons not to get a game." It seems like he may know why Jozy was late and from that statement it doesn't sound so bad (was he late because he was helping an accident victim or something like that?).Unless Z was confused. Jozy did not get on the bench due to being late. It had nothing to do with Twitter. He then got fined because he used twitter. 2 separate infractions from Hull's point of view. IMO, the being late is a million times worse than Tweeting but obviously Hull did not like the message for what ever reason.

 

[andy_b]

Quick MLS Update.

Regular Season is over, some basic stats:

Average Attendance League: 16,037

Highest Average Attendance Team: Seattle with 30,897 (highest single season average in MLS history)

Top goal scorer: Jeff Cunningham with 17 (Casey came in second with 16)

Playoff Matchups:

Houston - Seattle (this is on ESPN2 this Thursday @ 10:00pm, should be fun with a huge crowd in Seattle)

Chicago - NE

Columbus - RSL

LA - Chivas (not much traveling for this match up )

 

[prefontaine]

Quick MLS Update.Regular Season is over, some basic stats:Average Attendance League: 16,037Highest Average Attendance Team: Seattle with 30,897 (highest single season average in MLS history)Top goal scorer: Jeff Cunningham with 17 (Casey came in second with 16)Playoff Matchups:Houston - Seattle (this is on ESPN2 this Thursday @ 10:00pm, should be fun with a huge crowd in Seattle)Chicago - NEColumbus - RSLLA - Chivas (not much traveling for this match up )

How do the playoffs work? Home and Home tie?

 

[The Gator]

Is the Liverpool v. Arsenal game on TV tomorrow? I scrolled around and found a few league cup games, but not the L'pool game

 

[andy_b]

Quick MLS Update.Regular Season is over, some basic stats:Average Attendance League: 16,037Highest Average Attendance Team: Seattle with 30,897 (highest single season average in MLS history)Top goal scorer: Jeff Cunningham with 17 (Casey came in second with 16)Playoff Matchups:Houston - Seattle (this is on ESPN2 this Thursday @ 10:00pm, should be fun with a huge crowd in Seattle)Chicago - NEColumbus - RSLLA - Chivas (not much traveling for this match up )

How do the playoffs work? Home and Home tie?

This is from MLSnetPLAYOFF FORMAT: Conference Semifinal series are conducted in a home-and-home, aggregate-goal format. The lower seeded team in the Conference Semifinal hosts the first game. The winners of those four series advance to single-game Conference Championships that will determine the MLS Cup Finalists.The team that scores the most goals in the home-and-home series advances to the single elimination Conference Championship. If the teams are tied after 180 minutes in the Conference Semifinal series, a 30-minute extra time period (divided into two 15-minute periods) will be played followed by kicks from the penalty mark, if necessary. The team with the higher seed between the two Conference finalists will host the Conference Championship game.In the case of ties after 90 minutes of regulation in the Eastern and Western Conference Championship games and MLS Cup, 30 minutes of extra time (divided into two 15-minute periods) would be played followed by kicks from the penalty mark, if necessary, to determine the winners.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Is the Liverpool v. Arsenal game on TV tomorrow? I scrolled around and found a few league cup games, but not the L'pool game :(

are they really going to play their starters anyway? Arsenal's supposed to be starting Merida, Watt, Ramsey, Vela, Gibbs, Wilshere, etc. No offense to those guys, but it's not really the end of the world for me if I don't get to see the Arsenal B team...

 

[andy_b]

Top 10 MLS goals of the year as chosen by ESPN

 

[The Z Machine]

The USSF is putting together a bid package for USA ifor WC2018 or WC2022. They are soliciting online votes for the final list of stadiums that should be utilized.

Here's an article about Oakland: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/inoakl...;entry_id=50290

Vote for whichever stadium you like, but Oakland would be a great place to host a game. There are TONS of soccer fans in the area and the friendlies involving Mexico sell out regularly there. I don't think there'd be an issue selling out of tickets.

 

[prefontaine]

The USSF is putting together a bid package for USA ifor WC2018 or WC2022. They are soliciting online votes for the final list of stadiums that should be utilized.

Here's an article about Oakland: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/inoakl...;entry_id=50290

Vote for whichever stadium you like, but Oakland would be a great place to host a game. There are TONS of soccer fans in the area and the friendlies involving Mexico sell out regularly there. I don't think there'd be an issue selling out of tickets.

Unfortunately Z, I don't see Oakland making the grade. I would guess the sites chosen will be from among the 94 hosts with the possibility of stadiums being bumped for new stadiums that have hosted or will host the Super Bowl (proving they have the facilities and they can host a massive event)94 hosts

LA (Rose Bowl)

NY/NJ (Giants)

Chicago (Soldier)

Dallas (Cotton) - likely replaced by new Cowboys Stadium

Boston (Foxboro) - likely replaced by Gillette

Washington (RFK) - likely replaced by FedEx

-----(above appear to be no-brainers)

Detroit (Silverdome) - likely to be replaced by Ford Field

Orlando (Citrus)

SF (Stanford)

New stadiums that have hosted Super Bowl since 94

Houston (Reliant)

Tampa (Raymond James)

Jacksonville (Alltel)

Phoenix (Un of Pho)

I think Indy, Philly and Seattle may also have a shot but my guess is the 3 non no-brainers are from this group of 10.

 

[Sammy3469]

The USSF is putting together a bid package for USA ifor WC2018 or WC2022. They are soliciting online votes for the final list of stadiums that should be utilized.

Here's an article about Oakland: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/inoakl...;entry_id=50290

Vote for whichever stadium you like, but Oakland would be a great place to host a game. There are TONS of soccer fans in the area and the friendlies involving Mexico sell out regularly there. I don't think there'd be an issue selling out of tickets.

Unfortunately Z, I don't see Oakland making the grade. I would guess the sites chosen will be from among the 94 hosts with the possibility of stadiums being bumped for new stadiums that have hosted or will host the Super Bowl (proving they have the facilities and they can host a massive event)94 hosts

LA (Rose Bowl)

NY/NJ (Giants)

Chicago (Soldier)

Dallas (Cotton) - likely replaced by new Cowboys Stadium

Boston (Foxboro) - likely replaced by Gillette

Washington (RFK) - likely replaced by FedEx

-----(above appear to be no-brainers)

Detroit (Silverdome) - likely to be replaced by Ford Field

Orlando (Citrus)

SF (Stanford)

New stadiums that have hosted Super Bowl since 94

Houston (Reliant)

Tampa (Raymond James)

Jacksonville (Alltel)

Phoenix (Un of Pho)

I think Indy, Philly and Seattle may also have a shot but my guess is the 3 non no-brainers are from this group of 10.

You probably need to add Seattle to that list with the way they've supported the Sounders. I don't see Tampa or especially Jacksonville making the final list.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

If it's 10 stadiums:

Foxboro - Gillette

NY - Meadowlands

DC - RFK or FedEx Field

Miami - Landshark Stadium

Pasadena - Rose Bowl

Seattle - Qwest Field

Chicago - Soldier Field

Dallas - Cowboys Stadium

Phoenix - U of Phoenix

Denver - Invesco

 

[prefontaine]

You probably need to add Seattle to that list with the way they've supported the Sounders. I don't see Tampa or especially Jacksonville making the final list.

Yeah, Seattle has to be a favorite for one of the final 3 (they only had 8 in 94 and I think most WCs have had 8). I agree about Jacksonville but I think Tampa is a real possibility because I think they'd like to be in Florida and it seems like the best Florida site to me. I also think Houston is a good possibility. It seems they played several Gold Cup games there, it's a massive city, and for the most part, is pretty soccer crazy with a high percentage of hispanics. Btw, does anyone think we have an actual shot at 2018? Would they really go 3 straight outside of Europe? I believe 10-14 is the first time they will have had two straight outside of Europe as it is.

 

[andy_b]

. There are TONS of soccer fans in the area and the friendlies involving Mexico sell out regularly there. I don't think there'd be an issue selling out of tickets.

Almost 100% of the tickets sold in 1994 when there was almost no soccer following in the US. Ticket sales should not be one of the worries this time around unless of course they charge $300 a ticket,

 

[The Z Machine]

Why would you want to host in Detroit at Ford Field, or at Stanford Stadium?

Houston and Phoenix should be in the running, but I think that if the Oakland Coliseum was nicer, it would be a shoe-in. It has great transit links in a very tourist friendly part of the country. Foxboro is a PITA to get to/from. Oakland is the exact opposite.

 

[prefontaine]

Why would you want to host in Detroit at Ford Field, or at Stanford Stadium?Houston and Phoenix should be in the running, but I think that if the Oakland Coliseum was nicer, it would be a shoe-in. It has great transit links in a very tourist friendly part of the country. Foxboro is a PITA to get to/from. Oakland is the exact opposite.

I wouldn't pick Stanford or Detroit either but somebody did 15 years ago.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Anyone see the Spurs/Everton highlights from today? Keane had a PK...Howard saved it, then saved the rebound, then saved another rebound, then Everton had a mad scramble in the box and Keane finally punched it in.

Brad Guzan saved 4 penalties today too against Sunderland...one of em with 8 minutes left in regulation to force extra time. Then he saved a Kieran Richardson breakaway (literally...1v1 with the keeper...he started the run at midfield) and saved 3 PKs in the penalties to win it.

 

[The Z Machine]

Why would you want to host in Detroit at Ford Field, or at Stanford Stadium?Houston and Phoenix should be in the running, but I think that if the Oakland Coliseum was nicer, it would be a shoe-in. It has great transit links in a very tourist friendly part of the country. Foxboro is a PITA to get to/from. Oakland is the exact opposite.

I wouldn't pick Stanford or Detroit either but somebody did 15 years ago.

Honestly, it wouldn't matter where the venues were if the Cup was held in the US again. I'd be going to a bunch of games regardless. Probably all the US games + any games that were within 1 day's drive, or some place where I crash for the night.It's a shame I was more interested in PLAYING soccer rather than watching it in 1994.

 

[prefontaine]

Adu didn't even get off the bench for Belenenses cup game and his manager was quoted in the press that he is "sick of Adu's all night partying lifestyle." For a guy at a career crossroads, it doesn't sound like Adu gets it.

On another note, Real lost 4-0 to some random 2nd division club in Copa del Rey today.

 

[Desert_Power]

On another note, Real lost 4-0 to some random 2nd division club in Copa del Rey today.

Wow

 

[Native]

Adu didn't even get off the bench for Belenenses cup game and his manager was quoted in the press that he is "sick of Adu's all night partying lifestyle." For a guy at a career crossroads, it doesn't sound like Adu gets it.

:(

 

[LHUCKS]

Adu didn't even get off the bench for Belenenses cup game and his manager was quoted in the press that he is "sick of Adu's all night partying lifestyle." For a guy at a career crossroads, it doesn't sound like Adu gets it.

idiot

 

[The Z Machine]

HA HA! Suck it Real. Looks like no one decided to show up. I'm glad that Raúl and Guti started for them. Good to see egg (or worse) on the faces of those guys. By the way, Alcorcón is a 3rd division side.

Quique Flores shows how it's done with a 2-0 win for my poor poor Atleti playing away at a 3nd division side. Keep it up Quique.

 

[editor47]

if rfk is picked and the linc isn't, that's disgraceful. pick the old decrepit stadium and leave the new one. you wana be in washington? then boston loses out. philly is the bigger, better city.

 

[andy_b]

Adu didn't even get off the bench for Belenenses cup game and his manager was quoted in the press that he is "sick of Adu's all night partying lifestyle." For a guy at a career crossroads, it doesn't sound like Adu gets it.

well that is a wonderful start to the day.

 

[Sammy3469]

If it's 10 stadiums:Foxboro - GilletteNY - MeadowlandsDC - RFK or FedEx FieldMiami - Landshark StadiumPasadena - Rose BowlSeattle - Qwest FieldChicago - Soldier FieldDallas - Cowboys StadiumPhoenix - U of PhoenixDenver - Invesco

FWIW, in this era of luxury boxes, et al, I seriously doubt games go to the Rose Bowl. I know games in LA are needed, but I have to believe it would be part of a new stadium built in conjunction with an NFL team. I seriously doubt we get the Cup in 2018 (it "seems" like its inevitable that it goes to England and all the lead up to the vote is posturing from various FIFA officials to extract as much as possible for their own personal fiefdoms), but think we're pretty much the front-runner for 2022.

 

[Moe.]

Is the Liverpool v. Arsenal game on TV tomorrow? I scrolled around and found a few league cup games, but not the L'pool game

espn360 has it.

 

[El Floppo]

Adu didn't even get off the bench for Belenenses cup game and his manager was quoted in the press that he is "sick of Adu's all night partying lifestyle." For a guy at a career crossroads, it doesn't sound like Adu gets it.

well that is a wonderful start to the day.

bandwagon adu

 

[Christo]

Adu didn't even get off the bench for Belenenses cup game and his manager was quoted in the press that he is "sick of Adu's all night partying lifestyle." For a guy at a career crossroads, it doesn't sound like Adu gets it.

well that is a wonderful start to the day.

bandwagon adu

I've never been a huge Adu lover. But this sounds a little fishy. He's never played a lot. So it seems a little disengenous for his manager to blame it on the partying.I don't believe for a second that there's not a few partiers on the team who get playing time.

 

[guru_007]

Adu didn't even get off the bench for Belenenses cup game and his manager was quoted in the press that he is "sick of Adu's all night partying lifestyle." For a guy at a career crossroads, it doesn't sound like Adu gets it.

well that is a wonderful start to the day.

bandwagon adu

I've never been a huge Adu lover. But this sounds a little fishy. He's never played a lot. So it seems a little disengenous for his manager to blame it on the partying.I don't believe for a second that there's not a few partiers on the team who get playing time.

European effing soccer players are the biggest partiers on the planet. There are almost daily accounts of their late night adventures. It's been going on for ages too.So, there's definitely more to the story than what's on the surface, for my money.

 

[brewer]

Is the Liverpool v. Arsenal game on TV tomorrow? I scrolled around and found a few league cup games, but not the L'pool game

are they really going to play their starters anyway? Arsenal's supposed to be starting Merida, Watt, Ramsey, Vela, Gibbs, Wilshere, etc. No offense to those guys, but it's not really the end of the world for me if I don't get to see the Arsenal B team...

Have to disagree with you here... I'm itching to see more of Wilshere and Vela at the very least. Those two are going to feature prominently going forward(Vela this year and Jack as early as next year).

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

If it's 10 stadiums:Foxboro - GilletteNY - MeadowlandsDC - RFK or FedEx FieldMiami - Landshark StadiumPasadena - Rose BowlSeattle - Qwest FieldChicago - Soldier FieldDallas - Cowboys StadiumPhoenix - U of PhoenixDenver - Invesco

FWIW, in this era of luxury boxes, et al, I seriously doubt games go to the Rose Bowl. I know games in LA are needed, but I have to believe it would be part of a new stadium built in conjunction with an NFL team. I seriously doubt we get the Cup in 2018 (it "seems" like its inevitable that it goes to England and all the lead up to the vote is posturing from various FIFA officials to extract as much as possible for their own personal fiefdoms), but think we're pretty much the front-runner for 2022.

Good point - who knows which stadiums will still be considered "state of the art" 12 years from now? Miami might have the same problem, though I think that would be considered an attractive host city for FIFA.Also, I reserve the right to swap out one of these for the Bay Area if the 49ers (or Raiders I suppose) get a new stadium between now and then. I only left that area out because I can't see Candlestick, Stanford or the Coliseum getting the nod.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Gator>hey

 

[The Gator]

Gator>hey

Oh...NOW it's a big deal?

 

[Steve Tasker]

North London Derby on ESPN2 in a few hours

 

[Moe.]

Spurs aren't quite the same with all the injuries.

 

[Steve Tasker]

I must have said it like 1000 times in this thread, but Song >>>> Denilson...and it's not close IMO.

Also starting to get a little sick of Arshavin....don't get me wrong, he's a great talent, I love the pace, but he reminds me of former Sabre Max Afinogenov. Put your head down and run at the defense full-bore....every once in a while you make a great play, but more often than not you just dribble it into a defender or hold onto it too long and make a poor pass.

Maybe I'm being a bit crazy when I say this, but in terms of speedy wingers, I think Walcott (when healthy) is the better fit for the Arsenal starting XI, and maybe the better player overall between the two. Arshavin is a better scorer, but I get the sense that Walcott is the better playmaker. I'm not sure if Arshavin has a chip on his shoulder or what, but it seems like every time he gets the ball, he feels like he needs to make a big play. There's a time and a place for it, and sometimes I wonder if he's trying to do too much. Whereas Walcott seems to have a better feel for when to sprint down the sideline and take a defender head-on and when to pull back and give it to Fabregas/Song in the middle.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Couple of good goals in the Liverpool/Fulham game today...

Torres with a cracker from like 22 yards to make it 1-1, but Nevland with cheeky little goal in the 73rd to take the 2-1 lead and then Dempsey sealed the upset with an easy goal to make it 3-1...