***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (8 Viewers)

[The Kansas Comet]

And getting to the other part of my OP-Edson freaking Buddle.Seriously.The kid can't miss right now. 7 goals in 4 games. Looked like a real handful last night and scored 2 nice ones- big, strong and fairly pacey. Hard to keep that kind of goal-scoring ratio going, but if he can at least keep the aggressive, go-at-goal form he's been showing, seems a no-brainer that Bradley gives him a look for SA. And I give my official band-wagon-nobody-else-has-stepped-up stamp of approval (although Findley played against him last night, and looked pretty good himself- making nice progress).Main problem I see (caveat: from the one game of his I watched... and in the background at that) is that he and Jozy play a fairly similar type of game- combo of slashing/holding forward, but not really one or the other. I like the idea of getting your best in-form players on the field, but IMO Jozy needs a real burner/slasher to best complement him... at least given who we've seen him paired with, Davies (the burner/slasher) has done the best and brought the best out of Jozy.

I was semi kidding about Buddlemania earlier in this thread but damn, its hard not to look closely at this.The Galaxy are 4-0 and if I am not mistaken, Edson Buddle has scored all seven of their goals in the first 4 games.hmmmmm.........

You are not mistaken - it's been all Buddle for the Galaxy. He's already scored more than he did all last year. Glad the Galaxy is off to such a good start, because I imagine they'll struggle considerably once Donovan goes to the national team.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Franck Ribery shtupping an underage prostitute



http://www.france24.com/en/20100419-prosti...its-france-team

AFP - French international footballer Franck Ribery may be charged over alleged relations with an under-age call-girl, but says he did not know she was a minor, a judicial official said on Monday.

The case falls less than two months before Ribery, the Bayern Munich midfielder and one of the stars of his national team, is due to play for France in the football World Cup in South Africa.

The prosecution service official, who declined to be named according to regular French practice, told AFP that Ribery had admitted having relations with the prostitute but says he did not know she was underage.

"It is up to the judge Andre Dando to decide whether or not to bring charges against him," the source said.

Sources close to the investigation said police also questioned another France international, Lyon winger Sydney Govou, and that other players from the France team could be questioned in the coming weeks.

Judicial sources said the manager of the club and three others including a waiter had been charged in the case and were in custody.

If charged and found guilty Ribery, who is married and has two daughters, could face a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros (60,000 dollars).

On Sunday, Ribery's lawyer Sophie Bottai told AFP the player was quizzed as a witness by French police investigating prostitution in a case centred on a Paris night club frequented by certain French internationals.

The judicial official said on Monday that investigators had found evidence of prostitution involving minors at the club.

Bottai said 27-year-old Ribery was summoned by police to explain his relationship with an acquaintance who had connections with a call girl ring and stressed that no charges had been brought against him.

Bayern Munich's manager Louis van Gaal said on Monday that Ribery "has only been questioned as a witness... we should not make any declarations while the judicial proceedings are underway."

He added: "Is he suffering from the situation? I don't know but I don't think so. I think he is more concerned about Lyon," whom Bayern Munich play on Wednesday in the semi-final of the European championship.

"There is no reaction to give on a matter like this," the president of the French Football Federation (FFF) Jean-Pierre Escalettes told AFP on Sunday.

"An investigation is underway and I have no information on that. At the moment it is not possible to make a comment," he added.

Ribery is a key player in the French international side, taking over in the midfield from Zinedine Zidane who was a mainstay in the French team that won the World Cup in 1998 and reached the final four years ago.

He made his breakthrough into football's big-time with Marseille in France before transferring to Bayern Munich. He has been linked with a high-profile transfer to Spain or possibly England in the close season this summer.

The police inquiry could not have come at a worse time for French coach Raymond Domenech and his players just 50 days before the start of the World Cup.

The French football team's image is already tarnished after they beat Ireland in the qualifying stages with the help of a handball by striker Thierry Henry.

"This is yet another blow for the French team," a source at the FFF who wished to remain anonymous told AFP.

 

[Steve Tasker]

What is it with soccer stars and hookers? You'd think they could get any woman they want...

 

[Moe.]

Buddle/Gomez movements gaining steam. Is there any way Davies makes it back in time?

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Dirty?

Yes. Did you see the foul on CRonaldo? Guy threw his elbow into his throat. Should have been a straight red. Sergio Ramos and Dani Alves are f'n lumberjacks. I don't think there was an outfield player on any of the four teams who didn't commit a blatant hard foul. Half way through the second half they announced that Espanyol had committed its 20th foul. The average number of fouls per game in MLS is 23. Link I'd expect the % of dumb fouls in MLS to be higher than in Europe. There's no way around it, the Spaniards are just dirty players.

I didn't see it, but Ronaldo probably had it coming. Biggest crybaby diver in the world.

 

[andy_b]

Buddle/Gomez movements gaining steam. Is there any way Davies makes it back in time?

I think its a long shot for both Davies and Gooch. Davies is putting on a good face though to give us all some hope. http://tweetphoto.com/18277576

 

[andy_b]

What is it with soccer stars and hookers? You'd think they could get any woman they want...

this is not just soccer related. Many stars from all walks of life get involved with hookers/call girls (Charlie Sheen, James Worthy etc).In the old days, the theory was that you pay the pro to avoid the baggage (see Tiger Woods, Big Ben etc), although these days I am not sure it would make too much of a difference.

 

[El Floppo]

What is it with soccer stars and hookers? You'd think they could get any woman they want...

this is not just soccer related. Many stars from all walks of life get involved with hookers/call girls (Charlie Sheen, James Worthy etc).In the old days, the theory was that you pay the pro to avoid the baggage (see Tiger Woods, Big Ben etc), although these days I am not sure it would make too much of a difference.

Plus, have you ever seen Ribery?

 

[andy_b]

What is it with soccer stars and hookers? You'd think they could get any woman they want...

this is not just soccer related. Many stars from all walks of life get involved with hookers/call girls (Charlie Sheen, James Worthy etc).In the old days, the theory was that you pay the pro to avoid the baggage (see Tiger Woods, Big Ben etc), although these days I am not sure it would make too much of a difference.

Plus, have you ever seen Ribery?

To be fair to Ribs, their are many ugly guys with hot chicks. Its all about the money.

 

[andy_b]

New stadium pron came out this week.

They finalized the plans for the refurb of PGE Park. While that is where the new Portland MLS team will play next year, it may also hold some future WCQ's possibly some early round games.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/Keebs1984/PGE002.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/Keebs1984/PGE002.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/Keebs1984/PGE003.png

definitely strange looking but anytime a baseball team gets dumped for soccer that's a good thing in my book

 

[El Floppo]

New stadium pron came out this week.

They finalized the plans for the refurb of PGE Park. While that is where the new Portland MLS team will play next year, it may also hold some future WCQ's possibly some early round games.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/Keebs1984/PGE002.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/Keebs1984/PGE002.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/Keebs1984/PGE003.png

definitely strange looking but anytime a baseball team gets dumped for soccer that's a good thing in my book

Too bad that one end line backs into those buildings without any stands... but adds character at least.

 

[Mjolnirs]

What is it with soccer stars and hookers? You'd think they could get any woman they want...

this is not just soccer related. Many stars from all walks of life get involved with hookers/call girls (Charlie Sheen, James Worthy etc).In the old days, the theory was that you pay the pro to avoid the baggage (see Tiger Woods, Big Ben etc), although these days I am not sure it would make too much of a difference.

Plus, have you ever seen Ribery?

To be fair to Ribs, their are many ugly guys with hot chicks. Its all about the money.

Besides that he's French. Isn't it some type of requirement in France?

 

[LHUCKS]

So at my hotel here in Rio...on any given night there's soccer being showed consistently throughout the evening...crazy little indoor pro league stuff, EPL, Champions League replays, La Liga etc. etc. And they are advertising the Brazilian national team like nuts...Kaka is the chosen front man it appears.

Wasn't able to catch a match here in Rio, but will definitely catch at least one game in Buenos Aires.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

What is it with soccer stars and hookers? You'd think they could get any woman they want...

this is not just soccer related. Many stars from all walks of life get involved with hookers/call girls (Charlie Sheen, James Worthy etc).In the old days, the theory was that you pay the pro to avoid the baggage (see Tiger Woods, Big Ben etc), although these days I am not sure it would make too much of a difference.

Plus, have you ever seen Ribery?

To be fair to Ribs, their are many ugly guys with hot chicks. Its all about the money.

I don't know the full story on Ribery's wife, but it seems to be an interesting situation. She is a muslim, and in older pictures would wear the full head-scarf, long sleeves, etc. and is, to be generous, rather unattractive. Ribery converted to Islam to marry her. Then, as his career took off several years ago, suddenly I see her in the stands with bleach blond hair and the typical WAG look - designer clothes, revealing outfits and the like. At first I thought he had divorced and re-married, but it is the same woman. I wonder what the back-story is.Ribery's facial scars are from a car accident when he was a child.

 

[Christo]

What is it with soccer stars and hookers? You'd think they could get any woman they want...

The getting them part is easy. It's the getting them to go away that sucks. Hookers just make more sense for a guy with boatloads of cash.

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

Ribery's facial scars are from a car accident when he was a child.

I don't think the scars are the problem with his looks.

 

[Christo]

Dirty?

Yes. Did you see the foul on CRonaldo? Guy threw his elbow into his throat. Should have been a straight red. Sergio Ramos and Dani Alves are f'n lumberjacks. I don't think there was an outfield player on any of the four teams who didn't commit a blatant hard foul. Half way through the second half they announced that Espanyol had committed its 20th foul. The average number of fouls per game in MLS is 23. Link I'd expect the % of dumb fouls in MLS to be higher than in Europe. There's no way around it, the Spaniards are just dirty players.

I didn't see it, but Ronaldo probably had it coming. Biggest crybaby diver in the world.

The guy leveled him.

 

[Sebowski]

I love watching David Silva play. Might just become a Valencia fan after all.Guti is just infuriating to watch. He never gives the ball up!

The are rumors that Silva is headed to Real in the offseason though. Valencia is in need of money.

But there are strong rumors of selling Silva and Villa every year.

 

[D-Fens]

"This is yet another blow for the French team"

 

[bweiser]

like ribery won't play in the world cup. come on. unless it totally screws up his head, it will have no affect on his availability.

 

[Steve Tasker]

I did NOT see that result coming....3-1 to Inter, with Inter controlling most of the play, save for the first 20 and last 10 minutes...

 

[El Floppo]

I did NOT see that result coming....3-1 to Inter, with Inter controlling most of the play, save for the first 20 and last 10 minutes...

wait a sec... CL?! stoopit work.

 

[Steve Tasker]

I did NOT see that result coming....3-1 to Inter, with Inter controlling most of the play, save for the first 20 and last 10 minutes...

wait a sec... CL?! stoopit work.

Yes....Barca went up 1-0 fairly early, but Inter outplayed them (IMO) for most of the game and won 3-1. At the San Siro though, so Barca has an away goal as they head home...

 

[The Z Machine]

Still coming up with a two goal win against an Italian team that you know is gonna play "shut up shop" is never easy. Although Inter isn't so Italian anyway...

 

[andy_b]

New stadium pron came out this week.

They finalized the plans for the refurb of PGE Park. While that is where the new Portland MLS team will play next year, it may also hold some future WCQ's possibly some early round games.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/Keebs1984/PGE002.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/Keebs1984/PGE002.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/Keebs1984/PGE003.png

definitely strange looking but anytime a baseball team gets dumped for soccer that's a good thing in my book

Too bad that one end line backs into those buildings without any stands... but adds character at least.

according to the plans I read, they will be able to install a 4k stand their for games that require them.

 

[Major]

If I could change my FBG name, it'd be to The Special One.

 

[El Floppo]

I did NOT see that result coming....3-1 to Inter, with Inter controlling most of the play, save for the first 20 and last 10 minutes...

wait a sec... CL?! stoopit work.

Yes....Barca went up 1-0 fairly early, but Inter outplayed them (IMO) for most of the game and won 3-1. At the San Siro though, so Barca has an away goal as they head home...

I saw the stats- Barca with more than double the possession? I'm interested in hearing how you think Inter outplayed them given that. Not disagreeing, just curious. Were they more dangerous on attack? I know Barca will usually win the possession battle, but that doesn't always mean quality attack. Any idea about what happened with Balotelli and Materazzi after the game? FSC said something about Balotelli gesturing to the homefans and Materazzi jumping him in the tunnel?oh....FORZA INTER!

 

[Moe.]

balotelli

 

[The Kansas Comet]

I did NOT see that result coming....3-1 to Inter, with Inter controlling most of the play, save for the first 20 and last 10 minutes...

wait a sec... CL?! stoopit work.

Yes....Barca went up 1-0 fairly early, but Inter outplayed them (IMO) for most of the game and won 3-1. At the San Siro though, so Barca has an away goal as they head home...

I saw the stats- Barca with more than double the possession? I'm interested in hearing how you think Inter outplayed them given that. Not disagreeing, just curious. Were they more dangerous on attack? I know Barca will usually win the possession battle, but that doesn't always mean quality attack. Any idea about what happened with Balotelli and Materazzi after the game? FSC said something about Balotelli gesturing to the homefans and Materazzi jumping him in the tunnel?

oh....

FORZA INTER!

They were more dangerous on attack for much of the match. They probably could have scored 5 yesterday.

 

[Major]

I did NOT see that result coming....3-1 to Inter, with Inter controlling most of the play, save for the first 20 and last 10 minutes...

wait a sec... CL?! stoopit work.

Yes....Barca went up 1-0 fairly early, but Inter outplayed them (IMO) for most of the game and won 3-1. At the San Siro though, so Barca has an away goal as they head home...

I saw the stats- Barca with more than double the possession? I'm interested in hearing how you think Inter outplayed them given that. Not disagreeing, just curious. Were they more dangerous on attack? I know Barca will usually win the possession battle, but that doesn't always mean quality attack. Any idea about what happened with Balotelli and Materazzi after the game? FSC said something about Balotelli gesturing to the homefans and Materazzi jumping him in the tunnel?

oh....

FORZA INTER!

They were more dangerous on attack for much of the match. They probably could have scored 5 yesterday.

This. Sneijder and Zanetti were on another level yesterday. In regards to your question about Balotelli v. Materazzi, here you go...by the way, what kind of car is Balotelli driving?

http://www.caughtoffside.com/2010/04/21/in...-barcelona-win/

 

[Major]

That red card on Ribery might be the worst call I've ever seen. oor:

 

[Foosball God]

I'm taking my 6 year old daughter to her soccer practice this afternoon.

 

[Short Corner]

That red card on Ribery might be the worst call I've ever seen. oor:

Lyon diving all over the field and getting the calls. The previous yellow was just as bad. It is play and calls like this that will forever keep soccer out of the American mainstream. Lisandro just went down AGAIN with no contact as I type this. The fact that play like this is rewarded at this level is ridiculous.

 

[El Floppo]

That red card on Ribery might be the worst call I've ever seen. oor:

ESPN.com match commentary calls it justified- "Lyon have a great chance to capitalise in the second half after Ribery's deserved red card for a terrible tackle on Lopez".So somewhere between "the worst call I've ever seen" and that lies the truth?

 

[prefontaine]

That red card on Ribery might be the worst call I've ever seen. oor:

ESPN.com match commentary calls it justified- "Lyon have a great chance to capitalise in the second half after Ribery's deserved red card for a terrible tackle on Lopez".So somewhere between "the worst call I've ever seen" and that lies the truth?

A straight red seemed pretty harsh but he definitely went over the ball (getting no piece of it) and went studs first into the top of Lisandro's shinguard. It wasn't a slide tackle though so the force of contact wasn't strong enough to warrant a straight red imo. But definitely a bad foul and Ribery immediately knew it.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Ribery went into him like he was a 15 year old prostitute!

 

[prefontaine]

And Toulalan is off to even it up. First yellow clearly deserved. Second I dunno about.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Ribery went into him like he was a 15 year old prostitute!

That guy is really not having a good week.

 

[prefontaine]

I really love watching Robben play. He would also be on my first team of young guys that look like old guys. Surely Tevez and Rooney get drafted ahead of him but he's probably 1.3.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Holy crap is Robben awesome.

 

[El Floppo]

Ribery went into him like he was a 15 year old prostitute!

:standingO:

 

[Major]

Holy crap is Robben awesome.

After that goal I was Robben never ceases to amaze. Love his game.

 

[Major]

That red card on Ribery might be the worst call I've ever seen. oor:

ESPN.com match commentary calls it justified- "Lyon have a great chance to capitalise in the second half after Ribery's deserved red card for a terrible tackle on Lopez".So somewhere between "the worst call I've ever seen" and that lies the truth?

Those guys don't know what they're talking about. I used to be the captain of my high school team. I know a thing or two about a thing or two.

 

[Mjolnirs]

The straight red on Ribbery was harsh. A yellow was more deserved.

What I really enjoyed about the match is that when Bayern were down a man they still controlled the run of play.

Up 1-0 going Lyon is good, but Bayern could have had so much more.

 

[GoFishTN]

So, I generally mock soccer, but I downloaded ( ) Match of the Day from this past weekend and I liked what I saw. Not sure I'm ready to watch a full game, but I got caught up in the highlights pretty quick.

 

[El Floppo]

Got to watch the highlights of the CL game...

If you want to learn how to break, or at least sprain, your opponent's ankle- learn from Ribery's "tackle" today. Chances are, if you're coming down over the ball with studs showing (aka: the leg-breaker stomp), you're not trying win the ball.

Kinda shocked there's any question in your guys' minds about this one.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Yes....Barca went up 1-0 fairly early, but Inter outplayed them (IMO) for most of the game and won 3-1. At the San Siro though, so Barca has an away goal as they head home...

I saw the stats- Barca with more than double the possession? I'm interested in hearing how you think Inter outplayed them given that. Not disagreeing, just curious. Were they more dangerous on attack? I know Barca will usually win the possession battle, but that doesn't always mean quality attack. Any idea about what happened with Balotelli and Materazzi after the game? FSC said something about Balotelli gesturing to the homefans and Materazzi jumping him in the tunnel?

oh....

FORZA INTER!

They were more dangerous on attack for much of the match. They probably could have scored 5 yesterday.

This. Sneijder and Zanetti were on another level yesterday. In regards to your question about Balotelli v. Materazzi, here you go...by the way, what kind of car is Balotelli driving?

http://www.caughtoffside.com/2010/04/21/in...-barcelona-win/

Sneijder is sick. One of the best midfielders in the world for me....would be in my world XI at the moment.

 

[El Floppo]

Yes....Barca went up 1-0 fairly early, but Inter outplayed them (IMO) for most of the game and won 3-1. At the San Siro though, so Barca has an away goal as they head home...

I saw the stats- Barca with more than double the possession? I'm interested in hearing how you think Inter outplayed them given that. Not disagreeing, just curious. Were they more dangerous on attack? I know Barca will usually win the possession battle, but that doesn't always mean quality attack. Any idea about what happened with Balotelli and Materazzi after the game? FSC said something about Balotelli gesturing to the homefans and Materazzi jumping him in the tunnel?

oh....

FORZA INTER!

They were more dangerous on attack for much of the match. They probably could have scored 5 yesterday.

This. Sneijder and Zanetti were on another level yesterday. In regards to your question about Balotelli v. Materazzi, here you go...by the way, what kind of car is Balotelli driving?

http://www.caughtoffside.com/2010/04/21/in...-barcelona-win/

Sneijder is sick. One of the best midfielders in the world for me....would be in my world XI at the moment.

crazy good. best pure #10 out there right now... only downside- I've seen him slack on D in the last 20 minutes of just about every Inter game I've watched.

 

[Major]

Got to watch the highlights of the CL game...

If you want to learn how to break, or at least sprain, your opponent's ankle- learn from Ribery's "tackle" today. Chances are, if you're coming down over the ball with studs showing (aka: the leg-breaker stomp), you're not trying win the ball.

Kinda shocked there's any question in your guys' minds about this one.

A red was too much for that. Yellow at the most. I don't believe it was intentional. Taking a player out like that w/o a warning and thus impacting both matches is a bit much. I did enjoy seeing Bayern rise to the occasion.

 

[El Floppo]

Got to watch the highlights of the CL game...

If you want to learn how to break, or at least sprain, your opponent's ankle- learn from Ribery's "tackle" today. Chances are, if you're coming down over the ball with studs showing (aka: the leg-breaker stomp), you're not trying win the ball.

Kinda shocked there's any question in your guys' minds about this one.

A red was too much for that. Yellow at the most. I don't believe it was intentional. Taking a player out like that w/o a warning and thus impacting both matches is a bit much. I did enjoy seeing Bayern rise to the occasion.

XIntention is irrelevant. And let's just say a highly trained, world-class professional somehow doesn't know that lunging in and tackling by coming diagonally downward over the ball with studs exposed isn't leg/ankle threatening... umm... no. He DOES know that it is. IIRC, Ribery got fouled just before the Red and didn't get the call- gets up and rushes to make that play? Sorry- no way it's not intentional. But let's say it somehow wasn't- it's STILL a red based on the danger of causing harm to the opponent- doesn't matter whether there was a warning or not.

As a side note- slide-tackle vs Ribery's lunging tackle... IME (. odp, top 20 Div 1, semi-pro, numerous playing trips abroad, and WAY too much watching on TV), the latter is always the more dangerous challenge in terms of injury and more often than not the more intentional tackle. The tackling player has more control and generates more force than the player sliding.