***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (1 Viewer)

[Eephus]

Speaking of Besiktas, did any of ya'll see the presser they had when they introduced the newly signed Guti???? It was at the stadium and frankly, it was surreal.

I didn't, but I'd like to. The first CL game I ever watched was when Man U went there last year and the atmosphere was amazing. Scholes scored the game's only goal in the 77th minute, but from the start of the 2nd half until then the place just kept getting louder and louder. They claim it was over 130 decibels.The Big 3 Istanbul teams have some of the best fans around.

yeah, ask Leeds United about that

 

[Spartans Rule]

Speaking of Besiktas, did any of ya'll see the presser they had when they introduced the newly signed Guti???? It was at the stadium and frankly, it was surreal.

I didn't, but I'd like to. The first CL game I ever watched was when Man U went there last year and the atmosphere was amazing. Scholes scored the game's only goal in the 77th minute, but from the start of the 2nd half until then the place just kept getting louder and louder. They claim it was over 130 decibels.The Big 3 Istanbul teams have some of the best fans around.

yeah, ask Leeds United about that

Maybe "craziest" is a better word than "best." Stabbing deaths are a bit over the line.

 

[guru_007]

Speaking of Besiktas, did any of ya'll see the presser they had when they introduced the newly signed Guti???? It was at the stadium and frankly, it was surreal.

I didn't, but I'd like to. The first CL game I ever watched was when Man U went there last year and the atmosphere was amazing. Scholes scored the game's only goal in the 77th minute, but from the start of the 2nd half until then the place just kept getting louder and louder. They claim it was over 130 decibels.

The Big 3 Istanbul teams have some of the best fans around.

here you go.....around the three minute mark, the crowd (and Guti) really get into it

 

[Native]

looking forward to a taste of English football this weekend with the Community Shield on Sunday.With Drogba on the bench and Cech, Alex and Boswinga out, Chelsea's first XI against ManUnited looks like this:HilarioIvanovic, Terry, Ferreira, ColeEssien, Lampard, MikelKalou, Anelka, MaloudaMeanwhile, we know Freddy Adu is helplessly lost and Altidore will probably end up in Turkey with Besiktas (which I think is an excellent place for him), but what about Jay DeMerit? I've heard nothing about him other than he wants to stay in England. I expect Bradley left him off the roster for the friendly next week to allow him to focus on finding a club. With the EPL start a week away, I sure hope he finds a home soon.

Not sure how crazy I am about the Altidore move to Turkey. Besiktas seem to have a lot of talented attacking players - the Brazilian forward Bobo, Guti, the enigmatic Ricardo Quaeresma and the Slovakian international Filip Hološko. Where will Jozy fit? I'm afraid he will move clubs yet again but still wont start more than 10 games.

 

[Mjolnirs]

The Europa League draw was today too. There are 37 matchups in their next round, but I didn't want to dump all of that in here. Here are some of the bigger names and their matchups. (some of these are teams that lost out in the previous CL round)

Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC v Paris Saint-Germain FC

Bayer 04 Leverkusen v SC Tavriya Simferopol

Feyenoord v KAA Gent

KRC Genk v FC Porto

Club Brugge KV v Galatasaray AŞ

US Città di Palermo v FC Dinamo Minsk

IF Elfsborg v SSC Napoli

Brøndby IF v Sporting Clube de Portugal

Liverpool FC v Trabzonspor AŞ

FC Utrecht v Celtic FC

FK Qarabağ v Borussia Dortmund

SK Sturm Graz v Juventus

APOEL FC v Getafe CF

SK Rapid Wien v Aston Villa FC

Beşiktaş JK v HJK Helsinki

VfB Stuttgart v ŠK Slovan Bratislava

FC Sibir Novosibirsk v PSV Eindhoven

PAOK FC v Fenerbahçe SK

FC Dnepr Mogilev v Villarreal CF

FC Timişoara v Manchester City FC

 

[Spartans Rule]

Not sure how crazy I am about the Altidore move to Turkey. Besiktas seem to have a lot of talented attacking players - the Brazilian forward Bobo, Guti, the enigmatic Ricardo Quaeresma and the Slovakian international Filip Hološko. Where will Jozy fit? I'm afraid he will move clubs yet again but still wont start more than 10 games.

From rumors I've read, Holosko has fallen out of favor and is on his way out.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Speaking of Besiktas, did any of ya'll see the presser they had when they introduced the newly signed Guti???? It was at the stadium and frankly, it was surreal.

I didn't, but I'd like to. The first CL game I ever watched was when Man U went there last year and the atmosphere was amazing. Scholes scored the game's only goal in the 77th minute, but from the start of the 2nd half until then the place just kept getting louder and louder. They claim it was over 130 decibels.

The Big 3 Istanbul teams have some of the best fans around.

 

[Native]

Not sure how crazy I am about the Altidore move to Turkey. Besiktas seem to have a lot of talented attacking players - the Brazilian forward Bobo, Guti, the enigmatic Ricardo Quaeresma and the Slovakian international Filip Hološko. Where will Jozy fit? I'm afraid he will move clubs yet again but still wont start more than 10 games.

From rumors I've read, Holosko has fallen out of favor and is on his way out.

 

[Desert_Power]

Playoff Round draw of the Champions League was held this morning:AFC Ajax v FC Dynamo KyivSV Werder Bremen v UC Sampdoriamatches to be played August 17th, 18th and August 24th, 25th

Should be interesting.

 

[bweiser]

Anyone watching Columbus/Philly?Schelotto can definitely still play with the best of them. Most underrated, quietest superstar in MLS.

I was there. Two sweet goals for the Crew; two horrificly misplayed goals by the Union keeper. And, frankly, one of the dumbest fouls I've ever seen at any level to allow the Union to get a goal late in the first half.Once again, Union totally outplayed an opponent and was done in by mistakes. Hopefully, the signing of Juan Diego Gonzalez can stabilize the back four and, hopefully, it won't be too long before a change in goalies is made.

 

[Texas Football]

Listening to the first day of the Championship League on BBC 5. Pretty exciting stuff. So pumped about this season.

Ipswich up 2-1 over Middlesboro in what sounds like a great match so far. Boro is the preseason favorite to win the league.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Listening to the first day of the Championship League on BBC 5. Pretty exciting stuff. So pumped about this season.Ipswich up 2-1 over Middlesboro in what sounds like a great match so far. Boro is the preseason favorite to win the league.

3-1 final

 

[NewlyRetired]

Gol TV has been in HD for a couple of days now on Direct TV

FSC will go HD on Direct TV on August 11th (finally).

 

[Mjolnirs]

The Bundesliga reinstated the Supercup this season which pits last season's champion against the DFB Pokal holder. Bayern holds both titles so they played against Schalke 04 the second place league team.

With only 15 active players Bayern won their first trophy of the season with a 2-0 victory. Goals by Müller and Klose.

 

[Texas Football]

Listening to the first day of the Championship League on BBC 5. Pretty exciting stuff. So pumped about this season.Ipswich up 2-1 over Middlesboro in what sounds like a great match so far. Boro is the preseason favorite to win the league.

3-1 final

Great result! Priskin scoring is really a huge deal I think. He has the ability and this should build his confidence. Tommy Smith scoring and Hyam apparently are class.Keano is saying he is bringing in 2-3 players before Exeter on Tuesday. A right back will ease my mind and Chopra will give me a OWERBONER:.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Real Madrid beat LA Galaxy last night 3-2 in front of ~85k at the Rose Bowl. LA was up 2-0 before giving up 3 in the second half.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Should be a nice MLS game tonight. NY travels to Chicago. If things work out, this will be the very first game where 5 DP level players are on the field at the same time (Castillo, Ljungberg, Henry, Angel and Marquez who may make his debut tonight).

Game is on ESPN2 at 9 eastern.

 

[otello]

How does everyone think that Blackpool will do this year?

 

[prefontaine]

van der Sar rocking the tiger stripes. Shame Cech isn't playing or we'd have two of the sweetest goalie kits around.

 

[Eephus]

How does everyone think that Blackpool will do this year?

They'll be lucky to get 30 pts.I hope somebody bumps this in May to show how wrong I was but they have all the earmarks of a one year stay.

 

[GoFishTN]

Should be a nice MLS game tonight. NY travels to Chicago. If things work out, this will be the very first game where 5 DP level players are on the field at the same time (Castillo, Ljungberg, Henry, Angel and Marquez who may make his debut tonight).Game is on ESPN2 at 9 eastern.

I see this is also on ESPN3.com. Does anyone know if this is always the case?

 

[otello]

How does everyone think that Blackpool will do this year?

They'll be lucky to get 30 pts.I hope somebody bumps this in May to show how wrong I was but they have all the earmarks of a one year stay.

That's what I suspected. I love their jerseys, that they play in a small stadium and how they got promoted. I guess I love the underdog.

 

[Eephus]

How does everyone think that Blackpool will do this year?

They'll be lucky to get 30 pts.I hope somebody bumps this in May to show how wrong I was but they have all the earmarks of a one year stay.

That's what I suspected. I love their jerseys, that they play in a small stadium and how they got promoted. I guess I love the underdog.

maybe the ghost of Stanley Matthews will make an appearance

 

[NewlyRetired]

Should be a nice MLS game tonight. NY travels to Chicago. If things work out, this will be the very first game where 5 DP level players are on the field at the same time (Castillo, Ljungberg, Henry, Angel and Marquez who may make his debut tonight).Game is on ESPN2 at 9 eastern.

I see this is also on ESPN3.com. Does anyone know if this is always the case?

I believe most MLS games on ESPN2 are also on ESPN3.

 

[Native]

United beat Chelsea 3-1 in the Community Shield today. These two will once again go down to the wire.....

 

[NewlyRetired]

United beat Chelsea 3-1 in the Community Shield today. These two will once again go down to the wire.....

Dimitar Berbatov has had a wail of a preseason. Every time I check he seems to have scored if playing. Is he really going to be starting the season on the bench for Man U?

 

[Spartans Rule]

Altidore scores for Villareal in a friendly against the team rumored to be most interested in him, Besiktas.

No idea if that means anything for his future but it can't hurt.

 

[Christo]

Just saw something I never sought I'd see, McBride, Ljungberg and Henry on the same pitch together. McBride and Ljungberg worked their butts off. Henry coasted. Record crowd for the Fire.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Just saw something I never sought I'd see, McBride, Ljungberg and Henry on the same pitch together. McBride and Ljungberg worked their butts off. Henry coasted. Record crowd for the Fire.

Pretty cool game. Shame no goal. Ljungberg has fantastic work rate all game. Nice to see Castillo get his debut.

 

[NewlyRetired]

For people who watched the game last night or any of the Red Bull games this season, are you as impressed so far with Tim Ream as I have been?

here is a kid that was drafted in the second round last year, and has never been a part of any US youth national teams from what I can tell. He has played every minute of every game this season getting fantastic experience quickly.

For those that have not seen him play yet, he is similar to a young Boca in that he is about 6'1 and has some nice foot skills. He is one of the leading candidates for rookie of the year and now has a chance to play with Rafa and hopefully can learn from a player who really understands how to distribute from the middle of the field. Ream has the skills to be a great ball playing central defender, which is exciting.

I know that Omar Gonzalez is the hotter name right now for young central defenders, but I think both of them could play a future in the senior US side soon.

 

[((Morpheus))]

For people who watched the game last night or any of the Red Bull games this season, are you as impressed so far with Tim Ream as I have been?here is a kid that was drafted in the second round last year, and has never been a part of any US youth national teams from what I can tell. He has played every minute of every game this season getting fantastic experience quickly.For those that have not seen him play yet, he is similar to a young Boca in that he is about 6'1 and has some nice foot skills. He is one of the leading candidates for rookie of the year and now has a chance to play with Rafa and hopefully can learn from a player who really understands how to distribute from the middle of the field. Ream has the skills to be a great ball playing central defender, which is exciting.I know that Omar Gonzalez is the hotter name right now for young central defenders, but I think both of them could play a future in the senior US side soon.

I'd like to see Ream/Gonzalez playing together sooner rather than later

 

[NewlyRetired]

For people who watched the game last night or any of the Red Bull games this season, are you as impressed so far with Tim Ream as I have been?here is a kid that was drafted in the second round last year, and has never been a part of any US youth national teams from what I can tell. He has played every minute of every game this season getting fantastic experience quickly.For those that have not seen him play yet, he is similar to a young Boca in that he is about 6'1 and has some nice foot skills. He is one of the leading candidates for rookie of the year and now has a chance to play with Rafa and hopefully can learn from a player who really understands how to distribute from the middle of the field. Ream has the skills to be a great ball playing central defender, which is exciting.I know that Omar Gonzalez is the hotter name right now for young central defenders, but I think both of them could play a future in the senior US side soon.

I'd like to see Ream/Gonzalez playing together sooner rather than later

it is not hard to close your eyes and see almost identical replacements for Gooch/Boca in Gonz/Ream. Same body types, similar skill sets, Ream and Boca both being lefty's etc.

 

[Native]

Altidore scores for Villareal in a friendly against the team rumored to be most interested in him, Besiktas.

No idea if that means anything for his future but it can't hurt.

I wonder if theres a spot for him at Villarreal now that rumors are circulating that Guiseppe Rossi is moving to Italy. Nilmar is the only other striker of note on the roster although they seem to have several other young players ready to break through.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

Altidore scores for Villareal in a friendly against the team rumored to be most interested in him, Besiktas.

No idea if that means anything for his future but it can't hurt.

He didn't have to do much to finish that cross.

 

[Christo]

Just saw something I never sought I'd see, McBride, Ljungberg and Henry on the same pitch together. McBride and Ljungberg worked their butts off. Henry coasted. Record crowd for the Fire.

Pretty cool game. Shame no goal. Ljungberg has fantastic work rate all game. Nice to see Castillo get his debut.

I know why they did it. But it was too soon. The guy was lost out there. I don't think the Fire threatened the goal after he went in.The two guys who stuck out to me were Logan Pause of the Fire and Dane Richards of the Red Bulls.

 

[GoFishTN]

Looks like Aston Villa's manager resigned.

http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id...ue-season-opens

 

[guru_007]

Wow, O'Neill was one of the best, most well regarded managers in the EPL. Extremely surprised to see him quit a week before the season start. Something must be going on behind the scenes there.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Wow, O'Neill was one of the best, most well regarded managers in the EPL. Extremely surprised to see him quit a week before the season start. Something must be going on behind the scenes there.

does he represent a possible US coaching candidate now that he is not tied to Villa?

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

For people who watched the game last night or any of the Red Bull games this season, are you as impressed so far with Tim Ream as I have been?here is a kid that was drafted in the second round last year, and has never been a part of any US youth national teams from what I can tell. He has played every minute of every game this season getting fantastic experience quickly.For those that have not seen him play yet, he is similar to a young Boca in that he is about 6'1 and has some nice foot skills. He is one of the leading candidates for rookie of the year and now has a chance to play with Rafa and hopefully can learn from a player who really understands how to distribute from the middle of the field. Ream has the skills to be a great ball playing central defender, which is exciting.I know that Omar Gonzalez is the hotter name right now for young central defenders, but I think both of them could play a future in the senior US side soon.

I'd like to see Ream/Gonzalez playing together sooner rather than later

it is not hard to close your eyes and see almost identical replacements for Gooch/Boca in Gonz/Ream. Same body types, similar skill sets, Ream and Boca both being lefty's etc.

Ike Opara should also be in the mix for future Nat CB discussion, and Gale Agbossoumonde may end up the best prospect of them all. Here's an SI writeup on "Boss" from the US's recent win in the U-20 Milk Cup:

The 6-foot-2 center back captained the team and scored the first goal in the final. With his size and composure on the ball (honed at S.C. Braga in Portugal), he may be the surest bet to suit up for the senior national team one day."Bob [bradley] and I talk and I told him that [Agbossoumonde] has special qualities," Rongen said. "He's almost too comfortable playing the ball out of the back, always looking for people in a forward position, but that is easier to break than trying to teach technical ability."Agbossoumonde, like Powers, was on the 2007 U-20 World Cup team but was young and played sparingly. "Now, he has become a pro," Rongen said.

 

[NewlyRetired]

For people who watched the game last night or any of the Red Bull games this season, are you as impressed so far with Tim Ream as I have been?here is a kid that was drafted in the second round last year, and has never been a part of any US youth national teams from what I can tell. He has played every minute of every game this season getting fantastic experience quickly.For those that have not seen him play yet, he is similar to a young Boca in that he is about 6'1 and has some nice foot skills. He is one of the leading candidates for rookie of the year and now has a chance to play with Rafa and hopefully can learn from a player who really understands how to distribute from the middle of the field. Ream has the skills to be a great ball playing central defender, which is exciting.I know that Omar Gonzalez is the hotter name right now for young central defenders, but I think both of them could play a future in the senior US side soon.

I'd like to see Ream/Gonzalez playing together sooner rather than later

it is not hard to close your eyes and see almost identical replacements for Gooch/Boca in Gonz/Ream. Same body types, similar skill sets, Ream and Boca both being lefty's etc.

Ike Opara should also be in the mix for future Nat CB discussion, and Gale Agbossoumonde may end up the best prospect of them all. Here's an SI writeup on "Boss" from the US's recent win in the U-20 Milk Cup:

The 6-foot-2 center back captained the team and scored the first goal in the final. With his size and composure on the ball (honed at S.C. Braga in Portugal), he may be the surest bet to suit up for the senior national team one day."Bob [bradley] and I talk and I told him that [Agbossoumonde] has special qualities," Rongen said. "He's almost too comfortable playing the ball out of the back, always looking for people in a forward position, but that is easier to break than trying to teach technical ability."Agbossoumonde, like Powers, was on the 2007 U-20 World Cup team but was young and played sparingly. "Now, he has become a pro," Rongen said.

Good stuff! I have seen Opara play a few times and I like him. I don't think I have never seen Agbossoumonde play.Opara recently broke his foot and it out of action for a while I think.

 

[scoobygang]

Wow, O'Neill was one of the best, most well regarded managers in the EPL. Extremely surprised to see him quit a week before the season start. Something must be going on behind the scenes there.

Villa apparently spent 85% of revenues on salary last year. So they're being forced to sell Milner and probably Ashley Young. With no replacements coming in. There were rumors of O'Neill quitting at the end of last season. Sounds like they made him some promises they couldn't keep.

 

[guru_007]

Wow, O'Neill was one of the best, most well regarded managers in the EPL. Extremely surprised to see him quit a week before the season start. Something must be going on behind the scenes there.

Villa apparently spent 85% of revenues on salary last year. So they're being forced to sell Milner and probably Ashley Young. With no replacements coming in. There were rumors of O'Neill quitting at the end of last season. Sounds like they made him some promises they couldn't keep.

They are going to get a ton of cash for Milner, and I've heard Ireland may also be sent back.I think they can afford to keep Ashley Young, and Agbonlahor, heck they have a pretty solid club from front to back. I'm sure lots of coaches would love to have more assets to spend on top players, but if guys are going to quit over losing a player or two, that's pretty beat for the EPL. AV has only lost Gareth Barry and now Milner - Barry's best days are behind him, and truth be told, if Man City is going to pay the 30m or so it's rumored to get Milner, Villa is probably better off sending him on his way.

 

[Christo]

Wow, O'Neill was one of the best, most well regarded managers in the EPL. Extremely surprised to see him quit a week before the season start. Something must be going on behind the scenes there.

A few weeks ago he flat out said he'd quit if Milner was sold.

 

[prefontaine]

Wow, O'Neill was one of the best, most well regarded managers in the EPL. Extremely surprised to see him quit a week before the season start. Something must be going on behind the scenes there.

A few weeks ago he flat out said he'd quit if Milner was sold.

Yeah but he's seemed resigned to losing Milner over the last week or so. My guess is they told him Milner is gone and despite the windfall, there is no money to go get replacements. He's probably frustrated that he has gotten Villa to 6th the last few years but that this is probably the peak they can reach. He'll turn up somewhere I'm sure. Though Andy, I seriously doubt he would be in the discussion for US manager. It would be a bit out of the blue since he's never been a NT manager and if he was, I'd think he'd take on the NI job since Worthington's contract is also up this year according to Wiki.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Real Madrid beat LA Galaxy last night 3-2 in front of ~85k at the Rose Bowl. LA was up 2-0 before giving up 3 in the second half.

If this had not been an exhibition game, Real would have been down to 10 men at halftime as the face-kick in the box was an easy red. On the other hand, Real probably would have been up 4 or 5 to 0 at the half rather than down 0-2 if the game mattered to them.

 

[scoobygang]

Real Madrid beat LA Galaxy last night 3-2 in front of ~85k at the Rose Bowl. LA was up 2-0 before giving up 3 in the second half.

If this had not been an exhibition game, Real would have been down to 10 men at halftime as the face-kick in the box was an easy red. On the other hand, Real probably would have been up 4 or 5 to 0 at the half rather than down 0-2 if the game mattered to them.

That game was kind of amazing. It's not as if Real started a bad team, but once they put in Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso, and Higuain it was like watching the team from Victory play a bunch of 6 year old girls.Xabi Alonso was just effortlessly picking people out from sideline to sideline and Higuain always knew when to time his run perfectly. I do think MLS is improving, and you can see that they can compete against even talented European based players who aren't stars like Drenthe and Granero. But a Galactico is another thing entirely.

 

[Native]

Jozy wants to stay at Villarreal

 

[Native]

Bob Bradley Bookies Choice to Replace Oneill at Aston Villa

Cant see this happening.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Reminder that the US Brazil game is tonight on ESPN2 starting at 8:00pm.

Anyone see a lineup for the US yet? Pretty good roster the US brought to this game as we speculated way back when this game was announced.

I am a bit disappointed but not really surprised that the US coaching job is still up in the air.

As of last Thursday, over 58k tickets had been sold for this game, should be fun.

 

[NewlyRetired]

John Skipper, head of ESPN, said in a recent interview that ESPNews and ESPN Classic are no longer really working for the network. They would be making an announcement in a few weeks concerning these channels.

With Skipper being the driving force behind ESPN's handling of soccer in recent years, hopefully this may open up some new avenues to see more of the sport on ESPN.