***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (9 Viewers)

[jonessed]

Classic. Dirty ####### Italians turning it into a street fight.

Robhino and Flamini were standing right on top of Corluka when he was being attended to. That really started it all. Flamini shouldn't even be on the field.Crouch has to come off. He's exhausted and with Milan pushing Tottenham could use Defoe's speed.

 

[jonessed]

It's about time. Gattuso done for the next match.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Gattuso really is an annoying d-bag.

 

[jonessed]

GOAL TOTTENHAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tons of credit to Lennon. Milan simply can't handle his speed. Lord knows what they are going to do with Lennon and Bale.

 

[Christo]

NACHOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bonzai]

Yes!

 

[Spartans Rule]

I didn't have a rooting interest when this game started, but that was pretty sweet to see.

 

[bentley]

I forget how I'm supposed to root these Champions League things. Am I allowed to cheer for Spurs, since they're an English club, or is there some grave injustice of the past that I'm supposed to remember as a Liverpool fan?

Right now, my decision matrix is to cheer for the Premier League club unless they're Chelsea or ManU. Then, root for the other guys.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Fantastic counter attack by Lennon

 

[jonessed]

I forget how I'm supposed to root these Champions League things. Am I allowed to cheer for Spurs, since they're an English club, or is there some grave injustice of the past that I'm supposed to remember as a Liverpool fan?Right now, my decision matrix is to cheer for the Premier League club unless they're Chelsea or ManU. Then, root for the other guys.

Given Tottenham's Champion's League history I would find it hard to believe there are many EPL team fans rooting against them.

 

[Bonzai]

I forget how I'm supposed to root these Champions League things. Am I allowed to cheer for Spurs, since they're an English club, or is there some grave injustice of the past that I'm supposed to remember as a Liverpool fan?Right now, my decision matrix is to cheer for the Premier League club unless they're Chelsea or ManU. Then, root for the other guys.

If Everton ever makes it, they're out too.

 

[The Gator]

I'd guess Tasker want's Tottenham to lose 5-0

 

[The Real Hipster Doofus]

Is there anywhere online you guys would recommend for getting up to speed on the world of soccer?

I have been watching more and more soccer since the World Cup (as well as playing more and more FIFA) and I am starting to get into it pretty good. Watched this game today and it was enjoyable.

The thing is I really don't know very much about the teams, players, etc outside of what I know from playing FIFA. Any good blogs or websites that would help me get up to speed?

 

[Spartans Rule]

I forget how I'm supposed to root these Champions League things. Am I allowed to cheer for Spurs, since they're an English club, or is there some grave injustice of the past that I'm supposed to remember as a Liverpool fan?Right now, my decision matrix is to cheer for the Premier League club unless they're Chelsea or ManU. Then, root for the other guys.

I can't imagine too many circumstances where I would root for this Milan team

 

[jonessed]

AC Milan is totally and completely gassed. Hands on knees, heads going down, wobbly legs. I think this game was simply too physical for them.

 

[jonessed]

Almost a mistake by Gomez there.

 

[Bonzai]

Is there anywhere online you guys would recommend for getting up to speed on the world of soccer?

I have been watching more and more soccer since the World Cup (as well as playing more and more FIFA) and I am starting to get into it pretty good. Watched this game today and it was enjoyable.

The thing is I really don't know very much about the teams, players, etc outside of what I know from playing FIFA. Any good blogs or websites that would help me get up to speed?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/footballhttp://www.football365.com/news/premiershi...32,8668,00.html

http://www.epltalk.com/

 

[Spartans Rule]

He was offsides AND he pushed off.

And there's Gattuso being a complete tool again. Can they just ban that guy from the sport?

 

[jonessed]

Gattuso picks a fight with the Tottenham bench wielding his bare chest .

Turns out he head-butted a Tottenham coach. He'll get a pretty decent ban for that.

AC Milan fans should be completely ashamed of this team in just about every way possible.

 

[Christo]

Gattuso. What a scumbag. I wouldn't get into it with Joe Jordan though. He'd kick Gattuso's ###.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Gattuso picks a fight with the Tottenham bench wielding his bare chest .Turns out he head-butted a Tottenham coach. He'll get a pretty decent ban for that.

Nothing says class like head-butting a 60-year-old man.

 

[jonessed]

Is there anywhere online you guys would recommend for getting up to speed on the world of soccer? I have been watching more and more soccer since the World Cup (as well as playing more and more FIFA) and I am starting to get into it pretty good. Watched this game today and it was enjoyable. The thing is I really don't know very much about the teams, players, etc outside of what I know from playing FIFA. Any good blogs or websites that would help me get up to speed?

Pick a league and follow it. Between Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Soccer Plus you get almost all of the EPL games in HD so that's not a bad place to start.

 

[The Real Hipster Doofus]

Is there anywhere online you guys would recommend for getting up to speed on the world of soccer?

I have been watching more and more soccer since the World Cup (as well as playing more and more FIFA) and I am starting to get into it pretty good. Watched this game today and it was enjoyable.

The thing is I really don't know very much about the teams, players, etc outside of what I know from playing FIFA. Any good blogs or websites that would help me get up to speed?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/footballhttp://www.football365.com/news/premiershi...32,8668,00.html

http://www.epltalk.com/

Thank you just what I was looking for.

 

[Christo]

Predictions for Milan/Tottenham?

1-0 Nachos

I'd still give Gomes MotM for those three saves when Milan was putting the pressure on during the middle of the second half.

 

[jonessed]

Turns out the coach Gattuso head-butted was an AC Milan veteran (3 years/15 goals) and 60 years old.

 

[The Real Hipster Doofus]

Is there anywhere online you guys would recommend for getting up to speed on the world of soccer? I have been watching more and more soccer since the World Cup (as well as playing more and more FIFA) and I am starting to get into it pretty good. Watched this game today and it was enjoyable. The thing is I really don't know very much about the teams, players, etc outside of what I know from playing FIFA. Any good blogs or websites that would help me get up to speed?

Pick a league and follow it. Between Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Soccer Plus you get almost all of the EPL games in HD so that's not a bad place to start.

Yep we just got a new provider and I now have FSC so I have caught a few games on there. I don't get FSP though. Are there any Spanish league games on FSC? Watching Messi youtube videos is what got me into soccer in the first place so I would love to catch some of those games too.

 

[jonessed]

Is there anywhere online you guys would recommend for getting up to speed on the world of soccer? I have been watching more and more soccer since the World Cup (as well as playing more and more FIFA) and I am starting to get into it pretty good. Watched this game today and it was enjoyable. The thing is I really don't know very much about the teams, players, etc outside of what I know from playing FIFA. Any good blogs or websites that would help me get up to speed?

Pick a league and follow it. Between Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Soccer Plus you get almost all of the EPL games in HD so that's not a bad place to start.

Yep we just got a new provider and I now have FSC so I have caught a few games on there. I don't get FSP though. Are there any Spanish league games on FSC? Watching Messi youtube videos is what got me into soccer in the first place so I would love to catch some of those games too.

There are a few. Z Machine probably knows how to catch more. The Fox channels generally cover EPL first, Serie A second.

 

[Slapdash]

Is there anywhere online you guys would recommend for getting up to speed on the world of soccer? I have been watching more and more soccer since the World Cup (as well as playing more and more FIFA) and I am starting to get into it pretty good. Watched this game today and it was enjoyable. The thing is I really don't know very much about the teams, players, etc outside of what I know from playing FIFA. Any good blogs or websites that would help me get up to speed?

Pick a league and follow it. Between Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Soccer Plus you get almost all of the EPL games in HD so that's not a bad place to start.

Yep we just got a new provider and I now have FSC so I have caught a few games on there. I don't get FSP though. Are there any Spanish league games on FSC? Watching Messi youtube videos is what got me into soccer in the first place so I would love to catch some of those games too.

FSC isn't going to have Spanish league games. For La Liga your options are pretty much limited to GolTv, Spanish-speaking channels, or online viewing(ESPN3?). I think ESPN bought a lot of the English rights from GolTv at some point but I haven't seen them broadcasting many/any La Liga games this year on ESPN/ESPN2. I use the Spanish channels to get my weekly La Liga fix, between the 3 main networks there are plenty of games each weekend.

 

[Christo]

Turns out the coach Gattuso head-butted was an AC Milan veteran (3 years/15 goals) and 60 years old.

Jordan also played for Leeds, ManU and had 52 caps and 11 goals for Scotland. Played in three World Cups.

 

[Eephus]

Turns out the coach Gattuso head-butted was an AC Milan veteran (3 years/15 goals) and 60 years old.

Jordan also played for Leeds, ManU and had 52 caps and 11 goals for Scotland. Played in three World Cups.

If he played for Leeds, he deserved the head butt

 

[JMon348]

Predictions for Milan/Tottenham?

1-0 Nachos

I'd still give Gomes MotM for those three saves when Milan was putting the pressure on during the middle of the second half.

His saves of the early headers were key. and let me add Gattuso is a #####. He

 

[JMon348]

Valencia, nice goal

 

[GoFishTN]

Great job Spurs.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Books are paying 4-1 on an Arsenal win tomorrow at Emirates, and 3.75-1 on a tie. That's pretty tempting.btw, I used to think American bookies were crazy with all the superbowl prop bets they offer. This is what Ladbrokes offers for tomorrow's first leg in the round of 16:

To qualifyTo qualifyCorrect scoreCorrect scoreHalf-time/Full-timeHalf-time/Full-timeFirst goalscorerFirst goalscorerScorecastScorecastLast goalscorerLast goalscorerAsian Handicap/Goal Line1Event Handicap Odds Goal Line OddsArsenal +0.5 2.00 Susp. Over 2.5/3.0 1.84 Susp.Barcelona -0.5 1.88 Susp. Under 2.5/3.0 2.04 Susp.Goal CrazyGoal CrazyDraw No BetDraw No BetBarcelona No BetBarcelona No BetArsenal No BetArsenal No BetTo score at any timeTo score at any timeFirst Half Asian Handicap/Goal Line1Event Handicap Odds Goal Line OddsArsenal +0.0,+0.5 1.90 Susp. Over 1.0 1.74 Susp.Barcelona -0.0,-0.5 1.98 Susp. Under 1.0 2.14 Susp.QuatroQuatroGoal time QuatroGoal time QuatroTo score first and lastTo score first and lastArsenal Goal CrazyArsenal Goal CrazyBarcelona Goal CrazyBarcelona Goal CrazyTeam to score firstTeam to score firstTo score the last goalTo score the last goalFirst Half - Team to score firstFirst Half - Team to score firstSecond Half - Team to score firstSecond Half - Team to score firstFirst Half - Double chanceFirst Half - Double chanceSecond Half - Double chanceSecond Half - Double chanceTotal goals in the matchTotal goals in the matchFirst Half - Total goalsSelection OddsNo Goals 3.20 Susp.1 Goal 2.50 Susp.2 Goals 3.75 Susp.3 Goals 6.50 Susp.4+ Goals 15.00 Susp.Second Half - Total goalsSecond Half - Total goalsFirst half - Total goals - Odd/EvenFirst half - Total goals - Odd/EvenSecond half - Total goals - Odd/EvenSecond half - Total goals - Odd/EvenTotal goals - over/under 0.5Total goals - over/under 0.5Total goals - over/under 1.5Total goals - over/under 1.5Total goals - over/under 2.5Total goals - over/under 2.5Total goals - over/under 3.5Total goals - over/under 3.5Total goals - over/under 4.5Total goals - over/under 4.5Arsenal goals - Over/Under 0.5Arsenal goals - Over/Under 0.5Barcelona goals - Over/Under 0.5Barcelona goals - Over/Under 0.5Arsenal goals - Over/Under 1.5Arsenal goals - Over/Under 1.5Barcelona goals - Over/Under 1.5Barcelona goals - Over/Under 1.5Arsenal goals - Over/Under 2.5Arsenal goals - Over/Under 2.5Barcelona goals - Over/Under 2.5Barcelona goals - Over/Under 2.5Handicap - Arsenal (+1)Handicap - Arsenal (+1)First Half ResultFirst Half ResultSecond Half ResultSecond Half ResultFirst Half Handicap - Arsenal (+1)First Half Handicap - Arsenal (+1)Second Half Handicap - Arsenal (+1)Second Half Handicap - Arsenal (+1)First Half - Correct scoreFirst Half - Correct scoreSecond Half - Correct scoreSecond Half - Correct scoreCoupled Correct ScoresCoupled Correct Scores1st half result/2nd Half Result1st half result/2nd Half ResultTo win either halfTo win either halfTo win both halvesTo win both halvesWhich half will produce most goals?Which half will produce most goals?Time of first goalTime of first goalHalf with most Arsenal goalsHalf with most Arsenal goalsHalf with most Barcelona goalsHalf with most Barcelona goalsDouble chanceDouble chanceWho will kick off the match?Who will kick off the match?When will Arsenal score first?When will Arsenal score first?When will Barcelona score first?When will Barcelona score first?Time of first goal - 10 BandsTime of first goal - 10 BandsBookingsBookingsBookings 1Bookings 1Bookings 2Bookings 2First team cardedFirst team cardedLast team cardedLast team cardedTeam to receive most booking pointsTeam to receive most booking pointsRed card in gameRed card in gameCornersCornersTo win the first cornerTo win the first cornerTo win the last cornerTo win the last cornerArsenal CornersArsenal CornersBarcelona CornersBarcelona CornersCorners BandsCorners BandsTo win the most cornersTo win the most cornersCorners HandicapCorners HandicapTotal Corners - Odd/EvenTotal Corners - Odd/EvenCorners - over/under 6Corners - over/under 6Corners - over/under 9Corners - over/under 9Corners - over/under 12Corners - over/under 12Arsenal Corners - Over/Under 4Arsenal Corners - Over/Under 4Barcelona Corners - Over/Under 5Barcelona Corners - Over/Under 5Both/One/Neither team to scoreBoth/One/Neither team to scoreFirst half - Both/One/Neither team to scoreFirst half - Both/One/Neither team to scoreSecond half - Both/One/Neither team to scoreSecond half - Both/One/Neither team to scoreTo keep a clean sheetTo keep a clean sheetFirst Half - To keep a clean sheetFirst Half - To keep a clean sheetSecond Half - To keep a clean sheetSecond Half - To keep a clean sheetTo win to nilTo win to nilFirst Half - To win to nilFirst Half - To win to nilSecond Half - To win to nilSecond Half - To win to nilMargin of victoryMargin of victoryTo be leading at half time and not winTo be leading at half time and not winTo come from behind and winTo come from behind and winTo come from behind and drawTo come from behind and drawTo come from behind and win or drawTo come from behind and win or drawPenaltyPenaltyTotal goals - odd or evenTotal goals - odd or evenHow will the first goal be scored?How will the first goal be scored?To score a hat-trickTo score a hat-trickTo score in both halvesTo score in both halvesWhich half will produce the first goalWhich half will produce the first goalHow many times will the woodwork be hit?

 

[Christo]

Who will kick off the match? I have to get a couple a quid on that one!

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Who will kick off the match? I have to get a couple a quid on that one!

Who will kick off the match?Selection OddsArsenal 10/11Barcelona 4/5

 

[The Real Hipster Doofus]

Is there anywhere online you guys would recommend for getting up to speed on the world of soccer? I have been watching more and more soccer since the World Cup (as well as playing more and more FIFA) and I am starting to get into it pretty good. Watched this game today and it was enjoyable. The thing is I really don't know very much about the teams, players, etc outside of what I know from playing FIFA. Any good blogs or websites that would help me get up to speed?

Pick a league and follow it. Between Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Soccer Plus you get almost all of the EPL games in HD so that's not a bad place to start.

Yep we just got a new provider and I now have FSC so I have caught a few games on there. I don't get FSP though. Are there any Spanish league games on FSC? Watching Messi youtube videos is what got me into soccer in the first place so I would love to catch some of those games too.

FSC isn't going to have Spanish league games. For La Liga your options are pretty much limited to GolTv, Spanish-speaking channels, or online viewing(ESPN3?). I think ESPN bought a lot of the English rights from GolTv at some point but I haven't seen them broadcasting many/any La Liga games this year on ESPN/ESPN2. I use the Spanish channels to get my weekly La Liga fix, between the 3 main networks there are plenty of games each weekend.

Thanks, I will have to check those channels.

 

[Mjolnirs]

I forget how I'm supposed to root these Champions League things. Am I allowed to cheer for Spurs, since they're an English club, or is there some grave injustice of the past that I'm supposed to remember as a Liverpool fan?

Right now, my decision matrix is to cheer for the Premier League club unless they're Chelsea or ManU. Then, root for the other guys.

I never pull for EPL teams, but being a Bundesliga fan I'm pull against all Italian teams for coefficient reasons. Of course that logic goes out the window when Man U or Chelsea are playing.

Is there anywhere online you guys would recommend for getting up to speed on the world of soccer?

I have been watching more and more soccer since the World Cup (as well as playing more and more FIFA) and I am starting to get into it pretty good. Watched this game today and it was enjoyable.

The thing is I really don't know very much about the teams, players, etc outside of what I know from playing FIFA. Any good blogs or websites that would help me get up to speed?

I'll go ahead and put in a mention for the Bundesliga, that's the German league. english link for bundesliga.deGol shows Bundesliga matches on Fridays, Saturdays and sometimes Sundays. espn3.com shows Bundesliga matches as well.

 

[Steve Tasker]

I'd guess Tasker want's Tottenham to lose 5-0

:great####ingposting:

 

[Steve Tasker]

FSC isn't going to have Spanish league games. For La Liga your options are pretty much limited to GolTv, Spanish-speaking channels, or online viewing(ESPN3?). I think ESPN bought a lot of the English rights from GolTv at some point but I haven't seen them broadcasting many/any La Liga games this year on ESPN/ESPN2. I use the Spanish channels to get my weekly La Liga fix, between the 3 main networks there are plenty of games each weekend.

Thanks, I will have to check those channels.

ESPN/ESPN2 typically show the biggest Spanish games.

 

[R. Jay Soward]

#### me....2500+ posts.Germany Jones.

Change your log in name. It spreads the numbers out

28th post

 

[Steve Tasker]

I'd guess Tasker want's Tottenham to lose 5-0

:great####ingposting:

Can't REALLY be mad, though. Mighty impressive what they've been able to do in the past year and a half, and I'm certainly not a Milan fan. D-Day tomorrow. Probably gonna be ugly. Arsenal have no chance if they don't win the first leg outright, and I don't think they'll be able to withstand a 1-goal advantage if they give up 2 at home. But again, I have no sympathy for them, so to speak. You play down to your opponents in group play (not that the other teams in the group were bad, but Arsenal should've won the group on talent) and drop points, you get matched up against (probably) the best team in the world. glllllll

 

[NewlyRetired]

Is there anywhere online you guys would recommend for getting up to speed on the world of soccer?

This thread has a pretty big range of knowledge. If someone here does not know the answer, we certainly know how to get it.If you are looking for fan chat, the largest site in the world I believe is www.bigsoccer.com It is a very American site but has sections to cover every section of the planet.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The following is incredible and depressing at the same time.

Incredible because it looks like MLS hit another home run with an expansion franchise from a business perspective. Depressing because each day I have to stomach the Krafts and Sunil continuing to make the Revs more and more irrelevant.

====================================

Forget those power rankings that predict the Vancouver Whitecaps will finish dead last in their first Major League Soccer season this year.

In the MLS business world, they're already first overall.

MLS commissioner Don Garber revealed Monday the total value of Whitecaps sponsorships signed so far outpaces every other franchise in the league -even New York and Los Angeles.

"They are the leading sponsorship team in all of Major League Soccer," Garber told a Vancouver Board of Trade meeting. "Even with Los Angeles and its stadium and David Beckham, the largest sponsorship base is here in Vancouver."

The Whitecaps signed a lucrative jersey sponsorship deal with Bell last summer and have since added deals with BMO, EA Sports and Labatt.



Garber said the Bell sponsorship is one of the richest sports sponsorship deals in North America -worth "many millions of dollars a year."



"It is one of the larger nonmedia, stand-alone sports sponsorships in sports in America and Canada," he said during an earlier interview with print journalists. " ... It's a sports sponsorship that any pro league would be proud of, whether it's here or in European football."

Garber noted the deal doesn't involve television advertising or other media -just a pure rights fee. He said Bell has certain digital and streaming rights for the Whitecaps and is negotiating with the league to obtain broader rights for the entire league.

Garber said Vancouver soccer fans are fortunate to have an owner like Greg Kerfoot, who may keep a low profile but there's no denying his passion for the sport.

"He's a soccer guy," Barber said. "He's the guy you want owning the team."

He noted Kerfoot and Whitecaps part-owner Jeff Mallett both sat in the stands during the 2009 MLS Cup in Seattle, rather than enjoy the comforts of a luxury suite.

"The ownership group [in Vancouver] is very engaged -it could be our most engaged ownership group and that's a positive," Garber said, noting Kerfoot sits on the league's competition committee while Mallett is also very active at the MLS board level.

Mallett said MLS has a lot of work to do before the league reaches its goal of becoming one of the world's top soccer leagues by 2022.

"We're one of the smaller leagues in North America and we have our work cut out if we want to move up the food chain," he said. "It's going to take a bunch of people making some decent decisions and not too many wrong ones."

SIDE KICKS: Mallett, who also owns a stake in English Championship side Derby County, said five young Derby players seemed headed to Vancouver during the recent transfer window but the club's struggle to stay in the tiertwo league kept that from happening.

One of the players joining Vancouver would have been promising 19-year-old American-Irish striker Conor Doyle, now being courted by both the U.S. and Ireland national youth teams. Mallett said some Derby players could still come to Vancouver during the summer transfer window.

TSN finally made it official Monday by confirming it has a six-year contract to be the national TV broadcaster for Whitecaps games. TSN, owned by Whitecaps' jersey sponsor Bell, will carry nine Caps games on TSN and four Vancouver games on TSN2.

Featured broadcasts will include the March 19 season opener against Toronto FC, the May 28 match against New York Red Bulls, the July 30 game against Los Angeles Galaxy, the final game to be played at Empire Field on Sept. 24 against the Seattle Sounders and the first game at BC Place, against Portland on Oct. 2.

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Whiteca...l#ixzz1E5dq6lrC

 

[NewlyRetired]

First MLS pre season MLS action is on TV tonight.

NY plays Chivas in Mexico. Interested to see if Agudelo gets some playing time...

 

[Steve Tasker]

This is the official who's a fan of what team(s) post. As many teams/leagues as you want to put in here.

International

United States - everyone

Argentina - Sebowski

Bolivia - Sebowski

Brazil - Desert Power, Z's wife, Derek, Abrantes

Canada - Polsonov?

Croatia - kblitz

Denmark - Major

England - LHUCKS, SmoovySmoov, AAABatteries

Germany - Mjolnirs, eagles2007, editor47, Bonzai, Short Corner

Ireland - PIK95

Italy - Steve Tasker, Texas Football

Netherlands - MrPhoenix, AAABatteries, Major

Portugal - Gator

Serbia - Vipers

Spain - Sebowski, Kansas Comet, Z Machine

Venezuela - Z's wife

England

EPL

Arsenal - Steve Tasker, Sebowski, Z's wife, Brewer, Vipers, Major, Sparty

Chelsea - Native (pre-Abramovich), Cletius Maximus

Everton - Senor Schmutzig, eagles2007

Fulham - Christo

Hull - QuizGuy66

Liverpool - MrPhoenix, Bentley, Kendall, Z Machine, SmoovySmoov, editor47, Gator, PIK95, Texas Football, Sleeping King

Manchester City - editor47, Derek, TitusIII

Manchester United - B Maverick, AAABatteries, JuniorNB, Bonzai, AcerFC

"Big 4 + any team with an American" - El Floppo

Championship

Ipswich Town - Texas Football, Sparty

Newcastle - Polsonov, Scoobygang

Queen's Park Rangers - Christo

WBA - Steve Tasker

Spain

Atletico Madrid - Z Machine

Barcelona - Desert Power, Sebowski, Kansas Comet, Bentley

Real Madrid - Z's wife, Derek

Sevilla - Kansas Comet

Italy

Inter - El Floppo, Texas Football

Udinese - eagles2007

Germany

1. FC Nurnberg - Bonzai

Bayern Munchen - Mjolnirs, Short Corner

Borussia Dortmund - eagles2007, editor47

VfB Stuttgart - kblitz

VfL Wolfsburg - SmoovySmoov

Scotland

Celtic - walnutz

Hearts - Steve Tasker

Rangers - Senor Schmutzig

USA

MLS

Chicago Fire - Senor Schmutzig, Vipers, Christo

Columbus Crew - Bonzai, Derek

DC United - walnutz

LA Galaxy - Kansas Comet, Z Machine

New England Revolution - andy b, PIK95

New York Red Bulls - JuniorNB, El Floppo, AcerFC

Philadelphia Union - Z's wife, eagles2007, editor47

Seattle Sounders - Vipers, SmoovySmoov

Toronto FC - Steve Tasker

USL First Division

Carolina Railhawks - walnutz

Charleston Battery - Mjolnirs, walnutz, Desert Power

WPS

FC Sky Blue - JuniorNB

St. Louis Athletica - walnutz

Argentina

Boca Juniors - Steve Tasker, walnutz, El Floppo

Newell's Old Boys - Z Machine

River Plate - Z's wife

Mexico

Chivas Guadalajara - Z Machine

UNAM Pumas - Z's wife

Croatia

Hajduk Split - kblitz

Brazil

Flamengo - Abrantes

Let's bump this. Hasn't been updated in 7 months.

 

[JMon348]

Anyone know when the tickets for the Barca/Man U match in DC in July, go on sale?

 

[bentley]

Count me in on QPR, out on Barca. Can't get enough of La Liga to consider myself a follower.

 

[bentley]

The following is incredible and depressing at the same time.

Incredible because it looks like MLS hit another home run with an expansion franchise from a business perspective. Depressing because each day I have to stomach the Krafts and Sunil continuing to make the Revs more and more irrelevant.

====================================

Forget those power rankings that predict the Vancouver Whitecaps will finish dead last in their first Major League Soccer season this year.

In the MLS business world, they're already first overall.

MLS commissioner Don Garber revealed Monday the total value of Whitecaps sponsorships signed so far outpaces every other franchise in the league -even New York and Los Angeles.

"They are the leading sponsorship team in all of Major League Soccer," Garber told a Vancouver Board of Trade meeting. "Even with Los Angeles and its stadium and David Beckham, the largest sponsorship base is here in Vancouver."

The Whitecaps signed a lucrative jersey sponsorship deal with Bell last summer and have since added deals with BMO, EA Sports and Labatt.



Garber said the Bell sponsorship is one of the richest sports sponsorship deals in North America -worth "many millions of dollars a year."



"It is one of the larger nonmedia, stand-alone sports sponsorships in sports in America and Canada," he said during an earlier interview with print journalists. " ... It's a sports sponsorship that any pro league would be proud of, whether it's here or in European football."

Garber noted the deal doesn't involve television advertising or other media -just a pure rights fee. He said Bell has certain digital and streaming rights for the Whitecaps and is negotiating with the league to obtain broader rights for the entire league.

Garber said Vancouver soccer fans are fortunate to have an owner like Greg Kerfoot, who may keep a low profile but there's no denying his passion for the sport.

"He's a soccer guy," Barber said. "He's the guy you want owning the team."

He noted Kerfoot and Whitecaps part-owner Jeff Mallett both sat in the stands during the 2009 MLS Cup in Seattle, rather than enjoy the comforts of a luxury suite.

"The ownership group [in Vancouver] is very engaged -it could be our most engaged ownership group and that's a positive," Garber said, noting Kerfoot sits on the league's competition committee while Mallett is also very active at the MLS board level.

Mallett said MLS has a lot of work to do before the league reaches its goal of becoming one of the world's top soccer leagues by 2022.

"We're one of the smaller leagues in North America and we have our work cut out if we want to move up the food chain," he said. "It's going to take a bunch of people making some decent decisions and not too many wrong ones."

SIDE KICKS: Mallett, who also owns a stake in English Championship side Derby County, said five young Derby players seemed headed to Vancouver during the recent transfer window but the club's struggle to stay in the tiertwo league kept that from happening.

One of the players joining Vancouver would have been promising 19-year-old American-Irish striker Conor Doyle, now being courted by both the U.S. and Ireland national youth teams. Mallett said some Derby players could still come to Vancouver during the summer transfer window.

TSN finally made it official Monday by confirming it has a six-year contract to be the national TV broadcaster for Whitecaps games. TSN, owned by Whitecaps' jersey sponsor Bell, will carry nine Caps games on TSN and four Vancouver games on TSN2.

Featured broadcasts will include the March 19 season opener against Toronto FC, the May 28 match against New York Red Bulls, the July 30 game against Los Angeles Galaxy, the final game to be played at Empire Field on Sept. 24 against the Seattle Sounders and the first game at BC Place, against Portland on Oct. 2.

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Whiteca...l#ixzz1E5dq6lrC

I don't understand how this relates to the Revs. Unpack please.

 

[Txns8]

Count me in on:

International - England

EPL - ManU

MLS - FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo