***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (4 Viewers)

[Senor Schmutzig]

Boca signed 3 year deal with Rangers

Keane's visa came through and may play Saturday night.

Bedoya's move to Rangers was moved from this January to being immediate.

I like these moves. Boca and Bedoya joining Edu at Rangers.

I went to a Rangers game last year at Ibrox. Would love to go see another now that Bedoya and Boca have joined Edu there.

Scotland

Celtic - walnutz, PIK95

Hearts - Steve Tasker

Rangers - Senor Schmutzig

Who else is jumping on the Rangers bandwagon now?

 

[FDASv2.0]

FC Dallas traveled to Mexico City to take on Pumas and because the first US based team (club or country) to win a game in Mexico, 1-0-While this sounds impressive, it needs to be taken with a huge grain of salt as Pumas started a glorified youth team with a few veterans sprinkled in. In the second half Pumas brought on some better talent but was too late- Shea was active as always but has played better games.I may be crazy but if Dallas can get out of the group( of which getting 3 points in Mexico should give them a great chance) they might have a chance to win the whole thing. Remember that as good as Dallas is right now, they are missing last years league MVP who is hurt. He might be back for the knock out stages of the CCL making Dallas even stronger.

I feel really bad that I have a very good team in my own backyard, and know very little about them. Time to get out there and see a game or two.

 

[NewlyRetired]

FC Dallas traveled to Mexico City to take on Pumas and because the first US based team (club or country) to win a game in Mexico, 1-0-While this sounds impressive, it needs to be taken with a huge grain of salt as Pumas started a glorified youth team with a few veterans sprinkled in. In the second half Pumas brought on some better talent but was too late- Shea was active as always but has played better games.I may be crazy but if Dallas can get out of the group( of which getting 3 points in Mexico should give them a great chance) they might have a chance to win the whole thing. Remember that as good as Dallas is right now, they are missing last years league MVP who is hurt. He might be back for the knock out stages of the CCL making Dallas even stronger.

I feel really bad that I have a very good team in my own backyard, and know very little about them. Time to get out there and see a game or two.

It is a nice side.No big names or nothing but they are loaded with some young talent that has not even been blooded yet like having the starting keeper from the U17 World Cup Mexican winning side in their academy.

 

[Eephus]

Boca signed 3 year deal with Rangers

Keane's visa came through and may play Saturday night.

Bedoya's move to Rangers was moved from this January to being immediate.

I like these moves. Boca and Bedoya joining Edu at Rangers.

I went to a Rangers game last year at Ibrox. Would love to go see another now that Bedoya and Boca have joined Edu there.

Scotland

Celtic - walnutz, PIK95

Hearts - Steve Tasker

Rangers - Senor Schmutzig

Who else is jumping on the Rangers bandwagon now?

I can't support the Huns

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

Boca signed 3 year deal with Rangers

Keane's visa came through and may play Saturday night.

Bedoya's move to Rangers was moved from this January to being immediate.

I like these moves. Boca and Bedoya joining Edu at Rangers.

I went to a Rangers game last year at Ibrox. Would love to go see another now that Bedoya and Boca have joined Edu there.

Scotland

Celtic - walnutz, PIK95

Hearts - Steve Tasker

Rangers - Senor Schmutzig

Who else is jumping on the Rangers bandwagon now?

I can't support the Huns

As long as you're not a Tims fan...

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Ehhhh: http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2011/08/16/2617774/with-the-signing-of-arsenals-cesc-fabregas-barcelona-could-begin

 

[Slapdash]

Ehhhh: http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2011/08/16/2617774/with-the-signing-of-arsenals-cesc-fabregas-barcelona-could-begin

Looks like where it is headed.

 

[jplvr]

Not that I post much here, but I followed Tottenham all last season and enjoyed it. Adding Liverpool this season. charvik suggested Liverpool at the start of last year, but I just kept asking myself why people thought so highly of Torres.

No rooting interest in CL this season sucks. Might root for Bayern assuming they make it through.

 

[Eephus]

Ehhhh: http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2011/08/16/2617774/with-the-signing-of-arsenals-cesc-fabregas-barcelona-could-begin

Looks like where it is headed.

There was a sort of similar tactical article http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/944258/you-can%27t-beat-the-system?cc=5901 a few days ago about the trend of positioning more attack minded players into traditionally defensive holding MF roles. So maybe Bob Bradley was right but just didn't have the correct personnel

 

[scoobygang]

Ehhhh: http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2011/08/16/2617774/with-the-signing-of-arsenals-cesc-fabregas-barcelona-could-begin

Looks like where it is headed.

That seems crazy to me. Barcelona already dominates possession to such an extent that I don't see how getting more of it is worth making yourself more vulnerable to set pieces and physical counter-attacking strikers. Fluiditiy is great. Playing the ball is great. But every team needs heroic defending at times (at it's not as if Mascherano is a great passing midfielder, his transition to CB has been so smooth because he's brought the tenacity and solid reading of the game that made him a good holding midfielder).I also don't think that a guy like Xavi is interchangeable with an Iniesta or a Cesc or a Messi. Xavi is a specialist. If Zidane was a specialist (who needed Makelele), then Xavi is a specialist.

 

[The Z Machine]

Tasker, you can take me off the Liverpool list. I only liked them because they had Torres and some tradition. Now... not so much. I really don't have a team in the Premiership, but I do want Newcastle to do well (and all the top teams to fail).

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Tasker, you can take me off the Liverpool list. I only liked them because they had Torres and some tradition. Now... not so much. I really don't have a team in the Premiership, but I do want Newcastle to do well (and all the top teams to fail).

Stoke FTW?

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Ehhhh: http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2011/08/16/2617774/with-the-signing-of-arsenals-cesc-fabregas-barcelona-could-begin

Looks like where it is headed.

That seems crazy to me. Barcelona already dominates possession to such an extent that I don't see how getting more of it is worth making yourself more vulnerable to set pieces and physical counter-attacking strikers. Fluiditiy is great. Playing the ball is great. But every team needs heroic defending at times (at it's not as if Mascherano is a great passing midfielder, his transition to CB has been so smooth because he's brought the tenacity and solid reading of the game that made him a good holding midfielder).I also don't think that a guy like Xavi is interchangeable with an Iniesta or a Cesc or a Messi. Xavi is a specialist. If Zidane was a specialist (who needed Makelele), then Xavi is a specialist.

I agree with this. That said, this article really isn't based on anything but speculation, as Goal.com tends to do.

 

[Slapdash]

Ehhhh: http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2011/08/16/2617774/with-the-signing-of-arsenals-cesc-fabregas-barcelona-could-begin

Looks like where it is headed.

That seems crazy to me. Barcelona already dominates possession to such an extent that I don't see how getting more of it is worth making yourself more vulnerable to set pieces and physical counter-attacking strikers. Fluiditiy is great. Playing the ball is great. But every team needs heroic defending at times (at it's not as if Mascherano is a great passing midfielder, his transition to CB has been so smooth because he's brought the tenacity and solid reading of the game that made him a good holding midfielder).I also don't think that a guy like Xavi is interchangeable with an Iniesta or a Cesc or a Messi. Xavi is a specialist. If Zidane was a specialist (who needed Makelele), then Xavi is a specialist.

I agree with this. That said, this article really isn't based on anything but speculation, as Goal.com tends to do.

I don't think the article is speculation as much as observation. It is talking about an experiment that has been underway for the last three years and is widening in application.Barcelona has been able to put together a top defense while having many players playing out of position for three years now. In both recent Champions League finals, they played with a midfielder as center back which they often do in league matches. Players like Alves, Adriano, or Maxwell don't really fit the mold of typical defenders either. Still, the squad has seen an extremely low amount of goals scored against them. Their leauge goals against were the lowest in the big European leagues each of the last two seasons IIRC.

These concerns Scoob mentions are obviously important, it is clear to everyone where Barca's weaknesses are, but I think the practical benefits and massive haul of trophies is showing that they are a bit overblown. So I disagree that it is not worth it to do this, the proof is in the results IMO.

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

Bocanegra in starting 11 v Maribor in Europa League Match.

Rangers up 1-0 at Maribor.

Bedoya should be cleared to play in the return match at Ibrox next week

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Zonalmarking's take on yesterday: http://www.zonalmarking.net/2011/08/18/mourinho-messi-false-nine/#more-7016

 

[El Floppo]

Boca signed 3 year deal with Rangers

Keane's visa came through and may play Saturday night.

Bedoya's move to Rangers was moved from this January to being immediate.

I like these moves. Boca and Bedoya joining Edu at Rangers.

I went to a Rangers game last year at Ibrox. Would love to go see another now that Bedoya and Boca have joined Edu there.

Scotland

Celtic - walnutz, PIK95

Hearts - Steve Tasker

Rangers - Senor Schmutzig

Who else is jumping on the Rangers bandwagon now?

Per my "any team that has US players on it" rule...

 

[El Floppo]

btw- caught the 2nd half of the Barca v RM game today... Barca gets SOOOOO many calls their way, it get's kind of uncomfortable for me to watch and route for them. Still hard not to, because they're soooooo very good. But Marcelo... ugh. The second Messi scored the go-ahead goal, he was looking for that red; seemed like there were at least two near-misses that could have damaged some legs (flying in two-footed and missing). I'm hoping their FA takes a good long look at those plays along with the red and keeps him out more than a game or three.

 

[guru_007]

English clubs all looking very good today. Stoke with an away win, Spurs up 3-0 in Scotland, and Fulham up 3-0

All posting first team lineups for the relatively unassuming Europa League qualifications.

 

[Slapdash]

btw- caught the 2nd half of the Barca v RM game today... Barca gets SOOOOO many calls their way, it get's kind of uncomfortable for me to watch and route for them. Still hard not to, because they're soooooo very good. But Marcelo... ugh. The second Messi scored the go-ahead goal, he was looking for that red; seemed like there were at least two near-misses that could have damaged some legs (flying in two-footed and missing). I'm hoping their FA takes a good long look at those plays along with the red and keeps him out more than a game or three.

You must have a TV that filters out Pepe or something.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

btw- caught the 2nd half of the Barca v RM game today... Barca gets SOOOOO many calls their way, it get's kind of uncomfortable for me to watch and route for them. Still hard not to, because they're soooooo very good. But Marcelo... ugh. The second Messi scored the go-ahead goal, he was looking for that red; seemed like there were at least two near-misses that could have damaged some legs (flying in two-footed and missing). I'm hoping their FA takes a good long look at those plays along with the red and keeps him out more than a game or three.

They were both called for the same number of fouls yesterday. Would you say that Barcelona committed more un-called fouls than RM?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Bocanegra in starting 11 v Maribor in Europa League Match. Rangers up 1-0 at Maribor.Bedoya should be cleared to play in the return match at Ibrox next week

Thanks for the info.Jesus, Boca must have flown directly to the Europa match. Is this game on tv anywhere?

 

[Christo]

btw- caught the 2nd half of the Barca v RM game today... Barca gets SOOOOO many calls their way, it get's kind of uncomfortable for me to watch and route for them. Still hard not to, because they're soooooo very good. But Marcelo... ugh. The second Messi scored the go-ahead goal, he was looking for that red; seemed like there were at least two near-misses that could have damaged some legs (flying in two-footed and missing). I'm hoping their FA takes a good long look at those plays along with the red and keeps him out more than a game or three.

They were both called for the same number of fouls yesterday. Would you say that Barcelona committed more un-called fouls than RM?

btw- caught the 2nd half of the Barca v RM game today... Barca gets SOOOOO many calls their way, it get's kind of uncomfortable for me to watch and route for them.

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

Bocanegra in starting 11 v Maribor in Europa League Match. Rangers up 1-0 at Maribor.Bedoya should be cleared to play in the return match at Ibrox next week

Thanks for the info.Jesus, Boca must have flown directly to the Europa match. Is this game on tv anywhere?

Doubt it. Maribor just went up 2-1 in the 90th minute. That's not good.Apparently he flew to Slovenia from Paris last night, got his international clearance this morning and was in the starting line-up.

 

[scoobygang]

btw- caught the 2nd half of the Barca v RM game today... Barca gets SOOOOO many calls their way, it get's kind of uncomfortable for me to watch and route for them. Still hard not to, because they're soooooo very good. But Marcelo... ugh. The second Messi scored the go-ahead goal, he was looking for that red; seemed like there were at least two near-misses that could have damaged some legs (flying in two-footed and missing). I'm hoping their FA takes a good long look at those plays along with the red and keeps him out more than a game or three.

They were both called for the same number of fouls yesterday. Would you say that Barcelona committed more un-called fouls than RM?

I didn't see the game yesterday. RM certainly committed more fouls in leg one. With that said, I didn't think RM stepped over the line from committed to malicious. From what I've seen of the YouTube clips, Marcelo's tackle yesterday did, which is a shame. I'm sure Marcelo was hearing racist taunts all game, but so did Keita in Madrid, apparently. It's unfortunate that Spain has so much of the best aspects of the game but also most of the worst aspects.I think it's sad that Jose has gone so all-in with the persectution complex. I think it would have been perfectly appropriate to say "We're going to play Barcelona right up to the limits in terms of our agression and commitment, but we obviously don't condone what Marcelo did." I want RM/Barca to be a slugfest every time. I want Mardrid to win its share. But they're making it hard to root for them. And Messi makes it almost impossible to root against him. Just too good.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Question: Are Mourinho's petulant displays and the brutal tackles hurting RM's global brand? Would the RM brass ever tell Mourinho to knock it off and/or have the team take more care to cross the line? I assume that tackles like the one on Cesc yesterday aren't exactly being discouraged by Mourinho. Is this a real concern?

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Question: Are Mourinho's petulant displays and the brutal tackles hurting RM's global brand? Would the RM brass ever tell Mourinho to knock it off and/or have the team take more care to cross the line? I assume that tackles like the one on Cesc yesterday aren't exactly being discouraged by Mourinho. Is this a real concern?

My take is that they subscribe to the any news is good news philosophy, but I could be off base on that one.

 

[Eephus]

Question: Are Mourinho's petulant displays and the brutal tackles hurting RM's global brand? Would the RM brass ever tell Mourinho to knock it off and/or have the team take more care to cross the line? I assume that tackles like the one on Cesc yesterday aren't exactly being discouraged by Mourinho. Is this a real concern?

My take is that they subscribe to the any news is good news philosophy, but I could be off base on that one.

If he can't beat Barca, he'll be taking his act on the road again regardless of his personal style.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Falcao headed to Atletico Madrid.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Question: Are Mourinho's petulant displays and the brutal tackles hurting RM's global brand? Would the RM brass ever tell Mourinho to knock it off and/or have the team take more care to cross the line? I assume that tackles like the one on Cesc yesterday aren't exactly being discouraged by Mourinho. Is this a real concern?

My take is that they subscribe to the any news is good news philosophy, but I could be off base on that one.

If he can't beat Barca, he'll be taking his act on the road again regardless of his personal style.

And if he does beat Barca, they will love him regardless of his personal style.It's pretty much all about results.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Rumor that Blackburn Rovers are interested in FC Dallas (and possibly USMNT) CB George John. Andy, you see any details on this or has it been debunked at this point?

 

[The Z Machine]

Falcao headed to Atletico Madrid.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVikZ8Oe_XA

I told my brother last week that this was in the works but he didn't believe me. I think this means Forlán is gone tho. Eto'o moving from Inter means that my boy Diego will be playing in Italy soon.

 

[jonessed]

Falcao headed to Atletico Madrid.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVikZ8Oe_XA

I told my brother last week that this was in the works but he didn't believe me. I think this means Forlán is gone tho. Eto'o moving from Inter means that my boy Diego will be playing in Italy soon.

I thought they were going to grab Tevez?

 

[The Z Machine]

Falcao headed to Atletico Madrid.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVikZ8Oe_XA

I told my brother last week that this was in the works but he didn't believe me. I think this means Forlán is gone tho. Eto'o moving from Inter means that my boy Diego will be playing in Italy soon.

I thought they were going to grab Tevez?

I hope so... that means Forlán may yet stick around.Atleti didn't even suit up Forlán for their Europa Cup game today. He's as good as gone IMO.

 

[Native]

Falcao headed to Atletico Madrid.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVikZ8Oe_XA

I told my brother last week that this was in the works but he didn't believe me. I think this means Forlán is gone tho. Eto'o moving from Inter means that my boy Diego will be playing in Italy soon.

I thought they were going to grab Tevez?

I hope so... that means Forlán may yet stick around.Atleti didn't even suit up Forlán for their Europa Cup game today. He's as good as gone IMO.

Falaco was rumored to Chelsea. Hes possibly the next great South American striker at Atletico.Edited - Just saw the deal was for 40M Euro. Thats a huge gamble right there.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Rumor that Blackburn Rovers are interested in FC Dallas (and possibly USMNT) CB George John. Andy, you see any details on this or has it been debunked at this point?

I have not seen much more than you have. This would be a bad loss for Dallas as John is another of the nice young players they have.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Rumor that Blackburn Rovers are interested in FC Dallas (and possibly USMNT) CB George John. Andy, you see any details on this or has it been debunked at this point?

I have not seen much more than you have. This would be a bad loss for Dallas as John is another of the nice young players they have.

Looks like this might be realhttp://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/blackburn_rovers/news/9204683.Blackburn_Rovers_boss_closing_in_on_trio_of_new_signings/

ETA: he's got an EU passport so no work permit issues

 

[Eephus]

Rumor that Blackburn Rovers are interested in FC Dallas (and possibly USMNT) CB George John. Andy, you see any details on this or has it been debunked at this point?

I have not seen much more than you have. This would be a bad loss for Dallas as John is another of the nice young players they have.

Looks like this might be realhttp://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/blackburn_rovers/news/9204683.Blackburn_Rovers_boss_closing_in_on_trio_of_new_signings/

ETA: he's got an EU passport so no work permit issues

Hope he gets a good contract because Blackburn has the makings of a trainwreck this season.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Rumor that Blackburn Rovers are interested in FC Dallas (and possibly USMNT) CB George John. Andy, you see any details on this or has it been debunked at this point?

I have not seen much more than you have. This would be a bad loss for Dallas as John is another of the nice young players they have.

Looks like this might be realhttp://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/blackburn_rovers/news/9204683.Blackburn_Rovers_boss_closing_in_on_trio_of_new_signings/

ETA: he's got an EU passport so no work permit issues

Hope he gets a good contract because Blackburn has the makings of a trainwreck this season.

That is a non starter as he only makes 42k right now. I bet he gets a 10 times raise at least at the bare minimum.

 

[NewlyRetired]

MLS teams went 5-0-0 in group play as Toronto won an UGLY game away in Panama. Toronto got off to a nice start up 2 with in 25 minutes and then proceeded to play the rest of the game very much resembling a side that has only managed 4 wins in 26 MLS games this season. They held on for dear life for 3 points I don't think they deserved.

All in all though, there is no way MLS management can't be very happy with the perfect start.

 

[Eephus]

Rumor that Blackburn Rovers are interested in FC Dallas (and possibly USMNT) CB George John. Andy, you see any details on this or has it been debunked at this point?

I have not seen much more than you have. This would be a bad loss for Dallas as John is another of the nice young players they have.

Looks like this might be realhttp://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/blackburn_rovers/news/9204683.Blackburn_Rovers_boss_closing_in_on_trio_of_new_signings/

ETA: he's got an EU passport so no work permit issues

Hope he gets a good contract because Blackburn has the makings of a trainwreck this season.

That is a non starter as he only makes 42k right now. I bet he gets a 10 times raise at least.

Good for him then. I'd have my bags packed and be on my way to DFW

 

[NewlyRetired]

Rumor that Blackburn Rovers are interested in FC Dallas (and possibly USMNT) CB George John. Andy, you see any details on this or has it been debunked at this point?

I have not seen much more than you have. This would be a bad loss for Dallas as John is another of the nice young players they have.

Looks like this might be realhttp://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/blackburn_rovers/news/9204683.Blackburn_Rovers_boss_closing_in_on_trio_of_new_signings/

ETA: he's got an EU passport so no work permit issues

Hope he gets a good contract because Blackburn has the makings of a trainwreck this season.

That is a non starter as he only makes 42k right now. I bet he gets a 10 times raise at least.

Good for him then. I'd have my bags packed and be on my way to DFW

There are varying rumors that he is already on the way to England for a physical. I wish him nothing but the best and hopefully MLS got a decent fee for him so that Dallas can replace him.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Dempsey had 2 goals in Fulham's 3-0 Europa win today.

 

[Eephus]

Dempsey had 2 goals in Fulham's 3-0 Europa win today.

Judging from the lineups, it appears Jol played him as a forward along w/ Bobby Zamora.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Dempsey had 2 goals in Fulham's 3-0 Europa win today.

Judging from the lineups, it appears Jol played him as a forward along w/ Bobby Zamora.

I only saw the highlights so I could not tell but agree with you based on lineups.

 

[Native]

Dempsey Goals

The defending may be lackluster but the Ukrainian play-by-play really livens up the highlights.

 

[El Floppo]

btw- caught the 2nd half of the Barca v RM game today... Barca gets SOOOOO many calls their way, it get's kind of uncomfortable for me to watch and route for them. Still hard not to, because they're soooooo very good. But Marcelo... ugh. The second Messi scored the go-ahead goal, he was looking for that red; seemed like there were at least two near-misses that could have damaged some legs (flying in two-footed and missing). I'm hoping their FA takes a good long look at those plays along with the red and keeps him out more than a game or three.

They were both called for the same number of fouls yesterday. Would you say that Barcelona committed more un-called fouls than RM?

btw- caught the 2nd half of the Barca v RM game today... Barca gets SOOOOO many calls their way, it get's kind of uncomfortable for me to watch and route for them.

lol- yeah, thanks Christo.I'm not saying that Barca was diving or cheating in any way- just that the ref called a number of non-fouls their way IN THE SECOND HALF THAT I WATCHED. You could see the collective blood start boiling across the RM side, especially given Jose's history of vitriol on the subject. I actually did start feeling bad for RM as "victims" a bit... again, that is, until Marcelo's idiotic challenges. And I finally caught that Jose eye-poke- wtf?!

It's interesting to me that his voodoo psychological warfare had a decent history of success of getting under oppositions' skins and more often than not affecting the way that opposition played. But outside of last year's Copa Del Rey and that dreadful CL diving/embellishing demonstration, Barca are just too good to be messed with.

 

[El Floppo]

and wow... in the time I was without internet or TV, my StarBulls have tanked.

Anybody know what's going on? I've liked the moves they've made, but am surprised at how little results have resulted.

 

[FDASv2.0]

Looking forward to setting my alarm for 5:55 tomorrow morning to see the two EPL games on ESPN3. (Thanks Xbox for giving me the games in HD.)

As a newbie fan, what are the rules about drinking during the game that early? Will there be pubs open that early if I want to venture out to watch somewhere?

 

[NewlyRetired]

and wow... in the time I was without internet or TV, my StarBulls have tanked. Anybody know what's going on? I've liked the moves they've made, but am surprised at how little results have resulted.

The normally quiet Tim Ream was quoted as saying "pretty football is not getting it done, we have to start doing the dirty stuff". Rumors have also been swirling that Henry, while producing on the field, has been an incredibly negative force in the locker room. With NY's talent, this would go down as the biggest fail in MLS history if they find a way to not make the playoffs. Even worse, since the DeRo trade, they have been dropping points like crazy while DC keep collecting them. DC and NY are now level on points and DC has 2 games in hand. If NY does not get a full 3 points against a horrendous NE side this weekend, it is going to get ugly in Harrison. On the flip side, if they do get all 3, that should set up a very interesting game against LA a week later.