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

[scoobygang]

The old gag about Brits having bad teeth? Pretty much on the mark, gauging by the crowd shots.

Pretty sure they brought Suarez to Liverpool (and Mascherano before him) just to feel better in comparison.

 

[bentley]

Three complete misses? That's awful. How do you work so hard to get to this point and then fail to even work the goalkeeper?

IIRC, Liverpool had like 35+ shots in the game and one goal during the first 107 minutes, so I think that was probably exactly what we should have expected.

 

[Christo]

weak

 

[NewlyRetired]

Does anyone know if M. Bradley has any injury or suspension issues? He has been starting and playing the full 90 almost every game but today he neither started nor was he on the subs bench for Chievo.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Timmy Chandler is hurt and will be out 2 weeks and will miss the Italy game this week for the US. I am thinking Fabian Johnson will be the next human sacrifice at left back.

 

[Steve Tasker]

That may be the best PK save I've ever seen.

****

Well, it was a nice save...

 

[NewlyRetired]

Here is the Italian Squad to play against US. I am no expert but this does not appear to be a full A level squad. Those that follow Italian football please comment

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli), Sirigu (Paris St. Germain), Viviano (Palermo);

Defenders: Abate (Milan), Astori (Cagliari), Balzaretti (Palermo), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Criscito (Zenit San Pietroburgo), Maggio (Napoli), Ogbonna (Torino);

Midfielders: De Rossi (Roma), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Paris St. Germain), Nocerino (Milan), Pirlo (Juventus);

Forwards: Borini (Roma), Giovinco (Parma), Matri (Juventus), Pazzini (Inter).

 

[Steve Tasker]

(Zenit San Pietroburgo)

Lol

 

[NewlyRetired]

Does anyone know if M. Bradley has any injury or suspension issues? He has been starting and playing the full 90 almost every game but today he neither started nor was he on the subs bench for Chievo.

Ok it was yellow card suspensions.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

I get that everyone does it, but the way carragher grabbed and fell on the ball to delay the free kick was totally bush league

All in how you look at it, I guess. I thought it was a very smart play from a veteran defender.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Here is the US roster for the game in Italy on the 29thU.S. ROSTER BY POSITION - DETAILED ROSTERGOALKEEPERS (3) : Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)getDEFENDERS (7) : Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Michael Parkhurst (FC Nordsjaelland), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City)MIDFIELDERS (6) : Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim)FORWARDS (5) : Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund), Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy) Terrence Boyd is the new name in this group. Here is an article about him that mlssoccer.com ran this weekhttp://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/02/22/postcard-europe-terrence-boyd-definitely-usa

We might see some changes in the rosterTorres injured his leg last night against PachucaJones missed his Europa game with an unknown injuryI don't know how bad Torres is though as he played the whole game but he got hurt after his team ran out of subs.

Jones, Torres and Chandler are all out it appears. No new call ups announced but I think one of Benny, Sacha or Beckerman may get called. With the current 18, here is my next guess, this time with a 4-4-2................HowardCher......Cameron......Boca.........Johnson Williams.....Edu.......Bradley.......Donovan............Jozy............Dempsey

 

[The Z Machine]

Here comes that d-bag announcer virtually fellating the entire Barça lineup.

 

[The Z Machine]

I want to see Atleti with the high pressure that has done Barça in this season. Don't let them work for only 40 yards of the pitch.

 

[The Z Machine]

Atlético isn´t playing afraid. That's a good sign. Falcao's touch and vision has failed him once or twice already, but he's dynamite if he's on.

 

[The Z Machine]

Also, you EPL guys should pay attention to Curtois, who will replace Cech at Chelsea soon. He's on loan right now.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Messi has some incredible close control, but using the hand helps....

 

[scoobygang]

ESPNNews has been showing a lot of soccer highlights. They showed Giggs' goal, the Arsenal match, the Liverpool league cup win, and Ronaldo's cheeky game winner for RM today.

 

[The Z Machine]

I don't like the defenders picking up those 2 yellows early. Not smart.

 

[The Z Machine]

Both teams are getting close here. One team is going to make a defensive error.

 

[The Z Machine]

ESPNNews has been showing a lot of soccer highlights. They showed Giggs' goal, the Arsenal match, the Liverpool league cup win, and Ronaldo's cheeky game winner for RM today.

I was bummed that Rayo couldn't pull that one off.

 

[The Z Machine]

That's a red in some cases. But not for Barça, for them it's a yellow.

 

[scoobygang]

I'd have sent Cesc off for that.

 

[scoobygang]

Not THAT ugly a goal, Ray.

 

[The Z Machine]

Don´t get me wrong, Atleti, especially Godín was getting chippy, but that was intent to harm.

AND FALCAO BRINGS IT HOME!!

 

[The Z Machine]

I think more than anything, Simeone has them playing like a TEAM. Much more so that they have in the last 5 years. Pretty impressive since there's been quite a bit of turnover. Simeone must have a great demeanor and presence in the locker room and on the training pitch. They are poised and confident, and sure of their abilities.

 

[The Z Machine]

Also, I think we are seeing the first cracks of age this year from the core players at Barça. They are getting nicked up, and don't have the same magic at their feet that they had last year and the year before. Either that or they know that la liga is already out of their grasp and aren't putting in 100%.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Falcao was onside and should've had a free run at goal. Unlucky for Atletico.

ETA - was it not Falcao?

 

[The Z Machine]

He was onside there and I think Radomel would have finished that one.

 

[The Z Machine]

This game has been fairly even. Barça with more skill and better touches, Atlético with better speed and playing with much more passion.

 

[scoobygang]

Spectacular last-gasp tackle.

 

[scoobygang]

Barca having real trouble playing out of the back. Puyol has done his Gooch impression a few times.

 

[The Z Machine]

Spectacular last-gasp tackle.

That was dicey.It seems like the most dangerous player for Barça is Álves right now.

 

[The Z Machine]

Adrian has impressed me today. Usually Arda Turan is better in the attack, but Adrian seems to have developed another gear today.

 

[scoobygang]

Oof, acn't miss a free header against the bset teams.

 

[The Z Machine]

Álves playing well. Nice cross.

 

[The Z Machine]

Oof, acn't miss a free header against the bset teams.

not hardly. They're playing well, but elite they are not (yet).

 

[Major]

Enjoyed watching some great matches the past few days....helps ease the pain of the NFL's conclusion.

 

[scoobygang]

Oof, acn't miss a free header against the bset teams.

not hardly. They're playing well, but elite they are not (yet).

I meant Atletico's free header on the corner. I just happened to post it seconds before Sanchez misssed the header at the other end.

 

[The Z Machine]

I thought my boys had one there.

 

[The Z Machine]

Certainly not a red.

 

[The Z Machine]

Álves off for Cuenca... Interesting lineup change. Falcao, Arda and Adrian are causing havoc.

 

[The Z Machine]

How many yellows for Atleti today? 5?

 

[The Z Machine]

There's few players in the world that scare people going 2 on 5, but Messi is one.

 

[The Z Machine]

Pedro coming in for Cesc. Good switch IMO.

 

[The Z Machine]

Falcao is a beast. He must be ridonkulously strong.

 

[The Z Machine]

You have to be ####ting me.

 

[The Z Machine]

Obviously they didn't hear the whistle. WHAT THE #### WAS THAT!

That was on Curtois. After such great D all game... to screw it up like that.

 

[The Z Machine]

My hatred grows darker every day. People wonder how I can hate Barça so much? #### like that.

 

[scoobygang]

Can't blame the ref, IMO. You have to let teams take the quick kick if they want it.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

My hatred grows darker every day. People wonder how I can hate Barça so much? #### like that.

"OK, I'm gonna kick it. You guys ready?"