***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (2 Viewers)

[NewlyRetired]

Pretty cool graphic showing the growth of soccer in the US the last decade

My link

Pretty amazing growth indeed. I'm one of those people. I only became an AVID fan myself around 2002 with the Euros. I had watched WC games before, but I didn't follow during the year (and between World Cups).

2002 World Cup or 2004 Euro's?

 

[El Floppo]

Pretty cool graphic showing the growth of soccer in the US the last decade

My link

Pretty amazing growth indeed. I'm one of those people. I only became an AVID fan myself around 2002 with the Euros. I had watched WC games before, but I didn't follow during the year (and between World Cups).

It's great and borderline incredible (for us old soccer nerds) to see this kind of growth. I never expected the sport to pass baseball or basketball in any demographic outside of girls 10-18, so I love seeing guys like Z and so many others in here who are more recent converts take up the sport with such passion.That said- and I'm not entirely doubting it's veracity, but- I could make a similar chart at home and post it on the internet. Where did that come from?

 

[El Floppo]

and oh yeah- ####### Inter.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Pretty cool graphic showing the growth of soccer in the US the last decade

My link

Pretty amazing growth indeed. I'm one of those people. I only became an AVID fan myself around 2002 with the Euros. I had watched WC games before, but I didn't follow during the year (and between World Cups).

It's great and borderline incredible (for us old soccer nerds) to see this kind of growth. I never expected the sport to pass baseball or basketball in any demographic outside of girls 10-18, so I love seeing guys like Z and so many others in here who are more recent converts take up the sport with such passion.

That said- and I'm not entirely doubting it's veracity, but- I could make a similar chart at home and post it on the internet. Where did that come from?

ESPN runs a massive national poll every year with some deep demographic information.You can see ESPNs stamp in the lower right hand corner. You can read more about the poll here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_ESPN_Sports_Poll

 

[El Floppo]

Pretty cool graphic showing the growth of soccer in the US the last decade

My link

Pretty amazing growth indeed. I'm one of those people. I only became an AVID fan myself around 2002 with the Euros. I had watched WC games before, but I didn't follow during the year (and between World Cups).

It's great and borderline incredible (for us old soccer nerds) to see this kind of growth. I never expected the sport to pass baseball or basketball in any demographic outside of girls 10-18, so I love seeing guys like Z and so many others in here who are more recent converts take up the sport with such passion.

That said- and I'm not entirely doubting it's veracity, but- I could make a similar chart at home and post it on the internet. Where did that come from?

ESPN runs a massive national poll every year with some deep demographic information.You can see ESPNs stamp in the lower right hand corner. You can read more about the poll here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_ESPN_Sports_Poll

I looked three times at thatto find a source and completely missed the ESpn logo. Thanks.

 

[guru_007]

and oh yeah- ####### Inter.

team is a mess right now.Forlan has been a disaster - he is obviously not comfortable in his role, nor where he is playing, and Ranieri is just too bull headed to change things around. The lineup he started was about as incohesive (is this even a word?) a group as possibly could have been played. Back line is a mess, midfield putrid. I love me some Pazzini but he's flopping all over the place trying to make something happen. Milito is getting lost, having to drift too far back when Sneijder's not playing. Juve dropped points this weekend though, which was ungood. And United Spurs without Parker, VDV and Bale really had control of play, but United's form held well enough to get the job done on defense. Spurs athleticism and team speed surely is a mismatch for United, especially with all of their injuries, but I think they played a decent game. You didn't really see Evra come up too much as he didn't want to get caught short in the back. Johnny Evans managed to only get one yellow, and in fact, he's been playing much better of late than earlier in the season. Phil Jones was out of sorts though, I'm not sure if it was the weather, his nagging injuries, or what, but he was not very effective. I'm not really a big fan of Welbeck either. Scholes was terrific, as was Rooney and Ashley Young. The rest of the team was meh to poor though. Fortunately, the schedule gets a whole lot easier now until the showdown at the eastlands. If they can manage not to drop any points, and I think they should, I think they will put a lot of pressure on City. I kinda feel bad for AVB too, I mean, not even a full year to work with a team...and let's be honest, Torres is ####, Drogba old, Sturridge very uneven, tons of injuries all over to veteran guys. I know they had a few embarrassing performances, but still you gotta stick with a young manager with a ton of upside. I think they're gonna regret this move. It wasn't the manager's fault, but you know what? Eff chelski.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Triple yikes. I would love to see Boca and Bedoya in MLS but not like this. I assume Edu will be kept and then sold?

Anyone care to comment on the veracity of this report?

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/306099

At least eight Rangers first-team players will be axed today – on what will go down as one of the darkest days in the 140-year history of the club.

Manager Ally McCoist held further talks with captain Steven Davis, Lee McCulloch and Allan McGregor yesterday but they were unable to hit the £1million figure that the administrators Duff and Phelps have claimed they need to slash off the monthly wage bill.

The Ibrox bean counters had left it up to the players to make the £1m saving, but with that failing to materialise they will now make their own cuts.

The administrators have already compiled a list of players facing redundancy and stunned captain Davis told his dressing room that the most likely outcome is eight players will be axed with the remainder of the squad asked to take 50 per cent wage cuts.

The list doesn’t include the sale of Matt McKay to Busan IPark or loan defender Kyle Bartley returning to Arsenal.

It now means the likes of McCulloch, Neil Alexander, Sasa Papac, David Healy, Carlos Bocanegra and Alejandro Bedoya look set to be amongst the first victims when the cuts are made

Star assets like McGregor, Davis and Stevie Naismith will be kept on because they have a substantial resale value.

If the remaining survivors refuse to accept the salary drops then the number of casualties will be increased substantially.

Furthermore, if any of the players do accept wage cuts then they would be entitled to free transfers come the next window.

 

[The Z Machine]

Pretty cool graphic showing the growth of soccer in the US the last decade

My link

Pretty amazing growth indeed. I'm one of those people. I only became an AVID fan myself around 2002 with the Euros. I had watched WC games before, but I didn't follow during the year (and between World Cups).

2002 World Cup or 2004 Euro's?

Whoops. Yeah, 2004 Euros.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Here is a clip of Jozy's goal from Ives. He shows good strength here

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2012/03/altidore-scores-again-for-az.html

 

[scoobygang]

I kinda feel bad for AVB too, I mean, not even a full year to work with a team...and let's be honest, Torres is ####, Drogba old, Sturridge very uneven, tons of injuries all over to veteran guys. I know they had a few embarrassing performances, but still you gotta stick with a young manager with a ton of upside. I think they're gonna regret this move. It wasn't the manager's fault, but you know what? Eff chelski.

I feel awful for AVB. The inmates are running the asuylum over there. Obviously, he made mistakes. Mereiles has been awful this year, but I honestly believed in his project. And I just don't believe that Chelsea has the back four to win the way they used to win anyway. Not with Terry crocked half the time and slipping horribly when he's not.

 

[The Z Machine]

Here is a clip of Jozy's goal from Ives. He shows good strength herehttp://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2012/03/altidore-scores-again-for-az.html

I was a good goal and finish. That said, his first touch was too strong, and he actually got helped out by the defender a bit while being mugged, who redirected the ball to Jozy's right foot for the shot.

 

[AcerFC]

What do you guys think about this. As a High School coach I have my own reservations, but as a US follower and supporter, I am not sure it is going to have the desired effect US Soccer federation is hoping for. I think it is almost like JR Hockey programs that try to sell the dream of playing college hockey. Maybe I am wrong though. Would like to hear thoughts from others

Link

High School Players Forced to Choose in Soccer’s New Way

Professional sports leagues in the United States have long relied on high schools to help cultivate the country’s best athletes. Rosters in Major League Baseball, the N.F.L. and the N.B.A. are filled with former scholastic stars, many of whom hold tightly to their quintessentially American memories of homecoming, letterman jackets and games played under the Friday night lights.

Chris Hayden, the F.C. Dallas under-16 coach, says the United States development program helps players in many ways.

But for the organization charged with producing soccer players who can compete with the world’s best, that system has been deemed inadequate. The United States Soccer Federation announced a new policy recently that will uncouple high school soccer and the training of top youth players, a move that is unique among major team sports in this country and, some believe, is indicative of a trend in the way the United States develops elite athletes.

The shift by the federation applies to its top boys teams around the country, requiring players on those teams — known as Development Academy teams — to participate in a nearly year-round season and, by extension, forcing them and their soccer moms and dads to decide whether they should play for their club or play for their school.

The move has stirred a fierce debate among players, coaches and parents from California to Connecticut. In community forums, during town-hall-style meetings and on Internet message boards, those in favor have lauded the move as a requisite (and obvious) step to raising the quality of soccer in the United States, while critics have labeled it misguided, overzealous and an unnecessary denial of a longstanding American experience for children.

The federation’s decision is believed to be the first instance of a major team sport’s national organization keeping some of its members from playing scholastically. For players like Steven Enna, a sophomore and star forward at St. James Academy in Lenexa, Kan., who also plays for his local academy team, Sporting Kansas City, the shift has created an unsettling situation made stickier because his father is also his high school coach.

“It’s awkward,” Enna said. “You look at LeBron James — he played for his high school and went pro. Why do we have to give it up?”

The short answer, according to the national federation, is that soccer is different. If the United States hopes to compete with traditional soccer powers like Spain, Brazil and the Netherlands, the organization said, it must close the gap with those countries when it comes to identifying and training the best players.

The introduction of the Development Academy program — which began in 2007, features enhanced coaching and competition (but with a focus on out-of-competition training), and now consists of 78 clubs nationwide — was a step in that process, according to the academy’s director of scouting, Tony Lepore. But even five years ago, Lepore said, top soccer officials were doing research that consistently led them to believe this latest model, featuring a 10-month season and player exclusivity, was the only choice.

High school soccer has different rules from the international game — unlimited substitutions, most notably — as well as different priorities and tactics from an Academy program, Lepore said. Losing the players for several months each year was costly.

Lepore added that despite the uproar, this is in many ways a baby step toward the systems in place around the world. After all, even with the changes, Lepore said, the average Development Academy team will practice 200 to 260 hours a season.

“They’re probably closer to 600 hours a year in Spain or Holland,” he said. “We’re not surprised by the reaction, and we get it: high school sports are a big part of the culture. But when it comes to elite soccer players and their development, this change is optimal.”

For advocates of the previous system, however — in which the Development Academy’s schedule typically broke for the scholastic season and players were free to join their school squads — the sacrifices required by this shift are too great. Dan Woog, the boys soccer coach at Staples High School in Westport, Conn., recalled the night his team won a league championship several years ago and a group of players showed up at a diner afterward with their championship medals around their necks.

Suddenly, the other customers in the diner — a majority of them Westport residents — stood up and spontaneously gave the players a standing ovation. The players beamed.

“They’re going to remember that the rest of their lives,” Woog said. “They felt like kings. That’s not going to happen in the academy.”

Woog added: “We should be in the business of letting kids be kids. Not forcing them into thinking they’re going to be playing for Arsenal or Manchester United two years from now.”

Other high school coaches share Woog’s sentiment, and in high school soccer hotbeds like St. Louis, the shift, which will be instituted in the fall, has been scrutinized. Terry Michler, who has won more than 800 games as the coach at Christian Brothers College High School, said he was skeptical that the move would have the desired effect. He also said that keeping a larger number of children from playing with their schools as a service to the significantly smaller number who may ultimately turn professional or play for the national team was unreasonable.

“There’s about 3,000 kids on these teams across the country, but there’s not 3,000 future professionals out there,” Michler said. “There’s not 300 of them. So some of these kids and their parents are going to be misled.”

Michler added that playing for a high school team offered athletes social and academic advantages that do not exist with a club team, though some academy backers disputed that. Chris Hayden, the vice president for youth soccer with Dallas of Major League Soccer, which is one of a few clubs that voluntarily went to a 10-month season even before this latest shift, said his club was committed to all aspects of its players, including academics and their future college prospects.

For Alex Frankenfeld, who passed up varsity soccer at St. Mark’s School of Texas several years ago to play with Dallas, it is that dedication that has contributed to his having no regrets.

“I have goals and aspirations that I want to achieve,” he said, though he added that after making his decision, he rarely went to the St. Mark’s games even though he had friends still playing.

“I’d see parents and teachers and students,” Frankenfeld said of sitting in the stands. “And they’d keep saying to me, ‘Alex, why aren’t you out there?’ ”

 

[NewlyRetired]

What do you guys think about this. As a High School coach I have my own reservations, but as a US follower and supporter, I am not sure it is going to have the desired effect US Soccer federation is hoping for. I think it is almost like JR Hockey programs that try to sell the dream of playing college hockey. Maybe I am wrong though. Would like to hear thoughts from others

Link

High School Players Forced to Choose in Soccer’s New Way

Professional sports leagues in the United States have long relied on high schools to help cultivate the country’s best athletes. Rosters in Major League Baseball, the N.F.L. and the N.B.A. are filled with former scholastic stars, many of whom hold tightly to their quintessentially American memories of homecoming, letterman jackets and games played under the Friday night lights.

Chris Hayden, the F.C. Dallas under-16 coach, says the United States development program helps players in many ways.

But for the organization charged with producing soccer players who can compete with the world’s best, that system has been deemed inadequate. The United States Soccer Federation announced a new policy recently that will uncouple high school soccer and the training of top youth players, a move that is unique among major team sports in this country and, some believe, is indicative of a trend in the way the United States develops elite athletes.

The shift by the federation applies to its top boys teams around the country, requiring players on those teams — known as Development Academy teams — to participate in a nearly year-round season and, by extension, forcing them and their soccer moms and dads to decide whether they should play for their club or play for their school.

The move has stirred a fierce debate among players, coaches and parents from California to Connecticut. In community forums, during town-hall-style meetings and on Internet message boards, those in favor have lauded the move as a requisite (and obvious) step to raising the quality of soccer in the United States, while critics have labeled it misguided, overzealous and an unnecessary denial of a longstanding American experience for children.

The federation’s decision is believed to be the first instance of a major team sport’s national organization keeping some of its members from playing scholastically. For players like Steven Enna, a sophomore and star forward at St. James Academy in Lenexa, Kan., who also plays for his local academy team, Sporting Kansas City, the shift has created an unsettling situation made stickier because his father is also his high school coach.

“It’s awkward,” Enna said. “You look at LeBron James — he played for his high school and went pro. Why do we have to give it up?”

The short answer, according to the national federation, is that soccer is different. If the United States hopes to compete with traditional soccer powers like Spain, Brazil and the Netherlands, the organization said, it must close the gap with those countries when it comes to identifying and training the best players.

The introduction of the Development Academy program — which began in 2007, features enhanced coaching and competition (but with a focus on out-of-competition training), and now consists of 78 clubs nationwide — was a step in that process, according to the academy’s director of scouting, Tony Lepore. But even five years ago, Lepore said, top soccer officials were doing research that consistently led them to believe this latest model, featuring a 10-month season and player exclusivity, was the only choice.

High school soccer has different rules from the international game — unlimited substitutions, most notably — as well as different priorities and tactics from an Academy program, Lepore said. Losing the players for several months each year was costly.

Lepore added that despite the uproar, this is in many ways a baby step toward the systems in place around the world. After all, even with the changes, Lepore said, the average Development Academy team will practice 200 to 260 hours a season.

“They’re probably closer to 600 hours a year in Spain or Holland,” he said. “We’re not surprised by the reaction, and we get it: high school sports are a big part of the culture. But when it comes to elite soccer players and their development, this change is optimal.”

For advocates of the previous system, however — in which the Development Academy’s schedule typically broke for the scholastic season and players were free to join their school squads — the sacrifices required by this shift are too great. Dan Woog, the boys soccer coach at Staples High School in Westport, Conn., recalled the night his team won a league championship several years ago and a group of players showed up at a diner afterward with their championship medals around their necks.

Suddenly, the other customers in the diner — a majority of them Westport residents — stood up and spontaneously gave the players a standing ovation. The players beamed.

“They’re going to remember that the rest of their lives,” Woog said. “They felt like kings. That’s not going to happen in the academy.”

Woog added: “We should be in the business of letting kids be kids. Not forcing them into thinking they’re going to be playing for Arsenal or Manchester United two years from now.”

Other high school coaches share Woog’s sentiment, and in high school soccer hotbeds like St. Louis, the shift, which will be instituted in the fall, has been scrutinized. Terry Michler, who has won more than 800 games as the coach at Christian Brothers College High School, said he was skeptical that the move would have the desired effect. He also said that keeping a larger number of children from playing with their schools as a service to the significantly smaller number who may ultimately turn professional or play for the national team was unreasonable.

“There’s about 3,000 kids on these teams across the country, but there’s not 3,000 future professionals out there,” Michler said. “There’s not 300 of them. So some of these kids and their parents are going to be misled.”

Michler added that playing for a high school team offered athletes social and academic advantages that do not exist with a club team, though some academy backers disputed that. Chris Hayden, the vice president for youth soccer with Dallas of Major League Soccer, which is one of a few clubs that voluntarily went to a 10-month season even before this latest shift, said his club was committed to all aspects of its players, including academics and their future college prospects.

For Alex Frankenfeld, who passed up varsity soccer at St. Mark’s School of Texas several years ago to play with Dallas, it is that dedication that has contributed to his having no regrets.

“I have goals and aspirations that I want to achieve,” he said, though he added that after making his decision, he rarely went to the St. Mark’s games even though he had friends still playing.

“I’d see parents and teachers and students,” Frankenfeld said of sitting in the stands. “And they’d keep saying to me, ‘Alex, why aren’t you out there?’ ”

I am no where near intelligent enough to parse something this complex to guess if it is good or bad. So many variables.If you are looking for general thoughts (intelligent and otherwise on this topic you can try here)

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1909593

 

[TLEF316]

The very fact that we have kids /parents /high school coaches complaining about this is exactly why we will never win at the highest level.

Our culture will never accept thousands of kids giving up their high school experience and eventually washing out. Unfortunately that's the kind of dedicated, competitive, cut throat environment that is necessary if you want to produce world class talent

 

[The Gator]

What do you guys think about this. As a High School coach I have my own reservations, but as a US follower and supporter, I am not sure it is going to have the desired effect US Soccer federation is hoping for. I think it is almost like JR Hockey programs that try to sell the dream of playing college hockey. Maybe I am wrong though. Would like to hear thoughts from others

Right idea, wrong execution, imo. They need to incorporate high school. Baseball has year-round teams that don't pull kids from high school teams. Also, are they starting this too late? Maybe U10s? I only ask that because having coached baseball and soccer the past 4-5 years, that is when the kids start quitting soccer to do year-round baseball.

 

[Native]

Man I hate whats become of Chelsea. :(

 

[The Z Machine]

The very fact that we have kids /parents /high school coaches complaining about this is exactly why we will never win at the highest level. Our culture will never accept thousands of kids giving up their high school experience and eventually washing out. Unfortunately that's the kind of dedicated, competitive, cut throat environment that is necessary if you want to produce world class talent

Agreed. It is the most efficient way of elevating the top talent to their potential. What's more American than using the most efficient means to reach the highest of highs? Are we not a nation of excellence?Furthermore, I think if the "soccer model" with academies and the like is adopted full force by basketball playing nations, they will have a better international team than the USA.

 

[AcerFC]

The very fact that we have kids /parents /high school coaches complaining about this is exactly why we will never win at the highest level. Our culture will never accept thousands of kids giving up their high school experience and eventually washing out. Unfortunately that's the kind of dedicated, competitive, cut throat environment that is necessary if you want to produce world class talent

Agreed. It is the most efficient way of elevating the top talent to their potential. What's more American than using the most efficient means to reach the highest of highs? Are we not a nation of excellence?Furthermore, I think if the "soccer model" with academies and the like is adopted full force by basketball playing nations, they will have a better international team than the USA.

I don't disagree with either of you and maybe my ambivalence comes from my experience with junior hockey programs. What is going to ultimately happen IMO is that more academy teams will pop up promising kids the best program. However, it will saturate the market and kids not deserving will be playing academy leaving HS bare. Not sure why the kids can't do both.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Man I hate whats become of Chelsea. :(

I hate that as old as they are and in disarray as they are, they're still above Liverpool in the table.

 

[The Z Machine]

Not sure why the kids can't do both.

I don't think that's the maximum utility of the players. They won't get the specialized training (not to mention playing in WAY too many games) like what's seen at La Masia, Ajax, or West Ham. If the goal is winning the World Cup, then this needs to happen. Otherwise, the US is simply Lithuania vs. Team USA (basketball) circa 1996.

 

[TLEF316]

Disagree about basketball. Our size and athletiscm gives us a tremendous advantage. That's the nature of the game.

Assuming that we continue to send well built, well coached teams, we'll be fine. In order for European countries to consistently overcome the athletes that we have, the shooting advantage would have to be unreal. (I'm talking the ability to consistently hit 60 % from the floor and 50 % from 3 against guys like lebron and Howard)

 

[The Z Machine]

Disagree about basketball. Our size and athletiscm gives us a tremendous advantage. That's the nature of the game. Assuming that we continue to send well built, well coached teams, we'll be fine. In order for European countries to consistently overcome the athletes that we have, the shooting advantage would have to be unreal. (I'm talking the ability to consistently hit 60 % from the floor and 50 % from 3 against guys like lebron and Howard)

Size and athleticism isn't quite equally distributed, but it's not that hard to assume that large countries may be able to draw similar size/athletic players. Brazil could do wonders in basketball.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

The very fact that we have kids /parents /high school coaches complaining about this is exactly why we will never win at the highest level. Our culture will never accept thousands of kids giving up their high school experience and eventually washing out. Unfortunately that's the kind of dedicated, competitive, cut throat environment that is necessary if you want to produce world class talent

Agreed. It is the most efficient way of elevating the top talent to their potential. What's more American than using the most efficient means to reach the highest of highs? Are we not a nation of excellence?Furthermore, I think if the "soccer model" with academies and the like is adopted full force by basketball playing nations, they will have a better international team than the USA.

I don't disagree with either of you and maybe my ambivalence comes from my experience with junior hockey programs. What is going to ultimately happen IMO is that more academy teams will pop up promising kids the best program. However, it will saturate the market and kids not deserving will be playing academy leaving HS bare. Not sure why the kids can't do both.

+1, though I'm not sure about the point regarding a glut of "academy" teams. While I certainly believe this is happening with baseball (I see this first-hand as that's what my son plays) and could happen with any sport, wouldn't there be more structure and/or credibility under this approach? I mean, wouldn't MLS teams or some other level pro teams be connected to the "real" academy teams, similar to minor league baseball? For example, if a new academy team forms that is under the "umbrella" of a specific MLS team, I think that instantly puts them on a different level than a team not affiliated with any pro team but has a former All-American or whatever credentials he/she may possess. Honestly, I think and hope there is room for both.

 

[The Z Machine]

Honestly, I think and hope there is room for both.

I hope so too.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The very fact that we have kids /parents /high school coaches complaining about this is exactly why we will never win at the highest level. Our culture will never accept thousands of kids giving up their high school experience and eventually washing out. Unfortunately that's the kind of dedicated, competitive, cut throat environment that is necessary if you want to produce world class talent

Agreed. It is the most efficient way of elevating the top talent to their potential. What's more American than using the most efficient means to reach the highest of highs? Are we not a nation of excellence?Furthermore, I think if the "soccer model" with academies and the like is adopted full force by basketball playing nations, they will have a better international team than the USA.

I don't disagree with either of you and maybe my ambivalence comes from my experience with junior hockey programs. What is going to ultimately happen IMO is that more academy teams will pop up promising kids the best program. However, it will saturate the market and kids not deserving will be playing academy leaving HS bare. Not sure why the kids can't do both.

+1, though I'm not sure about the point regarding a glut of "academy" teams. While I certainly believe this is happening with baseball (I see this first-hand as that's what my son plays) and could happen with any sport, wouldn't there be more structure and/or credibility under this approach? I mean, wouldn't MLS teams or some other level pro teams be connected to the "real" academy teams, similar to minor league baseball? For example, if a new academy team forms that is under the "umbrella" of a specific MLS team, I think that instantly puts them on a different level than a team not affiliated with any pro team but has a former All-American or whatever credentials he/she may possess. Honestly, I think and hope there is room for both.

All MLS teams run academies right now but they need to grow into regional academies to cover most of the country. MLS's footprint is not, and may never be, big enough to run local academies. We are just now starting to see the trickle of home grown players coming into MLS rosters. This will grow as the years go by as will the teams needs to draw from a bigger footprint.

 

[NewlyRetired]

D- day at Rangers is put off at least until tomorrow

God the players and coaching staff must feel horrible right now

http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/football-news/article/2634568

 

[scoobygang]

Yeah, I don't think it matters if the high school teams become less important. It's not as if we worry about high school gymnastics. Or swimming and diving. There are scholastic driven sports and club driven sports.

 

[Mjolnirs]

does this work better?https://p.twimg.com/AnE9N_NCIAAK_nN.jpg:large

Honestly, I think and hope there is room for both.

I hope so too.

As do I.

 

[El Floppo]

I'm with ANdy here- not sure what to make of the HS v Club debate as I'm too far removed from it.

I do know (warning- crotchety old man back-in-my-day-story forthcoming) that when I went to HS, by my sophomore year I was ready to dump HS for club due to level of quality. But at that time, the clubs pretty much shut down too leaving whatever they now call district/state/regional teams as the weekend option in the fall. By my senior year I hated having to play HS- my club team was split between two of our rival HSs and I was the only guy who played year round on mine. Hated having to play with that bunch of stoners and lose against all my team-mates.

 

[B Maverick]

and oh yeah- ####### Inter.

team is a mess right now.Forlan has been a disaster - he is obviously not comfortable in his role, nor where he is playing, and Ranieri is just too bull headed to change things around. The lineup he started was about as incohesive (is this even a word?) a group as possibly could have been played. Back line is a mess, midfield putrid. I love me some Pazzini but he's flopping all over the place trying to make something happen. Milito is getting lost, having to drift too far back when Sneijder's not playing. Juve dropped points this weekend though, which was ungood. And United Spurs without Parker, VDV and Bale really had control of play, but United's form held well enough to get the job done on defense. Spurs athleticism and team speed surely is a mismatch for United, especially with all of their injuries, but I think they played a decent game. You didn't really see Evra come up too much as he didn't want to get caught short in the back. Johnny Evans managed to only get one yellow, and in fact, he's been playing much better of late than earlier in the season. Phil Jones was out of sorts though, I'm not sure if it was the weather, his nagging injuries, or what, but he was not very effective. I'm not really a big fan of Welbeck either. Scholes was terrific, as was Rooney and Ashley Young. The rest of the team was meh to poor though. Fortunately, the schedule gets a whole lot easier now until the showdown at the eastlands. If they can manage not to drop any points, and I think they should, I think they will put a lot of pressure on City. I kinda feel bad for AVB too, I mean, not even a full year to work with a team...and let's be honest, Torres is ####, Drogba old, Sturridge very uneven, tons of injuries all over to veteran guys. I know they had a few embarrassing performances, but still you gotta stick with a young manager with a ton of upside. I think they're gonna regret this move. It wasn't the manager's fault, but you know what? Eff chelski.

Tottenham deserved better. They controlled the game and should have got a point at least. But thats the diff between good and great clubs, winning when you shouldnt. Jones in not an outside back. He is easily beaten and dives too much. Love him in the center though. Does a much better job. Evans, Evra, and Rio were fine, nothing great or bad. Carrick was off, Nani mostly nonexistant and Scholes seems just kind of there IMO. Rooney and Young were great although Rooney and Welbeck didnt seem to be on the same page with Welbeck showing too much selfishness and not seeing the proper balls. De Gea was in good form and made some great saves, even looked to go up strong. However, Spurs controlled and should have done better. Will be an interesting race to the finish with $ity and United.

I kinda feel bad for AVB too, I mean, not even a full year to work with a team...and let's be honest, Torres is ####, Drogba old, Sturridge very uneven, tons of injuries all over to veteran guys. I know they had a few embarrassing performances, but still you gotta stick with a young manager with a ton of upside. I think they're gonna regret this move. It wasn't the manager's fault, but you know what? Eff chelski.

I feel awful for AVB. The inmates are running the asuylum over there. Obviously, he made mistakes. Mereiles has been awful this year, but I honestly believed in his project. And I just don't believe that Chelsea has the back four to win the way they used to win anyway. Not with Terry crocked half the time and slipping horribly when he's not.

I do feel bad for AVB. Chelsea = Oakland Raiders. 8th coach in 9 years? How do you get continuity and players to buy into a system when its gone the next season? Plus I think AVB was too young for this older team and didnt hold the authority needed for an aging team. You cant succeed this way, with a coach looking over his shoulder wondering if he makes the wrong call does he get fired?

 

[El Floppo]

and oh yeah- ####### Inter.

team is a mess right now.

Forlan has been a disaster - he is obviously not comfortable in his role, nor where he is playing, and Ranieri is just too bull headed to change things around. The lineup he started was about as incohesive (is this even a word?) a group as possibly could have been played. Back line is a mess, midfield putrid. I love me some Pazzini but he's flopping all over the place trying to make something happen. Milito is getting lost, having to drift too far back when Sneijder's not playing.

I honestly can't pinpoint wtf is going on there- outside of Zanetti, it seems like a bunch of guys who don't care about what they're doing on the field until it's too late and they're getting embarrassed by crap teams. They look slow, listless, old, without ideas going forward, and without a gut-driven desire to do the hard work on either side of the ball to win. Hard to watch for a fan, and I imagine as a neutral too (unless you like seeing dynasties fail).Forlan reminds me of how he looked for United- lost. Milito comes and goes but Pazzini... something about him I've never liked. Not sure what it is- yeah, there's diving and flopping and whining but the team just never seems to play "well", or attractive attacking soccer when he's on the field. Seems like more of a throw his body at the ball in the 6 and knock in a scut goal type of player. Dunno.

Somewhere... maybe ESPN... had an article recently about Sneijder wondering whether if in fact this was the real capablilitites of the player rather than that tremendous 1 1/2 year run he had winning the CL (where he really was lights out- IIRC, I actually called him the best #10 in the world, completely forgetting about Xavi of course). Apparently his shots per game is way up, which means all those clever feeds to team-mates in shooting positions has dropped. And he's just not scoring goals- and now also not providng them.

 

[The Z Machine]

I don't know what's wrong with my boy Forlán either. It just sort of seems like he doesn't care, which is weird because he seemed to care when he played in la liga. I think that team has just gotten a step slower, a bit less creative, and simply has no heart right now. It would be sad if it weren't Inter.

But sometimes the wheels fall off. Look at Villarreal this year. In 17th and 3 points from relegation. They can't buy a goal. Whereas Rayo has been scoring like crazy, and even put a big scare into Real two weeks ago. Some teams have the desire and some teams don't.

 

[Slapdash]

Mario Balotelli: Torres is averaging 1.6 goals per manager at Chelsea #Fact

 

[Christo]

Mario Balotelli: Torres is averaging 1.6 goals per manager at Chelsea #Fact

Mario Balotelli is a POS #Fact

 

[B Maverick]

Mario Balotelli: Torres is averaging 1.6 goals per manager at Chelsea #Fact

Mario Balotelli is a POS #Fact

Both statements are correct #Fact

 

[scoobygang]

Mario Balotelli is awesome. How can anyone hate that guy?

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Man I hate whats become of Chelsea. :(

I totally understand, but would just say hang in there for now. As I told a good friend of mine - a Manchester native and lifelong City fan - when the Abu Dhabi group bought City a few years ago, its really a blessing and a curse to have a billionaire owner come in and "rescue" your team (as Abramovich undoubtedly did, buying Chelsea when they were on the brink of administration.) The titles are great, but no one thinks the titles are "earned" and you'll never really get the respect the big clubs get (and Chelsea imo is still at best a second tier club, and probably never will be a truly "big" club in my lifetime if ever). You quickly go from loveable loser to hated, undeserving winner.Personally, I was happy to read that AVB had been fired yesterday. He was way out of his element in my opinion, not the leader they desperately needed, and made several huge blunders on and off the pitch in his short time with the team. They made a huge mistake with him. Both Grant and Ancelotti were successful managers by just about any measure imaginable, and I was not happy to see either leave (then again, I would love to still have Ranieri). But with AVB, as miserable as the feeling is to have yet another manager sacked, I'm happy they are cutting their losses with him and moving on.

 

[The Gator]

another gem

 

[B Maverick]

another gem

 

[NewlyRetired]

While waiting for Rangers D-Day to commence, I ran into the following trivia question

When the 2012 MLS season commences this weekend, there will be exactly one player left from the inaugural 1996 season. Name the player.

Only hint is that he is not a keeper and has a few US caps.

 

[scoobygang]

While waiting for Rangers D-Day to commence, I ran into the following trivia questionWhen the 2012 MLS season commences this weekend, there will be exactly one player left from the inaugural 1996 season. Name the player.Only hint is that he is not a keeper and has a few US caps.

Cunningham?

 

[scoobygang]

Guess not. He's in Honuduras this year and started in MLS in 98.

 

[NewlyRetired]

While waiting for Rangers D-Day to commence, I ran into the following trivia questionWhen the 2012 MLS season commences this weekend, there will be exactly one player left from the inaugural 1996 season. Name the player.Only hint is that he is not a keeper and has a few US caps.

Cunningham?

Good guess but he is out of the league now playing in Costa Rica. Also he did not start until 1998 in MLS. My first guess was Hejduk but then I remembered he retired late last year. He was around in 1996 though.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Guess not. He's in Honuduras this year and started in MLS in 98.

I thought it was Costa Rica but now checking Wiki it's neither Honduras or Costa Rica, it is Guatemala.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

While waiting for Rangers D-Day to commence, I ran into the following trivia questionWhen the 2012 MLS season commences this weekend, there will be exactly one player left from the inaugural 1996 season. Name the player.Only hint is that he is not a keeper and has a few US caps.

Cunningham?

Good guess but he is out of the league now playing in Costa Rica. Also he did not start until 1998 in MLS. My first guess was Hejduk but then I remembered he retired late last year. He was around in 1996 though.

Hey Dude was my original guess too, and the Crew are looking at picking him again so there might soon be two.When did Mastroeni start?

 

[NewlyRetired]

While waiting for Rangers D-Day to commence, I ran into the following trivia questionWhen the 2012 MLS season commences this weekend, there will be exactly one player left from the inaugural 1996 season. Name the player.Only hint is that he is not a keeper and has a few US caps.

Cunningham?

Good guess but he is out of the league now playing in Costa Rica. Also he did not start until 1998 in MLS. My first guess was Hejduk but then I remembered he retired late last year. He was around in 1996 though.

Hey Dude was my original guess too, and the Crew are looking at picking him again so there might soon be two.When did Mastroeni start?

Pablo was 98 in Miami.

 

[scoobygang]

Hejduk and Mastroeni have more than "a few" caps though, right?

They both must have over 30.

 

[El Floppo]

Chris Albright can't be that old, right?

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Chris Albright can't be that old, right?

It's not Albright - I checked Andy, was the player in question in MLS since 1996, or did he leave and is now back in the league?

 

[Slapdash]

Chris Albright can't be that old, right?

Doesn't look like it. This is a tough one.