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

[NewlyRetired]

Since the new year, Liverpool's record in the EPL is 3-3-9 (W-D-L) for a total of 12 points earned out of 45.

 

[King_Kelly]

OH COME ON! WEST ####### BROM?

 

[Christo]

OH COME ON! WEST ####### BROM?

 

[The Gator]

Since the new year, Liverpool's record in the EPL is 3-3-9 (W-D-L) for a total of 12 points earned out of 45.

Thanks for the update

 

[The Gator]

Gonna get our the stopwatch and time actual soccer in the barca Chelsea game..... I bet it will be absurd

Please do this.

I did that once for a Liverpool game last year- came out about 12min iirc. That was starting the timer when the ball was crossed into the box, or when they went on a break. It's pretty open to interpretation of "soccer being played", but I think I was close.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

City need to take advantage of this gift. If City win, they cut the lead to 3 points before hosting Man U next Monday. City hold the edge in GD so a win today and next week and they move into first with at least a 6 GD advantage over Man U with only two games to play in season.

If City goes on a 4 game winning streak, they are very very likely to win title.

If City wins their last four, they can only lose on GD, right?

that is correct. And to get into that spot with wins in the next two games, they will have at the lowest, a 6 GD advantage on Man U with two games to play.You have to figure though that a 4 game winning streak is the only way Man City is going to win the league. You have to think Man U can get the max 6 points from their last two games especially coming off a draw and a loss (assuming things line up).

Of course none of this really matters unless City goes out and gets 3 points today. if they do, then the fun speculation can really start.

I would assume the same, but I also thought they would've gotten six from Everton and Wigan. Feeling pretty awesome about getting Newcastle +1000 to finish Top 4.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

United still a pretty solid favorite to take it down:

http://www.bookies.com/football/england/premier-league/winner/

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

United still a pretty solid favorite to take it down:http://www.bookies.com/football/england/premier-league/winner/

Probably because a draw next Monday all but cinches it for United, plus City are more likely to drop points against Newcastle.

 

[Iron_Far]

OH COME ON! WEST ####### BROM?

Dalglish simply needs to find another profession.

 

[NewlyRetired]

One of my favorite players in MLS last year was Chris Pontius of DC. He was having a break through season before getting injured and was out for months.

He made his come back this year slowly but looks to have found his confidence again.

Last week he hit this pretty winner after just coming on as a sub for DC

http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-04-14-ne-v-dc/highlights?videoID=182202

And tonight he got the start and had a hat trick in leading DC to a 4-1 over NY in a terrible weather game.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Jozy scored again today hitting the winner in a 2-1 win for AZ. He hit the post twice in the first half. He now has 15 league goals and 19 overall in by far and away his best professional year to date.

To put his 15 league goals this season in perspective to his total career: From 2006-2011, he only scored 18 league goals.

AZ is holding on to the second and last Champions League spot by a single goal in GD.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Gooch made his return to play today starting for Sporting in their 3-2 win.

 

[NewlyRetired]

US Final 23 and stand by speculation

Notes:

*Added Beasley to the stand bys as he continues to play well in Mexico

*Feel much better about listing Gooch as he got his first start today back from injury

Keeper:

1) Tim Howard

2) Brad Guzan

3) Nick Rimando

Right Back

4) Steve Cherundolo

5) Timmy Chandler

Right Center Back

6) Oguchi Onyewu

7) Clarence Goodson

Left Center Back

8) Carlos Bocanegra

9) Tim Ream

Left Back

10) Fabian Johnson

11) Eric Lichai

Utility defender

12) Jonathan Spector

Holding/Defensive/Central Midfielders

13) Michael Bradley

14) Jermaine Jones

15) Maurice Edu

Offensive midfielders/wide players

16) Clint Dempsey

17) Landon Donovan

18) Brek Shea

19) Jose Torres

Forwards

20) Jozy Altidore

21) Herculez Gomez

22) Terrance Boyd

23) The most in form of Chris Wondoloski/CJ Sappong/Kenny Cooper

JK also mentioned he will have a list of stand by players but won't call them into camp.

Stand By

Keeper: Bill Hamid

Defenders: Geoff Cameron/George John/Edgar Castillo/Michael Parkhurst

Midfielders: Sacha Kljestan/Kyle Beckerman/DeMarcus Beasley/Freddy Adu/Danny Williams/Graham Zusi/Mix Diskerud/

Forwards: See 23 above for whom ever is not picked as the last forward.

 

[Ursa M]

Gonna get our the stopwatch and time actual soccer in the barca Chelsea game..... I bet it will be absurd

Please do this.

I did that once for a Liverpool game last year- came out about 12min iirc. That was starting the timer when the ball was crossed into the box, or when they went on a break. It's pretty open to interpretation of "soccer being played", but I think I was close.

The more realistic number is probably "ball in play". I agree it's not very exciting when they're knocking it around in midfield but they are actually playing. This post I found on the Internet about MLS says the average for the ball in play during the game was 68 minutes.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Gonna get our the stopwatch and time actual soccer in the barca Chelsea game..... I bet it will be absurd

Please do this.

I did that once for a Liverpool game last year- came out about 12min iirc. That was starting the timer when the ball was crossed into the box, or when they went on a break. It's pretty open to interpretation of "soccer being played", but I think I was close.

The more realistic number is probably "ball in play". I agree it's not very exciting when they're knocking it around in midfield but they are actually playing. This post I found on the Internet about MLS says the average for the ball in play during the game was 68 minutes.

Yeah, this is what I was looking for.

 

[Ursa M]

Gonna get our the stopwatch and time actual soccer in the barca Chelsea game..... I bet it will be absurd

Please do this.

I did that once for a Liverpool game last year- came out about 12min iirc. That was starting the timer when the ball was crossed into the box, or when they went on a break. It's pretty open to interpretation of "soccer being played", but I think I was close.

The more realistic number is probably "ball in play". I agree it's not very exciting when they're knocking it around in midfield but they are actually playing. This post I found on the Internet about MLS says the average for the ball in play during the game was 68 minutes.

Yeah, this is what I was looking for.

Sorry, not MLS at all - World Cup. Another item I found earlier was about MLS.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

That is unreal.

 

[derek245583]

Ground rules for when I do it....

I will stop the clock when:

The ball goes oob

There is a foul give

A goal is scored

Basically exactly like basketball or hockey....if the ball is "in play" the clock will be running.

Someone needs to set an over under....Chelsea is going to put on a clinic in time wasting

 

[Slapdash]

Barca has looked flat the past two games (fatigue, injuries, etc?). I hope they step it up v. Chelsea next week.

They were a half step slow today, it appeared. Passes were delivered late or in the wrong spot, the few chances they had to finish were poorly taken (still surprised at how poor Xavi's finish was in the first half), and Valdes got caught in no man's land. Real Madrid played their game better than Barcelona played theirs. Ugh. They need to get their act together against Chelsea or what was a potentially fantastic year a week ago will turn into a so-so one, at least from a silverware standpoint.

Barcelona is a great team. But Real is too good to lose to them every time. It was Real's turn.

This is the first time they have beat Barca in the league (and 2nd overall) since 2008. Barcelona cannot expect to keep that up against a team as quality as Real if they aren’t on top of their game and have a bit of luck. Hopefully Alexis is healthy enough to push Barcelona through mid-week.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Ground rules for when I do it....I will stop the clock when:The ball goes oobThere is a foul givenA goal is scored

What about injury's or subs?Just so you know, that is not equivalent to when the refs stops his watch for injury time. Serie A for years tracked this exact stat you are doing. I remember it all the way back to the early 90's when watching on RAI. Typical game was around 65-70 minutes.

 

[The Z Machine]

...Hopefully Alexis is healthy enough to push Barcelona through mid-week.

I thought the lack of a good forward to pair with Messi was one of the deciding factors in the game. Tello was a poor replacement for Sánchez.The other deciding factor was Benzema and Özil playing defense while still on the Barça side of the field. It wasn't "high pressure", but more of a "tackling from the back". This disrupted the Barça flow through the midfield. Plus, there are few teams that can match the speed and technical ability of Real in the open field, either on a break or simply moving forward.

 

[Slapdash]

...Hopefully Alexis is healthy enough to push Barcelona through mid-week.

I thought the lack of a good forward to pair with Messi was one of the deciding factors in the game. Tello was a poor replacement for Sánchez.The other deciding factor was Benzema and Özil playing defense while still on the Barça side of the field. It wasn't "high pressure", but more of a "tackling from the back". This disrupted the Barça flow through the midfield. Plus, there are few teams that can match the speed and technical ability of Real in the open field, either on a break or simply moving forward.

Absolutely on both counts. Pep went with a novel formation with Tello and Alves wide instead of playing Alexis and Pedro up front. That tactic failed and he should have made the swtich at halftime, it came too late to get enough goals.

 

[berndog]

Gooch made his return to play today starting for Sporting in their 3-2 win.

Good to see him back on the pitch before WC qualifying

 

[NewlyRetired]

Is anyone else nervous about Jermaine Jones playing in qualifying? The guy is an absolute card magnet (I think he has something like 5 yellow's in his last 5 games played). I worry with the Concacaf refs that he could easily see red on a hard challenge putting the US in a bad spot.

 

[NewlyRetired]

From Goff, American's abroad.

GOALKEEPERS

Tim Howard 90 minutes in Everton’s 4-4 draw at Manchester United

Brad Friedel 90 in Spurs’ 1-0 loss at QPR

Brad Guzan in 18, didn’t play in Aston Villa’s 0-0 draw with Sunderland

Marcus Hahnemann not in 18 for Everton

David Yelldell not in 18 for Bayer Leverkusen’s 1-0 win at Hoffenheim

Quentin Westberg not in 18 for Evian’s 2-0 win over Toulouse

Dom Cervi not in 16 for Celtic’s 3-0 win at Motherwell

Luis Robles not in 18 for Karlsruhe’s 2-0 win over Paderborn

Diego Restrepo and Tachira at Anzoategui later Sunday

Cody Cropper not in 16 for Ipswich’s 3-0 loss to Millwall

Samir Badr and Haras El-Hodood didn’t play (league suspended)

Steve Clark 90 in Honefoss’ 3-1 win over Aalesund (Norway)

Matt Pyzdrowski 90 in Aengelholm’s 2-1 loss at Oesters (Sweden)

DEFENDERS

Carlos Bocanegra 90 in Rangers’ 3-0 win at Hearts

Oguchi Onyewu 90 in Sporting Lisbon’s 3-2 win at Nacional (1st start in 2 months after knee injury)

Steve Cherundolo 90 in Hanover’s 0-0 draw with Freiburg

Clarence Goodson 90 in Brondby’s 2-0 loss to Midtjylland

Timothy Chandler 90 in Nuremberg’s 1-1 draw with Hamburg

Fabian Johnson 90 for Hoffenheim

Zak Whitbread not in 18 (injured) for Norwich’s 2-0 loss at Blackburn

Jonathan Spector not in 16 (injured) for Birmingham’s 1-1 draw at Brighton

Tim Ream 90 in Bolton’s 1-1 draw with Swansea

Eric Lichaj 90 for Aston Villa

Michael Parkhurst not in 18 (injured) for Nordsjaelland’s 2-0 win at Aalborg

Michael Orozco Fiscal 90 in San Luis’ 1-0 loss to Tijuana

Jonathan Bornstein not in 18 for Tigres’ 3-0 loss at Santos Laguna

Daniel Potts and West Ham at Leicester on Monday

Edgar Castillo 64 for Tijuana

Alfredo Morales not in 18 for Hertha Berlin’s 2-1 loss to Kaiserslautern

Greg Garza 90 for Tijuana

Frank Simek 90 in Carlisle’s 2-1 loss at Sheffield Wednesday

Alejandro Melean and Oriente Petrolero vs. Aurora later Sunday

Brad Rusin 32 for Koge’s 2-1 loss at Sonderjyske

Sean Cunningham 90 in Stabaek’s 2-1 loss at Sandnes

Ryan Miller 90 in Halmstad’s 0-0 draw at Ljungskile

Babajide Ogunbiyi minutes unavailable in Viborg’s 2-2 draw at Vejle-Kolding

Mason Trafford 90 in Mariehamn’s 2-0 win at Haka (Finland)

MIDFIELDERS

Clint Dempsey 90 (assist) in Fulham’s 2-1 with over Wigan

Michael Bradley 90 in Chievo’s 0-0 draw with Udinese

Maurice Edu 90 for Rangers

Jermaine Jones 90 in Schalke’s 1-1 draw at Augsburg

Stuart Holden (injury rehab) didn’t play for Bolton

Jose Torres 90 in Pachuca’s 1-1 draw at Monterrey

Sacha Kljestan 90 in Anderlecht’s 1-0 win at Brugge

DaMarcus Beasley 90 (goal) in Puebla’s 3-2 loss to Club America

Daniel Williams in 18, didn’t play for Hoffenheim

Robbie Rogers not in 16 (injured) for Leeds’ 1-1 draw at Cardiff City

Alejandro Bedoya in 18, didn’t play for Rangers

Ricardo Clark 90 for Stabaek

Mikkel Diskerud not in 18 for Gent’s 4-1 win at Kortrijk

Will Packwood not in 16 for Birmingham

Jared Jeffrey not in 18 for Mainz’s 0-0 draw with Wolfsburg

Anton Peterlin not in 16 for Walsall’s 4-2 loss at Exeter

Sonny Guadarrama not in 18 for Atlante’s 1-1 draw at Morelia

Conor O’Brien 90 for Sonderjyske

Brian Span not in 18 for Djurgarden’s 4-3 loss at Mjallby

Baggio Husidic and Hammarby vs. Brommapojkarna on Monday

Daniel Antunez 90 in Inter Turku’s 2-0 win over MYPA (Finland)

Mike Banner and Jaro at HJK on Monday (Finland)

FORWARDS

Jozy Altidore 88 (goal) in AZ Alkmaar’s 2-1 win over Venlo (fifth goal in five matches)

Herculez Gomez 57 for Santos Laguna

Robbie Findley last 49 in Nottingham Forest’s 2-1 loss at Hull City

Charlie Davies not in 18 for Sochaux’s 6-1 loss at PSG

Joe Corona 90 for Tijuana

Terrence Boyd not in 18 for Borussia Dortmund’s 2-0 win over Moenchengladbach

Andrew Wooten 89 (goal) for Kaiserslautern (first Bundesliga goal)

Matt Taylor 25 for Paderborn

Josh Gatt and Molde vs. Lillestrom on Monday

Conor Doyle not in 16 for Derby’s 2-1 win at Portsmouth

Mike Grella 88 (2 goals) in Bury’s 4-2 win at Notts County (four goals in three matches)

Jeff Cunningham and Comunicaciones vs. Suchitepequez later Sunday

Joseph Gyau not in 18 for Hoffenheim

Eugene Starikov not in 18 for Zenit St. Petersburg’s 2-2 draw at Kuban

Bobby Wood not in 18 for 1860 Munich’s 4-1 win over Ingolstadt

Villyan Bijev not in 18 for Fortuna Duesseldorf’s 2-1 win over Union Berlin

Tony Taylor 72 (goal) in Estoril’s 2-1 loss at Moreirense (two goals in two matches)

Samuel Petrone not in 18 for Mjallby

Billy Schuler and Hammarby vs. Brommapojkarna on Monday

Lester Dewee 3 for Aengelholm

Kenneth Jensen 30 for Honefoss

Preston Zimmerman 2 goals in Darmstadt’s 3-1 win over Babelsberg (Germany)

 

[El Floppo]

...Hopefully Alexis is healthy enough to push Barcelona through mid-week.

I thought the lack of a good forward to pair with Messi was one of the deciding factors in the game. Tello was a poor replacement for Sánchez.The other deciding factor was Benzema and Özil playing defense while still on the Barça side of the field. It wasn't "high pressure", but more of a "tackling from the back". This disrupted the Barça flow through the midfield. Plus, there are few teams that can match the speed and technical ability of Real in the open field, either on a break or simply moving forward.

Absolutely on both counts. Pep went with a novel formation with Tello and Alves wide instead of playing Alexis and Pedro up front. That tactic failed and he should have made the swtich at halftime, it came too late to get enough goals.

Not sure if it was the formation or just exhaustion, but I've never seen Xavi such a non-factor as he's been the last two games (Chels and RM). Also never seen Messi have to consistently drop as deep as he was forced to in that stretch.Also could be a factor of teams pushing hard to take away the space, rather than the man, in the MF. RM over-committed time and again on closing the space down by sliding or sprinting into it and it seemed to work to limit Barca's ability to control the MF in a meaningful attacking way, forcing even more balls square and back.I wonder about Xavi- could the last bunch of years of over-playing be finally catching up to him? He looked slow and ineffectual.

 

[El Floppo]

From Goff, American's abroad. GOALKEEPERSTim Howard 90 minutes in Everton’s 4-4 draw at Manchester UnitedBrad Friedel 90 in Spurs’ 1-0 loss at QPRBrad Guzan in 18, didn’t play in Aston Villa’s 0-0 draw with SunderlandMarcus Hahnemann not in 18 for EvertonDavid Yelldell not in 18 for Bayer Leverkusen’s 1-0 win at HoffenheimQuentin Westberg not in 18 for Evian’s 2-0 win over ToulouseDom Cervi not in 16 for Celtic’s 3-0 win at MotherwellLuis Robles not in 18 for Karlsruhe’s 2-0 win over PaderbornDiego Restrepo and Tachira at Anzoategui later SundayCody Cropper not in 16 for Ipswich’s 3-0 loss to MillwallSamir Badr and Haras El-Hodood didn’t play (league suspended)Steve Clark 90 in Honefoss’ 3-1 win over Aalesund (Norway)Matt Pyzdrowski 90 in Aengelholm’s 2-1 loss at Oesters (Sweden)DEFENDERSCarlos Bocanegra 90 in Rangers’ 3-0 win at HeartsOguchi Onyewu 90 in Sporting Lisbon’s 3-2 win at Nacional (1st start in 2 months after knee injury)Steve Cherundolo 90 in Hanover’s 0-0 draw with FreiburgClarence Goodson 90 in Brondby’s 2-0 loss to MidtjyllandTimothy Chandler 90 in Nuremberg’s 1-1 draw with HamburgFabian Johnson 90 for HoffenheimZak Whitbread not in 18 (injured) for Norwich’s 2-0 loss at BlackburnJonathan Spector not in 16 (injured) for Birmingham’s 1-1 draw at BrightonTim Ream 90 in Bolton’s 1-1 draw with SwanseaEric Lichaj 90 for Aston VillaMichael Parkhurst not in 18 (injured) for Nordsjaelland’s 2-0 win at AalborgMichael Orozco Fiscal 90 in San Luis’ 1-0 loss to TijuanaJonathan Bornstein not in 18 for Tigres’ 3-0 loss at Santos LagunaDaniel Potts and West Ham at Leicester on MondayEdgar Castillo 64 for TijuanaAlfredo Morales not in 18 for Hertha Berlin’s 2-1 loss to KaiserslauternGreg Garza 90 for TijuanaFrank Simek 90 in Carlisle’s 2-1 loss at Sheffield WednesdayAlejandro Melean and Oriente Petrolero vs. Aurora later SundayBrad Rusin 32 for Koge’s 2-1 loss at SonderjyskeSean Cunningham 90 in Stabaek’s 2-1 loss at SandnesRyan Miller 90 in Halmstad’s 0-0 draw at LjungskileBabajide Ogunbiyi minutes unavailable in Viborg’s 2-2 draw at Vejle-KoldingMason Trafford 90 in Mariehamn’s 2-0 win at Haka (Finland)MIDFIELDERSClint Dempsey 90 (assist) in Fulham’s 2-1 with over WiganMichael Bradley 90 in Chievo’s 0-0 draw with UdineseMaurice Edu 90 for RangersJermaine Jones 90 in Schalke’s 1-1 draw at AugsburgStuart Holden (injury rehab) didn’t play for BoltonJose Torres 90 in Pachuca’s 1-1 draw at MonterreySacha Kljestan 90 in Anderlecht’s 1-0 win at BruggeDaMarcus Beasley 90 (goal) in Puebla’s 3-2 loss to Club AmericaDaniel Williams in 18, didn’t play for HoffenheimRobbie Rogers not in 16 (injured) for Leeds’ 1-1 draw at Cardiff CityAlejandro Bedoya in 18, didn’t play for RangersRicardo Clark 90 for StabaekMikkel Diskerud not in 18 for Gent’s 4-1 win at KortrijkWill Packwood not in 16 for BirminghamJared Jeffrey not in 18 for Mainz’s 0-0 draw with WolfsburgAnton Peterlin not in 16 for Walsall’s 4-2 loss at ExeterSonny Guadarrama not in 18 for Atlante’s 1-1 draw at MoreliaConor O’Brien 90 for SonderjyskeBrian Span not in 18 for Djurgarden’s 4-3 loss at MjallbyBaggio Husidic and Hammarby vs. Brommapojkarna on MondayDaniel Antunez 90 in Inter Turku’s 2-0 win over MYPA (Finland)Mike Banner and Jaro at HJK on Monday (Finland)FORWARDSJozy Altidore 88 (goal) in AZ Alkmaar’s 2-1 win over Venlo (fifth goal in five matches)Herculez Gomez 57 for Santos LagunaRobbie Findley last 49 in Nottingham Forest’s 2-1 loss at Hull CityCharlie Davies not in 18 for Sochaux’s 6-1 loss at PSGJoe Corona 90 for TijuanaTerrence Boyd not in 18 for Borussia Dortmund’s 2-0 win over MoenchengladbachAndrew Wooten 89 (goal) for Kaiserslautern (first Bundesliga goal)Matt Taylor 25 for PaderbornJosh Gatt and Molde vs. Lillestrom on MondayConor Doyle not in 16 for Derby’s 2-1 win at PortsmouthMike Grella 88 (2 goals) in Bury’s 4-2 win at Notts County (four goals in three matches)Jeff Cunningham and Comunicaciones vs. Suchitepequez later SundayJoseph Gyau not in 18 for HoffenheimEugene Starikov not in 18 for Zenit St. Petersburg’s 2-2 draw at KubanBobby Wood not in 18 for 1860 Munich’s 4-1 win over IngolstadtVillyan Bijev not in 18 for Fortuna Duesseldorf’s 2-1 win over Union BerlinTony Taylor 72 (goal) in Estoril’s 2-1 loss at Moreirense (two goals in two matches)Samuel Petrone not in 18 for MjallbyBilly Schuler and Hammarby vs. Brommapojkarna on MondayLester Dewee 3 for AengelholmKenneth Jensen 30 for HonefossPreston Zimmerman 2 goals in Darmstadt’s 3-1 win over Babelsberg (Germany)

That's a LOT of "Not in 18"s.But nice to see Lichaj getting regular 90minutes going.

 

[El Floppo]

Is anyone else nervous about Jermaine Jones playing in qualifying? The guy is an absolute card magnet (I think he has something like 5 yellow's in his last 5 games played). I worry with the Concacaf refs that he could easily see red on a hard challenge putting the US in a bad spot.

I would think JK has to keep a close eye/leash on him, and feel free to use a sub early- ie: as soon as Jones' blood starts to boil.

I totally agree that almost any one of his challenges could bring a card in Central America.

 

[derek245583]

Ground rules for when I do it....I will stop the clock when:The ball goes oobThere is a foul givenA goal is scored

What about injury's or subs?Just so you know, that is not equivalent to when the refs stops his watch for injury time. Serie A for years tracked this exact stat you are doing. I remember it all the way back to the early 90's when watching on RAI. Typical game was around 65-70 minutes.

Yes, injuries and subs...everything...If the ball cannot be scored at that exact moment, the clock will be stopped. I just want to see....Not trying to prove anything I just want to see how much soccer gets pissed away

 

[El Floppo]

Ground rules for when I do it....I will stop the clock when:The ball goes oobThere is a foul givenA goal is scored

What about injury's or subs?Just so you know, that is not equivalent to when the refs stops his watch for injury time. Serie A for years tracked this exact stat you are doing. I remember it all the way back to the early 90's when watching on RAI. Typical game was around 65-70 minutes.

Yes, injuries and subs...everything...If the ball cannot be scored at that exact moment, the clock will be stopped. I just want to see....Not trying to prove anything I just want to see how much soccer gets pissed away

fwiw- there's a kind of unwritten code about somebody going down around 70 minutes in, to allow for rest/water/drinks etc. I'm actaully almost serious about that.

 

[Sebowski]

Ground rules for when I do it....I will stop the clock when:The ball goes oobThere is a foul give A goal is scoredBasically exactly like basketball or hockey....if the ball is "in play" the clock will be running.Someone needs to set an over under....Chelsea is going to put on a clinic in time wasting

Do the same for baseball when you get a chance

 

[CBusAlex]

If I were King Of Soccer, I'd stop the clock for injuries, substitutions, goals, and generally any time that neither team is permitted to put the ball in play. I'd keep it running for throw-ins and free kicks and the like, but perhaps add some sort of shot clock.

 

[Sebowski]

Pretty sure this has been posted in here before but worth noting now.

Someone did the stopwatch thing for an http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2008/12/how-much-action/

The game began and the stopwatch ticked off time as Larry Johnson ran outside, Jay Cutler threw an interception and the Chiefs jumped to an early lead. By the end of the first quarter, at the conclusion of the first fifteen minutes of the match, the ball had been in play for a total of three minutes and ten seconds.

....

The final tally told an interesting story. The remaining quarters had followed the first:

The second quarter contained two minutes, 58 seconds when the ball was in play

The third quarter was the most scintillating with three minutes, 25 seconds of action

The fourth quarter, which included a lot of kneeling to run out the time in the final two minutes, had showcased two minutes and 35 seconds of play

So, during the two hours and 56 minutes the game took to complete, throughout the 60 minutes of regulation time, the ball was in only in play for 12 minutes and 8 seconds.The rest of the time, players were standing around, plays were being reviewed and I was being bombarded by a multitude of beer commercials and truck advertisements.

 

[Sebowski]

If I were King Of Soccer, I'd stop the clock for injuries, substitutions, goals, and generally any time that neither team is permitted to put the ball in play. I'd keep it running for throw-ins and free kicks and the like, but perhaps add some sort of shot clock.

You've got my vote.

 

[The Gator]

Ground rules for when I do it....I will stop the clock when:The ball goes oobThere is a foul give A goal is scoredBasically exactly like basketball or hockey....if the ball is "in play" the clock will be running.Someone needs to set an over under....Chelsea is going to put on a clinic in time wasting

Do the same for baseball when you get a chance

O/U 8min?

 

[NewlyRetired]

From Goff, American's abroad. GOALKEEPERSTim Howard 90 minutes in Everton’s 4-4 draw at Manchester UnitedBrad Friedel 90 in Spurs’ 1-0 loss at QPRBrad Guzan in 18, didn’t play in Aston Villa’s 0-0 draw with SunderlandMarcus Hahnemann not in 18 for EvertonDavid Yelldell not in 18 for Bayer Leverkusen’s 1-0 win at HoffenheimQuentin Westberg not in 18 for Evian’s 2-0 win over ToulouseDom Cervi not in 16 for Celtic’s 3-0 win at MotherwellLuis Robles not in 18 for Karlsruhe’s 2-0 win over PaderbornDiego Restrepo and Tachira at Anzoategui later SundayCody Cropper not in 16 for Ipswich’s 3-0 loss to MillwallSamir Badr and Haras El-Hodood didn’t play (league suspended)Steve Clark 90 in Honefoss’ 3-1 win over Aalesund (Norway)Matt Pyzdrowski 90 in Aengelholm’s 2-1 loss at Oesters (Sweden)DEFENDERSCarlos Bocanegra 90 in Rangers’ 3-0 win at HeartsOguchi Onyewu 90 in Sporting Lisbon’s 3-2 win at Nacional (1st start in 2 months after knee injury)Steve Cherundolo 90 in Hanover’s 0-0 draw with FreiburgClarence Goodson 90 in Brondby’s 2-0 loss to MidtjyllandTimothy Chandler 90 in Nuremberg’s 1-1 draw with HamburgFabian Johnson 90 for HoffenheimZak Whitbread not in 18 (injured) for Norwich’s 2-0 loss at BlackburnJonathan Spector not in 16 (injured) for Birmingham’s 1-1 draw at BrightonTim Ream 90 in Bolton’s 1-1 draw with SwanseaEric Lichaj 90 for Aston VillaMichael Parkhurst not in 18 (injured) for Nordsjaelland’s 2-0 win at AalborgMichael Orozco Fiscal 90 in San Luis’ 1-0 loss to TijuanaJonathan Bornstein not in 18 for Tigres’ 3-0 loss at Santos LagunaDaniel Potts and West Ham at Leicester on MondayEdgar Castillo 64 for TijuanaAlfredo Morales not in 18 for Hertha Berlin’s 2-1 loss to KaiserslauternGreg Garza 90 for TijuanaFrank Simek 90 in Carlisle’s 2-1 loss at Sheffield WednesdayAlejandro Melean and Oriente Petrolero vs. Aurora later SundayBrad Rusin 32 for Koge’s 2-1 loss at SonderjyskeSean Cunningham 90 in Stabaek’s 2-1 loss at SandnesRyan Miller 90 in Halmstad’s 0-0 draw at LjungskileBabajide Ogunbiyi minutes unavailable in Viborg’s 2-2 draw at Vejle-KoldingMason Trafford 90 in Mariehamn’s 2-0 win at Haka (Finland)MIDFIELDERSClint Dempsey 90 (assist) in Fulham’s 2-1 with over WiganMichael Bradley 90 in Chievo’s 0-0 draw with UdineseMaurice Edu 90 for RangersJermaine Jones 90 in Schalke’s 1-1 draw at AugsburgStuart Holden (injury rehab) didn’t play for BoltonJose Torres 90 in Pachuca’s 1-1 draw at MonterreySacha Kljestan 90 in Anderlecht’s 1-0 win at BruggeDaMarcus Beasley 90 (goal) in Puebla’s 3-2 loss to Club AmericaDaniel Williams in 18, didn’t play for HoffenheimRobbie Rogers not in 16 (injured) for Leeds’ 1-1 draw at Cardiff CityAlejandro Bedoya in 18, didn’t play for RangersRicardo Clark 90 for StabaekMikkel Diskerud not in 18 for Gent’s 4-1 win at KortrijkWill Packwood not in 16 for BirminghamJared Jeffrey not in 18 for Mainz’s 0-0 draw with WolfsburgAnton Peterlin not in 16 for Walsall’s 4-2 loss at ExeterSonny Guadarrama not in 18 for Atlante’s 1-1 draw at MoreliaConor O’Brien 90 for SonderjyskeBrian Span not in 18 for Djurgarden’s 4-3 loss at MjallbyBaggio Husidic and Hammarby vs. Brommapojkarna on MondayDaniel Antunez 90 in Inter Turku’s 2-0 win over MYPA (Finland)Mike Banner and Jaro at HJK on Monday (Finland)FORWARDSJozy Altidore 88 (goal) in AZ Alkmaar’s 2-1 win over Venlo (fifth goal in five matches)Herculez Gomez 57 for Santos LagunaRobbie Findley last 49 in Nottingham Forest’s 2-1 loss at Hull CityCharlie Davies not in 18 for Sochaux’s 6-1 loss at PSGJoe Corona 90 for TijuanaTerrence Boyd not in 18 for Borussia Dortmund’s 2-0 win over MoenchengladbachAndrew Wooten 89 (goal) for Kaiserslautern (first Bundesliga goal)Matt Taylor 25 for PaderbornJosh Gatt and Molde vs. Lillestrom on MondayConor Doyle not in 16 for Derby’s 2-1 win at PortsmouthMike Grella 88 (2 goals) in Bury’s 4-2 win at Notts County (four goals in three matches)Jeff Cunningham and Comunicaciones vs. Suchitepequez later SundayJoseph Gyau not in 18 for HoffenheimEugene Starikov not in 18 for Zenit St. Petersburg’s 2-2 draw at KubanBobby Wood not in 18 for 1860 Munich’s 4-1 win over IngolstadtVillyan Bijev not in 18 for Fortuna Duesseldorf’s 2-1 win over Union BerlinTony Taylor 72 (goal) in Estoril’s 2-1 loss at Moreirense (two goals in two matches)Samuel Petrone not in 18 for MjallbyBilly Schuler and Hammarby vs. Brommapojkarna on MondayLester Dewee 3 for AengelholmKenneth Jensen 30 for HonefossPreston Zimmerman 2 goals in Darmstadt’s 3-1 win over Babelsberg (Germany)

That's a LOT of "Not in 18"s.

There is a distinct line it appears from looking at these all season. Defenders and midfielders are getting a ton of time abroad. (especially when you remove the injured players from the list). Keepers and forwards are not getting good time.

 

[Sinn Fein]

Average time in play is a little over 60 minutes

This would probably make soccer the longest sporting match, by time the ball is in play.

Football is about 11-12 minutes. I'd put baseball at even less than that. Basketball is at 48 minutes, and hockey is at 60 minutes.

 

[NewlyRetired]

If I were King Of Soccer, I'd stop the clock for injuries, substitutions, goals, and generally any time that neither team is permitted to put the ball in play. I'd keep it running for throw-ins and free kicks and the like, but perhaps add some sort of shot clock.

I like it all outside of the shot clock. Not sure that would work well especially with the enormous amount of turnovers in a normal soccer game. The clock would be flicking back and forth like crazy

 

[derek245583]

Ground rules for when I do it....I will stop the clock when:The ball goes oobThere is a foul give A goal is scoredBasically exactly like basketball or hockey....if the ball is "in play" the clock will be running.Someone needs to set an over under....Chelsea is going to put on a clinic in time wasting

Do the same for baseball when you get a chance

Not exactly sure what this means...In baseball you have to get 27 outs...no way around it. In soccer, (specifically Tuesday) Chelsea will do their best to only have to make it through 55ish minutes of soccer. If that is allowable, I just dont understand why they dont play a 60 minute game and time it like hockey...its just odd to me.

 

[derek245583]

Average time in play is a little over 60 minutes

This would probably make soccer the longest sporting match, by time the ball is in play.

Football is about 11-12 minutes. I'd put baseball at even less than that. Basketball is at 48 minutes, and hockey is at 60 minutes.

That is good...not saying the game isnt long enough or anything, I just think "time wasting" has no business in sports.

 

[Iron_Far]

...Hopefully Alexis is healthy enough to push Barcelona through mid-week.

I thought the lack of a good forward to pair with Messi was one of the deciding factors in the game. Tello was a poor replacement for Sánchez.The other deciding factor was Benzema and Özil playing defense while still on the Barça side of the field. It wasn't "high pressure", but more of a "tackling from the back". This disrupted the Barça flow through the midfield. Plus, there are few teams that can match the speed and technical ability of Real in the open field, either on a break or simply moving forward.

Absolutely on both counts. Pep went with a novel formation with Tello and Alves wide instead of playing Alexis and Pedro up front. That tactic failed and he should have made the swtich at halftime, it came too late to get enough goals.

Not sure if it was the formation or just exhaustion, but I've never seen Xavi such a non-factor as he's been the last two games (Chels and RM). Also never seen Messi have to consistently drop as deep as he was forced to in that stretch.Also could be a factor of teams pushing hard to take away the space, rather than the man, in the MF. RM over-committed time and again on closing the space down by sliding or sprinting into it and it seemed to work to limit Barca's ability to control the MF in a meaningful attacking way, forcing even more balls square and back.I wonder about Xavi- could the last bunch of years of over-playing be finally catching up to him? He looked slow and ineffectual.

Xavi hasn't been the same since the World Cup. Iniesta is still world class, but can't imagine he has more than 1 or 2 years of elite level play left.I think they'll need to beat ManU to sign Christian Eriksen or try to pry Schweinsteiger away from Bayern.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Is anyone else nervous about Jermaine Jones playing in qualifying? The guy is an absolute card magnet (I think he has something like 5 yellow's in his last 5 games played). I worry with the Concacaf refs that he could easily see red on a hard challenge putting the US in a bad spot.

I would think JK has to keep a close eye/leash on him, and feel free to use a sub early- ie: as soon as Jones' blood starts to boil.

I totally agree that almost any one of his challenges could bring a card in Central America.

FRANKFURT, Germany -- Schalke manager Horst Heldt says "everything is fine again" after American midfielder Jermaine Jones and Dutch forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar traded blows at a training session last week and had to be separated by teammates.

The fight occurred Saturday, one day before Schalke's trip to Augsburg that ended in a 1-1 draw in the Bundesliga.

Schalke's coach ordered both players for an extra session of jogging to cool off.

 

[The Kansas Comet]

...Hopefully Alexis is healthy enough to push Barcelona through mid-week.

I thought the lack of a good forward to pair with Messi was one of the deciding factors in the game. Tello was a poor replacement for Sánchez.The other deciding factor was Benzema and Özil playing defense while still on the Barça side of the field. It wasn't "high pressure", but more of a "tackling from the back". This disrupted the Barça flow through the midfield. Plus, there are few teams that can match the speed and technical ability of Real in the open field, either on a break or simply moving forward.

Absolutely on both counts. Pep went with a novel formation with Tello and Alves wide instead of playing Alexis and Pedro up front. That tactic failed and he should have made the swtich at halftime, it came too late to get enough goals.

Not sure if it was the formation or just exhaustion, but I've never seen Xavi such a non-factor as he's been the last two games (Chels and RM). Also never seen Messi have to consistently drop as deep as he was forced to in that stretch.Also could be a factor of teams pushing hard to take away the space, rather than the man, in the MF. RM over-committed time and again on closing the space down by sliding or sprinting into it and it seemed to work to limit Barca's ability to control the MF in a meaningful attacking way, forcing even more balls square and back.I wonder about Xavi- could the last bunch of years of over-playing be finally catching up to him? He looked slow and ineffectual.

Xavi's Achilles tendon has been a problem for a while now. The fact that he was subbed out before the 70th minute in a game that Barcelona had to win is a sign of how his injuries are hampering him. Unfortunately, given the number of matches Barcelona ends up playing, along with his international duties, he has had little to no chance to rest it (and won't be able to this summer, either). Now that the race for La Liga is over, I would be surprised to see him play more than 20-25 minutes in any of those matches. Hopefully Pep gives him rest to allow him to be stronger for the Copa del Rey final and (hopefully) the Champions League final

 

[Slapdash]

...

Hopefully Alexis is healthy enough to push Barcelona through mid-week.

I thought the lack of a good forward to pair with Messi was one of the deciding factors in the game. Tello was a poor replacement for Sánchez.The other deciding factor was Benzema and Özil playing defense while still on the Barça side of the field. It wasn't "high pressure", but more of a "tackling from the back". This disrupted the Barça flow through the midfield. Plus, there are few teams that can match the speed and technical ability of Real in the open field, either on a break or simply moving forward.

Absolutely on both counts. Pep went with a novel formation with Tello and Alves wide instead of playing Alexis and Pedro up front. That tactic failed and he should have made the swtich at halftime, it came too late to get enough goals.

Not sure if it was the formation or just exhaustion, but I've never seen Xavi such a non-factor as he's been the last two games (Chels and RM). Also never seen Messi have to consistently drop as deep as he was forced to in that stretch.

Also could be a factor of teams pushing hard to take away the space, rather than the man, in the MF. RM over-committed time and again on closing the space down by sliding or sprinting into it and it seemed to work to limit Barca's ability to control the MF in a meaningful attacking way, forcing even more balls square and back.

I wonder about Xavi- could the last bunch of years of over-playing be finally catching up to him? He looked slow and ineffectual.

It is a little of both, injuries have necessitated the strange formations a bit. But the sheer number of matches the team's Spanish core (Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Villa, Busquets, Cesc, and Pique) have played over the last 4 years have certainly taken a toll. Winning the Euro and WC while going deep or winning every club competition for such a stretch is not sustainable. There are so many injury worries in the group, nobody is playing at full stregnth. The bolded players that have been there for all of it are showing a lot of wear. I'm not optimistic they will find renewed energy for their third match in a week against a European giant, but they sure need it.

 

[NewlyRetired]

News continues to get worse for Rossi. Needs a second surgery that ups the new rehab from 6 months to 10 months.

MADRID (Reuters) -- Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi needs two surgical procedures on the damaged ligament in his right knee and will be out of action for another 10 months."With the objective that Giuseppe Rossi returns to his best physical condition ... the most secure procedure consists in two operations," the Spanish side said in a statement on Monday.The 25-year-old had the first operation in the United States on Friday. He will go under the knife again in four months and will require a further six months to recover.Rossi, who was born in the U.S, has already missed most of this season after tearing the ligament in the same knee in October. He suffered a relapse in training on April 13.The initial prognosis was that he would only be out for six months.

 

[derek245583]

What is the story with this Neymar??

Is he coming to Europe to play? I lack a good source for soccer news....

 

[El Floppo]

News continues to get worse for Rossi. Needs a second surgery that ups the new rehab from 6 months to 10 months.

MADRID (Reuters) -- Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi needs two surgical procedures on the damaged ligament in his right knee and will be out of action for another 10 months.

"With the objective that Giuseppe Rossi returns to his best physical condition ... the most secure procedure consists in two operations," the Spanish side said in a statement on Monday.

The 25-year-old had the first operation in the United States on Friday. He will go under the knife again in four months and will require a further six months to recover.

Rossi, who was born in the U.S, has already missed most of this season after tearing the ligament in the same knee in October. He suffered a relapse in training on April 13.

The initial prognosis was that he would only be out for six months.

Shouldn't he have stayed in Italy? you know... where he's from and all?

 

[TLEF316]

News continues to get worse for Rossi. Needs a second surgery that ups the new rehab from 6 months to 10 months.

MADRID (Reuters) -- Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi needs two surgical procedures on the damaged ligament in his right knee and will be out of action for another 10 months.

"With the objective that Giuseppe Rossi returns to his best physical condition ... the most secure procedure consists in two operations," the Spanish side said in a statement on Monday.

The 25-year-old had the first operation in the United States on Friday. He will go under the knife again in four months and will require a further six months to recover.

Rossi, who was born in the U.S, has already missed most of this season after tearing the ligament in the same knee in October. He suffered a relapse in training on April 13.

The initial prognosis was that he would only be out for six months.

Shouldn't he have stayed in Italy? you know... where he's from and all?

No. He's American for everything except soccer. Is medical care soccer?!?!!?As long as his club is picking up the bill for surgery and the cost of his care doesn't go into any American health care pool, I have no issue with this.

 

[NewlyRetired]

What is the story with this Neymar??Is he coming to Europe to play? I lack a good source for soccer news....

The Neymar transfer is extremely complicated because of the sponsors. You can read more about it here. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3277/la-liga/2012/03/21/2981672/neymar-to-spearhead-a-new-brand-barcelona-but-it-may-be

 

[NewlyRetired]

From Brian Strauss

The U.S. national team is in negotiations to play Russia in an exhibition on Nov. 14. Russian Football Union president Sergey Fursenko told Russia 2 television on Monday that finding the right stadium is the only hurdle to finalizing the first game between the two nations since 2000.“In November of this year, we are playing the Americans,” Fursenko said. “We’re still discussing (the site). Most likely (in the U.S.), where it’s warm.”Nov. 14 is the final international date on the 2012 FIFA calendar. The U.S. has nine games scheduled between now and then. It will play Scotland (May 26), Brazil (May 30) and Canada (June 3) in friendlies before kicking off World Cup qualifying with a match against Antigua and Barbuda in Tampa (June 8) and then at Guatemala (June 12).The semifinal round will continue on Sept. 7 and 11 with a home-and-home vs. Jamaica and conclude in mid-October at Antigua and then home against Guatemala.The U.S. must finish in the top two of the four-team group to progress to the final round of CONCACAF qualifying next year.Russia, which will compete in this summer’s European Championship, won’t start its World Cup qualification run until early September.The U.S. and Russia have met four times since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The Russians hold a 2-0-2 edge and won the most recent match-up, 2-0, in Moscow. The last meeting before that was back in 1994 in Seattle, where Alexi Lalas scored for the Americans in a 1-1 draw.U.S. Soccer typically doesn’t confirm or deny foreign reports regarding potential national team games. The team often goes abroad in November. It visited Europe in 2005, ‘09 and ‘11 and South Africa in ‘07 and ‘10.