***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (10 Viewers)

[Christo]

This could be our Bob Beamon moment

Thanks Brandi.

 

[Christo]

Timmay!

 

[Txns8]

Wow. Just wow.

 

[Slapdash]

 

[Eephus]

I'm more excited about this result than anything that happened at the London Olympics

 

[wazoo11]

Ian Darke's voice alone is getting me for the EPL season to start.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Howard again!!

 

[Christo]

Timmay!

 

[Tremendous Upside]

4 stoppage time minutes? Seems like a lot

 

[Mr. Pickles]

4 stoppage time minutes? Seems like a lot

+ laser interference on Howard. Seems cool.

 

[Txns8]

I might cry. This is amazing!

 

[Christo]

Jurgen you beautiful bastage.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Yes!!!!

(on a side note, I love how Klinsmann always rubs the Mexico coach's tummy when they shake hands)

 

[Native]

Pretty damn cool.

 

[Rustoleum]

I used to think Howard was overrated. Perhaps I was mistaken.

 

[Steve Tasker]

That was enjoyable.

 

[CBusAlex]

#### YES

 

[Native]

Pretty cool that the win is on the front page of ESPN over Felix Hernandez's perfect game.

 

[Txns8]

I used to think Howard was overrated. Perhaps I was mistaken.

Perhaps...

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

 

[Christo]

Women's gold medal game on NBC Sports right now for those who didn't get a chance to see it.

 

[Bonzai]

I bet Kyle Beckerman is REALLY good at hackey sack

 

[The Z Machine]

I ####### missed it because I was at trivia. We won 1st, but I would have much rather seen a US win in Azteca.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Comments:

Is this the shock therapy Shea needs to awaken his ability again?

When you think Cameron moved to center back kicking and screaming at Houston, he should send Kinnear a dozen roses. That performance may see him get a starting spot in the home and home Jaimaica qualifiers.

The game was dead. The fans knew it was a friendly and had none of the atmosphere that normally is at Azteca during a qualifier.

I hate the overstatement of this game but I really hope it takes away one small mental edge Mexico has always had at home

I am more and more convinced that Bradley is the most important field player for the US, even more than Dempsey. He would have made a huge difference over Jones who could not hold the ball for the life of him.

 

[The Z Machine]

I really really hope this game is on my DVR.

 

[Christo]

I really really hope this game is on my DVR.

Keep an eye out on ESPN Classic, it may just get instant classic status.

 

[Steve Tasker]

The game was dead. The fans knew it was a friendly and had none of the atmosphere that normally is at Azteca during a qualifier.

Yes, the crowd was nearly silent around the 60-minute mark and almost sounded restless. Ian Darke commented on it right after I thought of it.

I am more and more convinced that Bradley is the most important field player for the US, even more than Dempsey. He would have made a huge difference over Jones who could not hold the ball for the life of him.

100% correct.Also, those two late saves from Howard were just spectacular.

 

[The Gator]

Is this what look Howard is going for?

 

[Eephus]

I really really hope this game is on my DVR.

Keep an eye out on ESPN Classic, it may just get instant classic status.

It'll be one of the least classic instant classics but that's a minor quibble.It's on ESPN3 if you have that

 

[Tremendous Upside]

MOTM:

1. Howard

2. Cameron

3. Orozco

 

[Mjolnirs]

Red card for the German GK. Back up saves Messi penalty!

Third string keeper and only his second cap!In the first 20 minutes the score could have easily been 3-1 Germany. But, as usual of late, Germany just can't put the final touch on the ball. I'll take a 3-1 friendly loss to a top notch Argentina squad against a very young experimental German one. The announcers said that Klose at the age of 34 was the only player on the German roster for the match that was over the age of 25!

+ laser interference on Howard. Seems cool.

This past week there have been a couple of articles in the local newspaper about how bad these lasers can be. The Coast Guard had to cancel a helicopter search for boaters because someone aimed one of these at the helicopter. The pilots are required to immediately return to base and have their eyes examined! FIFA needs to do something drastic like carding the coach/bench when one of these is spotted aimed at a player.

 

[QuizGuy66]

USA! USA! USA!

Suck it, Mexico!



Couldn't happen to a more deserving fanbase - they who chanted "Osama Osama" there in the past.

-QG

 

[QuizGuy66]

3-0 Chicharitos

 

[QuizGuy66]

Bayern apparently set to snag Javi Martinez from Athletic. Llorente also possibly going to either Juve or Arsenal.Arsenal also reportedly interested in taking Javier Hernandez back from Man U.

Poor Bilbao, not like they can hit the market to replace these guys.

Yeah, I'm afraid the gap between the Top 2 and the rest of La Liga's only gotten bigger with Malaga and Athletic not being able to afford their best players. Mexico 2, USA 0.

 

[QuizGuy66]

3-1 Mexico.Gomez scores for the US.

More like 0-1

 

[Christo]

Everyone else afraid to make a prediction tonight too?

Mexico -1USA 45

Maybe not the right score. But I think I was the only one to pick the good guys.

 

[Mjolnirs]

No surprise, but not a mention on the local sports at 11.

 

[El Floppo]

Comments:

Is this the shock therapy Shea needs to awaken his ability again?

When you think Cameron moved to center back kicking and screaming at Houston, he should send Kinnear a dozen roses. That performance may see him get a starting spot in the home and home Jaimaica qualifiers.

The game was dead. The fans knew it was a friendly and had none of the atmosphere that normally is at Azteca during a qualifier.

I hate the overstatement of this game but I really hope it takes away one small mental edge Mexico has always had at home

I am more and more convinced that Bradley is the most important field player for the US, even more than Dempsey. He would have made a huge difference over Jones who could not hold the ball for the life of him.

Totally rigth about the game being dead. The fans seemed to be there more to celebrate the gold medal and the players just seemed to be trotting out without any energy or sense of purpose. The strangest game I've ever seen played at Azteca.

And before the goal, I actually yelled at the TV "you guys get PAYED to play ####### soccer- HOW CAN YOU NOT KNOW HOW TO TRAP THE ####### BALL". I don't know why it struck me- but sweet jeebus... these guys couldn't make or receive a pass if their lives depended on it.

I had talked about wanting Mexico to win the Oly Gold so that there would be a bit of a hangover combined with overconfidence and heightened expectations. I had hoped for that in WCQ. IMO, this result actually hurts the US vs Mexico going forward. Mexico is going to be PISSED. As a team and a fan-base. Hopefully the US can hold on at home against them, but playing away is going to be brutal as nobody in Mexico is going to want to ever see a repeat result and will do everything in their power to avoid it. It will be ugly from every standpoint.

So... players and team:

Howard was fantastic. I was thinking to myself how he used to be weak against the driven cross- but wow, he's stepped that part of his game up. ALong with the obvious jawdropping saves, he did really well controlling the 6 and dealt with some nasty crosses very well.

Cameron and Edu partnered pretty well, and Cameron did a really nice job on both sides of the ball. Got caught letting CHeech drift away from him a few times, but then again, most defenders do. I wonder who was dictating the line back there- whichever one it was, did a nice job- they kept their shape well throughout.

Johnson and Castillo did a nice job containing the flanks- I was impressed in particular with Castillo who IIRC got torched by Mexcian players last time these teams met. He limited Cabrerra to nada. Neither got forward much, but that had less to do with them and more to do with the US's inability to put passes together.

The MF was pretty bleak.

Torres disappeared, or lost the ball when he materialized. Couldn't partner with anybody and found no space going forward.

LD looked like he was playing hurt- not getting up and down the field and not defending as well as he usually does. But he orchestrated some nice (rare) moves forward.

Jones was terrible. I'm a fan of his, but he paired miserably with the rest of his MF on both sides of the ball. There were so many gaps in the middle of the field in front of the back four- usually a place of strength for the US, especially when Jones is in there with either Edu or Bradley. And then he lost the ball a ton. His touch was off.

Beckerman was listed as an outside MF, but he kept dropping deep into his natural hodling MF space and that made the US shape pretty grim for most of the game leaving space out wide and putting too many guys flat and deep allowing space in front of them on top of the box. It got better as the game progressed, but not much. It's a broken, and he exhibited every part of his game: slow as tar, but with good touch and nice vision/decision-making when he has time.

Williams couldn't get his touch at all and it hurt him and the US with him consistently losing possession off mis-traps or mis-passes or just needing to take 5+ touches to do whatever it is he was trying to do. Defended fairly well, so not a complete loss.

Nice to see Shea have a positive impact on a game, even if he misdribbled before the assist.

DMB. Yep.

Not a good game from Herc. Touch was off, runs weren't timing well with the MFs, couldn't hold the ball up as well as he's shown. But I still like his workrate, and I like what I've seen of him playing for his club making the sharp runs into dangerous space sim to CHeech. If he, Boyd and Jozy can stay healthy and keep getting PT, we finally have the luxury of figuring out which guys needs to sit instead of which guy is good enough to play.

Boyd did ok- did well getting to the ball a couple of times, but I'd like to see his overall game improve (and I believe it will as he gets consistent 1st team action). His runs are a little late, his touch a little heavy, and his decision making a little iffy, but he's close and young and I already like what I've seen of him.

 

[El Floppo]

I bet Kyle Beckerman is REALLY good at hackey sack

 

[El Floppo]

I used to think Howard was overrated. Perhaps I was mistaken.

Perhaps...

Overrated? wtf? When?

 

[El Floppo]

btw- I absolutely hate... HATE...the insta-red card given to GKs who foul a guy on a break away. It's already a PK and the GK (usually) is just going for the ball but misses. I know it's "last man/goal-scoring chance" and all, but it's ####### horrible and ruins more games than it ever is going to save.

that Germany v Argentina game was shaping up to be a really entertaining, but the ####### rules ruined it.

eta: I'm sick as a dog, so take most of what I've blathered in here with a sick/curmudgeonly grain of bitterness.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

btw- I absolutely hate... HATE...the insta-red card given to GKs who foul a guy on a break away. It's already a PK and the GK (usually) is just going for the ball but misses. I know it's "last man/goal-scoring chance" and all, but it's ####### horrible and ruins more games than it ever is going to save.that Germany v Argentina game was shaping up to be a really entertaining, but the ####### rules ruined it.eta: I'm sick as a dog, so take most of what I've blathered in here with a sick/curmudgeonly grain of bitterness.

I agree with the rule, actually, but think that some latitude for friendlies should be allowed. In the same way that the sub rules are relaxed, for friendlies "technical reds" (for lack of a better term) should mean the carded player must exit, but may be replaced without loss of manpower. This would obviously not be in effect for deliberate or dangerous reds.Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if Argentina would have preferred to stay 11/11. Hard to evaluate players given the opponent playing a man down.

 

[El Floppo]

btw- I absolutely hate... HATE...the insta-red card given to GKs who foul a guy on a break away. It's already a PK and the GK (usually) is just going for the ball but misses. I know it's "last man/goal-scoring chance" and all, but it's ####### horrible and ruins more games than it ever is going to save.that Germany v Argentina game was shaping up to be a really entertaining, but the ####### rules ruined it.eta: I'm sick as a dog, so take most of what I've blathered in here with a sick/curmudgeonly grain of bitterness.

I agree with the rule, actually, but think that some latitude for friendlies should be allowed. In the same way that the sub rules are relaxed, for friendlies "technical reds" (for lack of a better term) should mean the carded player must exit, but may be replaced without loss of manpower. This would obviously not be in effect for deliberate or dangerous reds.Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if Argentina would have preferred to stay 11/11. Hard to evaluate players given the opponent playing a man down.

You agree with the rule? Does that mean in this case, or that in general you like the red card to be pulled out for pedestrian fouls in the box because they're committed by the last man?

 

[Tremendous Upside]

btw- I absolutely hate... HATE...the insta-red card given to GKs who foul a guy on a break away. It's already a PK and the GK (usually) is just going for the ball but misses. I know it's "last man/goal-scoring chance" and all, but it's ####### horrible and ruins more games than it ever is going to save.that Germany v Argentina game was shaping up to be a really entertaining, but the ####### rules ruined it.eta: I'm sick as a dog, so take most of what I've blathered in here with a sick/curmudgeonly grain of bitterness.

I agree with the rule, actually, but think that some latitude for friendlies should be allowed. In the same way that the sub rules are relaxed, for friendlies "technical reds" (for lack of a better term) should mean the carded player must exit, but may be replaced without loss of manpower. This would obviously not be in effect for deliberate or dangerous reds.Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if Argentina would have preferred to stay 11/11. Hard to evaluate players given the opponent playing a man down.

You agree with the rule? Does that mean in this case, or that in general you like the red card to be pulled out for pedestrian fouls in the box because they're committed by the last man?

I agree with the rule in general. Last man commits a foul, it's a red card. There are many "pedestrian" infractions with worse consequences than that IMO. A defender on the edge of the 6 gets his hand on an otherwise innocuous pass, PK...Same thing with a challenge on a player in no position to threaten that happens to be within the 6...And FWIW, there was a decent amount of contact on the Argentine player on that play IMO

 

[El Floppo]

btw- I absolutely hate... HATE...the insta-red card given to GKs who foul a guy on a break away. It's already a PK and the GK (usually) is just going for the ball but misses. I know it's "last man/goal-scoring chance" and all, but it's ####### horrible and ruins more games than it ever is going to save.that Germany v Argentina game was shaping up to be a really entertaining, but the ####### rules ruined it.eta: I'm sick as a dog, so take most of what I've blathered in here with a sick/curmudgeonly grain of bitterness.

I agree with the rule, actually, but think that some latitude for friendlies should be allowed. In the same way that the sub rules are relaxed, for friendlies "technical reds" (for lack of a better term) should mean the carded player must exit, but may be replaced without loss of manpower. This would obviously not be in effect for deliberate or dangerous reds.Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if Argentina would have preferred to stay 11/11. Hard to evaluate players given the opponent playing a man down.

You agree with the rule? Does that mean in this case, or that in general you like the red card to be pulled out for pedestrian fouls in the box because they're committed by the last man?

I agree with the rule in general. Last man commits a foul, it's a red card. There are many "pedestrian" infractions with worse consequences than that IMO. A defender on the edge of the 6 gets his hand on an otherwise innocuous pass, PK...Same thing with a challenge on a player in no position to threaten that happens to be within the 6...And FWIW, there was a decent amount of contact on the Argentine player on that play IMO

I'm not arguing the call on that play- clear cut foul and clear cut PK. That's the proper and adequate response for committing such a foul. The other team gets a goal (most of the time), the keeper maybe gets a yellow- and on with the game.With this rule- which IMO was instituted to keep professional fouls from affecting a game too drastically- eg: a guy's about to go on a breakaway and the last defender just drags him down instead of letting the attacker go one on one at his GK. I'm ok with THAT being a red based on the rule, but giving a red for the hand ball (unintentional) or gk/defender fouling a guy without malice or intent just because he's the last defender... sucks. And ruins games.

 

[guru_007]

I actually see this partnership ending badly. I can see some really poor chemistry.On another note, I think its very short-sighted that Arsenal would sell to United just because they offered the most money. They shouldve taken less money to sell him elsewhere (I thought Juventus offered 20M). I understand #### couldnt convince RVP to resign, but selling him to a fierce rival (whose been whipping your butt lately) shows very little ambition. Big mistake that they will live to regret.

Okay, I am kind of getting a kick out of those thinking the Van Persie signing is going to be a bad deal for both player and Man United (and it’s not just on this board). Seriously? He was the best goal scorer in the premier league last year and is now headed for the best offensive club in the league – with the second leading scorer for support, and the best compliment of attacking wingers in the league to set him up (4 mf’s in the top 15 in assists last year). How is this exactly going to be a bad thing? Rooney can drift back to a displaced striker position, one where he really thrived last year - as I thought his pairing with Welbeck up top was where United was at their most dangerous. Now, replacing Welbeck with Van Persie, and that is going to be a worse situation? I don’t think so.Van Persie is 29, and perhaps a bit injury prone, but he just turned 29 – whereas the likes of Zlatan Ibrahomivic who will be 31 in a few months went for similar money – and his salary is substantial. SAF was repeatedly sniped by just about every target he went after this summer, and what does United do? Only swoop down and get one of the most coveted strikers in the World. There were other strikers available, the most prominently mentioned Fernando Llorente – but let’s just see how much money he goes for and he’s also no spring chicken at 27 years of age. And it’s not as if United is not familiar with the talent he offers, as Bilbao torched them pretty nicely just last year in CL play and Llorente was fantastic. But, being that he’s never played a season in England which is a bit more physical than Spain, I think grabbing the guy that’s been here for 9 or so years and hungry for silverware was a pretty shrewd move even if they didn’t get a bargain on him – hell it’s not my money, so who cares, right? Okay, maybe this poster owns a piece of United, I will not disclose this information on a public forum.Oh, and I’ve seen a few remarks about United not addressing the need for a more holding central midfielder, well not every team can have everything. United has certainly been spoiled for the past 15-20 years with their midfield play, and in hindsight you would have ideally liked to have seen them address this a few years earlier and nurture someone into that next great player…but it’s easier said than done. And SAF has extremely high value placed on Anderson – perhaps he’s getting a bit delirious in his advanced age, but Anderson has gotten markedly better over the past few seasons at OT. Hopefully he can stay healthy this entire season and take another step forward. Cleverly is also a young player who can hopefully increase his play. I would like nothing more than to see Carrick relegated to Cup games as he is not really any answer there. It will also be nice to see if Fletcher can come back and bolster that link between defense and offense. Will have EPL and Serie A previews and predications in a bit if anyone’s interested. If not, will save my fingers the trouble.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Let's have it Guru.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

God I'm old. Had no idea RVP was 29 -- time flies.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

I actually see this partnership ending badly. I can see some really poor chemistry.On another note, I think its very short-sighted that Arsenal would sell to United just because they offered the most money. They shouldve taken less money to sell him elsewhere (I thought Juventus offered 20M). I understand #### couldnt convince RVP to resign, but selling him to a fierce rival (whose been whipping your butt lately) shows very little ambition. Big mistake that they will live to regret.

Okay, I am kind of getting a kick out of those thinking the Van Persie signing is going to be a bad deal for both player and Man United (and it’s not just on this board). Seriously? He was the best goal scorer in the premier league last year and is now headed for the best offensive club in the league – with the second leading scorer for support, and the best compliment of attacking wingers in the league to set him up (4 mf’s in the top 15 in assists last year). How is this exactly going to be a bad thing? Rooney can drift back to a displaced striker position, one where he really thrived last year - as I thought his pairing with Welbeck up top was where United was at their most dangerous. Now, replacing Welbeck with Van Persie, and that is going to be a worse situation? I don’t think so.Van Persie is 29, and perhaps a bit injury prone, but he just turned 29 – whereas the likes of Zlatan Ibrahomivic who will be 31 in a few months went for similar money – and his salary is substantial. SAF was repeatedly sniped by just about every target he went after this summer, and what does United do? Only swoop down and get one of the most coveted strikers in the World. There were other strikers available, the most prominently mentioned Fernando Llorente – but let’s just see how much money he goes for and he’s also no spring chicken at 27 years of age. And it’s not as if United is not familiar with the talent he offers, as Bilbao torched them pretty nicely just last year in CL play and Llorente was fantastic. But, being that he’s never played a season in England which is a bit more physical than Spain, I think grabbing the guy that’s been here for 9 or so years and hungry for silverware was a pretty shrewd move even if they didn’t get a bargain on him – hell it’s not my money, so who cares, right? Okay, maybe this poster owns a piece of United, I will not disclose this information on a public forum.Oh, and I’ve seen a few remarks about United not addressing the need for a more holding central midfielder, well not every team can have everything. United has certainly been spoiled for the past 15-20 years with their midfield play, and in hindsight you would have ideally liked to have seen them address this a few years earlier and nurture someone into that next great player…but it’s easier said than done. And SAF has extremely high value placed on Anderson – perhaps he’s getting a bit delirious in his advanced age, but Anderson has gotten markedly better over the past few seasons at OT. Hopefully he can stay healthy this entire season and take another step forward. Cleverly is also a young player who can hopefully increase his play. I would like nothing more than to see Carrick relegated to Cup games as he is not really any answer there. It will also be nice to see if Fletcher can come back and bolster that link between defense and offense. Will have EPL and Serie A previews and predications in a bit if anyone’s interested. If not, will save my fingers the trouble.

 

[charvik]

Okay, I am kind of getting a kick out of those thinking the Van Persie signing is going to be a bad deal for both player and Man United <snip> Will have EPL and Serie A previews and predications in a bit if anyone’s interested. If not, will save my fingers the trouble.

I certainly don't think it will be a bad signing, quite the opposite, but I hope he fails miserably... As for the previews, please post. I always appreciate your thoughts.