***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (6 Viewers)

[brewer]

Bendtner immediately jumps out to as me as a weakness.

With Adebayor gone to City, this remains to be seen. Bendtner could end up being a steal here if he gets the majority of the time in front at Arsenal(at least I think so since this was supposed to be salary tiers or something).

RVP and Eduardo were hurt a lot of last year and Arshavin came in midseason. Adebayor was good, but he got a lot of chances because Arsenal was injured quite a bit. Arsenal looks pretty crowded up top, Walcott looks to get some time at FC as well. There might be better striker options from mid-table teams where they are the only real goal-scoring threat for their side.

I don't disagree with you necessarily... but RVP is ALWAYS hurt and Eduardo is coming off a crazy bad injury. As you point out however, Walcott may get a shot and Carlos Vela is also in the mix. I'm just pointing out that Bendtner may not be as bad an option as he originally looks(certainly depending on the salary and other available options). The guy really seemed to be putting it together at the end of last season and he should have more opportunity this year with Adebayor(the other tall, pure striking option) gone from the squad. And whoever is the striker at Arsenal should get plenty of service from their talented wingers and backs.

 

[The Kansas Comet]

Another reason Freddy Adu needs to leave Benfica if he wants to see the field this season:

Keirrison loaned to Benfica

Keirrison and Adu don't really play the same position. Keirrison is a pure center forward who showed some impressive goal scoring ability with Palmeiras and Coritiba. Really hoping he progresses well in his loan spell in Benfica and looking forward to having him with Barcelona next season.

My bad - I figured any additional option in the attack couldn't be good for Freddy. I am looking forward to seeing what Keirrison can do as well. Barcelona also appears to have loaned Caceres to Juventus and Hleb to Stuttgart, clearing up the roster a bit.

 

[Desert_Power]

Another reason Freddy Adu needs to leave Benfica if he wants to see the field this season:

Keirrison loaned to Benfica

Keirrison and Adu don't really play the same position. Keirrison is a pure center forward who showed some impressive goal scoring ability with Palmeiras and Coritiba. Really hoping he progresses well in his loan spell in Benfica and looking forward to having him with Barcelona next season.

My bad - I figured any additional option in the attack couldn't be good for Freddy. I am looking forward to seeing what Keirrison can do as well. Barcelona also appears to have loaned Caceres to Juventus and Hleb to Stuttgart, clearing up the roster a bit.

I don't really see a spot in Befica for Adu regardless of Keirrison, his best prospects are probably to go on loan again and hope to earn PT.As for Barcelona, the move loan out Hleb surprises me still. Here is our roster for the US matches and likely our roster for the season: Valdés, Pinto, Jorquera, Marquez, Piqué, Puyol, Gudjohnsen, Xavi, Iniesta, Henry, Ibrahimovic, Messi, Bojan, Keita, Alves, Abidal, Touré, Pedro, Sergio, Maxwell, Henrique, Victor Sanchez, Jeffren, Muniesa, Fontas and Jonathan.

The reason loaning Hleb out puzzles me is that we still look extremely thin in the midfield. During the annoying mid-year African tournament, Sergio and Gudjohnsen are our only proven options in the midfield. If Xavi or Iniesta gets hurt we will have to be relying on youth in a big way(though this worked out well last year).

There are two ways I can understand this decision though. Pep could be planning to play Marquez in more of a defensive mid role this year, particularly when Toure and Keita are unavailable. As you may remember, when Barca ran a 3-4-3 Marquez was often the pivot man and could see more time in this role as Pique surpasses him at the CB and Henrique develops. The other possibility is that Pep really sees that Jonathan Dos Santos(younger brother of Giovanni) is ready for first team play. Since Xavi Torres left, he is probably the top youth talent in midfield. He looked very poised in the Wembley Cup and is included in this squad on that performance. If you get the chance to watch the squad in the US matches pay close attention to him. His performance should dictate whether or not Barca is going to add another midfielder for this year.

 

[The Kansas Comet]

I will definitely keep an eye on Dos Santos Saturday. I think your point about where Márquez will play is a good one - I think Barça is better when he's at the pivot as I think Pique has become the better defender (granted, I've never been much of a Rafa fan as it is).

 

[The Z Machine]

I personally think Rafa plays BETTER at a deep defensive mid (like in that 3-4-3 lineup) than at CB. I'd definitively take Piqué over him now. It doesn't hurt that Piqué is probably my favorite Barça player.

BTW, did I ever tell you guys that my fianceé is a Real fan. Disgusting. I can't believe I'm going to marry that woman.

 

[Desert_Power]

I personally think Rafa plays BETTER at a deep defensive mid (like in that 3-4-3 lineup) than at CB. I'd definitively take Piqué over him now. It doesn't hurt that Piqué is probably my favorite Barça player.

BTW, did I ever tell you guys that my fianceé is a Real fan. Disgusting. I can't believe I'm going to marry that woman.

http://nomarriage.com/I think that the reason he seems to play better at defensive mid is that he tends to play very physically and makes risky challenges which can be effective but is very risky when you are the final defender, particularly in La Liga and particularly when Valdes is in goal making....unorthodox decisions.

 

[Kendall]

Link

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Alonso hands in Liverpool transfer request - report

Soccernet staff

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has handed in a transfer request at Anfield to try and force the pace of his move to Real Madrid.

The former Real Socieded star flew back from Spain on Thursday after a short break, determined to secure his move to La Liga.

A club source has confirmed Alonso handed in a written transfer request, having only previously told Rafa Benitez verbally that he wanted out of Anfield.

Liverpool have refused to budge from an asking price for Alonso in the region of £30m, which has stalled any potential move to the Bernabeu, but his transfer request, coupled with an upped offer from Madrid, may secure the deal.

Benitez spent Liverpool's tour of the Far East trying to convinve Alonso to stay but it appears to have failed.

Since Real's first bid of around £24m, both parties have been engaged in a war of words over the deal, with Real president Florentino Perez maintaining that Liverpool's valuation was much too high.

Alonso was unsettled last summer as Benitez tried to sell him on to raise funds to make a bid for Gareth Barry.

Now it seems he has his heart set on a move to the Bernabeu and is ready to end his five-year stay at Anfield.

Crap X 19,241.

 

[andy_b]

I am watching....still wondering why the MLS all stars are playing a completely different league. But I am not a soccer follower, I just found it wierd.

MLS has been doing this for years. The "East vs West" games were the suck. No one cared and no one took it seriously.For the last handful of years, MLS smartly made the game a lot more watchable by pitting the MLS All Stars against a foreign team. The MLS players instantly took the game more seriously and as such the game became better to watch, even as an exhibition.

 

[Kendall]

I really hope the Soccernet Alonso article turns out to be crap.

 

[Desert_Power]

Link

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Alonso hands in Liverpool transfer request - report

Soccernet staff

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has handed in a transfer request at Anfield to try and force the pace of his move to Real Madrid.

The former Real Socieded star flew back from Spain on Thursday after a short break, determined to secure his move to La Liga.

A club source has confirmed Alonso handed in a written transfer request, having only previously told Rafa Benitez verbally that he wanted out of Anfield.

Liverpool have refused to budge from an asking price for Alonso in the region of £30m, which has stalled any potential move to the Bernabeu, but his transfer request, coupled with an upped offer from Madrid, may secure the deal.

Benitez spent Liverpool's tour of the Far East trying to convinve Alonso to stay but it appears to have failed.

Since Real's first bid of around £24m, both parties have been engaged in a war of words over the deal, with Real president Florentino Perez maintaining that Liverpool's valuation was much too high.

Alonso was unsettled last summer as Benitez tried to sell him on to raise funds to make a bid for Gareth Barry.

Now it seems he has his heart set on a move to the Bernabeu and is ready to end his five-year stay at Anfield.

Crap X 19,241.

I'm unsure why Real is chasing him though. Would he really be a big upgrade over Lass and/or Gago? They haven't really been able to offload any of their players, so what type of formation would this mean? I'm don't think their is a coach in the world that could handle all of the egos that are in this squad trying to get playing time.

 

[Kendall]

Also, it looks like Arbeloa's sale from Liverpool to Real Madrid is about complete for around £3.5m.

 

[Kendall]

Link

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Alonso hands in Liverpool transfer request - report

Soccernet staff

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has handed in a transfer request at Anfield to try and force the pace of his move to Real Madrid.

The former Real Socieded star flew back from Spain on Thursday after a short break, determined to secure his move to La Liga.

A club source has confirmed Alonso handed in a written transfer request, having only previously told Rafa Benitez verbally that he wanted out of Anfield.

Liverpool have refused to budge from an asking price for Alonso in the region of £30m, which has stalled any potential move to the Bernabeu, but his transfer request, coupled with an upped offer from Madrid, may secure the deal.

Benitez spent Liverpool's tour of the Far East trying to convinve Alonso to stay but it appears to have failed.

Since Real's first bid of around £24m, both parties have been engaged in a war of words over the deal, with Real president Florentino Perez maintaining that Liverpool's valuation was much too high.

Alonso was unsettled last summer as Benitez tried to sell him on to raise funds to make a bid for Gareth Barry.

Now it seems he has his heart set on a move to the Bernabeu and is ready to end his five-year stay at Anfield.

Crap X 19,241.

I'm unsure why Real is chasing him though. Would he really be a big upgrade over Lass and/or Gago? They haven't really been able to offload any of their players, so what type of formation would this mean? I'm don't think their is a coach in the world that could handle all of the egos that are in this squad trying to get playing time.

Hell, they probably just want to buy him to stick it to Liverpool for thrashing them in the Champions League last year.

 

[Desert_Power]

Link

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Alonso hands in Liverpool transfer request - report

Soccernet staff

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has handed in a transfer request at Anfield to try and force the pace of his move to Real Madrid.

The former Real Socieded star flew back from Spain on Thursday after a short break, determined to secure his move to La Liga.

A club source has confirmed Alonso handed in a written transfer request, having only previously told Rafa Benitez verbally that he wanted out of Anfield.

Liverpool have refused to budge from an asking price for Alonso in the region of £30m, which has stalled any potential move to the Bernabeu, but his transfer request, coupled with an upped offer from Madrid, may secure the deal.

Benitez spent Liverpool's tour of the Far East trying to convinve Alonso to stay but it appears to have failed.

Since Real's first bid of around £24m, both parties have been engaged in a war of words over the deal, with Real president Florentino Perez maintaining that Liverpool's valuation was much too high.

Alonso was unsettled last summer as Benitez tried to sell him on to raise funds to make a bid for Gareth Barry.

Now it seems he has his heart set on a move to the Bernabeu and is ready to end his five-year stay at Anfield.

Crap X 19,241.

I'm unsure why Real is chasing him though. Would he really be a big upgrade over Lass and/or Gago? They haven't really been able to offload any of their players, so what type of formation would this mean? I'm don't think their is a coach in the world that could handle all of the egos that are in this squad trying to get playing time.

Hell, they probably just want to buy him to stick it to Liverpool for thrashing them in the Champions League last year.

Or maybe to hedge against the trouble they would be in if 6+5 ever went into play.Seriously though, there should come a point after you spend well in excess of 250 million euros where you sit back and see how your squad works together instead of trying to upgrade positions that don't need upgrading.

My greatest hope would be that they do not succeed and are leveraged to the point where they couldn't pay off the loans they took out for this foolish spree. But that would never happen, they are Madrid and they won't go bankrupt no matter what buffoonery they pull.

Still, it is reprehensible for a club to behave like they do and I wish them nothing but the worst.

 

[The Kansas Comet]

I personally think Rafa plays BETTER at a deep defensive mid (like in that 3-4-3 lineup) than at CB. I'd definitively take Piqué over him now. It doesn't hurt that Piqué is probably my favorite Barça player.BTW, did I ever tell you guys that my fianceé is a Real fan. Disgusting. I can't believe I'm going to marry that woman.

You okay? Thoughts and prayers.

 

[prefontaine]

Mexico announces squad for US WCQ match

GOALKEEPERS: Guillermo Ochoa (América), José de Jesús Corona (Cruz Azul).DEFENDERS: Efraín Juárez (Pumas), José Antonio Castro (Tigres), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart, Alemania), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven, Holanda), Oscar Rojas (América), Rafael Márquez (Barcelona, España), Jonny Magallón (Chivas), Aarón Galindo (Chivas).MIDFIELDERS: Israel Castro (Pumas), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Chicago Fire), Andrés Guardado (Deportivo La Coruña, España), Alberto Medina (Chivas).FORWARDS: Miguel Sabah (Morelia), Giovani Dos Santos (Ipswich, Inglaterra), Carlos Vela (Arsenal, Inglaterra), Guillermo Franco (sin equipo), Nery Castillo (Shakhtar Donetsk).

Lot of players from that Gold Cup squad

 

[Steve Tasker]

Guillermo Franco (sin equipo)

 

[The Z Machine]

Guillermo Franco (sin equipo)

He got a few games w/ Villarreal last year, but they didn't re-sign him. He definitely got more PT than Jozy. Still, I'm not much a fan of his game though he should get picked up somewhere, at least in Mexico if not in Spain.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Guillermo Franco (sin equipo)

He got a few games w/ Villarreal last year, but they didn't re-sign him. He definitely got more PT than Jozy. Still, I'm not much a fan of his game though he should get picked up somewhere, at least in Mexico if not in Spain.

I just thought the (sin equipo) was funny.

 

[Moe.]

JBIZZLE, format that so it doesn't make my eyes bleed. I take it the first eleven are your starters?Bendtner immediately jumps out as me as a weakness.

Yep. Ireland is also overrated. City brought in so much talent who knows what happens to him.

I dunno, he was one of the best players in the league last year and nobody that they brought in really plays his position. I like that pick, he should get tons of assists. I can't imagine a player as creative as Ireland sitting on the bench.

 

[The Z Machine]

Guillermo Franco (sin equipo)

He got a few games w/ Villarreal last year, but they didn't re-sign him. He definitely got more PT than Jozy. Still, I'm not much a fan of his game though he should get picked up somewhere, at least in Mexico if not in Spain.

I just thought the (sin equipo) was funny.

Oh. :stilldontgetit:

 

[Mjolnirs]

A little pre-season action from Germany, The Audi Cup.

On Wednesday:

Manchester United 2 (Anderson, Valencia)

Boca Juniors 1 (Insua)

Bayern 4 (Müller, Schweinsteiger, Sene, Müller)

AC Milan 1 (Pirlo)

On Thursday:

Boca Juniors (Boca won on penalties, but I can't find any other info)

AC Milan

Bayern 0 (7:6 on pks)

Manchester United 0

The DFB Pokal (German Cup) kicks off on Sunday and the Bundesliga starts next Friday.

 

[andy_b]

Kenny Cooper was just transferred to 1860 Munich.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id...mls&cc=5901

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Kenny Cooper was just transferred to 1860 Munich.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id...mls&cc=5901

That's an interesting move. Although 1860 is in the second division currently, it is obviously a team extremely rich in tradition (as the club name suggests) and they have bounced between the 1st and 2nd bundesliga a fair bit over the past 20 years or so. I think they even flirted with the top of the table in the 1st division for a couple seasons not too long ago.

 

[Kendall]

So it looks like the deadline for a Xabi Alonso decision is Monday. Madrid reportedly offered Huntleer, Van der Vart or one other guy (I forgot, not Dutch) plus cash. Benetiz supposedly rejected that and wants over 30 mil pounds or such.

 

[Bonzai]

So it looks like the deadline for a Xabi Alonso decision is Monday. Madrid reportedly offered Huntleer, Van der Vart or one other guy (I forgot, not Dutch) plus cash. Benetiz supposedly rejected that and wants over 30 mil pounds or such.

Wow. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

 

[The Z Machine]

Saw the Atleti / Arsenal game this morning. It was actually pretty boring. Arsenal was the better team by quite a bit, especially at the back. Arsenal won 2-1 on a nice last second goal by Arshavin.

 

[bentley]

So it looks like the deadline for a Xabi Alonso decision is Monday. Madrid reportedly offered Huntleer, Van der Vart or one other guy (I forgot, not Dutch) plus cash. Benetiz supposedly rejected that and wants over 30 mil pounds or such.

Wow. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

I'm new to this, but what's with the insistence on the money in this situation? Is there some great unsigned player out there that Rafa plans to get with the cash? I don't see how the deal on the table is a bad one.

 

[Desert_Power]

So it looks like the deadline for a Xabi Alonso decision is Monday. Madrid reportedly offered Huntleer, Van der Vart or one other guy (I forgot, not Dutch) plus cash. Benetiz supposedly rejected that and wants over 30 mil pounds or such.

Wow. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

I'm new to this, but what's with the insistence on the money in this situation? Is there some great unsigned player out there that Rafa plans to get with the cash? I don't see how the deal on the table is a bad one.

I believe Liverpool has some issues with debt. Not every club can magically borrow 300 million euros to spend on transfer fees. It is a recession and Liverpool has to keep its financing in mind. Additionally, Xabi is worth more than 30 million euros and I doubt Liverpool will budge for two players that have no value to MAdrid anymore.

 

[bentley]

So it looks like the deadline for a Xabi Alonso decision is Monday. Madrid reportedly offered Huntleer, Van der Vart or one other guy (I forgot, not Dutch) plus cash. Benetiz supposedly rejected that and wants over 30 mil pounds or such.

Wow. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

I'm new to this, but what's with the insistence on the money in this situation? Is there some great unsigned player out there that Rafa plans to get with the cash? I don't see how the deal on the table is a bad one.

I believe Liverpool has some issues with debt. Not every club can magically borrow 300 million euros to spend on transfer fees. It is a recession and Liverpool has to keep its financing in mind. Additionally, Xabi is worth more than 30 million euros and I doubt Liverpool will budge for two players that have no value to MAdrid anymore.

####### Tom Hicks. Still love him for hiring Mack Brown but his broke ### is going to drive my favorite baseball and soccer teams into the ground.

 

[Steve Tasker]

So it looks like the deadline for a Xabi Alonso decision is Monday. Madrid reportedly offered Huntleer, Van der Vart or one other guy (I forgot, not Dutch) plus cash. Benetiz supposedly rejected that and wants over 30 mil pounds or such.

Wow. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

I'm new to this, but what's with the insistence on the money in this situation? Is there some great unsigned player out there that Rafa plans to get with the cash? I don't see how the deal on the table is a bad one.

I believe Liverpool has some issues with debt. Not every club can magically borrow 300 million euros to spend on transfer fees. It is a recession and Liverpool has to keep its financing in mind. Additionally, Xabi is worth more than 30 million euros and I doubt Liverpool will budge for two players that have no value to MAdrid anymore.

Yes, Liverpool is in massive debt. I believe Villarreal is too. I think I posted an article a month or two ago that talked about how certain teams have been financing their operations/purchases by incurring a lot of debt. The article speculated that the teams will be sellers in the near future and could be in trouble if the European economy doesn't pick up a little bit.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Article from a month ago re: Liverpool's debt financing

Opinion piece about how Liverpool regrets the Hicks/Gillett takeover

Auditors don't issue going concern opinions for no reason. When they issue a going concern opinion, things are massively ####ed up.....and KPMG issued a going concern opinion about Kop Football Holdings financial statements.

Also, I apologize for my earlier mistake. Valencia has a ton of debt, not Villarreal.

 

[Mjolnirs]

Bayern move to the second round of the DFB Pokal with a 3-1 win over lower division SpVgg Neckarelz. Gomez debuts with 2 goals and Altintop got the third.

 

[Steve Tasker]

I think we should make a compendium of which posters are fans of which teams. I tend to forget what teams the posters who don't post as much like...

 

[Christo]

I think we should make a compendium of which posters are fans of which teams. I tend to forget what teams the posters who don't post as much like...

QPR but my adopted EPL team is Fulhamerica Oh, and any team with NACHOS! Last year Pompey this year Spurs!

 

[Steve Tasker]

This is the official who's a fan of what team(s) post. As many teams/leagues as you want to put in here.

International
United States - everyone (probably?)
Argentina - Sebowski, otello, Gianmarco, DiStefano
Bolivia - Sebowski
Brazil - Desert Power, Z's wife, Abrantes, SmoovySmoov, Corporation
Canada - Polsonov?

Chile - BassNBrew
Croatia - kblitz
Denmark - Major

Ecuador - Sand
Egypt - Jmon
England - SmoovySmoov, AAABatteries, Txns8, theprince, T Bell, Charvik, Jonessed, Christo, Corporation
Germany - Mjolnirs, eagles2007, editor47, Bonzai, Short Corner, Corporation, Fariq, Bierfiend, Jayrod
Ireland - PIK95
Italy - Steve Tasker, Texas Football, otello, Boubucarow, Gianmarco, Kafka
Japan - SmoovySmoov
Netherlands - MrPhoenix, AAABatteries, Major, Abraham
Nigeria - Eephus
Portugal - Gator
Serbia - Vipers
Spain - Sebowski, Kansas Comet, Z Machine, The Reytheist, Good Posting Judge, ilov80s

Trinidad & Tobago - Fariq
Turkey - Steve Tasker
Venezuela - Z's wife, Z Machine
Wales - Jonessed

England
EPL
Arsenal - Steve Tasker, Sebowski, Z's wife, Brewer, Vipers, Major, Sparty, Jmon, Scoobygang, The Reytheist, T Bell, The Hardline, Tom Hagen
Chelsea - Native (pre-Abramovich), Cletius Maximus, Eephus Jr., Tremendous Upside, Jaysus, Premier
Everton - Senor Schmutzig, eagles2007
Hull - QuizGuy66
Liverpool - MrPhoenix, Bentley, Kendall, SmoovySmoov, editor47, Gator, PIK95, Texas Football, Sleeping King, jplvr, theprince, wdcrob, Charvik, Gianmarco
Manchester City - editor47, Derek, TitusIII, NYCelt, whoknew
Manchester United - B Maverick, AAABatteries, JuniorNB, Bonzai, AcerFC, Txns8, Ted Lange as your Bartender, Ursa M
Newcastle - Polsonov, Z Machine

Queen's Park Rangers - Christo, Bentley
Southampton - GoFishTN
Sunderland - Gianmarco
Swansea - Good Posting Judge, Jaysus
Tottenham - GoFishTN, Jonessed, jplvr, LHUCKS, Sinn Fein
WBA - Steve Tasker
"Big 4 + any team with an American" - El Floppo

Championship
Blackpool - Jonessed, Otello
Bolton - berndog

Brighton & Hove Albion - Txns8
Derby County - Gator
Ipswich Town - Texas Football, Sparty
Wolves - Boubucarow, theprince

Football League Two
AFC Wimbledon - Eephus

Northern Premier League, Premier Division
FC United of Manchester - otello


Spain

La Liga
Atletico Madrid - Z Machine
Barcelona - Desert Power, Sebowski, Kansas Comet, Jmon, The Reytheist, otello, Good Posting Judge, Sinn Fein, ilov80s
Real Madrid - Z's wife, Derek
Sevilla - Kansas Comet

Segunda Division

Real Zaragoza - Kafka

Italy
Serie A
Inter - El Floppo, Texas Football
Fiorentina - Gianmarco
Juventus - Boubucarow
Milan - Soulfly3, Gianmarco

Napoli - Z Machine
Roma - Sebowski, Good Posting Judge, Charvik, Kafka, The Hardline
Udinese - eagles2007

Serie C1
Ascoli - otello

Germany
Bundesliga
Bayern Munchen - Mjolnirs, Short Corner, Sparty, The Hardline
Borussia Dortmund - eagles2007, editor47, Boubucarow, SmoovySmoov, Z Machine, Sinn Fein
Eintracht Frankfurt - Eephus
VfB Stuttgart - kblitz

2. Bundesliga
1. FC Nurnberg - Bonzai
FC Kaiserslautern - Charvik
FC St. Pauli - Christo


Scotland
Scottish Premiership
Celtic - walnutz, PIK95, NYCelt

Scottish Championship

Hearts - Steve Tasker, Donsmith753
Rangers - Senor Schmutzig


USA
MLS
Chicago Fire - Senor Schmutzig, Vipers, Christo, Boubucarow
Columbus Crew - Bonzai, Derek
DC United - walnutz, Jmon, wdcrob
FC Dallas - Txns8, The Hardline
Houston Dynamo - Txns8, whoknew
LA Galaxy - Kansas Comet, Z Machine, The Reytheist
New England Revolution - andy b, PIK95
New York Red Bulls - JuniorNB, El Floppo, AcerFC
Philadelphia Union - Z's wife, eagles2007, editor47, Ted Lange as your Bartender, otello, Jaysus
San Jose Earthquakes - Good Posting Judge
Seattle Sounders - Vipers, SmoovySmoov
Toronto FC - Steve Tasker

NASL
Carolina Railhawks - walnutz

USL Professional Division
Charleston Battery - Mjolnirs, walnutz, Desert Power

Harrisburg City Islanders - Jaysus


Argentina
Boca Juniors - Steve Tasker, walnutz, El Floppo
Newell's Old Boys - Z Machine
River Plate - Z's wife

Mexico
Chivas Guadalajara - Z Machine
Tijuana Xolos - Sebowski
UNAM Pumas - Z's wife

Croatia
Hajduk Split - kblitz

Brazil
Botafogo - Z Machine
Flamengo - Abrantes, Sebowski

Egypt
Al-Ahly - Jmon

Turkey
Besiktas - Good Posting Judge
Fenerbahce - Steve Tasker

Serbia
Red Star Belgrade - Sparty

 

[Steve Tasker]

If you like teams in other leagues, feel free to mention those too. I considered putting Boca Juniors, Hearts, and West Brom in there as well, might add them later.

I'm going to assume that everyone here is a USMNT fan unless explicitly stated otherwise.

 

[MrPhoenix]

Liverpool- EPL

Netherlands- International

 

[bentley]

I can't believe that my years of support for Liverpool have gone unnoticed.

 

[Steve Tasker]

I filled in a couple more that I am sure about..

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

EPL - Everton bentley

SPL - Rangers

MLS - Chicago Fire

Good idea.

 

[Christo]

I can't believe that my years of support for Liverpool have gone unnoticed.

Oh, we noticed scouser.

 

[Sebowski]

This is the official who's a fan of what team(s) post. As many teams/leagues as you want to put in here.

International

United States - everyone

Italy - Steve Tasker

Netherlands - MrPhoenix

Bolivia - Sebowski

Argentina - Sebowski

Spain - Sebowski

England

EPL

Arsenal - Steve Tasker, Sebowski

Everton - Senor Schmutzig

Fulham - Christo

Liverpool - MrPhoenix, Bentley, Kendall

Manchester United - B Maverick

Championship

Queen's Park Rangers - Christo

Spain

Atletico Madrid - Z Machine

Barcelona - Desert Power, Sebowski

Italy

Scotland

Rangers - Senor Schmutzig

MLS

Chicago Fire - Senor Schmutzig

Toronto FC - Steve Tasker

to be edited many times.

 

[The Kansas Comet]

This is the official who's a fan of what team(s) post. As many teams/leagues as you want to put in here.

International

United States - everyone

Italy - Steve Tasker

Netherlands - MrPhoenix

Bolivia - Sebowski

Argentina - Sebowski

Spain - Sebowski, The Kansas Comet

Chile - The Kansas Comet

England

EPL

Arsenal - Steve Tasker, Sebowski

Everton - Senor Schmutzig

Fulham - Christo

Liverpool - MrPhoenix, Bentley, Kendall

Manchester United - B Maverick

Championship

Queen's Park Rangers - Christo

Spain

Atletico Madrid - Z Machine

Barcelona - Desert Power, Sebowski, The Kansas Comet

Sevilla - The Kansas Comet

Italy

Scotland

Rangers - Senor Schmutzig

MLS

Chicago Fire - Senor Schmutzig

Toronto FC - Steve Tasker

LA Galaxy - The Kansas Comet

to be edited many times.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Arsenal continue their good preseason form with a 3-0 thrashing of Rangers.

Jack Wilshere with 2 goals on the heels of his "man of the match" (per Sky Sports) performance against Atletico Madrid. Eduardo scored as well, Aaron Ramsey made a few nice plays.

I think they might surprise people this year. Especially the people who've written them off as 5th-place finishers behind Manchester City. It's certainly possible, but I don't think they're going to be the relative pushovers (compared to the other big 3 + City) that people seem to think they might be.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Just tell me what teams you're a fan of and I'll edit the original post. The link to that post is in my sig - "Fans Link" .

 

[Mjolnirs]

International - Deutschland

Bundesliga - Bayern München

USL 1st division - Charleston Battery

 

[AAABatteries]

US
Manchester United
Netherlands - always rooted for them since I went to their WC match in Orlando.

 

[eagles2007]

can't believe no one has posted in the soccer thread about the death of robson, former england coach.

as to favorite teams: are there any rules? can i be a fan of all my teams (one in germany, one in italy, one in spain, one in england, two in WC play)?

 

[walnutz]

U.S.

D.C. United

Charleston Battery

Raleigh Railhawks

St. Louis Athletica - Gotta get a WPS team in there.

Manchester United

Celtic

Boca Jr's

 

[Christo]

can't believe no one has posted in the soccer thread about the death of robson, former england coach.

Probably because we hadn't heard about it.

Sir Bobby Robson dies at the age of 76

• Former England manager died this morning

• Robson had fought a long battle with cancer

Sir Bobby Robson has died at the age of 76. The former England manager, who had fought a long battle with cancer, passed away at his home this morning.

"It is with great sadness that it has been announced today that Sir Bobby Robson has lost his long and courageous battle with cancer," read a statement released by Robson's family. "He died very peacefully this morning at his home in County Durham with his wife and family beside him.

"Sir Bobby's funeral will be private and for family members only. A thanksgiving service in celebration of Sir Bobby's life will be held at a later date for his many friends and colleagues.

"Lady Robson and the family would very much appreciate it if their privacy could be respected at this difficult time."

The prime minister Gordon Brown led the tributes, saying that Robson's "Passion, patriotism, dedication and professionalism knew no equal during his time both as a player and a manager", and countless others echoed such sentiments.

"It is difficult to accept such a person is no longer with us," said the Internazionale manager Jose Mourinho, who worked as Robson's translator at Sporting Lisbon, and then as his assistant at Porto and Barcelona. "But he is immortal because he leaves in everybody who knows him a mark of his personality - a great coach but, more than that, a great person."

The Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was similarly effusive in his praise, saying: "In my 23 years working in England there is not a person I would put an inch above Bobby Robson. I mourn the passing of a great friend, a wonderful individual, a tremendous football man and somebody with passion and knowledge of the game that was unsurpassed." Brown's predecessor Tony Blair, a Newcastle supporter, described Robson as "one of the nicest, most caring and genuine people I ever met - a real Geordie gentleman."

David Lacey: He was the heart and soul of English football

Louise Taylor: To put it simply, Sir Bobby had class

Gallery: Robson's colourful life and career in pictures

Stricken by cancer Robson had looked frail when, in a wheelchair, he made his final public appearance last Sunday. Appropriately it was at St James' Park, the home of the Newcastle United team he always supported and, for five uplfiting years, managed.

The occasion was a fund-raiser for Robson's cancer charity involving a re-run of the England v West Germany Italia 90 semi final featuring many of the original participants. That World Cup semi-final saw England, then under Sir Bobby's charge, lose to Germany on penalties in the cruellest moment of Robson's often glittering managerial career.

Robson's playing career had come to an end in 1968 after 18 years in which he featured for Fulham, West Bromwich Albion and, briefly, as player-manager, the Vancouver Royals in the now defunct NASL. He also won 20 England caps, scoring four times.

After Vancouver he began a lengthy spell as manager of Ipswich Town - from 1969 to 1982 and embracing winning the FA Cup in 1978 and the Uefa Cup in 1981 - ahead of eight years in charge of England. His career would also take in stints in charge of Sporting Lisbon, Porto, Barcelona, PSV Eindhoven and, finally, his beloved Newcastle.

One of just a handful of English coaches to have prospered abroad, Robson had travelled a long way from his upbringing in Langley Park in County Durham but, never forgetting his roots, always hankered after the return to north-east England occasioned by Ruud Gullit's resignation from Newcastle in 1999.

Although, as his wife Elsie and three sons rarely tired of reminding him, Robson remained a football obsessive he proved a far more rounded man than many of his peers. Well aware of life's shades of grey, he was unusually generous spirited towards critics and opponents and consistently magnanimous in defeat.

Moreover Robson never failed to support fellow managers experiencing tough stints and took great pleasure in mentoring young coaches - most notably a certain Jose Mourinho, whose football life began as Sir Bobby's interpreter in Portugal before later accompanying him to Barcelona.

On the pitch, Robson's teams invariably played bold, expansive football frequently featuring two orthodox wingers and, if things were not proceeding to plan, he delighted in making sometimes match-winning triple substitutions.

Told he was destined to lose his fifth battle against cancer - something which first afflicted him in 1991 - Robson opted to spend his final months endeavouring to improve the lot of fellow cancer sufferers in the north-east and at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital in particular.

In March 2008 he established the Sir Bobby Robson foundation. By that November he had raised £1m and in the August he reflected on his own position with a typical realism and impressive lack of bitterness.

"My condition is described as static and has not altered since my last bout of chemotherapy," said Robson. "I am going to die sooner rather than later. But then everyone has to go sometimes and I have enjoyed every minute."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/ju...bby-robson-dies