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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter jpeace121
- Start date
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
I had Robson in my death pool. I didn't mention it here though 
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Whatever teams you would consider yourself a fan of....doesn't matter how many.
Yeah, Nipsey isn't in charge of this exercise.
The Kansas Comet
Footballguy
Had a great time at the Barça-Galaxy match last night. Had seats near the halfway line about 30 rows up - great view of the action. A few observations:
1. There were 93,000+ at the Rose Bowl last night - don't tell me soccer can't take off in this country. Unlike the Barça-Chivas match at the Coliseum in 2006, this wasn't a mostly Latino crowd coming to see Mexico's most popular team and the European champions. People representing almost every demographic in California had various soccer jerseys on at the match. So the next time you hear or see some sports radio/tv guy bash soccer, kick him in the shins and punch him in the face.
2. The crowd booed Beckham every time the guy had the ball...and it didn't matter to him a bit. I am not exaggerating when I say every pass he hit last night was on the money or missed by maybe a foot. The guy strikes the ball so purely it is amazing (and as a Galaxy fan, it is frustrating - it didn't have to be like this). His goal on the free kick was so well-struck, the keeper was probably shouting "Goal!" before it hit the back of the net because he had no chance.
3. Messi needed a midfielder in the first half. Both he and Bojan started out up front, but the two guys in the center were Yaya Touré and Jonathon Dos Santos, and neither one is a set-up man in the class of Xavi or Iniesta. As a result, the attack bogged down in the last third of the field quite often.
4. Dani Alves is 100% psycho. That guy goes full speed with little or no thought. His energy is tremendous, but sometimes he was making runs smack into 2 or 3 defenders who did nothing but kind of stand there and watch Alves go right into them.
5. Zlatan is huge. Saw him walking to the bench with his teammates and he was towering over them. Broad shoulders as well – he’ll clear some space for himself in the box this season.
6. Young guys – Jeffren Suarez looked good. His showed good composure on his goal, and his first touch many other times was intelligent. Jonathon Dos Santos – still learning. I could see Touré talking to him quite a bit about where he needed to move. He let himself get hidden behind defenders too much yesterday. Henrique – looks the part of a center back. Pretty big and physical. Had a nasty foul which set up Beckham’s goal. Wasn’t called on to do too much, though. Andreu Fontas – needs more experience. Got his pocket picked by Beckham in the second half, which allowed the Galaxy a good attempt on goal. Nearly had it happen a second time a few minutes later.
7. It was awesome to watch Xavi in the middle in the second half. He makes the game look easy. Since Iniesta couldn’t play because of an intestinal illness, it was great to be able to watch at least one of Barça’s midfield maestros. Nothing he did was flashy, but just simple and effective.
8. Busquets is ready to be a player. He teamed up nicely with Xavi in the second half, setting up Suarez with a nice pass for his goal. He played with a great deal of confidence and command in the midfield. Had presence out there.
9. Donovan held his own out there – he should be playing in Spain. He blew by Piqué like he was standing still and was dangerous when the Galaxy controlled the ball.
10. I thought it was very classy that they held a moment of silence to honor Sir Bobby Robson. I wondered how many people in the stadium knew who he was.
11. They honored members of the original Galaxy team that played with the club through their first MLS Cup title in 2002 - guys like Dan Calichmann, Mauricio Cienfuegos and Cobi Jones. That was pretty cool - I remember having season tickets for the first two seasons and watching those guys in the Rose Bowl.
I am psyched for the upcoming season, even more so that ESPN’s family of networks will be showing La Liga matches.
1. There were 93,000+ at the Rose Bowl last night - don't tell me soccer can't take off in this country. Unlike the Barça-Chivas match at the Coliseum in 2006, this wasn't a mostly Latino crowd coming to see Mexico's most popular team and the European champions. People representing almost every demographic in California had various soccer jerseys on at the match. So the next time you hear or see some sports radio/tv guy bash soccer, kick him in the shins and punch him in the face.
2. The crowd booed Beckham every time the guy had the ball...and it didn't matter to him a bit. I am not exaggerating when I say every pass he hit last night was on the money or missed by maybe a foot. The guy strikes the ball so purely it is amazing (and as a Galaxy fan, it is frustrating - it didn't have to be like this). His goal on the free kick was so well-struck, the keeper was probably shouting "Goal!" before it hit the back of the net because he had no chance.
3. Messi needed a midfielder in the first half. Both he and Bojan started out up front, but the two guys in the center were Yaya Touré and Jonathon Dos Santos, and neither one is a set-up man in the class of Xavi or Iniesta. As a result, the attack bogged down in the last third of the field quite often.
4. Dani Alves is 100% psycho. That guy goes full speed with little or no thought. His energy is tremendous, but sometimes he was making runs smack into 2 or 3 defenders who did nothing but kind of stand there and watch Alves go right into them.
5. Zlatan is huge. Saw him walking to the bench with his teammates and he was towering over them. Broad shoulders as well – he’ll clear some space for himself in the box this season.
6. Young guys – Jeffren Suarez looked good. His showed good composure on his goal, and his first touch many other times was intelligent. Jonathon Dos Santos – still learning. I could see Touré talking to him quite a bit about where he needed to move. He let himself get hidden behind defenders too much yesterday. Henrique – looks the part of a center back. Pretty big and physical. Had a nasty foul which set up Beckham’s goal. Wasn’t called on to do too much, though. Andreu Fontas – needs more experience. Got his pocket picked by Beckham in the second half, which allowed the Galaxy a good attempt on goal. Nearly had it happen a second time a few minutes later.
7. It was awesome to watch Xavi in the middle in the second half. He makes the game look easy. Since Iniesta couldn’t play because of an intestinal illness, it was great to be able to watch at least one of Barça’s midfield maestros. Nothing he did was flashy, but just simple and effective.
8. Busquets is ready to be a player. He teamed up nicely with Xavi in the second half, setting up Suarez with a nice pass for his goal. He played with a great deal of confidence and command in the midfield. Had presence out there.
9. Donovan held his own out there – he should be playing in Spain. He blew by Piqué like he was standing still and was dangerous when the Galaxy controlled the ball.
10. I thought it was very classy that they held a moment of silence to honor Sir Bobby Robson. I wondered how many people in the stadium knew who he was.
11. They honored members of the original Galaxy team that played with the club through their first MLS Cup title in 2002 - guys like Dan Calichmann, Mauricio Cienfuegos and Cobi Jones. That was pretty cool - I remember having season tickets for the first two seasons and watching those guys in the Rose Bowl.
I am psyched for the upcoming season, even more so that ESPN’s family of networks will be showing La Liga matches.
eagles2007
Footballguy
all right, favorite teams:
England-Everton
Italy-Udinese
germany-borussia dortmund
international-usa, germany, and i love to watch the africans play.
England-Everton
Italy-Udinese
germany-borussia dortmund
international-usa, germany, and i love to watch the africans play.
Mjolnirs
Footballguy
Not griping at you Tasker, but small gripe here:Bayern Müchen translates to Bavaria Munich, but you always hear a mixture as in Bayern Munich. I know it is the Anglicized way that everyone recognizes it, but I notice.[/gripe]
The Z Machine
Footballguy
National Teams: USA, Spain (in that order)
La Liga: Atlético Madrid
EPL: Liverpool (but I don't really like them THAT much)
Mexico: Chivas
Argentina: Newell's
MLS: Galaxy
La Liga: Atlético Madrid
EPL: Liverpool (but I don't really like them THAT much)
Mexico: Chivas
Argentina: Newell's
MLS: Galaxy
Desert_Power
Footballguy
I generally pull for Brasil in international soccer outside of the US.
LHUCKS
Footballguy
Who I pull for1) USA2) England (I'm 75% )3) Anybody playing a non-English European team, The Euro arrogance when it comes to soccer is annoying to say the least.
Native
Footballguy
Big Chelsea fan here (BR - Before Roman). I believe there are others here as well...
Mjolnirs
Footballguy
Funny, I pull for anyone playing English teams, especially the national team. The English arrogance when it come to soccer is annoying to say the least.
Texas Football
Footballguy
Ipswich Town Football Club
Decent signings, nothing shocking, but decent. Prem next year to destroy West Ham is the goal.
The year of Sir Bobby!
Decent signings, nothing shocking, but decent. Prem next year to destroy West Ham is the goal.
The year of Sir Bobby!
LHUCKS
Footballguy
There is no question the English are arrogant, but it's my heritage...I don't have an option.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Wow. Lots of variety here.
Can't believe that I'm the only guy who listed a Mexican team.
Here's the list for my fiancee FWIW.
International: Venezuela, Brazil, USA, any other Latin American team in that order. She likes to root for Mexico when they play the US just to piss me off.
La Liga: Real
uke:
MLS: Philadelphia Union
Mexico: UNAM (aka Pumas)
Argentina: River Plate
EPL: Arsenal
Can't believe that I'm the only guy who listed a Mexican team.
Here's the list for my fiancee FWIW.
International: Venezuela, Brazil, USA, any other Latin American team in that order. She likes to root for Mexico when they play the US just to piss me off.
La Liga: Real
uke:MLS: Philadelphia Union
Mexico: UNAM (aka Pumas)
Argentina: River Plate
EPL: Arsenal
The Z Machine
Footballguy
We should do a lit of most hated teams as well. We can stick to national teams if you'd like.
Desert_Power
Footballguy
andy_b
Footballguy
As others have mentioned, there were 93,000+ at the LA Galaxy - Barca game last night. It was the largest soccer crowd in the US since the 1994 World Cup.
I also think it was likely (I am not sure) the largest crowd to see a professional team sport in the US at the club level for any sport (I don't think there is a pro football stadium that holds this much is there? At least until the new Cowboys stadium opens).
I also think it was likely (I am not sure) the largest crowd to see a professional team sport in the US at the club level for any sport (I don't think there is a pro football stadium that holds this much is there? At least until the new Cowboys stadium opens).
Native
Footballguy
Chelsea back in for Aguero and Ribery. This could get interesting if true.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...gio-Aguero.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...gio-Aguero.html
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Based on what I've read in recent days, I would say it appears Pirlo is much more likely than either Ribery or Aguero.
Native
Footballguy
Agree with you. Heres my problem with the Pirlo signing: At 31 years old, hes not necessarily the most inspiring transfer choice. Now I understand that CA likes him but how will he fit into the team structure? At 22 years old, Mikel is our DM of the present and of the future and just signed for five more years. I thought that Chelsea view him as the stalwart of the Chelsea midfield for years to come. Will Pirlo (playmaker) and Mikel (ball-winner) play together as deep-lying mid's - like Mascherano and Alonso play at Liverpool? If so, That doesn't sound like much of a diamond formation to me. Additionally, that leaves you with only two more midfield spots for Lampard, Essien, Ballack (new contract), Maluoda (new contract) and Joe Cole. --------------Drogba---Anelka--------------
--------------------Lampard--------------------
Mikel (?)---------------------------------------Essien
---------------------Pirlo----------------------------
Surplus requirements at Stamford Bridge once again....
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Agreed. I have no idea what role Caro plans for Pirlo, but he clearly knows him well and wants him.Native said:
Native
Footballguy
In other Chelsea news, Argentine Striker Franco Di Santo will be loaned out to Blackburn for the remainder of the year. That either means that Sturridge has pipped him in the pecking order or that another attacking player will be joining the club soon.
Di Santo has bulked up and may have a future, though I'm not sure its with Chelsea.
Di Santo has bulked up and may have a future, though I'm not sure its with Chelsea.
andy_b
Footballguy
I missed this news last week.
The US Mexico game will be aired in English on Mun 2. Due to a ton of pressure from soccer fans, Telemundo (ie NBC) is offering Mun 2 free for the day to all cable and satellite subscribers who carry the channel.
Of course this would have been much simpler if NBC has exercised some judgment and put the game on Bravo or USA.
http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives...d-and-more.html
The US Mexico game will be aired in English on Mun 2. Due to a ton of pressure from soccer fans, Telemundo (ie NBC) is offering Mun 2 free for the day to all cable and satellite subscribers who carry the channel.
Of course this would have been much simpler if NBC has exercised some judgment and put the game on Bravo or USA.
http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives...d-and-more.html
Desert_Power
Footballguy
He has looked good when I have seen him play. Speaking of Chelsea strikers, does their look like any place in the lineup for Pizarro to get some playing time?Native said:
My favs:International: US and SerbiaEPL: ArsenalMLS: Chicago and SeattleWow. Lots of variety here.Can't believe that I'm the only guy who listed a Mexican team.Here's the list for my fiancee FWIW.International: Venezuela, Brazil, USA, any other Latin American team in that order. She likes to root for Mexico when they play the US just to piss me off.La Liga: Real
Sebowski
Footballguy
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Yeah, I wasn't really pleased with that game on many levels. First off, neither team looked deadly in front of the net. Arsenal was definitely better in this respect but both lacked that killer touch to put balls away. That rust needs to be worked off ASAP. Second, the cohesion of attack really wasn't there for my Atleti. Sinama Pongolle is simply not very good, and is a poor backup if Kun or Forlán goes down. Finally, their defensive woes continue as Atlético made some pretty terrible mistakes that led to good opportunities. Stupid fouls and getting beat in their own defensive midfield is not good. It set up some DFK opportunities that could have gone in.I was hoping for a good game, but both teams looked to be in pretty mediocre pre-season form. Too bad Atlético couldn't take advantage of Arsenal subbing like 8 guys at half time while they kept their starters in.
I should add that they played in a steady drizzle for all of the 1st half.
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eagles2007
Footballguy
should have listed my favorite MLS team:
though they have yet to play a game, the philadelphia union.
though they have yet to play a game, the philadelphia union.
Native
Footballguy
No chance IMO. IMO Drogba, Anelka, Kalou and Sturridge will all be ahead in the pecking order. There have been rumors he will be shipped to Milan as part of the Pirlo swap. He may also return to Germany as he scored 20+ goals there last season on loan.Id be shocked if he stays at Chelsea this term.
This story is getting very interesting.Everton has already denied two bids for Lescott, but now Lescott is asking to be transferred. This would be a big move for both clubs, imho, as I think this would certainly push City into the upper echelon this year (at least talent wise) and would really hurt Everton's chances of making another European run.Tons of talk around about how the big money City is throwing around is going to lead to financial ruin among other teams in the league, and I think they may be right.
brewer
Footballguy
I still worry about a midfield partner for Fabregas. Even though I would love to see Wilshere in that role, I fear it will be more of the same with Denilson and Song. Frankly, if Denilson gets the majority of the time at center mid again, Arsenal will surprise nobody.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Tim Cahill down??
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
I don't think Wilshere is ready to make an impact against the top teams in England, but against lower-level sides, sure. I really don't think Song is that bad....I think he's a poor man's Gilberto Silva, but a bit less of a playmaker. Denilson is awful though.
brewer
Footballguy
Ooh, I skimmed over this one. Neville is not very good at this point. He looked very old and slow last season. Cahill was a stud for Everton last season, but there other stars were Jagielka, Fellaini and Pienaar. Arteta was injured for a good spell and Lescott is quite solid, but if I had to choose a top 3 for Everton at the moment it would be Cahill, Jagielka and Fellaini. Too bad Jagielka is injured. If Lescott goes to City, that will leave Everton quite thin at that back for a spell.
Kendall
I heart waffles
I wish.
andy_b
Footballguy
There is a lesson in here for MLS somewhere (article concerns Arena Football going out of business)
http://www.newsday.com/columnists/neil-bes...lding-1.1346286
http://www.newsday.com/columnists/neil-bes...lding-1.1346286
whoknew
Footballguy
Hull City Reportedly to Make Bid for Altidore
Hull City is prepared to make an $11 million bid for American striker Jozy Altidore, according to the Daily Mail. Both Everton and Fulham are rumored to be interested in the 19-year-old as well, which would provide stiff competition for Hull.
After making a $10 million move to Villarreal from Major League Soccerlast year, Altidore has found his time limited at club level. A loan spell at Spanish second-division side Xerez proved even more fruitless as Altidore continued to ride the pine.
However, a series of blistering performances for the U.S. national team have seen Altidore's stock rise. The youngster scored a hat trick against Trinidad and Tobago in World Cup qualifying before helping lead the U.S. to second place in the Confederations Cup, scoring the opening goal against Spain in the semifinal.
Ahead of the 2010 World Cup, Altidore has made clear his desire to be playing consistently so as to be fully fit when the summer rolls around. Hull would be able to offer him steady minutes, but it remains to be seen if either Villarreal or Altidore would accept a permanent deal.
Hull City is prepared to make an $11 million bid for American striker Jozy Altidore, according to the Daily Mail. Both Everton and Fulham are rumored to be interested in the 19-year-old as well, which would provide stiff competition for Hull.
After making a $10 million move to Villarreal from Major League Soccerlast year, Altidore has found his time limited at club level. A loan spell at Spanish second-division side Xerez proved even more fruitless as Altidore continued to ride the pine.
However, a series of blistering performances for the U.S. national team have seen Altidore's stock rise. The youngster scored a hat trick against Trinidad and Tobago in World Cup qualifying before helping lead the U.S. to second place in the Confederations Cup, scoring the opening goal against Spain in the semifinal.
Ahead of the 2010 World Cup, Altidore has made clear his desire to be playing consistently so as to be fully fit when the summer rolls around. Hull would be able to offer him steady minutes, but it remains to be seen if either Villarreal or Altidore would accept a permanent deal.
Kendall
I heart waffles
Also, I read today that Everton was talking to Aresnal about Senderos. Everton also said they weren't selling Lescott.
andy_b
Footballguy
good stuff. I think Jozy's lack of good foot skills is going to kill him in Spain. His other attributes might be more appreciated by a lower level EPL team. Although in the end, anywhere he can play is going to be good. Sitting constantly at 19 is a disaster for all involved.
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Sammy3469
Footballguy
Meh...either Everton or Fulham would be much better as both Moyes and Hodgson know they're doing especially tactically and can apprarently teach it (see Dempsey, Clint).
SmoovySmoov
The Way of the Samurai
Liverpool fan here.
Internationally, I root for England. That's about all I can say in terms of being a "fan". I generally can't watch MLS, but if I had to pick one, I like Seattle cause their jerseys are sweet.
AAABatteries
Footballguy
Wow, how quickly Shevchenko becomes a nobody. Or do people assume he'll be sold? I didn't even recognize him during the Club Cup thing with his long hair. I agree that Pizarro would be behind those 4 but now it appears that maybe Kalou is going so who knows. If I were a betting man I'd say that Shevchenko stays and Pizarro is sold based on Ancelloti's history with them. Kalou is 50/50 IMO, but I really don't completely get why Arsenal would want him and why he would want a transfer there.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Altidore wouldn't see the field at Everton. Fulham maybe, but the Eddie Johnson experiment was a huge flop so who knows.
Everton can have Senderos. Free transfer!
Everton can have Senderos. Free transfer!
AAABatteries
Footballguy
I want to make an addendum to this. I root heavily for the England national side even more so than the Dutch. So, for me its'US >> England >>>>>>> Dutch - I just have a soft spot for the Oranje Crush after partying with their fans in Orlando.
Not so sure about that.Everton has a real lack of strikers. Cahill is not a striker.And the earlier post listing Pinnear and Fellaini as two of their top three players, I don't think so. I think Cahill may be thier 4th best player, but this is a team who's strength is in the back and midfield and building the attack. Pinnear and Fellaini can show flashes of nice play, but all too often they are defensively absent and below par offensively. Cahill did have a nice season last year, especially considering he played out of position for so much of it.
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