The Z Machine
Footballguy
UFC is better, but don't you think MMA at U9 is a bit much?
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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter jpeace121
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The Z Machine
Footballguy
BTW, I remember my father trying to coach my soccer (and baseball) teams when I was a kid. It was horrible. Thankfully, he was never the head soccer coach and my personal hell was only half the year with baseball. No wonder I gave up stickball at age 12, but kept playing soccer.
I remember my pops nearly getting into fistfights in the parking lots with opposing coaches and sometimes other fathers. It was shameful.
I made my fiancee promise that she would stop me from being my (still unborn) kids' coach at any level. I don't want to become my father, which I know full well is possible. He's a good guy and wasn't a terrible coach, but it wasn't very much fun being the coach's kid. I can only imagine what it's like for Michael Bradley. :shudder:
I remember my pops nearly getting into fistfights in the parking lots with opposing coaches and sometimes other fathers. It was shameful.
I made my fiancee promise that she would stop me from being my (still unborn) kids' coach at any level. I don't want to become my father, which I know full well is possible. He's a good guy and wasn't a terrible coach, but it wasn't very much fun being the coach's kid. I can only imagine what it's like for Michael Bradley. :shudder:
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
My father was my "travel" coach for 1 season when we were 11. No other coaches or parents volunteered, and he did it to basically keep us from disbanding. It wasn't that bad for me...no worse than if he wasn't the coach...he treated me like any other player and any other questions/comments he did when we were at home.He knew absolutely nothing about soccer, but we had an assistant do most of the actual coaching. He was some guy from England who had a super-busy life but liked to help out when he could. He did a lot of the training stuff.I had one coach who used to just rip on his kid when we were like 9-10 years old. That kid hated playing soccer...he was a pretty good player too, I think his dad ruined it for him. I never want to be like that guy.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
I really have no delusions that my children will be anything but mediocre athletes. That's what I was, and lord know that my fiancee (or her family) isn't very athletically inclined, at least not in team sports. I just don't want to try and live vicariously through my children. I want to be involved and interested in their lives and development, but I sure as hell don't want to be THAT involved.
Weak av
Sebowski
Footballguy
That is why I have stopped myself from volunteering. I never had a good coach so I lack a lot of fundamentals (I'm still not sure what part of the foot is the "sweet spot", and didn't know I was suppose to keep my ankle locked when kicking until I was about 22). Never played with a coach after high school either so it has been a long time since I have seen a practice.
Sebowski
Footballguy
I think you can change that. The harder you try the better you got. That gives your kids a better starting point than you had. I think you can change the DNA you are passing to your kids on things like this. My parents are not athletically gifted at all. Soccer came fairly easy to me, but I had to work pretty hard at the rest of my sports and bloomed pretty late because of it. I like to think the athletic changes I've worked hard for theoretically be passed on to the kids I don't ever plan on having. But maybe I always had a trace of it from my mom's brothers who were soccer players.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
First impressions:
Holy ####....(a) there are a lot of overbearing parents out there. Jesus ####### Christ. And (b) there's a lot of politics involved
Within 2 minutes of the tryouts, we had a parent tell us which 4 players we weren't allowed to pick because they were good enough to play up in the U10s (despite being 9 years old and eligible for our team) with his son. This guy's not a coach...he's a parent, roaming around on the field telling us what to do. At the end of the day, 2 parents came onto the field to plead their cases on why their kids should be on the team. "I know Jimmy didn't play well in the 4v4's but I swear he's a great player" and all that. Lobbying for their kid to be on the team.
On top of that, there's a whole lot of politics going on. The "coach" let me make a lot of the personnel decisions, but he told me which players we had to take "Yeah, he's not too good, but his mother's on the board so we have to take him", stuff like that. He acknowledged that it wasn't right, but it's just part of the system
. There's a ####load of gossip too...I heard a ton of stuff about parents and kids that I never wanted to know. It's all a part of the game - be in the "in"-crowd and your kid is set for years.
Luckily for me, the coach is a pretty cool guy. Probably in his late 30s, seems to have a decent soccer mind and played when he was younger. As soon as we met, he said "here, I'll scout the kids, you scout the moms. If we have kids who are on the fence at the end of the day, we'll pick based on who has the hottest mother"
It's an interesting position, being on the other side evaluating players. We had 23 players show up today for 12-14 spots. Probably have about 5 more tomorrow for the 2nd day of tryouts. At the end of day 1, we have 7 definite "we need this kid" picks, 9 "maybe", and 7 "not what we're looking for". It's pretty cool though, IMO.
Holy ####....(a) there are a lot of overbearing parents out there. Jesus ####### Christ. And (b) there's a lot of politics involved
Within 2 minutes of the tryouts, we had a parent tell us which 4 players we weren't allowed to pick because they were good enough to play up in the U10s (despite being 9 years old and eligible for our team) with his son. This guy's not a coach...he's a parent, roaming around on the field telling us what to do. At the end of the day, 2 parents came onto the field to plead their cases on why their kids should be on the team. "I know Jimmy didn't play well in the 4v4's but I swear he's a great player" and all that. Lobbying for their kid to be on the team.
On top of that, there's a whole lot of politics going on. The "coach" let me make a lot of the personnel decisions, but he told me which players we had to take "Yeah, he's not too good, but his mother's on the board so we have to take him", stuff like that. He acknowledged that it wasn't right, but it's just part of the system
. There's a ####load of gossip too...I heard a ton of stuff about parents and kids that I never wanted to know. It's all a part of the game - be in the "in"-crowd and your kid is set for years.Luckily for me, the coach is a pretty cool guy. Probably in his late 30s, seems to have a decent soccer mind and played when he was younger. As soon as we met, he said "here, I'll scout the kids, you scout the moms. If we have kids who are on the fence at the end of the day, we'll pick based on who has the hottest mother"
It's an interesting position, being on the other side evaluating players. We had 23 players show up today for 12-14 spots. Probably have about 5 more tomorrow for the 2nd day of tryouts. At the end of day 1, we have 7 definite "we need this kid" picks, 9 "maybe", and 7 "not what we're looking for". It's pretty cool though, IMO.
TLEF316
Footballguy
youth sports politics are so garbage. I'll never understand it.
From ages 9-12, our all baseball all star teams always had at least 2 pieces of total dead weight because their dads were coaches in the league (didnt even help with the all star team, but their kids were put on anyway). It always made me mad. cost us games. no question about it.
From ages 9-12, our all baseball all star teams always had at least 2 pieces of total dead weight because their dads were coaches in the league (didnt even help with the all star team, but their kids were put on anyway). It always made me mad. cost us games. no question about it.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Who's at home?
They're not paying you enough.
wazoo11
Footballguy
Birmingham is home, odds give stoke city the win/draw option.
kupcho1
Footballguy
Birmingham is a defensive team (if they're anything) and Stoke was - if I recall correctely - absolutely abysmal on the road last year, particularly the 2nd half. I could see this 0-0 though.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
They're not paying me at all...
derek245583
Footballguy
Game on ESPN in an hour...
Wigan Athletic vs Man U....WHO SHOULD I BET ON???????????
Man U -167
Wigan +450
Draw +250
O/U 2.5
Considering the OVER cause its the funnest thing to bet....but I will refer to you guys....I could care less if I lose...its a free $50 wager. GIVE IT TO ME!!!
Wigan Athletic vs Man U....WHO SHOULD I BET ON???????????
Man U -167
Wigan +450
Draw +250
O/U 2.5
Considering the OVER cause its the funnest thing to bet....but I will refer to you guys....I could care less if I lose...its a free $50 wager. GIVE IT TO ME!!!
The Kansas Comet
Footballguy
Fletcher should have scored there. Nice save by the defender, but Fletcher should have put that away.
The Kansas Comet
Footballguy
Paul Scholes still can't tackle - they should just give him a yellow card when he sets foot on the field.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Diaby x2 !!
Adebayor scores for City too.
It's going to be a very, very interesting battle for the top 4 this season...
Adebayor scores for City too.
It's going to be a very, very interesting battle for the top 4 this season...
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Wigan really taking it to United right now. Wouldn't surprise me to see them finish in the top 10 this year...
The Kansas Comet
Footballguy
I was pretty fortunate to have my dad as a coach. He was born and raised in Chile and knew the game very well, but aside from that he was very patient. Unfortunately for him, he coached me in AYSO for two years and then in the interest of fairness, coached my younger sister's team. By that time, I went to the local club team and he ended up stuck coaching my sister in AYSO and then club for the next 7-8 years. It drove him nuts. He always said he wished he coached my sister's team first (I wish he did too - he would have been a great coach for the players we had on my club team).He couldn't stand how the girls on the team would form into cliques. He couldn't get over how a "team" could have so many factions not supporting one another. And even though my dad treated my sister fairly and perhaps was harder on her than anyone else, a number of girls sniped at her for being the coach's daughter and she caught a lot of undeserved crap for that.The parents were a typical group - some genuinely nice ones, but many complainers and whiners and people who wanted to play politics. It was astounding to me to hear people who never played the game at all criticize my father, who played it all his life and got to know a number of Chilean professionals because they were friends of my grandfather. Here was a guy who saw players like Pelé and Garrincha play in person being told who to play and how to coach a soccer team by parents whose first experience in the game had been signing their daughters up for AYSO. Unbelievable.I used to referee as a teenager and occasionally I would work my dad's matches. One time the parents were really whining and being obnoxious, so I decided to set my dad up. During a stoppage in play I told him that if his parents didn't pipe down, I would give him a card. So I gave him an excuse to tell his parents to shut up or else. He thanked me after the match and took me out for lunch.Best of luck Tasker - hope the politics don't interfere too much.
Last edited by a moderator:
The Kansas Comet
Footballguy
It's been a very entertaining match so far - both teams have had great chances. So much fun to get up early on a Saturday morning and see the EPL on ESPN2.
Ted Lange as your Bartender
Footballguy
This whole EPL on ESPN2 development is fantastic 
Now we just need FSC in HD and we're all set...
Now we just need FSC in HD and we're all set...
The Kansas Comet
Footballguy
I now have a reason to get up at 7am on the weekend.Rooney and Berbatov strike quickly, Man U leads 2-0. Berbatov's goal was beautiful. Slick piece of work in the box. In between the goals, Wigan was denied by an excellent save.This whole EPL on ESPN2 development is fantastic
derek245583
Footballguy
Wow, that was a magnificant save.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
The best part is that I can now turn off the United game when they start blowing Wigan out and turn on the City/Wolves game
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
I was going to tell you to take over 2.5 goals, but I didn't see your comment until after the game started...
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Aaron Ramsey with his first Premier League goal....4-1 Arsenal
10 goals in 2 games
10 goals in 2 games
derek245583
Footballguy
I took ManU...Zero knowledge, I just know I have heard of them so they must be good.
scoobygang
Footballguy
The downside of HD on ESPN2? Closeups of Wayne Rooney.
scoobygang
Footballguy
Classy run and finish by Owen.
derek245583
Footballguy
What was with that dude grabbing his junk at the 90:44 mark
And what was with the "taint touch" after the back flip celebration..
This is my kind of TV imo
And what was with the "taint touch" after the back flip celebration..
This is my kind of TV imo
Native
Footballguy
Video of Jozy's assist - he lobs the ball perfectly over two defenders
Also, Heres the opening line of BBC's match recap
An inspired substitution saw Hull put their midweek humiliation against Tottenham firmly behind them. A dominant display from Bolton had seen Kevin Davies, Matt Taylor, Johan Elmander and ex-Tiger Sam Ricketts all come close to scoring. But Hull pulled off the win when new signing Kamel Ghilas scored from a pass by substitute Jozy Altidore.
It was debutant Altidore's first touch of the game and the Tigers' first league win in 12 long matches.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/e...rem/8209351.stm
Also, Heres the opening line of BBC's match recap
An inspired substitution saw Hull put their midweek humiliation against Tottenham firmly behind them. A dominant display from Bolton had seen Kevin Davies, Matt Taylor, Johan Elmander and ex-Tiger Sam Ricketts all come close to scoring. But Hull pulled off the win when new signing Kamel Ghilas scored from a pass by substitute Jozy Altidore.
It was debutant Altidore's first touch of the game and the Tigers' first league win in 12 long matches.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/e...rem/8209351.stm
ffldrew
Footballguy
Loved the effort of the Wolves in the 2nd half today - I might have to start following them. Some good defenders on the back who then quickly moved the ball up against ManCity with some nice movement. You can tell they were overmatched early and then started to gain some confidence with some near finishes - I like those bottom of the table teams that play that way.
Wolves or The WanderersBut I agree, they put up a good fight against a much better side.
Mjolnirs
Footballguy
Bayern lost today at promoted side Mainz. With their first two Bundesliga games ending in draws this is their worst start since the 66/67 season when they also started 0-2-1.
They are currently 12th in the table with the potential after Sunday's games of falling to 14th.
Welcome to the frying pan van Gaal.
They are currently 12th in the table with the potential after Sunday's games of falling to 14th.
Welcome to the frying pan van Gaal.
prefontaine
Footballguy
Yeah, this has been known a while. Not sure why there hasn't been more publicity about it. First game is Sept 6th and they will show a weekly game on Sundays, usually at 1pm EST coinciding with the NFL but sometimes 11am which is perfect timing IMO. It's pretty good alternative programming for them but I'm annoyed it is during NFL. I think their contract with Gol is for 20 games so that will run a good portion of the season. Not sure how they get to pick games, whether ESPN gets first choice and games like El Clasico or if we will end up seeing a bunch of Getafe-Osasuna type matchups. I'd be curious if anyone has seen any kind of game schedule.
The Kansas Comet
Footballguy
Too bad they can't schedule games for 4 pm EST so I can pass on the Raider or 49er games that are usually shown here.They better have El Clásico - it would be cruel to advertise Liga telecasts and then not show the big matches.
eagles2007
Footballguy
i didn't realize espn's coverage was going to include weekday games too. think i saw an ad for a game monday.
on another matter, looking for some help:
i am looking to purchase some soccer-related shirts, preferably t-shirts, maybe one jersey.
problem is, i am big and like the shirts bigger - xxxl. everywhere i look online the largest i can find is xxl.
i'd like to get perth glory and/or brisbane roar out of the aussie league, maybe an english club team shirt.
i can't even find philadelphia union shirts in my size in philadelphia.
if you know of anywhere i can look, please PM me.
thanks.
on another matter, looking for some help:
i am looking to purchase some soccer-related shirts, preferably t-shirts, maybe one jersey.
problem is, i am big and like the shirts bigger - xxxl. everywhere i look online the largest i can find is xxl.
i'd like to get perth glory and/or brisbane roar out of the aussie league, maybe an english club team shirt.
i can't even find philadelphia union shirts in my size in philadelphia.
if you know of anywhere i can look, please PM me.
thanks.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
I taped the Hull game and watched the Jozy substitution and goal.....it was pretty cool to hear him get a huge ovation when he came on. Literally it was like a half-standing ovation, and the crowd at the KC went nuts. Then the goal...perfectly weighted pass. Really, really nice. Hopefully with appearances like that, he gets in more often.
Also, I watched the AC Milan game....Gooch never got in....and the announcers praised Thiago Silva's performance up and down. Not really a good sign...
Also, I watched the AC Milan game....Gooch never got in....and the announcers praised Thiago Silva's performance up and down. Not really a good sign...
Native
Footballguy
Highlights of the Hull game - Jozy should have scored a second. Very involved in the game. Also had a great turn and shot that was well saved.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xa8wla_hu...wanderers_sport
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xa8wla_hu...wanderers_sport
kupcho1
Footballguy
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Everton lose again, this time 1-0 to Burnley.
With 5 teams poised to be fighting for the top 4, and teams like Spurs having hot starts, Everton and Villa might be left behind...gotta do well in the FA or League Cup to qualify for Europe, it looks like.
With 5 teams poised to be fighting for the top 4, and teams like Spurs having hot starts, Everton and Villa might be left behind...gotta do well in the FA or League Cup to qualify for Europe, it looks like.
Native
Footballguy
Drogba repays Anelka with a nice pass that Anelka slots home. 2-0.
ffldrew
Footballguy
90 minutes of domination here - it will be interesting to see how Chelsea look against the top 4 - but right now they look really really good - fantastic ball movement and without Deco and Joe Cole.
Starting 11 they're as good as anyone. And they have better depth than the other 3.Calling it early. Chelsea takes the EPL this year.
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