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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (5 Viewers)
- Thread starter jpeace121
- Start date
Senor Schmutzig
Footballguy
Considering Everton was playing without 10 first team players, I would say they did remarkably well. They are a scrappy team that has been consistently in the top 5-6 of the PL the past few years without the benefit of the large dollars that the top teams spend. I didn't see the game today but they are the only team in their group (that also includes Benfica and AEK Athens who they beat 4-0) that has full points through two games. I'm looking forward to their game against Benfica on the 22nd. Hopefully they will be at close to full strength.
prefontaine
Footballguy
Hmmmm....I honestly don't follow Everton closely so you may be right. But the players I do know that generally start for them were mostly there - Howard, Osman, Cahill, Fellaini, Jo. Neville didn't play so that is certainly a loss but it's not like they were trotting an entire b team out there. I'm not trying to knock them as they do more with less for sure but gawd they were brutal to watch. They had nice organization at the back for the most part but their midfield was just non-existent and it just really surprised me that a Belarus side could control the game like that.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
I thought it was a really interesting lineup, particularly coming off the Wigan loss over the weekend. I did not see this game and didn't record it, but I believe I have only seen Belletti play at right back, so am curious how Ancelotti used him. I would expect Cole, Zhirkov or Deco to start in midfield before Belletti if healthy, but I'm sure he was in a more defensive role. I think Boswinga is back from his suspension next game and Drogba after one more, so there was little damage done by their foolishness after the Barca game.Alex has a groin injury.Huge game on Sunday.scousers
Senor Schmutzig
Footballguy
Considering the bad luck they have had off the pitch recently, I'll take some good luck on it. A win's a win here, even if it's ugly. I'll take it happily.
TLEF316
Footballguy
No Castillo on the squad is just really upsetting me. I get that you dont want to throw him right into the starting 11, but i dont see the downside to at least bringing him into camp. If they win teh first game, they've already qualified, so they can use him in the 2nd game to see how he meshes with the team.
Bonzai
Footballguy
Annoying.
andy_b
Footballguy
Oh CRAP!!!!The game will not be on TV. Only closed circuit TV (not even PPV).
Good lord, did I just step into 1992 time warp???????????
http://www.integratedsportsnet.com/article...?article_id=150
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El Floppo
Footballguy
WTF!!!!!!?????
The Z Machine
Footballguy
What a crock.
Now I'm going to have to call around to bars to see if they'll carry it.
Now I'm going to have to call around to bars to see if they'll carry it.
prefontaine
Footballguy
Couldn't sleep this morning so I checked what was on tivo and saw the USA-Korea u20 match. I haven't watched any of this tourney so I'm not all that familiar with the players. Figured I'd give my impressions of a few.
Overall, the US u20 team is pretty bad. They move horribly off the ball and cannot string together passes. There is a complete inability to create in the final third and even when they had threatening looking build ups, which were few and far between, they had no idea what to do to create finishing opportunities. Defensively, we have a few players who appear to have potential, but our organization sucks and every set piece Korea had produced a good scoring opportunity.
As we got behind, we started pushing up more and it become really obvious how poorly our players move. We would have the ball on the wing and would end up with 4 guys in the box all on top of each other and no outlet for the winger who would get trapped and never even get a cross off. This happened over and over because the center mids want to be forwards it appears. When the ball did make it into the box, it became pretty easy to clear because all Korea had to do was get it away from the 6. There were no 2nd level runs because everyone was pushing too high leaving huge gaps all the way to the midfield stripe.
Tony Taylor (forward) - I thought he was our best player but I'm not real sure of his potential. He looks fairly polished and has a good first touch but lacks size or pace needed to compete for the full national squad. He looks very comfortable though. Came out at the half (I'm unsure as to why)
Brek Shea (Wing/forward) - in the first half, he appeared to be playing the left wing and after the half he moved more up top to replace Taylor. He's from Dallas and someone told me he is a player to watch. My first impressions are that he looks like a fool rolling with the mullett. Anyway, he is a big kid that seems to have pretty good pace. However, he tried over and over to take players 1v1 and I'm not sure he succeeded once. He has almost no technical skill on the ball. But the good is that he has a great work rate and makes good runs. He understands positioning and what to do off the ball better than anyone we put out there. Because of this, our offense the entire first half went through him (what little there was).
Jared Jeffrey (midfield) - plays for Club Brugge and I expected to see more from him. He was very MIA playing in the central midfield. He didn't seem to give players options very well but when he has the ball he is fairly solid.
Dilly Duka (midfield) - seems pretty creative on the ball but another player that seemed to be nowhere. It's really weird to me that the two "stars" of our midfield touch the ball as rarely as these two do.
Danny Cruz (wing) - uggh. He lacks pace and is not very accurate in his passes. His crosses were things that made you cringe. He made about 3 of them and I think only one even got head high.
Arguez (midfield) - he seemed to be playing a defensive midfield role and he has no idea how to show. I mean none. We had no outlet because he basically got buried in the middle by much more active Korean mids. When I watch a guy like this, I wonder how bad our coaches are to either not see the issue (and replace him) or fix it through training. Good on the ball. His passes were okay. He certainly has talent, but needs major development.
Williams/Flores (right/left backs) - we may well go 40 years in the desert before we find a decent full back. These two are pretty horrible. Both lack pace. Both tried to go forward but are pretty useless when they do. Neither put a single decent cross in and they both had plenty of opportunities. Flores was a mess on defense. Williams was better but the second goal was totally on him.
Agbossoumande/Opara (center backs) - otoh, I think both these guys have real potential. They both made mistakes but they are big, strong, and have decent pace. I think Opara looks a bit better in that he isn't as stiff in the hips when he runs. But Agbossoumande seems to position himself better. Opara ended up redcarded when he got a 2nd yellow but the first I think was a complete referee error (he booked the wrong guy as it should have been Flores). They seemed to mark up for the most part but they both make mistakes and need to work on distribution. Based on physical attributes, I think both have potential to be as good as anybody we currently have but they need a lot of coaching. Wouldn't surprise me if these two both get a look for 2014.
Perk (keeper) - seemed very comfortable and fluid and has pretty good reflexes and positioning. But he simply didn't control his box at all and more than once he collided with a defender on balls that shouldn't have been issues at all. Needs to learn to direct his defenders better.
Overall, I don't see anyone who is likely to be challenging for a full national team spot anytime soon. My biggest problem with the whole team is they seem to lack soccer IQ. Aren't all these kids at Bradenton? I'm unclear what they are teaching them there.
Overall, the US u20 team is pretty bad. They move horribly off the ball and cannot string together passes. There is a complete inability to create in the final third and even when they had threatening looking build ups, which were few and far between, they had no idea what to do to create finishing opportunities. Defensively, we have a few players who appear to have potential, but our organization sucks and every set piece Korea had produced a good scoring opportunity.
As we got behind, we started pushing up more and it become really obvious how poorly our players move. We would have the ball on the wing and would end up with 4 guys in the box all on top of each other and no outlet for the winger who would get trapped and never even get a cross off. This happened over and over because the center mids want to be forwards it appears. When the ball did make it into the box, it became pretty easy to clear because all Korea had to do was get it away from the 6. There were no 2nd level runs because everyone was pushing too high leaving huge gaps all the way to the midfield stripe.
Tony Taylor (forward) - I thought he was our best player but I'm not real sure of his potential. He looks fairly polished and has a good first touch but lacks size or pace needed to compete for the full national squad. He looks very comfortable though. Came out at the half (I'm unsure as to why)
Brek Shea (Wing/forward) - in the first half, he appeared to be playing the left wing and after the half he moved more up top to replace Taylor. He's from Dallas and someone told me he is a player to watch. My first impressions are that he looks like a fool rolling with the mullett. Anyway, he is a big kid that seems to have pretty good pace. However, he tried over and over to take players 1v1 and I'm not sure he succeeded once. He has almost no technical skill on the ball. But the good is that he has a great work rate and makes good runs. He understands positioning and what to do off the ball better than anyone we put out there. Because of this, our offense the entire first half went through him (what little there was).
Jared Jeffrey (midfield) - plays for Club Brugge and I expected to see more from him. He was very MIA playing in the central midfield. He didn't seem to give players options very well but when he has the ball he is fairly solid.
Dilly Duka (midfield) - seems pretty creative on the ball but another player that seemed to be nowhere. It's really weird to me that the two "stars" of our midfield touch the ball as rarely as these two do.
Danny Cruz (wing) - uggh. He lacks pace and is not very accurate in his passes. His crosses were things that made you cringe. He made about 3 of them and I think only one even got head high.
Arguez (midfield) - he seemed to be playing a defensive midfield role and he has no idea how to show. I mean none. We had no outlet because he basically got buried in the middle by much more active Korean mids. When I watch a guy like this, I wonder how bad our coaches are to either not see the issue (and replace him) or fix it through training. Good on the ball. His passes were okay. He certainly has talent, but needs major development.
Williams/Flores (right/left backs) - we may well go 40 years in the desert before we find a decent full back. These two are pretty horrible. Both lack pace. Both tried to go forward but are pretty useless when they do. Neither put a single decent cross in and they both had plenty of opportunities. Flores was a mess on defense. Williams was better but the second goal was totally on him.
Agbossoumande/Opara (center backs) - otoh, I think both these guys have real potential. They both made mistakes but they are big, strong, and have decent pace. I think Opara looks a bit better in that he isn't as stiff in the hips when he runs. But Agbossoumande seems to position himself better. Opara ended up redcarded when he got a 2nd yellow but the first I think was a complete referee error (he booked the wrong guy as it should have been Flores). They seemed to mark up for the most part but they both make mistakes and need to work on distribution. Based on physical attributes, I think both have potential to be as good as anybody we currently have but they need a lot of coaching. Wouldn't surprise me if these two both get a look for 2014.
Perk (keeper) - seemed very comfortable and fluid and has pretty good reflexes and positioning. But he simply didn't control his box at all and more than once he collided with a defender on balls that shouldn't have been issues at all. Needs to learn to direct his defenders better.
Overall, I don't see anyone who is likely to be challenging for a full national team spot anytime soon. My biggest problem with the whole team is they seem to lack soccer IQ. Aren't all these kids at Bradenton? I'm unclear what they are teaching them there.
El Floppo
Footballguy
Interesting read, Pre... 
... sounds like it's better you than me watching that team. I don't think I can take watching the Nats play poorly, even at a Jr level.
So I watched a bit of the Galaxy v Fire game last night. Landon Donovan was playing lights out- especially when he was pairing up with Beckham. They were clearly looking for eachother every time one of them got on the ball. Watching LD play made me think it might be time for him to take another stab overseas- seems like his game elevated every time he linked up with the better player (Beckham), and IMO he's nearing the end of a viable age to push his game over there with better players. Can't tell you how impressed I was/am with LDs quickness of decision-making and first touch. This is no light comment when I say it- he was world class last night, and pretty much borderline every time I've seen him since the last Honduras WCQ game. Dempsey- for ####'s sake- watch and learn.
The game had me thinking about MLS and US soccer too. There was some decent quality on the field, but some real gaps in that quality too (suprisingly on the defensive side of things). The thing I noticed, which I've mentioned repeatedly about the Nats- the level of play rises through quick, enterprising passes and movement; two, maybe three touches and gone. That can be a great thing. On the flip side, I saw next to no attempts to go one on one, unless it was pushing the ball down the flank for a cross. Fitness and quick-passing will only take the league and country so far. Somebody has to have the ####### cojones (coaches and/or players) to let the players attack... let them AND develop that kind of mind-set.
This is why I'm happy when I see Davies or Dempsey taking guys on, even if it's not always the right time (wrong place is not ok- looking at you again, Dempsey). If we can't, as a soccer-culture, develop the mind-set of beating players with the ball at feet then we're doomed to the mediocrity that we've fought so hard, and so quickly, to attain.
... sounds like it's better you than me watching that team. I don't think I can take watching the Nats play poorly, even at a Jr level.So I watched a bit of the Galaxy v Fire game last night. Landon Donovan was playing lights out- especially when he was pairing up with Beckham. They were clearly looking for eachother every time one of them got on the ball. Watching LD play made me think it might be time for him to take another stab overseas- seems like his game elevated every time he linked up with the better player (Beckham), and IMO he's nearing the end of a viable age to push his game over there with better players. Can't tell you how impressed I was/am with LDs quickness of decision-making and first touch. This is no light comment when I say it- he was world class last night, and pretty much borderline every time I've seen him since the last Honduras WCQ game. Dempsey- for ####'s sake- watch and learn.
The game had me thinking about MLS and US soccer too. There was some decent quality on the field, but some real gaps in that quality too (suprisingly on the defensive side of things). The thing I noticed, which I've mentioned repeatedly about the Nats- the level of play rises through quick, enterprising passes and movement; two, maybe three touches and gone. That can be a great thing. On the flip side, I saw next to no attempts to go one on one, unless it was pushing the ball down the flank for a cross. Fitness and quick-passing will only take the league and country so far. Somebody has to have the ####### cojones (coaches and/or players) to let the players attack... let them AND develop that kind of mind-set.
This is why I'm happy when I see Davies or Dempsey taking guys on, even if it's not always the right time (wrong place is not ok- looking at you again, Dempsey). If we can't, as a soccer-culture, develop the mind-set of beating players with the ball at feet then we're doomed to the mediocrity that we've fought so hard, and so quickly, to attain.
The Gator
Footballguy
3-1 L'pool
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Theo's baaaaaaaack #####es
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Atletico gets its first win of the season, 6 games in. About ####### time, jerkoffs.
Only slightly makes up for Cal getting smoked 30-3 in Memorial last night.
Only slightly makes up for Cal getting smoked 30-3 in Memorial last night.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
oofHuge game on Sunday.scousers
3-1 L'pool
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
OH GOD YES
I gotta find me a way to watch these Spanish games. Had some money on Atletico yesterday...and one thing I loved was 6 yellows for Atletico and 3 for Zaragoza.Not to be undone, today's Valladolid/Athletic Bilbao game featured a straight red followed by 4 yellows for the road side while Valladoid had 3 yellows and 2 red cards!And in today's Fulham/West Ham game, West Ham went up 1-0, Fulham then went down a man, only to go up 2-1 before allowing a 90th minute equalizer.I get to watch the Chelsea/Liverpool game which the referee swallowed his whistle and didnt call anything, including a few blatant yellows and a few hand balls. But, Drogba does flop around way too much
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
where's the celery?D. Drogba = man 'o the match with great work setting up both goals for the Blueand a bigSteve Tasker said:oofHuge game on Sunday.scousers
3-1 L'pool
for ManU needing an injury time own-goal to salvage a point at Old Trafford against Sunderland yesterday
The Gator
Footballguy
Steve Tasker said:oofHuge game on Sunday.scousers
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
England has already qualified, but their qualifier is only available on the internet for a fee - very bizarre:England's World Cup qualifier in Ukraine on Saturday will be shown exclusively live to subscribers on the internet who will pay at least £4.99
Moe.
Footballguy
Probably right. If Feilhaber isn't going to be starting otherwise I'd like to see him get Dempsey's place. Ideally he would play centrally but I'm sure it'll be Clark Bradley there. This could end up being a blessing in disguise, sucks the game isn't on tv.
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prefontaine
Footballguy
I think he may play vs CR and I believe the roster is the submitted for both games so I don't think this is going to change anything as far as Castillo goes. Will be curious how this changes our lineup. If we assume Bradley/Clark are paired in the middle (whether that is right or wrong) then we have 3 options on the wing I think unless BB goes nuts and puts in Rogers. 1) Holden in for Dempsey. Late game push LD up top when we put in another mid2) Fehlheiber in for Dempsey. Allows more maneuverability as Benny can go inside (Holden can as well but we've never put him there before) and so we could bring on Holden later and take off Clark or push LD up top to replace Jozy/Davies.3) Torres on the left and shift LD to the right. Torres is like Holden in that he can play both in and out. I think he plays central for his club but hasn't been given much of a shot there on the NT level there. My starters without knowing everyone's form would be
avies - JozyLD - Bradley - Benny - HoldenSpector - Boca - Gooch - DoloHowardThis admittedly leaves little offense on the bench besides Torres but I'd rather go for the lead and then sub in Torres/Clark for a forward and push LD up top. But if we get behind, we have no firepower off the bench really. So I really don't think this would be a lineup BB would ever submit. But for this game especially, I'd go balls out for a win. I expect we'll seeavies - JozyLD - Bradley - Clark - BennyBornstein - Boca - Gooch - SpectorHowardWith Holden, Torres, and Ching as subs.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
BTW, here's a list of locations that will have the closed circuit feed from Honduras:
http://www.ussoccer.com/Community/USA-Hond...-Locations.aspx
http://www.ussoccer.com/Community/USA-Hond...-Locations.aspx
andy_b
Footballguy
This is so painful. At least with PPV you can choose to watch it at home or even catch it online some where
Plenty of locations to choose from (if you speak spanish)http://www.circuitocerrado.tv/locales.htmlThis is so painful. At least with PPV you can choose to watch it at home or even catch it online some where
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Sammy3469
Footballguy
This is such a joke its not even funny. There's a total of 2 bars in Manhattan showing it and good luck getting into either. Oh well.Plenty of locations to choose from (if you speak spanish)http://www.circuitocerrado.tv/locales.htmlThis is so painful. At least with PPV you can choose to watch it at home or even catch it online some where
andy_b
Footballguy
I have a location pretty close to me and its gorgeous (the new CBS scene at Gillete stadium will be showing the game). It still doesn't remove the sting of feeling like it s 1992 all over again...Plenty of locations to choose from (if you speak spanish)This is so painful. At least with PPV you can choose to watch it at home or even catch it online some where
1 English speaking feed in all of Texas (Austin)18 Spanish speaking feeds in Houston alone.This is such a joke its not even funny. There's a total of 2 bars in Manhattan showing it and good luck getting into either. Oh well.Plenty of locations to choose from (if you speak spanish)http://www.circuitocerrado.tv/locales.htmlThis is so painful. At least with PPV you can choose to watch it at home or even catch it online some where
The Z Machine
Footballguy
I'm heading to the Oakland location (called 'PLAYA AZUL").
It's in the heart of the Latino district in Oaktown. I'll make sure to wear my US colors. I'll try to pretend like I don't speak Spanish so I won't get jumped after the game. I may have to tell the Venezuelan fiancee to do likewise.
It's in the heart of the Latino district in Oaktown. I'll make sure to wear my US colors. I'll try to pretend like I don't speak Spanish so I won't get jumped after the game. I may have to tell the Venezuelan fiancee to do likewise.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Also you NY peeps, head over to "LIGA SALVADOREÑA" in Brooklyn and get yourself a pupusa.
Tremendous Upside
Footballguy
This is such a joke its not even funny. There's a total of 2 bars in Manhattan showing it and good luck getting into either. Oh well.Plenty of locations to choose from (if you speak spanish)http://www.circuitocerrado.tv/locales.htmlThis is so painful. At least with PPV you can choose to watch it at home or even catch it online some where
You'll have to be at Nevada Smiths at like 9 AM that day
prefontaine
Footballguy
Ok, I was dead wrong on not being able to change the lineup...from SBI
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
I'd like to pat myself on the back once again for pimping Stuart Holden for about a year until he got his first cap
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El Floppo
Footballguy
:bullet in brain:Tremendous Upside said:<_< You'll have to be at Nevada Smiths at like 9 AM that daySammy3469 said:This is such a joke its not even funny. There's a total of 2 bars in Manhattan showing it and good luck getting into either. Oh well.guru_007 said:Plenty of locations to choose from (if you speak spanish)http://www.circuitocerrado.tv/locales.htmlandy_b said:This is so painful. At least with PPV you can choose to watch it at home or even catch it online some whereThe Z Machine said:
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
All I have to do is drive to Albany, eh?
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