***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (2 Viewers)

[Mjolnirs]

Ribéry's three-match ban upheld

UEFA's Appeals Body has confirmed the three-match suspension handed to FC Bayern München winger Franck Ribéry following the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg.

The UEFA Appeals Body today ruled on the appeal made by FC Bayern München relating to the three-match suspension imposed on Franck Ribéry by the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body on 28 April, following his dismissal in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg against Olympique Lyonnais in Munich on 21 April.

The Appeals Body has fully upheld the initial decision made by the body of first instance, the Control and Disciplinary Body, and has confirmed the three-match suspension of Ribéry in UEFA club competitions.

Having served one game of the ban, Bayern's semi-final second leg at Lyon on 27 April, the player will now miss the UEFA Champions League final on 22 May and the next UEFA club competition fixture for which he is eligible.

Given the outcome of the proceedings Bayern and Ribéry have the right to lodge an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

No surprise here.

 

[Mello]

Inter with the a chance at the treble this year.

Mourinho is going to be the Liverpool coach next year. I just don't see this not happening. Who will he bringing in from Inter? Please say Maicon.

The only way I can see that happening is if a new owner comes in the 2 months with some cash to spend. Without that, I think Mourinho ends up at City. Just a much better situation to build a winning club. If Rafa doesn't quit, I think he'll be here next year. If he does quit, I think Liverpool will have to settle for someone like Roy Hodgson or worse. I'm scared to think of who the owners would choose after considering replacing Rafa with freaking Klinsmann couple years ago.

 

[Texas Football]

Inter with the a chance at the treble this year.

Mourinho is going to be the Liverpool coach next year. I just don't see this not happening. Who will he bringing in from Inter? Please say Maicon.

The only way I can see that happening is if a new owner comes in the 2 months with some cash to spend. Without that, I think Mourinho ends up at City. Just a much better situation to build a winning club. If Rafa doesn't quit, I think he'll be here next year. If he does quit, I think Liverpool will have to settle for someone like Roy Hodgson or worse. I'm scared to think of who the owners would choose after considering replacing Rafa with freaking Klinsmann couple years ago.

You are probably right Mello. More late night wishful thinking on my part.I would really hope for Liverpools sale and the hiring of Mourinho. I wouldn't mind him selling of Torres to fix all the broken areas. Similar to how he sold Ibramovich and cobbled together the current Inter squad.

Man City would sort of piss me off...

 

[Mjolnirs]

Posted this in the WC thread too:

Joachim Löw announced Germany's preliminary squad today:

Goal: Hans-Jörg Butt, Manuel Neuer, Tim Wiese

Defense: Dennis Aogo, Holger Badstuber, Andreas Beck, Jerome Boateng, Arne Friedrich, Marcell Jansen, Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker, Serdar Tasci, Heiko Westermann

Midfield: Michael Ballack, Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos, Marko Marin, Mesut Özil, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Christian Träsch, Piotr Trochowski

Offense: Cacau, Stefan Kießsling, Miroslav Klose, Thomas Müller, Likas Podolski

Seven players currently play for Bayern München.

Only one player does not play in the Bundesliga. (Ballack)

Eight players were on the 2006 World Cup squad that finished 3rd.

 

[ffldrew]

Why can't the refs card a real dive?

Player booked for diving had suffered heart attack

Wed May 05 10:44AM

Referee yellow card A Croatian footballer booked for diving had actually dropped dead of a heart attack.

Goran Tunjic, a 32-year-old defender playing for the Mladost FC, collapsed in the 35th minute of the County League match against Hrvatski Sokola, prompting the referee to approach the player with yellow card in his hand.

Tragically, however, the player had suffered a fatal heart attack.

The official quickly realised what had happened and called for medical aid, but Tunjic died despite being rushed to a nearby hospital.

"Doctors tried to help him but there was nothing they could do," a club spokesman said of the player, who had no previous medical problems.

"He just fell dead on the spot."

 

[Steve Tasker]

Just terrible

 

[El Floppo]

From the NYTimes.Easy to write off Algeria and Slovenia... but they've got as many or more players playing for big(ish) clubs than the US. If the US can get results against those two, it will be because of fitness and team tactics and because we're substantially better individually.

May 4, 2010, 9:11 pm Algeria Names Provisional World Cup SquadBy JACK BELLAt first, even second blush, Algeria is considered the lamb of the first-round World Cup group that also includes the United States, England and Slovenia.On Tuesday, Coach Rabah Saadane announced a preliminary roster that includes 25 players, the vast majority of whom play for club teams in Europe. Seven of the players have not played a senior international match.Several of the Algerian players are club teammates with potential members of the United States roster: goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann and midfielder Adlane Guedioura both play for Wolverhampton Wanderers in England, and striker Charlie Davies and midfielder Riad Boudebouz are under contract to Sochaux in France. Michael Bradley, the son of United States Coach Bob Bradley, is a teammate of the Algerian striker Karim Matmour at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Algeria is scheduled to play the United States on June 23.Saadane also selected three players — Boudebouz, Carl Medjani and Habib Belaid — who have made appearances for a French national team, but not at the senior level. The three players still need official approval from FIFA to change their national team allegiance.“The fact that we qualified for the World Cup is in itself a good thing, considering we’ve been absent for 24 years,” Saadane told a news conference on Tuesday. “We’re going to do everything we can to make the second round. This goal will depend on our squad. For the time being, I don’t know what squad I’ll take to the World Cup. I’d like to work with the backbone of the team, but unfortunately there are many injured players like Bougherra (he’s injured but not seriously), Yebda, Belhadj, Bezzaz, Bouazza, Lahcen (he’s playing again at Racing Santander), Mourad Meghni. These are all the key players on the national team. We are used to these sort of problems, though. We are going to overcome them, God willing.”Saadane is expected to name five more players to Algeria’s roster, but has had to deal with injuries to some of his top players. Defenders Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth) and Mahjid Bougherra (Glasgow Rangers) are both currently sidelined. The uncapped players include Wolves midfielder Guedioura, Valenciennes midfielder Fouad Kadir, Lecce defender Djamel Mesbah and goalkeeper Mbohi Rais Ouhed of Slavia Sofia in Bulgaria.The roster: Goalkeepers Fawzi Chaouchi (Entente Setif), Lounes Gaouaoui (ASO Chlef), Mbohi Rais Ouheb (Slavia Sofia/Bulgaria), Mohamed Amine Zemmamouche (Mouloudia Algiers)Defenders Habib Belaid (Boulogne-sur-Mer/France), Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth/England), Madjid Bougherra (Rangers/Scotland), Rafik Halliche (Nacional/Portugal), Abdelkader Laifaoui (Entente Setif), Carl Medjani (Ajaccio/France), Djamel Mesbah (Lecce/Italy), Anthar Yahia (VfL Bochum/Germany)Midfielders Djamel Abdoun (Nantes/France), Riad Boudebouz (Sochaux/France), Adlane Guedioura (Wolverhampton Wanderers/England), Fouad Kadir (Valenciennes/France), Medhi Lacen (Racing Santander/Spain), Yazid Mansouri (FC Lorient/France), Mourad Meghni (Lazio/Italy), Hassan Yebda (Portsmouth/England), Karim Ziani (VfL Wolfsburg/Germany)Forwards Rafik Djebbour (AEK Athens/Greece), Abdelkader Ghezzal (Siena/Italy), Karim Matmour (Borussia Mönchengladbach/Germany), Rafik Saifi (Istres/France).

 

[Major]

From the NYTimes.Easy to write off Algeria and Slovenia... but they've got as many or more players playing for big(ish) clubs than the US. If the US can get results against those two, it will be because of fitness and team tactics and because we're substantially better individually.

May 4, 2010, 9:11 pm Algeria Names Provisional World Cup SquadBy JACK BELLAt first, even second blush, Algeria is considered the lamb of the first-round World Cup group that also includes the United States, England and Slovenia.

A bit off topic but after living in London for a while and having a lot of English friends, nothing will make me happier than the US beating England in group play. That's four years of unadulterated ##### talking. If this happens, I will definitely take a trip to London to say to my peeps. I can't think of anything better aside from a strong WC showing (semi finals).

 

[C & C]

I dont like Chelsea at all and would like to see ManU win the championship.But I like City and not sure if I should be rooting for ManU or not. I like Rooney and Nani though.

First off, Congrats to Tottenham. Crouch is a handful and I was much more concerned once I saw he was starting.If you enjoy watching the game root for whomever you want. With that said, it's pretty much required to have a healthy dislike for all things United to be a City fan. As for City transfers, it'll be difficult for them to transfer out players who've recently been brought in due to the wages the player is currently recieving and the other club would have to pay. Expect most to stay, though I think Adebayor may go. City desperately need a box-to-box midfielder. Their current center mids don't offer enough playmaking ability or get forward enough to overlap Tevez when he roams back into midfield. If Ireland goes or they don't believe he can return to last years form then they'll need 2 of these, one to start and one for depth. After that, a RB is mandatory. I love Zabs, but he's not good enough to get where they want to. Then LB needs depth, competition for Bridge. At both fullbacks spots they need someone who can put in an accurate cross while still being able to defend. Very difficult to find and I'm not sure they'll be able to get both this window. Jerome Boetang is rumored to be coming in from Hamburg. I don't know enough about him yet to know where he'll slot in and if he more for the future. Lastly, they need a true target man in the box. I expect Santa Cruz to go so I'm hoping they'll upgrade.I expect City to try and bring in some big money players, but I don't expect the kind of spending which was done last summer. One, maybe two large signings.

 

[andy_b]

From the NYTimes.Easy to write off Algeria and Slovenia... but they've got as many or more players playing for big(ish) clubs than the US. If the US can get results against those two, it will be because of fitness and team tactics and because we're substantially better individually.

May 4, 2010, 9:11 pm Algeria Names Provisional World Cup SquadBy JACK BELLAt first, even second blush, Algeria is considered the lamb of the first-round World Cup group that also includes the United States, England and Slovenia.On Tuesday, Coach Rabah Saadane announced a preliminary roster that includes 25 players, the vast majority of whom play for club teams in Europe. Seven of the players have not played a senior international match.Several of the Algerian players are club teammates with potential members of the United States roster: goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann and midfielder Adlane Guedioura both play for Wolverhampton Wanderers in England, and striker Charlie Davies and midfielder Riad Boudebouz are under contract to Sochaux in France. Michael Bradley, the son of United States Coach Bob Bradley, is a teammate of the Algerian striker Karim Matmour at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Algeria is scheduled to play the United States on June 23.Saadane also selected three players — Boudebouz, Carl Medjani and Habib Belaid — who have made appearances for a French national team, but not at the senior level. The three players still need official approval from FIFA to change their national team allegiance.“The fact that we qualified for the World Cup is in itself a good thing, considering we’ve been absent for 24 years,” Saadane told a news conference on Tuesday. “We’re going to do everything we can to make the second round. This goal will depend on our squad. For the time being, I don’t know what squad I’ll take to the World Cup. I’d like to work with the backbone of the team, but unfortunately there are many injured players like Bougherra (he’s injured but not seriously), Yebda, Belhadj, Bezzaz, Bouazza, Lahcen (he’s playing again at Racing Santander), Mourad Meghni. These are all the key players on the national team. We are used to these sort of problems, though. We are going to overcome them, God willing.”Saadane is expected to name five more players to Algeria’s roster, but has had to deal with injuries to some of his top players. Defenders Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth) and Mahjid Bougherra (Glasgow Rangers) are both currently sidelined. The uncapped players include Wolves midfielder Guedioura, Valenciennes midfielder Fouad Kadir, Lecce defender Djamel Mesbah and goalkeeper Mbohi Rais Ouhed of Slavia Sofia in Bulgaria.The roster: Goalkeepers Fawzi Chaouchi (Entente Setif), Lounes Gaouaoui (ASO Chlef), Mbohi Rais Ouheb (Slavia Sofia/Bulgaria), Mohamed Amine Zemmamouche (Mouloudia Algiers)Defenders Habib Belaid (Boulogne-sur-Mer/France), Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth/England), Madjid Bougherra (Rangers/Scotland), Rafik Halliche (Nacional/Portugal), Abdelkader Laifaoui (Entente Setif), Carl Medjani (Ajaccio/France), Djamel Mesbah (Lecce/Italy), Anthar Yahia (VfL Bochum/Germany)Midfielders Djamel Abdoun (Nantes/France), Riad Boudebouz (Sochaux/France), Adlane Guedioura (Wolverhampton Wanderers/England), Fouad Kadir (Valenciennes/France), Medhi Lacen (Racing Santander/Spain), Yazid Mansouri (FC Lorient/France), Mourad Meghni (Lazio/Italy), Hassan Yebda (Portsmouth/England), Karim Ziani (VfL Wolfsburg/Germany)Forwards Rafik Djebbour (AEK Athens/Greece), Abdelkader Ghezzal (Siena/Italy), Karim Matmour (Borussia Mönchengladbach/Germany), Rafik Saifi (Istres/France).

great article thanks!One thing I am confused on, are we going to cross post between here and the WC thread or should we simply post all WC stuff in that new thread now? The best way to keep the trolls out of the new thread is to simply keep posting in it like we have. Someone will be much less likely to act the ####.

 

[andy_b]

2 fairly big pieces of news today for MLS

1) MLS signed Man United to play in the all star game at the end of July in Reliant stadium

2) Montreal is having a press conference tomorrow with the commissioner to announce they are joining as the 19th MLS franchise in 2012.

Pretty amazing when it doesn't seem all that long ago that their were only 10 MLS team....

 

[The Z Machine]

Montreal is a great addition IMO.

 

[bweiser]

2 fairly big pieces of news today for MLS1) MLS signed Man United to play in the all star game at the end of July in Reliant stadium2) Montreal is having a press conference tomorrow with the commissioner to announce they are joining as the 19th MLS franchise in 2012.Pretty amazing when it doesn't seem all that long ago that their were only 10 MLS team....

Man U. vs. Philly U. July 21 at Lincoln Financial Field. Guess they think they'll draw more than 20,000, huh?

 

[Native]

Wow two nice pieces of news.

Now we need to get Atlanta a team

 

[Mello]

Wow two nice pieces of news. Now we need to get Atlanta a team

No team for 800 miles around

 

[Native]

MLS Attendance Still Outdrawing NBA, NHL

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Pulled this off of BigSoccer - lot of good friendlies scheduled around the country this summer

MAY5/19 - NE Revolution v Benfica @ Gillette Stadium (8PM EST)5/19 - Sister Cities Cup - Chicago Fire v Paris St Germain @ Toyota Park (8PM EST)5/19 - Sister Cities Cup - Legia Warsaw v Red Star Belgrade @ Toyota Park (10PM EST)5/22 - Sister Cities Cup - Loser Match 1 v Loser Match 2 @ Toyota Park (7PM EST)5/22 - Sister Cities Cup - Championship Match @ Toyota Park (9PM EST)5/23 - RBNY v Juventus @ RBA (1PM EST)5/23 - Montreal Impact v Fiorentina @ Stade Saputo (2PM EST)5/23 - LA Galaxy v Boca Juniors @ HDC (8PM EST)5/25 - Juventus v Fiorentina @ Rogers Center (Toronto) (8PM EST)5/26 - DC United v AC Milan @ RFK Stadium (8PM EST)5/26 - Seattle Sounders FC v Boca Juniors @ Qwest Field (10:30PM EST)5/30 - Chicago Fire v AC Milan @ Toyota Park (8:30PM EST)JUNE6/2 - Montreal Impact v AC Milan @ Olympic Stadium (8PM EST)6/13 - NE Revolution v Cruzeiro (BRA) @ Gillette Stadium (7PM EST)6/19 - Dyanmo Charities Cup - Houston Dynamo v CD Aguila (SLV) @ Robertson Stadium (9PM EST)JULY7/16 - Manchester United v Celtic @ Rogers Center (TOR) 7/17 - San Jose Earthquakes v Tottenham Hotspur @ Buck Shaw Stadium7/18 - Seattle Sounders FC v Celtic @ Qwest Field (3PM EST)7/21 - Philadelphia Union v Manchester United @ Linclon Financial Field7/21 - Celtic v Rangers @ TBD (Boston)7/22-7/25 - NY Football Challenge (RBNY, Man City, Tottenham, Sporting Lisbon) @ RBA7/24 - DC United v Rangers @ RFK Stadium (7:30PM EST)7/25 - Kansas City Wizards v Manchester United @ Arrowhead Stadium (6PM EST)7/28 - MLS All-Stars v Manchester United @ Reliant Stadium (8:30PM EST)

 

[Jason Bourne]

FFA Championship down to the wire . . .

http://premierfantasy.soccernet.espn.go.co...emeinschaft.jsp

 

[guru_007]

1) MLS signed Man United to play in the all star game at the end of July in Reliant stadium

OH HELL YES

 

[TLEF316]

OOF

 

[Steve Tasker]

I believe I called it awhile ago that Montreal would be a great expansion city.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

OOF

meh - it was Rossi's dream to play for Italy, he was always very clear on that (other than I think one youth tournament where he played for the US), and he achieved his goal. Sucks for us, but good for him.Neven Subotic on the other hand - how the hell did we screw that one up? Thanks a lot Rongen!

 

[Steve Tasker]

OOF

That guy is living the ####### dream. :jealous:I love how he still has the NJ accent...

 

[TLEF316]

I just think its funny that they came out with that story, but he isn't even on the Italian squad yet.

Or did something change since the initial training roster was released?

 

[Steve Tasker]

I just think its funny that they came out with that story, but he isn't even on the Italian squad yet.Or did something change since the initial training roster was released?

No, you're correct. I figured that's why you called it "oof"....but I'm still jealous...

 

[TLEF316]

I just think its funny that they came out with that story, but he isn't even on the Italian squad yet.Or did something change since the initial training roster was released?

No, you're correct. I figured that's why you called it "oof"....but I'm still jealous...

as i said before, i grew up with a kid who played on a traveling team with him for like 5 years. He's American through and through.He just got a hard on for playing the Azzuri and never looked back.

 

[Christo]

FFA Championship down to the wire . . .

http://premierfantasy.soccernet.espn.go.co...emeinschaft.jsp

I cannot believe I'm going to lose this after leading most of the second half of the season. I blow all of my transfers and then lose Torres and Sorensen.

 

[Sebowski]

FFA Championship down to the wire . . .

http://premierfantasy.soccernet.espn.go.co...emeinschaft.jsp

FFA La Liga, not so much. I'm running away with it.

 

[Major]

I believe I called it awhile ago that Montreal would be a great expansion city.

Great town. Montreal >>> Toronto

 

[bweiser]

I just think its funny that they came out with that story, but he isn't even on the Italian squad yet.Or did something change since the initial training roster was released?

i hate few athletes as much as i hate this guy. i will be rooting hard for him to blow out both ACLs and maybe even die on the pitch.

 

[El Floppo]

I believe I called it awhile ago that Montreal would be a great expansion city.

Great town. Montreal >>> Toronto

AND... they've already got a pretty good team up there. Not a fan of the name "Impact" though.

 

[Native]

I just think its funny that they came out with that story, but he isn't even on the Italian squad yet.Or did something change since the initial training roster was released?

i hate few athletes as much as i hate this guy. i will be rooting hard for him to blow out both ACLs and maybe even die on the pitch.

Rossi is on the front page of ESPN the magazine this week. Its not a bad story - after reading the article I dont begrudge him at all.

 

[The Z Machine]

BTW guys, the wife returned from Mexico two days ago.

I have your boxes and albums.

Please PM me your postal address. The cost will be $65 for the package including shipping. I'll reply with my postal address.

 

[Christo]

Most Popular Soccer Team in the U.S.: Mexico?

By BILLY WITZ

Published: May 6, 2010

In late 1993, buoyed by having qualified for the World Cup in the United States the next year, Mexico stepped outside its usual sites — Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and New York — to play an exhibition game in San Diego.

Promoters, who had never attracted more than 20,000 fans to a soccer game unaccompanied by a concert, would have been thrilled to hit that mark on a midweek night game against China.

But when the game arrived, they were overwhelmed. Traffic heading north from the border on Interstate 805 was backed up for miles, and as kickoff approached, people began to park on the side of the road. They walked down embankments and through a creek and dashed across streets to reach Jack Murphy Stadium. Once there, long lines snaked from ticket windows.

When the crowd finally settled in, shortly after halftime, nearly 50,000 people filled the stadium.

“That game, in a way, opened the eyes of the Mexican national team and promoters of what was possible if you took risks,” said Paul Mendes, who has been involved with organizing Mexico’s games in the United States for much of the last two decades. “It set off a wave.”

That wave is growing. Mexico’s trips to the United States, including Friday night’s sold-out exhibition against Ecuador at the new 75,000-seat stadium in the Meadowlands in New Jersey, are big business.

Mexico will play Senegal at Soldier Field in Chicago on Monday and Angola at Reliant Stadium in Houston on Thursday. By the end of the tour, which is to prepare Mexico’s players for the World Cup, the team known as El Tricolor will have played six games in the United States in less than three months, almost all before capacity crowds.

When Mexico played New Zealand at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., in March, the only game in which European-based players performed, 90,000 packed the Rose Bowl on a Wednesday night. It was easy to see what brings Mexico back.

Not just the sheer numbers of fans, many of whom paid more than $40 for tickets — about double what tickets would cost in Mexico — but also in the hours leading up to the game, the bustling fiesta that surrounded the stadium had the air of a carnival with face painting, lucha libre acts, bands and games.

It was a far different atmosphere a decade ago, when Mexico’s games drew a typically young and overwhelmingly male crowd. The crowd now is dotted with women and families, and loutish behavior has waned.

It was a quintessential American scene — except that the language of choice was Spanish.

“It’s a nation within a nation,” said Doug Logan, the chief executive of USA Track and Field and a former Major League Soccer commissioner. “The crowd is more affluent now and the normal tipoff is that there are more women. When it becomes more affluent, it is safer for them to come.”

It is not surprising that a more wholesome environment would be attractive to businesses. Mexico’s visits to the United States have 14 major sponsors, including the Home Depot, Coca-Cola, AT&T and Wrigley.

Georgiana Flores, the director of multicultural marketing and sponsorship for Allstate insurance, a sponsor of the Mexico national team in the United States for four years, said that soccer was the best vehicle to reach many Mexican-Americans.

“The passion that Hispanics, and Mexicans in particular, have for soccer can’t be matched by anything else,” said Flores, whose company does not do business in Mexico. “The Mexican national team has been our targeted sports property.”

Television ratings reflect this. ESPN2’s broadcast of the United States’ victory against Mexico in February 2009 drew 1.2 million, the largest audience for a World Cup qualifier — but it was barely one-fifth the audience that Spanish-language Telemundo drew in the United States.

For the last seven years, Mexico’s games in the United States have been organized by Soccer United Marketing, the business arm of M.L.S. S.U.M. controls most major soccer promotional rights in the United States, including World Cup TV rights, tournaments like the Gold Cup, and the U.S. Soccer Federation. One of its most valuable agreements is with the Mexican soccer federation.

Although some wonder why M.L.S. would be in business with a competitor, Commissioner Don Garber said it fit with the league’s plan.

“Our goal is to create a soccer nation in our country,” he said. “We don’t care who they root for, who they watch on TV, who drives their passion. These exhibition games create big moments, but ultimately real fans connect with their local clubs. The Mexican national team is leaving today and it won’t come back for years. Next week the Red Bulls are going to have a game at brand-new Red Bull Arena.”

Before its agreement with S.U.M., the Mexican federation contracted with different promoters in different markets.

“We felt like if you could professionalize, you could use it as a platform to sponsors to sell their products,” Garber said. “It would provide direct lines to the hearts and minds of Mexican consumers.”

That has allowed Mexico to venture successfully into other markets. In 2008, Mexico drew 56,416 in Seattle for a game with China. In 2009, El Tri attracted 51,115 when it played Venezuela in Atlanta. In March, 63,227 went to a game in Charlotte, N.C., when Mexico played Iceland.

That is why Mexico keeps coming back. In stadiums filled with fans wearing the jersey of their national team, it is hard not to notice the color — green.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/sports/s...l?th&emc=th

 

[El Floppo]

I was just coming in here to post Christo's link.

Not exactly news to any of us, but a good read.

 

[El Floppo]

And by the way- going to that Gold Cup final last year wasthe worst sports spectating experiences of my life. 70k rabid Mexicans screaming bloody murder at the US team and the (what seemed like only a) few thousand US fans in attendance while their team blew us out 5-0.

 

[Sebowski]

I believe I called it awhile ago that Montreal would be a great expansion city.

Great town. Montreal >>> Toronto

Disagree. I loved Toronto. Had an ok time in Montreal. Too much French I think. It was much easier to meet people and have a good time in Toronto.

 

[Sebowski]

Saw this on another site. Apparently a show on ESPN Deportes says they have the 30 man US roster:

30 men roster released on jorge ramos y su banda ON ESPN DEPORTES RADIO

Rimando

howard

guzan

hanneman

hedjuk

cherundolo

spector

onyewu

bocanegra

demerit

bornstein

pearce

goodson

donovan

dempsey

adu

beasley

edu

torres

bedoya

bradley

feilhaber

holden

CLARK

davies

altidore

ching

casey

buddle

gomez

-------------

I like Adu making it as the last man to get the experience. How often do the last couple guys on the team actually play?

 

[El Floppo]

Saw this on another site. Apparently a show on ESPN Deportes says they have the 30 man US roster:30 men roster released on jorge ramos y su banda ON ESPN DEPORTES RADIORimandohowardguzanhannemanhedjukcherundolospectoronyewubocanegrademeritbornsteinpearcegoodsondonovandempseyadubeasleyedutorresbedoyabradleyfeilhaberholdenCLARKdaviesaltidorechingcaseybuddlegomez-------------I like Adu making it as the last man to get the experience. How often do the last couple guys on the team actually play?

IIRC, they only take 18 to the WC... so in the case of a 30 man evaluation squad- never.

 

[Christo]

I was just coming in here to post Christo's link. Not exactly news to any of us, but a good read.

:( The most interesting part was this:

Although some wonder why M.L.S. would be in business with a competitor, Commissioner Don Garber said it fit with the league’s plan. “Our goal is to create a soccer nation in our country,” he said. “We don’t care who they root for, who they watch on TV, who drives their passion. These exhibition games create big moments, but ultimately real fans connect with their local clubs. The Mexican national team is leaving today and it won’t come back for years. Next week the Red Bulls are going to have a game at brand-new Red Bull Arena.” Before its agreement with S.U.M., the Mexican federation contracted with different promoters in different markets. “We felt like if you could professionalize, you could use it as a platform to sponsors to sell their products,” Garber said. “It would provide direct lines to the hearts and minds of Mexican consumers.”

Gotta love the almighty dollar/peso.

 

[Major]

I believe I called it awhile ago that Montreal would be a great expansion city.

Great town. Montreal >>> Toronto

Disagree. I loved Toronto. Had an ok time in Montreal. Too much French I think. It was much easier to meet people and have a good time in Toronto.

Yeah, you must have a wife or something. The girls in Montreal reign supreme. Beautiful and not afraid of happiness. I'm probably one of the few that don't mind the French. French Canadians are much friendlier then anything you'll encounter in Paris. I just found Toronto a bit stale and boring. Of course, I'm coming from NYC so I can be a bit of a snob when judging cities.

 

[El Floppo]

Let the cross-posting begin...

I googled, I found.

and it's free.

How to Play

The format of the game is simple. You must pick a team consisting of 1 goalkeeper, 4 defenders, 3 midfielders and 3 strikers. You have no budget to worry about, but you are initially only permitted to pick 1 player from any of the represented countries.

You are able to make as many changes to your teams lineup as you like, as often as you like, leading up to the start of the championships. However, as soon as the first game kicks off all teams in the competition will be frozen.

On completion of the Group stage, each team will be permitted to make up to 5 transfers in total throughout the remainder of the tournament. Points already scored by your players will not be lost, and you will not get points scored by your new player prior to the transfer being made. Transfers can be made at any time after the Group stage is complete, although will only count for games that kick-off after the change has been made. Once the transfer window is open, each team will be permitted to select up to 3 players from any country.

All selected players will score points for your team based on their performance in each game, as set out on the 'How to Score' page.

 

[El Floppo]

I was just coming in here to post Christo's link.

Not exactly news to any of us, but a good read.

The most interesting part was this:

Although some wonder why M.L.S. would be in business with a competitor, Commissioner Don Garber said it fit with the league’s plan.

“Our goal is to create a soccer nation in our country,” he said. “We don’t care who they root for, who they watch on TV, who drives their passion. These exhibition games create big moments, but ultimately real fans connect with their local clubs. The Mexican national team is leaving today and it won’t come back for years. Next week the Red Bulls are going to have a game at brand-new Red Bull Arena.”

Before its agreement with S.U.M., the Mexican federation contracted with different promoters in different markets.

“We felt like if you could professionalize, you could use it as a platform to sponsors to sell their products,” Garber said. “It would provide direct lines to the hearts and minds of Mexican consumers.”

Gotta love the almighty dollar/peso.

I assume the most interesting part was the bolded, right?

 

[Christo]

I was just coming in here to post Christo's link.

Not exactly news to any of us, but a good read.

The most interesting part was this:

Although some wonder why M.L.S. would be in business with a competitor, Commissioner Don Garber said it fit with the league’s plan.

“Our goal is to create a soccer nation in our country,” he said. “We don’t care who they root for, who they watch on TV, who drives their passion. These exhibition games create big moments, but ultimately real fans connect with their local clubs. The Mexican national team is leaving today and it won’t come back for years. Next week the Red Bulls are going to have a game at brand-new Red Bull Arena.”

Before its agreement with S.U.M., the Mexican federation contracted with different promoters in different markets.

“We felt like if you could professionalize, you could use it as a platform to sponsors to sell their products,” Garber said. “It would provide direct lines to the hearts and minds of Mexican consumers.”

Gotta love the almighty dollar/peso.

I assume the most interesting part was the bolded, right?

You know what they say about assumptions.

 

[El Floppo]

I was just coming in here to post Christo's link.

Not exactly news to any of us, but a good read.

The most interesting part was this:

Although some wonder why M.L.S. would be in business with a competitor, Commissioner Don Garber said it fit with the league’s plan.

“Our goal is to create a soccer nation in our country,” he said. “We don’t care who they root for, who they watch on TV, who drives their passion. These exhibition games create big moments, but ultimately real fans connect with their local clubs. The Mexican national team is leaving today and it won’t come back for years. Next week the Red Bulls are going to have a game at brand-new Red Bull Arena.”

Before its agreement with S.U.M., the Mexican federation contracted with different promoters in different markets.

“We felt like if you could professionalize, you could use it as a platform to sponsors to sell their products,” Garber said. “It would provide direct lines to the hearts and minds of Mexican consumers.”

Gotta love the almighty dollar/peso.

I assume the most interesting part was the bolded, right?

You know what they say about assumptions.

That the REdStars are freaking awesome?

 

[Christo]

That the REdStars are freaking awesome?

We'll see on 8/8.Oh, I already have my ticket for the Fire v AC Milan game on 5/30

 

[Bonzai]

Gianluigi Buffon Italy 0

Maicon Brazil 0

Philip Lahm Germany 0

Patrice Evra France 0

Nemanja Vidic Serbia 0

Landon Donovan United States 0

Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal 0

Arjen Robben Netherlands 0

David Villa Spain 0

Wayne Rooney England 0

Lionel Messi Argentina

 

[Sammy3469]

Saw this on another site. Apparently a show on ESPN Deportes says they have the 30 man US roster:30 men roster released on jorge ramos y su banda ON ESPN DEPORTES RADIORimandohowardguzanhannemanhedjukcherundolospectoronyewubocanegrademeritbornsteinpearcegoodsondonovandempseyadubeasleyedutorresbedoyabradleyfeilhaberholdenCLARKdaviesaltidorechingcaseybuddlegomez-------------I like Adu making it as the last man to get the experience. How often do the last couple guys on the team actually play?

IIRC, they only take 18 to the WC... so in the case of a 30 man evaluation squad- never.

They take 23 to the WC, only 18 dress for each game. I believe all 21 or 22 Americans have played in each of the last 2 WCs (exceptions being the sub-keepers), so the 23rd guy does in fact play once in awhile (I know when we got to the QFs each field player played).

 

[Major]

Recently moved from NYC to Houston and just noticed Man U v. MLS All-Stars is taking place here in late July. Anyone ever go to one of these friendlies? Seems like it'd be mildly entertaining.

 

[guru_007]

1) MLS signed Man United to play in the all star game at the end of July in Reliant stadium

OH HELL YES

Tickets ordered! #### YES100 level, can't efffinnnngggg waittttt!!!!!!