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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter jpeace121
- Start date
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Watched the rest of that Real Madrid vs. Bilbao game yesterday, and I have to say that the Spanish game, at least when the heavyweights are playing, seems to be a lot more exciting than the EPL. In a game between two of the lower-tier sides, it might turn into a Mexico/Argentina type of game with the back-and-forth attacking and physicality, but Barca and Real Madrid in particular just play fascinating football, so much fun to watch.
I still hold that Messi is the best player on the planet, but Ronaldo's ball skills are simply insane. Did anyone see the half-volley backheel he pulled off in the second half? Unbelievable. If you need a playmaker to make something out of nothing, you want Messi...but if you want a guy to beat a defender 1v1 or make a crazy play with the ball at his feet, it's gotta be Ronaldo.
Also, I really enjoyed watching Higuain play, similar to how I greatly enjoyed David Silva last time. They've quickly become two of my favorite players.
I still hold that Messi is the best player on the planet, but Ronaldo's ball skills are simply insane. Did anyone see the half-volley backheel he pulled off in the second half? Unbelievable. If you need a playmaker to make something out of nothing, you want Messi...but if you want a guy to beat a defender 1v1 or make a crazy play with the ball at his feet, it's gotta be Ronaldo.
Also, I really enjoyed watching Higuain play, similar to how I greatly enjoyed David Silva last time. They've quickly become two of my favorite players.
Prince Myshkin
Footballguy
As a sports fan in general, it's hard not to be extremely impressed with Burnley today. Already relegated and fall behind 0-2 early, it would have been very easy to pack it in and get absolutely drubbed by Spurs. Instead they battle back and put up 4 goals to go out with a bang.
El Floppo
Footballguy
wow... that's GREAT news.And I'm pretty sure I' posted this at the beginning of the year- but Chelsea were really the class of the league this year and deserve the title. So consistent... almost ruthlessly so. Hats off to them for a great year, even without one of my favorite players helping (Essien)
it appears the west is >>>>>> than the east in MLS. union needs to make some changes. seitz is too indecisive. califf, orozco need to sit. the middle of the defense is just a seive. and play the young guys - mwanga, mcinerney. i want to develop those two. nakazawa too. the only players whose jobs are safe IMO are torres, fred, le toux and moreno
Native
Footballguy
My thoughts about Chelsea's season:After winning two consecutive Premier League titles on the coat-tails of Roman's buying power and Mourinho's coaching skills, Chelsea lost its way in England over the last three seasons. Manchester United returned to the top of the table during which time Chelsea went through a slew of Managers (Grant, Scolari, Hiddink) and inconsistent, often sluggish, domestic play. This season was critical for Chelsea for a number of reasons - not least of which was to prove that this team wasnt simply a flash-in-the-pan.
First of all, they found a coach in Carlo Ancelotti who has both the strength required to manage a team full of superstars as well as the acumen to play smart, beautiful football. When is the last time someone could say that Chelsea's style of play was beautiful? Lots of movement, pacy runs and exquisite passing took the place of brute force and long balls into the box that characterized the Mourinho years. As a Chelsea fan, it was a sight to behold. Chris McGrath from the Independent said it best- "this latest blend of cultures, under Ancelotti, has produced a footballing carillon in which only the most obstinate and graceless of rivals could fail to acknowledge a joyful tenor".
Additionally, I was satisfied that the team won the league WITHOUT any big name signings to bolster the squad in the offseason. While Real, Barca, Inter, United and others spent heavily, Chelsea essentially kept the same core players from 2008-2009. Sure, Chelsea has spent a ton of cash in the past, but the core of Drogba, Lampard, Terry, Essien, Kalou, Mikel, Cole and company have been with the team for a number of years now and their triumph this year is as much a result of teamwork and hard-work as it is about big-spending. (he says as Aguero boards a plane to London).
Looking forward, Ancelotti has made a commitment to developing Chelsea's youth academy. Next season, I wouldnt be surprised to see a few youngsters break into the top 11 on a regular basis - Gael Kakuta, Nemnaja Matic or Jeffrey Bruma come to mind. This means that the team will be even less reliant on big name signings moving forward (Mr Aguero, please pick up the red courtesy phone. Mr Aguero....)
Anyway, this was a wonderful season to be a fan of the Blues and I hope we can complete the double next week in the FA Cup final.
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Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Drew 1-1 tonight.
0-2-0 to start the season....looks like another middle-of-the-table season for us.
0-2-0 to start the season....looks like another middle-of-the-table season for us.
Mjolnirs
Footballguy
Undefeated
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Yeah, but I think we could've won both. We have some decent new strikers, I'm surprised they haven't scored more yet.I tweaked my groin a little bit going into a challenge about 25 minutes in. Nothing major, but I'm going to be sore in the morning. I kept stretching it as the game went on and it tightened up a bit. Thankfully we had some subs today so I only had to go for about ~65 minutes?We have our cup game (non-league) on Thursday. It was originally scheduled for this past Wednesday, but it got postponed due to lightning. I raced home from work (40 minutes with traffic, left work at 5), packed my #### up, left home at 5:45 just to make it by 6:28. I was our only sub, and I hadn't stretched before the 6:30 match, so I started on the bench. Went in maybe 7 minutes in, got about 5 minutes of game action, and we had a lightning delay. The lightning kept coming, and around 7 PM they called the game. Then another 45 minutes of driving....90 minute drive time for 5 minutes of play...Undefeated
andy_b
Footballguy
I did this all the time in the 90's as any time they trained for a game in Boston it was very close to my house. Back then the practices were open, not sure now.
andy_b
Footballguy
from everything I have heard they are staying where they are. Their is no plan for a soccer stadium.
okI guess the Chelsea transfer ban had nothing to do with this either.And since it's been lifted, they've already been linked to a $40M signing of Arguero. And please send me a link to the heavy spending United has done the past year. Was a nice year for Chelsea, congrats on the title. I sure hope Blackburn gets a few Christmas cards from the entire Chelsea team this year.Next year will sure be interesting. ManCity will be spending like there is no tomorrow, riots over ownership in ManU and Liverpool.....Arsenal, Spurs still hanging around. And Aston Villa and Everton will still be trying to sneak in to the top 5....and welcome back Newcastle and WBA
Offa
Footballguy
Native
Footballguy
Nice job taking one sentence out of context. Why not quote the entire paragraph?
Chelsea's lack of spending last summer had nothing to do with the transfer ban as that happened in-season and not during the summer (or winter) transfer windows. They bought exactly two players:Nemanja Matic - less than 2M poundsYuri Zhirkov - 18M pounds from CSKA
Jason Bourne
Footballguy
Thanks to whoever set it up - I have never followed EPL before, and only followed it this year to keep up with this, but this made it interesting to keep up with. Next year I'll tackle La Liga.
andy_b
Footballguy
Not sure I remember seeing something like this before.
In MLS, Seattle got their asses handed to them at home by LA (who has not trailed for a single minute all season).
The front office was so appalled by the effort their team gave that they are giving every season ticket holder who came to the stadium (22k+) a free ticket to a game next season in the form of a credit towards next seasons season tickets.
The guys running Seattle seem to get it.
http://www.prostAmerica.com/2010/05/09/mat...pensated-24045/
Here is Hanauer’s full statement:
“I’ve been on the phone with Joe Roth and Tod Leiweke this morning, and Gary Wright, and some of the people that I run the business with. And that performance last night wasn’t good enough. The effort wasn’t good enough. The execution wasn’t good enough. The heart wasn’t good enough. The passion wasn’t good enough. The only thing that was good enough was our fans. So we decided that we’re going to give our fans their money back for that game. Our season ticket holders. The people who were with us from the beginning, and will be with us in the future. We’re in this for the long haul. We need them to be in it for the long haul. That wasn’t Sounders soccer. And it was quite frankly embarrassing, humiliating, and they don’t deserve that. It’ll come in the form of credit against next year’s season tickets because we want people in for the long haul. It just wasn’t good enough. It’s not a precedent. We don’t plan on giving people money back every time we have a bad game. But as the owners of the club, we reserve the right to do whatever we think we need to do to treat our fans the way they’ve treated us.”
In MLS, Seattle got their asses handed to them at home by LA (who has not trailed for a single minute all season).
The front office was so appalled by the effort their team gave that they are giving every season ticket holder who came to the stadium (22k+) a free ticket to a game next season in the form of a credit towards next seasons season tickets.
The guys running Seattle seem to get it.
http://www.prostAmerica.com/2010/05/09/mat...pensated-24045/
Here is Hanauer’s full statement:
“I’ve been on the phone with Joe Roth and Tod Leiweke this morning, and Gary Wright, and some of the people that I run the business with. And that performance last night wasn’t good enough. The effort wasn’t good enough. The execution wasn’t good enough. The heart wasn’t good enough. The passion wasn’t good enough. The only thing that was good enough was our fans. So we decided that we’re going to give our fans their money back for that game. Our season ticket holders. The people who were with us from the beginning, and will be with us in the future. We’re in this for the long haul. We need them to be in it for the long haul. That wasn’t Sounders soccer. And it was quite frankly embarrassing, humiliating, and they don’t deserve that. It’ll come in the form of credit against next year’s season tickets because we want people in for the long haul. It just wasn’t good enough. It’s not a precedent. We don’t plan on giving people money back every time we have a bad game. But as the owners of the club, we reserve the right to do whatever we think we need to do to treat our fans the way they’ve treated us.”
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CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Good choice. I would note that the "big four" seems to be a thing of the past. I think there is a barely discernable big 2 in Chelsea and ManU (although both have been sellers more than buyers the past several transfer periods), followed by 5 or 6 clubs that all have a shot at the Champs League spot, and any one of which could make a run for the title if things fell into place. Despite all its debt problems, the EPL looks to be a very interesting league in the coming years.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Arsenal's not far behind.Liverpool?Their goose is cooked.
Now all we need is for Chelsea & ManU to follow suit and the EPL will really be cooking. But I'm not holding my breath.Arsenal's not far behind.Liverpool?
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Although I hate Spurs, they do have a ton of fun players to watch - Lennon, Bale, Nachos, etc. I wouldn't really say they're on the way up though, they've been very competitive for some time, narrowly missing the Champions League a few years ago (hence the "they better watch what they eat" jokes from a few pages ago).Either way....welcome to the game...
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
As many subs as you want, players can sub in and out. Can't dress more than 18 players. We usually have 2-3 subs, but actually had a full roster (one guy arrived at the half) for the first time in years.The league is somehow affiliated with the USASA (as far as I know), and when teams get to the later cup stages, there are special rules, I think....but our league has no real substitute rules.
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CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
My thoughts about Chelsea's season:After winning two consecutive Premier League titles on the coat-tails of Roman's buying power and Mourinho's coaching skills, Chelsea lost its way in England over the last three seasons. Manchester United returned to the top of the table during which time Chelsea went through a slew of Managers (Grant, Scolari, Hiddink) and inconsistent, often sluggish, domestic play. This season was critical for Chelsea for a number of reasons - not least of which was to prove that this team wasnt simply a flash-in-the-pan.
First of all, they found a coach in Carlo Ancelotti who has both the strength required to manage a team full of superstars as well as the acumen to play smart, beautiful football. When is the last time someone could say that Chelsea's style of play was beautiful? Lots of movement, pacy runs and exquisite passing took the place of brute force and long balls into the box that characterized the Mourinho years. As a Chelsea fan, it was a sight to behold. Chris McGrath from the Independent said it best- "this latest blend of cultures, under Ancelotti, has produced a footballing carillon in which only the most obstinate and graceless of rivals could fail to acknowledge a joyful tenor".
Additionally, I was satisfied that the team won the league WITHOUT any big name signings to bolster the squad in the offseason. While Real, Barca, Inter, United and others spent heavily, Chelsea essentially kept the same core players from 2008-2009. Sure, Chelsea has spent a ton of cash in the past, but the core of Drogba, Lampard, Terry, Essien, Kalou, Mikel, Cole and company have been with the team for a number of years now and their triumph this year is as much a result of teamwork and hard-work as it is about big-spending. (he says as Aguero boards a plane to London).
Looking forward, Ancelotti has made a commitment to developing Chelsea's youth academy. Next season, I wouldnt be surprised to see a few youngsters break into the top 11 on a regular basis - Gael Kakuta, Nemnaja Matic or Jeffrey Bruma come to mind. This means that the team will be even less reliant on big name signings moving forward (Mr Aguero, please pick up the red courtesy phone. Mr Aguero....)
Anyway, this was a wonderful season to be a fan of the Blues and I hope we can complete the double next week in the FA Cup final.
They've got to be very heavily favored, but I'm knocking on wood anyway.Two trophies would be a great accomplishment for Ancelotti in his first season, and should be enough for Roman to keep him around for one more.
As far as I am concerned, the Arguero stuff is just the same noise we hear every summer. I've already read rumors about Torres, Ribery and others. Meanwhile, Chelsea hasn't had a major tranfer (over 20mil) for a few years now.
Native
Footballguy
I actually think the Aguero deal will go through but the point remains the same - the team has invested heavily in the youth academy and we'll see more and more players graduating to the senior ranks. I see several key players leaving Chelsea this summer - Ballack, Joe Cole, Deco, Carvalho , Belletti and Paulo Ferreira. I could see Ancelotti replacing those five one big signing (Aguero) and and a number of youngsters. Heres a direct quote from Carlo "The only sure thing is that next year there will be five players from the Academy in the squad because they deserve to be". heres the whole article:Ancelotti - Five Youngsters to be Promoted to First TeamMy thoughts about Chelsea's season:After winning two consecutive Premier League titles on the coat-tails of Roman's buying power and Mourinho's coaching skills, Chelsea lost its way in England over the last three seasons. Manchester United returned to the top of the table during which time Chelsea went through a slew of Managers (Grant, Scolari, Hiddink) and inconsistent, often sluggish, domestic play. This season was critical for Chelsea for a number of reasons - not least of which was to prove that this team wasnt simply a flash-in-the-pan.
First of all, they found a coach in Carlo Ancelotti who has both the strength required to manage a team full of superstars as well as the acumen to play smart, beautiful football. When is the last time someone could say that Chelsea's style of play was beautiful? Lots of movement, pacy runs and exquisite passing took the place of brute force and long balls into the box that characterized the Mourinho years. As a Chelsea fan, it was a sight to behold. Chris McGrath from the Independent said it best- "this latest blend of cultures, under Ancelotti, has produced a footballing carillon in which only the most obstinate and graceless of rivals could fail to acknowledge a joyful tenor".
Additionally, I was satisfied that the team won the league WITHOUT any big name signings to bolster the squad in the offseason. While Real, Barca, Inter, United and others spent heavily, Chelsea essentially kept the same core players from 2008-2009. Sure, Chelsea has spent a ton of cash in the past, but the core of Drogba, Lampard, Terry, Essien, Kalou, Mikel, Cole and company have been with the team for a number of years now and their triumph this year is as much a result of teamwork and hard-work as it is about big-spending. (he says as Aguero boards a plane to London).
Looking forward, Ancelotti has made a commitment to developing Chelsea's youth academy. Next season, I wouldnt be surprised to see a few youngsters break into the top 11 on a regular basis - Gael Kakuta, Nemnaja Matic or Jeffrey Bruma come to mind. This means that the team will be even less reliant on big name signings moving forward (Mr Aguero, please pick up the red courtesy phone. Mr Aguero....)
Anyway, this was a wonderful season to be a fan of the Blues and I hope we can complete the double next week in the FA Cup final.
Two trophies would be a great accomplishment for Ancelotti in his first season, and should be enough for Roman to keep him around for one more.
As far as I am concerned, the Arguero stuff is just the same noise we hear every summer. I've already read rumors about Torres, Ribery and others. Meanwhile, Chelsea hasn't had a major tranfer (over 20mil) for a few years now.
LHUCKS
Footballguy
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The Z Machine
Footballguy
The Mourinho to Real thing looks like it's a go...
Basically, Real sees Jose Mourinho as a Barça killer and they want him to work his magic on wrecking the blaugrana next year. There are rumors that Higuaín would be on the outs if that were to happen BTW. Focus would eb on CRonaldo, Benzema, and Kaká.
Basically, Real sees Jose Mourinho as a Barça killer and they want him to work his magic on wrecking the blaugrana next year. There are rumors that Higuaín would be on the outs if that were to happen BTW. Focus would eb on CRonaldo, Benzema, and Kaká.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
You're high. CRonaldo is a world beater 1v1, 1v2, 1v3, and 1v4. Dude has no problem taking on an entire backline.Also, where are my stickers?
LHUCKS
Footballguy
Ronaldo is awesome obviously, but Messi ROUTINELY beats his man AND finishes...he´s the best since Maradona IMHO. Mess is the Tiger Woods of soccer right now...Ronaldo is Phil Mickelson.(avoiding kobe-lebron comparison )
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Look, I'm a Messi fan. Always have been. However, his ball skills are predicated on other players being around him. He does better working with passes (giving and receiving) which is why his pairing with Xavi pays such dividends.
But CRonaldo is on another level. For real. Watch him on the ball. Dude doesn't even look like he wants to pass because he thinks he can beat anyone, anytime. Now, that may or may not be true, but his fearlessness combined with great talent lead to a world beater IMO.
The thing about CRonaldo is that he's a threat from anywhere, and I mean anywhere. You never know when he's going to make a run past 3 defender, or take a rocket 30 yard shot off the dribble. Messi is more predictable IMO, and is definitely the better finisher with better body control and agility. Messi's also the best player in the world right now.
But that doesn't mean that CRonaldo is the best on the ball.
But CRonaldo is on another level. For real. Watch him on the ball. Dude doesn't even look like he wants to pass because he thinks he can beat anyone, anytime. Now, that may or may not be true, but his fearlessness combined with great talent lead to a world beater IMO.
The thing about CRonaldo is that he's a threat from anywhere, and I mean anywhere. You never know when he's going to make a run past 3 defender, or take a rocket 30 yard shot off the dribble. Messi is more predictable IMO, and is definitely the better finisher with better body control and agility. Messi's also the best player in the world right now.
But that doesn't mean that CRonaldo is the best on the ball.
Native
Footballguy
Eddie Johnson scores again in the Greek playoffs as Aris fights for a Champions League birth. Thats his third goal in three playoff matches.
http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=content&id=6281
Freddy was on the bench (though hes been playing much more regularly lately)
http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=content&id=6281
Freddy was on the bench (though hes been playing much more regularly lately)
Spartans Rule
Footballguy
The "Big 4" isn't about the championship. Arsenal hasn't won since 2004 and Liverpool hasn't won since 1990.It's about those 4 all-important Champions League places which have been monopolized for the last decade or so.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
I think it just goes to show that the best player in the world isn't the guy with the most skills. I really don't think it's debatable that Ronaldo is the best player skill-wise in the world right now. But Messi has to be the best overall player. Ronaldo is the guy who makes me gawk and say out loud "how in the hell did he do that?" Messi is the guy who makes me gawk and say "what a ####### player"...The Z Machine said:
GoFishTN
Footballguy
Ah, I see. Thanks for clarifying.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Everton in 2005 down?
El Floppo
Footballguy
Dunno why I got thinking about Adu tonight... looked up the game that made me a believer in the u20 WC vs Brazil back a few years. The move he made in the corner to create the 2nd goal was unreal (too bad it didn't get covered well on camera) and he was just flowing all game. Brazilians were all over him the entire game and he still made plays. So, so good. Too bad the other players all kept working hard on their game while apparently he's not.
if you watch any of of the world cup commercials on espn, the one about the no. 10s features a pretty spectacular goal by Argentina and I'm 90 percenet certain it was Maradonna, but it could have been a previous No. 10, beating 3 or 4 defenders ... just a kind of 'wow' goal.The Z Machine said:
bentley
Footballguy
After reading this article and spending ten minutes watching diving videos on YouTube, I'm doubly certain that I ####### hate Ronaldo. I hope he dies in a grease fire.
Bonzai
Footballguy
I had to stop rooting for United when he was on the squad. Guy makes me sick.
Native
Footballguy
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Rivaldo's rediculous cowardly act in Korea at WC 2002 ruined Brazilian football forever for me. I still hold a grudge against the entire team for that one moment.I had to stop rooting for United when he was on the squad. Guy makes me sick.
Ted Lange as your Bartender
Footballguy
Philadelphia Union will play Celtic on July 14 at PPL Park. This replaces the earlier announced Valencia CF match which has been cancelled. Celtic will also play Manchester United in Toronto and the Sounders at Qwest.
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