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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (3 Viewers)

ESPN's predicted US starting lineup

While guessing England's starting lineup is next to impossible, the likely U.S. XI remains relatively predictable. Of course, injuries, camp form and performance in the three final tune-ups could change things between now and the curtain-raiser. Which is why we'll give you our picks for the opener each week until the tourney begins. This time, we'll go with:

GK: Tim Howard

D: Jonathan Spector, Oguchi Onyewu, Jay DeMerit, Carlos Bocanegra

M: Stuart Holden, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Landon Donovan

F: Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore

Link

I like Dempsey up front.
Heres my team with changes in boldGK: Tim Howard

D: Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Jay DeMerit, Steve Cherundolo

M: Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Maurice Edu, Landon Donovan

F: Jozy Altidore, Edson Buddle

- Bocanegra and Cherundolo have played fullback consistently for their teams in France and Germany respectively. Id be surprised if they both arent starting.

- I much prefer Dempsey in a midfielder's role as it strengthens the midfield and gives us more of an unpredictable threat on the perimeter.

- I think Edu and Clark will rotate freely in the midfield but I prefer Edu due to his form this year

- With Dempsey moving to the wing, its anyones guess who plays with Jozy up front. Buddle is the best bet, again based on form.
completely agree on Cherundolodisagree on Edu...I like Clark over him

kind of agree on the Buddle/Dempsey idea, although if Buddle stuggles in the friendlies you have to go with the safer Dempsey...particularly since Holden has shown glimpses.

 
I think the US midfield is probably the best it's ever been, at least in my lifetime/memory. They're deeper than ever before. The fact that Adu didn't make it (and rightly so, IMO) is just as much a testament to the quality of the US midfield than it is a knock on him.

 
Couple of questions..When does the EPL transfer window open?Are there any good websites I can bookmark to read about soccer and the goings on in the EPL? I get very little from the normal mainstream sites.Thanks.
ESPN's really not that bad. Skysports is pretty good. I haven't even heard of a few that were suggested, so that's great.
 
andy_b said:
LHUCKS said:
Our midfield sucks.
Here is a pretty good unbiased analysis of the US midfield. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/sto...5901&ver=us
wow, most detailed article I've seen on the topic...thanks.This article paints too rosey of a picture...against the top teams we're going to get hammered there, we almost always do.
1) Arguably the US's best three field players are in the midfield (Donovan, Bradley and Dempsey)2) The US midfield, as a whole, is stronger than the US defense or strikers

3) When comparing any position outside of keeper against the top teams, the US is always going to get hammered.

 
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DirectTV will have HD versions of Gol TV, Univision and Telefutura starting this month (I think Univision and Telefutura HD are already online for Direct TV).

 
Man, I'm surprised that Davies has come out against his club like this.

He's basically saying hat he's ready and that they screwed him out of a spot in South Africa by refusing to release him.

Story

 
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Wow... I don't know what to say about the Davies situation. It's rare that a player call out his team's management like that.

I hate to bring it up, but maybe this is a bit of a conspiracy to insure that the US team doesn't have it's "talisman" for the tourney. It could be a way that the Sochaux president sees to take the luster off of any USA soccer achievements.

 
If thats true, i wouldnt even know where to begin. I really hate the french. Two toughest people in their country's history were a midget and a chick.

And thats a big deal coming from me, considering that my last name starts with "Le".

 
If the USSF really wanted him in South Africa, they could have pursued the issue with Sochaux and gotten him on the US roster. The Americans have been monitoring his progress and had to make a decision whether they thought he'd be ready to contribute. He hasn't played since October and considering the extent of his injuries, it would be very difficult to be in form next month.

It's tough for Davies after he's worked hard to come back, but he's not doing anything for his career with either club or country by whining about a decision that was totally out of his hands.

 
Wow... I don't know what to say about the Davies situation. It's rare that a player call out his team's management like that.I hate to bring it up, but maybe this is a bit of a conspiracy to insure that the US team doesn't have it's "talisman" for the tourney. It could be a way that the Sochaux president sees to take the luster off of any USA soccer achievements.
I can't imagine why they would want to do that. I'd be more likely to believe that they don't want "their property" to get hurt even worse. I'm sure Davies is extremely disappointed but it's a small miracle he can even walk. We could certainly use Davies no doubt but calling him the talisman is pretty generous.
 
Wow... I don't know what to say about the Davies situation. It's rare that a player call out his team's management like that.I hate to bring it up, but maybe this is a bit of a conspiracy to insure that the US team doesn't have it's "talisman" for the tourney. It could be a way that the Sochaux president sees to take the luster off of any USA soccer achievements.
I can't imagine why they would want to do that. I'd be more likely to believe that they don't want "their property" to get hurt even worse. I'm sure Davies is extremely disappointed but it's a small miracle he can even walk. We could certainly use Davies no doubt but calling him the talisman is pretty generous.
Honestly, if I never hear or see the word "talisman" in connection with this sport again it will be too soon.
 
Couple of questions..When does the EPL transfer window open?Are there any good websites I can bookmark to read about soccer and the goings on in the EPL? I get very little from the normal mainstream sites.Thanks.
do you just want news or do you want something like this board where fans are talking about the league?
Either or is good....Probably more news as I wont have a ton of time to keep up with a message board.I already bookmarked Skysports and EPL talk...Thanks :thumbup:
 
Couple of questions..When does the EPL transfer window open?Are there any good websites I can bookmark to read about soccer and the goings on in the EPL? I get very little from the normal mainstream sites.Thanks.
do you just want news or do you want something like this board where fans are talking about the league?
Either or is good....Probably more news as I wont have a ton of time to keep up with a message board.I already bookmarked Skysports and EPL talk...Thanks :thumbup:
www.goal.com/en has a lot of diverse info transfer rumors etc.
 
Couple of questions..

When does the EPL transfer window open?

Are there any good websites I can bookmark to read about soccer and the goings on in the EPL? I get very little from the normal mainstream sites.

Thanks.
do you just want news or do you want something like this board where fans are talking about the league?
Either or is good....Probably more news as I wont have a ton of time to keep up with a message board.I already bookmarked Skysports and EPL talk...

Thanks :thumbup:
Here is one more that is excellenthttp://www.football365.com/

 
Couple of questions..

When does the EPL transfer window open?

Are there any good websites I can bookmark to read about soccer and the goings on in the EPL? I get very little from the normal mainstream sites.

Thanks.
do you just want news or do you want something like this board where fans are talking about the league?
Either or is good....Probably more news as I wont have a ton of time to keep up with a message board.I already bookmarked Skysports and EPL talk...

Thanks :lmao:
Here is one more that is excellenthttp://www.football365.com/
This is the one I visit daily.
 
Everton set to make new move for Donovan

Everton are ready to bring Landon Donovan back to the Premier League after the World Cup.

And the American star admitted he would love to return to Goodison, following a successful loan spell at the club last winter.

The winger is contracted to MLS side LA Galaxy, but Everton boss David Moyes will explore ways of bringing Donovan back after the summer.

And last night the US star admitted it was an inviting prospect. "I would absolutely consider going back to Everton if the opportunity ever presented itself again," he said.

"The experience at Everton was a priceless one for me - I loved playing at Goodison Park.

"The games were always fast and ultra-competitive and my time there certainly made me a better player.

"I feel like I had to earn the respect of the fans and, once I did, they were always going to support me."
With all of the talk of Pienaar and Arteta possibly leaving this summer, adding Donovan would certainly help out with those losses.
 
Everton set to make new move for Donovan

Everton are ready to bring Landon Donovan back to the Premier League after the World Cup.

And the American star admitted he would love to return to Goodison, following a successful loan spell at the club last winter.

The winger is contracted to MLS side LA Galaxy, but Everton boss David Moyes will explore ways of bringing Donovan back after the summer.

And last night the US star admitted it was an inviting prospect. "I would absolutely consider going back to Everton if the opportunity ever presented itself again," he said.

"The experience at Everton was a priceless one for me - I loved playing at Goodison Park.

"The games were always fast and ultra-competitive and my time there certainly made me a better player.

"I feel like I had to earn the respect of the fans and, once I did, they were always going to support me."
With all of the talk of Pienaar and Arteta possibly leaving this summer, adding Donovan would certainly help out with those losses.
There's talk of Pienaar and Arteta leaving? BIg fan of both- what clubs have they been linked to?
 
The Sun is reporting on Thierry Henry's impending move to the Red Bulls after the World Cup

The ex-Arsenal hero, 32, has signed a pre-contract agreement to join New York Red Bulls for the summer's Major League season.
Not sure how credible the Sun generally is with this kind of stuff but take it for what it's worth
 
Ted Lange as your Bartender said:
The Sun is reporting on Thierry Henry's impending move to the Red Bulls after the World Cup

The ex-Arsenal hero, 32, has signed a pre-contract agreement to join New York Red Bulls for the summer's Major League season.
Not sure how credible the Sun generally is with this kind of stuff but take it for what it's worth
Seems like that's been coming for 10 years.I'm not that pleased, as I've said before. Bring us Seedorf, dammit!

 
Senor Schmutzig said:
Everton set to make new move for Donovan

Everton are ready to bring Landon Donovan back to the Premier League after the World Cup.

And the American star admitted he would love to return to Goodison, following a successful loan spell at the club last winter.

The winger is contracted to MLS side LA Galaxy, but Everton boss David Moyes will explore ways of bringing Donovan back after the summer.

And last night the US star admitted it was an inviting prospect. "I would absolutely consider going back to Everton if the opportunity ever presented itself again," he said.

"The experience at Everton was a priceless one for me - I loved playing at Goodison Park.

"The games were always fast and ultra-competitive and my time there certainly made me a better player.

"I feel like I had to earn the respect of the fans and, once I did, they were always going to support me."
With all of the talk of Pienaar and Arteta possibly leaving this summer, adding Donovan would certainly help out with those losses.
I have heard that both ManU and Arsenal are interested in Arteta, especially if Fabregas leaves for Barca.Pienaar has put his talks with Everton on hold until after the World Cup. I have hard that Spurs, ManCity and ManU are all interested.

If we can keep the both of them, sign them to longer term deals along with Cahill, combined with the emergence of Gosling and Roswell and getting Donovan to sign for next year, I like their chances of challenging for a CL spot.

Damn, that's a lot of AND's..... :fingerscrossed:

 
Some interesting snips from the article Bundesliga top of the shots again on soccernet

Regular readers of this column will be aware that said "all-time low of 1989-90" was indeed historic. Because that year marked the last time the Bundesliga did not lead the five big leagues (England, Spain, Italy and France are the others) in goals scored per 90 minutes of football. Ever since I began writing these columns back in 2002, I examine this particular statistic after the end of the season. I always arrive at the same result and then ask you, the readers, how can this be? Why does Germany lead those other leagues in terms of goals-per-game for five years running, then ten years, then 15 years, finally 20 years running?

The Bundesliga season that ended on Saturday brought us 866 goals, which translates into 2.83 per game.

The Premier League, which wrapped up its season on Sunday, clearly did not pace itself after coming out of the blocks quickly during the first weeks and months. The 3.02 ratio that kicker marvelled at in December quickly became history. Even though Chelsea's strikers ran rampant, England finished at 2.77 goals per game. It was the English top flight's best showing in ten years, but still not good enough.

Ligue 1, with one complete matchday left (plus one game in hand), currently stands at 2.40 goals per game. That's actually a pretty good figure by French standards, but it still means they will come last in this ranking. Just to give you an idea of the gap: the players in Ligue 1 would have to score 189 goals in the remaining 11 matches to tie the Bundesliga.

Italy, with one round of games left, currently sits at 2.62 goals per 90 minutes. That means the Serie A pros can only draw level with their Bundesliga counterparts if they score 108 goals in the ten games they have left.

And even Spain is no longer really in the race, despite the heroics of Barcelona and Real Madrid, who are - amazingly - closing in on a combined 200 goals. The league as a whole, though, has racked up only 2.71 goals per match and, thus, the Primera Division needs 74 goals in its final ten games to tie the Bundesliga.

In other words, for all practical purposes the Bundesliga is the leading goal producer among the biggest European leagues yet again. For a stunning 20th year in a row.
 
:pickle: to Pompey for giving Chelsea a fight on their way out. Finally got around to watching the game....

I was worried that Portsmouth would just pack it in and play a depressing match, but they didn't. They played very well - David James (and the goalposts), in particular, played great.

Just one of the beauties of the sport, the ultimate underdog, the worst team in the league, playing the league champions and giving them a fight all the way to the last minute. Fun to watch.

Hats off to Portsmouth.

 
Rumor is that Henry will join the Red Bulls after the WC

I have watched a bunch of Red Bulls games and I think that this can make them a real force. Tag him with Angel and I wouldnt want to have to defend those guys (as over the hill and washed up as they may be). I still think there is enough in the tank

 
Rumor is that Henry will join the Red Bulls after the WCI have watched a bunch of Red Bulls games and I think that this can make them a real force. Tag him with Angel and I wouldnt want to have to defend those guys (as over the hill and washed up as they may be). I still think there is enough in the tank
Best player ever.
 
Rumor is that Henry will join the Red Bulls after the WC

I have watched a bunch of Red Bulls games and I think that this can make them a real force. Tag him with Angel and I wouldnt want to have to defend those guys (as over the hill and washed up as they may be). I still think there is enough in the tank
Agree that they'll be tough to mark up... but as I've been saying since we brought the whole Henry thing up months (years?) ago- somebody still has to get them ball.If it is indeed Henry with one of the two DP spots, I hope it's somebody worthwhile in the MF with the 2nd (not sure if I'm digging the Ze Roberto links I've been hearing). bringing Seedorf in would blow my mind and make me a true fan. Maybe I'm just wishfully thinking, but he's been doing an ongoing Q&A with the NYTimes readers over the last year or so- if I read really, really between the lines, that means he's interested in NYC, right? I mean... right? :lmao:

 
Forza Inter!

5 straight, sealed by a Milito goal. With all the talk of Jose going to Barca, there hasn't been much in terms of who replaces him for the blue and black.

 
Eddie Johnson Injury Update

May 16, 2010

PRINCETON, New Jersey (May 16, 2010) - U.S. forward Eddie Johnson has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 sprain of the left hamstring. His progress will monitored day-to-day. Johnson picked up the strain in a Greek league playoff game on May 12 against AEK Athens.

The U.S. team will hold its first pre-World Cup training camp session on Monday morning in Princeton, New Jersey.

http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-National...ury-Update.aspx

 

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