***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (6 Viewers)

[NewlyRetired]

Anybody else see this? Bolivian president- THE preseident- knees an opponent in the nads during a "friendly" game in La Paz vs the Mayor of La Paz's team.

quality

 

[NewlyRetired]

This may be the most creative volley I have ever seen. Holy hell

 

[Eephus]

Hicks> GTFO

Normally I'm not one to curse, but there are not enough expletive's in any combination of languages that I want to say to this man.

Looking at what Henry is going to be forking over and it's effects, I guess I can go along with it. I'm not his biggest fan after the scummy Red Sox-Marlins fiasco in 2002.

LFC supporters have a right to be suspicious of their new American overlords, but I think Henry and Co. have a much better track record that the current regime. Like 'em or not, the Red Sox have been a model MLB franchise on and off the field. Their efforts to renovate Fenway while extracting maximum revenue from it could be repeated at Anfield. They've generally hired smart people who have made good player moves more often than not. The new owners won't be able to outspend Chelsea and City but they should be able to field competitive teams on a regular basis.Hicks and Gillett are opportunists who wouldn't recognize a strategic vision if it bit them on the butt.

 

[Steve Tasker]

This may be the most creative volley I have ever seen. Holy hell

Wow....how many times do you think he scores that out of 1,000 tries? 1? 2, maybe?

 

[LHUCKS]

So what do you guys want to see action from in the upcoming US friendlies?

 

[Sebowski]

Anybody else see this? Bolivian president- THE preseident- knees an opponent in the nads during a "friendly" game in La Paz vs the Mayor of La Paz's team.

 

[Eephus]

So what do you guys want to see action from in the upcoming US friendlies?

A bit of 4-3-2-1 or anything different from 4-4-2Some finishing ability from Altidore A glimpse of the old GoochBradley and Holden in the same midfieldEric Lichaj sneaking away from Villa, burning a Polish flag and committing to the US

 

[QuizGuy66]

Hicks> GTFO

Normally I'm not one to curse, but there are not enough expletive's in any combination of languages that I want to say to this man.

Looking at what Henry is going to be forking over and it's effects, I guess I can go along with it. I'm not his biggest fan after the scummy Red Sox-Marlins fiasco in 2002.

LFC supporters have a right to be suspicious of their new American overlords, but I think Henry and Co. have a much better track record that the current regime. Like 'em or not, the Red Sox have been a model MLB franchise on and off the field. Their efforts to renovate Fenway while extracting maximum revenue from it could be repeated at Anfield. They've generally hired smart people who have made good player moves more often than not. The new owners won't be able to outspend Chelsea and City but they should be able to field competitive teams on a regular basis.Hicks and Gillett are opportunists who wouldn't recognize a strategic vision if it bit them on the butt.

So what are the odds that Hicks is able to drag this one out? How real is the possibility that they would end up in administration and get thumped down to the Championship? I have to think that that's the implied threat they are making to Hicks/Gillett if the Red Sox deal somehow is resisted and not allowed to go through straight away. Pretty strong threat.-QG

 

[Eephus]

So what are the odds that Hicks is able to drag this one out? How real is the possibility that they would end up in administration and get thumped down to the Championship? I have to think that that's the implied threat they are making to Hicks/Gillett if the Red Sox deal somehow is resisted and not allowed to go through straight away. Pretty strong threat.-QG

Apologies to the supporters on this board but it wouldn't break my heart to see Liverpool spend a year toiling away in the Championship. Relegation is one of the great things that differentiates soccer from American sports. Nobody is too big to fail. Newcastle, Man City, Juventus, Leeds all survived (well the jury's still out on Leeds). I have to think Liverpool still has enough talent to stay up even if they get the ten point penalty but they sure haven't played like it so far this year.

 

[Steve Tasker]

So what are the odds that Hicks is able to drag this one out? How real is the possibility that they would end up in administration and get thumped down to the Championship?

I have to think that that's the implied threat they are making to Hicks/Gillett if the Red Sox deal somehow is resisted and not allowed to go through straight away. Pretty strong threat.

-QG

Apologies to the supporters on this board but it wouldn't break my heart to see Liverpool spend a year toiling away in the Championship. Relegation is one of the great things that differentiates soccer from American sports. Nobody is too big to fail. Newcastle, Man City, Juventus, Leeds all survived (well the jury's still out on Leeds). I have to think Liverpool still has enough talent to stay up even if they get the ten point penalty but they sure haven't played like it so far this year.

While I agree with your greater point, it's not like Juventus were really relegated.I mean, hell, they were league champions before being dropped. I know they lost a few players that summer, but they still were 6 points clear in Serie B the next season even with a 9 point deduction....

 

[Eephus]

So what are the odds that Hicks is able to drag this one out? How real is the possibility that they would end up in administration and get thumped down to the Championship?

I have to think that that's the implied threat they are making to Hicks/Gillett if the Red Sox deal somehow is resisted and not allowed to go through straight away. Pretty strong threat.

-QG

Apologies to the supporters on this board but it wouldn't break my heart to see Liverpool spend a year toiling away in the Championship. Relegation is one of the great things that differentiates soccer from American sports. Nobody is too big to fail. Newcastle, Man City, Juventus, Leeds all survived (well the jury's still out on Leeds). I have to think Liverpool still has enough talent to stay up even if they get the ten point penalty but they sure haven't played like it so far this year.

While I agree with your greater point, it's not like Juventus were really relegated.I mean, hell, they were league champions before being dropped. I know they lost a few players that summer, but they still were 6 points clear in Serie B the next season even with a 9 point deduction....

Fair enough but Juve still had to play a season in crappy Serie B stadiums in front of fans who usually don't get to watch world class players except on TV.

 

[QuizGuy66]

So what are the odds that Hicks is able to drag this one out? How real is the possibility that they would end up in administration and get thumped down to the Championship? I have to think that that's the implied threat they are making to Hicks/Gillett if the Red Sox deal somehow is resisted and not allowed to go through straight away. Pretty strong threat.-QG

Apologies to the supporters on this board but it wouldn't break my heart to see Liverpool spend a year toiling away in the Championship. Relegation is one of the great things that differentiates soccer from American sports. Nobody is too big to fail. Newcastle, Man City, Juventus, Leeds all survived (well the jury's still out on Leeds). I have to think Liverpool still has enough talent to stay up even if they get the ten point penalty but they sure haven't played like it so far this year.

Question - is 10 the automatic penalty or do they have discretion in how many points a team is relegated. Can they go to Hicks and basically say "we're going to dock your team 40 points to make sure they don't stay up"?-QG

 

[Eephus]

So what are the odds that Hicks is able to drag this one out? How real is the possibility that they would end up in administration and get thumped down to the Championship?

I have to think that that's the implied threat they are making to Hicks/Gillett if the Red Sox deal somehow is resisted and not allowed to go through straight away. Pretty strong threat.

-QG

Apologies to the supporters on this board but it wouldn't break my heart to see Liverpool spend a year toiling away in the Championship. Relegation is one of the great things that differentiates soccer from American sports. Nobody is too big to fail. Newcastle, Man City, Juventus, Leeds all survived (well the jury's still out on Leeds). I have to think Liverpool still has enough talent to stay up even if they get the ten point penalty but they sure haven't played like it so far this year.

Question - is 10 the automatic penalty or do they have discretion in how many points a team is relegated. Can they go to Hicks and basically say "we're going to dock your team 40 points to make sure they don't stay up"?-QG

Penalties in the past have ranged from 9 to 25 points. The 25 point death penalty given to Chester City is the end of a very sad story. An American owner Terry Smith was a key player in the decline of Chester but was gone long before the end. There's a reborn club in Chester but it has no connection to the original team.

 

[El Floppo]

Don't hate me... I don't care at all about Liverpool's travails- one way or the other.

 

[El Floppo]

btw- Steve- I caught some of the US Open Cup final too- most of the 2nd half. Dumbfounded at the non-stop pace from both teams... never let up. Not the nicest quality to watch, but you could tell both teams wanted it. What the hell has happened to Schelotto- he was non-existent for the part that I watched... seemed like every time I've watched Columbus play he's been dominant, but not last night. I still hate seeing any game of consequence played on field-turf too...

 

[QuizGuy66]

Penalties in the past have ranged from 9 to 25 points. The 25 point death penalty given to Chester City is the end of a very sad story. An American owner Terry Smith was a key player in the decline of Chester but was gone long before the end. There's a reborn club in Chester but it has no connection to the original team.

That's what I thought (that a variety of point deductions were possible). Not saying that the EPL would want to do this - but it would be the ultimate penalty.How much would they stand to lose in $ if they had to spend a year in the Championship?

-QG

 

[NewlyRetired]

Don't hate me... I don't care at all about Liverpool's travails- one way or the other.

I don't really care too much either although being from Boston it is fun to see Red Sox fans panties get all bunched up. The Red Sox had to issue a press release saying that the purchase of Liverpool would not affect the Red Sox at all

 

[NewlyRetired]

This is something we were talking about before. I think this would be an incredible tournament.

CONCACAF Request Entry Into The Copa America

Date: 06-Oct-2010

The 2015 Copa America could for the first time include the entire American continent, after North American governing body CONCACAF made a formal request to FIFA to be included in the South American tournament.

Under preliminary proposals, six North and Central American teams would join the 10 CONMEBOL members in the cup, which could be renamed the Copa Americas. Currently teams such as Mexico and the United States have participated in the Copa, but only in a highly controversial guest role.

CONCACAF head Chuck Blazer confirmed in an interview with Sports Illustrated that the idea had been considered for a long time in the organization, but that this was the first time it had been officially approved and put forward. The official however also stated that the economic interests of North American sides would also have to be protected.

“Other configurations might lend themselves to being possible,” he said. “Economic parameters would need to be met. The Gold Cup is the main source of revenue to support the youth programs and competitions that we do. If we did [a Copa Americas], we would have to see how it would replace what currently exists.”

 

[Eephus]

Penalties in the past have ranged from 9 to 25 points. The 25 point death penalty given to Chester City is the end of a very sad story. An American owner Terry Smith was a key player in the decline of Chester but was gone long before the end. There's a reborn club in Chester but it has no connection to the original team.

That's what I thought (that a variety of point deductions were possible). Not saying that the EPL would want to do this - but it would be the ultimate penalty.How much would they stand to lose in $ if they had to spend a year in the Championship?

-QG

There's a huge gap in revenues from the Premiership to the Championship. The TV payments alone are in the £40-50M range. Commercial rights, ticket sales, merchandise, etc. drive that into nine figures. Liverpool's new shirt deal was reportedly for £20M/yr. I'm sure Standard Chartered would be overjoyed to see their kit on display in S####horpe.The Football League increased the amount and duration of the parachute payments given to relegated clubs. Teams used to get £16M over two years, now it's £48M over four years. This makes it less critical that teams make it back up within the two year window.

 

[Steve Tasker]

I just spent the last 30 minutes or so reading about Chester City FC and Gretna FC....fascinating stories about horrible mismanagement.

 

[Eephus]

I just spent the last 30 minutes or so reading about Chester City FC and Gretna FC....fascinating stories about horrible mismanagement.

Terry Smith was a piece of work. You couldn't make up a story like his brief run as owner, chairman and finally manager of Chester City.

 

[Desert_Power]

Don't hate me... I don't care at all about Liverpool's travails- one way or the other.

If one of the big four was going to implode like this I'd rather it be Chelsea or Man U, but I don't mind see it happen to Liverpool either.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Don't hate me... I don't care at all about Liverpool's travails- one way or the other.

I don't really care too much either although being from Boston it is fun to see Red Sox fans panties get all bunched up. The Red Sox had to issue a press release saying that the purchase of Liverpool would not affect the Red Sox at all

Fans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can back the Red Sox owners up on this one I'm sure -QG

 

[QuizGuy66]

There's a huge gap in revenues from the Premiership to the Championship. The TV payments alone are in the £40-50M range. Commercial rights, ticket sales, merchandise, etc. drive that into nine figures. Liverpool's new shirt deal was reportedly for £20M/yr. I'm sure Standard Chartered would be overjoyed to see their kit on display in S####horpe.

The Football League increased the amount and duration of the parachute payments given to relegated clubs. Teams used to get £16M over two years, now it's £48M over four years. This makes it less critical that teams make it back up within the two year window.

at the language filter at work here.

-QG

 

[Native]

Anyone been following this story?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/t...lla/9067310.stm

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/articl...docId=D9IMD8U80

Aston Villa defender Eric Lichaj has both US and Polish citizenship but announced today hes going to suit up for the US. Hes been called up to the USNT for this weeks game against....Poland of all teams. Good news it seems.

Anyone have any insights into his quality? Lord knows we can use some help at Fullback.

 

[The Z Machine]

Definitely should have taken Christo up on the Liverpool vs. Newcastle bet.

 

[Eephus]

Anyone been following this story?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/t...lla/9067310.stm

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/articl...docId=D9IMD8U80

Aston Villa defender Eric Lichaj has both US and Polish citizenship but announced today hes going to suit up for the US. Hes been called up to the USNT for this weeks game against....Poland of all teams. Good news it seems.

Anyone have any insights into his quality? Lord knows we can use some help at Fullback.

Beats me. I always thought his name was pronounced Li-chaz when it's actually pronounced Lee-high.Lichaj doesn't have a first team appearance for Villa this year since a Europa League qualifier in August. They kept at the deadline rather than loan him out, although that may have had more to do with the uncertainty at the manager level than any grand plan for Lichaj. I think he can play anywhere in the back line but his lack of height may make him a better fullback at the top level.

Does a senior team appearance in a friendly commit him to the US?

 

[Steve Tasker]

Anyone been following this story?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/t...lla/9067310.stm

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/articl...docId=D9IMD8U80

Aston Villa defender Eric Lichaj has both US and Polish citizenship but announced today hes going to suit up for the US. Hes been called up to the USNT for this weeks game against....Poland of all teams. Good news it seems.

Anyone have any insights into his quality? Lord knows we can use some help at Fullback.

Beats me. I always thought his name was pronounced Li-chaz when it's actually pronounced Lee-high.Lichaj doesn't have a first team appearance for Villa this year since a Europa League qualifier in August. They kept at the deadline rather than loan him out, although that may have had more to do with the uncertainty at the manager level than any grand plan for Lichaj. I think he can play anywhere in the back line but his lack of height may make him a better fullback at the top level.

Does a senior team appearance in a friendly commit him to the US?

I always thought it did, but Jermaine Jones played in friendlies for Germany and now he's playing for the US....so

 

[The Gator]

Definitely should have taken Christo up on the Liverpool vs. Newcastle bet.

Liverpool places 4th, book it

 

[NewlyRetired]

Anyone been following this story?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/t...lla/9067310.stm

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/articl...docId=D9IMD8U80

Aston Villa defender Eric Lichaj has both US and Polish citizenship but announced today hes going to suit up for the US. Hes been called up to the USNT for this weeks game against....Poland of all teams. Good news it seems.

Anyone have any insights into his quality? Lord knows we can use some help at Fullback.

Beats me. I always thought his name was pronounced Li-chaz when it's actually pronounced Lee-high.Lichaj doesn't have a first team appearance for Villa this year since a Europa League qualifier in August. They kept at the deadline rather than loan him out, although that may have had more to do with the uncertainty at the manager level than any grand plan for Lichaj. I think he can play anywhere in the back line but his lack of height may make him a better fullback at the top level.

Does a senior team appearance in a friendly commit him to the US?

I always thought it did, but Jermaine Jones played in friendlies for Germany and now he's playing for the US....so

Unless the rules changed, friendlies usually do not count. It has to be a sanctioned FIFA match, of which friendlies are not (which is why they run under different substitution rules etc).Regional Championships, the World Cup Quals, Confed Cup and the World Cup itself I believe are the games that one can cap tie a player too.

Although this is FIFA so the rules change depending on who gave the largest envelope

 

[NewlyRetired]

Anyone been following this story?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/t...lla/9067310.stm

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/articl...docId=D9IMD8U80

Aston Villa defender Eric Lichaj has both US and Polish citizenship but announced today hes going to suit up for the US. Hes been called up to the USNT for this weeks game against....Poland of all teams. Good news it seems.

Anyone have any insights into his quality? Lord knows we can use some help at Fullback.

Beats me. I always thought his name was pronounced Li-chaz when it's actually pronounced Lee-high.Lichaj doesn't have a first team appearance for Villa this year since a Europa League qualifier in August. They kept at the deadline rather than loan him out, although that may have had more to do with the uncertainty at the manager level than any grand plan for Lichaj. I think he can play anywhere in the back line but his lack of height may make him a better fullback at the top level.

Does a senior team appearance in a friendly commit him to the US?

I always thought it did, but Jermaine Jones played in friendlies for Germany and now he's playing for the US....so

Unless the rules changed, friendlies usually do not count. It has to be a sanctioned FIFA match, of which friendlies are not (which is why they run under different substitution rules etc).Regional Championships, the World Cup Quals, Confed Cup and the World Cup itself I believe are the games that one can cap tie a player too.

Although this is FIFA so the rules change depending on who gave the largest envelope

I found this text online:==============================

Players who have not played an 'A' international match for their country, meaning a match in a competitive international tournament such as the Gold Cup, World Cup, or World Cup qualifying - and excluding friendlies - would apparently now be eligible to switch to any federation of a country for which they held citizenship at the time they played for a youth team of the original country.

 

[Kendall]

Firstly, I hope that none of you have to go threw what Liverpool fans are going threw with Hicks and Gillet, regardless of the team you support. Barcelona and Man U are getting dangerously close with their financial missteps, here's to hoping they can get themselves together enough to avoid anything tragic.

Secondly, I'm going to the game on Saturday. Pretty excited about it. I'm curious as to what the crowd is going to be like due to the high population of Polish people in Chicago.

 

[GoFishTN]

Definitely should have taken Christo up on the Liverpool vs. Newcastle bet.

Liverpool places 4th, book it

Which year?

 

[Mjolnirs]

Firstly, I hope that none of you have to go threw what Liverpool fans are going threw with Hicks and Gillet, regardless of the team you support. Barcelona and Man U are getting dangerously close with their financial missteps, here's to hoping they can get themselves together enough to avoid anything tragic. Secondly, I'm going to the game on Saturday. Pretty excited about it. I'm curious as to what the crowd is going to be like due to the high population of Polish people in Chicago.

Just don't throw anything from the stands.

 

[Desert_Power]

Firstly, I hope that none of you have to go threw what Liverpool fans are going threw with Hicks and Gillet, regardless of the team you support. Barcelona and Man U are getting dangerously close with their financial missteps, here's to hoping they can get themselves together enough to avoid anything tragic.

They are absolutely nowhere close to Liverpool territory. This was really overblown back when the audit came out. Laporta was certainly understating debts, but the audit understated a lot of pending revenue for the club. Even setting that aside, there really wasn't anything close to a prospect of default. A big fuss was made in the media because the club waited until after the election to renew a line of credit under the new president, as should be expected.

 

[Eephus]

Firstly, I hope that none of you have to go threw what Liverpool fans are going threw with Hicks and Gillet, regardless of the team you support. Barcelona and Man U are getting dangerously close with their financial missteps, here's to hoping they can get themselves together enough to avoid anything tragic.

I'm a Wimbledon fan. Even the worst case scenario for Liverpool doesn't involve losing the team.

 

[El Floppo]

Interesting from Malouda... who has looked phenomenal this year. The opposite of every Brazilian player's goal currently- and we'll see how he feels when it comes to just how much money he'd get for playing down there... but I appreciate the idea.

Chelsea's Malouda: I would like to play in BrazilBy ESPNsoccernet staffOctober 7, 2010Chelsea star Florent Malouda has revealed that he wants to play club football in Brazil, ''the true country of football,'' before he ends his career.Florent Malouda has been one of the stars in the opening weeks as Chelsea have dominatedMalouda has been in fine form for Chelsea this season, scoring six times in seven games in the Premier League, and has also been named the new captain of France. The midfielder was instrumental in helping the Blues win the Double last season and is now viewed as one of the top wingers in the game.The 30-year-old is contracted to the Blues until the summer of 2013 but says that he has designs on finishing his career in South America.''It would be great to play for a club like Flamengo or Vasco da Gama,'' said Malouda. ''It is something that I want to do in my life.''I am going to finish my European career in Chelsea but my ambition is to finish at the highest level possible and play in the next World Cup in 2014. I would like to play some football in Brazil - the true country of football.''

 

[Sebowski]

Interesting from Malouda... who has looked phenomenal this year. The opposite of every Brazilian player's goal currently- and we'll see how he feels when it comes to just how much money he'd get for playing down there... but I appreciate the idea.

Chelsea's Malouda: I would like to play in Brazil

By ESPNsoccernet staff

October 7, 2010

Chelsea star Florent Malouda has revealed that he wants to play club football in Brazil, ''the true country of football,'' before he ends his career.

Florent Malouda has been one of the stars in the opening weeks as Chelsea have dominated

Malouda has been in fine form for Chelsea this season, scoring six times in seven games in the Premier League, and has also been named the new captain of France. The midfielder was instrumental in helping the Blues win the Double last season and is now viewed as one of the top wingers in the game.

The 30-year-old is contracted to the Blues until the summer of 2013 but says that he has designs on finishing his career in South America.

''It would be great to play for a club like Flamengo or Vasco da Gama,'' said Malouda. ''It is something that I want to do in my life.

''I am going to finish my European career in Chelsea but my ambition is to finish at the highest level possible and play in the next World Cup in 2014. I would like to play some football in Brazil - the true country of football.''

Brazilians go to Brazil to play allthe time. They probably take the most paycuts of anyone to play for their home countries clubs. Ronaldo, Adriano, Wagner Love, Robhino... off the top of my head were all playing in Brazil last year when they had European options.

 

[El Floppo]

Interesting from Malouda... who has looked phenomenal this year. The opposite of every Brazilian player's goal currently- and we'll see how he feels when it comes to just how much money he'd get for playing down there... but I appreciate the idea.

Chelsea's Malouda: I would like to play in Brazil

By ESPNsoccernet staff

October 7, 2010

Chelsea star Florent Malouda has revealed that he wants to play club football in Brazil, ''the true country of football,'' before he ends his career.

Florent Malouda has been one of the stars in the opening weeks as Chelsea have dominated

Malouda has been in fine form for Chelsea this season, scoring six times in seven games in the Premier League, and has also been named the new captain of France. The midfielder was instrumental in helping the Blues win the Double last season and is now viewed as one of the top wingers in the game.

The 30-year-old is contracted to the Blues until the summer of 2013 but says that he has designs on finishing his career in South America.

''It would be great to play for a club like Flamengo or Vasco da Gama,'' said Malouda. ''It is something that I want to do in my life.

''I am going to finish my European career in Chelsea but my ambition is to finish at the highest level possible and play in the next World Cup in 2014. I would like to play some football in Brazil - the true country of football.''

:X Brazilians go to Brazil to play allthe time. They probably take the most paycuts of anyone to play for their home countries clubs. Ronaldo, Adriano, Wagner Love, Robhino... off the top of my head were all playing in Brazil last year when they had European options.

Wagner Love and Robinho had legitimate options in Europe, but their form was way, way off. But those are superstars in their own country struggling out of country. I'm talking about the young players in Brazil- you really don't think they're all dreaming of playing in Europe? Ok.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Firstly, I hope that none of you have to go threw what Liverpool fans are going threw with Hicks and Gillet, regardless of the team you support. Barcelona and Man U are getting dangerously close with their financial missteps, here's to hoping they can get themselves together enough to avoid anything tragic. Secondly, I'm going to the game on Saturday. Pretty excited about it. I'm curious as to what the crowd is going to be like due to the high population of Polish people in Chicago.

Chelsea FC was purchased for £1 in 1982, which was followed by several years of legal battles between the new owner Ken Bates and the Stamford Bridge ownership. That was several years before I became a fan, but they were relegated again in the late '80's after I had hitched my wagon. Of course, following an EPL team in the pre-internet years meant, at best, stopping by a bookstore once a week or so to read about a game that took place a few weeks earlier. I would go several years without ever actually seeing a game or having any idea what the players looked like. By the early 90's they had pretty much righted the ship and in 2003 Bates sold the team to Roman Abramovich for something like £150 mil.

 

[El Floppo]

Interesting first person story from Charlie Davies today on ESPN.com

 

[Sebowski]

Interesting from Malouda... who has looked phenomenal this year. The opposite of every Brazilian player's goal currently- and we'll see how he feels when it comes to just how much money he'd get for playing down there... but I appreciate the idea.

Chelsea's Malouda: I would like to play in Brazil

By ESPNsoccernet staff

October 7, 2010

Chelsea star Florent Malouda has revealed that he wants to play club football in Brazil, ''the true country of football,'' before he ends his career.

Florent Malouda has been one of the stars in the opening weeks as Chelsea have dominated

Malouda has been in fine form for Chelsea this season, scoring six times in seven games in the Premier League, and has also been named the new captain of France. The midfielder was instrumental in helping the Blues win the Double last season and is now viewed as one of the top wingers in the game.

The 30-year-old is contracted to the Blues until the summer of 2013 but says that he has designs on finishing his career in South America.

''It would be great to play for a club like Flamengo or Vasco da Gama,'' said Malouda. ''It is something that I want to do in my life.

''I am going to finish my European career in Chelsea but my ambition is to finish at the highest level possible and play in the next World Cup in 2014. I would like to play some football in Brazil - the true country of football.''

Brazilians go to Brazil to play allthe time. They probably take the most paycuts of anyone to play for their home countries clubs. Ronaldo, Adriano, Wagner Love, Robhino... off the top of my head were all playing in Brazil last year when they had European options.

Wagner Love and Robinho had legitimate options in Europe, but their form was way, way off. But those are superstars in their own country struggling out of country. I'm talking about the young players in Brazil- you really don't think they're all dreaming of playing in Europe? Ok.

Of course the kids are dreaming of playing in Europe, but you're talking about Malouda going over there after his 34th birthday. Hardly the same thing, and something that is fairly common for South American players.

 

[El Floppo]

Of course the kids are dreaming of playing in Europe, but you're talking about Malouda going over there after his 34th birthday. Hardly the same thing, and something that is fairly common for South American players.

Not sure I get what you're saying here.My point was only that it's interesting- and rare, IME- for a non-S American to want to play there. I've always thought it would be amazing to play in Argentina or Brazil... but it's not a stated goal of any pro I've ever heard.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Interesting first person story from Charlie Davies today on ESPN.com

great story and well written by Charlie.Hopefully he can make it back.

Does make you wonder why he was so disappointed he was not called into camp in May. He obviously was no where ready at that time.

 

[Eephus]

Of course the kids are dreaming of playing in Europe, but you're talking about Malouda going over there after his 34th birthday. Hardly the same thing, and something that is fairly common for South American players.

Not sure I get what you're saying here.My point was only that it's interesting- and rare, IME- for a non-S American to want to play there. I've always thought it would be amazing to play in Argentina or Brazil... but it's not a stated goal of any pro I've ever heard.

There aren't currently any European born players playing in the Brazilian Serie A. Deco was born in Brazil and there are some other guys with dual citizenship.FWIW, Malouda was born in French Guiana so he's really a South American.

 

[Sebowski]

Of course the kids are dreaming of playing in Europe, but you're talking about Malouda going over there after his 34th birthday. Hardly the same thing, and something that is fairly common for South American players.

Not sure I get what you're saying here.My point was only that it's interesting- and rare, IME- for a non-S American to want to play there. I've always thought it would be amazing to play in Argentina or Brazil... but it's not a stated goal of any pro I've ever heard.

Just thought you were implying that it is something that even Brazilians don't do with the part I bolded "The opposite of every Brazilian player's goal currently".

 

[NewlyRetired]

Quick question:

I am a new user of Twitter. I have been getting a lot of good soccer news and tidbits from it.

If I want to respond to a specific tweet and have it only go to the person who made the original tweet, how do I do that? I am using the Iphone app if that makes a difference.

I see a function to retweet but that seems to be something I would do to pass a long a tweet to people who follow me. I really just want to be able to make a response to someone who might be asking a question of his followers...

 

[El Floppo]

Of course the kids are dreaming of playing in Europe, but you're talking about Malouda going over there after his 34th birthday. Hardly the same thing, and something that is fairly common for South American players.

Not sure I get what you're saying here.My point was only that it's interesting- and rare, IME- for a non-S American to want to play there. I've always thought it would be amazing to play in Argentina or Brazil... but it's not a stated goal of any pro I've ever heard.

There aren't currently any European born players playing in the Brazilian Serie A. Deco was born in Brazil and there are some other guys with dual citizenship.FWIW, Malouda was born in French Guiana so he's really a South American.

did not know that.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I think he may be getting lucky after the game, and strangely with the ref

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg6x-nyrMjk

 

[NewlyRetired]

22k tickets sold for the Poland game, only 6k sold so far for the Colombia game in Phili. Goff gives a bunch of reasons why tickets are moving so slowing in Phili.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerins...eam_ticket.html