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

[QuizGuy66]

KC Wizards will rebrand on Wednesday

Rumor is that they will change name, symbol, colors, everything as they enter the new stadium next season. Rumored name is Sporting KC

Yikes. That's worse than Wizards. But admittedly not as bad as Wiz.

And not quite as ridiculous as Real Salt Lake.Does that branding technique really work? I feel like these knock-off names just serve to further diminish the league's image, frankly. I'm not a fan of the Columbus Crew name (or the comicial Run-DMC logo) but it at least has the advantage of being unique to the states. I like the fact that Seattle soundly, if you will, rejected this gimmick.

-QG

If the whole league was just Los Angeles FC and Seattle FC and whatever FC it would be OK I think. Boring, but OK.Since it's not, everyone needs to go to the American style of naming teams. This isn't Europe or South America as badly as some people want it to be. We have a format already in this country.

Right, and even things like Sounders FC are okay. It's just a silly pretense. Especially when the names are so arbitraily given. Sporting KC? I mean Sporting would actually have made more sense out here given the huge Portuguese population in Harrison and Kearny NJ - at least there's some sort of tangential tie. Here's hoping the fans just chant let's go wizards and blows it up. I mean Porketeria FC would be much more appropriate for Kansas City I mean the New England Revolution has a tie-in for example. Same for the Chicago Fire.But whatever. 15 years and you scrap a team's history. Seems dopey.

-QG

 

[QuizGuy66]

Fabulous wikipedia article on Football Club Names

-QG

 

[Eephus]

Kansas City Huntspur

 

[Native]

Chelsea down 1-0 at the half to Sunderland at Stamford Bridge. Could easily be 2 or 3 down.

 

[Christo]

Chelsea down 1-0 at the half to Sunderland at Stamford Bridge. Could easily be 2 or 3 down.

And they should be down a man too.

 

[Christo]

Two down

 

[Native]

True.

Now its 2-0 Sunderland. Before this match, Chelsea hadnt allowed a single goal at home all season. Now theyve allowed two in the span of 50 minutes.

This game was trouble from the start. Terry and Alex both missing in the backline. Essien and Lampard both missing in the midfield. That said, I have to give 100% credit to Sunderland thus far. They are playing some beautiful ball.

 

[Native]

Wow, now Ancelotti is substituting Malouda for Kalou?

Would love to see how some of our young guys (Kakuta, et al) would respond in a situation like this.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Cmon Sunderland

And at Sporting Kansas City. How about Atletico Kansas City? Perhaps AC KC?

 

[Native]

Kakuta coming on.

 

[Bonzai]

KC Wizards will rebrand on Wednesday

Rumor is that they will change name, symbol, colors, everything as they enter the new stadium next season. Rumored name is Sporting KC

I like it. :(

 

[Christo]

3!

 

[Native]

Well that was a rather unexpected ### kicking

The EPL just got much more interesting.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Welbeck finally coming into his own? He's been huge today...great finish there, and superb vision to help set up that Gyan goal. Just needed some first team action, it seems....looks like United will have a gem here...

 

[NewlyRetired]

Kansas City Huntspur

not owned by the Hunts any more. Group called OnGoal purchased the team a few years ago and has made the new stadium dream a reality.

 

[guru_007]

yeah, great game by Sunderland....but that was the worst I recall Chelsea playing....ever? They had nothing going, a half opportunity all game long....this is the same Sunderland team that allowed 5 to Newcastle in their derby

Real, real chippy game going on in Italy right now. Come on Inter, I need you to tie this thing up!!

 

[Eephus]

Kansas City Huntspur

not owned by the Hunts any more. Group called OnGoal purchased the team a few years ago and has made the new stadium dream a reality.

The Open Cup doesn't seem like enough recognition of Hunt's role in American soccer

 

[jonessed]

True.Now its 2-0 Sunderland. Before this match, Chelsea hadnt allowed a single goal at home all season. Now theyve allowed two in the span of 50 minutes.This game was trouble from the start. Terry and Alex both missing in the backline. Essien and Lampard both missing in the midfield. That said, I have to give 100% credit to Sunderland thus far. They are playing some beautiful ball.

They have done fine all season without Lampard. Not that he is irrelevant, but this is more a result of missing Essien and Ferreira being lost in the middle.Terry, Alex, and Ivanovich are all great centerbacks, but you need two of the three.I wonder if Zhirkov could do better that Ferreira should this problem arise again. He has at least had time as a center midfielder

 

[Native]

True.Now its 2-0 Sunderland. Before this match, Chelsea hadnt allowed a single goal at home all season. Now theyve allowed two in the span of 50 minutes.This game was trouble from the start. Terry and Alex both missing in the backline. Essien and Lampard both missing in the midfield. That said, I have to give 100% credit to Sunderland thus far. They are playing some beautiful ball.

They have done fine all season without Lampard. Not that he is irrelevant, but this is more a result of missing Essien and Ferreira being lost in the middle.Terry, Alex, and Ivanovich are all great centerbacks, but you need two of the three.I wonder if Zhirkov could do better that Ferreira should this problem arise again. He has at least had time as a center midfielder

Completely agree about the centerbacks, but Chelsea is severely lacking in the midfield without both Essien and Lamps. Remember, when Essien missed the Liverpool game, Chelsea were lost in midfield as well. Same thing happened today. I dont like the Ramires and Mikel pairing in midfield as it offers almost no service into the box for Drogba, Malouda and Anelka.

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

3-0 Dallas over LA in the MLS West Final (so far in the 74th minute).

Wouldnt have guessed that one....

 

[jonessed]

True.Now its 2-0 Sunderland. Before this match, Chelsea hadnt allowed a single goal at home all season. Now theyve allowed two in the span of 50 minutes.This game was trouble from the start. Terry and Alex both missing in the backline. Essien and Lampard both missing in the midfield. That said, I have to give 100% credit to Sunderland thus far. They are playing some beautiful ball.

They have done fine all season without Lampard. Not that he is irrelevant, but this is more a result of missing Essien and Ferreira being lost in the middle.Terry, Alex, and Ivanovich are all great centerbacks, but you need two of the three.I wonder if Zhirkov could do better that Ferreira should this problem arise again. He has at least had time as a center midfielder

Completely agree about the centerbacks, but Chelsea is severely lacking in the midfield without both Essien and Lamps. Remember, when Essien missed the Liverpool game, Chelsea were lost in midfield as well. Same thing happened today. I dont like the Ramires and Mikel pairing in midfield as it offers almost no service into the box for Drogba, Malouda and Anelka.

Yeah, and that's why I thought Ancelloti bringing on Kalou for Malouda was so odd. The problems were in the midfield, both offensively and defensively. There was no connecting through the middle and very little defensive support. The first goal went right through Mikel.To be fair to Mikel he is usually better. You can't really have an off game though when you are missing Terry/Alex and Essien/Lampard. Zhirkov has played alright, but Ramires looks lost.

 

[prefontaine]

Ramires looks lost.

Honestly I don't give a #### what Chelsea's problems are. But have a buddy who is a big Chelsea supporter and was having beers with him tonight as we watched the MLS semis or conference finals or w/e they are called. Anyway, it's been my opinion all season that Ramires is soft and isn't EPL ready. I'm not sure if he can get there or not tbh but my friend has defended him all season. Today was a totally different conversation. He has basically decided Ramires is a stiff and never wants to see him in blue again. I'm not sure how today was any different really but it was apparently a breaking point as he was wandering pretty aimlessly for good parts of the match. As great as the Brazilians are, I wonder if any can be successful midfielders in the EPL right now. I'm sure an anti-Brazilian (like Torres is anti-Spanish) would break the rule, but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy a Brazilian if I were running an EPL club. They just don't seem to have the grit to handle the duties required.

 

[C & C]

Nice knowing ya Mancini

I can't talk you off the ledge after that performance. It was simply awful.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Kansas City Huntspur

not owned by the Hunts any more. Group called OnGoal purchased the team a few years ago and has made the new stadium dream a reality.

The Open Cup doesn't seem like enough recognition of Hunt's role in American soccer

People who support FC Dallas think HSG is an acronym for the devil. The apple seemed to have fallen far from the tree sadly.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Andy be sad

This Qatar for 2022 continues to gain steam. Both Ives and Wahl were tweeting about this today.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Cool and very rare story for my area of the country

This summer Jonathan Kraft was on the radio talking about a great young player in the Revs youth system.

The Revs just announced the first ever home grown signing for the team in 15 year old Diego Fergundez(sp). He was born in Uruguay but grew up in Mass.

 

[Sebowski]

Z, you're in the bay area, right? Where's a good place to watch the friendlies Wednesday? I'm in town for the week.

 

[Eephus]

Z, you're in the bay area, right? Where's a good place to watch the friendlies Wednesday? I'm in town for the week.

In the city, Mad Dog in the lower Haight and Kezar Pub in the upper Haight are good. Closer to downtown, I guess maybe the Chieftain If you're staying at the Wharf, I've heard people watch the games at Kennedy's on Columbus but I've only been there for bad Indian food.

 

[The Z Machine]

Z, you're in the bay area, right? Where's a good place to watch the friendlies Wednesday? I'm in town for the week.

Where will you be? I really only know the city and the east bay.Also, what time will the game be played (pacific)?

 

[bentley]

Kansas City Huntspur

not owned by the Hunts any more. Group called OnGoal purchased the team a few years ago and has made the new stadium dream a reality.

The Open Cup doesn't seem like enough recognition of Hunt's role in American soccer

People who support FC Dallas think HSG is an acronym for the devil. The apple seemed to have fallen far from the tree sadly.

If we're talking about Hicks Sports Group, I agree completely. Lamar Hunt wasn't all that bad.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Kansas City Huntspur

not owned by the Hunts any more. Group called OnGoal purchased the team a few years ago and has made the new stadium dream a reality.

The Open Cup doesn't seem like enough recognition of Hunt's role in American soccer

People who support FC Dallas think HSG is an acronym for the devil. The apple seemed to have fallen far from the tree sadly.

If we're talking about Hicks Sports Group, I agree completely. Lamar Hunt wasn't all that bad.

HSG is the Hunt Sports Group, run by Clark Hunt (hence my comment about the apple)

 

[NewlyRetired]

ESPN2 is showing Brazil - Argentina back to back with the US South Africa game (Brazil-Argie comes first)

The Brazil game is being played in Qatar. Hopefully they lose power in the stadium

 

[El Floppo]

ESPN2 is showing Brazil - Argentina back to back with the US South Africa game (Brazil-Argie comes first)The Brazil game is being played in Qatar. Hopefully they lose power in the stadium

If Qatar gets it, I'm sure they'll get to put those 8 new, state-of-the-art, stadiums to scintillating use after the WC is over.

 

[QuizGuy66]

ESPN2 is showing Brazil - Argentina back to back with the US South Africa game (Brazil-Argie comes first)The Brazil game is being played in Qatar. Hopefully they lose power in the stadium

If Qatar gets it, I'm sure they'll get to put those 8 new, state-of-the-art, stadiums to scintillating use after the WC is over.

Actually their plan has modular stadiums that can be taken apart - they plan to do that and give the stadiums to countries around the world.Seriously.-QG

 

[QuizGuy66]

Still have a hard time thinking that FIFA would really pass over China in '26 for Qatar.

Links to Ives and Wahl?

-QG

 

[El Floppo]

ESPN2 is showing Brazil - Argentina back to back with the US South Africa game (Brazil-Argie comes first)The Brazil game is being played in Qatar. Hopefully they lose power in the stadium

If Qatar gets it, I'm sure they'll get to put those 8 new, state-of-the-art, stadiums to scintillating use after the WC is over.

Actually their plan has modular stadiums that can be taken apart - they plan to do that and give the stadiums to countries around the world.Seriously.-QG

the ####?

 

[QuizGuy66]

ESPN2 is showing Brazil - Argentina back to back with the US South Africa game (Brazil-Argie comes first)

The Brazil game is being played in Qatar. Hopefully they lose power in the stadium

If Qatar gets it, I'm sure they'll get to put those 8 new, state-of-the-art, stadiums to scintillating use after the WC is over.

Actually their plan has modular stadiums that can be taken apart - they plan to do that and give the stadiums to countries around the world.Seriously.

-QG

the ####?

Article on Qatar stadium designs"All but one of the stadiums will have modular components allowing organizers to dismantle them afterward and donate some 170,000 seats to football programs in developing countries. 'The whole thing will be taken out and shared with the world,' said bid official Fatma Fakhro, as she showed reporters the 44,950 Doha Port stadium which will be completely removed after the tournament."

-QG

 

[Pope Benedict XVI Fan]

Ramires looks lost.

Honestly I don't give a #### what Chelsea's problems are. But have a buddy who is a big Chelsea supporter and was having beers with him tonight as we watched the MLS semis or conference finals or w/e they are called. Anyway, it's been my opinion all season that Ramires is soft and isn't EPL ready. I'm not sure if he can get there or not tbh but my friend has defended him all season. Today was a totally different conversation. He has basically decided Ramires is a stiff and never wants to see him in blue again. I'm not sure how today was any different really but it was apparently a breaking point as he was wandering pretty aimlessly for good parts of the match. As great as the Brazilians are, I wonder if any can be successful midfielders in the EPL right now. I'm sure an anti-Brazilian (like Torres is anti-Spanish) would break the rule, but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy a Brazilian if I were running an EPL club. They just don't seem to have the grit to handle the duties required.

Gilberto Silva and Juninho are two Brazilian midfielders who were very good in England. Edu was also a decent player for Arsenal for a couple of seasons when they were still winning trophies.

 

[The Z Machine]

ESPN2 is showing Brazil - Argentina back to back with the US South Africa game (Brazil-Argie comes first)

The Brazil game is being played in Qatar. Hopefully they lose power in the stadium

If Qatar gets it, I'm sure they'll get to put those 8 new, state-of-the-art, stadiums to scintillating use after the WC is over.

Actually their plan has modular stadiums that can be taken apart - they plan to do that and give the stadiums to countries around the world.Seriously.

-QG

the ####?

Article on Qatar stadium designs"All but one of the stadiums will have modular components allowing organizers to dismantle them afterward and donate some 170,000 seats to football programs in developing countries. 'The whole thing will be taken out and shared with the world,' said bid official Fatma Fakhro, as she showed reporters the 44,950 Doha Port stadium which will be completely removed after the tournament."

-QG

It's far too late, but I would encourage everyone to take the train or ride a bike to work for the rest of the week.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Still have a hard time thinking that FIFA would really pass over China in '26 for Qatar. Links to Ives and Wahl?-QG

they were tweets

 

[NewlyRetired]

On the trip down to South Africa, John Harkes was sitting next to Jesse Jackson That must have been an interesting conversation.

 

[NewlyRetired]

US game in South Africa is a sell out at 60k.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Davide Somma will be representing South Africa tomorrow. He was raised in Florida when he came over as a 12 year old.

 

[NewlyRetired]

US Soccer donated 20k to help fix up a field in South Africa and have waived their fee for the friendly.

Don't you love politics

 

[guru_007]

I hate international friendlies week

Nothing to bet on

And nothing good can come of it, other than injuries

 

[Eephus]

US Soccer donated 20k to help fix up a field in South Africa and have waived their fee for the friendly. Don't you love politics

I guess that's one 2022 WC vote in the bag

 

[Brady Marino]

FIFA, This could be your hosts for the 2022 World Cup. Just sayin'.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Potentially leaked crest from Kansas City's rebranding. Can't say I'm a fan of the Sporting name.

Pic

 

[scoobygang]

I don't mind the A.C.s or F.C.s or Uniteds. I don't even mind Sporting. They all denote athletic, sports, or football clubs. Fine. And it's gotta beat "Wizards."

Real Salt Lake, however, is terminally stupid. Real means "Royal". It's a royal grant from the Spanish crown. In a country that has never had a sovereign, it's just an incredibly stupid name.

 

[Eephus]

I don't mind the A.C.s or F.C.s or Uniteds. I don't even mind Sporting. They all denote athletic, sports, or football clubs. Fine. And it's gotta beat "Wizards."Real Salt Lake, however, is terminally stupid. Real means "Royal". It's a royal grant from the Spanish crown. In a country that has never had a sovereign, it's just an incredibly stupid name.

but the lake is really salty