***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (8 Viewers)

[B Maverick]

is it time for the CL yet?

 

[Sebowski]

Since I doubt anybody recorded this...

I caught a few minutes of it while at a bar (look at me! I was at a bar!) last night- the stadium did look absolutely empty and freezing.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Real Salt Lake and Columbus drew 0-0 Tuesday in the first leg of the two-game, aggregate-goal CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal.

The match drew about a thousand fans to Crew Stadium in 25 degree weather.



Columbus had four shots on goal and RSL didn't have any. But poor finishing ruined the Crew's chances.

The Crew ended the match with 10 players and RSL nine after Columbus forward Emilio Renteria and Real Salt Lake defender Nat Borchers exchanged elbows in the 72nd minute.

Those ejections followed the second yellow to Tony Beltran on the 53rd minute.

The two teams will meet in the return leg March 1 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah.

If someone did record it, you just saved them 90 minutes of their life.

 

[gmbacm]

Coaching a 3-4 y/o team this summer. Some good drills and exercises to whip them into shape?

 

[B Maverick]

Coaching a 3-4 y/o team this summer. Some good drills and exercises to whip them into shape?

is that 3 and 4 year olds? Sorry man, unfortunately thats babysitting/entertaining. IMO, not much you can do on actual training/drills you are just trying to get them to have fun and kick the ball around.I would recommend these:King of the Mountain - Everyone with a ball in a square, dribbling, try and kick someone else's ball out of the square while not letting yours get kicked. Last one with their ball winsSharks and Minnows i think its called- The one where everyone lines up on the line with a ball except one kid (or you). Everyone tries to dribble to other side. Kid in the middle kicks as many balls out as they can. If you lose your ball you join the one in the middle until there is one person left with a ballIf i think of others i will list them.

 

[Mjolnirs]

is it time for the CL yet?

Almost! I'll go into media blackout mode soon as I am recording the 5pm replay of the Bayern v Inter match.

 

[gmbacm]

Coaching a 3-4 y/o team this summer. Some good drills and exercises to whip them into shape?

is that 3 and 4 year olds? Sorry man, unfortunately thats babysitting/entertaining. IMO, not much you can do on actual training/drills you are just trying to get them to have fun and kick the ball around.I would recommend these:King of the Mountain - Everyone with a ball in a square, dribbling, try and kick someone else's ball out of the square while not letting yours get kicked. Last one with their ball winsSharks and Minnows i think its called- The one where everyone lines up on the line with a ball except one kid (or you). Everyone tries to dribble to other side. Kid in the middle kicks as many balls out as they can. If you lose your ball you join the one in the middle until there is one person left with a ballIf i think of others i will list them.

thanks and yeah - 3-4 years old. Not expecting a lot of coaching going to go on, I figure as long as I can keep them from picking dandelions in the field Ill be doing well... Well that and some suicide runs...

 

[MarshallPlan]

Coaching a 3-4 y/o team this summer. Some good drills and exercises to whip them into shape?

is that 3 and 4 year olds? Sorry man, unfortunately thats babysitting/entertaining. IMO, not much you can do on actual training/drills you are just trying to get them to have fun and kick the ball around.I would recommend these:King of the Mountain - Everyone with a ball in a square, dribbling, try and kick someone else's ball out of the square while not letting yours get kicked. Last one with their ball winsSharks and Minnows i think its called- The one where everyone lines up on the line with a ball except one kid (or you). Everyone tries to dribble to other side. Kid in the middle kicks as many balls out as they can. If you lose your ball you join the one in the middle until there is one person left with a ballIf i think of others i will list them.

thanks and yeah - 3-4 years old. Not expecting a lot of coaching going to go on, I figure as long as I can keep them from picking dandelions in the field Ill be doing well... Well that and some suicide runs...

I run our 3-4 year old program at our club. 20-25 kids per session, 45 minutes long."Gates" - set up a bunch of small gates. They have a minute to dribble through as many as possible. Can vary it with right foot, left, pull back through the gate etc, but at 3-4 years old it should stay at basic dribbling through the gate. Kick the cone - buy a bunch of the cones that stand up. Set them all up, they have a minute to kick as many over as they can.Red light, green light - self-explanatoryNumbers game - I always start with this. Have them dribble in a square and you call out a number.1 - sit on ball2 - foot on ball3 - pull back4 - roll it forward5 - roll it to the side6 - stepover the ball then dribble

 

[El Floppo]

I guess I should stop being suprised that this kind of thing still happens in so-called modern countries.

Associated PressPARIS -- A player in the Greek League wants to leave his team after the season because he has been the target of racial abuse by fans.In an interview with sports daily L'Equipe on Monday, Panathinaikos striker Djibril Cisse says he has been "the victim of monkey chants, of racist insults."Cisse is a black player from France. He plans to go to another team "for sure" this summer.After Panathinaikos lost 2-1 on Saturday, Cisse says a dozen Olympiakos fans attacked him on the field and he retaliated to defend himself. He adds that during the game some Olympiakos fans shook inflatable bananas every time he touched the ball.

 

[B Maverick]

Coaching a 3-4 y/o team this summer. Some good drills and exercises to whip them into shape?

is that 3 and 4 year olds? Sorry man, unfortunately thats babysitting/entertaining. IMO, not much you can do on actual training/drills you are just trying to get them to have fun and kick the ball around.I would recommend these:

King of the Mountain - Everyone with a ball in a square, dribbling, try and kick someone else's ball out of the square while not letting yours get kicked. Last one with their ball wins

Sharks and Minnows i think its called- The one where everyone lines up on the line with a ball except one kid (or you). Everyone tries to dribble to other side. Kid in the middle kicks as many balls out as they can. If you lose your ball you join the one in the middle until there is one person left with a ball

If i think of others i will list them.

thanks and yeah - 3-4 years old. Not expecting a lot of coaching going to go on, I figure as long as I can keep them from picking dandelions in the field Ill be doing well... Well that and some suicide runs...

I run our 3-4 year old program at our club. 20-25 kids per session, 45 minutes long."Gates" - set up a bunch of small gates. They have a minute to dribble through as many as possible. Can vary it with right foot, left, pull back through the gate etc, but at 3-4 years old it should stay at basic dribbling through the gate.

Kick the cone - buy a bunch of the cones that stand up. Set them all up, they have a minute to kick as many over as they can.

Red light, green light - self-explanatory

Numbers game - I always start with this. Have them dribble in a square and you call out a number.

1 - sit on ball

2 - foot on ball

3 - pull back

4 - roll it forward

5 - roll it to the side

6 - stepover the ball then dribble

Forgot about the red light/green light game, good call.The rest are good ideas too. Comfort on the ball is the first step, but you got to make it fun and entertaining.

As for the United / Mersaille game, not sure i like the starting lineup for United. Scholes and Rafael on the bench. Nani and Rooney running off the outside with Berbatov as lone target up front.

The team news is in and United have selected Darron Gibson and Michael Carrick alongside Darren Fletcher in midfield, while Paul Scholes starts on the bench

John O'Shea starts at right back ahead of Rafael, while it appears Nani and Wayne Rooney will be playing wide roles in support of central striker Dimitar Berbatov.

The players are now heading out onto the pitch

 

[El Floppo]

Coaching a 3-4 y/o team this summer. Some good drills and exercises to whip them into shape?

is that 3 and 4 year olds? Sorry man, unfortunately thats babysitting/entertaining. IMO, not much you can do on actual training/drills you are just trying to get them to have fun and kick the ball around.I would recommend these:King of the Mountain - Everyone with a ball in a square, dribbling, try and kick someone else's ball out of the square while not letting yours get kicked. Last one with their ball winsSharks and Minnows i think its called- The one where everyone lines up on the line with a ball except one kid (or you). Everyone tries to dribble to other side. Kid in the middle kicks as many balls out as they can. If you lose your ball you join the one in the middle until there is one person left with a ballIf i think of others i will list them.

thanks and yeah - 3-4 years old. Not expecting a lot of coaching going to go on, I figure as long as I can keep them from picking dandelions in the field Ill be doing well... Well that and some suicide runs...

I run our 3-4 year old program at our club. 20-25 kids per session, 45 minutes long."Gates" - set up a bunch of small gates. They have a minute to dribble through as many as possible. Can vary it with right foot, left, pull back through the gate etc, but at 3-4 years old it should stay at basic dribbling through the gate. Kick the cone - buy a bunch of the cones that stand up. Set them all up, they have a minute to kick as many over as they can.Red light, green light - self-explanatoryNumbers game - I always start with this. Have them dribble in a square and you call out a number.1 - sit on ball2 - foot on ball3 - pull back4 - roll it forward5 - roll it to the side6 - stepover the ball then dribble

great stuff. and for my own kidone thing my 3yo's soccer class (not team) did with cones was- like the above- knock them down... but then also have them tilt them back up using only their feet. I thought this was a great coordination drill (granted- my kid was 2 when he did this class).

 

[B Maverick]

so far not much going on in either game....

 

[Christo]

so far not much going on in either game....

Pretty lackluster performance from your boys so far.

 

[B Maverick]

so far not much going on in either game....

Pretty lackluster performance from your boys so far.

yeah seems that way. got the espn gamecast on so i am not actually watching the action. get some great commentary though:Nani looks to weave his way into space on the right but, while his quick change of direction leaves Heinze on his backside, he follows suit. New studs might be in order for the second half.Nani's corner is pretty disappointingKabore attempts a hugely ambitious shot, and it's nowhere near the target.Rio Ferdinand has been telling his 'tweeps' that the Marseille whistles are encouraging United: "Fans don't realise when they boo you it inspires you more than anything! Come on Pat Evra help silence them boo boys!!"A half that began with the promise of dynamic end-to-end action turned out to be a half of quite dull end-to-end action.Andy Townsend, working as a pundit for ITV, says: "United look very, very comfortable. Nani's got Heinze where he wants him."

 

[Abrantes]

Oh, he's good.

 

[B Maverick]

Oh, he's good.

thats fantastic! Wish I would of thought of that in my playing days!!!more great commentary:Speaking of Twitter, the kids are all 'trending' on Heinze and Fanni apparently. The former, presumably, because he's not done much to suggest he's capable of stopping Nani, and the latter because of his tittersome name.and off to the 2nd half!

 

[Christo]

Carrick, Fletcher & O'Shea suck.

 

[B Maverick]

Carrick, Fletcher & O'Shea suck.

Carrick is having a down year and is better then what he has shown.Gibson, Fletcher and O'Shea are good bench guys who can play a few positions, but shouldnt be counted on to run the game. Scholes is warming up though.United may be happy with a draw away unfortunately. I know they would want that key away goal, but i doubt they will complain about coming home 0-0, esp with their recent away form being suspect.

 

[Christo]

Wow. Scholes' 180th CL appearance.

 

[B Maverick]

Wow. Scholes' 180th CL appearance.

Nice, congrats to Scholes!Now time for a classic 20 yard game winner!

 

[B Maverick]

0-0, what a dull sounding game. United need a win to go through. a draw other then 0-0 and United are eliminated.

 

[Christo]

Wow. Scholes' 180th CL appearance.

Nice, congrats to Scholes!Now time for a classic 20 yard game winner!

Didn't mean anything in the end, but it was amazing how much he changed the game with very little effort.

 

[Txns8]

Coaching a 3-4 y/o team this summer. Some good drills and exercises to whip them into shape?

is that 3 and 4 year olds? Sorry man, unfortunately thats babysitting/entertaining. IMO, not much you can do on actual training/drills you are just trying to get them to have fun and kick the ball around.I would recommend these:King of the Mountain - Everyone with a ball in a square, dribbling, try and kick someone else's ball out of the square while not letting yours get kicked. Last one with their ball winsSharks and Minnows i think its called- The one where everyone lines up on the line with a ball except one kid (or you). Everyone tries to dribble to other side. Kid in the middle kicks as many balls out as they can. If you lose your ball you join the one in the middle until there is one person left with a ballIf i think of others i will list them.

thanks and yeah - 3-4 years old. Not expecting a lot of coaching going to go on, I figure as long as I can keep them from picking dandelions in the field Ill be doing well... Well that and some suicide runs...

I run our 3-4 year old program at our club. 20-25 kids per session, 45 minutes long."Gates" - set up a bunch of small gates. They have a minute to dribble through as many as possible. Can vary it with right foot, left, pull back through the gate etc, but at 3-4 years old it should stay at basic dribbling through the gate. Kick the cone - buy a bunch of the cones that stand up. Set them all up, they have a minute to kick as many over as they can.Red light, green light - self-explanatoryNumbers game - I always start with this. Have them dribble in a square and you call out a number.1 - sit on ball2 - foot on ball3 - pull back4 - roll it forward5 - roll it to the side6 - stepover the ball then dribble

great stuff. and for my own kidone thing my 3yo's soccer class (not team) did with cones was- like the above- knock them down... but then also have them tilt them back up using only their feet. I thought this was a great coordination drill (granted- my kid was 2 when he did this class).

Soccertots?

 

[B Maverick]

Wow. Scholes' 180th CL appearance.

Nice, congrats to Scholes!Now time for a classic 20 yard game winner!

Didn't mean anything in the end, but it was amazing how much he changed the game with very little effort.

Very true. I think thats why SAF wants another year out of him, since Fletcher, Gibson arent the heir apparent. Carrick looked the part last year but not this year.Scholes tendancies toward being a goon and getting the yellow on late tackles really do overshadow how great he has been for his career.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

so far not much going on in either game....

Super Mario! (or, from the reports, more of a gaff by Cesar)great result for the Bavarians in the San Siro

 

[NewlyRetired]

MLS released the 2011 Playoff scheme today.

10 total teams will make the playoffs this year.

Top 3 teams from each conference (6 total)

The next 4 teams with the highest point totals will get in as wild cards. Conference affiliation does not matter

The wild cards meet each other in a single game playoff (#1 vs #4, #2 vs #3) at the higher seeded teams stadium.

After the wild card games, the lowest surviving seed plays the Supporter Shield winner in a home and home aggregate series. The next lowest seed plays the #1 seed from the opposite conference. The 2nd and 3rd seeds from the two conferences will round out the fields.

The 4 winners move on to a single game played at the higher seeds home field.

The 2 winners move on to MLS Cup at a site TBD.

 

[B Maverick]

MLS released the 2011 Playoff scheme today.

10 total teams will make the playoffs this year.

Top 3 teams from each conference (6 total)

The next 4 teams with the highest point totals will get in as wild cards. Conference affiliation does not matter

The wild cards meet each other in a single game playoff (#1 vs #4, #2 vs #3) at the higher seeded teams stadium.

After the wild card games, the lowest surviving seed plays the Supporter Shield winner in a home and home aggregate series. The next lowest seed plays the #1 seed from the opposite conference. The 2nd and 3rd seeds from the two conferences will round out the fields.

The 4 winners move on to a single game played at the higher seeds home field.

The 2 winners move on to MLS Cup at a site TBD.

Very confusing. BUT the part I have a problem with is the bolded. What's the point of having conferences if you can get in regardless? You could possible have 7 teams from the west go vs only 3 in the east? They might as well go to a 1 division top 10 get in style of league. The European style wont work since Americans love our playoff system (as an American, so do I, just saying cant get rid of it).

Be very curious to see how it works.

 

[Bonzai]

Wow. Scholes' 180th CL appearance.

Nice, congrats to Scholes!Now time for a classic 20 yard game winner!

Didn't mean anything in the end, but it was amazing how much he changed the game with very little effort.

Very true. I think thats why SAF wants another year out of him, since Fletcher, Gibson arent the heir apparent. Carrick looked the part last year but not this year.Scholes tendancies toward being a goon and getting the yellow on late tackles really do overshadow how great he has been for his career.

To be fair, Fletcher is a fantastic player and I don't think he was ever really tabbed to replace Scholes. He's a workhorse in the midfield; he's never really played the role of playmaker or distributor like Scholes. He's fantastic as a complement to a player like that, though.

 

[Spartans Rule]

so far not much going on in either game....

Super Mario! (or, from the reports, more of a gaff by Cesar)great result for the Bavarians in the San Siro

Yeah, gift from Cesar. Long shot from Robben, came in pretty fast but he should've been able to hold it.Amazing performance from Robben though. In those rare moments when he's 100%, he's right up there with any player in the world. He set up 2 or 3 chances for teammates that probably should've been finished, and had a couple near goals he created almost all on his own.Although Bayern controlled the possession and had more chances, they still looked pretty suspect in the back. Inter could've had a couple too. The tie is far from over.

 

[Christo]

MLS released the 2011 Playoff scheme today.10 total teams will make the playoffs this year.Top 3 teams from each conference (6 total)The next 4 teams with the highest point totals will get in as wild cards. Conference affiliation does not matterThe wild cards meet each other in a single game playoff (#1 vs #4, #2 vs #3) at the higher seeded teams stadium.After the wild card games, the lowest surviving seed plays the Supporter Shield winner in a home and home aggregate series. The next lowest seed plays the #1 seed from the opposite conference. The 2nd and 3rd seeds from the two conferences will round out the fields.The 4 winners move on to a single game played at the higher seeds home field.The 2 winners move on to MLS Cup at a site TBD.

Weak. MLS is really killing me. They go out of their way to adopt stupid things like copycat names which have nothing to do with US cities. Looking at you DC United, Real Salt Lake, Sporting KC. But they don't adopt the good stuff. They need to drop the conference thing and adopt the two-tiered English system with a league champion and an MLS Cup playoff throughout the year. Then the league champ and cup champ kick off the next year. Maybe they could tie the two together by making the standings from the league for the prior year be the seedings for the cup the next year.

 

[NewlyRetired]

MLS released the 2011 Playoff scheme today.

10 total teams will make the playoffs this year.

Top 3 teams from each conference (6 total)

The next 4 teams with the highest point totals will get in as wild cards. Conference affiliation does not matter

The wild cards meet each other in a single game playoff (#1 vs #4, #2 vs #3) at the higher seeded teams stadium.

After the wild card games, the lowest surviving seed plays the Supporter Shield winner in a home and home aggregate series. The next lowest seed plays the #1 seed from the opposite conference. The 2nd and 3rd seeds from the two conferences will round out the fields.

The 4 winners move on to a single game played at the higher seeds home field.

The 2 winners move on to MLS Cup at a site TBD.

Very confusing. BUT the part I have a problem with is the bolded. What's the point of having conferences if you can get in regardless? You could possible have 7 teams from the west go vs only 3 in the east? They might as well go to a 1 division top 10 get in style of league. The European style wont work since Americans love our playoff system (as an American, so do I, just saying cant get rid of it).

Be very curious to see how it works.

normally I ignore any and all complaints about MLS playoffs because in my heart I believe there is no 100% correct policy. People describe things that simply can't or won't work financially for the league at this point in its life. Believe me when I say that I have read so many different ideas over the years, some seemingly good, only to have people who understand the business constraints behind the league completely fill the ideas full of holes. I know it is hard for us to believe some times, but all the ideas we have in our head have been hashed and rehashed 1000's of times over the years by the league and fans.However, I am responding to this comment specifically because I am in agreement about the conferences, SPECIFICALLY this year. The conferences are completely meaningless this year as far as I can tell, outside of the playoffs. The league is playing a 100% balanced schedule I think for the very first time. Every team plays every other team twice. If there was any year for a single table this would have been it.

In the past the conferences and divisions at least made a small amount of sense as the league tried to form some rivalries by having certain teams play other teams more often. Whether you agreed with it or not you could at least see the thought process behind the decision.

The only thing I can come up with this year is they want to increase the odds of a few of the east coast cities to make the playoffs due to TV. And even that is a stretch.

That being said I don't think any of us should get our panties in a bunch over this as it is going to change next year when they go to 19 teams and will likely change again when the league levels out at 20 teams in a couple of years.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Wow. Scholes' 180th CL appearance.

Nice, congrats to Scholes!Now time for a classic 20 yard game winner!

Didn't mean anything in the end, but it was amazing how much he changed the game with very little effort.

Very true. I think thats why SAF wants another year out of him, since Fletcher, Gibson arent the heir apparent. Carrick looked the part last year but not this year.Scholes tendancies toward being a goon and getting the yellow on late tackles really do overshadow how great he has been for his career.

I thought this was interesting. Xavi rates Paul Scholes as the best central midfielder of the past 20 years. High praiseSide note: this interview is a fascinating read about the Barcelona system. You can tell Xavi is a huge fan of joga bonito and a real student of the game.

 

[Steve Tasker]

I guess I should stop being suprised that this kind of thing still happens in so-called modern countries.

Associated PressPARIS -- A player in the Greek League wants to leave his team after the season because he has been the target of racial abuse by fans.In an interview with sports daily L'Equipe on Monday, Panathinaikos striker Djibril Cisse says he has been "the victim of monkey chants, of racist insults."Cisse is a black player from France. He plans to go to another team "for sure" this summer.After Panathinaikos lost 2-1 on Saturday, Cisse says a dozen Olympiakos fans attacked him on the field and he retaliated to defend himself. He adds that during the game some Olympiakos fans shook inflatable bananas every time he touched the ball.

I read this and I was like....Djibril Cisse is not just some random "player in the Greek League"....then I saw it was written by the AP.

 

[El Floppo]

so far not much going on in either game....

Super Mario! (or, from the reports, more of a gaff by Cesar)great result for the Bavarians in the San Siro

Yeah, gift from Cesar. Long shot from Robben, came in pretty fast but he should've been able to hold it.Amazing performance from Robben though. In those rare moments when he's 100%, he's right up there with any player in the world. He set up 2 or 3 chances for teammates that probably should've been finished, and had a couple near goals he created almost all on his own.Although Bayern controlled the possession and had more chances, they still looked pretty suspect in the back. Inter could've had a couple too. The tie is far from over.

BM did have an edge in possession, but I don't recall that they had an edge in chances created. Game could've gone either way, and could've been a couple of goals either way. But oof- soft, soft goal to give away at the death.Italians are notorious for it, but having played against a lot of German teams- in and out of the motherland- I genuinely am sickened at the amount of diving/exaggerating the Germans did and do. ALso seems like nobody brings them up when talking about the subject (that Abrantes vid above is ####### hilarious).btw- huge for Eto'o.

 

[El Floppo]

MLS released the 2011 Playoff scheme today.

10 total teams will make the playoffs this year.

Top 3 teams from each conference (6 total)

The next 4 teams with the highest point totals will get in as wild cards. Conference affiliation does not matter

The wild cards meet each other in a single game playoff (#1 vs #4, #2 vs #3) at the higher seeded teams stadium.

After the wild card games, the lowest surviving seed plays the Supporter Shield winner in a home and home aggregate series. The next lowest seed plays the #1 seed from the opposite conference. The 2nd and 3rd seeds from the two conferences will round out the fields.

The 4 winners move on to a single game played at the higher seeds home field.

The 2 winners move on to MLS Cup at a site TBD.

Very confusing. BUT the part I have a problem with is the bolded. What's the point of having conferences if you can get in regardless? You could possible have 7 teams from the west go vs only 3 in the east? They might as well go to a 1 division top 10 get in style of league. The European style wont work since Americans love our playoff system (as an American, so do I, just saying cant get rid of it).

Be very curious to see how it works.

normally I ignore any and all complaints about MLS playoffs because in my heart I believe there is no 100% correct policy. People describe things that simply can't or won't work financially for the league at this point in its life. Believe me when I say that I have read so many different ideas over the years, some seemingly good, only to have people who understand the business constraints behind the league completely fill the ideas full of holes. I know it is hard for us to believe some times, but all the ideas we have in our head have been hashed and rehashed 1000's of times over the years by the league and fans.However, I am responding to this comment specifically because I am in agreement about the conferences, SPECIFICALLY this year. The conferences are completely meaningless this year as far as I can tell, outside of the playoffs. The league is playing a 100% balanced schedule I think for the very first time. Every team plays every other team twice. If there was any year for a single table this would have been it.

In the past the conferences and divisions at least made a small amount of sense as the league tried to form some rivalries by having certain teams play other teams more often. Whether you agreed with it or not you could at least see the thought process behind the decision.

The only thing I can come up with this year is they want to increase the odds of a few of the east coast cities to make the playoffs due to TV. And even that is a stretch.

That being said I don't think any of us should get our panties in a bunch over this as it is going to change next year when they go to 19 teams and will likely change again when the league levels out at 20 teams in a couple of years.

Andy- without going into the financials, I can say that despite being a fan of my BullStars, part of what holds me back from genuinely liking MLS as a whole is the playoff format... hell- even that there are playoffs. Not a fan.

 

[Mjolnirs]

Just finished watching the Bayern game. Good chances for both teams, Kraft saved Bayern several times.

I'll gladly take a rebound tap in away goal in the 90th minute.

 

[Sebowski]

I just realized I'll be out of town for both Champions League weeks next time around. I'll be in NYC for the second set of games (Barca-Arsenal). El Flops, were is a good spot to catch the games and have a Bloody Mary? Wait... 3 hr time difference. Make it the games and beers.

 

[El Floppo]

From the NYTimes... edit: I'm trying to get the imbedded video to work. ... :confetti:

U.S. U-17 Team Qualifies for World CupBy JACK BELL8:46 a.m. | Updated The United States will play host Jamaica, while Canada faces Panama, in the regional U-17 semifinals on Friday. Games are available as live streams at Concacaf.com (registration required).The United States qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the 14th consecutive time when it defeated El Salvador, 3-2 in extra time, Tuesday night in Montego Bay, Jamaica.That is the straight story; but there was more to a truly bizarre ending to the match, part of regional qualifying for the U-17 World Cup, which will be played in Mexico later this year. The American team has been part of the tournament finals since its inception, in 1985, with its best performance being a fourth-place finish in New Zealand in 1999 (when Landon Donovan, Oguchi Onyewu, DaMarcus Beasley and Bobby Convey were part of the team).

 

[El Floppo]

I just realized I'll be out of town for both Champions League weeks next time around. I'll be in NYC for the second set of games (Barca-Arsenal). El Flops, were is a good spot to catch the games and have a Bloody Mary? Wait... 3 hr time difference. Make it the games and beers.

I'm going to let one of teh younger, more single, more bar-going crowd answer this one- I watch almost all the games at home. That said- seems like a ton of bars (at least downtown) show the big soccer games these days, so you could probably walk in almost anywhere to watch. Then there's always Nevada Smiths- which is the go-to spot for all things TV Soccer in NYC... but also gets very crowded. Nearby, and usually less crowded is Slainte... probably recommend that one... but again, will defer to the younger FFAers.

 

[El Floppo]

btw- tough to really tell from the camera angle, but I saw nothing wrong with what the US keeper did in that u-17 game. Did exactly what I remember them being taught to do- go out to receive the ball in the air with one knee up... not like he lunged at the player- just went for the ball doing what all keepers do. and the ES kid made a complete meal of it (as did the US keeper when he got pushed over and then went catatonic... sucks that they start so young with this ####e)

 

[NewlyRetired]

From the NYTimes... edit: I'm trying to get the imbedded video to work. ... :confetti:

U.S. U-17 Team Qualifies for World CupBy JACK BELL8:46 a.m. | Updated The United States will play host Jamaica, while Canada faces Panama, in the regional U-17 semifinals on Friday. Games are available as live streams at Concacaf.com (registration required).The United States qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the 14th consecutive time when it defeated El Salvador, 3-2 in extra time, Tuesday night in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

hmmm. If the US qualifies by making the semis, does this mean that 5 teams qualify from Concacaf? Host Mexico and the 4 semi final teams?

 

[NewlyRetired]

<!--quoteo(post=12935451:date=Feb 20 2011, 05:55 PM:name=NewlyRetired)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NewlyRetired @ Feb 20 2011, 05:55 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=12935451"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The Revs are right on schedule!

Their captain (Sharlrie Joseph) and starting right back (Kevin Alston) were sent home from Orlando for disciplinary reasons.

No word yet on what happened.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

<img src="http://static.footballguys.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wedgie.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=" " border="0" alt="wedgie.gif" />

I am in the lead for the My team is more dysfunctional than yours is award so far.

Joseph arrested for trespassing at hotel

By Frank Dell’Apa

Globe Staff / February 24, 2011

ORLANDO, Fla. — Revolution captain Shalrie Joseph was sent away from preseason training camp after being arrested for trespassing at the team hotel early Sunday morning.

Joseph was taken to the Orlando Police’s central booking office at 3:31 a.m., according to an arrest affidavit. Trespass is a misdemeanor in Florida, according to police spokeswoman Sergeant Barbara Jones.

Both Joseph and defender Kevin Alston were sent home for disciplinary reasons, according to the team. Alston was not charged.

Alston and Joseph played in the preseason opener, a 2-0 win over the University of Central Florida Friday night. Players were given Saturday off, then were to report for training Sunday morning.

Many members of the team were unaware why Alston and Joseph were absent from Sunday’s session.

Joseph, considered one of the most versatile players in league history, acted as team captain for most of last season, though he was limited to 22 appearances, missing five games while participating in the MLS substance abuse and behavioral health program and others with injuries.

According to the police report, officers responded “in regards to a loud party.’’

The officers cleared the room, which was being rented by two women, and told the people to return to their own rooms. But Joseph and another man remained in a stairwell, having a conversation.

Joseph was ordered again to go to his room but responded, “I’m not doing nothing wrong. I’m not going anywhere.’’

A brief argument ensued, the hotel’s director of security was summoned, and Joseph was eventually arrested.

The Revolution have not made an announcement regarding possible fines or when Alston and Joseph will rejoin the team.

“We have not made a final decision on any of that yet,’’ said Revolution vice president for player personnel Michael Burns.

 

[El Floppo]

<!--quoteo(post=12935451:date=Feb 20 2011, 05:55 PM:name=NewlyRetired)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NewlyRetired @ Feb 20 2011, 05:55 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=12935451"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The Revs are right on schedule!

Their captain (Sharlrie Joseph) and starting right back (Kevin Alston) were sent home from Orlando for disciplinary reasons.

No word yet on what happened.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

<img src="http://static.footballguys.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wedgie.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=" " border="0" alt="wedgie.gif" />

I am in the lead for the My team is more dysfunctional than yours is award so far.

Joseph arrested for trespassing at hotel

By Frank Dell’Apa

Globe Staff / February 24, 2011

ORLANDO, Fla. — Revolution captain Shalrie Joseph was sent away from preseason training camp after being arrested for trespassing at the team hotel early Sunday morning.

Joseph was taken to the Orlando Police’s central booking office at 3:31 a.m., according to an arrest affidavit. Trespass is a misdemeanor in Florida, according to police spokeswoman Sergeant Barbara Jones.

Both Joseph and defender Kevin Alston were sent home for disciplinary reasons, according to the team. Alston was not charged.

Alston and Joseph played in the preseason opener, a 2-0 win over the University of Central Florida Friday night. Players were given Saturday off, then were to report for training Sunday morning.

Many members of the team were unaware why Alston and Joseph were absent from Sunday’s session.

Joseph, considered one of the most versatile players in league history, acted as team captain for most of last season, though he was limited to 22 appearances, missing five games while participating in the MLS substance abuse and behavioral health program and others with injuries.

According to the police report, officers responded “in regards to a loud party.’’

The officers cleared the room, which was being rented by two women, and told the people to return to their own rooms. But Joseph and another man remained in a stairwell, having a conversation.

Joseph was ordered again to go to his room but responded, “I’m not doing nothing wrong. I’m not going anywhere.’’

A brief argument ensued, the hotel’s director of security was summoned, and Joseph was eventually arrested.

The Revolution have not made an announcement regarding possible fines or when Alston and Joseph will rejoin the team.

“We have not made a final decision on any of that yet,’’ said Revolution vice president for player personnel Michael Burns.

Hmmmmm whacking somebody on the head with a golf club late night at a bar.... hanging out it a stairwell and talking. These soccer players are all EVIL

 

[El Floppo]

From the NYTimes... edit: I'm trying to get the imbedded video to work. ... :confetti:

U.S. U-17 Team Qualifies for World CupBy JACK BELL8:46 a.m. | Updated The United States will play host Jamaica, while Canada faces Panama, in the regional U-17 semifinals on Friday. Games are available as live streams at Concacaf.com (registration required).The United States qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the 14th consecutive time when it defeated El Salvador, 3-2 in extra time, Tuesday night in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

hmmm. If the US qualifies by making the semis, does this mean that 5 teams qualify from Concacaf? Host Mexico and the 4 semi final teams?

I was confused about that too.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I am watching the second leg of the 1-1 aggregate Europa Cup game between Rangers and Sporting. Game is at Sporting.

Edu is starting for Rangers.

A couple more Americans may be involved in Europa games later today. Gooch with Twente and Sacha Kljestan with Anderlecht

 

[Christo]

ROBERTO BAGGIO

Divine by moniker, divine by magic

Few players have contributed as much to the Italian and world game as Roberto Baggio. Sublimely gifted and fiercely driven with it, Il Divino Codino (The Divine Ponytail) enjoyed an exceptional career on both the domestic and international stage, a career he came agonisingly close to capping with the ultimate prize.

Troubled throughout his playing days by recurring problems with his right knee, Baggio lacked nothing in courage in attempting to overcome his injury curse, and made up for a relative lack of stature with flawless technique and an instinctive ability to read the game.

Though he spent his entire club career in Italy, starting with Vicenza in the third tier in 1982 and ending with Brescia - 204 Serie A goals later - in 2004, Baggio had legions of admirers around the world, among them current UEFA President Michel Platini, one of his predecessors as a lethal creator and taker of chances for Juventus. “Baggio is neither a typical No9, nor a typical No10," explained the Frenchman. "He’s more of a No9 and a half."

A country at his feet

Born in the small town of Caldogno, near Venice, Baggio learned his trade in the youth ranks at Vicenza, scoring a hugely impressive 110 goals in 120 matches to earn a place in the first team at the age of only 15. In the final game of the 1984/85 season, against a Rimini side coached by one Arrigo Sacchi, disaster struck when he suffered a serious injury to his right knee. It caused the first of many lay-offs that would dog him for the rest of his career.

Plunged into a deep spiritual crisis during those first 18 months on the sidelines, he decided to convert to Buddhism. “It helps me gather my thoughts better,” said Baggio, who would prepare for every game with a bout of solitary meditation.

Baggio had signed for Fiorentina prior to picking up that initial injury, and would always be grateful that the club did not go back on the deal. He went on to score 39 goals in 94 appearances for La Viola over five seasons before leaving in controversial circumstances for Juventus. Such was his depth of feeling for the Florence club and its passionate fans, however, that when he returned with Juve for a league game in April 1991, he refused to take a penalty and turned to the stands to salute the tifosi who once idolised him.

It was in Turin that he reached the pinnacle of his club career, inspiring I Bianconeri to the Serie A, Coppa Italia and UEFA Cup trophies in a five-year stay in which he also made the captain’s armband his own, collected the FIFA World Player award and scored 78 goals.

However, misfortune would befall him once more after the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA™, Baggio succumbing to his injury problems yet again in scoring a wonder goal against Padova. Out of action for five months, he looked on helplessly as new Juve coach Marcello Lippi promoted rising star Alessandro del Piero into the first team at his expense.

Sold on to rivals AC Milan in 1995, to the immense displeasure of the Juventus fans, Baggio dovetailed to perfection with the likes of George Weah and Dejan Savicevic to win the Scudetto for the second year in a row. While the goals kept on coming and his technique remained as flawless as ever, the playmaking genius continued to battle against his unreliable right knee and the lack of understanding of his coaches. “There is no place for poets in modern football,” observed Oscar Tabarez when Baggio complained about a lack of first-team action at the start of the 1996/97 season.

Leaving Milan behind, he enjoyed a fruitful, season-long stay at Bologna, scoring a career-high 23 goals for I Rossoblu in 1997/98, before returning to the San Siro for a stint with Inter Milan. In 2000 he made one last move, seeing out his last four years as a professional footballer with Brescia, helping the unfashionable outfit maintain their top-flight status with a handsome return of 45 goals in 95 games. Making his final league appearance in the fitting surroundings of the San Siro against AC Milan on 16 May 2004, he was substituted five minutes from time and left the field to a rousing standing ovation.

Penalty curse

Like some of his club relationships, Baggio’s long-running liaison with the national team was a love-hate affair. After making his debut for La Nazionale in a 1-0 defeat of the Netherlands in November 1988, he scored the first of many trademark free-kicks six months later against Uruguay.

Sitting out the hosts’ opening two matches at the 1990 FIFA World Cup Italy™, he was given a starting place for the third and final group game against Czechoslovakia. He made an instant impact, slaloming past a string of Czech defenders to score the goal of the tournament and one of the finest in FIFA World Cup history.

Disappointment was to follow in the semi-final against Argentina, with Baggio once again relegated to the bench and only coming on 17 minutes from time in a match Gli Azzurri lost on penalties. “[italy coach Azeglio] Vicini said to me that I looked tired but I was only 23,” he later recalled. “I’d have given anything to have started that match.” Some consolation would come his way when he scored in Italy’s 2-1 win over England in the match for third place.

The man with the most distinctive ponytail in football reached the peak of his art in the USA four years later, his goals against Nigeria and Spain and a match-winning brace against Bulgaria sweeping the Italians into the Final against Brazil. Baggio’s injury problems were resurfacing once more, however. He needed a painkilling injection prior to the game and failed to shine on a gruelling afternoon in the heat of Pasadena.

After two hours of largely uneventful football, he lined up to take Italy’s fifth spot-kick in the penalty decider, with the Brazilians 3-2 ahead. A fatigued Baggio could not afford to miss, but miss he did, sending the ball soaring over the crossbar. “I knew what I had to do and my concentration was perfect,” he said afterwards. “But I was so tired that I tried to hit the ball too hard.”

He would enjoy better luck from the spot in a 2-2 draw with Chile in the group phase at France 1998, having earlier set up Christian Vieri for the opening goal. Yet, in a repeat of the Sandro Mazzola-Gianni Rivera selection conundrum that undermined Italy’s hopes at Mexico 1970, Nazionale coach Cesare Maldini decided Baggio and Alessandro del Piero were incompatible on the pitch and opted to rotate them instead.

Baggio nevertheless scored his ninth FIFA World Cup goal against Austria and went on to convert his penalty in the quarter-final shoot-out against hosts France. Sadly for him, team-mates Demetrio Albertini and Luigi di Biagio fared less well as Italy’s spot-kick curse continued.

On the back of his prolific form with Brescia, Italy’s comeback king almost earned a fourth FIFA World Cup appearance at Korea/Japan 2002, only for coach Giovanni Trapattoni to ignore public opinion and exclude him from the squad. In Baggio's absence, the three-time global kings bowed out to Korea Republic in the Round of 16.

Appointed FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations) Goodwill Ambassador following his retirement, the Italian legend now travels the world in support of a number of humanitarian causes. It was in recognition of this work that Baggio travelled to Hiroshima in November 2010 to collect the prestigious World Peace Award, presented by the Nobel Peace Prize laureates. “My personal and professional achievements pale in comparison to this award,” he said at the time.

Nevertheless, his links with the game he graced remain strong, and following La Nazionale’s early exit at South Africa 2010 he accepted the Italian Football Association’s invitation to become their Technical Director, a post with a special emphasis on the development of young players.

For once, the whole of the Italian footballing community was in agreement with Baggio’s appointment, an indication of the high esteem in which this diminutive giant of the game is still held.

FIFA.comNever been a fan of the Italians in general. But Baggio was one I always admired.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Never been a fan of the Italians in general. But Baggio was one I always admired.

The little man could play the game. For those too young or only remember Baggio for the PK miss, watch the video below.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otwjbMQSNuw

 

[NewlyRetired]

Wow what a game this was!

Rangers went up 1-0, and 2-1 on aggregate.

Sporting came back and hit 2 goals to go up 2-1 and 3-2 on aggregate.

Edu scores in the 93rd minute to bring the game to 2-2 and aggregate to 3-3 with Rangers going through on the away goals rule!!!!

 

[NewlyRetired]

Gooch gets the start at left back again for Twente

 

[B Maverick]

MLS released the 2011 Playoff scheme today.

10 total teams will make the playoffs this year.

Top 3 teams from each conference (6 total)

The next 4 teams with the highest point totals will get in as wild cards. Conference affiliation does not matter

The wild cards meet each other in a single game playoff (#1 vs #4, #2 vs #3) at the higher seeded teams stadium.

After the wild card games, the lowest surviving seed plays the Supporter Shield winner in a home and home aggregate series. The next lowest seed plays the #1 seed from the opposite conference. The 2nd and 3rd seeds from the two conferences will round out the fields.

The 4 winners move on to a single game played at the higher seeds home field.

The 2 winners move on to MLS Cup at a site TBD.

Very confusing. BUT the part I have a problem with is the bolded. What's the point of having conferences if you can get in regardless? You could possible have 7 teams from the west go vs only 3 in the east? They might as well go to a 1 division top 10 get in style of league. The European style wont work since Americans love our playoff system (as an American, so do I, just saying cant get rid of it).

Be very curious to see how it works.

normally I ignore any and all complaints about MLS playoffs because in my heart I believe there is no 100% correct policy. People describe things that simply can't or won't work financially for the league at this point in its life. Believe me when I say that I have read so many different ideas over the years, some seemingly good, only to have people who understand the business constraints behind the league completely fill the ideas full of holes. I know it is hard for us to believe some times, but all the ideas we have in our head have been hashed and rehashed 1000's of times over the years by the league and fans.However, I am responding to this comment specifically because I am in agreement about the conferences, SPECIFICALLY this year. The conferences are completely meaningless this year as far as I can tell, outside of the playoffs. The league is playing a 100% balanced schedule I think for the very first time. Every team plays every other team twice. If there was any year for a single table this would have been it.

In the past the conferences and divisions at least made a small amount of sense as the league tried to form some rivalries by having certain teams play other teams more often. Whether you agreed with it or not you could at least see the thought process behind the decision.

The only thing I can come up with this year is they want to increase the odds of a few of the east coast cities to make the playoffs due to TV. And even that is a stretch.

That being said I don't think any of us should get our panties in a bunch over this as it is going to change next year when they go to 19 teams and will likely change again when the league levels out at 20 teams in a couple of years.

Andy- without going into the financials, I can say that despite being a fan of my BullStars, part of what holds me back from genuinely liking MLS as a whole is the playoff format... hell- even that there are playoffs. Not a fan.

Andy - I agree with you and that was well said. My only gripe is that if you are going to have conferences and divisions, etc, then you have to respect them. Thats why i didnt care that the Seahawks made the playoffs in the NFL with a 7-9 record. They won their division.

With that, and to El Floppo, I love the European system as you do with the play everyone/points format. Love the domestic cups games and the CL intertwined throughout the season. So much strategy and planning as you navigate the league and cup schedules. With that though, I think it would be too much for the casual US fan to take in. No playoffs? EVERY American sporting system has playoffs (well, minus the BCS BS). Soccer would fight the same battle the BCS does in WHERE'S THE PLAYOFFS?

Anyway, without looking past Wigan on Saturday, Tuesday's big game is UNITED and CHELSEA.

 

[Sebowski]

MLS released the 2011 Playoff scheme today.

10 total teams will make the playoffs this year.

Top 3 teams from each conference (6 total)

The next 4 teams with the highest point totals will get in as wild cards. Conference affiliation does not matter

The wild cards meet each other in a single game playoff (#1 vs #4, #2 vs #3) at the higher seeded teams stadium.

After the wild card games, the lowest surviving seed plays the Supporter Shield winner in a home and home aggregate series. The next lowest seed plays the #1 seed from the opposite conference. The 2nd and 3rd seeds from the two conferences will round out the fields.

The 4 winners move on to a single game played at the higher seeds home field.

The 2 winners move on to MLS Cup at a site TBD.

Very confusing. BUT the part I have a problem with is the bolded. What's the point of having conferences if you can get in regardless? You could possible have 7 teams from the west go vs only 3 in the east? They might as well go to a 1 division top 10 get in style of league. The European style wont work since Americans love our playoff system (as an American, so do I, just saying cant get rid of it).

Be very curious to see how it works.

normally I ignore any and all complaints about MLS playoffs because in my heart I believe there is no 100% correct policy. People describe things that simply can't or won't work financially for the league at this point in its life. Believe me when I say that I have read so many different ideas over the years, some seemingly good, only to have people who understand the business constraints behind the league completely fill the ideas full of holes. I know it is hard for us to believe some times, but all the ideas we have in our head have been hashed and rehashed 1000's of times over the years by the league and fans.However, I am responding to this comment specifically because I am in agreement about the conferences, SPECIFICALLY this year. The conferences are completely meaningless this year as far as I can tell, outside of the playoffs. The league is playing a 100% balanced schedule I think for the very first time. Every team plays every other team twice. If there was any year for a single table this would have been it.

In the past the conferences and divisions at least made a small amount of sense as the league tried to form some rivalries by having certain teams play other teams more often. Whether you agreed with it or not you could at least see the thought process behind the decision.

The only thing I can come up with this year is they want to increase the odds of a few of the east coast cities to make the playoffs due to TV. And even that is a stretch.

That being said I don't think any of us should get our panties in a bunch over this as it is going to change next year when they go to 19 teams and will likely change again when the league levels out at 20 teams in a couple of years.

Andy- without going into the financials, I can say that despite being a fan of my BullStars, part of what holds me back from genuinely liking MLS as a whole is the playoff format... hell- even that there are playoffs. Not a fan.

Andy - I agree with you and that was well said. My only gripe is that if you are going to have conferences and divisions, etc, then you have to respect them. Thats why i didnt care that the Seahawks made the playoffs in the NFL with a 7-9 record. They won their division.

With that, and to El Floppo, I love the European system as you do with the play everyone/points format. Love the domestic cups games and the CL intertwined throughout the season. So much strategy and planning as you navigate the league and cup schedules. With that though, I think it would be too much for the casual US fan to take in. No playoffs? EVERY American sporting system has playoffs (well, minus the BCS BS). Soccer would fight the same battle the BCS does in WHERE'S THE PLAYOFFS?

Anyway, without looking past Wigan on Saturday, Tuesday's big game is UNITED and CHELSEA.

NASCAR