NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Freddy Adu's team is in a promotion playoff game right now. Winner moves up to 1st division. Freddy's team is getting crushed 4-0 in first half.
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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (7 Viewers)
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
It is a weekday testimonial'LHUCKS said:Meh, the guy is a global icon and arguably the face of his country...he's got #### to do on the weekends.'NewlyRetired said:
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
4-0 now. Might be two legs but probably won't matter.
Good Posting Judge
Footballguy
Hung out with a real Catalan this weekend. When I mentioned MLS to him, he made a face like he smelled a poop.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Qatar scathing over corruption claims
May 23, 2011
The drama surrounding the 2022 FIFA World Cup bid has continued, with the Qatari World Cup bid team responding to allegations of bribery and corruption in a fiery official statement.
The claims centre on a whistleblower who has alleged that FIFA members Issa Hayatou and Jacques Anouma were paid $1.5 million US each to vote for Qatar, according to evidence given to a Parliamentary committee by the Sunday Times.
The pair deny the claims.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter said the newspaper has agreed to bring the whistleblower, who had worked for the Qatar 2022 bid organisation, to Zurich to testify in person.
Today, in a 1,672-word statement, the Qatari World Cup bid team hit back and made counter-allegations including that reporters posed as corrupt members of the United States bid.
The bid team also insisted the allegations were "completely false''.
"The publication of the memorandum on the website of the CMS Select Committee has caused enormous and wholly unjustified potential damage to the bid committee and the individuals on it,'' the statement read.
"The aim of the bid committee has always been to show that the Middle East is a realistic option for staging the World Cup and it has worked extremely hard to bring the tournament to the Middle East for the first time.
"To have this achievement tarnished by completely unsubstantiated and false allegations and for those allegations to be propounded by the Parliament of the United Kingdom is something we find distressing, insulting and incomprehensible.''
The statement continued: "For The Sunday Times to suggest that 'nobody of sound mind could be persuaded the support for Qatar' was based purely on merit, because Qatar is a 'small desert state with a minuscule population, no football traditions and hostile summer temperatures' is not only insulting, it exemplifies the sustained and unbalanced reporting that the bid committee has been subjected to.''
It has been alleged that Qatar offered bribes in return for support at the vote in Zurich last December, when they beat off the challenge of, among others, the United States and Australia.
"What the memorandum does not state is that the reporters were posing as corrupt representatives of the United States bid and ostensibly soliciting further corruption from those with whom they were speaking, in return for substantial payments,'' said the statement.
"It appears that many of these individuals were simply seeking to impress the supposed US representatives and persuade them that it would be worth their while engaging them.
"Evidently, in such circumstances very little reliability can be attached to the words of such individuals.''
The bid team also pointed out that allegations made by Michel Zen Ruffinen, the former FIFA general secretary, were immediately retracted by him and this was not made clear, an omission described as "astonishing and a matter of the greatest concern''.
The bid team claim further "evidence'' was provided by a former member of the Qatar effort who had an axe to grind after being released from duty.
"We are mystified as to why anyone formerly in the bid committee's employ would now seem intent on fabricating stories and would seriously question what his or her motivations are,'' said the statement.
"We would caution anyone against placing reliance on uncorroborated statements made by an embittered ex-employee.
"With regards to the allegations made in the Memorandum, the Bid Committee would like to point out:
"1. The allegations are completely false.
"2. The memorandum does not contain or refer to any first hand evidence of any bribes being paid or any impropriety on the part of the bid committee. All the allegations are hearsay and supposition. In addition, the allegations are wholly unsupported by any documentary material whatsoever.
"3. These individuals make serious allegations against the Bid Committee but fail to give any substantiation of the allegations. For example, they do not state when the alleged bribes were to be paid, how the negotiations with the individuals concerned had been conducted or crucially how they came to know of the alleged bribes. On any proper view, their evidence is worthless.
"4. The memorandum states that in the view of the reporters, the individuals ''had no reason to fabricate these allegations``. We do not agree for the reasons set out in this Statement.
"The Memorandum purports to explain the reasons for the decision of The Sunday Times not to publish in the newspaper some of the serious allegations.
"It states that this was on the basis that ''none of the three people who made allegations against Qatar was ever likely to be willing to appear as a witness``.
"The reporters will know that the newspaper would have a defence to any libel claim brought in respect of the publication of these allegations if it could show that it constituted responsible journalism to do so and that publication was in the public interest.
"However, it must have been plain to the newspaper and the reporters that so unreliable and unsubstantiated were the allegations, that it would not have constituted responsible journalism for these allegations to be published.''
May 23, 2011
The drama surrounding the 2022 FIFA World Cup bid has continued, with the Qatari World Cup bid team responding to allegations of bribery and corruption in a fiery official statement.
The claims centre on a whistleblower who has alleged that FIFA members Issa Hayatou and Jacques Anouma were paid $1.5 million US each to vote for Qatar, according to evidence given to a Parliamentary committee by the Sunday Times.
The pair deny the claims.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter said the newspaper has agreed to bring the whistleblower, who had worked for the Qatar 2022 bid organisation, to Zurich to testify in person.
Today, in a 1,672-word statement, the Qatari World Cup bid team hit back and made counter-allegations including that reporters posed as corrupt members of the United States bid.
The bid team also insisted the allegations were "completely false''.
"The publication of the memorandum on the website of the CMS Select Committee has caused enormous and wholly unjustified potential damage to the bid committee and the individuals on it,'' the statement read.
"The aim of the bid committee has always been to show that the Middle East is a realistic option for staging the World Cup and it has worked extremely hard to bring the tournament to the Middle East for the first time.
"To have this achievement tarnished by completely unsubstantiated and false allegations and for those allegations to be propounded by the Parliament of the United Kingdom is something we find distressing, insulting and incomprehensible.''
The statement continued: "For The Sunday Times to suggest that 'nobody of sound mind could be persuaded the support for Qatar' was based purely on merit, because Qatar is a 'small desert state with a minuscule population, no football traditions and hostile summer temperatures' is not only insulting, it exemplifies the sustained and unbalanced reporting that the bid committee has been subjected to.''
It has been alleged that Qatar offered bribes in return for support at the vote in Zurich last December, when they beat off the challenge of, among others, the United States and Australia.
"What the memorandum does not state is that the reporters were posing as corrupt representatives of the United States bid and ostensibly soliciting further corruption from those with whom they were speaking, in return for substantial payments,'' said the statement.
"It appears that many of these individuals were simply seeking to impress the supposed US representatives and persuade them that it would be worth their while engaging them.
"Evidently, in such circumstances very little reliability can be attached to the words of such individuals.''
The bid team also pointed out that allegations made by Michel Zen Ruffinen, the former FIFA general secretary, were immediately retracted by him and this was not made clear, an omission described as "astonishing and a matter of the greatest concern''.
The bid team claim further "evidence'' was provided by a former member of the Qatar effort who had an axe to grind after being released from duty.
"We are mystified as to why anyone formerly in the bid committee's employ would now seem intent on fabricating stories and would seriously question what his or her motivations are,'' said the statement.
"We would caution anyone against placing reliance on uncorroborated statements made by an embittered ex-employee.
"With regards to the allegations made in the Memorandum, the Bid Committee would like to point out:
"1. The allegations are completely false.
"2. The memorandum does not contain or refer to any first hand evidence of any bribes being paid or any impropriety on the part of the bid committee. All the allegations are hearsay and supposition. In addition, the allegations are wholly unsupported by any documentary material whatsoever.
"3. These individuals make serious allegations against the Bid Committee but fail to give any substantiation of the allegations. For example, they do not state when the alleged bribes were to be paid, how the negotiations with the individuals concerned had been conducted or crucially how they came to know of the alleged bribes. On any proper view, their evidence is worthless.
"4. The memorandum states that in the view of the reporters, the individuals ''had no reason to fabricate these allegations``. We do not agree for the reasons set out in this Statement.
"The Memorandum purports to explain the reasons for the decision of The Sunday Times not to publish in the newspaper some of the serious allegations.
"It states that this was on the basis that ''none of the three people who made allegations against Qatar was ever likely to be willing to appear as a witness``.
"The reporters will know that the newspaper would have a defence to any libel claim brought in respect of the publication of these allegations if it could show that it constituted responsible journalism to do so and that publication was in the public interest.
"However, it must have been plain to the newspaper and the reporters that so unreliable and unsubstantiated were the allegations, that it would not have constituted responsible journalism for these allegations to be published.''
Sebowski
Footballguy
Are they suggesting that isn't the case? Now I feel insulted.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
MLS is not the best league in the world or the worst. Typically when you have some one like your Catalan friend do that it is someone who knows zilch about the league or watch 30 minutes of 1 game ten years ago. Best to watch about 10 or so games yourself and make your own opinion. Relying on a Euro's opinion of anything related to soccer in the US is never a good thing.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Yeah!! I can't actually see what is wrong in that sentence. I still don't get who was posing as members of the US bid committee or why. Think someone pulled a good Clinton impression?
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Is it safe to say he is doing it wrong by this point?'El Floppo said:
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I have not found a link. I think it might be just call in.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Welcome back Freddy!!!!
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Roster
GK: Hahnemann, Howard, Rimando;
D: Bocanegra, Bornstein, Cherundolo, Goodson, Lichaj, Onyewu, Ream, Spector
M: Adu, Bradley, Dempsey, Donovan, Edu, Feilhaber, Jones, Kljestan, Rogers;
F: Agudelo, Altidore, Wondolowski
GK: Hahnemann, Howard, Rimando;
D: Bocanegra, Bornstein, Cherundolo, Goodson, Lichaj, Onyewu, Ream, Spector
M: Adu, Bradley, Dempsey, Donovan, Edu, Feilhaber, Jones, Kljestan, Rogers;
F: Agudelo, Altidore, Wondolowski
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I am deeply disappointed that neither Chandler or Diskerud is included. Both would have been cap tied.Robbie Rogers and no Diskerud or Bedoya is very strange.Very happy to see Wondo get the call, he has earned it.
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
He is hurt
El Floppo
Footballguy
Good point about CHandler and Disk.What I've seen of Bedoya (a couple of moments of genius, lots of moments of :bupkis
, Rogers seems like the somewhat more upside LCD, IMO.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
God I am getting paranoid that someone got to Chandler. I know he is not yet cap tied to US.
El Floppo
Footballguy
or just aliens?
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
The twitter media can't figure out Chandler or Rogers. Should be some interesting questions.Good point about CHandler and Disk.What I've seen of Bedoya (a couple of moments of genius, lots of moments of :bupkis
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Some Bradley quotes
"We have followed Freddy since he transferred. We've watching him a number of times on the computer. Haven't managed to get there"
Chandler? "First real season playing at this level, it didn't make sense for him at this time, few minor injuries of late"
Davies? "We've seen a lot of progress. Had a good conversation with him, told him I still feel it's not where it totally needs to be"
We look at this Gold Cup as such an important tournament for the #USMNT. It's a roster we think gives us versatility, experience.
"There are good signs. Freddy is a player who in the past has shown soccer qualities that can help our team."
"We have followed Freddy since he transferred. We've watching him a number of times on the computer. Haven't managed to get there"
Chandler? "First real season playing at this level, it didn't make sense for him at this time, few minor injuries of late"
Davies? "We've seen a lot of progress. Had a good conversation with him, told him I still feel it's not where it totally needs to be"
We look at this Gold Cup as such an important tournament for the #USMNT. It's a roster we think gives us versatility, experience.
"There are good signs. Freddy is a player who in the past has shown soccer qualities that can help our team."
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Sebowski
Footballguy
Don't hold your breathe. I doubt he sees the field unless we clinch early and have a meaningless game. Good to have him on board though. Great chance for Bradley to watch him practice with the big boys and make a call on his future.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
More quotes
Bunbury? "See his potential, didn't think it was right time for him. Not as sharp as we'd like this season."
Bradley on Chandler: "He told us physically and mentally this season has been a long one ... Time wasn't right for this Gold Cup
Rogers? "Player everyone knows has ability to run at people, get behind people, play on both flanks"
Bradley on Wondo: "We felt (he) was in good form. He has scored good goals and different types ... gets a couple chances every game"
Bunbury? "See his potential, didn't think it was right time for him. Not as sharp as we'd like this season."
Bradley on Chandler: "He told us physically and mentally this season has been a long one ... Time wasn't right for this Gold Cup
Rogers? "Player everyone knows has ability to run at people, get behind people, play on both flanks"
Bradley on Wondo: "We felt (he) was in good form. He has scored good goals and different types ... gets a couple chances every game"
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LHUCKS
Footballguy
meh...a lot of shoe-in games coming up. I'll be he gets a lot of time.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
He is a lethal sniper. His goal scoring can not be ignored any more. He is not by any means fast but he has ball skills, specifically shooting is very good with both feet.At the Gold Cup level he will be fine IMO. Against Spain, well everyone is not really up to snuff.
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Then why was he picked?
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
With 9 midfielders I don't think you should expect a ton of time. He is on the very bottom on the depth chart along with Rogers.His best chance to play is likely game 3 in the first round if the US has already won 2 and they have some yellow card issues.We might also get to see him come on late if the US is behind.
LHUCKS
Footballguy
Hmmm...if I had to guess it's kind of like Ching where he's a solid MLS performer and hard working guy. Good for the squad type of player and good for promoting MLS to give him a spot.Ching is obviously more accomplished, but in terms of limited talent I think the comparison is somewhat valid.
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Don't guess.
LHUCKS
Footballguy
Good points. I still hope they give him a lot of time.I feel like I'm the only one that saw "flashes" during WC qualifying.
LHUCKS
Footballguy
I'm not Bradley, guy.
TLEF316
Footballguy
So instead of bringing the most talented full back in our system, we're bringing sacha klejstan to be our 6th center mid fielder?
I'm gonna go ahead and disagree with that decision. Would chandler have to actually play to be cap tied or would being on the roster be enough?
I'm gonna go ahead and disagree with that decision. Would chandler have to actually play to be cap tied or would being on the roster be enough?
scoobygang
Footballguy
We're not exactly crawling with strikers with lots of pace and technical ability. I don't know Wondo's game beyond what I saw on his insane tear at the end of last year. But what I saw was a guy who had very good poacher's instincts and who could score in a variety of ways (either foot or off a header). He won the scoring title without anything like the service Buddle was getting in LA. If he can also take some hold up duties away from Jozy, he'd be a valuable guy to have.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Bradley could care less about promoting MLS, he needs to win. I don't think Bradley has the luxury of picking a good squad member as one of the three strikers. He most certainly intends to play him multiple minutes it appears.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
And Wondo is also on good form this season showing that last season's golden boot was not a fluke. I love the pick.
Lord knows we could use a striker that actually scores goals.
Maybe we've found our Pipo.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
He would have to play.God I hate this decision. I don't care how banged up he is. God forbid he continues to improve, Germany is not going to ignore an obvious talent.And even worse, by missing the Gold Cup, I think we now need to wait all the way until a WCQ to cap him.
LHUCKS
Footballguy
I definitely agree Bradley intends to play him and agree he is good enough to hold his own given the talent level of the opposition we will face.I just don't see him having a long term impact given his limitations. He'd disappear like Ching against elite competition.
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Looks like the Rogers over Bedoya pick seems to be the most perplexing to the media given the current form of both players (Bedoya had a great season and Rogers is off to a very average season at best)
Looks like the media is buying the Chandler reasoning, but I wish someone would ask the question about the possibility of losing him.
Looks like the media is buying the Chandler reasoning, but I wish someone would ask the question about the possibility of losing him.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
FYP
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scoobygang
Footballguy
Not that I'm comparing him to Wondo, but Chicharito kind of came out of nowhere for Mexico to win a scoring title (he actually tied with Hercules Gomez). Now Chicharito was still a lot younger than Wondolowski, but he wasn't considered a great youth prospect or anything. Nobody had him rated ahead of Geo Dos Santos and Carlos Vela. Heck, Nery Castillo was a more publicized prospect. And Chicharito's physical attributes don't strike me as anything other worldly either. He just has an incredible knack for making the right run and has above average composure in front of goal. Chicharito reminds me a lot of Inzhagi.
Ted Lange as your Bartender
Footballguy
Interesting roster to say the least. Disappointed about Chandler, Bunbury and Mix being left out.
Agree with you Andy that the Chandler thing doesn't make a lot of sense since he looked like a lock. I also wonder if zee Germans got to him.
Good for Freddy working his way back into contention. Not saying I would have picked him but I'm happy for him.
Agree with you Andy that the Chandler thing doesn't make a lot of sense since he looked like a lock. I also wonder if zee Germans got to him.
Good for Freddy working his way back into contention. Not saying I would have picked him but I'm happy for him.
scoobygang
Footballguy
Bedoya would have been a 7th CM. We often play him on the flanks, but it's not a natural position for him. Rogers is a true winger in a team with very few true wingers (another reason why Chandler's omission is puzzling, as he can play right wing with pace).
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