***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (9 Viewers)

[Steve Tasker]

Silva with a world-class through-ball to Dzeko to make it 6.

Wow.

 

[((Morpheus))]

 

[Slapdash]

 

[onionsack]

Blue Moon!

 

[LHUCKS]

wow, that's a beatdown

 

[jonessed]

I said after the Community Shield that even though United won it was only a matter of time before City overtook them. They can simply buy too much depth. United have some great young players that they use for depth, but noone can compete with the kind of money accessible to City. They basically have two top teams.

That being said, obviously noone expected United to get absolutely trashed at home. 6-1? Crazy.

 

[Steve Tasker]

QPR in pretty good shape here.

 

[jonessed]

The reffing in this QPR vs. Chelsea game is abysmal.

 

[Tribulation]

Mancini with the slow-mo fist pump on the replay as a United fan just on the other side of the bench barrier yells "#### OFF" at him.

Love it! Eat it, ManUre fans!

 

[Sinn Fein]

What happened to Chelsea?

 

[wazoo11]

United are getting dismantled at home. This is incredible.

 

[Steve Tasker]

What happened to Chelsea?

2 red cards in the first half. They pretty much dominated the second half but squandered several massive opportunities (5 or so) in the 2nd half. The refereeing was pretty poor, but Chelsea didn't really help their cause with all of the complaining. I've never really gotten the sense that they were whiners (no more than any other professional team, at least) before, but Terry was in the ref's face for most of the 2nd half. They did have a legitimate claim for a PK (I think) on a corner kick where David Luiz was pretty clearly being held - Luiz did sort embellish the fall, though.It just kinda wasn't their day today.

 

[derek245583]

Blue Moon!

#### ya

 

[Sinn Fein]

What happened to Chelsea?

2 red cards in the first half. They pretty much dominated the second half but squandered several massive opportunities (5 or so) in the 2nd half. The refereeing was pretty poor, but Chelsea didn't really help their cause with all of the complaining. I've never really gotten the sense that they were whiners (no more than any other professional team, at least) before, but Terry was in the ref's face for most of the 2nd half. They did have a legitimate claim for a PK (I think) on a corner kick where David Luiz was pretty clearly being held - Luiz did sort embellish the fall, though.It just kinda wasn't their day today.

Without seeing the game, it just looked like they imploded with all the cards.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Houston is up 2-0 in the 2nd so it looks like the MLS playoff field is set.

Wild Card round:

#7 FC Dallas vs # 10 NY Red Bulls

#8 Colorado Rapids vs # 9 Columbus Crew

Western Conference semis (two legged)

W1 LA Galaxy vs lowest seeded WC winner

W2 Seattle Sounders vs W3 Real Salt Lake

Eastern Conference semis (two legged):

E1 Sporting KC vs highest seeded WC winner

E2 Houston Dynamo vs E3 Philadelphia Union

 

[NewlyRetired]

Some MLS stats now that the regular season is over.

*Dwayne DeRosario and Chris "don't call me Twellman" Wondolowski each had 16 goals. DeRo gets the official golden boot as he had more assists. Neither of these players teams made the playoffs.

*Brad "why do I get no national team love" Davis led the league with 16 assists. Becks came in second with 15. (gee, contract year much Becks?)

*Vancouver overtook New England for last place yesterday and the #2 pick in the draft (expansion Montreal gets first pick).

*MLS had a break out year attendance wise. I will provide all the data once the BigSoccer guys finish the calculations. 3 of the 4 major attendance categories tracked set all time highs this year.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

And now that the U finished 3rd in the East I can actually go to the home playoff game! (business travel the next two weeks)

 

[NewlyRetired]

#7 FC Dallas vs # 10 NY Red Bulls

I could see NY sneaking this one. Dallas has been near comatose for almost 3 weeks now.In their last ten games in all competitions they have 3 wins, 7 losses, and one draw. Not that NY is lighting the world up, but an upset here would not be earth shattering to me.

 

[NewlyRetired]

And now that the U finished 3rd in the East I can actually go to the home playoff game! (business travel the next two weeks)

That should be a fantastic atmosphere. Is the home game a weekend or weekday game? Could be pretty cold.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

#7 FC Dallas vs # 10 NY Red Bulls

I could see NY sneaking this one. Dallas has been near comatose for almost 3 weeks now.In their last ten games in all competitions they have 3 wins, 7 losses, and one draw. Not that NY is lighting the world up, but an upset here would not be earth shattering to me.

That would set up LA-NY in round 2. ESPN would freaking love that matchup

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

And now that the U finished 3rd in the East I can actually go to the home playoff game! (business travel the next two weeks)

That should be a fantastic atmosphere. Is the home game a weekend or weekday game? Could be pretty cold.

Word is it's Sunday. Hopefully in the afternoon since Eagles-Cowboys is the Sunday Night game next week.

 

[NewlyRetired]

And now that the U finished 3rd in the East I can actually go to the home playoff game! (business travel the next two weeks)

That should be a fantastic atmosphere. Is the home game a weekend or weekday game? Could be pretty cold.

Word is it's Sunday. Hopefully in the afternoon since Eagles-Cowboys is the Sunday Night game next week.

I would have thought the time was already set due to tv. Is this game scheduled to be on either ESPN2 or FSC?

 

[NewlyRetired]

And now that the U finished 3rd in the East I can actually go to the home playoff game! (business travel the next two weeks)

That should be a fantastic atmosphere. Is the home game a weekend or weekday game? Could be pretty cold.

Word is it's Sunday. Hopefully in the afternoon since Eagles-Cowboys is the Sunday Night game next week.

I would have thought the time was already set due to tv. Is this game scheduled to be on either ESPN2 or FSC?

Looks like the Philly home game will be at 4:00pm. http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/thegoalkeeper/132415698.html?ref=twitter.com

 

[NewlyRetired]

Old friend Herculez Gomez is on a tear in Mexico. He has 6 goals in his last 5 games, many of them in a sub role. Might be doing enough to get recalled especially with Agudelo rotting on the Red Bulls bench.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Here are the updated dates , times and tv info for the MLS playoffs.

==========================

Wild Card

FC Dallas vs. New York Red Bulls – Wed., Oct. 26, 9 p.m. ET (FOX Soccer, TSN2)

Colorado Rapids vs. Columbus Crew – Thurs., Oct. 27, 10 p.m. ET (Altitude 2, ONN, TSN2)

Eastern Conference Semifinals

First Leg

FC Dallas vs. Sporting Kansas City – Sat., Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m. ET (FOX Soccer, TSN) ... OR ...

Colorado Rapids / Columbus Crew vs. Sporting Kansas City – Sun., Oct. 30 7 p.m. ET (FOX Soccer, TSN2)

Philadelphia Union vs. Houston Dynamo – Sun., Oct. 30, time 4 p.m. ET, (ESPN2, Deportes, ESPN3)

Second Leg

Sporting Kansas City vs. FC Dallas / Columbus Crew / Colorado Rapids – Wed., Nov. 2, time TBD (FOX Soccer)

Houston Dynamo vs. Philadelphia Union – Thurs., Nov 3, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2, Deportes, ESPN3, TSN2)

Western Conference Semifinals

First Leg

Real Salt Lake vs. Seattle Sounders FC – Saturday, Oct. 29, 10 p.m. ET (FOX Soccer, TSN2)

Colorado Rapids / Columbus Crew / New York Red Bulls vs. LA Galaxy – Sun., Oct. 30, time TBD (ESPN or ESPN2, Deportes, ESPN3, TSN2)

Second Leg

Seattle Sounders FC vs. Real Salt Lake – Wed., Nov. 2, time TBD (ESPN2, Deportes, ESPN3, TSN2)

LA Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids / Columbus Crew / New York Red Bulls – Thurs., Nov. 3, 11 p.m. ET (ESPN2, Deportes, ESPN3, TSN2)

Conference Championships

Hosted by highest remaining seed – Sun., Nov. 6, 5:30 p.m. ET  (FOX Soccer)

Hosted by highest remaining seed – Sun., Nov. 6, time TBD (ESPN or ESPN2, Deportes, ESPN3, TSN2)

 

[Steve Tasker]

Nemanja Vidic has retired from international play. That's going to be a massive loss for Serbia.

 

[B Maverick]

I'm really developing an irrational hatred for Johnny EvansI just think the guy is awful.

And its not irrational at allAWFUL

"Johnny Evans always has a mistake in him"

ExactlyHorrible horrible player. Vidic and Phil Jones can both run circle around that scrub.

great game for city here.Think the old man may be slipping, between the lineup at anfield and then this one....don't know wtf he's thinking with some of his decisions. Vidic and Jones can rest midweek in Aldershot. Welbeck can earn his stripes in carling cup play. why sit Hernandez for this one.

My, how times have changed in Manchester.

United are getting dismantled at home. This is incredible.

I said after the Community Shield that even though United won it was only a matter of time before City overtook them. They can simply buy too much depth. United have some great young players that they use for depth, but noone can compete with the kind of money accessible to City. They basically have two top teams.That being said, obviously noone expected United to get absolutely trashed at home. 6-1? Crazy.

Congrats to City who came to play. Evans is bad, Anderson is worse. Need to get Cleverly back or January will be time to buy.But with that, SAF never likes to be top of the table before Christmas. And as Chelsea has proven over the years, buying a team isnt all its cracked up to be. City are the title frontrunners, BUT never count out United, esp with City playing multiple fronts for the first time. Does Mancini know how to use his depth? SAF is the master, IN FERGIE WE TRUST.Will this game decide the EPL?Apr 28 10:00 ET Manchester City v Manchester United Etihad Stadium Premier League

 

[derek245583]

City is gonna tap that ### again in April!!

 

[NewlyRetired]

Steve Nicol was let go today by the New England Revolution after 10 years in charge. Safe to say it was coming. Interesting tweets from the soccer media that immediately followed the news points to the Krafts as the issue ( nothing that we have all not already known )

Steve Davis (@SteveDavis90)

10/24/11 4:58 PM

NE probably needed a reboot. But that doesn't mean it was SN's fault. Roster building on the cheap is always a difficult path.

Phil Schoen (@PhilSchoen)

10/24/11 5:00 PM

Steve Nicol was too loyal to the Krafts. With the lack of financial commitment and support, most coaches would have left years ago.

Jen Chang (@JenChang88)

10/24/11 5:11 PM

Revs had been poor lately but Nicol and his staff were seriously handicapped by New England front office's unwillingness to spend $$.

Jen Chang (@JenChang88)

10/24/11 5:13 PM

Revs turned down chance to sign various "name" players such as Robbie Fowler, Pauleta etc that had agreed to sign for Nicol over the years.

Jen Chang (@JenChang88)

10/24/11 5:16 PM

On 1 trip to South America a few seasons ago, Nicol & his staff came back with a list of 20+ players they felt would take Revs to next level

Jen Chang (@JenChang88)

10/24/11 5:18 PM

All would have been of pricey by MLS standards but affordable (one was striker Jose Sand). Revs front office turned down the entire list.

Phil Schoen (@PhilSchoen)

10/24/11 5:27 PM

@jenchang88 I've talked to a few agents who said corporate set-up w/ Revs created very risk-averse atmosphere. Never willing to spend.

Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves)

10/24/11 5:49 PM

Steve Nicol was always doomed to play the scapegoat but reality is New England coaching job is worst in the league. Who's next to try it?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Richie Williams has been named the US U18 national team coach.

 

[The Gator]

Spoiler

City just scored again

 

[El Floppo]

Steve Nicol was let go today by the New England Revolution after 10 years in charge. Safe to say it was coming.

Don't know why I thought- despite the poor run lately- that he'd stick around. But I did.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Steve Nicol was let go today by the New England Revolution after 10 years in charge. Safe to say it was coming.

Don't know why I thought- despite the poor run lately- that he'd stick around. But I did.

His contract ended this year. If it wasn't up, I am not sure the Krafts would have done anything. This move is akin to cutting a dead branch from a rotting tree. They need at least two more major moves to toss Burns and Biello and then take a long look in the mirror and decide if they really want to be in this sport any more.

 

[El Floppo]

Oh right! Forgot I took some pics and video of the US game...

Anthem photo ---and video

Game-shot w/ Shea, Chandler, Dempsey, Rasta

1/2 time sub warm-ups (MB, DMB, Buddle)

 

[The Gator]

nice seats

 

[CletiusMaximus]

What happened to Chelsea?

Until yesterday, I couldn't imagine ever being happy with a premier league loss to a crap team like QPR, but that is exactly how I felt seeing the Chels battling down 2 men in the second half. It was truly inspiring - would have been awesome had they converted one of the many chances.

 

[El Floppo]

nice seats

honestly not a bad seat in the house.but yeah, these were pretty nice.

 

[derek245583]

Spoiler

City just scored again

Still stoked a day later

 

[Texas Football]

Super Mario is at it again. This time he sets his house on fire setting off fireworks.http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/oct/22/mario-balotelli-house-fire-fireworks?CMP=twt_gu

I prefer the nickname Bibotelli

at him running back in to grab some money.

Sure, why not.http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2052874/Mario-Balotelli-firework-safety-campaign.htmlSome report on twitter that he has been rolling around Manchester in a convertible Bentley high fiving the fans.I love the dude even though I hate City. And the Christmas party should be an incredible event.

 

[Eephus]

Sven Goran Eriksson + £15M = mid table mediocrity

mid table mediocrity - Sven Goran Eriksson =

 

[NewlyRetired]

MLS Attendance Report

2011 Numbers, 18 Teams, 306 total games

Average Attendance: 17,869

Median Attendance: 17,639

% of games > 20k: 28.1%

% of games <10k: 5.6%

Notes:

* The average was the best ever

* The median was the best ever and blew away the second best ever by 2,286

* The under 10k number was the best ever

* The >20k number was the second best ever, trailing 2007 (Becks and Blanco's first year)

To give a feel for those 2011 numbers above, compare them to where MLS was after the 2000 season

Average Attendance: 13,756

Median Attendance: 12,690

% of games > 20k: 12.5%

% of games <10k: 34.4%

There is a decent chance that next season could match or even beat these 2011 numbers. Houston opening a new stadium, Portland expanding by 1500 seats, Montreal expansion expected to be very strong and a possibility of Seattle expanding their seating again.

 

[theprince]

MLS Attendance Report

2011 Numbers, 18 Teams, 306 total games

Average Attendance: 17,869

Median Attendance: 17,639

% of games > 20k: 28.1%

% of games <10k: 5.6%

Notes:

* The average was the best ever

* The median was the best ever and blew away the second best ever by 2,286

* The under 10k number was the best ever

* The >20k number was the second best ever, trailing 2007 (Becks and Blanco's first year)

To give a feel for those 2011 numbers above, compare them to where MLS was after the 2000 season

Average Attendance: 13,756

Median Attendance: 12,690

% of games > 20k: 12.5%

% of games <10k: 34.4%

There is a decent chance that next season could match or even beat these 2011 numbers. Houston opening a new stadium, Portland expanding by 1500 seats, Montreal expansion expected to be very strong and a possibility of Seattle expanding their seating again.

Great to hear. I wish they'd set up shop in Miami/FTL again

 

[theprince]

What happened to Chelsea?

Until yesterday, I couldn't imagine ever being happy with a premier league loss to a crap team like QPR, but that is exactly how I felt seeing the Chels battling down 2 men in the second half. It was truly inspiring - would have been awesome had they converted one of the many chances.

Just watched the second half of this game on DVR. Full props to the remaining nine. They worked their socks off. 9 against 11 and they were still the better side.

 

[NewlyRetired]

MLS Attendance Report

2011 Numbers, 18 Teams, 306 total games

Average Attendance: 17,869

Median Attendance: 17,639

% of games > 20k: 28.1%

% of games <10k: 5.6%

Notes:

* The average was the best ever

* The median was the best ever and blew away the second best ever by 2,286

* The under 10k number was the best ever

* The >20k number was the second best ever, trailing 2007 (Becks and Blanco's first year)

To give a feel for those 2011 numbers above, compare them to where MLS was after the 2000 season

Average Attendance: 13,756

Median Attendance: 12,690

% of games > 20k: 12.5%

% of games <10k: 34.4%

There is a decent chance that next season could match or even beat these 2011 numbers. Houston opening a new stadium, Portland expanding by 1500 seats, Montreal expansion expected to be very strong and a possibility of Seattle expanding their seating again.

Great to hear. I wish they'd set up shop in Miami/FTL again

The league has an enormous hole in its footprint. There are no teams South of DC/East of Dallas. I would not be surprised to see a Florida team (either expansion or relocation) in the next 8-10 years as the league moves eventually to 24 teams.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Beckenbauer's task force suggests offside rule change

ZURICH (Reuters) -- A FIFA task force headed by former Germany captain Franz Beckenbauer has suggested changing the offside law and abolishing red cards for less serious offences in the penalty area.

Beckenbauer said that the current offside rule involving active and passive offside was too complicated while the so-called "triple punishment" for offences in the penalty area was too harsh.

Both proposals are likely to go before the next meeting of the IFAB, soccer's rule-making committee, in March.

The group, including a number of ex-players, referees and doctors, is looking at ways of improving the entertainment level at the 2014 World Cup after the previous tournament in South Africa was marred by negative play and histrionics.

"We should go back and make it more simple, we have to find the right wording and that goes for the penalties as well," Beckenbauer told reporters.

"It will improve the flow of the game.

"We have a situation with active and passive offside at the moment, I think we should stay away from complicated expressions, we should go back to making it more simple, not like it was at the beginning but somewhere in between.

"In my time it was very simple, offside was offside, it didn't matter where the ball was. It's a nonsense, it's too complicated."

Under the current law, play continues even if the attacking team has a player who is clearly offside but that team is in possession of the ball. However, if that player, who is considered passively offside, touches the ball, he becomes active and play is stopped.

Beckenbauer said that penalty area offences should only by punished with a red card if they involved a handball by a defender on the goalline - such as Luis Suarez's save for Uruguay against Ghana at the last World Cup -- or a violent foul.

Otherwise, he said, a yellow card and penalty would be enough.

"If it's a simple foul in the penalty area, where you try to get the ball but are a second late, a penalty and yellow card are enough," he said.

"If it's a violent foul, which would have been a red card anywhere on the field, then it this case its a penalty and a red card."

FIFA said the task force would also look at ways of improving the conduct of players.

"The task force believes it is crucial that a concrete action plan be developed for the next meeting...in particular related to the conduct of players, coaches and officials, who must be role models for the fans and the general public." said FIFA.

Copyright 2011 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.

 

[GoFishTN]

Beckenbauer's task force suggests offside rule change

ZURICH (Reuters) -- A FIFA task force headed by former Germany captain Franz Beckenbauer has suggested changing the offside law and abolishing red cards for less serious offences in the penalty area.

...

Anyone old enough to remember the blue line in the NASL? Wonder how that would work now.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Beckenbauer's task force suggests offside rule change

ZURICH (Reuters) -- A FIFA task force headed by former Germany captain Franz Beckenbauer has suggested changing the offside law and abolishing red cards for less serious offences in the penalty area.

...

Anyone old enough to remember the blue line in the NASL? Wonder how that would work now.

I went to NASL games when I was very young but did not understand the game well enough to figure out how it affected the game. In theory I love the 35 yard marker because I would like any rule that might unlock the offense a little more.

I understand Beckenbauers thoughts on this perspective rule change/clarification but I don't like it because it leans towards helping the defense which needs no more help in this sport.

 

[Pope Benedict XVI Fan]

You'd end up with defences sitting much deeper, which would make the high-tempo pressing game that has been evolved at the top level over the last 25 years almost impossible to play. I couldn't say for sure that it'd be a bad thing, but I am certainly very much against any idea like that.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Top 10 MLS Goals of the season

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=7143138

 

[The Z Machine]

You'd end up with defences sitting much deeper, which would make the high-tempo pressing game that has been evolved at the top level over the last 25 years almost impossible to play. I couldn't say for sure that it'd be a bad thing, but I am certainly very much against any idea like that.

Agreed. It would play much better for Real than Barça. In fact, I think it would ruin the tiqui-taqui totally.