***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (1 Viewer)

[El Floppo]

who has the advantage if this goes to kicks?

Rimando is pretty money on PKs... but no way of saying anybody has the advantage- it's a total crapshoot of who's nerves hold up and which GK dives the right way.whoa... Keller keeping Seattle in the season with that save.

 

[NewlyRetired]

People can poo poo playoffs as much as they want but that was fantastic entertainment.

Great year for Seattle and they should only get better when Zakuani comes back. Depending on their draw on Monday, it will be interesting to watch them play in the knock out round in the CCL.

Be fun to watch where Keller goes next. He has made no bones about it that he has large ambitions including being the US Soccer president some day.

Hopefully that is the last game we ever have to watch on that crap turf.

 

[El Floppo]

Hopefully that is the last game we ever have to watch on that crap turf.

Thanks for the memories, Keller.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I have to give KC a ton of credit. After so many people, including myself, gave them crap for what seemed like a horrible re branding effort, they have simply nailed it across the board, both off the field and on the field.

Now they get to host the conference finals in which should be an electric atmosphere at Livestrong.

 

[El Floppo]

I have to give KC a ton of credit. After so many people, including myself, gave them crap for what seemed like a horrible re branding effort, they have simply nailed it across the board, both off the field and on the field.Now they get to host the conference finals in which should be an electric atmosphere at Livestrong.

looked like a lot of empty seats though.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Gonna be interesting next year...

Ramsey joins Bale in Team GB shirt

Aaron Ramsey has added to the speculation that some of the non-English players who qualify to play for Team GB will defy their national associations by being pictured wearing the shirt - less than a week after Wales team-mate Gareth Bale did the same.

The FA of Wales criticised Bale for being pictured in the shirt. Ramsey following suit is more embarrassing for the Welsh FA as he is the captain of Wales.

Welsh football's governing body has voiced concerns that a united Olympics campaign between the home nations would see each national association lose its identity and harm their respective relationships with FIFA.

Ramsey was photographed wearing the London 2012 football supporters' shirt. However, the Arsenal midfielder has hit back, saying he sees no issue with wanting to "win a gold medal".

"If we have the opportunity to play, why not? You're representing Great Britain in the Olympics," he told the South Wales Echo. "Having the chance to win a gold medal doesn't come around very often. Players should go ahead and do it - I don't see what the problem is. I've spoken to Gareth and he's up for it. I think the Welsh are fine for it."

Ramsey did make it clear who he would like to be one of the over-age players in the squad: "It would be great if David Beckham was involved in some sort of way."

But FA of Wales president Phil Pritchard responded, saying: "The FAW's stance is exactly the same. As far as we're concerned, there is no agreement with England for there to be any involvement.

"I am a big believer that people are entitled to their views, but they should also consider the implications to others rather than just themselves. There are times when you have to stand up for your country.

"Let me make it absolutely clear, I am not against Welsh involvement in the Games. I'd be delighted to enter a team of our own and have no objections to England having a team of their own. Unfortunately, that isn't the case.

"And I would ask this question. Do the BOC really believe Premier League managers such as Harry Redknapp and Arsene Wenger would be happy with their players appearing in the Olympics next July and August when the new season is just about the commence?"

link

 

[Eephus]

Gonna be interesting next year...

Ramsey joins Bale in Team GB shirt

"And I would ask this question. Do the BOC really believe Premier League managers such as Harry Redknapp and Arsene Wenger would be happy with their players appearing in the Olympics next July and August when the new season is just about the commence?"

link

Harry has said publicly that he has no problem with Bale playing in the Olympics. Of course Wales isn't in the mix for Euro 2012 so Bale's summer workload won't be as heavy as some others.The federations of the home nations are putting up a big stink though.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I have to give KC a ton of credit. After so many people, including myself, gave them crap for what seemed like a horrible re branding effort, they have simply nailed it across the board, both off the field and on the field.Now they get to host the conference finals in which should be an electric atmosphere at Livestrong.

looked like a lot of empty seats though.

According to people who were at the game on Big Soccer, the stadium was packed but a ton of people were under the concourses watching to avoid the weather. The roof in this case provided no protection because the wind was making the rain come in horizontal.The conference final in KC looks to be better weather. There has to be at least one game in the entire playoffs that is decent weather

 

[NewlyRetired]

Two second leg games in MLS tonight

Philly travel to Houston facing a tough 2-1 aggregate disadvantage. Starts at 8:30 on ESPN2

The ##### fest between NY and LA finally comes to an end tonight with LA at home holding a 1-0 lead on NY. Game is on ESPN2 at 11.

Both Marquez and Juninho are out after getting red cards for the pissing match after the first leg.

In following Landon for many years, he rarely if ever is outspoken in the media. After blasting NY a million different ways in the press this week, it will be interesting to see how he plays.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The roster is out for the next two US friendlies. The uncovering of German Americans continues, and some one please shoot me but Michael Orozco Fiscal was called in instead of George John or Gonzo.

GOALKEEPERS (2): Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Tim Howard (Everton/England)

DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers/Scotland), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg/Germany), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96/Germany), Clarence Goodson (Brøndby/Denmark), Alfredo Morales (Hertha Berlin/Germany), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis/Mexico), Oguchi Onyewu (Sporting Lisbon/Portugal)

MIDFIELDERS (9): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona/Italy), Clint Dempsey (Fulham/England), Maurice Edu (Rangers/Scotland), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim/Germany), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04/Germany), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim/Germany)

FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar/Netherlands), DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla/Mexico), Edson Buddle (Ingolstadt/Germany), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)

 

[NewlyRetired]

I am unsure how Alfredo Morales is tied to the US. His parents are from Peru and he was born in Germany...

??

 

[Eephus]

I am unsure how Alfredo Morales is tied to the US. His parents are from Peru and he was born in Germany...??

His father gained US citizenship

 

[NewlyRetired]

The roster is out for the next two US friendlies. The uncovering of German Americans continues, and some one please shoot me but Michael Orozco Fiscal was called in instead of George John or Gonzo.GOALKEEPERS (2): Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Tim Howard (Everton/England)DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers/Scotland), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg/Germany), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96/Germany), Clarence Goodson (Brøndby/Denmark), Alfredo Morales (Hertha Berlin/Germany), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis/Mexico), Oguchi Onyewu (Sporting Lisbon/Portugal)MIDFIELDERS (9): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona/Italy), Clint Dempsey (Fulham/England), Maurice Edu (Rangers/Scotland), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim/Germany), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04/Germany), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim/Germany)FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar/Netherlands), DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla/Mexico), Edson Buddle (Ingolstadt/Germany), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)

If LA or RSL advance to the MLS Cup Final, either Landon or Beckerman will likely be dropped from the roster.Anyone know anything about Morales? All I can find online is that he has played a grand total of 53 minutes all season. Meanwhile George John and Gonzo are on the bat phone to Greece and Mexico respectively :(

 

[NewlyRetired]

I am unsure how Alfredo Morales is tied to the US. His parents are from Peru and he was born in Germany...??

His father gained US citizenship

so this kid is basically Roy Wegerle.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Has anyone seen the French team roster yet for this friendly?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Brek Shea will be training with Arsenal over the winter and return to Dallas on Jan 15.

This is not a loan or a trial specifically, but I guess it can always be looked at as a trial in some ways.

 

[Moe.]

Has anyone seen the French team roster yet for this friendly?

I don't speak French but I just clicked a bunch of random #### on FFF's website and found this. Pretty sure that is it.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Has anyone seen the French team roster yet for this friendly?

I don't speak French but I just clicked a bunch of random #### on FFF's website and found this. Pretty sure that is it.

thanks. That looks like a great squad and should be a hard test for the US.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Has anyone seen the French team roster yet for this friendly?

I don't speak French but I just clicked a bunch of random #### on FFF's website and found this. Pretty sure that is it.

thanks. That looks like a great squad and should be a hard test for the US.

Definitely, pretty close to a full first-choice squad. No Gourcuff or Evra but I can't think of any other key guys that aren't there.

 

[scoobygang]

Has anyone seen the French team roster yet for this friendly?

I don't speak French but I just clicked a bunch of random #### on FFF's website and found this. Pretty sure that is it.

thanks. That looks like a great squad and should be a hard test for the US.

Definitely, pretty close to a full first-choice squad. No Gourcuff or Evra but I can't think of any other key guys that aren't there.

Seems a little light on proven international strikers behind Benzema, although they have a lot of versatile attackers. I know very little about Giroud and Gamiero, but I understand both are tearing up Ligue Un this year.

 

[Eephus]

Has anyone seen the French team roster yet for this friendly?

I don't speak French but I just clicked a bunch of random #### on FFF's website and found this. Pretty sure that is it.

thanks. That looks like a great squad and should be a hard test for the US.

Definitely, pretty close to a full first-choice squad. No Gourcuff or Evra but I can't think of any other key guys that aren't there.

Seems a little light on proven international strikers behind Benzema, although they have a lot of versatile attackers. I know very little about Giroud and Gamiero, but I understand both are tearing up Ligue Un this year.

They played Loïc Rémy as a lone striker in their last Euro qualifiers.

 

[scoobygang]

They played Loïc Rémy as a lone striker in their last Euro qualifiers.

I think he has something like five interntional goals?Anyway, good to see Cabaye. I'm enjoying the chateauneuf-du-tyne era at Newcastle. Making me feel guilty for abandoning them.

 

[NewlyRetired]

They played Loïc Rémy as a lone striker in their last Euro qualifiers.

I think he has something like five interntional goals?

3 in his senior career over 15 games. Two in Euro qualifiers and one in a friendly

 

[Eephus]

They played Loïc Rémy as a lone striker in their last Euro qualifiers.

I think he has something like five interntional goals?

3 in his senior career over 15 games. Two in Euro qualifiers and one in a friendly

They won the World Cup with Stéphane Guivarc'h wearing the #9 shirt

 

[NewlyRetired]

They played Loïc Rémy as a lone striker in their last Euro qualifiers.

I think he has something like five interntional goals?

3 in his senior career over 15 games. Two in Euro qualifiers and one in a friendly

They won the World Cup with Stéphane Guivarc'h wearing the #9 shirt

They also had one of the all time greats pulling the strings. Guivarc'h did not have a great world cup if memory serves. Didn't he get hurt early in the first game and then not play much in the next couple? Can't remember if he scored the the tourney.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The roster is out for the next two US friendlies. The uncovering of German Americans continues, and some one please shoot me but Michael Orozco Fiscal was called in instead of George John or Gonzo.GOALKEEPERS (2): Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Tim Howard (Everton/England)DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers/Scotland), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg/Germany), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96/Germany), Clarence Goodson (Brøndby/Denmark), Alfredo Morales (Hertha Berlin/Germany), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis/Mexico), Oguchi Onyewu (Sporting Lisbon/Portugal)MIDFIELDERS (9): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona/Italy), Clint Dempsey (Fulham/England), Maurice Edu (Rangers/Scotland), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim/Germany), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04/Germany), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim/Germany)FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar/Netherlands), DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla/Mexico), Edson Buddle (Ingolstadt/Germany), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)

It is a bit unnerving to see we still have rosters with only two real full time strikers. Landon has played primarily in the midfield all year for LA and DMB patrols the wing for Puebla. With Agudelo wasting away on the bench and Bunbury not grabbing JK's attention yet, I guess we are stuck with this.

 

[NewlyRetired]

France is unbeaten in 15 straight games, compiling 10 wins and 5 draws over that time.

In contrast, over the last 15 games the US has 5 wins, 3 draws, 7 losses. None of the 5 wins are against non Concacaf opponents.

 

[scoobygang]

They won the World Cup with Stéphane Guivarc'h wearing the #9 shirt

Fair point. I seem to remember an untested forward named Thierry something being their leading scorer in that tournament.

 

[Eephus]

They won the World Cup with Stéphane Guivarc'h wearing the #9 shirt

Fair point. I seem to remember an untested forward named Thierry something being their leading scorer in that tournament.

Guivarc'h was crap but I bring his name up because the apostophe is cool and because people think the US team's struggles to find forwards are unique. In form world class strikers are a scarce commodity and one that's not evenly distributed by geography. France was lucky to have Henry for four World Cups and Trezeguet for nearly as long. The others (Govou, Dugarry, Le Sulk, Marlet, etc.) were no great shakes.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Rafa Marquez picked up an additional two game suspension for starting the melee last weekend.

Here is hoping he never gets to serve that two game suspension. What a complete piece of garbage he is.

 

[LHUCKS]

This is a nice warmup for the LA/NY game.

No Freddy.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Pretty boring first game.

Props to Kineear who just produces winning team after winning team with no real Superstars.

Very impressed with Cameron. I know it is only his first year as a center back but he looks very comfortable there.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Holy hell. That missed that lady by 2 inches.

Fantastic game so far.

 

[LHUCKS]

Damn, missed the NY goal...

 

[bentley]

Maybe I missed something, but how is New York in the Western Conference?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Henry looks great in this withdrawn role.

 

[El Floppo]

Pretty boring first game. Props to Kineear who just produces winning team after winning team with no real Superstars. Very impressed with Cameron. I know it is only his first year as a center back but he looks very comfortable there.

I used to do camps with Kinnear long ago... I've got stories.

 

[El Floppo]

Maybe I missed something, but how is New York in the Western Conference?

Upper West Side, yo.represent.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Maybe I missed something, but how is New York in the Western Conference?

It is just the way the seeding worked out. LA as the top team was going to draw the lowest seed who came out of the wild card round which was NY.

 

[El Floppo]

Holy hell. That missed that lady by 2 inches. Fantastic game so far.

So where the #### was this from the BullStars ... pretty much all season.Totally agree about Henry withdrawn- opening up so much space for NY. don't be surprised to see Richards busting forward soon.

 

[El Floppo]

Dax hasn't had a good touch yet.

 

[El Floppo]

oof. Tanio's hustle and steel needed tonight... I like Auvray a lot, but he's not that guy.

 

[NewlyRetired]

LA is starting to find there legs. Landon still needs to get more involved.

 

[El Floppo]

btw- sorry to Ted about the U... exciting team and I was pulling for them to get through- Houston doesn't interest me as a neutral at all.

whoa.

Magee is doing an awful lot of #####ing .. jeebus h christmas! two sooooo close attempts there.

 

[NewlyRetired]

If Landon or Beckerman make the finals, they will play against France and then be released. So we should get our first chance to see Landon and Dempsey together for the first time under Klinsmann.

 

[El Floppo]

The roster is out for the next two US friendlies. The uncovering of German Americans continues, and some one please shoot me but Michael Orozco Fiscal was called in instead of George John or Gonzo.GOALKEEPERS (2): Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Tim Howard (Everton/England)DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers/Scotland), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg/Germany), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96/Germany), Clarence Goodson (Brøndby/Denmark), Alfredo Morales (Hertha Berlin/Germany), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis/Mexico), Oguchi Onyewu (Sporting Lisbon/Portugal)MIDFIELDERS (9): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona/Italy), Clint Dempsey (Fulham/England), Maurice Edu (Rangers/Scotland), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim/Germany), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04/Germany), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim/Germany)FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar/Netherlands), DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla/Mexico), Edson Buddle (Ingolstadt/Germany), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)

It is a bit unnerving to see we still have rosters with only two real full time strikers. Landon has played primarily in the midfield all year for LA and DMB patrols the wing for Puebla. With Agudelo wasting away on the bench and Bunbury not grabbing JK's attention yet, I guess we are stuck with this.

HOly hell. Orozsco Fiscal must be whipping up some top notch schnitzen-gruben for JK. I'd really like to hear Klinsmann's comments about Fiscal because right now, he's the only person on the planet that understands his inclusion in the roster- especially with Gonzales playing so well and having other- quite frankly better- options available to lure him.

 

[NewlyRetired]

All these stars and friggan Magee again.

 

[LHUCKS]

Richards must weigh in at about a buck twenty.

 

[El Floppo]

All these stars and friggan Magee again.

well deserved by the Gals.Auvray+Dax <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Becks+BurchallWhen Tanio went off, it's no coincidence LA started to dominate.

 

[El Floppo]

oh- and what a surprise... RedStars give up a goal on a set-piece.