***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (3 Viewers)

[Doctor Detroit]

Would happily take a draw with Chelsea tomorrow.

 

[The Gator]

Suarez is by far the biggest flopper in the epl right now.

Cards for simulation:Bale 3Suarez 0

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I love watching Messi play, but he has a tendency to go to ground much to easily - one of the reasons I dislike Barcelona (and Spain for that matter) is stand the #### up and play.

I realize I'm partisan, but I can't imagine anyone being more wrong about anything. Watch this, and then think about amending your statement:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S7hlL4sJekNow Busquets is a different story...

 

[Spartans Rule]

The epl has 3 "levels" correct? The top 2 and bottom 2 move up or down the following year?

What league does Messi play? Are his games ever on basic package directv? He's easily the greatest player this century correct?

The EPL is the top level. England has leagues going all the way down to YMCA or bar league level. I'm not sure how many, at least 10, although only the top 4 are part of "The Football League." And it's the top bottom 3 that move down from the EPL.

Fyp

Although it would be fun to see the Manchester teams demoted to the Championship next season.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Just looking at futures odds, the remaining teams from most likely to least likely to win:1. Barcelona2. Madrid (assuming they take care of business over Moscow)3. Bayern4. AC Milan5. Napoli/Chelsea6. Benfica7. Marseille8. APOEL

The draw will be real interesting for Bayern since they have the final at home. If they could land on the opposite side of the bracket from Barca and Madrid, I think they'd have a very good shot to beat those teams in one game at Allianz. But I don't like their chances over two legs.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

I love watching Messi play, but he has a tendency to go to ground much to easily - one of the reasons I dislike Barcelona (and Spain for that matter) is stand the #### up and play.

I realize I'm partisan, but I can't imagine anyone being more wrong about anything. Watch this, and then think about amending your statement:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S7hlL4sJek

Messi's lack of going to ground at his size is one of the things I respect most about his play.

 

[Sebowski]

I love watching Messi play, but he has a tendency to go to ground much to easily - one of the reasons I dislike Barcelona (and Spain for that matter) is stand the #### up and play.

I realize I'm partisan, but I can't imagine anyone being more wrong about anything. Watch this, and then think about amending your statement:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S7hlL4sJek

Messi's lack of going to ground at his size is one of the things I respect most about his play.

There is no way you watch Messi play and make that statement.

 

[Spartans Rule]

I love watching Messi play, but he has a tendency to go to ground much to easily - one of the reasons I dislike Barcelona (and Spain for that matter) is stand the #### up and play.

I realize I'm partisan, but I can't imagine anyone being more wrong about anything. Watch this, and then think about amending your statement:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S7hlL4sJekNow Busquets is a different story...

Aside from totally proving the point, that was an awesome highlight video.

 

[scoobygang]

Pretty weak for Van Persie to take a few verbal potshots at the goalkeeper after they score the winning goal.And then Webb is forced to tag along and ask him to stop taunting other players after the game .

They were going at it before the last goal.

Yah, they were at each other the entire game. It's the one thing remaining in Van Persie that I don't care for. I'm willing to overlook it though!

Love to know what those two were jawing about. I have to say, though, it is a joy to watch Van Persie play these days. I haven't seen a striker with such finishing talent since Bergkamp.

They were arguing about Krul's time-wasting.

 

[El Floppo]

I love watching Messi play, but he has a tendency to go to ground much to easily - one of the reasons I dislike Barcelona (and Spain for that matter) is stand the #### up and play.

I realize I'm partisan, but I can't imagine anyone being more wrong about anything. Watch this, and then think about amending your statement:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S7hlL4sJek

Messi's lack of going to ground at his size is one of the things I respect most about his play.

There is no way you watch Messi play and make that statement.

Messi and Xavi both are guys who play through more contact than just about anybody on the planet. Too bad Iniesta doesn't. And don't get me started on Pedro and Busquets.

 

[Steve Tasker]

DC United just tweeted that Andy Najar has been named to Honduras' U-23 Olympic qualifying roster.

 

[guru_007]

barca fans supporting messi's toughness, go figure

surprised slapdash hasn't piled on either.

 

[Christo]

I love watching Messi play, but he has a tendency to go to ground much to easily - one of the reasons I dislike Barcelona (and Spain for that matter) is stand the #### up and play.

I realize I'm partisan, but I can't imagine anyone being more wrong about anything. Watch this, and then think about amending your statement:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S7hlL4sJekNow Busquets is a different story...

He has incredible balance. On a lot of those plays others would have gone down not because they were looking to pick up the foul but because they just didn't have the ability to stay on their feet.

 

[Christo]

The epl has 3 "levels" correct? The top 2 and bottom 2 move up or down the following year?

What league does Messi play? Are his games ever on basic package directv? He's easily the greatest player this century correct?

The EPL is the top level. England has leagues going all the way down to YMCA or bar league level. I'm not sure how many, at least 10, although only the top 4 are part of "The Football League." And it's the top bottom 3 that move down from the EPL.

Fyp

Although it would be fun to see the Manchester teams demoted to the Championship next season.

What, so they could each have 100 points and be running out their junior teams the last third of the season? Look how long it took Juventus to get back to the top of Serie A after its forced demotion and 9 point penalty.

 

[((Morpheus))]

I love watching Messi play, but he has a tendency to go to ground much to easily - one of the reasons I dislike Barcelona (and Spain for that matter) is stand the #### up and play.

I realize I'm partisan, but I can't imagine anyone being more wrong about anything. Watch this, and then think about amending your statement:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S7hlL4sJekNow Busquets is a different story...

 

[The Gator]

I love watching Messi play, but he has a tendency to go to ground much to easily - one of the reasons I dislike Barcelona (and Spain for that matter) is stand the #### up and play.

I realize I'm partisan, but I can't imagine anyone being more wrong about anything. Watch this, and then think about amending your statement:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S7hlL4sJek

Messi's lack of going to ground at his size is one of the things I respect most about his play.

There is no way you watch Messi play and make that statement.

Messi and Xavi both are guys who play through more contact than just about anybody on the planet. Too bad Iniesta doesn't. And don't get me started on Pedro and Busquets.

 

[NewlyRetired]

DC United just tweeted that Andy Najar has been named to Honduras' U-23 Olympic qualifying roster.

1) If form holds(although it rarely does), Honduras should meet the US in the crucial single game knockout for qualification giving him an early chance to stick it to the US2) I think, but am not positive, that he would have made the US team. It was not a lock but he is certainly as good as many of the US midfielders

 

[NewlyRetired]

barca fans supporting messi's toughness, go figuresurprised slapdash hasn't piled on either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX4DJUr5oYgSeriously though, Messi is on the ground for two reasons1) He has the ball on his foot as much as any player in the world2) He is being actively hacked/fouled more than any player in the worldMessi is not on the ground for diving for a very simple reason, IMO. He knows it is more beneficial for his team that he ride out a tackle and keep attacking than it is to win a meaningless free kick for them.

 

[Slapdash]

barca fans supporting messi's toughness, go figuresurprised slapdash hasn't piled on either.

I can enjoy your sour grapes from the sideline. Thanks for your concern.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Some CCL info

1) Last years champs Monterray are the first team through to the semi's, after their 7-2 destruction of Morelia in the quarter finals.

2) Seattle heads down to Santos for the second leg of their quarter final match. Game is tonight at 8:00pm eastern on FSC. Seattle holds a 2-1 lead

3) LA plays Toronto at home tonight at 10:00pm eastern on FSC. It is level at 2-2. Seattle and Toronto are both fresh not having played this weekend where as LA was busy getting spanked at home by RSL.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Late to the party, but

a) Yes, Suarez does dive, and it is annoying, even to Liverpool fans.

b) Having said that, he is nowhere near the biggest diver in the EPL.

c) It evens out, because even when he is mugged, he doesn't get any calls because of the Diver Tag (and the Racist Tag, in my opinion, but I digress).

 

[Good Posting Judge]

barca fans supporting messi's toughness, go figuresurprised slapdash hasn't piled on either.

Plenty of non-Barca fans in here who disagree with you. I'm not going to claim that Messi never dives, because i don't think that's true. But he probably has more opportunities to dive than anyone else in the world, and for the most part he tries to fight through and make something happen without a whistle.Watch the video.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

barca fans supporting messi's toughness, go figuresurprised slapdash hasn't piled on either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX4DJUr5oYgSeriously though, Messi is on the ground for two reasons1) He has the ball on his foot as much as any player in the world2) He is being actively hacked/fouled more than any player in the worldMessi is not on the ground for diving for a very simple reason, IMO. He knows it is more beneficial for his team that he ride out a tackle and keep attacking than it is to win a meaningless free kick for them.

 

[The Z Machine]

I don't think Messi is a diver in general. I'm sure he embellishes some, but he's not egregious nor the worst offender on his team. I don't think CRonaldo dives (much) either. Both know that they are more dangerous during the run of play than with a dead ball situation.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The cat that caught our eyes during the Portland Philly game, Kalif Alhassan, won the MLS player of the week award. He is going to be fun to watch develop at 21 years old.

 

[El Floppo]

The cat that caught our eyes during the Portland Philly game, Kalif Alhassan, won the MLS player of the week award. He is going to be fun to watch develop at 21 years old.

nationality?from the one game, he kind of reminds me of a Dane Richards (when he's playing well)- pacey, willingness to go at guys, hit the cross.

 

[jplvr]

The only thing I hate about Barca is they seem to be the absolute worst about surrounding the ref to beg for cards. I don't see them often, but Messi doesn't flop at all.

Ronaldo on the other hand...

 

[Moe.]

The cat that caught our eyes during the Portland Philly game, Kalif Alhassan, won the MLS player of the week award. He is going to be fun to watch develop at 21 years old.

nationality?from the one game, he kind of reminds me of a Dane Richards (when he's playing well)- pacey, willingness to go at guys, hit the cross.

Ghanaian

 

[Good Posting Judge]

The only thing I hate about Barca is they seem to be the absolute worst about surrounding the ref to beg for cards. I don't see them often, but Messi doesn't flop at all.Ronaldo on the other hand...

I do too, it's pretty obnoxious. I think just having a guy like Xavi make their case from a respectable distance would be more likely to bear fruit than mobbing the ref. They can't like that.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Just looking at futures odds, the remaining teams from most likely to least likely to win:1. Barcelona2. Madrid (assuming they take care of business over Moscow)3. Bayern4. AC Milan5. Napoli/Chelsea6. Benfica7. Marseille8. APOEL

The draw will be real interesting for Bayern since they have the final at home. If they could land on the opposite side of the bracket from Barca and Madrid, I think they'd have a very good shot to beat those teams in one game at Allianz. But I don't like their chances over two legs.

I put a small wager on Munich to win it @ + 550 today. Probably bad odds but gives me some skin if/when the Chels get kicked out of this.

 

[The Z Machine]

Honestly, I could see Napoli making a run deep into this competition (assuming they don't run up against RM, Barça, or Bayern in the next leg). They've been hurting some good teams all year. Their style is pretty conducive to beating teams that are used to controlling the ball 65% of the time.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Honestly, I could see Napoli making a run deep into this competition (assuming they don't run up against RM, Barça, or Bayern in the next leg). They've been hurting some good teams all year. Their style is pretty conducive to beating teams that are used to controlling the ball 65% of the time.

Yeah, not many teams have the ability to score goals against the run of play like Napoli.On the other hand, probably anyone left could make a deep run if they avoid RM, Barca and Bayern. Usually there's 6 or 7 huge clubs in the final 8. This year only 4 or 5 depending on how Chelsea does today, and only 3 that really look the part. The door is wide open

 

[Christo]

Chelsea going for the win with that line up.

 

[Christo]

Okay, I may be showing my age here. But does anyone else miss the days when goalies wore the team's shorts and socks with a green shirt almost exclusively? You might have seen a yellow jersey when the other team had green in its uniform. But I'm sick of the all-white, camo, etc. crap we're seeing now.

You're part of the team, dress like it!

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Okay, I may be showing my age here. But does anyone else miss the days when goalies wore the team's shorts and socks with a green shirt almost exclusively? You might have seen a yellow jersey when the other team had green in its uniform. But I'm sick of the all-white, camo, etc. crap we're seeing now.You're part of the team, dress like it!

Goalies should just be nude.RM controlling play for the most part, but Moscow's had two good chances.

 

[NewlyRetired]

DOHA, Qatar -- Premier League chairman Dave Richards accused FIFA and UEFA of stealing soccer from the English during a conference Wednesday on sports and security.

With FIFA vice president Prince Ali Bin Hussein of Jordan and International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat looking on, Richards repeatedly reminded his audience that the world had England to thank for soccer.

“

England gave the world football. ... We wrote the rules, designed the pitches and everything else. ... Then, 50 years later, some guy came along and said you're liars and they actually stole it. It was called FIFA. Fifty years later, another gang came along called UEFA and stole a bit more.

”

-- Premier League chairman

Dave Richards

"England gave the world football. It gave the best legacy anyone could give. We gave them the game," said Richards, who is also a Football Association board member. "For 50 years, we owned the game ... We were the governance of the game. We wrote the rules, designed the pitches and everything else.

"Then, 50 years later, some guy came along and said you're liars and they actually stole it. It was called FIFA. Fifty years later, another gang came along called UEFA and stole a bit more."

Hussein reminded Richards that there was still a debate over whether the Chinese or the English invented the game, but Richards leapt to the defense of his country.

"It started in Sheffield 150 years ago ...," Richards said, his voice rising. "We started the game and wrote the rules and took it the world. The Chinese may say they own it but the British own it and we gave it to the rest of the world."

Hussein tried to diffuse the tension by saying the game now is owned by everyone, not just one country.

"The point I'm trying to make is the whole world loves the sport and it is the most popular sport," Hussein said. "We have to continue to work on developing it and obviously competing and helping our youth."

Richards attended the conference to share his Premier League experience with others at a round-table session on new frontiers in sports. After the conference, Richards slipped and tumbled knee-deep into a museum pool from which he was rescued by Phil Gartside, the Bolton chairman and fellow FA board member.

"We were walking across to our table in a dark courtyard area," Gartside told the BBC. "There were three fountain areas nearby, no pool. They had switched off the lights.

"He thought he was stepping on to flat marble, but his foot went down into the water, he fell over and hurt his leg quite badly."

“

Sir Dave is attending the conference in a private and personal capacity and his comments in no way reflect the views of the Premier League.

”

-- Premier League statement,

in response to Richards

The comments could set back the FA's attempts to rebuild relations with FIFA after chairman David Bernstein tried to block president Sepp Blatter's re-election last year.

English soccer's governing body quickly distanced itself from Richards.

"Sir Dave Richards is not representing the FA at this conference and his personal views are in no way shared or endorsed by the FA," a statement said. "The FA greatly values its relationships with FIFA and UEFA, which it is working hard to strengthen."

The Premier League also disassociated itself from its chairman's comments, saying in a statement to The Association Press that, "Sir Dave is attending the conference in a private and personal capacity and his comments in no way reflect the views of the Premier League."

Richards' comments are not likely to go down well with Qatar, which won the bid to host the 2022 World Cup by suggesting it was time for the sport to move beyond traditional markets in Europe to new markets like the Middle East.

At a news conference later Wednesday, Richards raised concerns about cultural differences and the availability of alcohol in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup. The nation only allows it in some five-star hotels.

Richards was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006 in recognition of his services to soccer, having assumed the chairmanship of the world's richest league in 1999 after a decade at Sheffield Wednesday.

But Richards has been a divisive figure in English soccer.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Well, this Chelsea-Napoli match quickly got awesome

 

[Christo]

Well, this Chelsea-Napoli match quickly got awesome

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Well, this Chelsea-Napoli match quickly got awesome

Aaaaaand, here comes Torres.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Great chance by Drogba!

CSKA is toast. Credit them for drawing Madrid at home, but Madrid's just too good.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

 

[Sinn Fein]

GameCast on espn:

Essien takes one in the family jewels and Dossena gets booked.

 

[B Maverick]

89'

.....Aronica had Drogba around the neck with both hands but somehow the ref deems that to be okay. No penalty.

88'

Drogba is challenged by Aronica as he goes to head at goal. Both players fall to the ground and Drogba wants a penalty....

 

[The Z Machine]

That play with drogba, both players were all over each other, locked arms. I don't. think you give a penalty there

 

[The Z Machine]

This game is intense.

 

[Moe.]

Are they in extra time now?

 

[The Z Machine]

Hamsik is quality, but drogba, terry and ivanovic look too strong in the air.

 

[The Z Machine]

Are they in extra time now?

Yup.Glad I sped home from work to see the last 20 mins.

 

[B Maverick]

FT - Stat: After 86 minutes of tonight's game, Fernando Torres reached 24 hours without a goal for Chelsea.

FT If we are still level after 30 minutes of extra-time it will be penalties. And John Terry doesn't have good memories of UCL shootouts.

WE MADE JOHN TERRY CRY!

 

[scoobygang]

Be a champion today, Fernando!