***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (5 Viewers)

[TLEF316]

Ok, here's something I don't get. Basically, 3 announcers in a row just said that going to PK's was the only way that England could have won. Am I looking at a different roster than everybody else? England's team has at least half a dozen players capable of producing match winning goals. I get that they weren't the best team in this tournament, but how is it a that a team full of star players from arguably the best league in the world (top to bottom) is limited to playing for a coin toss?

 

[Christo]

Ok, here's something I don't get. Basically, 3 announcers in a row just said that going to PK's was the only way that England could have won. Am I looking at a different roster than everybody else? England's team has at least half a dozen players capable of producing match winning goals. I get that they weren't the best team in this tournament, but how is it a that a team full of star players from arguably the best league in the world (top to bottom) is limited to playing for a coin toss?

Milner

 

[Sebowski]

Can't see either team beating Germany

Especially since Germany have two more days of rest. Nice scheduling there UEFA

How did they screw something so simple up? Same thing with Portugal-Spain.

 

[Ursa M]

Ok, here's something I don't get. Basically, 3 announcers in a row just said that going to PK's was the only way that England could have won. Am I looking at a different roster than everybody else? England's team has at least half a dozen players capable of producing match winning goals. I get that they weren't the best team in this tournament, but how is it a that a team full of star players from arguably the best league in the world (top to bottom) is limited to playing for a coin toss?

They do have half a dozen but not eleven. And the fact they are in the EPL might not be in their favor. The EPL is stacked with foreign players, meaning some of the top 11 English guys might struggle to make the top 75 EPL guys.Of course, being exposed to that level of quality week in week out ought perhaps to be a positive for England players....

 

[Sebowski]

Ok, here's something I don't get. Basically, 3 announcers in a row just said that going to PK's was the only way that England could have won. Am I looking at a different roster than everybody else? England's team has at least half a dozen players capable of producing match winning goals. I get that they weren't the best team in this tournament, but how is it a that a team full of star players from arguably the best league in the world (top to bottom) is limited to playing for a coin toss?

Because the bolded is the biggest myth in sports.

 

[Christo]

Ok, here's something I don't get. Basically, 3 announcers in a row just said that going to PK's was the only way that England could have won. Am I looking at a different roster than everybody else? England's team has at least half a dozen players capable of producing match winning goals. I get that they weren't the best team in this tournament, but how is it a that a team full of star players from arguably the best league in the world (top to bottom) is limited to playing for a coin toss?

Because the bolded is the biggest myth in sports.

 

[Ursa M]

Ok, here's something I don't get. Basically, 3 announcers in a row just said that going to PK's was the only way that England could have won. Am I looking at a different roster than everybody else? England's team has at least half a dozen players capable of producing match winning goals. I get that they weren't the best team in this tournament, but how is it a that a team full of star players from arguably the best league in the world (top to bottom) is limited to playing for a coin toss?

Because the bolded is the biggest myth in sports.

The European Champions League would indicate otherwise.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Ok, here's something I don't get. Basically, 3 announcers in a row just said that going to PK's was the only way that England could have won. Am I looking at a different roster than everybody else? England's team has at least half a dozen players capable of producing match winning goals. I get that they weren't the best team in this tournament, but how is it a that a team full of star players from arguably the best league in the world (top to bottom) is limited to playing for a coin toss?

Because the bolded is the biggest myth in sports.

The European Champions League would indicate otherwise.

The Champions League results I think are more indicative of the top of your league than top to bottom. Europa Cup might be a better indicater of the quality depth league but it really is all kind of guess work, opinions and bias.

 

[GoFishTN]

Ok, here's something I don't get. Basically, 3 announcers in a row just said that going to PK's was the only way that England could have won. Am I looking at a different roster than everybody else? England's team has at least half a dozen players capable of producing match winning goals. I get that they weren't the best team in this tournament, but how is it a that a team full of star players from arguably the best league in the world (top to bottom) is limited to playing for a coin toss?

Because the bolded is the biggest myth in sports.

The European Champions League would indicate otherwise.

I don't know about top to bottom.

 

[NewlyRetired]

These Portland fans are working harder than the French players did against Germany.

 

[prefontaine]

Ok, here's something I don't get. Basically, 3 announcers in a row just said that going to PK's was the only way that England could have won. Am I looking at a different roster than everybody else? England's team has at least half a dozen players capable of producing match winning goals. I get that they weren't the best team in this tournament, but how is it a that a team full of star players from arguably the best league in the world (top to bottom) is limited to playing for a coin toss?

Really? Half their lineup plays (let's not go so far as to even say starts) for Liverpool, a flat out mediocre EPL side. Their strategic late game sub was....Jordan Henderson lol? Milner doesn't start for his club. Welbeck starts depending on formation and mostly because of injuries he plays as often as he does. Gerrard is good but past his prime. People have been calling for Ox but he doesn't start for Arsenal either. I honestly looked at their squad and didn't expect them to advance out of group.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I have been watching Italy play for more than 2 decades now. I don't remember ever seeing them play so consistently honest (ie little diving).

 

[boubucarow]

I have been watching Italy play for more than 2 decades now. I don't remember ever seeing them play so consistently honest (ie little diving).

And I thought the only Italian player that was diving today plays in the EPL.

 

[Sebowski]

But the incessant diving and the blatant cheating ... I can see why there is so much hatred of the sport.I mean, the ball is never placed inside the arc on a corner kick. It may seem trivial, but could you imagine LeBron James stepping 4 inches closer to the basket on every free throw and being inside the line? No, you can't. End Rant.

Just like every other use of lines in soccer, the law doesn't require the ball be in the circle, only some part of the ball touching it. And your analogy is awful

yeah, and i can't tell you how often the ball is not touching the line. it's well outside of it.

Alright, I never bothered to look at this before, but have been looking closely at every corner taken since this post. Every single one of them had the ball on the line. You've got some 'splaining to do

 

[Ursa M]

But the incessant diving and the blatant cheating ... I can see why there is so much hatred of the sport.I mean, the ball is never placed inside the arc on a corner kick. It may seem trivial, but could you imagine LeBron James stepping 4 inches closer to the basket on every free throw and being inside the line? No, you can't. End Rant.

Just like every other use of lines in soccer, the law doesn't require the ball be in the circle, only some part of the ball touching it. And your analogy is awful

yeah, and i can't tell you how often the ball is not touching the line. it's well outside of it.

Alright, I never bothered to look at this before, but have been looking closely at every corner taken since this post. Every single one of them had the ball on the line. You've got some 'splaining to do

I wonder if he knows that the lines in soccer are the complete opposite of the lines in US sports? They are part of the area they bound. A ball standing outside the field can be in play.

 

[boubucarow]

But the incessant diving and the blatant cheating ... I can see why there is so much hatred of the sport.I mean, the ball is never placed inside the arc on a corner kick. It may seem trivial, but could you imagine LeBron James stepping 4 inches closer to the basket on every free throw and being inside the line? No, you can't. End Rant.

Just like every other use of lines in soccer, the law doesn't require the ball be in the circle, only some part of the ball touching it. And your analogy is awful

yeah, and i can't tell you how often the ball is not touching the line. it's well outside of it.

Alright, I never bothered to look at this before, but have been looking closely at every corner taken since this post. Every single one of them had the ball on the line. You've got some 'splaining to do

I wonder if he knows that the lines in soccer are the complete opposite of the lines in US sports? They are part of the area they bound. A ball standing outside the field can be in play.

Some of the placements have been questionable but not enough to notice a trend. In any case, this is a very weird reason to think people hate the sport.

 

[NewlyRetired]

But the incessant diving and the blatant cheating ... I can see why there is so much hatred of the sport.I mean, the ball is never placed inside the arc on a corner kick. It may seem trivial, but could you imagine LeBron James stepping 4 inches closer to the basket on every free throw and being inside the line? No, you can't. End Rant.

Just like every other use of lines in soccer, the law doesn't require the ball be in the circle, only some part of the ball touching it. And your analogy is awful

yeah, and i can't tell you how often the ball is not touching the line. it's well outside of it.

Alright, I never bothered to look at this before, but have been looking closely at every corner taken since this post. Every single one of them had the ball on the line. You've got some 'splaining to do

I wonder if he knows that the lines in soccer are the complete opposite of the lines in US sports? They are part of the area they bound. A ball standing outside the field can be in play.

The AR stands 3 feet from a corner as well. He would have to be blind to miss something so obvious as the ball outside the arc.

 

[Ursa M]

But the incessant diving and the blatant cheating ... I can see why there is so much hatred of the sport.I mean, the ball is never placed inside the arc on a corner kick. It may seem trivial, but could you imagine LeBron James stepping 4 inches closer to the basket on every free throw and being inside the line? No, you can't. End Rant.

Just like every other use of lines in soccer, the law doesn't require the ball be in the circle, only some part of the ball touching it. And your analogy is awful

yeah, and i can't tell you how often the ball is not touching the line. it's well outside of it.

Alright, I never bothered to look at this before, but have been looking closely at every corner taken since this post. Every single one of them had the ball on the line. You've got some 'splaining to do

I wonder if he knows that the lines in soccer are the complete opposite of the lines in US sports? They are part of the area they bound. A ball standing outside the field can be in play.

The AR stands 3 feet from a corner as well. He would have to be blind to miss something so obvious as the ball outside the arc.

Sometimes they don't bother to make a fuss if it's an inch or so. IIRC, as long as some part of the ball is overhanging the arc, it's fine. There's some latitude granted for crappy fields too though this wouldn't apply in a tournament of this magnitude.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Paul Grech (@paul_grech)

6/24/12 5:51 PM

Pirlo. Has just admitted on Italian TV that his kick was aimed at unsettling England's kickers.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

I dvr'd italy-england. Just watched a 0-0 gsme through the middle of the 2nd ot period and it cuts off. just watched a scoreless game without the payoff at the end. I guess italy won on pks.

 

[Christo]

I dvr'd italy-england. Just watched a 0-0 gsme through the middle of the 2nd ot period and it cuts off. just watched a scoreless game without the payoff at the end. I guess italy won on pks.

Pirlo's penalty was legendary.

 

[Sebowski]

Paul Grech (@paul_grech)6/24/12 5:51 PMPirlo. Has just admitted on Italian TV that his kick was aimed at unsettling England's kickers.

I thought it was a great way to shake Hart's confidence.

 

[ffldrew]

someone forgot to tell the Red Bulls the game started

 

[NewlyRetired]

someone forgot to tell the Red Bulls the game started

If he stays healthy, Chris Pontius has the chance to be the revelation of the January US National team camp.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

What a strike by Barklage!

 

[The Z Machine]

Ok, here's something I don't get. Basically, 3 announcers in a row just said that going to PK's was the only way that England could have won. Am I looking at a different roster than everybody else? England's team has at least half a dozen players capable of producing match winning goals. I get that they weren't the best team in this tournament, but how is it a that a team full of star players from arguably the best league in the world (top to bottom) is limited to playing for a coin toss?

Quick answer: They aren't that good.Extended quick answer: The best players in the EPL aren't English.

 

[((Morpheus))]

Ok, here's something I don't get. Basically, 3 announcers in a row just said that going to PK's was the only way that England could have won. Am I looking at a different roster than everybody else? England's team has at least half a dozen players capable of producing match winning goals. I get that they weren't the best team in this tournament, but how is it a that a team full of star players from arguably the best league in the world (top to bottom) is limited to playing for a coin toss?

Quick answer: They aren't that good.Extended quick answer: The best players in the EPL aren't English.

 

[TLEF316]

It just seems odd that a team with Wayne Rooney is talked about like a jv team just trying to not be embarrassed by the varsity.

Its not like this Italian group was a bunch of world beaters. Its a good team but nothing special

 

[The Z Machine]

It just seems odd that a team with Wayne Rooney is talked about like a jv team just trying to not be embarrassed by the varsity.Its not like this Italian group was a bunch of world beaters. Its a good team but nothing special

Juve > Liverpool and Pirlo > Gerrard

 

[Steve Tasker]

I have been watching Italy play for more than 2 decades now. I don't remember ever seeing them play so consistently honest (ie little diving).

I agree. And I've been an Italy fan as far back as my soccer fandom goes (longer than I've followed any other team, USMNT included), and I've never seen them playing this exciting a brand of soccer. Pretty cool to see, especially on the heels of the World Cup 2010 nightmare.

 

[NewlyRetired]

What a strike by Barklage!

What a fantastic story for this kidKid blows out left ACL. RecoversKid blows out right ACLWhile recovering is cut by DC UnitedPicked up by NYScores two from his right defender slot against DC including this fabulous strikehttp://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-06-24-ny-v-dc/highlights?videoID=190039

 

[Mjolnirs]

Ok, here's something I don't get. Basically, 3 announcers in a row just said that going to PK's was the only way that England could have won. Am I looking at a different roster than everybody else? England's team has at least half a dozen players capable of producing match winning goals. I get that they weren't the best team in this tournament, but how is it a that a team full of star players from arguably the best league in the world (top to bottom) is limited to playing for a coin toss?

Because the bolded is the biggest myth in sports.

Well he did say arguably and there is argument.

Because the bolded is the biggest myth in sports.

The European Champions League would indicate otherwise.

Oddly enough the EPL team there was completely outplayed, like England today, but won on PKs, unlike England today.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Re: the Spain game:

1) I think Spain's ability to quickly disrupt the opposition and win possession back after they lose it is underrated. It seems like every time France got the ball, they either lost it back quickly, or they passed quickly upfield, where their attacking players were cut off from support and were quickly outnumbered, and then dispossesed.

2) Malouda seemed completely uninterested on marking Alonso on the first goal. Criminally so. After that point, Spain played smart football. Call it boring or whatever, but France didn't have a shot on net in the second half. They're a team that's comfortable retaining possession than trying to bomb forward for another goal when there's no opportunity there (and possibly leave them open to a counter).

3) That said, I'm still not crazy about Fabregas as the striker after seeing a couple games with him in that role. I like Torres coming on as a late sub to try and break a high line and put a game away when Spain has the lead, but I don't know if he's the answer for 90 mins. Unfortunately, I think it's too late for Del Bosque to risk anything new.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Since England started to enter the World Cup and Euro's, there have been 29 tournaments combined.

England hosted two. Winning the World Cup in 1966, and getting to the Euro semi's in 1996.

In the 27 tournaments they did not host, the furthest they ever went was the semi-finals, and that was on just two occasions (Euro 1968, WC 1990).

 

[NewlyRetired]

Opta Sports (@OptaJoe)

6/25/12 5:13 AM

15 - England made only 15 passes in 15 minutes in the second period of extra-time last night. Frugal.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I have been watching Italy play for more than 2 decades now. I don't remember ever seeing them play so consistently honest (ie little diving).

I agree. And I've been an Italy fan as far back as my soccer fandom goes (longer than I've followed any other team, USMNT included), and I've never seen them playing this exciting a brand of soccer. Pretty cool to see, especially on the heels of the World Cup 2010 nightmare.

Pirlo fascinates me. He is moving at what appears to be 1/4 the speed of everyone else but still appears to have so much time on the ball.As a related thought: What I don't get tactically from England's view point is if you intend to play a 90% defensive game, why not take your most mobile defensive player and tell him not to move from Pirlo's hip? You won't lose anything offensively, since you don't want to attack much anyway.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Saw this on twitter. Not sure if it is shopped but damn funny if not. Look at red circle above goal on last pk

https://p.twimg.com/AwOvuHnCIAAk4Fo.jpg

 

[The Z Machine]

I was wondering what a midfield pairing of Xavi and Pirlo would look like. Slow as molasses but fantastic ball/body control and sublime passing.

 

[boubucarow]

I have been watching Italy play for more than 2 decades now. I don't remember ever seeing them play so consistently honest (ie little diving).

I agree. And I've been an Italy fan as far back as my soccer fandom goes (longer than I've followed any other team, USMNT included), and I've never seen them playing this exciting a brand of soccer. Pretty cool to see, especially on the heels of the World Cup 2010 nightmare.

Pirlo fascinates me. He is moving at what appears to be 1/4 the speed of everyone else but still appears to have so much time on the ball.As a related thought: What I don't get tactically from England's view point is if you intend to play a 90% defensive game, why not take your most mobile defensive player and tell him not to move from Pirlo's hip? You won't lose anything offensively, since you don't want to attack much anyway.

This was their biggest mistake. Early Pirlo was stuck in a triangle between Rooney, Welbeck, and either Parker or Gerrard and had no space to even receive the ball. England was very competitive in this early phase. However, the English center mids dropped back too far and neither Welbeck or Rooney payed much attention to Pirlo the rest of the match. Even Rooney or Welbeck could have changed the match by making it a point to stay on his hip while the other stayed forward. The space he had was criminal and he repeatedly set up tremendous scoring chances.I think the deep lying playmaker causes problems for some teams since their best defenders take on the attackers going forward. Pirlo is almost never in the box and often makes his plays from 40+ yards deep. It appears that some Italian teams had a bit of success using one of their attacking players to hound him. It will be interesting to see who Germany gives the responsibility to.

 

[Ursa M]

Ok, here's something I don't get. Basically, 3 announcers in a row just said that going to PK's was the only way that England could have won. Am I looking at a different roster than everybody else? England's team has at least half a dozen players capable of producing match winning goals. I get that they weren't the best team in this tournament, but how is it a that a team full of star players from arguably the best league in the world (top to bottom) is limited to playing for a coin toss?

Because the bolded is the biggest myth in sports.

Well he did say arguably and there is argument.

Because the bolded is the biggest myth in sports.

The European Champions League would indicate otherwise.

Oddly enough the EPL team there was completely outplayed, like England today, but won on PKs, unlike England today.

Taken over the entire existence of the ECL, the EPL looks good though, as was pointed out earlier, this is really only a reflection of the top of it, not the whole of it.

 

[Slapdash]

Re: the Spain game:1) I think Spain's ability to quickly disrupt the opposition and win possession back after they lose it is underrated. It seems like every time France got the ball, they either lost it back quickly, or they passed quickly upfield, where their attacking players were cut off from support and were quickly outnumbered, and then dispossesed. 2) Malouda seemed completely uninterested on marking Alonso on the first goal. Criminally so. After that point, Spain played smart football. Call it boring or whatever, but France didn't have a shot on net in the second half. They're a team that's comfortable retaining possession than trying to bomb forward for another goal when there's no opportunity there (and possibly leave them open to a counter).3) That said, I'm still not crazy about Fabregas as the striker after seeing a couple games with him in that role. I like Torres coming on as a late sub to try and break a high line and put a game away when Spain has the lead, but I don't know if he's the answer for 90 mins. Unfortunately, I think it's too late for Del Bosque to risk anything new.

The two holding MFs formation is part of what helps Spain kill a lot of these games. When you have Busquets, Xabi, and Xavi all on the field together play is going to be slowed and not as vertical. I would love to see a real 4-3-3 with Torres flanked by Navas and Silva/Pedro, but Del Bosque seems determined to play the defensive minded formation. Hard to argue with the scoreboard.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Paul Grech (@paul_grech)6/24/12 5:51 PMPirlo. Has just admitted on Italian TV that his kick was aimed at unsettling England's kickers.

Hart was acting like a clown out there so I was happy to see it. Zidane did the same to Buffon early in the 2006 final.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Paul Grech (@paul_grech)

6/24/12 5:51 PM

Pirlo. Has just admitted on Italian TV that his kick was aimed at unsettling England's kickers.

Hart was acting like a clown out there so I was happy to see it. Zidane did the same to Buffon early in the 2006 final.

yeah, Pirlo actually used Hart's actions in his decision to take the pk that way“I saw that the goalkeeper was really hyped and I thought I’d do it like that, it was easier to take it like that,” Pirlo told reporters after England’s Joe Hart had bounced up and down on the line and made funny faces.

 

[Slapdash]

Paul Grech (@paul_grech)

6/24/12 5:51 PM

Pirlo. Has just admitted on Italian TV that his kick was aimed at unsettling England's kickers.

Hart was acting like a clown out there so I was happy to see it. Zidane did the same to Buffon early in the 2006 final.

yeah, Pirlo actually used Hart's actions in his decision to take the pk that way“I saw that the goalkeeper was really hyped and I thought I’d do it like that, it was easier to take it like that,” Pirlo told reporters after England’s Joe Hart had bounced up and down on the line and made funny faces.

Yeah, Hart looked like an idiot out there.

 

[The Z Machine]

Paul Grech (@paul_grech)

6/24/12 5:51 PM

Pirlo. Has just admitted on Italian TV that his kick was aimed at unsettling England's kickers.

Hart was acting like a clown out there so I was happy to see it. Zidane did the same to Buffon early in the 2006 final.

yeah, Pirlo actually used Hart's actions in his decision to take the pk that way“I saw that the goalkeeper was really hyped and I thought I’d do it like that, it was easier to take it like that,” Pirlo told reporters after England’s Joe Hart had bounced up and down on the line and made funny faces.

Yeah, Hart looked like an idiot out there.

My wife said, "what the hell is that guy doing? He's British, not Maori."

 

[TLEF316]

Freaking woz....

 

[Major]

I put long shot money on Portugal to win the Cup. Spain will miss Messi and CRonaldo. I'm only worried Germany in the finals.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Spain will miss Messi and CRonaldo.

Mike and Mike?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Spain will miss Messi and CRonaldo.

Mike and Mike?

I assume that was the joke.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The LA vs SJ game at Stanford Stadium is officially sold out at 50k.