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

[Steve Tasker]

One step above public access?

Rob Stone apologizing profusely after this.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Snoozer of a CL slate tomorrow. No spots to be won or lost. All the good stuff is on Wed.

 

[LHUCKS]

Most overrated = Dolo at 6Most underrated = Lichaj at 34

Based on what? Cherundolo has been solid for the US and is captain of a Bundesliga team.Lichaj has been on the outs with Klinsmann and his irregular appearances with Villa have been more due to injury to others than his form.

It's not a life achievement award, Dolo is getting visibly slower IMHO. As for Lichaj, not sure why Klinsmann hates on him, he mostly seems solid to me.

 

[Mello]

Looks like viewership for MLS Cup is going to come in at around 1 million viewers based on the overnights. Pretty much the same as the last few years as TV continues to be the one mountain MLS can not yet climb.

They can't play the thing on an NFL Sunday and expect people to watch.

 

[LHUCKS]

Looks like viewership for MLS Cup is going to come in at around 1 million viewers based on the overnights. Pretty much the same as the last few years as TV continues to be the one mountain MLS can not yet climb.

They can't play the thing on an NFL Sunday and expect people to watch.

exactly, terrible time slot...soccer needs to go up against basketball/hockey/baseball, not football.

 

[El Floppo]

Shawn Francis (@TheOffsideRules)12/3/12, 11:49 AMNY2 stadium plans to be unveiled in Queens tomorrow night at 7pm. That should be fun.

I've said it before- for me, at least, it's quicker and easier to get to RBNY stadium than it will be to get to that part of Queens.

LIRR from Penn goes right there

Exactly.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Looks like viewership for MLS Cup is going to come in at around 1 million viewers based on the overnights. Pretty much the same as the last few years as TV continues to be the one mountain MLS can not yet climb.

They can't play the thing on an NFL Sunday and expect people to watch.

Last years MLS Cup Final game on Sunday night was rated slightly higher on the overnights but there is not really a good choice when playing the final in late Nov/early Dec.

 

[Moe.]

PSG will try to win today, correct?

 

[NewlyRetired]

PSG will try to win today, correct?

Right now the seeded teams are Malaga, Dortmund, Barca and Man UThe Unseeded teams are Real Madrid and AC MilanNo one else knows their position yet. Since it is too early to really determine if you want to be a seeded or unseeded team in the draw, PSG will have to ask themselves how important will hosting the second leg in the knock out round be to them.

 

[NewlyRetired]

PSG will try to win today, correct?

Right now the seeded teams are Malaga, Dortmund, Barca and Man UThe Unseeded teams are Real Madrid and AC MilanNo one else knows their position yet. Since it is too early to really determine if you want to be a seeded or unseeded team in the draw, PSG will have to ask themselves how important will hosting the second leg in the knock out round be to them.

I should add that most teams would have a fiduciary responsibility to try and win the game today but I don't get the feeling that balancing the books is high on their list of priorities.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Zach Pfeffer is 17 years old and was the Unions very first homegrown player. He has had a hard time cracking the Union lineup but someone how Hoffenheim agreed to a one year loan with the player.

He will miss the entire 2013 Season for the Union.

Hoff must really see seem potential for the kid but it seems strange to me that a kid that can't get into an MLS game is going to see any real time in the Bundesliga or Bundesliga 2 if they drop next season.

His loan starts in January, one day after his 18th Birthday allowing him to play if need be.

 

[guru_007]

PSG will try to win today, correct?

Porto for me.

 

[El Floppo]

Most overrated = Dolo at 6Most underrated = Lichaj at 34

Based on what? Cherundolo has been solid for the US and is captain of a Bundesliga team.Lichaj has been on the outs with Klinsmann and his irregular appearances with Villa have been more due to injury to others than his form.

It's not a life achievement award, Dolo is getting visibly slower IMHO. As for Lichaj, not sure why Klinsmann hates on him, he mostly seems solid to me.

You've been watching Hannover games? [/rhetorical question]Weren't we all commenting the last couple times out for the US how remarkable it was that Cherundolo was keeping up with very pacey opposing players? Is that the visibly slower thing you've latched on to and keep repeating, regardless of what happens on the field?eta: I don't know why I bother.

 

[El Floppo]

So that MLS Cup final was an interesting watch.

Very interesting to see the two styles, with Houston playing so well through the MF and keeping such great shape throughout- all signs of solid coaching on Kinnear's part, IMO. But lack of class hurt them up front, especially when Hall went down (as somebody else mentioned in here). That Bruin? kid was pretty useless around the ball.

Really fun to see the connection LD and Keane have established with eachother- always looking for the other guy and knowing what runs theyr'e making. Two guys who always seem two steps ahead of everybody else on the field. I hope LD sticks around- and if Kaka (ka-KAW) joins them- wow. That would make for a fantastic CL run. And again, I thought the role players: Franklin, Dunavant, Magee, Meyer- all did a fantastic job. That Wilhelmsen guy was a black hole every time he got the ball... which makes me think he'll end up in NY.

All in all, a fun game to watch at times. And even though #### LA, it makes for a good story sending Becks... and maybe even LD... out on a high.

 

[Sebowski]

Based on what? Cherundolo has been solid for the US and is captain of a Bundesliga team.

Will Dolo retire as the most beloved Yank Abroad in history by his own team and its supporters?McBride is well-regarded at Fulham, but his time there was pretty short. Friedel moved around quite a bit. Dempsey, uhh... probably not.Reina is remembered at Rangers, but hardly renowned.Who am I forgetting? Is there anyone that compares to Steve J's run at Hannover?

It is a shame what Dempsey did to Fulham just to go sit mid table at Spurs. I still can't make sense of it. Maybe he didn't realize Chelsea grabbed their CL spot by "winning"* it.

Tied for 3rd is hardly mid-table.

It's early. Seriously though, last I looked I thought I saw them right at the middle. I should have looked again.

 

[Sebowski]

Based on what? Cherundolo has been solid for the US and is captain of a Bundesliga team.

Will Dolo retire as the most beloved Yank Abroad in history by his own team and its supporters?McBride is well-regarded at Fulham, but his time there was pretty short. Friedel moved around quite a bit. Dempsey, uhh... probably not.Reina is remembered at Rangers, but hardly renowned.Who am I forgetting? Is there anyone that compares to Steve J's run at Hannover?

It is a shame what Dempsey did to Fulham just to go sit mid table at Spurs. I still can't make sense of it. Maybe he didn't realize Chelsea grabbed their CL spot by "winning"* it.

Tied for 3rd is hardly mid-table.

Plus, the details I've seen about that situation is pretty sketchy to be saying that Dempsey did something to Fulham.

What details?

 

[NewlyRetired]

So that MLS Cup final was an interesting watch.Very interesting to see the two styles, with Houston playing so well through the MF and keeping such great shape throughout- all signs of solid coaching on Kinnear's part, IMO. But lack of class hurt them up front, especially when Hall went down (as somebody else mentioned in here). That Bruin? kid was pretty useless around the ball.Really fun to see the connection LD and Keane have established with eachother- always looking for the other guy and knowing what runs theyr'e making. Two guys who always seem two steps ahead of everybody else on the field. I hope LD sticks around- and if Kaka (ka-KAW) joins them- wow. That would make for a fantastic CL run. And again, I thought the role players: Franklin, Dunavant, Magee, Meyer- all did a fantastic job. That Wilhelmsen guy was a black hole every time he got the ball... which makes me think he'll end up in NY.All in all, a fun game to watch at times. And even though #### LA, it makes for a good story sending Becks... and maybe even LD... out on a high.

lots of great points. Let me respond to them1) agree with you and Kansas Comet that Houston's whole game turned when Carr got hurt (I think you meant Carr and not Hall).2) I was very meh on Keane last year. Played ok, and a bit better in the playoffs. This year he was next to useless in the beginning of the season. But one could easily argue he has been the best player in the league since mid season. If he was affective last year for a short term EPL team, I think he would do just as well there again this winter if he was so inclined3) I have seen Wilhelmsen play a bunch this year for LA since he joined the team and he never fit in. I think he played in every game for Sweden this summer in the Euro Championships so he has to have some sort of quality but maybe he is still finding he way in the new league and country which can be tough for some players no matter how good they are.4) I have never been impressed with Bruin but he does seem to find a way to score goals, which at his cut rate price is nothing to snub when trying to build an MLS side.5) Instead of NY getting a 30 year old Kaka who can likely still play very well in MLS, the rumor is that the NY brain trust is instead looking at 37 year old Juninho Pernambucano from Vasco Degama. Great player in his day but MLS should be signing these players at younger ages like they did Becks, Henry, Keane and maybe Kaka who were all in very early 30's.http://www.soccernews.com/new-york-red-bulls-keen-on-juninho-pernambucano/108320/I guess if they can get him at a cut rate price why not, but if they spend a DP slot on him that would be very risky IMO.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

5) Instead of NY getting a 30 year old Kaka who can likely still play very well in MLS, the rumor is that the NY brain trust is instead looking at 37 year old Juninho Pernambucano from Vasco Degama. Great player in his day but MLS should be signing these players at younger ages like they did Becks, Henry, Keane and maybe Kaka who were all in very early 30's.http://www.soccernews.com/new-york-red-bulls-keen-on-juninho-pernambucano/108320/

Upping the "great free kick taker" ante, I guess. This guy makes Becks look like me from 30 yards out.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Looks like viewership for MLS Cup is going to come in at around 1 million viewers based on the overnights.

Pretty much the same as the last few years as TV continues to be the one mountain MLS can not yet climb.

They can't play the thing on an NFL Sunday and expect people to watch.

Last years MLS Cup Final game on Sunday night was rated slightly higher on the overnights but there is not really a good choice when playing the final in late Nov/early Dec.

looks like 800k viewers was the final number. A little higher than I predicted here in this post but still not an even a "just ok" number IMO.

 

[El Floppo]

5) Instead of NY getting a 30 year old Kaka who can likely still play very well in MLS, the rumor is that the NY brain trust is instead looking at 37 year old Juninho Pernambucano from Vasco Degama. Great player in his day but MLS should be signing these players at younger ages like they did Becks, Henry, Keane and maybe Kaka who were all in very early 30's.http://www.soccernews.com/new-york-red-bulls-keen-on-juninho-pernambucano/108320/

Upping the "great free kick taker" ante, I guess. This guy makes Becks look like me from 30 yards out.

The Lyon Juninho? Yeah. That's exactly the guy NY needs. Let's burn ALL the DP spots on him. Why not?

 

[NewlyRetired]

5) Instead of NY getting a 30 year old Kaka who can likely still play very well in MLS, the rumor is that the NY brain trust is instead looking at 37 year old Juninho Pernambucano from Vasco Degama. Great player in his day but MLS should be signing these players at younger ages like they did Becks, Henry, Keane and maybe Kaka who were all in very early 30's.http://www.soccernews.com/new-york-red-bulls-keen-on-juninho-pernambucano/108320/

Upping the "great free kick taker" ante, I guess. This guy makes Becks look like me from 30 yards out.

The Lyon Juninho? Yeah. That's exactly the guy NY needs. Let's burn ALL the DP spots on him. Why not?

Yes he played with Lyon from most of the previous decade. Great player or at least he was. Have not seen him play in years.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

The Zagreb/Kiev game is in the middle of a blizzard. They're playing with a red ball.

 

[Moe.]

I wonder if deep-down City would prefer to finish fourth and not have to mess with Europa.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I wonder if deep-down City would prefer to finish fourth and not have to mess with Europa.

It is some money, right? Why not just qualify and let the reserves/youfs have at it?Moot now.

 

[dparker713]

Based on what? Cherundolo has been solid for the US and is captain of a Bundesliga team.

Will Dolo retire as the most beloved Yank Abroad in history by his own team and its supporters?McBride is well-regarded at Fulham, but his time there was pretty short. Friedel moved around quite a bit. Dempsey, uhh... probably not.Reina is remembered at Rangers, but hardly renowned.Who am I forgetting? Is there anyone that compares to Steve J's run at Hannover?

It is a shame what Dempsey did to Fulham just to go sit mid table at Spurs. I still can't make sense of it. Maybe he didn't realize Chelsea grabbed their CL spot by "winning"* it.

Tied for 3rd is hardly mid-table.

Plus, the details I've seen about that situation is pretty sketchy to be saying that Dempsey did something to Fulham.

What details?

Exactly my point.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Zach Pfeffer is 17 years old and was the Unions very first homegrown player. He has had a hard time cracking the Union lineup but someone how Hoffenheim agreed to a one year loan with the player. He will miss the entire 2013 Season for the Union. Hoff must really see seem potential for the kid but it seems strange to me that a kid that can't get into an MLS game is going to see any real time in the Bundesliga or Bundesliga 2 if they drop next season.His loan starts in January, one day after his 18th Birthday allowing him to play if need be.

Pfeffer trained with Hoffenheim last offseason and there were articles talking about them wanting him to stay then.As far as why he isn't getting regular minutes for the union, it might be an MLS style issue, as he's got the potential to be a very good creative midfielder, but he's got a small frame and hasn't filled out yet, which usually limits you in the physical world of MLS.That said, he has real skills, and captained the Union team that won the SUM cup this summer. Really pulling for the kid

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Messi starting tomorrow. I hate this.

 

[Mjolnirs]

Not even a damn replay of the Bayern game tomorrow on any of the Fox stations.

 

[Sebowski]

Messi starting tomorrow. I hate this.

If there was ever a time to give the kid a break... Hopefully he scores 2 quick ones and they get him out of there.

 

[dparker713]

Messi starting tomorrow. I hate this.

If there was ever a time to give the kid a break... Hopefully he scores 2 quick ones and they get him out of there.

Sounds more like you need to force him to sit than give him a break.

 

[The Gator]

Not even a damn replay of the Bayern game tomorrow on any of the Fox stations.

Who?

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Messi starting tomorrow. I hate this.

If there was ever a time to give the kid a break... Hopefully he scores 2 quick ones and they get him out of there.

Sounds more like you need to force him to sit than give him a break.

He's sat before in meaningless games. I'd rather see them start Villa in the middle and let the kids play.

 

[The Z Machine]

It's not meaningless if he wants the record. Hell maybe he's going for 100 goals in a year.

 

[Mjolnirs]

Not even a damn replay of the Bayern game tomorrow on any of the Fox stations.

Who?

just some podunk club I follow.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Not even a damn replay of the Bayern game tomorrow on any of the Fox stations.

Who?

just some podunk club I follow.

Have you looked into foxsoccer2go.com? They are showing the Bayern game live.

 

[Mjolnirs]

Not even a damn replay of the Bayern game tomorrow on any of the Fox stations.

Who?

just some podunk club I follow.

Have you looked into foxsoccer2go.com? They are showing the Bayern game live.

Sadly nearly every streaming site is blocked at work. I used to listen to matches over B5 internet radio out of Munich, but that is blocked now too.Thanks though.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Not even a damn replay of the Bayern game tomorrow on any of the Fox stations.

Who?

just some podunk club I follow.

Have you looked into foxsoccer2go.com? They are showing the Bayern game live.

Sadly nearly every streaming site is blocked at work. I used to listen to matches over B5 internet radio out of Munich, but that is blocked now too.Thanks though.

The service does not only show live games. You can access most games On Demand for up to 7 days so you could watch as soon as you got home if that is something that would interest you.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Looks like the first US qualifier may be during the day time hours.

The U.S. national team’s first match in the final round of 2014 World Cup qualifying is just eight weeks away, a visit to San Pedro Sula’s Olimpico Metropolitano Stadium to face Honduras. The latest word from various contacts is that the match, despite being played on a Wednesday, will kick off at 3 p.m. local time (4 p.m. ET) to take advantage of warmer conditions. BeIN Sport has U.S. TV rights.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Not sure what is in the water up there but I hope they keep drinking itFrom Soccer America

[MLS 2013] Contemplating Portland Timbers' season tickets for 2013? You’re too late. They’re gone. Already.The MLS team announced Tuesday it has sold out an increased allotment of season tickets for the 2013 season, which had been capped at 15,250. In 2012, the number of season tickets available at JELD-WEN Field was capped at 14,750, and once again, demand has far outstripped supply.An increase in season tickets of 500 seats went quickly as fans renewed at a rate of 96 percent, leaving about 6,500 fans on the season-ticket waiting list. JELD-WEN Field (capacity: 20,438) has been sold out for each of the Timbers’ 34 home matches in the first two MLS seasons.A lottery was held to determine which season-ticket holders who wanted additional seats would be offered the opportunity, and the rest of the increased allotment went to patrons on the waiting list.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Here is an interesting ratings nugget to digest

You could take the single most watched game of the year from the EPL, MLS, La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga, add them all together and they would struggle to beat the MFL Final which drew 2.9 million fans this weekend.

I think one of the most interesting aspects of the new EPL TV deal will be to see how the Hispanic audience takes to the EPL. MLS has had marginal success in converting that massive fan base over to their product. It will be fun to see if the EPL can crack it.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Here is an interesting ratings nugget to digestYou could take the single most watched game of the year from the EPL, MLS, La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga, add them all together and they would struggle to beat the MFL Final which drew 2.9 million fans this weekend.I think one of the most interesting aspects of the new EPL TV deal will be to see how the Hispanic audience takes to the EPL. MLS has had marginal success in converting that massive fan base over to their product. It will be fun to see if the EPL can crack it.

FYI, I think ESPN Deportes shows EPL games during the weekend. Don't know how heavily they promote it though.I've started watching MNF in Spanish. It's kind of awesome.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Here is an interesting ratings nugget to digestYou could take the single most watched game of the year from the EPL, MLS, La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga, add them all together and they would struggle to beat the MFL Final which drew 2.9 million fans this weekend.I think one of the most interesting aspects of the new EPL TV deal will be to see how the Hispanic audience takes to the EPL. MLS has had marginal success in converting that massive fan base over to their product. It will be fun to see if the EPL can crack it.

FYI, I think ESPN Deportes shows EPL games during the weekend.

Fox Sports Deportes does as well I believe, but both those stations have such a low household penetration they don't make a dent in the market.Next year EPL will be on Telemundo which obviously dwarfs the little cable niche Spanish channels and should open up the EPL to a much wider Hispanic audience.

 

[The Gator]

Not even a damn replay of the Bayern game tomorrow on any of the Fox stations.

Who?

just some podunk club I follow.

Really wish the Bundesliga was on more, too.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Not even a damn replay of the Bayern game tomorrow on any of the Fox stations.

Who?

just some podunk club I follow.

Really wish the Bundesliga was on more, too.

GolTV refuses to takes its last breath. If and when GolTv goes under either beIN or FSC should pick up the Bundesliga. FSC is really going to need programming next fall if they don't want to turn into a 50% infomercial station, assuming Fox even lets the channel stand.

 

[Eephus]

MARTIN JOL admits Bryan Ruiz's international commitments are getting in the way of Fulham's progress this season.The Whites boss expects the Costa Rican to have made a full recovery from a hamstring injury this week and be available for Monday's visit of Newcastle to Craven Cottage.But the Dutchman says a recurring theme for the 27-year-old has been returning from long overseas trips less than 100 per cent. It is a familiar lament for the manager, who made similar observations about Mohamadou Diarra after he returned from Mali with a knee injury at the start of the season.“This year, he [Ruiz] is much stronger than last year and every time I played him, he was one of our better players, so he's coping with English football,” Jol said. “But every time he goes to Costa Rica, he comes back with an injury. “He's captain of his country, so he wants to play there and of course, we have to allow him to play there, but he had two or three times thislast year when he went and came back with a little problem.”

I approve this message

 

[NewlyRetired]

MARTIN JOL admits Bryan Ruiz's international commitments are getting in the way of Fulham's progress this season.The Whites boss expects the Costa Rican to have made a full recovery from a hamstring injury this week and be available for Monday's visit of Newcastle to Craven Cottage.But the Dutchman says a recurring theme for the 27-year-old has been returning from long overseas trips less than 100 per cent. It is a familiar lament for the manager, who made similar observations about Mohamadou Diarra after he returned from Mali with a knee injury at the start of the season.“This year, he [Ruiz] is much stronger than last year and every time I played him, he was one of our better players, so he's coping with English football,” Jol said. “But every time he goes to Costa Rica, he comes back with an injury. “He's captain of his country, so he wants to play there and of course, we have to allow him to play there, but he had two or three times thislast year when he went and came back with a little problem.”

I approve this message

He should not play for Costa Rica, specifically on March 22, and September 6th.

 

[NewlyRetired]

FIFA must have figured out that goal line technology would reduce the bribes refs can get, so they covered that loop hole with this latest decision. God I hate FIFA and all governing soccer bodies :(

Soccer's governing body isn't that big on technology, which is why you occasionally see the odd refereeing mistake (or two). Fans may have hoped that the goal-line experiments at this month's Club World Cup would be the dawn of a new era in which computers are trusted as final arbiters. But it's clear that FIFA isn't ready to go that far just yet. Secretary General Jerome Valcke has announced that referees will get to decide 90 minutes before kick-off whether to use the Hawkeye and GoalRef systems, and will have the authority to overrule the systems' evidence during the game. We're still hopeful that the men in black will accept the help of this technology, but if they don't, we may have to switch to a more computer-literate pastime.

 

[GoFishTN]

FIFA must have figured out that goal line technology would reduce the bribes refs can get, so they covered that loop hole with this latest decision. God I hate FIFA and all governing soccer bodies :(

Soccer's governing body isn't that big on technology, which is why you occasionally see the odd refereeing mistake (or two). Fans may have hoped that the goal-line experiments at this month's Club World Cup would be the dawn of a new era in which computers are trusted as final arbiters. But it's clear that FIFA isn't ready to go that far just yet. Secretary General Jerome Valcke has announced that referees will get to decide 90 minutes before kick-off whether to use the Hawkeye and GoalRef systems, and will have the authority to overrule the systems' evidence during the game. We're still hopeful that the men in black will accept the help of this technology, but if they don't, we may have to switch to a more computer-literate pastime.

 

[Christo]

FIFA must have figured out that goal line technology would reduce the bribes refs can get, so they covered that loop hole with this latest decision. God I hate FIFA and all governing soccer bodies :(

Soccer's governing body isn't that big on technology, which is why you occasionally see the odd refereeing mistake (or two). Fans may have hoped that the goal-line experiments at this month's Club World Cup would be the dawn of a new era in which computers are trusted as final arbiters. But it's clear that FIFA isn't ready to go that far just yet. Secretary General Jerome Valcke has announced that referees will get to decide 90 minutes before kick-off whether to use the Hawkeye and GoalRef systems, and will have the authority to overrule the systems' evidence during the game. We're still hopeful that the men in black will accept the help of this technology, but if they don't, we may have to switch to a more computer-literate pastime.

Hell, why don't they also give the refs the option of whether they want linesmen?

 

[The Gator]

If Juve lose and Chelsea lose will Rafa be fired?