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

Meanwhile, current Copa holders Uruguay lost at Chile and are at severe risk of not making it out of their group - with 13 points from 11 games and currently in 6th. In Conmebol, 1-4 qualify and 5 has to play in.

 
Meanwhile, current Copa holders Uruguay lost at Chile and are at severe risk of not making it out of their group - with 13 points from 11 games and currently in 6th. In Conmebol, 1-4 qualify and 5 has to play in.
yeah I talked about this yesterday My linknot only are they in 6th, the team behind them is just 2 back and has a game in hand. They could be in 7th.

Should be a very fun run down the stretch to watch this. South America is so loaded it is sick. On level terms, their worst team is probably Bolivia but even with them they are so much better than first glance because of their massive home field advantage.

 
Bradley's was not clear to me. Every time I rewatch it, Bradley's hands are most definitively on his back but Hernandez appears to fall before Bradley's arms extend. I think Hernandez embellished that one quite a bit.
I haven't rewatched it so you might be right. In any case, having your arms on someone like that in the penalty box during an away CONCACAF match is just asking for it. Risky, dumb play from Bradley.
 
Bradley's was not clear to me. Every time I rewatch it, Bradley's hands are most definitively on his back but Hernandez appears to fall before Bradley's arms extend. I think Hernandez embellished that one quite a bit.
I haven't rewatched it so you might be right. In any case, having your arms on someone like that in the penalty box during an away CONCACAF match is just asking for it. Risky, dumb play from Bradley.
agreed. Scared the piss out of me.
 
John Ourand ‏@Ourand_SBJ

UniMás corrected last night's USA-Mexico ratings. It averaged 4.8 million viewers (not 7.8M). Still the net's highest rated telecast ever.

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

still an awesome number though

 
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The US Mexico game drew an enormous 1.6 last night in the overnights. The twitter folks expect this to be the highest rated and most watched qualifier ever on ESPN when the final numbers come in. The highest rated games before this were US Jam in 1997 and US Mexico in 2009 which came in at a final rating of .7. This game was also on Unimas at the same time which likely drew even better numbers. This is likely going to be the most watched soccer game (league or national team game) ever for a non WC finals game. Great to see so many people starting to watch qualifiers. With the 5 games in close proximity this summer, they have a nice chance to build a solid consistent following.
I think the snow game helped a lot - it was such a story even on regular news for a couple of days(with the protest story carrying it further) - the positive result was built up that the USMNT were warriors and then the word got out on the Azteca match and how important it could be. Looks like they will need some epic conditions in June.
I was reading comments on the Daily Mail and one other primarily British news website, and they were almost uniformly positive about the CR game being played in the snow, saying that's winter weather and you play in it. A lot also added in a disgusted tone that their own team likely wouldn't have played in it.
 
The US Mexico game drew an enormous 1.6 last night in the overnights. The twitter folks expect this to be the highest rated and most watched qualifier ever on ESPN when the final numbers come in. The highest rated games before this were US Jam in 1997 and US Mexico in 2009 which came in at a final rating of .7. This game was also on Unimas at the same time which likely drew even better numbers. This is likely going to be the most watched soccer game (league or national team game) ever for a non WC finals game. Great to see so many people starting to watch qualifiers. With the 5 games in close proximity this summer, they have a nice chance to build a solid consistent following.
I think the snow game helped a lot - it was such a story even on regular news for a couple of days(with the protest story carrying it further) - the positive result was built up that the USMNT were warriors and then the word got out on the Azteca match and how important it could be. Looks like they will need some epic conditions in June.
I was reading comments on the Daily Mail and one other primarily British news website, and they were almost uniformly positive about the CR game being played in the snow, saying that's winter weather and you play in it. A lot also added in a disgusted tone that their own team likely wouldn't have played in it.
I watched about 40 minutes of the CR Jam game yesterday and seeing them play on a dry field turf field makes me feel like we got very lucky with the weather.When we play them down there Fab is going to have to be on his game and stay at home because Campbell appears to be channeling Gareth Bale from a few years ago before his game got refined. Just constant pressure pressure pressure by running at opponents with no regards for care.Not the prettiest thing in the world but he was doing enough to spin Jamaica (no slouches in the speed department themselves) completely out of shape.
 
The talking points on these last two games appear to be endless. Lots of good stuff people are posting in this thread. :thumbup:

I noticed one thing last night (and its not the first time).

When Brek Shea was getting ready to sub in, the goalkeeper coach in Chris Woods was the one going over tactics with him.

Not Klinsmann,

not Vasquez,

not one of the sweetest left footed midfielders in the past 30 years in Andreas Herzog,

the goalkeeping coach.

Just odd.

 
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- I think it's interesting how we criticize other teams for playing "negatively", yet we're all thrilled about last night's result. Funny how that works.
It works because the US brought a technically weak and unhealthy team into a very inhospitable environment. This wasn't Chelsea bunkering down to win the CL last year with players the quality of Lampard, Drogba, Mata, Kalou, Mikel and Torres on the field.
 
- I think it's interesting how we criticize other teams for playing "negatively", yet we're all thrilled about last night's result. Funny how that works.
It works because the US brought a technically weak and unhealthy team into a very inhospitable environment. This wasn't Chelsea bunkering down to win the CL last year with players the quality of Lampard, Drogba, Mata, Kalou, Mikel and Torres on the field.
You could make the case that last year's Chelsea team was similarly outclassed.
 
Looks like 7.2 million was the combined audience. Great numbers.

BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) - The scoreless tie between the United States and Mexico more than doubled the previous high viewership for a World Cup qualifier on an ESPN network.

The game Tuesday night was watched by 2.385 million people on ESPN. The company said Wednesday that the previous high was 1.191 million viewers for a 2009 U.S.-Mexico match on ESPN2.
 
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- I think it's interesting how we criticize other teams for playing "negatively", yet we're all thrilled about last night's result. Funny how that works.
It works because the US brought a technically weak and unhealthy team into a very inhospitable environment. This wasn't Chelsea bunkering down to win the CL last year with players the quality of Lampard, Drogba, Mata, Kalou, Mikel and Torres on the field.
You could make the case that last year's Chelsea team was similarly outclassed.
Funny, I was complaining about the bunkering to Mjolnirs about an hour ago.
 
Mexico's home record in the Hex

1998: 3-0-2, 11 points

2002: 4-0-1, 12 points

2006: 5-0-0, 15 points

2010: 5-0-0, 15 points

Mexico needs to sweep its last 3 games to even match their worst home record in the hex this cycle.

Here is the corresponding road record for Mexico

1998: 1-4-0, 7 points

2002: 1-2-2, 5 points

2006: 2-1-2, 7 points

2010: 1-1-3, 4 points

 
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So with 6-7 different wing backs hopefully healthy again by summer, that likely allows Cam to move back to the middle. Does Besler's emergence hammer the final nail in Boca's coffin?

Boca's club career could end pretty quickly too. He probably could have received a decent deal from an MLS side last fall, but if he is no longer a national team player and can't even get a second of playing time where he is now, he is either going to have to take a monster cut in pay or retire.

 
March 26 (Reuters) - Italy's Serie B will introduce a player salary cap next season in a bid to save cash-strapped clubs from extinction."It was unanimously decided that contracts starting from July 1 must be standardised with a fixed and variable element each not exceeding 150,000 euros ($192,900) gross," a Serie B statement said on Tuesday after a meeting between club owners.Italy's second tier sides have long suffered from low crowds, dilapidated stadiums, reduced television income and a lack of transfer income with the top flight Serie A teams often preferring to look abroad for new recruits.Salary caps have often been mooted in soccer but few top leagues have instituted a system common in other team sports, although European governing body UEFA is imposing financial fair play rules requiring leading clubs to balance their books.
 
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So the guy, Brian Straus who broke the story with all the anon quotes in it about JK was layed off last night by Sporting News along with at least 11 other writers. He was the sites only soccer writer.

 
So the guy, Brian Straus who broke the story with all the anon quotes in it about JK was layed off last night by Sporting News along with at least 11 other writers. He was the sites only soccer writer.
Don't eff with JK.
well at least his timing was good. His profile is up a billion times over what it was before the story broke and got a ton of good comments from his fellow media writers. Even though I was not enamored with a story with anon quotes, I do hope it is enough to help him land a new job.
 
I do think the timing of the story was terrible. It's one thing to write that kind of story, but to do so on the eve of some big qualifiers is a whole different things and could have had some negative consequences relating directly to the US's chances of qualifying.

 
I do think the timing of the story was terrible. It's one thing to write that kind of story, but to do so on the eve of some big qualifiers is a whole different things and could have had some negative consequences relating directly to the US's chances of qualifying.
Welcome to being relevant
 
I do think the timing of the story was terrible. It's one thing to write that kind of story, but to do so on the eve of some big qualifiers is a whole different things and could have had some negative consequences relating directly to the US's chances of qualifying.
I think the story was in the can for a while and the editors chose when to release it for maximum exposure. The writer had nothing to do with when it was released. And while I am not a journalist, I don't think they have any responsibility to whether a released story will have negative consequences on a team since that is impossible to predict. Heck, a few people in this thread have mentioned the possibility that the article actually had a positive affect on the team as they may have circled the wagons which was the exact attitude needed for these two games.
 
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Casual soccer follower here... mainly just gear up during the WC. What are the chances the US advances? Top 3 get an auto bid, correct? I see the US is right in the middle of the group standings at this point. How does the rest of the group outside of Mexico stack up/what are the expectations on who advances?
At this point, I think the chances of qualifying are around 85% or so. Just an estimate.
here is the exact SPI percentages from ESPN after last nights game for the chances of the various teams in the hex to advance to the WC. (these include the possibility of 4th place and playing New Zealand home and home). Mex 86.4%USA 77.5%CR 76.5%Hon 55.4%Pan 50.6%Jam 19.2%
Shouldn't they add up to 400 then?
Those are the chances of qualifying for the World Cup Finals, so there's a > 0% chance that NZL will defeat whoever finishes fourth.
Ahhhh, I thought that was just the chances of making it out of the hex. Thanks.
 
'Sammy3469 said:
'gianmarco said:
I do think the timing of the story was terrible. It's one thing to write that kind of story, but to do so on the eve of some big qualifiers is a whole different things and could have had some negative consequences relating directly to the US's chances of qualifying.
Welcome to being relevant
:goodposting: That story wasn't going to get noticed and discussed for days unless it was during an international break.
 
Hey guys, I think everyone should sit down a bit, because this is kind of shocking news.

Abou Diaby has a serious injury
I sincerely hope that he's played his last game in an Arsenal shirt. The guy's immensely talented - I think his ceiling is in Yaya Toure territory - but he could never stay healthy enough to get the time in the first time he needed to develop.

What I dread is him going elsewhere and staying healthy, but I've had enough now.

 
As we have been speculating for many months now, Fox officially announced that Fox Soccer will be rebranded. All remaining Fox Soccer properties will move to Fox Sports 1 and Fox Soccer will become FXX.

This will occur at the end of August.

 
WASHINGTON -- Landon Donovan has returned to training with the Los Angeles Galaxy.Now his goal is to work his way back into the national team picture.Donovan, who asked club coach Bruce Arena for an extended offseason after the Galaxy's MLS Cup triumph early last December, said Thursday that it will take some time to regain his form."I realize that I have a long way to go, both on the field and off the field, to work back into the national team, and that's my goal," Donovan said after a training session with the Galaxy at Georgetown. "I miss being a part of that. I want to represent my country again."
 
WASHINGTON -- Landon Donovan has returned to training with the Los Angeles Galaxy.Now his goal is to work his way back into the national team picture.Donovan, who asked club coach Bruce Arena for an extended offseason after the Galaxy's MLS Cup triumph early last December, said Thursday that it will take some time to regain his form."I realize that I have a long way to go, both on the field and off the field, to work back into the national team, and that's my goal," Donovan said after a training session with the Galaxy at Georgetown. "I miss being a part of that. I want to represent my country again."
Heard an interview today with Mcgee and he thinks LD might be ready for the CCL game next week against Monterrey. :blackdot:
 
WASHINGTON -- Landon Donovan has returned to training with the Los Angeles Galaxy.Now his goal is to work his way back into the national team picture.Donovan, who asked club coach Bruce Arena for an extended offseason after the Galaxy's MLS Cup triumph early last December, said Thursday that it will take some time to regain his form."I realize that I have a long way to go, both on the field and off the field, to work back into the national team, and that's my goal," Donovan said after a training session with the Galaxy at Georgetown. "I miss being a part of that. I want to represent my country again."
Heard an interview today with Mcgee and he thinks LD might be ready for the CCL game next week against Monterrey. :blackdot:
That would be fantastic. If thats true he likely kept in decent shape on walkabout. What a fun game that is going to be for Gonzo with his families ties to Monterrey. Shame Keane got hurt.
 
Does anyone remember if the US has ever played in Alabama? I know that is not one of the common states you think of when thinking of American soccer, but for some reason, Birmingham is always high in the ratings and they were the #1 market for the US Mexico game on ESPN.

 
WASHINGTON -- Landon Donovan has returned to training with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Now his goal is to work his way back into the national team picture.

Donovan, who asked club coach Bruce Arena for an extended offseason after the Galaxy's MLS Cup triumph early last December, said Thursday that it will take some time to regain his form.

"I realize that I have a long way to go, both on the field and off the field, to work back into the national team, and that's my goal," Donovan said after a training session with the Galaxy at Georgetown. "I miss being a part of that. I want to represent my country again."
NYT says he's targeting the june qualifiers: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/29/sports/soccer/landon-donovan-eyes-return-to-us-national-team.html?_r=0As goofy as he is, beggars cannot be choosers. :shrug:

 
Anyone else think that LD was waiting to see how the USMNT did before announcing his return? Like he either wanted to be the savior, or he wanted to have a good feeling that he'd make another WC? I would have thought that his sabbatical would last another month or more.

Regardless, with the continued development of Bradley and the emergence of Dempsey as a leader? I think the need for LD to carry the weight of the team is diminished. I'd love to see an attacking 4 of Jozy, Herc, LD, and Duece. Have we ever fielded that lineup?

 
Ok, you can clone one player to play all eleven positions on the field; who is it? Steven Gerrard :homer:
I'll take Jorge Campos FTW. He could play any attacking position and goalie. He had speed and good ball skills. He was probably the best Mexican goalie ever. Plus he could ever design the kits. Gerrard would be first off in Project Runway - Footy edition.
 
Anyone else think that LD was waiting to see how the USMNT did before announcing his return?
no.Arena talked about this in the interview someone posted on here.Landon was fully set on staying out until the summer time. Arena worked hard to get him to come back in March. They made this decision back in February before any hex games had occurred.
 
I'd love to see an attacking 4 of Jozy, Herc, LD, and Duece. Have we ever fielded that lineup?
they were all on the squad together last summer but that was when Jozy was out of favor. I could only find times when 3 out of the 4 were on the field together. They did all appear together on the field back in the 2010 WC briefly when Herc came on as a late game sub against Slovenia.
 

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