***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (4 Viewers)

[Christo]

With Filipe Luis signing today, Chelsea look like theyre finished with transfers for this window. Im stoked at Mourinho's comment that he will bring 3-4 U-21's into the roster this year. You have to think Lukaku will stay this season with Ba off to Turkey. Huge news if true. Id also venture to guess that Zouma stays as a CB. Not sure who else might get called up to the first team. Piazon? Chalobah? Christian Atsu?

"The transfer market closes 31 August and we close our market on July 19. We finished the market today.

"The club did fantastic, we knew the targets, we knew the players and the club attacked them and their clubs at a very early stage."We got exactly what we need and what we want. The squad is one which I like very much and I look forward to starting the season."Mourinho added: "I dont think we will sign any more players. The market is open, but we are so happy with what we have. We feel that our squad is what we want"We don't want a squad of only end products. We also want to bring to the first team, three or four under-21s, we are going to develop players and are happy with this balance we have.

I'm with Cletius in thinking that Fabergas and Costa were bad signings. They did well with everything else though and there starting lineup looks pretty damn good.

I didnt mean to say they are bad signings, only that I'm not really sold on either player and don't fully understand the plan for Cesc. I'm shell-shocked when it comes to any big money striker after Torres and Sheva. Not that I would expect to know Mourinhos plans. But I trust him and am looking forward to the season. I was excited last year, but the season was a bit derailed by United's collapse, injuries at Arsenal and Spurs acquisitions not really panning out as expected. This season could be a two horse race, but it also seems likely the top half of the league will be very competitive.

Cesc will be fine there I think, he knows the league and players which is huge.

Definitely not sold on Costa, could see him not getting 10 goals.

Two horse race? Surely City have a shot at it, no?

Yes. Saying it's a 2 horse race before the season is dumb.

I said it "could be" which is what some are saying. I have no idea what will happen myself but am hoping for and expecting a good fight at top and bottom. Also great to have Joey Barton back where he belongs.

I'll take all the help my team can get. Not too thrilled with the Rio signing. Too much short term thinking, IMO.

 

[The Gator]

Lol - honestly, I'm happy LFC is back on top and happy the club is back in the Champions League where it has excelled, but I'm afraid they may struggle to maintain last years form, especially without Suarez.

Yeah, definitely going to be tough...I'd have an early guess of the top four something like this-Chelsea

City

Arsenal

Liverpool

Losing Suarez is a huge hit, no two ways about it. And there could be an issue integrating all these mid-range purchases too. Especially if they aren't done buying.

IMO 2014 could be frustrating, but I do like the general policy of buying lots of talented young guys before you know exactly how good they'll be and hoping two or three of them turn out to be elite as they all grow up together.

It's also a plus for me that Liverpool appear to have stuck with the plan they had going into 2013 and haven't let themselves get greedy and go for the quick hit after last year's surprise season. No telling if it all works out, but if it does I think they'll be in good shape for a long time the way they're building.

City/Chelsea

Arsenal/Liverpool/Man United

Unfortunately think LVG will get United sorted pretty quickly too.

I don't mind all the buys, as long as they're not all starters or all young.Lallana- starter

Lambert- backup

Markovic- backup

Can - backup

Remy- backup

So that's a veteran starter, two veteran backups and two prospects in. Seems like a good mix of guys coming in and not overloading starters/too many young guys.

 

[The Gator]

First touch of the ball is a goal for Bowen

 

[The Gator]

Doesn't seem like Freidel can get his hands on anything other than balls directly at him. Time to hang 'em up, big guy

 

[The Gator]

PENALTIES FOR EVERYONE

 

[Christo]

First touch of the ball is a goal for Bowen

Could have USMNT implications. Better alert the guys in the other thread.

 

[El Floppo]

Top 20 goals in world cup history. Pretty nice compilation, though they only go as far back as 1970. Some are incredible individual efforts, some are great team efforts and a few are heightened by the magnitude of the moment. Many of them were new to me, which is what I think I enjoyed most.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x21hyqk_top-20-goals-in-world-cup-history_sport

to them for including the full Dutch call on #5, Bergkamp's goal. Maybe my favorite call ever.

Dutch is funny. That was great- thanks for posting.

Maradonna's move at MF to spin and beat two defenders is still the best single play I've ever seen--- especially added into happening in a WC leading to dribbling by the entire England team and scoring.

also still a fan of Pele's too, but Maradonna's is just the best goal evah.

Now when I watch that Maradona goal, I think of this side by side I saw once. It's absolutely amazing how similar they are:

Michael Owens was a good goal... but it's laughable to me to compare them. Messi's- definitely.

 

[El Floppo]

First touch of the ball is a goal for Bowen

Could have USMNT implications. Better alert the guys in the other thread.

I thought this was the other thread.

#### all these threads.

 

[Christo]

#### all these threads.

Exactly

 

[Moe.]

Benny is just killing it lately.

 

[El Floppo]

we talking soccer here?

 

[Christo]

we talking soccer here?

We're playing with our balls.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Benny is just killing it lately.

He really starting clicking in the playoffs last year. He was arguably KC's best player. If he keeps this level up KC should have a good run in the Champions League.

 

[The Gator]

####### power went oot

 

[El Floppo]

####### power went oot

you're missing everything... it. IS. AWESOME!!!!!!!

 

[The Gator]

Galaxy> wtf was that? Nobody wanted the ball and Dwyer was through

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Those long throws are tasty.

 

[Moe.]

I like Moreno more and more every time I hear him.

 

[The Gator]

We get it, Dwyer isn't going to the all star game...Jesus, get over it

 

[Moe.]

Those long throws are tasty.

Delap-esque.

 

[The Gator]

Looked like Zardes was off too?

On the first one, not that recent missed one.

 

[El Floppo]

Those long throws are tasty.

Delap-esque.

rory

 

[Moe.]

Looked like Zardes was off too?

Even if he wasn't, Keane made a motion towards the ball which the defense had to react to.

Now that he's mad he'll probably get a goal.

 

[The Gator]

I like Moreno more and more every time I hear him.

That the guy who said the lino made the right call on the second offside? OofOr is he the pbp guy?

 

[Moe.]

I like Moreno more and more every time I hear him.

That the guy who said the lino made the right call on the second offside? OofOr is he the pbp guy?

No you have it right. I thought he drifted off there too but the camera work wasn't the best.

 

[Christo]

Those long throws are tasty.

Delap-esque.

rory

If "servant of the game" ever applied to anyone, it is him.

 

[The Gator]

Goal for the good guys

 

[Christo]

Looked like Zardes was off too?

Even if he wasn't, Keane made a motion towards the ball which the defense had to react to.

Now that he's mad he'll probably get a goal.

 

[Christo]

Goal for the good guys

 

[Moe.]

Pretty bad by Benny to play everyone on there. I'll forgive him.

 

[The Gator]

Benny Robben?

 

[The Gator]

Goal for the good guys

What's the confusion here, toots?

 

[Christo]

Goal for the good guys

What's the confusion here, toots?

You made this post just after Robbie Keane scored.

 

[Christo]

No Magic Mike for the FIRE! tonight. <_<

 

[Christo]

Should that post go in the USMNT thread?

 

[The Gator]

Should that post go in the USMNT thread?

This game is happening on US soil....

 

[Christo]

No Magic Mike for the FIRE! tonight. <_<

I was led astray!

 

[Christo]

Should that post go in the USMNT thread?

 

[Christo]

In case you're watching, the FIRE! are in the red unis.

 

[The Gator]

In case you're watching, the FIRE! are in the red unis.

This on national tv?

 

[Christo]

In case you're watching, the FIRE! are in the red unis.

This on national tv?

Local here. Out of area I think you have to have the MLS package.

 

[El Floppo]

In case you're watching, the FIRE! are in the red unis.

This on national tv?

Intergalactic

 

[The Gator]

In case you're watching, the FIRE! are in the red unis.

This on national tv?

Intergalactic

Sepp?

 

[Christo]

In case you're watching, the FIRE! are in the red unis.

This on national tv?

Intergalactic

Hell, yeah!

 

[The Gator]

In case you're watching, the FIRE! are in the red unis.

This on national tv?

Local here. Out of area I think you have to have the MLS package.

Bummer, are the fire losing yet?

 

[Christo]

In case you're watching, the FIRE! are in the red unis.

This on national tv?

Local here. Out of area I think you have to have the MLS package.

Bummer, are the fire losing yet?

They don't lose. They just tie everydamnedgame.

 

[Christo]

Big Red! Jeff Larentowitcz!

 

[Christo]

Horrible PK call!

 

[Christo]

They just tie everydamnedgame.

 

[The Gator]

They just tie everydamnedgame.

11 draws out of 18 games