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

[El Floppo]

Looked like a Hunger Games casting call with the pitch invasion at the end of the Roma RM game. Not sure what they showed on TV here but a foreign channel caught all the foolishness

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mt7qCaRarWs

I blame Balotelli Seriously though, this practice needs to be discouraged, harshly if necessary. Too many crazy people in the world, and involved with global football, to let this trend continue.

This wouldn't happen twice if Wimbledon legend Vinny Jones were on the pitch.

Told my kid that all it takes is one solid, arm to neck clothesline and the rest of the invaders will calmly walk back their seats

I'm sure the google-masters out there can find some vids of players kicking the #### out of fans who run onto the field... pretty sure I've seen this happen during Copa Libertadores games.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Looked like a Hunger Games casting call with the pitch invasion at the end of the Roma RM game. Not sure what they showed on TV here but a foreign channel caught all the foolishness

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mt7qCaRarWs

I blame Balotelli

Seriously though, this practice needs to be discouraged, harshly if necessary. Too many crazy people in the world, and involved with global football, to let this trend continue.

This wouldn't happen twice if Wimbledon legend Vinny Jones were on the pitch.

"Oh, you want to pose for a "selfie?"

 

[Jaysus]

Boner pills are funny: link

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Lukaku to Everton on a permanent deal is apparently done. You go, Toffees.

 

[El Floppo]

Boner pills are funny: link

San Lorenzo will enter next Wednesday’s match in La Paz with a significant advantage, holding a 5-0 aggregate lead through the first leg. Nevertheless, the 3,600 meters of elevation will provide a stiff challenge, with many opposing clubs having fallen victim to the altitude.

 

[Sinn Fein]

Lukaku to Everton on a permanent deal is apparently done. You go, Toffees.

roger bennett @rogbennett
Lukaku to Everton! Right now, I'm experiencing emotions akin to Tom Cruise dancing around in his undies in Risky Business

 

[Sinn Fein]

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce's future at Upton Park is looking increasingly uncertain after the Hammers co-owner David Gold was forced to apologise after 'favouriting' a derogatory tweet about his manager.

The former Bolton Wanderers boss is under considerable scrutiny at the East London club after the Hammers hierarchy publicly criticised him for his transfer policy in recent weeks.

With David Sullivan labelling the £15m signing of Andy Carroll a 'mistake' while openly disagreeing with him on Ravel Morrison's future at the club, the parties appear to be on a collision course.

Gold, who has over 90,000 followers on Twitter, appears to have been caught out after a supporter made contact with the message: "Is today the day we get rid of BFS ?? @davidgold fingers crossed."

The message has since been removed from the 77-year-old's profile.

 

[charvik]

MNF analysis of Lovren: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEpoLdEeNE0

 

[Jaysus]

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce's future at Upton Park is looking increasingly uncertain after the Hammers co-owner David Gold was forced to apologise after 'favouriting' a derogatory tweet about his manager.

The former Bolton Wanderers boss is under considerable scrutiny at the East London club after the Hammers hierarchy publicly criticised him for his transfer policy in recent weeks.

With David Sullivan labelling the £15m signing of Andy Carroll a 'mistake' while openly disagreeing with him on Ravel Morrison's future at the club, the parties appear to be on a collision course.

Gold, who has over 90,000 followers on Twitter, appears to have been caught out after a supporter made contact with the message: "Is today the day we get rid of BFS ?? @davidgold fingers crossed."

The message has since been removed from the 77-year-old's profile.

Who do I like that just transferred to West Ham? I'm thinking it is someone I was fond of during the World Cup?

ETA: Enner Valencia

 

[Jaysus]

P.S. why on earth doesn't Chelsea want Lukaku?!?

 

[Sebowski]

P.S. why on earth doesn't Chelsea want Lukaku?!?

Same reason they didn't want Sturridge. They have Torres!

 

[The Gator]

A bunch of college coaches are petitioning the NCAA for a nine month soccer season.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

P.S. why on earth doesn't Chelsea want Lukaku?!?

As far as I can tell (which may be not at all), Mou wants a forward that harasses on defense and can hold up play in transition so Chelsea can have nine playing defense first and worry bout offense only after the ball is won. Scoring is third on the list.

Sturridge just isn't that kind of player. Lukaku has the size, but maybe he isn't either? I think that's what Mou meant about Hazard "not being ready to sacrifice for Chelsea" too.

 

[Sinn Fein]

A bunch of college coaches are petitioning the NCAA for a nine month soccer season.

I don't think its a good idea - I think if we want better players, they need a different career path than college. But those that do choose college should not be tied up in the sport for 9 months - it is a huge time commitment as it is. When I played in Division III, I spent the fall semester getting on academic probation, and the spring semester getting out of academic probation. We still had (unofficial) spring practices, but without travel for games the actual time commitment was lower.

 

[The Gator]

I like it for the reason that not every kid is ready for an academy at 18/19. It's just a different avenue.

Also, the two coaches I heard said it wouldn't mean more games. They just wouldn't cram 3 games into a week anymore and get to practice a lot more.

 

[El Floppo]

A bunch of college coaches are petitioning the NCAA for a nine month soccer season.

I don't think its a good idea - I think if we want better players, they need a different career path than college. But those that do choose college should not be tied up in the sport for 9 months - it is a huge time commitment as it is. When I played in Division III, I spent the fall semester getting on academic probation, and the spring semester getting out of academic probation. We still had (unofficial) spring practices, but without travel for games the actual time commitment was lower.

totally agree.

college is going to turn into something similar to what it is for baseball- play the sport in season AND go to school. maybe get drafted, or not. I guess it's already there... with kids getting drafted out of HS.

funny- I always did better academically during the college soccer season. Took 1 less class, which helped- but also had to be ruthlessly vigilant with my schedule or else get buried.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I will say that during the Guiness Cup last year, Jose appeared to give Lukaku his chance. And I could tell when Lukaku did something that was absolutely driving Jose nuts. He definitely gives the ball away cheaply for such a physical guy. And his running off the ball can be erratic. I mean, the guy did get benched for a 19 year old kid with 5 top flight goals in the World Cup. I like Lukaku a lot, but you have to take some bad with the good. Everton seems like a better fit than Chelsea.

 

[NewlyRetired]

With our mammoth sized country there are going to be kids who slip through the cracks for any number of reasons. There will never be enough academies to support our country in any of our lifetimes so college players will still come into play.

Their numbers will likely be smaller as time goes on, but I still think we will see college players have an affect on pro soccer in this country for at least the next 20-25 years.

 

[Sinn Fein]

A bunch of college coaches are petitioning the NCAA for a nine month soccer season.

I don't think its a good idea - I think if we want better players, they need a different career path than college. But those that do choose college should not be tied up in the sport for 9 months - it is a huge time commitment as it is. When I played in Division III, I spent the fall semester getting on academic probation, and the spring semester getting out of academic probation. We still had (unofficial) spring practices, but without travel for games the actual time commitment was lower.

totally agree.

college is going to turn into something similar to what it is for baseball- play the sport in season AND go to school. maybe get drafted, or not. I guess it's already there... with kids getting drafted out of HS.

funny- I always did better academically during the college soccer season. Took 1 less class, which helped- but also had to be ruthlessly vigilant with my schedule or else get buried.

Yeah I was screwed from the get-go - no real academic advisor to speak of, and ended up taking a pretty full load my first semester - just a nightmare - including calculus, chemistry, with the lab etc. 16 credits if I recall, and nothing easy. On top of that I have terrible organization skills - so it was a certifiable disaster. I look back and laugh now, but I alternated academic probation letters and dean's list every year.

ETA - I think I actually started with 19 credits - my naive thought process was I took 6 classes in high school, I should be able to handle 6 classes in college. I did not drop a class until about half-way through the semester as we had a very liberal drop policy...

 

[Sinn Fein]

With our mammoth sized country there are going to be kids who slip through the cracks for any number of reasons. There will never be enough academies to support our country in any of our lifetimes so college players will still come into play.

Their numbers will likely be smaller as time goes on, but I still think we will see college players have an affect on pro soccer in this country for at least the next 20-25 years.

I think Floppo has it right - a system like baseball would work - majority of top prospects go the academy route, and some late bloomers go the college route.

The majority of players going to college though, will be going for the education - and thus, I think its best to keep the sport as a 1-semester sport. There are still enough resources for player who wants to develop year-round, that they will be able to do so - without a required commitment from those who have lower ambitions.

 

[Eephus]

A longer collegiate season would cost more money so it isn't going to happen.

 

[The Gator]

A longer collegiate season would cost more money so it isn't going to happen.

It'll be done within two years according to both interviews.

 

[Jaysus]

The Philly Union signed the Algerian GK who was man of the match in the loss to Germany in the knockout round of the WC: link

GK seems to be the last thing that the Union need at this point... I wonder if a trade is in the works?

ETA: if they want to send Blake down to their USL Pro affiliate for the rest of the year, i would be fine with that

 

[NewlyRetired]

The Philly Union signed the Algerian GK who was man of the match in the loss to Germany in the knockout round of the WC: link

GK seems to be the last thing that the Union need at this point... I wonder if a trade is in the works?

ETA: if they want to send Blake down to their USL Pro affiliate for the rest of the year, i would be fine with that

I did not get this signing either. They have a young keeper and just used the number 1 pick in the draft on another keeper. Are the Union unhappy with Macmath?

 

[Jaysus]

The Philly Union signed the Algerian GK who was man of the match in the loss to Germany in the knockout round of the WC: link

GK seems to be the last thing that the Union need at this point... I wonder if a trade is in the works?

ETA: if they want to send Blake down to their USL Pro affiliate for the rest of the year, i would be fine with that

I did not get this signing either. They have a young keeper and just used the number 1 pick in the draft on another keeper. Are the Union unhappy with Macmath?

I don't think so. I just think the front office is bat #### crazy!

 

[The Gator]

EPL to use vanishing spray for free kicks

 

[Native]

Costa and Torres starting up front together today.

 

[B Maverick]

EPL to use vanishing spray for free kicks

Are people really excited for this? I saw several times where the wall was in front of the line or the kicking team moved the ball away and the ref didnt do anything. Didn't seem to do anything significant.

I guess it doesnt hurt anything either but to me this is just meh...

 

[NewlyRetired]

EPL to use vanishing spray for free kicks

Sweet! Someone posted an article during the WC saying they would not use it this season.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

EPL to use vanishing spray for free kicks

Are people really excited for this? I saw several times where the wall was in front of the line or the kicking team moved the ball away and the ref didnt do anything. Didn't seem to do anything significant.

I guess it doesnt hurt anything either but to me this is just meh...

I don't think it magically solves every problem, but I think it reduces encroachment pretty significantly. I wouldn't call myself "excited" about it, but I'm pretty dead inside.

 

[NewlyRetired]

EPL to use vanishing spray for free kicks

Are people really excited for this? I saw several times where the wall was in front of the line or the kicking team moved the ball away and the ref didnt do anything. Didn't seem to do anything significant....

Players moved inches, not yards.

This is such a simple, efficient fix it should be mandatory in every league imo.

 

[El Floppo]

EPL to use vanishing spray for free kicks

Are people really excited for this? I saw several times where the wall was in front of the line or the kicking team moved the ball away and the ref didnt do anything. Didn't seem to do anything significant....

Players moved inches, not yards.

This is such a simple, efficient fix it should be mandatory in every league imo.

totally agree with andy here.

people used to move the wall and ball a ton. I didn't see it happen at all at the WC (although I know some of you guys did).

 

[B Maverick]

EPL to use vanishing spray for free kicks

Are people really excited for this? I saw several times where the wall was in front of the line or the kicking team moved the ball away and the ref didnt do anything. Didn't seem to do anything significant.

I guess it doesnt hurt anything either but to me this is just meh...

I don't think it magically solves every problem, but I think it reduces encroachment pretty significantly. I wouldn't call myself "excited" about it, but I'm pretty dead inside.

EPL to use vanishing spray for free kicks

Are people really excited for this? I saw several times where the wall was in front of the line or the kicking team moved the ball away and the ref didnt do anything. Didn't seem to do anything significant....

Players moved inches, not yards.

This is such a simple, efficient fix it should be mandatory in every league imo.

I guess i never really had an issue with the encroachment other then the blatant running at the ball before its kicked. The game of inches (or even a yard) was one of the gamesmanship aspects I didnt have a problem with. But if you are going to take the time to draw the line, the ref should up hold it even if we are only talking inches and not yards. Why draw the line if you arent going to force people behind it?

 

[El Floppo]

EPL to use vanishing spray for free kicks

Are people really excited for this? I saw several times where the wall was in front of the line or the kicking team moved the ball away and the ref didnt do anything. Didn't seem to do anything significant.

I guess it doesnt hurt anything either but to me this is just meh...

I don't think it magically solves every problem, but I think it reduces encroachment pretty significantly. I wouldn't call myself "excited" about it, but I'm pretty dead inside.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I'm excited about it. But I'm generally excitable, and simple, elegant solutions.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

P.S. why on earth doesn't Chelsea want Lukaku?!?

Same reason they didn't want Sturridge. They have Torres!

Who recalls Sturridge sitting on Chelsea's bench for 120 minutes during a Champions League final while Roberto DiMatteo played Kalou (worthless) and Ryan Bertrand (a defender) as his wingers? Torres came on for Kalou late in that game after Mueller scored the 1-0. Sturridge actually played pretty well for AVB early that season, but was often injured and had a suspension that kept him from ever getting on track. Neither DiMatteo nor Benitez had any use for him. Mourinho never got a look at him, but I'm pretty confident he would not fit in well on a Mouronho team.

As for the Kraken, I think many Chelsea fans love him because he's a big strong black man who reportedly idolizes Didier Drogba, but he plays nothing like Drogba. It seems to me that Martinez prefers him on the wing, with Naismith up top. I know he played Lukaku in a more center-forwardy role early in the season, but down the stretch I think Lukaku was much more often playing wide. That's also what I saw for Belgium. I think many of us were a bit confused that Wilmots preferred Benteke over Lukaku as his #9, Lukaku being such a great player and all, but who would have imagined that Lukaku would be benched in favor of a barely 19 year old Origi? For me, it starts to add up to an impression that Lukaku is maybe not the CF that everyone (at Chelsea) wants him to be. I really really really wanted him to be our #9. Not the least reason is that he qualifies as homegrown, which is a huge issue for Chelsea's squad decisions right now. When Lukaku started the public whining over having to compete with players like Eto'o and Ba last season, I think the writing was on the wall for him ever playing for a Mourinho team.

 

[NewlyRetired]

EPL to use vanishing spray for free kicks

Are people really excited for this? I saw several times where the wall was in front of the line or the kicking team moved the ball away and the ref didnt do anything. Didn't seem to do anything significant....

Players moved inches, not yards.

This is such a simple, efficient fix it should be mandatory in every league imo.

totally agree with andy here.

people used to move the wall and ball a ton. I didn't see it happen at all at the WC (although I know some of you guys did).

I never saw it either and I watched almost every game. The closest I saw were guys toes on the line.

Nothing like before when players would take 5-6 baby steps forward. It was comical how close they could get.

 

[El Floppo]

not to mention guys constantly picking the ball up and resetting it closer and at a better angle than the original spot.

 

[B Maverick]

EPL to use vanishing spray for free kicks

also being used in Champions League and europa as well.

 

[NewlyRetired]

EPL to use vanishing spray for free kicks

also being used in Champions League and europa as well.

Did this news all come out today?

Looks like UEFA is adopting it with their two biggest club competitions. It has been in South America for years and MLS for a few years.

Hopefully with these seeds it can spread every where and we can tell our grand children about the time before the spray

 

[El Floppo]

EPL to use vanishing spray for free kicks

also being used in Champions League and europa as well.

Did this news all come out today?

Looks like UEFA is adopting it with their two biggest club competitions. It has been in South America for years and MLS for a few years.

Hopefully with these seeds it can spread every where and we can tell our grand children about the time before the spray

you mean, the time before the ball-triggered holographic 10 yard demarkator.

 

[NewlyRetired]

EPL to use vanishing spray for free kicks

also being used in Champions League and europa as well.

Did this news all come out today?

Looks like UEFA is adopting it with their two biggest club competitions. It has been in South America for years and MLS for a few years.

Hopefully with these seeds it can spread every where and we can tell our grand children about the time before the spray

you mean, the time before the ball-triggered holographic 10 yard demarkator.

It took over a 100 years for soccer to start accepting a solution as low tech as the spray

 

[Native]

Cesc with the Wonderful Free Kick from about 30

https://vine.co/v/ME1zid1EDTd

 

[El Floppo]

Cesc with the Wonderful Free Kick from about 30

https://vine.co/v/ME1zid1EDTd

I already forgot he plays for Chelsea. Or at least played in that game.

 

[Jaysus]

Cesc with the Wonderful Free Kick from about 30

https://vine.co/v/ME1zid1EDTd

Go #### yourself Cat for the dedicated: http://gfycat.com/FemininePlayfulAfricanmolesnake

 

[B Maverick]

EPL to use vanishing spray for free kicks

also being used in Champions League and europa as well.

Did this news all come out today?

Looks like UEFA is adopting it with their two biggest club competitions. It has been in South America for years and MLS for a few years.

Hopefully with these seeds it can spread every where and we can tell our grand children about the time before the spray

Article on Eurosport today talking about EPL using it mentions CL and Europa using as well.

EPL to use vanishing spray for free kicks

also being used in Champions League and europa as well.

Did this news all come out today?

Looks like UEFA is adopting it with their two biggest club competitions. It has been in South America for years and MLS for a few years.

Hopefully with these seeds it can spread every where and we can tell our grand children about the time before the spray

you mean, the time before the ball-triggered holographic 10 yard demarkator.

It took over a 100 years for soccer to start accepting a solution as low tech as the spray

Didnt they also prefer a linesman near the goal instead of goalline tech?

The spray company is called 9.15 Fair Play in reference to the wall having to be 9.15 meters (10 yards) form the kick....

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

EPL to use vanishing spray for free kicks

also being used in Champions League and europa as well.

Did this news all come out today?

Looks like UEFA is adopting it with their two biggest club competitions. It has been in South America for years and MLS for a few years.

Hopefully with these seeds it can spread every where and we can tell our grand children about the time before the spray

you mean, the time before the ball-triggered holographic 10 yard demarkator.

The solar-powered field turf lights up in a ten-yard radius around the ball? Genius!

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Cesc with the Wonderful Free Kick from about 30

https://vine.co/v/ME1zid1EDTd

Not that close to the corner. GK should have done better.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Zenit lost to a club named "AEL" in Champions League today. I'm feeling sincere pain for Villas Boas now. I've no idea who AEL are.

http://www.espnfc.com/gamecast/statistics/id/402208/statistics.html

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Zenit lost to a club named "AEL" in Champions League today. I'm feeling sincere pain for Villas Boas now. I've no idea who AEL are.

http://www.espnfc.com/gamecast/statistics/id/402208/statistics.html

I think AEL is from Cyprus and they were the other team (besides FK Jagodina) that Freddy Adu was considering. Freddy could have been in the Champions League!