***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (9 Viewers)

[roadkill1292]

I think teams should make their own disciplinary decisions when it comes to their players performing ritual sacrifices.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

I wonder how Roger Goodell would handle one of his players allegedly murdering his friend in a human sacrifice ritual? Link

Has THIS guy been contacted?

 

[roadkill1292]

Nat Clyne with a long range howitzer to beat Arsenal.

awesome goal

Deserves a look. I like his old style doo-*** haircut, too.

 

[GoFishTN]

I wonder how Roger Goodell would handle one of his players allegedly murdering his friend in a human sacrifice ritual? Link

Is it wrong that I want this to be true? Mostly because I can't stand that guy.

 

[The Gator]

I wonder how Roger Goodell would handle one of his players allegedly murdering his friend in a human sacrifice ritual? Link

Is it wrong that I want this to be true? Mostly because I can't stand that guy.

Castro?

 

[GoFishTN]

I wonder how Roger Goodell would handle one of his players allegedly murdering his friend in a human sacrifice ritual? Link

Is it wrong that I want this to be true? Mostly because I can't stand that guy.

Castro?

No, the dancing fool.

 

[El Floppo]

I wonder how Roger Goodell would handle one of his players allegedly murdering his friend in a human sacrifice ritual? Link

Is it wrong that I want this to be true? Mostly because I can't stand that guy.

Castro?

No, the dancing fool.

Peter Crouch?

 

[NewlyRetired]

This chart tracks the % of total articles each time a sport was mentioned in the NYT since 1965. Tracks soccer, football, baseball, hockey and baseball. Really interesting to see the trend the last 20 years.

http://www.b92.net/news/pics/2014/09/23/12301771405421914900629488515229_orig.jpg

 

[T Bell]

James Ward-Prowse out for 6-10 weeks with a broken foot. Looks like the plan is to move Tadic more to the middle and let Mane run the left wing. It will be an interesting attack when Jay Rodriguez comes back later this year.

Koeman seems to be playing a version of the Mexican high post offense, with Pelle dropping deep to receive and all those middies running off him. Even runty Steven Davis made a couple of runs last night.

Trying to keep the Saints win in perspective because of the makeshift Arsenal lineup but the Gunners still played the Columbian national keeper, Sanchez and a bunch of guys who get a lot of minutes (Podolski, Rosicky, Wilshere). That would have been enough in other years. First win for Southampton at Arsenal in 27 years, they're going for the Cup.

If you want to be accurate, that was Ospina's debut for Arsenal (he'd even missed preseason games because of the injury he'd sustained at the World Cup; Rosicky hadn't played a single minute this season; Podolski had only played about 20 (pitiful, at Leicester, I think) minutes up to yesterday - he really looks like his head is elsewhere and I'd be surprised if he's a Gunner come February. Arsenal wanted to win that, but the lineup is directly reflective of the level of importance they place on the League Cup.

 

[roadkill1292]

That picture was taken while Ghana was doing the Stanky Leg. Awesomeness afoot.

 

[T Bell]

Just read that Liverpool are 12-2 in pen shootouts since 1974. Probably a nice thing to have in the back of your mind when you need to pull out that all-important Cap One 2nd round match AET.

I'm surprised they've only been in 14 in 40 years. Does that seem low to anyone else?

 

[T Bell]

Nat Clyne with a long range howitzer to beat Arsenal.

awesome goal

Deserves a look. I like his old style doo-*** haircut, too.

Yeah, that was freaking crushed. Talk about putting your laces through it!

 

[Jaysus]

is Burton Albion vs Brighton & Hove Albion the rivalry I expect it to be?

 

[El Floppo]

is Burton Albion vs Brighton & Hove Albion the rivalry I expect it to be?

and more!

crumpets.

 

[Tom Hagen]

I forgot Scott Sinclair was still with City until I saw him listed as a sub. That move really hasn't worked out.

 

[Jaysus]

Fact: Kurt Zouma's middle name is Happy. I am happy that he scored: http://gfycat.com/OilyAmazingHyracotherium

ETA: opps Cech

 

[Sebowski]

This chart tracks the % of total articles each time a sport was mentioned in the NYT since 1965. Tracks soccer, football, baseball, hockey and baseball. Really interesting to see the trend the last 20 years.

http://www.b92.net/news/pics/2014/09/23/12301771405421914900629488515229_orig.jpg

Soccer is #2? That's crazy.

 

[Sebowski]

Kind of a B squad defense for Barça today. Neymar and Messi are really clicking. Hope they go up early so Munir and/or Sandro get some more time. They won't see the field much when Suarez is ready.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The bold is the key part for me

FIFA VP calls for Garcia probe to be published

GENEVA (AP) -- An investigation into alleged World Cup bid corruption should be published in full, according to FIFA vice president Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein of Jordan.

Prince Ali's plea to lift FIFA secrecy rules shrouding the case — which could punish some of his executive committee colleagues for their conduct in the 2018 and 2022 bid contests won by Russia and Qatar — follows a call by lead investigator Michael Garcia for more openness.

"In the interest of full transparency, I believe it is important that the much anticipated report on the ethics investigation that is crucial to ensuring good governance at FIFA is fully disclosed and open to the public," the prince said Tuesday in a statement.

Garcia, the American independent prosecutor appointed by FIFA, also wants to ease confidentiality rules which prohibit publishing his reports and evidence files.

He delivered first drafts this month to FIFA ethics judge Joachim Eckert, who expects to give verdicts early next year. Eckert said he would only judge individuals, and leave the hosting status of Russia and Qatar to FIFA.

However, Eckert's written rulings would likely leave much of Garcia's work unexplained and under seal.

The FIFA code of ethics states that "only the final decisions already notified to the addressees may be made public."

Challenging that strict limit, Prince Ali suggested only full disclosure would help repair FIFA's damaged image.

"This will only help the football community move ahead in reforming our institutions in the best interest of the sport," he said.

"The entire football family as well as its sponsors and those who follow the game worldwide have a full right to know the contents of the report in the spirit of complete openness."

Only four people — Garcia, Eckert and their FIFA ethics committee deputies — have seen the 430-page report documents, Garcia said last Friday.

At a FIFA-hosted ethics conference, Garcia urged a review of confidentiality in the code which was written before he was appointed in 2012.

"I think that is a disservice in many ways because people are skeptical and want information," said Garcia, a former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. He compared FIFA's reputation for transparency unfavorably with his former office in Manhattan which he said was trusted by the public.

"But I doubt we would have enjoyed that confidence if we couldn't announce who had been charged with what," Garcia said.

Garcia sought to quiz the 12 current FIFA board members, including President Sepp Blatter, who were involved in the World Cup ballots in December 2010 and 10 other voters who have since left. Some resisted cooperating.

Prince Ali was elected by Asian football leaders in 2011 to join the FIFA board, and took his seat as a reformer when the Swiss-based body's reputation was historically low after a series of bribery and vote-buying scandals.

His fellow vice presidents Jeffrey Webb of Cayman Islands and Jim Boyce of Northern Ireland — who also joined FIFA's 27-member ruling panel after the scandals — have also said they want Garcia's work to be published.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Douglas' debut, I believe.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

This chart tracks the % of total articles each time a sport was mentioned in the NYT since 1965. Tracks soccer, football, baseball, hockey and baseball. Really interesting to see the trend the last 20 years.

http://www.b92.net/news/pics/2014/09/23/12301771405421914900629488515229_orig.jpg

Soccer is #2? That's crazy.

Having the Knicks and the Yankees/Mets all being down during a WC year probably helps some.

 

[El Floppo]

This chart tracks the % of total articles each time a sport was mentioned in the NYT since 1965. Tracks soccer, football, baseball, hockey and baseball. Really interesting to see the trend the last 20 years.

http://www.b92.net/news/pics/2014/09/23/12301771405421914900629488515229_orig.jpg

Soccer is #2? That's crazy.

Having the Knicks and the Yankees/Mets all being down during a WC year probably helps some.

Nice to see the steady growth for soccer (obvious peaks in WC years).

Strange to see the sharp decline for both Baseball and Basketball, Knicks/Nets, Yanks/Mets aside successes or failures aside.

 

[Christo]

I saw a sick Paderborn goal over the weekend... a volley from something like 90 yards out.

that's pretty far, guy.

It was confirmed at 83 meters. Goalie was up for a set piece because Paderborn was up one in stoppage time. Ball was headed out toward the top of the area and the guy hit it sweet and true for the empty netter.

found it: link

Technically, that's not a volley.

 

[Jaysus]

suck it

P.S. oof Sheffield Wednesday

 

[T Bell]

is Burton Albion vs Brighton & Hove Albion the rivalry I expect it to be?

Albion's an old nickname for Britain (very roughly comparable to "Colombia" referring to America), so various teams append that to their team name... for no particular reason. It means even less than the "Real" prefix in Spain.

 

[Jaysus]

is Burton Albion vs Brighton & Hove Albion the rivalry I expect it to be?

Albion's an old nickname for Britain (very roughly comparable to "Colombia" referring to America), so various teams append that to their team name... for no particular reason. It means even less than the "Real" prefix in Spain.

 

[Jaysus]

double oof for Hull City

 

[El Floppo]

is Burton Albion vs Brighton & Hove Albion the rivalry I expect it to be?

Albion's an old nickname for Britain (very roughly comparable to "Colombia" referring to America), so various teams append that to their team name... for no particular reason. It means even less than the "Real" prefix in Spain.

I'll wait for Christo to chime in with a technicality before replying.

 

[Christo]

is Burton Albion vs Brighton & Hove Albion the rivalry I expect it to be?

Albion's an old nickname for Britain (very roughly comparable to "Colombia" referring to America), so various teams append that to their team name... for no particular reason. It means even less than the "Real" prefix in Spain.

I'll wait for Christo to chime in with a technicality before replying.

It's not a nickname. It's the oldest known name.

 

[El Floppo]

is Burton Albion vs Brighton & Hove Albion the rivalry I expect it to be?

Albion's an old nickname for Britain (very roughly comparable to "Colombia" referring to America), so various teams append that to their team name... for no particular reason. It means even less than the "Real" prefix in Spain.

I'll wait for Christo to chime in with a technicality before replying.

It's not a nickname. It's the oldest known name.

ok.

now I hate it.

 

[Jaysus]

Oof Newcastle too

 

[Christo]

is Burton Albion vs Brighton & Hove Albion the rivalry I expect it to be?

Albion's an old nickname for Britain (very roughly comparable to "Colombia" referring to America), so various teams append that to their team name... for no particular reason. It means even less than the "Real" prefix in Spain.

I'll wait for Christo to chime in with a technicality before replying.

It's not a nickname. It's the oldest known name.

ok.

now I hate it.

That's a little harsh

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I love you, Capital One Cup. Really, I do.

Next up, CFC @ Shrewsbury Town F.C., capacity 9,875.

 

[El Floppo]

is Burton Albion vs Brighton & Hove Albion the rivalry I expect it to be?

Albion's an old nickname for Britain (very roughly comparable to "Colombia" referring to America), so various teams append that to their team name... for no particular reason. It means even less than the "Real" prefix in Spain.

I'll wait for Christo to chime in with a technicality before replying.

It's not a nickname. It's the oldest known name.

ok.

now I hate it.

That's a little harsh

you tainted it.

 

[Sebowski]

Kind of a B squad defense for Barça today. Neymar and Messi are really clicking. Hope they go up early so Munir and/or Sandro get some more time. They won't see the field much when Suarez is ready.

Still 0-0 with 30 to go and both Munir and Sandro are warming up. So thats another way to go.

ETA: Neymar and Pedro off for the kids.

 

[Christo]

is Burton Albion vs Brighton & Hove Albion the rivalry I expect it to be?

Albion's an old nickname for Britain (very roughly comparable to "Colombia" referring to America), so various teams append that to their team name... for no particular reason. It means even less than the "Real" prefix in Spain.

I'll wait for Christo to chime in with a technicality before replying.

It's not a nickname. It's the oldest known name.

ok.

now I hate it.

That's a little harsh

you tainted it.

The truth is never a taint.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Bleh.

Douglas looked pretty good, though.

 

[The Gator]

@OptaJose: 0 - Barcelona have failed to register a single shot on target in a La Liga game for the first time since the 2003/04 season. Neutralised.

The Spanish Stoke?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Portland won 6-0 last night in Champions League play putting them in a similar position to KC where they can advance with a 1 goal loss in last game, away to Honduran Olimpia.

I don't think the 0-4-2 Alpha rolled out with last night is going to catch on anywhere.

Imo, the CCL group stage quality plummeted when they expanded from 16 to 24 teams.

There are multiple teams like Alpha that really have no business at this level. I know they won't do it, but the old 4 group, 16 team format produced much higher quality groups since teams like Alpha were weeded out during the qualification stages before the groups.

 

[The Z Machine]

This chart tracks the % of total articles each time a sport was mentioned in the NYT since 1965. Tracks soccer, football, baseball, hockey and baseball. Really interesting to see the trend the last 20 years.

http://www.b92.net/news/pics/2014/09/23/12301771405421914900629488515229_orig.jpg

Soccer is #2? That's crazy.

Having the Knicks and the Yankees/Mets all being down during a WC year probably helps some.

They should have plotted it by month with a 3 month rolling average for a better looking chart.

 

[NewlyRetired]

In a very bad sign that MLS seems unwilling to simplify their rules next year, Orlando and NY got together to determine their expansion positions in the various player acquisition mechanisms.

Expansion lottery results:

1) Orlando City won the draw and took the expansion draft top pick.

2) NYC took top priority in the allocation draft.

3) Orlando City took the SuperDraft top pick.

4)NYC took 20th place in Discovery ranking. They quickly realized they made a mistake, but league said no takebacks.

5) Orlando City took top priority for USL Pro/NASL player picks.

6) NYC took 20th place in re-entry draft and 20th in waiver wire priority.

7) Orlando City took 20th place in lottery ranking.

8) NYC took top priority for DP's.

 

[Sebowski]

Wat?

 

[CBusAlex]

I love that MLS literally has a draft to determine the order in all its other drafts.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I love that MLS literally has a draft to determine the order in all its other drafts.

It is so simple to understand...............ok maybe not :(

And the best/worst part is that who knows how they will change the rules next year (which they do all the time), which might make these choices meaningless.

 

[T Bell]

In a very bad sign that MLS seems unwilling to simply their rules next year, Orlando and NY got together to determine their expansion positions in the various player acquisition mechanisms.

Expansion lottery results:

1) Orlando City won the draw and took the expansion draft top pick.

2) NYC took top priority in the allocation draft.

3) Orlando City took the SuperDraft top pick.

4)NYC took 20th place in Discovery ranking. They quickly realized they made a mistake, but league said no takebacks.

5) Orlando City took top priority for USL Pro/NASL player picks.

6) NYC took 20th place in re-entry draft and 20th in waiver wire priority.

7) Orlando City took 20th place in lottery ranking.

8) NYC took top priority for DP's.

It seems like Americans always have to make sports more complicated. There's a ball and you kick it around until it ends up in one of two goals. WTF is all of this?

 

[NewlyRetired]

In a very bad sign that MLS seems unwilling to simply their rules next year, Orlando and NY got together to determine their expansion positions in the various player acquisition mechanisms.

Expansion lottery results:

1) Orlando City won the draw and took the expansion draft top pick.

2) NYC took top priority in the allocation draft.

3) Orlando City took the SuperDraft top pick.

4)NYC took 20th place in Discovery ranking. They quickly realized they made a mistake, but league said no takebacks.

5) Orlando City took top priority for USL Pro/NASL player picks.

6) NYC took 20th place in re-entry draft and 20th in waiver wire priority.

7) Orlando City took 20th place in lottery ranking.

8) NYC took top priority for DP's.

It seems like Americans always have to make sports more complicated. There's a ball and you kick it around until it ends up in one of two goals. WTF is all of this?

1, 3 and 8 are obvious and are needed. Everything else could easily be junked imo if they were not terrified of teams bidding against each other (which is already happening as seen by the Jones affair this summer).

 

[NewlyRetired]

CCL notes

*DC won 2-0 tonight giving them advancement into the quarter finals with a game to go. The last game will still hold meaning for seeding in the quarters

*NY drew tonight in El Salvador meaning they are out and Montreal has advanced to quarter finals

*Pachuca won tonight and they advance to quarters and has a good chance at the top seed

*Herediano of Costa Rica beat Leon (Liga MX) which puts Herediano through and knocks out Leon.

 

[CBusAlex]

León may be out, but at least they exited the tournament with all the grace and dignity that we have come to expect from Mexican teams...

Nah, just kidding. They picked up a red card in stoppage time for shoving an opponent down and kicking him in the back.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Sunil talks about making the report public

“If we’re going to truly support the idea of transparency and change within FIFA, it [Garcia's report] has to be made public in the truest meaning of the word,” Gulati told the Times' Sam Borden. “That doesn’t mean only to the executive committee. It has to be more. Right now, the whole story is not about what’s in the report, but whether it should be made public. And that isn’t ideal for anyone.”

 

[Good Posting Judge]

"Gareth Henserson."