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

[Steve Tasker]

Waiting to see what happens with Tottenham next season. Been disappointed badly since mid season. Trying to stay up with my Harps in the LOI. Doesn't Arsenal have to have at least one Englishman on their team?

For Champions I think they need 4 home grown & 8 English on the list. Pretty sure you could put a squad of Martians out for the EPL with no consequnce.

8 English on the list? :X Are you talking on the 16 man roster?The only Englishman who played with the senior team last year was Theo Walcott. Justin Hoyte and Mark Randall made Carling Cup appearances I believe, and Hoyte may have played like 1-2 games in the EPL.

 

[andy_b]

Rangers won the Scottish Cup today and the good news was that DeMarcus started for them and scored the 2nd goal and went 76 minutes. This was his first game since his injury.

If he recovers from this game cleanly, this should set him up nicely for the coming friendlies for the US.

 

[El Floppo]

Grant =

Link

 

[El Floppo]

Rangers won the Scottish Cup today and the good news was that DeMarcus started for them and scored the 2nd goal and went 76 minutes. This was his first game since his injury.If he recovers from this game cleanly, this should set him up nicely for the coming friendlies for the US.

Good news fpr DMB I still gotta say that I just don't get DMB in Scotland... seems opposite his style.

 

[HellToupee]

Grant =

Link

Kind of surprised he doesn't have a job in the orginization

 

[El Floppo]

Grant =

Link

Kind of surprised he doesn't have a job in the orginization

 

[El Floppo]

Hleb + Arsenal =

I've really liked the way Hleb has played... reminds me a bit of the way Matheus played in his prime; all over the field, very happy to take players on, and strong on both sides of the ball. He is going to really help Inter's MF... not really a weak spot, but IMO their weak spot.

 

[El Floppo]

With another different lineup to get a look at players, Nowak's U23s lost to Ivory Coast in Toulon, eliminating them from the tournement. They play group leader and undefeated Italy tomorroy, Sunday.

 

[HellToupee]

Grant =

Link

Kind of surprised he doesn't have a job in the orginization

why I heard when he took over from Mourinho that he would stay on in the front office after this seasonReports in the British press suggest Grant may return to a job upstairs at Stamford Bridge as director of football, a post he held under Mourinho before he was plucked from relative obscurity to occupy one of the hottest seats in football.

Avram Grant sacked as Chelsea coach

7 hours ago

LONDON (AFP) — Avram Grant was sacked as manager of Chelsea on Saturday after less than one season in charge and in the immediate aftermath of the club's heartbreaking Champions League final defeat.

Grant's future at the English Premier League giants has attracted fierce speculation almost from the time he inherited the Stamford Bridge reins from Jose Mourinho eight months ago.

And just three days after his side came off second best in a penalty shoot-out to Manchester United in the Champions League final in Moscow the 53-year-old Israeli's tenure is now at an end.

Names in the frame to succeed the Israeli include Barcelona's Frank Rijkaard, Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini, Russia's Dutch boss Guus Hiddink and Manchester City coach, and former England boss, Sven-Goran Eriksson..

Despite the constant questioning of his position Grant, a close friend of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, had been credited with leading the club to their first ever Champions League final.

He also oversaw their late surge for the league title, taking United down to the final day of the season before they were forced to settle for second place.

The club announced the sacking in a statement on their official website.

"Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Avram Grant has had his contract as manager terminated today (Saturday)," the statement read.

"This follows meetings over the last two days. Everybody at Chelsea FC would like to thank Avram for his contribution since taking over as manager last September.

"We will now be concentrating all our efforts on identifying a new manager for Chelsea and there will be no further comment until that appointment is made."

The futures of Chelsea assistants Steve Clarke and Henk Ten Cate are unclear, but no official word has yet been given on their positions.

Reports in the British press suggest Grant may return to a job upstairs at Stamford Bridge as director of football, a post he held under Mourinho before he was plucked from relative obscurity to occupy one of the hottest seats in football.

Grant's Chelsea career started with his appointment as director of football in the summer of 2007 but he moved into the dugout in the aftermath of Mourinho's controversial departure after Chelsea's drab 1-1 draw with Norwegian side Rosenberg in the Champions League.

Grant was not afforded much of a honeymoon period in west London and fans soon made their disappointment at the Portuguese's exit - and some of Grant's tactical decisions - heard.

But he shrugged off the continued speculation and made what had seemed like a Manchester United coronation into a hard-fought battle for the league title, while also enjoying victory over Liverpool in the semi-finals of the European Cup.

It was a feat the popular Mourinho failed to achieve in his own time with the Blues and the irony of that statistic was not lost on Grant, who jokingly made his own claims to the title of 'the special one'.

But the laughter soon subsided with a draw against Bolton on the last day of the domestic season, coupled with a United win which handed Sir Alex Ferguson's men the trophy.

Defeat in Moscow - with captain John Terry and Nicolas Anelka, the keynote signing of the Grant era, missing spot-kicks - eventually proved to be his final act as Chelsea boss.

Amongst the possible new men at the Stamford Bridge helm, Rijkaard has just been released by Barcelona after failing to win a trophy for the Spaniards in the last two seasons.

He is a friend of Frank Arnesen, who controls Chelsea's scouting network, and has worked with assistant coach Henk ten Cate at the Nou Camp.

But Rijkaard has no Premier League experience and there have been recent concerns over his health as well as personal issues.

Hiddink, like Grant, is a close friend of Abramovich and regarded as the world's best tactician.

Abramovich is currently paying Hiddick's salary to manage Russia and while there is no doubting his pedigree, he has not been involved in club football for some time.

Hiddink has more recently been associated with the international game with spells in South Korea and Australia before taking on the Russian job.

Eriksson is understood to have rejected the job on two previous occasions and was infamously caught out secretly meeting the club's chief executive Peter Kenyon on one occasion.

His future at Manchester City is unclear and, like Hiddink, he boasts a fine record at club and international level.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Fergie's leaving Man U in the next three years: Link

 

[Steve Tasker]

Hleb + Arsenal =

I've really liked the way Hleb has played... reminds me a bit of the way Matheus played in his prime; all over the field, very happy to take players on, and strong on both sides of the ball. He is going to really help Inter's MF... not really a weak spot, but IMO their weak spot.

I was very very critical of Hleb in the past few years, often screaming at the television "WHY THE HELL ARE YOU IN THE GAME???"But this past season, he stepped it up big time. There were games where he was far and away the best player on the field. He went from, IMO, a borderline starter/decent backup to the 2nd best MF on the team (behind Fabregas, of course). He will be very sorely missed....I wonder what they're going to do to replace him.

Eboue.........Fabregas............Denilson/Flamini..........Rosicky

I'm not too thrilled about that 4some contending for the EPL title. I think Denilson could be good, and next year could be the year. But Eboue replacing Hleb full-time.... :

This is assuming Gilberto will be gone as well. Rosicky and Fabregas are great, but they need real help.

ETA: Did I hear Flamini was going to leave as well? ####...

 

[Texas Football]

Waiting to see what happens with Tottenham next season. Been disappointed badly since mid season. Trying to stay up with my Harps in the LOI. Doesn't Arsenal have to have at least one Englishman on their team?

For Champions I think they need 4 home grown & 8 English on the list. Pretty sure you could put a squad of Martians out for the EPL with no consequnce.

8 English on the list? Are you talking on the 16 man roster?The only Englishman who played with the senior team last year was Theo Walcott. Justin Hoyte and Mark Randall made Carling Cup appearances I believe, and Hoyte may have played like 1-2 games in the EPL.

The 8 are named in the 24 man list presented before each stage. I made a mistake and said that they had to be English, I meant to say that they had to be trained in England, nationality makes no difference. I think you are required to train 3 years between a certain ageto qualify as homegrown.

 

[guru_007]

Hleb + Arsenal =

I've really liked the way Hleb has played... reminds me a bit of the way Matheus played in his prime; all over the field, very happy to take players on, and strong on both sides of the ball. He is going to really help Inter's MF... not really a weak spot, but IMO their weak spot.

I was very very critical of Hleb in the past few years, often screaming at the television "WHY THE HELL ARE YOU IN THE GAME???"But this past season, he stepped it up big time. There were games where he was far and away the best player on the field. He went from, IMO, a borderline starter/decent backup to the 2nd best MF on the team (behind Fabregas, of course). He will be very sorely missed....I wonder what they're going to do to replace him.

Eboue.........Fabregas............Denilson/Flamini..........Rosicky

I'm not too thrilled about that 4some contending for the EPL title. I think Denilson could be good, and next year could be the year. But Eboue replacing Hleb full-time.... :

This is assuming Gilberto will be gone as well. Rosicky and Fabregas are great, but they need real help.

ETA: Did I hear Flamini was going to leave as well? ####...

Before this year, I always thought having Hleb on was a weak link for Arsenal, as they seemed to play better with Rosicky, Cesc, and Flamini.....and maybe Denilson. But this year was a particularly strong year for Hleb, and I'm a bit surprised he's leaving.I think Arsenal will be fine, they are so young and so talented, you didn't even get into RVP, Adebayor and Walcott up front, and their back line is solid. It's going to be an interesting off season. There is an uproar for Liverpool to shake things up, Spurs put together an awful campaign and I look for some big changes there, up and comers Everton may add a piece to their puzzle, Chelsea looks like they will need to retool quite a bit. Another team that was awful at the beginning of the year, but really looked good in some matches coming down the stretch was Newcastle. When all their guys were healthy, and out of jail, they really looked good. Martins is a great talent, and I think a guy like Owen has a lot to prove, Nicky Butt and Barton were playing good, I think they could be next season's Everton.

It was nice watching Manchester City fade away as the year progressed

 

[Sebowski]

Great thread guys. Just found it.

I'm an Arsenal and Barcelona fan.

Arsenal question:

Just saw this:

AC Milan target Drogba, Eto'o and Adebayor

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id...822&cc=5901

Please tell me Adebayor isn't going anywhere.

 

[JaxBill]

Nice interview in the local paper with the widow of former Man U star Dennis Viollet-

http://news.jacksonville.com/sportsdesknat...-helen-viollet/

 

[Steve Tasker]

Great thread guys. Just found it.

I'm an Arsenal and Barcelona fan.

Arsenal question:

Just saw this:

AC Milan target Drogba, Eto'o and Adebayor

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id...822&cc=5901

Please tell me Adebayor isn't going anywhere.

Sebowski? From Ants?An Arsenal fan....

 

[Steve Tasker]

Before this year, I always thought having Hleb on was a weak link for Arsenal, as they seemed to play better with Rosicky, Cesc, and Flamini.....and maybe Denilson. But this year was a particularly strong year for Hleb, and I'm a bit surprised he's leaving.I think Arsenal will be fine, they are so young and so talented, you didn't even get into RVP, Adebayor and Walcott up front, and their back line is solid. It's going to be an interesting off season. There is an uproar for Liverpool to shake things up, Spurs put together an awful campaign and I look for some big changes there, up and comers Everton may add a piece to their puzzle, Chelsea looks like they will need to retool quite a bit. Another team that was awful at the beginning of the year, but really looked good in some matches coming down the stretch was Newcastle. When all their guys were healthy, and out of jail, they really looked good. Martins is a great talent, and I think a guy like Owen has a lot to prove, Nicky Butt and Barton were playing good, I think they could be next season's Everton. It was nice watching Manchester City fade away as the year progressed

To be honest, I don't know if Arsenal is built for a title the way they are right now. Up front they're fine...Adebayor and van Persie are both good, and I was very impressed with the way Eduardo played this season before the injury. Back line is good as well, but I think they need to get another MF if they want to truly contend with Chelsea and Manchester.I'd kinda like to see them try Walcott as a Winger/MF....I think he'd fit in well there.

 

[Sebowski]

Great thread guys. Just found it.

I'm an Arsenal and Barcelona fan.

Arsenal question:

Just saw this:

AC Milan target Drogba, Eto'o and Adebayor

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id...822&cc=5901

Please tell me Adebayor isn't going anywhere.

Sebowski? From Ants?An Arsenal fan....

LOL. Yup. I don't go there anymore. What's your handle over there? Do you know anything about Adebayor leaving? He really shined this year (despite some crucial misses in the Champions League).

I can't wait to see him, RVP, Eduardo, Rosicky all healthy next year. Plus Walcott should get better.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Great thread guys. Just found it.

I'm an Arsenal and Barcelona fan.

Arsenal question:

Just saw this:

AC Milan target Drogba, Eto'o and Adebayor

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id...822&cc=5901

Please tell me Adebayor isn't going anywhere.

Sebowski? From Ants?An Arsenal fan....

LOL. Yup. I don't go there anymore. What's your handle over there? Do you know anything about Adebayor leaving? He really shined this year (despite some crucial misses in the Champions League).

I can't wait to see him, RVP, Eduardo, Rosicky all healthy next year. Plus Walcott should get better.

Umm I don't go over there anymore either....you may know me as "pete"....aka the guy who kicks everyone's ### in The League.....sometimes...

 

[Steve Tasker]

Great thread guys. Just found it.

I'm an Arsenal and Barcelona fan.

Arsenal question:

Just saw this:

AC Milan target Drogba, Eto'o and Adebayor

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id...822&cc=5901

Please tell me Adebayor isn't going anywhere.

Sebowski? From Ants?An Arsenal fan....

LOL. Yup. I don't go there anymore. What's your handle over there? Do you know anything about Adebayor leaving? He really shined this year (despite some crucial misses in the Champions League).

I can't wait to see him, RVP, Eduardo, Rosicky all healthy next year. Plus Walcott should get better.

I've heard rumors about him leaving but I don't think they're true....he stepped up big time this year.

 

[andy_b]

Anyone seen Becks goal from Saturday night? One of the longest goals I have ever seen. Certainly it was the longest I ever saw while actually watching a game (not on a vid clip).

He hit it from at least 10 yards behind the midfield stripe.

LA is looking like they should be much improved. With Becks healthy, Landon pretty much running away with the early MVP award and Ruiz finally back from injury, they should have a chance to make some noise, even with their pitiful defense.

Assuming Ruiz has not hung out at the Emilio fast food line (and he did look extra chunky last night), LA should have the ability to move Landon back to midfield and let Ruiz, Buddle and Gordon handle the striking duties.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Bump

What's the word on the Euro league?

 

[Sammy3469]

Gawd forbid we beat England tomorrow...I think the entire country would implode.

 

[andy_b]

Gawd forbid we beat England tomorrow...I think the entire country would implode.

that would be too funny Here is a good preview on the matchup..

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story...=us&cc=5901

 

[Sebowski]

Umm I don't go over there anymore either....you may know me as "pete"....aka the guy who kicks everyone's ### in The League.....sometimes...

Whats up, Pete? Small world. That team of yours really went from Stud-erific to Dud-tastic pretty quick, eh? Make sure vote in those polls over there.

 

[JuniorNB]

Anyone seen Becks goal from Saturday night? One of the longest goals I have ever seen. Certainly it was the longest I ever saw while actually watching a game (not on a vid clip).

He hit it from at least 10 yards behind the midfield stripe.

LA is looking like they should be much improved. With Becks healthy, Landon pretty much running away with the early MVP award and Ruiz finally back from injury, they should have a chance to make some noise, even with their pitiful defense.

Assuming Ruiz has not hung out at the Emilio fast food line (and he did look extra chunky last night), LA should have the ability to move Landon back to midfield and let Ruiz, Buddle and Gordon handle the striking duties.

Here's Beckham's 70 yard goal from the weekend:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHA17rFiuzw...Beckham%20goal%

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Gawd forbid we beat England tomorrow...I think the entire country would implode.

that would be too funny Here is a good preview on the matchup..

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story...=us&cc=5901

There are nine players on Capello's team who were in Moskow on Wednesday, although I don't think Wayne Bridge played. I can't imagine any of the other eight will be anywhere near 100%. Rooney and J. Cole were substituted, but I believe Ferdinand, Brown, Hargreaves, A. Cole, Terry and Lampard played the full 120 minutes.It will be interesting to see if Beckham is in the first 11 and who the English captain is.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

btw - US Soccer has posted the rosters of our opponents for the next three friendlies, leading up to WC qualifying this summer/fall:

England Roster vs. USA GOALKEEPERS (3): Joe Hart (Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth), Joe Lewis (Peterborough) DEFENDERS (10): Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), John Terry (Chelsea), Stephen Warnock (Blackburn), David Wheater (Middlesbrough), Jonathan Woodgate (Middlesbrough) MIDFIELDERS (11): Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), David Bentley (Blackburn), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Aston Villa) FORWARDS (5): Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Dean Ashton (West Ham), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) Spain Roster vs. USA GOALKEEPERS(3): Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Andres Palop (Sevilla), Pepe Reina (Liverpool, England) DEFENDERS (8): Raul Albiol (Valencia), Alvaro Arbeloa (Liverpool, England), Joan Capdevilla (Villarreal), Juanito (Real Betis), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Fernando Navarro (Real Mallorca), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), MIDFIELDERS (8): Xabi Alonso (Liverpool, England), Santi Cazorla (Villarreal), Ruben de la Red (Getafe), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal, England), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Marcos Senna (Villarreal), David Silva (Valencia), Xavi (Barcelona), FORWARDS (4): Sergio Garcia (Real Zaragoza), Daniel Guiza (Real Mallorca), Fernando Torres (Liverpool, England), David Villa (Valencia) Argentina Roster vs. USA: GOALKEEPERS (2): Roberto Abbondanzieri (Getafe), Oscar Ustari (Getafe) DEFENDERS (6): Nicolás Burdisso (Inter Milan), Fabricio Coloccini (Deportivo La Coruna), Martín Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Gabriel Heinze (Real Madrid), Gonzalo Rodríguez (Villarreal), Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan) MIDFIELDERS (8): Éver Banega (Valencia), Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan), Fernando Gago (Real Madrid), Jonás Gutiérrez (Mallorca), Javier Mascherano (Liverpool) Maximiliano Rodríguez (Atléico Madrid), José Sosa (Bayern Munich), Pablo Zabaleta (Espanyol), FORWARDS (5): Fernando Cavenaghi (Bordeaux), Julio Cruz (Inter Milan), Sergio Agüero (Atlético Madrid), Lisandro López (Porto), Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

 

[Steve Tasker]

Umm I don't go over there anymore either....you may know me as "pete"....aka the guy who kicks everyone's ### in The League.....sometimes...

Whats up, Pete? Small world. That team of yours really went from Stud-erific to Dud-tastic pretty quick, eh? Make sure vote in those polls over there.

Shaun Alexander and Larry Johnson ran out of juice pretty quick, unfortunately. I did vote in a bunch of them last time I was over there...

 

[Steve Tasker]

Gawd forbid we beat England tomorrow...I think the entire country would implode.

that would be too funny Here is a good preview on the matchup..

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story...=us&cc=5901

There are nine players on Capello's team who were in Moskow on Wednesday, although I don't think Wayne Bridge played. I can't imagine any of the other eight will be anywhere near 100%. Rooney and J. Cole were substituted, but I believe Ferdinand, Brown, Hargreaves, A. Cole, Terry and Lampard played the full 120 minutes.It will be interesting to see if Beckham is in the first 11 and who the English captain is.

Very interested in seeing Gabriel Agbonlahor....I think he's got what it takes to be the next great English striker....would love to see him start against the US.What time is the game tomorrow?

 

[B Maverick]

Anyone seen Becks goal from Saturday night? One of the longest goals I have ever seen. Certainly it was the longest I ever saw while actually watching a game (not on a vid clip).

He hit it from at least 10 yards behind the midfield stripe.

LA is looking like they should be much improved. With Becks healthy, Landon pretty much running away with the early MVP award and Ruiz finally back from injury, they should have a chance to make some noise, even with their pitiful defense.

Assuming Ruiz has not hung out at the Emilio fast food line (and he did look extra chunky last night), LA should have the ability to move Landon back to midfield and let Ruiz, Buddle and Gordon handle the striking duties.

Here's Beckham's 70 yard goal from the weekend:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHA17rFiuzw...Beckham%20goal%

I am actually surprised this doesnt happen more when teams send their keepers up for corner kicks. At least long shots anyway. Where was the defense?His 50 yarder when he chipped the keeper was much better

 

[Steve Tasker]

Anyone seen Becks goal from Saturday night? One of the longest goals I have ever seen. Certainly it was the longest I ever saw while actually watching a game (not on a vid clip).

He hit it from at least 10 yards behind the midfield stripe.

LA is looking like they should be much improved. With Becks healthy, Landon pretty much running away with the early MVP award and Ruiz finally back from injury, they should have a chance to make some noise, even with their pitiful defense.

Assuming Ruiz has not hung out at the Emilio fast food line (and he did look extra chunky last night), LA should have the ability to move Landon back to midfield and let Ruiz, Buddle and Gordon handle the striking duties.

Here's Beckham's 70 yard goal from the weekend:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHA17rFiuzw...Beckham%20goal%

I am actually surprised this doesnt happen more when teams send their keepers up for corner kicks. At least long shots anyway. Where was the defense?His 50 yarder when he chipped the keeper was much better

The one from like 1997? If so, The GK must have been so embarrassed after that one.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Anyone seen Becks goal from Saturday night? One of the longest goals I have ever seen. Certainly it was the longest I ever saw while actually watching a game (not on a vid clip).

He hit it from at least 10 yards behind the midfield stripe.

LA is looking like they should be much improved. With Becks healthy, Landon pretty much running away with the early MVP award and Ruiz finally back from injury, they should have a chance to make some noise, even with their pitiful defense.

Assuming Ruiz has not hung out at the Emilio fast food line (and he did look extra chunky last night), LA should have the ability to move Landon back to midfield and let Ruiz, Buddle and Gordon handle the striking duties.

Here's Beckham's 70 yard goal from the weekend:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHA17rFiuzw...Beckham%20goal%

I am actually surprised this doesnt happen more when teams send their keepers up for corner kicks. At least long shots anyway. Where was the defense?His 50 yarder when he chipped the keeper was much better

The one from like 1997? If so, The GK must have been so embarrassed after that one.

This one.

 

[B Maverick]

Anyone seen Becks goal from Saturday night? One of the longest goals I have ever seen. Certainly it was the longest I ever saw while actually watching a game (not on a vid clip).

He hit it from at least 10 yards behind the midfield stripe.

LA is looking like they should be much improved. With Becks healthy, Landon pretty much running away with the early MVP award and Ruiz finally back from injury, they should have a chance to make some noise, even with their pitiful defense.

Assuming Ruiz has not hung out at the Emilio fast food line (and he did look extra chunky last night), LA should have the ability to move Landon back to midfield and let Ruiz, Buddle and Gordon handle the striking duties.

Here's Beckham's 70 yard goal from the weekend:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHA17rFiuzw...Beckham%20goal%

I am actually surprised this doesnt happen more when teams send their keepers up for corner kicks. At least long shots anyway. Where was the defense?His 50 yarder when he chipped the keeper was much better

The one from like 1997? If so, The GK must have been so embarrassed after that one.

This one.

exactly right

 

[andy_b]

Gawd forbid we beat England tomorrow...I think the entire country would implode.

that would be too funny Here is a good preview on the matchup..

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story...=us&cc=5901

There are nine players on Capello's team who were in Moskow on Wednesday, although I don't think Wayne Bridge played. I can't imagine any of the other eight will be anywhere near 100%. Rooney and J. Cole were substituted, but I believe Ferdinand, Brown, Hargreaves, A. Cole, Terry and Lampard played the full 120 minutes.It will be interesting to see if Beckham is in the first 11 and who the English captain is.

Very interested in seeing Gabriel Agbonlahor....I think he's got what it takes to be the next great English striker....would love to see him start against the US.What time is the game tomorrow?

3:00pm on ESPN Classic (ie no HD )

 

[B Maverick]

Gawd forbid we beat England tomorrow...I think the entire country would implode.

that would be too funny Here is a good preview on the matchup..

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story...=us&cc=5901

There are nine players on Capello's team who were in Moskow on Wednesday, although I don't think Wayne Bridge played. I can't imagine any of the other eight will be anywhere near 100%. Rooney and J. Cole were substituted, but I believe Ferdinand, Brown, Hargreaves, A. Cole, Terry and Lampard played the full 120 minutes.It will be interesting to see if Beckham is in the first 11 and who the English captain is.

Very interested in seeing Gabriel Agbonlahor....I think he's got what it takes to be the next great English striker....would love to see him start against the US.What time is the game tomorrow?

3:00pm on ESPN Classic (ie no HD )

I am guessing thats eastern time?

 

[Sebowski]

btw - US Soccer has posted the rosters of our opponents for the next three friendlies, leading up to WC qualifying this summer/fall:

England Roster vs. USA GOALKEEPERS (3): Joe Hart (Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth), Joe Lewis (Peterborough) DEFENDERS (10): Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), John Terry (Chelsea), Stephen Warnock (Blackburn), David Wheater (Middlesbrough), Jonathan Woodgate (Middlesbrough) MIDFIELDERS (11): Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), David Bentley (Blackburn), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Aston Villa) FORWARDS (5): Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Dean Ashton (West Ham), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) Spain Roster vs. USA GOALKEEPERS(3): Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Andres Palop (Sevilla), Pepe Reina (Liverpool, England) DEFENDERS (8): Raul Albiol (Valencia), Alvaro Arbeloa (Liverpool, England), Joan Capdevilla (Villarreal), Juanito (Real Betis), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Fernando Navarro (Real Mallorca), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), MIDFIELDERS (8): Xabi Alonso (Liverpool, England), Santi Cazorla (Villarreal), Ruben de la Red (Getafe), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal, England), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Marcos Senna (Villarreal), David Silva (Valencia), Xavi (Barcelona), FORWARDS (4): Sergio Garcia (Real Zaragoza), Daniel Guiza (Real Mallorca), Fernando Torres (Liverpool, England), David Villa (Valencia) Argentina Roster vs. USA: GOALKEEPERS (2): Roberto Abbondanzieri (Getafe), Oscar Ustari (Getafe) DEFENDERS (6): Nicolás Burdisso (Inter Milan), Fabricio Coloccini (Deportivo La Coruna), Martín Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Gabriel Heinze (Real Madrid), Gonzalo Rodríguez (Villarreal), Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan) MIDFIELDERS (8): Éver Banega (Valencia), Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan), Fernando Gago (Real Madrid), Jonás Gutiérrez (Mallorca), Javier Mascherano (Liverpool) Maximiliano Rodríguez (Atléico Madrid), José Sosa (Bayern Munich), Pablo Zabaleta (Espanyol), FORWARDS (5): Fernando Cavenaghi (Bordeaux), Julio Cruz (Inter Milan), Sergio Agüero (Atlético Madrid), Lisandro López (Porto), Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

That Spain roster is killer. I hope we get out of that one alive. Has to be the best set strikers in the world. I can't believe Argentina left Tevez and Requelme off. Has Requelme really fallen that far off? Anyone else think we can take two out of three?

 

[Steve Tasker]

Gawd forbid we beat England tomorrow...I think the entire country would implode.

that would be too funny Here is a good preview on the matchup..

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story...=us&cc=5901

There are nine players on Capello's team who were in Moskow on Wednesday, although I don't think Wayne Bridge played. I can't imagine any of the other eight will be anywhere near 100%. Rooney and J. Cole were substituted, but I believe Ferdinand, Brown, Hargreaves, A. Cole, Terry and Lampard played the full 120 minutes.It will be interesting to see if Beckham is in the first 11 and who the English captain is.

Very interested in seeing Gabriel Agbonlahor....I think he's got what it takes to be the next great English striker....would love to see him start against the US.What time is the game tomorrow?

3:00pm on ESPN Classic (ie no HD )

I am guessing thats eastern time?

Do you know if there's any replays?

 

[Steve Tasker]

Forgot to mention that while I was in Montreal last week, I got to take a look at the Montreal Impact's brand new stadium....wow it is nice. Especially for an A-League team....it was as nice as the BMO Field (not sure if anyone else has been there) but a bit smaller. It was in a bit of a secluded area out of downtown, like the BMO as well.

Very cool...they played that day, but the girlfriend didn't get tickets....she told me the season didn't start until June when she was looking for tickets online...she was looking at the Montreal Alouettes CFL team....

ETA: linky

 

[kerpow]

On the day our two countries meet for a friendly there may be something a little more competitive going on off the field:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/ma...ndfootballteam2

 

[Steve Tasker]

Anyone know if there will be a replay later tonight...espn classic? espnu? espn2?

 

[andy_b]

Anyone know if there will be a replay later tonight...espn classic? espnu? espn2?

I did not see any listed. Your only hope is for a 5-4 type game that may become an "instant classic" but even then with it just being a friendly, it may not happen.The good news is that ESPN Classic has a lot of soccer on today!US - England at 3:00pmEuro Preview Show from 5-6pmAnd then it is showing a Euro game from 1980 between W Germany and Belgium at 7:00 (its an hour show)

 

[Sammy3469]

On the day our two countries meet for a friendly there may be something a little more competitive going on off the field:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/ma...ndfootballteam2

Frankly I'll be stunned if England gets it before the US (or China for that matter).

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Anyone know if there will be a replay later tonight...espn classic? espnu? espn2?

I searched last night and did not see any replays scheduled. Good news for next week's game against Spain - it will be televised on ESPN2 so we'll get HD.

 

[andy_b]

This is extremely big news for MLS

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1211942489...=googlenews_wsj

 

[Steve Tasker]

Anyone know if there will be a replay later tonight...espn classic? espnu? espn2?

I did not see any listed. Your only hope is for a 5-4 type game that may become an "instant classic" but even then with it just being a friendly, it may not happen.The good news is that ESPN Classic has a lot of soccer on today!US - England at 3:00pmEuro Preview Show from 5-6pmAnd then it is showing a Euro game from 1980 between W Germany and Belgium at 7:00 (its an hour show)

I'll have to follow along at work...hopefully someone will be here giving updates like I did during the Champions League.

 

[Steve Tasker]

This is extremely big news for MLS

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1211942489...=googlenews_wsj

That is awesome.

 

[B Maverick]

This is extremely big news for MLS

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1211942489...=googlenews_wsj

That is awesome.

Great news! horribly written article....

 

[CletiusMaximus]

John Terry was named English captain for today's game.

As expected, Inter fired Roberto Mancini yesterday and is expected to name Mourinho as his replacement. Mancini immediately becomes the favorite to replace Avram Grant at Chelsea.

 

[andy_b]

Brian McBride has left Fulham and looks to be returning to MLS.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArti...ideDeparts.aspx