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

[NewlyRetired]

remember when aging stars went to the J-League?

yes, but don't you think the age of quality players signing up, seems to be trending down ?...ETA-horribly worded, but the gist is there?...

I guess it could be. I have not seen any data which refutes that point.

But even in the old NASL days, you had a world class player like Beckenbauer coming at age 31, similar in age to Beckham, Henry, Keane, Kaka and others who have come to America in their early 30's.

MLS's recent signings of Giovinco and Dos Santos and China's signing of Martinez is obviously a lower age point. Whether those are blips or trends, I think we need to wait out the coming decade to determine.

 

[Sebowski]

This was well done. Clever video on MLS announcing the All Star opponent this year

https://twitter.com/MLS/status/697835015380439040

That was really cool.

 

[NewlyRetired]

https://youtu.be/ZG0Eq97H26E

 

[The Gator]

Sunderland cuts their sex offender.

My Link

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Sunderland cuts their sex offender.

My Link

Only thing better would be to change the kit sponsor to Subway.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Congrats to Messi for winning La Liga Player of the Month for the first time. I always thought that kid would make it.

 

[Mjolnirs]

DFB Pokal quarterfinals are today and tomorrow. (current position in the table)

2/9

Werder Bremen (16) at Bayer Leverkusen (5)

Borussia Dortmund (2) at Stuttgart (12)

2/10

Hertha Berlin (3) at Heidenheim (8 in BL2)

Bayern München (1) at Bochum (5 in BL2)

Results and draw for the semisWerder Bremen 3-1 Bayer Leverkusen

Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Stuttgart

Hertha Berlin 3-2 Heidenheim

Bayern München 3-0 Bochum

April 19/20

Borussia Dortmund at Hertha Berlin

Werder Bremen at Bayern München

 

[NewlyRetired]

Hoffenheim just hired a new coach yesterday. This weekend when he makes his debut he will become the youngest coach in Bundesliga history at only 28 years old.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Sven Goran Erikkson, coach in the Chinese Super League said that the teams all have the money to compete with the big Euro clubs for transfer fees. This is going to be an interesting next 10 years to see if the sport can take hold in China.

SVG also said the clubs are pouring massive amounts of money into grass roots development which is the countries weak spot.

He believes the league will be a top league fairly soon but that it could take much longer for the Chinese National Team to become a world power.

 

[Sebowski]

Sven Goran Erikkson, coach in the Chinese Super League said that the teams all have the money to compete with the big Euro clubs for transfer fees. This is going to be an interesting next 10 years to see if the sport can take hold in China.

SVG also said the clubs are pouring massive amounts of money into grass roots development which is the countries weak spot.

He believes the league will be a top league fairly soon but that it could take much longer for the Chinese National Team to become a world power.

We hear a lot on this side of the pond about the cultural adjustment it takes to live and play in Europe. And that's Europe vs. here. China vs. Europe is a much bigger cultural difference. I don't see them getting any non-Asian stars in their prime.

 

[El Floppo]

Sven Goran Erikkson, coach in the Chinese Super League said that the teams all have the money to compete with the big Euro clubs for transfer fees. This is going to be an interesting next 10 years to see if the sport can take hold in China.

SVG also said the clubs are pouring massive amounts of money into grass roots development which is the countries weak spot.

He believes the league will be a top league fairly soon but that it could take much longer for the Chinese National Team to become a world power.

We hear a lot on this side of the pond about the cultural adjustment it takes to live and play in Europe. And that's Europe vs. here. China vs. Europe is a much bigger cultural difference. I don't see them getting any non-Asian stars in their prime.

except they don't have MLS's $$rules.

I see them getting whoever is willing to take the cash over glory.

 

[roadkill1292]

Guangzhou Evergrande FC to take Liverpool's spot in the Super League!?

 

[El Floppo]

some fun EPL games this weekend.

and liverpool.

amirite? amirite? Liverpool... because they're not fun. and just terrible. look!

 

[Sinn Fein]

[blah, blah, blah Liverpool are great blah, blah, blah]

Three bold predictions after 2 weeks:

1. Tottenham could finish 9th or worse

2. Chelsea could easily finish 5th this year, (although if they are doing poorly I'm sure they'll write some huge winter window checks)

3. Man City wins the league by 10 points

So much to love in this post, but there is a certain sense of irony with the bolded

 

[El Floppo]

[blah, blah, blah Liverpool are great blah, blah, blah]

Three bold predictions after 2 weeks:

1. Tottenham could finish 9th or worse

2. Chelsea could easily finish 5th this year, (although if they are doing poorly I'm sure they'll write some huge winter window checks)

3. Man City wins the league by 10 points

So much to love in this post, but there is a certain sense of irony with the bolded

but it's true.

they could finish 9th or worse.

 

[Kafka]

[blah, blah, blah Liverpool are great blah, blah, blah]

Three bold predictions after 2 weeks:

1. Tottenham could finish 9th or worse

2. Chelsea could easily finish 5th this year, (although if they are doing poorly I'm sure they'll write some huge winter window checks)

3. Man City wins the league by 10 points

So much to love in this post, but there is a certain sense of irony with the bolded

APB put out for shady suspect; known to support Liverpool after their Suarez-induced 2nd-place finish in BPL...Loyalty (allegedly) professed in numerous posts prior to a certain Northern "Irishman"'s banishment; not from the gerrymandered northern 6 counties, but rather The Fatherland (aka: BPL) ...MIA lately; assuming both circumstantial & physical evidence to the contrary of said suspect's motives was extremely overwhelming, hence the reluctance to respond, without a lawyer present...(at least one who doesn't openly espouse the politics of Gerry Adams via his username). C'mon you PROVO, cut him some slack; embrace the neophyte...

 

[Slapdash]

[blah, blah, blah Liverpool are great blah, blah, blah]

Three bold predictions after 2 weeks:

1. Tottenham could finish 9th or worse

2. Chelsea could easily finish 5th this year, (although if they are doing poorly I'm sure they'll write some huge winter window checks)

3. Man City wins the league by 10 points

So much to love in this post, but there is a certain sense of irony with the bolded

Reminds me when this thread turned into Liverpool chat in the summer of 14

 

[The Gator]

[blah, blah, blah Liverpool are great blah, blah, blah]

Three bold predictions after 2 weeks:

1. Tottenham could finish 9th or worse

2. Chelsea could easily finish 5th this year, (although if they are doing poorly I'm sure they'll write some huge winter window checks)

3. Man City wins the league by 10 points

So much to love in this post, but there is a certain sense of irony with the bolded

Reminds me when this thread turned into Liverpool chat in the summer of 14

Best time ever

 

[Kafka]

[blah, blah, blah Liverpool are great blah, blah, blah]

Three bold predictions after 2 weeks:

1. Tottenham could finish 9th or worse

2. Chelsea could easily finish 5th this year, (although if they are doing poorly I'm sure they'll write some huge winter window checks)

3. Man City wins the league by 10 points

So much to love in this post, but there is a certain sense of irony with the bolded

Reminds me when this thread turned into Liverpool chat in the summer of 14

SmoovySmoov was a cool cat.

 

[gianmarco]

[blah, blah, blah Liverpool are great blah, blah, blah]

Three bold predictions after 2 weeks:

1. Tottenham could finish 9th or worse

2. Chelsea could easily finish 5th this year, (although if they are doing poorly I'm sure they'll write some huge winter window checks)

3. Man City wins the league by 10 points

So much to love in this post, but there is a certain sense of irony with the bolded

Reminds me when this thread turned into Liverpool chat in the summer of 14

Best time ever

 

[Kafka]

[blah, blah, blah Liverpool are great blah, blah, blah]

Three bold predictions after 2 weeks:

1. Tottenham could finish 9th or worse

2. Chelsea could easily finish 5th this year, (although if they are doing poorly I'm sure they'll write some huge winter window checks)

3. Man City wins the league by 10 points

So much to love in this post, but there is a certain sense of irony with the bolded

Reminds me when this thread turned into Liverpool chat in the summer of 14

Best time ever

...but alas, they were destined to "slip" back into mediocrity...

 

[Sebowski]

Sven Goran Erikkson, coach in the Chinese Super League said that the teams all have the money to compete with the big Euro clubs for transfer fees. This is going to be an interesting next 10 years to see if the sport can take hold in China.

SVG also said the clubs are pouring massive amounts of money into grass roots development which is the countries weak spot.

He believes the league will be a top league fairly soon but that it could take much longer for the Chinese National Team to become a world power.

We hear a lot on this side of the pond about the cultural adjustment it takes to live and play in Europe. And that's Europe vs. here. China vs. Europe is a much bigger cultural difference. I don't see them getting any non-Asian stars in their prime.

except they don't have MLS's $$rules.

I see them getting whoever is willing to take the cash over glory.

Which hasn't been a lot of primetime players in the past. The only way China can pull it off is if they get in to Champions League

 

[The Gator]

[blah, blah, blah Liverpool are great blah, blah, blah]

Three bold predictions after 2 weeks:

1. Tottenham could finish 9th or worse

2. Chelsea could easily finish 5th this year, (although if they are doing poorly I'm sure they'll write some huge winter window checks)

3. Man City wins the league by 10 points

So much to love in this post, but there is a certain sense of irony with the bolded

Reminds me when this thread turned into Liverpool chat in the summer of 14

Best time ever

...but alas, they were destined to "slip" back into mediocrity...

Et tu?

 

[GoFishTN]

Sven Goran Erikkson, coach in the Chinese Super League said that the teams all have the money to compete with the big Euro clubs for transfer fees. This is going to be an interesting next 10 years to see if the sport can take hold in China.

SVG also said the clubs are pouring massive amounts of money into grass roots development which is the countries weak spot.

He believes the league will be a top league fairly soon but that it could take much longer for the Chinese National Team to become a world power.

We hear a lot on this side of the pond about the cultural adjustment it takes to live and play in Europe. And that's Europe vs. here. China vs. Europe is a much bigger cultural difference. I don't see them getting any non-Asian stars in their prime.

except they don't have MLS's $$rules.

I see them getting whoever is willing to take the cash over glory.

Which hasn't been a lot of primetime players in the past. The only way China can pull it off is if they get in to Champions League

Well, it does says Champions League in the name.

 

[Eephus]

Might as well just auction off SuperLeague franchises because that's what it's all about anyway

 

[NewlyRetired]

oh my!

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

Bob Williams‏@WilliamsBob75https://twitter.com/WilliamsBob75
Have been told by an impeccable source that the Qataris have taken ownership of David Beckham's MLS team. #Beckham will remain face of club

 

[The Gator]

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

[gianmarco]

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Man, you scared me.

 

[Kafka]

[blah, blah, blah Liverpool are great blah, blah, blah]

Three bold predictions after 2 weeks:

1. Tottenham could finish 9th or worse

2. Chelsea could easily finish 5th this year, (although if they are doing poorly I'm sure they'll write some huge winter window checks)

3. Man City wins the league by 10 points

So much to love in this post, but there is a certain sense of irony with the bolded

Reminds me when this thread turned into Liverpool chat in the summer of 14

Best time ever

...but alas, they were destined to "slip" back into mediocrity...

Et tu?[/quote...only fair...was going to attach a self-deprecating Roma disclaimer to my post, but it's less fun that way...AS Roma stands with their Liverpool brothers in the morass of mediocrity...

 

[Christo]

Kone!

 

[Sinn Fein]

Yedlin has looked decent, except for the blatant dive

 

[Christo]

He's looked exactly like he does for the USMNT. Blazing speed, good work-rate. But no clue what he's doing in the final third.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Yedlin has looked decent, except for the blatant dive

Maybe should have kept tracking Martial on the goal, but the whole back four was ball watching.

 

[Sinn Fein]

Yedlin has looked decent, except for the blatant dive

Maybe should have kept tracking Martial on the goal, but the whole back four was ball watching.

I was thinking the same - but the commentators were placing that on someone else, so I could not tell who was supposed to be tracking there. Of, course if Mannone puts that ball over the line, its a non-issue.

 

[Sinn Fein]

Big win

 

[Sinn Fein]

Don't think I realized Man United have only 3 wins in the last 13. I knew they were a bit adrift, but not quite that bad.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

My God, that's Jose Mourinho's music!

 

[Kafka]

Don't think I realized Man United have only 3 wins in the last 13. I knew they were a bit adrift, but not quite that bad.

I didn't realize that if South Hampton wins today, they'll only be 1 point behind ManU...crazy, since they were on the brink of relegation zone before Boxing Day. Not sure if that's more an indictment of ManU, or a testament to the Southie's current form. I actually enjoy this parity throughout the table, from top to bottom. A Meyerside team is currently in with a shout too, with good current form.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I thought Yedlin did really well 1 v 1 against Martial on the wing. Once the play is more muddied he loses track of things, but he looked good isolated IMO.

 

[gianmarco]

I thought Yedlin did really well 1 v 1 against Martial on the wing. Once the play is more muddied he loses track of things, but he looked good isolated IMO.

Which happens almost never.

 

[NewlyRetired]

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

Fire Confidential has learned that midfielder Player Harry Shipp has been traded to the Montreal Impact in exchange for a combination of General Allocation and Targeted Allocation Money. In his third season with Chicago, Shipp has had some ups and downs since signing as the club's third ever Homegrown Player in 2014. He provided 7 goals and 6 assists in his rookie season but tailed off in 2015 with 3 goals and 8 assists.

The move allows Chicago more room to get back into the international market for an attacking midfielder.

 

[lardonastick]

Nice start Newcastle.

 

[lardonastick]

Nice start Newcastle.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

The zebra shirts look so much cooler on Juve.

 

[Christo]

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

Fire Confidential has learned that midfielder Player Harry Shipp has been traded to the Montreal Impact in exchange for a combination of General Allocation and Targeted Allocation Money. In his third season with Chicago, Shipp has had some ups and downs since signing as the club's third ever Homegrown Player in 2014. He provided 7 goals and 6 assists in his rookie season but tailed off in 2015 with 3 goals and 8 assists.

The move allows Chicago more room to get back into the international market for an attacking midfielder.

good god

 

[Slapdash]

Let's see if Napoli can stay on top

 

[Kafka]

The zebra shirts look so much cooler on Juve.[/quote As a long suffering Roma fan, & at the risk of sounding jaded, how apropos. Pretty sure thats why Serie A refs now wear solid colors, because,you know...

 

[Kafka]

This Juve-Napoli game has phenomenal atmosphere. Supporting Napoli as they represent the romantic southern Italian futbol vs those cynical, northern conglomerates. This is actually a thing in Italy; both politically & sporting wise. The South is looked down upon as working class philistines, with a flair for the dramatic, instead of the pragmatic. #### the Norde, pezzo Di merda.

 

[Slapdash]

Pogba with a pokeball shaved into his hair: https://twitter.com/Coral/status/698596948115353601

 

[Slapdash]

This Juve-Napoli game has phenomenal atmosphere. Supporting Napoli as they represent the romantic southern Italian futbol vs those cynical, northern conglomerates. This is actually a thing in Italy; both politically & sporting wise. The South is looked down upon as working class philistines, with a flair for the dramatic, instead of the pragmatic. #### the Norde, pezzo Di merda.

cool thing about this Napoli squad is that half of their lineup was brought in with the Cavani haul.