General Soccer Discussion

[Sandroimbuto]

US national team blows!

[Longview]

Aug 12th. Payback for their B team picking on our B team.

[Sandroimbuto]

I must admit that the penalty in their favor was a bs call.

[Omar]

Aug 12th. Payback for their B team picking on our B team.
More like our C team losing to their A- team. I would be surprised if more than one player from yesterday's game on our part makes the Final 23 for 2010.

With that said, the tournament overall was a success. We sent out a crap squad and still went almost entirely unscathed into the final. We learned that Stuart Holden has the potential of developing into a nice midfielder, and should be given a look on the squad that restarts qualifying on August 12th as well as Beckerman.

The priority has always been getting a result in el Estadio Azteca on the 12th. Watching Mexico's starters kick the ass of players who are the equivalent of MLS starters in essentially a Mexican home game is of no consequence. The Gold Cup that matters is in 2011.

[Party]

Excuses, excuses, excuses!

[Ramp]

Yea, outside of Holden I wouldn't expect to see any of those players making the trip to Mexico in a few weeks

Ching looked really old, all tourney long

Liked what I saw out of Perkins yesterday.... actually managed to not have it be 9-0

[Branch]

US national team blows!

But they beat Spain!!!!11!!11!!!

Still, I got a lot of enjoyment out of the Confederations cup, even if they lost. Here's to playing better in Mexico...... Next time.

[Sandroimbuto]

I know it's early but...

Would anyone be interested in a World Cup pool?

I used to always do one with friends and family, ten dollar buy in just for the group stage. Youhave to guess 1 X 2 (1st team, tie, 2nd team). Player to guess the most won the pot. Anyways, I'd like get a pool going, but with ideas on how to incorporate the next stages up to the final (point system of sorts?) so that whe I do the real thing I have a better format. Ideas and suggestions?

[Namaste]

I am interested

[MiamiHomer]

I would be as well.

[Omar]

I know it's early but...

Would anyone be interested in a World Cup pool?

I used to always do one with friends and family, ten dollar buy in just for the group stage. Youhave to guess 1 X 2 (1st team, tie, 2nd team). Player to guess the most won the pot. Anyways, I'd like get a pool going, but with ideas on how to incorporate the next stages up to the final (point system of sorts?) so that whe I do the real thing I have a better format. Ideas and suggestions?
How about:

3 Points for correct #1 group team
2 Points for correct #2 group team
1 Point for correct advancing team (out of order)

4 Points for correct Round of 16 Winner
8 Points for correct Quarterfinal Winner
16 Points for correct Semifinal Winner
24 Points for correct Third Place Winner
32 Points for correct Champion

[Sandroimbuto]

I wanted to keep the format of guessing every game of the group stage, to keep you interested in every match.

[Omar]

Ok then scratch the group stage points and just give one point for every game correctly guessed in the group stages

[Sandroimbuto]

It shall be done.

[Branch]

I would be interested as well

[Namaste]

Anyone watching MLS All Stars vs Everton?

1-1 61st

[Longview]

Shit, forgot it was on...
--------------------
Am now.
--------------------
Howard is incredible

[Ramp]

Everton was lucky to escape

Timmy is massive

[MiamiHomer]

Timmy is indeed the man. With him in between to posts you anyways got a chance.

[BigGameFish]

Their loss in the Gold Cup is not a big deal, like people said this was their C team vs probably their B+ team.

[Ramp]

90,000 expected in the Rose Bowl tonight for Galaxy-Barcelona

futbol has had a great summer in the states so far

[Namaste]

I would love to be a part of that atmosphere tonight.

[BigGameFish]

Barcelona playing Sounders tonight. Anyone have a clue if Barcelona's best players are participating? The game is on ESPN2 @1030 EST

[Ramp]

They'll be playing... Of course some of the young guys will too (still no Zlatan though)

[Longview]

Jozy to join Hull City in EPL. Hopefully he gets some decent playing time, im not at all familiar with Hull City so idk how good their current forwards are.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/08/05/altidore-hull.ap/index.html

Jozy Altidore says he has joined Premier League club Hull subject to a work permit being granted.

The 19-year-old United States striker announced on Twitter that he is set to be unveiled at a media conference Thursday.

He wrote Wednesday: "First match is against Chelsea subject to a work permit ... thanks for the support and love keep it coming.''

Altidore moved to Villarreal from Major League Soccer side the New York Red Bulls in June 2008.

[Omar]

Hull sucks so he should have playing time there

[Longview]

Nice read from ESPN.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=usworldcup

[BigGameFish]

I wish Miami had an MLS team again :/

[Omar]

The 20 man squad for Wednesday's showdown at Azteca

Bold = players I think will start

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, England), Tim Howard (Everton, England).

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes, France), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover, Germany), Jay DeMerit (Watford, England), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan, Italy), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United, England).

Midfielders: Michael Bradley (Borussia Monchengladbach, Germany), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Clint Dempsey (Fulham, England), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus, Denmark), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Jose Francisco Torres (Pachuca, Mexico).

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Hull City, England), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Charlie Davies (Sochaux, France), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy).

http://www.examiner.com/x-16083-Soccer-Examiner~y2009m8d7-US-announces-20man-squad-for-Mexico-qualifier

Personally, I think Davies should get the call at striker alongside Jozy in a 4-2-2-2 but knowing the way this team plays on the road in the region, we'll be lucky to see two forwards much less both Jozy and Davies. Much more likely to see a vet like Ching.

Also really happy to see Holden on the squad, despite the chances of him seeing action being minimal. Also, I kind of wish Guzan would have stayed backed trying to win the Villa job, but he's clearly the #2 goalie for the US right now and it isn't close.

[Longview]

I hope Davies gets the start as well. I wouldn't mind seeing Feilhaber get a start either, but there's pretty much a 100% chance he comes in as a sub if he doesn't.

Cant wait to see this team back together and see if anything will carry over from the Confed Cup. You've got to think their confidence is sky high right now and this is gonna be another tough fought, fun game to watch. Their home field streak is gonna come to an end :marchmellow

[FishFF]

Davvvieees

1-0 USA

[wanks1212]

that goal was purty

[Bingebag]

http://www.channelsurfing.net/watch-uefa-5.html

I don't get Telemundo here with basic cable. I figured others had the same problem. That link gets you the game streaming. (Works on Macs)

[FishFF]

wow...what a shot
--------------------
1-1

[FishFF]

game getting physical

[Sandroimbuto]

C'est fini

[Longview]

Classy people. I will take great satisfaction if they do not make the World Cup.

[Omar]

Not sure if you guys knew this (I didn't), but what they did in 2001 was worse (believe it or not):

GUADALAJARA, Mexico - The boos nearly drowned out “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and a few dozen fans chanted “Osama! Osama!” as the United States was eliminated by Mexico in Olympic men’s soccer qualifying.

A loud anti-American crowd hollered as Mexico beat the United States 4-0 Tuesday night in the under-23 tournament, claiming a berth in the Athens Olympics. Mexico had already eliminated the U.S. baseball team from Olympic contention.

As U.S. players left the stadium for their bus, several fans — some clutching beers — chanted “Osama! Osama!” in reference to al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/4236314/

[Ramp]

I hate them more and more each day

[Namaste]

What did Davy Crocket say when he saw all the Mexicans running towards the Alamo?

Who ordered concrete?




Why are there no Mexicans in Star Trek?

They don't work in the future either!



Did you hear about the two car pile-up in the Walmart parking lot?

50 Mexicans died.



Did you hear about the winner of the Mexican beauty contest?

Me neither.

[Ramp]

http://www.fannation.com/si_blogs/grant_wahl/posts/74041-landon-donovan-has-h1n1-flu-virus

Landon got swine.

[MiamiHomer]

Man they fucked us up all sorts of ways.

[Namaste]

Clint Dempsey signs contract extension with Fulham until 2013



http://goal.com/en-us/news/1614/americans-abroad/2009/08/13/1438756/clint-dempsey-signs-contract-extension-at-fulham-until-2013

[Omar]

Would help explain why his legs were so heavy in the second half yesterday. The article says it was from before the game though. (in regards to Landon)


Honduras beat Costa Rica yesterday, so the table looks like this:
Team W L T Points Goal Differential
Costa Rica 4 0 2 12 0
Honduras 3 1 2 10 +4
USA 3 1 2 10 +3
----------
Mexico 3 0 3 9 -1
----------
El Salvador 1 2 3 5 -2
Trinidad 1 2 3 5 -4

We resume international play on September 5th in Utah vs El Salvador. If we can take care of business that day, the gap between Mexico and the top three could get a lot larger. Mexico goes to Costa Rica to face the leaders while Honduras gets Trinidad at home. Also, if chalk wins out all we need to do is win by more goals than Honduras to regain the two spot.

Just a reminder, but the top three qualify automatically for the World Cup in 2010 while #4 in the group needs to defeat the 5th place team from South America in a home/home winner-take-all matchup.

Our remaining four games:
9/5 vs El Salvador (Utah)
9/9 @ Trinidad and Tobago (Port of Spain)
10/10 @ Honduras (San Pedro Sula)
10/14 vs Costa Rica (DC)

If we win the next two games (against the bottom of the table), we'll have 16 points and you have to assume that'll be very good position.

[Ramp]

ManU loses at newly promoted Burnley

absolutely embarassing

ManU looks like shite sans Cristiano and Tevez

[MiamiHomer]

Everton got rocked by Arsenal 6-1...Howard quite off his game there eh.

[Ramp]

Not Howard's fault

didn't have a chance at any of the 6

our defense is horrendous, and we're still missing 2 of our best players (Yakubu, Arteta)

now Lescott was kicked off the squad for tomorrow night's Europa clash.... we're gonna (finally) sell him to Man City

we need the money

[Omar]

ManU loses at newly promoted Burnley

absolutely embarassing

ManU looks like shite sans Cristiano and Tevez
I'm so happy I didn't see this.....it's not that big of a deal, being a road game and all, and we were missing 3/4 of our starting D. But the loss sucks, especially considering Carrick had a penalty and couldn't convert.

The team continues to be figuring itself out (the opener wasn't exactly a convincing result) and ManU consistently starts slow. It'll be ok.

[MiamiHomer]

Haha!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ukFUEI5qz8

[Blackout Pact]

Roma is looking absolutely terrible against Genoa right now.

[Sandroimbuto]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1svlsv9QO3o

The tying goal was an absolute rocket.

[Namaste]

Haha!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ukFUEI5qz8




Dear MH


Hi. How are you?


Regards

2006

[Sandroimbuto]

Champions League groups are out:

GRUPPO A

Bayern Monaco
Juventus
Bordeaux
Maccabi Haifa

GRUPPO B

Manchester United
CSKA Mosca
Besiktas
Wolfsburg

GRUPPO C

Milan
Real Madrid
Marsiglia
Zurigo

GRUPPO D

Chelsea
Porto
Atletico Madrid
Apoel Nicosia

GRUPPO E

Liverpool
Lione
Fiorentina
Debrecen

GRUPPO F

Barcellona
Inter
Dinamo Kiev
Rubin Kazan

GRUPPO G

Siviglia
Rangers
Stoccarda
Urziceni

GRUPPO H

Arsenal
AZ Alkmaar
Olimpiacos
Standard Liegi

[Ramp]

group b looks like the group of death I think

[Omar]

I think Group F is a lot harder, personally

[Ramp]

I think Besiktas and CSKA are stronger than Dinamo and Rubin Kazan

[Sandroimbuto]

I'd be shocked if its not Barcellona and Inter out of that group.
--------------------
Top to bottom I think B and C are toughest

[MiamiHomer]

I'm glad I get to see the Barca game tomorrow but it's going to suck when my favorite player from the team isn't there anymore :(.

[MiamiHomer]

Barca looks so out of sync on offense. They have like 9 corners and nothing doing from any of them.
--------------------
Dammit, Messi and Henry come close.

[Ramp]

Definitely missing Iniesta out there

[MiamiHomer]

Definitely missing Iniesta out there

Yeah, also I can't believe Ibra missed Henry running down with him on his left side that last attempt he had on goal.
--------------------
Some of these runs that Messi makes are just fucking crazy. I really don't get how he can go that fast and still weave around defenders.

[Omar]

The goalie for Shakhtar is having a pretty solid go as well, can't discount that

[MiamiHomer]

He did well this half. But Barca has looked really sloppy on corners.

[Omar]

The class between the two teams is astounding, though. I can't remember the last time Shakhtar put together a meaningful offensive possession.

If the D can step up against Barca, this one will go to penalties.

[Ramp]

that should be your ballgame

[MiamiHomer]

What a pass.

[MiamiHomer]

OMG ARSENAL!!!! just offside.....
--------------------
lol the Arsenal coach was hilarious.

[Ramp]

Milan Derby!

[Blackout Pact]

Roma - Juventus match starting up right now. Roma needs to bounce back after their loss last week.

[Ramp]

Everton (finally) won, 2-1 over Wigan

PK by Baines in the 90th

[Blackout Pact]

I caught the end of that match. Nice finish for Everton.

[Ramp]

holy shit

what a goal by newbie Diego

[Blackout Pact]

Dammit Cassetti. That was fucking awful.

Great goal by Diego though.
--------------------
Holy shit! That was an incredible goal by De Rossi

[Ramp]

TOtti almost put Roma on top at the end

[Blackout Pact]

Great match so far. Sadly I have to leave in ten minutes so I can't watch the second half.

[MiamiHomer]

What are you watching?

Roma vs. Juventus

[Ramp]

Felipe Melo is awesome

Old Woman 3, Roma 1

[Ramp]

Freddy Adu loaned from Benfica to Belenenses.

Belenenses play Benfica this week.

This is a big move for Adu, not because Belenenses is good, but because he should finally get some playing time in a decent league.

[Sandroimbuto]

"Josh Wicks is issued a red card after the goal. After Montero scored, Wicks turned to Montero, who fell to the ground, and jumped and stomped on his chest"

Oh my! Anyone with video of this gets rep.

[Ramp]

http://web.mlsnet.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=6438201

[Namaste]

Wow that was harsh

[Sandroimbuto]

I imagined much worse.

[MiamiHomer]

Chelsea will launch the "strongest appeal possible" after FIFA banned them from signing any players until January 2011.

World football's governing body revealed on Thursday they would prevent the Blues from registering players for the next two transfer windows after being found guilty of inducing French teenager Gael Kakuta to breach his contract with Lens.

The 18-year-old winger joined Chelsea from the Ligue 1 side in 2007, after which the French club lodged a complaint with FIFA.

FIFA's Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) has finally passed their decision on the contractual dispute and handed down a hefty ban and substantial fine to the Blues.

Chelsea hit back at the ruling by issuing the following statement on their official website: "Chelsea will mount the strongest appeal possible following the decision of FIFA's Dispute Resolution Chamber over Gaël Kakuta.

"The sanctions are without precedent to this level and totally disproportionate to the alleged offence and the financial penalty imposed. We cannot comment further until we receive the full written rationale for this extraordinarily arbitrary decision."

FIFA will now send official documentation to Stamford Bridge and upon receipt of those notification papers Chelsea will have 10 days in which to lodge an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Given the severity of the punishment, it is almost certain the club will take that course of action.

A statement from FIFA read: "The DRC found that the player had indeed breached a contract signed with the French club. Equally, the DRC deemed it to be established that the English club induced the player to such a breach.

"As a result the player was condemned to pay compensation in the amount of €780,000, for which the club, Chelsea, are jointly and severally liable.

"A restriction of four months on his eligibility to play in official matches has been imposed on Kakuta. Chelsea are banned from registering any new players, either nationally or internationally, for the two next entire and consecutive registration periods following the notification of the present decision.

"Furthermore, the club, Chelsea, have to pay Lens training compensation in the amount of €130,000."

Back in July 2005, Italian club Roma were similarly banned from signing players for a period of one year over the controversial signing of defender Philippe Mexes from French club Auxerre. However, on appeal the CAS later ordered FIFA to cut its ban to cover a single transfer window.

An interesting twist would surround the timing of Chelsea's appeal. It will be a number of weeks before the official papers are delivered to Stamford Bridge, from which time the club will have those 10 days to appeal. It then takes at least three months for the CAS to hear a case and that means it is highly possible Chelsea will be able to sign players for some or all of the January window.

This was the case with Roma when, after the CAS agreed to hear an appeal, their ban was suspended on August 8, 2005, allowing them to sign players for the remainder of that summer window. It took the CAS four months to hear Roma's case, and if the same happened to Chelsea it is likely that they would be unaffected in January.

Chelsea have been in trouble before over their transfer dealings and in June 2005 were found guilty of 'tapping-up' Arsenal defender Ashley Cole by the Premier League. The Blues were fined £300,000, Cole was fined £100,000 and then manager Jose Mourinho was fined £200,000.

Lille-born Kakuta, a skilful left-footed winger, is viewed as one of Chelsea's most promising young players, although injuries have blighted his time at Stamford Bridge. An excellent first season ended with the Frenchman being voted the Academy's Scholar of the Year after he emerged as the youth team's top scorer with 12 goals in 24 appearances, including six goals in Chelsea's Youth Cup run.

The 2008/09 season was a frustrating one for the France Under-17 international, who managed just seven appearances in total during an injury-curtailed campaign.

He overcame early-season hamstring problems to turn in a string of lively performances but his campaign was brought to a halt when he suffered a double ankle fracture in a friendly against the Glenn Hoddle Academy.

Kakuta's rehabilitation from the serious injury remains ongoing, although what kind of career awaits him at Chelsea on his return is now open to speculation.

Chelsea to appeal FIFA transfer ban to 2011 (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=673135&sec=england&cc=5901)

[Sandroimbuto]

Fuck Chelsea

[Ramp]

Absolutely tremendous.

They are rubbish

[Omar]

Fuck Chelsea
This

[MiamiHomer]

The Iniesta late goal in the match of Barca and Chelsea was one of the best moments I ever had watching soccer. Ballack also looking like he was about to head butt the ref at the end of the game was pretty hilarious.

[Longview]

USA up 2-1 in the 49th minute vs El Salvador....totally forgot they were on.

[Omar]

Should have been 3-1 (and that's not even getting into the Salvador goal being only because Bornstein was playing for some strange reason). Either way, I'll take the 3 points

[Ramp]

US defense looks like shit tonight
--------------------
I take back every bad thing I have ever said about Ricardo Clark

what a rocket, 1-0 USMNT

[Ramp]

1-0 final

[Longview]

I only got to see the first 20 min or so before i had to go, but they did not look very sharp, gonna have to youtube this rocket you speak of.

[MiamiHomer]

Holy shit what a goal by AC Milan.
--------------------
Not to mention they have been on the defending end most of the game.

[Ramp]

Pipo Inzaghi is a goal scoring machine

[Sandroimbuto]

*Pippo

[Namaste]

*asshole

[Sandroimbuto]

I'm not particularly fond of the player either, but to call him an asshole...

[Namaste]

:lol

[Ramp]

David Beckham is so for me

[Ramp]

Craig Bellamy just took a dump on Manchester United

3-3 in the 90th
--------------------
Michael Owen just took a dump on Citeh

4-3 in the 95th

[Omar]

Michael Owen just picked up some serious points with the faithful at Old Trafford

[Sandroimbuto]

omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg don't look now but Fiorentina beat Liverpool 2-0!!!!!!!!!

Jovetic is a pimp

[Blackout Pact]

Some pretty interesting UEFA games going on. Roma vs. CSKA Sofia and Levski vs. Lazio. I'd imagine there is a good chance I can get the Levski-Lazio game online which will be the first time I've been able to see my buddy Dancho play for Levski.

[Longview]

US 1 Honduras 1 after the 56th minute, anyone know if the game is on tv?
--------------------
GOAL US 66 MINUTE!!!! Now up 2-1!

Wow, Casey has both goals, amazing.
--------------------
Donovan free kick goal in the 71st miinute! 3-1 USA!
--------------------
Dam it, USA just let Honduras back in it with a goal, 3-2 now 82nd minute
--------------------
WOW HONDURAS MISSED A PENALTY SHOT WITH 5 MIN TO GO!
--------------------
3-2 Final. USA has qualified for South Africa!

[Omar]

World Cup!!!!!

[Fishfan79]

US 1 Honduras 1 after the 56th minute, anyone know if the game is on tv?
--------------------
GOAL US 66 MINUTE!!!! Now up 2-1!

Wow, Casey has both goals, amazing.
--------------------
Donovan free kick goal in the 71st miinute! 3-1 USA!
--------------------
Dam it, USA just let Honduras back in it with a goal, 3-2 now 82nd minute
--------------------
WOW HONDURAS MISSED A PENALTY SHOT WITH 5 MIN TO GO!
--------------------
3-2 Final. USA has qualified for South Africa!

it was a good game just watched it on atdhe.net hehe since not on my cable here for some reason

very entertaining game in my eyes was fun to watch indeed.

I cant believe we let them back in specially wit hthe hand ball penalty shot. Seemed for a few moments there they would get back into it, then the last second point blank header they messed up as well. It was alot closer game then I expected but it is good to make it through. :marchmellow

[MiamiHomer]

Shitting my pants at the end there but we got it done.

[Ramp]

USMNT striker Charlie Davies was in a car accident today

His injuries are not considered life threatening but could be career threatening

no real update on what that injury is though

also, one of the passengers of the car was killed

[MiamiHomer]

USMNT striker Charlie Davies was in a car accident today

His injuries are not considered life threatening but could be career threatening

no real update on what that injury is though

also, one of the passengers of the car was killed

I was just about to post it. Did you see the pictures of the car? It was split in half......

[Longview]

Holy Shit.

[Ramp]

I was just about to post it. Did you see the pictures of the car? It was split in half......

yea, I caught wind of this a few hours ago... absolutely amazing he's still alive

should get an update on his injury/ies shortly

[MiamiHomer]

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 13, 2009) ? U.S. National Soccer Team forward Charlie Davies is in stable condition following injuries sustained in a one-car accident on the George Washington Parkway early Tuesday morning in Northern Virginia. There was one fatality in the accident.

Davies is currently undergoing surgery at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. U.S. Soccer will release additional information when it becomes available.

"Obviously, as a team we were saddened to learn this news," said U.S. Men's National Team head coach Bob Bradley. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Charlie and his family, as well as the people in the car and the families of the others involved. As a team, we are relying on each other in a moment that has for sure hit us all hard."

Davies is in Washington, D.C., with the U.S. National Team as the squad prepares for its final 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying match, taking place tomorrow against Costa Rica at RFK Stadium.

Davies, who has played 17 matches for the USA while scoring four goals, started and played 78 minutes in the USA’s 3-2 victory over Honduras in San Pedro Sula last Saturday that clinched a berth for the United States to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.


Someone on another site said the reported injuries were: Tibia and femur fractures in right leg. Also lacerated bladder, facial fractures and elbow fracture. (Not sure if it's true but he said he heard it on TV.)

[Ramp]

USSF on Charlie Davies: fractures to right tibia/femur, left elbow, facial fractures. Lacerated bladder. Davies hospitalized at least 1 week. Added surgery will be required for left elbow, possibly facial fractures.

[Chewford]

I am watching soccer lol, we should beat Costa Rica because I want to.
--------------------
We are not winning.

[Longview]

Ugh Michael Bradley that was awful
--------------------
I missed the first 80 something minutes of the game, why is U.S. only playing with 10?
--------------------
HOLY SHIT!!!! TIED IT UP AT 4:50 in ET!!!

[Beef]

HOLY SHIT WAS THAT LIVED!?!?>
DID I SEE A LIBE S0CCER HOAL1?@?
--------------------
I received confirmation that it was live.

Here I was, sitting there thinking, why them dumbass Americans getting all excited when they have like, some limited amount of seconds to score a goal, and if they dont they lose and everyone will be miserable and itll suck that much more after getting themselves more excited, and then they scored a live soccer goal

[Longview]

Wow Costa Rica went from being in the World Cup to not qualifying with that goal.

[MiamiHomer]

Wow Costa Rica went from being in the World Cup to not qualifying with that goal.

They aren't out of it yet.

[Longview]

You're right, they have a playoff with the other first loser of..which group?

[MiamiHomer]

It's against Uruguay.

[Longview]

NM just heard they play Uruguay

[MiamiHomer]

Onyewu also went down with a leg injury. I missed it but some people say it looked bad.

[Ramp]

epic game

that one was for cd9

[Longview]

Gooch out 3-4 months

[Omar]

Ugh our roster is in bad shape for the World Cup if both of these injuries are as major as discussed. Davies is almost certainly out for the whole Cup and Gooch, if out for 4 months, could be very rusty by the time play starts in South Africa since he plays so sporadically at AC Milan. That, and we have a weak defense as it is - Demerit being out forces Bocanegra to the inside, which forces Bornstein to play. He might have scored yesterday, but he also was primarily responsible for Costa Rica's second goal.

I really hope we can field a defense featuring Bocanegra on the left with Onyewu and Demerit on the inside in May.

[MiamiHomer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpLnuTYMGa4&feature=related

Unbelievable.

[MiamiHomer]

I really have no words to describe what happened to Barca today :fip.

[Ramp]

they looked like absolute shit

same goes for Inter

[MiamiHomer]

Liverpool as well and Gerrard went down.

[Ramp]

well Gerard was already hurt, as he missed this weekend but yea he only lasted 22 minutes today

[MiamiHomer]

My first goal in FIFA 10 lol http://www.easports.com/media/play/video/11984818

[Ramp]

lol you tard

you got 360 or ps3?

if its 360, you're going down... at some point

[MiamiHomer]

PS3 :(
--------------------
I really wish I could play you though. A bunch of my friends play FIFA and we talk so much shit between each other. It's fantastic.

[Ramp]

yea, this shit talking in fifa is great

[Sandroimbuto]

This goal was incredible (from Sunday):


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-7NgGb4RmE

[Sandroimbuto]

The third Fiorentina goal, awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RYJSloiUpw&feature=player_embedded

[MiamiHomer]

Real Madrid got embarrassed yesterday!

[Ramp]

they have the second leg to make up for it, this happened to them last year too at this exact point in the Spanish Cup

[Omar]

Winning a match by five goals is no small feat, even for a league disparity like 1 vs 3.

As a slight aside, Madrid has been horrendous since Ronaldo went down. Losses in the league, dropping all 3 points at home in the Champions League (even if it was against Milan), and now this. They're dead in the water atm

[Ramp]

speaking of Milan

they were up 2-0 at Napoli with 5 minutes of stoppage time, only to tie 2-2

[Ramp]

Charlie Davies left the hospital today and from everything I have heard, is ahead of schedule

[Longview]

Very good to hear....I guess its probably far too early to even speculate when he is gonna be back?

[Ramp]

it's anywhere from 6-12 months of rehab

[Beef]

I think Chivas USA is a dumb name for a soccer team

[Ramp]

why

[Beef]

Because where the eph is Chivas?

[Ramp]

fair enough... was just wondering what your angle was

they are actually owned by Chivas (de Guadalajara), so I guess CdG didn't want them to be called Chivas de LA... or maybe the Galaxy didn't want that or maybe I dunno!
--------------------
the lights went out in LA!

[Beef]

Yeah, it just bothered me. The USA part bothered me too. Just seems weird that the teams are all defined by a location in which they play and then there is a team called Chivas USA, all teams play in the USA! I'd also think it'd be weird if Guadalajara was playing against Jose Cuervo Mexico

[Ramp]

lights went out in LA again!

[Longview]

U.S. plays Slovakia at 10 AM, on channel 404 of Directv (en espanol) if you dont get fox soccer channel.

[Sandroimbuto]

Slovakia gon win big

[Ramp]

Slovakia gon win big

probably, USMNT sending plenty of second and third teamers

[Ramp]

USA loses 1-0 on a PK in the 26th

[Party]

http://img.en25.com/eloquaimages/clients/mlsphilly/%7Bde043b4c-dad1-4efc-b730-e9c9949aa88d%7D_jersey.jpg

Don't Tread on Me snake on a uniform is a big win.

[Fishfan79]

that is a pretty kewl uni

[Longview]

U.S. plays Denmark in 40 minutes on ESPN 2
--------------------
I haven't read too much into it, but it appears both teams will be bringing sub par line ups.

[Longview]

U S and A up 1-0 at the half
--------------------
And down 3-1 9 minutes into the second half...Terrible defense.

[Ramp]

It's pretty much USA's, B-C team

love seeing Jeff Cunningham getting that goal though

I hate Frankie Hejduk

[Ramp]

how France ends up going to the WC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjTxllNRKM4

[Longview]

Wow, maybe soccer needs some instant replay.

[Ramp]

Absolutely not

[Omar]

Sorry, but that call needs to be reviewed hockey style. That's bush league.

[Sandroimbuto]

cheap. Fuck France

[Party]

Alberto is officially an American.

[Ramp]

who is Alberto? Hoping you mean Alquilani (no offense sandro)

[Party]

Whatever his name is. It changes based on zip code.

[Ramp]

no I honestly have no clue who you are talking about

[Party]

Sandroimbuto aka Alberto aka Luigi aka Loweege aka Sexy Beast aka Child Predator

[Ramp]

ah yes

[Sandroimbuto]

I am NOT an American. Yet

[Party]

cheap. Fuck France

This is as good as taking the oath.

[Sandroimbuto]

France helped you fight for independence and gave you the statue of liberty, have some gratitude.

[Party]

Georges Clemenceau.

[Party]

I like how MLS does a lot of their business, but why hold the championship game at a neutral site?

Kinda lame to play your most important game in a half empty stadium that doesn't really care about the result over a packed house in LA or Salt Lake.

[Metes]

I like how MLS does a lot of their business, but why hold the championship game at a neutral site?

Kinda lame to play your most important game in a half empty stadium that doesn't really care about the result over a packed house in LA or Salt Lake.

I think they're more concerned with building the brand in Seattle, which has been pretty damn successful this year.

[Namaste]

They've been getting real solid turnouts in Seattle this year.

The soccer fever is spreading. Slowly, but it is spreading.

[Party]

That's a dumb reason to play at a neutral site.

[Metes]

Big picture baby. Big picture.

[Ramp]

Donovan Ricketts is an asshole

[Party]

How is this big picture?

The majority of fans for both SL and LA are watching the game at home instead of having a chance to actually attend the game.

MLS Cup isn't the Super Bowl and nobody is making a day out of watching this game. It is still a niche sport trying to strengthen itself in most of its markets. If this were big picture, the game would be in Salt Lake City. Not a market where the home team is already extremely successful.

[Ramp]

Why would a 1 game finale not be at a neutral site?

[Party]

Because this is Major League Soccer and having this game at either LA or SL would do more to strengthen either market over a third market where most of the people in the stands don't care about the result.

I wrote it in the above post.

[Ramp]

LA and Real are two of the stronger fan base markets in the league thought. Pretty sure both in the top 5 of the league in attendance

[Metes]

Seattle was #1

We are best

[Party]

If KC and Dallas (worst attendance) makes the Final next season and the game is played in let's say-- Toronto-- the local interest in the game will not be as great as if the game were played in either market.

"Hey babe, the kids want to go to the championship game for the Wizards."

"The game is not in Kansas City."

"Oh."

"It's okay we can watch it on TV."

::family watches Sunday Night football::

[Ramp]

While you have a point about local interest, if you want your league to be any kind of legit you can't have a 1 game finale in one of the finalist's home park (unless it happens to work that way).

Besides... KC is never making a final

[Beef]

My girlfriend called. She said some guys got hurt and she was all excited. So now Im watching. Not because of that, more because nothing else semi-good is on either.

[Ramp]

Also, going back on the last few MLS Cups at neutral site, they continue to get about 25,000 for the final (a solid number).... all at neutral sites (LA, RFK, Dallas)

[Metes]

I remember reading this week that they were adding seats at Qwest because they sold out of the first 30k

[Ramp]

Now the fact they didn't ship in the grass like for other games is another story

[Namaste]

That's a dumb reason to play at a neutral site.



I wasn't giving a reason for why it's at a neutral site. I was just commenting that Seattle has been getting excellent turnouts for games this year.

[Party]

I wasn't giving a reason for why it's at a neutral site. I was just commenting that Seattle has been getting excellent turnouts for games this year.

I wasn't talking to you.

[Namaste]

I wasn't talking to you.



Oh. Your post came right after mine and you did not quote anyone.

[Beef]

The field is full of trash

[Namaste]

Anyway, we are going to ET like I had hoped we would not.


This match won't go down as a classic but it's no less exciting than SNF.

[Ramp]

too bad both sides had to use all their subs already

nice save by Saunders
--------------------
nevermind, de la garza made the save

[Party]

I can't wait until we have a soccer team.

[Metes]

I hope you get to host a final

[Party]

I hope it isn't neutral.

[Ramp]

Robbie Findley gon replace Charlie Davies on the USMNT

he's the speed we need up front

[FishFanInPA]

Festa's right tho. You work hard to get to the title game and then your fans have to travel to enjoy it?

[Ramp]

like in the superbowl? the final four? the national title game in football? champions league final? europa league final? carling cup? fa cup?

[Beef]

Festa's right tho. You work hard to get to the title game and then your fans have to travel to enjoy it?

Never heard of such a thing

[Metes]

Yes, please name a one-game final that isn't at a neutral site.

[FishFanInPA]

who says any of them are right? The World Series, NBA Finals and Stanley Cup disagree.

[Ramp]

they aren't one game finales you tard

[FishFanInPA]

I dont care about your one game finals. I care about all finals.

[Party]

like in the superbowl? the final four? the national title game in football? champions league final? europa league final? carling cup? fa cup?

All those are events.

MLS Cup is still a game. It will probably be just a game for the foreseeable future.

[Namaste]

like in the superbowl? the final four? the national title game in football? champions league final? europa league final? carling cup? fa cup?



:shot:

[Ramp]

All those are events.

MLS Cup is still a game. It will probably be just a game for the foreseeable future.

Irregardless if those are "events". At the end of the day, it's still 1 game at a neutral site.

[Metes]

That's not the point. It's about saying that the best team will be chosen on the field, and not coloring that with a home field advantage. More of a true test.

[Namaste]

Festa, you are an event.

[Ramp]

And things like the Carling Cup, FA Cup, Johnstone's Cup and all the domestic cups around Europe... those are not events, those are just games. All 1 game finales

[Party]

If a team has a better record, they should be able to reap the benefits of home field.

[Ramp]

not in one game finales

and not in soccer

[Beef]

they aren't one game finales you tard

They disagree
--------------------
I've never heard Phip complain bout this before and he watches the BCS Title Game and the Super Bowl, etc. yearly

[Party]

And things like the Carling Cup, FA Cup, Johnstone's Cup and all the domestic cups around Europe... those are not events, those are just games. All 1 game finales

I'm willing to bet more people watch those games than MLS as a league draws in a season.

[FishFanInPA]

So then what's the point of playing any games at home then? Why not play every game on the schedule on neutral fields if homefield doesnt matter? Why not play the whole playoffs on a neutral field

[Beef]

So then what's the point of playing any games at home then? Why not play every game on the schedule on neutral fields if homefield doesnt matter? Why not play the whole playoffs on a neutral field

.:P.

[Ramp]

I'm willing to bet more people watch those games than MLS as a league draws in a season.

Well those leagues/tournaments are much bigger (team/city wise) than the MLS
--------------------
So then what's the point of playing any games at home then? Why not play every game on the schedule on neutral fields if homefield doesnt matter? Why not play the whole playoffs on a neutral field

So you can play the weaker seeds?

[Metes]

So then what's the point of playing any games at home then? Why not play every game on the schedule on neutral fields if homefield doesnt matter? Why not play the whole playoffs on a neutral field

This is a ridiculous extreme, as usual. We're talking about a contest to determine a champion. If it's going to be just one game, why try to make it anything less than as competitive as possible?

[Party]

Well those leagues/tournaments are much bigger (team/city wise) than the MLS


::Insert my first point here::

[Ramp]

::Insert my first point here::

about them being events? the one game finale is not an event in these domestic cups

[Party]

This is a ridiculous extreme, as usual. We're talking about a contest to determine a champion. If it's going to be just one game, why try to make it anything less than as competitive as possible?

Move the Conference Championship games to a neutral site if you're worried about determining the true champions.

[Ramp]

why/how would that make any sense?

[FishFanInPA]

why/how does a neutral championship make sense?

[Ramp]

why/how does a neutral championship make sense?

you want the two best sides to have an equal opportunity with no home-field advantage

[Party]

about them being events? the one game finale is not an event in these domestic cups

Because this is Major League Soccer and having this game at either LA or SL would do more to strengthen either market over a third market where most of the people in the stands don't care about the result.

I wrote it in the above post.

...

[Ramp]

it makes 0 sense to have a championship game not in a neutral site, ya'll crazy
--------------------
PS we going to PKs

[Beef]

I don't like this one guy that lays down on the ground all the time

[Ramp]

RSL's goalie, Nick Ramondo is a PK wall

gonna be tough for Galaxy

[Party]

why/how would that make any sense?

Don't you want the true conference champion?


Several NFL owners have proposed this by the way.

[Beef]

RSL's goalie, Nick Ramondo is a PK wall

gonna be tough for Galaxy

Yeah, if he dives the right direction when some guy is getting ready to kick the ball

[Ramp]

Don't you want the true conference champion?


Several NFL owners have proposed this by the way.

the best team in the league/division whatever should have home-field advantage in the semis
--------------------
Becks is best

[Beef]

He dove the wrong way

[Ramp]

heh Mathis is best too
--------------------
nice rip
--------------------
upper 90 is fun

[Beef]

the best team in the league/division whatever should have home-field advantage in the semis
--------------------
Becks is best

It's not really fair to say Scalia is wrong just because

It could be fair to say to say that the better of the two championship contenders should get home field but it is not really fair to say the league semifinals are not as much about totally even competition that would be best with a neutral site.

[Party]

How about all the teams play each other an equal amount of times and the best team is champion. Like baseball used to do it.

I like that.

[Ramp]

that was not a good PK

[Namaste]

Oh my

[Ramp]

How about all the teams play each other an equal amount of times and the best team is champion. Like baseball used to do it.

I like that.

because America can't deal with a non playoffs system
--------------------
Landon choked

[Namaste]

Air mail FTL

[Beef]

I hate when guys kick it over the net, because... if you just kick it softly and straight, the goalkeeper gon dive away from it
--------------------
He wouldve made that if he didnt lay around on the ground like a lil baby all the time

[Metes]

MAMA MIA

[Ramp]

oh shit!

[Namaste]

Americans are right. Soccer is so boring.

[Beef]

I laugh out lowell when the goalie ends up 50 feet from the ball

[Namaste]

Becks looks like a pee cock tonight

[Ramp]

absolute horrible PK there

[Metes]

Apparently there are a ton of Mexicans in Salt Lake City