The Soccer Thread

[shnsajax]

Wow, Michael Parkhurst scores from midfield for New England in a great play. If it wasn't for HDnet I would not even be watching the game, thank you Mark Cuban.

[wolf stansson]

Freddy is doin it to it.

http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=content&id=3471

For the second consecutive Taça da Liga match Freddy Adu saved Benfica late, this time striking a picturesque first-time volley to salvage a draw in the first leg of the fourth round home-and-home series with Vitoria Setubal.

 

Benfica head coach Jose Antonio Camacho rested many of the clubs starters including Rui Costa, Oscar Cardozo, Maxi and Cristian Rodriguez. The starting 11 only included four first team regulars and it reflected in the team's first half performance.

 

After only 12 minutes Brazilian striker Matheus had put Setubal in front after a goalmouth scramble. Benfica's play was disjointed and goalkeeper Quim was called on several times to rescue the defense.

 

At the interval Camacho changed formations by brining on forward Dabao for midfielder Coentrão. The new 4-4-2 line-up, which quickly morphed into a 4-2-4, allowed Benfica to begin dominating play, but Setubal, who has yet to lose a game this campaign, held firm defensively.

 

Camacho made his last move with 20 minutes remaining bring on Freddy Adu and Mantorras in place of the ineffective Gonzalo Bergessio and exhausted Angel Di Maria. Neither substitute had much effect on the game until a hopeful long ball deflected off a defenders head found Adu about 19 yards out.

 

Without hesitation Adu sweetly struck the volley first time low and into the far corner on what would prove to be the last minutes of the game.

 

The series will be decided on October 31 with Setubal hosting Benfica with a crucial away goal advantage.

[Guest]

Champions League is on this week.

 

Here is the schedule.

 

On ESPN2 we'll get Barcelona at Rangers on Tuesday and Schalke 04 at Chelsea on Wednesday.

[Jon]

Fire and Galaxy are about to start with everything on the line. It's on WPWR in Chicago.

[Jon]

The Fire have already blown two great chances, including a great look by Wanchope, who couldn't get off a shot.

 

Beckham should play in the 2nd half. It'll definitely be interesting to see how this one is officiated, as MLS sure wants the Galaxy to get into the playoffs.

[MPC]

The Fire have already blown two great chances, including a great look by Wanchope, who couldn't get off a shot.

 

Beckham should play in the 2nd half. It'll definitely be interesting to see how this one is officiated, as MLS sure wants the Galaxy to get into the playoffs.

 

this game decides the last playoff spot, right? fire wins and they're in?

[Jon]

The Fire have already blown two great chances, including a great look by Wanchope, who couldn't get off a shot.

 

Beckham should play in the 2nd half. It'll definitely be interesting to see how this one is officiated, as MLS sure wants the Galaxy to get into the playoffs.

 

this game decides the last playoff spot, right? fire wins and they're in?

Win or a draw, yeah. The Galaxy need a win.

 

It's a shame I'll have to miss the 2nd half because of the Bears game.

 

The 20-30 mph winds are going to make things interesting.

[Jon]

My goodness. Barrett just blew a wonderful chance off of Blanco's cross. Chicago has dominated this game, but they can't keep blowing these chances.

[Jon]

Thorrington just sent the Fire into the playoffs and the Galaxy packing with a goal in stoppage time.

[MPC]

Thorrington just sent the Fire into the playoffs and the Galaxy packing with a goal in stoppage time.

 

it was a pretty game match when i was watching, i had it on over the beginning of the bears game.

[Jon]

Thorrington just sent the Fire into the playoffs and the Galaxy packing with a goal in stoppage time.

 

it was a pretty game match when i was watching, i had it on over the beginning of the bears game.

Conde had a wide open shot ten yards out and yet didn't even get a shot off. The Fire should have had at least two additional goals. Plenty of excitement, no finish.

[Jon]

Just finished the Rangers/Barca match. Not bad, and it was nice to see Beasley get in there.

[Guest]

Just finished the Rangers/Barca match. Not bad, and it was nice to see Beasley get in there.

 

Eh. It was kind of a dud I felt because of Rangers completely bunkering in on defense and refusing to create an attack other than lame counterattacks where they were severely outnumbered. Barca wasn't able to get many good chances because Rangers always had 9 men behind the ball with only that one forward by midfield.

[USSoccer]

Just finished the Rangers/Barca match. Not bad, and it was nice to see Beasley get in there.

 

Eh. It was kind of a dud I felt because of Rangers completely bunkering in on defense and refusing to create an attack other than lame counterattacks where they were severely outnumbered. Barca wasn't able to get many good chances because Rangers always had 9 men behind the ball with only that one forward by midfield.

 

Did you expect Rangers to want to get into a free flowing match with a team that starts Ronaldinho, Messi, and Henry?

 

They'd get demolished. In that group, all they have to do is pick up points. Bunkering was the right call, and I thought they actually had the better of the run of play after DMB came on.

[shnsajax]

Arsenal is unreal. As much as I loved the team that did not lose a Premier League game a couple of years ago, this team looks so much better. The way they run and finish is amazing, once they peak in several years they could be unstoppable.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pljf32Ggup0

[wolf stansson]

Arsenal is unreal. As much as I loved the team that did not lose a Premier League game a couple of years ago, this team looks so much better. The way they run and finish is amazing, once they peak in several years and get an American keeper they could be unstoppable.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pljf32Ggup0

I added a little something in there to make it better. It's not a great sign when your keeper wants to kick the best manager in the world's ass.

[MPC]

Arsenal is unreal. As much as I loved the team that did not lose a Premier League game a couple of years ago, this team looks so much better. The way they run and finish is amazing, once they peak in several years they could be unstoppable.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pljf32Ggup0

 

while those highlights are fantastic, slavia prague looks like the little sisters of the poor. the third goal allowed was horrendous.

[brinoch]

Arsenal is unreal. As much as I loved the team that did not lose a Premier League game a couple of years ago, this team looks so much better. The way they run and finish is amazing, once they peak in several years they could be unstoppable.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pljf32Ggup0

 

while those highlights are fantastic, slavia prague looks like the little sisters of the poor. the third goal allowed was horrendous.

 

So was the second.

 

But still. As I've said before. Arsenal are so good they are illegal.

[Guest]

Just finished the Rangers/Barca match. Not bad, and it was nice to see Beasley get in there.

 

Eh. It was kind of a dud I felt because of Rangers completely bunkering in on defense and refusing to create an attack other than lame counterattacks where they were severely outnumbered. Barca wasn't able to get many good chances because Rangers always had 9 men behind the ball with only that one forward by midfield.

 

Did you expect Rangers to want to get into a free flowing match with a team that starts Ronaldinho, Messi, and Henry?

 

They'd get demolished. In that group, all they have to do is pick up points. Bunkering was the right call, and I thought they actually had the better of the run of play after DMB came on.

 

No I didn't really expect them to run with Barca and get into a free flowing match. I also realize that Rangers just wanted a point and the best way to get that was to bunker in which was the right call. But that doesn't make it any less of a dud and it doesn't make it any more entertaining just because that was how they wanted to play the game.

 

You can't tell me, as an outside fan, you wouldn't have wanted to see a free flowing match. Obviously if you're a Rangers fan and you want your team to advance, you're going to be fine with what your team did because the bunkering in tactic against Barca will help them advance. But as a soccer fan who doesn't have a rooting interest either way, I want to see a free flowing match with both sides attacking.

[USSoccer]

Just finished the Rangers/Barca match. Not bad, and it was nice to see Beasley get in there.

 

Eh. It was kind of a dud I felt because of Rangers completely bunkering in on defense and refusing to create an attack other than lame counterattacks where they were severely outnumbered. Barca wasn't able to get many good chances because Rangers always had 9 men behind the ball with only that one forward by midfield.

 

Did you expect Rangers to want to get into a free flowing match with a team that starts Ronaldinho, Messi, and Henry?

 

They'd get demolished. In that group, all they have to do is pick up points. Bunkering was the right call, and I thought they actually had the better of the run of play after DMB came on.

 

No I didn't really expect them to run with Barca and get into a free flowing match. I also realize that Rangers just wanted a point and the best way to get that was to bunker in which was the right call. But that doesn't make it any less of a dud and it doesn't make it any more entertaining just because that was how they wanted to play the game.

 

You can't tell me, as an outside fan, you wouldn't have wanted to see a free flowing match. Obviously if you're a Rangers fan and you want your team to advance, you're going to be fine with what your team did because the bunkering in tactic against Barca will help them advance. But as a soccer fan who doesn't have a rooting interest either way, I want to see a free flowing match with both sides attacking.

 

No, your point is well taken.

[MPC]

chelsea 2 schalke 0 in the 58th

besiktas 1 liverpool 0 in the 55th, another hyypia own goal

[Guest]

chelsea 2 schalke 0 in the 58th

besiktas 1 liverpool 0 in the 55th, another hyypia own goal

 

Liverpool is in some serious trouble. They're going to need at least two wins and a tie to advance and might need to win all 3 depending on how the points fall.

[TruffleShuffle]

i know nobody cares about the u.s. women's soccer team, but kudos to the president of u.s. soccer for firing greg ryan as coach. His decision to play scurry over solo was just terrible. I'm guessing that a lot of players wanted him gone.

[Jon]

Chelsea sure got some breaks with their first goal (gift by the GK), their second goal (albeit impressive, the flag should have been up), Larsen's header off the post that went right to the GK, and the official swallowing his whistle on what should have been a red card when Larsen was brought down from behind with an open chance just outside the box.

 

It looks like Adu played at least some for Benfica today. He was the first one in to celebrate their game-winning goal at the end of their match with Celtic.

 

Oh, and the Real Madrid match had a great last few minutes.

[shnsajax]

Arsenal is unreal. As much as I loved the team that did not lose a Premier League game a couple of years ago, this team looks so much better. The way they run and finish is amazing, once they peak in several years they could be unstoppable.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pljf32Ggup0

 

while those highlights are fantastic, slavia prague looks like the little sisters of the poor. the third goal allowed was horrendous.

 

So was the second.

 

But still. As I've said before. Arsenal are so good they are illegal.

 

But the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th were are brilliant and it could have easily been 9-0. I'm just amazed at how it seems no one ever touches the ball more than twice. English football is not supposed to be this beautiful. The first goal by Fabregas was a thing of beauty. Spart Prague went from a -1 to a -8 GD.