The Soccer Thread

[shnsajax]

I don't know how they could mess it up, but they did. I think having "BEST BUY" so small hurts, but the classic Fire stripe just looks awkward. It looks like they just wrote Best Buy on a sheet of paper and taped it to the chest.

 

We need some cool beer sponsorships. Have Fat Tire sponsor the Rapid's or Sam Adams with the Revolution, or the Dynamo with Shiner. Around 97 Ajax had the best jersey I have seen, but I can't find it anymore. It was like a dark charcoal black jersey with the Ajax shield kind of blown up and almost imprinted on it like a watermark.

 

Still one of my favorites:

http://www.mediastorehouse.com/image/Alan-Shearer-and-Les-Ferdinand_95206.jpg

[Guest]

Rossi to choose to play for Italy

A special day in the charmed life of Giuseppe Rossi is fast approaching. On Feb. 1, Rossi will turn 21, but the date will mean more than a birthday. It will also mark the day Rossi will have to choose between playing for the country he was born in and playing for the country in which his parents were born.

 

According to the rules of FIFA, the governing body for soccer, a player can change national team affiliation to his nation of birth before he or she turns 21. After that, a player is then bound to whichever national team he has been playing for.

 

For all intents and purposes, Rossi has made that decision already. The Clifton native, who spent the first 14 years of his life honing his skills in Passaic County, has played for Italian youth national teams for six years now and has stated repeatedly that his goal is to play for the Italian senior national team. So when his birthday comes and goes next month, so will any chance of him ever playing for the United States.

 

So how does a kid who grew up in New Jersey develop such a bond to Italy? His parents, Fernando and Cleonilda, were both Italian immigrants who established their lives in the United States as educators. Cleonilda is still a teacher at Clifton High School while Fernando, the legendary coach who turned Clifton into a perennial power, joined his son in Europe to help oversee his career.

 

Fernando is the one who used his coaching expertise to train Rossi intensely from an early age, and the bond between father and son surely helped instill Giuseppe's love for his Italian heritage. Once Rossi had the opportunity put on the famed blue jersey for Italy as a young boy, the stage was set for him to make the decision that will become etched in stone on Feb. 1.

 

American soccer fans and U.S. Soccer officials have been dreading that date as well, knowing all too well that potentially the best player ever produced by this country would never wear the colors of the United States. It is a bitter pill that has led many fans to call Rossi a traitor or some sort of evil person for simply following his heart.

 

It is all a bit much. Rossi is no mercenary, joining a national team he has no real blood ties to, like so many players you see joining national teams across the world. He is simply choosing to fulfill a life-long dream, to play for his father's country, to play for one of the best teams in the world. There is no shame or crime in that.

 

The only shame, if there is one, is that Rossi wasn't born a little bit later. Perhaps if his formative years hadn't come during a low point in U.S. Soccer, in the wake of the disastrous showing at the 1998 World Cup, maybe Rossi would have had a reason to consider his home country. Perhaps if he was still living in the United States and not already in the youth program of Italian club Parma, Rossi might have been caught up in the wave of pride during the 2002 World Cup, when the United States reached the quarterfinals, a round further than Italy.

 

Perhaps Rossi would have seen some young Americans to look up to, like Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley, who could have battled for his heart with Italian legends like Roberto Baggio and Paolo Maldini.

 

Perhaps if Rossi grew up now, he would have been able to see a stronger and more attractive Major League Soccer, rather than a league in its formative years, a league he largely ignored in favor of European soccer.

 

These are the factors that make it easier to understand how a player whose Italian teammates used to call "America" could feel so little connection to the country where he first kicked a soccer ball, first scored a goal and first became a young star.

 

That doesn't make it any easier for the U.S. national team, which could use a player just like him: a pure goal scorer who has excelled in leagues where few Americans have even played. The biggest weakness on the U.S. team is forward, and here is Rossi, among the goal-scoring leaders in Spain for Villarreal, just a year removed from scoring goals in bunches for Italian club Parma.

 

This is what led U.S. Soccer officials to contact Rossi with hopes of having real discussions about his future and if there was any chance of that future involving the U.S. national team.

 

Those talks never went anywhere because Rossi's mind had been made up. Now, U.S. soccer officials and fans have been left to consider what might have been.

 

Rossi would have been the star for the United States, a potential dream strike partner for rising prospect Jozy Altidore at the 2010 World Cup. For Italy, he is just one of many standout forwards in his own generation. That is what will make it tough for some American fans to stomach, watching Rossi blossom into a world-class player, which he has already shown signs of being.

 

As difficult as that will be, if there is any consolation in losing Rossi, it is that the soccer environment in this country has improved to a point that young players coming up have a national team to identify with, star players to emulate and a growing professional league to aspire to play for.

 

This doesn't guarantee that some American-born player may not come along and choose another country over the United States. But it will make it more difficult.

 

As far as Rossi playing for the United States, it just wasn't meant to be. His 21st birthday will come and go and he will continue his career with Italy. Rossi's future looks very bright, and even though Rossi won't be a part of it, so does American soccer's.

 

Meh.

[shnsajax]

McBride close to coming back

 

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=498707&cc=5901

[wolf stansson]

Kevin Keegan back in at New Castle. Good idea.

[Brendan]

Kevin Keegan back in at New Castle. Good idea.

 

a buddy of mine from newcastle is totally excited about this, and, apparently, so are all of his mates back home.

[sethuel1]

Newcastle fans have way too high of expectations

[wolf stansson]

According to World Soccer daily, the Maccabi Tel Aviv deal fell through for Feilhaber as they couldn't meet Derby's transfer standard. There remains heavy MLS interest in a loan for Benny.

 

That's disappointing, but I just want him to play.

[wvcbxl]

Kevin Keegan back in at New Castle. Good idea.

 

a buddy of mine from newcastle is totally excited about this, and, apparently, so are all of his mates back home.

 

Obviously.

From the BBC website:

The news of Keegan's return sparked mass celebrations on Tyneside with 20,000 tickets sold in two hours for Wednesday's FA Cup replay with Stoke.

 

:shock:

[USSoccer]

Kevin Keegan back in at New Castle. Good idea.

 

a buddy of mine from newcastle is totally excited about this, and, apparently, so are all of his mates back home.

 

Obviously.

From the BBC website:

The news of Keegan's return sparked mass celebrations on Tyneside with 20,000 tickets sold in two hours for Wednesday's FA Cup replay with Stoke.

 

:shock:

 

Stupid Geordies. I hope Stoke beats them. They sure as hell outplayed them last time.

 

Newcastle is like an early 2000's Washington Redskins team. I spend half the time I watch them saying "I know that guy, I know that guy", and yet their team is freaking horrible.

 

Also, Geo Rossi is a wank for playing for Italy, and Eddie Johnson in the Prem is going to be a stitch, but if it takes playing time away from Dempsey I'm going to be right pissed.

[wvcbxl]

I hope Stoke beats them.

 

Newcastle won 4-1, and have drawn Arsenal in the next round.

[wolf stansson]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=499259&cc=5901

Fulham moved a step closer to signing striker Marlon King from Watford after the Hertfordshire club confirmed they had agreed a £5million fee for his transfer.

 

The former Jamaica international will now discuss personal terms with the west Londoners, with Collins John going the other way on loan.

 

King has scored 37 goals in 82 starts for the Hornets, who have rejected previous bids from the Cottagers for the 27-year-old.

 

Sounds like Hodgson likes Clint as a mid with McBride, Johnson and this dude.

 

Btw, if you don't want to be relegated, don't buy championship players.

 

http://www.soccer365.com/us_news/story_16108172436.php

Bradley Set For Heerenveen Exit

2008-01-16 17:24:04

 

Heerenveen look set to sell midfielder Michael Bradley at the end of the season.

 

The 20-year-old American has not accepted a new contract offer from the club, who therefore want to cash in before his current deal expires in 2009.

 

"Michael is ambitious and wants to broaden his horizons," technical director Yme Kuiper told Voetbal International magazine. "If we want to get any money for him, we must sell him in the summer."

 

Bradley has put himself in the shop window this season by scoring seven goals in 18 Eredivisie games. German side Hamburg are expected to lead the chase for his signature.

[sethuel1]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=499259&cc=5901

Fulham moved a step closer to signing striker Marlon King from Watford after the Hertfordshire club confirmed they had agreed a £5million fee for his transfer.

 

The former Jamaica international will now discuss personal terms with the west Londoners, with Collins John going the other way on loan.

 

King has scored 37 goals in 82 starts for the Hornets, who have rejected previous bids from the Cottagers for the 27-year-old.

 

Sounds like Hodgson likes Clint as a mid with McBride, Johnson and this dude.

 

Btw, if you don't want to be relegated, don't buy championship players.

 

http://www.soccer365.com/us_news/story_16108172436.php

Bradley Set For Heerenveen Exit

2008-01-16 17:24:04

 

Heerenveen look set to sell midfielder Michael Bradley at the end of the season.

 

The 20-year-old American has not accepted a new contract offer from the club, who therefore want to cash in before his current deal expires in 2009.

 

"Michael is ambitious and wants to broaden his horizons," technical director Yme Kuiper told Voetbal International magazine. "If we want to get any money for him, we must sell him in the summer."

 

Bradley has put himself in the shop window this season by scoring seven goals in 18 Eredivisie games. German side Hamburg are expected to lead the chase for his signature.

As much as i HATE HATE HATE to say this, Mikey Bradley's ideal destination may in fact be Juventus. Old central mids so some decent playing time, tons of cash on hand, etc. Milan's c-mids are getting up there in age as well. Also Rovers, Everton or Lyon would be good choices, although with Rovers and Everton he wouldn't get Champs league action. Hamburg would also be a decent choice.

[wolf stansson]

As much as i HATE HATE HATE to say this, Mikey Bradley's ideal destination may in fact be Juventus. Old central mids so some decent playing time, tons of cash on hand, etc. Milan's c-mids are getting up there in age as well. Also Rovers, Everton or Lyon would be good choices, although with Rovers and Everton he wouldn't get Champs league action. Hamburg would also be a decent choice.

I think he is another transfer away from getting a shot with a big club. Hamburg, Everton and Rovers are a good choice. He has stated in the past that Milan is his dream destination.

 

Wherever he goes, he needs to play. The way he has improved since going to Holland and playing major minutes is amazing.

[sethuel1]

As much as i HATE HATE HATE to say this, Mikey Bradley's ideal destination may in fact be Juventus. Old central mids so some decent playing time, tons of cash on hand, etc. Milan's c-mids are getting up there in age as well. Also Rovers, Everton or Lyon would be good choices, although with Rovers and Everton he wouldn't get Champs league action. Hamburg would also be a decent choice.

I think he is another transfer away from getting a shot with a big club. Hamburg, Everton and Rovers are a good choice. He has stated in the past that Milan is his dream destination.

 

Wherever he goes, he needs to play. The way he has improved since going to Holland and playing major minutes is amazing.

He probably is...it's just that Milan and Juve are pretty barren in midfield (especially holding/d-mid) right now.

 

Another problem with transferring to either of those teams is that he doesn't carry a Euro passport and foreign passport limits are stricter in Serie A.

[USSoccer]

As much as i HATE HATE HATE to say this, Mikey Bradley's ideal destination may in fact be Juventus. Old central mids so some decent playing time, tons of cash on hand, etc. Milan's c-mids are getting up there in age as well. Also Rovers, Everton or Lyon would be good choices, although with Rovers and Everton he wouldn't get Champs league action. Hamburg would also be a decent choice.

I think he is another transfer away from getting a shot with a big club. Hamburg, Everton and Rovers are a good choice. He has stated in the past that Milan is his dream destination.

 

Wherever he goes, he needs to play. The way he has improved since going to Holland and playing major minutes is amazing.

He probably is...it's just that Milan and Juve are pretty barren in midfield (especially holding/d-mid) right now.

 

Another problem with transferring to either of those teams is that he doesn't carry a Euro passport and foreign passport limits are stricter in Serie A.

 

I just think it's nice that we're actually discussing a US player that's not a keeper playing for a major club.

[MPC]

so...anybody watch the u.s.-sweden match saturday night? me neither, donovan picked up another goal by pk.

[Jon]

so...anybody watch the u.s.-sweden match saturday night? me neither, donovan picked up another goal by pk.

I'm an idiot. I forgot about it, but I also forgot that I set my DVR last week to record it. Going to ussoccer.com to see what happened wasn't a great idea for someone who didn't want to know what happened before I watched it.

[sethuel1]

I watched part of it. Wasn't all that exciting, to be honest.

[USSoccer]

I watched part of it. Wasn't all that exciting, to be honest.

 

I watched it on DVR this morning on fast forward. It's hard to pay full attention to like a USMNT B/C team playing Sweden's B team. I thought it was appropriate that Donovan set the scoring record on a PK in a meaningless friendly. Twellman still sucks. Almost none of the players on the field should be on the field when the games really matter. There's only so much usefulness in depth.

 

I do like what Ricardo Clark brings to the table, though. And Altidore played well.

[USSoccer]

BTW, the USMNT will play a friendly against Spain on June 4th.

[Guest]

BTW, the USMNT will play a friendly against Spain on June 4th.

 

Where?

[USSoccer]

BTW, the USMNT will play a friendly against Spain on June 4th.

 

Where?

 

Unsure. I'd bet maybe Boston or Chicago, though.

[Guest]

BTW, the USMNT will play a friendly against Spain on June 4th.

 

Where?

 

Unsure. I'd bet maybe Boston or Chicago, though.

 

I meant either in Spain or the US but you answered my question anyway. Thank you much.

[MPC]

BTW, the USMNT will play a friendly against Spain on June 4th.

 

Where?

 

Unsure. I'd bet maybe Boston or Chicago, though.

 

nsbb chicago meet-up if its in chicago? i'm in.

[shnsajax]

BTW, the USMNT will play a friendly against Spain on June 4th.

 

Where?

 

Unsure. I'd bet maybe Boston or Chicago, though.

 

nsbb chicago meet-up if its in chicago? i'm in.

 

I'm hoping for Frisco.