The Soccer Thread

[Jon]

I didn't realize that FSC Plus is a premium channel and not part of the sports pack. Well that sucks.

[USSoccer]

-Glad that both sides decided to end the dumbest labor pissing contest of all time. Really looking forward to Thursday night, actually. I know MLS is not exactly a stellar league, but there's something exciting about watching it grow and develop, for example:

 

-Red Bull Arena is the ish. Seriously. Beautiful park.

[shnsajax]

Chelsea dropped points today making the race even tighter. ManU have a tough schedule the rest of the way out (@ Bolton, v Chelsea, @ Blackburn, City, and Sunderland, and v tottenham at home) but keeping finding a way to pull out all 3 points.

[USSoccer]

I just watched Messi score 3 and then draw a PK by dribbling through at least 4 defenders and then getting yanked down.

 

He's ridiculous.

[shnsajax]

I just watched Messi score 3 and then draw a PK by dribbling through at least 4 defenders and then getting yanked down.

 

He's ridiculous.

 

Its scary to think what he will be like when he is 24-28. His form this past month is insane. I've lost count but I think that's 11 goals his last 4 games.

 

edit: that was 10 in his last 4, and 34 in 38 games and on the verge of scoring his 200th for Barca.

[wolf stansson]

I just watched Messi score 3 and then draw a PK by dribbling through at least 4 defenders and then getting yanked down.

 

He's ridiculous.

 

Its scary to think what he will be like when he is 24-28. His form this past month is insane. I've lost count but I think that's 11 goals his last 4 games.

 

edit: that was 10 in his last 4, and 34 in 38 games and on the verge of scoring his 200th for Barca.

Hopefully not fat and/or injured like some of the superstars/would be legends of the past few years.

[wolf stansson]

Charlie doing a little road work: http://www.fcsochaux.fr/fr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1604&Itemid=106

[USSoccer]

Sounders up 1-0 over Philly Union.

 

As usual, Emerald City FC bringing the atmosphere, and there's been some pretty good build up play for the first matchday of the season.

 

Interesting to see Michael Orozco in midfield for the Union. He's been their best player so far

[shnsajax]

I wanted to see part of that game, forgot all about it.

 

"Algeria did well in the African Nations Cup and they're not going to be an easy team to beat, they've showed that. "We know we've got a tough group and we'll take each game one at a time, but advancing through the group has to be the goal and anything less than that will be a failure."

 

I like it.

[wolf stansson]

Yeah it was interesting seeing Orozco in the old school sweeper role to start. When they went down a man, he moved back into the back 4. He was very solid. Even had that nice blast from the top of the box that Keller got a hand on. It was right at Keller, but it had some surprising power and technique to it.

 

He's definitely someone to look at as a potential replacement for Boca. He's better with the ball at his feet than just about any of our center backs. Needs to work on marking.

 

 

Zakuani is a guy to look out for. He wants to play for Congo but hasn't been called up yet. Freddy Montero is still a really fun MLS player. Pesky, slippery little bastard. Jack McInherney was Philly's best forward, which is not a good sign if the 17 year old is doing the best work out there making runs and getting involved. They need a #9 badly.

[shnsajax]

Bad result for Arsenal today only getting 1 point. Chelsea looked like the Champions beating Villa 7-1, Lampard hits 4 alone. Hull with a huge result over Fulham 2-0 draw even with West Ham but are down on goal differential. Zola is probably out as West Ham's manager too. Hopefully United don't get 3 points today.

[USSoccer]

Berbatov put down his cigarette long enough to put up a brace. Too bad for Arsenal.

 

Deuce didn't look good today, but he was playing up front and saw virtually no service. Hodgson rested most of his main guys for the Europa League match.

[USSoccer]

Way to sell out your brand new stadium, New York.

 

Jackasses.

[Jon]

Way to sell out your brand new stadium, New York.

 

Jackasses.

The ad board is blinding me.

 

Someone please adjust the contrast.

[USSoccer]

i'm noticing an improvement so far in passing and technical ability so far. granted, it's only two games but its encouraging.

 

at least the RBNY fans who are there are making noise.

 

oh, and i'd rather listen to max bretos and sullivan over jp/harkes.

[USSoccer]

Glad to see RBNY's player are going all Arsenal and refusing to shoot on the rookie keeper.

 

EDIT-holy crap, McBride. I didn't think you were young enough to do that anymore

[USSoccer]

So I was pretty pleasantly surprised at the quality of play today...

 

...and then New England and LA basically just played 45 minutes of pub league long ball.

 

I understand NE doing it, since they suck and have no skill players with Joseph out, but LA has some talent on their roster. Unfortunately, none of it plays center mid. Holy crap, what boring anti football

[wolf stansson]

oh, and i'd rather listen to max bretos and sullivan over jp/harkes.

Seeing Max working the post game with Alexei was genuinely enjoyable. His replacement at FSC is Mark Rogandino and good god is he the worst.

 

There were some awesome goals in match day 1. The league is quickly getting more technical.

[Guest]

LOL. Nice defense, Bayern.

[shnsajax]

LOL. Nice defense, Bayern.

 

And there was an article this morning about them wanting to mark up on Rooney.

[wolf stansson]

Bold prediction: If Robben is there next week, United are done.

[Guest]

Bold prediction: If Robben is there next week, United are done.

 

I think Man U makes it through if Rooney is plays and is relatively healthy.

[shnsajax]

Bold prediction: If Robben is there next week, United are done.

 

I think Man U makes it through if Rooney is plays and is relatively healthy.

 

If he is out I am not sure if United have much of a chance. Rooney could be out against Chelsea and Bayern next week. Not sure any team could take a worse blow than that given the timing of the injury.

[USSoccer]

If Rooney is out for any length of time, United are going to suuuuuuuuuuck.

[shnsajax]

Jose Mourinho sounds like he is done in Italy, guessing he will be in either City or Liverpool next season. Does Newcastle have any money to spend? That would be a huge splash heading back into the Premier League.

 

Cesc appears to be out tomorrow :banghead:. I will gladly take a 1-1 draw at the Nou Camp.