The Soccer Thread

[wolf stansson]

Great news re: Chandler.

 

Jozy's Run on the goal was very physical, shrugged off his marker at the last second to get free. Hopefully he can keep the physicality without card troubles.

[Guest]

Did anyone watch the Community Shield this morning? City blew a 2-0 halftime lead and ManU won 3-2. That was a great match with some really nice goals. Man U's second was by far the best, from the buildup starting in their own half to some really nice passing to Nani's chip over Hart.

 

Also, I'm so happy to have the EPL back.

[wolf stansson]

Montreal Impact's log and uniforms are like a cross between the old Quebec Nordiques and Inter Milan, which is a great idea because Inter has the best jersey's in sport.

[wolf stansson]

I've seen this movie before: http://www.boston.com/sports/soccer/articles/2011/08/08/it_was_a_sweet_16_celebration/

Damn you, naturalization process!

[shnsajax]

Good, Whal interview with Klinsmann.

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/grant_wahl/08/08/klinsmann.mexico/index.html?xid=cnnbin&hpt=hp_bn10

 

I liked this:

SI.com: At what point in time will it be realistic to think the U.S. could win a World Cup?

 

Klinsmann: Realistically, we need to really dig deep into the U-20 and U-17 programs. Starting with the academy topic. We need to find a way to give the 14- and 15-year-olds a path throughout the next years where they almost are daily in a competitive, positive playing environment, which is not there yet. Then you can see the talents coming through. The biggest challenge is once they are 18, 19 and getting into the MLS Draft or maybe going overseas, what can we give them on tools to break through?

I'll give you an example: As long as the MLS plays seven months a year and doesn't cover another four months with highly competitive training and games, it will be very, very difficult. Now did the MLS already come a long way? Absolutely, yes. But what are the next steps? The next steps are how can we get as close as possible to an 11-month season with MLS and an 11-month season with all the younger U-20 players? Is it a combination of club and college? A combination of full-time academy programs? All the stuff needs to be discussed. People need to sit down and hopefully get a little bit on the same page on that.

But one thing is certain: The American kids need hundreds and even thousands more hours to play. That is a really crucial thing. If it's through their club team, if it's through themselves, whatever it is. The difference between the top 10 in the world and where we are right now is the technical capabilities and the higher pace. In a high-pace, high-speed environment, to keep calm on the ball, to sharpen your minds so you know what to do with the ball before you get the ball. That's the difference right now. You might have technically gifted players here, but once you set the pace two levels higher, they lose that technical ability because they're getting out of breath or their mental thought process isn't fast enough.

[wolf stansson]

Adu to Chivas USA as a DP.

 

Oooookay.

[shnsajax]

Disappointed the England/Holland friendly was cancelled.

[wolf stansson]

Big MLS news.

NBC and NBC Sports (Versus) have acquired MLS and USMNT rights.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/08/10/mls-nbc-sports-agree-three-year-broadcast-deal

NEW YORK - Major League Soccer (MLS) and the NBC Sports Group today announced a three-year media rights agreement, which commences at the start of the 2012 MLS season. The partnership calls for 45 MLS games and four U.S. Men’s National Team contests to be televised live across both NBC and NBC Sports Network each season. This marks the first rights deal for the newly-named cable channel that will be re-branded from VERSUS on January 2, 2012. The announcement was made today by MLS Commissioner and Soccer United Marketing CEO Don Garber and Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group.

 

“Everyone at the NBC Sports Group is thrilled to begin this partnership with Major League Soccer,” said Lazarus. “MLS is a perfect fit for our new group, and we are uniquely positioned to help grow soccer in the United States with extensive coverage on NBC Sports Network, significant programming on the broadcast network and our growing digital platforms. Additionally, this agreement complements the partnerships that five of our regional sports networks have with their local MLS teams.”

 

Each season, NBC will broadcast two regular-season MLS games, two playoff games and two appearances by the U.S. Men’s National Team, marking the first time four MLS matches will be broadcast on English-language network television since 2002. The NBC Sports Network will televise 38 regular-season games, three playoff games and two U.S. Men’s National Team matches. All telecasts on NBC and NBC Sports Network will consist of pre-game and post-game coverage. According to the agreement, the NBC Sports Group obtains digital rights across all platforms and devices for the games it televises.

 

I'm not sure what this means for FSC and ESPN's MLS coverage or USMNT coverage, but it's great news. Higher production value and more games televised nationally. I'm very excited.

[shnsajax]

I just hope this means that Bob Costas isn't covering the USMNT. I am guessing ESPN will continue to at least show games during the week. Also if they are only showing 3 playoff games someone else has the rest.

 

Still great news for MLS.

[USSoccer]

Big MLS news.

NBC and NBC Sports (Versus) have acquired MLS and USMNT rights.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/08/10/mls-nbc-sports-agree-three-year-broadcast-deal

NEW YORK - Major League Soccer (MLS) and the NBC Sports Group today announced a three-year media rights agreement, which commences at the start of the 2012 MLS season. The partnership calls for 45 MLS games and four U.S. Men’s National Team contests to be televised live across both NBC and NBC Sports Network each season. This marks the first rights deal for the newly-named cable channel that will be re-branded from VERSUS on January 2, 2012. The announcement was made today by MLS Commissioner and Soccer United Marketing CEO Don Garber and Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group.

 

“Everyone at the NBC Sports Group is thrilled to begin this partnership with Major League Soccer,” said Lazarus. “MLS is a perfect fit for our new group, and we are uniquely positioned to help grow soccer in the United States with extensive coverage on NBC Sports Network, significant programming on the broadcast network and our growing digital platforms. Additionally, this agreement complements the partnerships that five of our regional sports networks have with their local MLS teams.”

 

Each season, NBC will broadcast two regular-season MLS games, two playoff games and two appearances by the U.S. Men’s National Team, marking the first time four MLS matches will be broadcast on English-language network television since 2002. The NBC Sports Network will televise 38 regular-season games, three playoff games and two U.S. Men’s National Team matches. All telecasts on NBC and NBC Sports Network will consist of pre-game and post-game coverage. According to the agreement, the NBC Sports Group obtains digital rights across all platforms and devices for the games it televises.

 

I'm not sure what this means for FSC and ESPN's MLS coverage or USMNT coverage, but it's great news. Higher production value and more games televised nationally. I'm very excited.

 

It;s a massive step. $10m a year for 3 years, and then a rebid right around a World Cup?

[Mark Priors Calves]

Its going to be Comcast vs. Disney.

[shnsajax]

Ugh. Not a starting lineup I want to see again. Bradley needs to do better.

[shnsajax]

Playing Mexico makes me want to punch someone.

[TruffleShuffle]

Playing Mexico makes me want to punch someone.

 

@FauxPelini

If this is a"friendly" then why did I just throw a chair through my f*cking window? Explain that one.

 

@FauxPelini

Thanks, soccer and ESPN, for the valid excuse to scream "attack those f*cking Mexicans" for 90 glorious minutes.

[wolf stansson]

That first half formation can go [expletive] itself.

 

I'm trying not to get worked up about a game without Dempsey, Holden, Altidore etc.

 

Orozco is a zero. Torres is a zero unless you cater to his strengths which means he isn't good enough to matter 95% of the time against good teams. Castillo is certainly better than the majority of our left backs, but give me Lichaj next time. Buddle, zero.

 

Beckerman has been better than I thought he'd be.

[wolf stansson]

Jones should have at least 1. Give me some Brek and Agudelo dynamism!

[wolf stansson]

MUTHA FUCKIN AGUDELO TO BREK, BITCH! WHAT DID I SAY!?

[shnsajax]

Jones should have at least 1. Give me some Brek and Agudelo dynamism!

 

They already look better than everyone. Agudelo playing to hesitant too. I would have given anything for Shea to have bashed dos Santos face in.

 

Great stand by Shea and pass. Probably the most improved player in the US the past year.

[wolf stansson]

That was a penalty. LD is flying.

[shnsajax]

I'm loving Shea. A year ago I had no idea where his position was even on FC Dallas.

[shnsajax]

[expletive] non redcard. Rodgers playing well too.

[wolf stansson]

Disgraceful officiating.

[shnsajax]

Donovan playing at a different speed than everyone else.

 

Just can't get that final shot off.

[wolf stansson]

We were the better team. I'm satisfied. Good game from the young guns of Brek & Agudelo. Jurgen saw a lot tonight which is what matters.

 

Bradley was sub par tonight. That's interesting but nothing concerning yet.

[shnsajax]

We were the better team. I'm satisfied. Good game from the young guns of Brek & Agudelo. Jurgen saw a lot tonight which is what matters.

 

Bradley was sub par tonight. That's interesting but nothing concerning yet.

 

I'm feeling a lot better after the 2nd half. Jurgen saw a lot of good and a lot of bad too. Beckerman has earned a future callup. Can't wait to get Holden back. Jurgen is going to structure a front 7 that attacks and attacks a lot.