The Soccer Thread

[Guest]

If only ESPN had the foresight to have more than two channels for such a time as this.

[USSoccer]

After ffwd'ing through 90 minutes of stupid ass nascar, I watched the game on ESPN3.

 

The only worthwhile thing out of 3 games under Klinsmann is that Brek Shea has gotten to play a lot.

 

Every other "new" player we're tried sucks. Mo Edu blows. He's garbage. Completely useless. Can't pass, can't shoot, can sorta defend, can get goals called back inexplicably, but I'd rather see Kyle effing Beckermann 100% of the time over him. He's [expletive] pants.

 

Jozy was either shite, or Juergen's instructions for him to sit next to the last defender the entire game were shite. Either one is bad news, since other than Clint we have no one at all who can lead the line.

 

Robbie Rogers is no better than I would be given 6 weeks to get in shape. I mean that 100% from the bottom of my heart. I was better than him. I still probably am. He's a mediocre MLS talent with a baby face and he once spend like 5 weeks at PSV. Big deal. He's [expletive] clueless. He telegraphs every move, has okay straight line speed and his speed of thought is equivalent to a 486 PC trying to run Diablo II. It's effing terrible and the fact that he occupied a wing for a half is a damned joke.

 

Torres tried so, so hard, but isn't a #10 at this level. Boca is so old and slow now, I shudder to think what will happen if he starts in 2014, if we make it there. What the hell happens when 'Dolo can't play anymore? Timmy Chandler wasn't very good, and I know he's young and talented, but Dolo is so good, and he's older than I am. He won't play forever. We gave up how many breaks to the Belgish today?

 

Christ.

 

We suck right now. We can't win without Landon and Clint both playing, and they won't play forever. Juergen's tactics sucksucksuck. He's not impressed at all so far. We're going to get slapped in the face HARD during qualifying and it isn't going to be pretty.

[wolf stansson]

I'm hearing a lot of love for Jose Torres. Ok, fine, he's something rare in the US, he's crafty and slick, but settle down. There are a lot of players that look like Xavi in the middle of the pitch. XAVI IS XAVI BECAUSE HE DOES IT IN THE FINAL THIRD. Put Paco in the attacking third and he disappears quicker than you can say "overrated." Klinsy's putting square pegs into round holes but I don't want to wait 12 years for the payoff even if it is our best chance to get to the next level.

 

Edit - Paco is his nickname, FYI. I didn't just type the first Latino name that came to my head.

[wvcbxl]

As far as I'm concerned that was another frustrating performance by Belgium; for parts of the game they showed just how good they can be but they also demonstrated that the finishing remains a serious problem (probably need a fit Vleminckx up front for that). The final 20 minutes (after the triple substitution) was absolutely dreadful. Lukaku played like he wasn't fit at all.

Loved the flashes from the Hazard-Mertens combo though.

[jersey cubs fan]

http://deadspin.com/5837926/soccer-player-disgraces-self-team-descendants-forever-with-awful-penalty-kick

[wolf stansson]

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2011/09/holden-continues-comeback-with-latest-appearance-for-bolton-reserves.html

Holden started and played 65 minutes in Bolton's 1-1 draw with Rochdale (Bolton won 6-5 in penalties) in a reserve match on Wednesday in rainy conditions. Playing in front of U.S. national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, Holden emerged unscathed and is set for the next challenge on his comeback road.

 

Wednesday's match was the second reserve game in which Holden played, following up his 78-minute performance against Fulham on Aug. 30. The next step for Holden is a return to the first team, something that could happen as soon as this Saturday, when Bolton takes on Manchester United.

This Saturday, already? Nice. Also, you think Jurgen made a special detour to watch because he knows Roger, Kljestan etc suck?

[Guest]

http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/9/7/2409380/usa-vs-belgium-united-states-usmnt-jurgen-klinsmann-clint-dempsey

 

Really interesting article. Read the whole thing, but the central point is that neither Agudelo or Altidore are ready to be back-to-goal strikers(and no one else in the pool is even close), and due to the numbers game with the midfield, our best/most realistic option for our coach/personnel is a 4-6-0 or withdrawn 4-3-3 with Dempsey as the false nine.

[wolf stansson]

http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/9/7/2409380/usa-vs-belgium-united-states-usmnt-jurgen-klinsmann-clint-dempsey

 

Really interesting article. Read the whole thing, but the central point is that neither Agudelo or Altidore are ready to be back-to-goal strikers(and no one else in the pool is even close), and due to the numbers game with the midfield, our best/most realistic option for our coach/personnel is a 4-6-0 or withdrawn 4-3-3 with Dempsey as the false nine.

Spot on.

[wolf stansson]

Gooch is finally back. Went 90 for Sporting.

[wolf stansson]

MLS 24 under 24 is back. Brek Shea will be number one.

 

#24 AJ Soares

#23 Jack Mac

[wolf stansson]

Barcelona of all teams ruined my 7-team Champions league $10 parlay. Assholes.

[shnsajax]

From Whal:

Spoke to @TonySanneh (ex-Nürnberg) about Chandler: "Timmy said he wants to play for the US, but it would be hard to turn down Germany."

 

Apparently Germany's coach is visiting Chandler's club today. Also Euros start before our Concacaf qualifiers. I'm sure Chandler's club coach would rather him play for Germany for a multitude of reasons. This could get interesting.

 

JK better have his ass in a plane heading to Germany right now to settle this [expletive] ASAP before it hits the fan.

[wolf stansson]

From Whal:

Spoke to @TonySanneh (ex-Nürnberg) about Chandler: "Timmy said he wants to play for the US, but it would be hard to turn down Germany."

 

Apparently Germany's coach is visiting Chandler's club today. Also Euros start before our Concacaf qualifiers. I'm sure Chandler's club coach would rather him play for Germany for a multitude of reasons. This could get interesting.

 

JK better have his ass in a plane heading to Germany right now to settle this [expletive] ASAP before it hits the fan.

Chandler's a stud, but honestly, we can live with Lichaj and Sean Franklin on the right and Fabian Johnson on the left. He's not a crucial loss like Rossi and Subotic if we do lose him.

 

 

Edit - Turns out it's a non-starter.

Greg Seltzer with the straight dope from Joachim Lowe's Press Officer:

http://www.noshortcorners.com/2011/09/lets-just-do-this.html

Just now, second-hand from Germany coach Joachim Löw, via the team's press officer to me, now to all of you:

 

"He is not in Nuremberg and he has not spoken to (Timothy Chandler)."

 

--

 

On to the next one.

 

 

- Greg Seltzer

 

Journalism!

[wolf stansson]

Jozy with a goal of the year candidate in the UEFA league.

 

[Guest]

There was some embarrassingly bad finishing in the ManU-Chelsea game.

[wolf stansson]

MLS 24 under 24 is back. Brek Shea will be number one.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/24-under-24/news/article/2011/09/23/24-under-24-1-brek-shea-fc-dallas

[Guest]

Man U has blown a 2-0 lead at home to FC Basel and trails 3-2 with 10 minutes left.

[wolf stansson]

John O'Brien er I mean Stu Holden is out 6 more months with damaged cartilage. Third best non-keeper back on the shelf.

[Guest]

John O'Brien er I mean Stu Holden is out 6 more months with damaged cartilage. Third best non-keeper back on the shelf.

 

Wahl's twitter said it was 6 weeks, did you hear differently?

[wolf stansson]

John O'Brien er I mean Stu Holden is out 6 more months with damaged cartilage. Third best non-keeper back on the shelf.

 

Wahl's twitter said it was 6 weeks, did you hear differently?

Yep unfortunately Wahl corrects that tweet later in his timeline.

That was after Stu himself tweeted it.

[USSoccer]

John O'Brien er I mean Stu Holden is out 6 more months with damaged cartilage. Third best non-keeper back on the shelf.

 

Yeah, he's probably done. The JOB jab wasn't far off.

 

You just can't keep sustaining major injuries and expect to come back the same level.

[wolf stansson]

http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-National-Team/2011/09/Klinsmann-Calls-22-Players-for-October-Friendlies.aspx

 

GOALKEEPERS (3): Bill Hamid (D.C.United), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Oguchi Onyewu (Sporting Lisbon), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Jeff Larentowicz (Colorado Rapids), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim)

FORWARDS (5): Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Teal Bunbury (Sporting Kansas City), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)

 

Gooch back in with a shout. Bradley back in. Danny Williams (one of the afrogermanican crew) gets his first call in. Beasley back from the dead (he has apparently been the best left winger in Mexico this season).

[wolf stansson]

This is great news: http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2011/09/johnsons-one-time-switch-to-join-usmnt-approved-by-fifa.html

 

TSG Hoffenheim midfielder/defender Fabian Johnson won't be with the U.S. men's national team for its October friendlies due to a neck injury, but he will be able to represent the United States in the near future.

 

The 23-year-old Johnson has had his one-time switch of association approved by FIFA, making him eligible to play for the U.S. team.

 

Johnson, who was born in Munich, Germany to an American father and German mother, had recently filed paperwork to change his international allegiances to the United States after having represented Germany at youth national team levels. He practiced with the U.S. team earlier this month but was unable play in its friendlies against Costa Rica and Belgium.

[USSoccer]

http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-National-Team/2011/09/Klinsmann-Calls-22-Players-for-October-Friendlies.aspx

 

GOALKEEPERS (3): Bill Hamid (D.C.United), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Oguchi Onyewu (Sporting Lisbon), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Jeff Larentowicz (Colorado Rapids), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim)

FORWARDS (5): Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Teal Bunbury (Sporting Kansas City), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)

 

Gooch back in with a shout. Bradley back in. Danny Williams (one of the afrogermanican crew) gets his first call in. Beasley back from the dead (he has apparently been the best left winger in Mexico this season).

 

WTF.

 

Orozco-Fiscal has no business on this roster. Larentowicz has no business on this roster. Ream has no business being their over John and Gonzalez, both of whom have other options regarding senior NT status. Beasley being the best winger in the Primera is like killing it in the PCL...it's a defensive-allergic league. I don't like him being there, and I for sure think Diskerud needs to be here, Olympic-qualifying statements by Klinsmann be damned.

 

This does nothing to cure my growing suspicion that he has no idea about our player pool. This is the best time to cast a wide net and bring some new blood in, and we're pissing it away over mediocrities.

[wolf stansson]

http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos/?catid=114

Michael Farfan and Andy Najar with some blisteringly awesome goals last night.