The Soccer Thread

[USSoccer]

It's hard for me to get too wound up in the Gold Cup right now. Regardless of CONCACAF rigging it so the off year one matters, sort of, this tournament for me is all about:

 

-Re-integrating Donovan

-Evaluating Holden's health

-Evaluating Mix, Shea, McInierney and some of the other younger fringe guys.

 

Watching Chris Wondo(w)lowski knock in a hat trick against a rec team is just annoying, because as much as I want our team to win, always, all it's going to do is get some people foolishly wound up thinking he's all of a sudden a viable international player. Ditto for any strong performances from Goodson and Gooch.

[wolf stansson]

I'm with you, but I'm still excited because it's the only meaningful trophy we ever win and that's always fun. I also enjoy seeing how Klinsmann's style translates to different players, but you're completely right, of course. There's like 5 players that matter, 2 that matter in the near future (Donovan and Stu) and the rest we pretty much know don't cut it at the highest levels of our pecking order.

[bukie]

Goodson was easily the worst USMNT player on the pitch last night, and he was AWOL on the embarrassing Belize goal.

[bukie]

The game last night reminded me a lot of the Nigeria-Tahiti game three weeks ago in the Confed Cup. Tons of chances, a bit sloppy in execution, and a bad defensive sequence that lead to an embarrassing goal.

 

I suppose that's a good thing, since Nigeria is a quality squad the the USMNT was fielding about 5 world class players last night.

[bukie]

Also...

 

@MixDiskerud

I take it I'm now officially cap-tied to @ussoccer

Thanks for having me.

1:31 AM - 10 Jul 2013

[shnsajax]

The A team could have scored 10 last night. I feel like we need 1-2 of these matches a year.

[shnsajax]

France make the finals of the U20. We really had the group of death, 2 teams make the semi's and Spain was not one of them. Also we tied France 1-1.

[wolf stansson]

Gerard Defelou is going to play for Everton next year, so there's that. WTF.

[wolf stansson]

Sunderland's midfield is about to get a lot more classy.

http://www.football-italia.net/36302/report-giaccherini-sunderland-deal

 

Huge get and great boost for Jozy's support.

[wolf stansson]

Despite this:

@WhoScored: Dempsey: Spurs won 63.6% of the 22 Prem games the midfielder started last season compared to 43.75% of the 16 he didn't

Tottenham are shopping him:

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/report-claims-tottenham-clint-dempsey-available-transfer-dempsey-145300063.html

 

AVB is a moron if he can't find a way to utilize Deuce within a rigid 4-3-3.

[USSoccer]

That article is unsubstantiated bull. Par for the silly season.

 

The Fulham loan rumors popped up as a result of some fan message board banter. Furthermore, why would Spurs sell a guy who isn't on high wages and can play any of the front 6 positions if needed? That versatility is something managers love. AVB played Clint and started him most of the year when he was healthy, even after a slow start. He clearly rates him. Defoe is out, Adebayor is probably gone as well, and they've not yet signed a striker.

 

AVB is not selling Clint.

[wolf stansson]

Well I'm pretty sure he was one of their top earners last year.

 

That said, this is mostly just wishful thinking on my part. I want him to move. I don't want a drop in prestige, but if he could move to a Liverpool/Arsenal or Roma/Inter level-club abroad, I'd prefer that. Spurs are just so uninspiring to watch.

[USSoccer]

Well I'm pretty sure he was one of their top earners last year.

 

That said, this is mostly just wishful thinking on my part. I want him to move. I don't want a drop in prestige, but if he could move to a Liverpool/Arsenal or Roma/Inter level-club abroad, I'd prefer that. Spurs are just so uninspiring to watch.

 

Don't get me wrong; watching Spurs last year blew. I really grew to dislike that team and their fans; if Clint found a lateral move that worked, fine. I'd just get annoyed if he moved to a Sunderland level team and I definitely don't see the sense in it from Tottenham's perspective. Although playing time ahead of the World Cup matters, too...

[shnsajax]

There was one report that Wenger wants 2 of Suarez, Rooney, Higuain. Maybe Clint could be the fall back to get two of them.

 

Not holding my breath.

[wolf stansson]

SPOT THE YANK!

[USSoccer]

At first glance I thought someone was executing Muller.

[bukie]

The longer this game goes without a Mexico goal, the funnier it gets.

[wolf stansson]

Forgot the game is on big Fox.

[wolf stansson]

Oh god. Gus Johnson & Wynalda. [expletive].

[wolf stansson]

Welp, fox thinks they need to explain every aspect of the game for the national audience so I'm muting this garbage.

[wolf stansson]

Brek has been abysmal. So bad.

[Guest]

Eric Wynalda woke up this morning so excited that a broadcast TV audience would be tuning in to listen to him talk.

 

Gus needs to say more words.

[wolf stansson]

No, Gus needs to be muzzled and Brek Shea needs to be hobbled. Wynalda has been good with his observations. He just isn't very fluid.

[Guest]

No, Gus needs to be muzzled and Brek Shea needs to be hobbled. Wynalda has been good with his observations. He just isn't very fluid.

 

I don't think he's wrong per se, but with Gus explaining play every 40 seconds and everything Wynalda saying being an editorial, it's a crap listening experience.

[Guest]

Do the garbage teams in Europe and Asia resort to as much goonery as we see in CONCACAF?