The Soccer Thread

[USSoccer]

BTW, Seth, I have Comcast and I got the FSC for $5 a month. I don't know how important it is for you, but to me it was a no-brainer at that cost.

 

It's Tony that doesn't get FSC. I have FSC and GolTV (gotta watch my first love - Roma!) through Dish Network.

 

If Roma doesn't win Serie A this year I'll be stunned.

 

You think so? I'm not so sure. Inter signed everyone under the sun, so they worry me. I know they always find a way to screw it up, but still.....

 

And Milan's starting with what, a 7 point deficit?

 

Did they appeal that or something? I thought it was like a 15 or 18 point penalty.

 

Juve got a 25 point penalty. Is it even mathematically possible for them to get out of Serie B this season?

[davecubsfan]

An appeals court reduced Juventus's penalty points for the coming season from 30 to 17 points, but refused to let the club back into the top league. My best guess is that Juve will be back in Serie A next year. They've signed a few players to replace the mass exodus to Real and Inter, Boumsong is one of them and they got a bargain on him by only paying 2 million for him. I really think Inter got off lightly.

[Jon]

BTW, Seth, I have Comcast and I got the FSC for $5 a month. I don't know how important it is for you, but to me it was a no-brainer at that cost.

 

It's Tony that doesn't get FSC. I have FSC and GolTV (gotta watch my first love - Roma!) through Dish Network.

 

my bad. well in any case, i only spend $5 a month on mine.

Do you know if you can get it with any package?

[Mark Priors Calves]

BTW, Seth, I have Comcast and I got the FSC for $5 a month. I don't know how important it is for you, but to me it was a no-brainer at that cost.

 

It's Tony that doesn't get FSC. I have FSC and GolTV (gotta watch my first love - Roma!) through Dish Network.

 

my bad. well in any case, i only spend $5 a month on mine.

Do you know if you can get it with any package?

 

Hmm...I'll have to check specifics when I get home tonight, because I can't get onto Comcast's website. If my memory is correct, I have Digital Cable Silver and then I just added on the Sports Package that includes FSC and GOLTV this summer.

[shnsajax]

Man U did an increadible job in the 90's with their youth system. They pretty much developed almost their entire team that won the Treble.

[sethuel1]

BTW, Seth, I have Comcast and I got the FSC for $5 a month. I don't know how important it is for you, but to me it was a no-brainer at that cost.

 

It's Tony that doesn't get FSC. I have FSC and GolTV (gotta watch my first love - Roma!) through Dish Network.

 

If Roma doesn't win Serie A this year I'll be stunned.

 

You think so? I'm not so sure. Inter signed everyone under the sun, so they worry me. I know they always find a way to screw it up, but still.....

 

And Milan's starting with what, a 7 point deficit?

 

Did they appeal that or something? I thought it was like a 15 or 18 point penalty.

 

Juve got a 25 point penalty. Is it even mathematically possible for them to get out of Serie B this season?

 

Here is a list of the penalties as they stand right now.

 

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jul25o.html

[shnsajax]

BTW, Seth, I have Comcast and I got the FSC for $5 a month. I don't know how important it is for you, but to me it was a no-brainer at that cost.

 

It's Tony that doesn't get FSC. I have FSC and GolTV (gotta watch my first love - Roma!) through Dish Network.

 

If Roma doesn't win Serie A this year I'll be stunned.

 

You think so? I'm not so sure. Inter signed everyone under the sun, so they worry me. I know they always find a way to screw it up, but still.....

 

And Milan's starting with what, a 7 point deficit?

 

Did they appeal that or something? I thought it was like a 15 or 18 point penalty.

 

Juve got a 25 point penalty. Is it even mathematically possible for them to get out of Serie B this season?

 

Here is a list of the penalties as they stand right now.

 

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jul25o.html

 

Wow, those fines were pretty pointless compared to the other penalties. Mark Cuban gets fined more on a bimonthly basis just for something he says. Juventus should be penalized in a way to where its very very difficult to make it back to the Serie A for the next 3 years. I would have liked to seen something around blocking transfers with all the clubs involved as well. Not sure if they could have even done that or not though.

[sethuel1]

BTW, Seth, I have Comcast and I got the FSC for $5 a month. I don't know how important it is for you, but to me it was a no-brainer at that cost.

 

It's Tony that doesn't get FSC. I have FSC and GolTV (gotta watch my first love - Roma!) through Dish Network.

 

If Roma doesn't win Serie A this year I'll be stunned.

 

You think so? I'm not so sure. Inter signed everyone under the sun, so they worry me. I know they always find a way to screw it up, but still.....

 

And Milan's starting with what, a 7 point deficit?

 

Did they appeal that or something? I thought it was like a 15 or 18 point penalty.

 

Juve got a 25 point penalty. Is it even mathematically possible for them to get out of Serie B this season?

 

Here is a list of the penalties as they stand right now.

 

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jul25o.html

 

Wow, those fines were pretty pointless compared to the other penalties. Mark Cuban gets fined more on a bimonthly basis just for something he says. Juventus should be penalized in a way to where its very very difficult to make it back to the Serie A for the next 3 years. I would have liked to seen something around blocking transfers with all the clubs involved as well. Not sure if they could have even done that or not though.

 

They can definitely do that. Roma had a trade embargo for a full year after their handling of the Mexes transfer from Auxerre.

[Marco4]

Tuesday evening will be my first match of the season. The might of Huddersfield Town come face to face with Mansfield Town for a place in the second round of a cup competition that nobody gives a damn about.

 

And it was an atrocious game that Mansfield won 2-0. Time to focus on the league for a bit, lads.

[Jon]

Trib[/url]"]Apparently, ex-Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann isn't the only candidate the U.S. Soccer Federation is considering to fill its coaching vacancy. Former MetroStars coach and current Manchester United assistant Carlos Queiroz is rumored to be a leading candidate. The Portuguese coach was a candidate in 1998 but lost out to Bruce Arena, who was fired in July and has since joined MLS' New York Red Bulls.

 

The Fire have a USOC game tonight and then play on CSNC on Saturday night for the first time in a month.

[Jon]

AP[/url]"]GENEVA -- FIFA could ban World Cup champion Italy and all Italian clubs from international competition if Juventus challenges in state court the sanctions it received in the country's match-fixing scandal.

 

FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren said Wednesday that forcing a decision before a state court would interfere with the autonomy of the soccer world and undermine the sport's arbitration system

..........

"If Juventus go before an administrative court, then FIFA pass the matter to its emergency committee," Herren said. "The committee wouldn't even have to meet in person. It (the suspension of all Italian teams) could happen very quickly."

 

A suspension, if it were imposed, would be indefinite and could stop the national team from taking part in the qualifying competition for the 2008 European Championship.

 

Herren said that in an "ideal situation, the Italian federation will solve this problem within its own sports courts."

 

Juventus indicated no change in its plans.

 

"We're convinced we're not doing anything wrong, because we're simply applying a law of the Italian state," Juventus lawyer Riccardo Montanaro was quoted by the ANSA news agency.

[Jon]

During the bogus 4 minutes of stoppage time:

 

-one yellow card (the 7th of the half)

-one punch thrown and a bunch of pushes

-one Fire victory

 

Chicago wins 2-1 thanks to two more goals for Herron and will face DC United on 9/6 at Toyota Park in the semi-finals.

 

Actually, the next 3 games will be on CSNC. After that, 4 of the last 7 MLS season games will be on TV (2 on CSNC and 2 on ESPN2).

[sethuel1]

AP[/url]"]GENEVA -- FIFA could ban World Cup champion Italy and all Italian clubs from international competition if Juventus challenges in state court the sanctions it received in the country's match-fixing scandal.

 

FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren said Wednesday that forcing a decision before a state court would interfere with the autonomy of the soccer world and undermine the sport's arbitration system

..........

"If Juventus go before an administrative court, then FIFA pass the matter to its emergency committee," Herren said. "The committee wouldn't even have to meet in person. It (the suspension of all Italian teams) could happen very quickly."

 

A suspension, if it were imposed, would be indefinite and could stop the national team from taking part in the qualifying competition for the 2008 European Championship.

 

Herren said that in an "ideal situation, the Italian federation will solve this problem within its own sports courts."

 

Juventus indicated no change in its plans.

 

"We're convinced we're not doing anything wrong, because we're simply applying a law of the Italian state," Juventus lawyer Riccardo Montanaro was quoted by the ANSA news agency.

 

That's not gonna happen. it's a good threat, though.

[Mark Priors Calves]

Chelsea got embarassed last night at 'Boro. I think this team is not as strong as the last two have been, hopefully they can get healthy and play up to their capabilities.

[TruffleShuffle]

Chelsea got embarassed last night at 'Boro. I think this team is not as strong as the last two have been, hopefully they can get healthy and play up to their capabilities.

 

No. They're the Yankees of the EPL, and I can't root for the Yankees. That was a fun game to watch - for me, at least.

[davecubsfan]

It's been nice to see Chelski lose to both the Reds in the CS and the Boro. I really feel it may be a wide open EPL this year with Liverpool drawing with Sheff, Arsenal drawing with Villa, and Chelsea losing one in season so far and the Community shield. I know most teams are still gelling but here's my surprises so far for the first week of the EPL

 

Nice to see Reading up, and nice to see them come back from being down to win their first game in the Premiership.

 

Walcott looked amazing in Arsenal's draw against Villa, and if not for a well timed pass to Silva, Arsenal would have lost the game against them. Walcott will be a star in the EPL.

 

The way Villa looked Saturday was one of the more amazing turnarounds I've seen. They went from a very flat boring style last year to Martin O'Neil's style this year. Here's hoping that Randy Lerner's bid goes thru for Villa so that a few more Americans can root for an "NFL owner's team" that isn't named Manchester United

 

The whole cAshley Cole and William Gallas discussion between Arsenal and Chelski has not been resolved yet, and may not be for a while longer. Cole is quite a bit younger than Gallas, but IMO Galllas is a much better defender than the oft injured Cole. I'd make that swap as long as Chelski sent a few million pounds back for the age difference.

[Marco4]

Champions League Draw.

 

Group A

BARCELONA

Chelsea

Werder Bremen

Levski Sofia

 

Group B

INTER MILAN

Bayern Munich

Sporting Lisbon

Spartak Moscow

 

Group C

LIVERPOOL

PSV Eindhoven

Bordeaux

Galatasaray

 

Group D

VALENCIA

Roma

Olympiakos

Shakhtar Donetsk

 

Group E

REAL MADRID

Lyon

Steaua Bucharest

Dynamo Kiev

 

Group F

MANCHESTER UNITED

Celtic

Benfica

FC Copenhagen

 

Group G

ARSENAL

Porto

CSKA Moscow

Hamburg

 

Group H

AC MILAN

Lille

AEK Athens

Anderlecht

[davecubsfan]

Champions League Draw.

 

Group A

BARCELONA

Chelsea

Werder Bremen

Levski Sofia

 

Group B

INTER MILAN

Bayern Munich

Sporting Lisbon

Spartak Moscow

 

Group C

LIVERPOOL

PSV Eindhoven

Bordeaux

Galatasaray

 

Group D

VALENCIA

Roma

Olympiakos

Shakhtar Donetsk

 

Group E

REAL MADRID

Lyon

Steaua Bucharest

Dynamo Kiev

 

Group F

MANCHESTER UNITED

Celtic

Benfica

FC Copenhagen

 

Group G

ARSENAL

Porto

CSKA Moscow

Hamburg

 

Group H

AC MILAN

Lille

AEK Athens

Anderlecht

 

LOL At Chelski getting into the same group as Barca and Bremen. Bremen has been the best looking team thus far in the Bundesliga (yes I know it's still early) and Barca is Barca. I'd imagine that Chelski may have a rough outing.

 

Group A and Group B look to be the toughest draws for the teams involved.

[sethuel1]

I am very happy with Roma's draw

[Mark Priors Calves]

Chelsea got hosed by the draw. Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United were all put into Pot 1. The Champions of England were put into Pot 2 and now have an uphill fight to advance past the second round. If they place second behind Barca, they will have to play the winner of another group and probably one of the better teams in the champions league.

[TruffleShuffle]

Chelsea got hosed by the draw. Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United were all put into Pot 1. The Champions of England were put into Pot 2 and now have an uphill fight to advance past the second round. If they place second behind Barca, they will have to play the winner of another group and probably one of the better teams in the champions league.

 

Maybe they can just buy their way out of that group

[Mark Priors Calves]

Chelsea got hosed by the draw. Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United were all put into Pot 1. The Champions of England were put into Pot 2 and now have an uphill fight to advance past the second round. If they place second behind Barca, they will have to play the winner of another group and probably one of the better teams in the champions league.

 

Maybe they can just buy their way out of that group

 

We're talking about the champion's league, all of these teams are loaded with money. Its not like Barca is poor or something...18 million pounds to buy Ronaldinho says plenty about their financial state.

[TruffleShuffle]

Chelsea got hosed by the draw. Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United were all put into Pot 1. The Champions of England were put into Pot 2 and now have an uphill fight to advance past the second round. If they place second behind Barca, they will have to play the winner of another group and probably one of the better teams in the champions league.

 

Maybe they can just buy their way out of that group

 

We're talking about the champion's league, all of these teams are loaded with money. Its not like Barca is poor or something...18 million pounds to buy Ronaldinho says plenty about their financial state.

 

Real Madrid isn't doing too bad financially, either.

[Mark Priors Calves]

Chelsea got hosed by the draw. Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United were all put into Pot 1. The Champions of England were put into Pot 2 and now have an uphill fight to advance past the second round. If they place second behind Barca, they will have to play the winner of another group and probably one of the better teams in the champions league.

 

Maybe they can just buy their way out of that group

 

We're talking about the champion's league, all of these teams are loaded with money. Its not like Barca is poor or something...18 million pounds to buy Ronaldinho says plenty about their financial state.

 

Real Madrid isn't doing too bad financially, either.

 

Exactly the G-14 teams and the remainder of the big clubs in the champions league spend massive amounts of money. Chelsea gets singled out now, because its a relatively new trend for them.

[Marco4]

Better performance today, grabbing a 1-1 draw against league leaders Nottingham Forest; nice to see Town playing the ball around like that, and there'll not be many better teams down at Huddersfield this season.

 

Nicely done, and hopefully it'll be carried onto Crewe next weekend.