The Soccer Thread

[wolf stansson]

I can't wait until Ruud Gullit punches Lalas in the face.

 

Watching the Galaxy trying to play total football is like watching a bunch of blind people playing pin the tail on the donkey.

[reggiemiller rules]

SAF teams are great front runners. They aren't going to choke it away. Chelsea will need to win out to have a chance.

 

Barring an injury to Soccer Jesus, Man U is winning the EPL at least 5 points clear. And I'd put money on Everton being the 4th CL team.

 

Evertons chances of getting 4th took a huge hit today losing 1-0 to Liverpool. They are now 5 points behind them for 4th

[Guest]

Bad news for Roma: Totti a major doubt for United clash

[USSoccer]

SAF teams are great front runners. They aren't going to choke it away. Chelsea will need to win out to have a chance.

 

Barring an injury to Soccer Jesus, Man U is winning the EPL at least 5 points clear. And I'd put money on Everton being the 4th CL team.

 

Evertons chances of getting 4th took a huge hit today losing 1-0 to Liverpool. They are now 5 points behind them for 4th

 

Yeah, I posted that before I knew of Cahill's injury. I think they might be one difference maker short, as yesterday showed. Liverpool still have games away at Chelsea and Arsenal, right? BTW, Timmah Howard made a terrible effort on Torres' goal.

[reggiemiller rules]

SAF teams are great front runners. They aren't going to choke it away. Chelsea will need to win out to have a chance.

 

Barring an injury to Soccer Jesus, Man U is winning the EPL at least 5 points clear. And I'd put money on Everton being the 4th CL team.

 

Evertons chances of getting 4th took a huge hit today losing 1-0 to Liverpool. They are now 5 points behind them for 4th

 

Yeah, I posted that before I knew of Cahill's injury. I think they might be one difference maker short, as yesterday showed. Liverpool still have games away at Chelsea and Arsenal, right? BTW, Timmah Howard made a terrible effort on Torres' goal.

 

Yeah they do still play at Chelsea and Arsenal, but the Arsenal game is right in the middle of the 2 Champions League games. So who knows what kind of lineups either side is going to send out, if Wegner feels the PL is out of reach he may rest some players. I believe that Everton also has to go to Emirates as well.

[wolf stansson]

McGod's second coming?

 

If you thought the last image you would ever have of Brian McBride in a U.S. uniform was him walking off the field after the U.S. team's World Cup loss to Ghana in 2006, think again.

 

McBride and U.S. Olympic team coach Peter Nowak have had discussions about McBride being one of the team's three over-age players for this summer's Olympics and McBride is interested in being on the team, making him a front-runner to be one of the three senior players chosen by Nowak.

 

Sources have told SBI that McBride is one of several over-age candidates contacted by Nowak about playing in Beijing and McBride is very interested in being on the team. His inclusion would give the team a sorely-needed boost at the forward position and he could potentially form an imposing forward tandem with Jozy Altidore.

 

So why is a 35-year old (36 at the Olympics) going to snap a two-year national team retirement for the Olympics? Of all of McBride's impressive national team accomplishments, including World Cups, Gold Cups and a Confederations Cup, he has never played in the Olympics. There is still plenty of time between now and July, when the Olympic team will convene, so McBride's health and continued interest will ultimately determine if he does join the team, but right now McBride should be considered a front-runner.

 

Also working in McBride's favor is the possibility that some of the U.S. senior team's top players will be unavailable for the Olympics due to a schedule conflict with a World Cup qualifier against Guatemala. While the schedule issue could still be worked out, there is also a scenario where the qualifier cannot be moved and the Olympic schedule forces some top American players to pass on the Olympics.

 

Does this mean there could be a national team come-back in McBride's future? I haven't heard anything on that but I would find it hard to believe that McBride would turn down the call if Bob Bradley asked for his help and the U.S. team were facing a must-win situation in World Cup qualifying. You may recall Tab Ramos coming out of retirement after two years away from the national team to help the U.S. World Cup qualifying campaign in 2000 (he helped the U.S. post a pair of blowout wins vs. Barbados). Given the unsettled nature of the U.S. forward crop, you cannot rule it out.

 

For now, the focus should be on the very real possibility that McBride could lead a talented U.S. Olympic team into what should be a very deep and difficult tournament at the Olympics.

[shnsajax]

McGod's second coming?

 

If you thought the last image you would ever have of Brian McBride in a U.S. uniform was him walking off the field after the U.S. team's World Cup loss to Ghana in 2006, think again.

 

McBride and U.S. Olympic team coach Peter Nowak have had discussions about McBride being one of the team's three over-age players for this summer's Olympics and McBride is interested in being on the team, making him a front-runner to be one of the three senior players chosen by Nowak.

 

Sources have told SBI that McBride is one of several over-age candidates contacted by Nowak about playing in Beijing and McBride is very interested in being on the team. His inclusion would give the team a sorely-needed boost at the forward position and he could potentially form an imposing forward tandem with Jozy Altidore.

 

So why is a 35-year old (36 at the Olympics) going to snap a two-year national team retirement for the Olympics? Of all of McBride's impressive national team accomplishments, including World Cups, Gold Cups and a Confederations Cup, he has never played in the Olympics. There is still plenty of time between now and July, when the Olympic team will convene, so McBride's health and continued interest will ultimately determine if he does join the team, but right now McBride should be considered a front-runner.

 

Also working in McBride's favor is the possibility that some of the U.S. senior team's top players will be unavailable for the Olympics due to a schedule conflict with a World Cup qualifier against Guatemala. While the schedule issue could still be worked out, there is also a scenario where the qualifier cannot be moved and the Olympic schedule forces some top American players to pass on the Olympics.

 

Does this mean there could be a national team come-back in McBride's future? I haven't heard anything on that but I would find it hard to believe that McBride would turn down the call if Bob Bradley asked for his help and the U.S. team were facing a must-win situation in World Cup qualifying. You may recall Tab Ramos coming out of retirement after two years away from the national team to help the U.S. World Cup qualifying campaign in 2000 (he helped the U.S. post a pair of blowout wins vs. Barbados). Given the unsettled nature of the U.S. forward crop, you cannot rule it out.

 

For now, the focus should be on the very real possibility that McBride could lead a talented U.S. Olympic team into what should be a very deep and difficult tournament at the Olympics.

 

Thats cool. I think he deserves this. I would like to see him upfront with Altidore.

[wolf stansson]

Thats cool. I think he deserves this. I would like to see him upfront with Altidore.

Bradley, Adu, Jozy and McBride? Danger!

[wolf stansson]

According to Stephen Cohen of World Soccer Daily and Fox Football Fone In, Michael Bradley to Blackburn is an all but done deal for 4.5 million pounds, so around $10,000,000. I believe this destroys the US International transfer fee high.

 

Edit, this just in from http://dunord.blogspot.com/

After a rocky 15 months in charge, Mexico has given national team coach Hugo Sanchez the boot. Adios muchcacho![sic]

[USSoccer]

According to Stephen Cohen of World Soccer Daily and Fox Football Fone In, Michael Bradley to Blackburn is an all but done deal for 4.5 million pounds, so around $10,000,000. I believe this destroys the US International transfer fee high.

 

Edit, this just in from http://dunord.blogspot.com/

After a rocky 15 months in charge, Mexico has given national team coach Hugo Sanchez the boot. Adios muchcacho![sic]

 

 

-The EPL is the last place I wanted Bradley, and if he's there, definetly not for Rovers. I'm really disappointed.

 

-Sucks for Hugo, but again, the USMNT was better off with him there. Here's hoping they don't get someone competent.

[Guest]

I'll predict a 1-1 tie today for Man U and Roma.

[Guest]

Man U gets the opening goal on a Ronaldo header. It was a little cross by Scholes (I think) and Ronaldo came out of nowhere and hammered it home.

 

I just went back and watched it again, and Man U held the ball for 55 seconds before the goal where Roma didn't touch it once. The goal started with a long ball played forward by Roma that Ferdinand headed back to van der Sar. Great goal with a great buildup.

[wolf stansson]

For those haters out there who's last bullet to shoot at Ronaldo is that he doesn't come up big in big games, he now has 10 goals in 11 Champions League games this season.

[reggiemiller rules]

For those haters out there who's last bullet to shoot at Ronaldo is that he doesn't come up big in big games, he now has 10 goals in 11 Champions League games this season.

 

Well I still hate Ronaldo but not cause of his play but because he is a whiny, arrogant prick.

[reggiemiller rules]

Van der Sarr with a great save, Roma could easily have 2 or 3 goals here in the 2nd half they are dominating play.

[Guest]

Mistake by Roma at the back and the ball falls to Rooney who taps it in. Great header by Park to keep the ball alive as well.

[wolf stansson]

NY Times Goal Blog on Altidore first, then Bradley.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/01/sports/soccer/01soccer.html?_r=1&ref=sports&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin

Would he want to jump right to his favorite team, Barcelona?

 

“I would probably shoot for a second-tier team, not a team like Barcelona just yet,” he said. “Playing time would probably be hard to come by. A second-tier team first, then use it to spring to a bigger league.”

Michael Bradley, a 20-year-old American midfielder, is being sought by at least four European clubs: Werder Bremen and Stuttgart in Germany, Sampdoria of Italy and Everton of the English Premier League. Manchester United has also expressed interest in Bradley, who now plays for Heerenveen in the Netherlands.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Watching DC United play Pachuca, and DC's back line looks terrible. They're about to lose 2-0.

[brinoch]

Watching DC United play Pachuca, and DC's back line looks terrible. They're about to lose 2-0.

 

That was terrible to watch.

[Guest]

Adebayor with a wide open header off a corner kick. 1-0 Arsenal.

 

And Arsenal only holds the lead for a couple minutes before Kuyt/an Arsenal defender (Clichy, I think) knocked the ball in after a great play by Gerrard.

[wolf stansson]

Best case scenario for Chelsea today. Grant's lineup was a joke and we get an away goal and still lose.

 

This accomplishes the key away goal (they won't score at the bridge) and Grant is one step closer to unemployment.

[MPC]

Best case scenario for Chelsea today. Grant's lineup was a joke and we get an away goal and still lose.

 

This accomplishes the key away goal (they won't score at the bridge) and Grant is one step closer to unemployment.

i'm glad i didn't see this game. 1-0 on an o.g. and go down 2-1 to an inferior side that was getting heckled by the home fans. i look at the second leg as a possible win-win, chelsea goes down, grant gets sacked. chelsea wins, and sets up an interesting semi-final.

[wolf stansson]

Best case scenario for Chelsea today. Grant's lineup was a joke and we get an away goal and still lose.

 

This accomplishes the key away goal (they won't score at the bridge) and Grant is one step closer to unemployment.

i'm glad i didn't see this game. 1-0 on an o.g. and go down 2-1 to an inferior side that was getting heckled by the home fans. i look at the second leg as a possible win-win, chelsea goes down, grant gets sacked. chelsea wins, and sets up an interesting semi-final.

It's gotten comical, hasn't it? How in the hell hasn't he been fired? Why was he even hired in the first place unless Abramovich has been knowingly using him as a place holder until a real coach could be brought in this summer?

 

It's real simple, Avram.

 

---Anelka---Drogba----

 

All day, every day. You have one of if not the best target forwards in football and a guy who you just shelled out huge money for who can do anything you want at his position. Stop using him at the wing, start him next to Drogba and watch the defenders cry.

[reggiemiller rules]

Pretty happy that Liverpool got out of Emirates with a draw and an away goal. I hope that Rafa gives Torres a rest this weekend he looked tired today and could use a game off before the 2nd leg.

[wolf stansson]

http://sidelineviews.blogspot.com/2008/04/landon-chat-part-dos.html

Landon Donovan: I don’t dislike the Mexican players, They’re nice and play with respect – some don’t, but the majority do. At this time, I think a lot about going to Europe. I love my life here, but one day I’d like to go back to Europe.

Might want to get on that pretty quick, L.