The Soccer Thread

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That was not a fair result. Man U was outplayed. Ronaldo looked hung over most of the game-his touch was not there and he made poor decisions, often going 1v2 or 1v3. Rooney played very well.

 

Bendtner should have scored twice in the last 15 minutes. Adebayor squandered chances in the first half, too.

United looked much better once Anderson and Tevez came on for Scholes (who was not good) and Park. Van der Sar had several good saves throughout the game but looked responsible for Adebayor's (handball) goal. Arsenal definitely did not capitalize on their opportunities, though. Should be a good battle at Stamford Bridge in two weeks.

[shnsajax]

Hopefully the result will spark Arsenal next season. They got off to such a great start, but just ran out of gas it almost seems like. With the average age being around 23-24 for their starting XI, I think they have just a little bit of hope for the future. Still it would be nice if they could win a freaking Champions League Trophy, not that its easy or anything.

 

Can't help but think Ronaldo deserves to win the league this year in one of the most dominating EPL seasons ever. Pretty much a run away win for the FIFA POY too.

[Guest]

That was not a fair result. Man U was outplayed. Ronaldo looked hung over most of the game-his touch was not there and he made poor decisions, often going 1v2 or 1v3. Rooney played very well.

 

Bendtner should have scored twice in the last 15 minutes. Adebayor squandered chances in the first half, too.

 

It's the same problem for Arsenal game after game after game. They outplay their opponents but just can't get the big goal when they need to. The rest of their play is top-notch and arguably the best in Europe but their finishing tends to be dreadful. They should have had a couple goals in the first half because Man U was horrendous in the back and gave a ton of balls away but Arsenal couldn't get it done. And it came back to bite them in the end. They outplayed Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League and couldn't take advantage and it ended up costing them. They outplayed AC Milan in the first leg of the Round of 16 and took a once-in-history win at the San Siro to advance.

[Guest]

Oh, and holy crap on Hargreaves' free kick. That was a thing of beauty.

[shnsajax]

That was not a fair result. Man U was outplayed. Ronaldo looked hung over most of the game-his touch was not there and he made poor decisions, often going 1v2 or 1v3. Rooney played very well.

 

Bendtner should have scored twice in the last 15 minutes. Adebayor squandered chances in the first half, too.

 

It's the same problem for Arsenal game after game after game. They outplay their opponents but just can't get the big goal when they need to. The rest of their play is top-notch and arguably the best in Europe but their finishing tends to be dreadful. They should have had a couple goals in the first half because Man U was horrendous in the back and gave a ton of balls away but Arsenal couldn't get it done. And it came back to bite them in the end. They outplayed Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League and couldn't take advantage and it ended up costing them. They outplayed AC Milan in the first leg of the Round of 16 and took a once-in-history win at the San Siro to advance.

 

They are a much much better finishing team with a healthy Van Persie though.

[Guest]

That was not a fair result. Man U was outplayed. Ronaldo looked hung over most of the game-his touch was not there and he made poor decisions, often going 1v2 or 1v3. Rooney played very well.

 

Bendtner should have scored twice in the last 15 minutes. Adebayor squandered chances in the first half, too.

 

It's the same problem for Arsenal game after game after game. They outplay their opponents but just can't get the big goal when they need to. The rest of their play is top-notch and arguably the best in Europe but their finishing tends to be dreadful. They should have had a couple goals in the first half because Man U was horrendous in the back and gave a ton of balls away but Arsenal couldn't get it done. And it came back to bite them in the end. They outplayed Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League and couldn't take advantage and it ended up costing them. They outplayed AC Milan in the first leg of the Round of 16 and took a once-in-history win at the San Siro to advance.

 

They are a much much better finishing team with a healthy Van Persie though.

 

It was a problem last year as well. There was a game in the Champions League last year where Arsenal had a ton of chances against a lesser opponent and couldn't score. There were a couple of times where it would have been easier to score than not score and still they couldn't do anything. And that game was with a healthy van Persie as well. It's a shame because they place great soccer and never reward themselves for it in the end.

[USSoccer]

One thing that speaks well for the Gooners is that Theo Walcott is still only like 20 and is the fastest player I've ever seen. He's going to be special, like, really, really special.

[shnsajax]

One thing that speaks well for the Gooners is that Theo Walcott is still only like 20 and is the fastest player I've ever seen. He's going to be special, like, really, really special.

 

He is the boy who could fly, not 20 till next year, Cesc and Denilson are still only 20 :-). I just don't know who Arsenal could really add to spark better finishing, or if they just have to wait it out and play the kids till they get it.

[wolf stansson]

I think Capello is a little late to the party for Walcott. He needs to be an auto invitee. One of the few real bright young stars in England. I don't trust his finishing though. As far as American prospects compare, I'd take Adu, Bradley and Altidore over Walcott. I'm probably just being a homer, but I don't see a huge difference between Walcott and Landon Donovan. Walcott is faster, but Donovan is the better two-footed player and more versatile. Of course, I don't see Theo deciding to play in a second-rate league for the prime of his career, so he has that going for him.

 

Donovan got two more today. One in the run of play. I can't help but hope that Ruud Gullit is inspiring something in him to really play to his potential and go out there and prove himself.

[Guest]

Chelsea just allowed a 90th minute goal at Stamford Bridge to 15th place Wigan which tied the game at one. Man U is now five points up on Chelsea.

[wolf stansson]

Chelsea just allowed a 90th minute goal at Stamford Bridge to 15th place Wigan which tied the game at one. Man U is now five points up on Chelsea.

If Grant isn't gone now, then I hope Liverpool b slaps us in the CL and he gets gone.

[Jon]

Red Card[/url]"]The U.S. men's national team will likely play a World Cup qualifying match at Toyota Park this Fall, according to the U.S. Soccer Federation.

 

Toyota Park would either host the match against Trinidad and Tobago on Sept. 10 or the game against Cuba on Oct. 11.

 

The United States' last game in the Chicago-area was a 4-2 loss to Brazil on Sept. 9. The U.S.-Brazil exhibition took place in front of 43,543 fans at Soldier Field. The U.S. also defeated Mexico 2-1 in the Gold Cup final at Soldier Field on June 24. The final was played in front of a sold out crowd of 60,000.

 

The qualifier would mark the U.S. men's national team's first game at Toyota Park.

[shnsajax]

Red Card[/url]"]The U.S. men's national team will likely play a World Cup qualifying match at Toyota Park this Fall, according to the U.S. Soccer Federation.

 

Toyota Park would either host the match against Trinidad and Tobago on Sept. 10 or the game against Cuba on Oct. 11.

 

The United States' last game in the Chicago-area was a 4-2 loss to Brazil on Sept. 9. The U.S.-Brazil exhibition took place in front of 43,543 fans at Soldier Field. The U.S. also defeated Mexico 2-1 in the Gold Cup final at Soldier Field on June 24. The final was played in front of a sold out crowd of 60,000.

 

The qualifier would mark the U.S. men's national team's first game at Toyota Park.

 

I'm waiting for one at Pizza Hut Park, can't wait maybe play Canada down here.

[sethuel1]

Red Card[/url]"]The U.S. men's national team will likely play a World Cup qualifying match at Toyota Park this Fall, according to the U.S. Soccer Federation.

 

Toyota Park would either host the match against Trinidad and Tobago on Sept. 10 or the game against Cuba on Oct. 11.

 

The United States' last game in the Chicago-area was a 4-2 loss to Brazil on Sept. 9. The U.S.-Brazil exhibition took place in front of 43,543 fans at Soldier Field. The U.S. also defeated Mexico 2-1 in the Gold Cup final at Soldier Field on June 24. The final was played in front of a sold out crowd of 60,000.

 

The qualifier would mark the U.S. men's national team's first game at Toyota Park.

I am Puuuuumped

[Jon]

I doubt I can make it out for a weeknight game in Bridgeview and October 11th is a home game for Northwestern. Oh, well.

[sethuel1]

This is your country we're talking about, here.

[Jon]

I'm still recovering from the last Trinidad and Tobagan invasion.

 

I'll probably get tickets just in case, anyways.

[shnsajax]

At least you have the ability to go, I'm still waiting for my shot :-).

[shnsajax]

How much are tickets in Chicago? I was shocked to see FC Dallas has field seating and bleacher tickets at $150 and $125. Shouldn't the focus of MLS to be to sellout every single game. They only had 11,500 for the NY game last week but 20,000 for LA at the end of last month. LA only sold out cause of one reason too.

[Jon]

How much are tickets in Chicago? I was shocked to see FC Dallas has field seating and bleacher tickets at $150 and $125. Shouldn't the focus of MLS to be to sellout every single game. They only had 11,500 for the NY game last week but 20,000 for LA at the end of last month. LA only sold out cause of one reason too.

I think I read that the Fire have started to offer some unused ADA seating areas to season tickets holders on a game-by-game basis in that price range, but aside from the club (midfield on the east side), tickets range from $15 to $45, which is midfield on the west side.

 

Club may be only for STH. I'm not sure.

 

Of course, the Fire still don't draw that well.

[shnsajax]

How much are tickets in Chicago? I was shocked to see FC Dallas has field seating and bleacher tickets at $150 and $125. Shouldn't the focus of MLS to be to sellout every single game. They only had 11,500 for the NY game last week but 20,000 for LA at the end of last month. LA only sold out cause of one reason too.

I think I read that the Fire have started to offer some unused ADA seating areas to season tickets holders on a game-by-game basis in that price range, but aside from the club (midfield on the east side), tickets range from $15 to $45, which is midfield on the west side.

 

Club may be only for STH. I'm not sure.

 

Of course, the Fire still don't draw that well.

 

They do have some lower priced ones, good seats will still run you $60 a piece. I'm guessing you could always just walk down after you buy the cheaper seats. When the target market is still families and kids though this doesn't seem to follow that plan.

[circlechange]

Hopefully the result will spark Arsenal next season. They got off to such a great start, but just ran out of gas it almost seems like. With the average age being around 23-24 for their starting XI, I think they have just a little bit of hope for the future

Not with Lehmann in goal. :wink: Actually, how do the Arsenal fans feel about Almunia? I've read some not-so-favorable opinions of him and Wenger's choice to stick with him.

[shnsajax]

Hopefully the result will spark Arsenal next season. They got off to such a great start, but just ran out of gas it almost seems like. With the average age being around 23-24 for their starting XI, I think they have just a little bit of hope for the future

Not with Lehmann in goal. :wink: Actually, how do the Arsenal fans feel about Almunia? I've read some not-so-favorable opinions of him and Wenger's choice to stick with him.

 

I haven't seen enough of him or know enough either. Lehmann is old, but Arsenal love their old keepers I think Seaman was around 51 when he finally retired. I hear there is a keeper over here in the MLS who is looking to head over to Europe really soon ;-).

[sethuel1]

I'm really hoping for that September date. The october one would be the night before the marathon, which means a total travel mess for anyone coming from out of town, probably.

[shnsajax]

Fulham lost a chance to gain ground today. Going to need a miracle to stay above. Still have Man C, Birmingham, then Portsmouth. Still a win vs. Birmingham can change everything though.