The Soccer Thread

[wolf stansson]

Rui Costa is retiring, right? The only reason he wasn't starting there is because they weren't going to bench their national hero for Adu.

As I understand it, Rui Costa was the cause of all the problems at Benfica last year. He was basically the unofficial Director of Football while still playing. He hired and fired all the managers. Now he is retired and was named the official Director of Football, but there are still plenty of Brett Favresque rumors about him coming back. That place is a mess, I don't even know if they have a manager yet. If he stays upstairs and they settle on a good manager, then I'm fine with Freddy staying. I know the fans love him and his goals per minute rate was tops on the team, but I'm not sure where he stands with Costa.

 

Szetela is already in Spain. I don't think the EPL fits where we want our team to be. Too much kick and run, not enough technical development.

I think Szetela is still at Brescia, but La Liga/Seria A is fine either way for me as long as he plays. You're right about the EPL. Unless you are on one of the big 4 or Tottenham, you're not going to be playing good, technical football.

[USSoccer]

Rui Costa is retiring, right? The only reason he wasn't starting there is because they weren't going to bench their national hero for Adu.

As I understand it, Rui Costa was the cause of all the problems at Benfica last year. He was basically the unofficial Director of Football while still playing. He hired and fired all the managers. Now he is retired and was named the official Director of Football, but there are still plenty of Brett Favresque rumors about him coming back. That place is a mess, I don't even know if they have a manager yet. If he stays upstairs and they settle on a good manager, then I'm fine with Freddy staying. I know the fans love him and his goals per minute rate was tops on the team, but I'm not sure where he stands with Costa.

 

Szetela is already in Spain. I don't think the EPL fits where we want our team to be. Too much kick and run, not enough technical development.

I think Szetela is still at Brescia, but La Liga/Seria A is fine either way for me as long as he plays. You're right about the EPL. Unless you are on one of the big 4 or Tottenham, you're not going to be playing good, technical football.

 

I thought Szetela was at Racing. Did they loan him to Bresia?

[wolf stansson]

Rui Costa is retiring, right? The only reason he wasn't starting there is because they weren't going to bench their national hero for Adu.

As I understand it, Rui Costa was the cause of all the problems at Benfica last year. He was basically the unofficial Director of Football while still playing. He hired and fired all the managers. Now he is retired and was named the official Director of Football, but there are still plenty of Brett Favresque rumors about him coming back. That place is a mess, I don't even know if they have a manager yet. If he stays upstairs and they settle on a good manager, then I'm fine with Freddy staying. I know the fans love him and his goals per minute rate was tops on the team, but I'm not sure where he stands with Costa.

 

Szetela is already in Spain. I don't think the EPL fits where we want our team to be. Too much kick and run, not enough technical development.

I think Szetela is still at Brescia, but La Liga/Seria A is fine either way for me as long as he plays. You're right about the EPL. Unless you are on one of the big 4 or Tottenham, you're not going to be playing good, technical football.

 

I thought Szetela was at Racing. Did they loan him to Bresia?

Yeah. This is from his wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Szetela

On August 31, 2007, Szetela was signed by Racing de Santander, in the Spanish Primera División. Szetela made his official debut with the Spanish club on November 14, in a scoreless draw against Málaga CF in the Copa del Rey. On January 29, 2008, Szetela was loaned out to Serie B side Brescia Calcio. The loan will last until June 30, 2008, with the option to purchase at the end. Szetela made his debut for Brescia Calcio on February 9, playing the last five minutes in a 4-2 comeback victory.

[wolf stansson]

It's official.

http://www.soccerbyives.net/

U.S. national team forward Jozy Altidore has been sold to Spanish club Villarreal for a fee of $10 million, team sources confirmed on Monday afternoon.

 

The sale shatters the old record for largest transfer of an MLS player, which was set when Clint Dempsey went from the New England Revolution to Fulham after the 2006 season.

 

The deal has been agree to in principle, but cannot become official until July 1, when the European transfer window opens.

 

My interest in MLS just took a significant drop. I guess Jorge Flores is my guy now. Also, according to marca.com, the deal is for 10 million Euros, which is around $15 mil. That is one hell of a transfer fee for an MLS player. If Jozy earns that fee, this could truly be the first big step in the mainstream acceptance of the American soccer player abroad. All the groundwork laid by the guys in the 90's like Reyna, Friedel, McBride, Wynalda and all the current guys like Howard, Beasley and Dempsey is being taken advantage of by this young crop of player like Bradley, Jozy and Freddy.

[shnsajax]

It's official.

http://www.soccerbyives.net/

U.S. national team forward Jozy Altidore has been sold to Spanish club Villarreal for a fee of $10 million, team sources confirmed on Monday afternoon.

 

The sale shatters the old record for largest transfer of an MLS player, which was set when Clint Dempsey went from the New England Revolution to Fulham after the 2006 season.

 

The deal has been agree to in principle, but cannot become official until July 1, when the European transfer window opens.

 

My interest in MLS just took a significant drop. I guess Jorge Flores is my guy now. Also, according to marca.com, the deal is for 10 million Euros, which is around $15 mil. That is one hell of a transfer fee for an MLS player. If Jozy earns that fee, this could truly be the first big step in the mainstream acceptance of the American soccer player abroad. All the groundwork laid by the guys in the 90's like Reyna, Friedel, McBride, Wynalda and all the current guys like Howard, Beasley and Dempsey is being taken advantage of by this young crop of player like Bradley, Jozy and Freddy.

 

Very nice deal for MLS and Jozy, if they had not taken that they would be complete fools.

[wolf stansson]

Here is the US Starting linep:

-------------------Johnson--------------------

 

Lewis--------------Adu---------------Dempsey

 

--------------Bradley----Edu-------------------

 

Pearce---Bocanegra---Onyewu----Cherundolo

 

-------------------Howard----------------------

 

This I can live with. I just want Dempsey and Adu taking dudes on with the ball at their feet. Bradley getting forward with menace and Edu tracking back like his first name is Claude.

 

Obviously, f Eddie Johnson and what not, but I'm just happy to see a non 4-4-2 and Freddy Adu as the CAM.

[shnsajax]

Here is the US Starting linep:

-------------------Johnson--------------------

 

Lewis--------------Adu---------------Dempsey

 

--------------Bradley----Edu-------------------

 

Pearce---Bocanegra---Onyewu----Cherundolo

 

-------------------Howard----------------------

 

This I can live with. I just want Dempsey and Adu taking dudes on with the ball at their feet. Bradley getting forward with menace and Edu tracking back like his first name is Claude.

 

Obviously, f Eddie Johnson and what not, but I'm just happy to see a non 4-4-2 and Freddy Adu as the CAM.

 

This is an improvement. I forgot to record the game, oh well.

[wolf stansson]

Silva----------Torres--------Cazorla

 

-----------Xavi-----Fabregas--------

 

---------------Alonso----------------

 

Capdevila--------------------Ramos

 

------Marchena----Puyol---------

 

---------------Casillas---------------

 

 

That is absolutely frightening and it's not even their first choice squad.

[USSoccer]

Silva----------Torres--------Cazorla

 

-----------Xavi-----Fabregas--------

 

---------------Alonso----------------

 

Capdevila--------------------Ramos

 

------Marchena----Puyol---------

 

---------------Casillas---------------

 

 

That is absolutely frightening and it's not even their first choice squad.

 

OH MY GOD. I can;'t wait to watch us lose 6-1 when I get home.

[shnsajax]

Silva----------Torres--------Cazorla

 

-----------Xavi-----Fabregas--------

 

---------------Alonso----------------

 

Capdevila--------------------Ramos

 

------Marchena----Puyol---------

 

---------------Casillas---------------

 

 

That is absolutely frightening and it's not even their first choice squad.

 

OH MY GOD. I can;'t wait to watch us lose 6-1 when I get home.

 

The more I think about it, the more I think Spain is going to win Euro. They will be better come 2010 too.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Spoiler on the game

 

 

0-0 at halftime, the U.S. looks pretty decent. Adu with a beautiful pass to spring Johnson on a partial breakaway that led to a tough-angle shot. Spain isn't really turning on their best effort, but the U.S. still looks miles ahead of the England game. Adu is good at soccer.

 

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I totally thought Kyle was kidding and going to make a joke, since I'd never seen him post in the Soccer thread and didn't know the game was slightly tape delayed.

 

Oh well, I'm not going to get home to see the start anyway.

[shnsajax]

Spoiler on the game

 

 

0-0 at halftime, the U.S. looks pretty decent. Adu with a beautiful pass to spring Johnson on a partial breakaway that led to a tough-angle shot. Spain isn't really turning on their best effort, but the U.S. still looks miles ahead of the England game. Adu is good at soccer.

 

0-0 is a moral victory today

 

[Hairyducked Idiot]

lol, sorry.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Spoiler on the game

 

 

0-0 at halftime, the U.S. looks pretty decent. Adu with a beautiful pass to spring Johnson on a partial breakaway that led to a tough-angle shot. Spain isn't really turning on their best effort, but the U.S. still looks miles ahead of the England game. Adu is good at soccer.

 

0-0 is a moral victory today

 

 

 

Lots of stupid substitutions at halftime, including Adu out. Didn't want to look too good for a whole 90 minutes or something.

 

[shnsajax]

Spoiler on the game

 

 

0-0 at halftime, the U.S. looks pretty decent. Adu with a beautiful pass to spring Johnson on a partial breakaway that led to a tough-angle shot. Spain isn't really turning on their best effort, but the U.S. still looks miles ahead of the England game. Adu is good at soccer.

 

0-0 is a moral victory today

 

 

 

Lots of stupid substitutions at halftime, including Adu out. Didn't want to look too good for a whole 90 minutes or something.

 

 

That sucks, unless he is hurt whats the point.

 

[Hairyducked Idiot]

For real spoilers. I swear. Don't read if you don't wanna know :)

 

 

Spain hits the crossbar on a dangerous freekick chance from just outside the box in the 63rd minute. They are turning up the pressure a bit in the second half.

 

[Hairyducked Idiot]

For real spoilers. I swear. Don't read if you don't wanna know :)

 

 

Spain hits the crossbar on a dangerous freekick chance from just outside the box in the 63rd minute. They are turning up the pressure a bit in the second half.

 

 

And...

 

Spain gets the right post in the 67th minute on a great opportunity as they are dribbling into the box at will in the last few minutes. All they need is the left post and they win three-bar.

 

[Hairyducked Idiot]

 

Spain tries to get that left post to complete the Wood Trio, but misses to the right and leads 1-0. They are generating scoring chances at will in the second half against the USA B-team. No idea why we subbed in all these bad players.

 

If anyone still has doubts about what Adu brings to this team, compare the two halves of this game.

 

[shnsajax]

Spain tries to get that left post to complete the Wood Trio, but misses to the right and leads 1-0. They are generating scoring chances at will in the second half against the USA B-team. No idea why we subbed in all these bad players.

 

If anyone still has doubts about what Adu brings to this team, compare the two halves of this game.

 

 

I am starting to hate Bob Bradley

 

[wolf stansson]

Thoughts:

Other than the raping from Xavi, our central defenders were surprisingly decent today. Bocanegra organized the back third zone well and Onyewu hung in there.

 

Clint Dempsey hasn't done much for quite a while. I'm worried at what the effect all this positional juggling has had on him, because he was bad today. Freddy crossed a ball in front of the net he could have easily finished.

 

Eddie Johnson makes defenders run. He makes them account for him. Unfortunately he has the touch of a brick wall and can't finish. Lewis' cross that he headed wide in the second half was a sitter. That needed to be put in.

 

Michael Bradley was strong in the first half; disruptive, active and feisty. Unfortunately he was out of gas in the second and didn't look as good. He covered a lot of ground today getting up and back more than anyone. I'm still waiting to see him get forward and score goals like he did for the u-20's and Heerenveen. It would be ironic if his dad was the one holding him back.

 

Now to our talismanic man of the match. I say talismanic because we fielded two very different squads today. The first was dangerous, skilled and creative. The second was plodding, clumsy and clearly not as good. Freddy was unbelievable on the ball today. He is just awesome. With the ball at his feet, he can do things few in the world can. He is our CAM for the next 15 years and that is a fact that makes me very happy. When paired with someone who can finish like Jozy, we have a real, legit attack.

 

Again, if we have a full-strength Landon, we probably would have scored (unless it precluded Adu from playing). Hell, if Freddy played the second half we probably would have scored. I think Bradley did a good job adjusting his tactics and playing for a result. I'm still not sold. What is a glaring damnation of his coaching however is how well we played in the first half. It makes it even more abundantly obvious that A) the team he fielded for England was terrible and B) the team was intimidated by the Wembley experience and that blame lies squarely on the manager's shoulders.

 

And with that, I'll leave you with the quote of the day from the broadcast.

 

"This Adu pairing with Johnson has been more effective than the Wolff-Johnson pairing from last week."

-JP Dellacamera

 

Really? You think so?

[USSoccer]

I'll have more thoughts later, but quickly:

 

-Dempsey probably should sit against Argentina, and probably 1 leg against Barbados. He has been below average for the nats for a while. Either he took a beating in the EPL, or he's gassed, or playing 4 positions for Fulham screwed him up completely. He's lost his offensive verve completely. His touch is bad. He should have finished the Adu ball. His passing is poor. He seems surly and without any inspiration, which is the most stunning thing for me. That sucks to say because he's my guy, but he's in poor form right now and really has been since the Gold Cup.

 

-Adu gives our team what we've lacked forever: a true playmaker. We were actually looking like a quality side in the first half, and it was because Spain respected Adu and because Adu could hold, distribute and attack from that attacking mid spot. That should be written in pen for him from now on, really. He was great today.

 

-Bradley tried something different. If you put Landon on one wing and Jozy up front with Adu in that CAM spot, we actually have an attack. I liked the 4-5-1 for us, actually.

 

-Edu and Bradley linked well. Good for them.

 

Overall, the first half was light years better than last week. The second half was crap because we had no midfield play. I'm going to ignore the pantsing of our defense by Xavi. I'm going to flip out if Hejduk plays meaningful minutes anymore. Ditto for Wolff. It's not 2001 anymore.

[wolf stansson]

HAHAHA!!

3-0 Argentina in the 32nd minute. Way for the boys to go win one for the guy they wanted to be their manager instead of Sven. Typical heartless Mexico.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Is Sanchez wearing the exact same colors as Argentina in a pathetic attempt at a mind game like when Argentina clowned them in Copa America?

[USSoccer]

Is Sanchez wearing the exact same colors as Argentina in a pathetic attempt at a mind game like when Argentina clowned them in Copa America?

 

I love the FMF. Mexico's biggest enemy is Mexico. Sven could do good things for them...if they let him.