The Soccer Thread

[sethuel1]

Milan scored some amazing goals today.

 

http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/1585943/

[Guest]

Milan scored some amazing goals today.

 

http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/1585943/

 

On the first goal it almost looked like Seedorf intentionally played a 1-2 with the Lazio defender's chest. Zambrotta's goal was a rocket and Pato's header was nice. Kaka's was sick as well.

[wolf stansson]

Anyone watch the Man U-Chelsea match? I DVR'd it and I know what happened but I was wondering if it's worth watching the whole match or if the inevitable 10-15 minutes they'll show during the Review Show later will be enough.

Not really worth it, imo.

[wolf stansson]

http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/nicolas-anelka-not-move-back-psg-states--5514222.html

French International Nicolas Anelka has rubbished reports claiming that he was planning to move back to his former club Paris St Germain from Chelsea during the January transfer window.

 

The French side are known to be eager to have back their former striking ace, who has already had two spells at the Parc des Princes from 1995-1997 and then 2000-2002.

 

29-year-old Anelka player called any suggestion he was to leave Stamford Bridge for PSG "nonsense", but did make a point to mention that when he does leave the Blues he would either move to the Middle East or America's Major League Soccer.

 

"There are some rumours circulating about a possible return to PSG but they're nonsense. If I had to leave London, I'd go to the States or the Gulf," he said.

This has Galaxy written all over it when Landon moves to Munich.

 

 

It also has disaster written all over it too.

[wolf stansson]

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2008/09/cervi-set-to-si.html

 

Dominic Cervi signs with Celtic.

[USSoccer]

http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/nicolas-anelka-not-move-back-psg-states--5514222.html

French International Nicolas Anelka has rubbished reports claiming that he was planning to move back to his former club Paris St Germain from Chelsea during the January transfer window.

 

The French side are known to be eager to have back their former striking ace, who has already had two spells at the Parc des Princes from 1995-1997 and then 2000-2002.

 

29-year-old Anelka player called any suggestion he was to leave Stamford Bridge for PSG "nonsense", but did make a point to mention that when he does leave the Blues he would either move to the Middle East or America's Major League Soccer.

 

"There are some rumours circulating about a possible return to PSG but they're nonsense. If I had to leave London, I'd go to the States or the Gulf," he said.

This has Galaxy written all over it when Landon moves to Munich.

 

 

It also has disaster written all over it too.

 

What about Landon to Bayern doesn't have disaster written all over it?

 

And I thought Anelka was way, way older than 29.

[wolf stansson]

What about Landon to Bayern doesn't have disaster written all over it?

His skill set should flourish with Bayern, but I know he won't.

----------------Rensing----------------

--Lell---Lucio---DiMichelis---Lahm--

-------VanBommel---Schweiny-------

--Donovan-------------------Ribery---

---------Toni-------Klose/Poldi-------

 

That lineup would f s up.

 

 

But Landon will probably puss out.

 

 

On another note, Bayern needs to find a better option than DiMichelis and VanBommel.

[USSoccer]

Arsenal just got Hull'd. 1-2 at the Emirates.

 

I love it. WTF is with the EPL this year?

[MPC]

Arsenal just got Hull'd. 1-2 at the Emirates.

 

I love it. WTF is with the EPL this year?

 

i'm love the parity (at least parity by epl standards). regardless, the big boys will rise to the top by may, but it makes for a little bit more interesting regular season.

[wolf stansson]

Some great goals from Marvelle Wynne and Kenny Cooper this past weekend.

 

There were actually a ton of great goals in MLS this round, but I only post these because of MNT implications.

[wolf stansson]

FINALLY

 

GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa: 2/2 SO), Tim Howard (Everton FC: 6/5 SO), Troy Perkins (Valerenga IF: 0/0)

 

DEFENDERS (8): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes: 16/2), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland: 2/0), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96: 17/0), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC: 1/0), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew: 13/1), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege: 11/0), Michael Orozco (San Luis: 0/0), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock: 5/0

 

MIDFIELDERS (7): Freddy Adu (AS Monaco: 1/0), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers: 19/4), Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach: 5/2), Maurice Edu (Glasgow Rangers: 3/0), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA: 3/0), Danny Szetela (Brescia Calcio: 0/0), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca: 0/0)

 

FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (Villarreal C.F.: 0/0), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo: 9/4), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF: 0/0) Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC: 11/4), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy: 24/8)

 

No Kenny Cooper still, but this is a roster I can be excited about.

 

 

A little about Torres from Steve Goff. He sounds like he could be an option at left wing to replace Beasley:

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/

On Mexico's interest.....

 

"They have been interested. They have been calling me for a few weeks now, but I think I took the right decision to choose the U.S."

 

On making the decision.....

 

"It was a hard decision because I was born in the U.S. and I have lived in Mexico for five years now. My career, I made it in Mexico, but finally I talked it over with my family and they told me whatever decision I make, they had my back."

 

On getting noticed by scouts while playing in Texas.....

 

"When I was in the U.S., I played in ODP, there were scouts that looked at me, but every time I went to camp with ODP, I never really had a chance. When I was 16, I got scouted in school by a Mexican scout and it was the only decision I had: come to Mexico or go to school. I took the decision to come to Mexico and play soccer, and thank God it worked out and everything has gone good."

 

Competing on the U.S. national team.....

 

"I have to practice hard to win a spot and show the talent that I have."

 

On influence from Michael Orozco, another U.S.-Mexican player.....

 

"We stayed in contact often. We talked recently and he asked me if I was going to the U.S. and I told him I was going. He told me he was going too [to training camp]. We both made the same choice and I think it's a good choice."

 

On Pachuca Coach Enrique Meza's influence on his decision.....

 

"I asked him what would be a good position for me. ... He told me, 'Whatever decision you make, we are going to have your back. If you go to the U.S., I think it will be good.' I talked to him and I talked to my parents, and my parents were happy I made the right decision."

 

[To clarify, USSF President Sunil Gulati, who was actively involved in Torres's recruitment, said Meza did not push him to play for one country or the other and has been supportive of Torres's decision. Torres: "Coach has always been there for me and whatever decision I make."]

 

On his long-range goals.....

 

"My dream is to make my career here [in Mexico] and, God willing, it opens the door for the national team and hopefully opens doors for European teams to look at me."

 

On his discussions with Bob Bradley.....

 

"We talked about how he had seen me play and that I had great skill and a good vision of the game, and that he was interested in me coming to the U.S. I told him that I was going to think about it."

 

On his natural left foot and where he likes to play.....

 

"Here in Mexico, I play center, but a little bit on the flank and I like to attack the goal a little bit."

 

Here is his goal for Pachuca:

He's the dude who does the back flip.

[wolf stansson]

Aguero v Messi this weekend. I will not be missing this game.

[wolf stansson]

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

 

----Stevie--------Gooch---------Boca--------Pearce----

 

---------------------------Edu------------------------------

 

----Dempsey-----Donovan------Bradley-----Beasley----

 

------------------------Altidore----------------------------

 

 

After we go up 2-0 at the half

 

---------------------------Guzan---------------------------

 

------Hejduk------Gooch-------Orozco-----Pearce------

 

----Szetela-------Bradley------Kljestan-------Torres----

 

----------------------Adu---------Altidore------------------

[USSoccer]

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

 

----Stevie--------Gooch---------Boca--------Pearce----

 

---------------------------Edu------------------------------

 

----Dempsey-----Donovan------Bradley-----Beasley----

 

------------------------Altidore----------------------------

 

 

After we go up 2-0 at the half

 

---------------------------Guzan---------------------------

 

------Hejduk------Gooch-------Orozco-----Pearce------

 

----Szetela-------Bradley------Kljestan-------Torres----

 

----------------------Adu---------Altidore------------------

 

I like it, but you made like 5 subs.

[wolf stansson]

Oh wow. i got excited there.

 

New idea. Don't sub Howard and don't sub any defenders.

 

Torres is a lock to get tied so the other two should be...

 

--Donovan---Bradley---Adu----Torres

------Davies--------Altidore---------

[wolf stansson]

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2008/10/mexico-fails-in.html#more

If you think that Jose Francisco Torres' decision to play for the U.S. national team instead of Mexico didn't have an impact south of the border, think again.

 

Not only did the Mexican national team actively recruit Torres at the same time as the United States, Mexico also attempted to convince Torres to change his mind even after Torres was named to the U.S. national team's 23-man roster for its upcoming World Cup qualifier against Cuba.

 

Sources with knowledge of the approaches told SBI that Mexican officials lobbied hard for Torres, before and after his decision was made, but Torres stuck by his original decision to play for the United States, his country of birth. The Texas-born Torres will become officially cap-tied to the United States if he appears in either of the U.S. team's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Cuba and Trinidad & Tobago.

 

HAHA

[shnsajax]

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2008/10/mexico-fails-in.html#more

If you think that Jose Francisco Torres' decision to play for the U.S. national team instead of Mexico didn't have an impact south of the border, think again.

 

Not only did the Mexican national team actively recruit Torres at the same time as the United States, Mexico also attempted to convince Torres to change his mind even after Torres was named to the U.S. national team's 23-man roster for its upcoming World Cup qualifier against Cuba.

 

Sources with knowledge of the approaches told SBI that Mexican officials lobbied hard for Torres, before and after his decision was made, but Torres stuck by his original decision to play for the United States, his country of birth. The Texas-born Torres will become officially cap-tied to the United States if he appears in either of the U.S. team's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Cuba and Trinidad & Tobago.

 

HAHA

 

=D>

[wolf stansson]

Giuseppi Rossi got called up to the senior squad over Del Piero.

 

Also, Matt Taylor, an MLS washout scored a hat trick for TUS Koblenz in Bundesliga 2. I think he had 5 goals on the season.

 

 

Quotes from Torres courtesy of Sideline Views.

 

Today, I complete a dream. I always wanted to play internationally and Thank God, now I’m going to with the U.S. Today they called me in.

 

The U.S. federation has followed me since I arrived in Mexico to play. They called me for the Olympics. I waited. I didn’t want to go because opportunity waited with Mexico. Now, the U.S. has called me again. They’ve talked to me in the past month and this second time that they wanted me, I decided I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. I made the decition with my family to agree.

 

Sure, when I saw the game (of El Tri) versus Chile, I noted the new players and wondered why they hadn’t called me. At that point, I decided to forget about getting called in, but then the coach of the U.S. called and wanted me to play with them and said I could have a future with them. I decided that this second time, I’d say yes and try to get a place with the team.

 

(about Orozco) He’s another player like me. I didn’t take advantage of the chance to go to the Olympics. Those are steps in life. I’m going on Monday and hope to win a place with the team and play.

 

I began my career in Mexico, always with Pachuca. I got here at 16 and in a year and a half, I was promoted to the first team. Coach Meza picked me for my debut – he believes in me as a starter and I’ve tried to take advantage of the opportunity.

 

Now both teams want me, but I’ve chosen the U.S. Since I was little I wanted to play with the U.S. team. I played here in Mexico and developed and to tell the truth, I never thought the U.S. would call me. Now Mexico has called, but I’d made up my mind for the U.S. already.

 

I talked to Fassi. When I made the decision, Andres told me that Sven wanted me for Mexico. I told him the truth and told him that I didn’t want to pass up my chance with the U.S. and play in qualifying games. I want to play well.

 

The U.S. team is a great team, with experienced players who have played in the World Cup and now there are new players like Orozco and I working for sports. I’m thankful to Mexico, and glad they called me, but unfortunately, I had already decided to play for the U.S.A.

 

I love it. The Mexican/latin influence on our National team could take us to the next level in the future.

[Guest]

Holy red cards in Italy!

 

There were red cards handed out in six of the eight games today, with nine being handed out overall. Genoa, Sampdoria and Roma all got two in one game.

[wolf stansson]

Aguero v Messi this weekend. I will not be missing this game.

This game was by the way, one of the most thrilling displays of football I've ever seen in my life. Completely one-sided but freaking gorgeous.

[wolf stansson]

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/235589,ze-roberto-sets-sights-on-leaving-bayern-munich.html

Munich - Bayern Munich's Ze Roberto intends to leave the club at the end of the season when his contract expires. The 34-year-old Brazilian told Kicker sports magazine he was looking for a new challenge after 10 years in total in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich.

 

"From my view my time here is over. I want to play for two years somewhere else," he was quoted as saying.

 

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had indicated he was prepared to give the midfielder a new contract.

 

Ze Roberto said he had received offers from Major Soccer League clubs including FC Dallas.

 

Dallas loves those old Brazilian left wingers. Ze would be much more successful than Denilson though.

[Jon]

Northwestern is up to #2 in the rankings. They beat Penn State for just the second time in program history by a score of 2-1 Saturday afternoon at beautiful Lakeside Field. Could have been 3-0 pretty easily and they really controlled the pace well.

[Guest]

So I saw a preview/ad for the USA-Cuba match just now on ESPN and they showed the red card elbow from the Guatemala match in the preview. Well done, ESPN.

[wolf stansson]

Looks like I’m not the only one who thinks it’d be brilliant.

 

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/2008/10/07/20081007soccer1008.html

 

Mexican powerhouse Pachuca wants to build a surrogate team here in the valley. There isn’t a better team to do this considering their track record and youth development record. They are famous for developing incredible young talent. It could be a huge boon for youth soccer in the valley. With the Latino community and rich white kid community, we could start producing some major talent for the US National development program. A professional franchise will only help kick start it.

 

The athletic potential in this city, not just soccer, is incredible. There are so many young families here, Phoenix is about to become and athletic factory. It's almost there as is.

 

Also, Carlos Martinez was dismissed from the u-17 program at Bradenton for breaking team rules.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=579660&sec=us&root=us&cc=5901

 

This is significant beause Carlos was a super stud against teams like Brazil in the Nike friendlies last year. He looks to be one of the best young players we've ever had in the Landon, Freddy, Jozy, Renken category. Speculation is he'll either join the Galaxy or Feyenoord.

 

Feyenoord, plz.

 

In other young star news, I've seen some of Abdus Ibrahim for Toronto this year, and he is an excellent, excellent young striker. Has scored some great goals in MLS and is only 17. A Samuel Eto'o type.

[Guest]

The UCD soccer team won again and improved to 10-1-1 on the season and are ranked in the top-15. Their loss was a 1-0 neutral site loss to Louisville (top-10 team) and they tied UC Irvine (ranked team) on the road 1-1. They're going to be into some trouble next year but they're doing amazingly well right now.