The Soccer Thread

[USSoccer]

Wolf, you know we're going to lose him eventually. Its just a matter of time. The opportunity to play in the Euros every 4 years plus WCQ will be too much to pass up.

 

Of those three you mentioned, btw...its funny how Rossi is probably the one we had the least chance to hang on to thanks to his dad

[shnsajax]

I had a dream last night that Arsene Wenger was taking over the USMNT. Oh well, waking up sucks.

[shnsajax]

I had no idea that Seattle got Freddie Ljungberg. They might be my new favorite team now.

[USSoccer]

Deuce had another really strong game for Fulham today and notched his 2nd of the year. He's in good form at the moment, and a UEFA cup spot isn't out of the realm of possibility for them.

 

Their defense this year has been solid.

 

One thing to keep an eye on ahead of Feb. 11th...Clint's wife is pregnant and expecting sometime in Jan or Feb.

[wolf stansson]

Yeah, Subotic is a foregone conclusion. He's just very good.

 

I love how Clint has taken care of business at Fulham this year. He does everything right.

 

I had no idea that Seattle got Freddie Ljungberg. They might be my new favorite team now.

He's already injured.

[USSoccer]

Yeah, Subotic is a foregone conclusion. He's just very good.

 

I love how Clint has taken care of business at Fulham this year. He does everything right.

 

I had no idea that Seattle got Freddie Ljungberg. They might be my new favorite team now.

He's already injured.

 

Subotic choosing us would solve so many problems. It would create quality depth in the center, and potentially push Boca out wide or onto the bench (which, despite his set piece acumen, is really where he belongs at the upper international level. Does anyone really want to see a Gooch/Boca pairing in a World Cup match against anyone good?). Just do like Mexico and Nery, and toss a dump truck full of money at him.

 

Ljungberg is not going to be a good fit for MLS.

 

And Clint has done a great job at Fulham. Basically earned back his starting spot, and improved week after week. His defensive workrate has improved a ton, too. I only wish they'd occasionally play him in a more central attacking role.

[shnsajax]

Cesc is out for 3-4 months. Arsenal's hopes of any trophy this season are just about gone.

[wolf stansson]

Cesc is out for 3-4 months. Arsenal's hopes of any trophy this season are just about gone.

Are they still in the FA Cup?

[shnsajax]

Cesc is out for 3-4 months. Arsenal's hopes of any trophy this season are just about gone.

Are they still in the FA Cup?

 

Yeah, 3rd Round starts right after new years. I was still holding out hope in the Champions League. Its possible I guess, just about the biggest blow Arsenal could suffer though.

[shnsajax]

This is pretty cool, never seen it before today. This list needs to grow.

 

The US Official Bar Program

http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_3702785.html

[MPC]

This is pretty cool, never seen it before today. This list needs to grow.

 

The US Official Bar Program

http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_3702785.html

That's cool. I've actually been to a match at Nevada Smith's, #1 on their list. Pretty neat experience.

[wolf stansson]

This looks to be the last word.

http://www.noshortcorners.com/

I have a bad news confirmation for USMNT fans: as recently boasted by coach Raddy Antic, Borussia Dortmund backline sensation Neven Subotić has decided to play his international soccer for Serbia. It appears, after several false leads, we got the real story this time.

 

I have learned that the former U.S. youth player has now handed a written request to the U.S. Soccer Federation to make an allegiance switch and Serbia have filed the necessary paperwork with FIFA, with both of these submissions occurring yesterday. The next time Sunil Gulati is asked, he will admit all of this.

 

It now appears a mere formality that Subotić will suit up for his ancestral nation - and that stateside fans have a new gripe against the USSF.

[wolf stansson]

I don't suppose anybody here knows the extent of Bullard's injury today?

 

I'd really hate to see Fulham fall back into danger after playing so well this year (since Deuce started getting time heh).

[USSoccer]

I don't suppose anybody here knows the extent of Bullard's injury today?

 

I'd really hate to see Fulham fall back into danger after playing so well this year (since Deuce started getting time heh).

 

Bullard sucks. He takes more bad shots than any Prem player I see.

 

Fulham would be better off with Deuce in a central role anyway

[USSoccer]

PLEASESTAYINFORMCLINT

 

Deuce nets a brace as Fulham draw Chelsea 2-2

[wolf stansson]

Clinton mother [expletive] Dempsey.

 

MOTM.

 

That header was class. Fulham unbeaten in 9.

[USSoccer]

Probably the best day ever for an American outfield player.

 

Clint is a frickin baller. Is there another one of the 'Nats you'd trust in a big game more?

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01212/clint_dempsey_1212605c.jpg

[wolf stansson]

GOALKEEPERS- Jon Busch (Chicago Fire), Will Hesmer (Columbus Crew), Troy Perkins (Valerenga IF), Matt Pickens (out of contract)

 

DEFENDERS-Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland), Sean Franklin (Los Angeles Galaxy), Cory Gibbs (Colorado Rapids), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Chris Wingert (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

 

MIDFIELDERS - Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Brian Carroll (Columbus Crew), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Jack Jewsbury (Kansas City Wizards), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), John Thorrington (Chicago Fire)

 

FORWARDS- Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire)

 

-----------------------------Busch---------------------------------

Wynne----------Marshall-------------Gibbs------------Franklin

Kljestan-------------Clark-----------Holden-------------Rogers

---------------------Cooper---------Davies-----------------------

[USSoccer]

GOALKEEPERS- Jon Busch (Chicago Fire), Will Hesmer (Columbus Crew), Troy Perkins (Valerenga IF), Matt Pickens (out of contract)

 

DEFENDERS-Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland), Sean Franklin (Los Angeles Galaxy), Cory Gibbs (Colorado Rapids), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Chris Wingert (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

 

MIDFIELDERS - Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Brian Carroll (Columbus Crew), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Jack Jewsbury (Kansas City Wizards), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), John Thorrington (Chicago Fire)

 

FORWARDS- Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire)

 

-----------------------------Busch---------------------------------

Wynne----------Marshall-------------Gibbs------------Franklin

Kljestan-------------Clark-----------Holden-------------Rogers

---------------------Cooper---------Davies-----------------------

 

There's some interesting talent in Camp Cupcake this year

[wolf stansson]

There's some interesting talent in Camp Cupcake this year

He's no Subotic or Rossi, but this is interesting.

The accent tells you everything you need to know about Stuart Holden. The Texan drawlis unmistakable, butevery so often a hint of an Aberdonian lilt breaks through.

 

In terms of international football, Holden is the one that got away. Born in the Granite City to a Scottish mother and English father, the Holden family bucked a trend by moving away from Aberdeen to find work in the oil industry. The relocation took them to Houston, Texas, settling into their new environs on the occasion of Holden's 10th birthday.

 

The transatlantic crossing, however, did little to dilute his love of football, cultivated during a typical childhood in Cults. While classmates took the more traditional routes to chase the American dream, Holden stayed true to his Scottish roots.

advertisement

 

"I played soccer, rugby and tennis growing up, but when I came here there was only onesport that I wanted to play, which was soccer," he told The Herald. "I was never big enough to play basketball or American football andI've never really liked baseball. Soit wasn't a hard decision."

 

It has proved to be a shrewd career choice. Now 23, Holden has just enjoyed a stellar season with Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer and is rated as one of the brightest prospects in the United States. An attacking midfielder who can play centrally or on the wings, his form helped earned him a call-up to the American national team as a naturalised US citizen and he progressed to become a key figure during the Beijing Olympics, even scoring in the USA's victory over Japan.

 

Given the Scottish FA's policy of not selecting players with no blood link to the country, it seems ironic that a player born and raised on these shores is now making great progress under the Stars and Stripes rather thanthe Saltire.

 

"Whether I could represent Scotland is something I toiled with, but nothing concrete ever really came up," he added. "There was a newspaper report saying Alex McLeish had watched me one time when he was in charge of the national team and that was it. I wasn't going to sit around and wait for Scotland to come calling and, having played the majority of my soccer here in the US, it made sense to accept when I was called up by Bob Bradley the USteam manager.

 

"I've been called into one or two camps and have played in the Olympics, so my loyalties now lie here with the States. I had never beenapproached personally at any level to play for Scotland, although I guess the Scottish FA wouldn't think to look in America for players.

 

"Paul Dalglish is a good friend of mine and he said that somebody hadmentioned to him about me maybe playing for Scotland, but nothing ever came of it."

 

The fact that his maiden call-up was for a derby match with Mexico made the decision to switch nationalities even easier. "To get a call up for the national team for a match against Mexico is a bit of a no-brainer," he said. "That showed me that BobBradley thought I was a player that could be part of his plans and I'm excited to try to push on and become established in the national side.

 

"My family were all behind me in my decision. They pulled out the US flags and that's the way it's been going. Thoughts of playing for Scotland were all in the past at that point."

 

Holden's contract with Dynamo expires at the end of 2009. Preliminary talks have begun with a view to an extension, but the player revealed he would listen to offers from clubs in the UK, despite an unsuccessful brief spell with Sunderland earlier in his career.

 

"Iwould consider a move back, but it would have to be the right situation," he said. "It will be a big decision for me, as I've had some talks with Houston about re-signing, so it will come down to what seems right at the time. I'll be 24 next year so I'll have to think about what is best for my career.

 

"I love it here in Houston and my family is here, so it makes sense for me to stay here. But I'm definitely happy to listen and see what my options are. I know in the Scottish league there are the two big teams in Celtic and Rangers, but I think the general standard is pretty good. Although I'm now settled here in America, I've always considered a return to Scotland."

 

Holden has struck up a close friendship with Maurice Edu, the American midfielder biding his time in Rangers reserves, and expects his international team-mate to make an impact at Ibrox when the opportunity arises.

 

"I've spoken to Mo a few times as he's a good friend of mine from the Olympics team. I know he's found himself stuck behind some good players at Rangers and hasn't played as much as he would have liked. That's part of being a professional sometimes and he'll get through that, and I'm sure he'll get his chance.

 

"I think Maurice is a very good player. I saw what he could do when we were at the Olympics, but he's still a young guy and I think he will be a big player for Rangers in the years to come."

[USSoccer]

We have a lot of midfield depth beyond the first choice players, and unlike past years, the depth has some upside.

 

Holden

Rogers

Szetela

Adu

Edu

Clark

Torres

 

There's real talent there (albeit raw), which means if we have injuries or a dip in form next summer, we don't see a massive drop off that results in the midfield we saw against Ghana:

 

Dempsey--Beasley--Reyna--Lewis (crap in bold and italicized)

 

Our backups were Convey and Ben Olsen, both of whom played. That's crap.

[USSoccer]

HAHAHA Man Citeh

 

0-3 to Nottingham Forest.

 

That team super sucks.

[wolf stansson]

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

Meantime, following up on last week's Insider report about disciplinary issues at under-20 training camp in Florida, we've learned that, besides former D.C. United midfielder Bryan Arguez, the players dismissed were Gabriel Hoyos (Freiburg), Vincenzo Bernardo (Napoli) and Guiseppe Nazzani (Bologna). All will remain under consideration for future camps.

You go, Rongen. Make sure to burn those bridges before they leave. Maybe get them economy tickets back to their big professional clubs or something. You tell those u-20 players to go back to their Bundesliga, Bundeslia 2 (soon to be promoted probably) and Seria A teams. Don't take care of it in house, just kick 'em to the curb. Tell them to say hi to Subotic when they see him.

[USSoccer]

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

Meantime, following up on last week's Insider report about disciplinary issues at under-20 training camp in Florida, we've learned that, besides former D.C. United midfielder Bryan Arguez, the players dismissed were Gabriel Hoyos (Freiburg), Vincenzo Bernardo (Napoli) and Guiseppe Nazzani (Bologna). All will remain under consideration for future camps.

You go, Rongen. Make sure to burn those bridges before they leave. Maybe get them economy tickets back to their big professional clubs or something. You tell those u-20 players to go back to their Bundesliga, Bundeslia 2 (soon to be promoted probably) and Seria A teams. Don't take care of it in house, just kick 'em to the curb. Tell them to say hi to Subotic when they see him.

 

 

You're fricking kidding me. Rongen is so damn dumb.

[shnsajax]

Nice goal by Robben today

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUK8WgWvgN0