The Soccer Thread

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Guardado ruptured a tendon and will miss 6 weeks and the game in Columbus.

[wolf stansson]

Guardado ruptured a tendon and will miss 6 weeks and the game in Columbus.

Marquez is in doubt as well.

http://theoriginalwinger.com/2009-01-22-rafa-marquez-out-at-least-two-weeks

[brinoch]

Oh darn. No Marquez whining and diving.

[shnsajax]

Real Madrid presidential contender Florentino Perez will make the appointment of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger the cornerstone of his election campaign.

 

"Florentino wants to make Wenger both coach and general manager of Real this summer - and will promise it will happen," a source close to Perez told The Mirror.

 

:evil: . I don't know if Wenger will leave, but I don't like them trying.

[USSoccer]

It appears that US Soccer is not doing a presale for ussoccerfan.com members for the US-Mex game in Columbus. There was a presale through Sam's Army and the American outlaws, and there will be a "special presale" for Visa cardholders for a day before the sale to the general public (i.e. anyone who's apparently [expletive] enough to not have a Visa card).

 

The bottom line is that Gulati screwed this one up by not having a general ussoccerfan.com presale and now the crowd will be 80% Mexican.

 

You can't tell me you didn't see the Oompa Loompa screwing that up.

how hard is it, really? just follow the exact method that the last one was ticketed.

 

I've learned not to overestimate him. Or underestimate his ability to make what's simple exceedingly difficult.

[USSoccer]

Guardado was going to be a very tough matchup for whoever was on that side (Torres and Pearce?) so I'm very happy he's out. If Rafa is out as well, Jozy and Landon should tear that defense apart.

 

And I love it when Real elects new club Presidents. They're always making ridiculous promises that never come about. It's high comedy.

[wolf stansson]

Dudes, someone is going to have to talk me out of a Landon Bayern jersey. I need this year's kit anyway.

 

LINK w/video @ SBI

 

Two more today for the forehead. We don't get to see him in the air often but [expletive], that first goal is his second clinical header in two games.

[shnsajax]

Guardado was going to be a very tough matchup for whoever was on that side (Torres and Pearce?) so I'm very happy he's out. If Rafa is out as well, Jozy and Landon should tear that defense apart.

 

And I love it when Real elects new club Presidents. They're always making ridiculous promises that never come about. It's high comedy.

 

Wenger + Cesc + Kaka = How much?

[wolf stansson]

Hull are buying Bullard, so hopefully Clint gets to take over as primary playmaker.

[wolf stansson]

----------------Perkins---------------

 

 

Wynne--Parkhurst--Califf © ---Bornstein

 

-----------Clark------Kljestan-----------

 

Thorrington--------------------Rogers

 

 

----------Davies--------Ching

 

Would obviously rather see Cooper and Davies, not Ching and Davies.

[wolf stansson]

Sacha's free kick was unsaveable. Gorgeous.

 

1-0 US.

[wolf stansson]

Marvelle Wynne is the fastest player on the field.

 

Draws a penalty from a blinding turn.

 

 

Sacha steps up.

 

Nets the brace.

 

2-0.

 

Gordon Strachan, open the check book.

 

John Thorrington has no business in even B level friendlies like this. Just a step behind.

 

Cooper on for Davies in the second half, who was bad.

Edited January 25, 2009 by wolf stansson

[wolf stansson]

Christopher Sullivan compared Sacha's game to Andrea Pirlo.

 

I think a poor man's Pirlo is an apt comparison. His lateral movement, long passing and free kicks.

 

Some Landon at Bayern content from Bayern's site:

In terms of quantity, winter newcomer Donovan has every reason to be satisfied, as the USA star has four goals in five matches. “Goals are always important for a striker, but the time to be scoring is in the matches we have coming up next,” said Donovan, aiming to showcase his skills and earn a long-term contract at the club. The man capped 105 times by the USA is currently on loan from LA Galaxy until mid-March.

 

“He’s settled well. I’m certain he’ll help us in the second half of the season,” Toni declared. Bastian Schweinsteiger is equally persuaded by the 26-year-old. “It’s crucial to have a man on the bench who’s fired up, comes on and scores a goal or two. I hope his good form continues.” Donovan’s four goals have required just 236 playing minutes.

 

Donovan targets longer stay

 

“My dream is to make it here,” commented Donovan, who turned down several offers from rival clubs. “The way he’s risen to the challenge here is terrific. He could have gone somewhere else immediately,” said coach Jürgen Klinsmann. “He’s very dangerous in front of goal. Now we need to see how he gets on in important matches,” observed general manager Uli Hoeneß.

[wolf stansson]

SACHA WITH THE HAT TRICK!

 

I'm not the biggest Ching fan, but that was a manly, manly job of holding the ball up in the box and then laying it off for Sacha.

[Jon]

Very impressive play by Ching.

[USSoccer]

I think Ching unfortunately probably sealed his starting spot tonight, and I will have to say he did play well. It's probably him and Landon up front.

 

Sacha K...what else can you say? 3 goals is a fantastic performance. The free kick was class, the PK was really a good move by Wynne and a calm finish and the third goal was well taken. He locks down the 2nd central mid spot next to Mikey B.

 

I was happy with Marvelle until better players exposed him late in the game.

 

Davies disappointed me. I expected better. Kenny Cooper didn't have much luck in this one.

 

Rogers was poor as well. Actually, I was pretty down on the midfield performance tonight. Sacha was a step ahead of his team mates, no one was really making good runs. The two best players on the field were Sacha and Ching. Bornstein still pretty much looks like left footed Frankie Hejduk.

 

So it's looking like:

 

Ching

Donovan

?? Sacha Deuce

Mikey Bizzle

Pearce Boca --Gooch--Dolo

[sethuel1]

I think Ching unfortunately probably sealed his starting spot tonight, and I will have to say he did play well. It's probably him and Landon up front.

 

Sacha K...what else can you say? 3 goals is a fantastic performance. The free kick was class, the PK was really a good move by Wynne and a calm finish and the third goal was well taken. He locks down the 2nd central mid spot next to Mikey B.

 

I was happy with Marvelle until better players exposed him late in the game.

 

Davies disappointed me. I expected better. Kenny Cooper didn't have much luck in this one.

 

Rogers was poor as well. Actually, I was pretty down on the midfield performance tonight. Sacha was a step ahead of his team mates, no one was really making good runs. The two best players on the field were Sacha and Ching. Bornstein still pretty much looks like left footed Frankie Hejduk.

 

So it's looking like:

 

Ching

Donovan

?? Sacha Deuce

Mikey Bizzle

Pearce Boca --Gooch--Dolo

If he was actually playing for his club, ?? could be Adu. But it won't be.

[USSoccer]

I think Ching unfortunately probably sealed his starting spot tonight, and I will have to say he did play well. It's probably him and Landon up front.

 

Sacha K...what else can you say? 3 goals is a fantastic performance. The free kick was class, the PK was really a good move by Wynne and a calm finish and the third goal was well taken. He locks down the 2nd central mid spot next to Mikey B.

 

I was happy with Marvelle until better players exposed him late in the game.

 

Davies disappointed me. I expected better. Kenny Cooper didn't have much luck in this one.

 

Rogers was poor as well. Actually, I was pretty down on the midfield performance tonight. Sacha was a step ahead of his team mates, no one was really making good runs. The two best players on the field were Sacha and Ching. Bornstein still pretty much looks like left footed Frankie Hejduk.

 

So it's looking like:

 

Ching

Donovan

?? Sacha Deuce

Mikey Bizzle

Pearce Boca --Gooch--Dolo

If he was actually playing for his club, ?? could be Adu. But it won't be.

 

Best case scenario is Torres. Worst case is Beasley.

 

Honestly, DMB hasn't done anything for me in 4 years. He shouldn't be starting-certainly, if Freddy isn't, he shouldn't be.

 

We're going to have some firepower on the bench, though, with Jozy, Freddy and Davies.

[sethuel1]

I think Ching unfortunately probably sealed his starting spot tonight, and I will have to say he did play well. It's probably him and Landon up front.

 

Sacha K...what else can you say? 3 goals is a fantastic performance. The free kick was class, the PK was really a good move by Wynne and a calm finish and the third goal was well taken. He locks down the 2nd central mid spot next to Mikey B.

 

I was happy with Marvelle until better players exposed him late in the game.

 

Davies disappointed me. I expected better. Kenny Cooper didn't have much luck in this one.

 

Rogers was poor as well. Actually, I was pretty down on the midfield performance tonight. Sacha was a step ahead of his team mates, no one was really making good runs. The two best players on the field were Sacha and Ching. Bornstein still pretty much looks like left footed Frankie Hejduk.

 

So it's looking like:

 

Ching

Donovan

?? Sacha Deuce

Mikey Bizzle

Pearce Boca --Gooch--Dolo

If he was actually playing for his club, ?? could be Adu. But it won't be.

 

Best case scenario is Torres. Worst case is Beasley.

 

Honestly, DMB hasn't done anything for me in 4 years. He shouldn't be starting-certainly, if Freddy isn't, he shouldn't be.

 

We're going to have some firepower on the bench, though, with Jozy, Freddy and Davies.

yeah, my guess is Torres.

[wolf stansson]

Torres should be a lock for Mexico. He's one of very few Americans in form.

 

It's gotta be:

-------------------------Timbo----------------------------

--StevieC---------Gooch----------Boca--------Pearce--

--Deuce---------Bradley---------Kljestan------Torres--

----------------------Landon-----Jozy--------------------

 

I mean come on, I know Ching played well tonight, but he is in the dead of offseason and Jozy is in season fighting for a spot on a top 20 club in the world.

 

Obviously Bob will play Ching, but if we're going on fitness, it's gotta be Jozy.

 

 

I haven't been actively following the USMNT for very long, but that has got to be on par with as much firepower we've had since the halcyon days of

--Landon--------Reyna------O'Brien-------Beasley--

------------------Mathis---------McBride-------------

[USSoccer]

Torres should be a lock for Mexico. He's one of very few Americans in form.

 

It's gotta be:

-------------------------Timbo----------------------------

--StevieC---------Gooch----------Boca--------Pearce--

--Deuce---------Bradley---------Kljestan------Torres--

----------------------Landon-----Jozy--------------------

 

I mean come on, I know Ching played well tonight, but he is in the dead of offseason and Jozy is in season fighting for a spot on a top 20 club in the world.

 

Obviously Bob will play Ching, but if we're going on fitness, it's gotta be Jozy.

 

 

I haven't been actively following the USMNT for very long, but that has got to be on par with as much firepower we've had since the halcyon days of

--Landon--------Reyna------O'Brien-------Beasley--

------------------Mathis---------McBride-------------

 

I think if Ching had played poorly tonight, you'd have a shot at Jozy starting. But between the 'experience' factor and his play tonight, he will almost certainly start. Although if BB were smart he'd start Jozy and bring on Ching late if we have a lead.

 

Torres's fitness, I hope, gets him the nod.

 

And our current besxt XI is better than any we've ever had.

[shnsajax]

Torres should be a lock for Mexico. He's one of very few Americans in form.

 

It's gotta be:

-------------------------Timbo----------------------------

--StevieC---------Gooch----------Boca--------Pearce--

--Deuce---------Bradley---------Kljestan------Torres--

----------------------Landon-----Jozy--------------------

 

I mean come on, I know Ching played well tonight, but he is in the dead of offseason and Jozy is in season fighting for a spot on a top 20 club in the world.

 

Obviously Bob will play Ching, but if we're going on fitness, it's gotta be Jozy.

 

 

I haven't been actively following the USMNT for very long, but that has got to be on par with as much firepower we've had since the halcyon days of

--Landon--------Reyna------O'Brien-------Beasley--

------------------Mathis---------McBride-------------

 

Easily one of the best that I can remember and with some depth on the bench.

[wolf stansson]

Yeah I was gonna say, the best XI is one thing, but our depth has never really been to the point when where there are two or three guys behind each position that could step up and not show a noticeable drop in performance.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I can usually tell how well I'm doing keeping up with the USMNT by how much of the lineup I recognize, but with those nicknames I'm not even sure :)

[USSoccer]

Yeah I was gonna say, the best XI is one thing, but our depth has never really been to the point when where there are two or three guys behind each position that could step up and not show a noticeable drop in performance.

 

That's the thing. Our depth is really going to be tested this summer. 2 tournaments, plus qualifying.

 

We're going to need 3 full sides, probably. Our "A" Side (BB's, not mine):

 

Ching/Donovan

DMB/Bradley/Sacha/Deuce

Dolo/Gooch/Boca/Pearce

 

"B" Side:

 

Jozy/Davies

Torres/Clark/Mastro/Adu

Bornstein/Spector/Califf/Wynne

 

"C" Side

 

Davies/Johnson

Rogers/Holden/Edu/Szetela

??/DeMerit/Marshall/Franklin

 

I am positive I'm missing some players (I didn't count the keepers since we know who the 1-2-3 are) but that's probably deeper than we've ever been. And it doesn't count fringe MLS guys or U-20's that could conceivably step in.