The Soccer Thread

[wolf stansson]

One would hope Kenny Cooper is above Eddie Johnson on the depth chart at this point.

 

In addition to who USS listed, Michael Parkhurst, Jonathan Spector, Jimmy Conrad, Frankie Hejduk, Michael Orozco, Eric Lichaj and Frank Simek will factor in the back.

 

Kyle Beckerman, Eddie Gaven, John Thorrington, Justin Mapp, Sal Zizzo, Dax McCarty and Gabe Ferrari in the midfield.

 

Yura Movsisyan (replaces Sacha who replaced Deuce as my MLS sleeper to watch), Chris Rolfe, Preston Zimmerman, Abdus Ibrahim (joins Yura on the MLS sleeper list) and Chad Barrett will factor up front.

 

 

These are obviously fringe player at this point, but there are some intriguing guys in there. I like Orozco, Movsisyan and Ibrahim a lot. There's got to be some fast risers in this year's draft that will impress quickly and maybe there are some hidden gems playing in Mexico a la Torres.

[USSoccer]

One would hope Kenny Cooper is above Eddie Johnson on the depth chart at this point.

 

In addition to who USS listed, Michael Parkhurst, Jonathan Spector, Jimmy Conrad, Frankie Hejduk, Michael Orozco, Eric Lichaj and Frank Simek will factor in the back.

 

Kyle Beckerman, Eddie Gaven, John Thorrington, Justin Mapp, Sal Zizzo, Dax McCarty and Gabe Ferrari in the midfield.

 

Yura Movsisyan (replaces Sacha who replaced Deuce as my MLS sleeper to watch), Chris Rolfe, Preston Zimmerman, Abdus Ibrahim (joins Yura on the MLS sleeper list) and Chad Barrett will factor up front.

 

 

These are obviously fringe player at this point, but there are some intriguing guys in there. I like Orozco, Movsisyan and Ibrahim a lot. There's got to be some fast risers in this year's draft that will impress quickly and maybe there are some hidden gems playing in Mexico a la Torres.

 

I did mine just off the top of my head, but Wolf nails it with some of the intriguing players here. I can't believe I forgot about Orozco, who will definitely help the backline depth. I like Movsisyan (is he cap tied or a citizen here?) and Ibrahim quite a bit. Ferrari is a guy who has some skill as well.

 

Hejduk is probably in the pool, still, and maybe Eddie Lewis as well. Forgot about Simek. I think he's better than BB rates him. I actually rate Beckerman better than some of the other MLS'ers. Thorrington is one of those scrappy guys you can put on a World Cup squad and he'll push some other guys and get them ready.

 

I suppose the ghost of Bobby Convey is also out there, somewhere. Lurking. Shanking shots with his left.

 

The USSF also needs to be more aggressive scouting Texas and the Southwest. That could be a total gold mine.

[wolf stansson]

Movsisyan is only 21, not cap-tied and has said he wants to play for the US.

[sethuel1]

Simek hasn't been healthy in forever. I really liked him, so I'm hoping he breaks out of it sometime soon.

[brinoch]

I just received a USSoccerfan.com ticket pre-sale email. Check your inboxes. I may be crazy, but I'm really thinking of making a February journey to cold Columbus to watch this game.

[brinoch]

I've thought a bit more about this, and I'm going to go. Alas, however, for all my friends (and my wife) are either too far away or uninterested. Anyone here want to go in for tickets with me?

[wolf stansson]

I just realized in all of our depth chart musings, not one of us mentioned Benny Feilhaber. Interesting considering he and Michael Bradley set the record for most caps in their first season with the MNT just two years ago.

[sethuel1]

Impressive that they started the USSoccerfan.com presale less than 2.5 hours after the email went out. Morons.

 

Brinoch- I'd love to go, but I've got a final the following morning. Scream your balls off for me, and after we win make sure to make a Mexican child cry. It's the only way to teach them.

[USSoccer]

I just realized in all of our depth chart musings, not one of us mentioned Benny Feilhaber. Interesting considering he and Michael Bradley set the record for most caps in their first season with the MNT just two years ago.

 

I don't believe in Benny, as in I don't think he exists anymore. I think that was the smoke monster from Lost hitting that volley.

[USSoccer]

I've thought a bit more about this, and I'm going to go. Alas, however, for all my friends (and my wife) are either too far away or uninterested. Anyone here want to go in for tickets with me?

 

I want to go, but I just can't figure out a way to make it work logistically.

 

I'm holding out hope for a Hex game in Toyota Park.

[sethuel1]

I've thought a bit more about this, and I'm going to go. Alas, however, for all my friends (and my wife) are either too far away or uninterested. Anyone here want to go in for tickets with me?

 

I want to go, but I just can't figure out a way to make it work logistically.

 

I'm holding out hope for a Hex game in Toyota Park.

I'm doubting it will happen. I'm holding out hope that we don't have the Labor Day weekend hex game in Salt lake City. If it's anywhere else where my buddies and I can show up and drink and have a good time for a weekend, we're probably going. Especially if we can clinch qualification.

[wolf stansson]

Reports are coming out that Strachan wants to buy Kljestan, but since his hat trick another mystery team has upped their bid and now Celtic have to decide to meet the price. Greg Seltzer thinks it's Schalke.

 

That'd be fine with me. I get Bundesliga games on GOLTV and there's the obvious problem with Sacha needing to step up his passing and technical skills and the SPL not being the best place to do so.

[USSoccer]

I've thought a bit more about this, and I'm going to go. Alas, however, for all my friends (and my wife) are either too far away or uninterested. Anyone here want to go in for tickets with me?

 

I want to go, but I just can't figure out a way to make it work logistically.

 

I'm holding out hope for a Hex game in Toyota Park.

I'm doubting it will happen. I'm holding out hope that we don't have the Labor Day weekend hex game in Salt lake City. If it's anywhere else where my buddies and I can show up and drink and have a good time for a weekend, we're probably going. Especially if we can clinch qualification.

 

I didn't even consider possible Labor Day sites...hmmm.

 

I wish the USSF would get on with announcing all the sites already, you know...so fans can plan to attend. Wouldn't want any sort of home support, would we?

[USSoccer]

Reports are coming out that Strachan wants to buy Kljestan, but since his hat trick another mystery team has upped their bid and now Celtic have to decide to meet the price. Greg Seltzer thinks it's Schalke.

 

That'd be fine with me. I get Bundesliga games on GOLTV and there's the obvious problem with Sacha needing to step up his passing and technical skills and the SPL not being the best place to do so.

 

The flip side is that Celtic are guaranteed CL action every year. Not so much with Schalke. Although I would agree on the quality of the SPL. Its not that much different than MLS outside the Old Firm.

[sethuel1]

I've thought a bit more about this, and I'm going to go. Alas, however, for all my friends (and my wife) are either too far away or uninterested. Anyone here want to go in for tickets with me?

 

I want to go, but I just can't figure out a way to make it work logistically.

 

I'm holding out hope for a Hex game in Toyota Park.

I'm doubting it will happen. I'm holding out hope that we don't have the Labor Day weekend hex game in Salt lake City. If it's anywhere else where my buddies and I can show up and drink and have a good time for a weekend, we're probably going. Especially if we can clinch qualification.

 

I didn't even consider possible Labor Day sites...hmmm.

 

I wish the USSF would get on with announcing all the sites already, you know...so fans can plan to attend. Wouldn't want any sort of home support, would we?

planning? bah.... I bet I make my reservations for south Africa before the USMNT does.

[MPC]

gooch might be heading to russia this summer

[wolf stansson]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3321/3236331443_256179e7a5_o.jpg

 

Not a fan.

[shnsajax]

The US officially made there bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups today. I think England has a European bid locked up, leaving the US to compete with probably Australia. I don't think Japan has a real chance this soon, China I don't think will be a popular pick, Qatar is well Qatar. I do like the Holland/Belgium/Luxembourg trio, but I think England has too much going for them right now. I simply don't think the US will be denied having already hosted the most successful WC ever.

 

The real question would be who gets 2018 and who gets 2022.

 

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=614052&sec=world&cc=5901

[wolf stansson]

I hope Australia gets it. I want to travel.

[USSoccer]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3321/3236331443_256179e7a5_o.jpg

 

Not a fan.

 

That was unexpected.

[USSoccer]

The US officially made there bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups today. I think England has a European bid locked up, leaving the US to compete with probably Australia. I don't think Japan has a real chance this soon, China I don't think will be a popular pick, Qatar is well Qatar. I do like the Holland/Belgium/Luxembourg trio, but I think England has too much going for them right now. I simply don't think the US will be denied having already hosted the most successful WC ever.

 

The real question would be who gets 2018 and who gets 2022.

 

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=614052&sec=world&cc=5901

 

Does England have enough FIFA-rated stadia right now that have a decent capacity? You can't have more than one site/city, I think, so they can use The Emirates, Old Trafford (the only 5 star rated site), Villa Park, Wembley (for the final) and then where else? The stadia there aren't that big, really.

 

I'd guess we'd have 2018. The US could host a World Cup, right now, using stadia completely different from the ones used in 1994. Our facilities would mean a giant payday for FIFA.

[wolf stansson]

The US officially made there bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups today. I think England has a European bid locked up, leaving the US to compete with probably Australia. I don't think Japan has a real chance this soon, China I don't think will be a popular pick, Qatar is well Qatar. I do like the Holland/Belgium/Luxembourg trio, but I think England has too much going for them right now. I simply don't think the US will be denied having already hosted the most successful WC ever.

 

The real question would be who gets 2018 and who gets 2022.

 

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=614052&sec=world&cc=5901

 

Does England have enough FIFA-rated stadia right now that have a decent capacity? You can't have more than one site/city, I think, so they can use The Emirates, Old Trafford (the only 5 star rated site), Villa Park, Wembley (for the final) and then where else? The stadia there aren't that big, really.

 

I'd guess we'd have 2018. The US could host a World Cup, right now, using stadia completely different from the ones used in 1994. Our facilities would mean a giant payday for FIFA.

St. James's.

 

Liverpool would have a new stadium by then. Plus they might be able to use the stadium in Cardiff. Maybe they'd do a Britain bid and include Parkhead or Ibrox.

[USSoccer]

The US officially made there bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups today. I think England has a European bid locked up, leaving the US to compete with probably Australia. I don't think Japan has a real chance this soon, China I don't think will be a popular pick, Qatar is well Qatar. I do like the Holland/Belgium/Luxembourg trio, but I think England has too much going for them right now. I simply don't think the US will be denied having already hosted the most successful WC ever.

 

The real question would be who gets 2018 and who gets 2022.

 

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=614052&sec=world&cc=5901

 

Does England have enough FIFA-rated stadia right now that have a decent capacity? You can't have more than one site/city, I think, so they can use The Emirates, Old Trafford (the only 5 star rated site), Villa Park, Wembley (for the final) and then where else? The stadia there aren't that big, really.

 

I'd guess we'd have 2018. The US could host a World Cup, right now, using stadia completely different from the ones used in 1994. Our facilities would mean a giant payday for FIFA.

St. James's.

 

Liverpool would have a new stadium by then. Plus they might be able to use the stadium in Cardiff. Maybe they'd do a Britain bid and include Parkhead or Ibrox.

 

Gah, can't believe I forgot about Liverpool or St James'.

 

I would think if Cardiff were used, Ibrox would be as well. I guess that's enough. Although it would be amusing to see England passed over again and hear their gutter press howl about it.

[sethuel1]

I like how our entire bid is basically just Sunil going on the internet and downloading press packages about our stadiums and then sending them to FIFA

[USSoccer]

I like how our entire bid is basically just Sunil going on the internet and downloading press packages about our stadiums and then sending them to FIFA

 

I think its funny that that's all he really needs to do. Sepp is all about the dolla billz.