The Soccer Thread

[wolf stansson]

Earlier in the show: "United is in real trouble this year. This just isn't the same team that has dominated Europe the last two years. They are in for some hard times."

Just now: "Come on, Sir Alex has been through this too many times to count. He gets written off and he bounces back faster than anyone expects. The man knows how to rebuild a team."

[wolf stansson]

http://www.calciomercato.com/index.php?c=46&a=136579

Foto sito West Ham Fiorentina are interested in the American defender of West Ham, Jonathan Spector. A source close to the player told calciomercato.com: "Yes, it's true, Fiorentina asked for info about the player, but West Ham's request was a bit scary for the Italians. It might be possible that the two clubs will meet if West Ham will ask for less money."

 

Spector, 23, former Charlton and Manchester United, is related to Art Spector, NBA star. He can play as a defender and a midfielder. He couldn't play the World Cup 2006 and the Olyimpics 2008 due to an inljury. He holds a German passport.

He's been playing for West Ham since 2006. The club, that paid him 1 million euro, are now asking 5 million.

Ignoring the picture of not-Jon Spex, this is an interesting rumor. Personally I'd rather he stay with West Ham where he has a track record and will get (Premier League) minutes.

 

USS, I need you to effort this rumor's veracity.

[shnsajax]

I wish we had our own version of Azteca, I mean we take our big opponents up north when its cold and get a pro-American crowd. But we need a place where we would pack 90,000 in a hostile environment and no matter who we played it would be 95% American.

[USSoccer]

-Wynalda is a tool. It must really chap him that Donovan broke his record.

 

-I'll see whats up with this Fiorentina thing.

 

-The longer the game tomorrow stays 0-0, the more pressure that Mexico is going to feel, and that backline of theirs blows. They'd better hope we get gassed and they score early.

[shnsajax]

It seems like this is the case with most away matches, but if they can with stand the 1st 20 minutes of the match then I think that will really give them a boost. I think they will be able to counter early as Mexico will try to come out firing, if they can strike 1st the crowd will be very interesting to see how they react.

[Vanilla Ice]

Did one of the big TV channels ever pick this up?

[wolf stansson]

Did one of the big TV channels ever pick this up?

Nope.

[Guest]

It seems like this is the case with most away matches, but if they can with stand the 1st 20 minutes of the match then I think that will really give them a boost. I think they will be able to counter early as Mexico will try to come out firing, if they can strike 1st the crowd will be very interesting to see how they react.

 

I'm thinking that countering as they did against Spain and Brazil is probably the best way to go. It will help them conserve some energy since they won't be running up and down the field the whole time and, like you said, Mexico is probably going to come out looking to attack so I think they'll be vulnerable to it.

[wolf stansson]

http://carlos-vela.net/gallery/photos/Carlos-Vela-Photos-010.jpg

 

They seem close.

[wolf stansson]

Up to date TV info about tomorrow's potentially historic, but probably not match: http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-National-Team/2009/08/Live-Coverage-Information-USA-Mexico.aspx

[shnsajax]

Up to date TV info about tomorrow's potentially historic, but probably not match: http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-National-Team/2009/08/Live-Coverage-Information-USA-Mexico.aspx

 

I am suprised that pretty much every major carrier who didn't currently huve mun is picking it up for the day to show the game.

[USSoccer]

http://www.calciomercato.com/index.php?c=46&a=136579

Foto sito West Ham Fiorentina are interested in the American defender of West Ham, Jonathan Spector. A source close to the player told calciomercato.com: "Yes, it's true, Fiorentina asked for info about the player, but West Ham's request was a bit scary for the Italians. It might be possible that the two clubs will meet if West Ham will ask for less money."

 

Spector, 23, former Charlton and Manchester United, is related to Art Spector, NBA star. He can play as a defender and a midfielder. He couldn't play the World Cup 2006 and the Olyimpics 2008 due to an inljury. He holds a German passport.

He's been playing for West Ham since 2006. The club, that paid him 1 million euro, are now asking 5 million.

Ignoring the picture of not-Jon Spex, this is an interesting rumor. Personally I'd rather he stay with West Ham where he has a track record and will get (Premier League) minutes.

 

USS, I need you to effort this rumor's veracity.

 

Word on the street is that this rumor is BS.

[wolf stansson]

Good. Big minutes and consistent selection in the PL is better than a risk move to a "better" team. Especially in a World Cup year.

[shnsajax]

Charlie Davies twitter

 

All though the Carlton Fresh Prince dance is really tempting to put down tomorrow.

[USSoccer]

Charlie Davies twitter

 

All though the Carlton Fresh Prince dance is really tempting to put down tomorrow.

 

I'm not going to lie...I dropped that once in a high school game. It was, and remains a classic.

 

So basically, Mexico has two advantages tomorrow-the speed of their forwards and wings, and Azteca. As long as our midfield doesn't get overrun/red carded, we can deny quality service to Vela/Gio/Sideshow Bob and negate that advantage. Azteca could turn against Mexico if we score early, and Mexico will start to press if it stays scoreless. If they run their offense through Cuau, they'll suffer for it since he's like a turtle screwing. Torrado sucks hard and is a lunatic. Their backline sucks-if we start Jozy and Charlie (as we [expletive] should), those two with Deuce and Mandon will call them some real issues, especially on the counter, since not only are the short and bad, but also slow.

 

This will be the best team we'll ever have taken down there, and probably the worst Mexican team we'll have faced. It can't go overstated that as long as Rico and Mikey don't suck or get tossed, and if our back 4 plays to their ability, a draw should be doable at least.

 

A win could happen, but only if:

 

-the CM's don't suck

-Howard has an very good day

-The Panamanian ref (the original guy was reassigned) calls as fair a game as possible

-Specs and Boca contain Sideshow Bob and Gio/Vela

-We finish the chances we'll get.

-Bradley resists the temptation to start Ching. He should take over the Confed's Conor Casey role.

 

I'll call a 2-2 draw.

[Mark Priors Calves]

i'm getting pumped.

[shnsajax]

Charlie Davies twitter

 

All though the Carlton Fresh Prince dance is really tempting to put down tomorrow.

 

I'm not going to lie...I dropped that once in a high school game. It was, and remains a classic.

 

So basically, Mexico has two advantages tomorrow-the speed of their forwards and wings, and Azteca. As long as our midfield doesn't get overrun/red carded, we can deny quality service to Vela/Gio/Sideshow Bob and negate that advantage. Azteca could turn against Mexico if we score early, and Mexico will start to press if it stays scoreless. If they run their offense through Cuau, they'll suffer for it since he's like a turtle screwing. Torrado sucks hard and is a lunatic. Their backline sucks-if we start Jozy and Charlie (as we [expletive] should), those two with Deuce and Mandon will call them some real issues, especially on the counter, since not only are the short and bad, but also slow.

 

This will be the best team we'll ever have taken down there, and probably the worst Mexican team we'll have faced. It can't go overstated that as long as Rico and Mikey don't suck or get tossed, and if our back 4 plays to their ability, a draw should be doable at least.

 

A win could happen, but only if:

 

-the CM's don't suck

-Howard has an very good day

-The Panamanian ref (the original guy was reassigned) calls as fair a game as possible

-Specs and Boca contain Sideshow Bob and Gio/Vela

-We finish the chances we'll get.

-Bradley resists the temptation to start Ching. He should take over the Confed's Conor Casey role.

 

I'll call a 2-2 draw.

 

I'm worried about a red card, I shouldn't be but there has been so much crap called lately that it has me more worried. I don't even want to see 10v10, that will just open up the field a little bit more which would be bad tomorrow.

 

If we don't see Jozy and Davies at the start I will be very pissed. Actually if Davies if left of for an extra midfielder or whatever I am ok. If Ching starts tomorrow I will be pissed off. This team has shown they play much better with Davies on the field.

[Guest]

i'm getting pumped.

 

Same here.

 

I'm not happy that I won't be able to watch this thing live. I'm going to warn everyone at the Cats game that I'm liable to kill somebody if they spoil the outcome of the game. I should be able to make it through with a media blackout.

 

I'm expecting us to lose, but I wouldn't be surprised if we get a draw and would be pretty surprised if they won.

 

I'm going with a 1-1 draw, which I'll be happy with.

[wolf stansson]

I should be able to make it through with a media blackout.

This is my strategy. I have old podcasts saved to listen to on the off chance that fresh one will have score update or something. Usually on game day of day games, I'm off work. I couldn't swing it tomorrow. Usually on game days I wear my #8 jersey, but tomorrow I'm not going to because I don't want any random Mexicans on the street or at a restaurant or something telling me the score without me asking. I'm also going strictly drive through tomorrow at lunch. I can't risk going anywhere with a tv.

 

My head says 2-1 El Tri. My heart says 2-0 to the US.

 

I'll go with 2-1 to the US.

 

Cakes and Jozy get a notch each, Tim Mother [expletive] Howard makes save after incredible save, Gooch steps on Blanco and breaks his hip and Mike Bradley rips off the head of that one Brazilian chick with the head band and holds it high as they leave the field victorious.

[shnsajax]

Less than 5 hours away.

[USSoccer]

Ives seems to think Ching and 'Dolo are going to start. This would piss me off greatly and just prove that Bradley can't get out of his own damn way.

[reggiemiller rules]

It looks like Hull is going to get Negrado from Real. This is a guys I wanted Liverpool to get to give them some more help up front. This might also take away some of Jozy's playing time.

[shnsajax]

I never even though Davies and Ching was an option. Though Ives reason for Ching is because he has played more in the past month than Jozy. In this particular case that means nothing, I hope he is wrong. I hope Bradley remembers Jozy's goal vs Mexico in Houston.

[shnsajax]

Mexico's reported lineup:

 

ochoa

 

juarez-osorio-magallon-salcido

 

Gio- Torrado-Castro- Guardado

 

Blanco

 

Vela

[shnsajax]

I never saw this anywhere but from Directv's website.

 

The game will be broadcast in English, only on mun2, with play-by-play commentary from veteran Phil Schoen and former U.S. national team defender Marcelo Balboa. Guad Venegas will host the show.