The Soccer Thread

[Jon]

Pretty blatant dive by Findley to get awarded a PK.

 

Even if there had been the contact he was pretending to have happened I don't think it should have been a PK.

[Jon]

Fire rookie Steven Kinney is making his MLS debut tonight. Within a period of 10 minutes early in the 2nd half, he's hit both posts on strong headers off corner kicks. Either would have been an equalizer.

[CubInOK]

Pretty blatant dive by Findley to get awarded a PK.

 

Even if there had been the contact he was pretending to have happened I don't think it should have been a PK.

Findley also had a 1v1 chance against the Fire's keeper reminiscent of the one he had in the USA-Ghana match. He didn't even get a shot or a pass off.

[Jon]

Pretty blatant dive by Findley to get awarded a PK.

 

Even if there had been the contact he was pretending to have happened I don't think it should have been a PK.

Findley also had a 1v1 chance against the Fire's keeper reminiscent of the one he had in the USA-Ghana match. He didn't even get a shot or a pass off.

Findley didn't even get in all that close right away. He had a shot. No idea why he didn't try to get one off. Taking the ball out to the byline just killed that play.

 

As the broadcasters said, RSL didn't play all that well. Especially considering the lineup the Fire had out there in the 1st half. Too bad they could get any of those headers to find the back of the net (2 by Kinney and 1 by McBride).

[wolf stansson]

The song remains the same.

http://usa10kit.com/2010/07/09/rongen-not-optimistic-about-hoyos/

BRENT LATHAM – As we all know, there were several Americans at the World Cup not wearing the stars and stripes. One of whom you may not have noticed may eventually become an even bigger loss to U.S. soccer than Subotic or Rossi, but it won’t be for lack of trying on the U.S. side.

Midfielder Michael Hoyos has risen rapidly through the ranks at Argentina’s Estudiantes, Copa Libertadores champions in 2009 and the current home of Argentine national teamer Juan Sebastian Veron. He’s American by birth, but has lined up with Argentine U-20s, and at this point, says American U-20 Coach Thomas Rongen, looks to be a lost cause.“I don’t keep my hopes up,” Rongen said yesterday by phone. “I’m afraid that Argentina makes more sense for him. If he’s that talented.”

And he does seem to be. Hoyos caught the eye of the Argentine national team staff last year, when he was invited to an u-20 camp. And he seems to firmly in their plans. The midfielder was included in a 12-man U-20 “sparring team” flown to South Africa to scrimmage against the World Cup squad.

“He’s been to the World Cup now,” said Rongen. “They take a sparring team, an U-20 team of 12 players. He’s tasted what it’s like to be around a Messi, Mascherano. We can’t provide that for him. ”

“The last conversation with Michael was “what, you don’t want to come with Thomas Rongen and Dave Dir to a camp in San Jose?” joked Rongen. “Or would you rather go play with Messi. And he said ‘I’d rather go play with Messi.’ That’s a tough one. If you’re considered one of the twelve best players in your age group, cause they only took twelve players, you’ve got to go with Argentina.”

Rongen says he won’t give up hope, but that Hoyos is likely to play out the cycle with the Argentine team. There may be hope in the future, if he finds himself lost in the shuffle at higher levels, that Hoyos switches back to the U.S.

“He hasn’t closed the door,” Rongen said. “We haven’t closed the door, we’ll reach out again. But if we could get him, I should get a medal I think.”

[shnsajax]

Thats frustrating as hell. We are going to have to start paying them or something to not switch to other countries.

[USSoccer]

Why the F is Rongen the one trying to convince Hoyos to play for us?

[USSoccer]

Just heard about two "list" candidates for USMNT coach:

 

Bruce Arena

Jason Kreis.

 

Don't know about bringing Bruce back, but Kreis midly interests me. We could do better, but I think he's a good long term prospect

 

ETA: I also hear Roberto Martinez is on the list, but that seems like more wishcasting. He's too young and too "up and coming" in the EPL to be interested.

 

If we're canning Bob, I'd like us to look at Aguirre as well.

[shnsajax]

Just heard about two "list" candidates for USMNT coach:

 

Bruce Arena

Jason Kreis.

 

Don't know about bringing Bruce back, but Kreis midly interests me. We could do better, but I think he's a good long term prospect

 

ETA: I also hear Roberto Martinez is on the list, but that seems like more wishcasting. He's too young and too "up and coming" in the EPL to be interested.

 

If we're canning Bob, I'd like us to look at Aguirre as well.

 

We need a mini youth movement, is Arena really the guy to lead that? I know nothing about Kreis outside of him annoying me as a player. Can we at least interview a foreigner?

[wolf stansson]

I think Kreis will be the USMNT coach at some point, but not now. He's got years of seasoning ahead of him before that. He's one of the few MLS coaches I feel has that crazy ambitious drive. Bradley has it. I don't think Arena has it anymore. Bring back Bradley if these are the next two options.

[Guest]

Just heard about two "list" candidates for USMNT coach:

 

Bruce Arena

Jason Kreis.

 

Don't know about bringing Bruce back, but Kreis midly interests me. We could do better, but I think he's a good long term prospect

 

ETA: I also hear Roberto Martinez is on the list, but that seems like more wishcasting. He's too young and too "up and coming" in the EPL to be interested.

 

If we're canning Bob, I'd like us to look at Aguirre as well.

 

We need a mini youth movement, is Arena really the guy to lead that? I know nothing about Kreis outside of him annoying me as a player. Can we at least interview a foreigner?

 

Seriously, you can't limit your coaching options like that.

[USSoccer]

Those are just alleged names on the alleged list.

 

FWIW, Klinsi is still the fed's #1 guy.

[Guest]

Those are just alleged names on the alleged list.

 

FWIW, Klinsi is still the fed's #1 guy.

 

Heh, I misread your initial post and thought those were the only 2.

 

I really want Klinsi.

[wvcbxl]

FIFA rankings updated after the WC.

USA move up 1 place to joint 13th with Serbia

lol at France dropping 12 places to 21st

 

Belgium move up 11 places to 48th, but none of you care about that anyway

[shnsajax]

MLS doesn't plan to sell Donovan :banghead:

[Exile on Waveland]

 

Belgium move up 11 places to 48th, but none of you care about that anyway

 

I'll throw you a bone. Evidently Liverpool is looking into Standard Liege's Steven Defour. What's the word?

[shnsajax]

Eddie Johnson is recruiting Bradley to take over at Fulham.

[wvcbxl]

I'll throw you a bone. Evidently Liverpool is looking into Standard Liege's Steven Defour. What's the word?

 

I doubt that happens.

Dufour was injured for most of the past season; he'll need to prove he's fully fit again first.

Only if he's lights out to start the new season I see a slim chance of him moving at the deadline (as Standard didn't qualify for any European competition, eligibility for those obviously isn't a problem)

[Mark Priors Calves]

MLS doesn't plan to sell Donovan :banghead:

 

I doubt want to sound like a douche, but does it matter to the USMNT if Donovan gets sold to an European side? Will Donovan progress from age 28-32 for the Brazil '14. He's been a huge asset for the Nats during his career but where does he go from here? Is he going to be relevant by 2014? The Gold Cup is fairly irrelevant for the US to win (outside of qualification for the Confed Cup). It's crap if Donovan wants to leave and MLS doesn't cooperate for their marketing purpose.

 

That's a bunch of rambling but I'm not sure if I care if LD goes to Europe anymore. I'm more interested in seeing Deuce and Jozy progressing into star players and young defenders grow into consistent backline players for the next cycle. If Donovan wants to go to Europe, MLS should let him.

[wolf stansson]

Eddie Johnson is recruiting Bradley to take over at Fulham.

A player who won't play at the club is recruiting someone to be their manager?

Least. Influential. Recruiter. Ever.

[wolf stansson]

@GrantWahl

Despite what commish says, MLS would listen to right price for Landon Donovan. But price has likely gone up from around $8m to $15m

$15,000,000 would easily make up for whatever lost revenue Landon would net. His triumphant return v Seattle was a .39 rating.

 

BBC reporting Bob inked a new 4 year deal with the USSF.

[wolf stansson]

Grant Wahl saying Bradley deal not final.

 

Boca sold to St Etienne.

 

Good Deadspin thoughts on Landon and his value to MLS: http://deadspin.com/5588941/landon-donvan-staying-in-los-angeles-is-good-for-whom-exactly

[Jon]

The Fire will be announcing the signing of a new DP after Saturday's SuperLiga match.

 

Could be Blanco.

[wolf stansson]

The Fire will be announcing the signing of a new DP after Saturday's SuperLiga match.

 

Could be Blanco.

Ives is reporting a Blanco/Nery Castillo combo which would prove that the Fire are going out of their way to alienate me.

 

 

On the plus side, it greatly increases my odds of someday punching Castillo in the face.

[wolf stansson]

More about the Fire here along with Galaxy rumor:

Landon departure looking more likely:

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2010/07/friday-free-kicks.html

Real Salt Lake owner Dave Checketts let spill in a recent interview that the Los Angeles Galaxy are signing Ronaldinho. The subject of several transfer rumors in recent days, Ronaldinho was supposedly returning to AC Milan, but with the fresh Galaxy rumor, you wonder whether Ronaldinho is ready to re-unite with good friend David Beckham and spend some time in LA

If Ronaldinho comes, Landon goes.