The Soccer Thread

[wolf stansson]

Maurice Edu scored against Valencia.

And then og'd for Valencia. Bummer.

 

He showed some ups on the goal.

[shnsajax]

Rumor is that Landon will be allowed to return to Everton at the start of the new year.

[Mark Priors Calves]

Garth Bale is awesome. That is all.

[USSoccer]

Rumor is that Landon will be allowed to return to Everton at the start of the new year.

 

From the USMNT perspective, I'd prefer he not go on loan nor get sold to the EPL. I want as little wear and tear on him as possible between now and 2014. He's basically played the past 2 years straight, and looks heavy-legged and exhausted. Let him rest.

 

Couple other thoughts:

 

-Wayne Rooney is an idiot. An absolute jackass. I'm still stunned he released a statement himself as opposed to just letting his people do the talking. Its a long time til January, but I hope Sir Alex sells him then instead of letting it fester. Also, Everton included a sell-on clause of 25% after $25m, so a Rooney sale would potentially impact any chance Moyes moves on LD.

 

-I've been watching a lot of MLS lately. Chris Wondolowski is a very, very interesting player. He's scoring a ton of goals, is 2 years younger than Buddle at 27, and has excellent, excellent technique. His footwork in the 18 is no-ish great. He's a guy I want to see at the next level to see if he can contribute.

[SpongeWorthy]

Would Donovan's work load really be any higher than any other player in the EPL who starts regularly on both his club and national team (assuming they qualify for major tournaments)?

[USSoccer]

Would Donovan's work load really be any higher than any other player in the EPL who starts regularly on both his club and national team (assuming they qualify for major tournaments)?

 

Look at how good English-based players are in international tournaments. They suck.

[wvcbxl]

Sachja Kljestan played the full 90 minutes in Anderlechts 3-0 victory over AEK Athens yesterday.

He played an important part in the first goal (Boussoufa scored on the rebound from his shot) and got good comments in the press reports today.

[shnsajax]

Sachja Kljestan played the full 90 minutes in Anderlechts 3-0 victory over AEK Athens yesterday.

He played an important part in the first goal (Boussoufa scored on the rebound from his shot) and got good comments in the press reports today.

 

He seems to be having a great season so far.

[wolf stansson]

Sachja Kljestan played the full 90 minutes in Anderlechts 3-0 victory over AEK Athens yesterday.

He played an important part in the first goal (Boussoufa scored on the rebound from his shot) and got good comments in the press reports today.

 

He seems to be having a great season so far.

He hasn't even made the bench in about a month, and he's healthy.

[wvcbxl]

He hasn't even made the bench in about a month, and he's healthy.

 

It appears they've been doing a lot of work with him away from the games.

Given that the team has been struggling in the league the past couple of weeks, and played great in a different system yesterday (4-4-2 in stead of 4-3-3), I expect to see him as a regular in the team for the next games. Anderlecht has a home game on Sunday, a domestic cup tie next Wednesday (against a lower division side) and the play away to the league leaders (Genk) on 10/31. I'll keep you guys posted on his performances.

[jersey cubs fan]

-Wayne Rooney is an idiot. An absolute jackass. I'm still stunned he released a statement himself as opposed to just letting his people do the talking. Its a long time til January, but I hope Sir Alex sells him then instead of letting it fester. Also, Everton included a sell-on clause of 25% after $25m, so a Rooney sale would potentially impact any chance Moyes moves on LD.

 

He ended up signing a new deal, right?

[Guest]

-Wayne Rooney is an idiot. An absolute jackass. I'm still stunned he released a statement himself as opposed to just letting his people do the talking. Its a long time til January, but I hope Sir Alex sells him then instead of letting it fester. Also, Everton included a sell-on clause of 25% after $25m, so a Rooney sale would potentially impact any chance Moyes moves on LD.

 

He ended up signing a new deal, right?

 

Just did it today.

[wolf stansson]

I'll keep you guys posted on his performances.

I'd appreciate that because I've always liked Sacha. He's not international quality right now due to our depth at CM, but he was a very good MLS player and I like his creativity and soccer brain.

-Wayne Rooney is an idiot. An absolute jackass. I'm still stunned he released a statement himself as opposed to just letting his people do the talking. Its a long time til January, but I hope Sir Alex sells him then instead of letting it fester. Also, Everton included a sell-on clause of 25% after $25m, so a Rooney sale would potentially impact any chance Moyes moves on LD.

 

He ended up signing a new deal, right?

 

Just did it today.

5-year, $14,600,000 per, give or take a few thousand by today's exchange rates. Aka, Andrew Bynum money.

[shnsajax]

What a [expletive]. That was not near as fun as it should have been.

[wvcbxl]

I'll keep you guys posted on his performances.

I'd appreciate that because I've always liked Sacha. He's not international quality right now due to our depth at CM, but he was a very good MLS player and I like his creativity and soccer brain.

 

I like what I've seen of him - even if he does play for the "enemy" (me being a Bruges fan).

[shnsajax]

Also Pele turns 70 tomorrow.

[USSoccer]

I would love to know why Rooney changed his mind.

[shnsajax]

Arsenal finally get a league win vs a big club.

[Exile on Waveland]

Liverpool's best game of the season, easily (obviously not much competition for that honor...). Actually looked to attack from the outset. We'll see if that continues.

[shnsajax]

http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/5725140/fifa-widens-probe-world-cup-bids-scandal

[wolf stansson]

MLS Postseason Award Nominees are out. My picks in bold.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/mls-names-finalists-end-season-awards

 

Goalkeeper of the Year Finalists:

Kevin Hartman (FC Dallas)

Donovan Ricketts (LA Galaxy)

Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

 

Visa Defender of the Year Finalists

 

Nat Borchers (Real Salt Lake)

Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy)

Jamison Olave (Real Salt Lake)

To be honest, this list is f'd. I would have nominated Heath Pearce, Sean Franklin and Bobby Convey and given it to Franklin.

 

Rookie of the Year Finalists

 

Danny Mwanga (Philadelphia Union)

Andy Najar (D.C. United)

Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls)

Something like 3rd in the league in minutes played as a rookie on the best team in the East. Class player.

 

Coach of the Year Finalists

 

Hans Backe (New York Red Bulls)

Schellas Hyndman (FC Dallas)

Jason Kreis (Real Salt Lake)

3 seriously impressive nominees. Backe took NYRB from historically bad to legit contenders, Hyndman took Dallas from awful to the league's record unbeated streak and Jason Kreis has turned RSL into a damn machine. Have to go with the streak. His coaching milked more draws from losses than anyone.

 

Newcomer of the Year Finalists

 

Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)

Joel Lindpere (New York Red Bulls)

Alvaro Saborio (Real Salt Lake)

Lindpere has been incredibly valuable for NYRB, but RSL losing Movsisyan and getting better with Saborio is telling. The epitome of the great player the US runs up against in CONCACAF qualifying that makes you ask yourself, why can't MLS get guys like that? This time they did.

 

Kind of an aside, but Henry has been underrated as a disappointment. I think it's a great sign of how good this league is that instead of the MLS community obsessing over how mediocre his play and suspect his attitude has been, we're talking more about how great these playoffs are going to be.

 

Volkswagen Most Valuable Player Finalists

 

Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy)

David Ferreira (FC Dallas)

Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

From scrub to stud I guess. Wondo has been ridiculous this second half. Previous goal high was...wait for it...2. This year? 18!?! 16 of them game winners?! What? Yep.

[shnsajax]

I'm proud FC Dallas was able to make it at all. Was hoping their home game would be next weekend so I could go. Hopefully they make it past the 1st round so I can try to go.

[wolf stansson]

Dallas plays fun soccer. They've got some good possession players. Ferreira is a stud.

[jersey cubs fan]

http://deadspin.com/5675917/moneyball-comes-to-england

 

Soccer has its own grit lovers.

[wolf stansson]

Jermaine Jones might have torn a ligament in his ankle. Uh oh. Gold Cup could be in jeopardy.