The Soccer Thread

[Guest]

Balotelli out with a torn quad. There goes the interest level in the Spain-Italy semi.

 

Saw on ESPN that Balotelli was sent home and I got my hopes up. Then I found out that it was an injury. Big time letdown.

[wolf stansson]

Danny WIlliams signed with Reading.

[bukie]

Brazil-Uruguay 1-1 midway through the second half. Forlan missed a penalty in the 14th minute, but Brazil has had the better of play overall.

[bukie]

23-man Gold Cup squad:

 

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION

GOALKEEPERS (3) : Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (8) : Corey Ashe (Houston Dynamo), DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Oguchi Onyewu (Malaga), Michael Orozco Fiscal (Puebla), Michael Parkhurst (FC Augsburg)

MIDFIELDERS (7) : Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Helsinborg), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Joshua Gatt (Molde FK), Stuart Holden (Bolton), Jose Torres (Tigres)

FORWARDS (5) : Will Bruin (Houston Dynamo), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Herculez Gomez (Club Tijuana), Jack McInerney (Philadelphia Union), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes) - See more at: http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-National-Team/2013/06/23-Player-Roster-to-Compete-in-2013-Gold-Cup.aspx#sthash.DFfczhkp.dpuf

[wolf stansson]

No Brek Shea?

[wolf stansson]

No Brek Shea?

@SoccerByIves 14m

Klinsmann spoke w/new Stoke City boss Mark Hughes and both agreed it was best for Shea to join Stoke from start of their pre-season (July 8)

[Guest]

Who's the holding midfielder from that group? Gatt/Torres, Holden, and Donovan with Gomez/Jack Mac up top isn't a terrible attack for a B/C squad.

[wolf stansson]

Beckerman.

[Guest]

That was my intuition. I know why they weren't included, but really too bad that Cameron or Williams couldn't be on the roster. Would've been a great audition for their future in that role.

[wolf stansson]

JK has said that they plan on reinforcing the roster for the knockout rounds. He mentioned Gonzalez and Besler.

[wolf stansson]

Sacchi lives!

[bukie]

Damn it, Ghana.

[Guest]

Spain into the final again. There were a lot of well taken penalties on both sides.

 

We remain the last team to knock Spain out of a tournament.

[Guest]

Was hoping Italy would pull off the rare feat of losing two penalty shootouts in one tournament. Oh well.

[shnsajax]

Wow that was awful defending by Spain. Pretty great crowd from Brazil so far.

[wolf stansson]

The extreme disparity of the celebrations inside the stadium and the increasingly violent protests outside are making this one of the most unique and strange games I've ever seen. The fans inside are treating this final like its the World Cup final. An outsized jubilation and celebration of this team. Outside people are tossing molotovs.

[shnsajax]

The Spanish midfield is just getting abused. One team wants to win, one wants to not get hurt.

[Guest]

The red on Pique was pretty clear, right? Darke and the color guy didn't think so but I see Neymar through on goal and unless he slips and falls, he's got a clear shot on goal. So it's a prevention of a clear goal scoring opportunity, which is a red.

[Banedon]

http://i.minus.com/iJIcgJPQborif.gif

[bukie]

The trajectory on that ball was insane. There was no way that shouldn't have been a goal.

[wolf stansson]

Thoughts and prayers go out to Carlos Bocanegra who has joines Chivas USA.

[shnsajax]

It fun actually seeing Arsenal linked with so many players over the age of 20. Of crouse they actually have to sign someone. Yaya Sanogo is a nice start, but still only a youth player for them.

[wolf stansson]

It'd be fun to see Arsenal follow through and get Fellaini, Fabregas and a real striker.

[wolf stansson]

Paulinho to Spurs is final. HUGE upgrade to Sandro/Scott Parker/Tom Huddlestone. He was really impressive in the Confed Cup. Spurs might actually be able to string a pass or two together in the MF.

[shnsajax]

It'd be fun to see Arsenal follow through and get Fellaini, Fabregas and a real striker.

 

Higuain would be nice and really want Fellaini. Not overly excited about Rooney, but will take him as Arsenal need someone and I still he has a couple of years left in the tank.