The Soccer Thread

[shnsajax]

what is scheduled for the national team for the next few years? i'd imagine '10 world cup qualifying starts next year, is there any competition before then that will have matches that have meaning?

 

Probably not, since most foreign leagues will be in full swing during that time frame. That's why the World Cup, Gold Cup, Euro '08, etc. are all in the summer.

I was more referring to any cups next summer or any meaningful qualifying games before world cup qualifying starts in a year. one calendar year of friendlies seems pointless, space out the world cup and gold cup a bit more.

 

Well, we've got the Confederations Cup in '09, but I think it'd be hard to have a real competitive tournament in '08. We'd only be a year removed from having the Gold Cup and Copa America against the entire western hemisphere, and Euro '08 knocks out most everyone else save the likes of Australia, Korea, or Japan.

 

But it opens the door for the US to play maybe 3 friendlies over in Europe to help them prep before the Euro Championships. Something I think the US needs to do a whole lot more of.

[wolf stansson]

Only $2 million?

Euro, so that makes a bit of a difference I guess.

 

Benfica just signed a crap load of u-20 stars including Di Maria and a few other Argentinians.

 

Good luck with getting pt, Freddy. Keep your head down and work hard.

[sethuel1]

I could personally care less what MLS sold him for. First of all, we have no idea what clauses are involved in the transfer, and second of all, transfer fees are nothing more than a giant pissing match.

 

If MLS was hurting for cash, I'd feel differently. But they're not.

[wolf stansson]

I could personally care less what MLS sold him for. First of all, we have no idea what clauses are involved in the transfer, and second of all, transfer fees are nothing more than a giant pissing match.

 

If MLS was hurting for cash, I'd feel differently. But they're not.

This is why I think the teams should get more of the transfer money.

[USSoccer]

I could personally care less what MLS sold him for. First of all, we have no idea what clauses are involved in the transfer, and second of all, transfer fees are nothing more than a giant pissing match.

 

If MLS was hurting for cash, I'd feel differently. But they're not.

This is why I think the teams should get more of the transfer money.

 

Given what average salaries are in MLS, RSL will probably get enough cash from the transfer to sign a completely new starting 11.

 

The important thing is that Adu is going to the right place for him to take the next step.

[wvcbxl]

A bit of a tangent on the thread topic, but I'm currently watching the final of the UEFA women's under 19 tournament. I'm not going to comment on the easthetic qualities of the players (given my gender and age, that would be inappropriate), but it struck me that soccer culture does indeed extend to this level too: the German fraulein play in a very organised way, and the English young ladies never ever pull their foot back when going for a ball. :wink: :lol:

 

Half time score: Germany 0 - England 0

[wolf stansson]

Given what average salaries are in MLS, RSL will probably get enough cash from the transfer to sign a completely new starting 11.

Not really, MLS is getting 1.6 mil of the transfer fee. RSL gets only 400,000 and 150,000 of that they owe to DC as well as a third round pick from that awful trade.

 

But yes, the important thing is that Freddy is where he needs to be. I'm no MLSphile, I'm very happy he has moved on.

[wolf stansson]

Landon contemplating EPL move?

 

Could be interesting. I'd like him to do it and maybe get over the whole disappearing in big atmosphere games that aren't vs Mexico thing he has going.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Landon contemplating EPL move?

 

Could be interesting. I'd like him to do it and maybe get over the whole disappearing in big atmosphere games that aren't vs Mexico thing he has going.

 

What happened to him not wanting to be away from his family?

[MPC]

Landon contemplating EPL move?

 

Could be interesting. I'd like him to do it and maybe get over the whole disappearing in big atmosphere games that aren't vs Mexico thing he has going.

 

What happened to him not wanting to be away from his family?

 

no kidding, i thought that was his reason for wanting to come back from germany. in any case, i hope he makes the move, it can only help him turn into a better player.

[USSoccer]

Landon contemplating EPL move?

 

Could be interesting. I'd like him to do it and maybe get over the whole disappearing in big atmosphere games that aren't vs Mexico thing he has going.

 

What happened to him not wanting to be away from his family?

 

no kidding, i thought that was his reason for wanting to come back from germany. in any case, i hope he makes the move, it can only help him turn into a better player.

 

Landon would be a garbage EPL player. He's a guy who would be better in Spain or Holland. He's too small for the EPL.

 

I don't think this happens. I think it's just him saying "you never know".

[MPC]

Landon contemplating EPL move?

 

Could be interesting. I'd like him to do it and maybe get over the whole disappearing in big atmosphere games that aren't vs Mexico thing he has going.

 

What happened to him not wanting to be away from his family?

 

no kidding, i thought that was his reason for wanting to come back from germany. in any case, i hope he makes the move, it can only help him turn into a better player.

 

Landon would be a garbage EPL player. He's a guy who would be better in Spain or Holland. He's too small for the EPL.

 

I don't think this happens. I think it's just him saying "you never know".

 

i'm more for just getting him overseas, any of the big euro leagues is a-okay with me.

[Jon]

It was nice to see the Fire do so well offensively today, even if it was against Toronto FC. They could've easily won 4-0 or 5-0.

 

The Chicago Trophy's attendace was...horrible. Just under 17,000 for the final. They ended up with a 2 for 1 ticket promotion. The Fire will be considered for next year's tournament, which will take place at least in 2008 and 2009.

[MPC]

another u-20 us player is moving to europe.

[Banedon]

Freddy Adu, the American phenom who is one of the highest-profile stars of Major League Soccer, has agreed to play for Benfica and trained with the Portuguese club Tuesday.

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/soccer/07/31/bc.eu.spt.soc.adu.benfica.ap/index.html?cnn=yes

[wolf stansson]

What happened to him not wanting to be away from his family?

In fairness to Landon, that was his excuse the first time and he was only like 18, so it's understandable. The second time he just didn't want to put in the time or effort to be a starter when he could just come to LA and be a star right away.

Landon would be a garbage EPL player. He's a guy who would be better in Spain or Holland. He's too small for the EPL.

 

I don't think this happens. I think it's just him saying "you never know".

Landon is small, but saying he is too physically small for the EPL is garbage. I'm not saying what US said is garbage, I'm just saying it is glossing over the most important fact. If he had the heart, he could play and play well at his size. It isn't that he is too small it's that he plays too small IMO.

 

He has said that the only European league that intrigues him is the EPL which I don't get. Apparently he speaks fluent Spanish and who in their right mind would rather live in England than Spain? It's colder, rainier, worse food and a harder league (apparently LD likes his comfort when it comes to his soccer).

 

He should go to a mid level La Liga side. I honestly think it would be great for him and he would play better than many expect.

 

The only reason I could see this happening is because now LA has two designated contracts over the league max and each team only gets one unless one is from a trade. They would be forced to trade either Beckham or LD and obviously Landon would be the odd one out, and if he doesn't want to play anywhere other than LA, Chivas sure as hell isn't going to sign him and he could be forced to look overseas.

[sethuel1]

Apparently he speaks fluent Spanish

 

Yep, and he gives many Spanish interviews after every time we beat Mexico.

[MPC]

What happened to him not wanting to be away from his family?

In fairness to Landon, that was his excuse the first time and he was only like 18, so it's understandable. The second time he just didn't want to put in the time or effort to be a starter when he could just come to LA and be a star right away.

 

Thanks for the info, I thought he said that the first time he came back. That's more than acceptable for an 18 year old.

[USSoccer]

Turncoat striker Giuseppe Rossi was sold by Man U to Villareal for $14m Euro. That's the largest fee ever for a US born player, surpassing Dempsey's fee from Fulham.

 

For those not familiar with Rossi, he gre up in Clifton, New Jersey. His father was a 1st generation immigrant from Italy, and once Gio was 14 and everyone figured out how awesome he was, his dad moved him to Italy and sold him on playing for the Azzurri.

 

So screw him. He won't see the Italian senior side playing in Spain. I don't think there's ever been a World Cup player for Italy that wasn't in Serie A.

[USSoccer]

Landon would be a garbage EPL player. He's a guy who would be better in Spain or Holland. He's too small for the EPL.

 

I don't think this happens. I think it's just him saying "you never know".

Landon is small, but saying he is too physically small for the EPL is garbage. I'm not saying what US said is garbage, I'm just saying it is glossing over the most important fact. If he had the heart, he could play and play well at his size. It isn't that he is too small it's that he plays too small IMO.

 

He's not nearly physical enough was my point. If he had more of a Rooney mentality (who's not that tall) or even Javier Saviola, sure, but he's of slight build and I've never seen him physically outmuscle a defender.

[brinoch]

Landon would be a garbage EPL player. He's a guy who would be better in Spain or Holland. He's too small for the EPL.

 

I don't think this happens. I think it's just him saying "you never know".

Landon is small, but saying he is too physically small for the EPL is garbage. I'm not saying what US said is garbage, I'm just saying it is glossing over the most important fact. If he had the heart, he could play and play well at his size. It isn't that he is too small it's that he plays too small IMO.

 

He's not nearly physical enough was my point. If he had more of a Rooney mentality (who's not that tall) or even Javier Saviola, sure, but he's of slight build and I've never seen him physically outmuscle a defender.

 

Well, he could make an impact roving in a withdrawn forward position, kind of a poor man's Thierry Henry. Obviously, LD doesn't have that kind of talent. Still, I'd love to see what Wenger could do with him.

 

Also, though LD isn't very physical, this would be a great way to really up that part of his game. If he can go to the EPL and succeed, despite his shortcomings, the USMNT will be well rewarded.

[sethuel1]

Turncoat striker Giuseppe Rossi was sold by Man U to Villareal for $14m Euro. That's the largest fee ever for a US born player, surpassing Dempsey's fee from Fulham.

 

For those not familiar with Rossi, he gre up in Clifton, New Jersey. His father was a 1st generation immigrant from Italy, and once Gio was 14 and everyone figured out how awesome he was, his dad moved him to Italy and sold him on playing for the Azzurri.

 

So screw him. He won't see the Italian senior side playing in Spain. I don't think there's ever been a World Cup player for Italy that wasn't in Serie A.

 

The only one I can think of is Vieri when he played for Atletico.

 

Edit: Coco when he played for Barca. Had to Wikipedia that one. I can vaguely recall him taking a blow to the head vs. South Korea and playing like dazed moron while Trappatoni failed to sub him.

[wolf stansson]

Landon would be a garbage EPL player. He's a guy who would be better in Spain or Holland. He's too small for the EPL.

 

I don't think this happens. I think it's just him saying "you never know".

Landon is small, but saying he is too physically small for the EPL is garbage. I'm not saying what US said is garbage, I'm just saying it is glossing over the most important fact. If he had the heart, he could play and play well at his size. It isn't that he is too small it's that he plays too small IMO.

 

He's not nearly physical enough was my point. If he had more of a Rooney mentality (who's not that tall) or even Javier Saviola, sure, but he's of slight build and I've never seen him physically outmuscle a defender.

Rooney is the perfect example, even though he is a bit more built than Landon. I don't want to say lack of heart, but I do think he could be more aggressive.

 

I really like Landon too. Despite his shortcomings, he is my favorite player, so I'd like to see him prove everyone wrong.

 

 

BTW, I thought Tim Howard move from Man U to Everton was the largest fee for an American player? How much was Clint's fee?

[USSoccer]

Landon would be a garbage EPL player. He's a guy who would be better in Spain or Holland. He's too small for the EPL.

 

I don't think this happens. I think it's just him saying "you never know".

Landon is small, but saying he is too physically small for the EPL is garbage. I'm not saying what US said is garbage, I'm just saying it is glossing over the most important fact. If he had the heart, he could play and play well at his size. It isn't that he is too small it's that he plays too small IMO.

 

He's not nearly physical enough was my point. If he had more of a Rooney mentality (who's not that tall) or even Javier Saviola, sure, but he's of slight build and I've never seen him physically outmuscle a defender.

 

Well, he could make an impact roving in a withdrawn forward position, kind of a poor man's Thierry Henry. Obviously, LD doesn't have that kind of talent. Still, I'd love to see what Wenger could do with him.

 

Also, though LD isn't very physical, this would be a great way to really up that part of his game. If he can go to the EPL and succeed, despite his shortcomings, the USMNT will be well rewarded.

 

Arsenal would be the best EPL fit.

[Marco4]

Arsenal would be the best EPL fit.

Arsenal sign young and develop, though. Donovan doesn't fit that bill. How about Newcastle? ;)