soccer soccer soccer

[imb]

hmm ederson is there until 26 i think. I wonder what Steffen's wages are, i have no idea what a backup prem keeper makes weekly.

 

At City I assume he's making as much or probably more than he would at any place where he would be the starter. He's mentioned in the past maybe wanting a move after this year so he can play more, so not sure if this is a change of heart or about Steffen getting paid and City maximizing his transfer value.

 

yeah that was my first thought, that city knows he wants to go elsewhere and just wants to cash in when he does. I have no clue what Steffen's value really is on the transfer market, or even, frankly, how good he is.

[stitchface]

Gio out indefinitely after setback

[imb]

damn, he's having a rough year

[stitchface]

I wonder what the data on teenagers playing with men is on injuries - maybe their bodies just aren't ready? I have no data but you have to wonder because a lot of 17 and 18 year olds haven't added the muscle mass yet (not that soccer is a high mass sport but there is certainly an element of strength)

[wvcbxl]

Nice home win by Venezia against Mourinho’s Roma.

Busio played the entire game, Tessmann came on with 15 mins left.

[wolf stansson]

 

I felt so powerful when that happened.

[cl smooth]

[imb]

I need that to happen in football manager

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I need that to happen in football manager

 

Morale: Murderous

[wolf stansson]

Cool profile of Brenden Aaronson:

 

https://theathletic.com/2949381/2021/11/11/hes-ruthless-man-how-brenden-aaronsons-career-started-flying-with-union-salzburg-and-usmnt/?source=user_shared_article

[sneakypower]

Aaronson was a late-bloomer physically. Currently listed at 5-foot-10 and 146 pounds, he’s not exactly huge these days, but he was almost comically miniscule compared to some of his teammates and opponents in youth soccer.

lol

[bukie]

Gregg pre-Mexico press conference, so far he's said Pulisic will not start and Steffen will start in goal.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

It's interesting how the magnitude of this game and the 2 game window precluding the need for rotation clarifies the position battles.

 

Steffen v. Turner - I love Turner but I think the consensus around Steffen's shot stopping is unfounded. It's a risk from a shot stopping perspective to play him(for form reasons if nothing else), but you're also playing a good team that wants to press so you gain that back with Steffen's passing.

 

Yedlin v. Scally v. Cannon - In a perfect world this is Scally, but his first game in this system/with these teammates being a WCQ against Lozano is terrifying. I'd normally prefer Cannon to Yedlin but his lack of playing time is concerning too. Can't be too upset or optimistic about any option.

 

Zimmerman v. Richards - I'd prefer Zimmerman, to be honest. I was pleased with his passing in the Gold Cup and trust him as a defender more for a game that's tomorrow.

 

Weah v. Arriola - Weah should start here, he isn't dramatically worse than Arriola in any area(unlike the Konrad/Hoppe v. Arriola decisions) and pinning back Mexico's left back isn't as important as it is for other CONCACAF opponents. If Arriola starts they better be generating oodles of counterpressing opportunities.

[wolf stansson]

I don’t know why people don’t expect Scally to start. GGG has already dropped multiple “untested” young guys into the lineup vs el tri in huge games. Bello & Robinson. If he starts Arriola over Weah, I will be irritated. Weah does everything Arriola does but better and with way more explosion/athleticism.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I don’t know why people don’t expect Scally to start. GGG has already dropped multiple “untested” young guys into the lineup vs el tri in huge games. Bello & Robinson.

 

Robinson had already started through the whole Gold Cup by the time he was playing Mexico, but Bello is an interesting point. I feel like the July version of Sam Vines has a bit lower floor in Berhalter's eyes than Yedlin or even out of form Cannon, but I certainly won't be shocked if it's Scally. Unlike the Weah/Arriola decision, it's not one where I feel particularly great no matter the choice.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

UEFA world cup qualifying is nearing the end of their group stage and there's some interesting matchups this window. For a refresher, UEFA has 10 groups where the winner advances, and the 2nd place teams join 2 Nations League qualifiers in playing three distinct 4 team brackets to get the other 3 spots. So winning the group makes your life a lot easier, especially since there's teams like Wales, Austria, Ukraine, Croatia, Poland, and the Czech Republic lurking in the playoff that could win an elimination game against anyone on a given day.

 

On Friday:

- Italy hosts Switzerland, they are tied on points(Italy ahead on GD) with both teams having one more game(Swiss v. Bulgaria, Italy @ N Ireland) on Monday to decide who qualifies and who goes to the playoff

 

On Saturday:

- Norway(w/o Haaland) and the Netherlands play Latvia and Montenegro respectively. If they hold serve they play each other on Tuesday in Rotterdam where a Norway win gives them qualification and sends the Dutch to the playoff.

 

On Sunday:

- Portugal hosts Serbia, if Serbia wins they qualify and send Portugal to the playoff

- Spain hosts Sweden, if Sweden wins they qualify and send Spain to the playoff

 

England and France could also technically get bumped out of the top of their respective groups, but it would require something more unlikely than losing a one off game against their closest competition.

[stitchface]

the rumor mill has Barca bringing back Dani Alves - this is interesting. I doubt Alves proves much of a playing time threat to Dest but he could be a great mentor (one of the greatest ball crossers of all time).

[stitchface]

Aaronson was a late-bloomer physically. Currently listed at 5-foot-10 and 146 pounds, he’s not exactly huge these days, but he was almost comically miniscule compared to some of his teammates and opponents in youth soccer.

lol

 

 

lol! That was me!

[UMFan83]

Some numbers to remind everyone of where the US stands before this window

 

 

[stitchface]

tonight's game's result is probably more psychologically important than decisive. I imagine the US really wants to make sure to win at Jamaica

[bukie]

Weah over Arriola.

 

Zimmerman at CB next to Robinson

 

Yedlin at RB

 

[UMFan83]

Honduras up 1-0 over Panama is good stuff

[UMFan83]

Some dangerous chances so far generated by Mexico’s speed

[soccer10k]

Honduras up 1-0 over Panama is good stuff

 

Nice capitulation from Honduras. Panama scores in the 77th, 80th and 85th minutes and is up 3-2.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

It hasn’t played a big role so far, but I am so so tired of having to endure central american refs who require blood for a foul and can’t manage the game because it’s three notches higher than their home leagues.