All threads are temporary. This one's about soccer.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Wed Jul 17, 2013 9:23 am

a bit honest depressing state of sports
http://www.economist.com/news/internati ... ion-manual" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Wed Jul 17, 2013 9:45 am

Sabo wrote:
wlu_lax6 wrote:And you call yourself a fan.....get running
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-di ... 43552.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I want to buy that framed portrait of Arsene.

ETA image.

I want a framed portrait of this picture.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Wed Jul 17, 2013 10:20 am

Arsenal wins 7-1 and from the bits I watched this morning, Arsenal didn't play that well, just going through the motions.

Vietnamese football is in a shambles these days. From 2007 Asian Cup quarterfinalists to this.... They recently lost a qualifer to Hong Kong!

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Thu Jul 18, 2013 11:09 am

strange world cup/Champs League tv rights ruling. Never occurred to me that this would a national-interest v. free market issue. But I also think the TV industry could be very different in a few years.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/100896248" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Thu Jul 18, 2013 11:13 am

wlu_lax6 wrote:strange world cup/Champs League tv rights ruling. Never occurred to me that this would a national-interest v. free market issue. But I also think the TV industry could be very different in a few years.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/100896248" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Of course, FIFA says it's all about the women and the children.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Thu Jul 18, 2013 11:50 am

This is exactly what Italian soccer officials should be worried about
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer ... &eref=sihp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ZMan · Post by **ZMan** » Fri Jul 19, 2013 10:56 am

Is there a rule against besmirching your opponents colors/logos or something? Or is that another of those unwritten rules?

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Fri Jul 19, 2013 5:12 pm

PSG Is Threatening To Buy Lionel Messi. Wait. That Can't Happen, Right?

Today's dick-swinging contest is the best dick-swinging contest, because it's between Spanish kings FC Barcelona, the greatest club of the last decade, and French champions Paris Saint-Germain. The two clubs have history: Just last season, Barcelona squeaked by PSG on goal differential in the Champions League quarterfinal. Barcelona are the most prestigious club in the world, and basically can sign whomever they want whenever they want. PSG, though, were taken over by a Qatari oil conglomerate Qatar Investment Authority in 2011, and now, without hyperbole, have more money than God. They're trying to buy silverware, and so far it's working.
...
Yesterday, Sky Sports reported that PSG president Sheikh Nasser Al-Khelaifi finally got tired of the Silva rumors and decided to strike back. "If Barça pay the buyout clause of Thiago Silva, then I will meet Messi's buyout clause," he told reporters.
With one statement, Al-Khelaifi's whipped out his dick on the world stage, and for the first time, the world is seeing that bulging bludgeon in all its glory. That's because Lionel Messi's buyout clause is reportedly €250 million. To compare, PSG were valued at about €100 million two years ago when the Qatar Investment Authority bought the club.

Post by **Sabo** » Fri Jul 19, 2013 5:56 pm

I'm a little surprised there's been no talk about Tito Vilanueva resigning from Barca due to his illness. Then again, this place doesn't seem to follow La Liga much.

cerrano · Post by **cerrano** » Sat Jul 20, 2013 11:15 am

Sabo wrote:I'm a little surprised there's been no talk about Tito Vilanueva resigning from Barca due to his illness. Then again, this place doesn't seem to follow La Liga much.

I just got beIn sport in June, so I'm sure ill be laying more attention to la logs once the season begins.

Sad news, though. I'm more surprised that I have t heard anything about who will replace him. The bookmakers must have been taking action on this proposition.

Eta: fucking autocorrect. Paying more attention to la liga. Left it because I liked the way that sounded.

Pruitt · Post by **Pruitt** » Sat Jul 20, 2013 4:53 pm

Sabo wrote:I'm a little surprised there's been no talk about Tito Vilanueva resigning from Barca due to his illness. Then again, this place doesn't seem to follow La Liga much.

Very sad situation. I won't say the obvious, but that's not encouraging news to say the least.

Speaking of La Liga - what keeps me from watching many games is that the refs have a fetish for taking over the games. Check out this graphuic comparing the two leagues.

http://www.thescore.com/buzz/articles/3 ... ier-league

One thing that jumps out at me is the difference in yellow cards - 1,062 flashed in the EPL over the course of the season as compared to 2,310 in La Liga.

Ever wonder why Spanish players dive so much? Because it works.

Baloney · Post by **Baloney** » Sun Jul 21, 2013 3:54 pm

Phil Woosnam, the Welsh footballer who became commissioner of the North American Soccer League (NASL), has died at the age of 80.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-23400367" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Scottie · Post by **Scottie** » Mon Jul 22, 2013 10:57 am

I don't believe I'm going out on a limb when suggesting that the Women's Euro quarter-final match between Iceland and Sweden yesterday was easily the best looking soccer game I've ever seen.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Mon Jul 22, 2013 11:11 am

Scottie wrote:I don't believe I'm going out on a limb when suggesting that the Women's Euro quarter-final match between Iceland and Sweden yesterday was easily the best looking soccer game I've ever seen.

yup

The two QFs today Norway-Spain / France-Denmark might not be bad either.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Tue Jul 23, 2013 8:40 am

Nice write up on Gedion Zelalem. A DC-area kid (Okay he is not eligible for the US National Team) on Arsenal's Vietnam Tour. http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/arsenal/id/1863?cc=5901" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

cerrano · Post by **cerrano** » Tue Jul 23, 2013 2:16 pm

Falcao = Danny Almonte?

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Wed Jul 24, 2013 3:37 pm

Altidore picks up an assist against Spurs in Hong Kong

Pruitt · Post by **Pruitt** » Thu Jul 25, 2013 6:45 pm

Interesting list - every team in Europe that averaged over 20,000 fans per game.

http://www.stadiumguide.com/figures-and ... tendances/
I tell you, my admiration goes to the fans of Sheffield Wednesday. They are hard core.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Thu Jul 25, 2013 9:06 pm

I think Bob Bradley is on the Daily Show tonight

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Thu Jul 25, 2013 9:11 pm

Pruitt wrote:Interesting list - every team in Europe that averaged over 20,000 fans per game.

http://www.stadiumguide.com/figures-and ... tendances/
I tell you, my admiration goes to the fans of Sheffield Wednesday. They are hard core.

Dortmund tickets are outrageously cheap!

http://www.bvb.de/?%98Y%1B%E4%F4%9D" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Thu Jul 25, 2013 9:13 pm

degenerasian wrote:
Pruitt wrote:Interesting list - every team in Europe that averaged over 20,000 fans per game.

http://www.stadiumguide.com/figures-and ... tendances/
I tell you, my admiration goes to the fans of Sheffield Wednesday. They are hard core.
Dortmund tickets are outrageously cheap!

http://www.bvb.de/?%98Y%1B%E4%F4%9D" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Not really. Other than kids, disabled or standing room, they weren't that cheap. Plus there is a 20% surcharge for any game against a rival or good team or Champions League Game, or...

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Thu Jul 25, 2013 9:20 pm

I thought the season ticket package was pretty good.
17 home games + 3 champions league games for about 700 euros?
If I were there, I'd buy Category 4.

Maybe I'm comparing with hockey, Flames season tickets for the 2nd tier (my tickets) are $3000.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 10:30 am

DC United's investor may be getting s piece of Inter.
http://english.gazzetta.it/Football/24- ... 6979.shtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 8:31 am

More depth for the US National Team. Aron Johannsson takes a one time switch to the US side instead of Iceland. Aron plays for AZ. 3 goals in 5 appearances for the Dutch side last year. and something like 14 in 16 for the side he played for before moving to AZ.

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 9:51 am

degenerasian wrote:I thought the season ticket package was pretty good.
17 home games + 3 champions league games for about 700 euros?
If I were there, I'd buy Category 4.

Maybe I'm comparing with hockey, Flames season tickets for the 2nd tier (my tickets) are $3000.

That much? Sheesh. Though you get 41 games, right?

We get 20 Sporting KC games for $500 a ticket. So we split 2 tickets 3 ways and it ended up being $333 apiece. (Good seats too)

Baloney · Post by **Baloney** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 11:52 am

First ever goal in league football scored by Bolton againt Derby

http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/fl12 ... 51980.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Post by **Sabo** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 2:16 pm

Apparently, this is very real:

One of these is not like the others ...

Scottie · Post by **Scottie** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 2:40 pm

Didn't Gerrard beat up a DJ (or something like that) because he wouldn't play Phil Collins songs?

Pruitt · Post by **Pruitt** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 4:03 pm

Scottie wrote:Didn't Gerrard beat up a DJ (or something like that) because he wouldn't play Phil Collins songs?

Surely he had it backwards?

howard · Post by **howard** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 4:33 pm

Pruitt wrote:
Scottie wrote:Didn't Gerrard beat up a DJ (or something like that) because he wouldn't play Phil Collins songs?
Surely he had it backwards?

He should've beat up Phil Collins?

cerrano · Post by **cerrano** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 6:06 pm

three envelopes! that's the winner.

Post by **Sabo** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 8:27 pm

Yeah, Gerrard got into a fight with a DJ over Phil Collins.

I don't know what the "Three Envelopes" is referencing, but a quick Google search showed this result.

What I was referencing is the letter misspelled Brendan Rodgers' first name.

ETA: I'll bet one of the three envelopes contained the name of Charlie Adam.

Scottie · Post by **Scottie** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 11:08 pm

NBC's (impressive) schedule for the first 3+ months of broadcasting footie (includes blurbs and breakdown):

http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2013/ ... ue-season/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Post by **Sabo** » Thu Aug 01, 2013 8:40 am

Doncaster Rovers sign Louis Tomlinson. Never heard of him? He's a member of the boy band One Direction.

Doncaster host Blackpool when Championship play begins this Saturday.

ETA: Yes, it's mostly a publicity stunt. But he still might play in some reserve games.

Baloney · Post by **Baloney** » Thu Aug 01, 2013 11:34 am

Gunners ex Kenny Sansom not in great shape

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23531912" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Scottie · Post by **Scottie** » Thu Aug 01, 2013 12:06 pm

Sabo wrote:Never heard of him? He's a member of the boy band One Direction.

Unless you count "just now", I've never heard of that boy band thing either.

Steve Nash, of NBA fame, just had a tryout with Inter Milan. He's a huge soccerball fan; his brother played for the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Canadian National team. His sister is quite accomplished as well.

Partly vanity and partly to raise awareness for Soccer Canada. Although, highly competitive, Nash actually wanted to make the team:

cerrano · Post by **cerrano** » Thu Aug 01, 2013 7:16 pm

do any major european clubs play in a dome? i'm watching this chelsea-inter match and it just looks strange with the lighting and what not.

P.D.X. · Post by **P.D.X.** » Thu Aug 01, 2013 7:38 pm

American U-11 kid signs with Real Madrid academy.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Thu Aug 01, 2013 9:16 pm

http://FunnyOrDie.com/m/86uw

MLS all-stars do a parody of the Super Bowl Shuffle. Complete with Zubaz. Proving that rapping is a talent.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Fri Aug 02, 2013 6:41 am

New IRS commish

wapo soccer insider wrote:President Obama has nominated John Koskinen to become the Internal Revenue Service commissioner. Koskinen, a financial expert who has worked in government several times during his career, chaired the Washington host committee for the 1994 World Cup and 1996 Olympics.

He was also a youth coach, former president of the D.C.-based U.S. Soccer Foundation (the charitable arm of American soccer) and owned the Fairfax-based Washington Stars in the American Professional Soccer League in the late-1980s and early-1990s. Duke University’s soccer complex is named for him. He is a regular visitor to RFK Stadium for United matches.