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

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 11:51 am

Welcome back JC.

Johnny Carwash · Post by **Johnny Carwash** » Tue Mar 18, 2014 1:43 pm

Has a dejected-Brit slant, but still:

Also, the term "bung-taker" deserves more usage.

P.D.X. · Post by **P.D.X.** » Tue Mar 18, 2014 4:58 pm

JulIan Green breaks for USMNT.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Tue Mar 18, 2014 5:04 pm

P.D.X. wrote:JulIan Green breaks for USMNT.

Now he just have to live up to the hype. It is also nice to not lose this one like we did with Nevin Subotic and Rossi.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 8:18 am

wlu_lax6 wrote:
P.D.X. wrote:JulIan Green breaks for USMNT.
Now he just have to live up to the hype. It is also nice to not lose this one like we did with Nevin Subotic and Rossi.

I think this is the opposite of losing one. More like stealing one from Germany. He spent pretty much his entire life in Germany, played for Germany's youth teams at every level and plays for a German club. He pretty much came out of nowhere as a USMNT player. Rossi probably can't be considered a loss, either. He never intended on playing for the US. The only chance the US had was if he was never good enough for a call up with Italy

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 10:05 am

There will be no more Cherundling forward and Doloing back (MenIn Blazers Reference for those who don't know) on the flanks. As Steve Cherundolo will be hanging up his boots today. 370 Apperances for Hannover 96, 87 for the full national team, 30 with the youth national teams, 2 world cups (would have had 3 if not injured during training in 2002).

Impressive for a US player to have a long career with one euro club. Good Career for the Mayor of Hannover.

rass · Post by **rass** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 6:47 pm

P.D.X. wrote:This may have been posted, but apparently hundreds of migrant workers have already died laboring for Qatar's WC construction efforts.

How long is FIFA going to continue this charade?

The head of international media relations for Qatar's Supreme Committee of Delivery & Legacy is pissed at Deadspin for bringing attention to this issue. His statement is really something.

howard · Post by **howard** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 7:25 pm

In almost 50,000 man hours, the Supreme Committee has not had one single injury or fatality on World Cup projects.

Well, not in a row.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 7:30 pm

rass wrote:
P.D.X. wrote:This may have been posted, but apparently hundreds of migrant workers have already died laboring for Qatar's WC construction efforts.

How long is FIFA going to continue this charade?

The head of international media relations for Qatar's Supreme Committee of Delivery & Legacy is pissed at Deadspin for bringing attention to this issue. His statement is really something.

That dude has to have a shortcut key for his title, right?

HoIMRfQSCoD&L wrote:As Editor-in-Chief of Deadpsin, I assume you have built up a respectable pedigree in your field and have the highest standards.

Clearly, he is not familiar with Deadspin.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 2:47 pm

WHAT THE SHIT!

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 3:00 pm

That looked like 11 rec league guys out there

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 3:52 pm

govmentchedda wrote:WHAT THE SHIT!

You know I've given up when I complete forgot the Arsenal game was going on. Forgot to set the DVR, realized it late this morning, then forgot again. That just doesn't happen. Hope we can hold on to the 4th place trophy again!

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 4:08 pm

Rafael is maddening. He's the only one who seems to run his ass off, but he often ends his forays with horrible giveaways. Fellaini is fucking worthless, same with Cleverley. Rooney can only do so much with the shit service he gets. This team could not be more frustrating. They're right on the cusp of turning the corner, then they fall to shit.

All that being said, I'm still not ready to say Moyes out.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 4:13 pm

Why does Moyes refuse to play Kagawa? Can't be any worse.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 4:19 pm

Not sure. He's in now, and they've looked livelier since he entered, but they've given up a second goal, and just as I type this Kagawa missed Evra with a pass that led to Man City regaining possession.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 4:28 pm

So Bayern Munich captures the league with 7 games to go. 25 points up. Wonder if this mean Green may get some Bundis-action. With a busy summer for National Team players I would start resting my squad now and focus on Champions League

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 4:42 pm

I see you dropping points over there, Arsenal.

This might be the opposite of last year when they won 12 of their last 10 games to wrestle away the 4th place trophy.

joeyclams · Post by **joeyclams** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 8:19 pm

govmentchedda wrote:Rafael is maddening. He's the only one who seems to run his ass off, but he often ends his forays with horrible giveaways. Fellaini is fucking worthless, same with Cleverley. Rooney can only do so much with the shit service he gets. This team could not be more frustrating. They're right on the cusp of turning the corner, then they fall to shit.

All that being said, I'm still not ready to say Moyes out.

Rafael is one of about 5 players that have played well this year. He just gets in positions where no one is moving or making space so he has to try a crazy pass or beat 4 guys. When I watch that happen, I'm more pissed that someone hasn't given him any options. That's the part I hate the most about United midfield. They just don't give enough options for the ball and that has a lot to do with confidence. If you aren't playing well, you don't want the ball to come your way. It's why Cleveraly is so bad. He just doesn't do anything positive with the ball anymore.

As for today's game, what pissed me off the most is that Moyes tinkered with his lineup. Again. He just came off a solid win at West Ham and instead of playing the same 11, he decides to change it up. By playing Cleverly wide right. And benching Kagawa, who had his best game of the season on Saturday. It's just so random. How can he now know his best 11, no matter who's injured or suspended. I just can't figure out what he's trying to do. At all.

Moyes is so clearly out of his depth that he has to go right after the season, IMO. Whatever happens, I just hope they decide right away. No reason to draw it out. Either back him or sack him. Immediately after the final whistle of the season. Make sure it doesn't become a drama that affects the club's ability to sign new players. That's the most important thing about this team right now. Making a decent show of the last few games, not get totally destroyed by Bayern and go into the summer with a list of players and sign them ASAP. Before the world cup starts if possible.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 8:28 pm

Rex wrote:I see you dropping points over there, Arsenal.

This might be the opposite of last year when they won 12 of their last 10 games to wrestle away the 4th place trophy.

Could be. I'm not surprised, actually expected this. Part of the reason arsenal was top of the table back in the day is because they had an easier schedule to that point. They have/had a lot of games against the top 4 at the end of the season. They had 2 patches, one in February (I think) and one now, where they have a lot of tough games packed in. I think it was a bit of the flat track bully phenomenon. Beat the bad teams (except for today) and lose to the top 4. I don't think it is just my perception bias, but Arsenal just hasn't been able to beat the top teams in the past 5+ years. They lack toughness, though I think that has improved this year, and I am convinced their training is deficient. Arsenal have an inordinate amount of leg muscle injuries, and players seem to aggravate these injuries while training to come back. Look at Ramsay as a prime example. He has been out half the season, probably more, for a 6 week injury that keeps recurring. When you have that many hammy, calf and thigh injuries, there is a problem with the fitness coaching. Bronto has my back on this.

All of that said, is it time to move on from Wenger? I love the professor and haven't known arsenal under any other manager. It'll be very weird to deal with, and I fear a Moyes-like slip during the adjustment period. Arsene takes too much blame for the trophy drought, as there was a 10 year plan to cut back on spending in order to pay off the stadium debts. This is why so many stars fled, the team would not pay competitive wages or spend on transfers. I can't blame Cesc, Nasri, Clichey, RvP et.al. for leaving. They got paid double what Arsenal would pay, and they knew the club wouldn't or couldn't spend to fill the gaps needed to contend for a title. I don't think you can blame Wenger for that. I think it is quite a feat to stay in the top 4 every year with what was essentially a feeder team. and nobody is better at spotting and developing unknown talent. Be it youths, or guys like Koscielny. He was in the French 4th Division, then 2nd Division for 1 year when Wenger bought him. People thought it was crazy, but now he is one of the best in the league.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 11:34 pm

Is it a surprise that Canada's World Cup 2026 bid and Toronto's NFL Stadium plans come out the day after Ralph Wilson dies?

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howard · Post by **howard** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 11:40 pm

A Canadian WC makes too much sense for it to ever happen. That would be very cool.

ETA: Skydome too small?

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 11:45 pm

It could. There is a lot of renovation needed, some of that 850m will go in FIFAs pockets and they've crawled up the pecking order hosting women's U17, men's U20 and women's World Cup.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 6:27 am

UEFA Nations League gets approved. Very interesting concept. More like Davis cup. I like it, but it will be much harder for Euro teams to experiment with younger players as they will lose some key dates for friendlies. This also means it will be harder for non-Euro nations to get friendlies with Euro teams.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 10:04 am

howard wrote:A Canadian WC makes too much sense for it to ever happen. That would be very cool.

ETA: Skydome too small?

Skydome isn't too small, just too small for the final. Plus you can't kick the Blue Jays out for a month.

The final must be in a 80000+ capacity stadium.
So the first choice for the final would be the new NFL Stadium, 2nd choice would be Stade Olympique but it would take a lot to get that piece of junk up to 80000. BC Place is already renovated and the only other option is expand Edmonton to 80000 but who wants to go to Edmonton?

Pruitt · Post by **Pruitt** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 4:56 am

degenerasian wrote:
howard wrote:A Canadian WC makes too much sense for it to ever happen. That would be very cool.

ETA: Skydome too small?

Skydome isn't too small, just too small for the final. Plus you can't kick the Blue Jays out for a month.

The final must be in a 80000+ capacity stadium.
So the first choice for the final would be the new NFL Stadium, 2nd choice would be Stade Olympique but it would take a lot to get that piece of junk up to 80000. BC Place is already renovated and the only other option is expand Edmonton to 80000 but who wants to go to Edmonton?

And why would they add 25,000 seats to Commonwealth stadium?

Here's hoping this bid goes nowhere. We've got enough things to spend money on here, and without the use of slave labour, there's no way we'll be able to top Qatar.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 6:58 am

Man U's Class of 92 buying a team. Salford FC. Salford plays one league down from FC United of Manchester...but probably 2 down after FC United gets promoted at the end of the season (the team that was formed when the Glazers bought Man U).

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 7:47 am

IIRC, isn't Salford where the Man U training ground is?

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 9:25 am

Pruitt wrote:
degenerasian wrote:
howard wrote:A Canadian WC makes too much sense for it to ever happen. That would be very cool.

ETA: Skydome too small?

Skydome isn't too small, just too small for the final. Plus you can't kick the Blue Jays out for a month.

The final must be in a 80000+ capacity stadium.
So the first choice for the final would be the new NFL Stadium, 2nd choice would be Stade Olympique but it would take a lot to get that piece of junk up to 80000. BC Place is already renovated and the only other option is expand Edmonton to 80000 but who wants to go to Edmonton?
And why would they add 25,000 seats to Commonwealth stadium?

Here's hoping this bid goes nowhere. We've got enough things to spend money on here, and without the use of slave labour, there's no way we'll be able to top Qatar.

That's exactly right. This bid goes nowhere unless Toronto gets an NFL team and that 80000 seater is already there.
Calgary and Regina are already planning a new stadium and also Halifax for possible CFL expansion. So really the bid would have all stadiums that would be there anyways. Lots of dominoes have to fall first.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 9:52 am

govmentchedda wrote:IIRC, isn't Salford where the Man U training ground is?

Yup. The Class of '92 guys talked about that location being where the trialed for Man U and where lots of them live.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 11:05 am

This is going to get you made fun of in the locker room.
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... coker-vs-h" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

rass · Post by **rass** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 11:09 am

wlu_lax6 wrote:This is going to get you made fun of in the locker room.
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... coker-vs-h" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Perhaps more memorably, forward Darren Mattocks missed about a third of his rookie season in 2012 after suffering severe burns to his shoulder during a cooking accident in which he was putting together a traditional Jamaican dish.

What a jerk.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 11:09 am

wlu_lax6 wrote:Man U's Class of 92 buying a team. Salford FC. Salford plays one league down from FC United of Manchester...but probably 2 down after FC United gets promoted at the end of the season (the team that was formed when the Glazers bought Man U).

How can giggs be involved with that? No conflict of interest because they play in such a lower level?

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 12:45 pm

wlu_lax6 wrote:This is going to get you made fun of in the locker room.
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... coker-vs-h" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Had no idea Nigerl Reo-Coker was in MLS. I had an unwarranted love of him for some reason.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 1:23 pm

The Dutch are already gearing up for their post World Cup run. Hiddink, Danny Blind, and Van Nistelrooy. Blind is going to get the job after Hiddink.

BuffloSoldier · Post by **BuffloSoldier** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 1:55 pm

wlu_lax6 wrote:The Dutch are already gearing up for their post World Cup run. Hiddink, Danny Blind, and Van Nistelrooy. Blind is going to get the job after Hiddink.

So in the fall after some club hires Hiddink?

devilfluff · Post by **devilfluff** » Sat Mar 29, 2014 11:43 am

Anybody watching Chelsea choking away their hopes?

86' minute mark, and they look desperate...

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sat Mar 29, 2014 11:53 am

Yup that's huge. Chelsea still have to go to Anfield on April 27th.

cerrano · Post by **cerrano** » Sat Mar 29, 2014 2:27 pm

devilfluff wrote:Anybody watching Chelsea choking away their hopes?

86' minute mark, and they look desperate...

looks like citeh helped them out.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 9:47 am

Everton now 4 points and an impenetrable force field out of 4th.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 11:24 am

Can't remember a season where Spurs and Newcastle were so irrelevant.