An exciting soccer weekend

[Easy Mac]

Anyone else stoked for this weekend? We have US v. Scotland and NE vs. LA. I'm sure Foz is excited, punching trees as we speak :). So Foz, are you traveling to Frisco (isn't that the place of the Dallas stadium?)? This should be a pretty exciting final, both these teams are damn good on offense. Your boys better stick 3 guys on Donovan.

Oh, and I'm going to go play soccer on Saturday, and their starting an indoor soccer league as well in town, that is going to kick ass... I finally get to buy the pimp ass Samba shoes.

This is also a shameful plug of my MLS preview (http://www.smart-guys-sports.com/?p=65).

[johnnyshaka]

Title of the thread made me giggle...I'm obviously not a soccer fan.

[Critch]

There's also a number of World Cup Playoffs at the weekend, games that decide who gets the last few slots in Germany next summer:

Saturday
1.30pm Setanta Norway vs Czech Republic (live)
3.00pm GolTV Uruguay vs Australia (live)
5.00pm GolTV Spain vs Slovakia (Same Day Delay)
5.30pm FSC Trinidad vs Bahrain (live)

Not a bad selection.

[Crapshoot]

I think the US is probably the favorite in that game - should be a cracker.

[SirFozzie]

Sadly, I work the next seven days and then get all my wisdom teeth pulled out.. so nope. But I will wake up early to watch them!

And the WCQ will be perfect "Oh my god, my mouth has been shattered into a million billion pieces and need distraction" television

[Easy Mac]

There's also a number of World Cup Playoffs at the weekend, games that decide who gets the last few slots in Germany next summer:

Saturday
1.30pm Setanta Norway vs Czech Republic (live)
3.00pm GolTV Uruguay vs Australia (live)
5.00pm GolTV Spain vs Slovakia (Same Day Delay)
5.30pm FSC Trinidad vs Bahrain (live)

Not a bad selection.
I get none of those channels... off to a bar i hie

[SirFozzie]

No Fox Soccer Channel, No Gol TV? No Sentanta? Get thee to a DirecTV, stat!

[Critch]

Isn't the Scotland v USA game on FSC?

[SirFozzie]

Yup, it is

[Easy Mac]

No Fox Soccer Channel, No Gol TV? No Sentanta? Get thee to a DirecTV, stat!
Dude, I'm freaking poor. I spend all my money on WWSM and shit. I'll probably go to the bar after soccer and watch it with the guys. But I'm definitely watching my boy Clint on Sunday.

[Dr. Sak]

Dude, I'm freaking poor. I spend all my money on WWSM and shit. I'll probably go to the bar after soccer and watch it with the guys. But I'm definitely watching my boy Clint on Sunday.

Dude how many fucking websites do you have.


PS Charlie Whitehurt sucks

[Easy Mac]

Too fucking many... and yes... I know :(. But his dad was the only Furman QB drafted. I believe he played for the Packers... David Whitehurst... hence my affinity for Chuck. I actually hate Clemson with a passion, but I've declared a moratorium for 4 years.

[AlexB]

And it's England vs. the Argies in what is very unlikely to be a 'friendly'. Rumour has it Sven's tactical genius is picking Rio ahead of Sol, and Ledley King plays in midfield... Doh!

[AlexB]

Soccer USA must answer serious questions! Only managing a draw against football minnows like Scotland! ;)

England v. Argentina was one of the best friendlies I have seen - great game, played in a (surprisingly) great spirit, and two late Michael Owen goals secure a 3-2 win in a game where arguably the Argies were the slightly better side. But we played with a decent tempo, looked ten times better than we have done for a long while... I can't remember going crazy over a winning goal (or for that matter an equalising goal!) in a non-competitive match before.

[ISiddiqui]

Soccer USA must answer serious questions! Only managing a draw against football minnows like Scotland! ;) The US fielded a reserve team. They only have 5 starters on the pitch (Keller, 3 defenders, & Beasley). The rest were young players who were trying to fight for a place on the team.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Too fucking many... and yes... I know :(. But his dad was the only Furman QB drafted. I believe he played for the Packers... David Whitehurst... hence my affinity for Chuck. I actually hate Clemson with a passion, but I've declared a moratorium for 4 years.

Okay, color me stupid ... I didn't realize that he was David Whitehurst's son.

[Easy Mac]

Okay, color me stupid ... I didn't realize that he was David Whitehurst's son.
yeah man, believe me, if there's anything for me to hang my hat on for my alma mater, I do it. I think we also produced Frad Faxon, Betsy King, Beth Daniel, Dottie Pepper, and Frank Selvy, the only player to have a 100 point college basketball game.

[Critch]

The US fielded a reserve team. They only have 5 starters on the pitch (Keller, 3 defenders, & Beasley). The rest were young players who were trying to fight for a place on the team.

Number of Scotland players missing too, I wish we (Scotland) would stop playing these meaningless international friendlies. It's now 10 years since Scotland last won a friendly match at Hampden, international soccer has fallen so far behind club soccer that players won't turn up if they've got the slightest excuse, and the fans don't turn up either. Same again today, terrible crowd and terrible atmosphere. Pretty bad game too, two ordinary teams playing a practice match.

Anyway, hope the US has lots in reserve because outside of the first 15 minutes and a couple of flashes in the second half they looked fairly poor. And I hope Ching is far down the depth chart, cos if you're relying on him to get goals in the World Cup, the US will be coming home quickly. And I thought the last minute Scotland winner was onside, if there's not light between them, they're level :)

(n.b. I may be a little biased, cos I thought the US penalty was a dive too.)

[Critch]

dola.

The Norway v Czech Republic was better, two good teams playing in a match that actually counted for something. Czech Republic look like a dark horse for the World Cup, assuming they can take their good first leg in Norway and qualify.

Uruguay v Australia was also a good, tense match-up. Still hangs in the balance, though Uruguay had their chances to make it safer.

Spain v Slovakia just kicking off on delay on GolTV. Four games in a row, kickass. :)

[MIJB#19]

Czech Republic look like a dark horse for the World Cup, assuming they can take their good first leg in Norway and qualify.Yeah, big time. Without Pavel Nedved, the Czechs would be basic poule fillers, the typical 1-point-in-3-games going home team. With Nedved, they are a dangerous team, capable to upset any team.

Turkey losing 2-0 in Switzerland. Don't count them out yet, 3-0 is possible, but that return has 3-1 written all over.

Number of Scotland players missing too, I wish we (Scotland) would stop playing these meaningless international friendlies. It's now 10 years since Scotland last won a friendly match at Hampden, international soccer has fallen so far behind club soccer that players won't turn up if they've got the slightest excuse, and the fans don't turn up either. Same again today, terrible crowd and terrible atmosphere. Pretty bad game too, two ordinary teams playing a practice match.It makes me wonder how the [beep] Scotland was still a top16 team in Europe as recent as the 1996-1998 period, when they qualified to consecutive big tournaments. Is the lack of Scottish starters for the Old Firm dominators really killing the national team?

And go us. That 1-3 freindly loss to italy today marked the first loss for the Netherlands with the current coach since he was appointed as the national coach after we lost in the semi's in Euro 2004.

[ISiddiqui]

Anyway, hope the US has lots in reserve because outside of the first 15 minutes and a couple of flashes in the second half they looked fairly poor. And I hope Ching is far down the depth chart, cos if you're relying on him to get goals in the World Cup, the US will be coming home quickly. And Ching is fighting to be the #4 or #5 forward on the National Team. Right now the top 3 are Eddie Johnson, Brian McBride, and Landon Donovan (who also plays attacking midfield). None of them were available for the game.

Josh Wolff, btw, is also fighting for that 4th forward place.

Oh, and those like Eddie Gaven (who started today) would probably be considered to be more on the 3rd team for the US. He's a youngster with a lot of promise, but won't be making it to Germany, no matter what.

[Easy Mac]

I'm sure he will, but will Eddie Johnson be healthy by then? Last I heard he was taking a long time to come back from his injury, but I also heard it was because he was upset with Dallas and just didn't want to play. Also, don't forget Twellman from New England. I think he's still in the mix, but he hasn't shown he can play well on the big stage. But a good run before the World Cup could sneak him on the roster. Also Santino from DC. I think the Bruce wants to use him in the midfield, but he seems to be a striker by trade? And does Arena still have some weird affinity for Conor Casey? I know he's big, but he was nowhere near ready the last time I saw him.

[ISiddiqui]

I think Twellman makes it before Ching. I don't like him (Ching), never have. Hell, I'd rather than Clint Mathis ;).

[Easy Mac]

now let's not go crazy. i think Ching could be useful once McBride quits.

[AlexB]

I thought Josh Wolff looked good against England last summer - if he's not a sure squad member there's good competition (admittedly based on one performance).

What's Clyde Simms like? (I only ask as he looks a decent FM player!)

[Easy Mac]

He's still way too young. He didn't look overly impressive in his first year with DC, but I think he's been in the U-20/17/ pools for through his career, so it may just take him a little while. But he plays for DC, so he has a leg up on everyone else.

[Critch]

It makes me wonder how the [beep] Scotland was still a top16 team in Europe as recent as the 1996-1998 period, when they qualified to consecutive big tournaments. Is the lack of Scottish starters for the Old Firm dominators really killing the national team?

It wasn't just the Old Firm, for a long time a number of the other clubs were playing overpaid foreign journeymen instead of giving homegrown youths a chance. The financial disaster that would follow relegation was so great that teams wouldn't risk young players, they'd rather play some older experienced guy.

That seems to be changing now, Motherwell got into huge financial problems and ended up relying on their own youth players and it worked out for them, other clubs have now followed their lead and are seeing good returns, Hibs are third at the moment and have brought through a number of younger players who are starting to break through internationally, Hearts have a number of younger Scottish players too and have invested in a youth academy, even Rangers have spent a fortune on their own academy now and both them and Celtic are playing more young Scots than they have in a long time. Used to be that if an old firm first team player got injured the replacement would be foreign too, now it's generally younger Scottish players. So I'm fairly hopeful.

Plus we're a small country, only 5 million, so there's never much depth. And we don't have any colonies or ex-colonies to steal the best players from.

[ISiddiqui]

now let's not go crazy. i think Ching could be useful once McBride quits.Ok, maybe I was a bit nuts ;). But I don't like Ching. I think Wolff will be our last forward (either him or Twellman). I know Quaranta is listed as a forward, but he's been solid in MF for the US.

[Critch]

So first choice are a Leverkusen reject and a Fulham reserve? Hmm, judging by this and having watched Trinidad tonight, complete with it's lower division Scottish league players, I think the best thing Scotland could do to qualify for the next World Cup is break off and float across the Atlantic into the CONCACAF region :)

[ISiddiqui]

So first choice are a Leverkusen reject and a Fulham reserve? Hmm, judging by this and having watched Trinidad tonight, complete with it's lower division Scottish league players, I think the best thing Scotland could do to qualify for the next World Cup is break off and float across the Atlantic into the CONCACAF region :)That's fine... the more your underestimate us, the more we are willing to take you by surprise ;). When was the last time Scotland made it to the Quarterfinals of the World Cup? :cool:

And that "Fulham reserve" (though I'm not sure why you'd call him that, he's started more than half of Fulham's games) leds the squad in scoring :p.

And I thought that last WC ended this Euro-snooty attitude, after we almost knocked off Germany.

[Critch]

I'm not arguing that the top teams from each region aren't good enough. Just that certain regions are far easier to qualify from than others are. Thanks to the number of qualifying places that were handed out to regions to ensure that they'd vote the right way in FIFA elections. CONCACAF and more particularly Asia. Asia having as many spots as South America is ridiculous.

All South Korea proved last time was that any team can do well if they're playing at home and get a few decisions going their way at the right time. But we've known that since 1966 anyway.

I called McBride a reserve cos the last few times I've seen Fulham, he's came off the bench. So that's good enough to characterize him as a reserve :)

[ISiddiqui]

McBride isn't like McFadden, who is a reserve at Everton :cool:. McBride is part of a team that has 3 strikers who are fairly equal. He has come off the bench a number of games, but still has the most goals for Fulham.

Oh, and Asia kind of has far more countries than South America ;).

[Critch]

Should it be based on most countries, or on standard of teams?

And McFadden is a reserve, we've no excuse cos we are pretty bad. McFadden is probably going to fail in a top league and run back to his own league with his tail between his legs and look good in the easier competition. So he's really more like Donovan than McBride :)

[ISiddiqui]

Should it be based on most countries, or on standard of teams?

And McFadden is a reserve, we've no excuse cos we are pretty bad. McFadden is probably going to fail in a top league and run back to his own league with his tail between his legs and look good in the easier competition. So he's really more like Donovan than McBride :)It should be based on the standard of teams in each region ;). You can't have a World Cup when you have all of the squads being Europe and South America.

And McBride is the man... though Donovan seems to do real well in international tournies. He gave Germany fits... and last I looked Germany is better than Scotland ;).

Besides, our BEST striker is Eddie Johnson. Hopefully he's 100% for the World Cup.

[lytic]

REV-O-LU-TION!

[Easy Mac]

u2?

[lytic]

u2?

If you were questioning me I was a season ticket holder of the Revs until I joined the military in 1997. I've been to both MLS cups that were in NE (front row seats), I went to every Revs game that was in KC before I got stationed in Iceland and went to the the last KC home game which was against the Revs this year since I just got back. I also went to a Revs game in Denver before the mile high was closed.
I got digital cable so I could get G4, NFL Channel and of course FSN. I watch the games on FSN and call my mother on the cell phone for the play by play since she is still a season-ticket holder (those same front row seats).

[Critch]

It should be based on the standard of teams in each region ;). You can't have a World Cup when you have all of the squads being Europe and South America.

You can't have only European and South American, obviously, but there's only two regions where teams as bad as Bahrain and T&T would have a chance of qualifying. Asia will be a bit tougher next time with Australia joining and probably taking one of the qualifying spots, but as it stands just now there is one top class team and 4.5 qualifying spots. It's weak enough already, but when one of the stronger Asian teams has to attempt toqualify through Europe, they don't deserve the 4.5 spots.

And McBride is the man... though Donovan seems to do real well in international tournies. He gave Germany fits... and last I looked Germany is better than Scotland ;).

Obviosly they're better than Scotland. We could only draw with the US, whereas the Germans beat you when it counts. :)

[Havok]

Obviosly they're better than Scotland. We could only draw with the US, whereas the Germans beat you when it counts. :)

thanks to a bullshit call

[Critch]

thanks to a bullshit call

By a Scottish referee :)

[Havok]

By a Scottish referee :)

lol! didn't know that

[ISiddiqui]

You can't have only European and South American, obviously, but there's only two regions where teams as bad as Bahrain and T&T would have a chance of qualifying. Asia will be a bit tougher next time with Australia joining and probably taking one of the qualifying spots, but as it stands just now there is one top class team and 4.5 qualifying spots. It's weak enough already, but when one of the stronger Asian teams has to attempt toqualify through Europe, they don't deserve the 4.5 spots.Well, you can't have all European and South American teams except for 2 North American teams, 2 African teams, and 1 Asian team ;). Of course Europe has the best teams, but no one conference should have half of the World Cup squads. It's a cross-section. If mean if you can't be the 15th best team in Europe, why should you go? Sure, you may be better than Saudi Arabia, but if you are both going to lose in the first round, why not include the team from the different part of the world to add some diversity to the Finals.

And I think that introducing countries from other parts of the world to play against the best only makes them better. I think Africa's success has been a part of being able to compete in the World Cup and realizing what was needed. Same applies with the US.

[Critch]

The difference is that the teams that just miss out in Europe aren't 1st round fodder like half the Asian/CONCACAF qualifiers, last World Cup the Netherlands didn't make it, this World Cup it looks like Turkey and Norway will be out, along with Romania/Ireland/Denmark/Greece/Russia. All teams that would walk through CONCACAF and Asia. Qualification should mean something, not just be an easy cakewalk like it is for Mexico and the US now.

I'm all for Africa getting more places, they've held their own for a number of tournaments now and it's a region where good teams don't qualify every tournament with ease, as this year shows. In fact if I ran the World Cup I'd give Africa the two World Cup spots I'd take off Asia :) Europe would get the one that came from CONCACAF.

[ISiddiqui]

The difference is that the teams that just miss out in Europe aren't 1st round fodder like half the Asian/CONCACAF qualifiers, last World Cup the Netherlands didn't make it, this World Cup it looks like Turkey and Norway will be out, along with Romania/Ireland/Denmark/Greece/Russia. All teams that would walk through CONCACAF and Asia. Qualification should mean something, not just be an easy cakewalk like it is for Mexico and the US now.

I'm all for Africa getting more places, they've held their own for a number of tournaments now and it's a region where good teams don't qualify every tournament with ease, as this year shows. In fact if I ran the World Cup I'd give Africa the two World Cup spots I'd take off Asia :) Europe would get the one that came from CONCACAF.Have you followed the US before this year? :D This is the FIRST year that the US didn't qualify on the last game. So, no, it hasn't been a cake walk for the US. Not until this year. The US team that almost made it to the semis backed into the Finals through qualifying.

And if the Netherlands in 2002 and Turkey and friend are out in this year, too bad, you weren't good enough. It's like the NFL. You can be a better team than the ones who make the playoffs in the other conference, but if your record isn't good enough in your conference too bad.

FIFA is trying to get more countries involved and spread the popularity of the game. The Finals are their biggest advertizement and they'll try to get all the eyeballs they can on it.

I'd keep the same number of spaces for CONCACAF and Asia. Those conferences will get better, as the top end of CONCACAF has gotten better over the years.

[Desnudo]

Why don't we just dismiss the qualifications and move to a five team showdown between France, Germany, Italy, Brazil, and Argentina? You really think Romania, Ireland, Denmark, Greece, and Russia would walk through CONCACAF? Maybe in years where one of them is fielding a particularly strong team, but I think you overrate the quality of the mid-tier European teams.

[Critch]

No, I've followed long enough to know that even when the US has a disasterous qualifying campaign, they still get in. That's what I mean by it being easy.

Europe should get one of the Asian qualifying places now, it was alright taking Israel when they weren't good enough to challenge, but now they're actually in the running for a qualification Asia should either take them back or give up the place they'd almost certainly get in the Asian qualifiers :)

[ISiddiqui]

Also in CONCACAF, Costa Rica, the #3 qualifier gave France a run for its money in the friendly two days ago, and France was fielding a team with a number of its best players. They also drew Turkey 1-1 in the first round of WC2002.

[ISiddiqui]

No, I've followed long enough to know that even when the US has a disasterous qualifying campaign, they still get in. That's what I mean by it being easy.:confused:

So the US has always had disasterous qualifying until this year? When that's the norm, I fail to see how you can call it 'disasterous'.

I stand by my statement that NO conference should get half of the teams in the World Cup. Maybe Europe should get one more (so they'd get 15, one less than half) from Asia or the spot that Bahrain and T&T are battling over, but beyond that, forget it. There is already a UEFA tourney. This isn't it.

[Critch]

Why don't we just dismiss the qualifications and move to a five team showdown between France, Germany, Italy, Brazil, and Argentina? You really think Romania, Ireland, Denmark, Greece, and Russia would walk through CONCACAF?

Yes, I do think they would walk through CONCACAF. I've just watched the team that finished 4th in CONCACAF in their playoff, they had a player who is 37 and played in the Scottish First division last season as their star, they've got a guy who was released by Dundee United and now plays in the Scottish First Division, they've got a reserve player from one of the worst Rangers teams in recent history. Top it all off with Port Vale players and Dwight Yorke (who I thought had retired, but apparently he plays in Australia now since being released by Birmingham).

There isn't another region, other than Asia, where they'd have the slightest chance.

[Critch]

:confused:

So the US has always had disasterous qualifying until this year? When that's the norm, I fail to see how you can call it 'disasterous'.

I stand by my statement that NO conference should get half of the teams in the World Cup. Maybe Europe should get one more (so they'd get 15, one less than half) from Asia or the spot that Bahrain and T&T are battling over, but beyond that, forget it. There is already a UEFA tourney. This isn't it.

No, I meant that the last qualifying campaign was fairly disasterous. Losing at home to Honduras, getting beat a couple of times by Costa Rica, but still qualifying. The US and Mexico should both have to perform well to get there, not just turn up.

At the moment Europe gets 13 teams, it's only 14 this time because of the hosts. I'd argue 1 more and at least 1 more for Africa from the weaker regions.

[ISiddiqui]

No, I meant that the last qualifying campaign was fairly disasterous. Losing at home to Honduras, getting beat a couple of times by Costa Rica, but still qualifying. The US and Mexico should both have to perform well to get there, not just turn up.Last qualifying campaign was just as strong as any they've had. A big ingenious saying it was disasterous after the fact, when they did no better in their history.

[Critch]

Ok, disasterous was the wrong thing to call it. Seriously less than impressive might be closer, and a set of performances that wouldn't have resulted in qualification from most other regions.

With the the three guarenteed qualifiers plus the 4th place playoff against a weak Asian team, the US and/or Mexico would have to underperform to an amazing extent to fail to reach a World Cup. I think it should take more than that to be qualifiers.

My main complaint isn't CONCACAF though, I don't think the 4th place team should get the easiest of the playoff opponents. It's Asia that I think has too many qualifiers.

[ISiddiqui]

Well I wouldn't protest too much if Asia lost one spot, making it 3.5 spots for both Asia and CONCACAF and giving that one to Africa. Though I wouldn't back much more than that... remember I like the whole we take a good number of teams from the rest of the world stuff ;).

[Critch]

Asia losing at least one spot to Africa is what I'd go for. And for the nations that were part of the USSR which are in Asia to be in the Asian confederation and not tagged onto Europe. And for Europe to get rid of Israel now that they are getting good.

I'd also like them to get rid of the inter-region playoffs, they never really fitted in with the whole qualifying campaign, they were just passed around as promises to get confederations to vote for Blatter. I'd guess FIFA makes too much money from tv rights to think about removing them though.

I'm not sure what's going to happen to Oceania now that Australia are skipping out, but if they're still getting a playoff spot, whoever has to play against New Zealand (I presume) should be happy enough. Also don't know what will happen with the Hosts spot, if Africa will go up one and Europe down one next time around.

[Crapshoot]

I think Critch has a point in that CONCAF has extra spots. Now, the US is the best team in the region, and will get through anyways, but the idea of a good team losing a spot because Costa Rica or Bahrain can play is ridiculous, given the ease of the other's qualifications.

[Critch]

the US is the best team in the region

They are? Any Mexicans about to discuss this? :D

[Easy Mac]

They are? Any Mexicans about to discuss this? :D
Well, since 2000 we've beaten them 7 times, drawn 1 time and lost 2 times... so I would hope not.

[Critch]

Dola

Following on from the exciting soccer weekend theme (you remember that, it's what happened before ISiddiqui and I decided to fix the World Cup), tomorrow we've got Stockport v Barnet and Blackpool v Scunthorpe on Setanta in the morning, Big Ten and/or ACC Final in the early afternoon, then the MLS final in the late afternoon.

Another good day of soccer.

[Easy Mac]

i get abc :)

anyone know how to hack comcast?

[ISiddiqui]

I think Critch has a point in that CONCAF has extra spots. Now, the US is the best team in the region, and will get through anyways, but the idea of a good team losing a spot because Costa Rica or Bahrain can play is ridiculous, given the ease of the other's qualifications.You mean Trinidad & Tobago :D. Costa Rica has qualified and isn't half bad.

[Critch]

Well, since 2000 we've beaten them 7 times, drawn 1 time and lost 2 times... so I would hope not.

Didn't realize that it was quite so one sided recently. Though I guess your average Mexican would say that the US can't claim to be best til they've actually won a game in Mexico :)

[Easy Mac]

To which I would reply, they can't talk until there's payback for the world cup... that or ¿usted tiene un trabajo?

[Desnudo]

Robert Kraft to invest in Liverpool?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=348687&cc=5901

[Critch]

Robert Kraft to invest in Liverpool?

Interesting one. Wonder if he'd be prepared to try and challenge Chelsea financially?

I'd be disappointed if Kraft took over. He's always seemed like a good owner with a real interest in sport. I'd be hoping for some rich lunatic to take over Liverpool, rip as much cash out of the fans as possible, then shut the club down and build shops on their stadium.

[Easy Mac]

On the Liverppol people's visit to new england to see the pats and revs:
"It certainly wasn't a secret visit, having attended two games with a combined attendance of over 100,000 people," Parry told the Liverpool Web site.

Yeah, 90K was the pats

[SirFozzie]

More like 20+K for the Revs, but yeah...

[MIJB#19]

Why don't we just dismiss the qualifications and move to a five team showdown between France, Germany, Italy, Brazil, and Argentina? You really think Romania, Ireland, Denmark, Greece, and Russia would walk through CONCACAF? Maybe in years where one of them is fielding a particularly strong team, but I think you overrate the quality of the mid-tier European teams.Are you kidding me? There are about 25 to 30 European countries good enough to qualify through the CONCACAF zone. I think even close-to-bottom-tier islands like Iceland and Cyprus would stand a good chance in the CONCACAF to qualify. Heck, I'd even see Andorra capable of reaching the final round of six teams, providing they play like they do in the European zone. And that may be the big point of this. The middle tier teams in Europe have such astrong competition, they have to fight for their lives to be able to get into the World Cup. The USA and Mexico get no competition and still get away with pretty bad teams qualifying every four years, simply because they know they can get away with playing bad in half of their games.

Still, I agree with your first statement. The whole qualifying stage is fun and all, but the field of 32 teams is complete non-sence. Back to the pre-1980's format of 16 teams, I'd say. A host country, seven European teams, Brazil, Argentina and then the rest of the world (Colombia, Uruguay, Mexico, USA, Japan, Korea, Australia(?) and the African countries) fighting for the remaining six tickets. Or at least return to the 24-team format. I seriously doubt that the 25th through 32nd teams have had any additional value to the tournament. Of the past two world cups, the only good additions were probably Senegal (took advantage of extra Africa tickets) in 2002, Croatia (took advantage of extra European tickets) in 1998, and Turkey (extra European tickets) in 2002.

[RPI-Fan]

People don't seem to understand the way CONCACAF teams play... we play a team game (this is accentuated by the U.S.) that the European's couldn't dream of. The U.S.'s list of club teams isn't really all that impressive -- based on their individual players alone, you'd probably rate them 30th-40th in the world. However, it's quite clear that they're a very good 2nd-tier team (behind Brazil, Argentina, England, Germany, Spain, Italy), and pretty much establishing themselves as a top 10 team.

All of this is because the national team is the focus for American (and Central American/Caribbean) soccer players, while in Europe it's just a way to show off to get a big contract offer.

[RPI-Fan]

Wahhh....

I'm mad the U.S. is better than my team, and mad that we didn't qualify for the last World Cup so now I'll blame anybody but my own team.

Wahhhhh......

:rolleyes:

[MIJB#19]

What was I thinking when I wrote that? :o

[ISiddiqui]

People don't seem to understand the way CONCACAF teams play... we play a team game (this is accentuated by the U.S.) that the European's couldn't dream of. The U.S.'s list of club teams isn't really all that impressive -- based on their individual players alone, you'd probably rate them 30th-40th in the world. However, it's quite clear that they're a very good 2nd-tier team (behind Brazil, Argentina, England, Germany, Spain, Italy), and pretty much establishing themselves as a top 10 team.

All of this is because the national team is the focus for American (and Central American/Caribbean) soccer players, while in Europe it's just a way to show off to get a big contract offer.I'd also love to see a team like Denmark or Belgium play on the rock garden they call fields in countries like Panama and T&T. And the abuse heaped on them from the fans (including bags of piss). And don't forget the refs. They think they got it rough in away games? It's like a war in some games of CONCACAF.

[Critch]

All of this is because the national team is the focus for American (and Central American/Caribbean) soccer players, while in Europe it's just a way to show off to get a big contract offer.

US World Cup recent results v European teams
1990 World Cup
lost to Czechoslovakia 5-1
lost to Italy 1-0
lost to Austria 2-1

1994 World Cup
drew with Switzerland 1-1
lost to Romania 1-0

1998 World Cup
lost to Germany 2-0
lost to Yugoslavia 1-0

2002 World Cup
beat Portugal 3-2
lost to Poland 3-1
lost to Germany 1-0

Yeah, really showing those lazy Europeans who's boss with the team spirit :) Ten games that actually meant something, 1 win, 1 draw and 8 defeats.

And the US better than the Netherlands? I wouldn't bet on it.

[Desnudo]

Are you kidding me? There are about 25 to 30 European countries good enough to qualify through the CONCACAF zone. I think even close-to-bottom-tier islands like Iceland and Cyprus would stand a good chance in the CONCACAF to qualify. Heck, I'd even see Andorra capable of reaching the final round of six teams, providing they play like they do in the European zone. And that may be the big point of this. The middle tier teams in Europe have such astrong competition, they have to fight for their lives to be able to get into the World Cup. The USA and Mexico get no competition and still get away with pretty bad teams qualifying every four years, simply because they know they can get away with playing bad in half of their games.

Still, I agree with your first statement. The whole qualifying stage is fun and all, but the field of 32 teams is complete non-sence. Back to the pre-1980's format of 16 teams, I'd say. A host country, seven European teams, Brazil, Argentina and then the rest of the world (Colombia, Uruguay, Mexico, USA, Japan, Korea, Australia(?) and the African countries) fighting for the remaining six tickets. Or at least return to the 24-team format. I seriously doubt that the 25th through 32nd teams have had any additional value to the tournament. Of the past two world cups, the only good additions were probably Senegal (took advantage of extra Africa tickets) in 2002, Croatia (took advantage of extra European tickets) in 1998, and Turkey (extra European tickets) in 2002.

I completely disagree with your assertion. To me it reeks of the same arrogance that still pervades European football regarding new world talent. I will guarantee you that Iceland, Andorra, and Cyprus would be going no where fast in CONCACAF. Please get serious and look at the teams before making blanket statements. Like was mentioned before, I'd love to see Romania or Denark running around on a water logged field in Panama.

[moriarty]

Interesting one. Wonder if he'd be prepared to try and challenge Chelsea financially?

I'd be disappointed if Kraft took over. He's always seemed like a good owner with a real interest in sport. I'd be hoping for some rich lunatic to take over Liverpool, rip as much cash out of the fans as possible, then shut the club down and build shops on their stadium.

Kraft won't take over b/c they're not willing to give him a majority interest. Most likely he would just be a cash infusion and minority owner.

Regardless, he's no Roman Abromovich (sp?) so they won't be spending like Chelsea anytime soon. More likely just trying to keep pace with Arsenal and close to ManU.

[moriarty]

Dola - USA team needs to find a striker fast.

Ching is not the answer, McBride isn't getting younger, and EJ has me worried with the injury. I like Donovan playing behind the strikers ... although he may have to play up front. Seems like a real weakness for us heading into this summer.