Soccer Thread 2015-16

[MrBug708]

Classic Jurgy..

[PilotMan]

This has to be a positive at least. If only in opportunities.

The United States Cap-Tied Two Very Good Dual Nationals Last Night

[BishopMVP]

Btw, not sure if posters (particularly the non-American ones) saw that US Soccer has now banned headers in U10 games due to concussion concerns.

[PilotMan]

Technically it was to settle a large lawsuit. So take that for what it is.

[AlexB]

Interesting potential consequence of the ban mooted by The Secret Footballer...

The Secret Footballer | TSF Newsbeat: Shahid Khan, Roy Keane, US Soccer

Could be a good idea in the long term, although I initially thought on the flip side it could also mean play becomes a bit one dimensional and easier to defend against, then and again how many times did Barca sling in a cross for a big centre forward and it didn't do them too much harm.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Btw, not sure if posters (particularly the non-American ones) saw that US Soccer has now banned headers in U10 games due to concussion concerns.

This led to some fascinating discussion at the games. Some of the points made by TSF were made. The other points being made were related to coaching.

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Btw, not sure if posters (particularly the non-American ones) saw that US Soccer has now banned headers in U10 games due to concussion concerns.

I did notice that KNVB (Dutch FA) said they won't do that, and reading up on it, the statement was a direct response to the changes in the USA.

[Marc Vaughan]

I have to say that I find the entire furore around concussions in soccer to be a tad strange, yes its a physical sport - yes there can be consequences to a physical sport .. are they common no not particularly, its up to each individual to weigh up whether the fitness and enjoyment they get from an activity is worth the inherent risk, whether thats soccer, riding motorbikes or being fat and obese because you're a glutton who does nothing but watch Netflix

Life is all about choices and consequences ... and shit happens.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Marc Vaughan

I have to say that I find the entire furore around concussions in soccer to be a tad strange, yes its a physical sport - yes there can be consequences to a physical sport .. are they common no not particularly, its up to each individual to weigh up whether the fitness and enjoyment they get from an activity is worth the inherent risk, whether thats soccer, riding motorbikes or being fat and obese because you're a glutton who does nothing but watch Netflix

Life is all about choices and consequences ... and shit happens.

Concussions are more frequent in soccer than even a sport like lacrosse which appears much more violent. I doubt its due to actual heading, but about people sticking their necks out (literally) where they shouldn't be. I know personally my worst concussion was in soccer where I was stretching my neck for a cross and the goalie cleaned me out (cleanly, legally).

That also gets away from the CTE concerns, which as we remember is due to repeated sub-concussive blows (I.e. heading a ball.)

I don't know what the exact answer is, I really don't even think the scientists know yet, but I have no problem restricting the headers at the 6v6 level - even if it probably makes no difference, and I don't buy the argument it'll make players better due to being forced to play to feet, it doesn't hurt anything.

But hey, I'm also a guy who basically stopped contesting headers outside the 18-yard boxes. Jump with the guy, nudge him enough so he can't win it clean and win the 2nd ball.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Marc Vaughan

I have to say that I find the entire furore around concussions in soccer to be a tad strange, yes its a physical sport - yes there can be consequences to a physical sport .. are they common no not particularly, its up to each individual to weigh up whether the fitness and enjoyment they get from an activity is worth the inherent risk, whether thats soccer, riding motorbikes or being fat and obese because you're a glutton who does nothing but watch Netflix

Life is all about choices and consequences ... and shit happens.

Marc, you sound like many of us Americans do when talking American football. You neanderthal you!

[miami_fan]

That is a tough handball call on Bosnia.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

That is a tough handball call on Bosnia.

Shurg. Hand was away from the body, it was a dangerous cross from inside the box headed to the 6, so as a neutral I wouldn't have a problem if it was called either way. Plus fwiw, I think a 1-0 Ireland scoreline fits the gameflow so far. Granted I don't follow these teams too closely, but I'm a little surprised Ireland appears to be the better side so far.

EDIT - looking again, maybe not. I thought the cross hit his left hand from that angle, not the right that was against the body.

[ISiddiqui]

A really cool article in the Guardian about FC Dallas and its youth academy focus in MLS, as opposed to buying big named DPs:

How FC Dallas and their homegrown model could revolutionize US soccer | Football | The Guardian

They seem an unlikely pair to be pushing the cause of American soccer: Clavijo the South American, and Pareja who played for the Colombian national team. But they are also resilient men who do not believe in obstacles. Pareja once played in a match against cartel leader Pablo Escobar that was held in Escobar’s private prison, while Clavijo battles multiple myeloma talking about “driving this monster out of me.”

Neither appears afraid to fail in the name of a bigger purpose. They are certain they are presenting a model to the rest of the MLS and the US national team. And they wonder if anyone else is watching.

“I hope to God that there is a way to help the US soccer team and the MLS grow,” Clavijo says. “To have a country this size with the number of athletes who can be fit and healthy, we have everything to be the best and we are not. But here at FC Dallas we want to change that.”

“It’s easy to go buy the best player,” he says, still staring out across the field. “You can pay $10m. What’s it worth? But if you find a young player and develop him and six years later you win a championship with him that’s a great story.”

Then he pauses. He lets out a sigh.

“But some people don’t care,” he says.

They can’t see the future of US soccer.

I'm rooting for FC Dallas to take the MLS Cup this year. It's a great model they've developed and they deserve to be copied.

[miami_fan]

Seems like we all had the same reaction to the US-TNT match.

[Solecismic]

Humorous own-goal. Looks like something right out of Candid Camera.

Thurrock’s Kamarl Duncan scored one of the craziest wind-assisted own goals ever v Romford - YouTube

It must be difficult to play on a windy day. Either that, or Nike is playing one heck of a trick on these guys.

[miami_fan]

Someone want touch up Rafa Benitez's CV?

[SirFozzie]

Real Madrid got thrown in the Barca-Lounger.

"Hey, we just went down 3-0 at home, and the other team put one of the five best players in the world on as a sub.. We have this!"

(Isco gets sent off for sweeping Neymar's leg.. at the kneecap)

"Never mind."

[sovereignstar v2]

City could've lost to Liverpool by ten goals today. What a shower of shit. God I hope Pep already decided to come next summer lol.

[AlexB]

We are top of the league, said we are top of the league!

Near the end of November as well! I am clearly in a parallel universe... Now it's time for the tough fixtures to kick in, but will enjoy it for a week

[AlexB]

Couple of quirky stats from the weekend:

After 13 matches last year Leicester were bottom of the league. This year we're top.

WBA had one shot on target against Arsenal. WBA won 2-1.

[flere-imsaho]

Really happy for Leicester fans. Hope it continues for you guys.

Great Michael Cox write-up on how Liverpool overran Man City: Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool overpowered Manchester City with intensity | Michael Cox | Football | The Guardian

[sovereignstar v2]

Should be a follow-up article with how pathetic City's lineup and tactics were.

[AlexB]

This is hilarious - definitely NSFW because of the impressive frequency of swearing. The man is not at all happy

NEWCASTLE 0-3 LEICESTER | CHAT SHIT GET BANGED - YouTube

[Easy Mac]

There have been 200 passes in the Barca-Roma match in just over 20 minutes. Barca has 83% of them.

[ISiddiqui]

Holy crap, Barca! 4-0 over Real Madrid this weekend (without Messi) and then 6-1 over Roma in CL today. They are just playing insanely good!

[ISiddiqui]

Drogba: Playing in MLS “more difficult than playing in the Premier League” | Soccer By Ives

Drogba echoing Gerrand (and Henry before him) that the MLS is actually far more difficult to play in than most Euros expect due to the insane travel. Well... insane compared to European leagues. Also having to deal with 95+ degrees in Dallas. Or going from sea level to a 5000+ feet above sea level when playing in Colorado. The travel challenges are a pretty interesting consideration. Something players in European leagues don't necessarily have to concern themselves with (aside from CL matches).

[AlexB]

Big game today: 1st v. 2nd. Will be watching the game with a Utd fan, so that will add to the joy/pain of the result! Haven't been this excited for a game for a long time.

[MrBug708]

Beautiful win for Palace against Newcastle

[miami_fan]

What a brilliant pass and run by Leicester City. Vardy has the PL record.

[AlexB]

Vardy's goal is up there in the best moments I've ever had in my football supporting life... Off the top of my head, in no particular order apart from the first, and edited out the England moments to make it a round 10 (this became more thoughtful than I thought it would be!)

• Steve Thompson equalising in the play off final again Swindon (without doubt my best moment ever at a football match, followed by the worst about 15 minutes later)
• Steve Claridge scoring the winner in the Play off final against Palace
• Steve Claridge scoring the winner in the League Cup final replay against Boro
• Ian Marshall scoring aganst Atletico Madrid in the Vicente Calderon to make it 1-0
• Andy Peake's goals against Liverpool
• Tony James's goal to keep us up
• Ian Ormondroyd's goal against Portsmouth in the play off semi final
• Julian Joachim's goal aganst Barnsley
• Vardy's goal & Cambiassio's goal against Utd last year
• Steve Walsh's goal against Arsenal to make it 3-3 (when Bergkamp scored a hat-trick: if you only pick two YouTube highlights from this post, try this game and the Swindon playoff final, amazing games)

Drinking Leffe in the afternoon may have been a mistake!

[AlexB]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

What a brilliant pass and run by Leicester City. Vardy has the PL record.

And has equalled Stan Mortensen's all-time English league record. I would put good money on the fact that this is the first time that Stan Mortensen has been mentioned on this forum

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Hoping this doesn't come to fruition. Would hate to see Vermes anywhere other than the Sporting KC sideline.

Peter Vermes a target of two Premier League clubs - report - ESPN FC

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by AlexB

[*]Julian Joachim's goal aganst Barnsley

Sometimes it surprises me people around here only recognize names of skilled players through the Football Manager series, but this name for me is actually a name I recognize exclusively through Sensible World of Soccer. Apparently I'm guilty of that as well.

[MizzouCowboy]

FC Dallas is really trying to make this last 10 minutes interesting. Down 4-3 on aggregate.

[bhlloy]

So way too early and you should probably caution against drawing any conclusions from a midweek league cup match, but Liverpool just destroyed a full strength Southampton team at home. If Klopp turns it around there with the financial backing behind him, the Premiership could get really interesting next year or even the rest of this season.

[SirFozzie]

Double Whammy for FIFA, reporting $100 Million loss on the year...

oh yeah, and fresh arrests at the same hotel FIFA were staying at last time.

Log In - The New York Times

[AlexB]

Top of the league again

[Marc Vaughan]

Brighton 0-2 down at half-time, still losing 1-2 with 5 minutes to go ... match finishes with us winning 3-2 ...

[whomario]

Originally Posted by AlexB

Top of the league again

I caught that game and while Swansea is clearly struggling, Leicester really impressed me. Enjoy the ride !


In the Bundesliga meanwhile, Bayern finally lost their first game at Gladbach. After winning on a brilliant last seconds goal at Wolfsburg, Dortmund is "only" 5 points back. If not for the stupid loss to Hamburg last week it´d be just 2 ...

Standing after 15 games:

Bayern 40 (+35 GD !)
Dortmund 35
Gladbach 26 (after loosing the first 5 games and Favre quitting, they rattled off 8 wins and 2 draws in their last 10)

[The Jackal]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

So way too early and you should probably caution against drawing any conclusions from a midweek league cup match, but Liverpool just destroyed a full strength Southampton team at home. If Klopp turns it around there with the financial backing behind him, the Premiership could get really interesting next year or even the rest of this season.

Wasted too much midweek?

[cthomer5000]

MLS announces possible plans to expand league to 28 teams

Pretty incredible that there were just 10 teams as recently as 2005. Now at 20 with 3 more teams coming in the next few years, and tons of cities lobbying to get in as well.

[Wolfpack]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

MLS announces possible plans to expand league to 28 teams

Pretty incredible that there were just 10 teams as recently as 2005. Now at 20 with 3 more teams coming in the next few years, and tons of cities lobbying to get in as well.

I think this was an attempt to continue to buy time for Beckham to get his team in Miami by pretty much admitting at this point the Miami team isn't going to be the 24th team with all the stadium problems they've had. With the news that Sacramento is about to commit to building its own stadium, it looks like the soccer team there is the next in line to get "promoted" to MLS after Atlanta, Minnesota, and LAFC.

[Young Drachma]

MLS expansion is completely insane. Like, seriously. Can we get real free agency before we have 28 teams in a league that's centrally owned? Bleh.

- Swansea City continues to freefall, but sacking the manager probably doesn't make any sense right now.

- Timbers winning MLS Cup a lot faster than I expected. Pretty awesome. Best fans in MLS. Decided I was a Timbers fan for years before they joined MLS. Hated the Red Bulls rebrand and was never a MetroStars fan anyway. Then they joined the league and so, this is super cool. Also noticed there are quite a few foreign MLS fans scrolling the hashtag today, which surprised me. Not like expats, either.

- Been watching LigaMX this year after picking a team and it's a really entertaining league to watch. And it's one of those deals where when I watch EPL, I don't always really understand the subtle differences, but you watch LigaMX after watching MLS and it's like "oooh...now I understand why MLS is considered so poorly." Joined the Toluca bandwagon and disappointed they were playing mad defensive, but it happens. I like the split season, means I won't have to wait a while for more. LigaMX is kind best of both worlds, because they have playoffs, but it's not boring. Nobody really tweeting in English about it, though.

[Ryche]

Originally Posted by Young Drachma

- Swansea City continues to freefall, but sacking the manager probably doesn't make any sense right now.

I don't really think they can wait any longer, Monk is showing he has no idea how to fix this. If he truly thinks Britton, Routledge and Bartley should be starting while Cork, Fernandez, Shelvey and Montero are on the bench, he's not the man for the job.

[bhlloy]

Just saw the goals... Between the goalie losing his mind and the ball being half a foot out of bounds and the Crew player stopping on the second goal, that was a really bizarre final. If I was a Columbus fan I am not sure how I'd be dealing with that loss at all.

[britrock88]

Oh, before I forget again... Stoke over MC wooooo

[ISiddiqui]

Really entertaining MLS Cup Final! I think Portland probably could have scored a few more, but Columbus's GK was fantastic (aside from that one bad play letting in a goal... but really, 3 or 4 goals should have been scored by the Timbers, so it evens out). Good soccer weekend (esp since Newcastle somehow beat Liverpool).

Originally Posted by Wolfpack

I think this was an attempt to continue to buy time for Beckham to get his team in Miami by pretty much admitting at this point the Miami team isn't going to be the 24th team with all the stadium problems they've had. With the news that Sacramento is about to commit to building its own stadium, it looks like the soccer team there is the next in line to get "promoted" to MLS after Atlanta, Minnesota, and LAFC.

Considering that Miami has secured a site now (in Overtown), they really didn't need to "buy time". This was simple a response to added interest by other teams. Not just Sacramento, mind (which has been told a few times to wait), but also San Antonio, which is basically ready. The Indy Eleven have also secured a stadium plan that would suit them for MLS. And St. Louis has some promise (would be especially nice considering the huge influence on US Soccer that St. Louis has).

[MIJB#19]

UEFA Champions League scenarios for this week:

Group A	Paris Saint-Germain wins	draw	Shakhtar Donetsk wins
Real Madrid wins	1 Real Madrid 2 Paris Saint-Germain 3 Shakhtar Donetsk 4 Malmö FF	1 Real Madrid 2 Paris Saint-Germain 3 Shakhtar Donetsk 4 Malmö FF	1 Real Madrid 2 Paris Saint-Germain 3 Shakhtar Donetsk 4 Malmö FF
draw	1 Real Madrid 2 Paris Saint-Germain 3 Malmö FF 4 Shakhtar Donetsk	1 Real Madrid 2 Paris Saint-Germain 3 Shakhtar Donetsk 4 Malmö FF	1 Real Madrid 2 Paris Saint-Germain 3 Shakhtar Donetsk 4 Malmö FF
Malmö FF FF wins	1 Real Madrid 2 Paris Saint-Germain 3 Malmö FF 4 Shakhtar Donetsk	1 Real Madrid 2 Paris Saint-Germain 3 Malmö FF 4 Shakhtar Donetsk	1 Real Madrid 2 Paris Saint-Germain 3 Shakhtar Donetsk 4 Malmö FF

Group B	PSV Eindhoven wins	draw	CSKA Moskva wins
VfL Wolfsburg wins	1 VfL Wolfsburg 2 PSV Eindhoven 3 Manchester United 4 CSKA Moskva	1 VfL Wolfsburg 2 PSV Eindhoven 3 Manchester United 4 CSKA Moskva	1 VfL Wolfsburg 2 Manchester United 3 CSKA Moskva 4 PSV Eindhoven
draw	* VfL Wolfsburg * PSV Eindhoven 3 Manchester United 4 CSKA Moskva	1 VfL Wolfsburg 2 Manchester United 3 PSV Eindhoven 4 CSKA Moskva	1 VfL Wolfsburg 2 Manchester United 3 CSKA Moskva 4 PSV Eindhoven
Manchester United wins	1 Manchester United 2 PSV Eindhoven 3 VfL Wolfsburg 4 CSKA Moskva	1 Manchester United 2 VfL Wolfsburg 3 PSV Eindhoven 4 CSKA Moskva	1 Manchester United 2 VfL Wolfsburg 3 CSKA Moskva 4 PSV Eindhoven

* 1st and 2nd place determined on overall goal difference (VfL Wolfsburg +2, PSV Eindhoven 0+result),
if tied, on most goals scored (currently tied at 6 each),
if tied, on most road goals (VfL Wolfsburg 3, PSV Eindhoven 2)

Group C	Benfica wins	draw	Atlético Madrid wins
Galatsaray wins	1 Benfica 2 Atlético Madrid 3 Galatsaray 4 FK Astana	1 Atlético Madrid 2 Benfica 3 Galatsaray 4 FK Astana	1 Atlético Madrid 2 Benfica 3 Galatsaray 4 FK Astana
draw	1 Benfica 2 Atlético Madrid 3 Galatsaray 4 FK Astana	1 Atlético Madrid 2 Benfica 3 Galatsaray 4 FK Astana	1 Atlético Madrid 2 Benfica 3 Galatsaray 4 FK Astana
FK Astana wins	1 Benfica 2 Atlético Madrid 3 FK Astana 4 Galatsaray	1 Atlético Madrid 2 Benfica 3 FK Astana 4 Galatsaray	1 Atlético Madrid 2 Benfica 3 FK Astana 4 Galatsaray

Group D	Sevilla wins	draw	Juventus wins
Manchester City wins	1 Manchester City 2 Juventus 3 Sevilla 4 Borussia Mönchengladbach	1 Juventus 2 Manchester City 3 Borussia Mönchengladbach 4 Sevilla	1 Juventus 2 Manchester City 3 Borussia Mönchengladbach 4 Sevilla
draw	1 Juventus 2 Manchester City 3 Sevilla 4 Borussia Mönchengladbach	1 Juventus 2 Manchester City 3 Borussia Mönchengladbach 4 Sevilla	1 Juventus 2 Manchester City 3 Borussia Mönchengladbach 4 Sevilla
Borussia Mönchengladbach wins	1 Juventus 2 Manchester City 3 Borussia Mönchengladbach 4 Sevilla	1 Juventus 2 Manchester City 3 Borussia Mönchengladbach 4 Sevilla	1 Juventus 2 Manchester City 3 Borussia Mönchengladbach 4 Sevilla

Group E	Bayer Leverkusen wins	draw	FC Barcelona wins
AS Roma wins	1 FC Barcelona 2 AS Roma 3 Bayer Leverkusen 4 BATE Borisov	1 FC Barcelona 2 AS Roma 3 Bayer Leverkusen 4 BATE Borisov	1 FC Barcelona 2 AS Roma 3 Bayer Leverkusen 4 BATE Borisov
draw	1 FC Barcelona 2 Bayer Leverkusen 3 AS Roma 4 BATE Borisov	1 FC Barcelona 2 AS Roma 3 Bayer Leverkusen 4 BATE Borisov	1 FC Barcelona 2 AS Roma 3 Bayer Leverkusen 4 BATE Borisov
BATE Borisov wins	1 FC Barcelona 2 Bayer Leverkusen 3 BATE Borisov 4 AS Roma	1 FC Barcelona 2 BATE Borisov 3 Bayer Leverkusen 4 AS Roma	1 FC Barcelona 2 BATE Borisov 3 AS Roma 4 Bayer Leverkusen

Group F	Dinamo Zagreb wins	draw	Bayern München wins
Olympiacos Piraeus wins	1 Bayern München 2 Olympiacos Piraeus 3 Arsenal 4 Dinamo Zagreb	1 Bayern München 2 Olympiacos Piraeus 3 Arsenal 4 Dinamo Zagreb	1 Bayern München 2 Olympiacos Piraeus 3 Arsenal 4 Dinamo Zagreb
draw	1 Bayern München 2 Olympiacos Piraeus 3 Arsenal 4 Dinamo Zagreb	1 Bayern München 2 Olympiacos Piraeus 3 Arsenal 4 Dinamo Zagreb	1 Bayern München 2 Olympiacos Piraeus 3 Arsenal 4 Dinamo Zagreb
Arsenal wins	1 Bayern München 2 Arsenal 3 Olympiacos Piraeus 4 Dinamo Zagreb	1 Bayern München 2 Arsenal 3 Olympiacos Piraeus 4 Dinamo Zagreb	1 Bayern München 2 Arsenal 3 Olympiacos Piraeus 4 Dinamo Zagreb

Group G	Chelsea wins	draw	FC Porto wins
Dynamo Kiev wins	1 Chelsea 2 Dynamo Kiev 3 FC Porto 4 Maccabi Tel-Aviv	1 Dynamo Kiev 2 Chelsea 3 FC Porto 4 Maccabi Tel-Aviv	1 FC Porto 2 Dynamo Kiev 3 Chelsea 4 Maccabi Tel-Aviv
draw	1 Chelsea 2 FC Porto 3 Dynamo Kiev 4 Maccabi Tel-Aviv	1 FC Porto 2 Chelsea 3 Dynamo Kiev 4 Maccabi Tel-Aviv	1 FC Porto 2 Chelsea 3 Dynamo Kiev 4 Maccabi Tel-Aviv
Maccabi Tel-Aviv wins	1 Chelsea 2 FC Porto 3 Dynamo Kiev 4 Maccabi Tel-Aviv	1 FC Porto 2 Chelsea 3 Dynamo Kiev 4 Maccabi Tel-Aviv	1 FC Porto 2 Chelsea 3 Dynamo Kiev 4 Maccabi Tel-Aviv

Group H	AA Gent wins	draw	Zenit St. Petersburg wins
Valencia wins	1 Zenit St. Petersburg 2 AA Gent 3 Valencia 4 Olympique Lyon	1 Zenit St. Petersburg 2 Valencia 3 AA Gent 4 Olympique Lyon	1 Zenit St. Petersburg 2 Valencia 3 AA Gent 4 Olympique Lyon
draw	1 Zenit St. Petersburg 2 AA Gent 3 Valencia 4 Olympique Lyon	1 Zenit St. Petersburg 2 AA Gent 3 Valencia 4 Olympique Lyon	1 Zenit St. Petersburg 2 AA Gent 3 Valencia 4 Olympique Lyon
Olympique Lyon wins	1 Zenit St. Petersburg 2 AA Gent 3 Valencia 4 Olympique Lyon	1 Zenit St. Petersburg 2 AA Gent 3 Valencia 4 Olympique Lyon	1 Zenit St. Petersburg 2 AA Gent 3 Valencia 4 Olympique Lyon

[flere-imsaho]

Nice work, MIJB!

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Critch

Outside chance that Italy will overtake England in the UEFA coefficients this year, dropping England down to 4th in the rankings and dropping the EPL down to only 3 Championship League places.

If it doesnt happen this year, good chance for next year though. Italy's bad 2011/2012 will be too far back to count in the rankings, so that'll give them a boost.

Unless EPL teams do better than they have the last couple of years, they'll be down into the second tier of European leagues, and the EPL "4th place trophy" will be worthless.

Just throwing this back out there.