Soccer Thread 2015-16

[RainMaker]

At some point the refereeing in this tournament is not just a coincidence.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by rowech

I've defended him but agree. Team is way too inconsistent and is flat out dreadful at times. Time for him to go with time until qualifying.

This.

[ISiddiqui]

What was the point of starting Alvardo when Gonzalez is there your bench? Why play a 4-4-2 diamond all Gold Cup and in Friendlies before that and then all of a sudden change to a 4-2-3-1 (which ended up being a 4-1-4-1 because Bradley was never back really) all of a sudden in the semis which had people not really knowing where they were supposed to be? Why is Beckerman's only sub apparently Mix? Why is Alan Gordon our off the bench striker?

I've been saying it since last fall, but seriously, Klinsmann out. It's like he has no idea what he wants to accomplish.

[claphamsa]

Originally Posted by cubboyroy1826

Not sure if it is the players picked for the team, a lack of interest on the players or lack of any game plan from Klinsman. Almost looks like Klinsmann felt he just needed to roll the ball out there and let the boys recreate.

that was the comments on him at bayern...he just ran players, and had no idea of tactics. he seems to have brought in talent...but cant coach.

[kingfc22]

Wow. CONCACAF is so shady.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by kingfc22

Wow. CONCACAF is so shady.

The shocking thing... the ref is AMERICAN - Mark Geiger, our World Cup rated ref. Wow!

[kingfc22]

El Chapo strikes again.

[claphamsa]

my spanish is very good...but im not following this.

[miami_fan]

What we got, 10-12 mins of extra time?

[kingfc22]

Just shank this already.

[Arles]

So, is it fair to say the ref has lost control over this match?

[MrBug708]

This is the end of Geiger as a WC ref

[RainMaker]

Can we stop hosting this farce of a tournament? Obviously the fans of these 3rd world shitholes can't handle themselves and it's about as legitimate as pro wrestling.

[Arles]

As to Klinsman, there has to be a better coach with some tactical knowledge/system to bring to the U.S. Team.

[rowech]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

This is the end of Geiger as a WC ref

I really don't think it's as easy as that. I can see why he called it. I wouldn't have but I get it for sure.

[Arles]

I think there's no better tribute to this amazing gold cup than a heavyweight finals matchup of Jamaica and Panama.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Arles

As to Klinsman, there has to be a better coach with some tactical knowledge/system to bring to the U.S. Team.

Our most successful coach of all time was Bruce Arena, who proved himself in college soccer and MLS. I don't see why we don't go back to the MLS well again and hire someone like Caleb Porter or Ben Olsen. I imagine either would be better tactically.

[RainMaker]

Bradley really wasn't that bad.

[Arles]

I think Porter would be a great choice.

[claphamsa]

this game is why soccer will never be accepted in america.

[rowech]

I know it's nuts and there's no way it happens but go after Alex Ferguson. Give him one of his most ultimate challenges and give him three years to get it done. One shot deal, he's in it for just one cycle and a chance to have one last awesome challenge.

[ISiddiqui]

OTOH, that actually was a penalty. The previous one definitely wasn't.

Also, I'm glad I left the Georgia Dome at halftime of this game... I'm really sure I wouldn't want to be there right now.

[claphamsa]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

OTOH, that actually was a penalty. The previous one definitely wasn't.

Also, I'm glad I left the Georgia Dome at halftime of this game... I'm really sure I wouldn't want to be there right now.

because its in Georgia? sorry couldn't, resist

[miami_fan]

Time to kick them off the park

[Karlifornia]

Originally Posted by claphamsa

this game is why soccer will never be accepted in america.

I hear this phrase all the time, and it drives me nuts. You're pointing to one game and saying a whole country is going to write it off eternally?

What about the Russia/USA gold medal basketball game? What about Packers/Seahawks with the replacement refs? Don Denkinger? Jim Joyce and the stolen perfect game? That one goal in the Stars/Sabres finals (don't know the details, but I remember a lot of mad people in the Northeast)?

Tuck rule? Bush Push? Jordan push off against the Jazz?

[ISiddiqui]

I will say, though, that even though a lot of the US fans left after the US lost, the first half of the Mexico game (which I stayed through), the Mexican fans were absolutely electric. They have tons to teach us. Saying that, the US fans were really loud and excited (far more so than any Falcons game I've been at) - Mexican fans just take it to a completely different level in sound and excitement.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

I will say, though, that even though a lot of the US fans left after the US lost, the first half of the Mexico game (which I stayed through), the Mexican fans were absolutely electric. They have tons to teach us. Saying that, the US fans were really loud and excited (far more so than any Falcons game I've been at) - Mexican fans just take it to a completely different level in sound and excitement.

We know how to throw trash on the field already.

[claphamsa]

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

I hear this phrase all the time, and it drives me nuts. You're pointing to one game and saying a whole country is going to write it off eternally?

What about the Russia/USA gold medal basketball game? What about Packers/Seahawks with the replacement refs? Don Denkinger? Jim Joyce and the stolen perfect game? That one goal in the Stars/Sabres finals (don't know the details, but I remember a lot of mad people in the Northeast)?

Tuck rule? Bush Push? Jordan push off against the Jazz?

let me rephrase...the fact that this kind of shit goes on, is why the game will never take off in america, we are a nation of lawyers, and important games being decided by random nonsense is not american

[ISiddiqui]

Well the NBA is successful

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

I hear this phrase all the time, and it drives me nuts. You're pointing to one game and saying a whole country is going to write it off eternally?

What about the Russia/USA gold medal basketball game? What about Packers/Seahawks with the replacement refs? Don Denkinger? Jim Joyce and the stolen perfect game? That one goal in the Stars/Sabres finals (don't know the details, but I remember a lot of mad people in the Northeast)?

Tuck rule? Bush Push? Jordan push off against the Jazz?

Bad calls bring out a ton of outrage here. Imagine if you dealt with mass corruption and fixing of games. Sport is just too dirty to catch on.

[miami_fan]

Wait a minute. I swear I saw this on multiple youth soccer fields throughout the US.

[bhlloy]

Originally Posted by claphamsa

let me rephrase...the fact that this kind of shit goes on, is why the game will never take off in america, we are a nation of lawyers, and important games being decided by random nonsense is not american

Firstly, it's taking off just fine. Second, as already mentioned, have you never watched an NBA game in your life?

[SirFozzie]

Originally Posted by claphamsa

let me rephrase...the fact that this kind of shit goes on, is why the game will never take off in america, we are a nation of lawyers, and important games being decided by random nonsense is not american

deflategate? The Tuck Rule? Holy Roller?

[Butter]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

What we got, 10-12 mins of extra time?

14+.

[Butter]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

What was the point of starting Alvardo when Gonzalez is there your bench? Why play a 4-4-2 diamond all Gold Cup and in Friendlies before that and then all of a sudden change to a 4-2-3-1 (which ended up being a 4-1-4-1 because Bradley was never back really) all of a sudden in the semis which had people not really knowing where they were supposed to be? Why is Beckerman's only sub apparently Mix? Why is Alan Gordon our off the bench striker?

Brooks and Alvarado were not good. Beckerman was a fouling machine in this game, he didn't have the speed to keep up.

I also do not understand the tactics switch to go defensive when the success has been to attack.

Alan Gordon, I thought, was not bad for what he needed to be used for, but our striker choices were pretty terrible anyway. It seemed like once Gordon came on, they stopped trying to play through the middle and just lobbed it up all the time. Gordon won some of them, but he was asked to do a bit much.

That said, this was a bit of a fluke. The looping header is a 1-in-a-1000 shot, and the free kick off the Guzan throw is something that almost never gets called.

[bob]

We also left the Dome at half time, so we didn't get to see the 2nd half shenanigans, but I can't say I'm surprised. When the Panamanian player was given the straight red in the first half, I knew the ref was going to have a bad day. And the Mexican fans, while definitely loud and supportive, went nuts throwing crap on the field. The Mexican goalie had to escort the red carded Panamanian player off the field to get the fans to stop.

As for the US, I'm not sure what to think of the Gold Cup failure. If they win the playoff to get into the Confederation Cup, I don't think it is a big deal, but if they lose that, things become more troubling.

Question for those in the know - if we had won the Gold Cup, did we automatically qualify for the Confederation Cup as the winner of both the 2013 and 15 Gold Cup?

[dacman]

Originally Posted by bob

Question for those in the know - if we had won the Gold Cup, did we automatically qualify for the Confederation Cup as the winner of both the 2013 and 15 Gold Cup?

Yes.

[bob]

Then we shouldn't have been using the knockout stages to try stuff out. If we don't qualify for the Confederation Cup, JK should be held accountable, but won't be.

[Grover]

Even In Mexico, They're Admitting Last Night's Game Was Horseshit

[RainMaker]

I don't understand why there was no security at the game last night. It was a bad look for the tournament (which is a farce now anyways) but shouldn't some security been down there throwing people out?

[RainMaker]

https://www.facebook.com/hernandez.t...6963196531286/

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I don't understand why there was no security at the game last night. It was a bad look for the tournament (which is a farce now anyways) but shouldn't some security been down there throwing people out?

Security was there. The same security that handled the crowd US-Jamaica game?

I am not sure what they could have done unless you are suggesting having the riot police or National Guard in place for this game alone. Security was fine for the first match. Security for the first 23 minutes before the red card. From the international matches that I have seen, the match official is the first line of security at the match. If the match official pulls the teams off the field and refuses to bring the teams back on the field until that section is controlled, then I think he may have settled things down. The next incident was 4 mins.from time. I have no idea how security expects the reaction that came after the first penalty.

It will be interesting to see how they handle the finals. Does CONCACAF treat the Mexican supporters like the Leeds United supporters?

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Security was there. The same security that handled the crowd US-Jamaica game?

I am not sure what they could have done unless you are suggesting having the riot police or National Guard in place for this game alone. Security was fine for the first match. Security for the first 23 minutes before the red card. From the international matches that I have seen, the match official is the first line of security at the match. If the match official pulls the teams off the field and refuses to bring the teams back on the field until that section is controlled, then I think he may have settled things down. The next incident was 4 mins.from time. I have no idea how security expects the reaction that came after the first penalty.

It will be interesting to see how they handle the finals. Does CONCACAF treat the Mexican supporters like the Leeds United supporters?

It wasn't one incident, it was happening all tournament. How about kicking fans out of the arena? Or maybe arresting some? Just made the tournament look bad as well as this country that was hosting it.

Pretty simple solution is the supporters of the teams that have been trashing the field are no longer allowed within 20 rows of the field in this tournament. They've proven they can't behave like adults in a first world country.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

It wasn't one incident, it was happening all tournament. How about kicking fans out of the arena? Or maybe arresting some? Just made the tournament look bad as well as this country that was hosting it.

Pretty simple solution is the supporters of the teams that have been trashing the field are no longer allowed within 20 rows of the field in this tournament. They've proven they can't behave like adults in a first world country.

Typical stadium security is not capable of dealing with this sort of hooliganism (my word, not yours). I have been in stadiums when fans have thrown seat cushions, plastic baseball bats, batteries and other items on the field. I have seen fights between Dolphin and Jet fans at the old Meadowlands and in Sun Life Stadium. I don't remember seeing most of those fans getting kicked out and/or arrested.

Yes there are steps that could be taken to try to stop this lunacy. Identify the potential offenders and ban them before they get a chance to purchase tickets, limit the number of tickets sold to that fan base, search those problem fan bases before they enter the stadium, have cameras on those possible offending sections, etc. However, this does not guarantee 100% success.

As I said in my previous post, the security that they had in the stadium was fine for what they expected. A competitive football match for the right to go to the finals. It seemed to work just fine for first game. It has seemed to work fine for most of the matches of the tournament. If you want to set up rules specifically for one fanbase, those need to be put into place before the tournament to be effective.

As far as your simple solution, I am not sure CONCACAF can be in the business of banning arguably its most rabid supporters from any seats at this point.

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/07/23/gold-...usas-loss.html

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

As I said in my previous post, the security that they had in the stadium was fine for what they expected.

Wait. So you're telling me that this sort of stuff actually surprised anybody?
Seriously?

[Grover]

ZLATAN KEEN ON MLS SWITCH

Zlatan Ibrahimovic would like a move to Major League Soccer before he ends his career.

The 33-year-old is currently in the United States with Paris Saint-Germain on a pre-season tour and admits the thought of playing in America appeals to him.

"I would like to play in the US, absolutely," he told Yahoo Sports. "I think it would be an amazing experience.

"I see that soccer is growing a lot in the US. I was here 10 years ago and soccer was not on the level that it is today, but it's growing.

"It's growing in the right direction and I want it to be on the level of Europe. It will come here."

[The Jackal]

Originally Posted by Grover

"It's growing in the right direction and I want it to be on the level of Europe. It will come here."

If by it will come here he means some MLS teams will play games in Europe, that's about as far as I can stretch that.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by The Jackal

If by it will come here he means some MLS teams will play games in Europe, that's about as far as I can stretch that.

Europe is more than the EPL, La Liga, the Bundesliga and the Champions League. I see no reason MLS can't be on that 2nd tier level of leagues like Holland, Portugal, even France if you take away PSG/Lyon. In fact, I think we're already pretty close to being there.

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Bradley really wasn't that bad.

Do people think he was? I thought he stayed in too rigid a defensive formation in his first couple years, but he had a clear vision and by the end he was getting more flexible and opening up a little more, especially against bad CONCACAF teams we were better than. I wasn't upset at all with the firing because I do think he'd been in long enough and we could do better, but I thought he did a solid job.

I defended Klinsmann a couple years ago because I felt he deserved a full cycle, but at this point I agree he should go. Everyone knew Jurgy Loew was the tactical genius but Klinsmann isn't even implementing a clear broader strategy. And all his talk about making the US team play better, more attacking soccer has proven to 100% be all talk, with the World Cup squad playing more negative football than multiple past US teams (2002/2010) did under "naive" American managers.

[Grover]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Europe is more than the EPL, La Liga, the Bundesliga and the Champions League. I see no reason MLS can't be on that 2nd tier level of leagues like Holland, Portugal, even France if you take away PSG/Lyon. In fact, I think we're already pretty close to being there.

MLS is considered the 55th best league in the world per the 2015 league ratings.

[The Jackal]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Europe is more than the EPL, La Liga, the Bundesliga and the Champions League. I see no reason MLS can't be on that 2nd tier level of leagues like Holland, Portugal, even France if you take away PSG/Lyon. In fact, I think we're already pretty close to being there.

Originally Posted by Grover

MLS is considered the 55th best league in the world per the 2015 league ratings.

Source? I'd like to see that list. Brutal.