Soccer Thread 2014-15

[ISiddiqui]

Interesting rumor here (though not one I'm really fond of):

Report: Italian legend Andrea Pirlo to sign for New York City FC | ProSoccerTalk

Pirlo, 36, will run Juventus’ midfield in the UEFA Champions League final against Barcelona in Berlin this Saturday but rumors are swirling that the Italian international could be on the move to Major League Soccer this summer.

According to a report in Spanish outlet AS, Pirlo will be on his way to NYC to join Frank Lampard and David Villa as Designated Players.

NYCFC is really trying to cement the slur that the MLS is a Retirement League (they deserve to be last place right now just for that).

[ISiddiqui]

Uh oh... Chuck Blazer's guilty plea became unsealed today. He indicates in it that he helped facilitate a bribe for the selection of the 1998 World Cup, which was held in France.

Jonathan Tannenwald on Twitter: "Hello @PhilippeAuclair and @Jon_LeGossip - here’s Chuck Blazer talking to the feds: http://t.co/kIGL4X2K5d"

The head of the 1998 France World Cup Organizing Committee? None other than Michael Platini. Oops..

[ISiddiqui]

Dola... I got my hands on the full plea and it appears Blazer was involved in facilitating a bribe by Morocco for the 1998 WC.

And interestingly for the 2010 vote, Blazer helped the same guy take a bribe from Morocco AND South Africa.

Though one does wonder how Platini countered...

(edit: Oh, the guy that got the Morocco and South Africa bribes was Webb (it speaks of $10mil bribe, which had to go through FIFA eventually)!)

[AlexB]

Quick question for whomario, and anyone else with any knowledge of the Bundesliga - my team Leicester have just signed Christian Fuchs from Schalke on a Bosman. I don't know him at all tbh - decent player? Seems like he has a chequered injury history, but at the same time is the Austrian captain apparently...

[whomario]

Originally Posted by AlexB

Quick question for whomario, and anyone else with any knowledge of the Bundesliga - my team Leicester have just signed Christian Fuchs from Schalke on a Bosman. I don't know him at all tbh - decent player? Seems like he has a chequered injury history, but at the same time is the Austrian captain apparently...

He is a decent offensive player for a left back who does a good job moving up the field. Has a great left foot, meaning his Free Kicks and Corners are really good (also long throws) with some good crosses from play as well, but his defense has always been suspect at best. I think he´d benefit from moving up to left midfield (but not true winger), dunno if that position exists at Leicester ?

I actually think he´d be a decent fit with a lower-half PL team keeping things simple tactically with his pretty straight-forward style of play, if that makes sense. (and i don´t know if Leicester fits that stereotype )
Left Backs are a rare creature, so i think its well worth a try.

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by Galaxy

Swiss authorities did tell Sepp and FIFA officials not to leave the country after they raided the headquarters.
FIFA's Sepp Blatter expected to be interviewed by Swiss authorities 'in days' | Daily Mail Online


I wonder if the charges will come from Switzerland first, and not the US. Seems like Switzerland would want to put a Swiss citizen who is in charge of a secretively run organization based in Switzerland (and with Switzerland's recent changes on its banking secrecy laws over the last few years, it adds to the fire) on trial if they can.

I think they should wrap them all up and send them to The Hague, to make some good use of the international criminal court. (or the international court of justice, whichever applies best)

[AlexB]

Originally Posted by whomario

He is a decent offensive player for a left back who does a good job moving up the field. Has a great left foot, meaning his Free Kicks and Corners are really good (also long throws) with some good crosses from play as well, but his defense has always been suspect at best. I think he´d benefit from moving up to left midfield (but not true winger), dunno if that position exists at Leicester ?

I actually think he´d be a decent fit with a lower-half PL team keeping things simple tactically with his pretty straight-forward style of play, if that makes sense. (and i don´t know if Leicester fits that stereotype )
Left Backs are a rare creature, so i think its well worth a try.

We ended up playing with wing backs for the latter half of last year, but we have only one player that can play LWB, and there are (silly IMHO) rumours Arsenal might be interested in him.

Don't know if we'll stick with 352/532 but maybe LWB could be his position then if attack is his strength: defensive deficiencies can be covered more easily by the extra CB.

Cheers for the info!

[sovereignstar v2]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Interesting rumor here (though not one I'm really fond of):

Report: Italian legend Andrea Pirlo to sign for New York City FC | ProSoccerTalk



NYCFC is really trying to cement the slur that the MLS is a Retirement League (they deserve to be last place right now just for that).

Those two could dominate the MLS until their mid-40s.

[ISiddiqui]

I'm sure Beckham thought that as well . He was done at 38 - which puts these signings into some perspective a bit.

I doubt either Lampard or Pirlo (though Pirlo's game doesn't require him to run as much which will help) plays past 40.

[bhlloy]

I actually don't think Lampard will hold up that well into his 40s, and I would imagine in a couple of years a midfield of those two would get run all over, even in MLS

[whomario]

The U20 World Cup is underway in New Zealand btw. Saw the US game against the hosts, pretty good group of players imo you have coming up there.

Some very exotic countries in the competition like Myanmar (which the US only beat 2:1 though and who did qualify against the likes of Japan, Australia and South Korea) or my favourite: Fiji !
Germany beat them 8:1 and it was every bit that difference, but then the Islanders turn around and beat Honduras 3:0 despite a 10-30 shot count 2 of the goals were pure slapstick as well:



the same channel has goals and a few highlights for all other games as well.

[ISiddiqui]

U20 WC is always fun. A tournament to elevate the hopes and dreams of many nations... only to have them crushed when those players grow up and don't progress as people thought they would .

[ISiddiqui]

Looks like James Milner is on his way to Liverpool. A good signing by Rogers.

[Grover]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Looks like James Milner is on his way to Liverpool. A good signing by Rogers.

Until he plays him at center back because he is more clever than us.

[ISiddiqui]

[Grover]

Fifa crisis: FAI were paid after Thierry Henry handball, says John Delaney – live | Football | The Guardian

OH BOY.

[dacman]

Originally Posted by Grover

Until he plays him at center back because he is more clever than us.

Only Jurgie is that clever.

[ISiddiqui]

C'mon guys, playing Bradley out of position was just a brilliant maneuver

[Grover]

Originally Posted by dacman

Only Jurgie is that clever.

ask Emre Can if Rodgers isn't that clever.

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by Grover

Fifa crisis: FAI were paid after Thierry Henry handball, says John Delaney – live | Football | The Guardian

OH BOY.

Not this handball thing again...

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Craig Hope on Twitter: "Ryan Taylor was released from NUFC by telephone before being told to pass his mobile to Jonas Gutierrez so he could be delivered same news."

God damn you Newcastle! You are just begging for me to drop you as a fan...

And the summer has just started ISiddiqui.

Newcastle's Papiss Cisse leaves girlfriend for holiday and marries in Paris | Daily Mail Online

[ISiddiqui]

How shocking is this?!

Premier League closes door on sponsorship from 2016-17

The Premier League will not have a title sponsor from the 2016-17 season, it has confirmed.

The move reflects the organisation's desire to mirror major American sports leagues like the NBA and NFL in presenting a "clean" brand.

Having been sponsored by Barclays since 2004, in 2016 the competition will be known simply as "The Premier League."

[whomario]

Not very. That money has become peanuts (40 mio a year or 2 per club !) compared with TV money, they can easily afford going that route. Heck, theyll propably make more money with secondary sponsors getting more prominent advertising spots without an "exclusive" sponsor in the spotlight.

[ISiddiqui]

The money may have become peanuts, but they likely could have made quite a bit auctioning off naming rights.

[bulletsponge]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

And the summer has just started ISiddiqui.

Newcastle's Papiss Cisse leaves girlfriend for holiday and marries in Paris | Daily Mail Online

while sleazy, its nice to see a black man pick a sista over a blond chick

[sovereignstar v2]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Looks like James Milner is on his way to Liverpool. A good signing by Rogers.

Should get some more playing time at a mid-table club. Guessing Rodgers promised him a central midfielder role as well.

[MIJB#19]

Weird to have an international friendly (Netherlands vs USA, yay!) a day before the Champions League final. Could be an interesting one, with the tropical temperature today (and 15 degrees Celsius higher than the past couple of days) with the prospect of thunder during pre-game preparation. The roof might be closed in Amsterdam.

[bob]

The announcers keep saying the US should be happy with the 1 - 1 halftime score, but I think they could easily be down 3 - 1 right now.

[bob]

And very quickly into the 2nd half, it is now 3 - 1.

[NobodyHere]

Wow if true

Fifa corruption scandal: 'Germany sent Saudi Arabia weapons' in exchange for support of their bid to host the 2006 World Cup

[bulletsponge]

wow now the US lead 4-3!

both defenses have been horrendous. the score could easily be 5-5 at least

[bob]

Nice response by the US to tie

[bob]

Or crazily enough take the lead

[cartman]

That was an entertaining 2nd half

[Easy Mac]

Michael Bradley is overrated.

[Easy Mac]

Also, an amateur has now scored friendly winning goals against Mexico and the Netherlands.

[bulletsponge]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

Also, an amateur has now scored friendly winning goals against Mexico and the Netherlands.

bobby wood scored the winner here

[whomario]

How is Bobby Wood an amateur ? He´s played professional for 4 years now. Or am i missing sth ?

Edit: Ah, i get it now. The US is definitely getting some good players through. The U20 has a couple future NT players imo, if they make the right career moves (as a team, the squad is badly balanced though).
Also, i saw Christian Pulisic play with the Dortmund U17 a few days ago, that kid has all the talent in the world. Very impressive.

[Easy Mac]

Meant the amateur assisted.

[MIJB#19]

Apparently not watching the second half was a good idea. Oranje, and in particular Guus Hiddink, is getting fleeced by the Dutch media. Regardless of the opposition, 4 goals against is an embarrassing performance.

[claphamsa]

predictions on today? I bet Barca wins 3-1

[The Jackal]

I'll say Messi in the 75th, 1-0.

[Critch]

Barca 3-1 would be my bet as well. A friend in the UK mentioned he's got Barca 3-1/Messi scores the first goal for 50/1. Sounds like a good bet to me.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by whomario

The US is definitely getting some good players through. The U20 has a couple future NT players imo, if they make the right career moves

Totally. I hope they stay in MLS and develop instead of chasing that European money.

[whomario]

tough one for me, have long had some sort of connection with both teams and really appreciate a couple players on both sides. Maybe rooting as tad bit more for Barcelona.

Really looking forward to an hopefully great game

3:2 Barca

[whomario]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Totally. I hope they stay in MLS and develop instead of chasing that European money.

I think the US players need to find a middle ground, all depends on the player and the situation. The early playing time at age 18 or so is huge and for your "role players" it is better to play MLS rather than sit on the bench elsewhere, but at some point you need a couple players who develop beyond "nice player" status and there is no way a genuine world class player develops purely from MLS and NT play, imo. Not for the forseeable future at least.

Plus, 2 of the teams best players (both already capped by Klinsmann as well) are Emerson Hyndman who plays for Fulham (9 matches last season, which is a decent turnout) and Rubio Rubin who had 28 games for Utrecht.


But i guess thats a discussion we ought to save for after the final at least maybe next Wednesday or so

[MIJB#19]

That was fast.

[whomario]

Woa, that was quick. And wonderfully executed. Brilliant run by Iniesta makes that goal.

[claphamsa]

i want to copy vidals hair

[MIJB#19]

Vidal is lucky to still be on the field.