Soccer Thread 2013-14

[sovereignstar v2]

Good time to start a new thread as Sevilla have confirmed that they've come to an agreement with City to sell Jesus to them. Spanish international Jesus Navas that is.

[SirFozzie]

Was the price 40 pieces of Silver?

Big 2 weeks coming up in World Cup Qualifying, Mexico have three games over the next week, USA have three games in the next two weeks.. By this time next month, the CONCACAF standings will be much clearer than the big ol muddle they are now.

[law90026]

Good buy by City I think but with a big caveat. Jesus' issues are quite well-documented and the question is whether he will be able to withstand the pressure in Manchester.

[sovereignstar v2]

This party is just getting started.

[TroyF]

Sov,

Nothing on you, because I do this too when I hear of a signing for Arsenal, but I love these clips. They make every so cer player look like a living, breathing God who cannot be stopped. Navas had one goal in 44 games this year and in the clip it looks like he scores at will.

The guy is a great player, heis a great signing and I would be thrilledif he were coming to my team. I just find te videos to be amusing.

[sovereignstar v2]

I know they don't really mean much. I only post them so people can spend a few minutes to see a little bit of what a player is about, rather than watching them say boss the midfield against Chelsea in the Champions League. There is a joke that is often used at one of the City forums and it goes like this:

Georgios Samaras looked good on youtube.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar v2

I know they don't really mean much. I only post them so people can spend a few minutes to see a little bit of what a player is about, rather than watching them say boss the midfield against Chelsea in the Champions League. There is a joke that is often used at one of the City forums and it goes like this:

Georgios Samaras looked good on youtube.

So did Chamach for Arsenal. Looked like a great player. OOPS. Like I said, we all do it. I just think it is funny.

[miami_fan]

When The Beautiful Game Turns Ugly

A fascinating (but pretty long) article by Wright Thompson about racism in Italian football.

[SirFozzie]

Saddened to read that, I support Hellas Verona, thanks to the great book about them, it appears the Ultras still have control of them

[saldana]

any one know a way to get the US/Jamaica game tonight? not on any of the normal networks

[cartman]

Yeah, it is on beIN sports. I'm sure the usual streaming suspects will have the game.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by cartman

Yeah, it is on beIN sports. I'm sure the usual streaming suspects will have the game.

Yep. 9:20 pm (which means kickoff is probably shortly after 9:30?)

Gotta watch the Bruins game first, so I'll watch it after and have thoughts for you all then.

[cartman]

Awesome end to the game. From despair to the win.

[RainMaker]

I don't even know what to say about the last 10 minutes. I'll take it though.

[SirFozzie]

Jordan-Australia is a huge game, Jordan was playing negative from the start (they just need a draw to have their fate in their own hands), wasting time 4 minutes in (which has to be a new record).. Australia took the lead, and now have their own fate in their hands (a win today and in their final qualifier and they will directly qualify)

Here's the standings entering the final two games

Japan - 14 points (already qualified)
Oman - 9 Points (remaining game vs Jordan)
Jordan - 7 Points (Playing Australia now, final game vs Oman)
Australia - 7 Points (Playing Jordan Now, final game vs Iraq)
Iraq - 5 Points (Final games vs Japan and vs Australia)

Jordan would have the tie breaker over Australia with a draw (it's head to head as first tiebreaker, not goal difference)

[SirFozzie]

Australia 2-0!

[MIJB#19]

CAS denied Malaga's case and agreed with UEFA on banning them from the Europe League in 2013/2014. The financial fair play battle is on!

[kingfc22]

Keep throwing stuff onto the field you idiots. I hope Mexico is forced to forfeit this game and lose any points they would earn.

[cartman]

Wow, the Mexico-CR tie is huge

[bulletsponge]

if the confed cup wasnt starting next week im sure el chepo would be fired tomorrow

[cartman]

The US sure is coming out guns a blazing.

[cartman]

Is that the field the MLS team in Seattle uses? It looks like it is in horrible condition.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by cartman

Is that the field the MLS team in Seattle uses? It looks like it is in horrible condition.

Temporary grass over artificial surface (what the MLS team usually plays on).

[cartman]

Ah, thanks. That explains why it looks the way it does.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by cartman

Ah, thanks. That explains why it looks the way it does.

Like ass you mean?

[cartman]

And just on cue, they start talking about the field in the broadcast

[bulletsponge]

Altigoal!

[cartman]

ALTIDORE!!!

[kingfc22]

Great run by Bradley to set that all up. Love seeing Jozy playing in top form.

[DaddyTorgo]

Nice goal! They're right - Altidore playing with much more confidence these past few games - and I think he's getting better service too.

Now if only he could display consistency.

[DaddyTorgo]

Close Bradley...close.

[cartman]

If Dempsey didn't get in the way of the Bradley shot a few minutes before the Altidore goal, it would be 2-0.

[Easy Mac]

That was a Grown Ass Man goal.

[DaddyTorgo]

da FUQ!?!?!?

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN EDDIE JOHNSON!?!?!?!

[DaddyTorgo]

Great ball by Cameron too.

[Easy Mac]

I'm not sure if I'm sad or impressed that GAM is 3rd all time for the US in WCQ goals.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

I'm not sure if I'm sad or impressed that GAM is 3rd all time for the US in WCQ goals.

Was just going to say something along those lines. It's confusing...but I mean...I guess it's accurate?

[Easy Mac]

It took about 40 minutes, but Cameron seems to have settled himself into the midfield. Evans looks lost at right back. Wouldn't mind seeing Corona in for Fabian Johnson.

[DaddyTorgo]

I guess EJ had 4 goals in his first 2 WCQ games back in 2004, so that accounts for basically half of his haul, so that sort of explains that a bit.

[Easy Mac]

Rocket by Jozy, and Clint follows it up with a brilliant try off the post.

[Easy Mac]

Is anyone else genuinely surprised whenever Mihael Bradley makes the wrong pass or loses possession? I don't know that I've ever felt that way about another American player. If be more than willing to have an hour long argument with anyoe who says Bradley isn't the best player the US has produced so far.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

Is anyone else genuinely surprised whenever Mihael Bradley makes the wrong pass or loses possession? I don't know that I've ever felt that way about another American player. If be more than willing to have an hour long argument with anyoe who says Bradley isn't the best player the US has produced so far.

In terms of just midfielders: Claudio Reyna?
Overall: I think you'd have to include Dempsey in a shortlist to rival Bradley. Donovan too - we forget just how good he has been sometimes I think.

Other players the US has produced who are as good: Mia Hamm? Hell...you could pick a lot of the women...

[Easy Mac]

I don't know if I ever saw a healthy Reyna to be able to make that call.

Come on ball, Beasley deserved that one

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

I don't know if I ever saw a healthy Reyna to be able to make that call.

Come on ball, Beasley deserved that one

Healthy Claudio Reyna was amazing. He was a US version of say...Andrea Pirlo. Just completely bossed the game, controlled the tempo, had amazing vision. First American to captain a European team (Wolfsburg). 3rd American ever (first in the modern era) named to the World Cup All Tournament Team in 2002. He was never the same after that ACL tear though.

Had Stu Holden not had like 45 injury setbacks we could be talking about him in the same conversation I'm convinced - unfortunately I dunno if he'll ever get back to match fitness again.

[cartman]

This might have been the most impressive game of the Jurgen era. It easily could have been four or five to nil.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by cartman

This might have been the most impressive game of the Jurgen era. It easily could have been four or five to nil.

2 posts and a non-call PK...I'll give you 5.

[SirFozzie]

You remember two weeks ago, or so, the Belgium game, when we were convinced that the USA wasn't going to make the World Cup?

[SirFozzie]

If they can pull off a win against Honduras (or even a draw) they'll have quashed every fear we had prior to the Gold Cup

[sovereignstar v2]

Spain are such a disgraceful bunch. Bunch of pussies.

[SirFozzie]

Tahiti Scores! We have the Miracle on Grass....