Soccer thread

sfz_T-car · Post by **sfz_T-car** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 3:32 pm

I agree the lack of US national team games has been ridiculous. No senior level matches between June and Jan doesn't help anyone out. I suspect the MLS teams didn't want to lose players to national team duties during the season but it's hard to develop a cohesive team if you don't play or practice together. I don't see why they just didn't name somebody as a caretaker manager.

And in other semi-news, there's Freddy Adu's trial with MUFC. It's hard to see this benefitting anybody other than Nike in the short term. I don't think Adu could handle anything beyond a substitute role on the wing in the Premier League. It would be a huge step up for him.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 3:58 pm

sfz_T-car wrote:I agree the lack of US national team games has been ridiculous. No senior level matches between June and Jan doesn't help anyone out. I suspect the MLS teams didn't want to lose players to national team duties during the season but it's hard to develop a cohesive team if you don't play or practice together. I don't see why they just didn't name somebody as a caretaker manager.

And in other semi-news, there's Freddy Adu's trial with MUFC. It's hard to see this benefitting anybody other than Nike in the short term. I don't think Adu could handle anything beyond a substitute role on the wing in the Premier League. It would be a huge step up for him.

If they do sign him, I think they'll loan him out to a championship side...kinda like they did with Rossi

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 4:58 pm

RobVarak wrote:
sfz_T-car wrote:I agree the lack of US national team games has been ridiculous. No senior level matches between June and Jan doesn't help anyone out. I suspect the MLS teams didn't want to lose players to national team duties during the season but it's hard to develop a cohesive team if you don't play or practice together. I don't see why they just didn't name somebody as a caretaker manager.

And in other semi-news, there's Freddy Adu's trial with MUFC. It's hard to see this benefitting anybody other than Nike in the short term. I don't think Adu could handle anything beyond a substitute role on the wing in the Premier League. It would be a huge step up for him.
If they do sign him, I think they'll loan him out to a championship side...kinda like they did with Rossi

F U!

Take care,
PK

Atxj · Post by **Atxj** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 11:54 pm

http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pageg ... sid=383600

Larsson to United on loan after the new year.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 1:15 am

AtXj wrote:http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pageg ... sid=383600

Larsson to United on loan after the new year.

A very nice piece of business for United, as Sir ExLax said.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 2:00 am

If he can stay healthy it'll be a nice addition as MU has some injuries.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 5:17 am

pk500 wrote:
AtXj wrote:http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pageg ... sid=383600

Larsson to United on loan after the new year.
A very nice piece of business for United, as Sir ExLax said.

Take care,
PK

Never hacked it in the big leagues or European competition.

Would be fantastic if football matches lasted 15 minutes.

I'm not really sure what this is for. MU are about to enter one of the slackest fixture periods, as Chumps League finishes after the last game in the group stages for a 3 month hiatus.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 12:15 pm

davet010 wrote:Never hacked it in the big leagues or European competition.

Agree that winning the Golden Boot while playing for Celtic is pretty lame, but I thought Larsson played pretty damn well for Barca in the Champions League final last year. Assisted on both Barcelona goals as a substitute.

Plus the guy scored 36 goals in 93 international games. Scored in three World Cups and two Euros, and he scored what was voted as the Goal of the Tournament in Euro 2004.

Larsson will give United depth up front, and that's probably all ManUre wants from him. Hell, Solskjaer became a bit of a United legend for his 15-minute bursts of glory.

Something tells me that Larsson will give Man U a bit more scoring punch in reserve this spring than Guiseppe Rossi when he returns from the Toon.

Take care,
PK

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 11:53 am

Hey Squid...

Seen the 3rd round draw

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 12:43 pm

davet010 wrote:Hey Squid...

Seen the 3rd round draw

I just saw it a few minutes ago. C'MON WEDNESDAY!!!! I'm just praying it is one of the TV games so I can see the OWls!

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 1:36 am

Sepp thinks MLS is right! Blatter wants the European domestic season to start in February and end in November.

Don Garber is a F*CKING GENIUS!

>>>>>>>

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Domestic leagues in European soccer should play through the summer months, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said in an interview published Monday.

The season should begin in late February and finish at the end of November, Blatter told Germany ’s Kicker magazine.

The change would give clubs a longer winter break that could be used for national team games, Blatter said.

“I’ve just proposed to the clubs: play through the summer, make the season like the calendar year,” the head of soccer’s world governing body said. “This would leave enough time for players to recover and there could be blocks of three weeks of qualifying games in winter.

“This idea is supported by big European clubs,” Blatter said.

Blatter also said there should be more European groups with fewer teams for World Cup qualifying, leading to fewer games for national teams as urged by leading clubs.

On another issue, Blatter insisted his plan to restrict the number of foreign players on European club teams will eventually go into effect.

The so-called “6 5” formula will be introduced step by step, he said.

“The ’6 5’ is coming, for sure,” Blatter said.

Under the proposal, each club would be allowed to field six home players, plus five foreigners.

FIFA has reached an agreement on the formula with FIFPro, the worldwide union of professional players, Blatter said.

Blatter said the formula would be applied only in Europe , citing an excess of foreign players.

“First, it will bring a higher identification between clubs and fans,” he said. “Second, it would raise the opportunities for talents. And third, the clubs’ finances would benefit if they take players from their own schools.”

Such a rule would likely run afoul of the European Union’s regulations on a free labour market.

Blatter appealed to the EU to stay out of soccer, but urged the governments’ help in creating more transparency in the financial structures in international soccer and its transfer market.

Blatter also rejected calls for a salary cap.

<<<<<<<

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 10:10 am

VERY entertaining 2-2 draw between Newcastle and ManU on New Year's Day. James Milner's goal for the Magpies was a screamer, and David Edgar has a memory for life with his goal that leveled the score for Newcastle.

Allowing only two goals against ManU with a back line of Solano, Huntington, Edgar and Taylor was quite a feat for Newcastle. Solano is a converted attacking midfielder, Taylor is in just his second year, and Huntington and Edgar are teen-age rookies. All the more impressive considering Given was hobbling around the box with a groin injury.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 11:05 am

Another Yank -- Clint Dempsey -- possibly heading to Fulham:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... 60&cc=5901

Very cool!

Take care,
PK

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 11:12 am

pk500 wrote:VERY entertaining 2-2 draw between Newcastle and ManU on New Year's Day. James Milner's goal for the Magpies was a screamer, and David Edgar has a memory for life with his goal that leveled the score for Newcastle.

Allowing only two goals against ManU with a back line of Solano, Huntington, Edgar and Taylor was quite a feat for Newcastle. Solano is a converted attacking midfielder, Taylor is in just his second year, and Huntington and Edgar are teen-age rookies. All the more impressive considering Given was hobbling around the box with a groin injury.

Take care,
PK

Yeh, your boys a realy battling of late good to see, its been a tough season so far.

Some real good football to watch lately its been great. Its the only sport i watch anymore i never miss a match. I love Dvr.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 11:57 am

pk500 wrote:Another Yank -- Clint Dempsey -- possibly heading to Fulham:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... 60&cc=5901

Very cool!

Take care,
PK

Gooch to follow?

Sky Sports

I've been a casual fan of Fulham because McBride has long been one of my favorite players, but 4 Americans in the starting 11 would be unbelievable.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 12:23 pm

pk500 wrote:Another Yank -- Clint Dempsey -- possibly heading to Fulham:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... 60&cc=5901

Very cool!

Take care,
PK

Only if he can get the work permit. Coleman has stated something to the effect that 'we've lost some tribunals in the past, so we're hoping for the best.' Dempsey was injured too often to achieve the required 75% of National Team appearances (though oddly, Gulati's idiocy/ lack of ANY GAMES since the WC will help Dempsey here. . . .), so we'll see what happens. As you may remember, Donovan was set to be loaned to some Prem. team last year, didn't get the permit; Convey was set to go to Tottenham a year or so before he got bought by Reading, didn't get the permit; etc.

Best of luck to Dempsey, though, I think he will do well there. Coleman sure seems to like him. Hell, if Simon Elliot (the King of the Hacks) can get playing time in the Prem, surely there is any number of MLSers who could perform there as well.

PS Go DaMarcus, go! Nice goal on the weekend! He went by those two defenders like they were standing still! And nice assist on New Years Day, too!

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 12:27 pm

Indeed - he's looked OK last couple of games for the Blue Heroes

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 12:41 pm

Zeppo wrote:Only if he can get the work permit. Coleman has stated something to the effect that 'we've lost some tribunals in the past, so we're hoping for the best.' Dempsey was injured too often to achieve the required 75% of National Team appearances (though oddly, Gulati's idiocy/ lack of ANY GAMES since the WC will help Dempsey here. . . .), so we'll see what happens. As you may remember, Donovan was set to be loaned to some Prem. team last year, didn't get the permit; Convey was set to go to Tottenham a year or so before he got bought by Reading, didn't get the permit; etc.

Donovan's loan to Portsmouth was cancelled because MLS wanted him to play for Pompey from January to April, but FIFA stepped in and said if goes to EPL, he can't return to MLS until July transfer window, so MLS bailed.

Convey was also pretty different, because at the time of the work permit refusal, Convey was an average MLS player who had zero appearances with the national team.

Though Dempsey doesn't have the 75% appearance requirement for automatic acceptance, he is among the appearance leaders for the team, has established himself as MLS elite, scored the only goal for the US at the WC....so there are reasons to be optimistic.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 12:51 pm

davet010 wrote:Indeed - he's looked OK last couple of games for the Blue Heroes

And I know you were at the game most likely, so you didn't hear the commentator poo-pooing his lack of bulk, but know this: if he bulks up too much, he will lose his remarkable 'Gumby' nature, and start to get injured more often instead of bending around and bouncing back up!

Naples: thanks for the corrections, but come on, I don't want facts to get in the way of my arguments!

I had though that Convey had played a few games at LB for Arena by then, but maybe it was after that. In any case, I am hopeful to see Dempsey playing at the Cottage; I just can't get enough of hearing those Brits calling out the Yanks' names in the Prem games! Five years ago, it was, like, no one. Now we are starting to get some kind of presence over there. Plus, if Dempsey goes, that just weakens the Revs even more!

Anybody thinking about heading to AZ for the 'meaningless' friendly v. Mexico in Feb. (it's never meaningless v. Mexico!)? I am toying with the idea, but only if I can get a really nice deal on the flight.

pigpen81 · Post by **pigpen81** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 2:24 pm

Plus Coleman is looking at Onyewu for $1-2 million quid. Read it in the BBC gossip today.

Imagine 4 yanks on the pitch for the Cottagers....woohoo!

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 7:31 pm

Yeh 4 yanks , they will go down for sure.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 8:07 pm

Zeppo wrote:Naples: thanks for the corrections, but come on, I don't want facts to get in the way of my arguments! I had though that Convey had played a few games at LB for Arena by then, but maybe it was after that. In any case, I am hopeful to see Dempsey playing at the Cottage; I just can't get enough of hearing those Brits calling out the Yanks' names in the Prem games! Five years ago, it was, like, no one. Now we are starting to get some kind of presence over there. Plus, if Dempsey goes, that just weakens the Revs even more!

For the sake of accurracy, I did a little more research, and Convey in fact had been capped at the time of his WP denial. As far as I can tell, he tried to make the move in July 2003, and had 15 or 20 caps at that time. Sorry Zep.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 3:03 am

A possibly interesting show on FSC this Thursday. It's a town hall-style meeting with a panel that includes leading figures in US Soccer and MLS, as well as media figures.

FSC Center Circle Discussion:

LIVE panel discussion on the future of U.S. Soccer from the NSCAA convention, Thu., Jan. 11, 8 p.m. ET, featuring Don Garber and others.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 11:16 am

Beware if you're a Wolves' supporter: Graeme Souness is trying to buy your club.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... et&cc=5901

Of course, probably half of that money is what the dolt earned from Freddie Shepherd during his nightmarish time at Newcastle.

Take care,
PK

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 12:00 pm

Hey hey, Wednesday-City replay to be on FSC!!! I'm taking a half day!!