Soccer thread

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 7:36 pm

Jimmydeicide wrote:Beckham is a bit better than that PK come on. If the Galaxy were smart they would plop him right in the middle of mid field even defensive midfield, he could ping long balls around all day for you.

Just think ,hes been playing out of position all these years.

Reyna is MUCH better defensively, can play in the hole and is better with his feet, I think. Becks is the king of the long ball and free kick, but those are his two tricks.

And the big question with Beckham in MLS is are there enough quality strikers to look for and handle his long crosses? That's a dicey proposition. Reyna plays the kind of game that will help an MLS team in more ways and right away, I think.

Take care,
PK

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:08 pm

Better with his feet ? never.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:19 pm

PK what have you been smoking?

Reyna better than Beckham? In what universe? Methinks you've bought too much of the 'he's never been any good' hype. Sure he's no Zidane, but not as good as Reyna? I bet there are at least 17 Premiership teams that would love to have him, if cost were no issue. Not sure the same could be said about Reyna, at least not with a straight face. One thing I am expecting MLS fans to be pleasantly surprised by is Beckham's workrate and general athleticism.

What I think is interesting, though, is what happens in the locker room. Reyna should be very, very good for RBNY in terms of that, and even though he's a DP slot, he isn't making and doesn't stand to add through anciallry deals anything like what Beckham will. I think it will be a challenge for Becks to fit in with the team, moreso because he will show up in August. Reyna, I believe, will very quickly become the glue of the team and the face of the team for the media and the coach on the field for his coaches, all of whom he knows very well and has either played for or with extensively in the past (OK maybe little Richie never played on the field with Reyna, but I bet they were in the occasional Nats camp together; heck, maybe they played together at UVA). Beckham will be like an alien from the outer regions of the Galaxy in comparison.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:38 pm

I think Reyna is a more well-rounded player. Beckham has no left foot, and his defense isn't as good as Reyna. Both have strong work rates.

I still think Beckham is a two-trick pony. But his world-class proficiency at those two tricks makes him a more dangerous offensive player than Reyna, by far. He's so much better than Reyna at deep crosses and passes and free kicks than Reyna -- and nearly the rest of the world -- that's he's more potent.

But I still like the diverse nature of Reyna's game quite a bit, if he can stay healthy. Beckham definitely has the edge over Reyna in durability, too. Seems like Reyna is hurt more than he's healthy, but I think that's also the by-product of his aggressive, stuck-in style, which I also like.

So pack that in your pipe and smoke it, Zep! And then pass it to me ...

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:27 am

Another Yank could be coming to the Prem: Rumor on Tyneside is that Roeder wants to sign Gooch on loan to shore up Newcastle's injury-riddled and porous defense.

Take care,
PK

Macca00 · Post by **Macca00** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:43 pm

Who's Claudio Reyna?

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:53 pm

Macca00 wrote:Who's Claudio Reyna?

http://ussoccerplayers.com/players/claudio_reyna/

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 2:44 pm

Interesting editorial on the SuperLiga. One step closer to my personal goal of merging MLS with the Mexican league and forming a true North American soccer league. And a great title for the blog entry:

http://soccernista.com/2007/01/24/the-lou-dobbs-cup/

Macca00 · Post by **Macca00** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:59 pm

Zeppo wrote:
Macca00 wrote:Who's Claudio Reyna?
http://ussoccerplayers.com/players/claudio_reyna/

Zep,

I was kidding. Thanks for the link though.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:20 pm

Macca00 wrote:
Zeppo wrote:
Macca00 wrote:Who's Claudio Reyna?
http://ussoccerplayers.com/players/claudio_reyna/

Zep,

I was kidding. Thanks for the link though.

Hey, I didn't know for sure, and you never can tell! The smiley would've helped.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 9:36 am

Platini is the new UEFA presidente.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 9:54 am

fsquid wrote:Platini is the new UEFA presidente.

Is that good or bad? Is he a Sepp disciple?

I do like his proposal to limit Champions League spots to three per nation. Now you might as well name it the Champions and Not Quite Champions League.

Take care,
PK

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:21 am

Blatter endorsed him, however, Blatter doesn't agree with a few of his ideas. Namely a 24 team Euro Championship since when the WC was 24 teams it was a headache.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 2:06 pm

It'll be a good change. I know the Frenchman wants to cut the maximum number of clubs from England, Spain and Italy in the Champions League from four to three. If his off field work is as good as his playing days, then football fans are in for a treat.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 2:06 pm

10spro wrote:It'll be a good change. I know the Frenchman wants to cut the maximum number of clubs from England, Spain and Italy in the Champions League from four to three. If his off field work is as good as his playing days, then football fans are in for a treat.

very true.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 6:17 pm

It appears Onyewu is on his way to Marseille.

A big part of me still wishes he hadn't turned down Fulham, but hard to argue with a top French club and likely champions league football.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 7:06 pm

What I can't believe is that Chelsea let him get away. Somewhere I read that they wouldn't give Mourinho the funds to get him. That would've been pretty cool. . .

Marseille and Champions League etc. would be great, but I won't get to see him play then.

I wonder if he'll be able to come for the Mexico game.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 6:25 am

pk500 wrote:
fsquid wrote:Platini is the new UEFA presidente.
Is that good or bad? Is he a Sepp disciple?

I do like his proposal to limit Champions League spots to three per nation. Now you might as well name it the Champions and Not Quite Champions League.

Take care,
PK

As opposed to it being the Champions of 'Where the f**k is that' league. There are enough joke clubs in it at the moment.

Platini is a Blatter glove-puppet. Blatter has always hated Johansson since he stood against him for election as president of FIFA, and didn't exactly rush to support him when Blatter was (correctly) accused of large scale corruption charges surrounding the awarding of FIFA contracts.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 2:49 pm

davet010 wrote:
pk500 wrote:
fsquid wrote:Platini is the new UEFA presidente.
Is that good or bad? Is he a Sepp disciple?

I do like his proposal to limit Champions League spots to three per nation. Now you might as well name it the Champions and Not Quite Champions League.

Take care,
PK
As opposed to it being the Champions of 'Where the f**k is that' league. There are enough joke clubs in it at the moment.

Platini is a Blatter glove-puppet. Blatter has always hated Johansson since he stood against him for election as president of FIFA, and didn't exactly rush to support him when Blatter was (correctly) accused of large scale corruption charges surrounding the awarding of FIFA contracts.

I'd rather see the champion of the small countries than a team that is 4th best in England.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 3:30 pm

fsquid wrote:Blatter endorsed him, however, Blatter doesn't agree with a few of his ideas. Namely a 24 team Euro Championship since when the WC was 24 teams it was a headache.

I think 20 teams would be the ideal number. You could have four groups of five teams, so each team would get to play at least four games.

Then the top two in each group would go thru to the quarter-finals.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 10:47 am

Gooch to Necastle?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... 35&cc=5901

Poor guy may want to think about going to a side where he won't be the only defender

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 10:57 am

RobVarak wrote:Gooch to Necastle?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... 35&cc=5901

Poor guy may want to think about going to a side where he won't be the only defender

This is ridiculous. I'll be happy when the transfer window closes just so I don't have to read about Gooch's new destination every 3 days. A loan move is definitely surprising though. Why would Standard loan out a player whose contract expires this season? I've heard conflicting things about whether or not Standard does have an club option on Onyewu for next season. The only way a loan makes sense for Gooch himself is that one rumor is that Lyon wanted him, but only to join over the summer. Given the football Lyon has been playing the last few years, can't blame the guy for wanting to jump on that train.

Post by **Jared** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 11:19 am

If Standard has an option, then it could be either a) a trial with a pre-set price for Newcastle to purchase him if they like or b) Standard is expecting him to light up the EPL, raising his transfer value. It's possible...IIRC, the Fulham offer that was rejected was for 2 million, and the latest offer from Marseille was 4 million...interesting.

Would love to have him in the EPL, if only for selfish FSC reasons.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 11:27 am

RobVarak wrote:Gooch to Necastle?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... 35&cc=5901

Poor guy may want to think about going to a side where he won't be the only defender

Finally, official announcements?

Gooch to wear #15 Newcastle shirt

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 11:33 am

What is it with their #15 and American-born players?

PK as the resident Newcastle follower, does this make you happy, indifferent, or disappointed?