Soccer thread

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 11:45 am

Just noticed that Newcastle plays at Fulham this weekend. Might have to hit the sports bar for that one.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 1:42 pm

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

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

Happy, because a warm body would be a significant improvement over what Newcastle has now on the back line.

Seriously, it's nice to see an American on Tyneside. And I think Gooch will get much more of a chance than Rossi before he returned to Man U. Roeder said Gooch will be in the side this weekend.

I don't think Gooch is as great as the apparent bidding war for his services indicates. He has a big-time body and is only 24, but he didn't show me that much during the World Cup last summer.

Still, he appears to be a solid player, which is an improvement over Titus Bramble and Peter Ramage, so I'm glad he's in Newcastle. A loan is a smart move by Roeder, as it will be easy to shed Gooch if he doesn't cut it in the EPL. I hope he does, and I hope Newcastle can sign him to a permanent deal.

Take care,
PK

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 1:56 pm

pk500 wrote:
I don't think Gooch is as great as the apparent bidding war for his services indicates. He has a big-time body and is only 24, but he didn't show me that much during the World Cup last summer.

Really? I thought he looked poor due to the early yellow in the Czech game, but otherwise played very well. I'm most anxious to see how he plays in the EPL.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 2:02 pm

Rob:

I don't think Gooch sucks. But I'm pretty surprised that Chelsea and Real Madrid were among his suitors. I don't think he's world-class.

But you certainly don't have to be world-class to fit into Newcastle's back line. In fact, if you're Championship or First Division class, you'll have a home back there. And Gooch is better than that.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:18 pm

Not to my surprise, Ronaldo is now back in Italy and will be playing for AC Milan in the seria A tourney while he won't be able to play in the Champions League Cup because he already played for RM this season. The shape he's been in, he's fortunate to be back in Italy as F. Capello had enough of the Brazilian too. Maybe Kaka can ignite some of Ronaldo's old magic. Maybe...

I wonder what Materazzi said to Gennaro Delvecchio as he was head-butted during the weekend, the same way Zizou did to him during the WC?

black_dynamite · Post by **black_dynamite** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:48 pm

10spro wrote:Not to my surprise, Ronaldo is now back in Italy and will be playing for AC Milan in the seria A tourney while he won't be able to play in the Champions League Cup because he already played for RM this season. The shape he's been in, he's fortunate to be back in Italy as F. Capello had enough of the Brazilian too. Maybe Kaka can ignite some of Ronaldo's old magic. Maybe...

I wonder what Materazzi said to Gennaro Delvecchio as he was head-butted during the weekend, the same way Zizou did to him during the WC?

Knowing Materazzi he probably insulted the guy's mother or sister.

Any takers to see how long it will take Ronaldo to get injured in the Serie A? It's such a sad shame really, this game had a TON of talent and now he's just reduced to a fat, lazy slob. There's no way this guy is going to be productive in Serie A until he sheds some pounds. Hopefully being back in Italy and being with Kaka could motivate him to get in better shape and actually play like he wants to.

Atxj · Post by **Atxj** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 1:51 am

Anyone watch Dempsey come on for a few against Sheffield United earlier today?

I thought he was very bad for the short time he did see the pitch.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:15 am

Interview with Gooch from Newcastle, for those interested:

http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/newcastleunited/

EDIT: Sorry, it's a Nike promo video with Gooch from YouTube that the Newcastle paper slapped on its site. Still fun watching, though.

Take care,
PK

Atxj · Post by **Atxj** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:28 pm

pk500 wrote:Interview with Gooch from Newcastle, for those interested:

http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/newcastleunited/

EDIT: Sorry, it's a Nike promo video with Gooch from YouTube that the Newcastle paper slapped on its site. Still fun watching, though.

Take care,
PK

Very cool.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 3:37 pm

Bayern fired Felix Magrath today and rehired Ottmar Hitzfeld!! The LEGEND is back!!!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 5:40 pm

Hardly used by West Ham, Javier Mascherano is cleared to play for Liverpool, now they are waiting for Premier League approval.

Bayern's problem is the lack of quality midfielders. They still miss the departure of M. Ballack, S. Deisler is retired, O. Hargreaves is injured.
We'll see if Hitzfield is capable to bring some magic back to the club. With 16 titles with different clubs, he's Germany's most successful coach.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 5:47 pm

Well of course, what part of LEGEND did you not understand??

Frankly, I did not think that the 2001 edition of Bayern was the strongest team and he maneuvered them around Real and ManU on the way to the final. I think he's a great bench manager and will no doubt at least get Bayern into a CL qualification place as the Bundesliga is out of reach now.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 5:48 pm

Habs owner might buy Liverpool.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... NHeadlines

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 4:31 pm

I'm excited for tomorrow!

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 12:49 pm

Gooch was named in the squad for Sat.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 5:38 pm

http://www.yanks-abroad.com/content.php ... ws&id=2713

BRADLEY TABS 20 FOR MEXICO MATCH

Here's the list:

USMNT game squad

Goalkeepers

Cannon, Joe - Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
Howard, Tim - Everton FC (EPL)

Defenders

Albright, Chris - Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
Bocanegra, Carlos - Fulham FC (EPL)
Bornstein, Jonathan - Chivas USA (MLS)
Boswell, Bobby - DC United (MLS)
Conrad, Jimmy - Kansas City Wizards (MLS)
Namoff, Bryan - DC United (MLS)
Robinson, Eddie - Houston Dynamo (MLS)

Midfielders

Carroll, Brian - DC United (MLS)
Clark, Ricardo - Houston Dynamo (MLS)
Convey, Bobby - Reading FC (EPL)
Dempsey, Clint - Fulham FC (EPL)
Donovan, Landon - Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
Gros, Josh - DC United (MLS)
Mapp, Justin - Chicago Fire (MLS)
Mastroeni, Pablo - Colorado Rapids (MLS)

Forwards

Johnson, Eddie - Kansas City Wizards (MLS)
Rolfe, Chris - Chicago Fire (MLS)
Twellman, Taylor - New England Revolution (MLS)

No Gooch, though that's not unexpected since he just made the move. Dempsey's coming, though, which is nice. Pretty thin up front, too. No Ching? Is he still hurt?

We'll see if this group can keep the Mexico-in-US shutout streak going. Should be a big home crowd. . . for the Mexicans. I'll be curious to see how many are sporting both colors.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 6:34 pm

Thin up front, indeed. Twellman can't be 100% either at this point, so we're not likely to get the best of him...especially in a grudge match like this.

Maybe Bradley's going to play a 4-6-0?

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 6:46 pm

Can't say I feel very confident about the US' chances of winning against Mexico. Granted there's not much reason why they can't continue their shutout streak either.

Having Beasley and Cherundolo would make me feel better, but with Donovan, Mapp, Dempsey and Convey all on the roster there should be plenty of attack coming from the midfield.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 9:49 pm

WTF happened in Italy? Series A and B suspended indefinitely I hear? Due to some fan-realted bombing outside a stadium that killed a Police officer? Anyone have any more details or insight than I might glean from the insanity that is Bigsoccer?

Meanwhile, Gabriel Enzo Ferrari made his debut the other day apparently, coming on in the late going in a 3-0 loss to Inter. Good on him, as I think he's the first Yank to play in Serie A since Lalas played for Padova for a year or two. Although maybe Rossi did play at one point for someone, maybe? Then again, he doesn't want to be an American, so screw him.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 10:01 pm

I have a strict self-imposed gag order regarding calcio

Getting back to the Mexico side, I'm anxious to see how so many new faces do in the cauldron of that game.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 10:13 pm

Rossi was just loaned to Parma, and actually scored a goal for them last week in his first game.
http://www.footytube.com/2007/01/22/giu ... vs-torino/

Ferrari did appear last week for Sampdoria, but I believe it was a cup game, and thus not a Serie A match.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 1:25 am

Zeppo wrote:WTF happened in Italy? Series A and B suspended indefinitely I hear? Due to some fan-realted bombing outside a stadium that killed a Police officer? Anyone have any more details or insight than I might glean from the insanity that is Bigsoccer?

Meanwhile, Gabriel Enzo Ferrari made his debut the other day apparently, coming on in the late going in a 3-0 loss to Inter. Good on him, as I think he's the first Yank to play in Serie A since Lalas played for Padova for a year or two. Although maybe Rossi did play at one point for someone, maybe? Then again, he doesn't want to be an American, so screw him.

If it happened in England, they would have been thrown out of UEFA.

Boltman · Post by **Boltman** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 11:03 am

fsquid wrote:Gooch was named in the squad for Sat.

Match is at 9am pst on Setanta (DirecTV CH 615) cant wait!! Have my Tivo set so I can watch it later on after I complete my "Honey Do" list.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 11:32 am

Boltman wrote:
fsquid wrote:Gooch was named in the squad for Sat.
Match is at 9am pst on Setanta (DirecTV CH 615) cant wait!! Have my Tivo set so I can watch it later on after I complete my "Honey Do" list.

I think it is on the Setanta Extra channel

Boltman · Post by **Boltman** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 11:48 am

fsquid wrote:
Boltman wrote:
fsquid wrote:Gooch was named in the squad for Sat.
Match is at 9am pst on Setanta (DirecTV CH 615) cant wait!! Have my Tivo set so I can watch it later on after I complete my "Honey Do" list.
I think it is on the Setanta Extra channel

Yea, it is on 670 as well I see, but it is also on the main Setanta channel.