Soccer thread

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Mon May 28, 2007 3:06 pm

I'd like him - he's won titles in three countries and is an excellent judge of talent.

Let's face it, no one is coming to City until the takeover happens and they see the colour of the money. It is interesting, however, that a lot of the previously unavailable candidates (Sven, Houllier, Adriaanse) have suddenly become free.

To those who know Man City fans however, becoming a Chelsea-like club for overpriced 'talent', or heaven forbid generating a fanbase of the likes of MU or Chelsea is anathema. City are all about being able to shake your head and utter the cry of Blues everywhere "Typical City", rather than throwing a tantrum because you haven't won your 20th game in a row or you can't get the latest limited edition 6th away strip with the Munich celebratory arm badges.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Tue May 29, 2007 2:53 pm

Brazil is doing a little self-handicapping for the Copa America:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... 37&cc=5901

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 8:51 am

Luca Toni to Bayern.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:05 am

fsquid wrote:Luca Toni to Bayern.

And it looks like they're going to lock horns with Real Madrid over Ribery as well.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:18 am

Bayern is done playing games, the time is serious now.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 11:12 am

Who thinks T. Henry will change address next season? Spain & Italy are calling.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:01 am

Alert the constables in the North East: Joey Barton has signed with Newcastle.

Excuse me if I'm not overjoyed. My "massive" club has signed a miscreant and a fat, aging striker in Mark Viduka. Oh, joy -- silverware will rain down on St. James' Park next season after those signings.

Meanwhile, one of the few Newcastle players with any heart or commitment, Scott Parker, is leaving Tyneside to return to London to play for West Ham.

Swell. Just swell.

Take care,
PK

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:40 am

10spro wrote:Who thinks T. Henry will change address next season? Spain & Italy are calling.

Ok let's see how good I am...

Henry to Barca.
Berbatov is staying at spurs.
Eto'o will not be at Barca, I will say Chelsea.

Newcastle will not break the top 10. That's not that hard to call.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 11:03 am

JRod wrote:Newcastle will not break the top 10. That's not that hard to call.

Come on, John: That prediction ranks right up there with "the sun rises in the East and sets in the West."

Take care,
PK

Macca00 · Post by **Macca00** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 11:29 am

What are the Vegas odds on whom Barton is going to beat up first?

My money's on Dyer.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 11:32 am

JRod wrote:
10spro wrote:Who thinks T. Henry will change address next season? Spain & Italy are calling.
Ok let's see how good I am...

Henry to Barca.
Berbatov is staying at spurs.
Eto'o will not be at Barca, I will say Chelsea.

Newcastle will not break the top 10. That's not that hard to call.

Well, my guess is that either Henry will stay in Arsenal or go to AC Milan but if Eto'o leaves Barca anything is possible. But if the Frenchman ends up in Italy, the Kaka-Henry combo is scary.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 11:41 am

Macca00 wrote:What are the Vegas odds on whom Barton is going to beat up first?

My money's on Dyer.

Owen and then Owen would be out for 6 mos. I should there's a OTB in the UK that has odds on that.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 2:38 pm

I can't even remember the last time I saw Henry play.

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 4:30 pm

I know that there probably aren't a lot of MLS fans here...but for Zeppo especially and others who support NY, good luck tonight - I'll be one of the crazy TFC fans shaking sold out BMO field tonight...should be a good one!

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 4:59 pm

fanatic wrote:I know that there probably aren't a lot of MLS fans here...but for Zeppo especially and others who support NY, good luck tonight - I'll be one of the crazy TFC fans shaking sold out BMO field tonight...should be a good one!

Should be a good one. NY looks like the best team in the league, and Toronto fans have clearly taken the mantle from DC United fans as creating the best in-game atmosphere in the league (an oh yeah, Toronto the team is turning it around too).

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 5:53 pm

fanatic wrote:I know that there probably aren't a lot of MLS fans here...but for Zeppo especially and others who support NY, good luck tonight - I'll be one of the crazy TFC fans shaking sold out BMO field tonight...should be a good one!

Canada is playing in the Gold Cup as well.

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 11:04 pm

Naples39 wrote:
fanatic wrote:I know that there probably aren't a lot of MLS fans here...but for Zeppo especially and others who support NY, good luck tonight - I'll be one of the crazy TFC fans shaking sold out BMO field tonight...should be a good one!
Should be a good one. NY looks like the best team in the league, and Toronto fans have clearly taken the mantle from DC United fans as creating the best in-game atmosphere in the league (an oh yeah, Toronto the team is turning it around too).

Good game...TFC looked like they were going to hang on until Angel showed some brilliance with that free kick and then 2nd goal.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:20 am

Angel is singlehandedly making a mockery of the talent level in MLS. Every GM in the league should be combing Europe for talent like that which has passed the sell-by date there but isn't debilitated by chronic or serious injury.

Somewhere right now Figo has to be opening up a new bank account.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:26 am

Angel would be one of my first purchases back in some of the old versions of Championship Manager.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:32 am

I'm just glad Dema was able to throw a beer back at the crowd in the celebration after Angel's 2nd goal.

Throw a beer Dema,
Throw a beer!
clap clap

I wonder what Mathis would have done with the beer if he had been on the pitch.

I don't know what Coach Arena said at haltime, but whatever it was it woke them up. Man, but Taylor Graham is an adventure back there, especially when Conway is in goal, although he did seem to enjoy knocking Dichio down over and over. It was nice to see Schopp get some serious minutes, even if it was at RB for most of the time.

Thank goodness for Angel. And the TFC back line. And their backup goalie.

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 3:03 pm

Zeppo wrote:I'm just glad Dema was able to throw a beer back at the crowd in the celebration after Angel's 2nd goal.

Throw a beer Dema,
Throw a beer!
clap clap

I wonder what Mathis would have done with the beer if he had been on the pitch.

I don't know what Coach Arena said at haltime, but whatever it was it woke them up. Man, but Taylor Graham is an adventure back there, especially when Conway is in goal, although he did seem to enjoy knocking Dichio down over and over. It was nice to see Schopp get some serious minutes, even if it was at RB for most of the time.

Thank goodness for Angel. And the TFC back line. And their backup goalie.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of "over-enthusiastic" fans at BMO field. For the most part it's a classy bunch, but in a crowd of 20,000 there's definitely a good chunk that don't mind crossing the line. I loved how he threw it back as well!

Yep, the TFC back line is weak indeed. We seem to be building the team from the front - back...not sure if it's the best strategy. Having Sutton in net would have helped too.

Seems like it could be a good rivalry though- both big markets, close to each other in distance, good first game.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 6:39 pm

Ribery to Bayern.

Squid must be happy. Bayern are starting to put together a team to win the Champions League.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 11:35 pm

JRod wrote:Ribery to Bayern.

Squid must be happy. Bayern are starting to put together a team to win the Champions League.

Too bad we aren't in that competition again. We are just pissed off now.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 1:40 pm

No comments on that abomination yesterday vs. Guatemala? I suppose it's not worthy of much discussion. It was clearly baptism by fire, especially for the midfield. Nice stuff in the first half, but the entire squad seemed to lose its composure when the tackles started coming in fast and furious. Particularly terrible game for Gooch, Bocanegra and Bornstein. I have to believe the door is wide open for Jay Demerit to grab a spot.

I suppose that it was a good intro to life in CONCACAF for the youngsters though. If you can't handle getting chopped down and elbowed by frustrated mean little people whos would rather be shortstops as the official blatantly favors the opposition, CONCACAF is not the region for you

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 1:53 pm

Only saw the second half, and man was it ugly. The officiating was ridiculous too-Guatemala was making all kinds late challenges with no play at the ball, yet the US couldn't even get a FK let alone a yellow.

Btw, I still don't know what Gooch's first yellow was even for. Anyone catch that. Ruiz fouled him, USA gets a FK, yet Gooch picks up a yellow?

Man I hate the Guats.