Soccer thread 07/08

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 8:30 am

Gregg Berhalter played brilliantly against Luca Toni last night.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 9:30 am

Yeah, I saw the Blue ThreeQuarters of Munich get ripped off with a dubious outside-the-box penalty in the last minute.

And Ribery's comedy fall - is that some sort of French genetic thing when faced with German aggression ?

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 9:34 am

Yup, Bayern got very lucky last night. Ribery's flop was a disgrace, but so was Toni's second yellow.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 6:18 pm

I know there's not too many MLS fans around here, but Philly was officially announced as the next MLS franchise today. The team will start play in 2010, and the stadium will be built next to the Commodore Barry bridge just off 95. As I'm moving back to Philly in the fall, looking forward to the day I can go to matches!

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 7:23 pm

Naples, I'm thrilled. It's close enough to DC and NYC that the road games among all three will be awesome. If the Philly stadium ends up looking like that and is easily accessible via public transpo, and if the RBNY get their stadium done next year (hard to believe, but they actually are getting work done there now), these Philly / NY games will be great to attend.

I can't wait!

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 7:44 pm

I hope the Philly stadium actually gets built with a full roof like that, but who knows if it stays that way. According to renders, the Red Bull and Philly parks look like the cream of MLS.

Unfortunately, AFAIK, there is no public transportation to the Philly park. It's very easy to drive to though (assuming parking lots aren't a mess).

I'm very tempted to put $50 down right now to get my first pick of season tickets.

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 7:46 pm

That stadium looks awesome! Looking forward to good Toronto/Philly rivalry....just like the 93' Series.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 9:55 pm

Naples39 wrote:Unfortunately, AFAIK, there is no public transportation to the Philly park. It's very easy to drive to though (assuming parking lots aren't a mess).

Wow, talk about a deal breaker. I'm not showing up if I can't get there on a train, and I'm by far not the only one who sees it that way.

Too bad, too. That's one of the best things about RBNY's stadium, that it will be easily accessible via PATH, NJ Transit trains, or Amtrak, as opposed to the nightmare that is Giants Stadium.

At least we should have some Philly fans in the house when we play up here.

Oh, and this:

Naples39 wrote: I'm very tempted to put $50 down right now to get my first pick of season tickets.

Do it.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 10:31 pm

Zeppo wrote:
Naples39 wrote:Unfortunately, AFAIK, there is no public transportation to the Philly park. It's very easy to drive to though (assuming parking lots aren't a mess).
Wow, talk about a deal breaker. I'm not showing up if I can't get there on a train, and I'm by far not the only one who sees it that way.

Evidently there is some public transport to Chester. There's a train station a mile or two from the stadium site that is served by the Philly regional rail system. So theoretically from NY area you could take Amtrak to 30th street station downtown, then pick up the R2 to Chester, and walk, cab or maybe bus to the stadium. Not sure if that's what you'd have in mind though.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 10:37 pm

wish they would put a team in Charlotte. I'd buy season tickets.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 10:47 pm

Naples39 wrote:
Zeppo wrote:
Naples39 wrote:Unfortunately, AFAIK, there is no public transportation to the Philly park. It's very easy to drive to though (assuming parking lots aren't a mess).
Wow, talk about a deal breaker. I'm not showing up if I can't get there on a train, and I'm by far not the only one who sees it that way.
Evidently there is some public transport to Chester. There's a train station a mile or two from the stadium site that is served by the Philly regional rail system. So theoretically from NY area you could take Amtrak to 30th street station downtown, then pick up the R2 to Chester, and walk, cab or maybe bus to the stadium. Not sure if that's what you'd have in mind though.

Anything that doesn't involve me or whoever is with me from driving is what I have in mind. A SEPTA station within walking distance is ideal! Better still if there should be any watering holes along the route. . . .

I figure there's time for me to figure it out.

I'm never interested in the gang's bus trips to DC or Foxboro, but Philly is so close, it would be a different story.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 11:26 pm

Nevermind, I'm boycotting MLS now.

http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp ... &fext=.jsp

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 11:51 pm

fsquid wrote:Nevermind, I'm boycotting MLS now.

http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp ... &fext=.jsp

Excuse me if this is a stupid question, but what does that have to do with MLS?

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 12:08 am

Naples39 wrote:
fsquid wrote:Nevermind, I'm boycotting MLS now.

http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp ... &fext=.jsp
Excuse me if this is a stupid question, but what does that have to do with MLS?

It's their site.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 6:07 am

Obviously their researcher is a master of his/her craft.

Full article about Sheff Wed, accompanying picture of fans dressed in the shirts of their arch-rivals, Sheff Utd.

It may be that the sight of SU fans (known lovingly by their neighbours as 'pigs', due to the resemblance of chubby fans in red and white stripes to streaky bacon) has disgusted young Squid.

Poor show, Mr or Mrs Editor !

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 10:15 am

Looks like the takeover will happen. 250 million euros will be invested in the club over the next 5 years. Let's just hope we don't have someone like Rafa to spend it.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 11:18 am

Sheffield Wednesady does what Liverpool couldn't do. Draw with Barnsley

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:59 pm

Kaka and Messi should be both fit enough to start their starting roles in their respectives teams for the CL league tomorrow. Look forward to ARS-INT game. The Italians have been struggling in the local Serie A tournament, but I expect them to be firing at all cylinders on tuesday.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 2:17 am

The King is dead, long live the ....Final score was a bit deceiving, Inter may have had a total of two-three chances while Arsenal with better execution could have run the score even further. It was a well played game for Arsene's boys, Pato and Kaka didn't do much for the home team.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 4:35 am

I bet Inter Milan are gutted that they have been eliminated from the CL - particularly as they don't play Liverpool til next week.

Still, sad to see Paolo Maldini bow out of the CL at last - just the 119 games and 5 medals.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 7:47 am

It was a deserved victory for Arsenal. Arsenal were the ones pushing the issue the whole game and Milan never really got going, although it took a moment of brilliance from Fabregas to break the deadlock. I guess there's a reason Milan is sitting 4 points of a champions league spot at the moment.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:44 am

Mr. Maldini, please report to UEFA with the CL trophy please.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 2:53 am

Two key headers finish off Real. Both were brilliantly timed while the home D were asleep and Casillas just totally mistimed the second goal. Overall I thought the Italians had better chances anyway and Real's goal was clearly offside. Robinho was the only dangerous dude for RM and the entrance of Vucinic was key for Roma.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 10:18 pm

always good to see Real exit.

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 10:34 pm

davet010 wrote:I bet Inter Milan are gutted that they have been eliminated from the CL - particularly as they don't play Liverpool til next week.

Still, sad to see Paolo Maldini bow out of the CL at last - just the 119 games and 5 medals.

According to one of the commentators they are already out, forget who it was as i watched so much footy over the last 2 days and i know its a tall order for Inter but for him to say they are out i thought was pathetic especialy the way Liverpool are playing at times.