Soccer thread 08/09 (will have spoilers!)

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 11:13 am

The summer season is awful. Awful! I can't tell you how many Fire games I've been to where it's clear that because of conditions there's just not more than 45 minutes of good soccer in the offing because of the conditions.

I agree that without relegation having a straight table with no playoffs doesn't make sense. That's truly unfortunate. Nevertheless, the bizarre playoff format that they have now is pretty half-assed. Two-legged matches early and then one-offs for the "conference championships" is odd to say the least. A one game final is understandable. Then there's this lunacy with seeding teams in the other division for the playoffs...

A bigger deal for me, because it impacts the national team, is the obstinate refusal of MLS to recognize FIFA breaks. It's a bush league move that makes the league look second rate and does no favors to players, fans or the game.

All that said, I've found the level of football played in MLS to be improving and more than capable of being entertaining. I take in more games live and televised every year. It suffers badly by comparison to Europe for those of us who follow the world game, but it's not without its charms...particularly live. It's very American to dismiss something that isn't worthy of claims to being the Absolute Best, but there's worthwhile soccer being played in leagues second and third rate throughout the world. There's no shame in having a league that isn't elite.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 11:21 am

RobVarak wrote:The summer season is awful. Awful! I can't tell you how many Fire games I've been to where it's clear that because of conditions there's just not more than 45 minutes of good soccer in the offing because of the conditions.

Ya, I don't like watching MLS games in July more than anyone else, as the games are usually pretty brutal. But unfortunately the alternatives are even less appealing.

Then there's this lunacy with seeding teams in the other division for the playoffs...

This was a concession to the single-table blowhards. Goodness know the integrity of the league might collapse if the team with the 9th best record league-wide gets the 4th and final playoff spot in the weaker conference! *gasp*

MLS isn't as good as Europe, and that's plain for anyone to see. Still, I am really looking forward to MLS Philly starting in 2010. Almost surely will get season tickets.

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:16 pm

While I'll agree that we can't simply restructure the MLS to play out like the EPL, there are certainly some changes that could be made.

Personally, I don't think having eight teams make the playoffs is reasonable. Performing around or under .500 (i.e. Red Bulls) should not warrant a chance for the title.

To remedy this, I would rather see the East and West winners make it to the playoffs along with the next best two teams in the MLS. Both conference winners should host a one game semi-final (giving them a real advantage for their regular season success) - followed by a one game final.

This way, only the best teams make it to the postseason, yet it's not so ultra-exclusive that most teams won't think they have something to play for.

The MLS has certainly been very entertaining to watch live (especially as a TFC season ticket holder)...I don't compare it to the EPL, but rather take it for what it is...pretty decent football and a great way to spend a couple of hours.

Macca00 · Post by **Macca00** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 10:05 pm

Glen Johnson - goal of the season? Brilliant goal.

Also brilliant - Robinho....I know he cost 30 million but I still think he's the best buy of the season so far. What a goal against Arsenal.

At the other end of the spectrum, Paddy Dogsh!t missed another sitter from 5 yards out....I know he has 4 goals and 4 assists this season but for 20 million you'd think he could finish from 5 yards out. Stick him on the bench and play Babel upfront with Torres.

Thank God Chelsea and Man U drew as well - how about that 30 yard foul by Vidic not called by the ref. Brilliant stuff.

Arsenal should just play their youngsters because they're just soooooo good.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 5:05 am

The youngsters are indeed good, but they don't have that solid centre without Toure, Diaby and Fabregas.

Don't understand why they didn't play one of their GYLs rather than that carthorse Bendtner - he's definitely Championship quality, in his pink boots looking like a big jessica.

Still, the papers here are gradually winding up the 'who are City buying in January' stories, given that everyone else is skint. So far, City are lining up as follows

Buffon

Zabaleta Richards Toure Cole (or Lahm, depending on your paper)

Wright-Philips Ireland Diarra Robinho

Podolski Santa Cruz

Might just avoid relegation and get us ready for summer.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 5:21 pm

The Arsenal kids must only be good when they play the top clubs or something.

Or when their backs are against the wall?

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 7:01 pm

wco81 wrote:The Arsenal kids must only be good when they play the top clubs or something.

Or when their backs are against the wall?

I wouldn't be calling Van Persie a kid personally but I think that ManU should be sending the rest of the squad some teletubbie videos and dancing elmo's for keeping Chelsea from getting any points. Come to think of it they should also give the line judge a fiver for allowing Persie's first goal. Pretty tight race at the moment.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 11:45 pm

Pretty nifty scoring between Inter & Napoli, expecially the ones by Muntari and Lavezzi.

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 5:20 pm

The gamecast feature on ESPN Soccernet is surprisingly good. I'm really enjoying the Carling Cup quarters at the moment.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 10:28 am

Should be a good Bundesliga match on Friday as Bayern takes on the surprising Hoffenheim. Hoffenheim with a population of 3k

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 10:31 am

fsquid wrote:Should be a good Bundesliga match on Friday as Bayern takes on the surprising Hoffenheim. Hoffenheim with a population of 3k

Nice...I keep hearing about their cinderella story, but never get to watch. Does anyone carry these mathces? I'll check the Setanta schedule.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 10:33 am

GolTV has the Bundesliga rights.

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 10:42 am

fsquid wrote:GolTV has the Bundesliga rights.

Ah cool...I think my provider dropped free coverage of GolTV. I'll have to check. Thanks for the info.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 10:58 am

I have DISH and they dropped them after a fee dispute.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 5:02 pm

The Gutless Bogtrotter has resigned from Sunderland....true to form, when the going gets tough (or the opponent fights back), Fearless Roy Keane does a runner.

Snivelling bag of shite that he is, rancid waste of the molecules that make him up.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 1:13 pm

Good to see the England #1 back in normal form last night!

Bayern-Hoffenheim will be cracking this afternoon.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 10:36 pm

Hoffenheim is good

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 2:54 pm

Man arrested in hunt for Campbell abusers

Police have arrested two of 16 suspects who allegedly shouted racist and homophobic chants at a football match:

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

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 3:12 pm

fsquid wrote:Hoffenheim is good

Just picked up Timo Hildebrand on a freebie from Valencia as well - that's a good bit of business.

Macca00 · Post by **Macca00** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 3:27 pm

AC Milan want Daniel Agger. Sounds good, just give us Kaka in return and we'll call it even...hell we'll even throw in a free Robbie Keane.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 3:30 pm

Macca00 wrote:AC Milan want Daniel Agger. Sounds good, just give us Kaka in return and we'll call it even...hell we'll even throw in a free Robbie Keane.

I don't think that Rafa can move him with Skrtel still working his way back (and probably a long way from effectiveness) and Hyypia off of the CL roster...even if they tossed in Kaka

Maybe we can interest them in 2 crappy LB's for the price of 1 and unload Dossena and Aurelio?

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 3:46 pm

davet010 wrote:
fsquid wrote:Hoffenheim is good
Just picked up Timo Hildebrand on a freebie from Valencia as well - that's a good bit of business.

I agree

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 3:57 pm

So some people are saying Barcelona is looking like the team to beat in the CL.

A little premature to make such pronouncements?

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 4:12 pm

wco81 wrote:So some people are saying Barcelona is looking like the team to beat in the CL.

A little premature to make such pronouncements?

They're clearly the best attacking team. I don't know if they've genuinely improved enough in the back or if they'll still have the defensive failings which have plagued their CL progress in the previous campaigns.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 4:13 pm

It's incredible how much better Roma plays with Totti healthy compared to their miserable form at the start of the season without him. How he's often seen as overrated outside of Italy is beyond me.

Menez, De Rossi, Baptista looked good as well.