Beautiful Game 12/13 Thread (Major EPL slant)

[pk500]

Was it Keller who said at halftime, "This isn't even a soccer match anymore." Best commentary of the night in any sport I watched.

But as Rob said, still one of the coolest, most surreal sporting events I've seen in quite some time.

[Murph]

Costa Rica to protest the game?

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... wy-loss-us

Watching the game, t seemed pretty clear that the Costa Rican players (as well as the Americans) wanted to continue the game, despite being down a goal, which I thought was pretty ballsy at the time.

[fsquid]

this is why I hate people from south of the border, you fecking lost, move on cocksuckers

[Macca00]

this is why I hate people from south of the border, you fecking lost, move on cocksuckers

[fsquid]

How about this for Costa Rica, we can replay the match if they never put a game on at 2 in the afternoon on that crappy astroturf they have in Saprissa.

[Murph]

How about this for Costa Rica, we can replay the match if they never put a game on at 2 in the afternoon on that crappy astroturf they have in Saprissa.

Funny you should mention that. I was just reading how they were the first stadium to host a WC Qualifying match on fieldturf. Apparently, because of their long, tropical rainy seasons, FIFA allowed them to swap surfaces.

[fsquid]

NBC made their first hire related to their purchase of the EPL rights. Rebecca Lowe will be their studio host. Good move, loved her when I got Setanta Sports.

[pk500]

Lucky, lucky point tonight for U.S. at the Azteca. Edu clearly committed a foul. A penalty should have been called.

Just once I'd like to hear the ESPN announcers say the U.S. earned a lucky point. But one gets the impression that the U.S. produced heroic defending after listening to Lalas, Keller and Twellman. Bullsh*t -- much of the U.S. defending was of the Keystone Kops variety.

Still, a point is a point, especially in that urine-bleeding cauldron.

[RobVarak]

Agreed. It seemed like Twellman was watching a completely different game. Still, a depleted team like that isn't going to get a result in Azteca without a little luck, so I'm more than happy for it.

[Naples39]

That was a penalty on Edu, and the US had basically zip for scoing chances, but it still rates as one of their better performances there. 0-13-2!!!

At least Omar Gonzalez emerged as perhaps the first choice centerback, and it was great to see El Guzano get 2 clean sheets.

[fsquid]

I actually thought the defending wasn't bad at all. The midfield couldn't do too much with how the Mexicans closed them down on their side of the field.

[fsquid]

At least Omar Gonzalez emerged as perhaps the first choice centerback

he was good

[RobVarak]

That was a penalty on Edu, and the US had basically zip for scoing chances, but it still rates as one of their better performances there. 0-13-2!!!

At least Omar Gonzalez emerged as perhaps the first choice centerback, and it was great to see El Guzano get 2 clean sheets.

Guzan was strong and while luck was certainly key, he only had to make 3 saves. Full credit to the US defense and Mexico's inability to create around the 18-yd box.

Just mentioned this to PK on Facebook, but there's a major coaching/mentality problem when a team of small guys with wonderful technique dominates possession but repeatedly resorts to flinging in long aerial crosses against a bigger more athletic defense. It's a terribly low % play, but one that gets the attacker off the hook because he can say "I put in a good ball." It's a trap really. If I were a Mexico fan I'd be at the coaches throat to make it clear to his players that if pass and move is good enough for 80% of the field, it's good enough for the last 20 as well.

[wco81]

But the talk of off with Klinnsman's head seems to have subsided?

What a difference (less than) a week makes.

[fsquid]

But the talk of off with Klinnsman's head seems to have subsided?

What a difference (less than) a week makes.

winning cures anything

[fsquid]

That was a penalty on Edu

He got his back leg after the chance. If he doesn't act like he was just shot in the face by Dirty Harry he probably gets the call. The histrionics probably keep him from getting the call.

[fsquid]

Stuart Holden is going on loan to Sheffield Wednesday since he's been unable to crack the lineup at Bolton.

[GB_Simo]

Better yet, you're taking Steve Howard off us. I cannot thank you enough.

If Dave Jones wants height up front, why did he not sign a more capable player such as, I dunno, Barney the dinosaur?

[Naples39]

Stuart Holden is going on loan to Sheffield Wednesday since he's been unable to crack the lineup at Bolton.

I thought he's been injured a lot, and is just getting back after an extended period out.

[fsquid]

Stuart Holden is going on loan to Sheffield Wednesday since he's been unable to crack the lineup at Bolton.

I thought he's been injured a lot, and is just getting back after an extended period out.

he's been available to play since early Feb and has only played in one match, so I don't know.

[fsquid]

Better yet, you're taking Steve Howard off us. I cannot thank you enough.

If Dave Jones wants height up front, why did he not sign a more capable player such as, I dunno, Barney the dinosaur?

must have been because all of his goals have come against the Pigs?

[MizzouRah]

I got tickets today to see Chelsea vs Man City at Busch Stadium on May 23rd.. I'm so pumped!!!

[10spro]

Obviously Barca wasn't the same team once Messi got his hamstring injury but they still controlled the play. The two goals are important but how could the zebras miss the obvious Ibrahimovic offside?

Bayern made it look easy.

[fsquid]

Bayern just being Bayern.

[10spro]

Sergio Aguero's brilliant goal will bring a big smile for City's fans but their quest to catch United is a bit too little, too late.