Soccer thread

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 4:45 pm

I caught the Fulham-Newcastle game at the local sports bar with a friend, at it was a pretty strong showing for all 4 americans. I thought Onyewu generally had a strong debut, and was probably Newcastle's best defender. McBride didn't have a great game but did get a goal, and Bocanegra looked very strong in central defense, twice getting headers on-frame from set pieces (hopefully that form carries over for weds!). Dempsey only played a few minutes and didn't do a whole lot, though the two times he did possess the ball he looked pretty sharp.

Highlights

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 1:26 pm

A couple of friendly Internationals coming this coming week. I'll be watching France-Argentina on wednesday to be played in Paris.

It was nice to hear Max Bretos back in Futbol Argentino a couple of weeks ago narrating the summer superclasico between Boca-River. Hope he stays for the clausura tournament.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 1:56 pm

10spro wrote:It was nice to hear Max Bretos back in Futbol Argentino a couple of weeks ago narrating the summer superclasico between Boca-River. Hope he stays for the clausura tournament.

James:

Was Christian Bozzo alongside Max doing color? Max solo is excellent, but Max and Bozzo were must-hear TV for me every week when they used to do Argentine games Sunday afternoons for FSW.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 2:55 pm

PK, it was Max doing solo and as you said he's great by himself although with Bozo it would have been the total package. But I did miss them last season and I hope Fox will select them to continue following the Argentine Clausura tournament.

The 'Copa Revancha' went to your River team after an exciting 1-1 tie and with only 9 men left. D. Passarela is doing a great job there, they are the favourites now to win the Apertura. Damn Gallinas...

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 12:17 pm

It's a close shave but Liverpool may finally get an owner everyone is happy with: http://tsn.ca/soccer/news_story/?ID=195087&hubname=

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 7:54 pm

Having looked at the probable lineups for tomorrow, I'm gonna go ahead and predict a 2-1 mexican victory.

With the additions of Blanco and Castillo, Mexico will be fielding a side that is arguably more talented than their WC side. On the flip side, with Beasley, Onyewu, Ching, Keller, Cherundolo, Gibbs, and Lewis all absent for various reasons, and McBride and Reyna internationally retired, the US squad is nowhere near full strength.

That and the fact that all the Mexican players are in midseason form is gonna make this a tough match for the boys.

Practice lineups according to Ives Galarcep on his blog:

-----------Rolfe---------Donovan-------------

Convey------------------------------Dempsey

-----------Mastroeni---Clark-----------------

Bornstein----------------------------Albright

----------Bocanegra----Conrad--------------

------------------Howard---------------------

Mexico

---------Borgetti-----------Bravo--------

--------------------Blanco-----------------

Castillo------------------------------Medina

--------------------Pardo------------------

Lozano-------------------------------Osorio

-------------Marquez------Salcido---------

-------------------Sanchez-----------------

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 10:23 am

Has this link been posted yet? It's a guide to the Liverpool roster for the new American owners and it's pretty hilarious:

http://www.football365.com/story/0,1703 ... 97,00.html

Sam Hyypia

Veteran centerblocker famed for aerial rebound ability, composureability, although lacks change-up, questions over groundplay v forwards with nimbleness quotient. Radical air with headbombs from special plays ensures a conversions per season tally average of six. Hails from Finlandland, a country in Europe that is part of the 'Axis Of Pleasantness'.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 10:54 am

That's awesome. Loved this one:

James 'The Minister Of Defense' Carragher

Captain of defense and native 'Scouser'. 2963 minutes of field time with powerplay change-up stats of 5-6-3. Awesome displays in penalty zone versus aerial offense plays. Awesome displays at club Christmas parties. Distribution ranked only 245th in EPL. Note: communication may be difficult as James does not speak English.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 12:59 am

Go U.S.! Tough break for Mex with that ball bouncing off the ref.

Am I crazy, or is that CG confetti? What's going on here?

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 1:11 am

2-0 again!!!

Couldn't be any happier to be wrong with my prediction. There was a lot of quiet confidence in the Mexican camp that this would be when Mexico finally breaks its scoreless streak in the US, but even with a 100% lineup versus an understrength and very young US squad they still can't get the result.

Conrad getting the goal is a classic example of sports karma where the guy playing hard and making plays all night finds himself in the right spot at the right time and bags the winner. Easy choice for MOTM. Bornstein had a real eye-opening performance as well, playing an excellent match. After his early shakiness against Denmark I had my doubts, but he played a great two-way game, and down the stretch held the ball better than anyone else on the US team.

Dempsey looked supremely confident on the ball, but had trouble linking up with people. Donovan was pretty invisible for the first half, but got better as the game went on and took the 2nd goal very well, in vintage fashion splitting the defense and rounding the keeper.

The only real negatives were Chris Rolfe, who was utterly dreadful and totally outmatched by the experienced Mexican central defenders, and Chris Albright, who got through the first half okay, but was shredded by Mexican attackers in the second half.

Sadly, another typical display of Mexican sportsmanship as well. Not as bad as Mexico's cheap-shot parade in the waning moments of WC2002, but despicable sportsmanship as Sanchez takes a crack at EJ's ankles while he was celebrating the second goal. As is the pattern when Mexico loses to the US, Mexico refuses to shake hands or exchange jerseys after the game as well. Bah!! Who cares!! 2-0!!!

sfz_T-car · Post by **sfz_T-car** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 1:12 am

Can't complain about the result but I thought Mexico dominated play for long stretches of the 2nd half. They just couldn't finish their opportunities, while the US did. The corner was excellent and Donovan kept his composure in the mano a mano vs. Sanchez.

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 1:23 am

sfz_T-car wrote:Can't complain about the result but I thought Mexico dominated play for long stretches of the 2nd half. They just couldn't finish their opportunities, while the US did. The corner was excellent and Donovan kept his composure in the mano a mano vs. Sanchez.

Finally Donavan made a play. I can't stand him and I am a USA supporter.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 1:30 am

Promising win in Paris as Argentina beats the hosts 1-0. New coach A. Basile recalls former captain J. Zanetti who wasn't selected during the WC and along with new star former Boca juniors player F. Gago who now plays for Real, they controlled the midfield along with E. Cambiasso (I still remember his memorable goal during the WC).

J. Saviola who's red hot in Barcelona scored for the Argentines.

F308GTB · Post by **F308GTB** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 8:04 am

Political rant ahead...

Haven't watched the second half of the game yet, but I tell you, I lost all respect for Mexicans last night. It's bad enough when more than half the crowd comes out dressed in red and green and cheering for Mexico, but when I see drinks fly towards US players setting for a corner it just makes my stomach turn. I guess the USA is good enough to live in and earn money but not good enough to support? I would have a tremendous more respect for someone here illegally giving 100% support to the US than these idiots who were at the game legally or illegally and giving blind faith support to the country they were so happy to escape. Boot theis a$$es out and keep only those that love and respect this country.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 10:02 am

Feck the Mexicans. You expect class from guys that have to sneak over a border? 2-0, 2-0, 2-0. We hate Mexico more than you, doo-da, doo-da!!

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 10:11 am

F308GTB wrote:Political rant ahead...

Haven't watched the second half of the game yet, but I tell you, I lost all respect for Mexicans last night. It's bad enough when more than half the crowd comes out dressed in red and green and cheering for Mexico, but when I see drinks fly towards US players setting for a corner it just makes my stomach turn. I guess the USA is good enough to live in and earn money but not good enough to support? I would have a tremendous more respect for someone here illegally giving 100% support to the US than these idiots who were at the game legally or illegally and giving blind faith support to the country they were so happy to escape. Boot theis a$$es out and keep only those that love and respect this country.

The behavior of their fans didn't really bother me. I expected it. Plus living in close proximity to Sox fans will inure you to assinine fan behavior

The team was another story. That takeout attempt by Sanchez was vile, and their ongoing refusal to shake hands or trade shirts is juvenile and classless.

I reiterate my comments from the Denmark game about Arena and Wynalda. That's an absolutely brilliant pairing, and they are among my favorite broadcast teams already. Individually they can both be a bit more than a little insufferable, but they have excellent on-air chemistry. Their areas of expertise compliment each other well, and Wynalda matches his analytical ability with both passion and a willingness to say anything. He may be a little harsh, and could be more...diplomatic in his criticism, but he's a breath of fresh air in the world of ass-kissing commentators.

I don't know how the ESPN people responsible for those two can also continue to foist O'Brien on us though. He is so obviously illiterate when it comes to the language of soccer that it's infuriating! He's a good technical announcer, but he regularly makes mistakes in terminology and descriptions. It's nothing personal, and he is clearly working hard to improve, but those commentators deserve a better play-by-play man to work with.

MOTM was obviously Conrad, but I loved what I saw out of Bornstein as well. I also am falling in love with Ricardo Clark. He's young and his passing needs to improve, but he's excelling at breaking up attacks as they build and he's not afraid to get stuck in at all. He plays much bigger than he is, and as Alex Ferguson would say, he has the courage it takes. I'm afraid Albright is just not getting it done, and there was no link-up play in the offensive 1/3 though. Somebody needs to take up that McBride post-player role to compliment Johnson or our other forwards.

Post by **Jared** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 11:20 am

Fun 2nd half to watch. One thing I really liked about the broadcast is that they treated it like an actual event. Half-hour pre-game, showing the national anthems, two sideline reporters...it was great. I don't want that kind of coverage for every single match. But if they cover it that way for the big friendlies and the WC qualifiers....that would be great. (Only thing lacking was HD).

I think O'Brien, while still poor, is improving. If they don't bring in an experienced soccer commentator, they might as well stick with him...as he gains experience, I hope he will become competent.

As for the players, Conrad was amazing. Bornstein has a lot of potential...though I'm a bit worried about his positioning (he got caught out of position a decent amount, especially in the 1st half). Mastroeni played well, though I think Clark's distribution REALLY has to improve if he wants to play at this level...he gave away possession a lot. Donovan, although not great, was dribbling at defenders which was great to see. Hopefully he's getting out of this passive phase that we saw in the Ghana and Denmark matches. And Rolfe and Albright? Eek.

And as for the Mexican fans...that's fine...they can root for their country of birth...I've got no problems with that. The team however...Mexico thinks they're better than the US...and they're just not. They had their A+ squad, and we were missing key players (Beasley, Onweyu, Cherundolo), and we still won 2-0. What are we...8-2-1 against them in our last 11? And the two losses were playing at Azteca, which is nearly impossible for opposing teams. USA! USA!

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 12:09 pm

Ah, the most beautiful sound in US Soccer was flowing at the bar last night:

Dos a cero! Dos a cero! Dos a cero!

I'm very glad I decided to head out and watch it with the gang. I saw a couple friends I hadn't seen in a while, and the noise in that place when the first goal went in was deafening. What a rush! In the euphoria of the 2nd goal, i completely missed the cheap-shot attempt, but I'm not surprised.

Aye, yai ya yai,
Somebody stole my Sombrero!
That dirty old rat
Has stolen my hat,
And now I've got nothing
To wear-o
wear-o
weeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaarr-ooooooooooooo!

Dos a cero, bitches!

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 12:17 pm

A great result for the USA. Good second half to watch that was. Dont get me started on the Mexican fans, it shows how idiotic they are , i mean who would waste a good beer by throwing it at a player like that.

As far as the keepers attempt at lashing out after the goal i hope Fifa takes action and while they are at it Ban the whole team from International play for a while until they can man up and show some sportsmanship.

Whinealda comes off as a bitter x player who still thinks hes better than the current team, hes a knob.
Thought Arena was much better, but that obrian, geez did he think he was calling a basketball game ? So annoying.

Maybe Fox should do the US games And Max and Miles can do them and Max could tell Whinealda to Shut his trap.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 12:57 pm

Jimmydeicide wrote:A great result for the USA. Good second half to watch that was. Dont get me started on the Mexican fans, it shows how idiotic they are , i mean who would waste a good beer by throwing it at a player like that.

Given the habits of mexican fans to throw 'bodily fluids' at players of opposing teams, I can only hope it was beer in that cup.

I'm not sure if everyone caught this, but Howard almost sat out the game because in warmups 'he fell on something sharp' around the goal box and cut his forearm. Now I can't be sure, but to me that sounds like even more serious delinquent behavior by the mexican fans before the game.

And for those that missed the cheapshot;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhdKOq-3z5o&NR

Believe it or not, some Mexican media has tried to defend this action;

Medio Tiempo
"The taunts of the U.S. attackers were the constants in this action (Donovan's goal), so much that Oswaldo threatened to kick Johnson who passed in front of the Mexican goalkeeper and was mocking (him) about a goal which shouldn't have been celebrated because of the way in which it was given to them."

Wynalda is right; the level of denial among the Mexican fans, media and players is mindblowing.

bphilipb · Post by **bphilipb** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 1:35 pm

Will the U.S. submit the tape of the Sanchez play or does that have to come from the refs? Either way, I wanted to go through my tv set and strangle that guy. I kept rewinding it and thinking about if he caught Johnson and Johnson wasn't looking.... How bad it could of been.

BB

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 2:21 pm

bphilipb wrote:Will the U.S. submit the tape of the Sanchez play or does that have to come from the refs? Either way, I wanted to go through my tv set and strangle that guy. I kept rewinding it and thinking about if he caught Johnson and Johnson wasn't looking.... How bad it could of been.

BB

As I said to my friend, part of me almost wishes he nicked Johnson just enough to trip him (but not injure him). Then the ref would've had no choice but to red card him, and FIFA would be obliged to give some kind of suspension. As it is now, who knows if anything will happen

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 2:35 pm

Just a random question: Is Fox's Jamie Trecker a complete moron? I mean, does he have a history of moronism or was the interview that I just heard him give out of character?

Seriously, I don't follow his work much. I seem to recall he was involved in "breaking" the Klinsmann stuff. He was on World Soccer Daily this afternoon making all sorts of odd and, to my mind, stupid statements.

Post by **Jared** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 2:47 pm

Yes. Jamie Trecker is a moron.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 3:23 pm

From the Guadalajara newspaper.

When he found out minutes earlier that a few of the U.S. players criticized him for trying to injure Johnson after the second goal via Landon Donovan from the Stars and Stripes team, Sanchez was sharp-worded with his reply, “I don’t give a s*** what they say. F*** their mothers.”