The Beautiful Game Thread, 11/12

[GB_Simo]

You'll be wanting one of these, what with how the season's underway and everything. Reassuringly, no matter how many Peruvian internationals we have on the pitch, Hartlepool United are still conceding deflected equalisers in stoppage time. It's like a comfort blanket, albeit a faintly disappointing one, one that faded and went all bobbly in the wash.

[fsquid]

Wednesday won 2-0 against Rochdale. Still don't have a proper striker.

[miget33]

City being City. All is right with the world.


Can't wait for next week.

[fsquid]

where is DaveT on a day like today?

[fsquid]

NBC just bought FSC's MLS package. 45 MLS games plus 4 USMNT mathces.

[Naples39]

NBC just bought FSC's MLS package. 45 MLS games plus 4 USMNT mathces.

Interesting. I guess going from Fox Soccer Channel to NBCsports-fkna-Versus is a step up for MLS and the USMNT.

[fsquid]

yes, deal is 2 regular season matches, 2 post season matches, and 3 of those National team games on the broadcast channel. The rest on the new NBC Sports Channel.

[miget33]

Spurs vs Everton has been called off due to the riots.

[Naples39]

I liked what I saw from the beginning of the Klinsmann era last night versus Mexico.

It was a pretty terrible first half, and a 4-5-1 with Bradley at ACM and Buddle all alone up top produced nothing.

Things looked completely different when Shea came in on the left wing, Agudelo came in for Buddle, and Donovan moved to ACM and all of a sudden was the fastest player on the field. I hope to see more of the young guys running and dribbling and a smiling coach on the sideline in the future.

In the end USA unlucky only to tie 1-1 due to the ref failing to make what appeared to be some obvious calls for penalties or give a red against Mexico.

[toonarmy]

There's no better way of gaining the ire of the public than by being responsible for the canceling of the EPL season opener. Thankfully the other matches appear to be on as scheduled.

The USA looked good after initially giving up a goal and not looking so hot. Klinsmann only had three training days with the team, so I don't think anyone can say much negative about what they saw. The final 2/3's of the match I liked what I saw. The final 1/4 of the match, I LOVED what I saw. Adjustments were competently made. New blood was given a chance. The US pushed the issue and played aggressively. It actually looked like we had some offensive weapons for a change. I know it was only a friendly and Mexico usually doesn't give it their all in friendlies, but still I am somewhat impressed with what I saw. And it was fun to see the coach showing so much positive energy and some emotion on the sideline. Klinsmann was completely upbeat and positive and supportive of his players. I would say his debut was a success even though the scoreboard said it was a draw. The ref was clearly awful and cheated us out of two obvious penalty kicks (arguably 3), so I viewed last night as a win. Who knows, maybe Klinsmann can raise the men's national team to another level by the time the next World Cup rolls around. I'm not holding my breath, but I am more optimistic than before.

[10spro]

Should we start a new fantasy league for 11-12?

http://fantasy.premierleague.com/

[F308GTB]

Working from home today, flipped the TV on and saw a bit of a French Ligue game. Beginning of their season but the irony of the graphic in the upper right saying essentially that the "season starts in 2 days". EPL is just the top of the heap. Looking forward to a new season.

[Naples39]

Freddy Adu to Philly Union. That should be fun.

[pigpen81]

Should we start a new fantasy league for 11-12?

http://fantasy.premierleague.com/

I already made a team.

Do we want a DSP League?

[pigpen81]

DSP EPL League:

http://fantasy.premierleague.com/

Code to join this league: 1444743-342024

This code is for the DSP Fantasy head to head league:

Code to join this league: 1444743-342106

I will be interested to see how it works.

One team can do both.

Good luck!

[fsquid]

Fulham-Villa moved to ESPN2 on Sat. to fill the void.

[miget33]

Robbie Keane to LA Galaxy

[pigpen81]

Robbie Keane to LA Galaxy

Bitchin!!!!

Rolling Thunder comes to the Home Depot Center!!!!

I got to see him do rolling thunder right in front of me at WHL against Liverpool 7 years back. I use that as my goal celebration with my students

They think I am the biggest idiot in the world afterward but I think its fun

[Jimmydeicide]

Robbie Keane to LA Galaxy

Bitchin!!!!

Rolling Thunder comes to the Home Depot Center!!!!

I got to see him do rolling thunder right in front of me at WHL against Liverpool 7 years back.

And that was the last time you saw it and i doubt you'll see it at the galaxy. Rob is now a Galaxy fan though.

[tjung0831]

at the Saurez penalty kick for Liverpool!!!

[10spro]

Joey Barton has to lean how to control his emotions better. It's not the first time and the zebras missed Song's stomp on his leg obviously. But he can't keep a grudge for so long where he becomes a distraction to his team. Gervinho was sent out deservingly in his debut but Barton's action deserved the same fate.

[toonarmy]

Barton is a first-class idiot and I wish they would find a way to get rid of him while at the same time replacing his skill by bringing someone else in. But that's part of the problem. Barton has such a bad rep that it may be hard to unload him and get much in return, thus the team will keep him. When Joey is not being naughty he is fun to have on the team -- good skill combined with team loyalty and drive to win. Unfortunately he is a bonehead. The funny thing is that his antics actually helped today in that it gave Newcastle a man up on the Gunners. The refs needed to pay more attention today. Song should have easily been sent off for his crude behavior in deliberately stomping Barton's leg while he was down. And of course Barton should have been sent off for his uncalled for antics in the penalty box.

It sucks to be a fan of the Magpies right now. Fat Mike has netted over $40 million since the Carroll deal and the team promised to put that money into bringing in talent. Now with Enrique being sent away just before the season started Newcastle does not have a lot of players to get excited about. It looks like Fat Mike is content with staying as mediocre as possible, while screwing the fans and lying his fat ass off as usual. On the plus side, Norwich got a point today. Just two years ago they were in the third division, and are now back up in the EPL. I can now actually watch most of their matches. It's cool to have two teams to cheer for in the EPL, even if they both have no chance of competing near the top.

[pk500]

Joey Barton has to lean how to control his emotions better. It's not the first time and the zebras missed Song's stomp on his leg obviously. But he can't keep a grudge for so long where he becomes a distraction to his team. Gervinho was sent out deservingly in his debut but Barton's action deserved the same fate.

Agreed. But a small part of me LOVED how Barton stood up for traditional, "tough guy" football by grabbing that diving git Gervinho and demanding that he stand. Somewhere, Vinnie Jones was smiling.

Still, Barton is a ticking bomb. He's a distraction. He's also Newcastle's best midfielder by a mile, so it's quite a quandary.

I thought Coloccini played a solid game for Newcastle. The rest of the back line is pretty bad. And who the hell is going to score this season for the Magpies? Any team that hangs it offensive hat on Shola Ameobi will struggle.

[toonarmy]

It looks like Pieters will be coming to Newcastle, replacing Enrique. Pieters is a bit of a gamble since he has been prone to injury, but he is young and has had flashes of really strong play. Probably not a bad signing. Pardew is all but saying that Newcastle will be bringing in a striker very soon. I certainly hope so because what they have there now does not give me much confidence. This team is hard to get a read on this early in the season since the starting lineup will be quite different from last year.

Here are some tweets from Joey Barton, btw:

“I hate CHEATS that dive to win penalties. If theres contact, go down, but dont try and con the ref.”

“Maybe I shouldnt have got involved but diving and trying to win a penalty is s**t.”

“If he doesnt dive, then the incident doesnt happen. He slapped me in the face – sending off or not?”

“I went down easy, no doubt. Still, you cant raise your hands.”

Hopefully Joey never plays pro football in Italy because he will have a meltdown every match if he does.

[10spro]

Little irony in his tweet, he hates cheats and while I agree with his general statement for the integrity of the game he goes down easily himself too after Gervinho's slap. He should know that most SA players dive in that area the moment they feel a push , it's a culture. Still, let the zebras call the game cause as fiery as he is, the Magpies need him in the game instead of being a distraction.

PK, I agree that Coloccini looked good maybe being captain raised his game to a level that I know he's capable of playing. And if he keeps it up, a call from A. Sabella from the Nationals shouldn't be too far after watching how the D struggled in the recent Copa America.