week4paug.net

Where's the stage? Spurious Generalities => Sports Talk => Topic started by: MiamiPhish on August 18, 2008, 03:03:30 PM

Title: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on August 18, 2008, 03:03:30 PM
I thought it'd be cool if we could keep each other updated on our favorite football clubs (read: soccer teams.)  It's hard, here in the States, to keep up with all that is going on overseas, so I figure the more eyes/ears the merrier.  At this point, I'm partial to two (very different and very good) clubs..
(http://bugvezz.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/sevilla_fc260.jpg) Sevilla Football Club
And of course, (http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s275/RedDevilTHP/Crests/Manchester_United_FC.png?t=1199193878) Man. United

What say ye?
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: antelope19 on August 18, 2008, 03:06:19 PM
I dig soccer for the chicks!

(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h192/jj619_2006/picoday_soccer_dreamteam.jpg)

(http://www.ishkur.com/sports/worldcup02.jpg)

(http://www.mariod.net/html/media/1/20060616-soccer%20chicks.jpg)

:-D
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: OlfactoryHue on August 18, 2008, 03:11:46 PM
go brazil chick
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: whyweigh5.0 on August 18, 2008, 03:16:07 PM
#1, 5, 6 & 10 please :-D
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: blatboom on August 18, 2008, 03:21:33 PM
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/112/291496958_b543f60a94.jpg?v=0)
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on August 18, 2008, 03:23:35 PM
Quote from: OlfactoryHue on August 18, 2008, 03:11:46 PM
go brazil chick
hahah, thats exactly what I was thinkin
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: antelope19 on August 18, 2008, 03:28:28 PM
Quote from: OlfactoryHue on August 18, 2008, 03:11:46 PM
go brazil chick

(http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/3982/dammmmmmmgo9.jpg)
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: tet on August 18, 2008, 03:31:01 PM
while i fully support the Brazil chick, my loyalty remains with

(http://www.chelseafc.com/javaImages/11/ec/0,,10268~3206161,00.jpg)
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: whyweigh5.0 on August 18, 2008, 03:32:30 PM
maybe they should start PPV'ing a lingerie soccer match like they do that lingerie halftime show during the superbowl
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: antelope19 on August 18, 2008, 03:35:37 PM
Quote from: tet on August 18, 2008, 03:31:01 PM
while i fully support the Brazil chick, my loyalty remains with

(http://www.scarlett-photos.com/albums/Events/2006%2001%2016%20Golden%20Globes/GoldenGlobes-AfterParty_010.jpg)

FYP   :-P

Sorry to completely hijack your thread. 

When I used to watch soccer, i guess I kinda followed Manchester United.  But this was easily 10 years ago. 
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on August 18, 2008, 03:44:50 PM
You should get back into it... we can help!

(http://socialitelife.celebuzz.com/images/2008/01/dr_phil_010608-thumb.jpg)
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: tet on August 18, 2008, 04:53:24 PM
Quote from: antelope19 on August 18, 2008, 03:35:37 PM

FYP   :-P


(http://www.the-frat-pack.com/images/avatars/vince-motorboat.gif)
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: mattstick on August 18, 2008, 07:01:06 PM
(http://www.trabucoestates.com/Rangers%20Logo.png)
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: antelope19 on September 11, 2008, 09:39:12 AM
Anyone been watching the World Cup Qualifiers? 
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on September 11, 2008, 09:53:35 AM
wait... how did i miss this fucking thread...  i thought i was the resident football junkie.

and it obvious that i support

(http://www.bobaymark.de/photo/Poster/Soccer/ACMilan/AcMilandLogo_2.jpg)
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on September 11, 2008, 10:01:23 AM
seriously, how the fuck did i miss this?

so world cup qualifying... well, spain still looks impressive thats for sure...  my azzurri still don't look right. they needed an injury time score by di natale to win their first match, and still didn't look great yesterday vs. georgia... they dominated shots on goal (8-2), but T.O.P. was like 35-65 in favor of georgia...

of course lippi has really been selecting the "real" starting XI... but still. we need to pick it up.

on the club side of things... the EPL sux, its such a wankfest... serie a & la liga are still far superior leagues IMO.

the serie a will be fun to watch this year as there are 5 really good teams that will fight it out for champs league spots & the scudetto.  my prediction?  1. milan 2. juve 3. inter 4. roma 5. fiorentina

la liga looks real hard to predict this year, as the league is extremely stacked through the top half... especially with barca & madrid looking a little down ATM... i'd say though at the end it will be 1. barca 2. madrid 3. sevilla 4. athletico

epl? well i have no choice but to watch it since foxsoccerchannel shows more of their matches than any other league... too many rich owners fucking up the game there IMO.  but anyways, i'd say it looks like this. 1. chelski 2. man u 3. arsenal 4. tottenham 5. liverpool 5. blackburn 6. man city

wow, i hope this thread really takes off, as i love talking footie!
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: antelope19 on September 11, 2008, 10:08:26 AM
Well, I'm glad I gave it the bump!   :-D
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on September 14, 2008, 12:19:48 PM
I can't get shit in the way of TV football coverage... where/how are you guys watching matches?
(I have GOLTV which is pretty cool, but its basically liga primera re-runs most of the time, which is OK, but I'm admittedly a fan of the EPL as well as serie a.)

Oh, and if Sevilla FC finishes 3rd like you say, Jedi, I'll be very happy!
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: mattstick on September 14, 2008, 12:46:21 PM

I wish I could watch SPL matches, it's tough to even get highlights of my Rangers.

SPL soccer is really gritty and fun to watch, it's definitely not tops in Europe but it's great Football.  I've tried to watch MLS matches a few times to support Toronto FC but it's kind of a joke.  I'm hoping the league will continue to grow and be a more viable football option in the next 4 or 5 years.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on September 14, 2008, 02:03:02 PM
i watch soccer on TV on fox soccer channel.. i have comcast and in my area its channel 728 i believe.

as for the MLS, yeah its gotten better in its 10 yrs, but its still a ways off... the issue is that they expanded pretty fast, and the US youth soccer system just can't support it right now... so the product on the field is a bit mediocre..  i give it 5 yrs then it will be in a much better place.... but it will never be on par with euro leagues
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on September 17, 2008, 01:30:28 PM
My answers have been, for today, answered...

Manchester United Vs. Villareal  today on ESPN2 2:30 ET.  Replay at 5:00 ET on ESPN Classic
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on September 17, 2008, 02:13:04 PM
wow, you move quick, as i didn't even see any questions.

but since i'm here... how bout how shitty milan look right now... our defense is terrible!  could be a long season.

oh and i really hope inter don't win the champs league
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on September 17, 2008, 05:49:33 PM
Quote from: jedifunk on September 17, 2008, 02:13:04 PM
wow, you move quick, as i didn't even see any questions.

but since i'm here... how bout how shitty milan look right now... our defense is terrible!  could be a long season.

oh and i really hope inter don't win the champs league
Haha, I said 'answers' instead of 'prayers'
Unfortunately we've only got the Real Madrid - BATE (?) on right now... two teams I care very little about =(
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on October 01, 2008, 02:26:50 PM
Liverpool - PSV   2:30 on ESPN2

Anyone else catchin this game?  I've got my popcorn and beer ready!
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on October 01, 2008, 02:29:44 PM
man what a difference a week can make! milan looked fuggin great in the derby vs. inter on sunday...

and now we've won 4 in a row... look out
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: tet on October 03, 2008, 11:36:12 AM
check out this interview with Newcastle's new manager....   

just, wow...   :-o

http://www.football365.com/mediawatch/0,17033,8749_4238893,00.html
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on October 03, 2008, 11:36:39 AM
i know right... that guy went OFF
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Declan on October 12, 2008, 11:23:22 PM
Quote from: tet on August 18, 2008, 03:31:01 PM
my loyalty remains with

(http://www.chelseafc.com/javaImages/11/ec/0,,10268~3206161,00.jpg)


my loyalty was at Aston Villa until Hitzlesperger left and Malouda joined Chelsea




but unlike you folks, I am into the Bundesliga

http://www.bundesliga.de/en/

now i have a very hard time choosing between Bayern and Stuttgart

i think my avatar says it tho


Pardo took the corner and Hitzlesperger finished

heres the squad
(http://www.vfb-stuttgart.de/media/native/downloads/team_2008-09_1600x1200.jpg)


(http://www.bundesliga.de/media/images/04_bildergalerien/dfb-team/ballack_tor_russ_345.jpg)

Quote
11.10.2008 23:56:30
Germany bring Russia to their knees
Thanks to a gala performance in the first half, the German national team brought Russia to their knees and took a significant step in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Due to a somewhat lucky 2-1 victory in World Cup qualification action against the highly touted international squad from Russia, the EURO 2008 runners-up not only defended their Group 4 lead with seven points, but also regained respect coming of the heels of a meagre 3-3 draw against Finland.

Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on October 12, 2008, 11:50:33 PM
unfortunately, at this moment, the bundesliga is a 2nd rate league... far below serie a, la liga & the epl... but in the 2nd tier with ligue 1 & the eredervisie...

some good teams to be sure, but top to bottom not on par with the big three
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Declan on October 13, 2008, 12:04:04 AM
dont even get me started on why I don't like series a
:-D

barclays just doesnt do it for me these days...

i dont like man u

dont like liverpool

chelsea is barely hanging in there

and i donno about putting the bundesliga with the Eredivisie
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on October 13, 2008, 12:12:37 AM
ok, so the dutch league is probably like a third tier league these days... but there's no denying that the german league is a step behind right now.

whether you like serie a or not is besides the point.  i don't like the hooliganism that is rampant right now either, but on the pitch, its vastly superior to the bundesliga.  i think only the la liga surpasses it for quality... with the epl a distant 3rd.

i don't enjoy watching the epl as much as serie a.

granted, i'm a HUGE milan fan, but i still think top to bottom its one of the best leagues
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Declan on October 13, 2008, 12:42:43 AM
for Milan I tend to favor the brazilian players more,

Quote from: jedifunk on October 13, 2008, 12:12:37 AM
whether you like serie a or not is besides the point.

your right, maybe I should catch a game sometime.

It seems to me that most of the better german players like to stick to the Bundesliga for some reason.

I really enjoy the energy the fans bring to those games.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on October 13, 2008, 01:55:08 AM
you're right there... most of the good germans stay there.

same can be said for most italians too (minus inter which has only 1 italian in its regular starting xi).

its the english that realize that they are behind, and need to pluck players from other leagues
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on October 14, 2008, 12:27:00 PM
Manchester U vs. Blackburn  on Fox Sports (Florida... not sure if it's national)
12:00-2:00pm
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on October 14, 2008, 12:30:44 PM
that must be a replay, since we're still on international break right now
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on October 14, 2008, 12:35:21 PM
Quote from: jedifunk on October 14, 2008, 12:30:44 PM
that must be a replay, since we're still on international break right now

Yeah, this seems to be the only way I can catch premiership games.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on October 14, 2008, 01:16:17 PM
you must work weekends, cuz sat & sun usually have 2-3 premier matches & 1-2 serie a matches each
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on October 14, 2008, 01:34:00 PM
! I wish
I just looked at the schedule... 1 premiership game a week on this network.  What a croc!
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on October 14, 2008, 01:40:11 PM
on fox soccer channel? 
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on October 14, 2008, 01:53:44 PM
Fox Sports Network.. I'm not sure I get fox soccer channel, I'll check it out
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Declan on October 14, 2008, 02:17:03 PM
yeah... down in miami they are always playing football on fox sports in espanol
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: crnl4bn on October 16, 2008, 12:44:47 AM
(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s275/RedDevilTHP/Crests/Manchester_United_FC.png?t=1209021191)

I've always been a red devil.  they'll have a hard time following last years success but all I want is a win against chelsea this year.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: crnl4bn on October 16, 2008, 09:57:01 PM
Quote from: crnl4bn on October 16, 2008, 12:44:47 AM
(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s275/RedDevilTHP/Crests/Manchester_United_FC.png?t=1209021191)

I've always been a red devil.  they'll have a hard time following last years success but all I want is a win against chelsea this year.

really?  no jeering...  i was kinda expecting it... 

who's easiest to hate: real madrid, barcelona, man u, brazilian national squad?
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on October 16, 2008, 10:39:25 PM
easiest to hate... thats easy... LIVERPOOL

and inter
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Declan on October 18, 2008, 01:40:37 AM
Quote from: jedifunk on October 16, 2008, 10:39:25 PM
easiest to hate... thats easy... LIVERPOOL

and inter

i donno about inter...

but i really dont like torres
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on October 18, 2008, 01:44:04 AM
don't know about inter??  they're just like liverpool, you love em or hate em... there is NO middle ground.

me?  obviously i hate em
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: blatboom on October 18, 2008, 03:33:04 PM
this thread is suffering from a severe shortage of Swedish soccer chicks

(http://www.coedmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/12/swedish_football_girls.jpg)
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Declan on October 18, 2008, 11:17:27 PM
talk to Ibrahimović.

I just took down Inter in fifa 09
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on October 18, 2008, 11:42:21 PM
Quote from: Declan on October 18, 2008, 11:17:27 PM
talk to Ibrahimović.

I just took down Inter in fifa 09

haha... nice.  i can't wait for pes to come out next month
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on October 21, 2008, 02:31:42 PM
Man U - Celtic  2:45 @ ESPN2

Jedi, Dec, you guys catching this one today?

Btw, I love how close the crowd is at Old Trafford... I'd say it's definitely my favorite stadium, though I've only seen one professional match in my life and that was at Sevilla's stadium, which is pretty old and primitive, for lack of better adjectives.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Declan on October 27, 2008, 03:56:32 PM
sevilla took down stuttgart pretty hard in the uefa group stage

naw i didnt get to catch that match... my channels are different in Kanadia
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on October 27, 2008, 04:18:28 PM
missed that, but did catch all the EPL & serie a action on FSC this weekend.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: mattstick on October 27, 2008, 04:55:21 PM
Quote from: Declan on October 27, 2008, 03:56:32 PM
sevilla took down stuttgart pretty hard in the uefa group stage

naw i didnt get to catch that match... my channels are different in Kanadia

That ManU/Celtic game was totally on TSN bro.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Declan on October 27, 2008, 05:35:32 PM
Quote from: mattstick on October 27, 2008, 04:55:21 PM
Quote from: Declan on October 27, 2008, 03:56:32 PM
sevilla took down stuttgart pretty hard in the uefa group stage

naw i didnt get to catch that match... my channels are different in Kanadia

That ManU/Celtic game was totally on TSN bro.


y a probably,

im not really a fan of either team...

obviously man u is a very skilled team tho
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on October 27, 2008, 05:43:13 PM
they fuggin spanked celtic
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: mattstick on October 27, 2008, 05:44:06 PM

Celtic looked funny in yellow jerseys, I was kinda confused.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on November 02, 2008, 11:08:11 AM
forza milan!

look for milan to go top the table today after winning vs. napoli!

we haven't been top in a couple years now, and its about time
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on December 02, 2008, 10:13:10 AM
Any interesting matches this week, Jedi?
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on December 02, 2008, 11:53:30 AM
yes!!! will we get to see them here in the states?  probably not.

in the german bundesliga, you've got bayern munich vs. hoffenheim... this is going to be a sick match... hoffenheim just got promoted to the top flight for the 1st time in their history, and they are in 1st place, 3 points clear of bayern!!!!

they play and all out attack style and have been crushing everyone this season.  i think their goal differential is something like 20+ already, and its not even half way through the season yet!

in la liga, we've got a couple a really tasty matchups... barca v. valencia is gonna be great!  as barca has been rolling all season, and valencia sits in 3rd only 3pts back.  also real madrid v. sevilla... both are still in the hunt, but have fallen a bit behind, and each got thumped this last week, and desperately need the win... so that will be a good one as well.

in france, nice vs. marseille... they are tied for 3rd spot at the moment and looking for a spot in europe.

in the EPL, i think everton v. aston villa could be a good match, as villa tries to keep up their hopes of making top 4.

i think this week in the serie a could be kinda ho hum, as none of the big clubs are playing each other.

in argentina, boca juniors looks to wrap up yet another title with a win vs. gimnasia la plata.

that is also the case in brazil as sao paulo look to wrap up the title with a win on sunday.

so there you have it!  my quick synopsis for the week.  now if you get FSC like i do, you're most likely looking at getting some EPL matches and serie a

it looks like we'll get the everton v. villa match! as well as arsenal v. wigan.... as well as man u v. sunderland... we'll also get milan v. catania & lazio v. inter in the serie a.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on December 02, 2008, 12:35:21 PM
Not so lucky, I don't think.

I've got a Chelsea vs. Arsenal match on the tele right now, but I'm pretty sure its an EPL re-run.
Also, there's a Stuttgard vs. Schalke match -  but I can see this is from November 30.

Blahhhhhhhhh

Thanks for the update/info though, I'll be interested to hear how it all works out.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on December 02, 2008, 01:51:56 PM
what channel are you watching them on?  the chelsea v. arsenal match is from this last weekend... which is what will be played all week.

matches are only on the weekend, except for the club competitions like the champs league and uefa cup... which are usually tuesday - wednesday.  but only on certain weeks... last week was both champs league & uefa, so it will be a couple more weeks till more matches... perhaps until after the january break
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on December 02, 2008, 02:03:33 PM
Yeah, I can catch all the champions cup/UEFA matches on ESPN(2).

Fox Sports Florida was where the EPL match was on.
GolTV is where the bundesliga match is on.  They constantly play La Liga and Bundesliga matches on GolTV.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on December 02, 2008, 02:31:24 PM
mmm, i don't get GolTV.. i don't even think its part of any package that comcast offers here.

and i only sometimes get matches on espn2
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Declan on December 02, 2008, 02:37:16 PM
I would really like to see Villa get a win against Everton.


Quote from: jedifunk on December 02, 2008, 02:30:11 PM


and declan... aston villa?  really?  interesting, never a villa fan... good looking match this weekend with everton though... maybe they can keep pace with the big four and steal a champs league spot this year

Well lets say, stuttgart had to go... they were at the bottom of the bundesliga and i think the only reason i had them on there was cause of my fifa team.

Now I really would like to see a team like Villa take down Liverpool/Man U.

The draw against man-u 2 weeks ago was pretty damn close.  Ashley Young put a shot to the top corner that looked like a cross.... luckily Van der Sar is a good keeper.

I just like some of Villas rising starts agbonlahor, young, davies, milner.

I was pretty damn happy when they took down arsenal 2-0

Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on December 02, 2008, 04:42:17 PM
I saw that draw with the United.... that was one of the best second halves I've ever seen, even without scoring!
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Declan on December 02, 2008, 05:14:49 PM
 :lol:  I'm watchin that 2nd half right now....

i just watched luke young take the ball from tevez and tevez just chased him all the way back to the man u box.... that was funny stuff.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on December 09, 2008, 09:55:57 AM
Chelsea - CFR
ESPN2, 2:30pm ET

The Championssss!!!
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on December 09, 2008, 10:03:21 AM
chelsea need at least a draw today to qualify for the knockout stage...
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Declan on December 22, 2008, 12:29:41 AM
So i'm sick of hearing about football (the fake one)....

wow, so villa is doing really well in the premier league and i cannot wait till the boxing day match against arsenal.
Ashley Young and agbonlahor are turning out to be quite the duo... and O'Neill is one damn good coach.

man u should have scored a minimum of 4 goals today in the club world cup but they settled with just 1.

AC milan couldnt stop scoring against udinese... really some great football today by milans forwards expecially kaka and pato.

really impressive and im sure jedi is very happy
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on December 22, 2008, 08:48:47 AM
yes, that was an impressive showing from milan yesterday... after we went up 2-0 and then udinese scored, i thought "here we go again" since we usually blow it, but then pato scored again a minute later!

i was impressed with what i saw of gamba osaka at the cwc... they've got some ballers for sure!

and yes, villa looks good to perhaps break the big 4!
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: rowjimmy on December 22, 2008, 09:09:22 AM
Not really my sport but I did watch a good match last week between the Hotspurs and ManU. ended 0-0.

Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on December 22, 2008, 10:55:46 AM
futbol can be wildly entertaining when given a chance!  i much prefer to watch it over the NFL these days... all the time outs, commercials, etc. the stoppage in play between each down.

soccer is great cuz it flows and moves and never stops...  and to watch how effortlessly they can control the ball with their feet, its amazing
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: rowjimmy on December 22, 2008, 11:18:03 AM
It's great fun to watch... It just doesn't rise up on my radar too often and, as such, I have little to no idea about who's who.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on December 22, 2008, 11:43:03 AM
thats another thing that i think is great about soccer, in a lot of cases it doesn't matter who is who.

unlike the nfl, in which you really wouldn't want to watch say, detroit vs. kc, if you can watch say, tottenham v. stoke, you would still see an entertaining match with some pretty decent skills on display.


Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Declan on December 22, 2008, 02:04:07 PM
jedi, you think Ashley Young will transfer to Madrid?

im gonna be going crazy on friday for the villa match.

Martin O'Neill is one badass dude.

getting ready to watch everton and chelsea at 3 eastern...

But anyways, Milan were really top class.... I love when Ronaldinho does that look one way pass another...

he did it when he was receiving a ball out of the air in that match... what a tricky mofo.


I also totally agree that all the stopping, commercials, and such turned me right of from football this season.

It just got... Boring.  :roll:

Soccer is amazing.... such a simple idea, so many possibilities.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: antelope19 on December 22, 2008, 02:10:32 PM
Yes, the commercials get to be a bit much.  But I will say that watching the cowboys/ravens game and then the redskins/eagles games on consecutive nights at christmas parties with about 30-40 people in the room, all going NUTS the entire time was alot of fun.  That'll never happen watching futbol in the states.  At least not with my group of friends. 
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Declan on December 22, 2008, 02:21:51 PM
Quote from: antelope19 on December 22, 2008, 02:10:32 PM
Yes, the commercials get to be a bit much.  But I will say that watching the cowboys/ravens game and then the redskins/eagles games on consecutive nights at christmas parties with about 30-40 people in the room, all going NUTS the entire time was alot of fun.  That'll never happen watching futbol in the states.  At least not with my group of friends. 

exactly...

thats the best part about sports... going nuts when your team is playing  8-)

you should have seen me when Germany beat Turkey in the Euro semi final
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on December 22, 2008, 04:12:45 PM
yeah, or me whenever milan is on... i think i may have caused my dog to pee itself yesterday when pato scored the third goal!  he looked as if he had just gotten into the garbage... so scared.

as for ashley young... i hope he doesn't go to madrid.  thats one thing in all sports that bothers me... there is absolutely no team loyalty anymore.... just look @ the ronaldo saga this year...  united had just won the double, and he's thinking about moving on?  why?  you are the best player on the best team in the world... where could you go that is better?

anyhoo, i hope that villa can hold onto their youngsters as long as possible to make a real run at the big 4.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Declan on December 22, 2008, 04:24:44 PM
QuoteLiverpool   18   39
Chelsea   17   37
Aston Villa   18   34
Man Utd   16   32
Arsenal   18   31
Hull City   18   27
Everton   17   25
Fulham   17   24
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on December 22, 2008, 05:10:00 PM
yep, lets hope they can continue to play this well...  they will most definitely need at least one win, and a couple draws against the big 4 to maintain their position (as well as continuing to beat those teams below them).

but its fully possible. 

i also like the way that serie a is shaping up.  even though i think milan is getting close to being out of the race for the scudetto, the season has been really good.  napoli looks to be the 4th best side, with fiorentina & genoa also looking like for europe next season.

i think roma is done... perhaps they can still make 5th or 6th spot and find a place in europe, but even that will be tough i think.  they just haven't looked good all year in the league (although they keep advancing in the champs league)
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Declan on December 22, 2008, 11:07:17 PM
u must be pissed about inter  :evil:


villa visits acorns

http://www.avfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~1497220,00.html

and on the main villa page... laursen talks about maldini being the best player he has played with


Edit...

I'm so pumped for this boxing day match it's ridiculous
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Declan on December 26, 2008, 09:28:38 AM
I'm preparing for battle  :samurai:
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on December 26, 2008, 10:35:00 AM
sweet... i'm ready as well
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Declan on December 26, 2008, 09:22:37 PM
so once arsenal scored that first goal after villa had like 3 shots go nearly in... it was hard to watch....

then they scored a 2nd at the beginning of the 2nd half...  where's laursen and cuellar when you need them ....

but you can never doubt villa... they have been known this season to come back from losing.... scoring 90th minute goals (94th min ashley young against everton devastated the everton fans)

sure enought... gareth barry scores a penalty and i'm glad he took it... last match against aresenal, ashely young took it and almeda stopped it.


young should have been awarded a penalty in the 63rd min... which didnt happen for some reason.. but right after, agbonglahor was tackled and the ref awarded the penalty.

but wow.... people doubt Zat "Knightmare" but scoring in the 90th minute to tie made villa park go nuts...

villa should have won, but at least they didnt lose and maintained their top 4 spot.

good game
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Declan on January 16, 2009, 06:44:53 PM
what are you thinkin about Kaka jedi?
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on January 16, 2009, 07:24:19 PM
oh man... lets not even talk about it.  i'm too stressed.

seriously though... here's what i posted on a footy forum i frequent

Quotei also would like to see kaka stay... and my thought is, what does he gain from going to man city? money? he's got plenty already, and if his word is to be believed, he's happy with what he's got.

is it a better squad? no... outside the other big clubs, why would you move away from milan? we've got the history, the players, the coaches, the trophies, etc. milan is one of the best clubs in the world... this is where i don't understand, why would you leave? players dream of playing for the big clubs, dream of playing for milan. going to city would be a HUGE step down.

now, if it does happen... (please no)..... i hope we bring gourcuff back and play him, as he's been amazing this season.

and i think we would be hurt on the field with dinho as the centerpiece... we should be building around pato & kaka IMO
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Declan on January 16, 2009, 11:30:17 PM
yeah, its exactly what you were saying about loyalty in this day in age...

thats a huge wack of money for him... milan could benefit from that, but i would rather seem him stay...

Its either Kaka and dhino or Kaka and bhino now
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Declan on February 12, 2009, 10:35:07 AM
uhh aston villa now ahead of chelsea...

whats going on with liverpool?
do they need torres and gerrard to be successful?  Obviously they have a solid defense and a great goal keeper.

So milan, I wish the Galaxy would let Beckham stay there... he just doesnt fit in the MLS.

and how about the 2-0 victory Spain>England....

wtf mate.... but i guess on the international level, they are way more trained.


BTW jedi, what football forum do you attend again? link me up
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on February 12, 2009, 11:10:37 AM
so, lets see...  well, kaka stayed!  finally a sports player NOT taking the money, and following his heart (now lets see how long that lasts).

villa... well, i say they finish 2nd or 3rd... chelski are done and in turmoil, arsenal make make a challenge but it may be too little too late.  i believe villa are also still in the running for the uefa cup, so i could see them actually playing milan in the final.

as for milan, well, we've got the BIG derby this weekend... biggest match in the world!  and kaka is injured, which doesn't bode well... but i keep my hopes up.  if we win, we'll be 5 pts adrift of inter.

now, the internationals... well, i watched italy v brazil, which was entertaining.  but italy didn't look too good.  and the 2nd goal (robinho) was rubbish as pirlo gave that shit away.  i also watched france v argentina, which was a really fun match to watch... aguero and messi are just incredible!  messi just schooled those fools on his goal.  i also saw some of the england v spain match... its funny, england have so many class players, but they suck when they play together.  although i will say that spain is definitely the best team in the world right now, so that didn't help.

i also watched usa v mexico last night... kinda rough to watch after watching all those great matches i just mentioned.  neither of these teams is anywhere near the class of those mentioned above.  it was apparent.  and although the US played really well, they just can't compete with the bigger nations.  that said, we have a very good squad and are certain to make the world cup now that we've beaten mexico again.  and i really like our squad... they showed a stat that the average age of our squad was 25.. thats awesome, we're young and hungry, and talented.  i'd say that the quarterfinals of the WC are not out of the question.  as for the match, it was kinda slow... and alot of that had to do with the conditions, but still, you can tell that the skill and pace are below what the better nations have.

as for beckham, he's played well for milan, but i hope we don't keep him.  its going to cost WAY more than he's worth to keep him, and we are already stacked in midfield... where we need players is in defense, goal and striker.  we've already got pirlo & dinho for free kicks and we don't have any tall CFs to take advantage of his crosses.  at his age, he is definitely suited to the italian game, where its a bit slower and way more tactical than any of the other top leagues.  that said, he isn't an impact player who is really worth all this trouble.  especially when you think about next season... we'll surely take gourcuff back from bordeaux (he looked great for france yesterday BTW), and gattuso will be healthy... we'll be full in midfield... pirlo, gattuso, flamini, seedorf, gourcuff, ambrosini, videuz, and several promising youngsters who need to start playing with the senior team... there just isnt room for him.

so there you go, i've written another novel....

as for where i spend my time talking futbol... i frequent a forum that is mostly about the video game PES, but there is lots of great futbol talk as well... pesgaming.com
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on February 12, 2009, 11:29:31 AM
are you in the school of PES > FIFA?
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on February 12, 2009, 11:32:42 AM
Quote from: MiamiPhish on February 12, 2009, 11:29:31 AM
are you in the school of PES > FIFA?
YES!  PES is 1000 times better than FIFA in the area that matters..... GAME PLAY

pes plays more like a real soccer match than fifa...  fifa has way more licensed teams & leagues and all the fancy EA stuff, but where it matters most (gameplay) it still falls short IMO.

that said, konami (maker of PES) has slacked on the next gen versions and has allowed EA to close the gap considerably.  i definitely make a point of checking out both titles every year before i buy, and fifa was pretty darn good this year.

in the end, i went with PES. the AI is really good and offers up a fairly realistic match.  i wish teh online wasnt shit (fifa rules here), but i mainly play the AI anyways.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on February 12, 2009, 11:38:51 AM
coooool.. i've only really played FIFA (05,08,09) and PES once on the computer, but I have heard that PES is a more realistic soccer simulation.  I'm gonna have to check them both out in '10!
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on February 25, 2009, 02:36:24 PM
Chelsea - Juventus 2:45 ESPN2
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on June 15, 2009, 02:22:44 PM
USA - ITALY 2:30, ESPN

Here's hoping USA can pull one out of their asses!
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on June 15, 2009, 08:30:27 PM
lol, usa got spanked... although, italy looked shaky at the start
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Guyute on June 16, 2009, 12:23:32 AM
Quote from: jedifunk on June 15, 2009, 08:30:27 PM
lol, usa got spanked... although, italy looked shaky at the start

I don't think they got spanked.  They were up 1-0 going into the half and had been a man down for 15 minutes due to that bullshit red card.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Mr Minor on June 16, 2009, 09:12:01 AM
Quote from: Guyute on June 16, 2009, 12:23:32 AM
Quote from: jedifunk on June 15, 2009, 08:30:27 PM
lol, usa got spanked... although, italy looked shaky at the start

I don't think they got spanked.  They were up 1-0 going into the half and had been a man down for 15 minutes due to that bullshit red card.

QFT

Great first half, but they couldn't hold on.  Too bad.  They did a great job being a man down.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on June 16, 2009, 09:33:15 AM
come on... they held there own for 45 yes, but they got spanked.

yes being a man down didn't help, but the US sucks.  and it didn't help that Rossi scored two on them.  i'd say he made the right decision on which team to join.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on June 16, 2009, 11:59:44 AM
Quote from: jedifunk on June 16, 2009, 09:33:15 AM
come on... they held there own for 45 yes, but they got spanked.

Agreed.

Quote from: jedifunk on June 16, 2009, 09:33:15 AM
yes being a man down didn't help, but the US sucks.  and it didn't help that Rossi scored two on them.  i'd say he made the right decision on which team to join.

I mean, he chose the better team, but he'd be a huge asset to the US national team -  I'm not sure how choosing Italy over US, though, is the "right decision" -  he might've brought some legitimacy to the US squad, something we've been lacking for some time now.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on June 16, 2009, 01:02:06 PM
his decision was, play for the US at the 2006 World Cup, or wait for a "possible" shot at playing for Italy. 

basically, he could have played for the US, got whupped at the world cup and been stuck playing for an overrated, underperforming national squad...

instead he took a chance, that someday Italy would call him up... and it worked.

now he plays for a legit national team that will be contending for the world cup next year.  face it the US doesnt have a shot next year... especially if we can't even beat costa rica... whereas Italy is probably one of the 3 favorites to win it.

so imo he made the right decision.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on June 24, 2009, 04:51:35 PM
Umm amazing!!!!! Where did this iron curtain defense come from? Who cares??!!
:banana:
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: antelope19 on June 24, 2009, 04:53:53 PM
Quote from: MiamiPhish on June 24, 2009, 04:51:35 PM
Umm amazing!!!!! Where did this iron curtain defense come from? Who cares??!!
:banana:

Yeah, I just saw that we beat Spain!  I'm sorry I missed the match.  Maybe they'll replay it later!
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on June 24, 2009, 08:36:56 PM
fuck that... i hate the US national team... i wanted them to get beat to a pulp.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: antelope19 on June 24, 2009, 11:08:51 PM
THe game is being replayed on ESPN2 right now....
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on June 24, 2009, 11:09:45 PM
Enjoy that, young Jedi.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on June 25, 2009, 12:08:39 AM
lol... whatevs. the US aint shit in futbol

forza italia!
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: mehead on June 28, 2009, 10:17:00 AM
if I'm stuck inside this afternoon due to rain (it's been reining everyday for about 2 weeks here) I might actually watch today's game
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on June 28, 2009, 11:03:54 AM
well, the spain - s. africa match is in extra time right now.

2 things: 1- spain has lost its air of invincibility... 2: s. africa is way better than people give tehm credit for
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: mehead on June 28, 2009, 02:53:59 PM
2-0 good guys!
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: antelope19 on June 28, 2009, 03:27:16 PM
wow, Brazil made that look pretty damn easy. 
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on June 28, 2009, 04:40:52 PM
i am so glad that brasil woke up and put the US back in its place.

last thing i want is for the US to be good at futbol
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: blatboom on June 28, 2009, 04:44:14 PM
Quote from: jedifunk on June 28, 2009, 04:40:52 PM
i am so glad that brasil woke up and put the US back in its place.

last thing i want is for the US to be good at futbol

any particular reason why?
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Bobafett on June 28, 2009, 04:50:31 PM
first half, brazil was not there, second half, US stayed in the locker room.  It was just like 4 different teams plaing in one game. 

US has never, and i don't think will, understoood the importance of execution on designed plays, ball movements, and formations.  And i belive this plays back to the fact that Americans have not fully accepted the game as a much more "head strong" game than any other major US sport.  Our International soccer is based on the "HERO" aspect vs. the strategic, demoralizing defeat that is required to excel in this sport...i was really excited during the first half, but i was even more dissappointed in the second half. 

Oh well...
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on August 02, 2009, 11:07:37 AM
Anybody catching Arsenal - Rangers this morning and or afternoon?
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on August 12, 2009, 01:50:19 PM
not that its a secret or anything, but USA v Mexico at 3pm CST!  on TV only Telemundo has it (in spanish) and their sister channel mun2 (in english)...

you can also catch it online (in spanish) at:
http://envivo.terra.com/deportes/live/259-eu/ 

:banana:
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on February 16, 2010, 04:12:33 PM
Rooney!!  Anyone?
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: mopper_smurf on February 18, 2010, 05:48:25 AM
Quote from: MiamiPhish on February 16, 2010, 04:12:33 PM
Rooney!!  Anyone?

I saw that. Amazing!
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: crnl4bn on March 25, 2010, 09:21:03 PM
Quote from: mopper_smurf on February 18, 2010, 05:48:25 AM
Quote from: MiamiPhish on February 16, 2010, 04:12:33 PM
Rooney!!  Anyone?

I saw that. Amazing!

sittin' @ 32 so far this season.  i bet he can break the 40 mark.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: crnl4bn on March 25, 2010, 09:25:13 PM
here's a nice free kick compilation i found a few days ago...

Top 5 Free Kick Goals (Watch in HQ) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmbxkhhiV6A#)
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jonyem on March 26, 2010, 03:51:51 AM
Those were nuts.
Sweet share, +k
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on March 26, 2010, 09:52:58 AM
The Roberto Carlos free-kick has to be the best ever.  So ridiculous. :crazy:
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: crnl4bn on April 15, 2010, 02:54:24 PM
(http://4gifs.com/gallery/d/143667-1/Soccer_dive_mouth.gif)
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: gainesvillegreen on May 21, 2010, 06:20:24 PM
Who do folks like in the CL final tomorrow?

Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on May 21, 2010, 07:13:34 PM
Inter.  I like Eto'o.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Superfreakie on May 21, 2010, 07:53:33 PM
Montreal's soccer team is entering into the MLS next year or the year after. Presently our team, the Impact, play in lord knows what league, I think the concacaf and some others. I'm not a soccer fan though. But on that note, I will keep my reservations to myself. I will watch some WC this summer.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: gainesvillegreen on May 21, 2010, 10:53:15 PM
Quote from: MiamiPhish on May 21, 2010, 07:13:34 PM
Inter.  I like Eto'o.

The question I think with Inter is: are they going to play as they did in the first leg against Barca at the San Siro (and to some extent at Stamford Bridge), or are they going to play the way they mostly do in Serie A and the second leg of the tie against Barca. Mourinho the schizo. I like Inter if they are attacking, not so much if they are sitting back and playing on the break.

Bayern won't change their style at all, except for the loss of Ribery, which will take an adjustment of positioning but prolly not tactics. Their central defense is soft, and if Mourinho plans to play and Milito/Eto'o/Pandev/Sneijder type set up, Bayern are in trouble.

I'll toss my hat in with Inter as well, Miami. I just hope the attractive Inter show up.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: whatapiper on May 25, 2010, 02:54:25 AM
I'd say you were spot on, Inter dominated the entire game, bayerns best chance was in the first few seconds of the 2nd, they looked tired, the MU game took a lot out of them.

Are we gonna start a WC2010 thread?

I'm obv with the US but my family comes from Spain and puerto Rico so I'm in two groups.
Too bad the games are so early, not as bad as 2002 but 0430, 0730 and 1130 are hardly ideal for a local pub experience
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: mattstick on May 25, 2010, 02:34:03 PM

Started reading Declan Hill's "The Fix".

http://www.amazon.ca/Fix-Soccer-Organized-Crime/dp/0771041381 (http://www.amazon.ca/Fix-Soccer-Organized-Crime/dp/0771041381)

Great read, must for soccer fans.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: gainesvillegreen on May 26, 2010, 10:46:17 PM
Thanks mattstick, I'll have to see if my local library has that on the shelves.

whatapiper - I thought about starting a WC separate thread as well, but soccer doesn't look to be lighting up with post counts, so I think this existing thread can handle any WC chatter we care to have.

Anyone else have thoughts on this? I am open to either way.

I watched the Mexico/Holland game today (In MEXICAN!  :lol:), and was impressed with the Oranje for the first 70 minutes or so. Then Mexico made a couple of subs (Dos Santos being one of them), and completely turned the game on its head. Holland looked very slick for those first 70 minutes, much better than England did against Mexico a few days ago. But, they faded, and that is a ser concern. Their group isn't too difficult (on paper), but they simply can't fade like that. Between Sneijder, Robben (neither of which played today) and Van Persie, as well as PSV Einhoven-ite Afellay who was on fire, they have significant depth up front and in the center of the field.

I've always rooted for Italy for whatever reason, and will do so for 2010, but I don't hold out much hope this year. Argentina, Spain, Brazil - the winner is in there somewhere.

Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: whatapiper on May 27, 2010, 12:31:21 AM
im going to put the sounders game on shortly

i think this will due for now, if a lot of peeps show interest before the tourney starts we can make a thread
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: whatapiper on May 27, 2010, 11:43:02 PM
it was nice to see the Sounders get a win at home with three goals
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: gainesvillegreen on May 27, 2010, 11:54:02 PM
Was that the match against Boca?
If so, did they play a full strength team (i.e. was Riquelme playing)?

Good result for them either way. What's with MLS teams playing international friendlies lately? I saw the Red Bulls played Juve recently too.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jonyem on May 28, 2010, 02:52:00 PM
Hard to believe there are other Sounders supporters on the 'paug.
I enjoyed the match, and love the 3rd kit (looks better in action than in the stores).
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on July 08, 2011, 05:47:21 PM
ok, first, the paug just let me know that no one has posted in this thread for at least 120 days, and suggested i start a new thread (neat feature).

anyways, to why i'm here.

the Copa America is going on, is anyone watching it?  so far the games have been pretty Meh.  but to be expected in a tourney like this.

but tonight is uruguay v chile, both of which are very attack minded teams.

also if you didn't know, YouTube is streaming every game LIVE for FREE.  check it out at youtube.com/copaamerica

the quality of the streams has been very very good.  i've been hooking my macbook up via HDMI to my 37" HD  and it looks pretty good (not HD, but at least at SD levels)
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: spaced on July 10, 2011, 06:21:44 PM
OK, so I can't be the only one who saw the women's quarterfinal game against Brazil today. Utter insanity. One of the best World Cup games I've ever seen, men's or women's. (Yes, better than the men's win against Algeria last year.) Not the always the prettiest playing from both sides, but man, what a finish. They're replaying it tonight, I think on ESPN2.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on July 11, 2011, 12:20:35 AM
yeah, agreed.  i think the play on the field left a little bit to be desired, but the drama was unmatched.

overall this womens world cup has been just amazing.  the quality of play by all the teams has been just great.  i've enjoyed watching it more than i have enjoyed the copa america thus far.  especially the knockout round.

france beats england on PKs... the japanese defeating the 2 time defending world cup champs germany in extra time, almost at the death.... and then todays usa brasil match... just amazing.

also it was awesome to watch and HEAR the german crowd getting behind the US, and at one point chanting USA USA!  although it has to be said, that brasil did themselves no favors.  they were very cynical in their play and didn't endear themselves to the fans.  the way that one girl faked injury, was carted off the field and immediately got up and came back into the game.  disgraceful.

that and the ref was terrible, absolutely terrible.  for both teams.  say what you will about the red card (i didn't think it was a foul), but the US got away with one earlier when one of them blatantly used their arm to stop a ball (which should have been a 2nd yellow & a red card).  but the retake of the penalty was crap.  AND the 2nd goal from brasil should never have happened because the girl was offside before she made the pass to marta.

all that said, marta is just amazing.  very gifted.  don't like her attitude, but she's a beast of a player.

definitely one for the books.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: runawayjimbo on August 14, 2011, 04:52:29 PM
Anyone watching Real Madrid-Barcelona? Messi is God.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on August 25, 2011, 04:18:52 PM
ok, so the champions league groups have been drawn and the dates have been set.  There are some really balanced and difficult groups.

GROUP A
Bayern Munich
Villarreal
Manchester City
Napoli

GROUP B
Inter Milan
CSKA Moscow
Lille
Trabzonspor

GROUP C
Manchester United
Benfica
Basle
Otelul Galati

GROUP D
Real Madrid
Lyon
Ajax
Dinamo Zagreb

GROUP E
Chelsea
Valencia
Bayer Leverkusen
Genk

GROUP F
Arsenal
Marseille
Olympiakos
Borussia Dortmund

GROUP G
Porto
Shakhtar Donetsk
Zenit St Petersburg
APOEL

GROUP H
Barcelona
AC Milan
BATE
Viktoria Plzen
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on August 25, 2011, 04:22:09 PM
while my milan did draw defending champs barcelona, the rest of the group is pretty weak, so progression to the next round should be acheived.

besides, 2 matches against barca is gonna be really exciting, and i think we actually match up really well with them, and will cause them plenty of problems.

Group of Death?  My opinion is group A with bayern, villareal, man city, and napoli.  any one of those teams could win the group.
Group F is also difficult.

Easiest groups for top teams were C & D imo.  man united should have no trouble with any of those teams, and i think only lyon will challenge madrid
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: runawayjimbo on August 25, 2011, 04:39:26 PM
I don't follow the leagues enough to know who all those teams are but I'm pretty sure I can pick who will advance and I LOVE the Champions League. Looking forward to it.

Also, that first Real Madrid-Barca match last week was one of the greatest sporting events I've ever seen.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on August 25, 2011, 04:45:10 PM
Quote from: runawayjimbo on August 25, 2011, 04:39:26 PM
Also, that first Real Madrid-Barca match last week was one of the greatest sporting events I've ever seen.
i would agree that the match was a very entertaining one.  best ever?  probably not.

BUT, at least they played the actual game.  the last several classicos between them have had little football and lots of diving/yelling/pushing/shoving.

it was an extremely entertaining match, with lots of football being played.  both teams were on the attack, which is special since mourinho usually likes to play it defensive and hit on the counter.  so it was good to see lots of attacking.

i think the match also again showed that messi is the worlds greatest player.  while ronaldo is good, he's not in the same class as messi.  its hard to compare current players to past players, but messi is certainly in the discussion as BEST EVER with pele and maradona at this point.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: runawayjimbo on August 25, 2011, 05:00:08 PM
Like I said, I don't watch a ton of soccer so it was way up there on my list.

It's funny, my wife's cousin who knows a lot more than me said almost the exact same thing about Mourinho. There was some great attacking on both sides. Ronaldo had a lot of chances and couldn't convert, but I love the way he unloads when he has just a half a step on his man.

Agree on Messi though. Any time I watch him he does something incredible. His goal was kinda classic Messi (to me, anyway): the ball lands in his lap, but then he makes a move and finishes the way no one else in the world could. It was David Villa's goal, though, that got the biggest HOLY SHIT from me.

I still haven't seen the second match, but I heard that one was awesome as well. I'm still looking for a replay on GolTV.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: iamhydroJen on August 25, 2011, 06:43:32 PM
I could hear the fans screaming from my place in Sevilla!  Sevilla played Germany, score was 1-1.  Crazy hearing "GOLLLLLLLLLLL!!!" from a a little over a mile away
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on August 25, 2011, 08:05:38 PM
Quote from: iamhydroJen on August 25, 2011, 06:43:32 PM
I could hear the fans screaming from my place in Sevilla!  Sevilla played Germany, score was 1-1.  Crazy hearing "GOLLLLLLLLLLL!!!" from a a little over a mile away

Nice!  Found Bar Long Island yet?
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: iamhydroJen on August 30, 2011, 06:17:06 PM
Quote from: MiamiPhish on August 25, 2011, 08:05:38 PM
Quote from: iamhydroJen on August 25, 2011, 06:43:32 PM
I could hear the fans screaming from my place in Sevilla!  Sevilla played Germany, score was 1-1.  Crazy hearing "GOLLLLLLLLLLL!!!" from a a little over a mile away

Nice!  Found Bar Long Island yet?

Haha yes I have!  We went there last Wednesday.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on August 30, 2011, 06:21:53 PM
Quote from: iamhydroJen on August 30, 2011, 06:17:06 PM
Quote from: MiamiPhish on August 25, 2011, 08:05:38 PM
Quote from: iamhydroJen on August 25, 2011, 06:43:32 PM
I could hear the fans screaming from my place in Sevilla!  Sevilla played Germany, score was 1-1.  Crazy hearing "GOLLLLLLLLLLL!!!" from a a little over a mile away

Nice!  Found Bar Long Island yet?

Haha yes I have!  We went there last Wednesday.

can i just point out that sevilla can't/doesn't play germany... sevilla is a spanish club team, where as saying germany would lead one to think of the national team.  not that you didn't know that, but i'm not sure what you mean otherwise
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: iamhydroJen on September 01, 2011, 07:52:45 PM
Quote from: jedifunk on August 30, 2011, 06:21:53 PM
Quote from: iamhydroJen on August 30, 2011, 06:17:06 PM
Quote from: MiamiPhish on August 25, 2011, 08:05:38 PM
Quote from: iamhydroJen on August 25, 2011, 06:43:32 PM
I could hear the fans screaming from my place in Sevilla!  Sevilla played Germany, score was 1-1.  Crazy hearing "GOLLLLLLLLLLL!!!" from a a little over a mile away

Nice!  Found Bar Long Island yet?

Haha yes I have!  We went there last Wednesday.

can i just point out that sevilla can't/doesn't play germany... sevilla is a spanish club team, where as saying germany would lead one to think of the national team.  not that you didn't know that, but i'm not sure what you mean otherwise

http://eurorivals.net/sevilla:hannover-96-highlights-goals-video_20110825.html (http://eurorivals.net/sevilla:hannover-96-highlights-goals-video_20110825.html)

should have clarified, they played Hannover (Germany)
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on September 02, 2011, 02:11:51 PM
no worries, i was just being a futbol snob ;)

btw, anyone else enjoy the madness that was deadline day for the summer transfer window?  just nuts... way more exciting that anything the NFL, NBA, MLB could do.

transfer winners:
- chelsea: juan mata is going to be a beast for them.

- man city: i don't like them (city), but getting aguero & nasri to go with all the other talent they have... look out, i think they might be favorites for the EPL.

- milan (disclaimer, since they are my team of choice): we were already scudetto champions, but in adding mexes & taiwo we shored up our one glaring weakness (left fullback) and added a solid 3rd CB for those days when nesta needs a rest.  then getting aquilani for almost nothing was probably the best business deal of the whole transfer window by any team.  he went to liverpool in 2009 for 20M, and we get him for at most 6M, and liverpool tried to get 16M from Juve earlier in the window!  also the last minute (literally, we got him with less than an hour left in the window) addition of nocerino for only 1M was amazing.  this guy is an italy international, and palermo gave him up for 1M + 50% of a youth player, just fucking crazy.  lastly, we added one of the brightest young stars in italy in stephen el shaarawy for a little extra in attack.  he's only 18 and we beat out chelsea, juve, and inter to sign him.  I think we can be considered serious challengers for the champions league now, and would say only barcelona & real madrid have better squads than us.

meh:
- liverpool: at least they recognized where they needed help (midfield).  but then they went and bought like 500 guys.  they'll need to play a rediculous 3-5-2 formation to get all those guys enough playing time, and that formation won't fly in the EPL.

- juventus: they spent a LOT of money, and brought in a LOT of new players (15 i think) and they have a new coach.  all that turn over is going to take some time to gel, and coaches don't usually get that sort of time at juve.  getting pirlo is nice, but his days at milan were done, and his best days are past him. that said i think vidal is gonna be a beast of a player in serie a, and he looked good last season at bayer leverkusen (germany) and also this summer at the copa america for chile.  only time will tell how things work out.

losers:
- arsenal: when you lose fabregas & nasri, you've had a bad transfer window.  when it happens 1 week before the end of the window its even worse.  all the good players were already taken, and then they were forced to overpay for who they got.  that said, i think gervinho will be a star and should be good for at least 15+ goals a season.

- inter: they lost eto'o, he who scored 37 times in 49 matches last season.  they did add new strikers in forlan & zarate, but forlan is on the wrong side of 30, and hasn't been nearly as dangerous as he was at the world cup.  and zarate, well he's a headcase and way too inconsistent to be relied upon.  they also added ricky alvarez from river plate (argentina) but we'll see how that works out.  also their new coach is switching to a 3-5-3 formation which requires certain types of players for it to work, and they didn't get enough to make it work. besides its mandatory that i hate inter!


anyone have any thoughts, or am i the only real serious soccer fan around these parts?
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: iamhydroJen on September 02, 2011, 02:34:01 PM
Quote from: jedifunk on September 02, 2011, 02:11:51 PM
no worries, i was just being a futbol snob ;)

We need more people like you!!   :-) I played soccer for 12 years but I don't follow the sport
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: runawayjimbo on September 02, 2011, 02:53:20 PM
jedi, you're definitely way over my head when it comes to this, but I do try to keep up with it so this was much easier getting the Cliffs Notes version from you rather than having to go to 50 different soccer websites. +k

I think you're right about Forlan, but I just can't get some of those World Cup heroics out of my head. That 3rd place game was one of the most entertaining games of a great tournament and watching him hit the crossbar in extra time was just painful.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: MiamiPhish on September 02, 2011, 03:06:25 PM
Quote from: iamhydroJen on August 30, 2011, 06:17:06 PM
Quote from: MiamiPhish on August 25, 2011, 08:05:38 PM
Quote from: iamhydroJen on August 25, 2011, 06:43:32 PM
I could hear the fans screaming from my place in Sevilla!  Sevilla played Germany, score was 1-1.  Crazy hearing "GOLLLLLLLLLLL!!!" from a a little over a mile away

Nice!  Found Bar Long Island yet?

Haha yes I have!  We went there last Wednesday.

Awesome, haha.  There used to be this really nice bartender.. short black hair, cannot remember his name for he life of me.  Starts with an 'M'?
If you, by chance, happen to see this bartender, ask him if he remembers a blond guy named Jefe (boss in Spanish).. this is such a longshot, haha.  (jefe isn't me, rather a friend, but he'd def. remember jefe more than me)
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on September 02, 2011, 06:03:54 PM
Quote from: runawayjimbo on September 02, 2011, 02:53:20 PM
jedi, you're definitely way over my head when it comes to this, but I do try to keep up with it so this was much easier getting the Cliffs Notes version from you rather than having to go to 50 different soccer websites. +k

I think you're right about Forlan, but I just can't get some of those World Cup heroics out of my head. That 3rd place game was one of the most entertaining games of a great tournament and watching him hit the crossbar in extra time was just painful.
yeah, i'm a sports fanatic in general, but soccer is on another level from every other sport for me. 

with regard to forlan/world cup... it happens every world cup cycle.  since its only a month long, and the whole world watches, it only takes a player like 1-2 matches to become legend.  and when you consider that the winning team only plays 7 matches, its bound to happen that a players hype grows more than the player does.

in forlan's case, he just picked the right month to score a few goals.  don't get me wrong he's very talented, and truth be told, he was better BEFORE the world cup.  he was UEFA golden ball winner (most goals in a club season) 2 years in a row in 07-08.

but since then the hype has just been too much.  he's still been decent, but not to the level that people expected.  and he was fairly average at the copa america this summer.  all that said, inter only paid like 4M for him, which is probably pretty decent business.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on September 02, 2011, 06:08:10 PM
btw, there were tons of Euro2012 qualifiers today.  the new espn3.com is so fucking awesome too.  you can now watch up to 4 matches at a time in split screen, and switch between them with ease.

highlights of the day:
holland crushed san marino 11-0 (van persie with 4)
england over bulgaria 3-0
germany winning 6-2

however, i'm an italian fan through and through, so i struggled through a 1-0 victory over minnows faroe islands.

there are more matches over the weekend as well.


lastly, the US plays costa rica in a friendly tonight (11pm EST) and then belgium on tuesday.  klinsmann expects an attacking squad, so i'm excited to see what progress we've made.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: runawayjimbo on November 03, 2011, 01:09:38 PM
jedi, no mention of Messi's 2 consecutive hat tricks? He's gotta be approaching best ever, right?

And where's my h3tty Champions League update? I was counting on you to keep me up to date on the group stage. :wink:
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: iamhydroJen on November 20, 2011, 06:50:53 AM
Going to the Sevilla vs. Bilbao match tonight at 6!!
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: mopper_smurf on December 21, 2011, 07:59:10 AM
Best own goal ever ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8q30DMxLUo
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: mopper_smurf on June 06, 2012, 06:28:13 AM
Bump!

The European Championship starts this friday. The Dutch face Denmark, Germany and Portugal in the group stage.

We suck right now, but fingers crossed ...
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: DoW on June 30, 2013, 06:49:37 PM
Brazil vs. Spain
amazing how a team like Brazil is making Spain look like they will have absolutely no answer.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: antelope19 on December 06, 2013, 01:06:41 PM
World Cup groups were just announced.  The US got a tough draw, but I'm still pretty damn excited for next year! 

Groups can be seen here: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/12/06/249253317/world-cup-2014-draw-is-set-u-s-will-face-germany-portugal-ghana

We probably need a new thread too. 
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: runawayjimbo on December 06, 2013, 01:38:15 PM
Was just watching that at lunch. Definitely a really tough draw for U.S. I don't see how they make it through.

ETA: Nate Silver has a model showing the likely projections for each team making it through to the knockout stage. He gives the U.S. a 39.4% chance of making it through (down from 44% pre-draw). Portugal just slightly better with a 40.3% chance. Germany is a shoo-in with a 91.6% chance (75.1% of winning the group). Brazil (96.9%) and Argentina (87.5%) heavy favorites to win their respective groups, but you probably could have seen that from the shitty groups they are in.

Pretty slick little tool found here (http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1639248/spi-world-cup-group-stage-projections?cc=5901).
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: mopper_smurf on December 09, 2013, 07:52:04 AM
The Dutch are going to kick Spain's ass this time ... Not happy with Chile at all - those guys can play. Australia won't be a problem.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on May 06, 2015, 03:41:40 PM
reviving this crucial thread!

so these champions league semi-finals have been excellent thus far! yesterdays juve v real madrid match was a fantastic watch ... and so far this barca v bayern match is not only matching it but beating it!

barca are all over bayern and could possibly have been up 3-0 at half, had it not been for the outstanding play of neuer!
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: runawayjimbo on May 06, 2015, 04:24:19 PM
I can't believe I'm reduced to "watching" this on a Guardian live blog.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on May 24, 2015, 05:04:36 PM
so another year of domestic football has come to a close, all thats left is the champions league final ...

what i liked this year...
chelsea winning the prem
eden hazard becoming unplayable (top 5 player for me)
serie a was entertaining as a whole
sampdoria punching above their weight until about 3 weeks ago (same can be said about southampton)
tighter than expected race in ligue 1 ... psg only won it last week
sevilla in with a shout for back to back europa league titles
watching raheem sterling show the world he's not really that good, all while getting teams ready to overspend on him this summer
dortmund fighting back from a terrible 1st half of the season to make it into europe

things i didn't like...
my beloved milan with another middling season... no direction right now, and it doesnt look like its getting any better
juve ... while i'm happy that italian teams did better in europe this year, i hate juve (always, forever)
man u ... they can suck it

this summer has lots of great international soccer for us too!!!

womens world cup ... where the US should win it
copa america ... always a great tournament
gold cup ... US v Mex in the final i predict
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: runawayjimbo on May 27, 2015, 08:42:29 AM
DoJ dropping the hammer on FIFA. How appropriate that they were arrested for corruption at a 5-star hotel in Zurich.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/28/sports/soccer/fifa-officials-arrested-on-corruption-charges-blatter-isnt-among-them.html

Quote
FIFA Officials Arrested on Corruption Charges; Sepp Blatter Isn’t Among Them

ZURICH — Swiss authorities conducted an extraordinary early-morning operation here Wednesday to arrest several top soccer officials and extradite them to the United States on federal corruption charges.

As leaders of FIFA, soccer’s global governing body, gathered for their annual meeting, more than a dozen plain-clothed Swiss law enforcement officials arrived unannounced at the Baur au Lac hotel, an elegant five-star property with views of the Alps and Lake Zurich. They went to the front desk to get room numbers and then proceeded upstairs.

The arrests were carried out peacefully. One FIFA official, Eduardo Li of Costa Rica, was led by the authorities from his room to a side-door exit of the hotel. He was allowed to bring his luggage, which was adorned with FIFA logos.

The charges, backed by an F.B.I. investigation, allege widespread corruption in FIFA over the past two decades, involving bids for World Cups as well as marketing and broadcast deals.

Several hours after the soccer officials were apprehended at the hotel, Swiss authorities said they had opened criminal cases related to the bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups — incidents that, more than any others, encapsulated FIFA’s unusual power dynamic. “In the course of said proceedings,” the Swiss officials said, “electronic data and documents were seized today at FIFA’s head office in Zurich.”

The arrests were a startling blow to FIFA, a multibillion-dollar organization that governs the world’s most popular sport but has been plagued by accusations of bribery for decades.

The inquiry is also a major threat to Sepp Blatter, FIFA’s longtime president who is generally recognized as the most powerful person in sports, though he was not charged. Blatter has for years acted as a de facto head of state. Politicians, star players, national soccer officials and global corporations that want their brands attached to the sport have long genuflected before him.

An election, seemingly pre-ordained to give Mr. Blatter a fifth term as president, is scheduled for Friday. A FIFA spokesman insisted at the news conference that Mr. Blatter was not involved in any alleged wrongdoing and that the election would go ahead as planned.

The Department of Justice indictment names 14 people on charges including racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. In addition to senior soccer officials, the indictment also named sports-marketing executives from the United States and South America who are accused of paying more than $150 million in bribes and kickbacks in exchange for media deals associated with major soccer tournaments.

The soccer officials charged are Mr. Li, Jeffrey Webb, Eugenio Figueredo, Jack Warner, Julio Rocha, Costas Takkas, Rafael Esquivel, José Maria Marin and Nicolás Leoz.

“FIFA welcomes actions that can help contribute to rooting out any wrongdoing in football,” the organization said in a statement.

Charges were also made against the sports-marketing executives Alejandro Burzaco, Aaron Davidson, Hugo Jinkis and Mariano Jinkis. Authorities also charged José Margulies as an intermediary who facilitated illegal payments.

“The indictment alleges corruption that is rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted both abroad and here in the United States,” said United States Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch.

United States officials also revealed that four people, including the former FIFA executive Chuck Blazer, and two sports marketing companies had entered guilty pleas. Blazer forfeited $1.9 million when he entered his guilty plea in 2013, and agreed to make a second payment at sentencing.

The case is the most significant yet for Ms. Lynch, who took office last month. She previously served as the United States attorney in Brooklyn, where she supervised the FIFA investigation. Ms. Lynch and F.B.I. Director James Comey were scheduled to hold a news conference at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday morning in Brooklyn.

With more than $1.5 billion in reserves, FIFA is as much a global financial conglomerate as a sports organization. With countries around the world competing aggressively to win the bid to host the World Cup, Mr. Blatter has commanded the fealty of anyone who wanted a piece of that revenue stream. He and FIFA have weathered corruption controversies in the past, but none involved charges of federal crimes in United States court.

United States law gives the Justice Department wide authority to bring cases against foreign nationals living abroad, an authority that prosecutors have used repeatedly in international terrorism cases. Those cases can hinge on the slightest connection to the United States, like the use of an American bank or Internet service provider.

Switzerland’s treaty with the United States is unusual in that it gives Swiss authorities the power to refuse extradition for tax crimes, but on matters of general criminal law, the Swiss have agreed to turn people over for prosecution in American courts.

Critics of FIFA point to the lack of transparency regarding executive salaries and resource allocations for an organization that, by its own admission, had revenue of $5.7 billion from 2011 to 2014. Policy decisions are also often taken without debate or explanation, and a small group of officials — known as the executive committee — operates with outsize power. FIFA has for years functioned with little oversight and even less transparency. Alexandra Wrage, a governance consultant who once unsuccessfully attempted to help overhaul FIFA’s methods, labeled the organization “byzantine and impenetrable.”

Law enforcement officials said much of the inquiry involves Concacaf, one of the six regional confederations that compose FIFA. Concacaf — which stands for Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football — includes major countries like the United States and Mexico, and also tiny ones like Barbados and Montserrat.

According to the indictment, several international soccer events were tainted by bribes and kickbacks involving media and marketing rights: World Cup qualifiers in the Concacaf region; the Gold Cup, a regional championship tournament; the Concacaf Champions League; the Copa América; and the South American club championship, the Copa Libertadores. The indictment also claims that bribes and kickbacks were found in connection with the selection of the host country for the 2010 World Cup.

Concacaf was led from 1990 to 2011 by Mr. Warner, the longtime head of Trinidad & Tobago’s federation. A key powerbroker in FIFA’s governing executive committee, Mr. Warner had been dogged by accusations of corruption. He was accused of illegally profiting from the resale of tickets to the 2006 World Cup, and of withholding the bonuses of the Trinidad players who participated in that tournament.

Mr. Warner resigned his positions in FIFA, Concacaf and his national association in 2011 amid mounting evidence that he had been part of an attempt to buy the votes of Caribbean federation officials in the 2011 FIFA presidential election. A 2013 Concacaf report also found that he had received tens of millions of dollars in misappropriated funds.

But according to the rules of FIFA at the time, Mr. Warner’s resignation led to the immediate closure of all ethics committee cases against him. “The presumption of innocence is maintained,” FIFA said in a short statement announcing his departure.

Many critics found the bid process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to be flawed from the start: the decision to award two tournaments at once, they said, would invite vote-trading and other inducements. Since only the 24 members of the executive committee would decide on the hosts, persuading even a few of them might be enough to swing the vote.

Even before the vote took place, two committee members — Amos Adamu of Nigeria and Reynald Temarii of Tahiti — were suspended after an investigation by The Sunday Times caught both men on tape asking for payments in exchange for their support. It was later revealed by England’s bid chief that four ExCo members had solicited bribes from him for their votes; one asked for $2.5 million, while another, Nicolas Leoz of Paraguay, requested a knighthood.

As new accounts of bribery continued to emerge — a whistleblower who worked for the Qatar bid team claimed that several African officials were paid $1.5 million each to support Qatar — FIFA in 2012 started an investigation of the bid process. It was led by a former United States attorney, Michael J. Garcia, who spent nearly two years compiling a report. That report, however, has never been made public; instead, the top judge on the ethics committee, the German Joachim Eckert, released a summary of the report. In it, he declared that while violations of the code of ethics had occurred, they had not affected the integrity of the vote.

Within hours, Garcia had criticised Eckert’s summary as incorrect and incomplete, charging that it contained “numerous materially incomplete and erroneous representations of the facts.” Nonetheless, FIFA moved quickly to embrace the report’s absolution of the bid process. Qatar World Cup officials said the review had upheld “the integrity and quality of our bid,” And Russia’s sports minister, Vitaly Mutko, told reporters, “I hope we will not have talk about this again.”

The issue was, in fact, raised against Wednesday. When pressed by reporters at the news conference, Mr. de Gregorio repeatedly said that FIFA would not consider reopening the bid process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Correction: May 27, 2015
Because of an editing error, an earlier version of this article misstated the year of the FIFA presidential election that Jack Warner was suspected of attempting to influence. It was 2011, not 2010.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on May 27, 2015, 11:09:49 AM
while i applaud the DoJ for trying to do something, i'm a bit of a pessimist here... i don't think this changes much. it states that they got major players, but they really didn't. these are just middle men.

until they get blatter and his core group nothing changes. the elections this week will likely still result in blatters 5th term
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: mopper_smurf on May 27, 2015, 11:31:10 AM
Quote from: jedifunk on May 27, 2015, 11:09:49 AM
while i applaud the DoJ for trying to do something, i'm a bit of a pessimist here... i don't think this changes much. it states that they got major players, but they really didn't. these are just middle men.

until they get blatter and his core group nothing changes. the elections this week will likely still result in blatters 5th term

Blatter buys his votes. Which is legal. For him.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: rowjimmy on May 27, 2015, 11:46:55 AM
Reliable sources report that each of the arrested officials, when confronted by police, threw themselves on the ground and claimed injury.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Buffalo Budd on May 27, 2015, 11:59:22 AM
Quote from: rowjimmy on May 27, 2015, 11:46:55 AM
Reliable sources report that each of the arrested officials, when confronted by police, threw themselves on the ground and claimed injury.

:clap:
:hereitisyousentimentalbastard
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on May 27, 2015, 03:37:12 PM
ok, so real soccer talk ...

that 1st half of the europa league final was amazing! 2-2 ... end to end stuff! highly recommend everyone catch the second half, its on fox sports 1
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: runawayjimbo on June 02, 2015, 01:10:47 PM
Blatter'd

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32982449

Quote
Fifa: Sepp Blatter to quit as president amid corruption scandal

Sepp Blatter says he will resign as president of football's governing body Fifa amid a corruption scandal.

In announcing his exit, the 79-year-old Swiss has called an extraordinary Fifa congress "as soon as possible" to elect a new president.

Blatter was re-elected last week, despite seven top Fifa officials being arrested two days before the vote as part of a US prosecution.

But he said: "My mandate does not appear to be supported by everybody."

Fifa was rocked last week by the arrests on charges of racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering as part of a US prosecution that also indicted 14 people.

A separate criminal investigation by Swiss authorities into how the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were allocated is also under way.

"I am very much linked to Fifa and its interests. Those interests are dear to me and this is why I am taking this decision," added Blatter.

"What counts most to me is the institute of Fifa and football around the world."
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: mopper_smurf on June 03, 2015, 11:43:35 AM
Quote from: runawayjimbo on June 02, 2015, 01:10:47 PM
Blatter'd

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32982449

Quote
Fifa: Sepp Blatter to quit as president amid corruption scandal

Sepp Blatter says he will resign as president of football's governing body Fifa amid a corruption scandal.

In announcing his exit, the 79-year-old Swiss has called an extraordinary Fifa congress "as soon as possible" to elect a new president.

Blatter was re-elected last week, despite seven top Fifa officials being arrested two days before the vote as part of a US prosecution.

But he said: "My mandate does not appear to be supported by everybody."

Fifa was rocked last week by the arrests on charges of racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering as part of a US prosecution that also indicted 14 people.

A separate criminal investigation by Swiss authorities into how the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were allocated is also under way.

"I am very much linked to Fifa and its interests. Those interests are dear to me and this is why I am taking this decision," added Blatter.

"What counts most to me is the institute of Fifa and football around the world."

Within minutes after this announcement my phone nearly exploded handling all the WhatsApps and texts and shit. Lock him up and throw away the key.
Title: Bittersweet Finality...
Post by: Kate on June 30, 2015, 11:02:01 PM
...is the nature of concluding WC matches, especially when our magnificent women are in play, as the quadrennial wait can be interminable only to see tournament month streak by with all the patience of Weir during a 1st set Trey solo (and, honestly, thank God (or Phish) for the loaner thus far during the band's valedictory run).

I'm a bit hoarse after a smashing victory on the Montreal pitch this evening; while protracted sport seasons offer a margin for setbacks and recovery, I think that consistently ascendant performance is the key to success in the compressed context of tournament play. Hopefully the USWNT's final game will be the futbol equivalent of the June Winterland stand to the Dead's 77 Spring Tour!/peace, K
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: PIE-GUY on July 01, 2015, 12:08:52 AM
Hello, Kate. Whaaat's happening?

If you could just condense that last post into a haiku, that'd be great.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Gundo on July 01, 2015, 04:51:43 AM
Which thread is this?
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on July 01, 2015, 09:43:04 AM
agreed Kate!

the US has gotten better with each match ... some more than others. last night in particular was our best match for sure, and against our strongest opponent...

on the one hand i hope for the "easier" opponent (England) in the final, but on the other would prefer to see Japan as they are truly marvelous to watch play, and a rematch of 4 years ago would be great!
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: susep on July 01, 2015, 12:22:20 PM
great game last night, lovin' the allies vs. axis final 4.  pumped for Sunday. 
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on July 06, 2015, 02:08:25 PM
what an epic opening 15 minutes from the US last night... japan was simply stunned.

it also made the rest of the match somewhat anti-climatic. i went to watch it downtown at the new twins stadium (they have a nice little amphitheater with a small lawn) and after the first 20 minutes lots of people kind of stop paying attention to the match and talking and hanging out.

overall, i think the US was a deserved winner of the tournament ... they got better/stronger with each match, and clearly were the better team in the final. people said they had an easy run, but i don't agree.  they were in the "Group of Death" and had to face a tough Germany in the semifinal.

now its onto the gold cup for the men!

-----------

Copa America

this was a tournament done proper! just line em up and play!

i'm both happy for Chile and sad for Argentina... messi is the best i've ever seen, and he will be knocked forever for not winning at the international level (which is stupid).

chile probably shouldn't have still had vidal on the roster, but i digress ... and argentina still had the better team on paper anyways.

so many penalty shoot outs too!

-----

u-20 world cup

a great show case for a lot of the emerging talent in the world! the US did itself proud, and lost in the round of 8 to eventual champ sebia (on penalties no less). we looked pretty darn good in the 2 matches i was able to catch (2:30 AM viewings on FS1).

was sorta shocked at how disappointing Germany were however ... the depth of their talent seems to be endless!

---
u21 european championship

speaking of shocked ... germany were shocked in this tournament too! getting thumped 5-0 in the semis by eventual champs portugal.

this new "golden generation" (i hate that term) from portugal is pretty stacked, and almost all of them play in portugal still which is pretty rare these days.

anyhoo, Gold Cup starts tomorrow!
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: mopper_smurf on August 12, 2015, 01:21:40 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v4ZirKQJ6c

Never seen something like this before. Goalkeeper scores with his heel in overtime last night.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on August 12, 2015, 11:10:16 AM
saw that ... nice!
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: gah on June 18, 2016, 11:54:27 AM
Anyone else been watching Copa America? The US has been fun to watch and Dempsey has been great. First time in the semi's in like 20 years or something. Stoked for the double header this evening with Argentina/Venezuela and Mexico/Chile, too.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: antelope19 on June 18, 2016, 10:01:32 PM
We play Tuesday?
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: alcoholandcoffeebeans on June 18, 2016, 11:18:26 PM
Quote from: antelope19 on June 18, 2016, 10:01:32 PM
We play Tuesday?

YES!!! 9pm
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: gah on June 20, 2016, 10:34:56 AM
Quote from: alcoholandcoffeebeans on June 18, 2016, 11:18:26 PM
Quote from: antelope19 on June 18, 2016, 10:01:32 PM
We play Tuesday?

YES!!! 9pm

Gonna be a tough one!
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: zimbra on June 22, 2016, 12:44:30 AM
Well that was horrible...  :-(
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: gah on June 22, 2016, 10:34:05 AM
I dunno, I was thinking yesterday that as long as we don't lose 5-0 that'd be kind of like winning. So losing 4-0, while technically fits inside my expectation, Argentina just ran a clinic last night. And that goal off the free kick by Messi was a thing of absolute beauty. We still got the third place game Saturday though, and it'd be kind of cool to play Colombia, who we lost to 0-2 earlier in the tournament.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: zimbra on June 23, 2016, 08:37:45 AM
Quote from: gah on June 22, 2016, 10:34:05 AM
I dunno, I was thinking yesterday that as long as we don't lose 5-0 that'd be kind of like winning. So losing 4-0, while technically fits inside my expectation, Argentina just ran a clinic last night. And that goal off the free kick by Messi was a thing of absolute beauty. We still got the third place game Saturday though, and it'd be kind of cool to play Colombia, who we lost to 0-2 earlier in the tournament.

I agree, the free kick by Messi was perfection.  My close friend dates a Colombian so we watch games with her friends a lot.  They are a lively bunch & huge soccer fans so it's always a blast.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: runawayjimbo on June 27, 2016, 04:58:01 PM
lolengland
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: khalpin on June 22, 2018, 04:17:20 PM
I have to say, the World Cup has been happily filling the void in my sport-watching life with hockey and football in the off-season.  I took a quiz here for the hell of it and got Switzerland: https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/world-cup-quiz/

I have to say, that Switzerland/Serbia game was fun as hell to watch.  Cross post to the Phone it in Friday thread...
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Buffalo Budd on June 22, 2018, 09:03:23 PM
Quote from: khalpin on June 22, 2018, 04:17:20 PM
I have to say, the World Cup has been happily filling the void in my sport-watching life with hockey and football in the off-season.  I took a quiz here for the hell of it and got Switzerland: https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/world-cup-quiz/

I have to say, that Switzerland/Serbia game was fun as hell to watch.  Cross post to the Phone it in Friday thread...


Could not agree more. i've watched more matches this year than any previous.
It's been entertaining to say the least.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: jedifunk on June 28, 2018, 12:30:53 AM
this has been a surprisingly fun cup to watch.

lots of entertaining games (not france v denmark) ...

not having a horse in the race has made every game fun to watch.

loving belgium, but don't think they have it in them to win it. 

best i can guess is someone from: brazil, france, spain because winners win
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Buffalo Budd on June 28, 2018, 07:53:03 AM
I've tuned in to more games than I ever have in past WCs.
France is looking pretty solid as is Uruguay.
Croatia is the big surprise for me.
Stoked for Saturday.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: mattstick on June 28, 2018, 08:43:55 AM
Having games on all day during the group stages and now having 2 games a day now has been awful for my work productivity. I've been setting up a TV and stream in a communal space at work - great WC so far.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Buffalo Budd on June 28, 2018, 10:31:46 AM
I've just avoided all coverage during the day and then tune in for the rerun each night on SN.
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: mattstick on June 28, 2018, 02:25:09 PM
...
Title: Re: Soccer Thread
Post by: Buffalo Budd on June 28, 2018, 02:27:43 PM
Quote from: mattstick on June 28, 2018, 02:25:09 PM
...


What kind of ship are you running at that hospital?!?