The [Horribly Unpopular] Soccer Thread

[Talgrath]

Holy monkey balls! MLS just announced they're adding $800,000 TAM per team over the next two years, for a total of $2.1 million (including this season) of TAM money for teams to play with. Expect to see a lot of teams hire guys in the upper six figures or million dollar range this offseason.

http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/12/09/mls-targeted-allocation-money-tam

 

[Grannyknot]

Massive result for Arsenal last night.

 

[jspain3]

Massive result for Arsenal last night.

Giroud's second goal and the through ball to set it up were both top class.

 

[Hugh_Jass]

Holy monkey balls! MLS just announced they're adding $800,000 TAM per team over the next two years, for a total of $2.1 million (including this season) of TAM money for teams to play with. Expect to see a lot of teams hire guys in the upper six figures or million dollar range this offseason.

http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/12/09/mls-targeted-allocation-money-tam

A poster on this thread commented on the difference in salary for the middle to lower rostered players in MLS compared to the MX. Hopefully, this will help shore up the quality of the lower end players on each MLS roster.

 

[Qhrumphf]

For how much of a flop Lamela seemed to be through the end of the last campaign, he's come into excellent form lately (with a few bumps and relapses along the way). 39 minutes into the Monaco match, and he's already got the hat trick.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Zlatan is getting discussed cause of an interview where he named his 5-a-side squad. I'm gonna work on that and ask about an indoor soccer team. For those who don't know it's 6 a side including a keeper. Who do you take? No rules, can cross eras can do selective lists. I'm gonna do 2.

First is my all-time list of players I've seen. I'm gonna avoid legends like Maradona and Pele because I didn't see them play much and it's hard for me to compare them to players now.

I'm going for a very fast and attacking minded team.

GK - Oliver Kahn. Simple reason for picking him. It would probably be between him and Casillas, but Kahn is a better one on one keeper, so that influenced my choice
DF - Philip Lahm. I'm not going with any big men defenders. I want to beat teams with the pass and no one can pass from the defense like lahm.
MF - Zinedine Zidane. COuld have gone a numer of ways here. I was debating a deep lying playmaker like Xavi as someone who could sit back and pick apart the defense. But elected to go with the French master
FW - Ronaldo - Even fat Ronaldo scores goals. In his prime he was one of the best I've ever seen.
FW - Cristiano Ronaldo - Physically maybe the most gifted player I've seen. He's tall, strong, fast, has high endurance and it doesn't hurt that he is amazing on the ball and has one of the more powerful shots in the world
FW - Messi - Best player I've ever seen. He has a gift that I've never been able to comprehend what he does. It's like he has a magnet in his boot and the ball is drawn to it. Of course his goal scoring is insane, he's super fast, his vision is second to none. Guy is just a machine.

By second 6 a side is US players. I'm considering national team and club performance for this.

GK - Howard. It was between him and Friedel. Friedel is my usual pick, but I'm shining positive on Howard after his last World Cup.
DF - Bocanegra. Between him and Pope for me. Bocanegra is athletic and large and smart. Shame he crashed out the way he did but that sometimes happens
MF - Bradley - Wasn't sure who to pick between him and Tab Ramos. I'm going with Bradley because I saw more of him than I did of Ramos.
MF - Reina - Best US midfielder ever. Maybe the only player to challenge Donovan for best US player ever.
MF - Donovan - Best US player ever. He'll mainly be used in attack, but he has the ability to defend box to box
FW - Dempsey - edges out McBride. Dempsey has a knack of finding the ball in a deadly position.

This team I imagine lining up something like this

-----Howard-------
-----Bocanegra----
-----Bradley------
-Reina-----------
----------Donovan
--Dempsey

Idea being Bradley and Reina as your primary defensive assist, Landon as your primary attacking assist.

 

[Qhrumphf]

Bournemouth is impressing again it seems (just tuned in). 2/3 through a home match against Man U and up by one. That may be more impressive than beating an out of form Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Or maybe Man U falling out of CL killed their spirit. Looks like the latter most likely.

Cherries have heart, gotta give em that.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Hey guys, so I'm making available the supporters survey I handed out during our Cup final viewing party.

I'd really appreciate the opinions from those not directly involved. It takes maybe two minutes. And if you do take it, please indicate in the comment section that you are from HBT. Thanks!

http://goo.gl/forms/rU9s4Ck2YZ

 

[Talgrath]

Hey guys, so I'm making available the supporters survey I handed out during our Cup final viewing party.

I'd really appreciate the opinions from those not directly involved. It takes maybe two minutes. And if you do take it, please indicate in the comment section that you are from HBT. Thanks!

http://goo.gl/forms/rU9s4Ck2YZ

Didn't answer since I'm no where near Reno, but that looks like a pretty solid opinion poll to me.

 

[Hugh_Jass]

Chicharito is currently en feugo. 15 goals in the last 12 games,including a hat trick today. It doesn't break my heart to watch the red Devils struggle in the final third while Chicharito racks up goals by the fist full. It has to be another nail in LVG's coffin for letting him go. Buh bye LVG.

Also, I'm glad USMNT doesn't have to face El Tri for a while in WC qualifying.

 

[Talgrath]

Zlatan is getting discussed cause of an interview where he named his 5-a-side squad. I'm gonna work on that and ask about an indoor soccer team. For those who don't know it's 6 a side including a keeper. Who do you take? No rules, can cross eras can do selective lists. I'm gonna do 2.

First is my all-time list of players I've seen. I'm gonna avoid legends like Maradona and Pele because I didn't see them play much and it's hard for me to compare them to players now.

I'm going for a very fast and attacking minded team.

GK - Oliver Kahn. Simple reason for picking him. It would probably be between him and Casillas, but Kahn is a better one on one keeper, so that influenced my choice
DF - Philip Lahm. I'm not going with any big men defenders. I want to beat teams with the pass and no one can pass from the defense like lahm.
MF - Zinedine Zidane. COuld have gone a numer of ways here. I was debating a deep lying playmaker like Xavi as someone who could sit back and pick apart the defense. But elected to go with the French master
FW - Ronaldo - Even fat Ronaldo scores goals. In his prime he was one of the best I've ever seen.
FW - Cristiano Ronaldo - Physically maybe the most gifted player I've seen. He's tall, strong, fast, has high endurance and it doesn't hurt that he is amazing on the ball and has one of the more powerful shots in the world
FW - Messi - Best player I've ever seen. He has a gift that I've never been able to comprehend what he does. It's like he has a magnet in his boot and the ball is drawn to it. Of course his goal scoring is insane, he's super fast, his vision is second to none. Guy is just a machine.

By second 6 a side is US players. I'm considering national team and club performance for this.

GK - Howard. It was between him and Friedel. Friedel is my usual pick, but I'm shining positive on Howard after his last World Cup.
DF - Bocanegra. Between him and Pope for me. Bocanegra is athletic and large and smart. Shame he crashed out the way he did but that sometimes happens
MF - Bradley - Wasn't sure who to pick between him and Tab Ramos. I'm going with Bradley because I saw more of him than I did of Ramos.
MF - Reina - Best US midfielder ever. Maybe the only player to challenge Donovan for best US player ever.
MF - Donovan - Best US player ever. He'll mainly be used in attack, but he has the ability to defend box to box
FW - Dempsey - edges out McBride. Dempsey has a knack of finding the ball in a deadly position.

This team I imagine lining up something like this

-----Howard-------
-----Bocanegra----
-----Bradley------
-Reina-----------
----------Donovan
--Dempsey

Idea being Bradley and Reina as your primary defensive assist, Landon as your primary attacking assist.

Well, as always, the issue with including "legendary" players like Pele is that while they were amazing for their day, they wouldn't be as amazing if they played the same way now as they did then. Pele was probably the first player to really show that ball control and positioning are more important than speed and power...but in the modern day pretty much every team knows that. Assuming we don't have the ability to pluck up these players as youths and train them in the new style, you pretty much have to go with players from fairly modern history.

As far as your line ups, for the Americans I like that quite a bit, not sure I'd argue much save for the keeper, Howard is amazing and will go down in US soccer history, but Kasey Keller or Brad Friedel would both have strong arguments to be in there instead of Tim Howard.

For the international bit, I might drop Ronaldo in favor of Xavi in a 1-2-2; with 3 up top it's an all or nothing sort of thing. I might also consider dropping Ronaldo in favor of Andrea Pirlo too, the old man may be too slow and creaky now, but back in the day he was amazing.

 

[Talgrath]

Good or bad news depending on how much you like Jermain Jones. Unless Jones can find a non MLS club to serve his six game suspension before the US qualifiers against Guatemala, he'll be ineligible for those games. Rumor was he was already leaving New England anyway, so it's possible he may jump ship and still be eligible for the USMNT qualifiers.

http://www.starsandstripesfc.com/2015/12/12/9924680/jermaine-jones-suspended-six-matches-could-miss-world-cup-qualifiers

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Well, as always, the issue with including "legendary" players like Pele is that while they were amazing for their day, they wouldn't be as amazing if they played the same way now as they did then. Pele was probably the first player to really show that ball control and positioning are more important than speed and power...but in the modern day pretty much every team knows that. Assuming we don't have the ability to pluck up these players as youths and train them in the new style, you pretty much have to go with players from fairly modern history.

As far as your line ups, for the Americans I like that quite a bit, not sure I'd argue much save for the keeper, Howard is amazing and will go down in US soccer history, but Kasey Keller or Brad Friedel would both have strong arguments to be in there instead of Tim Howard.

For the international bit, I might drop Ronaldo in favor of Xavi in a 1-2-2; with 3 up top it's an all or nothing sort of thing. I might also consider dropping Ronaldo in favor of Andrea Pirlo too, the old man may be too slow and creaky now, but back in the day he was amazing.

I think Howard and Friedel are better than Keller. Not that Keller is a bum. I just think they're clearly over him.

Which ROnaldo? Cristiano or Brazil's legend?

 

[Qhrumphf]

After a fairly strong start, a horrid performance from Spurs today, bringing our unbeaten run to an end against the Geordies of all teams. This week we're on the list of wacky results (yesterday's Bournemouth/Man U match the other) in an otherwise as expected round. Hopefully the Blues can take down the Foxes tomorrow. So much for winning the league At least top 4 is still well within grasp (and if we stop fecking drawing and start winning again maybe we can do better than that).

Ugh. Time to smash my head against the wall for a bit.

 

[Talgrath]

I think Howard and Friedel are better than Keller. Not that Keller is a bum. I just think they're clearly over him.

Which ROnaldo? Cristiano or Brazil's legend?

Sorry, forgot to specify. Cristiano.

 

[Talgrath]

In not quite professional but getting caps for the USMNT news, Jordan Morris scored a brace in a 4-0 beatdown by Stanford on Clemson in the College Cup Final. I don't think there's a better time to go pro for the young prospect, and rumor has it there were German scouts in attendance. Morris has already been offered a mid six figure homegrown player contract by the Sounders, but perhaps he could be heading to the Bundesliga. In any case, if you're curious, the link below has highlights of Jordan Morris playing for Stanford.

http://www.sounderatheart.com/thefuture/2015/12/13/10040278/stanford-wins-college-cup-behind-jordan-morris-brace

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Would love Morris to go to Germany. I think it would be better long term for his skillset. Main reason why is it would make him uncomfortable. I think every American needs to experience that uncomfort to grow.

I think going overseas is something Hamid needs desperately

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Sorry, forgot to specify. Cristiano.

I just can't imagine a team without those 3. I get where you're coming from. But I want to overrun teams with speed, that's why I want those 3 up top. I imagine Zidane would sit behind them and crushing shots on target. I see Lahm as the one who resets things and distributes.

But I want the team to fly. ANd I want Ronaldo of like 3-4 years ago not now. He's a better scorer now, but I want the 2 way player Ronaldo who could score, assist and defend a little.

 

[Talgrath]

Would love Morris to go to Germany. I think it would be better long term for his skillset. Main reason why is it would make him uncomfortable. I think every American needs to experience that uncomfort to grow.

I think going overseas is something Hamid needs desperately

From my perspective as a Sounders fan I think Morris needs to go to the Sounders...but from my perspective as a USMNT fan I have to agree that I'd rather see Morris overseas. That said, I just want Morris to get out of college and go to the pros, wherever he winds up, he's not getting challenged there and he won't get better without being challenged. With Hamid I couldn't agree more, he's saving United's butts and he's one of the highest paid keepers in the league for it, but he should challenge himself, I think he could do very well in England.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

I think in January Jurgen needs to have a chat with him. Now I don't think Morris goes pro before his school year is up, I assume that won't be an issue with anyone he signs with. I think if I'm Jurgen I tell him that after this camp he won't get another senior callup until he joins a professional team. If education is the most important think to Jordan then elt him have it.

I think Hamid will od well in England, the problem with sending him to England is gonna be the FA. They're notorious for being jerks about work visas. Yedlin (and Miazga when he leaves) was able to get there because he was able to get a European passport and cause of the Eurozone work laws didn't need a visa to work in England. I'm hoping his clout from his recent performances will let the FA let a team bring him in. My only concern with him and Championship level teams is will they be able to pay enough to get him away from MLS. Which is why I think Bundesliga is what makes the most sense for him. Now the downside to the Bundesliga is Germany is one of a few nations in the World that churns out world class keepers. When you look across the bundesliga, probably half the keepers are natives. ANd that doesn't include quality German keepers who left to go elsewhere (Trapp at PSG, ter Stegen at Barcelona)

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Huh, I haven't heard anything about Hamid or Miazga. Where are they going?

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Huh, I haven't heard anything about Hamid or Miazga. Where are they going?

Miazga didn't extend his Red Bulls contract and has several teams looking for him. Including Chelsea, Stoke, and Leicester.

So as I understand it Miazga can easily go to Europe and has his polish passport so he's good to go. I hope it's not Chelsea.

As far as Hamid it's more speculation on what would be the best thing for him

 

[RustyHorn]

Hopefully the Blues can take down the Foxes tomorrow.

Even as an Arsenal fan, I wanted Leicester to win! I think I hate Chelsea more than I love Arsenal

 

[Qhrumphf]

Even as an Arsenal fan, I wanted Leicester to win! I think I hate Chelsea more than I love Arsenal

Well, ideally half of each side would have left in a stretcher and the other half of each side would have been red carded for causing the first half to leave in a stretcher.

I hate Chelsea almost as much as I hate Arsenal. But pragmatically, Leicester is much more of a threat at the moment.

Oh well. Leicester faces Bournemouth on the 2nd. I'll be hoping for another surprise

Oh, and of COURSE we draw Fiorentina in Europa again. Can't ever seem to pick up an easy draw.

 

[RustyHorn]

I hate Chelsea almost as much as I hate Arsenal. But pragmatically, Leicester is much more of a threat at the moment.

I suspect that once the offers come in for Vardy, the Leicester dressing room will start to fall apart... I don't think they'll sell him, but it will be unsettling. Top four is a real possibility though.

 

[Qhrumphf]

I suspect that once the offers come in for Vardy, the Leicester dressing room will start to fall apart... I don't think they'll sell him, but it will be unsettling. Top four is a real possibility though.

I completely agree.

Me being the unrepentant **** that I am, I was hoping for Costa going Tonya Harding on Vardy. Suspension for one, injury for the other.

 

[Hugh_Jass]

Rumor has it Wanyma to the Spurs. A day in the life of a Saints fan.

If I'm 17-23 I'd like to play for Southampton. They're quite adept at developing young players to maximize their return.

 

[RustyHorn]

I completely agree.

Me being the unrepentant **** that I am, I was hoping for Costa going Tonya Harding on Vardy. Suspension for one, injury for the other.

I'd have preferred the injury for Costa, suspension for Vardy as the Euro's are coming up Also, seeing Costa in pain would be wonderful.

 

[Grannyknot]

I suspect that once the offers come in for Vardy, the Leicester dressing room will start to fall apart... I don't think they'll sell him, but it will be unsettling. Top four is a real possibility though.

I think the holiday fixture congestion will probably prove to be Leicester's downfall. They have rotated very little and will probably start to get overworked and pick up injuries. We saw drinkwater pull his hammy last night. The way those players press for 90 mins, more muscle injuries will come.

As for the transfer window, i see mahrez being a hotter prospect than Vardy.

 

[RustyHorn]

I think the holiday fixture congestion will probably prove to be Leicester's downfall. They have rotated very little and will probably start to get overworked and pick up injuries. We saw drinkwater pull his hammy last night. The way those players press for 90 mins, more muscle injuries will come.

As for the transfer window, i see mahrez being a hotter prospect than Vardy.

All very likely.
Vardy will be targeted, but either way, unrest.