The [Horribly Unpopular] Soccer Thread

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Most haven't this time around. I think players are more concerned next round of the Gold Cup.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Did you all see the Confederation Cup final today? Wow, what a great play by David Luiz!

Was fantastic. Spanish squad wasn't in their A game.

 

[Pappers_]

Spanish squad wasn't in their A game.

No they weren't. I did wonder about Ramos taking the PK - I know he's a great player, but that was a pathetic shot, almost like he's a defenseman

 

[Pappers_]

US Open Cup quarterfinals are tomorrow and there are two non-MLS clubs remaining. It's likely we'll be seeing some new faces in the CONCACAF Champions League. My guess is whomever wins the FCD vs PTFC match will take the tournament.

The Fire took care of Orlando City easily, which had beaten two MLS clubs to get to the quarterfinals. With DC United up next, I like the Fire's chances of getting to the finals. I just wish we didn't have to wait for more than a month for the next round to be played.

 

[danielofthedale]

Of course the US is letting most of the first team guys rest over the Gold Cup. They just picked up 9 points over three games in WCQ and that is what matters. Players do need a break before heading back to Europe or can't miss two months from their MLS team. But most of the top tier teams will be at less than full strength so I still expect us to make the finals.

 

[danielofthedale]

Todays game showed that Spain has taken a step back from their heights of 2010 and 2012. Xavi and Iniesta are not able to boss the game around as dominantly as before. Busquets is no Xavi Alonso. Torres is not the player he was and no one had been able to replace David Villa. i think they are still one of the favorites but behinds both Brazil and Germany at least now.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Brazil is the favorite considering they'll be at home. But they're also their own worst enemies, they can easily implode and are especially weak to counter attacks.

Germany is the best team in the world, except for whatever fullback position Lahm isn't playing they don't have a weakness. But they have arguably the best keeper in the world, 2 very good CBs at least in Hummels and Badstuber, what has to be the deepest midfield in the world with Schweinsteiger, Khedira, Ozil, Gotze, Kroos, Reus, Muller, the Benders, Schurrle, and Podolski, and Gomez is a good guy up top and you have a fantastic poacher in Klose coming off the bench. If I was germany I'd put Muller up top, Ozil behind him, Kroos and Gotze out wide and Khedira and Schweinsteiger deep.

 

[Grannyknot]

I was really excited for that game and found it to be kind of a let down.
The Spanish tikki takki football is really starting to get exposed.

Can't wait for European leagues to fire back up.

 

[aygov]

I was really excited for that game and found it to be kind of a let down.
The Spanish tikki takki football is really starting to get exposed.

Can't wait for European leagues to fire back up.

Yea, Spain used to excel at killing you with possession. Unfortunately when you concede a goal in the 2nd minute you need to kill people with goals... their possession play was crap as well. How many times did they get bossed off the ball or make an errant pass in the middle and have to scramble back to head off a counter attack? Overall Spain looked sluggish and Brazil looked rampant. We'll see what changes a year makes.

 

[Grannyknot]

Probably spells the end of Boca's USMNT tenure.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/rangers-bocanegra-mutually-agree-part-123500427--mls.html

 

[danielofthedale]

Probably spells the end of Boca's USMNT tenure.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/rangers-bocanegra-mutually-agree-part-123500427--mls.html

It was probably already over. However getting out of Rangefs the Scottish Second Divison and play in MLS (a much better league) can only increase his shot of making the team in the future no matter how small they are.

 

[Grannyknot]

Oh good, he's signed for Chivas.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Yea, Spain used to excel at killing you with possession. Unfortunately when you concede a goal in the 2nd minute you need to kill people with goals... their possession play was crap as well. How many times did they get bossed off the ball or make an errant pass in the middle and have to scramble back to head off a counter attack? Overall Spain looked sluggish and Brazil looked rampant. We'll see what changes a year makes.

The biggest part of Barca's success is that yes they have the quick passing plays and so on so forth, but they have Leo to get goals and be exciting in the box. Spain is still super dangerous, but I think the Krauts will be running the table most likely in Brazil if they have their best game. Spain is a threat of course, as are Brazil, Croatia, Netherlands, and Portugal. Even have some surprise english squads who can make a run like England or Italy. Even the young squad like Belgium can shock.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Oh god, he's signed for Chivas.

Hey... FYP

 

[ThickHead]

...but I think the Krauts will be running the table...

Decent insight, truly...but why use such a derogatory term of reference for the German national team? Are you purposefully being disrespectful or do you actually believe it is an appropriate term of reference?

 

[aygov]

The biggest part of Barca's success is that yes they have the quick passing plays and so on so forth, but they have Leo to get goals and be exciting in the box. Spain is still super dangerous, but I think the Krauts will be running the table most likely in Brazil if they have their best game. Spain is a threat of course, as are Brazil, Croatia, Netherlands, and Portugal. Even have some surprise english squads who can make a run like England or Italy. Even the young squad like Belgium can shock.

Exactly!

I really think they're missing a replacement for Villa. Torres isn't cutting it and you can have all the possession in the middle, but if you don't have anyone to lead the line and stretch the defense. You're going to have a tough time of it.

 

[ThickHead]

Exactly!

I really think they're missing a replacement for Villa. Torres isn't cutting it and you can have all the possession in the middle, but if you don't have anyone to lead the line and stretch the defense. You're going to have a tough time of it.

Agreed...all the passing is designed keep possession and to create space and space was not happening without the capability of establishing width. Navas was brought on to remedy this, with some success, but circumstances did not allow the production of sufficient results by way of chances...or rather chances taken.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Decent insight, truly...but why use such a derogatory term of reference for the German national team? Are you purposefully being disrespectful or do you actually believe it is an appropriate term of reference?

It's considered friendly banter or ribbing, but if it offends you I won't use it going forth.

 

[ThickHead]

It's considered friendly banter or ribbing, but if it offends you I won't use it going forth.

It doesn't offend me personally as i am not German. However, I know it's considered an offensive term by every German I know so I am only sensitive in light of respect of my friendship to them. I don't mean to be all "PC" but that term is generally considered as beyond good banter as far as I know. I could be crazy and perhaps any German contingent we are graced with here at HBT can correct me. My interest is in keeping the conversation unoffensive as your post was insightful and right on the money otherwise in my opinion.

 

[hatedheretic]

jesus, watching some of the highlights from Brazil and Spain; the US has some work to do..

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

jesus, watching some of the highlights from Brazil and Spain; the US has some work to do..

US cannot compete trying to play the same game as those guys.

Honestly US making it out of their group is a win for me and if they can make it to the final 8 I'd do a flip (which would consist of me not quite making it and hurting myself) they don't have the ability now to compete with the best of the best if they're playing their game. Of course who they draw will be the most important. If the US winds up in the group of death I think they could get shafted from the group stage, if they don't they should go to the final 16, and the problem is there are some great squads up there. The US can win any game it's possible, but if a top squad is on their A game we'll lose and probably pretty badly. We don't have the skill and speed to match Brazil, we don't have the technical ability to match Spain or Germany. We're still effectively a developing country, but at least it seems we're going in the right direction. We look much better as a squad now than we did before Klinsmann took over, and that's without Landycakes contributing.

 

[hopstupid]

pretty cool video on Roman Abramovich

was like number 5 on reddit

 

[Pappers_]

Honestly US making it out of their group is a win for me and if they can make it to the final 8 I'd do a flip . . . .

This is a something I really like about soccer, as a fan. Unlike most US professional sports, its not a 'win a championship or its not a successful season' ethos. And no one legitimately claims the Mexican, or Korean, or US professional leagues on the same level as the EPL or Serie A, for example, but that doesn't diminish our joy at being a fan.

In the World Cup, for me, if the US makes it out of the group, that's success. If they make it to the final 8, that's outstanding. Beyond that is party all night . . .

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

This is a something I really like about soccer, as a fan. Unlike most US professional sports, its not a 'win a championship or its not a successful season' ethos. And no one legitimately claims the Mexican, or Korean, or US professional leagues on the same level as the EPL or Serie A, for example, but that doesn't diminish our joy at being a fan.

In the World Cup, for me, if the US makes it out of the group, that's success. If they make it to the final 8, that's outstanding. Beyond that is party all night . . .

And when the US is in the World Cup, they are actually playing in a genuine world championship. Not in this world champions (of America) stuff that I always find nauseating.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

And when the US is in the World Cup, they are actually playing in a genuine world championship. Noe on this world champions (of America) stuff that I always find nauseating.

This

 

[danielofthedale]

I know this will not be of interest to most of you since you are not in the Atlanta area but I figured it might be seen by some people in the area or some of you might know some people in the Atlanta area and would pass this allong.

Next Monday, July 8th, ATLwantsMLS teams up with Monday Night Brewing. We'll be hosting a brewery event and for everyone who shows up for a tour/tasting, Monday Night Brewery will donate $2 to our Gold Cup funds!

ATLwantsMLS is a group of passionate soccer fans that are trying to orgainze the soccer fans in the Atlanta to show MLS and Arthur Blank that the city has what it takes to support a team.

* $10 gets you a pint glass, 4 drink tickets, a raffle ticket and $2 will be donated to ATLwantsMLS
* Wear a soccer shirt/scarf and get an extra raffle ticket!
* Meet other soccer fans in the city and talk about the great Silverbacks season that just finished, the crazy European Transfer Market, or how Jack McInerney and Sean Johnson are going to shine for the US in Gold Cup

So if you like soccer or craft beer or both we would really like if you were able to come out this coming Monday! Also if you know anyone who would be interested please let them know. If you would like to know anything else feel free to post it here or shot me a PM

Thank you,
Daniel Monroe

 

[aygov]

pretty cool video on Roman Abramovich

was like number 5 on reddit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmCtci6cen8

Getting an under the table deal for russian mineral rights and then buying a PL club to discourage the Russian government from seizing your assets and throwing you in a gulag.... classy!

I liked how the female commentator tried to remain relevant in the debate though. "But guys, it's made the PL popular!"

 

[Grannyknot]

I liked how the female commentator tried to remain relevant in the debate though. "But guys, it's made the PL popular!"

I got a laugh out of that as well.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

I know this will not be of interest to most of you since you are not in the Atlanta area but I figured it might be seen by some people in the area or some of you might know some people in the Atlanta area and would pass this allong.

Next Monday, July 8th, ATLwantsMLS teams up with Monday Night Brewing. We'll be hosting a brewery event and for everyone who shows up for a tour/tasting, Monday Night Brewery will donate $2 to our Gold Cup funds!

ATLwantsMLS is a group of passionate soccer fans that are trying to orgainze the soccer fans in the Atlanta to show MLS and Arthur Blank that the city has what it takes to support a team.

* $10 gets you a pint glass, 4 drink tickets, a raffle ticket and $2 will be donated to ATLwantsMLS
* Wear a soccer shirt/scarf and get an extra raffle ticket!
* Meet other soccer fans in the city and talk about the great Silverbacks season that just finished, the crazy European Transfer Market, or how Jack McInerney and Sean Johnson are going to shine for the US in Gold Cup

So if you like soccer or craft beer or both we would really like if you were able to come out this coming Monday! Also if you know anyone who would be interested please let them know. If you would like to know anything else feel free to post it here or shot me a PM

Thank you,
Daniel Monroe

This kind of stuff is always of interest to me. While I can't participate, it's great to see a grassroots push for an MLS club. Philly has shown that it can be done. I wish you all the best of luck!

 

[ThickHead]

I know this will not be of interest to most of you since you are not in the Atlanta area but I figured it might be seen by some people in the area or some of you might know some people in the Atlanta area and would pass this allong.

Next Monday, July 8th, ATLwantsMLS teams up with Monday Night Brewing. We'll be hosting a brewery event and for everyone who shows up for a tour/tasting, Monday Night Brewery will donate $2 to our Gold Cup funds!

ATLwantsMLS is a group of passionate soccer fans that are trying to orgainze the soccer fans in the Atlanta to show MLS and Arthur Blank that the city has what it takes to support a team.

* $10 gets you a pint glass, 4 drink tickets, a raffle ticket and $2 will be donated to ATLwantsMLS
* Wear a soccer shirt/scarf and get an extra raffle ticket!
* Meet other soccer fans in the city and talk about the great Silverbacks season that just finished, the crazy European Transfer Market, or how Jack McInerney and Sean Johnson are going to shine for the US in Gold Cup

So if you like soccer or craft beer or both we would really like if you were able to come out this coming Monday! Also if you know anyone who would be interested please let them know. If you would like to know anything else feel free to post it here or shot me a PM

Thank you,
Daniel Monroe

Sounds great! I'm in.