The [Horribly Unpopular] Soccer Thread

[aygov]

Houston Dynamo at Chicago Fire -- 1-1
Bummer, Fire fans.... but they looked focused, strong and despite the late goal the backline looked solid. Looked kind of weird not seeing Sean Johnson out there, though.

Attendance: 12,473 -- Not bad but while watching this one on TV I would have thought it was more.... mofos were loud!

Section 8 does a pretty good job of keeping the noise level up, but I wish the rest of the crowd would follow suit. Having a vocal outburst anywhere outside of the Section 8 end is generally greeted with strange stares and disdain....

 

[Joker]

I still get chills when I watch the TA National Anthem

I posted these vid's in another thread but it didn't go anywhere, I have season tickets to the Timbers and am a proud chanter/singer in the TA section. :rockin:

We fully bring it at every match.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

I posted these vid's in another thread but it didn't go anywhere, I have season tickets to the Timbers and am a proud chanter/singer in the TA section. :rockin:

We fully bring it at every match.

Dude f**k yeah you guys do. I sing and chant with Angel City Brigade when I'm down in LA at the Home Depot Center and until you guys came around we were by far the loudest and most prominent supporters club in MLS. You guys are fantastic, but I think it's only because you have us on numbers.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Hey, if you don't hate America I suggest you watch Real Salt Lake host Monterrey in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final. It's tonight at 7pm PDT on Fox Soccer Channel, Telefutura and CONCACAFchampions.com

RSL currently have the advantage with the aggregate at 2-2, with Salt Lake having two away goals. Monterrey should be concerned as RSL have remained unbeaten at home for 37 straight matches... that's two years, mofos!

RSL win outright if:
- They win the second leg match, regardless of score
- They draw 0-0
- They draw 1-1

Monterrey win outright if:
- They win, regardless of score
- They draw 3-3 or greater

A result of a 2-2 draw would bring on the FIFA standard procedure: two 15 minute extra time halves and, if there is still no winner, a penalty shoot-out.





Support America, damnit!

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

WooooHoooo!!

My lot (Southampton) Got promoted back into the second tier on Monday! That is unless we somehow lose our +17 Goal diff. advantage on the last day!

 

[Pappers_]

WooooHoooo!!

My lot (Southampton) Got promoted back into the second tier on Monday! That is unless we somehow lose our +17 Goal diff. advantage on the last day!

Congratulations to the Saints on their promotion!

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Indeed, congratulations are in order to both Southampton for promotion to 2nd-tier and to Norwich and [insert club that wins promotion playoffs] for promotion to the premiership!

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Wow, so this thread is apparently loaded with entropy... it requires constant input of energy to keep from divulging into chaos (read: thread killing.) ^_^

But this is big for fans of domestic soccer who don't always have the ability to watch MLS:

This weekend the online, DVR-style service MatchDay Live is free!

Watch all the matches this weekend, including every previous match you may have wanted to watch... they even provide condensed matches so you can watch all the action in about 15-18 minutes.

Go to this link and select Spring Preview and watch some mother-effing soccer! It's available in HD even... but sadly it runs on Microsoft Silverlight, which my computer hates (it's old) so I don't get HD.

But regardless, the video feed is pretty much seamless and I love being able to watch any match from 2011 or 2010. Plus there is a chat/twitter feature and a field tracker so you can watch goal replays and shots as you please. There's even PIP (up to 3) and you and PIP the field tracker videos so you don't interrupt your match. I purchased MDL before the season began at the discounted price ($40) and it's been worth every penny, regardless of my inability to get HD

I'll have the weekend preview (and the recap of this past Wednesday and yesterday) in a bit.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

I think I'm going to have to SparkNotes this one. Damn finals....

Saturday, May 7

Chivas USA at RSL -- 1:00pm PDT, Telefutura, (MDL blackout due to national coverage)
RSL are looking get over their Champions League hangover, the worst of it coming from Portland snapping the Royals perfect season. The Goats are on a hot streak at the moment, having figured out the rhythm of their attack. But RSL are still running on a very long regular-season unbeaten streak at home, making Rio Tinto the only tested fortress in MLS (we'll have to wait and see on Portland and JELD-WEN field, though it's looking promising.)

Houston Dynamo at Toronto FC -- 4:00pm PDT, MatchDay Live
With TFC still struggling and Houston on a roll, it may be a tragic meeting in America's Hat (read: Canada, eh.) Houston has been shining due to rookie-star Will Bruin, dubbed by his manager and now fans as "The Dancing Bear"..... look it up, funny stuff. But his skill is nothing to laugh at considering he posted the first 2011 hat-trick in the league last weekend.

Colorado Rapids at New England Revolution -- 4:30pm PDT, MatchDay Live
A much improved NE side play host to the defending MLS Champs. All I can say to Colorado is "break a leg!" ..... oops, too soon?

Seattle Sounders FC at Columbus Crew -- 4:30pm PDT, MatchDay Live
Both clubs looked terrible in the opening weeks of the season but have since bounced back.... Columbus much more than Seattle. One of the Sounders main issues is the loss of their star Steve Zakuani, the gentleman at the butt-end of the tasteless joke in the COL-NE preview. I just hope Crew Stadium can actually fill up more than half-way to support the Yellow and Black... they've had a sad showing thus far.

FC Dallas at DC United -- 4:30pm PDT, MatchDay Live
DC is looking to end their standard of last-place from last season and have been getting some results. Dallas is coming off a win against LA (damnit) in a match that was paused in the 82' tied 1-1 due to lightning and restarted, resulting in a Brek Shae goal.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Chicago Fire SC -- 5:30pm PDT, MatchDay Live
Fire are coming off a 5-game winless slump, though their last match was a 1-1 draw with MLS Champs Colorado. Vancouver haven't really been at their best the last couple matches and may have some fatigue due to Nutrilite Canadian Championship matches.

New York Red Bulls at Los Angeles Galaxy -- 8:00pm PDT, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3.com (MDL blackout due to national coverage)
WOOO!!! This is it, finally time for payback from last season. My first ever live pro match was on my birthday last year when LA hosted NY. Sadly it was a 0-2 loss but it was the best sporting experience I've ever had. Currently both clubs are among the best in the league (along with RSL) and this should be a clash of big names and big skill. If both clubs play well we should see some serious match-ups in all areas of the field: Omar Gonzalez and AJ De Lagarza trying to hold back the deadly pair of Thierry Henry and Luke Rodgers, the quick fluid passing exhibited by both midfields, two top-tier international goalkeepers.... I predict this one will either be a stale-mate with a late victory goal that results from one of the backlines making the slightest mistake at the wrong time, or an all-out brawl with a combined score of no less than five.... and I base that on absolutely nothing! Can't wait.

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

Well, That's my lot OFFICIALLY out of that darned annoying third tier! Who knows, we could be in the Premiership after next season!!

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[Reno_eNVy]

SWEET BABY JEBUS!!!!! Looks like the entire city of Southampton on the pitch







Also, did anybody watch the LA-NY match on ESPN last night? Instant Classic.... IMO the best match of the season thus far.

 

[Joker]

Also, did anybody watch the LA-NY match on ESPN last night? Instant Classic.... IMO the best match of the season thus far.

I missed that one but my Timbers are slowly climbing the ranks. Took Real Salt Lake at home and actually undefeated at home (don't come here we are vicious fans ).

 

[Reno_eNVy]

I missed that one but my Timbers are slowly climbing the ranks. Took Real Salt Lake at home and actually undefeated at home (don't come here we are vicious fans ).

Yeah, JELD-WEN is looking like a fortress for sure. Plus their red kits were sweeeeet on Saturday.

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

Plus their red kits were sweeeeet on Saturday.

OK, that's it. You are officially banned from the soccer thread, you bloody girly!!

 

[Reno_eNVy]

OK, that's it. You are officially banned from the soccer thread, you bloody girly!!

What can I say, I'm a geek for all aspects of the sport:

- Keeping track of attendance records
- Watching webcams of new stadiums go up (I sh*t you not... I've watched Sporting Kansas City's stadium since it was a plot of land)
- Admiring new kits
- Speculating where the All-Star and MLS Cup matches will be (HOME DEPOT CENTER FOR THE FINAL, BABY!)
- Getting into the hype of new expansion clubs and the unveiling of crests/kits

Seriously, I can't wait until the end of the month... that's when Montreal will officially announce the club name and unveil their crest. I don't know about kits but definitely crest.

What can I say... I have a boner for the sport.

 

[soundsandsuds]

What can I say, I'm a geek for all aspects of the sport:

- Keeping track of attendance records
- Watching webcams of new stadiums go up (I sh*t you not... I've watched Sporting Kansas City's stadium since it was a plot of land)
- Admiring new kits
- Speculating where the All-Star and MLS Cup matches will be (HOME DEPOT CENTER FOR THE FINAL, BABY!)
- Getting into the hype of new expansion clubs and the unveiling of crests/kits

Seriously, I can't wait until the end of the month... that's when Montreal will officially announce the club name and unveil their crest. I don't know about kits but definitely crest.

What can I say... I have a boner for the sport.

I can see BC Place going up from where I work. Pretty exciting.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

I can see BC Place going up from where I work. Pretty exciting.

See! That kind of stuff.... pretty dang kickass.

 

[DregAddict]

Has anybody seen Bob Bradley's Gold Cup selections yet? Same old crap. If Jonathan Bornstein keeps getting selected, then I'm honestly going to go walk on at the next MNT camp. I like that some young guys made the squad, but why did Timothy Chandler get left off. They include Eric Lichaj, who I like, but plays wing back for Leeds(second tier in Engalnd), but leave out Chandler who plays the same position in the Bundesliga. And honestly this is all compounded by the Bornstein inclusion. He can't get time for his Mexican club team, but we have a guy that starts for Nurnberg that doesn't make the roster.

Also, do we have a young keeper that can make the roster please. As backups to Howard we are bringing Hahnemann and Rimando. Where's Guzan? If not him, then don't we have a someone that is up and coming we can give a shot? Really, is Hahnemann or Rimando ever going to play in a world cup game? Why not give someone a chance that has a future with the squad?

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Dreg:
- Why the Bornstein hate? I thought he did well in the WC and I gotta back up a Kosher brotha

- Chandler asked to be left off due to persistent injury. He'll be missed, though

- I don't see why we need a younger keeper. Older keepers have actually been shown to be more skilled with better situational-awareness and angle-reading. And at first read I thought you were suggesting not starting Tim... which is a silly ass statement. Dude's a beast, best keeper in the world IMO. And I think Rimando is top 3 in MLS... don't see why Hartman never gets a call.



And what about Freddy Adu? Strange to see him being considered again.

 

[DregAddict]

I hadn't heard about Chandler asking to stay home, but I still don't like Bornstein in there. Really the only reason guys like him and Heath Pearce get any play is because we have such a gaping hole in the left back spot. I don't think Bornstein played terrible in the WC, but he adds so little to the team, and is almost always a risk to play an I'll advised square ball in our own half. In the last set of friendlies he looked horrible. As soon as any opponent discovers that they can pressure our backs and we'll just hand them the ball, then our whole team starts to panic.

As far as the keepers go, the point I was making is that neither Hahnemann nor Rimando will ever play an important role on the MNT. Howard will start every important game for us until he gets beat out by someone, retires, or gets hurt. That includes the Gold Cup. The other keepers might get a game or two in the first round against poor competition, but in the knockout rounds Howard will be playing. So if in all reality the #2 and #3 keeper get at most one game each against weak opponents, then why didn't we bring someone that shows some promise, and can contribute after Howard is no longer with the team? Howard is 31, Hahnemann 38, and Rimando 31. Those other two will never play an important role on our team because their career paths are either ahead of or right in line with Tim Howard's.

 

[DregAddict]

I guess the deal with Adu is that he's been getting playing time and performing well recently with his club in Turkey(second division I think). He is still young, so I don't mind them giving him a shot. I think he ran into so many obstacles after the original hype. We've all seen him do some impressive things at the youth level, and if he can be put in the proper position on the field with a good understanding of his responsibilities, then I think he can potentially be a contributor. Not a star, but a creative, change of pace, type of player that can draw fouls and put pressure on defenses.

 

[BrewKnurd]

I hadn't heard about Chandler asking to stay home, but I still don't like Bornstein in there. Really the only reason guys like him and Heath Pearce get any play is because we have such a gaping hole in the left back spot. I don't think Bornstein played terrible in the WC, but he adds so little to the team, and is almost always a risk to play an I'll advised square ball in our own half. In the last set of friendlies he looked horrible. As soon as any opponent discovers that they can pressure our backs and we'll just hand them the ball, then our whole team starts to panic.

As far as the keepers go, the point I was making is that neither Hahnemann nor Rimando will ever play an important role on the MNT. Howard will start every important game for us until he gets beat out by someone, retires, or gets hurt. That includes the Gold Cup. The other keepers might get a game or two in the first round against poor competition, but in the knockout rounds Howard will be playing. So if in all reality the #2 and #3 keeper get at most one game each against weak opponents, then why didn't we bring someone that shows some promise, and can contribute after Howard is no longer with the team? Howard is 31, Hahnemann 38, and Rimando 31. Those other two will never play an important role on our team because their career paths are either ahead of or right in line with Tim Howard's.

There's some debate as to whether it was really Chandler asking to stay home or Nuremberg asking for Chandler to stay home so he can be ready for next season. Ives discusses it a bit here: http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2011/05/surprise-omissions-.html#more

As for Guzan, I believe he's getting married this summer, and that was going to conflict with some of the Gold Cup.

As for bornstein, I don't like him either, but not including him doesn't do much unless there's someone better to take his spot, and I'm not sure if I've seen that. Lichaj has talked about possibly playing LB for the nats, tho, and that idea intrigues me, as I would like to see both him and chandler on the field at the same time in the future, and this is a way to accomplish that, as well as filling a major hole in the lineup (if he's actually any good at LB).

 

[BeerEagle]

I see that there's another giant dust cloud covering the Atlantic.

Arsenal just opened the door of their trophy cabinet.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

I see that there's another giant dust cloud covering the Atlantic.

Arsenal just opened the door of their trophy cabinet.

CONGRATULATIONS! You just won 10,000 internets for that post!



And what about Brek Shae instead of Bornstein? Dude is young, agile, talented and really looking natural since he was moved to a fullback position. But I guess Bradley went for experience... pretty sure Shae only has one cap and that was in the friendly against Chile.

 

[DregAddict]

I like Shea, but I haven't see much of him in the back. I've mostly seen him playing on the wing. He has good size and seems to prefer to play wide on the left side, so I could see him transitioning to leftback. The problem I have with our left back situation is that we are continually trying to plug someone in there. The way I look at it, if we don't have a player that fits the mold, then change the mold. Our central midfield seems to frequently get out classed by other good midfields. To remedy this we usually play with 3 center mids. But we do so by going down to one forward. Why not play a 3-5-2. Keep 2 strikers in the game, have the 3 backs worry about the other teams strikers, and let the wing players worry about the flanks.

 

[BrewKnurd]

I like Shea, but I haven't see much of him in the back. I've mostly seen him playing on the wing. He has good size and seems to prefer to play wide on the left side, so I could see him transitioning to leftback. The problem I have with our left back situation is that we are continually trying to plug someone in there. The way I look at it, if we don't have a player that fits the mold, then change the mold. Our central midfield seems to frequently get out classed by other good midfields. To remedy this we usually play with 3 center mids. But we do so by going down to one forward. Why not play a 3-5-2. Keep 2 strikers in the game, have the 3 backs worry about the other teams strikers, and let the wing players worry about the flanks.

Interesting idea. My one concern (and I will state for the record that I am no expert in soccer strategy) is based off of the general lack of good distribution from our back line. Our back line tends to just clear the line and boot it halfway up the field. If we have the wings coming back to defend the flanks, my concern is that that's just two fewer guys to be there to try to win the ball and the clearance. I can just picture gooch booting it up the field, one of the forwards winning the ball but having nothing to do with it because our center mids are defensive minded and now our wings are back farther cuz they were defending the flanks.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Interesting idea. My one concern (and I will state for the record that I am no expert in soccer strategy) is based off of the general lack of good distribution from our back line. Our back line tends to just clear the line and boot it halfway up the field. If we have the wings coming back to defend the flanks, my concern is that that's just two fewer guys to be there to try to win the ball and the clearance. I can just picture gooch booting it up the field, one of the forwards winning the ball but having nothing to do with it because our center mids are defensive minded and now our wings are back farther cuz they were defending the flanks.

You know I read through the beginning and thought, "... except Gooch" and then you mention Mr. Onyewu and I'm all "Whaaaaaaa?!" I feel like he feeds decently and works especially well with Landy Cakes.

Now if Tim Ream can make it into the Starting XI we might have a chance at some possession-style play on the ground (a la RSL.... and sometimes LA if they feel like it )

 

[DregAddict]

discnjh:
You're right about our backs propensity to belt the ball up-field. That's exactly why I would prefer giving up one defender to get a extra mid instead of giving up a forward to do the same thing. When the ball is cleared it usually bypasses the midfield altogether, so having 2 forwards increases the chance of retaining possession, or at least being in a position to pressure the other team when they get the ball. Also, when in a 3-5-2 formation you are almost always assured of having a 'safety valve' in wide positions. Because the 3 central midfielders occupy the middle of the pitch, the two outside midfielders tend to stay very wide. This is an important area that defenders tend to look towards when they are facing pressure. The concern about the workload for the outside mids limiting there offensive contribution is a valid one. It can be remedied by two things. First you absolutely need to have exteremely fit players in those positions. Second, defensively you can pinch in on the weak side of the field(the side that the ball is not currently on). Bu doing this, the outside mid on the weak side can take over a central midfiedlers defensive responsibility, allowing one of the center mids to push across the field and provide help and cover for the players defending the ball. By doing this one of the defendeds can pick up the opposing team's outside mid, and still have cover, thus making it not necessary for our outside mid to always track his man all the way down the field. Also, you're completely correct about gooch. He is a big, athletic player. Those are his attributes. He has never been a pillar of composure in the back line.

Reno:
Sorry man, but I just don't see it from Ream. He's a good player, and he tries to play composed but his poor decision making frequently gets him in trouble. In the friendly vs Chile he played a tight ball towards our midfield when he had an easy pass to the outside back. The pass was picked off and the Chilean player ripped one off the right upright. I also saw a 'not top ten play' where Ream(while playing for NY played a blind square ball to his other center back. The guy was marked and the forward picked off the pass, went on a breakaway, and scored easily. Ream should have been given an assist. I would honestly give Omar Gonzalez a chance before Ream.

 

[DregAddict]

Speaking of center backs, where has Chad Marshall been. In the few call-ups he's had I think he has done really well. If i remember correctly he suffered a concussion in one of the national team games and hasnt been given another chance. He's 26, and has very good size. I'd like to see more from him.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

OH haha just noticed you were from Vegas. I was born and raised there

And I'll give you that play from Ream... it was pretty god awful (also, IIFC, the Chile match was his first cap.) And I can't say I've seen a similar biff from Gonzilla but he's made mistakes too; every fullback does.

But from what we have available from the call-ups I'd take Ream over Bornstein (my inner Hebrew is disappoint.) But I will completely agree that Gonzo should have had the call-up. The Galaxy fan in me is stoked that he'll still be there during the long stretch without Landy Cakes or Donovan Ricketts (off to the Reggae Boyz.) But the Yanks fan in me really wishes Bradley made slightly different call-ups.