The [Horribly Unpopular] Soccer Thread

[BrewKnurd]

BTW - what's up with the Chastain-Solo feud? Pretty funny.

Yeah, I don't get that. Does hope expect brandi to be a cheerleader when she's working as a commentator?

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Personally, I expect commentators to be neutral and report what's going on. Brandi Chastain is not an awesome commentator (understatement) but even a good one should keep his/her opinions to his/herself, a la Arlo White (best MLS commentator, IMMHO.)

Solo shouldn't have said that but still...

 

[BrewKnurd]

Personally, I expect commentators to be neutral and report what's going on. Brandi Chastain is not an awesome commentator (understatement) but even a good one should keep his/her opinions to his/herself, a la Arlo White (best MLS commentator, IMMHO.)

Solo shouldn't have said that but still...

Ah, no way. The best commentators are the completely harsh European commentators who will call a play absolutely wretched with no second thought.

As far as Chastain, all I really remember her saying was that defenders had a particular job and that the player in question didn't do that. I respect that you think that's out of line, but I absolutely do not agree. I want commentators to add context. I find them useless if they just say what's happening on TV. I'm watching. I can see what's happening. If all you can do is tell me what I'm watching, you're not adding anything.

At least not for me.

 

[mrgstiffler]

Ah, no way. The best commentators are the completely harsh European commentators who will call a play absolutely wretched with no second thought.

As far as Chastain, all I really remember her saying was that defenders had a particular job and that the player in question didn't do that. I respect that you think that's out of line, but I absolutely do not agree. I want commentators to add context. I find them useless if they just say what's happening on TV. I'm watching. I can see what's happening. If all you can do is tell me what I'm watching, you're not adding anything.

At least not for me.

I agree, but I think the problem is that she just isn't a good commentator. She doesn't phrase things right and she says them at the wrong time. That comment about the defender came significantly after the play. If I hadn't been thinking the same thing during the play, I wouldn't have any idea what she was talking about.

 

[BrewKnurd]

I agree, but I think the problem is that she just isn't a good commentator. She doesn't phrase things right and she says them at the wrong time. That comment about the defender came significantly after the play. If I hadn't been thinking the same thing during the play, I wouldn't have any idea what she was talking about.

i certainly agree with that. And if that had been hope solo's complaint, I would have no issue with it.

 

[aygov]

Brandi Chastain is not an awesome commentator (understatement)

Is she as bad as Alexi Lalas?

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Is she as bad as Alexi Lalas?

A bit worse, I would say.

We need more ex-player commentators like Kasey Keller.

 

[aygov]

A bit worse, I would say.

Well that's unfortunate because whenever I see good 'ol Alexi on the the TV I want to reach into it and smack that smug look off of his gormless ginger face.

We need more ex-player commentators like Kasey Keller.

+1

 

[Reno_eNVy]

And I may just be acting the homer, but I really like LA's local commentator/former-keeper Mark Rogondino. SWMBO and I always refer to him as "Fat Matthew Perry"

 

[Punity]

Haha win

 

[lgilmore]

"We need more ex-player commentators like Kasey Keller."

What I like about Kasey is he is a homer to a degree, but he still will comment on poor play or decisions that lead to send offs, but in a way that show disappointment, rather than criticism.. Sort of " I "know" Ozzie can keep his cool better than that, he just lost his head for a momment, the league will punish him for that. " (this actually happened on a two footed challenged that was called but not carded. The league decided later it was a straight red.

Anyway, Keller criticisms so far have been done in such a way that you don't feel he's attacking the player personally.

 

[GarageDweller]

LA Galaxy 1 - 5 Real Madrid

mmkay....

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

LA Galaxy 1 - 5 Real Madrid

mmkay....

But like the Chelsea MLS game, it means nothing.

 

[Punity]

Where you at LA? Muhahahah

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Where you at LA? Muhahahah

Ugh.... my pride is severely damaged

But seriously, that was awful. LA made some great chances while it was still 1-0 but then lost their push.

Also, terrible officiating. I saw at least two hand-balls in the box as well as a judo takedown by Seattle.

Oh well, LA has gone 7-2-2 since they got their s**t together so a slip is acceptable... for now...

 

[BainbridgeBrewer]

What's the word on Urso? All I could see was that he was picked up from a bar at 12:50 AM Sunday morning, taken to a hospital, and pronounced dead.

On a lighter note, how'd Sounders' new mid Tiffert look? I picked up the final 15 minutes on the radio while driving home from the in-laws'.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

No news on Urso... they're not releasing any information until the autopsy, which is a good thing (to discourage rumors.)

As sad as it is to say, my hope is that it was some kind of congenital ticking-time-bomb thing and not anything malicious or self-inflicted...

 

[BainbridgeBrewer]

No news on Urso... they're not releasing any information until the autopsy, which is a good thing (to discourage rumors.)

As sad as it is to say, my hope is that it was some kind of congenital ticking-time-bomb thing and not anything malicious or self-inflicted...

I hope it is some freak "natural" happening too. He was only 22. Its sad to hear he was texting earlier in the night cheering on his team which makes it seem so much more sudden and tragic.

 

[lgilmore]

As far as the ref in LA v Seattle, he missed or let calls go both ways. He wasn't a factor as much as LA's back line was in their lack of speed. I've seen this before with LA, it's just Seattle took full advantage of it. LA is a team built to attack, Seattle's back line did a great job last night. If LA's not scoring and not possessing more, they lose.

 

[mrgstiffler]

Holy crap this game is EXCITING!

 

[Punity]

Ugh.... my pride is severely damaged

But seriously, that was awful. LA made some great chances while it was still 1-0 but then lost their push.

Also, terrible officiating. I saw at least two hand-balls in the box as well as a judo takedown by Seattle.

Oh well, LA has gone 7-2-2 since they got their s**t together so a slip is acceptable... for now...

Haha sorry had to rib ya for that

 

[mrgstiffler]

Wow, one for the ages!

 

[BainbridgeBrewer]

mrgstiffler are you talking about the USA vs. Canada Women's game?

 

[mrgstiffler]

mrgstiffler are you talking about the USA vs. Canada Women's game?

Yeah. Crazy game with some controversy. Ended very well though.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Still can't find a replay of the USWNT vs Canada.... because NBC apparently says, "F**k you."


Update on Urso: Initial autopsy claims an "apparent natural death, but we don't know why." They noticed some "heart changes" but the toxicology report could take up to 6 weeks. Warzycha has visited the family and offered his personal condolences.

 

[mrgstiffler]

Still can't find a replay of the USWNT vs Canada.... because NBC apparently says, "F**k you."


Update on Urso: Initial autopsy claims an "apparent natural death, but we don't know why." They noticed some "heart changes" but the toxicology report could take up to 6 weeks. Warzycha has visited the family and offered his personal condolences.

Doh, it didn't even occur to me that some people might not be watching it live. I'm sorry if I ruined it for you...

 

[Reno_eNVy]

No it's okay. Due to the websites I go to it's near impossible to avoid soccer results. I finally found a replay, though. I don't see what the "controversy" is that the Canadians are talking about... it was 100% a handball in the box.

 

[mlakota]

No it's okay. Due to the websites I go to it's near impossible to avoid soccer results. I finally found a replay, though. I don't see what the "controversy" is that the Canadians are talking about... it was 100% a handball in the box.

First off, USA fan and happy they get to play for the gold. That said, the controversy is that the 6 second call on the Canadian keeper that set up the handball pk was ridiculous. While technically correct, that call is virtually never made, especially at that level in a semi-final. Additionally, they wanted a handling call on Rapinoe earlier that was not called(it shouldn't have been).

Overall the game was great, but the referee completely lost control in the 2nd half and E.T. (ex. Wambach getting hacked down multiple times, then putting her studs into a Canadian's shin). Go USA!!!

 

[BainbridgeBrewer]

I heard on the radio this morning that the Canadian keeper had been warned several times for holding the ball too long, sometimes upwards of 20 seconds. Great game, its too bad the US doesn't have better coverage of the games. I seem to remember much broader TV coverage when I was younger. Its all so hyped and dramatic like reality TV, you seem to only hear about the athletes with crazy life obstacles they had to overcome to get to the Olympics. Or the bitter rivalries amongst teammates like Lochte and Phelps.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

I heard on the radio this morning that the Canadian keeper had been warned several times for holding the ball too long, sometimes upwards of 20 seconds.

This. As a keeper I can say it's rarely called but persistent infraction will most certainly get a call, much like a field player getting a yellow for persistent, seemingly-harmless fouls.