The [Horribly Unpopular] Soccer Thread

[Reno_eNVy]

haha!!! EXPERTS!!! I don't know what the American "Experts" are like, but I'm guessing they are probably the same as in the UK.....Yes, they are ex pros and managers, but when it comes to predicting a game, they should look back on their own careers more often, and try to remember just how much factors like team spirit and individual flashes of brilliance or crappidity can completely turn a match on it's head.

A lot of the people on the website are analysts and editors first. Most ex pros are commentators in MLS. Or become mediocre ESPN analysts (talking to you, Lalas )

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

A lot of the people on the website are analysts and editors first. Most ex pros are commentators in MLS. Or become mediocre ESPN analysts (talking to you, Lalas )

Sounds like a problem that could be improved upon then. Although, in all honesty, the pundits are always gonna say stupid crap no matter what their background.

I prefer to listen to the fans, and filter out the 99.9% that are talking crap. There will always be one that makes perfect sense and knock the socks off the experts.

 

[aygov]

Or become mediocre ESPN analysts (talking to you, Lalas )

If mediocre is code for "utterly and woefully inept" then I agree...

 

[lgilmore]

That was the first time in a long while that Portland played Seattle like a team with the record they have. In the past Portland played so strong that had they put half as much effort into other league games as they did Seattle, they'd be in the playoff hunt. Yesterday saw them play like they play against other teams, not so much like they play Seattle. Might have been Seattle smacked them back pretty early when Portland got a little rough. I don't think Tiffert was there last time and he certainly took exception in getting slammed into the ad boards. He purposely took a yellow on his foul a little bit later.

And while both teams yelled at the ref. It wasn't Salazar who has centered so many of the uglier games between the two teams.

Portland kinda shut down on this one. They are due for a housecleaning for next season.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

There will always be one that makes perfect sense and knock the socks off the experts.

This is true. But that applies to other departments too.

For example.... let's talk about Arlo White. In my mind he is, without a doubt, the best individual working within MLS. Consummate professional, perfect voice for play-by-play, gets pumped when great soccer is being played (soooo much better than some of the deadpans you hear on local broadcasts), never takes sides, and at times really impresses me with his clever use of the English language. He's almost like the David Attenborough of soccer commentators.

I guess that's why he got the bump to NBC and NBCSN.

 

[Punity]

Arlo was class all the way. I'm sad we had to share him all the way. Although he does do a sounders centered radio segment here at home so I guess it makes up for tin

 

[soundsandsuds]

After the debacle in Seattle, I’m looking forward to Whitecaps v. Timbers in a couple of weeks. I’ve got tickets in the Supporters Section, which is the only way to watch, really. (Other than the fact that if you watch at home you have more options than Budweiser or Budweiser). Kind of a bummer that we have to wait for the FIFA break to play out the end of the season. It’s a nail biter.
Thank you Chivas for being thoroughly awful against us last Wed and then remembering how to play football by Sunday against Dallas. You made our playoff run that much easier. If you can actually beat Dallas in your next match against them, every single member of the squad, reserves and technical staff gets added to my christmas card list.

 

[lgilmore]

You should have heard Arlo when he was in Seattle. He put the "home" in "homer". He was great. I used to love his comments about "criminal" fouls on the other side. He is good enough to stick a zinger in here or there to let you know "wink wink nudge nudge" that he works for the home side. And it was great in a match he called last week, mentioning Ozzie Olonso about 4 times of the Seattle Sounders, while two different teams were playing. Even the way he said it, still kinda let us know, he's still a homer for Seattle.

 

[Grannyknot]

Newbie here at HBT.
Long time Arsenal fan.
Just found the "horribly unpopular" soccer thread.
Nothing better than soccer and beer.

 

[jwitt]

I mentioned not having a MLS side in StL the other day, and this morning I see this: http://nextstl.com/downtown/major-league-soccer-stadium-may-be-part-of-new-union-station-vision

Of course these proposals come and go, and this one hasn't even gotten off the ground, but it sounds like the best investment group we've seen here. And the Rams owner also owns Arsenal...there's a rumor that he may be involved in the Union Station operation, and that could bode well for a stadium in the years to come.

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

Newbie here at HBT.
Long time Arsenal fan.
Just found the "horribly unpopular" soccer thread.
Nothing better than soccer and beer.

Welcome, Gooner.

 

[lgilmore]

jwitt? Ever get to the farmers market in st. Lou? absolutely the best farmers market I've ever seen. $4 16oz bloody marys while you pick up 3-4 bags of produce for $20. Beats the hell out of our tourist trap Pike Place Market in Seattle. My kid's a doctor in Belleville, lives downtown in the lou. We get out there in the summer, when it's cool and never humid. I don't know how you guys live in the midwest. 100 degrees here in eastern washington comes with 10% humidity, not that 95 - 95 stuff you guys get. cheers.

 

[jwitt]

lgilmore- yeah, summers here are miserable! The drought brought insanely hot weather, but very little humidity. That weather brought in the best quality local grape harvest in anyone's memory.

The Soulard market is great! It's about a mile from Union Station- a very cool building if you're ever in the tourist mood while in town. I don't make it over as often as I like. My second job is Mon-Fri-Sat at the LHBS in Belleville (across the river and close to the Metro-Link train stop) so if you're ever in the neighborhood...

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

um, guys? Footy?

 

[aygov]

Newbie here at HBT.
Long time Arsenal fan.
Just found the "horribly unpopular" soccer thread.
Nothing better than soccer and beer.

Woot! Another Gooner! Welcome matey!

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

Woot! Another Gooner! Welcome matey!

Oh sure, like the world REALLY needs two of you!

 

[aygov]

Oh sure, like the world REALLY needs two of you!

Hey, gotta do something to offset all the plastic United fans...

 

[jwitt]

Hey, at least United isn't City.

 

[lgilmore]

jwitt? My kid stops in there a lot as he brews too. Said it's a nice shop.

 

[whitebirdfeathers]

Hey, at least United isn't City.

I just stumbled across this thread and would like to introduce myself with the following: United forever! 'City can kiss my ass.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

I mentioned not having a MLS side in StL the other day, and this morning I see this: http://nextstl.com/downtown/major-league-soccer-stadium-may-be-part-of-new-union-station-vision

Of course these proposals come and go, and this one hasn't even gotten off the ground, but it sounds like the best investment group we've seen here. And the Rams owner also owns Arsenal...there's a rumor that he may be involved in the Union Station operation, and that could bode well for a stadium in the years to come.

I'd be down with that. More midwest clubs would be good. Or southern clubs.

But what is MLS doing? Getting an even bigger boner for having a second club in New York, specifically the fact that they want it at Flushing Meadows and by 2016. F**k, with as many people in central Florida that want MLS back, they could probably be up and running by 2014 if they got an owner to make a successful expansion bid this year.


[sarcasm] Also, Flushing Meadows is in Queens. Why not Queens Park Rangers USA? QPR USA kinda just rolls off the tongue doesn't it? [/sarcasm]


EDIT: Good god, I just had a thought. I hope they aren't giving it until 2016 so the new Cosmos can get established in NASL only to get a bump to MLS because of their franchise name. NY Cosmos is easily recognizable in the international soccer market, but it's not always for good reasons (i.e. having a big hand in destroying the original NASL)

 

[Punity]

Jesus another NY team. Just stop haha spread the wealth.

 

[Grannyknot]

I'd love to see an MLS team in the southeast.
FL doesn't count.
I always thought North Carolina would be a good market.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

I'd love to see an MLS team in the southeast.
FL doesn't count.
I always thought North Carolina would be a good market.

Ha, doesn't count?

Well I know there's been a ton of interest in Atlanta.

 

[Punity]

Fl never counts

 

[lgilmore]

White bird?

Chilliwack huh? Do they still put on the youth soccer tourney? the misses is from Chilliwack, used to visit all the time. Got my first and only case of Ecoli at Cultess Lake RV park. Did you guys lose your hockey team? Unfortunately, the only time I get up there these days is to be a palbearer. Canadians and their smokes.....

Cheers and welcome.

 

[Obliviousbrew]

I don´t understand why Florida doesn´t have a team with all the spanish speaking community (and soccer loving community) in south fl.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

I don´t understand why Florida doesn´t have a team with all the spanish speaking community (and soccer loving community) in south fl.

Because they had two and both tanked about 11 years ago.

 

[lgilmore]

"Because they had two and both tanked about 11 years ago."

Florida isn't really a pro sports place, I think the NFL teams, at least one is thinking relocation.

I thought early on in MLS there were teams in Florida. Where did Valderama play?

I don't think NY can really support another team.
__________________

 

[Reno_eNVy]

I thought early on in MLS there were teams in Florida. Where did Valderama play?

I don't think NY can really support another team.

Yeah dude, they had two... you quoted my posted stating as such. Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay Mutiny. Valderrama played for the latter.