The [Horribly Unpopular] Soccer Thread

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

I don't think he'll call it a career. Kid is a trooper by all indications who loves playing the game.

 

[hopstupid]

To be clear, you think that a loan situation, regardless of how it's handled, could be less classy than biting people?

Yeah I do the guy has played there for 8 years. Suarez gives everything on the pitch and is a pretty unselfish player.

 

[Grannyknot]

I agree that he's got passion and hope you're right that he comes back, but coming back from 2 acl operations on the same knee, compounded by the complications on the first one, is going to be a tall order.

 

[user 107007]

Yeah I do the guy has played there for 8 years. Suarez gives everything on the pitch and is a pretty unselfish player.

I never denigrated his skill as a player, just his inter-personal skills. Even with having to sit out 3-4 games at the end of last season his goal tally was barley beaten.

Also remember this was his third biting fiasco. He did it both in Ajax and back in Uruguay before his career really took off.

Is he a world class football player? Yes, but no matter how class you are you can't show it if you're banned for long stretches of the season.

It comes down to value versus cost. If the club can get 30-40 mill and moving him on as the rumor mill indicates he wants to do. Then I say let him and his inability to keep a level head go.

Trying to match Rena's loan to Suarez's behavior is apples and oranges. Weather Rena was consulted or not is up to the manager and the club. Did they handle it well? From the sound of it not very, and that's bad form on the club.

 

[Grannyknot]

I agree that he's got passion and hope you're right that he comes back, but coming back from 2 acl operations on the same knee, compounded by the complications on the first one, is going to be a tall order.

someone just informed me that it was his right knee that has the torn acl, not his left knee, which was the one jonny evans butchered.

 

[HoppyDaze]

Stuart Holden with a torn ACL. Damn poor guy cannot get a break.

poor guy...his life is horrendous

 

[danielofthedale]

Just about nine months till the World Cup squad is announced. Here is my take on the 23 men who Jurgen will select at of today.

2014 USA World Cup roster
GK--Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Nick Rimando

Def--Matt Besler, Omar Gonzalez, Clarence Goodson, Geoff Cameron, DeMarcus Beasley, Steve Cherondolo, Michael Parkhurst

Mids--Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones. Graham Zusi, Fabian Johnson, Landon Donavon, Kyle Beckerman, Mix Diskerud, joe Corona

For--Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Eddie Johnson, Terrance Boyd, Herculez Gomez

Thought it might be fun to see what everyone else thinks and then up date each month till the squad is named.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

I would agree overall. I think that health will play a role though, I don't think Chandler is left off if he's healthy and has been getting reps. He's much better than Beasley and Parkhurst. Also wouldn't rule out Johnson to defense either.

My guess is

GK - Same

DEF - Besler, Gonzalez, Goodson, Beasley, Cherundolo, Johnson, Chandler, Cameron (Cameron is a bubble player)

Mids - Bradley, Jones, Donovan, Zusi, Diserkud, Shea, Corona, Beckerman (wish this spot was going to Holden,, I hate beckerman, but like Cameron I consider him a bubble player assuming health, and I think Bedoya may get this spot if Cameron makes the team since he can backup CDM)

FWD - Jozy, Dempsey, Johnson, Gomez

I don't think Boyd makes it, don't need that many backup strikers

My guess as to the starting lineup would be

RB - Cherundolo
CB - Besler
CB - Gonzalez
LB - Johnson
CDM - Bradley
CDM - Jones
RAM - Landycakes
CAM - Dempsey
LAM - Zusi (though he can donovan may switch)
ST - Jozy

I think Shea makes the team for his pure physical skill. Kid is big, strong, and fast, and can do some serious damage off the bench. Of cours eplay over the next year will be a big factor. As I see it, assuming health we probably about about 18 locks or so then the rest are all the right fit types.

 

[FlyDoctor]

I'm sure this is debated every year - but should we really engage in an MLS-All-star game system - one that risks injury to our best MLS players while running the significant risk of making the entire league look bad?

As much as I know that the All-stars have no chance to develop cohesion prior to the match, I find these losses embarrassing. And the wins (Chelsea?) are summarily dismissed even more quickly than the MLS losses.

If an All-star game must occur - because I suppose thats the American thing to do - then why not East v. West the way the other sports do it?

 

[danielofthedale]

I'm sure this is debated every year - but should we really engage in an MLS-All-star game system - one that risks injury to our best MLS players while running the significant risk of making the entire league look bad?

As much as I know that the All-stars have no chance to develop cohesion prior to the match, I find these losses embarrassing. And the wins (Chelsea?) are summarily dismissed even more quickly than the MLS losses.

If an All-star game must occur - because I suppose thats the American thing to do - then why not East v. West the way the other sports do it?

The number reason they do this is for the corporate sponsors. It is a way for them to meet and greet the players that their money helps pay. It also helps bring more eyes to the MLS and I think most American fans know not to judge much based off what happens during the all star games.

 

[Grannyknot]

Swansea looked pretty good in the Europa league opener today.

 

[Jose7997]

I love soccer I am a huge Barça fan!

 

[Punity]

Thoughts on Dempsy to Seattle

 

[danielofthedale]

Thoughts on Dempsy to Seattle

The height of silly season rumor mongering. Portland has the #1 spot in the allocation list and would NEVER allow their blood rivals to get Clint. I think he was in San Fran to meet with Everton who was playing in the San Fran that day.

 

[Punity]

He was but i love rumor mills. Portland can suck an egg.

 

[Punity]

Well looks like Portland can suck it n Dempsey to Seattle

 

[danielofthedale]

Well looks like Portland can suck it n Dempsey to Seattle

Indeed! Huge pick up for the Sounders. I can just imagine how pissed Portland is though since they are first in the allocation list. Wound how MLS changed the rules to let this happen or what players Seattle parted with (Yeldin ?)?

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Why is Dempsey going to Seattle? That move doesn't make sense unless he just wants to score a ton of goals and be closer for WC qualifying. Maybe a 3 month loan i could buy but why a transfer? He want to play championship soccer, not make a backwards move. He'd be better off going to Everton or West Ham. Stoke seems to have a thing for Americans.

I hope this is all really sillyness or just a short loan not a purchase. Dempsey should be in the top levels of Europe, not MLS. Where did his dream of playing in the UCL go?

 

[Punity]

sometimes things just dont have to make sense haha

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

sometimes things just dont have to make sense haha

For a player who said he want's to play in the UCL, a permanent move to MLS (well he can be bought later but you know how MLS is about selling players) is the opposite of that. I could see him go there to prep for the WC then return to Tottenham, but this doesn't make sense. he's not Landycakes, he's not scared of European club soccer.

 

[Punity]

I'm honestly shocked I heard the rumor yesterday and laughed at it like yea right n

 

[danielofthedale]

I think this is a good move for all parites. People keep talking about him wanting to play in the Champions League last season. Well guess what he did not go to a team Schalke where he could have had that, he went to Spurs where there was not CL. And Spurs is offering no CL this season either. Also he is looking at a drop in playing time. All that means a time to move. So as a 30 year old what would moving to a team like Everton really mean? More Europa League soccer? I don't think that stokes Clints fires.

So why not come back to MLS and help the league that helped him so much. He is still near his peak. He has at least four or five really good MLS season in him. He can be a great ambassador for the sport here in the US playing in the US on a weekly bases. And it shows how much growth MLS has had. I love this move as an American soccer fan.

 

[danielofthedale]

Seattle paying Spuds a $9M transfer fee. Will pay Clint a 4 year $8M/year deal. Both of those will be the largest in MLS history.

 

[Punity]

Seattle paying Spuds a $9M transfer fee. Will pay Clint a 4 year $8M/year deal. Both of those will be the largest in MLS history.

I can play the football too for less then half that.

 

[FlyDoctor]

I think this will be great for MLS - certainly makes me want to watch more! So many comment about how he should stay in the "top leagues" - but who better to transform MLS into a "Top League" than one of our own still in his prime? How do folks think the "Top Leagues" got that way??

Go Clint!

 

[danielofthedale]

I think this will be great for MLS - certainly makes me want to watch more! So many comment about how he should stay in the "top leagues" - but who better to transform MLS into a "Top League" than one of our own still in his prime? How do folks think the "Top Leagues" got that way??

Go Clint!

+100 to this!

This move is about way more than Clint Dempsey. It is about the growth of MLS. And may e Clint wants to give back to the league that helped give him so much. I mean would you all rather player for a midtable team going no where fast or come back home and help grow the sport since the money is even or if not better at home? I'm proud of Clint for comig back and him bing in MLS for four years will do more for American soccer than four years at Everton or West Ham or Sunderland at his age.

 

[danielofthedale]

At 10:15 East 7:15 Pacific the Sounders are having special pregame presentation! I wonder what that could be? Will be live streamed on their website.

 

[Punity]

Introducing new socks the team is going to be wearing. Nothing big.

 

[danielofthedale]

Introducing new socks the team is going to be wearing. Nothing big.

That has it be it! :fro:

 

[Punity]

We take every minute detail of MLS very seriously up here.