The [Horribly Unpopular] Soccer Thread

[Punity]

Dude, they've dominated all year and are still clear SS frontrunners. This thwomping was due to a couple factors:

A) LA, this year, being one of those teams stuck in limbo; they can beat the best any given day even on the road, but they play down to lesser opponents.

B) Bruce went on full offensive last night to prove the scoreline against Man U doesn't matter because he thinks midweek, mid season friendlies are beyond stupid.

It's just frustrating to watch. It's not just this game it's been throughout the season where some games the backfield just decides F it I've got a 5yd ring that I can't move out of......oh what how did that guy blow by me? Eh already down 1-0 we tried guys golf clap.

But yes the good has definitely outweighed the bad. I can't wait for the open cup semis. Dont know why but I'm always a big fan of the Open cup wins.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

It's just frustrating to watch. It's not just this game it's been throughout the season where some games the backfield just decides F it I've got a 5yd ring that I can't move out of......oh what how did that guy blow by me? Eh already down 1-0 we tried guys golf clap.

But yes the good has definitely outweighed the bad. I can't wait for the open cup semis. Dont know why but I'm always a big fan of the Open cup wins.

I'm actually a big fan of the Open Cup, which is frustrating because Carolina always seems to have our number.

But I know what you mean about the frustration. I damn near pulled my remaining hair out the first third of the season where our backline seemed to give up a post-70' goal every single match.

 

[aygov]

It seems they have a policy of anyone expressing a desire to leave can GTFO when they can get a good deal. They will be relying heavily on the academy, it seems.

There should be an influx of new players soon as they are trying to hit their first choice targets simultaneously according to one insider.


Saints Manager tweeted this pic today, under the title "Ready for training!"

Looks like the club are putting their foot down with Schneiderlin and he is not happy!

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/29/morgan-schneiderlin-hits-out-saints-spurs-twitter

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

Looks like the club are putting their foot down with Schneiderlin and he is not happy!

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/29/morgan-schneiderlin-hits-out-saints-spurs-twitter

Yeah, an enormous PR faux pas. The supporters were in meltdown before this, now they are in whatever is worse than a meltdown.

 

[Grannyknot]

Yeah, an enormous PR faux pas. The supporters were in meltdown before this, now they are in whatever is worse than a meltdown.

I can't really say I understand the supporter meltdown.
Southampton has always been a selling club. Promote academy players and then sell them.
They're in the PL, with 100mil + in the bank, and a month to go in the transfer window.
Now if the window closes with no players brought in, and the owners with a couple new yachts and rumors of money funneling out of the club, then yes, go into meltdown.
The rest of the yo-yo clubs would kill to be in their position.

 

[aygov]

I can't really say I understand the supporter meltdown.
Southampton has always been a selling club. Promote academy players and then sell them.
They're in the PL, with 100mil + in the bank, and a month to go in the transfer window.
Now if the window closes with no players brought in, and the owners with a couple new yachts and rumors of money funneling out of the club, then yes, go into meltdown.
The rest of the yo-yo clubs would kill to be in their position.

I think it's the sense that if they didn't liquidate the squad once they started becoming good we might be able to achieve more than some nice transfer business. It's kind of hard to move up the PL ladder when you effectively reset the squad to zero every few years.

 

[BrewKnurd]

I think it's the sense that if they didn't liquidate the squad once they started becoming good we might be able to achieve more than some nice transfer business. It's kind of hard to move up the PL ladder when you effectively reset the squad to zero every few years.

This is less a response directly to you, because I dare not assume you haven't already thought of all that I'm about to say. Its more just my general thoughts on the sell/don't sell plight of small clubs.

The thing you never know for sure is how much choice they really have. I mean, obviously the club always has the choice to sell or not. But if these players are coming to you and they have strong aspirations to play at a more prestigious club, then your choice boils down to sell them or lose them for nothing a season or two later. And even if you can talk them into staying, there's the increased salary demands that would go into keeping them.

So I totally get the supporter frustration, but there's also much more involved for southampton and the like to maintain a good team than to just not sell players.

 

[Grannyknot]

I think it's the sense that if they didn't liquidate the squad once they started becoming good we might be able to achieve more than some nice transfer business. It's kind of hard to move up the PL ladder when you effectively reset the squad to zero every few years.

Don't you think that's just a product of being a mid-table club in modern football? You have some decent players on relatively low wages, the big clubs are going to buy them.

 

[hopstupid]

Lukaku is going to Everton for good what a steal.

 

[BrewKnurd]

Lukaku is going to Everton for good what a steal.

And as one article I read pointed out, the second highest transfer fee ever paid by a Merseyside club, second only to Andy Carroll. Which reminded me of just how relatively cheaply Liverpool got Suarez.

 

[hopstupid]

And as one article I read pointed out, the second highest transfer fee ever paid by a Merseyside club, second only to Andy Carroll. Which reminded me of just how relatively cheaply Liverpool got Suarez.

Such a deal and he was there only striker for like half a season because liverpool was to cheap to spend 7 million for dempsey

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

And as one article I read pointed out, the second highest transfer fee ever paid by a Merseyside club, second only to Andy Carroll. Which reminded me of just how relatively cheaply Liverpool got Suarez.

Kind of like when Man U got Ronaldo for 15M Euros he won them many trophies and then they sold him for 94M Euros

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Such a deal and he was there only striker for like half a season because liverpool was to cheap to spend 7 million for dempsey

Them not getting Dempsey didn't make too much sense. I mean I guess they made their bed with Carroll and wanted to exhaust all options. In reality they could have for the same fee as Carroll gotten say Dzeko or Darren Bent and added say Dempsey as depth.

 

[Grannyknot]

I hope it works out for Everton.
It sure is a massive fee for them, as well as a huge wage.

 

[FlyDoctor]

What's happened to Toronto. DCU schooled them, it seemed to me that the problems were front to back. The folks up front couldn't finish, the folks behind could provide good service to those up front - and obviously there were defense troubles. I had high hopes for that team.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[Catfish78]

I am sorry if I missed it, but is there a fantasy league up again?


Sent from tropical Finland

 

[Reno_eNVy]

I am sorry if I missed it, but is there a fantasy league up again?


Sent from tropical Finland

For MLS? Yeah but it's already up to round 21.

 

[Catfish78]

For MLS? Yeah but it's already up to round 21.

No mate, for the Premier League.





Sent from tropical Finland

 

[aygov]

No mate, for the Premier League.





Sent from tropical Finland

I don't know who set it up last season but I can set one up if people are interested.

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

I don't know who set it up last season but I can set one up if people are interested.

I did it last season. I kinda forgot all about it after a week or two.

I won't do it again, the same will only happen.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

I found that being out of town for the majority of 2013 in a tiny, boring town made Fantasy something to really look forward to.

 

[diodeart]

I've been wanting to post on this thread for a month now but haven't had access to my gosh darn computer. Something changed on my app for my phone so I cannot post from it. Frustrating.
I just got back from Brazil and the final of the World Cup. I was hoping to post pictures in real time, it was not meant to be. It was such a treat to be there, and on the side where the play that scored the goal started. I was screaming my guts out, along with 80,000 others. What a spectacle! When I transfer photos to the computer I"ll post some. Cheers.

 

[hopstupid]

This was on reddit


Stokealona Amazing what a coaching change can do.

http://www.gfycat.com/EmbellishedBraveConch

 

[HoppyDaze]

So apparently there was a game here tonight. Had no idea.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

So apparently there was a game here tonight. Had no idea.

Heh, not a fan of the ASG?

With the exception of the game-winner, the goals were freaking quality.

But of course, Eurosnobs are using their tired speech: if the All-Stars win then obviously it doesn't matter because it's a friendly and not the entire starting XI. If the All-Stars lose it obviously proves MLS is a retirement league.

 

[Grannyknot]

But of course, Eurosnobs are using their tired speech: if the All-Stars win then obviously it doesn't matter because it's a friendly and not the entire starting XI. If the All-Stars lose it obviously proves MLS is a retirement league.

I'm a eurosnob, I guess , and I enjoyed the game. I prefer to use the "tired speech" go All-stars, F#@* Bayern munich. I hate Bayern.

Question...if eurosnobs are people who like watching European leagues, what are people that will only watch MLS purely out of principal? Soccer patriots?

 

[FlyDoctor]

Wait, so "liking" to watch European soccer makes one a "euro snob"? That seems a bit restrictive and insulting. What about those that like it all because its a great game?

Also - there was a great article on ESPN (http://www.espnfc.us/concacaf-champ...ampions-league-pivotal-to-major-league-soccer) that makes a strong point - that if MLS is TRULY making advancements (as I believe it is) then it must be reflected through improved performances in the concacaf champions league or we risk the hype over-reaching the quality. I thunk there is some truth to that - though I believe there is no one litmus test to measure the growth, quality, and respect for MLS - perhaps other than the passion of the fans.

 

[Catfish78]

I guess I might be a Euro snob too. I live in Europe and pretty much only watch European football. To be honest I didn't even know that the all-star game was happening till I saw Pep being a ******.


Sent from tropical Finland

 

[FlyDoctor]

Wow. Landon to retire at the end of 2014 season...

 

[Grannyknot]

I'm somewhat surprised that he is retiring from club soccer.
International I can understand.