The [Horribly Unpopular] Soccer Thread

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Hey don't forget to check out the final for the NSWL between Seattle and Kansas City.

It's on ESPN2 at 12 PT. It'll give you a chance to get familiar with a lot of players you'll see at the 2015 WWC. And I'm really hoping we get a women's league that sticks.

Would be nice to have it stick. I went to a few games of Sky Blue when I was in New Brunswick as they were right up the road. Also didn't hurt they had Kelley O'Hara. Wooo ginger.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

I'm just hoping every club gets a fan base even close to that of the Portland Thorns. Girls growing up playing soccer need something to strive towards. If done right (MLS partnerships would help, IMMHO), NWSL could take off.

 

[hopstupid]

This is pretty awesome watch it after 3-5 home brews



<iframe src="//player.vimeo.com/video/105233388" width="500" height="281" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Reno_eNVy]

The LA vs Colorado match last night was really interesting to watch in a few ways.

1) The tribute to Luca DeLaGarza, AJ's newborn son who had been struggling and passed on Thursday. Before the match was the moment of silence, but when the clock read 20:00 (AJ is #20) the entire stadium erupted into applause and there were signs and banners everywhere. I'm sure any DLG family watching were very appreciative.

2) Nasco, Colorado's new keeper, broke the record for fastest red card in league history at 34 seconds. The interesting thing about him is that this was his second shot at a professional career, having previously been cut from USL a few years back. He had been working as a Georgia Sheriffs Deputy before trying to restart his soccer career. He seemed almost in tears as he was escorted off the field. Broke my heart. I mean, it was a legit red, but I hope it doesn't hurt his career moving forward.

3) Due to the Rapids playing the ENTIRE match a man down, LA completely destroyed them. That being said, a couple of the goals were quite pretty. Husidic had a couple goals on beautiful placement and Gyasi Zardes looked like he was just out having fun wrecking the Rapids defense.


On that note, USMNT fans (especially those that don't watch MLS).... remember the name Gyasi Zardes. Mark my words he will be a big producer for the Yanks soon enough. IMMHO, he is Altidore with more speed and better finishing.

 

[HoppyDaze]

https://mtc.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/2F579EB3211120862898114203648_28e6ae99a83.5.1.15267661867372893183.mp4?versionId=1AyXACKkPop2rnGtZpWSUjICcfV.4UmF

Who dares to touch Zlatan? WHO DARES?

 

[botigol]

The LA vs Colorado match last night was really interesting...

I agree on all points, except the comparison of Zardes to Jozy. Granted, this is the first time that I remember seeing him play, but I think that he is a different kind of player. Zardes reminded me more of Omar Cummings, from say 2010, but a little faster. I don't see Zardes as a post-up kind of guy. He has the height and might grow into that kind of build, but I think that he needs to receive the ball while facing goal.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

I agree on all points, except the comparison of Zardes to Jozy. Granted, this is the first time that I remember seeing him play, but I think that he is a different kind of player. Zardes reminded me more of Omar Cummings, from say 2010, but a little faster. I don't see Zardes as a post-up kind of guy. He has the height and might grow into that kind of build, but I think that he needs to receive the ball while facing goal.

Fair enough That is a very good assessment. Either way, he's a fun player to watch.

 

[botigol]

Yeah, as much as I hated seeing it against my Rapids, he shows signs of dynamic play and as they say, "You can't teach speed." I think that given a little development and experience against tougher competition, he will leave some world-class defenders in the dust. So...imagine Altidore and Zardes up top together. If they were to work together, that should be a significant attack. Jozy holding the ball up and dropping to Zardes or Zardes drawing defenders, just to dump the ball off to Jozy in front of goal.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Yeah, as much as I hated seeing it against my Rapids, he shows signs of dynamic play and as they say, "You can't teach speed." I think that given a little development and experience against tougher competition, he will leave some world-class defenders in the dust. So...imagine Altidore and Zardes up top together. If they were to work together, that should be a significant attack. Jozy holding the ball up and dropping to Zardes or Zardes drawing defenders, just to dump the ball off to Jozy in front of goal.

That pairing, considering Zardes keeps developing like he has, could be incredibly dangerous!

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

That pairing, considering Zardes keeps developing like he has, could be incredibly dangerous!

I tend not to get overly excited about US strikers. Jozy has been a "disappointment" and he's arguably off to the best start of any US striker of all time. I think the best future prospect is Green behind Jozy or maybe the 3 forward front they deployed last match. Gyau certainly has potential.

 

[BrewKnurd]

I tend not to get overly excited about US strikers. Jozy has been a "disappointment" and he's arguably off to the best start of any US striker of all time. I think the best future prospect is Green behind Jozy or maybe the 3 forward front they deployed last match. Gyau certainly has potential.

Apparently Jordan Morris looked quite good when he was practicing with the US team in their WC warm-ups, so I'm real curious to see him. Was hoping he'd get at least a little time in the Czech game. Ah well.

In general, its good to not get overly excited about anyone until they've proven they can do it at the professional or international level. All the potential and talent in the world doesn't matter if you can't get it done when it counts.

 

[hopstupid]

Lets see if Arsenal can beat Man City's first team.

Emmanuel Adebayor after a few Arsenal fans sang about his mother being a whore and his father washing elephants

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7657Hb27K4c[/ame]

Hopefully we win

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Emmanuel Adebayor after a few Arsenal fans sang about his mother being a whore and his father washing elephants

Jesus.... the YSA chant here in the states has been made into a huge ordeal, all the while supporter groups in other leagues (especially Poland and Ukraine) are basically being terrible people.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

And F***************K, Seattle won. That's going to make overcoming them for the Supporters Shield much harder for the G's.

Damnit, RSL.... you're arguably the most consistent club in the last five years. I was really hoping you'd at least get out of there with a point...

 

[Punity]

Wooo great win by Seattle.

 

[HoppyDaze]

And F***************K, Seattle won. That's going to make overcoming them for the Supporters Shield much harder for the G's.

Damnit, RSL.... you're arguably the most consistent club in the last five years. I was really hoping you'd at least get out of there with a point...

Settle down, it's soccer.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Jesus.... the YSA chant here in the states has been made into a huge ordeal, all the while supporter groups in other leagues (especially Poland and Ukraine) are basically being terrible people.

I mean the YSA thing really was a reaction/retaliation to the Mexican chanting Anti-Gay slur during goal kicks. Which still never has been punished or addressed by FIFA. Yes YSA has been.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Settle down, it's soccer.

It being soccer is exactly why I can't settle down. Maybe put on some NFL and I'll settle... myself in another room.

I mean the YSA thing really was a reaction/retaliation to the Mexican chanting Anti-Gay slur during goal kicks. Which still never has been punished or addressed by FIFA. Yes YSA has been.

Well, that does seem like FIFA: make a focus on addressing something far more harmless than gay bashing, xenophobia, racism, Antisemitism, and sexism.

Hell, the last one is supported by FIFA, a la Blatter thinking female players need shorter shorts (think volleyball.)

 

[aygov]

Lets see if Arsenal can beat Man City's first team.

Emmanuel Adebayor after a few Arsenal fans sang about his mother being a whore and his father washing elephants

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7657Hb27K4c

Hopefully we win

I think you're confused. Arsenal were playing Manchester City, not Norwich...

 

[Tamarlane]

Arsenal v Man city was a good game though disappointed Arsenal gave up that late goal of course ... I am liking this Welbeck/Alexis combo up front, lot of potential for sure


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[Grannyknot]

I think you're confused. Arsenal were playing Manchester City, not Norwich...

It is tough figuring out what hopstupid's flavor of the year is.
Imagine being a city fan and in an effort to talk ****e, posting a video of Adebayor.

 

[Grannyknot]

Its back......

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0Qqd6T_A9LY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[hopstupid]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_pot_calling_the_kettle_black

I can get where you're coming from.
I've been called a plastic fan. I was a Nottingham Forest fan until 1999.
I was at Highbury in summer 1998 when Forest opened the season away to Arsenal. Arsenal won 2-1 with a fantastic goal from marc overmars. I was so impressed with Arsenal's play that I decided to sort of be a closet fan of theirs that season.

Forest were relegated that season and still haven't been back in the premier league. Back in 1999, if your team wasn't in the premier league, you couldn't watch them play in the US. Also, the internet wasn't what it is now, so getting even a box score from the football championship was sometimes a challenge. Video highlights were near impossible to find. Since they were so hard to keep up with, I switched allegiances. Took a lot of grief about it, and still do to this day.

So since 99-00 season I've been a bigger Arsenal supporter than I ever imagined. Still follow Forest a bit, but at this point, if they ever get back into the Premier League, I'll be for Arsenal when they play.

I guess that makes me a plastic. Not sure. If so, then so be it, I can't help it.

 

[Grannyknot]

I gotta be honest here....I'm not sure how my situation 15 years ago can even be compared to yours.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Last night was a great US Open Cup final... that probably nobody watched aside from those at PPL Park and a handful of people that have GolTV. Seriously, effing GolTV?! I have the sports package and still don't get this channel. Thank jebus there are people out there streaming games for those of us who don't want to spend $250/mo for something that's not going to be fully utilized.

But I'm in the process of cutting the cable. The only bummer is that MLS Live will be no more and it's such a good service. But I'll be able to watch almost everything with WatchESPN and ESPN3, as well as the random stream here and there I'll have to hunt down. As for USMNT and USWNT matches on ESPN, that's what the pub is for

 

[Grannyknot]

Last night was a great US Open Cup final... that probably nobody watched aside from those at PPL Park and a handful of people that have GolTV. Seriously, effing GolTV?! I have the sports package and still don't get this channel. Thank jebus there are people out there streaming games for those of us who don't want to spend $250/mo for something that's not going to be fully utilized.

But I'm in the process of cutting the cable. The only bummer is that MLS Live will be no more and it's such a good service. But I'll be able to watch almost everything with WatchESPN and ESPN3, as well as the random stream here and there I'll have to hunt down. As for USMNT and USWNT matches on ESPN, that's what the pub is for

I never really understood why the US Open cup doesn't get real TV coverage. Seems like ESPN3 could get it more exposure than an occasional GolTV game.

 

[Punity]

I didn't even know Goltv was a channel. They could have live steamed it over YouTube. He'll that's where I went to see the goal highlights.

 

[Grannyknot]

I didn't even know Goltv was a channel. They could have live steamed it over YouTube. He'll that's where I went to see the goal highlights.

It actually used to be a decent channel. Had La Liga, German, lots of south American leagues. Then they lost all those, and I believe this is their last year in existence. I've always been interested in the US Open cup because of its format, but its impossible to follow.

Crazy that this was the first trophy of Dempsey's club career.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Here's hoping the MLS tv deal opens doors for USOC to be on ESPN3.

Isn't the USSF part of the deal?


On a side note, it seems like the media are taking note of Zardes' vast improvement during his sophomore year. I see him getting a call up in the upcoming winter camp.

http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/2037751/gyasi-zardes-rise-to-mls-stardom

 

[Reno_eNVy]

New MLS league logo (largest one in the bottom right is the main one.) I was shocked at first but it only took about 10 minutes for it to really grow on me. Check out more info and launch videos at MLSsoccer.com/NEXT