A couple of years ago I would have said Howard, no question...but I think age is starting to catch up with him. 36, even as a keeper, is starting to get on the creaky side of things for a soccer player. He's still an excellent keeper and I think if he leaves Everton this season he'll have a lot of offers from both Europe and MLS, but I'm not sure that, as he is now, I'd call him one of the best keepers in the world.
The [Horribly Unpopular] Soccer Thread
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The first (and realistically, the only important) day of the MLS SuperDraft was today, you can find the full list of picks here.
A few observations:
That First Pick Was Awkward
NYCFC and the Chicago Fire were in the process of ironing out a trade agreement when it was time for pick #1, and it lead to an odd situation where the usual pomp and circumstance of the first pick was muted as Jack Harrison was rushed offstage, why? Because Harrison is actually going to NYCFC, the Fire traded down to 4 in exchange for allocation cash. Harrison later re-emerged with the big apple's colors draped over him.
Philadelphia Didn't Screw it Up!
Philadelphia moved up in the draft by trading with Colorado to get pick #2 and Joshua Yaro, giving them a total of 3 top 10 picks, and none of them were keepers! The Union actually picked quite well, filling defensive holes and picking up an offensive midfielder who might be able to replace Maidana's production. If these picks pan out the Union could be a real threat in the east.
LA Didn't Get a Single Pick
LA went into this year only having a single pick due to previous trades. Apparently LA didn't get enough TAM to feed their cap space monster though, because they traded the 12th overall pick to Colorado in exchange for more TAM. Bruce Arena left promptly after the deal was done. LA have 3 picks in the 3rd and 4th rounds, but usually those are development players and not first team material. Any new blood for LA is coming from later trades or international transfers.
A few observations:
That First Pick Was Awkward
NYCFC and the Chicago Fire were in the process of ironing out a trade agreement when it was time for pick #1, and it lead to an odd situation where the usual pomp and circumstance of the first pick was muted as Jack Harrison was rushed offstage, why? Because Harrison is actually going to NYCFC, the Fire traded down to 4 in exchange for allocation cash. Harrison later re-emerged with the big apple's colors draped over him.
Philadelphia Didn't Screw it Up!
Philadelphia moved up in the draft by trading with Colorado to get pick #2 and Joshua Yaro, giving them a total of 3 top 10 picks, and none of them were keepers! The Union actually picked quite well, filling defensive holes and picking up an offensive midfielder who might be able to replace Maidana's production. If these picks pan out the Union could be a real threat in the east.
LA Didn't Get a Single Pick
LA went into this year only having a single pick due to previous trades. Apparently LA didn't get enough TAM to feed their cap space monster though, because they traded the 12th overall pick to Colorado in exchange for more TAM. Bruce Arena left promptly after the deal was done. LA have 3 picks in the 3rd and 4th rounds, but usually those are development players and not first team material. Any new blood for LA is coming from later trades or international transfers.
hoppyhoppyhippo
Well-Known Member
Why is that relevant?
Neither are the best keeper in the world.
Off the top of my head. Neuer, Courtois, and De Gea are better. Others like Cech, Leno, etc. could be.
At his best. Howard is better than them. On the average he's more than a good deal worse than them. That's the gamble with Howard. You can have performances like him vs. Belgium, or you can have ****ty games.
To understand, this year, he's been MoTM in the Premier league 2 times, Lloris and Hart 0 times.
This is not to say Howard is a better keeper than them. Just when he's on his game, Howard is an absolute beast.
hoppyhoppyhippo
Well-Known Member
I think he'd retire unless he wanted to stay on with the USMNT.
I can't see him playing for another team. Maybe he moves into a part-time keeper.
MattyWeiss
Active Member
Had a great time at the draft today...especially being a Philadelphia Union fan. There was a lot of confusion with taking Keegan Rosenberry at 3 over Brandon Vincent, but we have to put some trust in Earnie as this point.
Although I did call taking 2 defenders with our top 2 picks (even if that 2nd was a surprise).
Had the opportunity to meet and talk to Josh Yaro for a while at the bar and he seems like a great guy I'm definitely happy to have him. Would have loved to meet Fabian Herbers as well, but only Taylor Washington came over with Yaro. Pleasure to meet him too.
Although I did call taking 2 defenders with our top 2 picks (even if that 2nd was a surprise).
Had the opportunity to meet and talk to Josh Yaro for a while at the bar and he seems like a great guy I'm definitely happy to have him. Would have loved to meet Fabian Herbers as well, but only Taylor Washington came over with Yaro. Pleasure to meet him too.
Not disagreeing with you on any of that. Hart and Lloris were just who came to mind. It's relevant because they're consistently good. Howard is not consistent.
![Craft A Brew - Safale BE-256 Yeast - Fermentis - Belgian Ale Dry Yeast - For Belgian & Strong Ales - Ingredients for Home Brewing - Beer Making Supplies - [3 Pack]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bcKEwQmWL._SL500_.jpg)
http://blog.foxsoccer.com/post/137301238557/joaquin-el-chapo-guzman-wanted-to-buy-chelsea
That would have been hilarious...
That would have been hilarious...
ShizuokaBrad
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At the moment with Howard it's really tough to say what is going on. Whether it's Martinez's lack of interest in strong defenses, our poor defensive form because of injuries, his old age, pressure from the home fans (He's only conceded 9 goals all season in away matches), or what have you. The bottom line is that his mistakes have cost us a lot of points in the past two seasons.
Well, to tie in to our earlier discussion on Tim Howard's future, the Colorado Rapids are apparently doing their darndest to try to sign him.
Rapids Pursue Tim Howard
Personally, I think it's a long shot...but then again I thought the Sounders picking up Dempsey was a long shot too.
Rapids Pursue Tim Howard
Personally, I think it's a long shot...but then again I thought the Sounders picking up Dempsey was a long shot too.
hoppyhoppyhippo
Well-Known Member
Howard I don't think is interested in coming back to MLS.
Could be wrong, but he's said he wants to retire at the end of his Everton account.
Could be wrong, but he's said he wants to retire at the end of his Everton account.
ShizuokaBrad
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I'd be surprised as well if he went to MLS. I could see him maybe staying on as the backup at Everton and working mostly as a pundit... Which would suit him I think. He's made a huge contribution to Everton over the years and actually just played his 350th match with them.
What a blown opportunity on the break....ugh. Lamela has made leaps and bounds between this season and the last, but sometimes I still don't know what he's thinking.
What the hell is going on??? Great pressure, can't score, but we're getting way too many close calls on counters.
And another week where our set pieces look terrible.
That's a little more like it...
hoppyhoppyhippo
Well-Known Member
There's no reason for him to go to MLS. The only team I see him being interested in joining would be Red Bulls. As they're his original club. Why would the redbulls bring him in when they have Robles? The improvement is there, but it's not worth the DP slot.
Howard is a great goalie, but it doesn't make sense for him to go back to MLS. Only way it would is if Everton sold him and he wanted to keep playingfor the national team. I don't think it would be his choice at all.
hoppyhoppyhippo
Well-Known Member
Terrible luck for Courtois there. Don't know what the hell happened to Chelsea's marking there.
hoppyhoppyhippo
Well-Known Member
What a crock of ****. 7 minutes of extra time awarded, and then let them play to 8 minutes of extratime. Everton got totally robbed. And to cap it all off, Terry was offsides. Seriously, that's robbery.
I didn't watch but it sounds like a lot of people are very mad about it.
Speaking of bad officiating... Leicester gets a penalty (missed it) that it's debatable they deserved. Villa is blatantly robbed one they obviously deserved.
hoppyhoppyhippo
Well-Known Member
I'm not one to blame refs. And I missed the first half so I don't know if there was tons of stoppage time in the first half that he sandbagged (which you're not supposed to do) but there wasn't anything excessive in the first half. No long injury breaks, no long goal breaks. Nothing out of the ordinary. 5 minutes would have been the max though 4 should have been the right amount. I get offsides calls get missed, I'm less mad about that then giving 7 minutes and letting play continue. Willian had a cross right at the beginning of the 98th minute that was cleared, whistle should have been blown then.
Hugh_Jass
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This was my thought too.
jspain3
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I wouldn't know. I turned the TV off immediately after going down 0-2. I could coach this assembly of talent to a top 6 finish with my hands closed and my eyes tied behind my back.
Beer is good.
Beer is good.
ShizuokaBrad
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It's been 24 hrs and I've almost calmed down enough to re-enter society without murdering someone. It took a morning of beer brewing and an afternoon of surfing to help get over that robbery from last night. I'm not usually one to blame the refs either but this is one of those rare occasions when you really wonder about the integrity of officiating in the PL...
In other news thats probably about 20 points this season we've dropped from winning positions. Martinez just can't seem to set a team up to see a match out.
If we get knocked out of the cups now it'll be another completely wasted season. If we don't end up in Europe were going to lose all of our great young talent at the end of the season.
ShizuokaBrad
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I'm not sure that I'll be able to watch Match of the Day without smashing my tv.
OP
OP
Reno_eNVy
Well-Known Member
USL Reno name voting begins tomorrow.
http://www.milb.com/news/article.js...162222278&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_t2310&sid=t2310
Finalists: Reno FC, FC Reno, Reno Silver FC, Reno City FC, Reno United, Reno 1868
Reno 1868 is the only acceptable option. It's an awesome option, but the only one I'd be more that just okay with.
http://www.milb.com/news/article.js...162222278&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_t2310&sid=t2310
Finalists: Reno FC, FC Reno, Reno Silver FC, Reno City FC, Reno United, Reno 1868
Reno 1868 is the only acceptable option. It's an awesome option, but the only one I'd be more that just okay with.
What does the 1868 stand for? Surely Reno 2016 would be a little more honest!
