Everything Soccer

[dublinirish]

the real game is tonight lads!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We've had our backs against the wall before. But we've raged... raged against the dying of the light <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IRLDEN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IRLDEN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RTEsoccer?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RTEsoccer</a> <a href="https://t.co/djC9eJW2Lo">pic.twitter.com/djC9eJW2Lo</a></p>— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) <a href="https://twitter.com/RTEsport/status/930470356346863616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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[NDty9]

Yup. The last three days have not been kind.
Will be a sad finals without Italy there.

I was just talking to some friends about that. This was without a doubttttt, the WORST sports weekend of my entire life! Heart breaking!

 

[Mihalko35]

I read about the argument between De Rossi and the coaching staff in The Guardian, but wow that video shows it was much more heated than I thought.

Italy in general, and Paolo Maldini in particular, are what got me into football in the first place. How far the Azzuri have fallen from the days of Donadoni, Maldini, Baresi, Zola, Baggio, Totti, Pirlo, et al.

 

[GowerND11]

the real game is tonight lads!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We've had our backs against the wall before. But we've raged... raged against the dying of the light <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IRLDEN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IRLDEN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RTEsoccer?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RTEsoccer</a> <a href="https://t.co/djC9eJW2Lo">pic.twitter.com/djC9eJW2Lo</a></p>— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) <a href="https://twitter.com/RTEsport/status/930470356346863616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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COYBIG

 

[NDty9]

I read about the argument between De Rossi and the coaching staff in The Guardian, but wow that video shows it was much more heated than I thought.

Italy in general, and Paolo Maldini in particular, are what got me into football in the first place. How far the Azzuri have fallen from the days of Donadoni, Maldini, Baresi, Zola, Baggio, Totti, Pirlo, et al.

Im right there with you bro. Guessing you are around the same age as me. Those guys introduced me to the beautiful game! And now.......... ughhhhh

 

[ACamp1900]

COYBIG

Ha, just realized you aren't a Celtic fan... here I thought you'd drop COYBIG in reference to them...

 

[GowerND11]

Ha, just realized you aren't a Celtic fan... here I thought you'd drop COYBIG in reference to them...

I don't follow the Scottish league, and while an Arsenal fan (akin to being an ND fan as of late) I find myself rooting for Celtic a lot if that's any consolation... haha

 

[notredomer23]

I guess I gotta root for Ireland now since the US is out and being half Irish half Italian, the Italians are out so I am only left with the Irish.

Shane Duffy for Ballon D'Or tho

 

[ACamp1900]

yeah, "Mon 'ze Fatherland" I guess... it's the only national team with any ethnic ties to me left in this thing. Although while I do follow and root for Germany I'd be lying if I said that support had half the passion of USMNT or Scotland.

I suppose I can always root for whoever is playing Mexico or the blood sucking English too...

 

[ACamp1900]

Ireland up 1-0

 

[ACamp1900]

For those who can watch you can find the game on hesgoal.com... great streaming site for soccer.

 

[notredomer23]

Eriksen sending a dagger to the heart of the Irish

 

[ACamp1900]

Ouch, in such quick succession too...

Well, need two goals in the 2nd half. It's not over just yet.

 

[Mihalko35]

Im right there with you bro. Guessing you are around the same age as me. Those guys introduced me to the beautiful game! And now.......... ughhhhh

I'm 44. Never played growing up, but after watching Maldini and Baggio in WC '94, I said to myself "I need to learn how to play this game"

 

[nsisk157]

Ouch, in such quick succession too...

Well, need two goals in the 2nd half. It's not over just yet.

i’d rather lose 4-1 than 2-1...keep flying forward!

 

[IrishLion]

FC Cincinnati just announced their stadium will be 100% privately funded... a big hurdle for the club to clear towards MLS expansion was getting the stadium financed. Hamilton County is dragging its feet because it's election season, so the club decided to just go for it.

Big news for the bid. Now they just need to find out if Hamilton County and Cincinnati will fund infrastructure upgrades, which every big project gets in the area. If not, they'll build in Newport, KY, where they KNOW they will get infrastructure/tax help.

 

[ACamp1900]

And that about does it for Ireland....

 

[Emcee77]

Wow Christian Eriksen. What a performance.

I wonder if he will be at Spurs next year. Is it true that Barca had interest, or was that misdirection to put pressure on Coutinho to force a move? Regardless, any club would be lucky to have him, the way he's been playing. I always knew he was a skilled player, but he is more dynamic than I realized, and he really runs his ass off.

 

[notredomer23]

At least the US lads are putting in a great shift against a fairly full strength, Ronaldo-less Portugal. McKennie's goal was excellent, Horvath allowed a blunder, and Tyler Adams should have been starting this whole cycle.

 

[dublinirish]

And that about does it for Ireland....

Wow Christian Eriksen. What a performance.

I wonder if he will be at Spurs next year. Is it true that Barca had interest, or was that misdirection to put pressure on Coutinho to force a move? Regardless, any club would be lucky to have him, the way he's been playing. I always knew he was a skilled player, but he is more dynamic than I realized, and he really runs his ass off.

yeah he's a different class, so balanced and elegant. he's really a Barca, Real level player, in the 10 top in Europe for me. The diamond in midfield never worked for Ireland (we never play it) and we panic'ed big time after their first goal. O'Neill showed a lot of desperation too by sending on Hoolihan and McGeady at Half Time. We can have no complaints really, a changing of the guard now will do us well.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Enjoyed the "New Generation" version of the USMNT. Not sure how much more they'd win (without Pulisic and a good goalie and another vet or two, like Bobby Wood), but they were hopeful to watch with all the speed and energy and consistent effort --- they really contrasted the "young" to the veteran team's "old." The Brooks/Miazga CB pairing looked particularly good, and Yedlin is continuing his development. I still like Lichtaj at the other deep wing.

The final third showed more people who seem to be able to make a decent crowded pass --- we have almost no one on the "senior" team (other than Pulisic or Dempsey) who can be counted upon for a clever subtle and CONSISTENT passing game in the money third. (Bradley can do it from midfield, but he's the only one from there --- we have the worst passing senior team I could imagine a country this large having. --- but these kids were better.)

 

[dublinirish]

Lions your beloved Greek Food FC are getting a new player from the motherland

Another member of Dundalk's double-winning squad is moving to the USA

 

[Emcee77]

Lions your beloved Greek Food FC are getting a new player from the motherland

Another member of Dundalk's double-winning squad is moving to the USA

Oh, very cool!

I sometimes listen to the Guardian Football Weekly podcast, and I recall Barry Glendenning mentioning that last year Dundalk became the first Irish club to reach the Champs League play-off round and then the first Irish club to win a Europa League group stage game. Great European run for them, considering that Irish clubs are semi-pro, right?

 

[dublinirish]

Oh, very cool!

I sometimes listen to the Guardian Football Weekly podcast, and I recall Barry Glendenning mentioning that last year Dundalk became the first Irish club to reach the Champs League play-off round and then the first Irish club to win a Europa League group stage game. Great European run for them, considering that Irish clubs are semi-pro, right?

yeah it was pretty much a miracle season for them. They beat BATE Borsisov to qualify for the final Champions League playoff place but lost out to Legia Warsaw. Then they played in the Europa League group stages and had a really great passing team who played good football. A number of that team have gone on to play in England (Darryl Horgan, Andy Boyle etc) and other places. They came second this year behind a Cork City team powered by Sean Maguire's goals. (He moved late in the season to Preston North End and is now a full Ireland international).

Irish league is criminally underfunded but has become a relaunching pad for alot of young Irish players who for whatever reason dont make the grade in England as apprentices/academy players.

Btw the Totally Football Podcast and Second Captains Football Podcasts are my reccomendations for soccer podcasts. give them a listen and let me know what you think!

 

[GowerND11]

yeah it was pretty much a miracle season for them. They beat BATE Borsisov to qualify for the final Champions League playoff place but lost out to Legia Warsaw. Then they played in the Europa League group stages and had a really great passing team who played good football. A number of that team have gone on to play in England (Darryl Horgan, Andy Boyle etc) and other places. They came second this year behind a Cork City team powered by Sean Maguire's goals. (He moved late in the season to Preston North End and is now a full Ireland international).

Irish league is criminally underfunded but has become a relaunching pad for alot of young Irish players who for whatever reason dont make the grade in England as apprentices/academy players.

Btw the Totally Football Podcast and Second Captains Football Podcasts are my reccomendations for soccer podcasts. give them a listen and let me know what you think!

With the recent success of the Irish National Team, even with missing WCQ, do you think the Irish League will gain more funding or no? Obviously, most/all very good Irish Internationals will end up in England playing, but as you mention about it being a relaunching pad, it could definitely act as another "minor league" so to speak for playing time and such.

 

[dublinirish]

With the recent success of the Irish National Team, even with missing WCQ, do you think the Irish League will gain more funding or no? Obviously, most/all very good Irish Internationals will end up in England playing, but as you mention about it being a relaunching pad, it could definitely act as another "minor league" so to speak for playing time and such.

the CEO of the FAI (Football Association of Ireland) is not a big supporter of the league. He's not interested in propping it up and it does not have audience to make it financially successful unfortunately. It's cheaper for Irish soccer to use the English clubs academy systems to develop the players.

Our records at underage level internationally are very poor. We used to be really good when a guy called Brian Kerr was in charge (bronze medalists at a u20 world cup, u18 european champs back in the day) but we haven't had any success lately as the managers/coaches involved are all useless jobs for the boys types.

Could be a dark age for Irish football ahead unfortunately, we don't have any major talents coming through ala Robbie Keane, Damien Duff of years gone by..

 

[GowerND11]

the CEO of the FAI (Football Association of Ireland) is not a big supporter of the league. He's not interested in propping it up and it does not have audience to make it financially successful unfortunately. It's cheaper for Irish soccer to use the English clubs academy systems to develop the players.

Our records at underage level internationally are very poor. We used to be really good when a guy called Brian Kerr was in charge (bronze medalists at a u20 world cup, u18 european champs back in the day) but we haven't had any success lately as the managers/coaches involved are all useless jobs for the boys types.

Could be a dark age for Irish football ahead unfortunately, we don't have any major talents coming through ala Robbie Keane, Damien Duff of years gone by..

A shame really. They've done well as of late, for Ireland at least. Been competitive and pushed some tough teams. Could really use an infusion behind those at the senior level to keep a run going.

 

[dublinirish]

A shame really. They've done well as of late, for Ireland at least. Been competitive and pushed some tough teams. Could really use an infusion behind those at the senior level to keep a run going.

yeah we can be very organized, passionate and resolute but we lack creativity and nouse to break decent teams down unfortunately. The last two managers we have had have been total anti-football who don't trust the team to do anything but park the bus. It's pretty depressing

 

[Emcee77]

Btw the Totally Football Podcast and Second Captains Football Podcasts are my reccomendations for soccer podcasts. give them a listen and let me know what you think!

Totally Football Podcast is my go-to. Love Jim Richardson's hosting and Michael Cox's analysis. The other I have not tried yet; will definitely give it a listen.

yeah we can be very organized, passionate and resolute but we lack creativity and nouse to break decent teams down unfortunately. The last two managers we have had have been total anti-football who don't trust the team to do anything but park the bus. It's pretty depressing

Yeah, and even the tactics they employed were a little weird. If you are going to park it, Shane Long should be starting, for me. Potent counter-attacker.

Could be a dark age for Irish football ahead unfortunately, we don't have any major talents coming through ala Robbie Keane, Damien Duff of years gone by..

Yeah, this is what they were saying on Totally Football Show this week. Not only that, but this is what distinguishes the Irish failure this week from the Italian one. Italy is disappointed, but at least they have a bit of a golden generation of young players 18-25ish coming through right now, and they should be poised to make some noise in the next couple of major tournaments, now that Ventura is out (how is Insigne barely playing?? It's no wonder Italy lack creativity). But the outlook is bleaker for the Irish.

You could argue that Ventura basically made the same mistake Bruce Arena made: relied too much down the stretch on more experienced players when he needed to mix in some young talents.

 

[ACamp1900]

Caleb Porter stepped down at Portland today... interesting.