Everything Soccer

[IrishLax]

Neymar is borderline unwatchable with all of his flopping and whining and acting like he got shot every time he's touched.

 

[mgriff]

Damn. Neymar and the Brazil squad has soured me throughout this tournament. I actually cheered for Spain today because of how the Brazilians have behaved. The ref had a terrible game. He let Spain get abused for far to long in the first half. The crowd got to him I think.

 

[STLDomer]

Curious to see what Spain's does moving forward with this squad. What do u do with Javi Martinez? By this time next year he needs to be in the starting squad somewhere IMO but he won't unseat Xavi, Iniesta, or Busquets.

More importantly, wtf do u do with the striker position because neither Villa or Torres deserve to be starting at the moment. Best u can hope for is Villa regains his form.

 

[ACamp1900]

Neymar is borderline unwatchable with all of his flopping and whining and acting like he got shot every time he's touched.

This

 

[ACamp1900]

At least NDinLA can come off his high horse.....

 

[ACamp1900]

Anyone want to continue arguing with me about Brazil being the favorite next year???...

 

[STLDomer]

Damn. Neymar and the Brazil squad has soured me throughout this tournament. I actually cheered for Spain today because of how the Brazilians have behaved. The ref had a terrible game. He let Spain get abused for far to long in the first half. The crowd got to him I think.

Brazil was the far better team but it will be a damn shame if we see next year at the World Cup the refs scared to call anything against Brazil. Two yellows and a red against Spain and nothing against Brazil is a joke.

 

[ACamp1900]

Well at least we know what the music theme will be for the World Cup next year....

 

[gkIrish]

Brazil has come up short in the biggest games the last 5-6 years. Spain hasn't. I think Spain will be motivated to silence the doubters that say they won't win this match. However, Brazil will probably get a home whistle or two or three. I'm predicting 2-1 Brazil on a penalty shot in the 78th minute or later.

Could not have been more wrong

 

[ACamp1900]

Ah, he picked home whistles and a Brazil win.... He couldn't have been that wrong...

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Brazil did pretty well for the 20th best team in the world according to the FIFA rankings.

 

[IrishLax]

Brazil did pretty well for the 20th best team in the world according to the FIFA rankings.

Ranked about even with Mali: The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking - Ranking Table - FIFA.com

 

[NDinL.A.]

Neymar is borderline unwatchable with all of his flopping and whining and acting like he got shot every time he's touched.

What are you talking about??? That time, when Arbelloa grabbed his arm and Neymar went down clutching his shin in agony as if all 11 Spaniards fell on him and started kicking his shin...I thought the poor guy was going to die. And I've watched almost every game of this tournament; that was only the 12th time I thought Neymar had been shot by a sniper (by comparison, Iniesta only feigned death a couple of times this tourney lol). STOP PICKING ON NEYMAR! LEAVE HIM ALONE!!!

Damn. Neymar and the Brazil squad has soured me throughout this tournament. I actually cheered for Spain today because of how the Brazilians have behaved. The ref had a terrible game. He let Spain get abused for far to long in the first half. The crowd got to him I think.

One of the reasons I thought Brazil would win...home cooking. They were definitely the better team, and you could see their fresh legs making a difference, but the refereeing was killing me. Every chance they got, they basically ran through the Spanish players, with no repercussions. My wife played high level soccer and loves the sport, but she found the game boring and unwatchable b/c of all the fouling. The game had no flow, and that worked in Brazil's favor.

Bottom line...Brazil was better today, Arbelloa (right back) SUCKED balls, Xavi Alonso was sorely missed, and the ref was a coward. Anybody who has played knows it makes a HUGE difference in the way you play when you are carrying an early yellow card, Brazil deserved several but got none. But that's what happens when you play on the road.

At least NDinLA can come off his high horse.....

Oh hell no! I'm riding Secretariat baby!

Haha...got to wait until Euro 2016 to get me off this high. I'm not expecting us to win the WC next year on Brazilian soil, but I do expect to compete once again in 2016. And with the young guys coming through, there's no excuse no to.

Congrats to Brazil and Denzel Washington, errrrrrrrr, Neymar. (I can't believe I have to root for that dude next year for Barca. Between him and Iniesta, ugh, the flopping is going to be unbearable)...

 

[STLDomer]

Haven't been keeping up on the transfer news till I decided to read up after the game, really disappointed to hear Thiago sounds set to leave Barca for Man U, can't blame him though.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Ranked about even with Mali: The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking - Ranking Table - FIFA.com

Those rankings are such jokes. There just isn't a good way to rank teams like that for world soccer. It ends up being a European circlejerk.

 

[notredomer23]

AZ rejects Sunderland's initial transfer request for Altidore. I think Sunderland would be a good spot for Altidore. Last year they were eighth place in goals allowed, but third to last in goals scored. Altidore can definitely provide them a boost and be top 10 EPL next year.

That said, I hope he stays with AZ for one more year because I believe he deserves better than Sunderland. Also, I do not want him off this form prior to the World Cup

 

[notredomer23]

So the USMNT beat Guatemala last night 6-0 in a friendly. Donovan had two goals. Gomez led off the scoring late in the first half. Bedoya, Goodsen, and Wondolowski all added goals as well. What a win! Even if it was a friendly, Guatemala is not terrible. This team is on some next level form right now(with a B roster mind you).

Also, Jozy Altidore is officially transferred to Sunderland. Perfect team for him to play for and will be able to contribute right away. Sunderland last year had a very good defense, but was almost last in goals scored.

 

[ACamp1900]

Jozy to Sunderland really sucks IMO... ( see team icons)

 

[WestCoast]

I saw this the other day.

Brad Friedel: “U.S. should have a conveyor belt of talent” | ProSoccerTalk

Things like this make me curious. If he's interested in raising the talent in the US, then why not stay here and play?

Let me be clear, I don't believe US players shouldn't go to Europe if they want to. I just find it curious why top flight players complain about the quality of the MLS or the USMNT, but don't involve themselves more in US soccer if they want US soccer to be better. I know Brad does clinics here in the US, but if he would come back to play in the US instead of bench warming in the EPL, maybe interest in MLS and thereby US soccer would grow?

Worthless tidbit, I met Brad and his wife Tracy on my honeymoon (they were as well). Had dinner with them and several other couples. There was the brain surgeon from Chicago who married the head of neonatal nursing. They married on Maui, spent a week there then came to where we honeymooned and were going back to Maui to meet up with family. There was a 50 year old rich business guy (can't remember what he did, but his wife had a gigantic diamond on her finger) who married someone my age. Then there was me and my wife fresh out of college. We were way out of place. I have no doubts he has never mentioned to his friends he met me. Or thought about me twice.

 

[ACamp1900]

Academies must replace college teams if the US is to ever take the next step... Simple as that...

As it is, we still produce a very competitive second teir team... On a world scale, that's very good imo

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

I saw this the other day.

Brad Friedel: “U.S. should have a conveyor belt of talent” | ProSoccerTalk

Things like this make me curious. If he's interested in raising the talent in the US, then why not stay here and play?

Let me be clear, I don't believe US players shouldn't go to Europe if they want to. I just find it curious why top flight players complain about the quality of the MLS or the USMNT, but don't involve themselves more in US soccer if they want US soccer to be better. I know Brad does clinics here in the US, but if he would come back to play in the US instead of bench warming in the EPL, maybe interest in MLS and thereby US soccer would grow?

Worthless tidbit, I met Brad and his wife Tracy on my honeymoon (they were as well). Had dinner with them and several other couples. There was the brain surgeon from Chicago who married the head of neonatal nursing. They married on Maui, spent a week there then came to where we honeymooned and were going back to Maui to meet up with family. There was a 50 year old rich business guy (can't remember what he did, but his wife had a gigantic diamond on her finger) who married someone my age. Then there was me and my wife fresh out of college. We were way out of place. I have no doubts he has never mentioned to his friends he met me. Or thought about me twice.

I don't really care for Friedel. He's always made comments that IMO look down upon domestic soccer here. Same thing with Cherundolo. They spend so much time in Europe that they aren't even American-supporting anymore.

 

[WestCoast]

I don't really care for Friedel.

When I met him (of course that was 12 yrs ago) he was incredibly nice. Of course, he was on his honeymoon, so.... wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more...

I was glad to see him do so well in the 2004 cup. I believe when he ended playing for the MNT his intention was to have more time to help with US soccer clinics/teaching, but that was 9 years ago.

Again, not saying they somehow owe the US something or that they can't play overseas. Just curious that they mention the lower status of US soccer all while cutting ties with US soccer and accepting big paychecks overseas.

 

[notredomer23]

When I met him (of course that was 12 yrs ago) he was incredibly nice. Of course, he was on his honeymoon, so.... wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more...

I was glad to see him do so well in the 2004 cup. I believe when he ended playing for the MNT his intention was to have more time to help with US soccer clinics/teaching, but that was 9 years ago.

Again, not saying they somehow owe the US something or that they can't play overseas. Just curious that they mention the lower status of US soccer all while cutting ties with US soccer and accepting big paychecks overseas.

This is why. You don't get paid in the MLS, right now at least.

 

[NDinMich]

Mexico just lost to Panama 2 - 1 in Pasadena in Gold Cup Group Play. Whoever is Mexico's HC, probably won't be tomorrow morning

 

[notredomer23]

Mexico just lost to Panama 2 - 1 in Pasadena in Gold Cup Group Play. Whoever is Mexico's HC, probably won't be tomorrow morning

What a miserable game to watch. Kinda going back to the other thread going on right now, that is why people have a bad opinion of soccer. Panama was flopping at the sign of contact.

That said, SCREW MEXICO. So happy they lost. Icing on the cake would be Martinique and Panama advancing from that group and Mexico and Canada don't.

 

[IrishSpartan]

Jozy going to the premiership is a bad move. He is developing well at AZ and the key word is still developing. The dutch league is notorious for thier incredible ability to develop a players potential and Jozy's is sky high, I just think he should have stayed for one more year.

Also, I'm surprised that no one is talking about how good Holden looked the other night. He was spraying passes all over the field and the main reason for 5 of the six goals. Him and bradley can be an incredible tandem.

One last thing, where is Aguedelo on this Gold Cup roster? He's playing great lately and even transferring to Celtic in the spring. The main problem is he is a creative wide man that is being played as a striker which is killing his potential.

Sorry for the rant lol, just a huge soccer fan and aggravated USMNT fan.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

Jozy going to the premiership is a bad move. He is developing well at AZ and the key word is still developing. The dutch league is notorious for thier incredible ability to develop a players potential and Jozy's is sky high, I just think he should have stayed for one more year.

Also, I'm surprised that no one is talking about how good Holden looked the other night. He was spraying passes all over the field and the main reason for 5 of the six goals. Him and bradley can be an incredible tandem.

One last thing, where is Aguedelo on this Gold Cup roster? He's playing great lately and even transferring to Celtic in the spring. The main problem is he is a creative wide man that is being played as a striker which is killing his potential.

Sorry for the rant lol, just a huge soccer fan and aggravated USMNT fan.

hahaha....What?

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

lol @ Mexico. I hope they never fire Chepo.

 

[ACamp1900]

Here's hoping Mexico doesnt get three points all tourney....

 

[Cackalacky]

Lol Mexico. That needs to be my new sig. F them. Hate to see the typical concacaf fouling and time wasting from anyone. That crap drives me crazy.