Everything Soccer

[CTIDANDREW]

Chandler is hurt and probably wont make the roster. I would sub Evans in there at RB or move Cameron to RB and put Goodson in. Other than that I agree. Zusi and Donovan pretty much play the same role so they may not be on the field at the same time. Might even see Beasly at LB and Fabian at LM.

Chandler actually recently returned to action, and put in a good shift vs Hanover 96 last weekend. Sadly, it looks like his team is going to get relegated though.

Timothy Chandler Football Statistics | WhoScored.com

I'd be shocked if he is not invited to the Stanford camp, and I feel that he is the best pure RB talent the player pool has. He would have an entire month with the team to get continuity right, as well as three warm up matches. Although, I will be alright if Jurgen decides to go a different way, because of the troublesome relationship Chandler, and the U.S federation have had in the past.

For the debate between Jozy and Aron, I decided to go with Jozy because of his great from with the National Team over the last year. I feel that his style of play works better with the current group of national team player as opposed to Sunderlands current set-up, and also I am not sure that Aron's hold up play is good enough for what this team will require against all the top competition they will be facing.

 

[Cackalacky]

So City fans are already feeling anxious after 21 minutes.

"Villians steal title from the Citizens" has a nice headline to it.....

Manchester City v Aston Villa – live! | Paul Doyle | Football | theguardian.com

The minute-by-minute commentator is brilliant.

23 min: Celebrity Crystal Palace fans Samir Nasri drives to the edge of the area and then curls a high shot over the bar. "This match is the answer to the question 'What's the point of Aston Villa?'. Even though it's a bit of an overstatement to claim that Villa get to determine the PL winner." Oi! That's the 1982 European champions and former employers of Paul McGrath you're talking about!

 

[Cackalacky]

29 min: The volume is rising at the Etihad as City fans realise their teams needs support. Perhaps pan pipe music and good vibes from Pellegrini should suffice? "I have something to say about Pellegrini's 'peace-and-happiness' approach," trumpets Cort McMurray. "In American Baseball, the New York Yankees enjoyed an extended run of success by employing an 'alternating manager' strategy. They’d hire Billy Martin, an egotistical, hard driving, combative type. Billy would aggravate and provoke the club to great success, until everyone got sick of him. The Yankees would then dismiss Mr. Martin, and replace him with a calm, thoughtful, 'players’ manager.' Relaxed and happy, the players would perform vey well. And when everyone got complacent and things went south, the Yankees would go back to Billy Martin. It was Billy Martin then Bob Lemon then Billy Martin then Dick Howser then Billy Martin then Yogi Berra. The strategy produced three league titles and two World Series trophies." So what you're saying is that, as in all the best TV shows, a good cop/bad cop approach is what's required?

LOL

 

[Cackalacky]

Niall Quinn on Sky reckons the secret to Pellegrini's success is that he came in with "a holistic approach and just said 'come on guys, everyone stay clam". Aye, some managers use chalkboards and bollockings, Pellegrini is all about incense sticks and didgeridoos.

.

 

[Cackalacky]

I have to say I hate Man City but Dzeko is a stone cold killer.

 

[mgriff]

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Not a done deal, but supposedly will be this weekend. I'd bring him to the World Cup and cap him in the 90th minute of one of the games.

Well right now off the top of my head, the USMNT will have
Mark Pelosi(Liverpool)
Junior Flores(Borussia Dortmund)
Danny Barbir (Manchester City)
Julian Green(Bayern Munich)
Gedion Zalalem(Arsenal, making assumption he is USMNT)
Rubio Rubin (utrect)
Eric Palmer-Brown(Juventus)
Dembawki Yomba(Atletico Madrid)

Not to mention a 14 year old(forget his name) in Barcelona's acadamy as well as one in Real Madrid.

All of those are natural born US citizens actually besides Zelalam, but he did much of his development over here. Maybe the US has finally figured out how to develop our young talent. Those are some pretty elite clubs. Amazing how far the USMNT has come in 20 years.

2016 Olympic gold medal

 

[NDinL.A.]

Curious: If the Ghana match was today, who would you start at your XI

Mine:
Howard
Timmothy Chandler---Geoff Cameron----Matthew Besler(ND)----Fabian Johnson

Micheal Bradley----Jermiane Jones

Zusi------Dempsey-----Donavon

Altidore

Honestly, I love Jozy. He is my favorite player. But I do not see anyway you don't start Johannsson over him if the game was tomorrow. Jozy's form is awful and Johannsson is killing it as AZ, more than Jozy was.

Chandler is on the borderline list for the 30 man roster, much less the 23 man roster. There is no continuity there, there is a chemistry problem with his teammates, there are major questions about hai commitment to the national team, etc etc. Even with a month together, and with Cameron IMHO cementing himself at that right back spot, I don't see him making the roster, much less starting. But that's just my (weak) take on it.

I agree that I would LOVE to see Cameron at center back, but it just doesn't look like Juergenn sees it that way, at all, sadly.

As for Jozy, he actually has looked really good these past 3 games for Sunderland off the bench, much more engaged, better body language (which has just been AWFUL this year), better work rate, better hold up play, taking on defenders, more confident. Just a completely different player, and it's given me hope again for his performance in the WC.

 

[CTIDANDREW]

Chandler is on the borderline list for the 30 man roster, much less the 23 man roster. There is no continuity there, there is a chemistry problem with his teammates, there are major questions about hai commitment to the national team, etc etc. Even with a month together, and with Cameron IMHO cementing himself at that right back spot, I don't see him making the roster, much less starting. But that's just my (weak) take on it.

I agree that I would LOVE to see Cameron at center back, but it just doesn't look like Juergenn sees it that way, at all, sadly.

As for Jozy, he actually has looked really good these past 3 games for Sunderland off the bench, much more engaged, better body language (which has just been AWFUL this year), better work rate, better hold up play, taking on defenders, more confident. Just a completely different player, n dits given me hope again for his performance in the WC.

I agree that, that starting lineup has about a 10% chance of being the starting lineup vs Ghana. However, I just cannot believe that Juergenn would not bring a starting RB from one of the best leagues in the world, to the Stanford 30 man camp, when we have had such issues with the position. I understand the chemistry issues, but with the other possible German-American players on the roster, I feel that can be overcome.

I really feel that Cameron's best position for us is central defense. I like Omar Gonzalez, but his last appearance against Mexico was a disaster and he just suffered a knee injury, so we shall see how that affects him.

Predicting the USA's 23-man World Cup roster by ESPN Staff - ESPN FC This is a really nice read as well.

 

[Cackalacky]

So it comes down to Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing beating Man City this weekend. Come on lads, earn all those wages Liverpool paid you for nothing!

 

[notredomer23]

 

[CTIDANDREW]

CHAMPIONS! This feeling will never get old! One of the best league seasons I believe any of us will ever be apart of. SO many twists and turns along the way, just an unbelievable season.

Liverpool board members: Just want to say you guys have an amazing group of players, and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching your boys play this year. Your fans before the Manchester City games brought a tear to my eye, because of the pure emotion of the match(Yes I know gay). Keep your heads held high, and I hope we compete for the Title again next season, and keep those reds from Salford in their rightful place. 7TH!

 

[nsisk157]

CHAMPIONS! This feeling will never get old! One of the best league seasons I believe any of us will ever be apart of. SO many twists and turns along the way, just an unbelievable season.

Liverpool board members: Just want to say you guys have an amazing group of players, and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching your boys play this year. Your fans before the Manchester City games brought a tear to my eye, because of the pure emotion of the match(Yes I know gay). Keep your heads held high, and I hope we compete for the Title again next season, and keep those reds from Salford in their rightful place. 7TH!

Not trolling here.. how long have you been a City fan?

 

[Huntr]

Just found out my daughter's soccer club is merging with another local club and now has an EPL partnership, too.

I've never really had a rooting interest with an English club, but I guess we're Spurs fans, now. grin:

 

[Cackalacky]

 

[CTIDANDREW]

Not trolling here.. how long have you been a City fan?

Past five seasons(only 22 years old). Got into the league through the video game FIFA. Also, Claudio Reyna was always my favorite United States Mens soccer player growing up as well.

It is a fair question with the obvious money chasing, glory hunters the club has attracted in the recent past, but I promise you five years ago, not in my wildest dream did I believe this club would accomplish two league titles, and both domestic titles, as well as three straight champions league qualification.

 

[Cackalacky]

4 Liverpool Boys on the team with Flanagan on reserve! Congrats! That is a solid team. I think Hodgson did good. Lots of youth moving forward. He might actually get Lampard and Gerrard on the field together.

 

[Saint Shamrock]

4 Liverpool Boys on the team with Flanagan on reserve! Congrats! That is a solid team. I think Hodgson did good. Lots of youth moving forward. He might actually get Lampard and Gerrard on the field together.

Big F in goal . Not a England fan but any player who puts on the Hoops , gets my support .

Mon the Hoops .

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Defoe is on the standby list as well, so that could be another MLSer in the World Cup.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

/

 

[Cackalacky]

Brooks, Yeldin, Chandler, Green and Johansen all on the 30-man roster. Got to think they all have to play and train well from here on out. Surprised by Corona and Edu as well.

Glad Wondo is on it. I hope he kills it. We will need poaching goals.

 

[notredomer23]

Brooks, Yeldin, Chandler, Green and Johansen all on the 30-man roster. Got to think they all have to play and train well from here on out. Surprised by Corona and Edu as well.

Glad Wondo is on it. I hope he kills it. We will need poaching goals.

Johannsson is an absolute lock for the roster. It will be a nice battle between him, Boyd(who is absolutely KILLING it), and Jozy. Jozy will win, but if he doesn't perform, don't be surprised to see the other two because they are in great form.

I think Brooks is almost a near lock to make the roster as well.

Chandler is more likely to start IMO than not make the roster.

I love Yedlin and hope he makes the roster. He is one of our best, young, promising prospects.

If I had to pick today, I am cutting Edu, Goodson, Wondo, Corona, Evans, and Parkhurst. I honestly am torn on the 7th cut between Beckermann who Klinnsman loves for some reason and Yedlin. It in all likelihood it will be Yedlin, but I really think Yedlin comes into camp and impresses. We shall see.

My starting XI would be:
Altidore
Donovan Dempsey Bedoya
Bradley Jones
Beasley Besler Cameron Chandler
Howard

 

[Huntr]

Luiz to Bayern for Mandzukic and £15m just about a done deal.

I wasn't as down on Mandzukic as some, but FCB needs some defensive help and David Luiz fits the bill. Lewa's a much better striker, anyway, so they're covered.

 

[NDinMich]

Any love for Arsenal winning FA cup today? Had to be interesting of course but they got the job done!

 

[ShawneeIrish]

Yeah huge win! First major trophy in nine years amidst Wenger facing increased criticism.

 

[Cali_domer]

Boo

 

[notredomer23]

Whens the CL final/Madrid Derby?

 

[nsisk157]

Saturday. 1445... vamos atleti!!

 

[notredomer23]

USMNT has a pretty easy tune up against Azerbaijan coming up.

I am really interested to see how Klinnsmann features Donovan. I do not believe he is as much of a lock as many people would think

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Clearly he isn't a lock at all since he was cut.