Everything Soccer

[notredomer23]

CR7 Thigh Problem

With CR7, I think it is unlikely(like 20% chance) that we can beat Portugal, but I do not think a tie is out of the question. I say its close to 60% chance we get at least a point against Portugal. Without CR7, I would put it closer to 85% chance we get a point or more. Outside of him, they have no playmakers up front.

He in all likilihood won't miss a game but you never know.

I still think we advance. Our back 4 is better even as piecemeal as it is right now and we are more technically sound than ever.

 

[Cackalacky]

Frank Lampard and David Villa planning to sign with New York FC.

Dayyumm

 

[OrlaNDomer]

Word around town is that Kaka to Orlando City is a done deal for 2015. Robinho rumors flying everywhere. Also worth noting that Brek Shea is training with OCSC.

Those 3 would be the best DPs an Orlando fan could hope for.

 

[ACamp1900]

Frank Lampard and David Villa planning to sign with New York FC.

Dayyumm

Woah

 

[notredomer23]

Xavi is also expected to go to NYCFC

 

[Cackalacky]

Xavi is also expected to go to NYCFC

That's three DPs right? How is that gonna work? They pay one of them less with a bunch if bonuses?

 

[notredomer23]

That's three DPs right? How is that gonna work? They pay one of them less with a bunch if bonuses?

No idea to be honest, but in January a lot of reports surfaced that it was going to happen. My buddy texted me the other day who is fairly well connected to the MLS right before the Villa signing saying that Villa, Lampard, and Xavi are all going to NYCFC.

 

[Cackalacky]

No idea to be honest, but in January a lot of reports surfaced that it was going to happen. My buddy texted me the other day who is fairly well connected to the MLS right before the Villa signing saying that Villa, Lampard, and Xavi are all going to NYCFC.

So I am assuming being a Man city and NYY guy this will be your MLS team right?

Those three.... Cray

 

[notredomer23]

So I am assuming being a Man city and NYY guy this will be your MLS team right?

Those three.... Cray

I guess. I've always been a part time Red Bull fan, but it would be nice to cheer for a team full time. At the same time, I would like to see soccer in the USA grow and I do not know if NYCFC is good for that growth.

 

[RuntheBall]

No Beasley!

I don't like that Davis is starting, but for the most part agree with the starting XI. I hope Mix and Aron get some time (in Brazil) as well, but could be great off the bench.

Today I am interested in seeing Green and Yedlin as well as Gonzalez (and his health), in addition to Aron and Mix.

 

[Cackalacky]

No Beasley!

I don't like that Davis is starting, but for the most part agree with the starting XI. I hope Mix and Aron get some time (in Brazil) as well, but could be great off the bench.

Today I am interested in seeing Green and Yedlin as well as Gonzalez (and his health), in addition to Aron and Mix.

Gonzales might not play at all. Cameron and Besler are sure to start after today. Beasley may not start either. Probably a good defensive sub to close games out ( if that actually happens). Davis Played well again t Azerbaijan. And he has the best service on the team. It will be hardy Dave him out. Green and yedlin look like kids out there. Not sure we see too much of them.

 

[calvegas04]

Yedlin looks decent in the back... much better performance than green

 

[notredomer23]

That was the best environment I have ever been in for a sporting event in the USA--and I have been in the student section at ND for many games. I marched in with the American Outlaws and there was so many of us we literally shut down traffic. It was glorious.

As far as on field performance, we looked much better against a solid Turkey team that nearly qualified for WC. Talent wise I would say they are close to Russia, Croatia, or Bosnia, all teams that are in the WC.

Bradley looked shaky at first but turned it up.

Fabian Johnson has jets and continues to be one of our best players.

Jozy didn't score which I felt he really needed but he did everything right today other than that.

Clint Dempsey was a beast.

I really like the back 4 of Chandler-Besler-Cameron-Johnson.

Bradley played well, but once they subbed Jones out, Bradley played even better.

I thought Green showed flashes of brilliance. He should have one timed Zusi's cross.

Yedlin FLIES.

 

[RuntheBall]

That was the best environment I have ever been in for a sporting event in the USA--and I have been in the student section at ND for many games. I marched in with the American Outlaws and there was so many of us we literally shut down traffic. It was glorious.

As far as on field performance, we looked much better against a solid Turkey team that nearly qualified for WC. Talent wise I would say they are close to Russia, Croatia, or Bosnia, all teams that are in the WC.

Bradley looked shaky at first but turned it up.

Fabian Johnson has jets and continues to be one of our best players.

Jozy didn't score which I felt he really needed but he did everything right today other than that.

Clint Dempsey was a beast.

I really like the back 4 of Chandler-Besler-Cameron-Johnson.

Bradley played well, but once they subbed Jones out, Bradley played even better.

I thought Green showed flashes of brilliance. He should have one timed Zusi's cross.

Yedlin FLIES.

It looked awesome on TV as well. A couple of comments about the outstanding support.

I thought Chandler was okay, save whatever the hell happened in the 87' (ish) that led to the chance and goal. If he at least stayed to pressure the Turk, he wouldn't have been able to stand there with the ball for so long. I guess hind sight is 20-20 though. Beasley may be a safer option. Though Davis did Chandler no favors (neither did Green).

I was a bit concerned with how far Fabian pushed up, but he is definitely starting and a top player for us. I think him going forward is necessary with the diamond as Zusi (or Davis on the other side) tuck in a bit more than usual and are top your typical winger.

On that note I do not understand why we have both Davis and Zusi on the field. Neither provides much defensive support IMO, and their skills are a bit repetitive. I think we need one for corners (apparently Mix/Green cannot do corners). Zusi seemed a bit better to me, so I would start Zusi and Bedoya or Zusi and Mix if we want to keep the diamond (which it looks like we are).

I was impressed with Yedlin (if he stays disciplined). I think he gives us some options pushing forward, but seems like he plays similar to Fabian, so I am unsure when/where he will play. I could really see moving Yedlin or Fabian to a mid-field role to provide a bit more defense late in a game where we are tied (Germany or Portugal, hopefully) or up (Ghana). It would be interesting and provide a lot of pace in case a 'Chandler' happens again.

Besler and Cameron looked okay to me. Gave up a couple of chances early, but I think that was from Fabian/Chandler getting caught forward and Besler/Cameron having to spread out a bit more, leaving space in between. Jones tried to help and did fine here. I would like to see both Beckerman and Jones on the field if we have a lead late in the game, and play a triangle midfield (with Bradley) and Dempsey+1 on the wings (4-5-1), just to provide a bit more help to the back line (it would also lessen the need for the wing backs to push forward IMO).

I thought Altidore was fine. Didn't quite have it finishing, but held the ball up well and connected with Dempsey well. We need him to bail us out when we are under pressure. When we send long balls from the back and he can possess well and maintain possession the pressure comes off our D and gives us a chance going forward.

 

[notredomer23]

Qatar World Cup Corruption??

As if you guys didn't already know FIFA was an infinitely corrupt organization, and the Qatar World Cup bid was possibly the most corrupt of them all, this might be the nail in the coffin.

If it is not Qatar, in all likelihood it will be the USA. Would love to see a World Cup on US soil

 

[ACamp1900]

I think it may have been on GH and not here but I was discussing this last month when the slave labor crap was in the news... and stated there is no way I'll believe Qatar 'was the clear best option' and that money had to have changed hands... everyone agreed.

shocked...

 

[notredomer23]

I think it may have been on GH and not here but I was discussing this last month when the slave labor crap was in the news... and stated there is no way I'll believe Qatar 'was the clear best option' and that money had to have changed hands... everyone agreed.

shocked...

It might have not been here but I know exactly what you are talking about. I think ESPN did a special on it. Absolutely crazy that those people would enter into those contracts and even crazier that those camps/contracts are legal.

Not even touching on that terrible topic, they would likely have to move the World Cup to the winter if it were there and put a major dent in the European football seasons.

 

[ACamp1900]

If they want to be taken serious at all moving forward then you have to think they'll have to move the thing... that said, as much as I want another Cup here, idk if I like the idea of taking a World Cup away from a nation right smack in the center of the Middle East a giving it to the US...

 

[zelezo vlk]

Give it to Brazil. Nothing could go wrong there...

 

[gkIrish]

As much as I would love a cup in the U.S. they should give it to England or some other country with the infrastructure (besides the US) since we had it relatively recently.

 

[notredomer23]

As much as I would love a cup in the U.S. they should give it to England or some other country with the infrastructure (besides the US) since we had it relatively recently.

I saw in other articles the two countries mentioned over and over again for the 2022 World Cup would be Australia or the USA.

England might end up getting the 2018 World Cup if Russia doesn't cool it.

 

[ACamp1900]

There are talks of Russia losing theirs too?? Hadn't heard that.

 

[zelezo vlk]

There are talks of Russia losing theirs too?? Hadn't heard that.

I haven't heard much about it, but considering how bad Sochi was, it doesn't surprise me.

 

[gkIrish]

Anyone have a good list of the 32 teams ranked by actual quality (i.e. a power ranking) rather than the FIFA rankings?

 

[ACamp1900]

Anyone have a good list of the 32 teams ranked by actual quality (i.e. a power ranking) rather than the FIFA rankings?

I've been looking for this too... you'd think they'd be everywhere now...

 

[gkIrish]

I've been looking for this too... you'd think they'd be everywhere now...

Reason I ask is because my friends and I are doing a pool where we draft 4 teams each and get points based on how far the team goes x ranking. We don't want to use FiFa rankings for obvious reason.

This is all I found so far...

2014 World Cup Pre-Tournament Power Rankings | 32 Flags

 

[notredomer23]

Not a bad list, but the USMNT beat 19 Bosnia IN Bosnia. So they should be ranked ahead of them. They also would at least be even with Japan, Russia(we pulled even agains them in Russia), Switzerland and Croatia right now. Nigeria to be determined, but I think we are at least even. I think USA is more top 15 then 21, but then again I am admittedly biased.

 

[RuntheBall]

Reading the power rankings it seems to penalize us for the group we are in...
Maybe that is why we are a bit lower than I'd hope/ expect. Not really a good reason IMO. Who we play doesn't make us worse, it may make us less likely to advance but not worse.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Not a bad list, but the USMNT beat 19 Bosnia IN Bosnia. So they should be ranked ahead of them. They also would at least be even with Japan, Russia(we pulled even agains them in Russia), Switzerland and Croatia right now. Nigeria to be determined, but I think we are at least even. I think USA is more top 15 then 21, but then again I am admittedly biased.

I would throw that game against Bosnia out. They SMOKED us in the first half, leading 2-0 at the break. Then they made 3 subs at half, taking out 2 of their top defenders and a top midfielder. That's when the US made their run. And the U.S. was without Dempsey and started Brooks, and Jozy was a this apex. It's a totally different team, both good and bad.

Don't sleep on Croatia and Switzerland. In a one-off, we could definitely beat them, but IMHO they'd beat us like 7 out of 10 times, or at the very least, play better futbol. I just don't think we're there yet. Those countries have a lot more players playing at higher levels than we do, and you those players are the difference makers that make teams elite. We still depend a little too much on American spirit, hustle and athleticism, and not enough on skill. But at least it's improving.

Gotta apologize on my assessment of Fabian Johnson. In my eyes he was a man without a position for the national team, but he's found a home at right back (hopefully) and has looked phenomenal these past 2 games. Bradley is still our best player, but Johnson has probably been our best player the past 2 games. And please, no Chandler. Dude led the team for far longer than Landon, had a couple God-awful mistakes, one leading to a goal, and just doesn't do it for me. I hate Beasley at left back, but the Turkey game had me longing for Beasley. Ugh.

 

[notredomer23]

I would throw that game against Bosnia out. They SMOKED us in the first half, leading 2-0 at the break. Then they made 3 subs at half, taking out 2 of their top defenders and a top midfielder. That's when the US made their run. And the U.S. was without Dempsey and started Brooks, and Jozy was a this apex. It's a totally different team, both good and bad.

Don't sleep on Croatia and Switzerland. In a one-off, we could definitely beat them, but IMHO they'd beat us like 7 out of 10 times, or at the very least, play better futbol. I just don't think we're there yet. Those countries have a lot more players playing at higher levels than we do, and you those players are the difference makers that make teams elite. We still depend a little too much on American spirit, hustle and athleticism, and not enough on skill. But at least it's improving.

Gotta apologize on my assessment of Fabian Johnson. In my eyes he was a man without a position for the national team, but he's found a home at right back (hopefully) and has looked phenomenal these past 2 games. Bradley is still our best player, but Johnson has probably been our best player the past 2 games. And please, no Chandler. Dude led the team for far longer than Landon, had a couple God-awful mistakes, one leading to a goal, and just doesn't do it for me. I hate Beasley at left back, but the Turkey game had me longing for Beasley. Ugh.

While it was 2-0, we created plenty of chances and should have had a PK(blatant handball if I do recall), but point is, that was not our full strength side entirely, while it was their full strength side. Agree things turned around when they did make the subs, but no one was stopping Jozy in that second half.

Definitely not sleeping on the Swiss. But we would at worst tie them IMO. They do not have any attacking presence, which leads me to believe we match up really well against them.

Glad you have seen the light on Fabian Johnson LA