Everything Soccer

[fightingirish26]

Where you going? I'll be watching from Belmar

we're gonna be in OCNJ

 

[EastoftheBend]

It's because your account isn't verified yet. I approved your posts, but you should have gotten a confirmation email to complete process..

Yea I got the confirmation when I signed back up and actually went through it twice. likely user error on my part. I appreciate the approval and my apologies for being a pain in my return to the boards.

 

[Rogue219]

Napoli are hiring Carlo Ancellotti as their new manager.

 

[IrishLax]

Yea I got the confirmation when I signed back up and actually went through it twice. likely user error on my part. I appreciate the approval and my apologies for being a pain in my return to the boards.

No problem, I think you should be good to go now. I checked registrations and it looks like you're through the system.

 

[fightingirish26]

Napoli are hiring Carlo Ancellotti as their new manager.

So Sarri's going to Chelsea then..? I was definitely expecting him to stay at Napoli for at least another year or two.

Is everybody as surprised at this news as I am, or was I out of the loop?

 

[nlroma1o]

So Sarri's going to Chelsea then..? I was definitely expecting him to stay at Napoli for at least another year or two.

Is everybody as surprised at this news as I am, or was I out of the loop?

Sarri is reportedly speaking to Zenit. But at this point who knows.

 

[IrishLion]

Cincy’s MLS announcement is set for next Tuesday. The bid is complete (but has been “locked up” for a loooooong time).

ItsHappening.gif

If they ever play @ LA Galaxy, I expect Acamp to meet me there and show me the best Mexican food in the area.

 

[ACamp1900]

Cincy’s MLS announcement is set for next Tuesday. The bid is complete (but has been “locked up” for a loooooong time).

ItsHappening.gif

If they ever play @ LA Galaxy, I expect Acamp to meet me there and show me the best Mexican food in the area.

If you come out I’ll make plans for sure... congrats man, I know you’ve been waiting to hear this...

congrats on the Cinncy FC thing too...

 

[IrishLion]

Hopefully they hit the 2019 window, which is what they've been preparing for.

They want to get bids in on international players, and entering in 2019 allows them roster-building options in a year when there are no other expansion teams entering.

If they have to wait until 2020, they are likely competing with Beckham's team and Nashville for expansion players.

 

[ACamp1900]

Rangers just announced they are cutting Celtic's ticket allocation for Old Firm games from 7,000 to 900.... lol

 

[IrishLion]

Brian Straus confirms that Cincy is in for '19.

I see a lot of people saying they'll be rushed and will suffer for it their first few years, but people I talked to say that it's actually better in terms of roster building, because now they aren't sharing an expansion pool with Nashville or Miami. I guess we'll see?

https://www.si.com/soccer/2018/05/24/fc-cincinnati-mls-expansion-berth-announcement-2019-start

 

[ACamp1900]

Whispers that Omar may be moving back to the MLS... maybe he's a good fit?

 

[Rocket89]

Gareth Bale did some stuff.

 

[NDRock]

Gareth Bale did some stuff.

Yes he did. First time I've ever rooted for a Ronaldo led team. Glad he didn't do anything.

 

[IrishLion]

Gareth Bale did some stuff.

He did a few things, indeed.

That poor Liverpool goalie.

 

[NorthDakota]

I'll have some thoughts to share later...very bummed.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Extremely disappointing to see a potentially great game ruined by an injury to one team's most significant threat and two brain-farts by a goalie.

Random thoughts (expressed merely because this is ND Football Dead Zone and maybe they give a few people something to argue about):

1). Anyone who watched the game should believe that Liverpool could beat Real. The first period, pre-Salah going down, should have shown that. The Klopp Uber-Press was all over everybody on Real and guys like Firmino, Robertson, Mane, Milner, Henderson, the rookie wingback with the double name, etc were in their shirts --- even Modric and Froos. The two youngsters with alleged concerns at wingback were terrific and cool. Robertson is REALLY good.

2). Ramos' takedown of Salah was a dirty play. Yes, it happens all the time as Lalas said, but Ramos was not just "being physical." When he clamped Salah's arm, you can see him increasing the grip as he falls on Salah to allow little flex for Salah as he rams into the ground. Ramos knew exactly what he was doing, and is a well-known roughneck thug. He may not have realized how badly he would hurt Salah, but he deliberately took the shot at thugging him.

3). Bale should get out of Real by the next flight. He will ruin his career wasting on that bench.

4). Karius deserves all the crap he will get for the first brainfart. That was lack of intensity and lazy to the point of unforgivable in this sort of game. The second one looked more like really bad luck. Anyone who has tried to catch really "bad" knuckleballs knows that sometimes you just can't.

 

[IrishLion]

I thought it looked like Liverpool was about to break the game open at any moment in the first half with the way they were pressuring Madrid. It just seemed like a matter of time before Salah either found himself in the right spot, or found a teammate in the right spot... but then he went down and everything changed.

I was looking forward to what I thought was going to turn into a wild shootout. And it even looked like Liverpool found their legs and their confidence in the attack again when Mane scored... but Bale (and their goalie) sucked the life out them.

 

[NDRock]

I was pretty surprised that none of Karius’ teammates came over to him after the game. Heck, even kickers usually get some sympathy after they blow a game and they are barely football players. Would have assumed goalies would be more respected by their teammates.

 

[notredomer23]

I was pretty surprised that none of Karius’ teammates came over to him after the game. Heck, even kickers usually get some sympathy after they blow a game and they are barely football players. Would have assumed goalies would be more respected by their teammates.

Huge difference between missing a field goal or even extra point compared to what Karius did. It would be like if ND was up 6 with 30 seconds left and the other team has no timeouts and all they have to do is take a knee, and the QB audibles and throws a pick 6 to lose the game. I feel for the guy but that has to be the worst, most embarrassing mistake in a final ever.

 

[NDRock]

Huge difference between missing a field goal or even extra point compared to what Karius did. It would be like if ND was up 6 with 30 seconds left and the other team has no timeouts and all they have to do is take a knee, and the QB audibles and throws a pick 6 to lose the game. I feel for the guy but that has to be the worst, most embarrassing mistake in a final ever.

Honestly, don't see that comparison at all. Liverpool was never leading, not like he blew the game in the last 30 seconds. You could actually argue the second mistake (Bale goal) didn't make a difference as it came late. The guy obviously made two huge mistakes and can't see him back at the club (kinda like Scott Norwood).

 

[notredomer23]

Honestly, don't see that comparison at all. Liverpool was never leading, not like he blew the game in the last 30 seconds. You could actually argue the second mistake (Bale goal) didn't make a difference as it came late. The guy obviously made two huge mistakes and can't see him back at the club (kinda like Scott Norwood).

Idk agree to disagree. The second was bad but at least was an actual shot. Idk what to even consider the first one. Have just never seen a critical mental error of that magnitude in a final.

 

[ACamp1900]

The second wasn’t really THAT bad... if the first hadn’t happened everyone prob just screams about how great Bales shot was.... the Benzema one tho, yikes.

 

[Cackalacky]

Liverpool signed Fabhino from Monaco. Instant upgrade over Can.

 

[Rogue219]

Liverpool signed Fabhino from Monaco. Instant upgrade over Can.

Out of nowhere too. He was supposed to be headed to United. Also has the same agent as Jose Mourinho.

Doesn't look like the American ownership is screwing around. They have Keita coming in, Fabinho now and Fekir coming next? The entire starting midfield drops to the bench. Huge.

Liverpool is supposedly lining up a record bid for a goalkeeper and pursuing Allison from Roma. Also looking at Pulisic too.

Buckle up for a crazy summer window yet again.

 

[Old Man Mike]

"entire midfield dropping to the bench" ... those guys must be WAY good. Agree that Can is non-issue and Wynaldum is bench role-player (though a good solid Swiss Army Knife) and that Milner MIGHT be finally too old (though it's hard to tell that except by birth certificate), but Henderson has been their Captain and Chamberlain showed a weird bull-rush effectiveness before the injury.

I'd think that there still might be LOTS of competition there, but I don't know these new names.


On a different subject: the USMNTs youth brigade looked pretty good vs a mediocre Bolivia (how'd they beat Argentina and Chile under ANY circumstances?) I really liked the cleverness of Sargent and the solidity of Zimmerman. Rubin had aggressive attacking skills, and McKenzie/ McKetchnie(?) was bull strong and quality. I've always liked Lichaj in the chances he got to play (with one exception.) A guy off the bench, tall blonde guy in midfield had real field awareness and clever ball skills. Almost everyone but a tired-looking Pulisic had good games. ... and he wasn't "bad" just slow (for him.)

 

[fightingirish26]

"entire midfield dropping to the bench" ... those guys must be WAY good. Agree that Can is non-issue and Wynaldum is bench role-player (though a good solid Swiss Army Knife) and that Milner MIGHT be finally too old (though it's hard to tell that except by birth certificate), but Henderson has been their Captain and Chamberlain showed a weird bull-rush effectiveness before the injury.

I'd think that there still might be LOTS of competition there, but I don't know these new names.


On a different subject: the USMNTs youth brigade looked pretty good vs a mediocre Bolivia (how'd they beat Argentina and Chile under ANY circumstances?) I really liked the cleverness of Sargent and the solidity of Zimmerman. Rubin had aggressive attacking skills, and McKenzie/ McKetchnie(?) was bull strong and quality. I've always liked Lichaj in the chances he got to play (with one exception.) A guy off the bench, tall blonde guy in midfield had real field awareness and clever ball skills. Almost everyone but a tired-looking Pulisic had good games. ... and he wasn't "bad" just slow (for him.)

The Ox did better this year than I expected, but Keita/Fabinho/Fekir are better than anyone Liverpool has in MF on paper. Then again, I expected Bakayoko to be great for Chelsea so we'll have to see how these guys deal with the PL.

And just a note on Bolivia, the team they put out last night was actually similarly inexperienced compared to the one we put out. The Bolivian midfield and forwards shared 29 caps between them and no international goals.

 

[notredomer23]

On a different subject: the USMNTs youth brigade looked pretty good vs a mediocre Bolivia (how'd they beat Argentina and Chile under ANY circumstances?) I really liked the cleverness of Sargent and the solidity of Zimmerman. Rubin had aggressive attacking skills, and McKenzie/ McKetchnie(?) was bull strong and quality. I've always liked Lichaj in the chances he got to play (with one exception.) A guy off the bench, tall blonde guy in midfield had real field awareness and clever ball skills. Almost everyone but a tired-looking Pulisic had good games. ... and he wasn't "bad" just slow (for him.)

It's McKennie. Be real familiar with him as he'll be playing in mid for us for the next 10-12 years.

The tall blonde is Keaton Parks. He played 5 times for Benfica this past year and is likely to see his role increase their quite a bit.

Really like Weah. I hope he gets loaned out to a mid-table ligue one side because he just needs a lot of PT at his age.

Sargent is gonna be a star. Really hope he can find his footing with Werder this year.

I was very impressed with Olusunde in his limited time. He needs a Miazga like loan away from Manchester United. Eredivisie would fit him perfectly.

 

[notredomer23]

Tyler Adams is leaving for RB Leipzig (Bild and local NJ media have reported it but nothing official yet). Great news for me as an NYCFC fan

 

[Rogue219]

"entire midfield dropping to the bench" ... those guys must be WAY good. Agree that Can is non-issue and Wynaldum is bench role-player (though a good solid Swiss Army Knife) and that Milner MIGHT be finally too old (though it's hard to tell that except by birth certificate), but Henderson has been their Captain and Chamberlain showed a weird bull-rush effectiveness before the injury.

I'd think that there still might be LOTS of competition there, but I don't know these new names.


On a different subject: the USMNTs youth brigade looked pretty good vs a mediocre Bolivia (how'd they beat Argentina and Chile under ANY circumstances?) I really liked the cleverness of Sargent and the solidity of Zimmerman. Rubin had aggressive attacking skills, and McKenzie/ McKetchnie(?) was bull strong and quality. I've always liked Lichaj in the chances he got to play (with one exception.) A guy off the bench, tall blonde guy in midfield had real field awareness and clever ball skills. Almost everyone but a tired-looking Pulisic had good games. ... and he wasn't "bad" just slow (for him.)

As the box to box midfielder, Keita will give Henderson all he can handle. They didn't pay that fee to have him on the bench. Henderson gets a lot of trash talk from LFC fans, but the guy is immense for them and they miss him when he's out. Keita's pace sets him apart. It could prove difficult to keep Keita off the pitch. Unless they start together.

Can is leaving for Juve or wherever on a free. Fabinho is a perfect replacement for him and he can also play right back if needed. If they sign Fekir, he's the attacking midfielder to replace Coutinho. He can also play forward (Firmino's spot) or on the right wing (Salah's spot). I still think this roster needs some depth up front for Salah/Mane/Firmino.

Milner covers more ground than anyone on the pitch. He's 32 and has a year left on his contract. He'll be a super sub as he was with City. Great coverage.

Gini Wijnaldum will also be a great sub off the bench as well. He's the odd man out.

Ox needs to get fit again and work his way back to health. Go from there.