Everything Soccer

[mgriff]

Reading are lucky to still have 11 men on the field but Swansea lead 1 - 0 after the pen. 2nd division is super exciting stuff when it comes down to the end of the season.

2 - 0 as I type...Reading are reeling...

One of the Welsh teams needs to get in the top flight, so I'm not bothered with the way this is going.

 

[NDinMich]

One of the Welsh teams needs to get in the top flight, so I'm not bothered with the way this is going.

I was reading an estimate that this game is worth approx 100 million pounds to the winner!

Agree about the Wales factor, I was shocked to read that there hasn't been a Welsh team in the Premier league. I guess it's only Cardiff that would have had a chance but I thought I recalled them being there...guess not.

 

[Rocket's Rocket Fan]

Is anyone watching the USA, Spain friendly? We are done 1-0 in the 30th minute.

 

[Rocket's Rocket Fan]

Make that 2-0.

We are playing really bad right now. Possession seems to be in heavy favor of Spain.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Yeah, 2-0 now. Forgot about it for a while lol.

 

[GainesvilleIrish]

Now 2-0. Getting rocked.

Need Dono, Dempsey, Boca, MB Jr. & Bornstein to compete.

Gold Cup starting in a few days though and thats what matters.

 

[nsisk157]

Ireland 2-0 over Macedonia...Robbie Keane on the brace.. Still tied atop their group..

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Wow, pathetic. No defense on that third goal, Villa had about 5 guys watch him run in the box and put it in the back of the net.

 

[Rocket's Rocket Fan]

Its really ugly now. 3-0. Missing too many big names. Hope they will be ready for the Gold Cup.

 

[Rocket's Rocket Fan]

Wow, pathetic. No defense on that third goal, Villa had about 5 guys watch him run in the box and put it in the back of the net.

Yeah that was terrible D.

 

[mgriff]

While there is an obvious lack of quality, there was a lack of effort in the first half. Second half was more manageable, and acceptable.

 

[ACamp1900]

we have played one meaningful game against Spain in the last two years... and won it...

it is pretty clear our powers that be do not take international friendies as serious as other nation's... we rearely put out our top team, and rarely put up top efforts... in games that matter we often fare much better, win or even lose.

 

[irishrecruiting]

we have played one meaningful game against Spain in the last two years... and won it...

it is pretty clear our powers that be do not take international friendies as serious as other nation's... we rearely put out our top team, and rarely put up top efforts... in games that matter we often fare much better, win or even lose.

Just keep in mind that while this is a friendly for both teams, Spain didn't seem to take this too seriously in regards to fielding a strong line up. When we got tickets for the game, we were hoping to see Xavi, Puyol, Iker Casillas, Villa, Silva, Iniesta, Pedro, Fabregas, Xabi Alonso. It's the end of the European season though, so they left some players out of the squad to give them a little vacation time.

The U.S. played roughly as many starters as Spain, +/- 1. Imagine Xavi, Fabregas, Iniesta, Silva, throw in Villa. As of right now, I don't think even the U.S.'s 2002, 2006 or 2010 World Cup team could have stopped Spain's current, regular line up.

Okay, so I guess my point is yes, the U.S. has a Gold Cup in three days so they didn't want to hurt anyone. But Spain isn't taking this any more seriously than the U.S. did, unless you talk about effort. Playing for your national team is an honor, you play with passion and pride.

England is badly in need of more players like young Jack Wilshere in midfield, if anyone watched England's pretty pathetic performance against Switzerland at Wembley today. Wilshere plays with passion and wants to go forward, attack, then get the ball back. The heavy majority of England players' don't, though, just like at the 2010 World Cup.

I'm not saying the U.S. players' lack any pride when they put on their country's shirt, but in regards to effort, it was pretty poor. You could tell certain players really cared, but some (Agudelo sp? #9) didn't put any effort in. No. 11 who played in the second half (I don't remember his name) did get into some pretty good positions, whether or not he took on the shot is a different matter. He just seemed really excited as a substitute, while the starting forward next to Altidore didn't.

Spain is a team that controls the entire game by their passing. There's no way to get around that, but look at Switzerland last summer. Against a star-studded Spain (competitive) team, a tiny European country was able to stun Spain at the World Cup. Yes, that was the World Cup. But my point is the pride and effort put in. Whenever your playing for your national team, friendly, World Cup final, for Switzerland, Andorra, England or Brazil, you have to play with pride, regardless of the team that steps out there.

I just didn't see much of that from the U.S., and I think Spain would have thrown a lot more into the effort category if it wasn't so easy to carve apart a U.S. team that didn't really give it their all. The sad thing is, the younger players are the future of U.S. soccer, just like England's younger players are the future for England.

That's why it's worrying for me to see teams play like this. Donavan plays with pride, win or lose. Dempsey today played well when he was on the ball but seemed to enjoy getting in the refs face during and after the game (not sure if they showed him talking to them post-game on TV).

Okay, I apologize for the long post. My bad, but I had to get out my opinion somewhere. Feel free to discuss any of this post. I love to discuss soccer.

 

[irishrecruiting]

And ACamp, nothing really about what you said. I was going to just comment on your post, but I ended up going an extra four or so paragraphs.

 

[NDinMich]

Sorry to change topics here but anybody else watch the LA vs DC match last night? FSC did an interview with Wesley Sneijder and his wife...yo! Yolanthe Cabau van Kasbergen is her name if you want a treat,

 

[GainesvilleIrish]

Although a poor showing tonight, everyone has to remember that this game matters none. It shouldn't have been scheduled vs the best team in the world, it was a warm up game for the Gold Cup (which is huge & we need to win) that we needed. Nobody got hurt and we learned what worked and didn't.

 

[NDinL.A.]

I HATE it when USA plays Spain. My father is Spaniard and I spent the first year of my life in Spain, so I always root for Spain. But I'm a die-hard USA because that's my country, so of course I always root for them. I always say I'm going to be neutral when watching them play each other, but I always end up rooting for the USA (because a win over Spain would mean so much more for our country soccer-wise).

irishrecruiting and acamp:

I believe Bradley sabotaged us by playing his weaker team in the 1st half. Why would you not start Dempsey and Bradley (for me, bith those guys are our top midfielders and it's not even close, especially Bradley)???? It's hard enough to get possession against Spain, but damn, those 2 were the only players who could keep possession for the USA on the entire field! Also, the super-thick grass (Charlie Weis anyone???) made for a slower and less attractive game.

Kinda unfair when Spain brings in Iniesta and Torres as their subs, don't you think? But man, what an absolute joy it is to watch that team play. After suffering through so many collapses (due to choking and/or horrific refereeing) in so many big tournaments, these past few years have been thrilling for Spaniards. Hopefully the team can keep this thing going...

 

[NDinMich]

I didn't see the game so I'm not even close to as mad as all you guys are about the US losing yesterday but c'mon boys...this was just a friendly. A poorly planned friendly only 3 days before the start of a major tournament. Bradley didn't want to play some of his players b/c they've got a much more important match coming up in 3 days time. That and some of his players are still in the midst of their seasons so fitness shouldn't be a question.

Maybe if I had seen the game I'd be more mad. I will say it is quite embarrassing that even Torres scored a goal vs the US...

 

[IrishLax]

I HATE it when USA plays Spain. My father is Spaniard and I spent the first year of my life in Spain, so I always root for Spain. But I'm a die-hard USA because that's my country, so of course I always root for them. I always say I'm going to be neutral when watching them play each other, but I always end up rooting for the USA (because a win over Spain would mean so much more for our country soccer-wise).

irishrecruiting and acamp:

I believe Bradley sabotaged us by playing his weaker team in the 1st half. Why would you not start Dempsey and Bradley (for me, bith those guys are our top midfielders and it's not even close, especially Bradley)???? It's hard enough to get possession against Spain, but damn, those 2 were the only players who could keep possession for the USA on the entire field! Also, the super-thick grass (Charlie Weis anyone???) made for a slower and less attractive game.

Kinda unfair when Spain brings in Iniesta and Torres as their subs, don't you think? But man, what an absolute joy it is to watch that team play. After suffering through so many collapses (due to choking and/or horrific refereeing) in so many big tournaments, these past few years have been thrilling for Spaniards. Hopefully the team can keep this thing going...

I think he was trying to "try out" the weaker guys against the best in the world so that he would know what he's got to work with heading into the Gold Cup. No other possible explanation. Also why I think Donovan was out with a "mysterious illness."

 

[mgriff]

You're all right. It was only a friendly, and I understand why Bob didn't want to play the strongest team, but the lack of effort in the first half was the worst part of it. I'm fine with losing to Spain, and I understand we had a weak team, but their lack of effort in the first forty-five was criminal. They didn't close Spain down at all. It didn't even look like they tried.

 

[ACamp1900]

El Salvador is hanging with that team from down south so far...

hopefully they can get a goal at some point. GO EL SALVADOR!!

 

[ACamp1900]

Eucking Fl Salvador....



nevermind

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

I don't watch women's soccer and wouldn't recommend it BUT if every goal was like this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfXcZk-TkZM&sns=em


Happened today in a friendly Vs they who shall not be named.

 

[mgriff]

The Women's National Team is the pride of American soccer, how can you not watch them?

I'll admit the games aren't as great, but our women are tremendous and deserve our support, especially at the World Cup coming up at the end of the month.

That was a fantastic goal, a wonderful strike.

 

[GainesvilleIrish]

Brilliant goal. Not a big women's soccer fan but the World Cup is coming up soon & the US have a great shot to win it all!

If the USA women's team play in the world cup final, what kinda ratings you think the game will get on TV?

 

[ACamp1900]

I'll watch our ladies' Cup games... but with the reg. World Cup I'll watch ANY game... with women's honestly... I'm not watching Japan V Egypt

 

[mgriff]

I'll watch our ladies' Cup games... but with the reg. World Cup I'll watch ANY game... with women's honestly... I'm not watching Japan V Egypt

Touche

 

[tankjeep]

I'll watch our ladies' Cup games... but with the reg. World Cup I'll watch ANY game... with women's honestly... I'm not watching Japan V Egypt

X2

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

I'll watch our ladies' Cup games... but with the reg. World Cup I'll watch ANY game... with women's honestly... I'm not watching Japan V Egypt

Too damn funny.

I guess I'm late to this thread...

Hey NDinLA, I called my father, also of Spain descent (my name is as Spain as it gets) just to say hi. He was terse. I axed how are things. He said "I'm watching the game." Conversation ended. I felt small.

 

[tankjeep]

Too damn funny.

I guess I'm late to this thread...

Hey NDinLA, I called my father, also of Spain descent (my name is as Spain as it gets) just to say hi. He was terse. I axed how are things. He said "I'm watching the game." Conversation ended. I felt small.

that's how us soccer fans roll.....haha