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Title: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on August 13, 2014, 06:34:41 AM
Let's begin..

EPL starts this weekend (fuck off Swansea). Will Man City repeat? Does a 3-5-2 work anymore? How will Arsenal/Chelsea fare? Will Liverpool be as good without Suarez?

Also what was the 2nd stupidest transfer of the summer? (I think we can all agree on David Luiz as the 1st)


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on August 13, 2014, 08:26:17 AM
What's your problem with Swansea?

3-5-2 can work - Juventus has been eating up the Serie A with that for 3 years now. Of course, they also have decent wingbacks, and some seriously creative midfielders in Pogba and Vidal as well as one of the all-time greatest creators in Andrea Pirlo. Without a strong midfield 3, I don't think it works and I suppose we'll really find out when Man U tries to run the same thing with their somewhat suspect midfield (Herrera aside).

2nd stupidest transfer will be when Real Madrid sell Angel Di Maria - I realize they don't necessarily need him with all the fucking stars they have, but still. He's a top class winger. Alexis Sanchez may be the 3rd stupidest but again on the part of the seller, not the buyer.

Arsenal and Chelsea both improved, though neither has gotten what they really needed - i.e. a 2nd striker. Diego Costa was good for Athleti, but his hamstrings have been weak the last few months. And backing him up is... Fernando Torres, a name that scares NO ONE these days other than the fans of any side being rumored to want to buy him. Sanchez isn't an out and out striker but could back up Giroud when needed for Arsenal. I'm still not sure why Chelsea felt they needed to spend so much on Fabregas - even without Lampard or Mata, they have plenty of creativity in midfield.

Liverpool without Suarez? I'm not sure they are "better" but they are different. Their buys this summer so far have been really smart - even without Suarez, there will likely be 3-4 guys that can put goals up and/or supply Sturridge with good enough service to score 20 goals. Lovren instantly makes them better at the back, as does having a dedicated left back whose knees aren't made of tissue. I'm not entirely sold on Mignolet, but if Lovren can provide some presence, the defense will be better. Anything that puts Skrtel on the bench, I'm a fan. Markovic looks dangerous, Sterling is on fucking fire, Can can only be an improvement over Lucas, and Ibe looks a real star in the making. I'm hoping that right back they loaned from Athleti is an upgrade over Glenn Johnson, who has been an utter shambles for the last 6 months. Also, will there be enough depth to handle Champion's League football? We'll see.

I think the key factor in the race for the first 6 spots is going to be how good Van Gaal can make Man U with what looks to be few additions. There's still time, of course, but that squad needs freshening and he's been slow to do so. Their defense in particular needs some juice.

Man City is Man City. Short of Silva/Toure missing huge chunks of the season, I see no reason they won't challenge for the title. The addition of Mangala, a healthier Aguero and the removal of some dead wood will do them good. FFP might actually hurt them in the Champions League, hopefully but I didn't expect them to go very far past the group stage in that one anyway.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: WayAbvPar on August 13, 2014, 09:28:19 AM
Strangely excited, even though ManU are going to be shit again.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: eldaec on August 13, 2014, 09:51:00 AM
Strangely excited, partly because ManU might well be shit again.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on August 13, 2014, 09:56:23 AM
What's your problem with Swansea?

They're the only reason I really can't call it the EPL instead of BPL..:D

Going on Van Gaal's track record Man U could be relevant again very quickly (damnit!)

My wife was enjoying the brief respite from all the soccer, no longer woman!


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Hoax on August 13, 2014, 10:44:49 AM
I don't get why Real would complicate a roster that they had figured out and had great success with last year. But they do this every year so yeah. Selling Di Maria certainly will be stupid selling Di Maria and Khadira is suicidal.

I just don't see how they are stronger to win the types of games they had a hard time with last year. What good is it to beat bottom half teams by an extra goal or three if the type games/teams/strats they lost points and games to they are no better in and against?



Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on August 13, 2014, 11:44:46 AM
I can see Real Madrid trying to shake things up - after all, they didn't win the league. I just think that doing it without fixing their defense is kind of ass backwards. Also, what the fuck is with their goalkeeping situation? Iker Casillas is a rolling dumpster fire these days. You have Diego Lopez who is good. So you bring a younger keeper who is good but hasn't really been tested at that kind of level before based on a good World Cup, then sell not the dumpster fire but the other keeper? The fuck? Also, yes, getting rid of Khedira would probably be the 4th stupidest transfer this summer. Xabi Alonso is not getting any younger and Khedira is good.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on August 13, 2014, 12:10:08 PM
I sometimes think Real is run by spastic monkeys.

Really, really rich spastic monkeys. With a hardon for forwards.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on August 13, 2014, 12:42:54 PM
Bonus:  Early contender for best/wierdest goal celebration of the year. (http://grantland.com/the-triangle/pierre-emerick-aubameyang-celebrated-a-goal-by-putting-on-a-spider-man-mask/)


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: WayAbvPar on August 16, 2014, 10:55:11 AM
Swansea? At OT?   :facepalm:


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on August 16, 2014, 08:00:28 PM
Yep. It's like that.  :why_so_serious:

First half for Man U was really weak. Lots of side to side and not much cut and thrust. Swansea set up and well and did a good job keeping things out on the flanks instead of down the middle. Januzaj made a big difference when he came in until Garry Monk subbed out Neil Taylor. TBF, United did have a number of injuries and they still haven't really bought anybody since Van Gaal got there, so I'm sure he's about to start  pulling the trigger on some deals. He even said after the game that they need better players. At least 3 of the guys who started wouldn't have started otherwise (Young, Hernandez and Lindegard) and I'm still not sure why he didn't start Januzaj. That kid is electric.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: WayAbvPar on August 16, 2014, 08:04:26 PM
It won't matter if they can't defend. They have been dogshit at the back since Vidic got hurt the first time. I almost miss Rio Ferdinand's corpse.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Amarr HM on August 17, 2014, 04:48:36 AM
The United defense looked a shambles again, that's where we need to invest the most asap. Blackett looks too raw to come in at this stage and he won't learn shit playing alongside Smalling except how to leave massive gaps in the danger areas.

Good luck to Liverhampton today, interesting to see if they can beat their B-team without Bitey McBiterson.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on August 17, 2014, 01:01:37 PM
And they did.  :why_so_serious:

That was a really good game. I like that Liverpool isn't quite playing as frantically as they did last year, though it didn't make much difference defensively with Glenn "My First Touch is to the Feet of my Opponent" Johnson at left back. He was mostly terrible. Lovren looked good, especially passing out of defense. Manquillo didn't impress but he didn't make me cringe either. Not sure why Rodgers isn't going with Sakho/Lovren in defense instead of Skrtel but one step at a time I guess. Really am ready to see Glenn Johnson move on. He's becoming a defensive liability and he isn't providing much offensively either. I would have liked to have seen Emre Can in there rather than Lucas or Joe Allen. Jordan Henderson looked great and the pass he made for Sterling's goal was world fucking class. Still not sure if this team can challenge for the title, but I'll no more after I see Markovic and Lallana fit, as well as if they can manage to capture a world class striker.

Southampton didn't look bad either. I expected Koeman's touch on this team to be the same as he did with Valencia years ago - a dour, defensive, static team that flirted with relegation all season. It wasn't. They were lively and at times a lot better than Liverpool as a team. Ward-Prowse and Clyne look proper good players and Tadic is a fucking revelation. Just on evidence of this game, I don't think they will get near the drop.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Amarr HM on August 18, 2014, 01:23:39 AM
Yeh I don't get Johnson either, he's really suspect.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on August 20, 2014, 03:15:13 PM
Barcelona get a 1-year (2 transfer windows) ban on player sales (http://www.espnfc.us/barcelona/story/1994228/fifa-reject-barca-appeal-over-transfer-ban)

I've kind of been following this story for a while without really paying a lot of attention. Barca apparently did a lot of against the rules shenanigans with their purchasing of youth players and were finally caught. When they were caught, they didn't deny it, just said that since they are Barcelona, they don't do the bad things these rules were put in place to prevent, so they shouldn't have to pay the penalty for breaking them.

 :awesome_for_real:

Of course, this penalty might mean a lot more if FIFA hadn't delayed it, which has allowed them to load up on players like Suarez, Mathieu, Rakitic, etc. The team was in DIRE need of a refresh and having the penalty affect this transfer window would have been a serious blow. But since it's Barca and FIFA love their marquee clubs, they basically get to do all the business they'll need for a year to at least stay in the top 4 in Spain and compete in the Champion's League. I can't help but think if this had been Southampton or Elche, things would have been a lot different.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on August 21, 2014, 01:11:04 PM
What the fuck Liverpool? (http://www.espnfc.us/story/1995739/ac-milan-and-liverpool-agree-%C2%A316-million-fee-for-mario-balotelli)

Balotelli as a Red. Why? I know, let's ship off our one super-talented troublemaker who is probably one of the top 5 skilled players in the fucking world, and pick up a guy who can't stay settled anywhere because he's a gigantic douchenozzle? Oh and by the way, he only scored 14 goals in Serie A despite playing 30 league games last season. Is that seriously to be considered an upgrade on the existing squad that couldn't have been gotten somewhere... ANYWHERE ELSE? I look forward to the first important game where he earns a red card in the first half hour. I'm sure I won't have long to wait.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on August 22, 2014, 11:34:24 AM
Rogers getting too smart for his own good? That being said.... :popcorn:


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: WayAbvPar on August 22, 2014, 01:27:01 PM
I am just sad Suarez and Balotelli aren't going to be sharing time on the training grounds. That would be something epic just waiting to happen.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on August 22, 2014, 01:34:18 PM
I'm not sure Balotelli needs anyone else on the pitch for him to go fuckbat. He'd probably get sent off for kicking the end line because it looked at him funny. That dude is 17 shades of bugnuts.

And now he's all Liverpool's. Twice the chaos of Suarez, half the fucking talent. I suppose 16 million pounds is cheap for a guy who does obviously have talent but I hope the behavior clauses Liverpool have inserted into the contract are pretty stringent.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: eldaec on August 22, 2014, 03:06:43 PM
He 'only' cost 16M, so although there is no conceivable way contract clauses could be useful, I guess the theory is that at worst we've wasted a few million when he gets sold on and at best scored an incredible bargain.

Meh. I trust Rogers not to get caught up trying to defend him the way Dalglish or Benitez might have if it goes wrong.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: WayAbvPar on August 22, 2014, 03:17:35 PM
If?


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Lucas on August 22, 2014, 03:27:16 PM
So glad we finally managed to sell that piece of shit. Bye, fucker (and, yeah, I echo the opinion of the  majority of AC Milan fans regarding Balotelli).


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Hoax on August 22, 2014, 05:22:23 PM
Fucking Real Madrid. There's just no way this lineup will work. And the shithead fans are going to probably blame Benzema again.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on August 22, 2014, 08:18:30 PM
It'll work well enough to get them about where they got last year, but I don't think they win the title. I'm pegging Barcelona for that unless Athleti really gels. I'd put the league finishes of the top 3 a toss up. Athletico will be a better team top to bottom, Barcelona will be the most impressive and Real Madrid will have great individual performances but shit defense again.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: eldaec on September 01, 2014, 03:53:29 PM
Man U are paying Falcao £300k per week. Arsenal are paying £16M for Danny Welbeck.

Makes the Balotelli signing look a lot better in that context.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Hoax on September 01, 2014, 05:48:35 PM
Even Ronaldo knows that RM is fucking up and has told the press he would have handled the squad differently. I wonder if this is his last season there if things get really ugly because judging from their 2 defeats so far it could.

Isker has no business being the #1 goalie for a top club, that must be political. Or at best an attempt to avoid some locker room friction.

Their defense is not improved and they are getting maybe half the cover they used to get from midfield.

I thought the ref was making awful calls most of the game against Sociedad esp in the 2nd half but no way did RM deserve anything but maybe a point for such a shit display.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on September 02, 2014, 08:29:44 AM
Lets hope they fail gloriously, it'll be so much fun to watch.

It's early but Chelsea scares me...


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: croaker69 on September 02, 2014, 09:03:51 AM
The Chelsea/Everton game was glorious and I hate Chelsea.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: WayAbvPar on September 02, 2014, 09:30:06 AM
The Chelsea/Everton game was glorious and I hate Chelsea.

And I love Tim Howard for getting out there ready to choke a bitch.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Hoax on September 02, 2014, 09:42:30 AM
Lets hope they fail gloriously, it'll be so much fun to watch.

It's early but Chelsea scares me...

RM failing is Barca succeeding so no thanks. Fuck those guys. Every single one of them. Also if RM can make that roster work it'll be amazing to watch which is what I said last year and it was amazing but its that much harder to imagine this year.

For me its just frustrating they could have given last years roster unchanged another run out and if the squad gelled that much more it would have been unstoppable. Instead they have completely blown apart everything that was working for more names in bright lights.

Giving up Di Maria for James is stupid. Di Maria did exactly what you needed him to do and was the glue that held together all the toughest games last year. There is no evidence of either of those new guys being able to put in the kind of defensive effort that Di Maria did consistently. I'm a huge James fan but that was not a good piece of team building.

Losing Morata and gaining Chicharito. This does not sound like an upgrade. What the hell.

Losing Diego Lopez because reasons. Stupid. Casilias is completely done mentally as a GK in Madrid.

The one piece of good business they did was selling Xabi Alonso before it became any more obvious that he's done being a top player. He's MLS designated player quality at this point, I watched him a lot last year and he just doesn't have it anymore.



Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on September 02, 2014, 09:44:21 AM
Man U renting Falcao was to me almost as stupid as Milan paying Torres $200k/wk to reach row Zed more than the goal mouth. I suppose it gave them cover to get rid of both Chicarito and Welbeck, but both of those players were decent players when they have service. Man U wasn't hurting for strikers - they are hurting for depth in both midfield and especially defense. LVG dragging his feet all summer didn't make any sense to me. Also, getting rid of Kagawa, who NOBODY at United have ever figured out how to use was also stupid. Blind at least was a good signing, as he's versatile enough to play wingback or center back and even midfield. He can only play one of those positions at a time though.  :why_so_serious: DiMaria might be a good signing if they played traditional wingers - otherwise he seems an expensive player without a firm position in the tactical setup. I'm not convinced he can play central box to box and Mata is already the #10.

Real Madrid is doing what Real Madrid does. They are spending shittons of money on signings that don't make a lot of fucking sense in the context of a team. Chicarito was a good signing until he gets pissed for being in the same position on the bench as he was at United. Selling Alonso seems unwise. There's a good 2 years left in those knees. Kroos is not the kind of creative passer that Alonso was, Khedira isn't happy and again isn't the same kind of passer and Modric is most certainly not as good defensively. Selling DiMaria was just idiotic as well but with James Rodriguez being the new shiney, he wouldn't be getting nearly enough games. EDIT: Also the whole Iker Casillas thing is INSANE. He was FUCKING TERRIBAD in the Champion's League and the World Cup.

I think the Prem is going to come down to Chelsea/Man City, with Liverpool and Arsenal 4th. Chelsea is just so well balanced in their buys, they removed some dead weight and added quality. Remy will be a good backup for the 10-15 games when Costa's hammys are unstrung. Man City has so much fucking depth, especially at the back compared to the other top 4. Liverpool will look good but I'm not sure they can beat Chelsea and Man City enough to win the title.

Arsenal is its own special brand of WTF transfer business. Sanchez was a good buy, Welbeck was a good buy (for a position they should have filled years ago). But their central defense is paper thin (and Mertesacker WILL get injured at some point this season) and their central midfield lacks steel. Arteta is too slow to maintain a link between defense and attack when those ahead of him turn on the jets. Everton and Spurs will likely fight over 5th - Spurs will be a LOT better with Pochettino. Everton simply don't have the money to break 4th.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Amarr HM on September 02, 2014, 03:49:41 PM
Man U renting Falcao was to me almost as stupid as Milan paying Torres $200k/wk to reach row Zed more than the goal mouth. I suppose it gave them cover to get rid of both Chicarito and Welbeck, but both of those players were decent players when they have service. Man U wasn't hurting for strikers - they are hurting for depth in both midfield and especially defense.

Think everyone is missing the point, neither Welbeck and Chicarito provided regular goals. Without RVP we just weren't scoring and last season he was out a lot. He's also due for another knee op which will put him out for a few months so we needed someone to come in and actually put the ball in the net, this could actually turn out to be a master stroke.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: lamaros on September 02, 2014, 04:09:46 PM
We are still missing a box to box midfielder and a couple of defenders though. Vidic, Evra and Ferdinand are gone ad what do we have to show down there instead?


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Amarr HM on September 02, 2014, 05:17:11 PM
I think we're ok though, if you look at it, of the top six teams only Man City have a defense worth writing home about. Liverpool got away with murder against Spurs.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on September 02, 2014, 07:51:57 PM
I don't know, I think Chelsea's defense is solid enough compared to everyone else but Man City. You're right though, everybody's defense sucks these days.

I knew RVP had a knee issue, I hadn't heard he's going under the knife. Is that confirmed? If so, it makes the Falcao thing make a little more sense. I do think the reason neither Welbeck or Chicarito were scoring goals is because they were criminally misused under Moyes. Welbeck kept getting shunted to the wing and Chicarito never got starts.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Amarr HM on September 03, 2014, 02:46:28 AM
I read that in quite a few places but it has turned out to be a rumour, but even if he doesn't require it it's RVP & he's made of glass. I would rather have Falcao in the team for those times than Welbeck/Chicarito & Rooney.

I've been impressed with Jones at CB last few games and Blackett could be good with more gametime. If we can get Johnny Evans back to his form from two years ago then our defensive woes will be averted. But that's probably wishful thinking on my part.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: eldaec on September 03, 2014, 04:46:04 AM
I don't think there us anything wrong with selling Welbeck and buying Falcao when the opportunity arose. It just happens to draw attention to a lack of signings elsewhere.

In defence I suspect Jones is actually a decent player. The problem is that even good defenders look bad when surrounded by terrible defenders.

Anyway, they need improve a hell of a lot if they plan to challenge 4th place.

Only change I see from last year's top of tge table is Chelsea coming 1st instead of 3rd.



Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Amarr HM on September 03, 2014, 05:25:52 AM
I think we might have missed a trick on letting De Vrij go to Lazio, but other than that I don't think we've been any less complacent than other teams in the transfer market.
Both Rojo and Blind can play the CB role and Blind will be the box to box midfielder I reckon. I like the look of Blind, lots of energy, excellent all rounder.
I don't know who we can knockout of the top 4 this year, it's going to be interesting to say the least.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on September 03, 2014, 09:10:33 AM
I suspect that Liverpool and Arsenal are the two that are fragile enough to be knocked out of the top 4. Both are kind of shaky at the back at times. Arsenal is going to depend on how much production they get out of the forward position - which is really going to be based on how many games will be missed due to injury. I think Liverpool is a little deeper in central midfield and way deeper in the winger/forward area and less prone to injury. Neither side's goalkeepers excite me.

I'm having a hard time seeing the top 7 changing much from last season. Man U is going to have a struggle against Spurs, who will likely feast on the teams lower than them and struggle against the top 3. Everton and Man U will probably dance around behind Spurs in the end.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Amarr HM on September 14, 2014, 02:42:17 PM
Very pleased with that today, so many new players coming in but yet slotting straight away. No Ashley Young either; thank fuck.

Impressed with Danny Blind linked up defense and midfield a la Carrick but showing a lot more to his game. Will need to up our game a fair bit to go toe to toe with the top teams but hopefully this is a new start.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on September 15, 2014, 09:22:58 AM
Meanwhile, Liverpool shits the bed against Villa, who somehow always play us tough. It likely didn't help that our entire front line of 4 had never played a competitive game together. Still for the spend Liverpool have put out, you expect a better offensive showing at home.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on September 22, 2014, 07:11:31 AM
Oh Man U  :uhrr:

Still how the FUCK does Vardy get away with that challenge on Rafael seconds before the penalty? That was godawful. (the penalty looked pretty darn soft too)


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on September 22, 2014, 08:05:33 AM
I would like to laugh at Man. U's collapse against a potential relegation candidate but I find it hard to speak from a position of authority when Liverpool can't even score 2 goals against West fucking Ham.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Amarr HM on September 22, 2014, 10:28:16 AM
Clattenbergs decision yesterday was one of the most dubious I've ever seen. I cannot for the life of me see how he has interpreted a) not a foul on Rafael b) a penalty. That's two horrendous decisions for price of one, he's sent off 3 United players and given 5 penalties against in last 5 games. I think he's compensating for all the favours hes given our way in the past, he's a terrible ref.

One thing I'm happy about is at least we're exciting to watch again, Moyes version of United was as dull as dishwater.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Hoax on October 25, 2014, 11:54:51 AM
So with Bale hurt Madrid apparently have found a lineup that leans heavily on Isco + Modric + Kroos playing as if they are true 2-way players somehow to allow James, CR7 and Benzema to maraud forward whenever possible.

The final scoreline flatters the hell out of them, they were very close to losing this game and it took pretty pedestrian games from Neymar, Messi, Iniesta and Xavi to get that result. But more importantly the lineup looked like it shouldn't give up goals all over the place against lesser competition like RM looked at the start of the season.

Not sure what they will do when Bale is back. I'm not sure they can fit the 3 attackers AND Bale unless James or Bale can change their game so they can be trusted with some defensive responsibility. I'm also super not sure that I wouldn't rather have Di Maria than James in this lineup and I love the kid as a player its just a little sad to see Kroos and esp Modric so shackled with responsibilities and Di Maria would have let them get forward more because you can trust him to see dangers and track back well if needed.

As for the EPL. I haven't watched much but LFC looked really bad in Champion's League against RM. Most of the 2nd half looked like both teams knew who was going to win and were just going through the motions.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on October 25, 2014, 04:47:15 PM
LFC is having to rely on Balotelli up front and he is one immobile, selfish, uninspired shithead. I can tell he has physical talent but he is a pudding brain. Also, Mignolet plays like he has a leash tied to his ass keeping him from leaving his goal line. I think he believes the 6-yard line is made of anthrax or something.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Bunk on October 29, 2014, 08:59:34 PM
Why do I watch fucking Soccer? Am I a masochist? Yea, I know MLS barely qualifies, but fuck.

Vancouver/Dallas, one game elimination. Tied 1/1 at 80 minutes. Dallas throw in gets headed, bounces up and catches a Vancouver defender in the arm. His arms were literally behind his back, with no Dallas player near by, no motion of the arm towards the ball at all. This was supposedly an experienced World Cup ref.

Dallas penalty. 2 - 1 Dallas, thanks for wasting my season you stupid fucking ref. Congrats Dallas, that was a skilfully won game.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: WayAbvPar on October 29, 2014, 09:41:18 PM
Hate to say it, but that is good for me. Whitecaps are tough on the Sounders.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Bunk on October 30, 2014, 07:04:56 AM
Just to rub salt in the wound - local sports radio on the way in to work this morning plays an add for buying tickets for this Sunday's game, our first ever home playoff game! Yea, about that...


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Bunk on October 30, 2014, 07:30:36 AM
This is what decided a single elimination playoff game btw:

(http://giant.gfycat.com/BasicGiddyCoypu.gif)


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on October 30, 2014, 10:16:59 AM
Yeah, that should not have been called but I can see some ref getting an antsy whistle on it. Outside the box, maybe? For a penalty that could decide a critical game like that? No, you gotta swallow the whistle on that one.

EDIT: Forgot to mention - rare sighting. Mario Balotelli scores a goal!!!!!!!

I still wish he would fuck right off and Rodgers would start a Lambert/Borini combo still Sturridge gets back but it was a good goal (and a great cross from Borini).


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on October 30, 2014, 10:21:17 AM
I'd say that's not as bad a call as you made it out to be. Defenders arms were NOT behind his back. He tracked the flight of the ball, knew it was going to bounce. Move or have your arms the fuck out the way.

edit: Watched a cpl more times in real time and in slow mo. That wasn't a bad call. That was your defender being a fucking MORON.

Still a shitty way to end a match.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Paelos on October 30, 2014, 10:52:44 AM
Speaking as a keeper, that's the right call in my mind. You can't just decide to not call things like that given the situation. That ball bounces by the defender and who knows? It's a key play in the box at that point.

Does it suck that it nets a penalty? Yeah, but those are the rules. They are free to change them if they want to make it different. Or they want to move the penalty spot back (my personal choice).

EDIT: Interesting take on the issue. http://grantland.com/the-triangle/crime-and-punishment-should-the-penalty-kick-spot-be-moved-back/


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Bunk on October 30, 2014, 11:08:18 AM
Obviously I am biased, but I don't see it that way. I see a guy who was anticipating one of the two guys going for the header would make contact and they didn't. He then has a split second to react to the ball bouncing in front of him. His hands are down at his side and he tries to hop out of the way, as it kicks up he even pulls his arm back to try to avoid the contact - his right hand is behind his hip and moving back by the time the ball makes contact.

Did it touch his arm? yes. Did he "deliberately" play the ball with his arm? Not even remotely. He's guilty of reacting a bit late at most, but all of his movement was in trying to get his arm out of the way.

The ref made two other hand ball calls in the game, one blatant one where the Dallas player on the ground played it with his hand - no card given, just a free kick at midfield. This call decided the game.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Amarr HM on November 01, 2014, 05:07:25 AM
Definitely harsh. It was a pretty clear cut intervention, albeit an accidental one.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: eldaec on November 01, 2014, 05:38:27 AM
My view on almost all offences on a football field:

If you affect play illegally for any reason and gain material advantage, you should concede a freekick-penalty. Fine to say it is accidental, but a handball can penalize an attacker as much as the penalty penalizes the defender. Don't see why the attacker should lose out because you are insufficiently competent with your arms. That said, I do think refs should hold off blowing their whistle a little longer than they do to judge if any meaningful advantage was gained.

If you do anything recklessly add a yellow card.

Deliberate or dangerous, red card.



The problem with football rules is that though there aren't actually that many rules, they are all far too complicated.

OTOH as the actual rule says it has to be deliberate, wheras the gif makes him look like a ball watching lackwit - yeah, looks harsh.



Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Sir T on November 01, 2014, 06:55:24 AM
Stuff like that is why I find Gaelic Football or Australian Rules football far more enjoyable to watch. It's just not natural to not use your hands in that situation, and its so much of a judgement call on "accidental" or "deliberate" when the player is fighting his instincts the whole time.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on November 09, 2014, 10:21:34 PM
Btw, Gary Cahill...now THAT was a handball in the box :uhrr:.

Mind you , Liverpool are just horrendous at defending. Even on a personal level...some players with terrible technique...wtf?


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Amarr HM on November 10, 2014, 09:25:03 AM
Sakho has the touch of a rapist.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on November 10, 2014, 12:52:02 PM
Too bad he wasn't playing this weekend. Not that it would have mattered. It's come far enough that I was actually happy with the way Liverpool played. It was certainly an improvement over their performance against Newcastle.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on November 10, 2014, 02:40:20 PM
So your saying you've hit the acceptance stage in the grief cycle?  :why_so_serious:


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on November 10, 2014, 02:56:15 PM
That happened about the time we lost to fucking Basel after almost shitting the bed against Ludacris.  :why_so_serious:

No, this team is just not a world beater without Suarez and it's not top 4 quality without Sturridge. Our defense has been suspect since Carragher retired and it doesn't help that Mignolet plays like his ass is tethered to the goal line and his 6 yard box is surrounded by fire and a moat filled with sharks with freaking lasers on their head. Also, fucking Balotelli. Just... why? Saturday's game was the first game where he actually look lively (not that he looked like he'd score or anything but at least he was moving). Balotelli has been so bad I was HAPPY that Borini was starting against Madrid. I'd rather he or Lambert were up front in Sturridge's absence. Emre Can is starting to look like a good guy, thankfully. Glenn Johnson is pretty much useless these days - not good enough in defense and not offering nearly the offensive threat he used to. The second goal was partly made because Coutinho was back defending in Johnson's place (still haven't figured out where the fuck Johnson was) and Coutinho is a TERRIBLE defender.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Jeff Kelly on November 24, 2014, 05:21:29 AM
The problem with football rules is that though there aren't actually that many rules, they are all far too complicated.

That's because of cheating or 'creative rule interpretation' making it necessary to clarify/expand the ruleset. It's actually why most rules get more complex over time even though no actual new rules are added.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on November 24, 2014, 07:20:41 AM
Revolution!


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on November 24, 2014, 10:27:04 AM
Dear God, Liverpool is fucking awful. Yep, let's score a goal after 90 seconds on the team that has gotten 1 point from the last 5 games, then proceed to let that shitty tattoo 3 goals without getting even one more fucking shot on target. It's just fucking atrocious. Rodgers keeps insisting on 4-3-3 with one real striker up top then watching the entire team provide that striker with no service, get no chances from the midfield, have no width because the fullbacks cannot seem to get down the field far enough to put any pressure on the wings (yet also can't do shit about getting back and defending the wings so I'm not sure what the fuck they ARE doing all game) and THEN when it looks like a draw may be the best we can hope for, watch the defense go all cock-eyed when counter-attacked, get out of position just long enough to make Simon Mignolet miss saves he should have been making if he'd been positioned right in the first place.

There are good players on the team. They just don't seem to have any fucking idea what they are doing now without having a world's greatest player playing in front of them. They have no cohesion. Their tactics don't even seem to have a point anymore. It's like they are still looking for those 2 players ahead of them to create space even though those 2 guys aren't even in the team. I'm glad Rickey Lambert got the start and got the goal - but they really need to be altering their tactics based on who IS in the lineup. They should be going some kind of 4-4-2, maybe with a diamond shaped midfield - Lallana at the top, Can at the base with Sterling and Coutinho to either wing. Put Lambert and Borini as a more traditional 2 up top and for fuck's sake, get Martin Skrtel out of the goddamn lineup before the pigeons start to make a nest on him like they do other statues. And get a real top flight goalkeeper because Mignolet had regressed.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on December 01, 2014, 08:19:27 AM
Revs and Galaxy in MLS cup final. Woot woot!

Revs probably will get crushed (doesn't help that its in LA) but I'm holding out hope this is a Rams - Patriots 2001 sorta thing.

You can now get back to bitching about how bad Liverpool is (though Glenn Johnson has some big brass balls)


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on December 01, 2014, 09:54:19 AM
Well, he needed to do something, he'd been pretty worthless the entire season up until that point. This might have been the first game he's actually contributing in any meaningful way offensively since like January. I still can't understand why Rodgers keeps putting Joe Allen in there either, he has done just about fuckall to deserve it. I'd rather see a midfield of Lucas, Henderson and Can than Allen. They did at least get a lot better in the second half, finally showing some kind of intensity.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on December 06, 2014, 05:24:40 PM
Suck it Chelsea!  :awesome_for_real:


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on December 06, 2014, 05:29:22 PM
I would point and laugh at both Chelsea & Arsenal, then I remember Liverpool drew to fucking Sunderland at Anfield and I just can't muster the energy to slot that one home. Much like my team.  :why_so_serious:


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on December 07, 2014, 06:09:15 PM
What Chris Tierney giveth, Chris Tierney taketh away (scores the tying goal, plays Robbie Keane onside for the game winner for some reason)

Fuck LA.



Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: WayAbvPar on December 08, 2014, 10:18:24 AM
What Chris Tierney giveth, Chris Tierney taketh away (scores the tying goal, plays Robbie Keane onside for the game winner for some reason)

Fuck LA.




This. Eternally.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on December 14, 2014, 04:54:49 PM
Ahh Liverpool went with the "LOL defence" today.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Amarr HM on December 15, 2014, 02:10:05 AM
De Gea got in the way of every shot while Brad Jones jumped out of the way.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: WayAbvPar on December 15, 2014, 09:40:48 AM
That was a crazy game. Definitely the best game I have seen De Gea have in a ManU shirt. Never been a big fan of his. Now I think he is almost adequate  :grin: Also, LOL @ Balotelli. I could watch him fail all day.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Amarr HM on December 15, 2014, 10:02:44 AM
Yeh Balotellis' dismay at none of his shots going into the back of the net (ever), is quite mirth inducing.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on December 15, 2014, 11:41:27 AM
That was fucking painful to watch. It's not like either team actually played worth a shit other than DeGea. Liverpool did have some nice passing but no finish and that's the main difference between the two sides. Man. U. has at least 3 guys in the starting lineup who can actually finish (Van Persie, Rooney and Mata) while Liverpool only has Sterling and he hasn't finished anything since early November. Both defenses are pretty goddamn bad but at least Man. U. has the excuse that most of their back line is injured. Liverpool's is just fucking awful. It's a horror show. That 2nd goal should have been offside but it really doesn't matter whether it was or not because 2 defenders just let Mata run free in the box like he wasn't even there. At least Lovren had his back to Mata but Moreno is standing there watching Mata flash across his face like he's sitting on his couch with a hot pocket. Every single one of those goals was a result of someone either not tracking back (Rooney being wide open at the 18-yard line), or someone being completely fucking unmarked in the box while a cross comes directly over the head of multiple defenders (the other 2 goals).


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Amarr HM on December 16, 2014, 04:17:14 AM
Definitely the best game I have seen De Gea have in a ManU shirt. Never been a big fan of his. Now I think he is almost adequate  :grin:

Interesting analysis from Gary Neville (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2cnk94_rec217_auto?start=99).


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: WayAbvPar on December 16, 2014, 10:56:24 AM
Definitely the best game I have seen De Gea have in a ManU shirt. Never been a big fan of his. Now I think he is almost adequate  :grin:

Interesting analysis from Gary Neville (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2cnk94_rec217_auto?start=99).

Thanks for the link- that was very enlightening (and thank Christ Neville shaved his mustache eventually!). It is funny that he specifically mentioned his arm position in the saves yesterday- I noticed that while I was watching. As a former goalkeeper I think that sort of stuff is interesting  :grin:

I always worried that De Gea wouldn't get it and that he isn't the physical specimen Van der Sar was, so he wouldn't be able to make up for any mental errors. Looks like his brain is making up for any physical shortcomings these days. Now, if he could just get a defense that didn't hang him out to dry so regularly...


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on December 16, 2014, 01:10:14 PM
Hell if Simon Mignolet would have caught about 20% more of the crosses/corners that came into his box over the last 2 seasons, Liverpool would have a title and he'd have started Sunday.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: lamaros on December 21, 2014, 11:11:54 PM
De Gea has been pretty good from the moment he joined Utd. He has improved in the air a lot, but otherwise he was already good. I think a lot of the "omg, he's turned it around" crap was just from the British media needing something Utd related to write articles about (because you've always got to write about the big teams all the time), and they decided that De Gea was the way to go, and starting hanging crap on him.

So now they've gone to the other end of it.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Amarr HM on December 22, 2014, 08:07:17 AM
Gary Neville's analysis went way over your head then. I didn't think he was great, flapping crosses, too tentative coming off his line, punching shots back into the six yard box, going down to quickly.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: WayAbvPar on December 22, 2014, 04:26:27 PM
I am with you, Amarr. I don't see every United game, but I have seen enough over the past few years to develop a keen sense of dread when depending on De Gea to do something beyond pedestrian. He was a completely different keeper vs LFC (which is the only game I have caught recently, but they are in the top 4 without fielding an actual defense so he must be doing something right).


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Amarr HM on January 07, 2015, 07:04:42 AM
So Gerrard has confirmed he's moving to LA Galaxy, which means you stateside Liverpool fans might get a change to see him in action.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on January 07, 2015, 08:26:20 AM
Damnit, now I have to root for the Galaxy.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on January 07, 2015, 10:03:34 AM
No, no you fucking don't.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: WayAbvPar on January 07, 2015, 10:50:20 AM
Damnit, now I have to root for the Galaxy.

That is like rooting for the Nazis in Schindler's List.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Teleku on January 07, 2015, 12:44:56 PM
Not having watched or given the slightest shit about MLS/soccer, why is rooting for the Galaxy bad?  I mean, rooting against anything from LA should be encouraged, but curious if there is anything in particular that's rage inducing.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: WayAbvPar on January 07, 2015, 01:03:01 PM
Not having watched or given the slightest shit about MLS/soccer, why is rooting for the Galaxy bad?  I mean, rooting against anything from LA should be encouraged, but curious if there is anything in particular that's rage inducing.

They are basically the Yankees of MLS. Always have a roster full of stars, and win a lot of trophies.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on January 07, 2015, 01:06:41 PM
And Robbie Keane, god fuck does he come off as a whining douche bag on the field.

(not bitter or anything!)


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Sir T on January 07, 2015, 03:28:21 PM
Imagine having that fuckhead on your national team.  :ye_gods:


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: WayAbvPar on January 07, 2015, 03:34:34 PM
Well at least you don't have to watch him the World Cup  :drill:


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Sir T on January 07, 2015, 03:46:01 PM
 You monster :*( :heartbreak:


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on January 07, 2015, 04:12:56 PM
I like Robbie Keane as a player and thought he got a raw deal at Liverpool (Thanks Rafa!). As for whining douchebags on the field, it's not like he ever reached Christiano Ronaldo levels of whine. Or Nani.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: WayAbvPar on January 07, 2015, 04:23:13 PM
Oh god. How I loathe Nani. He has played for my fav non-SSFC team for a decade and I hate him with every fiber of my being.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Sir T on January 08, 2015, 04:55:55 AM
Well yeah but I am not as familiar with those, and they don't get plastered all over my local newsagents by a fawning press  :oh_i_see:


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Amarr HM on January 08, 2015, 06:09:20 AM
I'm not a big fan of Keanes on field whinging. But he is, by a country mile, the best striker Ireland has ever produced.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Sir T on January 09, 2015, 08:08:48 AM
Yep, cant take that away from him.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Amarr HM on January 13, 2015, 04:06:05 AM
Interesting one here, Puskas award for best goal in 2014 was won by James Rodriguez strike in the World Cup, but only marginally pipped Stephanie Roche a female playing in the amateur leagues in Ireland. Shame she didn't win, anyhow here's the goal. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpBvBRn4juw).



Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on January 13, 2015, 09:42:56 AM
Damn, Chica. Liverpool should sign her.  :awesome_for_real:


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Jeff Kelly on January 13, 2015, 09:44:51 AM
Neuer not winning the ballon d'or is bullshit btw.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Tale on January 22, 2015, 11:38:05 AM
Tim Cahill says hi. (http://youtu.be/FKCLFRQ6o0s)


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: WayAbvPar on January 22, 2015, 11:43:12 AM
God I am going to be annoyed if De Gea fucks off to RM now that he is not terrible. Bale will come in return and ManU will lose every game 3-2  :heartbreak:


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on January 22, 2015, 11:46:13 AM
Hey, you can have Simon Mignolet. I'm sure Liverpool would be happy to practically give him to you. Well, I would anyway.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Sir T on January 25, 2015, 03:47:34 AM
hey did you know that the US has a Womans Soccer team? Its true! And they are breaking into the big time with the traditional NFL pursuits...

http://www.sportsbreak.com/soccer/hope-solo-suspended-30-days-after-latest-incident

Quote
(http://www.sportsbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/07814035-760x350.jpg)

The United States Soccer Federation has suspended goalkeeper Hope Solo for 30 days after her latest brush with the law. Solo was with in the car with her husband, former NFL player Jerramy Stevens, when he was arrested around 2 a.m. Monday morning. According to the police report, Solo was also heavily intoxicated.

It was only last week that Solo had two domestic violence charges dropped stemming from an altercation with her sister and nephew at a party last June. A lot of critics were calling for U.S. Soccer to suspend her following that incident, in the same way that the NFL began to suspend players before their legal cases were resolved.

Solo’s national team coach Jill Ellis released the following statement:

During our current National Team camp, Hope made a poor decision that has resulted in a negative impact on U.S. Soccer and her teammates. We feel at this time it is best for her to step away from the team.

Solo responded on Facebook, saying she apologizes for her actions and accepts the suspension. The FIFA Women’s World Cup is just months away, and Solo’s distractions could disrupt the team’s preparations. They haven’t won a World Cup since 1999.

USA USA!!


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Paelos on January 25, 2015, 09:34:44 AM
She's crossed the hot/crazy line.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Teleku on January 25, 2015, 07:08:08 PM
hey did you know that the US has a Womans Soccer team? Its true! And they are breaking into the big time with the traditional NFL pursuits...
Up until recently, I'd say the women's team was more well know nationally than the men's.  Growing up in the 90's, soccer was considered more of a women's sport (at least in my area), though that's started to change.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Tale on January 26, 2015, 04:55:21 PM
Wilfred Bony skills

https://vine.co/v/OIlXu9qv1r7


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on January 27, 2015, 08:26:49 AM
City got an absolute steal on this guy for less than 30 million. Liverpool could have had him for a Mario Balotelli and 60% of Dejan Lovren at the start of the season. They chose poorly.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on January 27, 2015, 08:29:51 AM
Socceroos through to the final of the Asian Cup vs S Korea. Woot.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on February 25, 2015, 09:56:45 PM
LOL ARSENAL.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Ginaz on February 27, 2015, 06:00:36 PM
So, it looks like there might be some trouble brewing with the next World Cup, being held in Russia.  Apparently, according to a report regarding racism in Russian soccer "shows a really quite gruesome picture of a domestic league which is full of aspects of racism, xenophobia: The far-right play a significant role in the fan culture,".  It's so bad, they are not only afraid for the players on the field but the fans coming to watch the games.  This could really unravel quickly if players follow through with their threats to walk of the field if they're subjected to racist taunts en mass.  Russia, showing once again why its a shit hole filled with crazy, despicable people.
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/russian-soccer-s-discrimination-a-threat-to-world-cup-report-1.2976312



Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on March 22, 2015, 06:37:33 PM
Mata's second goal today. wow.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on March 23, 2015, 07:23:11 PM
Yeah. That may be goal of the season. Too bad Liverpool didn't decide to play at all until Gerrard got red-carded for a stupid stamp. And it looks like Skrtel's stamp is going to get him 3 games as well. Good fucking job, guys. Way to piss away 4th place.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Amarr HM on March 24, 2015, 04:37:29 AM
The way I saw it Liverpool couldn't play, Uniteds high pressing and tidy possession saw to that. In the second half United eased off the gas and allowed Liverpool back into it. We did the same to Spurs last week and to Arsenal, so it's no coincidence, we got gazumped by Arsenal which Liverpool nearly did aswell.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Tale on May 17, 2015, 06:45:02 PM
The chairman fell off the stage, while trying to present the trophy to the champions of Australia's A-League: https://vine.co/v/eAauhmdAxUt


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Abagadro on May 26, 2015, 11:07:26 PM
Ha. They arrested a bunch of FIFA officials for corruption. To quote Apocalypse Now that's like handing out speeding tickets at the Indy 500.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Xuri on May 27, 2015, 03:16:08 AM
About time. Several people in the US not directly related to FIFA also arrested in relation to same investigation, it seems?

Quote from a CNN article:
Quote
...the Swiss Federal Office of Justice said that those arrested are accused of accepting bribes and kickbacks totaling more than $100 million, from the early 1990s until now.

Also, surprise, surprise. Blatter is not among the arrested, and will run more or less unopposed in election as new FIFA president. :P


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Gimfain on June 02, 2015, 10:10:43 AM
Blatter resigned.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Trippy on June 02, 2015, 11:10:30 AM
Discussion already in progress:

http://forums.f13.net/index.php?topic=24864.msg1366653#msg1366653


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: WayAbvPar on June 17, 2015, 11:19:44 AM
Clint Dempsey knows how to get sent off in style (http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33161464)

Very disappointed I didn't watch the stream of this (it wasn't televised). Hope there is video of it somewhere.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on June 18, 2015, 09:56:33 AM
Damn, sounds like he went all Lou Pinella on it.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Ginaz on June 18, 2015, 10:03:23 AM
So I guess no one knows/cares that the women's World Cup is happening here in Canada?  Anyone?  Bueller?  Bueller? :awesome_for_real:


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on June 18, 2015, 10:06:51 AM
I realize it may be misogynistic to say so, but I've just never been able to get into women's sports. I applaud them, I have no problem with them, but I just don't have any interest in watching them.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: 01101010 on June 18, 2015, 12:30:48 PM
So I guess no one knows/cares that the women's World Cup is happening here in Canada?  Anyone?  Bueller?  Bueller? :awesome_for_real:

I've been watching with the GF. Not every night, but definitely when matches are on a channel I get, it is on the TV. Watched France last night take Mex to the woodshed and the US women prior to that. I like the USA, Rapinoe and Johnston are playing out of their minds. I really have only been subjected to the USA matches because TV viewing limitations so I only have that group for reference - though I have picked up a few halfs at the gym when they show Fox Sports 1. I can say that of the other matches I have briefly seen, Ivory Coast vs Thailand was really bad... amateur hour bad with very rare flashes of regular plays.

As for Group D, Australia looks up to speed now and probably would beat the USA if they meet again. Sweden looked really good technically, but lacked finish. Nigeria was respectable and was the wildcard team in that they seem to be the team that exploited opportunities the best. The US should have won 4-0 against them, but Nigeria's goalie (played insanely well and made some huge saves) and the US's failure to finish set pieces kept them in it.

That is about all I have so far. Hope to see more teams once the knock rounds start.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on June 19, 2015, 09:59:57 AM
I'm really the enjoying world cup (I'll basically watch soccer in just about any form) if for nothing else it's a rare occasion to see my national team play (Go the Matildas!) and not suck horribly (Looking at you socceroos). Next up, Brazil!   :ye_gods:

In some ways watching women's soccer can actually be better than the men's. The men's game can be so tight defensively that it can get damn boring, the women? Not so much , so more excitement at times.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: WayAbvPar on June 19, 2015, 10:03:32 AM
I don't mind women's soccer nearly as much as I do shit like basketball and softball (which are utterly unwatchable). I only really watch the US, however. And I love me some Sydney Leroux, even though I loathe fake breasts.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Ginaz on June 19, 2015, 10:52:57 AM
I don't mind women's soccer nearly as much as I do shit like basketball and softball (which are utterly unwatchable). I only really watch the US, however. And I love me some Sydney Leroux, even though I loathe fake breasts.

Do you loathe fake Americans, too? :awesome_for_real:


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: 01101010 on June 19, 2015, 11:17:20 AM
I don't mind women's soccer nearly as much as I do shit like basketball and softball (which are utterly unwatchable). I only really watch the US, however. And I love me some Sydney Leroux, even though I loathe fake breasts.

Do you loathe fake Americans, too? :awesome_for_real:

She liked us better.  :why_so_serious:


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: 01101010 on June 22, 2015, 05:51:16 PM
USA looks like shit. Columbia looks like they want it a whole lot more.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on June 23, 2015, 04:49:23 AM
Australia beating Brazil was the best fathers day gift I got (mind you I told my wife it was the second best gift)


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: 01101010 on June 23, 2015, 06:36:54 AM
Full respect to Wambach, but she just is not fast enough to keep up this Cup. Unless the USA changes to 3 forwards, I don't understand her starting. She is huge on set pieces - at least she should be, but so far that part has been pretty silent. USA needs to speed things up or they aren't going to get past China... which would be lulz.

IMHO, if Columbia's goalie had not been red carded, that match could have gone either way. The USA always plays better in the 2nd, but Columbia was the more scrappier of the two teams. That said, the US defense is insanely good and if anything, that will get them to the finals.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: WayAbvPar on June 23, 2015, 09:25:36 AM
Rapinoe has to sit due to the asinine yellow card rules (really? 2 yellows in 4 games gets you a 1 game suspension? Fucking clownshoes), so there may be another reason to change the formation. She has been the most consistent thread going forward.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: 01101010 on June 23, 2015, 10:33:41 AM
Rapinoe has to sit due to the asinine yellow card rules (really? 2 yellows in 4 games gets you a 1 game suspension? Fucking clownshoes), so there may be another reason to change the formation. She has been the most consistent thread going forward.

Agreed. Yellows should count per stage. Yellows in the round-robin should stay in the qualifying round. Rules never change though without the moneyhats saying something. Bigger travesty has been using turf over grass. Whoever thought that a good idea and approved it should be strapped to the back of a 4wheeler and drug behind it over that turf.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Bunk on June 23, 2015, 01:46:31 PM
Try finding a real grass stadium that holds 50k people in Canada - there aren't many. I wish it was grass, but hey, at least its brand new fancy turf.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Tale on June 23, 2015, 07:16:40 PM
How to tackle yourself (http://pbs.twimg.com/tweet_video/CIOxumYUEAEBGIR.mp4) (video from Women's World Cup Japan v Netherlands match a few minutes ago)


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: 01101010 on June 23, 2015, 07:27:12 PM
Try finding a real grass stadium that holds 50k people in Canada - there aren't many. I wish it was grass, but hey, at least its brand new fancy turf.

Well it IS the World Cup and FIFA... They can afford to lay sod down a month before.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Abagadro on June 23, 2015, 11:30:48 PM
How to tackle yourself (http://pbs.twimg.com/tweet_video/CIOxumYUEAEBGIR.mp4) (video from Women's World Cup Japan v Netherlands match a few minutes ago)

Leonel Messi she ain't.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Paelos on June 24, 2015, 05:06:01 AM
I'll fully admit I won't watch any more of the women's world cup until the finals if the USA is in it. Because that's the only round that matters. If we're busted out before that, it's a gigantic failure considering how thin the competition really is.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Bunk on June 24, 2015, 07:05:31 AM
I've watched all of Canada's matches so far, plus a couple others. It's reasonably entertaining. It's also quite hilarious how much less flopping there is in the women's game.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: 01101010 on June 24, 2015, 07:08:47 AM
I've watched all of Canada's matches so far, plus a couple others. It's reasonably entertaining. It's also quite hilarious how much less flopping there is in the women's game.

No kidding. Women get knocked to the ground, they pop back up and keep going. It is quite refreshing... though Columbia seemed to have learned a bit too much diving from the men's team.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: penfold on June 24, 2015, 02:24:08 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/wXEwH3B.jpg)

Grammar matters.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on June 24, 2015, 02:40:30 PM
PHRASING, BOOM!


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Paelos on June 24, 2015, 02:48:24 PM
I like where Canada's heads are at.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Ginaz on June 25, 2015, 07:56:06 PM
I like where Canada's heads are at.

That's not a sign encouraging Team Canada.  The WWC is being held in Canada and I have no idea who they are supporting.  We should find out, though, and start shaming them because its clearly encouraging rape culture.  Triggered!


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Abagadro on June 25, 2015, 08:23:28 PM
Based on the three lions I would bet England.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: 01101010 on June 26, 2015, 03:44:26 PM
Amazing match between Germany and France.  :drillf:

edit: And finally the USA looked like the no.2 team. That was so fun to watch. Still lacking in goal scoring, but they completely dominated China for 90m.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: 01101010 on June 27, 2015, 06:31:06 PM
Germany vs USA
England vs Japan

Anyone wanna play Axis and Allies?  :why_so_serious:


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Paelos on June 29, 2015, 10:14:37 AM
Pretty much exactly what I was expecting. Just looking at the field the pool is really thin. There are basically 3 real contenders in this thing to win it every year (Germany, USA, Japan) and then the rest of the field. Norway was the exception to the rule 20 years ago.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Ginaz on June 30, 2015, 04:00:01 PM
Pretty much exactly what I was expecting. Just looking at the field the pool is really thin. There are basically 3 real contenders in this thing to win it every year (Germany, USA, Japan) and then the rest of the field. Norway was the exception to the rule 20 years ago.

Not to turn this into politics or anything but that's what it's like for most women's team sports.  You have the top tier consisting of a handful of rich western countries followed by a middling pool of nations, also usually rich and western, followed by everyone else. Soccer.  Hockey.  Basketball.  They're all like that.  The top women players are usually very, very good skill wise.  The rest..dog shit.  Even the top females in team sports are nowhere near their male counterparts.  The Canadian women's hockey team, which has won the Olympic gold medal 4 out of 5 times, gets beat on a regular basis by boys teams where the players are 14-15, playing by the same rules that govern women's hockey, which prohibits body checking.  The same thing happens with the US women.  

TLDR, there's just not enough competition in women's team sports to make it interesting to watch beyond the finals or maybe semi finals.  Individual women's sports, like tennis and track & field, is an entirely different matter.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: WayAbvPar on June 30, 2015, 04:32:22 PM
The first half hour of USA v Germany has been terrific.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: 01101010 on June 30, 2015, 04:55:32 PM
The first half hour of USA v Germany has been terrific.

And as usual, USA has no capability of finishing.  :oh_i_see:


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on June 30, 2015, 05:59:12 PM
You were saying?

For all the kvetching about this team they've given up exactly ONE goal the whole tournament. Germany just didn't have any answers.

Go the English!


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: 01101010 on June 30, 2015, 06:05:52 PM
You were saying?

For all the kvetching about this team they've given up exactly ONE goal the whole tournament. Germany just didn't have any answers.

Go the English!

I never said their defense wasn't top shelf. They just haven't finished any set pieces well or any offensive push. O'Hara came off the bench and showed how to do it. Outside of that... lacking.

Shocked, utterly shocked Sasic missed her PK. Had Solo beat and pushed it just wide. In the end, it wouldn't have mattered. 


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Abagadro on July 01, 2015, 12:18:27 AM
Messi and Argentina seem to have gotten some true mojo going.  An Argentine trophy actually in the works? It's amazing with their talent that they have been so crappy on the international stage.  A Copa could springboard them towards a Wold Cup in 2018 with Messi still in his prime even then (barring injury).   Tthe 2016 Copa  up here in the U.S should be interesting.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Paelos on July 01, 2015, 04:45:05 AM
You were saying?

For all the kvetching about this team they've given up exactly ONE goal the whole tournament. Germany just didn't have any answers.

Go the English!

I did watch the second half of this game. I thought the USA defense should have been punished more than they were for bad ball-handling and really poor 50/50 balls. The German PK came on one of those situations where no defender should let the opposing team member work around her from behind on that bounce, then yanked her down when she realized she'd been beaten.

I thought the PK awarded to the USA was crap. But luckily it wasn't the deciding goal since my favorite player on the team O'Hara from Georgia, showed how to finish a cross.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on July 01, 2015, 06:24:55 AM
I'm a teensy bit in love with O'hara.

The PKs were bad, however Johnson has been a damn stud this whole tournament so I can give her a pass on one bad moment. The fact remains Sasic couldn't even put the kick on frame. Monumental. Choke. Job.  It DID matter hugely because Germany being up 1-0 would've changed the whole complexion of that game.

The US PK was a bit crap, it was a foul (though we didn't need all the diving and shit from Morgan) however it was just outside the box. Oh well.

At the end of the day the team who played better in that game won. While Germany had their moments, the US did outplay them for most of the match.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on July 01, 2015, 07:04:24 AM
Also random question, why is the final being played in Vancouver? I would've thought Toronto or Ottawa?


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: 01101010 on July 01, 2015, 07:56:23 AM
Also random question, why is the final being played in Vancouver? I would've thought Toronto or Ottawa?

Because the Pacific Northwest is insanely awesome?  :awesome_for_real:

Dunno though. Was set as the venue from the get go.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Ginaz on July 01, 2015, 09:50:42 AM
Also random question, why is the final being played in Vancouver? I would've thought Toronto or Ottawa?

Because the Pacific Northwest is insanely awesome?  :awesome_for_real:

Dunno though. Was set as the venue from the get go.

Toronto is hosting the Pan Am games shortly so they didn't have a facility ready to host it...or want anything to take attention away from games.  You don't want to know how much money was spent on that nothing burger of an event.  Ottawa doesn't really have a facility large enough to host such an event.  The stadium that the CFL team plays in holds less than 25k people.  BC Place Stadium in Vancouver can have around 55k fans.  Plus it has a retractable roof in case of rain, which it is apt to do in Vancouver, see the Olympic ski hills in 2010 for that.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Paelos on July 01, 2015, 11:08:43 AM
The Pan Am games still exist?


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: WayAbvPar on July 01, 2015, 11:47:09 AM
Is that the same thing as the Goodwill Games? Or did that (deservedly) go tits up? I won tickets to the prelim boxing matches from a 7-11 when the GWG were in Seattle in 1990. Went with my brother. First live boxing I had ever seen. It was interesting enough (for free!), but my lasting memory is the vast difference in sizes of the weight classes. On TV, you always see the boxers near each other, so they look relatively normal sized. In person, I saw flyweights fight in the same ring as heavyweights did a few minutes later. It was jarring to see how different they were! Something I knew intellectually, but seeing it in person really hammered it home.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on July 01, 2015, 05:51:39 PM
Ahhh English football...

In a way I think they deserve that for the SHITASTIC brand of football they were playing on the attack. Seriously hit another long ball into the box England.....


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: WayAbvPar on July 01, 2015, 07:42:53 PM
Ahhh English football...

In a way I think they deserve that for the SHITASTIC brand of football they were playing on the attack. Seriously hit another long ball into the box England.....

No one deserves that. Holy shit. That is the worst thing ever.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Paelos on July 02, 2015, 05:04:21 AM
England was supposed to lose, but not like that.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on July 02, 2015, 05:08:45 AM
Yeah it was supposed to go to penalty kicks because England has a stellar track record with those in the World Cup...

Wasn't overly impressed with Japan last night, I believe this is the US's to lose.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Paelos on July 02, 2015, 05:37:20 AM
It is the USA's to lose. They were even with Germany in the betting odds, but in this match they are ridiculously favored. To the tune of -135 on the money line. Japan is 3.5 to 1. That's large.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: 01101010 on July 02, 2015, 06:20:16 AM
It is the USA's to lose. They were even with Germany in the betting odds, but in this match they are ridiculously favored. To the tune of -135 on the money line. Japan is 3.5 to 1. That's large.

I can't see the US losing to Japan again, but if they can't up the scoring output... Then there is a chance that it is Japan's for the taking.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Triforcer on July 02, 2015, 06:59:15 AM
Ahhh English football...

In a way I think they deserve that for the SHITASTIC brand of football they were playing on the attack. Seriously hit another long ball into the box England.....

No one deserves that. Holy shit. That is the worst thing ever.

My Japanese wife actually cried for Laura Bassett after that happened.  Brutal- the worst possible way to lose a World Cup game.  

I think Japan will make this closer than most people think, but the US goes up 2-0 early and wins 2-1.  Go back and watch the first half of the 2011 final- US should have been up 5-0 at the half but had that many balls miss by inches or hit the crossbar a millimeter too high.  US is better than in 2011, and Japan has regressed slightly.  


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: 01101010 on July 02, 2015, 07:15:13 AM
Ahhh English football...

In a way I think they deserve that for the SHITASTIC brand of football they were playing on the attack. Seriously hit another long ball into the box England.....

No one deserves that. Holy shit. That is the worst thing ever.

My Japanese wife actually cried for Laura Bassett after that happened.  Brutal- the worst possible way to lose a World Cup game.  

I think Japan will make this closer than most people think, but the US goes up 2-0 early and wins 2-1.  Go back and watch the first half of the 2011 final- US should have been up 5-0 at the half but had that many balls miss by inches or hit the crossbar a millimeter too high.  US is better than in 2011, and Japan has regressed slightly.  

The US still has a hard time finishing though. I agree with you on the 2-0 thing. But if they continue to be the USA team of this tournament then it will be 0-0 at half and 1-0 by the 65th minute. Maybe I was spoiled by the German men's team completely destroying Brazil last year... that is how I think you should dominate a match. Sadly, that is the rare exception.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Abagadro on July 05, 2015, 04:17:26 PM
Heh, up 4-0 after 15 minutes.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: 01101010 on July 05, 2015, 04:22:29 PM
So much for finishing...

They can't miss - where the hell has this been all tourney?


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Malakili on July 05, 2015, 04:45:48 PM
I wish they wouldn't go into this shell and let Japan get into their comfort zone with possession.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Abagadro on July 05, 2015, 05:09:34 PM
Now they are scoring for the other team!


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: IainC on July 05, 2015, 05:36:26 PM
https://vine.co/v/en7BU0wTvwe (https://vine.co/v/en7BU0wTvwe)


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Abagadro on July 05, 2015, 05:50:50 PM
That was a whuppin.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Paelos on July 05, 2015, 05:52:52 PM
All too easy.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: 01101010 on July 05, 2015, 05:55:14 PM
 :drill:   :drillf:   :drill:   :drillf:


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: WayAbvPar on July 05, 2015, 07:34:51 PM
Finishing a hat trick with a goal from your own half is pretty fucking  :awesome_for_real:


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on July 05, 2015, 08:58:37 PM
That deserves some sort of 'worse loss since the Marianas Turkey shoot' joke.

Holy fuck that was some bad defending and keeping (3rd and 4th goals in particular). In a WC final?

Lastly, fuck off Wambach, this was Lloyd's team.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Malakili on July 05, 2015, 09:19:34 PM

Lastly, fuck off Wambach, this was Lloyd's team.

It's pretty clear it is her team, yeah, but I don't see what Wambach did that was so bad.  She came off the bench in the games that mattered, let the younger players carry the team and never complained about it.  Lloyd made a nice gesture to her as an outgoing veteran to wear the armband one last time. 


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Paelos on July 06, 2015, 05:18:41 AM
The game reminded me of the Germany vs. Brazil mens game.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Triforcer on July 06, 2015, 05:56:46 AM
Watched the first half in a room full of Japanese secretaries and lawyers- as the only American, I got a couple sidelong glares.  :grin: 

Go US!  The only difference between the 2011 first half and this one is that the four balls that clanged on the bar then were an inch or two more accurate today. 


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: 01101010 on July 06, 2015, 06:03:45 AM
The game reminded me of the Germany vs. Brazil mens game.

That is exactly what I was telling my gf as we watched. I was ok with it.  :awesome_for_real:


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: shiznitz on July 06, 2015, 12:59:31 PM
All soccer is women's soccer at this point. I mean that both as a compliment to the Women's World Cup and as a snide denigration of soccer as a sport generally.

The second part was just habit - insulting soccer - but I have to admit the women battle on the field more than the men. 


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Megrim on July 07, 2015, 05:01:55 AM
I cant watch mens games anymore, its just too painful.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Bunk on July 07, 2015, 08:18:04 AM
After the Germany game I thought the US was a little lucky to be in the final - but that was a complete whupping and they fully deserved it. So congrats to them, well done. Except for Wambach, she's still a bitch.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Tale on September 13, 2015, 11:45:40 PM
Skills! "Triple homicide" (https://vine.co/v/eFpVdbHr9Fi).


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Amarr HM on September 14, 2015, 03:08:14 AM
I watched that game yesterday, that was a fantastic moment in a fantastic game. (Plus he's in my Fantasy Football team).


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on September 14, 2015, 08:31:22 AM
Damn.

Wish Liverpool had someone who could be that creative from the wing. I haven't seen a more lifeless performance from that team since they laid down for Stoke at the end of last season.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on September 14, 2015, 08:57:11 AM
Raheem Sterling?

Oh wait....  :why_so_serious:


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on September 14, 2015, 08:59:02 AM
Fuck him. If we need another blindingly fast winger to run down the channels before whizzing a shot over the bar or losing possession because he ran straight into 3 defenders, we'll call Lazer Markovic back from Fenerbache.  :why_so_serious:


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Amarr HM on September 14, 2015, 09:24:25 AM
United are suffering from similar problems, Depay isn't ready for the big leagues.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on September 14, 2015, 09:34:51 AM
I thought Depay looked good in the first half, but yeah, both sides have started playing REALLY BORING football. Oh look, another square ball. And another one. OOOPPSIE! Cross to the front quickly headed away by the five or six defenders camped in and around the box because they know you can't or won't be able to get in behind them.

Liverpool's 3 goals this season are all down to one player being brilliant for 30 seconds out of 90 minutes, or in the case of their 2nd game, being offside with a assistant ref who is functionally blind.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on September 14, 2015, 10:26:30 AM
Enough bitching! Instead lets sit back and enjoy the dumpster fire that is Chelsea this season.  :grin:


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Amarr HM on September 14, 2015, 11:34:51 AM
He's very like Sterling though he's fantastic until it comes to crunch where he makes a bad decision. I think it will come good for him though, just needs to work out his final pass. In his defense he's been double marked in most of the matches so far.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on September 14, 2015, 01:03:19 PM
Enough bitching! Instead lets sit back and enjoy the dumpster fire that is Chelsea this season.  :grin:

I must admit to cackling maniacally when I saw that scoreline. Fuck The Special One in his Special Blowhole.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Amarr HM on September 14, 2015, 04:33:20 PM
His excuse was great, "our tactics computer had issues".


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on September 14, 2015, 05:27:28 PM
Enough bitching! Instead lets sit back and enjoy the dumpster fire that is Chelsea this season.  :grin:

I must admit to cackling maniacally when I saw that scoreline. Fuck The Special One in his Special Blowhole.

I dislike the arsehole too but if it's true about his dad is dying I don't know how anyone could concentrate on their job let alone managing a top flight soccer club.


Can we have a mod split this into a Soccer 2015/2016 thread.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on October 10, 2015, 09:10:23 PM
Jermaine Jones is useless.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: WayAbvPar on October 10, 2015, 09:44:22 PM
Jermaine Jones is useless.

And the back four is porous. Sigh.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on October 11, 2015, 09:47:17 AM
Cameron was ok I thought, Besler has always been mediocre. Beasley showed some life in the attack but the 2nd goal was directly from him being out of position and Jones not tracking back...AGAIN. I'm a revs fan and fuck Jermaine Jones, and fuck him and his stupid sliding tackles when they are losing and his overdribbling EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. the ball is passed to him (followed by a loss of possession). Really Jurgen? This is what we get? How many years now and the best you can come up with is Jermaine Jones playing a wide midfield , a guy who usually plays  CB for his club nowadays? Seriously fuck you. No wonder the second goal game from the other wing, they actually looked like they would try to pass (and shit just give Bobby Jones the ball all the man does is score when its late and tight).

The last goal was  a tad unlucky and a fucking nice strike by Mexico, but again it was on Beasley and Jones side.

Has US soccer actually improved under Klinsmann? I'm wondering.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on October 11, 2015, 10:30:05 AM
US Soccer has not improved under Klinsman. As much of a douche as he was, at least Landon Donovan could be relied upon to score or create chances. I haven't seen anyone consistently able to take up that mantle since before the World Cup.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: EWSpider on October 15, 2015, 10:14:17 AM
I don't think a new coach is going to suddenly fix all our issues, but it's definitely time for Klinsmann to go.  He's had his chance, time to move on.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on October 15, 2015, 11:29:22 AM
I'm pretty sure Klinsmann was doomed to fail anyway, simply because US Soccer has its head up its ass from the get go. The MLS, as well as its done, is basically locking itself into being an also-ran league that is filled with 1) young guys that will never get above MLS level, 2) old guys from better leagues kicking the shit out of the lesser talent before they retire or 3) guys getting a cup of coffee before going on to better leagues in Europe. It won't consider relegation, it's ties with the other soccer leagues are tenuous and its insistence on control over all player contracts means parity but also lack of consistent dynasties. Also, the skill level at MLS is wildly inconsistent from team to team and year to year.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: Shannow on October 15, 2015, 01:42:51 PM
The greater crime may be the U23 team losing to Honduras and making Olympic qualifying almost impossible. There is some thought that missing the Confederations Cup is not a bad thing.

It wasn't that they lost the game, it's HOW they lost the game. The soccer looked like crap, half the players looked like crap. Jones, Beasley and Dempsey should never play another meaningful game for the USMNT. They desperately need players in the midfield who can hold onto the ball and create chances. The US simply does not seem to create these type of players.


Title: Re: Soccer thread 2014/2015
Post by: HaemishM on October 15, 2015, 02:08:17 PM
It wasn't that they lost the game, it's HOW they lost the game. The soccer looked like crap, half the players looked like crap.

With the exception of Howard's game against Belgium, this statement could have been made about any USMNT game from the 2014 World Cup. They have made no progress from that point at all.