2008/2009 Football (Soccer) Thread

[Amarr HM]

Ok strange question here, would the ball behave differently at altitude aswell?

[HaemishM]

Probably going to move a little faster in the air, or fly a little farther, like the baseballs do in the Colorado Rockies stadium.

[WayAbvPar]

Well it's not like they've never played in La Paz before.

Oh , So the first signs of the wheels coming off of Seattle.  Freddy's under investigation for Sexual Assault. Also he's got "the Flu" and will be absent from  the game @ TFC.

I'd put money on TFC winning that one. Their turf is wonky and that crowd is a bitch. Let's see Letoux  get a decent corner off with with a face full of streamers. 

How random is it that a guy comes to town, just gets his career going and becomes known, and then gets accused of sexual assault? I don't know anything about Montero as a person (and if he did something like that he is obviously a scumbag), but this just sounds off to me.

[sigil]

I'm more likely to believe if he did do something, it's a guy who has not adjusted to the fact that here in America, being an up and rising soccer star and a couple of bucks will get you maybe a small cup of coffee anywhere. The ladies are not going to swoon over an MLS stud like they would and NFL guy. We'll see how it plays out.

[Endie]

Ok strange question here, would the ball behave differently at altitude aswell?

I'm going to show my age here and admit that I remember that the way the ball moved in the air during the Mexico world cup was a source of some comment, and that wa with a heavier ball.  I can certainly tell you that a rugby ball flies much further (but, I felt, truer) at altitude, when kicked.

[sidereal]

Ok strange question here, would the ball behave differently at altitude aswell?

You know, on the FSC analysis they were talking about how Bolivian players pepper the goal from long range in La Paz and the knuckling action of the low air pressure causes problems for the goalies, but then I watched the highlights and the only goal from long range was Argentina's.  The Bolivian goals were all solid crosses (and a penalty).  The Argentinian defenders were just shit.

Noobs. You'd think your Chicago or something.

You haven't faced a challenge yet.

When  Montero pulls that off on Chad Marshall or Soumare or my beloved Dynamo's Goon squad then you can crow.

Easy Tex.  I wasn't crowing about the record.  I'm well aware that many losses are forthcoming.  I was crowing about the attendance, which will not be going down significantly anytime this season, regardless of the record.  As far as challenge, the two teams we beat were the two teams in the West finals last year.  Obviously with caveats, since we were home and New York has apparently gone to hell, but not exactly the Earthquakes either.

How random is it that a guy comes to town, just gets his career going and becomes known, and then gets accused of sexual assault? I don't know anything about Montero as a person (and if he did something like that he is obviously a scumbag), but this just sounds off to me.

When it first came out last night I was 50/50 on crazy girlfriend vs crazy Montero.  Now the story is that the 'stalking' complaint is being dropped, so I'm about 60% crazy girlfriend.

[Tale]

but I do wish the team would start playing some good football too...

Back in the day, they used to win 31-0.

[sidereal]

Can someone decipher this?

Rangers' captain (and international captain for the Scottish team) and starting keeper (who is also the backup keeper for the national team) have been fined, suspended, transfer listed, and banned from ever representing Scotland internationally again.  Holy shit.  At first I thought they'd killed someone, but in fact they went out on a drunken bender and then a few days later made some 'offensive V-shaped gestures' during the Iceland match.  That seems a little stiff to me.  Maybe they are world-class douchebags and both club and country were looking for an excuse to drop them.  Most importantly, what were those gestures?  I want to know the hand sign to get kicked off the Scottish national team for life.

[Tale]

There's a perceived problem with drunken binges in UK sport and a media-driven belief that at this level you're a role model for kids. The captain is required to set the example and keep everyone focused, not be the ringleader. The captain is well aware of this when he agrees to become captain.

If it's just a standard V-sign with the back of your fingers towards the target, that's an offensive gesture in the UK, a bit milder than the middle-finger gesture. It's more of an "I don't need to give a fuck and I'm better than you" gesture than a "sit on this and spin" gesture. It's hundreds, maybe thousands of years old.

Wikipedia can help you: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_sign

[Jobu]

Can someone decipher this?

Rangers' captain (and international captain for the Scottish team) and starting keeper (who is also the backup keeper for the national team) have been fined, suspended, transfer listed, and banned from ever representing Scotland internationally again.  Holy shit.  At first I thought they'd killed someone, but in fact they went out on a drunken bender and then a few days later made some 'offensive V-shaped gestures' during the Iceland match.  That seems a little stiff to me.  Maybe they are world-class douchebags and both club and country were looking for an excuse to drop them.  Most importantly, what were those gestures?  I want to know the hand sign to get kicked off the Scottish national team for life.

They went out drinking for something like 8-12 hours the night after they lose a friendly to Holland, saunter back into the hotel sometime around lunch the next day drunk as shit. They're with their international coach and have an actual competitive match a few days later. The coach (rightfully) puts them on the bench for their antics. The V-sign they were making is kind of the equivalent of the middle finger. So imagine if they were sitting there the whole 90 minutes flipping off everyone they could see. They got banned not because of the drinking binge, but because of the petulant childish way they reacted to it. At least that's how I read it.

re: Bolivia. Not only was the air bad, the pitch was dreadful. It's all well and good to bemoan a lack of preparation, but you cannot prepare your players for a grueling 90 minutes of cardio exercise with 25% less oxygen available to them. Maradona's idea was that showing up the same day was the best thing he could do to avoid the impact of the lack of oxygen setting in. It's not like he can ship atmospheric chambers to all his starting 11 around the world. It sucks, but I don't think it reflects poorly on their abilities or strategies. Remember they beat a nearly full strength France at home (kind of... Marseille) in February 2-0. I still think them and Spain are the top teams going into the World Cup next year.

Also FIFA recently repealed the ruling about high altitude venues, that's why Bolivia was allowed to play there again. The whole ban was put into effect ostensibly because they were worried/unsure about the medical effects of players not used to those conditions. I guess they decided it wasn't dangerous enough to their long term health to keep the ban up. It didn't help that most of South America was against it, including the FA's from countries not effected by it.

[sidereal]

Wikipedia can help you: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_sign

Sometimes foreigners visiting the countries mentioned above use the "two-fingered salute" without knowing it is offensive to the natives, for example when ordering two beers in a noisy pub

That's fantastic.  I have no doubt that if I were in a noisy pub trying to order two drinks, that's the gesture I'd use.  Who knew it'd get my ass kicked?  I've even spent maybe 6 months non-contiguously in Australia, England, and Wales.  Had no idea.

Still, if Ferguson is such a fuckwit, why was he captain?  The whole thing is bizarrely sudden.  Must be a UK thing.  If Randy Moss whipped it out and pissed on his coach, everyone would have a little tizzy and he'd go on TV and apologize and then the coach would come on and say these things happen because he's a competitor and something about the heat of the moment and then they'd sign him to a 5-year extension.

[Tale]

Must be a UK thing.

Once upon a time, little boys wanted to be like Gazza.

[lamaros]

Still, if Ferguson is such a fuckwit, why was he captain?  The whole thing is bizarrely sudden.  Must be a UK thing.  If Randy Moss whipped it out and pissed on his coach, everyone would have a little tizzy and he'd go on TV and apologize and then the coach would come on and say these things happen because he's a competitor and something about the heat of the moment and then they'd sign him to a 5-year extension.

If they were representing America in the most important competition in the most important sport? It's is people representing their country in World Cup qualifiers, remember. While there is a certain element of letting good players get away with shit as long as they're still good, a lot of people called in complaining, hence the increased penalties were applied.

[Amarr HM]

Ok strange question here, would the ball behave differently at altitude aswell?

I'm going to show my age here and admit that I remember that the way the ball moved in the air during the Mexico world cup was a source of some comment, and that wa with a heavier ball.  I can certainly tell you that a rugby ball flies much further (but, I felt, truer) at altitude, when kicked.

Now you mention it I vaguely remember that aswell, if it makes you feel any better.

[sidereal]

I'd put money on TFC winning that one.

You'd have lost it.
 

[sigil]

Yep, sure would have.

Congrats to your squad. They're playing exceptionally well.

I'm trying to determine how exactly. People who were ok before are playing at a much higher level. People like Jaqua.

Hats off to you, although, there were more than a few blown calls that hurt tfc, they never were able to capitalize on the openings they had, so  it matters not.


Interested to see where this winds up now :)

[Amarr HM]

MARCHEDAAAAAAAAAA!!!! instant hero.

[Amarr HM]

I was extremely worried when I saw United's defensive lineup today and Villa really caused problems in the air, though I was glad to see Fletcher in the middle instead of Park or Giggs, he adds a bit of bite to the team. I was well impressed with O'Shea's performance he get's a lot of stick but he's been playing superb lately and was one of the best players on the pitch for Ireland's two internationals. It was interesting to see Marcheda when he came on, looked hungry held the ball up and played it simple like a player many years his senior, it helped change the complexion of the game. After Ronaldo equalised out of nowhere I was saying I'd love Marcheda to get the winner and become an instant hero, couldn't believe he did it and the goal itself was totally sublime.

[lamaros]

He played well apart from his awesome goal too, I was impressed.

Made staying up to 3am to watch it all worth it!

[Amarr HM]

He played well apart from his awesome goal too, I was impressed.

Made staying up to 3am to watch it all worth it!

You must be an Aussie?

[lamaros]

Yes. Thank golly daylight saving kicked in, otherwise it'd have been a 3am start instead of a 3am finish. Being a fan over here can really screw with your sleeping patterns.

[Amarr HM]

Indeed I was there for a year, during which I lost complete track of what was goin on in the Premiership. But the Korea/Japan World Cup was on at the time so I got to watch most of the games live which I wouldn't have back home.

[lamaros]

The reall kicker is having to get up at 4:30am to watch the Champ League this week. Going from bed at 3am to up at 4:30am in two days means brain dead at work. But it's worth it!

[WayAbvPar]

Wow, what a sick goal from Macheda. I taped the game (along with the Canucks game). Watched the Canucks sleepwalk through their game with one of the worst teams in the league, and ended up fast forwarding through it from the mid 2nd period. Then I settled in to watch ManU. And they began to shit the bed, and I was wondering why I waste my time watching sports. Ronaldo equalized, and I was still lamenting the loss of two points. And then lightning struck out of the blue. WOW.

Friedel is still one of the top goaltenders in the world and he had NO chance at that. He was out of position on the first goal (doubt he would have gotten to it even if he was ready though), and the 2nd was perfectly placed to just evade him (very lucky imo). And the third was just ridiculous. Tough day for him.

[HaemishM]

Ok, great goal by Marcheda. BUT... had Villa actually tried playing 90 minutes instead of dropping off after 70 minutes, that might have been a different game. I understand defending in depth. But there were at least 2 or 3 opportunities in the last 20 minutes where a Villa player broke through, got behind the defense and his teammates just stood around the 18-yard box like they were yelling for a beer vendor. No runs into the box, no good attempts to support the runner, just standing pat. They never really tried to get that 3rd goal. You cannot give a team like Man U that kind of opening, they will gut you just like they did no matter who is on the pitch. That may have sunk both Villa's Champion's League chances and Liverpool's title chances.

As for the Sounders, I can tell you how they are winning. They are actually passing the goddamn ball, and passing it well. I don't think I've seen an MLS team in the time I've been watching that passes back and forth as smoothly and as frequently as they do. They make great runs past the defense. They just play attractive football, and I can only blame that on Ziggy. Seattle is definitely my backup team if Chicago shits the bed.

[Tale]

He played well apart from his awesome goal too, I was impressed.

Made staying up to 3am to watch it all worth it!

I was more excited by Liverpool vs Fulham. Schwarzer again made all the difference. Two great saves, and he almost stopped the impossible-to-save one that went in. Not bad for an old man.

[WayAbvPar]

As for the Sounders, I can tell you how they are winning. They are actually passing the goddamn ball, and passing it well. I don't think I've seen an MLS team in the time I've been watching that passes back and forth as smoothly and as frequently as they do. They make great runs past the defense. They just play attractive football, and I can only blame that on Ziggy.

They support the ball really well. There is always at least a triangle of players set up to move it around, often times a diamond. Short, quick passes are their forte, which really helped with the fucking hurricane in Toronto.

[sigil]

Hell chicago has been known to string together  the occassional 19 passes to victory.

It's a combination of the  passing and the agressive pressing of the attack and the pressure defence combined that ia really  unusual.

I think it's a combination of the coaching style of Sigi, with the overall desire of the ownership to have  an agressive team.It also helps to have some halfway decent players on the squad.

[HaemishM]

That kid Alonso on the Sounders is a good one. He'll help that defense just as much as Keller in goal. They had Nyassi on the bench for that game in Toronto, and he's got skills to burn. Most of the team seems to have good if not great pace. Yeah, it's early, but this team is good and damn fun to watch.

[lamaros]

[Amarr HM]

Wow United were poor last night, even worse than against Villa.

[WayAbvPar]

They were fucking terrible for huge stretches of the game. I have never seen them give the ball away so often. Tommy Smyth was right when he said he didn't see ManU connect on 76% of their passes. I don't know how they came up with that, since it seemed like every 2nd or 3rd ball was to no one or directly to a Porto player. If not for the utter gift of their first goal, they would be really fucked in the 2nd leg.

Why SAF insists on using Park is beyond me. The guy works his ass off, but he fucking sucks. Tevez also works his ass off and can actually put the ball in the net, so why not use him?

[sigil]

if park can do job well enough to get the result, then rest tevez and try to keep the team as fresh as possible  in the home stretch

They've got the FA cup, the rest of Premier league's season and the rest of  Champions league.

That's why.

[Amarr HM]

Before Ronaldo scored that goal against Villa on Sunday I was shouting get up off yer arse ye sulky sod. Imagine what he can do if he spent less time sitting on his arse waving his hands in the air. At times he's just deadweight like most of last night, I would have replaced Tevez for anyone but Scholes at least if we went ahead we would still be able to retain the ball.

[Jobu]

The worst part (for me) about the two goals United let in was the reaction of Evans and Neville. They both flapped their hands up and looked at their teammates with annoyance. Those were such elementary errors how can they behave like their teammates were the ones lacking. Fucking ridiculous.