Ode to the beautiful game... (Soccer)

[beepbeep]

As the world (of football) turns... in Porto Alegre:

Dunga was fired form Internacional last October due to poor results. He is now Brazil's new coach (again!).

Scolari was fired from Brazil due to World Cup results (duh). He is now Grêmio's new coach (again!).

 

[Gazpacho]

Migrant workers who fitted the offices of the Qatari World Cup 2022 organizer are still owed 13 months pay after the contractor Lee Trading collapsed.

What will it take for FIFA to remove the World Cup from a country that should never have gotten it? The USA could easily host it. The USA finished second in the voting. All the stadiums are already built. There are other countries that already have the facilities too.

There is no good reason not to move the World Cup to another country. But that would mean the crooks at FIFA would have to return their bribes.

 

[ballettmaus]

There is no good reason not to move the World Cup to another country. But that would mean the crooks at FIFA would have to return their bribes.

You just answered your own question - even though it's not necessarily a good reason I also doubt that moving the 2018 World Cup is going to be any more than consideration and talk.

On a different note, Germany just won the U19 European Championships against Portugal. I think Germany's getting quite unpopular with the Portuguese and Argentinians, at least, when it comes to soccer

 

[Buzz]

Hopefully this win lady night us a sign of things to come this year at Man U. I don't mind if they do not win the EPL title but a top four finish would be nice.

 

[KHenry14]

So, LA Galaxy and USMNT legend Landon Donovan has decided to retire at the end of the season: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/landon-donovan-to-retire-at-end-of-mls-season-174153671.html

Easily the great American soccer player of all time, and the greatest MLS player too. Wonder if this will spur the Galaxy to their 5th MLS Cup?

 

[Gazpacho]

So, LA Galaxy and USMNT legend Landon Donovan has decided to retire at the end of the season: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/landon-donovan-to-retire-at-end-of-mls-season-174153671.html

Easily the great American soccer player of all time, and the greatest MLS player too. Wonder if this will spur the Galaxy to their 5th MLS Cup?

I don't know much about Donovan, so sorry if this is a stupid question. Is he really the greatest American player of all time, better than Brad Friedel or one of the women (Michelle Akers, Mia Hamm)? I know Donovan was very good. Have to wonder if the USNMT would have progressed further in the World Cup with him.

 

[KHenry14]

I don't know much about Donovan, so sorry if this is a stupid question. Is he really the greatest American player of all time, better than Brad Friedel or one of the women (Michelle Akers, Mia Hamm)? I know Donovan was very good. Have to wonder if the USNMT would have progressed further in the World Cup with him.

First, I was only considering male players, so no comparison to Mia, Wambach or Akers. And while goalies like Friedel and Keller have had great careers, Landon owns every scoring record in USMNT history. And scored huge goals in big games. And that speaks volumes IMO.

Frankly, I wasn't surprised Landon didn't make the USMNT for the World Cup. His play in 2014 has been decidedly off, both for the Galaxy and the USMNT. Klinsmann made it clear that players in form made the team, and Landon clearly had been out of form. And frankly, I doubt his presence on the USMNT would have made any difference in the World Cup.

 

[ballettmaus]

Frankly, I wasn't surprised Landon didn't make the USMNT for the World Cup. His play in 2014 has been decidedly off, both for the Galaxy and the USMNT. Klinsmann made it clear that players in form made the team, and Landon clearly had been out of form. And frankly, I doubt his presence on the USMNT would have made any difference in the World Cup.

Given that the US team was the fittest in terms of physical fitness, you're probably right. Studies showed that the USMNT's players ran the most on average during a game (second was the German team) and if Donovan wasn't fit then he wouldn't have been able to keep up with the rest of his team.

 

[ballettmaus]

Miroslav Klose announced yesterday that he will step down from the national team as well.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...-scoring-record-Germany-s-triumph-Brazil.html

And both, Lahm and Klose have requested that they not play in the upcoming friendly against Argentina. They want to make room and give the opportunity to the younger players.

 

[beepbeep]

Pope Francis may not have won the World Cup, but he did get the Libertadores, as San Lorenzo finally did it.

The Argentinians just took the nice and clean FIFA standard that their neighbors experienced and threw it out the window big time. What a messy match! Both on and off the pitch (complete with a small fire caused by a fire cracker ).

 

[Buzz]

Pope Francis may not have won the World Cup, but he did get the Libertadores, as San Lorenzo finally did it.

The Argentinians just took the nice and clean FIFA standard that their neighbors experienced and threw it out the window big time. What a messy match! Both on and off the pitch (complete with a small fire caused by a fire cracker ).

WOW just WOW

 

[ballettmaus]

Another German world champion is bowing out. Per Mertesacker announced he is retiring from the national team today.
http://www.theguardian.com/football...per-mertesacker-retires-germany-international

 

[Buzz]

I have to work tomorrow and will miss Man U's season opener!

 

[Buzz]

Oh darn... Well give 'em time to shake off the summer. I know things will be better this season.

 

[ballettmaus]

Loads of international friendy games today; Germany just lost theirs against Argentina 2:4. I don't think they care that much There were a lot of new players playing as well and Klose, Mertesacker, Lahm and assistant coach Flick were given an official farewell before the start of the game.
The US won their game against the Czech Republic 1:0

 

[4rkidz]

Although I'm not a Man U fan at all.. I must say I did enjoy watching England play today with Sterling/Rooney combo.. But now to real reason I'm posting as know you folks will appreciate.. I'm getting a ticket for the 2nd leg of the Champions Leg - Barcelona vs PSG - I figured if I'm in Barcelona anyway for the grand prix final and there is a game playing when skating isn't on (the Weds night).. its a sign from the Footie gods that I must go and cheer on Suarez & Barcelona - might even get a scarf

 

[Buzz]

PHEW!!!!!!!!!!

Thank freaking god!

A win!

At loooooong last! A real life win!

 

[Lorac]

PHEW!!!!!!!!!!

Thank freaking god!

A win!

At loooooong last! A real life win!

Followed by a pretty awful loss to Leicester - after being 3-1 up Man U manage to lose 5-3 . Part of me is a little gleeful and I would love to know what David Moyes is thinking right now

 

[Buzz]

I am speechless...

 

[Lara]

I'm shocked considering how positive things seemed following preseason, sorry Buzz.

It's very early of course but I really will be surprised if Chelsea don't cruise to the title this season. The excitement may have to come from the Champions League positions and whether teams like Southampton (! after their summer), Aston Villa and Swansea can stay up in the rankings.

 

[Buzz]

I wonder if Van Gaal is regretting his decision to take on Man U. There is a rumour that Ronaldo wants to come back and maybe they could get a couple mixed defensemen during the next transfer window.

 

[Buzz]

We are leading West Ham 2-1 but I can nearly watch...

 

[Buzz]

PHEW!

 

[Lara]

So Giroud and Debuchy are out, Ramsey and Arteta are probably out and Wilshere maybe for Arsenal against Chelsea. Yeah, that's going to end well.

 

[Buzz]

Two wins in a row for Man U! Could it be possible that they are finally beginning to gel as a team again?!

 

[Deleted member 40371]

Serbia vs Albania euro 2016 match ended the way you would expect the match to end. A drone carrying greater Albanian flag flew into the middle of pitch before a Serbian decided to rip the flag. Albanians are blamed for controlling the drone from outside. This resulted in a shuffle between both the teams. This was enough for Serbian football hooligans to invade the pitch and start attacking the Albania players. The match was abandoned, I hope both the teams get 0 points for this match.

http://www.theguardian.com/football...albania-flag-fury-match-abandoned-in-pictures

 

[NeilJLeonard]

WWC 2015 qualifying for CONCACAF has been going on in the USA for the past week. The Group stage is finished with the USA & TnT finishing 1st and 2nd in Group A and Costa Rica and Mexico finishing 1st and 2nd in Group B.

The USA will play Mexico on Friday, October 24th, at 730 PM in Philadelphia in the 1st semi-final and Costa Rica will play TnT in the other semi-final. Both semi-final winners will play for the Regional Championship & advance to the 2015 WWC. Both semi-final losers will play a consolation game with the winner also advancing to the 2015 WWC. The loser of the consolation game will play a home & home series with a team from South America for advancement to the WWC.

NJL

 

[KHenry14]

Fans may recall how 4 years ago the USWNT had to go to the playoff game in order to qualify. So far that doesn't look like it's going to happen again, but ya gotta figure it's in the back of the minds of a lot of the players. Losing Alex Morgan to injury isn't helpful, but that's one position where there is a lot of depth. Just win the game against Mexico and be done with it!!

 

[alexikeguchi]

Buzz!!!!!!!! What a finish by Man U

 

[ballettmaus]

Bayern Munich beat AS Rom last Tuesday 7:1 in their Champions League match and I just heard that, apparently, Dante predicted the right result