Ode to the beautiful game 2

[ballettmaus]

Why? Argentina basically played the match by themselves while US looked on. Don't you want to see a competitive match? US had no business playing the semi-final even though they got there fair and square. They should have just defaulted instead of standing still on the pitch.

How can they have no business playing in the semi when they got there fair and square? Would you say the same thing about Brazil and the semi final at the last World Cup because the way Brazil played was gruesome! But both Brazil and the US had every right to play in the semi finals because they both earned their spots.
Argentina is the silver medal winner from the last World Cup. They are a team with a long-standing tradition, the country has a long-standing soccer tradition. I don't think it's a shame for a team like the US to lose against Argentina. It would have been nice had the US scored at least once but they are still not a soccer nation and they were down two or three of their regular players and don't have that deep of a pool as other traditional soccer nations have.

 

[ballettmaus]

Holy smokes, Argentina vs Chile - one yellow-red and one red card and only 45 minutes played

I think this game makes it very obvious though, why soccer should introduce a second referee and four instead of two linesmen.

 

[Vagabond]

Chile 0 (4), Argentina 0 (2).

Highlights

Wars have been fought over less than this.

 

[Buzz]

LOL @Vagabond


I wonder if Messi's legal troubles had a role to play in his retirement from the international game?!

 

[clairecloutier]

Wondering if the rumors about Klinsmann taking over England are really true!!

 

[Vagabond]

Klinsmann? They need someone better than that, like Lagerbäck or Hallgrímsson.

 

[Vagabond]

Sorry for the double post but in this case I just had to.

A Gibratarian semi-professional team, Lincoln Red Imps, just defeated Celtic 1-0 in a Champions League qualifier.

Media remarks:

arguably the most embarrassing result in Celtic’s history.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jul/12/celtic-shock-of-gibraltar-lincoln-red-imps

one of the biggest upsets in footballing history

http://www.racingpost.com/news/sport/celtic-slump-to-defeat-against-20-1-gibraltarians/2118419/

The Red Imps are no bunch of hacks. They've won the Gibraltar Premier Division for 14 straight seasons!

Gibraltar is the new Iceland.

 

[Buzz]

An update on the progress of Chinese football. It seems their national team is still in with a chance to qualify for 2018. It is only a matter of time before all this investment in football pays off.

http://thelab.bleacherreport.com/a-billion-reasons-to-believe/

 

[Buzz]

Sam Allardyce is England's MNT's new boss. Good luck to him.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36850753

 

[NeilJLeonard]

Not Jurgen Klinsmann?.....

 

[Buzz]

I am at a total loss for words right now. Swiss prosecutors are investigating Franz Beckenbauer!!!

As members of that cup's organising committee, they are suspected of fraud, criminal mismanagement, money laundering and misappropriation.

Some of the alleged crimes were carried out on Swiss territory.

Mr Beckenbauer, who headed the bid, has previously denied corruption

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37246543

 

[Buzz]

Once again Canada's WC aspirations have ended in failure but they did go out in style by beating El Salvador 3–1.
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/canada-world-cup-dream-over-1.3750815

 

[gk_891]

Once again Canada's WC aspirations have ended in failure but they did go out in style by beating El Salvador 3–1.
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/canada-world-cup-dream-over-1.3750815

When was the last time Canada made it to the World Cup? I think it's been a while hasn't it?

 

[Buzz]

When was the last time Canada made it to the World Cup? I think it's been a while hasn't it?

Yes it has. Canada's one and only WC appearance was in 1986 and we lost all three games without scoring a single goal.

 

[Maofan7]

Man Utd 1 - 2 Man. City

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It cannot be true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Buzz]

I feel your pain. But the season is young son I am willing to give it time.

 

[Buzz]

WOW! PSG scored against Arsenal after only 45 seconds of the game starting!!!!

 

[Maofan7]

WOW! PSG scored against Arsenal after only 45 seconds of the game starting!!!!

It finished 1-1. Lucky Arsenal. They were completely outplayed by PSG.

 

[Buzz]

There were a couple of real lopsided victories today, Bayern beat Rostov 5-0 and Barca beat Celtic 7-0!

 

[Buzz]

Man U may have a new coach but they are producing the same results.

 

[Buzz]

We lost today 3-1 to Watford?!

 

[Maofan7]

Manchester United 4 - 0 Leicester City at half time

Mourinho dropped Rooney for the game. And look what happens!!

I've been saying for years that Manchester United and England should get rid of Rooney permanently. He completely disrupts the shape of the side. If Woy Hodgson had only done that during the Euro's, then the outcome would have been very different

 

[Buzz]

Oh my heavens! Just got home! Wish I could have watched the match!

 

[Maofan7]

Oh my heavens! Just got home! Wish I could have watched the match!

It finished Manchester United 4 - 1 Leicester City. United took their foot off the pedal in the 2nd half. They look so much better as a unit without Rooney! It bodes well for the rest of the season, and I hope Sam Allardyce follows suit and removes Rooney from the England team as well.

 

[Maofan7]

Sam Allardyce stands down as England Manager by 'mutual consent'


The mind boggles as to whom the idiots at the FA appoint next....

ETA - Gareth Southgate to take charge for next 4 games

 

[Buzz]

 

[Maofan7]

Alan Shearer: England A Laughing Stock

Stan Collymore says Sam Allardyce saga proves football is consumed by greed - it has lost its soul

Greed and stupidity

 

[Buzz]

The greed and corruption in football don't surprise me anymore. It's just sad.

 

[KHenry14]

Just wanted to say how giddy I am about 18yr old winger Christian Pulisic. Kid is well on his way to be the best player in the history of the USMNT. He's getting good minutes with Dortmund, and got an assist again Real Madrid today. He has great ball skills and incredible vision. Just a phenomenal talent

 

[Gazpacho]

Just wanted to say how giddy I am about 18yr old winger Christian Pulisic. Kid is well on his way to be the best player in the history of the USMNT. He's getting good minutes with Dortmund, and got an assist again Real Madrid today. He has great ball skills and incredible vision. Just a phenomenal talent

Don't jinx him! Seriously, I hate the hype and pressure on him. Let him develop at his own pace.

I don't want another Bojan Krkic story. For those unfamiliar, Bojan was a next big star at Barcelona when he was around Pulisic's age. Broke records for Barcelona, capped my Spain. He developed panic attacks and depression from the pressure and attention and scrutiny. He's now playing for Stoke City as a very average top flight player. He's never recovered mentally and still suffers from anxiety.