Generic soccer thread
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@nwhawkfan said in Generic soccer thread:
Paul Pogba was just ruled out of the WC for France. Can’t come back from knee surgery in time. One of the veterans of the Belgium team, Lukaku, is also questionable after injuring his hamstring.
You’ve got to figure that the compressed schedules caused by moving the tournament to late fall are mostly to blame for the rash of injuries. Teams have to play twice a week (plus Champions & Europa League matches) just to fit all the games in. Even younger stars like Pogba are having trouble staying healthy. At least MLS-based players have a slight advantage in that area, since their regular season only had to be shifted by a few weeks.
yup, the entire Qatar WC is a joke. $$$$$$$$ rules the world. bribery and $. a winter World Cup? just ridiculous.
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While watching all the tributes to Pele over the weekend, it occurred to me that not many people know that he played a match in Kansas City back in 1968. On the 4th of July, no less.
His club team Santos was touring the US that summer to play against NASL teams, and among the stops they made was a friendly against the KC Spurs at Municipal Stadium. I was a ball boy for the Spurs that season and got a comp ticket to see him play. This was years before he would burst onto the radar of American sports fans as a member of the New York Cosmos.
I don’t remember much about the game, other than (a) the small contingent of Brazilian fans made LOTS more noise than the thousands of Spurs fans in the stands; and (b) he was by FAR the best player on the field.
Too bad the Spurs went out of business a couple of years later. (Ironically, it happened just months after Pele got his third World Cup win for Brazil in Mexico.) If they’d survived into the mid-Seventies, I might have gotten another chance to witness greatness in person.
https://funwhileitlasted.net/2018/03/11/1968-1970-kansas-city-spurs/
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@nwhawkfan said in Generic soccer thread:
While watching all the tributes to Pele over the weekend, it occurred to me that not many people know that he played a match in Kansas City back in 1968. On the 4th of July, no less.
His club team Santos was touring the US that summer to play against NASL teams, and among the stops they made was a friendly against the KC Spurs at Municipal Stadium. I was a ball boy for the Spurs that season and got a comp ticket to see him play. This was years before he would burst onto the radar of American sports fans as a member of the New York Cosmos.
I don’t remember much about the game, other than (a) the small contingent of Brazilian fans made LOTS more noise than the thousands of Spurs fans in the stands; and (b) he was by FAR the best player on the field.
Too bad the Spurs went out of business a couple of years later. (Ironically, it happened just months after Pele got his third World Cup win for Brazil in Mexico.) If they’d survived into the mid-Seventies, I might have gotten another chance to witness greatness in person.
https://funwhileitlasted.net/2018/03/11/1968-1970-kansas-city-spurs/
That would have been great, being a ball boy when Pele was playing. amazing.
I was fortunate to see him play with the Cosmos in NYC way back when, or actually i think the team was playing at the Meadowlands by then. I was just a kid, but still a memory.
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Leeds! So awesome that McKennie is joining the club.
Hoping the three amigos can keep them in the EPL. Aaronsen and Adams have to be excited.
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Im not so high on McKennie as i am on adams and aaronsen but agree its great that theres a team amassing high profile Americans we can root for several times a week
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For sure. I was on a Chelsea binge for awhile, but since Pulisic is hurt, and rarely plays, i need a new team to watch. Step right up, Leeds!
I like McKennie. he’s a great player in the middle. Defends, moves forward. box to box.
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@rockchalkjayhawk im still watching Chelsea
they just signed Enzo. Mgmt spending serious cabbage now.
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Jesse Marsch gets the axe!
Very odd timing. Give him a chance with the upgraded roster! Don’t you normally part ways with the manager before bringing in new players? Weird.
Anyway, sounds like he’s now clear to make a run for USMNT coach.
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Man, i’m rooting so hard for Leeds to succeed, but they just can’t win a match.
They gave up one of the shittiest goals i’ve seen today against lowly Everton to lose. It was like the goalie was taking a nap with the ball near the box. Zip, right by him.
Would suck to see Adams and McKennie (and aaronsen) have to find new teams after demotion.
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@rockchalkjayhawk Thierry Henry for USMNT coach maybe?
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Interesting. Big name for sure, with maybe not a full resume as far as coaching experience.
I’m open to all, except maybe Jesse Marsch. I think his style makes it hard for players to buy in to the system.
I don’t personally think that some of the BIG names from Europe are good fits either. They are used to a talent pool and skill level that the US probably can’t equal.
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@rockchalkjayhawk said in Generic soccer thread:
Interesting. Big name for sure, with maybe not a full resume as far as coaching experience.
I’m open to all, except maybe Jesse Marsch. I think his style makes it hard for players to buy in to the system.
I don’t personally think that some of the BIG names from Europe are good fits either. They are used to a talent pool and skill level that the US probably can’t equal.
Yeah, all good points. The revolution may be led by someone who is not televised.
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@approxinfinity said in Generic soccer thread:
@rockchalkjayhawk said in Generic soccer thread:
Interesting. Big name for sure, with maybe not a full resume as far as coaching experience.
I’m open to all, except maybe Jesse Marsch. I think his style makes it hard for players to buy in to the system.
I don’t personally think that some of the BIG names from Europe are good fits either. They are used to a talent pool and skill level that the US probably can’t equal.
Yeah, all good points. The revolution may be led by someone who is not televised.
totally!
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I saw that Adams has to go under the knife with a hamstring injury. Poor Leeds. The three Americans may be looking for new jobs soon enough. Ugh.
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Well, Leeds, my recent favorite EPL team to watch, is looking at the bottom three with two games to go.
That sucks! I’d assume that all the American players would have to find new teams if they are demoted? Aaronson, McKennie and Adams.
If that’s the case, assuming Pulisic is also moved in the offseason, there will be pretty much one EPL team with a few US guys – Fulham with Ream and Jedi.
Love me some EPL, but it’s much more enjoyable to watch with some hometown guys.
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https://twitter.com/jamesbenge/status/1658449950320078850
This is a fairly big deal.
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@BShark said in Generic soccer thread:
https://twitter.com/jamesbenge/status/1658449950320078850
This is a fairly big deal.
Yessssssssss! We’ve been waiting on this for awhile.
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Ahhh, stupid Leeds United. So disappointing.
They actually held a 1-0 lead in the first half. Needing a win to not be relegated, you’d think they’d put some effort into defending that lead, right? No. It’s Leeds.
So, looks like I’ll need a new EPL team to root for next season. I’m assuming Pulisic will be gone from Chelsea. Fulham here I come?
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@rockchalkjayhawk New Castle has been fun this year. Also, I think Burnley will be fun to watch (they are getting promoted) with Kompany at the helm.
I want to see if Pochettino can make it work with the pieces he has at Chelsea
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I just read the history of Burnley. Quite a 140 year long road https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/more/more-club/burnley-fc-club-history
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@approxinfinity said in Generic soccer thread:
@rockchalkjayhawk New Castle has been fun this year. Also, I think Burnley will be fun to watch (they are getting promoted) with Kompany at the helm.
I want to see if Pochettino can make it work with the pieces he has at Chelsea
Ha. We should be able to co-manage Chelsea and make it work with all that talent!
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Well it’s official. Leicester, Leeds and Southampton are relegated.
It will be interesting to see where all the US players end up this summer.
Pulisic rumors are all over the place. I’d love it if he could remain in the EPL. Much easier to watch and follow his career. Same with McKennie and Adams. Both are quality players. Aaronsen I don’t think much of.
Summer drama!
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Everton escaped relegation. Congrats to the Evertonians! Would have been heartbreaking
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Everton seems to escape with regularity! They should do a little offseason upgrading to avoid next year’s regulation zone.
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I watched a few games of the U20 US team. They just got knocked out yesterday by Uruguay. I’m always surprised at how aggressive the U20 and under games can be. dudes wiping each other out all over the place, recklessly lots of times. And the refs let a lot of it go! ha. must be youthful exuberance!
Looks like the goalkeeper is a Chelsea signee. A few other entertaining guys to watch.
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@rockchalkjayhawk yeah Gaga has already played with the senior team. Hes solid. Couple others too have played up. Watched the game too. The own goal was tough, hope the kid bounces back.
Too early to pick up a custom Balogun 9 jersey?
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I coach soccer at my junior high. 2 teams simultaneously actually as we have a boys and girls team. So from early March to the end of May is a marathon of activity from managing 35-40 inner city kids academic and behavioral lives to ensuring refs show up, busses are scheduled, uni’s are distributed, and yes, even the coach is responsible for measuring and lining the field! It’s quite fun but exhausting, and sometimes involves sitting at school well after all the kids have gone home waiting for Leslie’s mom to show up! 7 wins, 4 losses, and 1 tie combined, plus 2-0 in coed games to accommodate one school that could only field a coed team. So really 9-4-1 final record, not too bad.
Girls are totally raw but one scored 29 goals for me over the last two seasons! Needless to say she had some ability, but had never been coached so it was fun. Boys were more experienced but generally streetball type players that we see in basketball. Flashy moves, but team concepts lacking quite a bit. If I was the cheerleading sponsor or the boys or girls basketball coaches I would have made more but only had to coach one team, which is a discussion for the next contract negotiation. Equal pay for equal work!! But all that aside, I love doing it, love yelling at kids to spread out, attack from the outer edges, drop the ball backwards, defense push up, let that kid be offsides, don’t go cover them!
This is the non-glamorous side of soccer.
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@wissox beautiful. My soccer knowledge has grown up with the older 2 as theyve progressed. Maybe i will take a swing at junior high coach at some point too! My eldest was goalie for his and they went undefeated. Was story book. But 9-4-1 is def legit!
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@approxinfinity Bit of a long story here but here goes. I was hired in 2000 to teach at a rural Wisconsin school. They asked me if I could coach soccer as they were starting a new program. So I started my career as a varsity assistant coach. The head coach was someone who knew little more than I did.
A man named Mel stepped in and offered to help. He was a soccer dad who went full bore into learning. His rep was so immense that he actually interviewed at UNC as an assistant coach for their women’s team! I learned so much from that man and it’s allowed me to stay in soccer for over 20 years now. TBH, I haven’t gone full bore into it like him, so I’m in no way an expert, but competent enough!
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Wow. Reading that the San Francisco 49ers are purchasing Leeds United outright. crazy!
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@wissox i dont pretend to be an expert in soccer tactics but learning a new sport from scratch, a sport that has an amazing history, and world wide support, i think rejuvenated my interest in profession sports where its entirely possible i would have just tuned out altogether otherwise. American professional sports just aren’t nearly as enjoyable.
Anyway, i can understand how a self taught soccer dad had a wealth of knowledge. Its easy to love soccer.
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Good summation of Pulisic’s options this summer: https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/pulisic-usmnt-chelsea-milan-man-napoli-juventus-bayern-psg-transfer/blt4a2639481f2dd678
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Liking what i am seeing against mexico in first half. We are absolutely dominating possession, we need to be a little more creative in the final 3rd. Long balls on the ground up the middle is too tight a window. Should be 1-0 on Pulisics 1v1 move. He is torching Sanchez.
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And boom goes the Dynamite. Pulisic 1 Mexico 0
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Sounds like Berhalter will be returning as manager and will be announced tomorrow officially.
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@Texas-Hawk-10 yeah. I’m not thrilled. This group is talented and hungry and Berhalter doesnt give the appearance of being either.
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Man, I should know better than to watch USA v Mexico before bed. Now I’m all riled up!
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So much to say. Maybe I’ll comment tomorrow when I’m awake.
First impression: interesting lineup. Mostly the Weston and Musah combo. I was worried about that at first.
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@rockchalkjayhawk yeah! Interested to hear your thoughts. I loved almost everything about that ass kicking!
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Man, i’m still riled up after last night’s game! Fun one to watch.
There seem to be two topics to discuss: the actual tactics and players, then the typical uncalled for stuff.
Back to the Weston/Musah pairing in front of the defenders. When i saw that i was like, to hell with defense, we’re going all out attack mode! I was a bit worried about who would actually stop any attacks in the mid. Well, obviously it worked out since we basically shut Mexico down. Very surprising. McKennie was a bit sloppy with his distribution (a trend?), but he contributes in other ways. Musah was great.
Captain America!! Weren’t Dempsey and Donovan former Captain America’s? ha.
Pulisic was the most surprising to me. I haven’t see that kind of burst of speed out of him in a LONG time. Was Mexico slow, or is he healthier? Quite an effort from him. Very happy to see that. Worried for sec about that sliding goal he scored…memories of the world cup injury.
The new guy was basically invisible to me. Didn’t really touch the ball much. Not happy to see that. We need to maybe reconsider our strategy – feed the new and very capable center forward!
Loved the way we pressed and held the ball. Great effort all around.
Reyna. Well, he got clocked in the face. Thought he was dead for a sec. I’m still waiting for his breakout. But, i’m looking at him with a stern eye. So, maybe he was better than i thought. We played well when he was in, so i guess that speaks for itself. No complaints, but maybe didn’t see what i wanted to see.
Anyway, very exciting game. The sloppy brutality at the end is another thing…
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We own Mexico. Also Concacaf sucks.
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Ha, we’ll still struggle with away games in hostile territory. that never changes.
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Such fun to watch the USMNT thrash Mexico. Completely outclassed in every way…I’m not sure that I remember a game like that with Mexico before. I’m not a follower of Mexico’s team so they could be down or whatever…doesn’t matter. Loved it.
I loved the attacking style. Putting Reyna in the middle and pressing forward was such a pleasant gift to watch. Their second goal was a thing of beauty. Jedi to Turner to Dest to McKennie to Weah to Pulisic…gorgeous.
The red cards were unfortunate. McKennie’s was pretty questionable to me. He’s standing up for his guy who just got totally cheap shotted…gets surrounded by Mexican players right by their bench…to get a straight red there was ridiculous in my mind. Dest just simply can’t get caught up in the normal “we-fell-behind-let’s-just-play-cheap” Mexican tactic. I think they’ll plug in Scally and Luca De La Torre for those guys and only have a slight step back, but it would’ve been fun to watch them play with the same squad against Canada. Before the altercation, I think it might’ve been Dest’s best game for the USMNT.
Last night’s game actually presents a good ‘problem’ for them going forward. I wonder if they played the way they did last night because Tyler Adams wasn’t available. He’s clearly going to be on the field (and should be) when healthy, but when he’s playing that means one of Musah/McKennie/Reyna/Weah isn’t and they tend towards a more defensive posture. Makes me wonder if there might be situations where a more attacking style might work better against different teams which could lead to a consideration of playing a squad like last night with Adams off the bench once they get ahead? Sadly…with the re-appointment of Berhalter (who vastly prefers the defensive style) we may never know. If only for one night it was fun to watch…and at Mexico’s expense made it all the sweeter.
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Sure was fun to watch @focojayhawk
You make some excellent points.
Berhalter, yet another soccer subject to discuss! Almost forgot.
I don’t like this rehire, but maybe nobody else decent wanted it? I don’t think Jesse’s press press press would work for the US.
No major complaints about GGG, but his relationship with a potential star player (reyna) has to be an issue. Can’t have that. coach has to go.
No way they are seeing eye to eye ever again.
Maybe our performance against Mexico will change his mind about the lineup? doubtful, huh.
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Thought Dest had his most complete game Ive seen. Really great on ball, off ball, dispossessing and passing. Pulisic was a worthy captain. McKinnie seems to pass without scanning too often but second goal was beautifully facilitated. Good to see Miles Robinson back. Chris Richards was solid. Really loved the backline. Didnt want to see Zimmerman. Thought Gio Balogun musah and Weah were solid. Really like Gio in the midfield. Logical to me. Gives us the creativity of De la torre with more size and power. Think Pepi off the bench is good. Aaronsen off bench is good. Let them be energy guys.
The ref was a weenus. Lost control when he didnt call second yellow on Alvarez after his hit job on Reyna. -“oh, we can do that?” Loved Pepi icing it with third goal. I was not beyond lobbing profanities at Mexico from the comfort of my couch. Something about fornicators ingesting feces.
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The one good shot Mexico had, Turner passed it up the middle to Musah lazily checking back. Reminded me of similar non challance that cost us a goal against Netherlands from the midfield (I think Musah).
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Ref was a total weenus. Absolutely lost control. i was trying my hardest not to get all worked up again and rant about the ref and red cards!
The game seemed even a little more over the top than the usual Mexico/USA games. Actually, a lot of the first half was pretty polite. I was wondering if things had changed. Then Jorge Sanchez (no. 19) played pure instigator. d**k
The smash job on Reyna was shockingly not a card.
Dest needs to control himself. that was entirely unnecessary. I guess his frustration just grew. dunno. And he played great! Why did he need to push dude in the neck a few times??? no clue. wasn’t even our ball, right? frustration.
McKennie is an idiot basically. he didn’t really deserve a red (i still don’t know what he did), but he didn’t help himself any by being who he is. he’s a yellow waiting to happen any game. He must need that firey emotion to get going.
As for the famous Mexico PUTA chant. whatever. Do i like it? absolutely not. But i’d just laugh as a player. They are trying to get under your skin. It should not bother any player. who cares. let em sing. Fans may be pissed, sure. But a player should not lose focus over being called a name. Fifa cannot control fans from chanting whatever foul words they want. not going to stop. It’s societal. Stop the game, call the game, not gonna work. IMO it’s lame as hell to stop a game when people in the stands say bad words. is there a solution? I don’t see one. You can’t kick everybody out. How do you blame a team when their fans sing? not fair to the team, either. That being said, i wouldn’t be pissed if they made Mexico pay for it! ha.
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@approxinfinity said in Generic soccer thread:
The one good shot Mexico had, Turner passed it up the middle to Musah lazily checking back. Reminded me of similar non challance that cost us a goal against Netherlands from the midfield (I think Musah).
Turner freaks out at least once a game with his passing. usually at the start.
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@rockchalkjayhawk agree 100% you control the game not the fans. Ref failed
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Balogun is the truth.
