The Official Soccer, Football, Futbol, and Footie Thread

[downingthief]

With the fantastic Euros this year, I think it is time to create the official all things Footie thread. So, let's bring the passion of the World's game. Whether it be EPL, Serie A, La Liga, MLS, World Cup, etc.

First up...Berbatov to Man U looking more and more like a done deal:

http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=454949&sid=SPO

That's a lot of cash for a guy that may not even start.

Also, looks like Ronaldinho is headed to City.

Been an interesting transfer season so far!

EPL starts up August 16th with my beloved Newcastle vs. Man U.

[kreutz2112]

fifa 08 on ps3 is the shit.

[downingthief]

I'm still loving my PES 2008 for the Wii. Nothing out there like it.

[Hopeless Semantic]

[downingthief]

Hopeless, did you hear the latest on Arshavin? Wants to be a Gunner...

[Hopeless Semantic]

Yeah I heard...I don't know. I mean, is Adebayor gone? I know he wanted out, but I wasn't sure if he was gone yet--we could pick up Arshavin.

[downingthief]

I think he is all but gone. Not official yet, but I think it is just a matter of time.

[Hopeless Semantic]

Who does he think he is? Dogba?

[humanoid]

Arshavin would be a strong pickup, but Arsenal is in definite need of a serious striker if Adebayor leaves...I know Arshavin is considered a striker by some, but I see him more as a winger, and his goal scoring record isn't that impressive.....Van Persie is amazing, but you can't count on him being healthy for more than a few games at a time, who knows when Eduardo will be back, Wolcott is somewhat of a mystery, at Bendtner....nevermind

[stuporfly]

Lousy album...My favorite club. I'm always grateful for the relatively short off-season.

[humanoid]

Lousy album...My favorite club. I'm always grateful for the relatively short off-season.

its so great, it feels like the season just ended, and already we're set for kickoff

[downingthief]

Lousy album...My favorite club. I'm always grateful for the relatively short off-season.

Think Barry is out?

[Hopeless Semantic]

So glad there is a variety of EPL fans and not just Man U. or Chelsea fans. Cheers to the Villans, Magpies, and anyone else's teams out there.

[downingthief]

Definitely. Well said.

I've been making more of an effort to follow the MLS more closely this year. I've caught a few of the matches on ESPN. I enjoyed the Galaxy/Chivas USA game the other weekend. Not great quality football, mind you, but the intenstity was there. Really hope we can get a team here in AZ some day.

[humanoid]

Definitely. Well said.

I've been making more of an effort to follow the MLS more closely this year. I've caught a few of the matches on ESPN. I enjoyed the Galaxy/Chivas USA game the other weekend. Not great quality football, mind you, but the intenstity was there. Really hope we can get a team here in AZ some day.

I've been to several of the Galaxy games since Becks has been here, and it is a lot of fun...

obviously its not European quality, but the intensity is there, and the crowds are into it...in a few years, I imagine the quality should improve dramatically

[kreutz2112]

Definitely. Well said.

I've been making more of an effort to follow the MLS more closely this year. I've caught a few of the matches on ESPN. I enjoyed the Galaxy/Chivas USA game the other weekend. Not great quality football, mind you, but the intenstity was there. Really hope we can get a team here in AZ some day.

The new stadium for Real Salt Lake is being built here right now. There is going to be a bar in the stadium. This is full of win. Especially for being in utah.

[humanoid]

The new stadium for Real Salt Lake is being built here right now. There is going to be a bar in the stadium. This is full of win. Especially for being in utah.

is that really allowed in Utah? or do you have to take Prohibition era tunnels to some secret underground lair that they smuggle alcohol to from across state lines? I'm just kidding of course...

is the stadium supposed to be ready for next season? I'll have to check it out next time I'm there

[kreutz2112]

it's supposed to be ready in october. It's located in a suburb south of salt lake called sandy, so its like 20 min out of downtown salt lake. I am excited for it.

[TomAz]

[sonofhal]

[sonofhal]

Are any of you interested in setting up a English Premiership fantasy football league for the board? I can set up a Coachella Board League if enough people are interested to make it worthwhile. Info below.

http://fantasyfootball.telegraph.co.uk/

[orbit]

i used to play with this guy in a futbol tournament when i was living in south america. his team didn't even could beat mine. then he went to a second division futbol club, and i went to college. now he just signed a deal with schalke for 10 million euros.

[CuervoPH]

Hopeless, did you hear the latest on Arshavin? Wants to be a Gunner...

I hadn't heard this, but I liked the Nasri pickup. This should be another good season for Arsenal with or without Adebayor. Van Persie just needs to not pick up any stupid injuries.

[stuporfly]

Think Barry is out?

It would be a pity. The Villans have been on the cusp of potential greatness for the past few seasons, but there's always something happening to keep them bubbling under.

[stuporfly]

Are any of you interested in setting up a English Premiership fantasy football league for the board? I can set up a Coachella Board League if enough people are interested to make it worthwhile. Info below.

http://fantasyfootball.telegraph.co.uk/

I'm down.

[downingthief]

Are any of you interested in setting up a English Premiership fantasy football league for the board? I can set up a Coachella Board League if enough people are interested to make it worthwhile. Info below.

http://fantasyfootball.telegraph.co.uk/

Thanks, but already in a league. I don't have the attention span for two.

It's definitely a cool set up that they have.

[humanoid]

I hadn't heard this, but I liked the Nasri pickup. This should be another good season for Arsenal with or without Adebayor. Van Persie just needs to not pick up any stupid injuries.

that would be wonderful, but RVP makes me cringe every time he's got the ball...anytime a defender steps near him, it makes me nervous! Love his talent though, hopefully he'll stay healthy....they'll need a scorer if Adebayor is gone

anyone know any recent news about Rosicky? I haven't heard anything about his status forever

[downingthief]

Nothing new on Rosicky. Heard a rumor that Tottenham may go after Santa Cruz at Blackburn, if Berbatov is definitely gone to Man U. Spurs have had an amazing transfer season so far. Getting rid of Berbs, and picking up Santa Cruz for less money would be huge.

[sikiboy]

Hleb is leaving also... I think if Adebayor leaves they'll pick up Martens from Newcastle... Berbatov will have a huge striker by his side this season, Giovanni Dos Santos from Barcelona, if he stays with the hot spurs those two will make a nice combination... Anyway with Hleb, Rosicky and Adebayor leaving, Arsenal should be fine with Martens, Nasri and Eduardo coming back.. Would be awesome if they get Arshavin he could replace Rosicky... Nasri, Fabregas and Arshavin in the midfield imagine the speed that they would have...

[humanoid]

/\ Eduardo is coming back, but it will be a while before anyone will know what to expect from him...glad to see his career isn't over, as it could have been

Van Persie could be ready for his chance to really shine, but like I said earlier, impossible to tell how many games you'll get from him

I didn't mention Hleb before, as it is pretty much a foregone conclusion that he is leaving

I think they'd have to pick up someone like Martins, if Adebayor leaves, to give them an established scoring threat...I would love the new look midfield with Cesc, Nasri, maybe Arshavin, but not enough goals in that group yet...hopefully Cesc will continue his transformation into a legitimate scoring threat that he showed early last season