The Official Soccer, Football, Futbol, and Footie Thread

[downingthief]

Some great friendlies today. The previously mentioned Germany-England match, Italy-Greece, Netherlands-Sweden, etc. Good stuff.

Also, WC qualifiers later today for the US and Mexico. US v. Guatemala, and Mexico v. Honduras. Man, I wish I had TiVo.

[bballarl]

Our schedule for the hexagonal:


Feb. 11 Mexico Home
March 28 El Salvador Away
April 1 Trinidad & Tobago Home
June 3 Costa Rica Away
June 6 Honduras Home
Aug. 12 Mexico Away
Sep. 5 El Salvador Home
Sep. 9 Trinidad & Tobago Away
Oct. 10 Honduras Away
Oct. 14 Costa Rica Home

Our draw in the 2009 Confederations Cup:

Group A:
USA, Brazil, Italy, Egypt

Group B:
Spain, New Zealand, Iraq, South Africa

MLS Cup is on at 12:30 I believe. Should be an interesting match.

[downingthief]

Will be a tough task for NY today, but stranger things have happened. They are definitely the "hot" team.

I am planning on heading over to LA in January to see the US take on Sweden in a friendly. Hopefully, some Swedish girls will attend.

[humanoid]

Will be a tough task for NY today, but stranger things have happened. They are definitely the "hot" team.

I am planning on heading over to LA in January to see the US take on Sweden in a friendly. Hopefully, some Swedish girls will attend.

I'm planning on going to the US/ Sweden game also...silly me, what was I thinking? my first thoughts were, I hope Zlatan Ibrahimovic is playing that game...but obviously the correct first thought is, "hopefully some Swedish girls will attend"

[downingthief]

It would be fantastic to see Ibrahimovic play. I have a feeling he won't be there. He's had a great start to the season for Inter.
The other big name for me is the ageless wonder that has Henrik Larsson. What a stellar career that guy has had. Always been one of my favorite internationals.

[boarderwoozel3]

What a MASSIVE win for Arsenal today, don't you think so Luna? RVP is so lethal. The victory would have been perfect were it not for the own goal and Bendtner allowed on the pitch.

[LunaVC]

m8

Van Persie is a little rapist prick and Gallas is a mentall unstable cock shark.

I wouldn't say we were robbed even tho one of their goals was off-side, basically cos we didn't make a goal, Arsenal scored 3 on the day. I would have thought a draw was more fair.

But Arsenal tho! They think they season has kick started just cos they beat us? We're 7points clear! We are still a strong side. Arsenal have lost 5 games ffs and are fighting each other.

Maybe Wenger should spend the money they give him the tight fuck

[LunaVC]

Bender can fuck off an all with his pink boots. F*ckin tart.

[downingthief]

Very nice bounce back win for Arsenal. Chelsea still are in good shape, and I think will continue to battle Liverpool for the top spot. I still think Liverpool will be on top at season's end, with Chelsea finishing a close second.

On the Newcastle side, a draw is very disappointing with Middlesbrough. A point is better than none, though. Viduka made his first appearance on the season. Hopefully, he can return to form. I hope Kinnear goes with a three attack approach now with Owen, Viduka, and Martins up front. Remains to be seen. I know he is still unhappy with the back four, and probably will be reluctant to sacrifice on the defensive side for more power up front. At least there is some hope now to stay out of the bottom three.

[boarderwoozel3]

Bender can fuck off an all with his pink boots. F*ckin tart.

Haha, we agree there. And I'll concede the first goal probably should have been called off. But if Arsenal aren't going to win the title, playing spoiler for the blues is a suitable alternative.

[LunaVC]

God help us if Liverpool win the title, we'll never hear the end of it. They already think their the best club in Europe after they robbed us of the Champions League.
I don't think they've got the bottle to go the distance, even though they've been winning,...it's Liverpool innit? They just win in style or are convincing.

EDIT- it's more likely that Man U will turn it on after Xmas and spoil the party. But this is the closest season for some time, both top and bottom ends of the Prem.

[humanoid]

I think if Torres keeps getting hurt, that will eventually catch up to them

[davrone]

Cruz Azul FTW!

[Omar1]

did you guys see ronaldo get a red card for trying to avoid getting hit on his pretty face? haha what a moron

[bballarl]

did you guys see ronaldo get a red card for trying to avoid getting hit on his pretty face? haha what a moron

Video please. I hate him so very very much.

[LunaVC]

Worst dive ever

Makes Ronaldo look like an angel

[downingthief]

Pathetic!

[MassiveChemicalPunk]

Our schedule for the hexagonal:

March 28 El Salvador Away
Sep. 5 El Salvador Home

Man, this is going to be amazing. But as much as I love my country, we are gonna get fucked. But, I'll be there supporting my team. I'll be sure to post some picks of the game.

[downingthief]

Man, this is going to be amazing. But as much as I love my country, we are gonna get fucked. But, I'll be there supporting my team. I'll be sure to post some picks of the game.

That's awesome, Massive. Please do!

[MassiveChemicalPunk]

I sure will. Man, I can't wait for the hexagonal round. All the matches are going to be must-see!!! Believe me, everytime our team plays here, it's like a national holiday. People are really pumped up and can't wait for the game (also, everyone likes to get shit-faced that day)

[downingthief]

That's great. Wish I could say the same for the fans here. There are definitely some passionate fans, but not enough. Sad, really. Soccer is such an amazing game. Plus, it would be nice to see an entire nation get behind their team.

I might skip the US/Sweden friendly in California to attend a qualifier later on next year. Depends on funds. Still debating. Best of both worlds would be to attend both, but I don't see that happening.

[MassiveChemicalPunk]

US Vs. Mexico should be interesting. Also Honduras, they have a great team.

[Omar1]

Video please. I hate him so very very much.

i dont see any other reason for him to use his hands.


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[downingthief]

Chelsea slide into the knockout stages in the CL. Not impressive, but they are in. Still say this year is Barca's for the taking.

[humanoid]

I think they were a little surprised by the fight Cluj put up yesterday, that game could have ended up either way...but I guess they still would've slipped in yesterday, since Roma won...

Drogba looked like a man with something to prove yesterday when he was put in....hadn't seen that from him for a while, for someone so strong and potentially dominant, he spends way too much time crying on the ground as if every bit of contact is a potential career ending injury...glad to see though, because he is fun to watch when he is in good form

[downingthief]

He has a great shot; one of the best in the world. Pure, raw power.

[humanoid]

that, and his ability to quickly get his body into a shooting position has always impressed me. he can get great shots off from wicked angles that it doesn't even look possible to shoot from

you think he's staying at Chelsea or will he be gone really soon?

[algunz]

Are there any good games today?

[downingthief]

that, and his ability to quickly get his body into a shooting position has always impressed me. he can get great shots off from wicked angles that it doesn't even look possible to shoot from

you think he's staying at Chelsea or will he be gone really soon?

I think he will stay. If he were younger, I would say he might go. Chelsea is the perfect place for him at this stage of his career.

[downingthief]

Are there any good games today?

Not really much at stake today; all the knockout teams are already decided. All that remains is who will remain in the UEFA cup, or drop out all together.

From Soccernet:

The main issues to be decided on Wednesday concern which teams will be consoled for their elimination from the Champions League with a place in the UEFA Cup.

That does not apply to Group E, however, as Manchester United and Villarreal are already through with AaB Alborg in the UEFA Cup and Celtic out. United, at home to Aalborg, and Villarreal, who visit Celtic, are vying for top place.

Either Olympique Lyon or Bayern Munich will win Group F depending on the outcome of their match in France, while Fiorentina will move into the UEFA Cup unless they lose to Steaua in Bucharest.

The situation is similar in Group G where Arsenal and Porto are already through and meet each other to determine the group winners. Fenerbahce, who are bottom of the section, need a win at Dynamo Kiev to go through to the UEFA Cup.

The only issue still to be decided in Group H is whether Juventus or Real Madrid finish top.

Juventus, unbeaten in their last 14 home European ties, should be too strong for BATE Borisov, who will finish fourth and out at the end of their Champions League debut season.

If Juve slip up and Real Madrid beat Zenit St Petersburg, the Spanish team will finish top.

Zenit, who won the UEFA Cup last season, are already assured of the chance of defending the trophy, having secured third spot.