The Official Soccer, Football, Futbol, and Footie Thread

[downingthief]

Newcastle v Man City is a huge game on Sunday.

That it is. I'll be in Vegas, so need to record again.

[sonofhal]

They'll probably show it in that dodgy British pub in the Riviera (The Queen Vic?).

[downingthief]

Ah, true. Might have to do that.

[nosurprises12]

FA Cup predictions?

I'm going to say that Liverpool score an early goal, but Chelsea come back to win it 2-1.

[biggfoot17]

Liverpool 8, Chelsea -3


But in all seriousness, that^ scenario doesn't seem unlikely. Although swapping teams in said scenario doesn't seem far fetched either. Chelsea has been playing so well lately (with the exception of their midweek loss) that it's hard seeing them losing such a big match. On the other hand, my Reds have been on quite the streak against Chelsea, with 4 straight wins, including two victories at Samford Bridge this season. I expect a nerve-racking match either way. Should be an exciting one.

If anybody in here lives in OC, I'll be at The Olde Ship in Santa Ana to watch.

[boarderwoozel3]

See Miacon's goal for Inter that sealed the Scudetto for Juve? What. A. Stike. Oh to be able to hit a ball like that...

[nosurprises12]

He's good for at least one wonder goal like that a season.

EDIT - apparently Arsenal's master plan for winning a trophy next season involves wearing a United kit with our badge on it.



Edit Deux: Vote on your Animal Pitch Invasion of the Season


The Anfield Cat

VS.


The Ewood Park Chicken

[nosurprises12]

LA Galaxy to Host Real Madrid on August 2 at The Home Depot Center

On-sale info still TBD, but this should be a good one!

[CJC626]

Does anyone think RvP breaks CRonaldo's record on Sunday? Doesn't he need 2 goals to do so?

[boarderwoozel3]

He's good for at least one wonder goal like that a season.

EDIT - apparently Arsenal's master plan for winning a trophy next season involves wearing a United kit with our badge on it.

If RvP can stay out of the infirmary for an entire season anything is possible. That kit would be rad for the US national team.

And it has to be the chicken. Though the cat's expression is hilarious.

[nosurprises12]

Does anyone think RvP breaks CRonaldo's record on Sunday? Doesn't he need 2 goals to do so?

Yeah, he needs two to beat Ronaldo's/Shearer's record - I hope he gets it too!

And it has to be the chicken. Though the cat's expression is hilarious.

I like the chicken's shirt-thing.

[CJC626]

Yeah, he needs two to beat Ronaldo's/Shearer's record - I hope he gets it too!

I would like to see him get it. It seemed the past few weeks it was not going to happen, but 2 goals @ WBA is feasible, especially considering the urgency of winning this one in terms of jockeying for CL position (if Chelsea beats Bayern on the 19th, don't only the top 3 in BPL qualify?).

[tigermilkboy]

Juventus vs Real Madrid in Las Vegas (well Whitney) on August 5th at Sam Boyd Stadium

Not sure what players would be available given many will be involved with Euro 2012 or Olympics.

Tickets on sale tomorrow

[nosurprises12]

Not sure what players would be available given many will be involved with Euro 2012 or Olympics.

The Euros will be over July 1st and the Olympics is primarily an U-23 tournament, so I would assume most of the big-named players will be with their clubs by then (good for us!). That sounds like a great game, by the way - there's also some good ones in Boston and New York too.

[tigermilkboy]

The Euros will be over July 1st and the Olympics is primarily an U-23 tournament, so I would assume most of the big-named players will be with their clubs by then (good for us!). That sounds like a great game, by the way - there's also some good ones in Boston and New York too.

The problem is Juventus and Real report back for pre-season training in mid-July. For players selected for Euro 2012, they have let them report two weeks later. So anyone involved in Euro 2012 will probably be in reduced roles. Also multiple substitutions, 100F weather means this could be a game reduced to pedestrian pace.

[biggfoot17]

no better way for LFC to finish their shitty season than with the unveiling of their ugly new kits

[boarderwoozel3]

I would like to see him get it. It seemed the past few weeks it was not going to happen, but 2 goals @ WBA is feasible, especially considering the urgency of winning this one in terms of jockeying for CL position (if Chelsea beats Bayern on the 19th, don't only the top 3 in BPL qualify?).

Top 3 in the BPL qualify regardless and the 4th is in the play-in. That's what I've been lead to believe anyway.

Gooners got this.

[CJC626]

Top 3 in the BPL qualify regardless and the 4th is in the play-in. That's what I've been lead to believe anyway.
Gooners got this.

I think it's a little different if Chelsea ends up beating Bayern to win CL on the 19th, since they will not be in the top 4. Defending champs automatically qualify, and I think they changed the rule after the 2005 Liverpool FC fiasco.

From my understanding, based on the new rules, Chelsea (as defending champs) would automatically qualify for the group stage, alongside ManC and ManU, a 3rd place Arsenal would be a play-in, and a 4th place Tottenham/Newcastle would go to Europa League.

I'll see if I can find a link of the official rule change. Either way, Arsenal/Tottenham/Newcastle fans will become Bayern fans on the 19th.

[nosurprises12]

^ That is the correct answer.

[downingthief]

Yes, it is. And, yes...I am a HUGE Bayern Munich fan right now!

Of course, need to have a good result against Everton Sunday, and some help.

[biggfoot17]

I think it's fair to say that everybody in this thread is a Bayern Munich fan for the next 8 days.

[nosurprises12]

Ahaha, yeah I think so as well.

[downingthief]

SO pissed...Arsenal, Spurs, and even Chelsea...all on TV Sunday. Newcastle, the team only 1 point out of 4th playing Everton, the 7th place team? Nope, no coverage. Yeah, THAT makes sense. Bastards.

[nosurprises12]

downing, you're in luck! FoxSoccer.com will be streaming the Everton v. Newcastle game for free here: http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/p...al-sunday-2012

[BlueDevil50]

Definitely cheering on The Blues for the final. Did I miss the memo on Chelsea being the cool team to hate?

[downingthief]

downing, you're in luck! FoxSoccer.com will be streaming the Everton v. Newcastle game for free here: http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/p...al-sunday-2012

SWEET! Nice find!

[nosurprises12]

^ Sure thing - although I am NOT wishing you good luck tomorrow

Man, Dortmund ran circles around Bayern today in the German Cup Final. It ended 5-2, and Bayern never really looked in the game at all. Also, Shinji Kagawa is the real deal and I really hope he signs for Arsenal, or at the very least switches to the Premier League; his pass to set up Lewandowski 's first goal was world class.

[citizenerased]

Wow. Just wow.

Can't believe what has transpired today

^ POSTED SECONDS BEFORE AGUERO'S GOAL OMG

[Westy]

That was insane.

[Footsteps86]

What a punch in the gut. Title was in United's hands. Absolutely heartbreaking.