The Official Soccer, Football, Futbol, and Footie Thread

[Pea]

OH MY FUCK. It's a good day to be a Sounders fan! I've been joking about this happening since last off-season. Never in a million years would I actually expect it to happen.

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/15...es-say?cc=5901

[unit300021]

OH MY FUCK. It's a good day to be a Sounders fan! I've been joking about this happening since last off-season. Never in a million years would I actually expect it to happen.

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/15...es-say?cc=5901

Damn, I don't get why though. He is playing at an extreme high level in the EPL why would he leave consider I thought it was his goal to play champions league. Also Klinsmann can't be happy about him going to a lower league at all.

[Pea]

He wouldn't have made that move without running it by Jurgen. He and Sigi (Sounders head coach) were spotted having lots of conversations during the world cup qualifier in Seattle in June. I think this deal has been in the works since then.

[unit300021]

He can run it by Jurgen all he wants but Jurgen can't tell CLint where to play and not play. Just to regress leagues right before the World Cup has to annoy Jurgen just a bit after all the talks of him telling his players to constantly challenge themselves and be in the best league they can be.

Don't get me wrong though I am happy as hell Clint is in the MLS again. I've been saying it for awhile that the MLS needs to start keeping their own stars to improve the league and not just rely on past their prime international talent (Beckham, Henry, etc.). Clint is the first step to doing that. Next is to make sure both Omar Gonzales and Matt Besler stay. If they just added another 1 or 2 DP spots but made them designated American spots that would go so far in improving the league.

Also Games at Dodger stadium today, who else is going?

[idrive1life]

I'll be at the South Beach in the morning, then will head to the Guinness ICC for the Final and 3rd Place Matches @ Sunlife Stadium Miami. Real Madrid vs. Chelsea and LA Galaxy vs. AC Milan on Wednesday. Hoping for entertaining / semi-exciting games and great weather.

[sonofhal]

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/...-shoot-history

[buddy]

Debuting a soccer show called ESPN FC on ESPN2 at 10 est tonight. For any folks interested.

[gmoneyak]

I checked it out, typical ESPN soccer fare. Generic Messi vs. Ronaldo discussions, etc. Pretty lazy.


I really wish American soccer shows would focus more on all the major leagues, besides the EPL. And not just the Real Madrid's and Barcelona's of the world. There's so much good soccer out there, many excellent teams throught Germany, France and Spain. Stuff that show with real content about transfer rumors and league previews etc, and help promote the MLS in the process.

[BlueDevil50]

Who has been to the World Cup and can provide some tips? FIFA recently released ticket information so I want to gather as much info as possible. What is the best option as far as sticking to one venue versus following one team? I definitely want to watch the US play, but also want to see the likes of Germany, France, Argentina, etc. Also, is it best to try to purchase tickets far in advance, even though you’re not guaranteed the team you want to see if you stick to a specific venue?

Edit: Ticket Info

Are you or anyone else thinking about going to the WC for sure? I just looked up flights and they've double since last time I checked. Almost $2000 out of LAX. I really need to find a good package deal like the American Outlaws one.

[gmoneyak]

[algunz]

[gmoneyak]

I just like the little moment of self reflection at the end.

[nosurprises12]

£100m+ but North London is still Red.

[biggfoot17]

3 matches. 3 goals. 3 clean sheets. 9 points. Top of the table.

[unit300021]

Bale to Madrid is finally official and he signs 6 year extension. 100 Million euro transfer fee, holy shit.

[nosurprises12]

So yesterday worked out pretty well in the end for us:

[biggfoot17]

While Ozil is a great addition for any team, this just covers up the fact that Wenger failed to address the team's biggest need. I am excited to see Ozil play in the prem though.

[nosurprises12]

I'm very disappointed we didn't sign a striker and some defensive cover this window because that is where our squad is still quite thin, but I'm sure we can make do until January (people seem to forget that the loss to Aston Villa was our first since the NLD in March of last season). We also had the second best defense in the leage last year, Grioud looks to have turned a corner and has a fantastic injury record, and I think our attacking players' goal tallies all went up a bunch with the Özil signing as he's averaged just over 10 goals and 25-30 assists in the past four seasons for club and country. It also gives us more options in terms of creativity, as until Rosicky got through his injuries last season Santi was our sole creative hub and teams figured out pretty quick that if you man mark him our attacking impetus dried up a bunch.

What is truly remarkable about this transfer, though, is the message it sends - we can now attract top, top quality talent, we just signed a Top 10 in the World player who is entering the prime of his career, and I'm sure this will be the first of many marquee signings in the future. It still hasn't quite settled in yet: Arsenal Football Club just spent £43m on a single player, the second most expensive signing in British football! Lots are drawing comparisons to the transformation the club underwent when we signed God (Dennis Bergkamp) and I don't think that's a bad one to make.

[zenidogx]

I fear for Chepo's safety.

That being said, wow! Mexico's got an uphill climb ahead of them.

[swhite423]

Chepo is no longer the coach! got fired before he could even go to sleep

[unit300021]

Great Victory for USA. Timmy really made some great saves in the first 15 minutes to weather the storm.

I really hope Mexico somehow manages to make the World Cup because if they fail I imagine a country wide riot going on and that just isn't a good thing to happen.

[algunz]

That was fun. I'm getting excited.

[Pea]

Headie Johnson baby.

[nosurprises12]

I think it's safe to say that Jurgen Klopp lost his shit a bit yesterday against Napoli (he was promptly red carded):

[bug on your lip]

that dood looks like he's in costume

[bug on your lip]

i thought Norwich was supposed to be the breakout team? WTF

[zenidogx]

WOW.

That bicycle kick from Jimenez.

Wow.

Maybe it'll wake up El Tri.

[nahuatldream]

USA saves Mexico from elimination. I would not be shocked if they lost to New Zealand, with how bad they've been playing...

[biggfoot17]

SAS and the 5-2-1-2 formation are putting Liverpool in the champions league. What a fun display to watch today. Next weekend is going to be a fun one.

While Ozil is a great addition for any team, this just covers up the fact that Wenger failed to address the team's biggest need. I am excited to see Ozil play in the prem though.

Apparently Ozil was the team's biggest need. Wenger should ignore the champions league and focus on winning the prem., since they won't beat Bayern, Barca, or Real. And how has nobody said anything about that incredible goal last weekend? I could watch that over and over.

[hippityhip]

What a clinic put on by Barça today.