The Official Soccer, Football, Futbol, and Footie Thread

[sikiboy]

Yeah, when I first saw it, I was like hmmm last year was better, but yesterday I say highlights of the preseason match and the new uni's looked awesome...

You should check out the white Celtic training jacket, it's a really nice style...

Yeah, 4 more weeks, I want to kill Hleb for saying that Fabregas could follow him to barca... Looks like for arsenal the only ones that are Gilberto, Flamini and Hleb... not that bad after all...

[downingthief]

http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news...liverpool.html

News from yesterday. Very sad for the Spurs, in my opinion. They are really sending mixed messages to the fans. On one hand, they land a HUGE signing of Modric, and get rid of troubled keeper Robinson...then they let their Captain go, and potentially their top scorer in Berbs.

Do they want to break into the top 4, or not?

[boarderwoozel3]

I can't wait to see how Keane and Torres play together. Should be a fun year at Anfield.

On a much more important note, I'm a little worried about Arsenal. They've got a champions league side but I don't think they have the fire power to seriously contend for the prem. Eduardo can't heal quickly enough. Unless Van Pierse can get back to form and the midfield stays healthy.

[downingthief]

Looking more and more like Bentley may be moving to the Spurs. More talk of going after Arshavin, too:

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/stor...ntley-at-Spurs

[sikiboy]

Well at least Vela is looking real good in the preseason, haven't seen a game though... All I know is that Arsenal won yesterday against stuttgart and that Vela scored...

If Gio dos Santos fits his profile and full fills the expectations, tottenham should be good...

[downingthief]

It is official...Bentley is now with the Spurs. Looks like the Arshavin talk was a pipe dream, too.

[marooko]

look

[sikiboy]

Bummmp!

2 more weeks... Arsenal's young squad looks good... With Adebayor and Fabregas we should be fineee...

[downingthief]

See the latest Spur rumors? Crazy stuff:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...ngland&cc=5901

Think this one is a pipe dream, too.

[sikiboy]

Didn't knew that the Spurs had that kind of money to spend... I agree, crazy stuff...

Where do you see the highlights for games that you have missed??... I'm looking for a webpage but I can't find a single one... do you know one???

[downingthief]

Best site I found is this:

http://www.livesoccertv.com/

[sikiboy]

Thanks! Yesterday I was checking it out, it's really awesome...

Ahh.. Chelsea making a move on Robihno??... Won't happen, unless Real has Cristiano in their posession...

One more week and the EPL starts... I don't think there'll big transfers until next year...

Hey I heard something about Zidane moving to the MLS to play for the team that's in NY...??

Thanks again for the link...

[downingthief]

Wow...no, I had not heard anything about Zidane coming to the MLS. Will have to look that up.

[humanoid]

Wow...no, I had not heard anything about Zidane coming to the MLS. Will have to look that up.

I had heard that rumor about a year ago...haven't heard anything about it recently though

[downingthief]

To clarify...I heard that rumor, as well. To the Galaxy, I believe. I had not heard about a move to NY, though.

I hope it does not happen. Zidane has a great legacy (headbutt the exception), and if he comes to the MLS and stinks it up, that legacy will be tarnished.

[humanoid]

To clarify...I heard that rumor, as well. To the Galaxy, I believe. I had not heard about a move to NY, though.

I hope it does not happen. Zidane has a great legacy (headbutt the exception), and if he comes to the MLS and stinks it up, that legacy will be tarnished.

Zidane has such a strong legacy, that I think it would be difficult to tarnish it by playing in the MLS. I see what you mean though.

I like the idea of some European footballers coming to the MLS and bringing a little credibility with them. Hopefully they can help keep raising the profile of football in the US and in turn raising attendance and revenues, so that one day, many American athletes will see football as a viable alternative to our established sports leagues.

[downingthief]

Definitely, I agree. With Becks coming over, he still was playing and not retired. He clearly has shown this season that he has plenty of football left in him.
Where I think it can be damaging is when a Euro legend comes out of retirement to try his hand in the MLS. I think that does more harm than good.

The MLS will never surpass the NBA, NFL, MLB, etc in this country. That was never its goal, though. The goal of the MLS is to compete with other soccer leagues around the world. If the league only gets the "re-tread" players, that does not help the cause. Hopefully, with Becks showing good form, it will entice other players to come over as well.

[humanoid]

I don't expect MLS to surpass the other sports, but I think it is inevitable that as our nation's ethnic demography continually changes, soccer will gradually to a level where it is more accepted as a major sport.

I agree that the MLS doesn't need "re-tread" players, because that won't help, but I think players who have made names for themselves on the international or major club scene will help. If general fans have the option to see players they have heard of previously, I think it can only help with the exposure of the MLS. Bigger names that people want to see mean larger audiences, more jersey sales, more frequently televised games. Which all contribute to the viability and quality of the MLS. Becks was a perfect move, because his high celebrity profile along with his football skills make him a great focal point for the league, and a personality that can draw attention to the sport and league, even if many Americans are still reluctant to recognize the beautiful game.

I personally feel that Zidane is borderline regarding this issue. I feel that he could still play at a fairly high level in the MLS, but it's hard to tell now after he's been retired, and not in football condition. I think Andriy Shevchenko should come here and light up the MLS for a couple seasons, since he can't seem to keep up with the pace in EPL!

[downingthief]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...ec=mls&cc=5901

Ruud and Lalas are out. Cobi Jones taking over in the interim.

[sikiboy]

Any predictions for the 08/09 season on the EPL and champions league?...

mine are:

1. Chelsea
2. Arsenal
3. Liverpool
4. Man U (Ronaldo Injury should slow them down)

Champions League

AC Milan Vs. Chelsea (AC Milan Champions)...

[downingthief]

My EPL Predictions:

1 Man U
2. Liverpool
3. Chelsea
4. Tottenham
5. Arsenal
6. Everton

7. Aston Villa
8. Portsmouth
9. West Ham
10. Newcastle
11. Blackburn
12. Man City
13. Sunderland
14. Middlesbrough
15. West Brom
16. Wigan
17. Fulham

18. Bolton
19. Stoke
20. Hull

[boarderwoozel3]

My EPL Predictions:

1 Man U
2. Liverpool
3. Chelsea
4. Tottenham
5. Arsenal
6. Everton

7. Aston Villa
8. Portsmouth
9. West Ham
10. Newcastle
11. Blackburn
12. Man City
13. Sunderland
14. Middlesbrough
15. West Brom
16. Wigan
17. Fulham

18. Bolton
19. Stoke
20. Hull

Interesting. I'm not sure Suprs' new signings will be able to gel quickly enough. They'll get better as the season goes on.

Everton won't finish in the top six and liverpool will falter like they always do.

Chelsea to win the Prem.

[boarderwoozel3]

And t-minus 43 hours until Everton & Blackburn kick off the EPL season on FSC!

[downingthief]

Interesting. I'm not sure Suprs' new signings will be able to gel quickly enough. They'll get better as the season goes on.

Everton won't finish in the top six and liverpool will falter like they always do.

Chelsea to win the Prem.

I wrestled with the Spurs. Now, if Berbs definitiely goes, that may change things. That is still up in the air, at latest report. As far as the gelling goes, if Ramos wasn't in charge, I would agree with you.

I like Everton's chances. I think they will duplicate their push to the front from last season. Also, I think the Keane addition will pay off for Liverpool. I do think they will struggle at first, but will get it together in time to push past Chelsea for the 2nd spot.

I loathe Man U, so picking them to win again was not easy...

[humanoid]

anyone know who Arsenal is planning on playing as a holding midfielder? I think replacing Flamini/Gilberto will be a lot more difficult than they think.

most of their midfielders are of the attacking variety, just curious if anyone had any insight

[boarderwoozel3]

So Nasri paid off today *YAY*

And Torres is back to terrorizing defenses.

Dean Ashton has two goals in the first 9 min? Wow.

[humanoid]

so thrilled to watch several EPL games today, and United on in a few hours...great to have some football back!

[downingthief]

Good showing from my Newcastle boys. Guitierrez and Martins looked great, and given was unreal in the first half. Liked the second half defensive adjustments from Keegan (I never thought I would say defensive and Keegan in the same breath). Solid performance from our new Argentenian and Taylor in the back.

Huge start for Chelsea...so much for them being old. But, it is only one match...

[idrive1life]

Who's watching the Olympics semifinal game of Brazil vs. Argentina right now?

Some awesome action during 41st minute. Score still at 0-0.

[idrive1life]

GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!

Argentina's Aguero scored off his chest at almost 52nd minute of the match. Beautiful ball in/assist by Angel DiMaria.

Argentina 1 - Brazil - 0