The Soccer Thread

[calgaryballer]

It'd definetly be worth going. Chivas should draw a crowd in California, and even if Barca plays their second team you will be able to see some recognizable players/good up and comers

[Tailback U]

It'd definetly be worth going. Chivas should draw a crowd in California, and even if Barca plays their second team you will be able to seem some recognizable players/good up and comers

Yeah I'm thinking it will be fun to see the atmosphere and game as I've never been to a big soccer game like this before.

I'm sure every Mexican in California is going to be there.

[wr50l]

Don't they have to put minimum fee release clauses in contracts in Spain? I'm sure I read that on a Football Manager forum somewhere? Normally they're around £100m, but if you've spent £80m on the guy, you want your money back when you sell him, so I suppose they went with £1bn.

Yeah it's a requirement to have a minimum fee. Of course the club can agree to sell for less as was the case with Fernando Torres. Obviously if Ronaldo's clause really is as high as suggested it's more of a sign to other teams not to bother trying to sign him by using dirty tricks like talking to Marca every other day.

I've also heard Ronaldo is going to be earning £11m per year ($18.2m)

Ah well, maybe we'll see some sort of capped system eventually.

[T.Dot]

Rumors that Man U is very close to getting French international Karem Benzema from Olympique Lyon

[Vinsane]

Can't wait for tomorrow. Going to be a all day event and the wife is at work.

[Bigpapa42]

Rumors that Man U is very close to getting French international Karem Benzema from Olympique Lyon

The most consistent rumors in that regard that I've heard is that Lyon have had offers for him but have no interest in selling.

[1ke]

Rumors that Man U is very close to getting French international Karem Benzema from Olympique Lyon

Where did you hear. Im all about gettim Benzema, along wit others. But the last I heard was the Lyon dont want to sell him, to UTD or Real for any price so far.

[Vinsane]

Spain 0-0 South Africa
(end of the first half)

Decent game so far. Great defensive plays on both end but South Africa's attacking defenders are shutting down open doors for Spain. Tshabalala had a good shot and fell on the play, ending in a turnover.

In other news: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...sfers&&cc=5901

Real Madrid and Manchester United have finalised an agreement for the £80m ($131.6m or €93.9m) transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo to the Spanish club.

[T.Dot]

^^ leave it to Newcastle

[kyhadley]

Anyone have a justin.tv link for the game?

[goDawgs1433]

USA LEADS 1-0!!!!!

[kmanharris]

USA up 2-0 at the half!!

[BigHouseUSA]

Spectacular half. Howard, Spector, Gooch, Dempsey, and Donovan have been great. The rest have been pretty damn good too.

[Vinsane]

Brazil 3-2 United States.

Great game. U.S. defense collapsed late and they couldn't keep up with the Brazillian strikers. Kaka shook poor Spectre though, dude didn't have a chance. I'll take a second place finish. I know guys are knocking the US play for blowing a 2-0 lead. Never being in a final before this game, I think US handled themselves well overall. Just didn't get the job done.

[Rudi]

Good run by the U.S., still gotta be proud