The Soccer Thread

[1ke]

Ya CB....I read about Southampton earlier today. Its actually kinda sad to think of a club with that history could just be gone by the end of the season. Actually gone. Thats f'd up man.

 

[CaribbeanJoseph]

Watching the match yesterday was frustrating as fuck but we got the 3 points which is all that matters at this stage, now we just need villa to get a result here.

 

[Prodigal Son]

So, the "so-called" greatest fans in the MLS emptied out their own stadium at half time when they were down 2-0.

Already working on a chant for when Toronto fans come out here for the game.

Na, Na, Na, Na
Na, Na, Na, Na
It's Half Time
Good-Bye.

 

[CaribbeanJoseph]

disgusting, im sickened right now

 

[wr50l]

So, the "so-called" greatest fans in the MLS emptied out their own stadium at half time when they were down 2-0.

Already working on a chant for when Toronto fans come out here for the game.

Na, Na, Na, Na
Na, Na, Na, Na
It's Half Time
Good-Bye.

That's terrible! You've got to stick it out until at least the 80th minute where you can leave under the mirage of trying to beat the traffic but still showing undying loyalty to your team.

I'm sure many of you saw the Man U game. For those who didn't Aston Villa were winning 2-1 until the 80th minute, and ended up losing 3-2 after a superb winning goal by debutant Federico Macheda in the 93rd minute. 17 years old, another star in the making no doubt.

 

[calgaryballer]

What a goal by Macheda to win that game. Great finish

 

[Senser81]

I'm sure many of you saw the Man U game. For those who didn't Aston Villa were winning 2-1 until the 80th minute, and ended up losing 3-2 after a superb winning goal by debutant Federico Macheda in the 93rd minute. 17 years old, another star in the making no doubt.

Friedel looked pretty bad in goal. Have no idea what he was trying to accomplish by standing behind his wall on the free kick goal. The second goal to Ronaldo was a soft goal. Not much he could do about Macheda's shot, though.

Some big Champions League matchups coming up this week. Liverpool-Chelsea should be crazy (I heard Anelka might be out), while Barcelona-Bayern Munich could be highly entertaining (even with Klose out).

 

[calgaryballer]

It will be interesting to see what Bayern can do, especially after how they capitualted against Wolfsburg.

I don't know what to expect for Pool-Chelsea. They always are built up as a clash of the titans but turn into a giant borefest.

I already heard Chelsea was going to go five man midfield

 

[calgaryballer]

More lower league news!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/apr/07/football-betting-accrington-five-charged

4 Accrington Stanley and 1 Bury player charged in a betting scandal. Not huge amounts of money, but enough that they are all going to see long suspensions.

And LUTON WON THE JOHNSTONE TROPHY! They took the largest crowd ever to Wembley, and according to a number of papers, won the best Trophy Final played at Wembley in the last 20 years (a couple of other notables ie West Ham-Liverpool, were played in Cardiff). They were down 1-0, came back to go up 2-1, went 2-2 into extra time, before sealing it there. Good for the Luton fans

It's a shame to see what is happening to them (docked 30 points) while Southampton looks to avoid any points deduction (but not relegation/dissolution) because of a technicality. Sucks for both fans, but I never saw the reasoing for punishing them so many times for the offences of the previous board

 

[calgaryballer]

Two draws today, and from what the BBC said, United are super lucky to have a draw. Maxxed readers made it sound like it could of been 3 or 4 for Porto at half

 

[Senser81]

Two draws today, and from what the BBC said, United are super lucky to have a draw. Maxxed readers made it sound like it could of been 3 or 4 for Porto at half

Both Porto and Villarreal looked better than the English League teams. United seemed to have bailed themselves out when Tevez scored near the end of the game, but then they gave up another goal to Porto to make it 2-2. It makes for an interesting second game.

 

[calgaryballer]

An absolute DESTRUCTION of Bayern is happening at the Nou Camp as we speak. 4-0 just before half. Messi with two, Eto'o and Henry have been working wonderful magic against the Germans. It depresses me, but at the same time I can't wait to get home and watch what sounds like an absolute clinic.

Also sounds like Chelsea-Pool is living up to the hype with a lively game so far. Chelsea have an away goal, and it sounds like both sides could of scored 1 or 2 more

 

[calgaryballer]

Chelsea 3-1 Liverpool

2 goals in five minutes and Chelsea are very much in control of the tie...

Ivanovic with two goals. Terry got a yellow so will miss the return match.

 

[calgaryballer]

I cannot believe what I am seeing.

Liverpool seemed to have so much structure and stability. Then Chelsea does this..

It's going to be an annoying day on the footy websites tomorrow as Chelsea fan's hail their dominance and Liverpool fan's overreact to the end of season and the fact they will still win the Prem.

Three away goals is a terrible hole to put themselves in. Have to score 3 at Stamford Bridge against what will be a very organized team.

 

[1ke]

Yea I couldnt find the Barca Bayern game either. Its always on ESPN 360 if that helps anyone.

As far as UTD making it extremely difficult for themselves, I to think they were lucky to get out of that first half tied 1-1. Porto throughout the game was relentless in their counter attacks and just kept running and running. Bad news for UTD and you could tell they had just played 2 days ago. Didnt see Arsenal and Vill, and Chelsea and Pool turned out to be quite interesting.

Next week will be fun to watch.

 

[Senser81]

Setanta Sports had the Bayern-Barca game. If you are a soccer fan with DirectTv, I would highly recommend paying the extra money for the Setanta package.

Barcelona looked good, Bayern couldn't even posess the ball. I think not having Klose really hurt Bayern, because he is the team's hustle player. That said, Barca would have won no matter what. The highlight of the game was Messi getting fouled in the box, the ref (Howard Webb...how does he keep getting top assignments?) gives Messi a yellow for diving, then the Barcelona goes ballistic and gets kicked out of the game.

Liverpool's defense was in tatters. Not having Mascherano hurt, because he is the one guy on Liverpool who can play 1-on-1 defense. My take on the situation is this...for the past 5 years, Liverpool has been the luckiest team when it comes to Champions League, and Chelsea has probably been the unluckiest team. Liverpool's luck ran out last night.

Liverpool used to have a pretty strong back four, but I think the guys they have now just aren't as mentally tough. A young Riise, Hyypia, Finnan, and a younger Carragher were a tough obstacle. Carragher now is somewhat of a liability, but guys like Skrtel, Aurellio, and Arbeloa get beaten too easily. I don't know how to explain it, but they just seem lackadaisical most of the time. Rafa Benitez has filled the Liverpool roster with Spaniards and Brazilians...I think that has been Rafa's plan all along, but now Liverpool is a 'soft' team whose defense is a liability. Do you really think a team like Chelsea is scared of facing the likes of Arbeloa, Aurellio, Riera, Lucas FUCKING Leiva, etc.?

 

[calgaryballer]

Setanta Sports had the Bayern-Barca game. If you are a soccer fan with DirectTv, I would highly recommend paying the extra money for the Setanta package.

Barcelona looked good, Bayern couldn't even posess the ball. I think not having Klose really hurt Bayern, because he is the team's hustle player. That said, Barca would have won no matter what. The highlight of the game was Messi getting fouled in the box, the ref (Howard Webb...how does he keep getting top assignments?) gives Messi a yellow for diving, then the Barcelona goes ballistic and gets kicked out of the game.

Liverpool's defense was in tatters. Not having Mascherano hurt, because he is the one guy on Liverpool who can play 1-on-1 defense. My take on the situation is this...for the past 5 years, Liverpool has been the luckiest team when it comes to Champions League, and Chelsea has probably been the unluckiest team. Liverpool's luck ran out last night.

Liverpool used to have a pretty strong back four, but I think the guys they have now just aren't as mentally tough. A young Riise, Hyypia, Finnan, and a younger Carragher were a tough obstacle. Carragher now is somewhat of a liability, but guys like Skrtel, Aurellio, and Arbeloa get beaten too easily. I don't know how to explain it, but they just seem lackadaisical most of the time. Rafa Benitez has filled the Liverpool roster with Spaniards and Brazilians...I think that has been Rafa's plan all along, but now Liverpool is a 'soft' team whose defense is a liability. Do you really think a team like Chelsea is scared of facing the likes of Arbeloa, Aurellio, Riera, Lucas FUCKING Leiva, etc.?

I really wish the games weren't in the middle of the day. I can't take a day off to watch what is going to be a great tie between Barca and Chelsea.

I'm going to stump for a Arsenal - Barcelona finale. If that happens, I am most definetly taking that Wednesday off, as there are going to be goals

 

[calgaryballer]

Uh Oh Arsenal Fans

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/apr/09/arsenal-william-gallas-knee-injury-villarreal

Gallas out for the season, Clichy out for two weeks. I think that will put a dent in the momentum you guys have been building. Shame, as Gallas has been really good lately

 

[calgaryballer]

You can get a copy of the Deloitte Football Money League here

http://www.deloitte.com/dtt/article/0,1002,cid=246693,00.html

Newcastle are still top 20, but have been on a serious slide
Includes interesting tidbits like United getting 50 mil GBP for the Premier League and 34 mil GBP for the Champions League

 

[Bigpapa42]

Just ready about Gallas. Not good. The defense is getting thin.