***The Official World Soccer Thread***

"alen1 wrote:

You can deny their talent when it matters though. I'm with Adam on this one.

So can you put your finger on why they suck?

because IMO, when you have that much talent and you lose..there has to be something wrong.

"Section126 wrote:

So can you put your finger on why they suck?

because IMO, when you have that much talent and you lose..there has to be something wrong.

too many chiefs? :shrug:

They have talent but can't put it together. It's like the MLS All-stars or one of the Pro Bowl squads.

I would also put us in the "knocking on the door" group with France, I'd put England in there, and move Netherlands up to the top tier. I think we're on the verge of being perennial contenders, seriously.

I am on board with Klinsmann and am hoping they make a move for him. there were rumors of Bradley going to Fulham or Aston or something; would love to see that.

Neymar is fun to watch; dude has skills.

"Section126 wrote:

So can you put your finger on why they suck?

because IMO, when you have that much talent and you lose..there has to be something wrong.

I think its a combination of things. I don't think they have a quality manager. I don't think they always select the right players who work well together. I also don't think that they react well to the bright lights. It's just the way they are IMO. There are guys you can trust, and guys that you can't. No offense to the English but they are the latter IMO.

"alen1 wrote:

I think its a combination of things. I don't think they have a quality manager. I don't think they always select the right players who work well together. I also don't think that they react well to the bright lights. It's just the way they are IMO. There are guys you can trust, and guys that you can't. No offense to the English but they are the latter IMO.

one of the things that i wonder if it has any impact is that it seems from this amateurs eyes, that the leagues in england allow a far rougher brand of soccer than is allowed at the world cup. it seems to me that that might hinder englands defense when they play in the workd cup in that if they play the type of soccer they are used to they will get carded all day long in the world cup

"adamprez2003 wrote:

one of the things that i wonder if it has any impact is that it seems from this amateurs eyes, that the leagues in england allow a far rougher brand of soccer than is allowed at the world cup. it seems to me that that might hinder englands defense when they play in the workd cup in that if they play the type of soccer they are used to they will get carded all day long in the world cup

Honestly, I'd be surprised if that was an issue. IMO you have to be physical to win and I think it showed when a team like Holland, who got yellow cards nonstop, were rough and physical with their opposition. They made it to the finals that way IMO. I also think there were other factors contributing to their run but I think their physicality was one of them. I think Germany's physicality in the midfield was also one of the reasons why they were one of the better teams in the World Cup despite being inexperienced. Even Spain had some moments of physicality. Ultimately, I think it comes down to the midfield of teams and you look at the teams that went pretty far, they have a strong midfield.

I think England's problem this past world cup wasn't the manager's, pressure or wives fault, it was a lack of quality players. Look at the team the fielded. Keeper's were weak. Green is decent but James doesn't have anything left. Hart will be playing in the next finals for them but he really only has one full season's experience at the top level.

John Terry's off the field issues had a serious impact on him at the end of last season and carried over. King and Rio can't get off the trainers table and I don't know what Cashley Cole was doing but he looked terrible. Carragher isn't what he used to be. They do have players like Jagielka, Dawson, Richards, Upson and Gibbs that can step in.

Gerrard and Lamps haven't really ever played well together and the problem has never been sold. Maybe having Gerrard drop deeper or something would work. Lampard will turn 36 during the next W.C. and Gerrard will be 34 so there could be some drop in quality/international retirement/left out of squad scenario's going on. Joe Cole will be 32 and if Fabio is still around won't play. Milner and Barry are good but will they lead a team to the finals? Wright-Phillips, Lennon and Walcott all have great pace but can't cross for the life at them. Anyone of them could have tormented Bocanegra on the left with their pace when we played them but it didn't happen. I don't rate carrick very high. A good role player for good teams but not a difference maker. I think they could have used Adam Johnson on the left. He should be in the squad in 2014. Wilshere and Rodwell are both being regarded wonderkids. Will be fun to see their growth, especially Wilshere hah. It would be nice if they had a tough DM, someone to do the dirty work. Either I forgot someone or they are lacking.

Rooney will be 29 and still the man. Problem is who to play with him. Crouch sucks. Heskey sucks. Defoe will be 31 and I think will lose some pace. I think Darren Bent is England's 2nd best right now and he'll be 30. He could play. Youngsters who could play by then possibly Victor Moses, Delfouneso, James vaughn, Sears, Welbeck, and Sturridge.

I think England making it to the quarters would be a reasonable result, possibly even over achieving. Of course the British media won't be to happy with it.

And they suck at pks, go Portugal.

The problem with England is that we think we're better than everyone else and by turning up we'll automatically win and as past winners it's only hindered us at every competition since. We have a media that is obsessed and have way too much power over the public influence. We've got to accept that we are a tiny island with a limited population we could choose from and a league where 50% of the players are from all over the world and only 4 teams have qualified to play European football over the past 15 years or so with little English representation.

Our style of play isn't suited to the rest of the world and once plan A doesn't work we don't have a plan B. Our robust style of play get’s us killed by talented passing teams and “lower” teams simply sit and defend knowing we have no other way of playing.

The players we are producing simply can't play together. There’s no team ethos involved, I was at the game on Wednesday and it was plain to the eye that the players had one on the start of the Premiership this weekend. The rivalries produced by the big four make this almost impossible for the players to gel when called up to the England squad.

Maybe getting an English coach will help? I don't see that Capelo has done much wrong since his appointment (although the press are killing him over Beckhams retirement!) he can only pick the players and give tactics - it's the players on the pitch that aren't performing - maybe EPL players have to much influence over team selection / manager popularity?

That’s my rant on England over with and really looking forward to this weekends games – hopefully Arsenal will kick Liverpool’s ass (I’m surrounded by 4 scouse fans at work!)

Have you guys joined skulls fantasy league yet? My team is called “The Winning XI”

Also, I’d like to see Rangers and Celtic enter into the English league and no disrespect to RangerPhin but if Scotland’s big two did enter the Championship I see them being there for a good couple of seasons before hitting the premiership and a few more before they broke into the top 8 of the Premiership – it’s a hard league to get into let alone stay in and the top 7 or 8 championship sides are probably capable of matching them.

Hope your teams do well this weekend (as long as you support Arsenal!) lol.

I agree with the above post regarding England's problems.. they do think they are better than everyone else but they also think they deserve it more than anyone else. The team gets psyched out when the big tourney's start, feeling all the pressure they have created themselves and they play too tight. They don't adapt to the oppositions style of play and it's nowhere to go but downhill.

On Skull's fantasy league, is there still room? Never played in a fantasy soccer league before...

"Skull Destroyer wrote:

started a fantasy premier league. Looks pretty fun. Anyone interested in joining, here's the link http://fantasy.premierleague.com/
league id : 236473-128634

nevermind,found the link about the league... lets see if i can still sign up...:hi5:

Kudos to ESPN.....

I am excited for the opening of the EPL.

7:30 AM is gonna be tough for TOTT vs. MAN City, but I am definitely going to see the the second half.

Rangers have just signed James Beattie, sorry to break up this little debate! :D :D :D

If you put the US on the knocking on the door list, you have to put Ghana (sp), ahead of the US then. They have beaten the US twice in the World Cup.:up:

"Section126 wrote:

Kudos to ESPN.....

I am excited for the opening of the EPL.

7:30 AM is gonna be tough for TOTT vs. MAN City, but I am definitely going to see the the second half.

tivo baby, it's your friend! :up:

I'm looking forward to this season. My EPL teams are Everton and Fulham, and i've lost both managers :pity:

Would love to have Klingsman....love it....I think the USA needs to learn how to win at the World level...they dont know how too...they get by on determination, and being gritty...Klingsman could bring that knowledge...

"steveincolorado wrote:

If you put the US on the knocking on the door list, you have to put Ghana (sp), ahead of the US then. They have beaten the US twice in the World Cup.:up:

I would admit they could very well be on the knocking on the door list, but I think the US is a better team overall.
I admit they have beaten us twice, but when you count everything (as a body) of what they've accomplished, I wouldn't say they're a better team.

Example: Mexico has beaten us numerous times in head-to-head competition, but in any game that isn't us versus mexico, we're better; and the points results show this. We beat them in the Confederations Cup, and we finished at the top of our Group for WC qualifying (ahead of Mexico I mean, who had to play all the same teams we did).

Example 2: England has never beaten us in WC competition (in fact we've beaten them once, and tied this last time). I still consider England a superior squad, even though in direct competition they haven't had our number. Analysts agree here, I think, as you see England consistently ranked in the top 10 in the world, and we've never gotten near the top 10.

Ghana has had our number twice now in direct competition, but outside of those 2 matches against us, their track record is nowhere near as good as ours - and I'm talking in all competitions, not just WC. But all that said, I'd agree with you that they're on the "knocking on the door" group as far as the world stage goes. I also happen to think they are very well coached. :up:

I thought Baboo72's analysis of the English team was spot-on, btw :)

Ok, so at the risk of looking silly, I was wondering if any of the soccer die hards here could help me to pick an EPL team to follow. I've always enjoyed soccer and try to follow it as much as possible, but have lost track the past few years at the professional level. Well, the World Cup has reved up my interest again and I really want to pick an EPL team to follow. With ESPN's coverage of the league, I figure it should be easier to do now.

So what I'm hoping some of you can help me out with is picking a team to follow. I'm looking for a team with some good young talent that isn't one of the favorites, but isn't a bottom level team either. You could say I'm looking for an underdog, but not a team that has no chance. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Bob Bradley appears to be going to Aston. He quit the US job:
http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2010/08/13/aston-villa-bob-bradley-quits-as-usa-coach-97319-27056582/

:wink2:

do i hear Klinsmann's phone ringing?

I'm actually very happy for Bob. First American coach in the EPL, no? That's pretty impressive.

"sports24/7 wrote:

Ok, so at the risk of looking silly, I was wondering if any of the soccer die hards here could help me to pick an EPL team to follow. I've always enjoyed soccer and try to follow it as much as possible, but have lost track the past few years at the professional level. Well, the World Cup has reved up my interest again and I really want to pick an EPL team to follow. With ESPN's coverage of the league, I figure it should be easier to do now.

So what I'm hoping some of you can help me out with is picking a team to follow. I'm looking for a team with some good young talent that isn't one of the favorites, but isn't a bottom level team either. You could say I'm looking for an underdog, but not a team that has no chance. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Look no further than Arsenal bro. Meets all the above requirements; Young, talented team that isn't anywhere near the bottom but hasn't won anything in 5 years...also, they play the best looking football of any side in the EPL (like Barcelona reserves :lol:)

"sports24/7 wrote:

Ok, so at the risk of looking silly, I was wondering if any of the soccer die hards here could help me to pick an EPL team to follow. I've always enjoyed soccer and try to follow it as much as possible, but have lost track the past few years at the professional level. Well, the World Cup has reved up my interest again and I really want to pick an EPL team to follow. With ESPN's coverage of the league, I figure it should be easier to do now.

So what I'm hoping some of you can help me out with is picking a team to follow. I'm looking for a team with some good young talent that isn't one of the favorites, but isn't a bottom level team either. You could say I'm looking for an underdog, but not a team that has no chance. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

It's really hard to get emotionally involved in a team if you don't have a player you like to watch.

My first advice would be to just watch ESPN2 on Saturday mornings when they play EPL matches. Watch a bunch and some players will start to stand out to you that you'll like to follow.

My other advice would be to do what most Americans do and follow the "Americans Abroad" - and watch your hometown heroes play in the EPL, and then follow those teams. Major Americans that play there (short list, not comprehensive):
* Tim Howard, GK, Everton
* Marcus Hahnemann, GK, Wolves
* Stuart Holden, RW, Bolton
* Brad Freidel, GK, Aston
* Brad Guzan, GK, Aston
* Clint Dempsey, M/F, Fulham (arguably the best American player in the EPL outside of Howard and Freidel)
* Eddie Johnson, M/F, Fulham

There are other Americans out there, but those are the major ones I can think of in the EPL.

Teams like Man U, Chelsea, Arsenal are like the Patriots, Steelers, Colts - perenially good, always finish at the top of the table. If you can't stand heartbreak or league demotion, stick with the big 3. If you like clubs that are kinder to Americans, Fulham is your club. Fulham has had more American players than all the other clubs combined; often called "Fulhamerica". Nobody likes scousers, so stay away from liverpool :lol:

If you like adversity watch Portsmouth, and if you're sadistic, watch Hull City. :lol: (well they're both relegated now anyway)

tevez losing his desire?
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=813978&sec=england&cc=5901

"baboo72 wrote:

Look no further than Arsenal bro.

Also Real Madrid v Bayern Munich on espn right now for anyone interested.

"texasPHINSfan wrote:

tevez losing his desire?
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=813978&sec=england&cc=5901

a shame...what a talent he is...

"Skull Destroyer wrote:

Also Real Madrid v Bayern Munich on espn right now for anyone interested.

Love your avy, mate.

"baboo72 wrote:

Look no further than Arsenal bro. Meets all the above requirements; Young, talented team that isn't anywhere near the bottom but hasn't won anything in 5 years...also, they play the best looking football of any side in the EPL (like Barcelona reserves :lol:)

"texasPHINSfan wrote:

It's really hard to get emotionally involved in a team if you don't have a player you like to watch.

My first advice would be to just watch ESPN2 on Saturday mornings when they play EPL matches. Watch a bunch and some players will start to stand out to you that you'll like to follow.

My other advice would be to do what most Americans do and follow the "Americans Abroad" - and watch your hometown heroes play in the EPL, and then follow those teams. Major Americans that play there (short list, not comprehensive):
* Tim Howard, GK, Everton
* Marcus Hahnemann, GK, Wolves
* Stuart Holden, RW, Bolton
* Brad Freidel, GK, Aston
* Brad Guzan, GK, Aston
* Clint Dempsey, M/F, Fulham (arguably the best American player in the EPL outside of Howard and Freidel)
* Eddie Johnson, M/F, Fulham

There are other Americans out there, but those are the major ones I can think of in the EPL.

Teams like Man U, Chelsea, Arsenal are like the Patriots, Steelers, Colts - perenially good, always finish at the top of the table. If you can't stand heartbreak or league demotion, stick with the big 3. If you like clubs that are kinder to Americans, Fulham is your club. Fulham has had more American players than all the other clubs combined; often called "Fulhamerica". Nobody likes scousers, so stay away from liverpool :lol:

If you like adversity watch Portsmouth, and if you're sadistic, watch Hull City. :lol: (well they're both relegated now anyway)

Thanks guys. From the research I've done, two teams that seem to fit what I'm looking for are Arsenal and Tottenham. I'm not completely ignorant of international soccer. I follow the US team closely and try and keep tabs on the Americans abroad, and if Donovan somehow gets back to Everton with Howard (even though it doesn't look likely), it will be hard not to root for them. I do plan on watching the EPL on ESPN closely and seeing which team catches my eye starting with the Tottenham match tomorrow morning.

"texasPHINSfan wrote:

I would admit they could very well be on the knocking on the door list, but I think the US is a better team overall.
I admit they have beaten us twice, but when you count everything (as a body) of what they've accomplished, I wouldn't say they're a better team.

Example: Mexico has beaten us numerous times in head-to-head competition, but in any game that isn't us versus mexico, we're better; and the points results show this. We beat them in the Confederations Cup, and we finished at the top of our Group for WC qualifying (ahead of Mexico I mean, who had to play all the same teams we did).

Example 2: England has never beaten us in WC competition (in fact we've beaten them once, and tied this last time). I still consider England a superior squad, even though in direct competition they haven't had our number. Analysts agree here, I think, as you see England consistently ranked in the top 10 in the world, and we've never gotten near the top 10.

Ghana has had our number twice now in direct competition, but outside of those 2 matches against us, their track record is nowhere near as good as ours - and I'm talking in all competitions, not just WC. But all that said, I'd agree with you that they're on the "knocking on the door" group as far as the world stage goes. I also happen to think they are very well coached. :up:

I thought Baboo72's analysis of the English team was spot-on, btw :)

??????????

WE OWN MEXICO. Check the record in the last 20 years. We also beat them in the biggest match in the series history (round of 16, 2002) In fact, Mexico's only hope against us is in Azteca Stadium.