Official 2015 Soccer Thread

[Joemailman]

United States Men's National Team for upcoming friendly's announced:


Full USMNT roster:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Cody Cropper (Southampton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), William Yarbrough (Leon)

DEFENDERS (8): Ventura Alvarado (Club America), John Anthony Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Greg Garza (Club Tijuana), Michael Orozco (Puebla), Tim Ream (Bolton), Brek Shea (Orlando City SC), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Julian Green (Hamburg), Miguel Ibarra (Minnesota United FC), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach), Alfredo Morales (Ingolstadt), Danny Williams (Reading), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)

FORWARDS (4): Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders), Aron Johannson (AZ Alkmaar), Rubio Rubin (Utrecht)

Because I watch mainly Premier League, I'm not very familiar with the U.S. team, other than guys like Bradley, Altidore and Dempsey.

Anyone with any thoughts?
__________________________________________________ ___________________________

Speaking of Premier League, awesome goal by Juan Mata of Man United vs. Liverpool on Sunday.


https://mtc.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/633955868B1191442306620862464_36f5e9ebf56.1.5.1403 181868461782925.mp4?versionId=oc4H0e_7IxomYLfH1Jgb wgvw_olpZNjO
__________________________________________________ ___________________________

Could Ronaldo be headed to MLS in 2018? http://mlsmultiplex.com/2015/03/22/cristiano-ronaldo-heading-to-mls-in-2018/


When it comes to soccer coverage in North America, there are few journalists that are more respected than SI’s Grant Wahl. Wahl is not only a New York Times Best Selling author for his book, The Beckham Experiment, but he has also been a leader and purveyor when it comes to MLS coverage since the inception of the league. When Wahl reports something, fans should believe it.

Just a few days ago, Wahl shocked fans around the globe when he reported that current back-to-back Ballon D’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo is planning to ply his trade in North America and Major League Soccer when his time is up with Real Madrid.


Wahl reported on his “Insider Notes” column this past Tuesday, that multiple sources have told him the Portuguese star’s current plan is to play in MLS one day, with one source suggesting that he will make the move across the pond when his current contract expires in 2018.

[red]

yeah i'm all bpl too, and english campionship

couldn't tell you anything about the us squad or mls

tried watching mls, but the talent and quality just isn't there, and the atmosphere is wrong

[Joemailman]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2408485-lionel-messi-named-highest-paid-footballer-ahead-of-cristiano-ronaldo-and-neymar?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial

Report Messi made 71.3 million in 2014, on salary and endorsements. Ronaldo at 59.2 million.

[red]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2408485-lionel-messi-named-highest-paid-footballer-ahead-of-cristiano-ronaldo-and-neymar?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial

Report Messi made 71.3 million in 2014, on salary and endorsements. Ronaldo at 59.2 million.

i always use to get a kick out of it when someone would hear about a soccer player and say "oh, so and so team should sign him up as their kicker", not having a clue just how much a lot of these guys make

[Joemailman]

i always use to get a kick out of it when someone would hear about a soccer player and say "oh, so and so team should sign him up as their kicker", not having a clue just how much a lot of these guys make

I didn't realize how big the money was until several years ago when someone published a list of the sports franchises with the most net worth. Manchester United was right below the New York Yankees. That was an eye opener for me.

[red]

I didn't realize how big the money was until several years ago when someone published a list of the sports franchises with the most net worth. Manchester United was right below the New York Yankees. That was an eye opener for me.

thats a facade. i don't know how a team that far in debt can be worth so much

the glazier family bought the team in 2005 (same people that own tampa bay bucs), they somehow set it up that they didn't spend any of their own money to buy the club, instead they took out loans. once they took over man U, the glaziers put all the debt and loans in the name of the club. so the club paid to but themselves.

since 2005 the club has paid over a billion us dollars in interest, bank charges, and debt repayment. as of last month the club is still almost $600 million in the hole because of the takeover, and growing

the club had no debt when the glazier family "bought" it

[Joemailman]

Forbes has this list of the richest sports franchises:

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mli45ejlgl/1-real-madrid-2/


1. Real Madrid
2. Barcelona
3. Manchester United
4. New York Yankees
5. Dallas Cowboys
24. Green Bay Packers

[Joemailman]

U.S. falls to Denmark 3-2 as Nicklas Bendtner scores 3 times. http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/03/25/usa-denmark-friendly-altidore-bendtner-klinsmann

[Joemailman]

USMNT ties Switzerland 1-1. They led 1-0 but gave up a goal in the 80th minute after Jozey Altidore got a red flag for saying FU to the referee.

[red]

red card

not red flag

[Joemailman]

red card

not red flag

Oops. Whatever, it was pretty damn stupid. USMNT has an amazing ability to give up goals in the last 10 minutes.

[red]

Oops. Whatever, it was pretty damn stupid. USMNT has an amazing ability to give up goals in the last 10 minutes.

yeah, i watched that game last week and the defense became one big confused mess at the end of the game

[Joemailman]

yeah, i watched that game last week and the defense became one big confused mess at the end of the game

That has been a problem going all the way back to the World Cup. Late goals given up to Portugal and Belgium took away potential wins.

[Freak Out]

Insane goal from Charlie Adam today....at least 60 yards. A thing of beauty.

[wist43]

You guys speak of this commie plot as if it were a sport - not only a sport, but a sport of some interest :huh:

Won't be too much longer the NFL will die on the vine, and soccer will be celebrated as the #1 "sport" in Amerika - with each player cocooned in a protective bubble suit with kevlar helmets to protect their little skulls of mush...

Safety First!!!

[red]

Insane goal from Charlie Adam today....at least 60 yards. A thing of beauty.

shades of the beckham goal


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwAe4jBgIQI

both shots have more to do with poor goalkeeping more then anything else imo, but still awesome to see

my team (leeds united) is still a complete fucking mess, on and off the pitch

[Joemailman]

Better than Beckham in my opinion. I'm prejudiced because I've been following Stoke. Great video with different angles of the goal:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gORlaeMKoL4

[red]

he did put some wicked curve on that ball

and its always good to see something like that happen to chelsea scum

[wootah]

both shots have more to do with poor goalkeeping more then anything else imo, but still awesome to see

That's Thibaut Courtois you're talking about, go wash your mouth ;-)

[Joemailman]

FIFA Men's World Rankings

http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-table/men/



1 GERGermany 1687(1687.49) 1770 0 1033.19 1033.19 589.60 294.80 761.63 228.49 655.05 131.01

2 ARGArgentina 1490(1490.04) 1577 0 919.87 919.87 512.98 256.49 742.10 222.63 455.26 91.05

3 BELBelgium 1457(1457.23) 1471 1 929.90 929.90 552.65 276.32 642.41 192.72 291.45 58.29

4 COLColombia 1412(1411.52) 1499 -1 772.00 772.00 619.07 309.53 739.06 221.72 541.37 108.27

5 BRABrazil 1354(1354.38) 1348 1 793.26 793.26 762.73 381.36 297.92 89.38 451.92 90.38

6 NEDNetherlands 1301(1300.82) 1415 -1 886.14 886.14 403.65 201.83 485.47 145.64 336.06 67.21

7 PORPortugal 1221(1221.32) 1191 0 584.73 584.73 682.02 341.01 552.90 165.87 648.56 129.71

8 URUUruguay 1176(1176.43) 1164 1 597.48 597.48 692.90 346.45 274.21 82.26 751.22 150.24

9 SUISwitzerland 1135(1135.15) 1126 3 545.66 545.66 678.06 339.03 535.07 160.52 449.69 89.94

10 ESPSpain 1132(1131.95) 1130 1 440.29 440.29 683.14 341.57 835.36 250.61 497.42 99.48

11 FRAFrance 1127(1127.21) 1180 -3 652.83 652.83 481.01 240.51 445.41 133.62 501.24 100.25

12 ROURomania 1086(1086.10) 1081 2 689.03 689.03 401.73 200.87 436.19 130.86 326.68 65.34

13 ITAItaly 1085(1085.01) 1146 -3 518.05 518.05 557.81 278.90 602.66 180.80 536.30 107.26

14 ENGEngland 1030(1029.53) 1031 3 517.02 517.02 464.95 232.48 574.33 172.30 538.64 107.73

15 CRCCosta Rica 1014(1013.98) 1095 -2 629.32 629.32 456.00 228.00 352.89 105.87 253.95 50.79

16 CHIChile 991(990.96) 1057 -1 489.25 489.25 584.18 292.09 386.02 115.80 469.12 93.82

17 CROCroatia 977(977.23) 963 2 524.25 524.25 268.93 134.46 649.93 194.98 617.72 123.54

18 MEXMexico 937(937.49) 935 3 483.79 483.79 404.36 202.18 524.36 157.31 471.03 94.21

19 CZECzech Republic 923(923.39) 1045 -3 543.62 543.62 311.87 155.94 434.77 130.43 467.00 93.40

20 SVKSlovakia 920(920.38) 932 2 633.64 633.64 341.50 170.75 197.18 59.15 284.21 56.84

21 ALGAlgeria 917(916.76) 986 -3 504.06 504.06 457.54 228.77 393.81 118.14 328.95 65.79

22 WALWales 916(915.76) 763 15 572.55 572.55 310.21 155.11 275.67 82.70 527.00 105.40

23 CIVCôte d'Ivoire 907(907.23) 944 -3 485.12 485.12 326.26 163.13 517.23 155.17 519.04 103.81

24 GREGreece 900(899.91) 872 3 357.79 357.79 586.67 293.33 494.61 148.38 502.05 100.41

25 AUTAustria 890(890.50) 916 -2 548.51 548.51 445.36 222.68 241.30 72.39 234.61 46.92

26 GHAGhana 833(832.90) 887 -2 487.52 487.52 270.20 135.10 446.37 133.91 381.86 76.37

27 USAUSA 815(815.26) 828 5 306.89 306.89 640.42 320.21 393.69 118.11 350.25 70.05

28 DENDenmark 808(808.06) 863 0 388.85 388.85 355.11 177.56 365.36 109.61 660.19 132.04

29 SCOScotland 796(796.40) 727 10 376.21 376.21 594.04 297.02 166.25 49.88 366.44 73.29

30 TUNTunisia 793(792.77) 881 -5 484.87 484.87 276.96 138.48 366.71 110.01 297.07 59.41

31 BIHBosnia and Herzegovina 783(782.60) 841 -1 363.33 363.33 334.69 167.34 519.05 155.71 481.09 96.22

32 RUSRussia 781(781.16) 788 1 311.58 311.58 372.08 186.04 553.52 166.06 587.38 117.48

33 UKRUkraine 772(772.19) 838 -2 312.37 312.37 594.92 297.46 390.29 117.09 226.34 45.27

34 ECUEcuador 759(758.95) 852 -5 325.19 325.19 276.65 138.33 731.89 219.57 379.31 75.86

35 POLPoland 753(753.45) 778 -1 503.18 503.18 209.50 104.75 282.75 84.82 303.52 60.70

36 SENSenegal 752(752.39) 772 0 512.51 512.51 270.76 135.38 230.41 69.12 176.90 35.38

37 CPVCape Verde Islands 737(737.01) 761 1 407.97 407.97 374.62 187.31 314.19 94.26 237.36 47.47

38 ISLIceland 728(728.12) 776 -3 437.70 437.70 318.00 159.00 349.50 104.85 132.86 26.57

39 SWESweden 704(704.11) 663 6 304.52 304.52 363.92 181.96 367.96 110.39 536.22 107.24

40 IRNIran 689(689.43) 692 2 336.87 336.87 439.32 219.66 250.48 75.14 288.80 57.76

41 GUIGuinea 678(678.10) 669 3 395.33 395.33 323.18 161.59 234.30 70.29 254.44 50.89

42 NIRNorthern Ireland 672(671.71) 679 1 486.34 486.34 255.07 127.54 137.75 41.33 82.50 16.50

43 HUNHungary 665(665.24) 659 3 339.37 339.37 237.12 118.56 417.25 125.18 410.67 82.13

44 SRBSerbia 664(664.44) 709 -4 299.93 299.93 449.17 224.58 289.00 86.70 266.13 53.23

45 NGANigeria 652(652.34) 701 -4 326.03 326.03 275.43 137.71 487.76 146.33 211.37 42.27

46 ISRIsrael 649(649.05) 880 -20 428.07 428.07 199.00 99.50 261.59 78.48 215.00 43.00

47 SVNSlovenia 648(647.98) 649 1 278.03 278.03 529.05 264.53 147.83 44.35 305.36 61.07

48 CMRCameroon 628(627.50) 646 1 321.70 321.70 345.86 172.93 275.53 82.66 251.05 50.21

49 CGOCongo 624(623.76) 625 3 420.24 420.24 127.42 63.71 301.43 90.43 246.89 49.38

50 JPNJapan 614(613.94) 617 3 335.96 335.96 213.61 106.81 392.56 117.77 267.01 53.40

* Provisionally listed due to not having played more than five matches against officially ranked teams

** Inactive for more than 18 months and therefore not ranked
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[Freak Out]

27th? Bullshit.

[Joemailman]

27th? Bullshit.

I was surprised they were that low. They played #9 Swiss to a draw last week. They play #18 Mexico in front of 65,000 at the Alamo Dome next week.

[Freak Out]

The Mexico game will be a good test.

[wootah]

Don't be misled by the results of friendly games; that's like preseason in the NFL.

I guess you guys could be up a couple of places, but the 25-35 range seems where you belong at the moment.

[Joemailman]

Don't be misled by the results of friendly games; that's like preseason in the NFL.

I guess you guys could be up a couple of places, but the 25-35 range seems where you belong at the moment.

The United States isn't elite by any means, but they tend to be underrated by Europeans. We saw this last year in the World Cup when the U.S. was given little chance of advancing out of Group G but did so anyway. But that's okay. It just makes it more fun when the U.S. advances and teams like England, Spain and Portugal don't.

[wootah]

Soccer being the low scoring sport it is, gives every team a chance to be competitive. "Any given sunday" is very much applicable, just look at the game against Belgium at the WC. Absolute domination by Belgium, 19 corners vs 4, an enormous 38 shots of which 26 on goal by the Belgians (14/9 for the US), and in the end the game could have just as well gone the other way when you guys had that 1 big chance at the end of the game when the score was still 0-0. This is much less likely in sports where the rate of scoring is higher like American football or basketball; there the game would have been over at half-time.

The FIFA ranking is not a random rating: it's based on points gathered by getting results. The stronger the opponent, the more points there are to earn. Points are also added by the results of league teams in international competitions (Champions League, etc). That by itself is flawed (like the BCS in college, I guess), but nobody cares much about it anyway. But you're right that the US team isn't looked at as a powerhouse; it lacks stars all over the board. The US has always compensated with good teamwork, mentality & conditioning, but that will only get you so far. For them to take the next step, a couple of truly quality players need to step up.

[Joemailman]

USMNT defeats Mexico 2-0. 20 year old Stanford sophomore Jordan Morris and Juan Agudelo scored. Morris is believed to be the first collegian to start for the USMNT in over 20 years.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD42O8bZ2VU

[wootah]

Never heard of him (YT is blocked here, i'll check it later). Hopefully he's able to get a transfer to a European sub-top team where he can get plenty of playing time & develop.

[wootah]

Pep :knll:

[Joemailman]

Report Ronaldo wants to play in LA in 2018 after his contract with Real Madrid runs out. http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/04/22/cristiano-ronaldo-mls-los-angeles-jordan-morris-carli-lloyd-uswnt

[Joemailman]

Gregory Mertens, a 24 year old defender playing for Lokeren in the Belgian Pro League passed away today. He had collapsed during a match on Monday.

[wootah]

A lot of fuss has been made the last year of doing preventive heart screenings, but the Mertens case shows that unfortunately those things can not be avoided. Tragic story.

I hope you guys took the time to enjoy the Messi show yesterday. Barcelona - Bayern, that's about as good as it gets; 2 teams going for it, both playing high pressing is a guarantee for spectacle.

After Barça missed those changes earlier in the game, it seemed that Bayern would come out on top in the second half, becoming more & more dominant. Until Messi showed why he is the best to ever play.

The first one a seemingly simple shot after Bayern lost posession in their own back third of the pitch.

http://i.imgur.com/L9U61H4.gif

The 2nd, a thing of beauty, just left me giggling like a little girl.

http://i.imgur.com/G2TrIHr.gif

That flick of the hips is just insane. RIP Boateng.

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--gAeSNBrY--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/se7q5g015ebcvctwd6xo.gif

Even the 3rd, scored by Neymar, came after Bayern tried to break down the counter attack by torpedoing Messi in midfield.

http://i.imgur.com/VqJiWKG.gif

[Freak Out]

Messi is just something else....amazing. Next one should be a hell of a game.

[red]

Insane goal from Charlie Adam today....at least 60 yards. A thing of beauty.

sounds like my whites might be making a run for him this off season

if they can collectively pull their heads out of each others asses first

[red]

Messi is just something else....amazing. Next one should be a hell of a game.

heres the problem i have with messi. i watch all the vids of him, and like everyone i'm blown away by the guy

then when i actually get a chance to watch him live on TV, he does jack squat. i mean, like he'll touch the ball one time all game and lose the thing

its frustrating

[wootah]

Pro tip: watch him more often 8-)

219 goals in 214 games since 2012, you cannot say he's slacking...

[red]

the hammer is finally falling on FIFA

i hope this is the start of the case against sepp

[wootah]

If he gets reelected today, there might be riots. UEFA (European association) has already threatened to step out of the FIFA and investigate the option of starting another worldwide union. Blatter is no longer welcome for UEFA's most prestigious event of the year, the Champions League final of next week.

[mraynrand]

FIFA FIFY

[red]

If he gets reelected today, there might be riots. UEFA (European association) has already threatened to step out of the FIFA and investigate the option of starting another worldwide union. Blatter is no longer welcome for UEFA's most prestigious event of the year, the Champions League final of next week.

UEFA stepping out would be a massive blow

european teams (plus maybe a few others) boycotting the world cup would be the death blow

blatter is talking now, he's such a slimy piece of shit

[wootah]

Incredible that the difference was still so big between Blatter & Ali. Africa, Asia & S-America clearly still think he is a solid leader, heck even some European countries (Spain, France) still voted for him.

The boycotting/stepping out seems to be more pounding on the chest than an actual possibility; no country with a team that has a window to win it is going to miss out on a chance to win it all IMO.

[wootah]

And he did it again during the cup final: the 1-0 by none other than the grandmaster himself:

https://usatftw.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/gif.gif

[Freak Out]

Insane....talk about threading the needle. How in the fuck did he get threw the three defenders?

[wootah]

http://www.nrc.nl/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/blatter-2048x1365.jpg

He must have received information that his noose was tightening: Friday still confidently claiming he was the leader to clean things up, now suddenly a stumbling old man.

[Freak Out]

Yes but when will a vote for his successor be held? Isn't he still at the helm until then?

[call_me_ishmael]

In a footie league. Slow as fuck. Shit.

[wootah]

Yes but when will a vote for his successor be held? Isn't he still at the helm until then?

Correct. In 6 months or so they expect to have new elections.

[Freak Out]

Listened to this story this morning.

http://www.npr.org/2015/06/04/411917463/former-top-soccer-official-gets-ball-rolling-in-fifa-investigation

This is gonna get ugly.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/soccer/fifa-official-jack-warner-bombshell-info-ready-share-article-1.2246506

[Freak Out]

http://2xkcvt35vyxycuy7x23e0em1a5g.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/chuck-blazer_FIFA-SPORT.jpg

[red]

he should not be in charge between now and the electing of a new pres.

how in the hell is he gonna clean up and "fix" the problems when he IS the problem?

[red]

came out today that FIFA also paid ireland 5 million bucks for them to not persue a leagal case over the tierry henry handball game that kept ireland out of the 2010 world cup

its being called "hush money", and if they gave that to ireland, who else have they paid off over the years to keep quiet over matters?

i don't think theres anyway qatar keeps their world cup. russia might lose theirs when its all said and done, but we're only 3 years away from that cup. it would be tough to move it somewhere else that fast

and where did that 5 million go?

[red]

ok, carly lloyd (yes a chick) bombing one in from midfield just now might trump them all

[wootah]

3 weeks until the first practices start for the new season over here...

http://cdn.niketalk.com/1/1a/200x400px-LL-1aa868a8_tumblr_mfc9iey38A1rmkfjeo1_400.gif

[Patler]

ok, carly lloyd (yes a chick) bombing one in from midfield just now might trump them all

What an amazing start to that game!

[wootah]

Strange actually how a lot of the good soccer books come from the US. Is that because you have the culture to spread knowledge & us Europeans like to keep everything a secret? Or is it just a culture of trying to acquire additional currency?

This summer I've been reading up on Anson Dorrance at UNC, the Messiah College soccer program, some Dan Blank books (not so impressive). Dorrance especially I like a lot.

[Joemailman]

Premier league starts this weekend. What do you think Red, can any outsiders break into the Top 4?

[wootah]

QPR 3-0 down at halftime. The reaction of the fans:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_22MI884wWI

[Freak Out]

LOL.

[red]

Premier league starts this weekend. What do you think Red, can any outsiders break into the Top 4?

shit, i never even saw this joe

i have no clue, my team is still in championship hell

it is cool to see everton, near the top. and its awesome to see teams like palace and Leicester up there. fuck west ham

and its really awesome to see chelsea near the bottom

[Joemailman]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/02/us-soccer-fifa-coca-cola-idUSKCN0RW27F20151002


Coca-Cola Co (KO.N) , McDonald's (MCD.N), Visa (V.N), and Budweiser owner Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABI.BR), companies that have long linked their brand names to soccer, on Friday demanded Blatter step down immediately in a strong push for change at the organization. Blatter earlier announced he would resign in February next year.

This is what has to happen. For FIFA to reform itself, the companies funding FIFA have to get involved.

[Joemailman]

USA vs. Mexico in front of 90,000 in the Rose Bowl. 1-1 at the half.

[Joemailman]

Thomas Muller with the bicycle kick goal.

http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/02/20/thomas-muller-bayern-munich-bicycle-kick-goal