The Beautiful Game (The All Inclusive Soccer Thread)

[tommymtcom]

Gareth Bale is supernatural right now.

God bless that man. I really hope we can stay in the top 4 so we have a chance of keeping him.

[verb_to_trust]

Even is Spurs decide to sell the guy, if he can continue his form the fee they will collect will be astronomical. The only reason to sell is if they feel he would not stay. But really, if Spurs end up finishing in the top 4 why would he want to leave? The winner he scored today was just completely ridiculous...

[verb_to_trust]

Unreal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... D5QvIzbdk8

[Angus]

But really, if Spurs end up finishing in the top 4 why would he want to leave?

Are you serious?

Spoiler: show

££££$$$$$€€€€€

Let's be honest here, if Chelski/City/Real come calling in with some outragous offer, can you see Bale staying at mighty Tottenham? Even if United & Arsenal these days are having a hard time keeping players happy or keeping them away from the big spenders? Let's not kid ourselves here.

[Let's all laugh at Rangers]

James McClean

[verb_to_trust]

FINALLY....a well done soccer jersey for the USMNT:

[Angus]

Football can be so cruel. One horribly stupid decision was enough to ruin 90 brilliant minutes at the Bernabeu + 60 brilliant minutes at Old Trafford. I haven’t been this furious for years. Says a lot that not a single Madrid-player/coach/fan is proud to go through this way.

And this is even forgetting that Varane should have been sent off at the Bernabeu for taking Evra out through alone on goal, and Ramos committed a penalty error on Evra at the end last night as well.

Still very proud of the team and especially Danny Welbeck. Man United youth product, 22 years old, over two legs probably the best player of the tie. Phenomenal! Wouldn’t trade him for any £30m+ transfer Real/City/Chelski have done the last years.

[verb_to_trust]

It ruined the match but it doesn't mean it wasn't still a red card.

[Angus]

You can’t give a red card if there’s not a single bit of intent. Nani wanted to control the ball, not kung fu Arbeloa. I agree with dangerous play. A foul yes. A yellow card at a stretch. Red was just absolutely ridiculous. Everyone but the ABU’s agree with that.

[Heathen]

You can’t give a red card if there’s not a single bit of intent.

Sorry but there's nothing about intent in the rules when it comes to red cards. You might have the intent to hit the ball when doing a reckless and dangerous move, that won't prevent you from being sent off if you hit your opponent.

This guy's intent was probably to hit the ball and only the ball, so it shouldn't have been a red?

[verb_to_trust]

http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/3/6 ... i-red-card

Pretty good write up on the Red Card.

[surfndestroy]

I'm just getting into soccer this year. Bought season tickets for the Vancouver Whitecaps. So far it's been different. A lot of the subtleties are lost on me and then there's all that Brit and Euro soccer. There's an emotional makeup of their fandom that I just don't get. Maybe once I figure out North American soccer I'll be ready for Brit and Euro.

[verb_to_trust]

Don't the Whitecaps have a pretty strong fanbase? It seems like the Sounders and Timbers fans have an awesome time at their games. The problem with MLS is that its not a fast league like the BPL....and its not technical like Spain. So you're left with....MLS. Which can be fun, just not as aesthetically pleasing as the Euro stuff you'll see on TV.

[tommymtcom]

I'm just getting into soccer this year. Bought season tickets for the Vancouver Whitecaps. So far it's been different. A lot of the subtleties are lost on me and then there's all that Brit and Euro soccer. There's an emotional makeup of their fandom that I just don't get. Maybe once I figure out North American soccer I'll be ready for Brit and Euro.

Check out http://www.zonalmarking.net - it's a blog that does tactical write-ups of most big European matches. Very useful for understanding the subtleties of what is happening on the pitch.

[Let's all laugh at Rangers]

Viva Sarria Nord

[verb_to_trust]

Why does fox soccer show highlights of AC Milan and Barca from earlier in the day just as I am about to watch the replay come on? They do this crap with the BPL afternoon reruns on Saturdays as well.

Screw them, I hope the channel shrivels up and dies now that NBC has the BPL rights for next season...

[verb_to_trust]

Guys, the USMNT roster for the upcoming qualifiers is horrendous.....

For the first time, i'm starting to believe we will not qualify...

[tommymtcom]

Guys, the USMNT roster for the upcoming qualifiers is horrendous.....

For the first time, i'm starting to believe we will not qualify...

Shouldn't Klinnsman have a pretty good idea of his best starting eleven by now?

[verb_to_trust]

Guys, the USMNT roster for the upcoming qualifiers is horrendous.....

For the first time, i'm starting to believe we will not qualify...

Shouldn't Klinnsman have a pretty good idea of his best starting eleven by now?

He is obsessed with playing players out of their natural position and having too many defensive midfielders on the field.....and that is when he has his full complement of players to choose from. With the injuries to the top defenders in the pool, he is down to the B/C team at best. I shudder to think what Mexico is going to do to our back line at Azteca Tuesday.

[numbers]

I honestly would be surprised if we get a point out of these two games. I'm getting to the point where I'll be surprised if we qualify. Klinsmann is on the road to being our worst coach since the 80's.