The Beautiful Game (The All Inclusive Soccer Thread)

[bada]

I thought the Liverpool players were going to start making love in that group hug on the sideline after that goal.

[bada]

Benteke!

[verb_to_trust]

Benteke!

Revenge Benteke is the best Benteke

[bada]

Revenge!

[bada]

Palace won!

[verb_to_trust]

Benteke never would have done what Victor Moses just did.

[verb_to_trust]

Juve til I die!!!

[verb_to_trust]

Man, USMNT hurts my eyes

[E.H. Ruddock]

Interesting article about Pulisic here:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2713 ... =editorial

[jwfocker]

Interesting article about Pulisic here:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2713 ... =editorial

Great article. If he becomes the paradigm that US Soccer uses for future talents man that is exciting. Maybe the sleeping giant will finally wake up.

I think he's the real deal. A special talent. I'm not sure what impact he will have on the US national team right now so I hope patience is used as well. Right now I think he will score goals through random, majestic, individual movements every other game or so. Until the US national team has a midfield worth a shit - that can dictate tempo and support his runs in the final third, his impact will be mitigated. Right now the midfield is a collection of dudes who can break up play and that's about it.

If the USA can get a striker that can hold up play and combine with him in the penalty box to further elevate his movement in and around the penalty box, the national team will be good. If the midfield and striker both develop it will get very interesting.

[verb_to_trust]

Right now we are in the middle of a lost generation in the 25-30 year old age range. In a few years hopefully some of the younger guys will start to become full national team members. Watching the youth teams gives me some hope (outside of that horrible ass kicking the U20s just had against Venezuela).

[jwfocker]

Right now we are in the middle of a lost generation in the 25-30 year old age range. In a few years hopefully some of the younger guys will start to become full national team members. Watching the youth teams gives me some hope (outside of that horrible ass kicking the U20s just had against Venezuela).

Hopefully a couple of those kids can make it. I saw some good things but who the hell knows. The sure fire players don't play in the U20 games.

So true. That lost generation is killing the national team. Literally a gap in the team age wise. Maybe one or two guys fall between 25 and 30. Any good articles written about that issue? I think I remember reading something about it but I can't remember.

[verb_to_trust]

Nobody writes about this stuff just like nobody questions why Bradley is an automatic starter when he has been garbage since late 2013. Soccer media is a joke in this country.

[jwfocker]

Nobody writes about this stuff just like nobody questions why Bradley is an automatic starter when he has been garbage since late 2013. Soccer media is a joke in this country.

Damn. I need to rant about Bradley. You know, I actually thought Bradley was good when I was in my early twenties and I just believed what the useless talking heads said about him. Gradually I learned about soccer and the games nuances and all that shit and I watched him play without the ball and my god he is trash. He's trash with the ball but without the ball he is useless. So so so bad. Which is odd because he played over in Italy for Roma and Chievo for a couple seasons and Italian football is all about organization, spacial understanding, and defending without the ball.

He doesn't cover runs, he doesn't sit back if another midfielder advances up the pitch and closes down space, and he doesn't press. I just don't get it. Selfish and absolutely not a team player at all.

That first touch is awful too.

[Electromatic]

Nobody writes about this stuff just like nobody questions why Bradley is an automatic starter when he has been garbage since late 2013. Soccer media is a joke in this country.

Damn. I need to rant about Bradley. You know, I actually thought Bradley was good when I was in my early twenties and I just believed what the useless talking heads said about him. Gradually I learned about soccer and the games nuances and all that shit and I watched him play without the ball and my god he is trash. He's trash with the ball but without the ball he is useless. So so so bad. Which is odd because he played over in Italy for Roma and Chievo for a couple seasons and Italian football is all about organization, spacial understanding, and defending without the ball.

He doesn't cover runs, he doesn't sit back if another midfielder advances up the pitch and closes down space, and he doesn't press. I just don't get it. Selfish and absolutely not a team player at all.

That first touch is awful too.

He hasn't been awful for his entire career but he has been for the last several years.

US Soccer remains a giant circle jerk of people who think they are better than they are. It's a similar problem with our national teams Olympic and otherwise, but yeah, the FIRST thing that needs to happen is to get rid of Giulati. Then deal with the entire development program and change the coaching at the national level. The style in the US is the ultimate problem.

Producing one halfway decent international talent every 15 years is not a successful model.

[E.H. Ruddock]

Haha, well done Pulisic

[verb_to_trust]

They will bunker and pray Jesus Pulisic can get them a result at Azteca on Sunday. I'm playing some pickup that afternoon. Should be a soccerrific day.

[verb_to_trust]

Michael Bradley with the GOAL

[Electromatic]

Michael Bradley with the GOAL

From 45 yards out!

[jwfocker]

Great goal. Almost had another too. He was chasing ghost all night in midfield but sublime goals will cover that. I'll take it.