Soccer thread (Champions League • PL • La Liga • Euros etc)

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 11:24 am

GGG needs to go. Why did Reyna play so little during the World Cup? He is the most creative player we have. And likely will be one of the best players we will ever have. If the USMNT gets a coach like Jesse Marsch who is an aggresive coach who knows how to score we will be in better shape. We sure could have used Ricardo Pepi.

This is the most talented team the USMNT ever had. GGG did less with more than other coaches. One of the worst coaches in USMNT history.

Alieberman · Post by **Alieberman** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 11:58 am

I'm getting on the Japan bus from here on out

EastCoastCat · Post by **EastCoastCat** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 12:12 pm

Tough loss but the team is still young. Against top flight teams your mid-fielders must track back and not allow those top of the box crosses. And not marking far post passes is a cardinal sin. 3 critical defensive breakdowns converted by the Dutch. And the 1 breakdown by Holland was not converted by Pulisic, that really hurt.

And not having a true striker caught up with us. But loved the effort.

Need to now figure out how to win knockout round games.

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 12:15 pm

3 goals in 4 games is inexcusable with this team.

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Mon Dec 05, 2022 12:30 pm

Brazil is so much fun to watch.4 goals and still 10 minutes left in the first half. Men among boys.

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Tue Dec 06, 2022 10:48 am

Peace out Spain

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Fri Dec 09, 2022 10:49 am

Brazil goes down to Croatia. Can Croatia make it back to the finals?

EastCoastCat · Post by **EastCoastCat** » Fri Dec 09, 2022 12:22 pm

I hate penalty kicks at this level - WC, Champions League, Europa, Cup Finals, etc... basically knockout stages of these competitions.

Sudden death for me.

Alieberman · Post by **Alieberman** » Fri Dec 09, 2022 2:13 pm

Dutch tie Argentina in stoppage time after being down 2-0

What a match... in Extra time

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Fri Dec 09, 2022 2:14 pm

That is the craziest finish to the second half I've ever seen. The Netherlands scored the tieing goal against Argentina with, literally, seconds to go in regulation. I've never seen anything like that before.

EastCoastCat · Post by **EastCoastCat** » Fri Dec 09, 2022 2:22 pm

This is an epic match. I have friends/former colleagues in the Netherlands texting me and going nuts.

dovecanyoncat · Post by **dovecanyoncat** » Fri Dec 09, 2022 7:02 pm

Aren't the Dutch considered to be like the Canadians of Europe? Do they have any edginess to their identity? Any mojo? Asking for a friend.

EastCoastCat · Post by **EastCoastCat** » Sat Dec 10, 2022 5:33 am

dovecanyoncat wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 7:02 pm Aren't the Dutch considered to be like the Canadians of Europe? Do they have any edginess to their identity? Any mojo? Asking for a friend.

Are you talking sports or the country in general?

Having spent a lot of time there and working with many Dutch people, they are very organized and detail oriented. Also very innovative- remember this is a people that figured out how to move large quantities of water in order to live.

They are also very private and do not like to boast. This might answer your edginess comment. Although if you watched yesterday’s match they were quite chippy committing 30 fouls and 6 yellow cards.

The only similarities to Canada imo is they are dominant on the ice - they rule the sport of speed skating.

EastCoastCat · Post by **EastCoastCat** » Sat Dec 10, 2022 10:07 am

Peace out Ronaldo and Portugal.

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Sat Dec 10, 2022 10:58 am

A Morocco/France semifinal won't have any animosity at all...

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Sat Dec 10, 2022 11:59 am

EastCoastCat wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 5:33 am
dovecanyoncat wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 7:02 pm Aren't the Dutch considered to be like the Canadians of Europe? Do they have any edginess to their identity? Any mojo? Asking for a friend.
Are you talking sports or the country in general?

Having spent a lot of time there and working with many Dutch people, they are very organized and detail oriented. Also very innovative- remember this is a people that figured out how to move large quantities of water in order to live.

They are also very private and do not like to boast. This might answer your edginess comment. Although if you watched yesterday’s match they were quite chippy committing 30 fouls and 6 yellow cards.

The only similarities to Canada imo is they are dominant on the ice - they rule the sport of speed skating.

"There's only two things I hate in this world: people who are intolerant of other people's cultures, and the Dutch."

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Tue Dec 13, 2022 1:34 pm

Lionel Messi is amazing. He is the best player in the world right now. Argentina is going to the finals. I don't know if he is as good as Maradona, but he is dominating this match. a France vs Argentina finals would be amazing.

dovecanyoncat · Post by **dovecanyoncat** » Tue Dec 13, 2022 2:02 pm

Catintheheat wrote: ↑Tue Dec 13, 2022 1:34 pm Lionel Messi is amazing. He is the best player in the world right now. Argentina is going to the finals. I don't know if he is as good as Maradona, but he is dominating this match. a France vs Argentina finals would be amazing.

Messi ain't no spring chicken. He's been phenomenal for quite a while. I first started watching him because Kobi raved about him way back when.

EastCoastCat · Post by **EastCoastCat** » Tue Dec 13, 2022 3:39 pm

Argentina vs. France

Shit, I want them both to lose.

EastCoastCat · Post by **EastCoastCat** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 8:40 am

Argentina putting a beating on the baguettes.

Can’t say that I’m shedding any tears for Giroud and Lloris being an Arsenal fan.

Alieberman · Post by **Alieberman** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 9:09 am

1st half dominated by Argentina.

Keep it up!!!

dovecanyoncat · Post by **dovecanyoncat** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 9:45 am

Oo la la Uh Oh!

EastCoastCat · Post by **EastCoastCat** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 9:46 am

Oh shit.

EastCoastCat · Post by **EastCoastCat** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 10:31 am

Messi and Mbappe own this WC.

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 10:41 am

I am not a big fan of the penalty kick. I think it has a place if a foul is caused on a point blank shot. But it gives penalty shots way too often when there was little chance for a goal. Way too many dives to try and get the call.

CardiacCats97 · Post by **CardiacCats97** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 10:46 am

This game is insane. Wish they could just keep playing in sudden death.

pc in NM · Post by **pc in NM** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 10:46 am

Soccer is so fucking boring!!!

Whew, i'm so glad i'm not emotionally invested in this. My heart would have failed by now!!!

dovecanyoncat · Post by **dovecanyoncat** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 10:47 am

Incredible game

dovecanyoncat · Post by **dovecanyoncat** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 10:55 am

Go Home Frogs!

Alieberman · Post by **Alieberman** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 11:07 am

Amazing match!!

I’m so happy for Messi! He deserves this cap to his career

AzCatFan2 · Post by **AzCatFan2** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 12:56 pm

Heck of a final and happy for Messi. Very exciting World Cup. Can't wait to host the next one with Canada and Mexico.

SCCats · Post by **SCCats** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 7:05 pm

I’ve been thinking about the game during the day and I know these type of things are impossibly to quantify, but I wonder if that was the best football game I’ve ever seen in my life.

Then the next thought is I wonder if that’s the best game I will see in my life.

Amazing thing that game today.

CardiacCats97 · Post by **CardiacCats97** » Wed Jan 04, 2023 11:44 am

So it was Claudio Reyna that was trying to extort Berhalter?

Get your popcorn ready.

gouacats · Post by **gouacats** » Wed Jan 04, 2023 11:46 am

Gio needs to get on top of this, hire a PR firm for damage control and distance himself from his parents at this point.

CardiacCats97 · Post by **CardiacCats97** » Wed Jan 04, 2023 12:15 pm

Now the report changed to it being Gio’s mom who was threatening US Soccer with revealing the Berhalter DV.

Not really sure how Gio can move forward as a part of the US team unless like you said he publicly and severely distances himself from his parents.

84Cat · Post by **84Cat** » Thu May 04, 2023 1:10 pm

EastCoastCat · Post by **EastCoastCat** » Thu May 04, 2023 2:08 pm

More blood money as they say.

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Wed Jun 07, 2023 4:04 pm

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Thu Jun 15, 2023 8:01 pm

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Thu Jun 15, 2023 10:48 pm

azgreg wrote: ↑Thu Jun 15, 2023 8:01 pm

I need to change my avatar. I won't be following the team. Rehiring Berhalter is an ASU type hire.

EastCoastCat · Post by **EastCoastCat** » Fri Jun 16, 2023 5:13 am

Forgot about this thread.

Hate to say it but that's par for the course for US Soccer. What really worries me is if they tried to find someone better but no takers.

Now to something more near and dear to my heart - the best league in the world, the Premier League. My Gunners had a great year but didn't have the depth and overall talent to match Pep's City team. I don't even want to mention that Cyborg Haaland. We need more firepower and during this transfer window we are looking at both West Ham's Declan Rice and Chelsea's Moises Caicedo to shore up the midfield that is thin and will more than likely lose Xhaka to Bayer Lev. Another RB would help as well. Looking forward to Arsenal's US tour this summer and plan to see them take on MU at the Meadowlands in July.

Sucks that Chi is gone because now I can't tease him about his Spurs.

AzCatFan2 · Post by **AzCatFan2** » Fri Jun 16, 2023 8:26 am

Nice score line in yesterday's match against Mexico. Tres a cero is better than dos a cero, and great that the US has a 6-game unbeaten streak against Mexico. But what an ugly second half. 12 card in total, but 11 in the 2nd half, with 4 reds. And the red against McKinnie was BS. The ref had lost control of the match by then, and unfortunate that Weston became his target.

As for Berhalter, we'll see what he can do. He's not a great coach, but he's not bad either. I thought the World Cup showing was about as good as we were going to do with the youngest average age roster, and a bunch of guys who had never played on that stage before. If we don't get past the Round of 16 in 2028, major disappointment.

EastCoastCat · Post by **EastCoastCat** » Fri Jun 16, 2023 9:38 am

Nasty leg kick on my Gunner Balogun too.

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Sun Jun 18, 2023 6:44 pm

It is a shame Berhalter is going to take over after the gold cup because this current roster is really good. And Dest and McKennie aren't playing because of red cards. Tyler Adams, Tim Reim, and Carter-Vickers are injured. Gio Reyna has gotten better.

AzCatFan2 · Post by **AzCatFan2** » Sun Jun 18, 2023 6:59 pm

Good first half against Canada. And Balogun with the kind of finish we've been missing from a target man up front. 2-0 US at half. 45 minutes to go.

FreeSpiritCat · Post by **FreeSpiritCat** » Sun Jun 18, 2023 7:06 pm

AzCatFan2 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 18, 2023 6:59 pm Good first half against Canada. And Balogun with the kind of finish we've been missing from a target man up front. 2-0 US at half. 45 minutes to go.

Weah, Pulisic, Balogun, and Reyna. Those are good forwards.

EastCoastCat · Post by **EastCoastCat** » Wed Jul 19, 2023 5:17 pm

So pumped to watch my Gunners take on the MLS All-Stars tonight.

RichardCranium · Post by **RichardCranium** » Thu Jul 20, 2023 1:11 am

Women's World Cup srarts in an hour or so

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Fri Jul 21, 2023 7:01 pm

US women up 2-0 at the half over Vietnam.

EastCoastCat · Post by **EastCoastCat** » Thu Aug 10, 2023 6:43 am

English Premier League (EPL) starts this weekend. City still is the clear cut favorites but my Arsenal team made a splash over the summer signing period after a surprisingly good campaign last year (was in first place for most of the season) with the acquisition of Rice, Havertz and Timbor for close to 200 pounds. They wilted at the end of last season so these additions provide needed talent and depth, especially with Champions League games back on their schedule.

But City after winning the treble last year are still the team to beat although they lost Gundogan and there is a chance that Silva goes to Barcelona. But that team is stacked still and it will take quite a drop in form for them not to win their 4th title in a row.

I think Liverpool and ManU round out the top 4 in the League. If Caicedo goes to Liverpool they could seriously contend for the title. Their midfield would be insane.

I'm not sure what Chelsea and Spurs are doing as both teams underperformed last year. Pochettino has been brought in for Chelsea to turn things around and they made a lot of moves in the offseason selling Havertz, Mount, Kovacic, Pulisic and a few more getting 225m pounds but I think they overspent on their acquisitions with Nkunku the biggest of the signings.

Chi - good to have you back as I was disappointed that I couldn't give you any shit about your Spurs last year.

Not sure what they have done to improve this year as all the talk is whether Kane will go to Bayern or not. Should know in the next couple of days.

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