LGP Futbol Thread - (CL, EPL, Serie A, Liga, 2014 World Cup)

[GaryRissling]

Here's a great read on the history of the styles and tactics of US soccer over the years:

http://whatahowler.tumblr.com/post/3131 ... can-soccer

[largegarlic]

I've been to three wcq's at crew stadium including last night. I absolutely love that place-- the field is in incredible shape, the fans were tremendous, and you're right on top of the action as the stands are built very close to the field. If you ever get a chance to check out a meaningful us game (hopefully US/Mexico will play there in the hex), you won't be disappointed.

That's awesome. If they play there in the hex on a weekend, I'll try to make it. I went to the Antigua qualifier in Tampa, and while fun, really didn't have the atmosphere (at least from what I could tell on TV) that Columbus has.

[slappybrown]

Here's a great read on the history of the styles and tactics of US soccer over the years:

http://whatahowler.tumblr.com/post/3131 ... can-soccer

This was excellent, thanks for sharing

[GaryRissling]

I've been to three wcq's at crew stadium including last night. I absolutely love that place-- the field is in incredible shape, the fans were tremendous, and you're right on top of the action as the stands are built very close to the field. If you ever get a chance to check out a meaningful us game (hopefully US/Mexico will play there in the hex), you won't be disappointed.

That's awesome. If they play there in the hex on a weekend, I'll try to make it. I went to the Antigua qualifier in Tampa, and while fun, really didn't have the atmosphere (at least from what I could tell on TV) that Columbus has.

I was at US/Jamaica wcq in '04; and there were a lot of Jamaican fans there (~25% of attendance from what I can remember). Having this match on a Tuesday I think made it difficult for foreign fans to come in from other cities making it something like a 95% pro-US crowd.

[largegarlic]

Here's a great read on the history of the styles and tactics of US soccer over the years:

http://whatahowler.tumblr.com/post/3131 ... can-soccer

I really like this article, too. My one quibble is that I don't think the author put enough weight on the really poor defensive record of the US toward the end of the Bradley era. I'm somewhat disappointed that Klinsmann hasn't been able to implement a more proactive, attacking style as promised, but the US was a mess defensively when he took over. They blew a 2-0 lead against Brazil in the Confed Cup (which might be excusable because it's Brazil), gave up early goals in 3 of 4 games at the 2010 World Cup (letting Slovenia go up to 2-0!?), and then blew a 2-0 lead against Mexico in the 2011 Gold Cup. Despite Klinsmann's preferences for attacking play, it makes sense as a new coach coming in to try to stop leaking goals first, something which I think Klinsmann has accomplished, and then focus on building up the attack.

[GaryRissling]

Just saw this on Football Funnies:

You know you dive too much when...

[Rocco]

http://30fps.mocksession.com/wp-content ... -39-30.jpg

Posting it as a link b/c it gets cut off when I post it as an image and I don't know how to scale images here.

Shame there is no way to get these kinds of calls right. If only there were a technology...

However since Everton just scored, the EPL will ignore the fact the greatest refs in the world once again failed miserably.

[Rocco]

Nevermind, Everton concede immediately because they are Everton and that's what they do. Controversy back on.

[Gaucho]

Looks like a handball to me anyway.

Spoiler:

i'm kidding

[Gaucho]

What happened to Jelavic?

[Gaucho]

Lazio fans being Lazio fans yet again. Shocking.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/sep/21/tottenham-racist-taunts-lazio

[Rocco]

If Stewart Downing could play against Swiss opponents every week he'd look world-class.

[Rocco]

Atrocious red card from Halsey. Pool are working over ManU and the ref throws Ferg a lifeline.

[Gaucho]

Please tell me you're joking. That was a reckless and dumb lunge by Jonjo.

[Rocco]

Please tell me you're joking. That was a reckless and dumb lunge by Jonjo.

He got the ball, it wasn't from behind, and Evans was off-balance already and had both feet off the ground. If that tackle was normally a red card offense Scholes would never have finished a single match.

[Gaucho]

I will concede that a yellow card probably would have sufficed. Sending him off is not a terrible decision, though.

[Gaucho]

Upon further review, they both should have been booked.

[Rocco]

Pool look like a team desperately missing a striker, which makes sense since they are desperately missing a striker. So glad that Henry drew the line on buying Dempsey. Sigh.

[slappybrown]

What a chicken ---- call that was. Rocco's martyr act is deserved for this one.

[slappybrown]

God I hope he misses this.

[Rocco]

I'd be less annoyed with that penalty call if the ref hadn't ignored Evans throwing down Agger to the ground in the ManU penalty area earlier. But these things happen when you're ManU.

[Kraftster]

Frustrating game to watch. Was really hoping rvp woukd miss that. Never realized what a b he seems to be when he was on arsenal.

[Rocco]

Going to enjoy watching Pool play in the Championship next year.

[Gaucho]

Never realized what a b he seems to be when he was on arsenal.

Not that hard to see, I'd say.

[Kraftster]

Well, last year was the first year that I really watched regularly and Arsenal was my team, so, I was watching with blinders on.