Random Soccer Chatter

• NilesPacMan

  My question is: What does Messi need to do during the rest of his career to go down as the GOAT? Can he be considered that without a World Cup trophy?
• Laley23

  

  NilesPacMan;1404999 wrote:My question is: What does Messi need to do during the rest of his career to go down as the GOAT? Can he be considered that without a World Cup trophy?

  Great question. The way people have typically judged it, yes. Then again, NO ONE has ever dominated Europe like this...
  
  It's unfair to him, IMO. Argentina is a great squad every year. But they are nowhere near the best team in the world like pele had with brazil or maradona with Argentina. If Argentina can find a dominant MF before the World Cup, that would help big time. But with only a year to go, no one seems on the horizon.
• DeyDurkie5

  

  NilesPacMan;1404999 wrote:My question is: What does Messi need to do during the rest of his career to go down as the GOAT? Can he be considered that without a World Cup trophy?

  I don't think you should judge Messi's obvious GOAT talent based on his team not performing in the world cup. Can't hold that against him. When you watch him play, you just know he's one of/if not the best ever.
  
  Also, how about them turks? http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/mar/13/galatasaray-fans-dig-tunnel-schalke
• Pick6

  

  Nobody excited about USMNT vs Belgium in Cleveland in May?
  
  I plan on going to the match vs Mexico in Cbus in September as well.
• NilesPacMan

  Laley23;1405052 wrote:Great question. The way people have typically judged it, yes. Then again, NO ONE has ever dominated Europe like this...
  
  It's unfair to him, IMO. Argentina is a great squad every year. But they are nowhere near the best team in the world like pele had with brazil or maradona with Argentina. If Argentina can find a dominant MF before the World Cup, that would help big time. But with only a year to go, no one seems on the horizon.

  Definitely agree with this.
  
  Also, what a second tie with Tottenham/Inter in the Europa League! Inter down by 3 goals playing at home, get all three to send it to extra time. Tottenham scores 5 minutes into ET, and Inter just levelled up the aggregate. They need one more goal because they're down on away goals.
• NilesPacMan

  Pick6;1405724 wrote:Nobody excited about USMNT vs Belgium in Cleveland in May?
  
  I plan on going to the match vs Mexico in Cbus in September as well.

  Pretty exciting. I'd love to go to both matches. Belgium has a great group of young players. I'd definitely look to them to be a sleeper pick in the next WC, and a team that can capture Euro 2016.
  
  Also, did they confirm that Mexico is in Columbus? I'd highly doubt they go anywhere else with the game, but I didn't see any official reports.
• Laley23

  

  NilesPacMan;1405777 wrote:Definitely agree with this.
  
  Also, what a second tie with Tottenham/Inter in the Europa League! Inter down by 3 goals playing at home, get all three to send it to extra time. Tottenham scores 5 minutes into ET, and Inter just levelled up the aggregate. They need one more goal because they're down on away goals.

  Tottenham escapes! That was an awesome game. They REALLY missed Bale and Dempsey today. Glad both should be back for the remainder of the year and in Europe.
  
  As a side note...I HATE the away goal rule once it gets to ET. Its fine for the first 180 minutes. But after that it should be played out as neutral. So unfair to give one team more time than the other to get an "away goal". ESPECIALLY since the advantage is supposed to be with the home team in the 2nd leg.
  
  That said, thank God for the rule today. Obviously helped Spurs advance lol
• Pick6

  

  NilesPacMan;1405781 wrote:Pretty exciting. I'd love to go to both matches. Belgium has a great group of young players. I'd definitely look to them to be a sleeper pick in the next WC, and a team that can capture Euro 2016.
  
  Also, did they confirm that Mexico is in Columbus? I'd highly doubt they go anywhere else with the game, but I didn't see any official reports.

  Yep. September 10th
  http://www.mlssoccer.com/blog/post/2013/02/09/report-us-mexico-qualifier-will-be-played-columbus
• NilesPacMan

  Laley23;1405800 wrote:Tottenham escapes! That was an awesome game. They REALLY missed Bale and Dempsey today. Glad both should be back for the remainder of the year and in Europe.
  
  As a side note...I HATE the away goal rule once it gets to ET. Its fine for the first 180 minutes. But after that it should be played out as neutral. So unfair to give one team more time than the other to get an "away goal". ESPECIALLY since the advantage is supposed to be with the home team in the 2nd leg.
  
  That said, thank God for the rule today. Obviously helped Spurs advance lol

  Haha, yeah. My brother is an avid Spurs fan, and he was on edge when I got home and found him in front of the TV. I had completely forgotten that Bale was out for today, and I simply muttered something about how Bale will just save the day. I got the dirtiest look, lol.
  
  I agree on the away goal rule in ET. Completely and totally unfair. They're all square going into the ET, so why not just play with normal rules?
  
  I don't know whether it was I was watching basketball on another TV or not, but ET felt so slow and sloppy. I didn't really feel like I was watching much of a soccer game.
• ohiobucks1

  

  NilesPacMan;1405842 wrote:Haha, yeah. My brother is an avid Spurs fan, and he was on edge when I got home and found him in front of the TV. I had completely forgotten that Bale was out for today, and I simply muttered something about how Bale will just save the day. I got the dirtiest look, lol.
  
  I agree on the away goal rule in ET. Completely and totally unfair. They're all square going into the ET, so why not just play with normal rules?
  
  I don't know whether it was I was watching basketball on another TV or not, but ET felt so slow and sloppy. I didn't really feel like I was watching much of a soccer game.

  
  It's because they were dead tired.
• Pick6

  

  Vertex Soccer ‏@VertexSoccer BREAKING NEWS: Vertex Soccer client and Chelsea FC winger Ismail Seremba has verbally committed with the University of Akron Zips.
• NilesPacMan

  Woke up to see Everton leading City 1-0. Got really lucky just now because the ref called handling on Fellaini, clearly in the box, but they marked it 3 yards out of the box?
  
  COYB!
• Laley23

  

  Niles, you are up in the player pick em.
• ohiobucks1

  

  Down go the scousers! Pool loses 3-1
• OSH

  

  Pretty bummed I can't go to the Crew home opener tonight. A bit financially strapped and packing the house for a move.
  
  I'll tune in online though.
• SportsAndLady

  

  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21822165
  
  Wtf?
• OSH

  

  SportsAndLady;1407912 wrote:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21822165
  
  Wtf?

  I saw that earlier. What an idiot.
  
  He claims he was "pointing to a friend/teammate in the stands." No one in their right mind would believe that garbage. A promising young player just decides to ruin things. Idiot. When will people learn...
• OSH

  

  10PM ET...USMNT!
• gorocks99

  

  OSH;1411613 wrote:10PM ET...USMNT!

  They better win. If not their qualification is in serious jeopardy.
• OSH

  

  gorocks99;1411614 wrote:They better win. If not their qualification is in serious jeopardy.

  Yeah, I'll definitely be utterly disappointed if that happens.
  
  I also want to shut some stupid media and critics up with the Jurgen stuff.
• Laley23

  

  They need to win...and unfortunately, this is one of the weakest teams we have put on the field in a LONG time, imo
• OSH

  

  Laley23;1411819 wrote:They need to win...and unfortunately, this is one of the weakest teams we have put on the field in a LONG time, imo

  Argument time...why?
  
  Outside of the defense, how is it weak? Jurgen has picked the main midfielders and strikers he's always picked -- notable omissions are Jose Torres and Herculez Gomez (which I am shocked in that one). Defensively, we have 3 defenders who have 1 cap, and I understand the "weakness" there. The only conflict that there's been there is Bocanegra, who's been on the bench for a 2nd division team since February. And, absent is Timmy Howard -- injury, sucks.
  
  Outside of that, what makes this team stronger? Cherundolo? Gooch?
• Laley23

  

  No Howard. No Donovan. No Bocanegra (good call). Defense is woefully inexperienced. And frankly the offensive player Klinnsman has had have been sub-par recently.
• OSH

  

  Laley23;1411835 wrote:No Howard. No Donovan. No Bocanegra (good call). Defense is woefully inexperienced. And frankly the offensive player Klinnsman has had have been sub-par recently.

  So...where exactly is the weak team at? The only bummer is defense right now...and that IS a big bummer. But, I don't see where the whining toward Klinsmann goes.
• Laley23

  

  OSH;1412007 wrote:So...where exactly is the weak team at? The only bummer is defense right now...and that IS a big bummer. But, I don't see where the whining toward Klinsmann goes.

  Im fine with Klinsy. I think the weak team comes from our entire defense and some depth in MF is hurt and/or unavailable. Has nothing to do with Klinsy, has to do with shit luck. Even Dempsey isnt 100%.
  
  Without our #1 in Howard and now the inexperienced backline it becomes a major problem. Howard at least has the experince and ability to make up for a few fuck-ups, we will see what Guzan has.
  
  The frigid teams tonight will for sure help us.