OT: Boneyard "Other Football" World Cup Thread

[ZooCougar]

That's not soccer's fault. Just shows your lack of a sports mind. You've probably never heard of Eddie Merckx or Teofilo Stevenson either (let alone Sachin Tendulkar). There are lots and lots of sports out there besides the big three.


Only to dinosaurs. Which will eventually die off. Notice nothing from Deford and Rome has talked about it without actually dissing it. Just because "Jimmy Serrano" doesn't know about it, doesn't make it niche.

Jimmy is the niche, and he doesn't even realize it yet.

 

[spsct]

The team I like in Germany is awful. I can't help but be an duck fan, but we'll never see them on TV in the US.

They're back in the First division now, and they seem to be spending a bit of money. They may make a go of it this time around.

I'll definitely be headed up when Mainz visits them.

 

[ZooCougar]

They're back in the First division now, and they seem to be spending a bit of money. They may make a go of it this time around.

I'll definitely be headed up when Mainz visits them.

What surprises me is that with all that money in Wiesbaden that they don't have their team in a better division.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Donovan for Davis would have been my only change. Keeping Yedlin and Green explained that he knew what he was doing overall. Hopefully we can build off of that.

Playing in Europe or being German American counts with this guy. Look for more of it.

Agree on the Donovan for Davis exchange. I would have also exchanged Wondo (sorry to kick a guy while he is down) for Eddie Johnson or Boyd. The US really needed a big strong, holding striker to keep the ball with his back to the goal and distribute back-up to Jozy. LD could have filled in the role of set piece specialist (Davis) and goal poacher (Wondo). Yeldin was a very pleasant surprise. Green got the goal and looked good while doing it; but, only saw about 15 minutes on the field. I withhold the right to appoint him the US version of Messi until he proves that he is not the second coming of Feddy Adu.

 

[ZooCougar]

Agree on the Donovan for Davis exchange. I would have also exchanged Wondo (sorry to kick a guy while he is down) for Eddie Johnson or Boyd. The US really needed a big strong, holding striker to keep the ball with his back to the goal and distribute back-up to Jozy. LD could have filled in the role of set piece specialist (Davis) and goal poacher (Wondo). Yeldin was a very pleasant surprise. Green got the goal and looked good while doing it; but, only saw about 15 minutes on the field. I withhold the right to appoint him the US version of Messi until he proves that he is not the second coming of Feddy Adu.

Dude... he is already better than Adu LOL. But I agree on the cautious optimism for both Yedlin and Green. There is something to be said about being 18-20 and fearless. Four years from now they may have a differently mentality.

I think for JK, it's not just playing Europe, but WHO you play for in Europe and how much you are playing. He was pushing Dempsey hard to not just be pack fodder in Europe. He wants his Americans starting for sides that are Champions League caliber.

Overall, I am pumped for the future.

 

[meyers7]

So who has another WC left in them, and who are the guys waiting in the wings? Here's the names I see in the mix for 2018 (form the current roster). Doesn't mean they will mkae it, but based on age...
Forward:
Altidore is 24
Johansson is 23
Midfield
Bradley is 26
Diskerud is 23
Bedoya is 27
Green is 19
Zusi is 27
Defender:
Yedlin is 20
Gonzalez is 25
Besler is 27
Brooks is 21
Cameron is 28
Chandler is 24
Johnson is 26
Goal:
Guzan is 25

Guzan is 29. But add in Sean Johnson (25) and Bill Hamid (24)

Defense looks pretty set for awhile. Add in Ream (27), Fiscal (28). Still need a LB though.

Midfield can add in Torres (27), Brek Shea (24), Josh Gatt (23), Luis Gil (20), Joe Corona (23), Junior Flores (18?19?)

Forwards can add Juan Agudelo (21), Boyd (23)

 

[DarthGrumpy]

For the whiners with their panties in a bunch, the next US National team game currently is scheduled for Sept 3. US against the Czech Republic in Prague. The US roster for the match, just to further tighten 'em up, will likely be heavily European-based, and younger and less experienced. Nope, Landycakes is unlikely to participate. Onward, and upward!

What is the next big Cup for the USMNT? Copa or Gold?

For the team, the next 2 years is very important in terms of further developing the young talent (Yeldin, Brooks, Green, Chandler), finding some fresh, hopefully creative midfielders, and adding depth at striker and midfield.

I think the biggest news for US soccer will be at the end of July or early August when FIFA’s report on the 2022 Qatar Cup comes out. If it is bad as the Guardian (London newspaper) has said it is, I would not be surprised that the US ends up hosting the 2022 Cup that that would be a major boost.

 

[ZooCougar]

What is the next big Cup for the USMNT? Copa or Gold?

For the team, the next 2 years is very important in terms of further developing the young talent (Yeldin, Brooks, Green, Chandler), finding some fresh, hopefully creative midfielders, and adding depth at striker and midfield.

I think the biggest news for US soccer will be at the end of July or early August when FIFA’s report on the 2022 Qatar Cup comes out. If it is bad as the Guardian (London newspaper) has said it is, I would not be surprised that the US ends up hosting the 2022 Cup that that would be a major boost.

I think the Olympics is the next big target. And yes, I think the US and Canada are likely to host the 2022 WC once FIFA pulls out the rug from under the Qataris.

 

[spsct]

What surprises me is that with all that money in Wiesbaden that they don't have their team in a better division.

??? What money?

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

That's not soccer's fault. Just shows your lack of a sports mind. You've probably never heard of Eddie Merckx or Teofilo Stevenson either (let alone Sachin Tendulkar). There are lots and lots of sports out there besides the big three.


Only to dinosaurs. Which will eventually die off. Notice nothing from Deford and Rome has talked about it without actually dissing it. Just because "Jimmy Serrano" doesn't know about it, doesn't make it niche.

LOL. This is why I love needling you guys. Anyone who doesn't like soccer is a dinosaur. An unsophisticated sports fan. A mouth breathing knuckle dragger.

It's just boring. And some of the rules make no sense. My opinion.

It's growing in popularity. But it's still a niche sport. The facts prove this.

 

[meyers7]

I have been an on and off MLS fan. But i just bought tickets for six Sporting KC games. Looking for an EPL side to become a fan of, I am open to pulling for any side but Arsenal, Man City, Man U and Chelsea.

I can understand staying away from the dark side (ManU, ManCity and Chelsea), but come to the light (Arsenal). We don't overspend, hell we hardly spend at all. (and we have an American owner - sort of)

 

[ZooCougar]

??? What money?

Wiesbaden is like the richest city in Germany or close to it.

 

[ZooCougar]

I can understand staying away from the dark side (ManU, ManCity and Chelsea), but come to the light (Arsenal). We don't overspend, hell we hardly spend at all. (and we have an American owner - sort of)

True, their owner is a Mizzou grad.

 

[ZooCougar]

LOL. This is why I love needling you guys. Anyone who doesn't like soccer is a dinosaur. An unsophisticated sports fan. A mouth breathing knuckle dragger.

It's just boring. And some of the rules make no sense. My opinion.

It's growing in popularity. But it's still a niche sport. The facts prove this.

Show a 20 year old a American male a picture of Lionel Messi and Mike Trout. Guess who most of them would recognize.

 

[spsct]

Wiesbaden is like the richest city in Germany or close to it.

OK... I thought you were talking about sponsorship or something. Unfortunately unless somebody steps up like Hopp did in Hoffenheim I don't think it will translate to improved placement.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Here is what I have to say about yesterday.

This team has been in an offensive funk since the Portugal game ended. Whatever offensive courage we had against Ghana and Portugal has evaporated and in its place we have guys not trying to finish but instead passing the ball ONE MORE TIME

There were a few times yesterday that I was yelling to shoot the ball instead of one more pass. Belgium’s defense is big and well structured. When a team cannot get good, sustained pressure on net, just shoot the ball. Good things may happen, like Wondi’s close call, when the ball heads toward net. Nothing happens when the ball gets passed around the 18 yard line before being stolen.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Show a 20 year old a American male a picture of Lionel Messi and Mike Trout. Guess who most of them would recognize.

I think you're fairly delusional about this.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Screw the EPL.... Bundesliga or nothing!

Isn’t that what Klimsmann said to the US team?

 

[meyers7]

LOL. This is why I love needling you guys. Anyone who doesn't like soccer is a dinosaur. An unsophisticated sports fan. A mouth breathing knuckle dragger.

It's not the "not liking", it's the having to go out of their way to let everyone know they dislike it.

It's just boring.

It bores you. It's not boring. My only problem with people saying it's boring is some of them watch baseball. That I just can't take. It may not interest you, fine, hockey doesn't interest me, but I realize it's not boring. There's lots of action.

And some of the rules make no sense.

Only because you don't understand them. Try explaining gridiron football (illegal formation) or even worse baseball (infield fly rule, tagging up, balk) to someone who hasn't grown up with them.

It's growing in popularity. But it's still a niche sport. The facts prove this.

Actually facts prove it's not. And that's just in America.

 

[ZooCougar]

I think you're fairly delusional about this.

I think you are out of touch. But whatever.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

The team I like in Germany is awful. I can't help but be an duck fan, but we'll never see them on TV in the US.

A couple of jobs ago and when I had time to play video games, I have to work with a German insurance firm a lot, Victoria, and they were impossible to deal with. I would get home, turn on my EA soccer game, pick Arsenal and absolutely maul the team that Victoria sponsored at the time, which I believe was Schalke. I mean, it would be 10 to 0 by half and I would be playing with 9 men after breaking one of their player’s legs and drop kicking their keeper.

 

[EdgewoodNHV]

I have been an on and off MLS fan. But i just bought tickets for six Sporting KC games. Looking for an EPL side to become a fan of, I am open to pulling for any side but Arsenal, Man City, Man U and Chelsea.

Nice choices on who NOT to root for. Liverpool was probably a tad easier to root for before Suarez big again. But it sounds like they might sell him to Barcelona anyway. I like 'em. They're owned by the Red Sox. They used to be dominant but haven't won a title since like 1990 or something. Everton and Tottenham are also good teams to root for -- good, but not so good that they're bandwagon teams who bought titles.

It was easy for me cause my best friend is British and a die-hard Liverpool fan. But it can be tough to find the right team.

You can root for anybody as long as you don't root for Manchester United.

 

[EdgewoodNHV]

It's growing in popularity. But it's still a niche sport. The facts prove this.

Well, sure, if you don't count the entire rest of the world.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

I put this on the other thread. Thoughts on the 2018 team?

Not sure if Howard will be back from 2018 as he will be 39 then; but, it is possible for a Keeper and, fortunately, the US has already has historical strenght in this position, including Guzan who will only be 33 next time around.

On the backline, the US looks to have good depth and opportunities going forward as the only player not likely to be back in 4 years is Beasely as he will be 36; but, with him, who knows. Yedlin will not even be in his prime yet (24) while Johnson will only be 30, so I have high hopes there. Brooks (25) and Gonzalez (29) should be still available and with more opportunities to play with each other should keep thinsg tight in the middle. Besler (32) and Cameroon (32) have outside chances; but, I am hopeful there is younger talent out there. Chandler (28) has the tools and hopefully will get more seasoning.

The midfield will look a lot different as I suspect only Mix (27) and Bradley (30) are likely to be back with everyone else aging out, though Bedoya (32) and Suzi (32) may be able to help as solid subs. I really hope that Green (23) can develop into that #10 creative midfield by then. The US needs more youth on the wings and will need a solid defensive midfield ot two, or three to replace Beckerman (36) and Jones (36).

Up front, I assume that Dempsey’s rap career will be in full swing in 4 years as he’ll be 35, which is ancient for a striker. I suspect that Altidore (28) and Johannnsson (27) will be back. Some pundits have suggested that LD may even be back at age 36 just to prove himself to all of those critcs. Of the youth movement (Boyd, Agudelo, Wood, Bruin, etc.) looks to be able to offer something in 4 years?

 

[SAMCRO]

I can understand staying away from the dark side (ManU, ManCity and Chelsea), but come to the light (Arsenal). We don't overspend, hell we hardly spend at all. (and we have an American owner - sort of)

Zoo, do not, I repeat, do not buy into anything an Arsenal supporter says, ever... Even their parents don't trust them. Down with the Scum. Come On You Spurrrrs!