The Soccer Thread (Version 9)

Thank God there isn't this problem in baseball. Just individual loudmouths up north and fans in LA who don't show up till the third inning.

 

I’m not sure what a “name” coach can do with Real Madrid for the rest of the season. They are 10 points safe in terms of dropping out of the top 4, which is all that is left to play for.

 

Berhalter's squad for March friendlies ...

U.S. Roster by Position (Club; Caps/Goals):

GOALKEEPERS (3): Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge, BEL; 3/0), Sean Johnson (New York City FC; 6/0), Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew SC; 8/0)

DEFENDERS (8): John Brooks (Wolfsburg, GER; 36/3), Omar Gonzalez (Atlas, MEX; 48/3), Nick Lima (San Jose Earthquakes; 2/0), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls; 4/0), Daniel Lovitz (Montreal Impact; 2/0), Matt Miazga (Reading, ENG; 11/1), Tim Ream (Fulham, ENG; 26/1), DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle United, ENG; 57/0)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig, GER; 9/1), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC, CAN; 143/17), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 7/2), Weston McKennie (Schalke, GER; 7/1), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund, GER; 23/9), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC; 7/0), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC; 13/0)

FORWARDS (6): Paul Arriola (D.C. United; 19/3), Corey Baird (Real Salt Lake; 2/0), Jonathan Lewis (New York City FC; 2/0), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC; 25/5), Christian Ramirez (LAFC; 2/1), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew SC; 42/6)

 

It seems as if zidane has been given more personnel power than is usual for Real, so having him now make sense. It's a lost year, so start next year early.

 

Zidane mostly seemed like a roll the ball out there type of a coach. I’m not sure he’s the guy you want to be leading some sort of massive team rebuild, especially given that such a task is near impossible given the political infighting at the club.

 

I thought this was great.

 

That was fun.

 

I love the Champions League. You know you're at the fun stage of the competition when Porto, Spurs, and United are the clubs you want to draw.

 

Since there are four EPL teams, odds are at least two of them, and maybe all (not sure on rules) will play each other. What if it's Spurs and United? (Just kidding, with Spurs luck in the draw so far, they'll get either Barca or City).

 

All teams are eligible to play each other in this round. I’m pretty sure that they also do the semi-final draw at the same time.

Liverpool looked great today.

 

No rules here. Any one club can play any other. Could be City v. United. Which would be nuts.