All-Purpose, Never-Ending Soccer Thread

Finished ... hilarious. It's like being back on BigSoccer. There's no way a player in his mid-20s could possibly improve on a performance in the middle of the offseason, could he? :

How's about we wait until the flavors of the month actually score in a match that counts for something before annointing them the future of the program?

 

Trooper, I get what you are saying and I'm not normally one to kill people too quick. Albright is done for all of the reasons above. People that know far more than I have repeated this to me as early as today.

As to Johnson, he may come back. But I just don't see it. The guy got the big contract and he's fallen ever since. I don't know. We'll see on him.

So, because you asked, here is the deal...
There is some sort of EPL retirement package based on the number of years you played in the league. The sooner Reyna signs the contract the sooner those payments stop.

Reyna will sign. This is a done deal. It is all a matter of clearing the issue of EPL payments.

Of course, after I heard all of this explained, I proceeded to indulge in further libations resulting in a bit of the message getting scrambled as I recall that there was also an issue with the old team releasing him.

But, it is mostly to do with money. When RBNY signs him he will be paid less.

Also, whatever was heard about Watereus signing with RBNY is not fully done yet. They are looking at other players, one in particular, and they would rather not bring in Watereus to take up an SI slot if this younger guy pans out.

On top of this, there seems to be a lot of talk regarding Reyna and the DP slot. All signs point to him NOT getting one.

 

Ever since EJ crapped the bowl against the Argies in the U-20 tournament -- the only game that I've seen in which Freddy lived up to the hype -- I've watched him closely. He has excellent pace and can be an effective garbageman striker. But he drifts in and out of every game and he seems a tick slow with his soccer instincts. It says a lot that The Bruce didn't trust him enough to replace a clearly spent McHead against Italy. The very real chance that he could have an opportunity on goal was not worth the fact that he would make a stupid play defensively.

As to the big match today, I watched half at regular speed and half on fast forward. Man United never looked comfortable. If you had offered them no change to their six point advantage before the weekend, they would have taken it. Small consolation though.

 

Bornstein got turned around multiple times on the left side, but the fact the US is always searching for a left fullback and his ability to get forward and help the offense while also being smart enough to know how and when to do that without hurting the defense . . . ensures he'll get more looks.

I was impressed by Cooper, a guy I was not high on before.

Agree on Albright, Johnson and Donovan.

 

As we wonder why U.S. soccer is so slow in growth of players that can compete at a high level internationally, we have people like the mayor of Clarkston, Georgia to thank.

This is a hell of an NYTimes story and a bit of a tear jerker.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/21/us/21fugees.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5087%0A&em&en=0805097c438a40ab&ex=1169614800

 

That's a heck of a story.

 

Man, great story. Thanks for the link. That kind of story makes me feel lazy. I definitely need to get out there and volunteer.

Oh, and that mayor needs a kick in the head.

 

That is a wonderful story. It should be its own thread, but it seems as though there are far too many people that actually agree with that mayor.

 

You and I both. Good news is that the Fugees have a website for donations and probably volunteer assistance if you live in the area.

http://www.fugeesfamily.org/

 

I agree on Albright -- he was a stop-gap measure at a thin position for the Nats. You can only bring Dolo over so many times before it has an adverse affect. With Spector, Simek, Wynne, etc. floating about, his days at RB are numbered.

As for EJ and Donovan, you guys need to step away from the crack rock. Donovan turns 25 in March, while Johnson turns 23. You really think they're already past the peak of their powers? These are professional soccer players we're talking about here, not rail-thin pixy Olympic gymnasts.

The long off-season must really be screwing with some of you. Borderline finished, my hairy ass cheeks....

 

I'm in the middle of my Gers season so I'm getting my soccer-fill

I just don't see it in Donovan. The guy has no heart. Did you see that interview, Trooper, in the middle of the game? "I didn't feel comfortable in Germany. I could never quite get comfortable."

Then you had the whole fact that he continued to pass off the ball, and the responsibility, when it came to a situation where he could take a shot while in the box.

Donovan didn't play for a German team when he had the chance, not because he couldn't cut it, because he couldn't get "comfortable." When he is challenged for a roster spot, he backs down. When he's challenged to step up and be a leader on the team, he backs down.

He played well in S.Korea/Japan because he was an unknown kid with no responsibilities. Now, he just wilts under pressure.

 

He's the Scottie Pippen of the USMNT.