All-Purpose, Never-Ending Soccer Thread

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Awesome! Thanks. Am I dumb for not knowing about this site or is this one of those pirate web TV sites?

 

I think it's Andorra's government TV station.

 

I leave town and come back to an argument about whether Howard is good enough. Please. At this point, I gather that CR isn't a big fan. That's fine. But don't go on about the commentators who have a built in bias, particularly Americans.

Many people forget that when Howard left Jersey and went abroad the guy was damn near hated by everyone. Go back and check the front pages of newspapers that talked about him being "retarded."

Howard won EPL goalkeeper of the year. And we're complaining that he's not good enough?

I look forward to tonight's game. I hope to see a better showing from the backline. Cherundolo was just downright awful.

 

Pastor, you of all people should know that past success as a goalkeeper means squat. Keepers are only as good they're currently playing, and with Howard, the risk is just far greater than the reward. I'm sure Barca fans are saying similar things about Valdez this season.

I don't have anything against Howard, but as a ManU supporter I feel more comfortable with the taller, more composed Van de Saar in net. Just a personal preference.

 

I guess the Howard debate is pointless right now anyway because Keller is starting tonight and Howard is either on his way or already back in England. In my opinion, there are far greater things that should be debated about the U.S. National Team than goaltending, like when the hell are they going to announce a head coach, who the hell is going to step up at forward (my choice in Ching), what the hell is going on with the backline and why the hell doesn't Donovan play like that every game.

 

If anyone cares, the under-20 team is tied at 0-0 at halftime with the Haiti Men's National team.

 

anyone else extremely annoyed every time Wynalda opens his fucking mouth?

 

Yes, the guy needs Bruce Arena to keep his ass in place.

 

HATE! HATE!! HATE!!!

Just keep hating, Crissy. Pay no attention to Howard's turning 28 earlier this month -- there's no way in hell he'll ever get any better. He's peaked! I'm surprised Moyes doesn't ship him off for Ian Feuer and a bag of balls.

 

Yet somehow he's not good enough for the Premiership. I'd be surprised guys like him, Nugent and Lee Trundle haven't been gobbled up by the big boys yet if it weren't for the exorbitant prices British players demand.

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Game against the Guates was a whole lot of nothing. Guatemala played a friendly like it was a road qualifier, and in so doing, tipped their tactical hand for the first Gold Cup match. Not sure exactly how stuffing 9 men behind the ball and whacking it long to the Wee Fish helped their progression, but good on them for the execution.

How any soccer culture can endorse such hacking, flopping and grassrolling and still take itself seriously is beyond me.

 

CR, that is fine and all, but it is just your opinion. You also forget that Howard's play this year (which you stated was of the utmost importance) was so good that Sir Alex was considering bringing him back for cover as well as to damage Everton.

I'm sorry, but on the this, you are wrong. The position the US is the strongest is goalie. There are few if any other countries in the world that have our talent. Trust me when I say that England would sacrifice the first born of the new year to have someone as good as Howard between the pipes for them.


Last nights Guatemala game... Ugh. Trooper, you are right in how they showed their hand. The whole game was pretty useless in terms of judging talent. I thought Johnson played a decent game. Conrad has really impressed me. The guy has a great head for the game.

The main issue with last night was the lack of challenges on the US defense, which seemed to be Guatemala's plan. Then you had the lack of any offense as Guatemala played everyone behind the ball. It was just very ugly.