All-Purpose, Never-Ending Soccer Thread

I think the only absence I can think of is Jimmy Conrad because of his broken jaw. He said he wanted to get back for the Gold Cup, anyone else think he'll be in the squad for Copa America?

 

HeyDude deserves it -- if only as a make up for missing Germany with injury.

Pastor -- for me Ching is like Twellman, a decent MLS talent who brings nothing when faced with quality. Maybe Cooper will turn out worse, but I'd like to see what he can do.

 

I guess I'm just higher on Ching than you are. I like his size and skill. Twellman's biggest downfall is his size. Other than that, I think he would be fine internationally.

Cooper is a big body. He should be going through the middle but he is constantly flying out to the wings. That concerns me. Instead of playing to his strengths, he's playing off his weeknesses, ie dribbling and first touch.

 

Pastor, what happened with the Rangers v. Galaxy match? I was watching Lost and never flipped over. Was it on FSC?

 

I wish I could answer that. I walked down to my local and found that it wasn't on.

So, I sat down for a pint or three and watched a replay of the Liverpool/Milan match.

Rangers, it seemed, put out their first team while Galaxy put out most of their second.

 

Meanwhile, Newcastle are in the midst of a takeover bid by British billionaire Mike Ashley. He's offered 133 mil for the club, including buying out Sir John Hall's 41.9% share in the club for 55 million.

Chairman Freddy Shepherd looks like he's going to be stubborn about it, but the fans want him out.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/6686753.stm

 

HeyDude strikes me as cover for any of the outside back positions -- Yahweh help us if he's a first option. Albright or Freeman would probably be in there if they were healthy.

RB -- Simek, Spector, Dude
LB -- Boca, Bornstein, Spector (?), Dude
CB -- Boca, Super Jay, Gooch, Parkhurst, Spector, Pablo (?)

I wouldn't mind seeing a Bradley/Benny or Bradley/Clark combo in the middle of the field ... maybe all three if El Bob goes 3-5-2. Ching and Donovan should start together up top with EJ as the energy sub.

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Pastor, I think part of the reason Cooper swings out wide so much is that Dallas doesn't really have a left winger. Cooper is skilled on the ball and is naturally left-footed, so he fits the bill. If he doesn't drift wide, they pretty much have no width at all (having traded Ronnie O'Brien).

I agree with you that a guy of his size and aerial ability needs to be finishing crosses, not delivering them. Hopefully having guys like Beasley, Mapp and Ralston on the outside with the Nats will allow him to stay central.

 

I think Pastor spilled his drink after that opening three minutes. Altidore and Angel both strike for the Red Bulls. They look pretty good combining together.

 

I'm predicting an overjoyed and drunken Pastor will be posting later tonight.

 

As an addition to the US Squad from earlier, Tim Howard is the new No.1 in goal, according to Bob.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/soccer/05/24/bc.soc.goldcup.us.ap/index.html

 

I just hope to the God of Goals that The Bruce is in the broadcast booth and has to analyze it when Twellman comes up with a big, nationally-televised goal this summer. Or next. Whenever.

 

I wouldn't expect him to be, as much fun as that would be. He's too busy leading the Red Bulls to an MLS title.