All-Purpose, Never-Ending Soccer Thread

I'll be on the road for a rare trip in the Raleigh area for Wednesday's game. Anybody got tips on where to watch, specifically in the Cary area. If somebody wants a drinking buddy, I'm your guy.

Edit: Wednesday night. Duh.

 

I believe I was one of those who said they were boring to watch.

And quality results don't diminish that point.

Maybe they're better now; haven't seen them in a while.

 

And it's more important to Mexico, judging not only by their inspired play but by the fact that they've got one foot in CONCACAF and one foot in CONMEBOL (by regularly participating in Copa Libertadores). The Americans were the only real outsiders at Copa America, and could thus afford to send the kids. Mexico couldn't have gotten away with that, nor would it want to.

 

As was pointed out earlier, Sanchez's tenure was on the line here. now he's off the hotseat.

Reaching the semifinals and losing to Argentina after a strong tournament will do that. And there's a doubt in my mind that they automatically lose to the Argentinians on Wednesday.

 

From Fox's soccer pub list:

NC Hibernian Pub
311 Glenwood Ave.
Cary
(919) 833-2258 Fox Soccer Channel Subscriber. Highly Recommended.

NC The Speakeasy Pub (Tyler's Restaurant)
Cary
(919) 469-3322

NC Woody's Sports Tavern & Grill
8322 Chapel Hill Rd
Cary Fox Soccer Channel Subscriber.

NC Bailey's
Chapel Hill
Fox Soccer Channel Subscriber

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This pub list found me a place to watch the Gold Cup final in Alaska, so it's worth something. I've been to Bailey's for college hoops but never for soccer. The other places I'm not familiar with. Not from NC, but visit a lot. I'd give these places a call and check and see if they'll have the game. I'd be stunned if Baileys did not have access to ESPNU; and they're really good about putting games on that you want to see.
There's also a Chammp's at the Southpoint Mall. Beautiful place, with good food and lots of TVs. I'd consider calling them to see if they're planning to show, also.
Good luck.
If you were coming to my town, I'd invite you to the house!

 

That's a dangerous open-ended invite to fling my way. Next time I'm in SportsJournalists.comville, I'll drop by.

Thanks for the tips. I'd seen mention of Hibernian Pub, so I'll probably try to check that out.

 

Greg Lalas makes the case for Adu to be headed to Europe soon.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/greg_lalas/07/09/adu.u20s/index.html

He's got a point about Adu being the class of the tournament, and that if he weren't American there would be a huge transfer fee attatched to his move.

 

On the one hand, I react by saying "Well, Greg Lalas has his brother's "gift" for hyperbole, overreaction and overly bold - maybe outlandish by any other name - statements."

On the other, I see that Adu has dominated this tournament.

But you know what? Kid has always done well in the age-group tourneys, where others have little experience, where the truly special are already playing for the full national teams for their countries and not the age-group teams, and where physical play is rarer than elsewhere. Then he gets to MLS and looks unmotivated at times, overly ambitious at other times. When he doesn't have the ball, he disappears. When he does, he tries to take on three defenders.

In a less physical league, he might do well. And in a vacuum, yes, any player performing as he has at the U-20 tourney should expect to get some love from overseas. But I'm skeptical of how he will perform against dudes that will, likem in MLS, be twice his size with superior experience levels. We have seen too much of how he can look inferior with club then superior with country against fellow youngsters.

 

There aren't many who can play consistently at a high level when they're still in their teens. Even Ronaldo, while a part of the squad, didn't see any time when he was 17 at the '94 World Cup. He had to wait 'til '98, even though everyone in that country, including the man himself, were calling him the next Pele. 17 year-old Theo Walcott was on the England squad for the last WC, and it was one of the decisions that lost Sven his job.

I think its a good idea for him to be playing in the age-group tournament, because maybe it gets his confidence back for when he comes back to RSL. All players this age, however, are a work in progress. He's not going to get a work ethic overnight. It should come soon though. And when it does, MLS will point to his performances in Canada to get proper market value for his transfer.

Back on the Ranch, DeRo resigns with Houston for another couple of seasons.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=444452&cc=5901

 

Tim Dahlberg = hack

AP should've laughed and killed this epic piece of shite once it crossed the desk.

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/07/10/ap3899986.html

 

I am putting together a road trip in a couple of weeks, how good will these games I am going to, be:

Game 1: Houston vs. Monarcas Morelia
Game 2: FC Dallas vs. L.A. Galaxy

 

Both should be good, but get a Dallas-Galaxy ticket now if you can. With Beckham in town then, they may be a tough get.