All-Purpose, Never-Ending Soccer Thread

The Metro-Red Bulls have a lot of young talent, I expect The Bruce to turn this franchise around.

 

WCG, I don't know about having "a lot" of young talent, but they do have a few young guys.

I'm just hoping that the team doesn't roll out a 4-5-1!

 

I was banking on the developmental kids (Altidore, Arvizu and Wynne)developing into key players.

 

Those are some good names. Throw in the new acquisition of Dunivant and the youth of Parke and Mendes and I think you could be right. There is some young guys.

I guess I just keep thinking about Amado, Youri, and Hendo.

 

Youri and Hendo may not be much longer for the MetroBulls with Il Bruce in charge. Guevara might stick around, if he can stay in line, since Arena likes having a strong presence in central midfield (Etcheverry, Reyna, etc.).

If there's one RBNY player who should be updating his resume, it's Fat Tony. Wonder if KC would take him back for a farewell tour....

 

Kansas City fires Bob Gansler.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/news;_ylt=AoFt5C7v3a0wCDd0PoSpXfykvrYF?slug=ap-mls-wizards-gansler&prov=ap&type=lgns

Bob Gansler is rarely mentioned as a great coach, but without him, US soccer may not be where it is today. Using a collection of college kids and third-tier European players, he led the United States to the 1990 World Cup, even getting respectable results against Italy and Austria.

He also led the Wizards to a pair of MLS Cup title games, winning the Cup in 2000 a year after finishing in last (thank God for Tony Meola and Miklos Molnar in 2000!). He also led the Wizards to a Open Cup title.

Great, great coach who has done a lot for American soccer. This Wizards/USA fanboy is sad today but understanding for a change in Kansas City.

 

Happy trails to Danger Bob's Country Bunker.

Sad to see him go out like this, but KC is slipping fast. Now we'll see what kind of coaching chops Brian Bliss has.

 

Very workmanlike, if unspectacular, win for the MetroBulls today. Interesting that Djorkaeff is still out of the country.

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Champions League second qualifying round matchups (played July 25/26 and August 1/2):

NK Gorica (Slovenia) v Steaua Bucharest (Romania)
Levski Sofia (Bulgaria) v Sioni Bolnisi (Georgia)
FC Zurich (Switzerland) v SV Salzburg (Austria)
Djurgaardens (Sweden) v MFK Ruomberok (Slovakia)
Debrecen (Hungary) v Rabotnicki Skopje (Macedonia FYR)
Mighty Cork City (Ireland) v FK Crvena Zvezda (Serbia)
Fenerbahce (Turkey) v B36 Torshavn (Faroe Islands)
FK Mlada Boleslav (Czech Republic) v Valerenga Oslo (Norway)
Sheriff Tiraspol (Moldova) v Spartak Moscow (Russia)
Metalurgs Liepajas (Latvia) v Dinamo Kiev (Ukraine)
FH Hafnarfjordur (Iceland) v Legia Warsaw (Poland)
FC Copenahgen (Denmark) v Myllykosken Pallo-47 (Finland)
FK Ekranas (Lithuania) v Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia)
Hearts (Scotland) v NK Siroki Brijeg (Bosnia)

 

Come on Hearts!!! [/SPL fanboy looser]

 

It's possible no professional franchise has ever been wrecked as quickly and messily as the Columbus Crew. Two years ago, they led the league in points. Four years ago, their roster included Brian McBride. Right now, there are about 3 worthwhile players on the entire roster, injuries or not.
The management of this team is a joke.

 

They were awful last night -- although a hell of a second goal scored by Laventure of RBNY.

 

I've seen nearly every Crew game this year, Webby, and each game I remind myself how hard they are to watch. But Sigi keeps them in nearly every game, so I keep watching, hoping there'll be a spark that finally brings them to life. It never comes.