The Soccer Thread (Version 7.0)

Lampard (reportedly) to Galaxy.

http://tracking.si.com/2013/01/18/la-galaxy-signs-frank-lampard/

I like it. Just don't want "let's sign dudes in their mid-30s! WhhhooO!!!!" to be an MLS trend again as it was in the 1990s.

 

Me likey. Wouldn't be surprised if Stoke made a move for Stuart Holden as well. I have heard no rumors of the sort, but Stuart has been pretty chummy with Stoke GK Asmir Beogvic and Geoff Cameron as of late on the Twitters.

 

Stunningly stupid decision. I have no great passion one way or the other for Southampton -- though I do like seeing Maya Yoshida do well -- but I can't help but feel for Saints fans and Nigel Adkins. This reeks of so much of what is hateful about the modern game: A club rising through the ranks with a manager dedicated to open, attacking play who sticks to that philosophy (as opposed to Stoke-ing it up) even when results turn ugly, but all that pales in importance to the whims of a moneyed foreign owner with a bruised ego. Apparently righting the ship with only two losses in the last 12 games and moving three points clear of the drop with a comeback point at the defending European champion doesn't get you as much credit these days.

Any good feelings or respect Adkins and Southampton gained among neutrals for their dedication to positive play just went out the window. The owner wibbling on about having "no choice" about firing Adkins in order to reach some nebulous "long-term ambitions" only makes this sound more like Venky's 2: Fuckwit Boogaloo.

 

Saw reports putting the asking price at $3 million to $3.5 million -- probably an injury discount in there, but a moot point as Dallas didn't bite. Maybe Pulis will do Klinsmann a solid and convert Shea to a left back.

 

Hear, hear. And we all know how well Venky's has stewarded Blackburn's ship.

 

150th career Premier League goal today for Michael Owen. Polarizing figure for some because he's willing to speak his mind but one of the great strikers of his generation.

 

Great game at White Hart Lane, Dempsey scores at 92+ for Spurs and a 1-1 draw with Man U.

 

The folks at the Bernabeu still hold a grudge against Ickle Mickey for making off with the Balon d'Or that was supposedly rightfully Raul's.

 

Great one to watch. But I don't know how the linesmen made it in short sleeves and shorts in that snow and below-freezing temps.

 

And they weren't as busy since Hernandez didn't play and thus didn't incur his standard 3-4 offside penalties.

 

Chicharito is Spanish for Inzaghi.

 

BRADFORD!