The Soccer Thread (Version 7.0)

I don’t know the view at BigSoccer since I don’t go there. I also don’t need to interview either of them to know what is going on. I have eyes.

The games Dempsey disappears from are different than Donovan’s. You also have the time with Everton, where Donovan put in a good effort, at times, and then chose to not stay nor compete as he wasn’t really interested. Meanwhile, Dempsey is pushing to compete in higher competitions.

No. Zusi isn’t of the same class as Donovan. But, I’d rather see Gomez out on the wing than Donovan…

Probably about when it because more broadcast than any other sport and the ratings for it outranked every other sport…

PS: If you don’t respect Spanish language broadcasts, that’s on you, not me.

ManU needs Rooney. He’s their engine. However, I understand why they would want him out. I just don’t know who would replace him. They have no one else.

They should have kept Alex McLeish and I would have cared a little more.

I really don’t understand the move to Di Canio. I just don’t get it.

 

Di Canio scored arguably the greatest goal in Premier League history ...

So he has that.

But he also did this during his Lazio days ...



... and also has a tattoo on his arm as a tribute to Mussolini.

So there's that.

He was on Leeds' short list for a time. Leeds has put me through enough shit for the last decade. That might've been the last straw had they hired him.

 

Di Canio also won a Fair Play award in 2001. Go figure.

 

Took first trip to Columbus yesterday.

Nice stadium. Enjoyed it.

 

I'm (hopefully) making my first trip in September for USA-Mexico.

I am one of the rare souls who saw the Crew play at Ohio Stadium (versus the San Jose CLASH!). To this day, it's my only visit to the horseshoe.

 

I keep forgetting that the cadre of people in this thread who have covered the game at its higher domestic levels is pretty sparse. Wasn't sure if you were part of that group . . .

Anyway, Donovan not staying in Europe does not diminish the fact he remains the best player the U.S. has ever produced. Which is why we continue to struggle.

Hoping for same. Tried to cultivate a connection with the Crew, but gonna have to buy my own tickets.

 

If anyone is planning on going to the game in Sept. look me up, I plan on going as well.

 

It's definitely something you should see if you're a fan of the sport. I've been to the last two US-Mex qualifiers there and enjoyed it immensely.

Just hope there's not a freak wind storm that makes cell phone coverage spotty or else you can stand two rows in front of Pastor and not even know it!

Also...Did anybody see Megan Rapinoe's goal against Germany on Friday? France has served her very well.

 

I still maintain that there's nothing like U.S.-Mexico in the Rose Bowl, just as a fascinating example of how soccer culture in the U.S. means a lot of different things.

But would hope to catch that game in Columbus.

 

Well, I'll be there for that one! No doubt about it!

I'll take Claudio Reyna or Tab Ramos over him any day of the week.

Ha! It was actually because my iPhone crashed! Literally, it wouldn't allow me to make calls or take calls. It was horrible!

However, I'll be back again. So, there is a chance to meet up...

 

Of course you would. You've always held a heavy geographic bias when it comes to national team players, and you've always inflated Jersey's contribution beyond its actual reality. Not sure you'd find much agreement among people who have followed the national team for the last two decades, unless you only poll people from New Jersey.

Reyna was skilled and couldn't stay on the field, but Ramos was a warrior for those 1990s teams. He's one of the three or four from that era who could probably start for today's team.

Harkes, Wynalda, Ramos . . . I'm sure there's a fourth, though I can't place him right now.

 

Ramos for me is our second best field player that I've ever seen. He saw the field as well as anyone we've ever had.