The Official Soccer/Futebol/Futbol Thread...

[CleanAzzE30z]

[CleanAzzE30z]

[///mza]

Deutschland brought the blitzkrieg all over Poland today!

[CincinnatiKid]

Netherlands Vs Italy should be a good game today.

[delatlanta1281]

Oh Mariano...
I am by far an England fan. I watch the premiership like it's my job. However, I cannot believe that Argentina couldn't get it done last night. Howard is of corse the man when it comes to Keepers (besided Chek), but holy crap! he US did very very well. I hope your team reviews that game. In the WC a performance like that isn't going to take you to the finals.

[CleanAzzE30z]

You are absolutely right, Del. But from what I saw, the U.S. played a hell of a game. More of a game as equals than a typical Argentina vs. U.S.A. game. I give them credit. Although the U.S. and Mexico teams in the past 15-20 years have grown and bettered exponentially. They are no longer pushovers as they used to be. Mexicos been a bit more consistent and its always a good game, but the U.S.'s potential has been there for these past years. They are capable of playing very well and holding their own against historically far greater teams.


Mariano

[delatlanta1281]

I agree on that one. it just baffles me when France and England walk all over them, and Argentina has trouble. They def. played more like a team last night than over the past month. I think Donnovan had alot to do with it. And I am still getting a River kit!
I love those fuckers!

[Maluco]

Netherlands Vs Italy should be a good game today.

Holland 3 to 0!!! "Isn't that veird!!!" (plug Travolta in Austion Powers' Gold Member"

You are absolutely right, Del. But from what I saw, the U.S. played a hell of a game. More of a game as equals than a typical Argentina vs. U.S.A. game. I give them credit. Although the U.S. and Mexico teams in the past 15-20 years have grown and bettered exponentially. They are no longer pushovers as they used to be. Mexicos been a bit more consistent and its always a good game, but the U.S.'s potential has been there for these past years. They are capable of playing very well and holding their own against historically far greater teams.
Mariano

Mexico still can't really come together when in selecao mode... The US has GREATLY improved!

I agree on that one. it just baffles me when France and England walk all over them, and Argentina has trouble. They def. played more like a team last night than over the past month. I think Donnovan had alot to do with it. And I am still getting a River kit!
I love those fuckers!

Baffles you? C'mon bro. Playing Argentina and Brasil is like a world cup final for whoever plays them and actually pulling off a win, or even a tie for that matter, is like winning the World Cup as many times as Brasil has and getting to marry the two hottest Brasilians and two hottest Argentinas in the world. Not even to get into the huge pressure of wearing the shirts, respective numbers and the heart and soul of every countryman and woman on your shoulders.



On that note, it baffles me that Venezuela beat us 2 - 0 the other day!

[CincinnatiKid]

I'm so glad that Netherlands got the win with Italy, they clearly were the better team, Italy just couldn't get anything going and didn't seem like they wanted to play.

[Maluco]

I really wanted to watch the Spain x Russia game tomorrow. There's a Brasilian born midfielder, recent Spanish citizen, that's near certain to start, Marcos Senna. He plays for Villarreal.

Brasilian soccer flooding the international market FTL.

Summer school keeping me from watching it as it happens FTML!!!!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=l4azyidBeuc gol from mid-field

LOL!!! BTW, the first two gols in Portugal's win yesterday (the disallowed and subsequent one-upper) was scored by a Brasilian born market flooder as well. And he's a defensive player at that!

[delatlanta1281]

Baffles you? C'mon bro. Playing Argentina and Brasil is like a world cup final for whoever plays them and actually pulling off a win, or even a tie for that matter, is like winning the World Cup as many times as Brasil has and getting to marry the two hottest Brasilians and two hottest Argentinas in the world. Not even to get into the huge pressure of wearing the shirts, respective numbers and the heart and soul of every countryman and woman on your shoulders.



On that note, it baffles me that Venezuela beat us 2 - 0 the other day!

So you are saying that there is more pressure on the south american national teams than the English national teams or the Spanish national teams or the Germans, Or French, Or Italians???? All those players carry hopes and dreams on their shoulders. I realise that South Americans have brilliant midfielders and forwards, but look at Essien for England.... even Rooney or Giggs... Again name a Keeper from Sud America with the skill and talent of Chec or Howard, or the defensive mind and brute force of John Terry. Every country has its talent, I can't even begin to list the talent from Europe (which is smaller than S. America BTW). Think about the talent coming out of africa as well.
I just recently got into S. American soccer and I must say, i am impressed. But for me Serie A and The EPL are where it's at. What happened in the Champions league this year? Is it any secret why the final was between Chelsea and ManU? I don't think so.
I saw the argentinians get frustrated in the second half, a HORRIBLE red card thrown out, and the US not only defend shorthanded but strike. And strike against first string players. Argentina played piss poor IMO (sorry Mariano). If they play like that against England or France or Brasil they will be screwed.
Don't forget this simple fact. The english premeirship Is where they all want to end up and the paycheck isn't the only reason.

[Maluco]

So you are saying that there is more pressure on the south american national teams than the English national teams or the Spanish national teams???? What premeirship do they all want to play for in the end?

Well, I can see where they actually might not have as much pressure as other nations.

To answer your question, I would imagine whichever one is ready to set the next record contract amount. Why, what premeirship were you reffering too?

[CleanAzzE30z]

I agree on that one. it just baffles me when France and England walk all over them, and Argentina has trouble. They def. played more like a team last night than over the past month. I think Donnovan had alot to do with it. And I am still getting a River kit!
I love those fuckers!

Argentina-Mexico has a different connotation than Mexico-Germany. Mexicans play with extra balls due to their dislike of us and their inferiority complex when it comes to our national teams. They step up with us.

or the defensive mind and brute force of John Terry.

Javier Zanetti? Roberto Ayala? But I seer your point and I love Terry. Balls of steel. I can appreciate ANYONE who plays with heart. He is such a player.


I think we cal all agree that the best/prettiest football playing league is NOT in England. Yes it has lots of money and is very "effective", but just as the German team in the 70's and 80's, its very technical, but not too much passion or beauty or what we call in Argentina "quiebre de cintura". Its very textbook and black and white. Historically the English game has been one of long balls and crosses and a very structured game. WHich, I agree can be very effective like a well-oiled machine. But thats usually not what produces passion-inducing futbol. I do believe the English pay very well, but I doubt most of the pro players really want to be in the Premiership for the challenge or because it plays the best futbol. Just 10 years ago, the English league was ahead of only the German league in terms of respect and quality. It was laughable. Things HAVE changed, but because the "foreigners" had to come in and show the stiff wooden boards how to play with your heart ALONG with your brain. This argument has no winners because Im sure you will respond with and equally compelling argument against me. :) But please, feel free to do so. Im sure Maluco may agree with me here. But its the never-ending argument between South American natural skill, passion, and flair; and European technique, discipline, and tenacity. As with everything, the ideal thing is to have a balance between all of them. Thats why I like Portugal.






Mariano

[delatlanta1281]

Point taken. I like the structure but respect the heart of the south americans. They do play differently and it is an un-winable arguement. I will watch anything having to do with soccer. I find myself watching other sports and wishing they were soccer.

[Maluco]

LONDON (AP) - Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will become Chelsea manager after the European Championship.

I hope he can pull off the Championship! Would be an awesome goodbye to Portugal.

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/8235218/Luiz-Felipe-Scolari-to-manage-Chelsea