TheVisualizer
Banned
xbhaskarx said:
you obviously weren't paying attention to Egypt's great run in the World Cup...
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US GAF: Support your national soccer team
- Thread starter xbhaskarx
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you obviously weren't paying attention to Egypt's great run in the World Cup...
Controversial 'Capello Index' published
I'm sure Capello wants it removed because he's staying on as England's coach and the English players didn't fare well in the rankings...
The US midfield on the other hand...
(Dempsey is 17th at 61.68, Howard 4th among GKs at 64.14)
I'm sure Capello wants it removed because he's staying on as England's coach and the English players didn't fare well in the rankings...
The US midfield on the other hand...
(Dempsey is 17th at 61.68, Howard 4th among GKs at 64.14)
I wonder how much of those rankings take into account distance covered, because our midfielders ran like crazy, as they usually do (I think Donovan and Dempsey were 1 and 3 at the Confed Cup).
World Cup distance covered (km) after 4 games:
Edit: It's funny how the top of the list is dominated by a seven countries: US, Germany, Ghana, Mexico, South Korea, England, Uruguay.
World Cup distance covered (km) after 4 games:
Edit: It's funny how the top of the list is dominated by a seven countries: US, Germany, Ghana, Mexico, South Korea, England, Uruguay.
TheVisualizer said:you obviously weren't paying attention to Egypt's great run in the World Cup...
Egypt has won the last three African Cup of Nations tournaments (2006 when they hosted, and in 2008 and 2010) without losing a game (and they've only drawn twice). That's a record of 15-2-0 (although they won the 2006 final on penalties after a 0-0 draw, so I guess you could say 14-3-0). In the 2010 tournament, they beat Algeria 4-0 (in the semifinals) and Ghana 1-0 (in the final), something the U.S. couldn't do. Also, in 2010 World Cup qualifying, they only missed out due to losing a playoff match with Algeria 1-0 in Sudan.
My point is, Egypt is a pretty damn good team.
ATF487 said:
Yes, Bradley is WAY better than Alonso, because a difference of .03 is obviously statistically significant.
/sarcasm
Also, you understand that performance over four games based on some stat doesn't necessarily mean X "better than" Y, right? Joey Votto (1.005 OPS) better than Albert Pujols (.982), WTF?
That said, Michael Bradley had a great tournament and has been praised by analysts in many countries, and even Beckham! Hell some even took their praise too far, like The Herald naming Bradley best newcomer over Muller (now that deserves a wtf).
Bradley has become really solid, I expect even bigger things from him in the future.
xbhaskarx said:
You know, it'd be nice if you could be a little less condescending. You kind of sound like a huge douche.
I didn't see the explanation for the rating, but even then, it's just that I consider Alonso to be one of the best midfield players in the world, while I think Bradley is an up and coming talent. A .03 improvement in some arbitrary scale was still surprising because I've watched a lot of both of them, and I still think Bradley has some rough edges; he covers a lot of ground but he's not always patient enough to get the attack started. He has all the tools to become one of the best players at his position but I don't think he's there yet
Some more promising news for our 2014 cycle...
After over a year of not playing due to injuries (he would have been a big help for the WC!), Schalke 04 midfielder Jermaine Jones has started playing again!
JONES RETURNS TO ACTION WITH SCHALKE
Don't know who Jermaine Jones is? He's a German-American who grew up in Germany and was featured in some games for the German U-20 team (and some non-FIFA sanctioned friendlies with the senior German team too!), but switched allegiance to the USA when he was frustrated with the lack of call ups for the German team.
Along with Charlie Davies, I was hoping Jones would have recovered in time for the the 2010 World Cup, but I am praying that Jones stays healthy for the 2014 cycle. At 28, he's a little old, but he probably still has it in him for one World Cup!
After over a year of not playing due to injuries (he would have been a big help for the WC!), Schalke 04 midfielder Jermaine Jones has started playing again!
JONES RETURNS TO ACTION WITH SCHALKE
Don't know who Jermaine Jones is? He's a German-American who grew up in Germany and was featured in some games for the German U-20 team (and some non-FIFA sanctioned friendlies with the senior German team too!), but switched allegiance to the USA when he was frustrated with the lack of call ups for the German team.
Along with Charlie Davies, I was hoping Jones would have recovered in time for the the 2010 World Cup, but I am praying that Jones stays healthy for the 2014 cycle. At 28, he's a little old, but he probably still has it in him for one World Cup!
xbhaskarx said:
I think it's too soon for new guys...we might see guys from the initial 30-man call up, but I don't think we'll see anybody totally new. We should start seeing those people in the January camp and Gold Cup next year.
And yeah, Jones showed up when the USMNT were training for the Netherlands team, to get to know his potential teammates. I think at that time, he was still hoping to get better in time for the World Cup.
captmcblack
Member
Wessiej said:
Is that a place where he can get the burn needed to develop as a striker?
Hopefully wherever he ends up, he can actually get on the field and stay there/play well, as opposed to his time in Villareal.
captmcblack said:
The Dutch system would be a perfect place for him to hone his technical abilities and improve as a player. Problem is, Ajax is broke, and they want him on loan, but Villareal want to sell him, far beyond what Ajax are probably comfortable with paying.
There's also another rumor that Turkish club Besiktas is also interested in signing Jozy.
U.S. Defender Jonathan Bornstein has signed a preliminary contract with Mexican club U.A.N.L. (Tigres).
Tigres ficha a Jonathan Bornstein, seleccionado estadounidense
From what I understand, he'll join them formally in January and sign a 4 year contract. Good move, he was probably stagnating at Chivas USA, and maybe he can use his time in Mexico to position himself for a European jump.
And guys...I need to reiterate this one more time...all USA fans should read Soccer in a Football World: The Story of America's Forgotten Game. It's really opened my eyes about the sport in this country.
I mean, it's frankly ridiculous how the USSF (sorry, USSFA) was ran before Alan Rothenberg took over, and it really shows why we didn't qualify between 1950-1990...sure, lack of skill and interest in the sport were probably factors, but lack of organization was probably the major factor.
And for all the flack the college system gets, without it, all our players probably would have been playing indoor soccer rules in Italia '90.
The book has even made me consider supporting the MLS a little bit more....at the very least, I'll watch the Game of the Week on ESPN.
Gamecocks625
Member
daoster said:The book has even made me consider supporting the MLS a little bit more....at the very least, I'll watch the Game of the Week on ESPN.
I'm all for supporting the MLS. I even drink Sierra Mist...proud sponsor of Major League Socccer :lol
I really hope Henry's first MLS start will get a ESPN nod. I can't wait to see him slice through MLS defenses. Hopefully NYRB has enough of a midfield to serve him properly.
daoster said:
I ordered it on your recommendation.
Has anyone here read Soccernomics? It's like Moneyball + Freakonomics. I really enjoyed it, aside from the dull chapter on English fans and clubs they support.
daoster said:The book has even made me consider supporting the MLS a little bit more....at the very least, I'll watch the Game of the Week on ESPN.
:lol
Hey the MLS has been great, almost every member of the US team started out there.
Wessiej said:
That's probably about the right level for him right now. A good team, aren't they in Champions League as well?
I'd want Jones to be able to do Bradley's role, so Bradley can take on more of an offensive role. I was impressed cause I got the impression earlier that Bradley was mostly a bruiser from seeing him play earlier with the US. I was more impressed that he managed to not get sent off at the WC.
xbhaskarx said:
Soccernomics is also an amazing book that made me rethink some preconceived ideas about soccer. Some ideas were kinda hard to swallow (such as Norway being the biggest soccer fans), but overall, great read.
It also made me laugh, cause they try to diss England every chance they get. They predicted, step by step EXACTLY how England would fail. Sure, England might have failed earlier than expected, but the steps were THERE.
No doubt, the MLS has been a positive for our national team, and I'm thankful that the teams use a lot of Americans, as opposed to past attempts at professional soccer leagues in America where almost NO Americans played (another reason to be thankful for our college system which allowed Americans to continue to play)....but doesn't mean I have to enjoy it.
Still, like I said though, after reading Soccer in a Football World, I will probably make an attempt to support the MLS more.
daoster said:
Apparently there is still a vacancy at Fulham, based on this:
Jol set to 'snub Fulham'
...or maybe this:
Ajax blocking Jol Fulham move
Google Charts Which Countries Really Care About the World Cup
Hmm, I don't know what this proves, I probably did more google searches during the World Cup than I usually do.
Hmm, I don't know what this proves, I probably did more google searches during the World Cup than I usually do.
shoplifter
Member
The new You Are the Ref arrived yesterday. It is absolutely glorious.
Gamecocks625
Member
xbhaskarx said:
They both had teams early on...and both tanked.
Screw Florida...get a team in Charlotte, NC.
xbhaskarx said:
Seriously? I'm sure most countries and cultures believe that hard work and self-belief are among their basic values. Perhaps it's just that no one else advertises themselves as defenders of these values as obnoxiously as we Americans do. :lol
It's true that hustle really is emphasized in American soccer (and American sports in general) and that's reflected in the distance-covered figures that you posted above. But that hustle deserves some praise and some criticism--if we passed better, then we wouldn't have to run so damn much. Xavi's not there, but he's still a far better midfielder than Bradley.
I think there's also a danger in lavishing such praise on fighting spirit. Just because it's possible to go far in the WC on pure hustle, it's not probable and it's certainly not ideal. The danger comes from mythologizing hustle at the expense of things we should incorporate into our style; it may cultivate this feeling that we don't need no fancy passin' when we can buckle down and apply good old fashioned elbow grease.
But to be fair, our midfield was the best aspect of our team this WC. Our forwards choked and our defending was abysmal (is our national team honestly coached to NEVER, EVER cover the wings?)
Gamecocks625
Member
I just saw a few rumors where Beckham is pushing for Ronaldinho to play for LA Galaxy. While I think it's a long shot...it would be crazy if that happened.
Rumors persist about Man City making a move for Donovan...(Man City are currently in the US for a pre-season tour).
Manchester City target Landon Donovan
Kinda annoyed that Don Garber's comments have probably inflated Donovan's prices beyond clubs that he might actually be a good fit for (like Everton).
Man City is stacked, Donovan probably won't even be a bench warmer!
Manchester City target Landon Donovan
Kinda annoyed that Don Garber's comments have probably inflated Donovan's prices beyond clubs that he might actually be a good fit for (like Everton).
Man City is stacked, Donovan probably won't even be a bench warmer!
DTLIONS1013
Member
Stuck said:
The answer is yes, Man City has loads of money to throw around
Jamesfrom818
Banned
I kinda want to go to the LA Galaxy vs Real Madrid match on Aug 7
heads up guys. it Major League Soccer. not The Major League Soccer.
just MLS, not the MLS. :lol a minor point, but still.
its a Thursday night game? on FSC?
FSC normally has gotw's on Sat or Sun and ESPN has them on Thurs. ill double check.
ill check out the game. no reason to go see a pink cow game live unless they are playing the Revs though, obviously.
edit: oh its a friendly. whatever.
just MLS, not the MLS. :lol a minor point, but still.
AstroLad said:
its a Thursday night game? on FSC?
FSC normally has gotw's on Sat or Sun and ESPN has them on Thurs. ill double check.
ill check out the game. no reason to go see a pink cow game live unless they are playing the Revs though, obviously.
edit: oh its a friendly. whatever.
FYI, Superliga is still going on, and the US MLS teams are doing... surprisingly well. The tourney is initially two groups of four - two US MLS teams, and two Mexican club teams per group. Top two from each group advance to a playoff stage.
The group stage just ended, and the US actually won both groups - New England, and Houston.
What's more, the two Mexico teams that advance thanks to being 2nd in their group were both beaten by the group winning US team - neither match-up was a draw.
The other two US teams not advancing, Chivas and Chicago, both notched at least 1 win as well and both finished 3rd. So... I don't wanna read too much into things, but it def. stacks the MLS up favorably compared to Mexico's Primera Division and gives me hope for this year's CONCACAF Champion's League.
Attendence is up ~25% compared to last year's Superliga as well... although it's still poor.
The group stage just ended, and the US actually won both groups - New England, and Houston.
What's more, the two Mexico teams that advance thanks to being 2nd in their group were both beaten by the group winning US team - neither match-up was a draw.
The other two US teams not advancing, Chivas and Chicago, both notched at least 1 win as well and both finished 3rd. So... I don't wanna read too much into things, but it def. stacks the MLS up favorably compared to Mexico's Primera Division and gives me hope for this year's CONCACAF Champion's League.
Attendence is up ~25% compared to last year's Superliga as well... although it's still poor.
Washington Post: U.S. soccer could use a new system for college-age players
Gamecocks625
Member
RBH said:
I was impressed with how Philly played. For a lower level MLS team to take on ManU like that was an accomplishment. They had a few chances here and there, but ManU (once they started to turn up the heat) just proved too strong in the end.
I am so stoked to see Henry tonight
Charlie Davies scored his first goal today in 9 months...he also played for the full 90 minutes with the reserve team! Between today's reserve game, and the short burst he's been getting with the senior team, it looks like Charlie Davies is well on the way to recovery!
Charlie Davies' Twitter said:
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