European Soccer Part XIII

[Jimjamesak]

I know that most really don't care but I do I. The US Nats beat Mexico (again!) 1-0 in Dallas tonight. The US carried 80% of the play but didn't score until additional time (that's 90+ if your scoring at home, I'm a ref, I use the technical/nerd terms) on a rebound nailed home by Eddie Pope. The US played the game at fast pace, with a high pressure defense, and Mexico couldn't keep up. The metrosexual smurf boy Landon Donovan actually played to his ability and definately was MOTM.

I wanted to post this because this rivalry is growing every game the US and Mexico plays against each other.

[Terrierbyassociation]

I hate Mexico. GO USA!

[Don King]

Originally posted by Bob Gray
I've seen rumors about the Gunners signing Van Persie recently...

Hey, this actually happened. Whaddya know, I was right! :p

Exactly how, though, is Arsenal going to find places for Henry, Bergkamp, Reyes, Van Persie, Pennant, Wiltord, Kanu, Jeffers, Bentley.... okay, the last five maybe aren't so important... but still, don't the Gunners have WAY too many strikers?

[Bob Gray]

Originally posted by Jimjamesak
I know that most really don't care but I do I. The US Nats beat Mexico (again!) 1-0 in Dallas tonight. The US carried 80% of the play but didn't score until additional time (that's 90+ if your scoring at home, I'm a ref, I use the technical/nerd terms) on a rebound nailed home by Eddie Pope. The US played the game at fast pace, with a high pressure defense, and Mexico couldn't keep up. The metrosexual smurf boy Landon Donovan actually played to his ability and definately was MOTM.

I wanted to post this because this rivalry is growing every game the US and Mexico plays against each other.
I didn't know this game was taking place yesterday, but when I got home from work I happened to find it on the tube and watched most of the 2nd half. Usually somebody around here will give a heads-up when a game like this is on. Seemed like a pretty clean game, with not as much dirty tackling from the Mexicans as I've seen a number of times in the past. But the U.S. was in the ascendancy most of the time and the goal at the very end of stoppage time was great! Anybody know when the lads square off with Mexico again? The games with Mexico are always great to watch.

[Bob Gray]

Originally posted by Don King
Hey, this actually happened. Whaddya know, I was right! :p

Exactly how, though, is Arsenal going to find places for Henry, Bergkamp, Reyes, Van Persie, Pennant, Wiltord, Kanu, Jeffers, Bentley.... okay, the last five maybe aren't so important... but still, don't the Gunners have WAY too many strikers?
Wiltord and Kanu are both likely gone, as is Jeffers. Pennant is more of a winger. Bentley has been talked about loaning out, although Wenger doesn't seem big on loaning players that might have a future at the club. But Bentley could fill in a bit here and there, though I doubt he's ready for regular first team action. You forgot Aliadiere, who will probably be featured semi-regularly next season. Bergkamp will likely be a part time player. Even this year he rarely played a full game and as another year goes by, I bet Wenger picks his spots of where to play Bergkamp, assuming his skills don't deteriorate a lot. I don't know a lot about Van Persie, but I'd guess he'll be like Aliadiere, filling in here and there, but not a regular fixture. Henry is a given, and Reyes will play a lot. I don't think there are too many strikers, given that a lot of them won't be around Highbury for one reason or another. My main concern is if something happens to Henry, the strike force suddenly doesn't look all that threatening.

[Nathan]

Originally posted by Bob Gray
My main concern is if something happens to <strike>Henry</strike> Ruud, the strike force suddenly doesn't look all that threatening.
Sounds like my concern.

[Bob Gray]

Originally posted by Nathan
Sounds like my concern.
I would be worried about Ruud. There's an article over on the BBC website about how Ruud may very well go the way of Beckham. Apparently Ruud is in SAF's doghouse after a bust-up 6 weeks ago with Keane and a recent one with Bellion, for which Ruud supposedly has refused to apologize. There is speculation that Ruud's sitting out the Liverpool match (and not being in the stadium at all to boot), is similar to how Beckham was sat toward the end of last season.

[Nathan]

YEah, there's a lot of speculation on that one. I honestly don't think he's going anywhere. I think it's just that, speculation, at this point.

Then again, stranger things have happened with the Senile Auld Fart.

[Jimjamesak]

Originally posted by Bob Gray
I didn't know this game was taking place yesterday, but when I got home from work I happened to find it on the tube and watched most of the 2nd half. Usually somebody around here will give a heads-up when a game like this is on. Seemed like a pretty clean game, with not as much dirty tackling from the Mexicans as I've seen a number of times in the past. But the U.S. was in the ascendancy most of the time and the goal at the very end of stoppage time was great! Anybody know when the lads square off with Mexico again? The games with Mexico are always great to watch.
I spaced on giving a heads up for it but there is a replay at 2am EST if you really wanna see the whole game, LD's cracker off the woodwork is good to see.

The Nats probably won't play Mexico(wned!) until WCQ in the final or hexagonal stage (now when I say "the hex" that's what I mean) probably in the US, the safe bet would be Columbus since USSF doesn't like to use WCQ's as big paydays, but also the Big Razor or Seattle (yay!) have been rumored, I know it won't be in California or Texas. The other game will of course be at Estadio Azteca.

[Bob Gray]

Originally posted by Jimjamesak
I spaced on giving a heads up for it but there is a replay at 2am EST if you really wanna see the whole game, LD's cracker off the woodwork is good to see.

The Nats probably won't play Mexico(wned!) until WCQ in the final or hexagonal stage (now when I say "the hex" that's what I mean) probably in the US, the safe bet would be Columbus since USSF doesn't like to use WCQ's as big paydays, but also the Big Razor or Seattle (yay!) have been rumored, I know it won't be in California or Texas. The other game will of course be at Estadio Azteca.
I thought near the end of the game yesterday they were talking about the teams meeting next in Mexico City and the general tone made me think it wasn't that far off.

Maybe they'll play the Mexico home game here in Phoenix! :D

[Jimjamesak]

Since I have been using a lot of bigsoccer.com lingo in some of my posts I have decided to post this guide insteading of explaining the terms. Most porbably know most of these but here goes...
Team Nicknames
The Smurfs: The San Jose Earthquakes, named the smurfs for their jerseys that were blue with white sleeves (i.e. they looked like smurfs).
The Scum or The Metroscum: The MetroStars, as in the name given to them by rival DC United fans, scum is also used by Metros fans to describe DC.
The Gals: The LA Galaxy

The Nats: The US Mens National Team
Bruce's Yankee Army: see above (it's from a Sams Army Chant)

Player Nicknames
The Faggy Smurf Boy: Landon Donovan.
McHead: Brian McBride, given for his canny ability to score with his head.
Run DMB or DMB: DeMarcus Beasley, given for his speed and sweet name.
Cleetus (or Kleetus): Clint Mathis, given to him by MetroStars fans for his work ethic (or lack thereof).

CONCACAF Stuff
The Hex: The final round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying, that has six teams, known as the Hexagonal Round.
El Tri: Mexico
Ticos: Costa Rica
The Reggae Boys: Jamaica
Mexicowned!: Refers to the USA's recent owning of Mexico on the senior level (and for the most part the youth level also). The US has outscored Mexico 11-1 in their meetings since 2000 including a 2-0 win at the World Cup and a 2-1 aggregate score in WCQ (based upon the two games they played in the Hex). It seems that the 4-0 loss in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament falls under either the "Youth Games don't matter" Doctrine or the "1998 World Cup" Doctrine (which means you never ever acknowledge that it ever happened and change the subject)

Stadium Names:
Victoria Street or The Toolbox: The Home Depot Center in Carson (LA) California.
That place the Yanks can't win in: For me it refers to Saprissa in Costa Rica or Estadio Azteca in Mexico.

Those are the ones that you'll usually see on here that I use, there might be some others.

[Jimjamesak]

Originally posted by Bob Gray
I thought near the end of the game yesterday they were talking about the teams meeting next in Mexico City and the general tone made me think it wasn't that far off.

Maybe they'll play the Mexico home game here in Phoenix! :D
Well the next game may be in Mexico, I'm not sure. But usually USSF wants that first WCQ in the US. And I say that Columbus will get it because of what happened last time around :D :D :D (2-0! Mexicowned!).

[3W]

Originally posted by Jimjamesak
Ticos: Costa Rica
That place the Yanks can't win in: For me it refers to Saprissa in Costa Rica or Estadio Azteca in Mexico.


I went to Costa Rica on Spring Break, and I saw the Saprissa Stadium (from the highway), not all that exciting, but not a dump either. I even own a Saprissa jersey (picked it up at a local clothing shop). They wear purple and white (think Anderlecht) and I like it. If you ever get the chance to go there as a part of Sam's Army or something, do it. San Jose is a great town (not to mention really cheap) and all of my experiences with the Ticos were very positive.

[Jimjamesak]

Originally posted by Wildcat Willy Wannabe
I went to Costa Rica on Spring Break, and I saw the Saprissa Stadium (from the highway), not all that exciting, but not a dump either. I even own a Saprissa jersey (picked it up at a local clothing shop). They wear purple and white (think Anderlecht) and I like it. If you ever get the chance to go there as a part of Sam's Army or something, do it. San Jose is a great town (not to mention really cheap) and all of my experiences with the Ticos were very positive.
Yeah I'd like to go to Costa Rica sometime, Saprissa is another one of those stadiums with a little mystique to it. I'd kinda like to go to Azteca but the thought of bags of urine being thrown on me if the US wins is not cool. But I'm saving to go to Deutschland for 06 so those trips are a long way off, unless I can get rich girlfriend.

[Bob Gray]

The rumors of RvN leaving Old Trafford seem to be heating up. Fox Sports has a story now indicating that SAF is apparently upset with RvN, not only about the reported bust-ups, but because RvN said ManU misses Beckham. Apparently SAF has taken that as a personal criticism and it has led to a falling out between the two. And there are also reports that RvN's contract with ManU has an out clause for going to Real Madrid, which is puzzling, as RvN said he wanted to play at ManU forever. If RvN does move, that leaves Saha as the only good attacking option at ManU, necessitating even more transfer activity before next season. It may all still be just rumors, but it is starting to sound more feasible than it once did. To me it'd be another example of SAF's ego hurting his team. While I don't like RvN, I do respect him as an excellent striker, who is extremely dangerous when in form.

[Nathan]

Ruud is the best striker not named Henry.

If he goes, I may have to switch allegiances until SAF is gone. I can't freaking stand that guy. First he runs Becks out of town, then he benches Nicky Butt repeatedly, now Ruud?

Bring in Sven Goren!!

[Big Poppa Pump]

Becks Back in England? (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2004/04/30/sfnbec30.xml&sSheet=/sport/2004/04/30/ixsporttop.html)
Reliable sources regard it as a "certainty" that Beckham will peel away from Madrid's galacticos and seek alternative employment in London with Chelsea or Arsenal. Equally, Beckham would rush back to Old Trafford this summer if Sir Alex Ferguson ceased to be the United manager, the chances of which are negligible.
Dump SAF....NOW.

[Nathan]

Originally posted by Big Poppa Pump
Becks Back in England? (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2004/04/30/sfnbec30.xml&sSheet=/sport/2004/04/30/ixsporttop.html)

Dump SAF....NOW.

COME HOME BECKS!!!

[Bob Gray]

I expect to see Beckham land at Chelsea. He'll never be back at ManU as long as Sir Red Nose holds the reins there. And Wenger has said that Arsenal can't afford him, plus I'm not sure Wenger would want to risk adding Beckham to the side, as all the publicity, etc., might interfere with the great club spirit. And Beckham would be a perfect fit for Roman, as he's got no money limits and he'd see Beckham as a way to further enhance the stature of Chelsea both on and off the pitch. I think it'd be great if he came Arsenal's way, but I don't see it happening.

[Rhett]

Originally posted by Nathan
I may have to switch allegiances

Way to stick with your team in 'tough' times. :rolleyes: