Any REAL football fans here? (Page 22)

Meh.  I've never been impressed with Adu.  Flash in the pan, from what I've seen, in person and on TV.  Altidore is a much stronger forward for us.  That being said, yeah, that win last night was fugly.

Wow, I did look it up. What a nightmare. Glad justice finally prevailed.

So things are really starting to shape up for the WC next year.

Possible that Argentina might not qualify.

Mexico appears to be finally pulling itself up by the boots and might just squeak in.

England is now officially in, and will probably get bounced in the first round.

The US will almost definitely get bounced in the first round unless they play like they did against Spain in each and every match. 

Spain continues to look very, VERY strong.

Brazil looks good, but beatable. 

I love this sport. 

Lets see....

England bounced in the first round - unlikely...scrape into the round of 32...scrape past someone and lose on penalties in the quarter finals....

Mexico - looked better - will qualify

US gets bounced regardless of how they play ( remember Spain out shot them something like 29-3! )..just not enough quality when the competition level is raised

Argentina - good grief!....they should finish 5th and go into a play off with the 5th concacaf team....so that should get them in!

Good news is it may be the most wide open WC yet..since only Spain ( and they were serial underachivers until last years Euros) looks really strong.

Maybe its the year that an African team makes a run to the final......bear in mind it will be winter in SA so it will not be a scorcher....and there is altitude too!....ingredients for an upset or two.....

You know, that is not a bad thought.  Egypt is a perenial powerhouse for the African Cup.  Even though we beat them, they did scrape one out against Brazil.  Could they be the dark horse? 

I don't see any dark horses coming from the Pacific Rim.  The Roo's?  Doubtful.  Any of the Asian teams?  Maybe into the quarters, but that would be pushing it.

Unfortunately, you are probably right about the US.  Unless some miracle happens it will be another first round exit.

Argentina is laughable.  Such talent on that squad to be playing so miserably.

I think you are right, though.  This really should be a good WC.  Very wide open.  Wouldn't be shocked if there were some surprise upsets and favorites dropped either in the opening round or the round of 32.  Looking forward to it all.

Anyone watch any of the matches this weekend.

Caught a bit of the Spurs v Red Devils.  A man down and they still score and win the match.  Can't stand those guys.  Ugh.  And had NO idea Peter Crouch went to Tottenham.

'Pool wond quite easily, as they should have and Yossi finally did some prolific scoring in a domestic match instead of holding out for the Champions League.

Chelsea, again, pulled one out of their backsides.  Hrumph!

What did you guys watch, if any?

Man City / Arse.....in which Adebayor stamped on various arsenal players and celebrated his goal in from of the Arsenal fans....the guy is a tw@t!..... thinks he is better than he actually is - if only he gave the sort of effort in this match when he was at Arsenal they wouldnt have sold him!

Despite Defoe's effort, Man-U is still top of the game.. and they still looks solid without their number 7

Adebayor's celebration might be a bit too much, but he did play well on that game.

Any thoughts on tonight CL match??

Just did a quick review of the matches for the day.  Don't see anything too surprising, no upsets.  At least not that I can see.  I think the match that would potentially be the closest would be Haifa V Munich match.  For some reason I see those Israeli's doing well.

Good lord.  Just saw a replay of that.  Van Persie is lucky he didn't lose an eye!  At least Adebayor will no be serving a 3-match ban.  Should be longer.  That is deplorable.

So I'm not so good at calling the upsets in Champions League. 

Arsenal got quite a scare though.

'Pool won but in a home match where they should have dominated.

ManUre eeked one out on the road.

Interesting to see Barca and Inter face each other so early.  0-0

Happy belated Birthday footy thread!! One year this week!!

Really, just a bump. I'll be doing my last tri of the season this weekend, so won't be able to watch any games.

Important games in MLS this weekend-- Go Sounders!

Don't expect much change in the EPL this weekend. The teams at the top of the table pretty much matched against teams towards the bottom.

Last weekend-- only able to watch the LFC/West Ham match. Wasn't impressed by Liverpool's defense, but was again impressed by Torres. His first goal was pretty incredible.

Torres hat trick this last weekend.

Chelsea upset.  YIPPEE.  Sorry Jens. 

So far has been an interesting start to the season.

I was out of town all last weekend and wasn't able to check scores until Monday morning. Couldn't believe the Chelsea upset, or the 6-1 LFC win--that's an azz-woopin'!

Bloody hell.  Both my teams lost this weekend.

And I didn't get to watch the 'Pool match yesterday cause I was at a Crit.  Probably a good thing.  From what I read on the commentary, I probably would have lost my mind.

So now that my race season is essentially over, I can actually start to watch more footy. 

Since I get every soccer channel that cover every European and North/South American leagues - its been an interesting time watching the different styles and quality of play.

I think the EPL is dillusional..all the blood and guts play is not quality...every weekend there are games like Brum/Wolve, Fulham/Stoke, Hull/Blackburn etc that are just awful....on the flip side if I watch Serie A or La Liga...the quality is remarkably good even if you want Palermo vs Liverno or Malaga / Athletico....I focus on the defenders and watch how comfortable they are under pressure and how they outlet the ball....its a given that the forwards and most central midfield players are capable ( well...except in the EPL's bottom 11 teams)...and the Italian/Spanish leagues show much more ability. Just as the English National side is on the rise I believe the quality of the league overall is on the downswing. Will be interesting to see what that means in the years to come.

Weekend - Arsenal game was quality...at least from an attacking perspective...'pool lacks any midfield creativity without Benayoun on the field...he needs to be a staple and run the team...Captain fantastic was Captain the Spastic yesterday. Drogba has an inner ear problem and is unstable - keeps falling over..get the man some help....Manure escaped because Blunderland got nervous and bunkered down for the last 5 mins...of course you'll concede eventually if all you do is defend crosses and corners....morons!

Thats my tuppence worth this morning!

I couldn't agree more about Drogba.  I think he caught whatever it was that kept making Ronaldo fall over (the twat).

You know, you really aren't that far off, and I think it goes in cycles.  There was a time, not too long ago, that la Liga and Serie A were second class because all they did was hunker down and play D and it was boring.  Not so much any more.  I caugt one a few weeks ago (for the life of me I can't remember who) and the quality of play was much better.  Passing was precise, movement was fluid, and the over all quality of play was much better.  Now, that doesn't mean that it was a 5-4 match, it was still only a 1-0 final.  But still, the quality was better.

And that is the way it was in the PL a few years ago.  But it is almost as if the thugs have taken over the pitch.  I, too, hope it will change.

'Pool will be lucky to finish in the top 4 by the end of the season with they way they are playing right now.  And yes, Manure did get lucky.  I saw that finish and new it was just a matter of time.  Felt bad for Ferdinand when it went off his leg for the OG.  Terrible luck.  Instead of trying to take it out of the box, they just kept kicking it either out of bounds or for a corner.  It was then only a matter of time.

Highly likely that the top 20 will see another big shake up this year, like last year, and there might be some teams that will be sent down that have been up for quite a while, with the way these promoted teams are trying to play.  Sure, the quality of the play isn't as good as in the top 10, but they are playing as if they have nothing to lose, and in reality they don't.

Just a little bump to say that I hope Charlie Davies recovers.  He has a long road ahead of him, both physically and mentally.  Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the family of the young lady that died in the car with him.

Yes, I was sad to hear that story. What a tragedy. And yes, thoughts and prayers out to all involved.

Didn't have much time for footy this weekend, but did record the LFC/ManUre game. Pretty sweet. Puts LFC back into contention. Couple of interesting non-calls in the first half--the Carragher tackle in the box looked to be a penalty and then Kuyt gets pulled down on a corner at the end of the half. Video showed his jersey was actually torn. I guess the two non-calls canceled each other out.

And the MLS playoffs start this week! I'm so exctited for Seatlle. They've already sold out and are opening up more seating in the upper deck at Qwest field. They should have over 35,000 and it will be rocking.

I wish I could have watched the match.  I was at a Christening.  I was keeping track of it on my cell, though.  Much to the chagrin of my wife.    Yeah.  I'm probably going to hell for that one. 

Saw the game - the outstanding pairing of Lucas/Macherano....outplayed Scholes/Carrick....no idea how to use sarcasm font!...that also had to be the ugliest 4 some in midfield history!....Quality of the game was mediocre...Manure had nothing going forward..Shrek must be hurt..he was no where. They miss Tevez and Ronaldo more than they admit. Pool played better but not in a dominant fashion...the top teams will continue to drop points...should be a close race...

They really need to clean up corners and freekicks.....no shirt pulling or wrapping your arms around a guy so he cant move...a consistent penalty call for a few weeks would get it done...just need ear plugs to drown out the managers moaning about it....to name a few - Fat Sam, Moyes, Brown, Pulis, Redknapp, Ferguson, Bruce...the list is endless

Nice to know the thread is alive!

Couldn't agree more.  I've been saying that since the end of the season.

I agree, set pieces are ugly, but they are ugly world wide.  I agree that they need to clean it up, and quickly.

And I will always keep this thread alive, even when there is a WC thread next summer, which you know there will be.  When all the bandwagon jumpers join in.  Not that I mind.  The more the merrier. 

And I won't be able to go to the November 7th Chicago Fire playoff game.  I'll be in Banff Canada.  Grrrrrr!