Any REAL football fans here? (Page 47)

That call was ridiculous. I've seen worse get no call at all.

ETA: And, yes, as much as I love my Uruguayan, he's antics landing him on my sh*tlist.

True. A player doing down for legit contact will want attention for it, and it comes down to the ref to make the right call.

Disappointed I couldn't catch Seattle's game. MLS goes on while I'm at work so I can't catch their matches!

Two friendlies..... two results.  One loss, one win.

Only got to see the first half of both games.  What I saw intrigued me.  We are passing much more and are controlling the ball much more.  The movement off the ball appears to be a bit better and the drive to get and then keep the ball also appears to be MUCH better.

We really did dominate the possession in both first halves that I watched.  We also are working on creating many more opportunities.  I like the guys taking 20-30m shots on goal.  Even if they are right at the GK.  In my mind, it will start to bring the back line up a bit more and possibly open up some lanes behind them.  Whether that is true or not is an entirely different thing. 

Either way, taking some good out of last nights loss, again, we are appearing to be much more aggressive.  More offensive.  Not waiting for something happen, but attempting to make it happen for you.

Must be the "glass half empty" folks who call into the talk shows then....

Their expectations are a little greater...calling for Klinsman's head already..some new names to me in these squads and still no settled line up so I suspect as time goes on it will improve.

In your opinion....what is the expectations for the team? Overall for the US mens team..?

#1 in CONCACAF? Compete against the Euro/South American best teams?

Yeah, I've heard those calling for his head already.  Completely unrealistic expectations.  He has longer term goals than winning a few friendlies.

For me, I've ultimately pulled back my expectations for the next WC.  I just want to make it in.  And at least be competitive in the first round.  I would love to even win past that, but for me, I'm looking further out.

I would love to see Klinsy develop the existing group to be better.  Change how they play to be more competitive.  That being said, I ultimately don't see this squad, or even those that are in the U-23 or U-21 squads as good enough to compete on the highest level. 

Therefore, I also want to see Klinsy push the development of the youth program.  It is, by far, our weakest point.  What good is a good/great USMNT coach if the development program is garbage. 

Therefore, short term (next 6-12 months) continue to play well in matches that matter, and use friendlies to develop players that may not necessarily play in the critical matches (qualifiers, tournaments, etc).  Medium term, qualify for WC and be competitive (like we were in '02).  Long term, change the face of the development in the US to make us routinely competitive deep into the WC.

Crowny - you're a podcast guy right?

Check these guys out...funny, on topic...really fun to listen to

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/4162/grantland-network-men-in-blazers-2

Men in Blazers

I am.  Will have to check them out.

Cheers!

Documentary about Jay DeMerit coming out soon.

http://jaydemeritstory.com/

Yeah, so THIS is disturbing.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/970578/bevan:-foreign-owners-want-to-scrap-relegation?cc=5901

What - no post on the 6-1 thrashing of Manure?!!!!!

It was great to see..thought Sir Alex was going to blow a gasket!

Game on - its a new EPL for a change ( shame it was bought with foreign oil money though)

Didn't get to see the match, but love the result.  So nice to see Fergie sweating it like that. 

Yeah, really looking forward to the playoffs. I'm a huge Sounders fan and hope they can have some success this time. They're playing pretty well.