Any REAL football fans here? (Page 62)

There are some random clubs that just turn it on in the FA Cup - Oldham, Wrexham, York - I just remember back in the UK when the draw used to happen your heart would sink if it was one of THOSE teams.

Oh I'm a West Ham supporter so got knocked out enough times for it to count!

Aw fliberdigibit!  Up 2-0 and give up 2 goals in 3 minutes.  This would have tied us on points with Arsenal!  Dagnabit!

Beckham to PSG?  Sounds like it might be a done deal.

Mario heads back to Italy to play with Milan.  He has no more excuses.  He better start producing.

I missed Zaha to ManU.

Sounds like Drogba may not be heading to Turkey as quickly as he thought.  Bit of a contract dispute.  They haven't been paying him, apparantly, but they say he is under contract still.  This should be interesting.

Any other moves you guys saw that are interesting?

Bummed I can't watch the match going on right now.  ESPN has their basic Game Cast up with absolutely no commentary.  Fox Soccer has theirs up with commentary but it is very slow.  BeIn sports is broadcasting it, but they have nothing on their website to track.  Disappointing.

Wow.  These grades are horrific.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/soccerusa/id/1277?cc=5901

The entire back line didn't get above a 5 out of 10.  Chandler with a 3, Fabian Johnson with a 3.5 and Cameron and Gonzalez each with 4.  We used to be known for our defense.  Our back line woes are starting to get bad.  I still think Klinsy is the future of this squad but mercy, that is bad. 

Interesting.  Last year, I would have agreed whole heartedly.  This year, there is something different and that is Liverpool fans.  The teams performance is NOT where the fans want it, but as a whole, they are patient.  They see what Brendan is trying to do and even though we aren't getting all of the results we SHOULD be getting, we are patient. 

NOW, all that being said, I agree with you as it relates to the rest of the league.  I would say that is the primary reason teams like Leeds and Portsmouth got in the financial trouble they did.  Trying to spend their way to victory without having the money to do so. 

On a different note, I find the League Cup final and the victory's by lower league teams in the FA Cup to really start to show the cracks in the quality of the PL.  That and frankly, this ManUre team would be blasted out of the water by ManUre teams of the past, but they are still well clear at the top of the table.  Their back line is VERY weak and they are essentially having to rely on outscoring their opponents, not control them.  The PL is not what it once was.  I agree with your last statement, it will be quite a while before it returns to its old glory.

Won't stop me from watching and cheering on my boys in red though. 

I am beyond disappointed.

Leaving for Barcelona on Saturday to arrive on Sunday.  Had originally planned to hit a Barcelona supporters bar to watch El Clasico.  Well, they moved the darn thing to Saturday so that Real Madrid will have one more day of preparation against ManUre in CL the following week. 

ARGH!!!!!!!!!!  Glad I didn't try to get tickets to the actual match!  I'm so disapointed, and my wife will be too.  Only good thing is we are a stones throw from Nuo so will have to make a little pilgrimage. 

Well, everything happens for a reason, I guess.

And boy did it.  First and foremost, the conference I was at had a conference dinner at Camp Nuo!  It was awesome.  Museum.  Players tunnel.  Visitors locker room.  Press room.  Actually got to step out onto the pitch.  Just an unreal experience.  And if it ended there, I would have been happy.  But it didn't. 

Were supposed to leave Saturday morning to come home.  Mechanical issues forced us to stay another night.  We over heard they were playing Deportivo (bottom of the table) that night.  Got some GREAT tickets (penalty spot and up 30 rows from the pitch).  The atmosphere was a bit limp as it was such a poor other side, but they dominated.  Messi warmed up right in front of us.  So did Iniesta.  And then Messi scored in the 83rd minute.  It was phenomenal. 

The wife and I are still on cloud nine.  We got to see a match and one that arguably the GREATEST player to ever play the game scored a goal.

This was one hell of a trip.

Then on top of all of it, I had to turn around and go to DC on Monday and flew back yesterday.  On the flight, they had DirectTV and I was able to watch up to the 85th minute of the Barca v Milan match in CL.  I jumped both times Messi scored.  I still have no idea how he created those to goals in that little space.  He is truly poetry in motion.  Just unreal.

USMNT got lucky.  Only the 2nd tie in Azteca during qualification.  And with a depleted squad.  And with some pretty damn lucky non-calls.  I'll take it.  But it was ugly.  Very, very ugly.  And I won't be grading the players as they were essentially a cobbled together squad because of all the injuries. 

Interestingly, not a single UK team won yesterday.  Three loses and two ties.  England, as usual, gave up points to a team they should have dominated.  No surprise there.

Spain pulled one out against France.

And once again, Suarez is in the middle of controversy.  Jabbing Chile's Jara in the face during a set piece.  W. T. F.  Seriously dude, can you not control yourself?  Ugh.  As much as he has done for us (Liverpool) this year in scoring, it is getting really, REALLY old.

On a different note.

http://www.kckrs.com/theres-a-crap-ton-of-soccer-on-tv-in-the-united-states-an-infographic/ 

Just bumping to see if anyone is still paying attention.

Yeah.  First time ever, if I read correctly for the U17.

Oh, c'mon.  There has been all kinds of crap going on!

Geordies acting luke numpties and trying to punch out police horses.

Millwall acting like..... well..... Millwall.

Messi continuing to be a god even when injured.

NBC ramping up for next season and releasing their channels that will be covering what as well as their on air talent.

My boys in Red in the MLS are looking hellacious.  At least they won at the match I was able to make against the Red Bulls.  But that only matters to me. 

Are we heading for a Spanish final in Champion's league?  Real has the easier path of the two, but it is possible.  THAT would be an interesting final.  Talk about a SUPER Clasico!

http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2013/04/16/nbc-sports-announces-its-on-air-talent-for-premier-league/

Yeah.  Saw that.  And them storm the field. Very cool.