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Soccer Topics: No goalies in the USA

181,390 Views | 2924 Replies | Last: 7 hrs ago by sluggo
Cal88
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For real!

sluggo
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I figure by tomorrow he calls the plan off and tries to save his a**.
Cal88
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Dead in the water!

sluggo
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Cal88 said:

Dead in the water!



Two awesome tweets. I hope we are laughing about him for decades. He is a bad joke.
sluggo
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A no confidence vote in Infantino is possible if 43 countries vote for it. Make it happen. I love that events now happen in internet time as I have no patience.

"You come at the king, you best not miss."
--Omar Little

https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/gianni-infantino-world-cup-sale-plan-fifa-no-confidence-vote-rkhptrmb2
concordtom
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Cal88 said:

Terrible choice, he is not even European, does not understand local culture and would probably be for a superleague doing away with the long-standing meritocracy system where clubs get relegated or promoted through their performance on the field.


Ew, yuck!
concordtom
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SBGold said:

sluggo said:

Europe says no. Importantly, the article says 50 of 55 countries support the boycott. Concacaf meets tomorrow. Will be interesting. Unbelievably, there are 41 nations in Concacaf. If they teamed with Europe they could likely choose the new leader of their choice. Praying hands emoji.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49488584/uefa-boycott-all-fifa-competitions-protest-world-cup-private-equity-plan

Please do so, Infantino is evil


Would be hella funny if 3 days after this hedge fund ownership model is floated Infantino is out on his ass. Hahaha

Like, nothing like a swift rebuke smack across the face.
I can think of the knock on effects if we had done that nine years ago after "good people - on both sides!"
SBGold
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sluggo said:

Definitely a problem without UEFA. But without CONCACAF and probably with mixed support on CONMEBOL (South America), it would like not even get 50% of the vote. I am going to worry about other things.

Thankfully this was the result.
SBGold
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concordtom said:

SBGold said:

sluggo said:

Europe says no. Importantly, the article says 50 of 55 countries support the boycott. Concacaf meets tomorrow. Will be interesting. Unbelievably, there are 41 nations in Concacaf. If they teamed with Europe they could likely choose the new leader of their choice. Praying hands emoji.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49488584/uefa-boycott-all-fifa-competitions-protest-world-cup-private-equity-plan

Please do so, Infantino is evil


Would be hella funny if 3 days after this hedge fund ownership model is floated Infantino is out on his ass. Hahaha

Like, nothing like a swift rebuke smack across the face.
I can thick of the knock on effects if we had done that nine years ago after "good people - on both sides!"

Please please please
concordtom
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sluggo said:

Thanks. I reported tomorrow, but it must be today. Regarding US Soccer, I think it would take a lot of courage to go against a Trump family proposal. Further, the US plays a disproportionate number of games in red states, I think reflecting their sympathies. On the other hand, our neighbors, outside of El Salvador, hate our government, so there is hope Concacaf as a whole will vote against.
so, it's basically TRUMP that wants to buy the WC.

Laughable!
What an idiot.
concordtom
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sluggo said:

I figure by tomorrow he calls the plan off and tries to save his a**.
no no, too late! Fire his ass!
Immediately!!!
And take Trump with him.
concordtom
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Cal88 said:






Hahahaha!

I should order a Carlsberg and savor it for that!!
They win!
sluggo
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To make the the sell off proposal deader than dead, the APC (Asia) came out against it. It needs to be dropped soon otherwise UEFA will not compete in the Women's U20 WC. Meanwhile, like a good politician, Infantino is trying to change the subject to a 64 team men's WC. While 64 is a nicer number than 48, they can play two round robins before single elimination for the final 16, it will mean one more game for players. The way the modern game is played so fast I think 64 is tough on the players. Expect to see a lot of injuries in this club season among participants in this year's Cup.
sluggo
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And just as expected, the sell off plan is scrapped.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49500782/fifa-world-cup-investment-private-gianni-infantino
bearister
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“Cancel my subscription to the Resurrection
Send my credentials to the House of Detention
I got some friends inside”
—Jim Morrison

“I love Cal deeply, by the way, what are the directions to The Portal from Sproul Plaza?”
OneKeg
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Good news Infantino's corrupt scheme is down the toilet. Now if we could find some way to flush Infantino himself down the toilet when his term ends next year...

In other news, for those sickos (as sluggo says) watching the U-20 USMNT v Cuba match, US up 2-0 at halftime in the downpour at Puebla, Mexico. Dominating possession, but I wouldn't say dominating the match.

Winger Contreras (#7) with the cross assist on the first goal. #20 Cupps still fairly solid at center back. #6 Guske at holding mid who had played decently I thought in prior games is not in.
OneKeg
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US U-20 team beats Cuba 5-0 in their final CONCACAF U-20 group stage match. So with 3 wins and an 11-0 goal differential, they are the #1 overall seed, above Mexico who has 3 wins and a 9-0 goal differential. Canada is the other "good" team in the tourney (if any of these teams can be called that), but they have a win and a draw and can't catch either the US or Mexico.

Despite the 5-0 score line, the US didn't look all that good most of the match. As I said above, center back #20 Cupps still solid. #7 Contreras had 2 assists before coming off late, I think. And to be fair, it was pouring rain, with deep puddles. #6 Guske came in at holding mid in the second half, but by then, Cuba was demoralized and lots of US players started looking pretty good at that point.

Have to wait to see who the US play in the quarterfinals. Probably Guatemala. Or Cuba again if Honduras and Panama draw tomorrow, knocking each other out. A win in the quarters means advancing to the semifinals, which qualifies a team for the U-20 World Cup coming up in central Asia.
concordtom
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I'm going to ask AI to make me a graphic of seashells that say

86IX

The FIFA presidents in order are:

1. Robert Gurin (19041906)
2. Daniel Burley Woolfall (19061918)
3. Jules Rimet (19211954)
4. Rodolphe Seeldrayers (19541955)
5. Arthur Drewry (19551961)
6. Stanley Rous (19611974)
7. Joo Havelange (19741998)
8. Sepp Blatter (19982015)
9. Gianni Infantino (elected February 26, 2016)
Cal88
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The backlash against Infantino is building up.

Cal88
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His demise seems imminent. Flush twice after he's dumped...



No 64 team WC, hydration breaks, favoritism etc if UEFA has its way.
concordtom
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Cal88 said:

His demise seems imminent. Flush twice after he's dumped...



I just had a vision of some funny actor portrayal of him in a serious movie about all of Trump's misdeeds and maneuverings to profit off his position as president.

Gianni would be some 5 minutes clownish character who comes in, gets pitched by Trump to sell FIFA to his shell company managed by a Kushner brother, then gets excoriated and discarded by global outrage. Trump gets words in a boardroom of Infantino's demise and that they've "lost that deal", and makes an "oh well" quip about him as some weird loser anyways, quickly moving on to updates on the next schemes they've been cooking up.

I see him as a stick figure smily guy who tries to ingratiate himself with fat, dark mobsters who would talk about whacking the guy just because he had the nerve try and be one of them.
concordtom
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concordtom said:

Cal88 said:

His demise seems imminent. Flush twice after he's dumped...



I just had a vision of some funny actor portrayal of him in a serious movie about all of Trump's misdeeds and maneuverings to profit off his position as president.

Gianni would be some 5 minutes clownish character who comes in, gets pitched by Trump to sell FIFA to his shell company managed by a Kushner brother, then gets excoriated and discarded by global outrage. Trump gets words in a boardroom of Infantino's demise and that they've "lost that deal", and makes an "oh well" quip about him as some weird loser anyways, quickly moving on to updates on the next schemes they've been cooking up.

I see him as a stick figure smily guy who tries to ingratiate himself with fat, dark mobsters who would talk about whacking the guy just because he had the nerve try and be one of them.


Gee, I spoke too soon.
Here's a yahoo article and the accompanying video clip of Trump dumping a deal he clearly saw as a Loser.

Theres no doubt in my mind Trump is flat out lying!!

Quote:

Most of Infantino's power base has certainly gone, possibly right up to the patronage of Donald Trump. When the US president was asked whether he had been consulted about the plan on Friday, Trump dismissed it and, by extension, a figure he has offered unusual praise for with one word. "No."

And that was it.





I can hear Trump saying in the back room, laughing: "I moved on him like a B*tch, but then dropped him like a Dog! Hahaha!"



sluggo
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Cal88 said:

His demise seems imminent. Flush twice after he's dumped...



No 64 team WC, hydration breaks, favoritism etc if UEFA has its way.

Let's go UEFA!
sluggo
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OneKeg said:

US U-20 team beats Cuba 5-0 in their final CONCACAF U-20 group stage match. So with 3 wins and an 11-0 goal differential, they are the #1 overall seed, above Mexico who has 3 wins and a 9-0 goal differential. Canada is the other "good" team in the tourney (if any of these teams can be called that), but they have a win and a draw and can't catch either the US or Mexico.

Despite the 5-0 score line, the US didn't look all that good most of the match. As I said above, center back #20 Cupps still solid. #7 Contreras had 2 assists before coming off late, I think. And to be fair, it was pouring rain, with deep puddles. #6 Guske came in at holding mid in the second half, but by then, Cuba was demoralized and lots of US players started looking pretty good at that point.

Have to wait to see who the US play in the quarterfinals. Probably Guatemala. Or Cuba again if Honduras and Panama draw tomorrow, knocking each other out. A win in the quarters means advancing to the semifinals, which qualifies a team for the U-20 World Cup coming up in central Asia.

I will slightly disagree with my new sicko friend. I thought the US played fine to a little better than fine. There was a driving rain storm and the Cuban goalie stood on his head to keep it to 5 goals, there were two VAR reviews that did not leads to penalty kicks (one that I think should have been given), and some posts hit. Cooper Sanchez, who plays for Atlanta and is well regarded was good, I think, I give the effort a B compared to a D against El Salavador. Maybe the difference was Cuba played with dignity and was not trying to hurt US players. El Salvador may have significantly hurt winger Berchimas with what should have been two carded challenges in the first five minutes, both of which were ignored. I hate CONCACAF and want to leave it.

Big game coming up for U-20 qualification. The US should have an advantage but can get tight when qualification is on the line.
sluggo
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My favorite reviewer of young American soccer talent is Marcus Chairez. He has a recent ranking of the top 50 players of birth years 2007-2011. I have mentioned many of the top 10 including Cavan Sullivan at 1, Adri Mehmeti at 2, Mathis Albert at 3, Zavier Gozo at 4, and Neil Pierre at 9 (much too low, he should be first or second). On the site you can read reviews of these players.

Interestingly, 44 out of 50 are dual nationals, meaning they could play for at least one more country. And 7 are in Germany, many of whom won't play for us.

https://www.ussoccercollective.com/rankings/top-50
OneKeg
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sluggo said:

OneKeg said:

US U-20 team beats Cuba 5-0 in their final CONCACAF U-20 group stage match. So with 3 wins and an 11-0 goal differential, they are the #1 overall seed, above Mexico who has 3 wins and a 9-0 goal differential. Canada is the other "good" team in the tourney (if any of these teams can be called that), but they have a win and a draw and can't catch either the US or Mexico.

Despite the 5-0 score line, the US didn't look all that good most of the match. As I said above, center back #20 Cupps still solid. #7 Contreras had 2 assists before coming off late, I think. And to be fair, it was pouring rain, with deep puddles. #6 Guske came in at holding mid in the second half, but by then, Cuba was demoralized and lots of US players started looking pretty good at that point.

Have to wait to see who the US play in the quarterfinals. Probably Guatemala. Or Cuba again if Honduras and Panama draw tomorrow, knocking each other out. A win in the quarters means advancing to the semifinals, which qualifies a team for the U-20 World Cup coming up in central Asia.

I will slightly disagree with my new sicko friend. I thought the US played fine to a little better than fine. There was a driving rain storm and the Cuban goalie stood on his head to keep it to 5 goals, there were two VAR reviews that did not leads to penalty kicks (one that I think should have been given), and some posts hit. Cooper Sanchez, who plays for Atlanta and is well regarded was good, I think, I give the effort a B compared to a D against El Salavador. Maybe the difference was Cuba played with dignity and was not trying to hurt US players. El Salvador may have significantly hurt winger Berchimas with what should have been two carded challenges in the first five minutes, both of which were ignored. I hate CONCACAF and want to leave it.

Big game coming up for U-20 qualification. The US should have an advantage but can get tight when qualification is on the line.

Oh, no doubt the Cuba match was much better by the US U-20than the extremely poor performance against El Salvador. I tried to reflect that in "didn't look all that good" and "to be fair, it was pouring rain, with deep puddles" vs Cuba against what I wrote ("embarrassing") vs El Salvador. I'll go with B- vs D, but we're splitting hairs. I just think the US pass the ball around too passively when they have possession instead of putting pressure on the opponent, which they only did when Cuba was demoralized and gassed at the end.

Yes, good call, I noticed Sanchez started and played ok.
Cal88
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For those who have enjoyed the Henry and Ibrahimovic show during the world cup but aren't familiar with Ibra's work, here is a great sample. I think the goal he scored against England (#1 on the list) is the greatest goal ever scored, for many reasons, mainly you have to be incredibly arrogant to even attempt that shot, and that's Zlatan... Part of the reason he scored there and on other acrobatic goals below is that he is also a Tae Kwon Do adept.

OneKeg
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sluggo said:

My favorite reviewer of young American soccer talent is Marcus Chairez. He has a recent ranking of the top 50 players of birth years 2007-2011. I have mentioned many of the top 10 including Cavan Sullivan at 1, Adri Mehmeti at 2, Mathis Albert at 3, Zavier Gozo at 4, and Neil Pierre at 9 (much too low, he should be first or second). On the site you can read reviews of these players.

Interestingly, 44 out of 50 are dual nationals, meaning they could play for at least one more country. And 7 are in Germany, many of whom won't play for us.

https://www.ussoccercollective.com/rankings/top-50


What did you think about the crazy, come-from-behind 3-2 win by Philadelphia Union vs Atlanta United today?

I was only able to watch the highlights. Cavan Sullivan with some good passes and two strong left footed shots forcing great saves by the Atlanta keeper.

And of course Neil Pierre with the game-tying header goal 6 minutes into 8 minutes of stoppage time! Philadelphia scored again literally a minute later to snatch the 3-2 win in the dying seconds. Admittedly, Atlanta was playing with only 10 men due to an earlier red card. Pierre also had a hockey assist on Philadelphia's first goal and a couple other near misses (hitting the crossbar on another header off a corner).

On the flip side, as center back, Pierre was the last man lunging (and just barely failing) to defend both Atlanta goals, though I don't blame him too much for those as in neither case was it his man, I think, and he was recovering to help his teammate.

Both Pierre and Sullivan played pretty much the whole match, which was good to see (I think Sullivan was taken out with maybe a minute left).
Cal88
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I looked at the MLS playoffs with the intent of following some of the matches - they really should not have a best of 3 in the bracket, just apply international rules and use the aggregate score to determine the winner, and shoot PKs in case of a tied aggregate score.
sluggo
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OneKeg said:

sluggo said:

OneKeg said:

US U-20 team beats Cuba 5-0 in their final CONCACAF U-20 group stage match. So with 3 wins and an 11-0 goal differential, they are the #1 overall seed, above Mexico who has 3 wins and a 9-0 goal differential. Canada is the other "good" team in the tourney (if any of these teams can be called that), but they have a win and a draw and can't catch either the US or Mexico.

Despite the 5-0 score line, the US didn't look all that good most of the match. As I said above, center back #20 Cupps still solid. #7 Contreras had 2 assists before coming off late, I think. And to be fair, it was pouring rain, with deep puddles. #6 Guske came in at holding mid in the second half, but by then, Cuba was demoralized and lots of US players started looking pretty good at that point.

Have to wait to see who the US play in the quarterfinals. Probably Guatemala. Or Cuba again if Honduras and Panama draw tomorrow, knocking each other out. A win in the quarters means advancing to the semifinals, which qualifies a team for the U-20 World Cup coming up in central Asia.

I will slightly disagree with my new sicko friend. I thought the US played fine to a little better than fine. There was a driving rain storm and the Cuban goalie stood on his head to keep it to 5 goals, there were two VAR reviews that did not leads to penalty kicks (one that I think should have been given), and some posts hit. Cooper Sanchez, who plays for Atlanta and is well regarded was good, I think, I give the effort a B compared to a D against El Salavador. Maybe the difference was Cuba played with dignity and was not trying to hurt US players. El Salvador may have significantly hurt winger Berchimas with what should have been two carded challenges in the first five minutes, both of which were ignored. I hate CONCACAF and want to leave it.

Big game coming up for U-20 qualification. The US should have an advantage but can get tight when qualification is on the line.

Oh, no doubt the Cuba match was much better by the US U-20than the extremely poor performance against El Salvador. I tried to reflect that in "didn't look all that good" and "to be fair, it was pouring rain, with deep puddles" vs Cuba against what I wrote ("embarrassing") vs El Salvador. I'll go with B- vs D, but we're splitting hairs. I just think the US pass the ball around too passively when they have possession instead of putting pressure on the opponent, which they only did when Cuba was demoralized and gassed at the end.

Yes, good call, I noticed Sanchez started and played ok.

I agree, too much futzing with the ball, not enough incisive play. But at least against Cuba they looked like the professionals they are. Big game is QFs where they will play Guatemala. The US should outclass them, but Central American teams play for blood, so the secondary goal is no serious injuries. If they win and qualify for the U-20 WC, maybe players like Sullivan and Pierre join. The US has never won a men's world cup at any age level, but they could try to win this one.
sluggo
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I was watching the goal #1 live with a friend from Sweden. I think it was Euro qualifying. I almost lost my mind. The highlight does not really do it justice. He played like a madman in that game but England came out ahead.
sluggo
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OneKeg said:

sluggo said:

My favorite reviewer of young American soccer talent is Marcus Chairez. He has a recent ranking of the top 50 players of birth years 2007-2011. I have mentioned many of the top 10 including Cavan Sullivan at 1, Adri Mehmeti at 2, Mathis Albert at 3, Zavier Gozo at 4, and Neil Pierre at 9 (much too low, he should be first or second). On the site you can read reviews of these players.

Interestingly, 44 out of 50 are dual nationals, meaning they could play for at least one more country. And 7 are in Germany, many of whom won't play for us.

https://www.ussoccercollective.com/rankings/top-50


What did you think about the crazy, come-from-behind 3-2 win by Philadelphia Union vs Atlanta United today?

I was only able to watch the highlights. Cavan Sullivan with some good passes and two strong left footed shots forcing great saves by the Atlanta keeper.

And of course Neil Pierre with the game-tying header goal 6 minutes into 8 minutes of stoppage time! Philadelphia scored again literally a minute later to snatch the 3-2 win in the dying seconds. Admittedly, Atlanta was playing with only 10 men due to an earlier red card. Pierre also had a hockey assist on Philadelphia's first goal and a couple other near misses (hitting the crossbar on another header off a corner).

On the flip side, as center back, Pierre was the last man lunging (and just barely failing) to defend both Atlanta goals, though I don't blame him too much for those as in neither case was it his man, I think, and he was recovering to help his teammate.

Both Pierre and Sullivan played pretty much the whole match, which was good to see (I think Sullivan was taken out with maybe a minute left).

As I feared the Union have become must watch. Sullivan and Pierre are both playing fantastically well, although Pierre allowed a goal that showed he may need to increase his quickness slightly to play for the best. And the best are coming for him. He is already the best dead ball player in the world, no hyperbole.

Sullivan had a fantastic shot that echoed Mario Gotze's 2018 WC winner. But Sullivan's try was more difficult and with his off foot and the keeper made a great save. Sullivan does need to get a little stronger to finish some of his near misses. I expect that next year.

Years from now Americans will be talking about the year Sullivan and Pierre played together, even if it was just half a season. Highlights below.




Cal88
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Good stuff.

The MLS needs to ride the wave of post-World Cup new interest in soccer and promote young domestic stars.
concordtom
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I think it would be AWESOME if this punk had to go play in Italy after UK and Spain both say NO WAY, WE HATE YOU!!!


sluggo
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Gio Reyna is moving to Strasbourg, a mid table team in France. This will be his fourth team in four years. But he is only 23 and he is the most talented player to ever come from the United States, obviously in my opinion. I hope he can turn his career around. I think he could if someone would finally give him another chance. He started to turn around the Belguim game before the Freese blunder.

 
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