The Soccer thread (Part II)

[DGRollins]

L.A. has a problem next year. In order to keep Landon Donovan on the team, they need to acquire a second DP slot. In order to do so, they would need another team to give that slot up. What does LA have that other teams would want in order to give up the DP? I honestly don't think they have very much.

Now, of course, Garber could just change rules on the fly (which has already been done with the DP this year). It wouldn't be too fair, but it would be interesting.

I can also see Landon playing with Beckham this year and then exploring options in the EPL during the winter transfer period. MLS would receive a purchase price. LA keeps a star attraction in Beckham. Landon goes to Europe like everyone has been pining for. It would be very interesting to see.


Oh and RBNY looked like real **** last night.

Since BigSoccer is down tonight I might as well make my debut on the soccer thread (long time lurker, first time poster and all that).

There is a lot of speculation that MLS may create a "Donovan Rule" to go with its "Beckham Rule." Each team would be allowed to sign one American player (Canadian in TFC's case) player outside of the cap. It's not a bad idea if the economics can support it--which, with the Beckham boost, it might be able to (like the current DP slot, it's likely that only a few of the teams would use the domestic DP slot...).

Or LA might just trade him back to San Jose to kick start Earthquakes 3.0. Whatever, really.

 

[TrooperBari]

Welcome aboard, DGR. There's always room for another refugee (says the guy with 10K-plus BigSoccer posts).

----------------

Steve Goff of the WaPo says Adu to Benfica is "99 percent done:"
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2007/07/urgent_freddy_to_benfica.html

 

[GB-Hack]

I watched as much of the game last night as I could, and then checked out the highlights today. I thought RBNY were unlucky not to convert at least a couple of their chances, and that was a terrible second goal to give up late. Goalie has to stop it.

Any predictions for tomorrow's Superliga games?

 

[TrooperBari]

I watched as much of the game last night as I could, and then checked out the highlights today. I thought RBNY were unlucky not to convert at least a couple of their chances, and that was a terrible second goal to give up late. Goalie has to stop it.

My MFLS team says otherwise. ;D

A goal and an assist helps negate my starting Goldthwaite in defense.

 

[Norrin Radd]

That's great news for Adu. When the deal was dying a few days ago, I wondered how much Adu wanted to kill his agent.

I mean, kid has pined for Europe forever, a team and league that would be a good fit for his development (not the absolute upper tier). And the contract hit a snag. Kid wants to go, he's a malcontent in MLS until he goes. The moment Benfica matched his MLS salary, the deal should be signed.

Good luck to Freddy Adu.

 

[Twoback]

Welcome aboard, DGR. There's always room for another refugee (says the guy with 10K-plus BigSoccer posts).

----------------

Steve Goff of the WaPo says Adu to Benfica is "99 percent done:"
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2007/07/urgent_freddy_to_benfica.html

Troop, since you're a regular there, I wonder if you've seen what an abomination BigSoccer has turned itself into with its redesign.

 

[TrooperBari]

Welcome aboard, DGR. There's always room for another refugee (says the guy with 10K-plus BigSoccer posts).

----------------

Steve Goff of the WaPo says Adu to Benfica is "99 percent done:"
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2007/07/urgent_freddy_to_benfica.html

Troop, since you're a regular there, I wonder if you've seen what an abomination BigSoccer has turned itself into with its redesign.

Don't get me started, Twoby. The redesign was, from what I've seen, completely unnecessary. The site doesn't move any faster, it's uglier and the assumption that people give a **** what someone else thought of a thread (the "Kick" system) is laughable.

This should tell you all you need to know about the BigSoccer management ... they had links on their front page for people to visit while BS was down. All of these links were to other message boards Jesse and his crew operate. Shockingly enough, all of these boards were down, too....

I've been posting there since April of 2001, shortly after the World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica in Kansas City. Expansion, contraction, qualifying, World Cups, the Great Iranian Invasion of Aught-One ... I've seen plenty on those boards, good and bad, and come back for more. Lately, though, I keep finding more and more reasons not to spend as much time there. I can get good, informed discussion here with all the extra noise. If not for a few select forums (Everton, Japan, Korea, etc.) and people I've met in person, I might just bail altogether.

 

[Boomer7]

Iraq 1, Saudi Arabia 0. Might want to celebrate this one at home, Iraqi fans, but enjoy it.

 

[Pastor]

Sorry to bring the topic back on this... BigSoccer was a site setup by several people I know and Jesse. Jesse decided to stab the others in the back, broke out on his own and then charged people for what they were originally getting for free previously. I don't bemoan his desire to obtain funds. I do dislike that as a guy that doesn't even like or care for soccer he was able to generate funds off of people he could care less about.

 

[NoOneLikesUs]

Iraq's 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia on a 71st-minute header by captain Younis Mahmoud was an inspirational triumph for a team whose players straddle bitter and violent ethnic divides. After the game, Mahmoud called for the United States to withdraw its troops from his nation.

"I want America to go out," he said. "Today, tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, but out. I wish the American people didn't invade Iraq and, hopefully, it will be over soon."

Look I hate the war, but if we don't invade his ass is not celebrating ANY victory.

If I do recall, Saddam and his sons treated the national team like absolute ****. Basically any soccer success before we got on the scene was unthinkable because it's kind of hard to kick a ball when your feet are sore from canings.

I also wouldn't be surprised if US tax dollars were subsidizing this team in some fashion.

 

[GB-Hack]

Another great game in KC tonight, late winner for the Wizards for a 3-2 win against Chivas USA.

Once they get it online, check out Kansas City's first goal at mlsnet. Screaming finish from about 30 yards out by Zavagnin, gave Guzan no chance.

And D.C. beat Club America in the Superliga, meaning the two U.S. clubs top pool B right now.

 

[TrooperBari]

A few more good reads from the Guardian.

Iraq wins the Asian Cup:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2137653,00.html

The on-going sell out by those in charge of England's national game:
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/07/29/what_money_cant_buy.html
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/07/29/the_big_sell_out.html

 

[Songbird]

I heard that six Iraqi people died during the celebration when bullets shot from guns into the air descended back down into crowds.

 

[Angola!]

Less than 48 hours until I get to see FC Dallas. Has it been announced yet whether Beckham will play in Texas? I am assuming not, but have been away from the internet and television for the last 48 hours.
Thanks.

 

[GB-Hack]

I would say he's highly doubtful. he was on the bench for the Galaxy on Saturday night, but didn't play.

I think they've targeted the Toronto game on Aug. 5 for his proper debut.

 

[Angola!]

well that sucks, i hope a big crowd still shows and there is a good atmosphere.

 

[Twoback]

A few more good reads from the Guardian.

Iraq wins the Asian Cup:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2137653,00.html

The on-going sell out by those in charge of England's national game:
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/07/29/what_money_cant_buy.html
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/07/29/the_big_sell_out.html

Troop, the "protectionist" piece from the Guardian was a crock.
He's saying the Bundesliga and Serie A are to be envied by the EPL.
Bundesliga teams no longer can compete in Europe, and Italy draws poorly and has undergone scandals that make the Tevez mess look like a kindergarten dust-up.

 

[GB-Hack]

Adu's gone, and the good news for MLS is apparently there is a cut for the league out of any sell-on fee Benfica receives for him.

Now what I want to know is what the heck that sponsor is on the front of his jersey.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/soccer/07/31/bc.eu.spt.soc.adu.benfica.ap/index.html

 

[Webster]

Rossi sold to Villareal. Not that I'd go begging after him, but the fact that he didn't go to Italy means that he's somewhat less likely to play for the Azzurri senior team.

 

[Angola!]

So, is this a big deal that Beckham isn't playing tonight?
The Dallas Morning News and Fort Worth Star Telegram are shredding FC Dallas and the MLS because of all the hype built up and now he isn't even coming.
Apparently they had billboards everywhere and had been heavily promoting it.
His non-appearance made A1 in both papers.