Pro Soccer

[beowulfgirl]

kokopelli said:

P.S. I am a Newcastle supporter from way back. Any others here? I still miss Shearer.

I grew up (and still live) in Newcastle. So while I'm not the hugest footie fan, I'm a Newcastle fan by default. I remember being allowed to listen to the radio at school when Shearer was being signed. What a change having a good footballer who wasn't into the whole celebrity thing. And unlike the recent signings he was never arrested for assualt or rape.

[Binky]

Anyone catch the US-Switzerland game? Freddy Adu, and a bunch of other young future stars debuted for their first game on the National team. It was a solid beginning, but rather a boring game til the last 15. Something was up with the turf, it was raining, and players were sliding everywhere. It was like watching Italy play - everyone kept going down without being touched (bad-a-bing!).

US won, 1-0, and I'll take any win we can get in Europe. Mostly, I take it as a good sign for the future. Adu, Edu, Szetela...the Men's team is on solid footing. Adu actually attacks, which is something the team desperately needs.

[Deleted]

I didn't watch, but the US men's youth teams have performed very impressively. I read a Grant Wahl column where he said it's a possibility our men might win a World Championship before our women do, and while I'm not sure I buy that, I think the guys have a solid chance of at least advancing out of their group next WC. Speaking of the women, their head coach was fired this week following the abysmal WC performance versus Brazil.

[Deleted]

I haven't seen the men's youth team perform either. I wonder if some of the squad was on the Copa America squad (that team had virtually no veterans, and all youth). From all the positive things I've heard about this next generation, they may be the ones to push American soccer to the next level. I'm hope they keep progressing and try playing in Europe, it can only help them.

Doesn't surprise me that the women's head coach was fired. He made a few bonehead decisions, especially substituting the regular goalkeeper.

[Binky]

I watched the U-21 World Cup (on-line, because there was no frickin way to get it on TV dammit). The US put on a good show, definitely showed a shining future. It was also fun to see that these are kids, still, and the make dumb, immature decisions that they are hopefully done with by the time they make the grown up national team. I thought the US might have made the semi finals, had it not been for occasional selfish/stupid decision-making.

When do the MLS playoffs start?

I'm glad the Women's coach was fired - he tried to distract from his own idiocy by blaming Hope Solo for her accurate assessment of him.

[Deleted]

When do the MLS playoffs start?

I'm not a big MLS fan, but according to the schedule, the playoffs started on Thursday.

[chonies]

So, Dynamo or Revolution?

[Binky]

I want the Revolution. But the Dynamo also looked pretty much unstoppable against KC.

There's a US-South Africa friendly Saturday morning on FSC, with many of the MLS players that were eliminated/didn't make the playoffs. So, if you miss them, check it out. Josie Altidore is getting his first cap.

[chonies]

Ooh! Thanks for the tip, Binky.

[Deleted]

I haven't been able to keep up with Barça this season, but what happened to them this season?