Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

The 2011-2012 Football Thread

Status
Not open for further replies.
No? We're supposidly one of the richest teams in the league, and automatic promotion is guaranteed, right? :)
 
Jürgen Klinsmann is the new USA manager.

It's not too much of a shock, since he is probably the only European manager with high-profile experience who also lives in the US and has good firsthand knowledge of the sport in this country. Also, US Soccer caught a lot of flak for failing to hire him last time around.

I think he is good enough to take the US forward where Bob Bradley has left off, but there are lingering doubts over whether he is a bit overrated as a manager. Still, At least this time US soccer acted quickly and didn't fart around with the hiring process (well, sort of - we've been courting him for years). It remains to be seen what the new manager's approach will be.

We will be facing off against Mexico in just a few weeks, so Klinsmann will get a baptism of fire against USA's main rival.
 
Lord Blackadder said:
Jürgen Klinsmann is the new USA manager.

It's not too much of a shock, since he is probably the only European manager with high-profile experience who also lives in the US and has good firsthand knowledge of the sport in this country. Also, US Soccer caught a lot of flak for failing to hire him last time around.

I think he is good enough to take the US forward where Bob Bradley has left off, but there are lingering doubts over whether he is a bit overrated as a manager. Still, At least this time US soccer acted quickly and didn't fart around with the hiring process (well, sort of - we've been courting him for years). It remains to be seen what the new manager's approach will be.

We will be facing off against Mexico in just a few weeks, so Klinsmann will get a baptism of fire against USA's main rival.
Click to expand...

It will be interesting to see if there is a change in tactics/personnel. I'm also glad they hired another American for the job. ;)
 
pivo6 said:
It will be interesting to see if there is a change in tactics/personnel. I'm also glad they hired another American for the job. ;)
Click to expand...

Apparently the Germans consider him an American these days...perhaps the most obvious question is whether Michael Bradley retains a spot in the team. I think he's good enough, but many have accused Bob Bradley of nepotism for sticking with his son. The younger Bradley now has a chance to earn his place "for real".

Jaffa Cake said:
Yes. That's right. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I blame the London media. They only paid attention to Hull City in order to mock Phil Brown.
 
Last edited:
Very naughty, Jaffa. :D

I don't know how much longer Gerrard will be with the club, but "life after Gerrard" is already upon us. We can no longer count on him as our talisman in the middle. Dalglish will have to plan his campaign as if Gerrard is out indefinitely.
 
Well after a draw and a loss, Super Ally (comically renamed Sally by some football forums) managed to get a win. Well if we got beat by St Johnstone I reckon he would have faced calls for the sack. Yes margins are that tight in the Old Firm.

And in World Cup 2014 news, Scotland are virtually guaranteed qualification to the finals providing they beat all the other teams. Interestingly, the 8 European runners-up get to play in a mini-league rather than the straight knock-out before.

Group A: Croatia, Serbia, Belgium, Scotland, FYR Macedonia, Wales
Group C: Germany, Sweden, Republic of Ireland, Austria, Faroe Islands, Kazakhstan
Group H: England, Montenegro, Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, San Marino

USA get Jamaica and two others.

Full list here
 
swiftaw said:
Not sure where you read that, but I don't think it's true.
Click to expand...

Are you accusing me of being unable to read a simple FIFA document? How dare you!

ROUND TWO – EUROPEAN ZONE PLAY-OFF
 The 8 best group runners-up will contest Round Two.
 The 8 teams will be paired into 4 home-and-away series
 The matches are foreseen to be played in the period from 15 - 19 November 2013.
Click to expand...

Doh! :rolleyes: I missed the word 'paired' took it as 2 mini-leagues of 4 teams. Apologies :eek: Actually my system sounds better. Note there are 9 groups so one of the runners-up won't go through. Probably Scotland. On goal difference.
 
Not so good:

Manchester United embryos thumped 5-1 by Aspire Academy from Qatar in the Premier Section Final of the Milk Cup - good play/goals by AA. Spurs won the Globe Section on penalties against Californian side Strikers FC South Coast.

The good; Cleverley, Welbeck, and Nani. Also a goal and a ...errr..:eek: from Owen. Manchester United 2 - FC Barcelona 1, makes up for Wembley:rolleyes:

By Fuzzy14 -
...Doh! I missed the word 'paired' took it as 2 mini-leagues of 4 teams. Apologies Actually my system sounds better. Note there are 9 groups so one of the runners-up won't go through. Probably Scotland. On goal difference.
Click to expand...

Scotland will get through after a couple of dodgy penalties against Wales.:)

Cheers,
OW
 
I wouldn't blame Owen too much for that :eek: ... Obertan's cross was a lousy bouncing ball that came up too high for Owen to hit it right.

Oh well, it was just an exhibition, but still is nice to remember what it's like to beat those guys. I thought Anderson looked good as well.
 
Pre-season watch – and it's not good reading for Fizzy or pachyderm.

Sheffield Wednesday lost against newly promoted Conference side Alfreton Town earlier today – and were thumped 14-0. Granted, the side Wednesday fielded was a youthful one but none the less, not a good result.
 
To put the above in perspective, we thought we had a pretty decent high school team so we arranged a friendly with East Fife, who at the time were bumbling along at the bottom of the SFL (no relegation from Div 3.) We lost count after they scored their 30th goal.... They may be youthful but these senior teams can kick lumps out of the fast running youngsters.
 
Liverpool lost in Turkey as well, so their preseason has not exactly been dominant...however:

Real Salt Lake 0-2 Columbus

Huge away win for the Crew, against a team who knocked us out of the playoffs twice. Also, this is the first time the Crew have won at the Rio Tinto stadium. Not only did we win, but we did so by playing well. Robbie Rogers had perhaps his best game of the season so far after a long slump, assisting on both goals. Backup 'keeper Andy "Hebrew Hammer" Gruenebaum played a fine match and preserved the clean sheet.

Columbus is now leading the Eastern Conference, three points ahead of Philadelphia (who have two games in hand, both against Columbus). The Western Conference still dominates though. We are fourth in the unified table standings.

EDIT: New York Red Bulls have lifted some big silverware in Europe :D, winning the Emirates Cup by drawing 1-1 with Arsenal. Thierry Henry had a hand in the own-goal by Arsenal late in the second half that blew the gunners' 1-0 lead over the MLS side.
 
Last edited:
Jaffa Cake said:
Pre-season watch – and it's not good reading for Fizzy or pachyderm.

Sheffield Wednesday lost against newly promoted Conference side Alfreton Town earlier today – and were thumped 14-0. Granted, the side Wednesday fielded was a youthful one but none the less, not a good result.
Click to expand...

he he he...

Lord Blackadder said:
Liverpool lost in Turkey as well, so their preseason has not exactly been dominant...however:

Real Salt Lake 0-2 Columbus

Huge away win for the Crew, against a team who knocked us out of the playoffs twice. Also, this is the first time the Crew have won at the Rio Tinto stadium. Not only did we win, but we did so by playing well. Robbie Rogers had perhaps his best game of the season so far after a long slump, assisting on both goals. Backup 'keeper Andy "Hebrew Hammer" Gruenebaum played a fine match and preserved the clean sheet.

Columbus is now leading the Eastern Conference, three points ahead of Philadelphia (who have two games in hand, both against Columbus). The Western Conference still dominates though. We are fourth in the unified table standings.

EDIT: New York Red Bulls have lifted some big silverware in Europe :D, winning the Emirates Cup by drawing 1-1 with Arsenal. Thierry Henry had a hand in the own-goal by Arsenal late in the second half that blew the gunners' 1-0 lead over the MLS side.
Click to expand...

i've heard robbie isn't happy in Columbus anymore is that true? i hope not he is my fave. well done crew.


Silencio said:
I wouldn't blame Owen too much for that :eek: ... Obertan's cross was a lousy bouncing ball that came up too high for Owen to hit it right.

Oh well, it was just an exhibition, but still is nice to remember what it's like to beat those guys. I thought Anderson looked good as well.
Click to expand...

Owen's goal was beautiful.
 
pachyderm said:
i've heard robbie isn't happy in Columbus anymore is that true? i hope not he is my fave. well done crew.
Click to expand...

Fans have been divided on him lately. I watched in play during our title-winning season in '08 and he was excellent - pacy, willing to take defenders on and using his powerful left foot to advantage. Since 2008 his form has dipped somewhat, and he has danced around the fringes of the USA squad without ever really impressing. His deadball delivery on corners remains good and he's still fast, but his decision-making has been called into question on numerous occasions. He's also picked up a couple injuries in the last two seasons that have hampered him.

So far Columbus have been solidly behind him, and while there has been talk of a move to Europe nothing has materialized. In the short term he remains a Crew player. The reshuffling in the national team could be big for Robbie. He once actually played with Klinsmann, and at 24 he's still young enough to develop further and perhaps break into the national squad. Of course, if that happens a move to Europe is much more likely.

We have another couple well-kept secrets in Columbus - Chad Marshall is one of the top central defenders in the league, and Eddie Gaven is a talented, composed and consistent central midfielder. The two have been metronomic over the last few seasons, and both have, like Rogers, sniffed around the national team at times (Gaven has 8 caps, Marshall 11).

oscillatewildly said:
Off to Liverpool? They need a midfielder:
Click to expand...

I think we're going for an 0-9-1 formation this season. :D

It's good to see a character like Barton manage to turn his behavior around the way he has (more or less) at Newcastle, but he's still a thug and the last kind of personality I want in my dressing room.

Incidentally, it's funny how Kevin Nolan seems to have a moderating influence on crazy footballers. Perhaps Man City should consider signing him so he can buddy up with Balotelli and Tevez and talk some sense into them?
 
Jaffa Cake said:
Pre-season watch – and it's not good reading for Fizzy or pachyderm.

Sheffield Wednesday lost against newly promoted Conference side Alfreton Town earlier today – and were thumped 14-0. Granted, the side Wednesday fielded was a youthful one but none the less, not a good result.
Click to expand...

I'm not too worried. Wednesday's youth teams have never been up to much, the lack of players coming through the ranks over the past few decades have shown us that.

Our first XI just drew 0-0 with Stoke, so I'll take that :)

Lord Blackadder said:
Thierry Henry had a hand in the own-goal by Arsenal late in the second half that blew the gunners' 1-0 lead over the MLS side.
Click to expand...
Yes, I bet he did ;)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back