BBTF's Newsblog Discussion :: OT: The Soccer Thread, March 2013

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Friday, March 01, 2013

OT: The Soccer Thread, March 2013

Update your bookmarks, it’s the soccer thread.

Football hipster word of the month: Catenaccio
THTF news: Two months of fixture hell begin in which Spursin’ it up becomes all too possible
Shooty news: He’s decided to follow Real Zaragoza, because that’s totally not a hipster choice
Hamburglar / French Freiburg news: I still find both puns funny. Monthly updates to follow
News news: I am now done with the bit.

Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: March 01, 2013 at 04:02 PM | 800 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: off-topic, soccer

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701. The Anthony Kennedy of BBTF (Scott) Posted: March 27, 2013 at 12:41 AM (#4397391)

The US gave up 1 easy chance and a clear penalty. We're lucky to get out with a point. At the same time, other than the last few minutes the team played remarkably well. Between this and the Costa Rica result, I feel vastly more sanguine about qualifying for the WC than I did a week ago.

702. The Anthony Kennedy of BBTF (Scott) Posted: March 27, 2013 at 12:43 AM (#4397394)

Also, I'm going to be blaring America, #### Yeah! for the next two days whenever my roommate is within earshot.

703. madvillain Posted: March 27, 2013 at 12:58 AM (#4397404)

One thing I don't understand is Johnson for Altidore, and it should be said as soon as Jozy went off so did any sort of linkup between Clint and the front line. Jozy doesn't have world class touch but he has learned basic build up play with AZ. He knows when to back pass, when to run, etc.

I dunno, I'm hardly a soccer expert just don't see what Johnson brought to this game. I watch Johnson on the sounders, he's not a hold up guy but a pace player, no?

704. Mark Edward Posted: March 27, 2013 at 01:01 AM (#4397405)

Guzan wasn't even challenged for 85 minutes- did he have to make any sort of worthwhile save throughout that time period? It's not like the score should have been 5-0.

Yeah Mexico probably should've had a penalty kick but the US played very well overall.

705. puck Posted: March 27, 2013 at 01:32 AM (#4397413)

I think MLS is better than a lot of people give it credit for these days. Besler and Gonzalez were both great, Zusi and Johnson have contributed recently as well. Might be better to give more time to MLS stars than guys struggling at the lower ends of Europe, like Goodson or Parkhurst.

Zusi hasn't done much IMO. Some of the MLS guys have been successful (Besler, Gonzalez), and some have not (Wondowlowski, Brad Davis). Though of course it should be noted, every guy in the game has played in MLS.

706. puck Posted: March 27, 2013 at 01:33 AM (#4397415)

Considering the great US results from this international break, those sure were ugly games. But I'm happy with the points!

707. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: March 27, 2013 at 07:46 AM (#4397439)

So after all the sturm and drang, we ended up with the 4 points most of us would have expected from these 3 games. Can I declare Mexico the England of CONCACAF?

708. puck Posted: March 27, 2013 at 11:08 AM (#4397555)

Here's a photo for the propaganda poster.

709. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: March 27, 2013 at 11:15 AM (#4397567)

Here's a photo for the propaganda poster.

It's nice not to have to give a #### about Gio Dos Santos anymore. Was Omar Gonzalez as good as what I've been reading today?

710. Mefisto Posted: March 27, 2013 at 11:53 AM (#4397601)

Gonzalez was great in the air (he usually is), very solid in his positioning (sometimes an issue for him). He wasn't challenged on the dribble or with quick movements (his biggest weakness), nor was he required to make long passes (another weakness).

711. Manny Coon Posted: March 27, 2013 at 11:56 AM (#4397605)

Zusi hasn't done much IMO. Some of the MLS guys have been successful (Besler, Gonzalez), and some have not (Wondowlowski, Brad Davis). Though of course it should be noted, every guy in the game has played in MLS.

Zusi hasn't been great, but he's worked hard and been fairly tidy with the ball, he's certainly been better than Danny Williams impersonating a wide midfielder, which goes back to my original point of MLS star vs. fringe Euro player. He's not able to run up and down the field all game, put in the defensive work and be a dangerous creative attacker, but that is really hard to do and part of what makes Landon Donovan kind of awesome when he's at the top of his game.

With Wondo and Evans, I think it's a fit thing. Wondo is poacher who is dependent on service and the national team just doesn't have enough creative attackers to support that type of player. Alan Gordon from the same MLS team, is much less skilled than Wondo, but was able to contribute as a big, physical worker in the last round of qualifiers. Davis seems like mostly set piece specialist, but he's kind of limited otherwise, I think he was brought into the game hoping the USA could pound in a corner or free kick against the run of play, but they didn't get too many of those after he came in.

712. DA Baracus Posted: March 27, 2013 at 12:07 PM (#4397626)

The US didn't play badly, but man did Mexico play like crap, a running theme for them lately. I'll gladly take the point they they didn't really earn. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.

713. Jose is an Absurd Doubles Machine Posted: March 27, 2013 at 01:09 PM (#4397680)

Was Omar Gonzalez as good as what I've been reading today?

I thought so. Where I think he and Besler really distinguished themselves in not making any real glaring mistakes. DA is right that Mexico were pretty poor but part of that was minimizing the real catastrophic mistakes. There were a couple including a particularly exciting sequence where Edu gave the ball away on the edge of the box twice in about 20 seconds but got bailed out both times by Beasley.

Besler was the guy I was impressed with. Early on a bunch of guys were scrambling any time they got pressured. Besler and Bradley were the only two who seemed capable of getting a ball in the defensive third and while being pressured make a pass to an actual teammate rather than one of the guys in the other uniforms.

714. madvillain Posted: March 27, 2013 at 01:55 PM (#4397724)

Besler was the guy I was impressed with. Early on a bunch of guys were scrambling any time they got pressured. Besler and Bradley were the only two who seemed capable of getting a ball in the defensive third and while being pressured make a pass to an actual teammate rather than one of the guys in the other uniforms.

Edu is just straight garbage every time he puts on a USMNT uni. I hear nothing but good things about his club performances but he constantly hesitates in the attack and either kills the counter or gives it away too easily.

He makes Jones look like Xavi.

715. Manny Coon Posted: March 27, 2013 at 02:11 PM (#4397742)

Edu is just straight garbage every time he puts on a USMNT uni. I hear nothing but good things about his club performances but he constantly hesitates in the attack and either kills the counter or gives it away too easily.

He makes Jones look like Xavi.

Edu is out there for his defense, not his offense. Jones and Bradley are obviously better offensive players and better overall, but Edu is a good defender, he covers a lot of ground, is a strong tackler and is good in the air. I'd rather have him out there than Beckerman or Williams and he's better than someone like Kljestan if they want to play defensively. He's a limited player, but there is pretty big drop off after Bradley and Jones and all the options are going to be weak in one way or another.

Bradley completed 57/58 of his passes last night, really impressive.

716. DA Baracus Posted: March 27, 2013 at 02:17 PM (#4397746)

Edu was the best option if you were going to go 4-2-3-1. Klinsmann's faults are many but his hand was forced with injuries and apparently the players advocated him in the lineup which is interesting the heels of the The Sporting News article about him.

717. Nose army. Beef diaper? (CoB) Posted: March 27, 2013 at 02:19 PM (#4397748)

A 19-year-old North Hollywood man has been sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for aiming a laser pointer at a commercial aircraft — a steep punishment going well beyond the year federal prosecutors were seeking.

“In this case the judge really felt it was serious behavior and he wanted to make sure that people understood it was not a joke,” Los Angeles federal prosecutor Melissa Mills said in a telephone interview Tuesday.

On the one hand, that does seem a bit excessive.

On the other, I'd like it if anyone caught shining a laser at a player on a soccer pitch was dragged 'round back of the stadium and hit in the head with a brick, so I guess I'm a little conflicted about this one ...

718. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: March 27, 2013 at 02:22 PM (#4397750)

The USA-Mex game last night got a 1.6 rating! Woo hoo! I guess that's pretty good.

719. madvillain Posted: March 27, 2013 at 02:23 PM (#4397751)

He's a limited player, but there is pretty big drop off after Bradley and Jones and all the options are going to be weak in one way or another.

Yea I'm not really complaining that he was selected, just pointing out what a drop there is from Jones to Edu. To be fair, Edu should have given away a penalty and only a very generous ruling (probably helped by the broadway performance flop from the mexican guy when all he should have done is fell over) saved him.

Bradley is always composed on the ball and does a great job linking the back 4 with the midfield, but the only time the US had any sort of combo play in the final 3rd was when Altidore connected with him and Clint. Clint was fairly useless last night in the 2nd half, I thought he should have been subbed out for maybe Klestjan.

Glad for the point, but I still have serious questions about the team going forward, especially if Donovan is out much past June.

720. Manny Coon Posted: March 27, 2013 at 02:29 PM (#4397760)

Yea I'm not really complaining that he was selected, just pointing out what a drop there is from Jones to Edu. To be fair, Edu should have given away a penalty and only a very generous ruling (probably helped by the broadway performance flop from the mexican guy when all he should have done is fell over) saved him.

Univision has replay of Edu's possible penalty from a different angle than ESPN that shows that the non-call was probably legit, Aquino basically kicks the ground and falls over. The Univision announcers even say they don't think it's a penalty.

721. puck Posted: March 27, 2013 at 06:40 PM (#4397963)

Univision has replay of Edu's possible penalty from a different angle than ESPN that shows that the non-call was probably legit, Aquino basically kicks the ground and falls over. The Univision announcers even say they don't think it's a penalty.

Yeah, I see a lot of people arguing that today. I think the ref makes a non-call because he thinks Edu poked the ball away, hence the corner kick. Otherwise, you have to go to Univision's slo-mo, where even then, when the contact takes place vs. the scuff is very close. And then you have to ignore Edu's trailing leg taking the Aquino out, and we know PK's are awarded all the time for mere fouls in the box.

I still say, they were way damn fortunate Mexico wasn't awarded a PK.

722. Mefisto Posted: March 27, 2013 at 09:02 PM (#4398035)

I think the ref makes a non-call because he thinks Edu poked the ball away, hence the corner kick.

That's how I interpreted it too.

723. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: March 28, 2013 at 12:50 PM (#4398496)

Stuart Holden is going on loan to Wednesday. Hopefully he'll get some minutes.

724. puck Posted: March 28, 2013 at 01:58 PM (#4398564)

Brian Strauss was part of the Sporting News layoff. I had not heard of/noticed his name until his big Klinsmann article, but supposedly he's one of the few well-reputed soccer journalists in the US. So I assume he'll land somewhere.

725. DA Baracus Posted: March 28, 2013 at 02:11 PM (#4398580)

Tough blow for Strauss. As a Klinsmann hater I really enjoyed his article.

Stuart Holden goes on 30 day loan to Sheffield Wednesday. Any playing time is better than no playing time.

726. Swedish Chef Posted: March 28, 2013 at 05:33 PM (#4398706)

Kompany buys a Belgian team

It's a really crappy third division team, so it is either charity or him wanting to play a long Football Manager campaign in real life.

727. The Anthony Kennedy of BBTF (Scott) Posted: March 29, 2013 at 02:17 PM (#4399211)

If I were one of the people who made Croesus look like a piker, I'd totally own at least one sports team. And the second of those teams I'd totally take a lower league team in a fairly good location and play real life Football Manager. (Obviously my first purchase would be a MLB team).

Landon Donovan is back. I completely understand why he took a break, and I just hope he feels properly rested and happy to be back at his soccer. If he is, there's plenty of time before Brazil for him to get back into form and into the US starting XI. My only concern is if he feels like he needs to come back because this will likely be his last World Cup as a starter and is coming back before he's really ready to play again.

728. madvillain Posted: March 29, 2013 at 02:26 PM (#4399222)

Landon Donovan is back. I completely understand why he took a break, and I just hope he feels properly rested and happy to be back at his soccer. If he is, there's plenty of time before Brazil for him to get back into form and into the US starting XI. My only concern is if he feels like he needs to come back because this will likely be his last World Cup as a starter and is coming back before he's really ready to play again.

From his comments he says he's hungry again and all that. I take it at face value: he needed a break, took one, and now feels ready again. That said, he's lost a step, and while still far and away the US' most creative player in the midfield, this is not 2008 Landon Donovan that we'll be seeing in the Hex and (knock on wood) in Brazil.

That said, I can't wait to see what the US looks like under Klinsy when he gets a full roster healthy and training together. With Fabian Johnson, Dempsey, Landon, Chandler, Altidore, Jones and Bradley in the fold we might actual see some 3-1, 2-0 results.

One thing that was mentioned up thread is that while we haven't produced a truly world class field player, the US (with the help of MLS) has real depth in the pool for perhaps the first time ever. While it won't help us beat Spain or Germany, it certainly helps in the Hex.

729. Mefisto Posted: March 29, 2013 at 02:34 PM (#4399228)

Here's some fun to liven up the day.

730. John Shade has yet to hear the Squeak Posted: March 29, 2013 at 03:10 PM (#4399263)

Other than his atrocious taste in clubs, these interviews with Robbie Rogers are both great.

731. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: March 30, 2013 at 11:11 AM (#4399669)

Did Lloris get hurt against Spain?

732. John Shade has yet to hear the Squeak Posted: March 30, 2013 at 11:36 AM (#4399677)

Did Lloris get hurt against Spain?

Yeah, some sort of knee injury apparently. Supposedly not a big deal. I am terrified.

733. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: March 30, 2013 at 11:49 AM (#4399683)

Yeah, some sort of knee injury apparently. Supposedly not a big deal. I am terrified.

D'oh. At least there's the Vertonghen and Bale show to enjoy.

And Man City looking pretty great against Newcastle right now.

734. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: March 30, 2013 at 03:03 PM (#4399760)

Oh, Hamburglar...

735. Mattbert Posted: March 30, 2013 at 05:38 PM (#4399821)

Mother of god. Pizarro scored four goals today. Anyone care to guess how many he'd scored in the league before today?

I'll spare you the suspense. It is zero. Zero goals. Before today. When he scored four.

Mother of god.

736. Mattbert Posted: March 30, 2013 at 06:42 PM (#4399861)

Sunderland have parted company with Martin O'Neill.

Why the heck would they not have pulled the trigger on that before the long international break?

737. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: March 30, 2013 at 06:50 PM (#4399862)

Why the heck would they not have pulled the trigger on that before the long international break?

Particularly because the next game was United. It's one thing if they'd been home to QPR and lost or something at which you might say "Ok, he can't even beat them, he's got to go" but 1-nil--an OG no less--to United is not exactly a bad result for a club like Sunderland.

Which isn't to say that O'Neill didn't deserve to go, just that I agree with Mattbert that the timing seems off.

738. SPICEY WITH A SIDE OF BEER ON A BABYYYYYYY Posted: March 31, 2013 at 10:16 AM (#4400085)

Next to Messi, Suarez seems like the player most capable of turning nothing into something and taking on 3 guys to create a good chance with stunning regularity.

739. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: March 31, 2013 at 04:43 PM (#4400262)

Looks like Di Canio is the new manager at Sunderland. I predict a #### storm!

740. Swedish Chef Posted: March 31, 2013 at 04:54 PM (#4400271)

I predict a #### storm!

I'm afraid he will be good for them before he goes too far.

741. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: March 31, 2013 at 06:47 PM (#4400325)

Am I wrong, but isn't the Northeast a fairly lefty region of England? But aside from Di Canio's weird politics, his behavior at Swindon doesn't scream out "Premier League ready" to me. It seems an odd choice. Interestingly enough, Laurent Blanc is unemployed. I think I'd rather have rolled the dice with him.

742. Swedish Chef Posted: March 31, 2013 at 09:33 PM (#4400489)

Am I wrong, but isn't the Northeast a fairly lefty region of England?

It's working class, the BNP is strong there too. I don't think his politics will matter much, wins forgive everything, if he loses he will be abused anyway.

Interestingly enough, Laurent Blanc is unemployed. I think I'd rather have rolled the dice with him.

Laurent Blanc wouldn't touch them with a ten-foot pole. Only managers for which it is a step up to a higher level or those that are desperate for a another chance after flaming out somewhere else would consider such a job. None of which explains what Harry is doing at QPR. But he has always been pretty crap at career management.

743. Rennie's Tenet Posted: March 31, 2013 at 10:33 PM (#4400552)

25 minutes in, Guadalajara-America passes from intense to out of control. 30 minutes, America goal disallowed offside.

Edit: 35 minutes, Guadalajara a man down after an extended tackling attempt.

744. Rennie's Tenet Posted: March 31, 2013 at 10:53 PM (#4400569)

At the half, no score. One man sent off, one shoving match, two Guadalajara injuries.

745. frannyzoo Posted: April 01, 2013 at 07:58 AM (#4400650)

This insanely-scheduled FA Cup Replay might be the biggest Spurs Think Factory event all year. First, there's Saturday v. Soton for Chelsea and now Cole pulls a hammy. What an April Fools of a joke game so far.

746. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 01, 2013 at 08:00 AM (#4400651)

747. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 01, 2013 at 08:04 AM (#4400652)

The schedule for Chelsea from Saturday on is pretty grueling, though.

Sat: Soton
Mon: Man U
Thurs: Kazan
Sun: Sunderland
Thurs: Kazan
Sun: Spurs
Wed: Fulham

edit: It's nice having an early morning game to watch. With Europe closed it is super boring today at work.

748. Biff, highly-regarded young guy Posted: April 01, 2013 at 08:23 AM (#4400657)

edit: It's nice having an early morning game to watch. With Europe closed it is super boring today at work.

Hey, in a few hours you'll be able to watch Yankees - Red Sox! Or, at least, what remains of those two teams.

749. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 01, 2013 at 08:29 AM (#4400660)

Hey, in a few hours you'll be able to watch Yankees - Red Sox! Or, at least, what remains of those two teams.

Can't wait to find out which baseballers are in top form!

750. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 01, 2013 at 08:33 AM (#4400664)

The Guardian MBM is complaining about how terrible this game is, but I don't think it's been that bad. Not a classic, but an all right game.

751. Biff, highly-regarded young guy Posted: April 01, 2013 at 08:38 AM (#4400665)

The Guardian MBM is complaining about how terrible this game is, but I don't think it's been that bad. Not a classic, but an all right game.

I only turned it on once I started reading this topic, so I can't really comment, but it's possible that they went in with the preconceived notion that the game would be bad due to both teams playing two days ago and haven't deviated from it.

Nice finish from Ba.

752. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 01, 2013 at 08:43 AM (#4400668)

Phil Dowd is trolling Fergie!

753. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 01, 2013 at 08:47 AM (#4400672)

Here comes the cavalry for United.

754. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 01, 2013 at 08:49 AM (#4400673)

Chicharito even congratulated Cech for that save.

755. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 01, 2013 at 11:44 AM (#4400820)

He never actually uses the F word here.

756. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 01, 2013 at 03:22 PM (#4401234)

Samba might have just gotten QPR relegated.

757. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 01, 2013 at 03:42 PM (#4401270)

So..to recap.

Samba gives up the ball on the edge of the box and commits a penalty trying to get it back. Then Samba passes inexplicably to a Fulham player leading to a Berbatov goal. And now an own goal on Clint Hill. They are going to have a busy summer offloading all these players. Who is going to take on Samba's 100K a week salary?

758. I am going to be Frank Posted: April 01, 2013 at 03:48 PM (#4401281)

Would QPR be dumb enough not to have a relegation clause for Samba? Even if its just a simple termination?

759. Swedish Chef Posted: April 01, 2013 at 04:28 PM (#4401363)

Would QPR be dumb enough not to have a relegation clause for Samba? Even if its just a simple termination?

Samba agreed to move to a bottom club with relegation a strong possibility, even likely, I'm sure that whatever clause there is is hugely favorable to him.

760. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 01, 2013 at 05:07 PM (#4401444)

I'm pretty sure Samba doesn't have any kind of relegation clause.

761. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 01, 2013 at 07:23 PM (#4401568)

Hamburglar to GIVE away hamburgers?

Mass hysteria!

Also, Neil Warnock the latest to get the sack from whatever consortium owns Leeds these days.

762. puck Posted: April 02, 2013 at 12:50 AM (#4401759)

Did this get posted? Good interview with Marco Reus.

763. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 02, 2013 at 08:41 AM (#4401817)

LFC and THFC THINKFACTORY!

Highlights of the LFC and Spurs U-21 match. Adam Morgan is the one to watch for LFC and Ceballos for Spurs. From the Spurs perspective it's nice to see Ceballos becoming a real player and evolving from being just a youtube sensation. I would not be surprised to see him on the bench against Basel Thursday. The highlights are from LFC so it's naturally edited to make them look much better. From the written descriptions Spurs were better than the clip makes it seem which is promising since most of the team is the U-18 squad brought up to replace all the loanees.

764. Flynn Posted: April 02, 2013 at 08:53 AM (#4401823)

It's working class, the BNP is strong there too.

765. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 02, 2013 at 09:51 AM (#4401860)

I am starting to quite like Romario. No hard feelings about '94!

766. Swedish Chef Posted: April 02, 2013 at 10:42 AM (#4401910)

Actually the BNP has virtually no presence in the Northeast at all. The BNP's strongholds are the post-industrial towns in Yorkshire, the Midlands and the eastern side of Greater London. They've never even had a councillor in the Northeast.

They got almost 5% in the last election up there, I count that as strong for such an extremist party.

767. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 02, 2013 at 10:42 AM (#4401911)

I hope Newcastle have their shopping list ready.

768. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 02, 2013 at 11:50 AM (#4401967)

The heart of why QPR aren't very good.

769. Mattbert Posted: April 02, 2013 at 12:30 PM (#4402014)

Possibly the best goal celebration you'll see today. Or any day.

770. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 02, 2013 at 12:40 PM (#4402024)

Possibly the best goal celebration you'll see today. Or any day.

Aw, he seemed only mildly impressed...

771. The Buddy Biancalana Hit Counter Posted: April 02, 2013 at 12:45 PM (#4402026)

Also, Neil Warnock the latest to get the sack from whatever consortium owns Leeds these days.

More a case of finally accepting he wouldn't set the record for getting teams promoted and retiring immediately instead of in May than him getting sacked. The uncertainty as to who will be appointing a permanent replacement is a fair point, though.

772. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 02, 2013 at 01:56 PM (#4402096)

Renowned Sunderland fan Jonathan Wilson's twitter reaction to you know what:

Jonathan Wilson ?@jonawils 31 Mar

Oh, for goodness's sake.

773. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 02, 2013 at 02:45 PM (#4402146)

Mark Clattenberg is reffing the battle between the 2 evils that will not be mentioned.

774. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 02, 2013 at 02:46 PM (#4402148)

Wowzers.

775. I am going to be Frank Posted: April 02, 2013 at 02:47 PM (#4402149)

Who in their right mind would start Beckham against Barcelona. Barca wear their flaming jerseys.

776. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 02, 2013 at 02:59 PM (#4402163)

Who in their right mind would start Beckham against Barcelona.

Trophies tarnish, The Brand is forever...

777. I am going to be Frank Posted: April 02, 2013 at 02:59 PM (#4402164)

So far I've been wrong. He's played some very good long balls.

778. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 02, 2013 at 03:18 PM (#4402187)

If Robben had his shooting boots on Juventus would be out of the tie already.

779. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 02, 2013 at 03:35 PM (#4402216)

Hell, Bayern dominated that half but I think it's one of those they may regret wasting so many early chances games. Could Arturo Vidal look any more the douche?

780. ursus arctos Posted: April 02, 2013 at 03:38 PM (#4402219)

Absolutely filthy pass from Dani Alves allows Messi to break the stalemate in Paris.

781. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 02, 2013 at 03:42 PM (#4402223)

Enjoy the second half football hipsters. I'll be contemplating inverted wingers on my commute home...

782. AuntBea calls himself Sky Panther Posted: April 02, 2013 at 04:25 PM (#4402284)

Barca having all kinds of trouble defending crosses in the air all game.

Ibra was way offside on his goal (in offside position when the header was made that hit the post, and he put in the rebound).

Did anyone see the play where the two Barca defenders collided, and were lying on the ground, playing 4 PSG players onside? I don;t think the ref called it wrong, but everyone on BArca was complaining.

Then on the subsequent corner with those two on the sideline, the PSG player plays a short corner and they never get a cross in, despite the obvious danger to Barca . Stupid.

783. AuntBea calls himself Sky Panther Posted: April 02, 2013 at 04:29 PM (#4402293)

Barca rolling around and complaining to the refs again. All the rolling, begging, and pathetic mewling reminds me of my cat.

And I like the team, but dammit.

784. AuntBea calls himself Sky Panther Posted: April 02, 2013 at 04:32 PM (#4402299)

And now a terrible play by the goalie, deserved penalty gives Barca the lead. He both reacted late and did not need to foul. Just a bad bad play.

785. AuntBea calls himself Sky Panther Posted: April 02, 2013 at 04:38 PM (#4402308)

I guess Valdes wanted to one up him.

That was a very entertaining game. PSG gave Barca all they could handle. I doubt they stand much chance back in Spain, but it's not over yet.

786. zack Posted: April 02, 2013 at 06:53 PM (#4402457)

Mark Clattenberg is reffing the battle between the 2 evils that will not be mentioned.

And has given out yellow cards for diving to both teams, both of which are being questioned by the announcers but I think are absolutely spot on.

787. Biff, highly-regarded young guy Posted: April 02, 2013 at 07:10 PM (#4402465)

Barca rolling around and complaining to the refs again. All the rolling, begging, and pathetic mewling reminds me of my cat.

And I like the team, but dammit.

I watched both games (Bayern - Juve on delay). Barca's whining doesn't even BEGIN to compare to the amount of whining Bayern were doing.

788. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 03, 2013 at 07:29 AM (#4402889)

Looks like The Galaxy will carry the hopes and dreams of MLS again as Seattle runs into the Santos roadblock for the second year in a row.

789. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 03, 2013 at 08:53 AM (#4402917)

A When Saturday Comes article on Di Canio from 2006

2006 isn't really all that long ago and Di Canio wasn't very "young" then, either. I have to admit, I'm kind of fascinated by the reaction to his hiring in England but I promise not to link to any more articles about it. I swear!

790. The Anthony Kennedy of BBTF (Scott) Posted: April 03, 2013 at 09:27 AM (#4402942)

When are we going to get the April thread?

I just bought tickets to the Boston Breaker's season opener on the 14th after realizing that their home stadium is literally a 5 minute walk from where I live. Woo rooting interests based solely upon geographic proximity! Also, who the heck is buying the 90 dollar pitch-side seats? That seems a bit steep.

791. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 03, 2013 at 11:39 AM (#4403088)

When are we going to get the April thread?

I forgot we were still in the March thread. Anyone who's tight with the powers that be want to submit it?

792. Mark Edward Posted: April 03, 2013 at 12:16 PM (#4403125)

Really hope Schmelzer plays today. A back 4 of Piszczek - Santana - Subotic - Grosskreutz is worrisome.

793. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 03, 2013 at 12:21 PM (#4403129)

Sorry about the April thing - I volunteered to submit because I had keys, then I started a blog and gave up my keys. I nominate Shooty to submit through the Repoz system. He rules the thread!

794. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 03, 2013 at 12:23 PM (#4403132)

then I started a blog

You lousy hipster! What is this blog?

edit: Also, I don't have keys.

795. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 03, 2013 at 12:27 PM (#4403139)

I meant through the "submit news item" link on the front page. I assume that's how RB used to do it?

I'm blogging all over the place now, for whatever odd reason. Red Sox blog: Replacement Level Red Sox (with Darren, Jose, and Matt(bert)). And I'm writing up my football stat stuff over at Cartilage Free Captain.

796. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 03, 2013 at 12:33 PM (#4403153)

And I'm writing up my football stat stuff over at Cartilage Free Captain.

Ah. That's become one of the bigger SB sites, hasn't it? Relatively, I guess.

797. Fancy Crazy Town Banana Pants Handle Posted: April 03, 2013 at 06:57 PM (#4403574)

Man, I take 10 days off of BTF, before the start of the season, and the whole place falls to pieces.

798. Biff, highly-regarded young guy Posted: April 03, 2013 at 07:23 PM (#4403604)

So, either I missed an April thread being posted, or no one is talking about today's games. Real dominate Galatasaray as expected. Dortmund have to be disappointed not to have scored given the chances they had, but probably still feel good about advancing with the home leg yet to come.

799. There are a lot of good people in alt-Shooty

Posted: April 03, 2013 at 07:45 PM (#4403626)

I posted the April thread but I'm a BBTF nobody so I don't know if it will get past the censors. I only saw the first half of the Dortmund-Malaga game but they have to be flummoxed they didn't win that game. They've made their job a lot harder but I still think they'll get through.

800. ursus arctos Posted: April 04, 2013 at 10:34 AM (#4404102)

This own goal is just the slightest bit dodgy.

Two direct shots on their own goal by the Singaporean defense, split by a hand ball.

Lee Kwan Yew would be proud of their diligence.

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