Soccer Thread 2014-15

[kingfc22]

Arsenal all but wrap up a CL spot today. They'd need to lose every game and Liverpool would need to win out AND make up a 22 GD.

14-18 in the table only separated by 2 points. That is where all the action is these next 3 weeks.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Newcastle look determined to go down to the Championship.

Fixed that for you

[ISiddiqui]

So a Nigerian billionaire wants to buy Arsenal...

Did he express interest in an email?

[Grover]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

So a Nigerian billionaire wants to buy Arsenal...

Did he express interest in an email?

He'll never get the initial $40 million deposit for safekeeping from Wenger though.

[Grover]

Also:

German TV Program Shows Qatar Slave Conditions, More FIFA CorruptionÂ*

[ISiddiqui]

A sports prayer I can believe in:

Newcastle-supporting priest writes prayer to God asking for Mike Ashley to leave the club - Mirror Online

Newcastle-mad priest Stephen Foster is praying that divine intervention will see Mike Ashley cast out in a holy effort to save his team, report the Chronicle.

The football-crazy cleric has penned a prayer to God calling for the swift departure of the Newcastle United owner.

And Father Stephen, who now lives in Ireland, hopes that his plea will reach the heavens and have an impact.

He said: “It’s a prayer to the Lord to try and change the mentality of the owner and the club.

“It’s about getting the best for the fans. We are going through a difficult time but things can improve.”

In his appeal, Father Stephen claims fans are being attacked “from within”.

A line from it reads: “Give us a new owner, or a new mentality for the present owner, who will take our spirit and not crush it but revive it.

“Give us someone who will not rename our stadium from St James Park, not change the colour of our strip. Not rebrand us into something we are not.”

And the prayer itself:

A prayer for Newcastle United
“Dear Father in Heaven

Listen to our prayer in the midst of our suffering.

To be at St James Park is where we want to be. To win is great. To see passion, excitement, endeavour and skill is ecstatic.

To lose is always terrible. It takes some time to recover. But now we are being attacked from within. We are more financially secure now, but the cost is great. No involvement in cups is allowed. Best players sold. Mediocre mid-table finish is what is demanded.

The balance sheet has become the most important thing.

But this is not what we want.

And so Heavenly Father, grant that the owner will see more to this than profit and balance sheet. That there is more to life than money. It’s about families and belonging. Being happy.

If you spend your hard-earned money on a match ticket, it’s an insult to witness passionless, mercenary football.

Our family is Newcastle. Give us what we want.

But, if he is not prepared to change Heavenly Father, give him the insight to know it’s time to go.

Give us a new owner (or a new mentality for the present owner) who will take our spirit and not crush it but revive it. Give us someone who will not rename our stadium from St James Park, not change the colour of our strip. Not rebrand us into something we are not.

We’ve had highs and lows. Notably the Fairs Cup. That was a great year. But too many lows.

Help us now,

Amen.”

[ISiddiqui]

Speaking of Newcastle, what with the whole sponsor of the club being morally reprehensible (payday loan company), and the owner not giving two shits about the team other than making a profit, I'm starting to think the unthinkable and wondering if I need to cut ties with NUFC and go support some other squad.

[Grover]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Speaking of Newcastle, what with the whole sponsor of the club being morally reprehensible (payday loan company), and the owner not giving two shits about the team other than making a profit, I'm starting to think the unthinkable and wondering if I need to cut ties with NUFC and go support some other squad.

I wouldn't call this unthinkable and I certainly wouldn't blame you.

Bournemouth Bandwagon!

[ISiddiqui]

Not a bad pick for next season. I was fleetingly thinking of West Ham, due to family that live in South Essex (and no teams in Essex are in the Prem - so West Ham would be closest) and working class background... but then I realized the damn hooligans.

[Grover]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Not a bad pick for next season. I was fleetingly thinking of West Ham, due to family that live in South Essex (and no teams in Essex are in the Prem - so West Ham would be closest) and working class background... but then I realized the damn hooligans.

Yeah, the hooligans can be pretty bad. That's why no one's allowed in the building when we play Millwall.

That aside... we'll be much better to root for once Allardyce is sent off with his P45.

[Ryan S]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Not a bad pick for next season. I was fleetingly thinking of West Ham, due to family that live in South Essex (and no teams in Essex are in the Prem - so West Ham would be closest) and working class background... but then I realized the damn hooligans.

Tottenham might be closer to Essex.

[ISiddiqui]

Naw... they are in south south Essex. In South Benfleet.

[whomario]

Insane Intensity between Barca and Bayern in the first 10 minutes. They arent pulling any punches, both team determined to play their way, taking a ton of risks tactically and individually. Bayern are missing a few key players (Ribery, Robben, Alaba and Badstuber) but still have 11 world class players out there.

Bayern again playing 3 at the back and one of the 3 is Rafinha, who is basically covering Messi 1:1. (actually Boateng and Benatia do the same against Suarez and Neymar respectively)

Neuer with a huge save right now and basically being an aditional defender.

[whomario]

Ok, now Bayern with a more classic 4 man defense.

As to Barca: Tiki-Taka this is not anymore, a guy like Raktic adds a much more phyiscal and dynamic dimension to their midfield.

[ISiddiqui]

Wow Messi... both goals were fantastic.

[whomario]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Wow Messi... both goals were fantastic.

yeah, truly one of the most astonishing athletes of our time.

In the end Bayern just lacked punch.

[SirFozzie]

The Spanish fa announced that they will be suspending la liga and copa del Rey fixtures starting 5/16 over the contracts for TV rights. This could effect the end of season fixtures as well as team preparations for copa America

[miami_fan]

If I am a Everton supporter, I think I want my manager to stay off of TV this summer and focus more on the squad.

[miami_fan]

Wait, Adam Johnson is still being allowed to play for Sunderland?! Ugh

[The Jackal]

Go Leicester.

Enjoyed watching Burnley this season, but they just didn't have enough creativity or offensive punch.

Also, lolspurs.

[The Jackal]

Huh.

Guardiola to City

[sovereignstar v2]

Not totally buying it yet. beIN has an iffy track record. And it's not even on their homepage.

[TroyF]

Despite the title being locked up, the EPL has been fascinating. Man U got through their critical 5 game stretch with some amazing results and their CL spot essentially locked up. Then they fall apart again. Having a tough game with CP now. CP should have just taken the lead. If it weren't for Degea, I wonder just how far down the table they would have finished this season. (Man U scored as I typed this post, looks again like their CL place will be safe)

At the bottom, Burnley and QPR are done.

There are still 5 teams who could end up in the last relegation spot. Hull, Newcastle, Leicester, Aston Villa, Sunderland. Hull looks to be in the most trouble now. @ Tottenham and home against Man U. Two draws and two Newcastle losses would keep them up on goal difference. They need a win in those last two to lock in their safety.

Leicester won 10 games all season. 6 of those are in their last 7 games. What a turnaround.

[ISiddiqui]

Whoa... Valencia up 2-0 on Real Madrid. Madrid has hit a ton of goalposts in this game so far, and they have to win to have a chance at the La Liga title - if they lose, they are out, and Barca can celebrate.

[ISiddiqui]

And Valencia stops a penalty right before half time!!!

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

And Valencia stops a penalty right before half time!!!

Barca get one win in their last two and they win the league. They have a pretty easy game to finish up, the draw today by Real likely gives them the title.

I hope Juve win so Real doesn't get a trophy this year. That would make me very happy.

[whomario]

a wondergoal in the german 4th division:

[miami_fan]

CL finals are set

Luis Suarez (and Barcelona) vs Patrice Evra (and Juventus)!

[kingfc22]

Zelalem cleared to play for the U.S.

[AlexB]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

CL finals are set

Luis Suarez (and Barcelona) vs Patrice Evra (and Juventus)!

And Suarez v. Chiellini

[SirFozzie]

Idiot Boca Juniors fans think its a swell idea to pepper spray the River Plate players at halftime, causing the Copa Libertadores round of 16 2nd leg to be abandoned:

Boca Juniors fans pepper spray River Plate players, get Super Clasico abandoned - SBNation.com

[miami_fan]

I turned on my TV to NBCSN. Benteke does not take a chance for Aston Villa. Three minutes later, Sadio Mané has scored a hat trick. Not a bad start to the football day.

[miami_fan]

5-0. A bit of motivation for Hull City later on.

[AlexB]

Amazing turnaround for Leicester - 19 points out of 24 and we're safe! Woot! Hull in real trouble now.

[The Jackal]

That goal whomario posted is pretty ridiculous

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by The Jackal

That goal whomario posted is pretty ridiculous

... and makes Aron Jóhannsson's bicycle kick from today look pale in comparison (I'll still encourage to watch it.)

[ISiddiqui]

Interesting news on MLS's LA2:

Report: LAFC to construct stadium in Exposition Park; club's debut pushed back to 2018

Los Angeles FC has reportedly found a home.

The LA Times reported Sunday that LAFC has selected the Sports Arena site in Exposition Park to house the club’s privately-financed stadium. The $250-million complex will cover 15 acres and will be situated near the L.A. Memorial Coliseum.

As a result, the club’s debut would be pushed back until 2018 to make up for time needed to demolish the 52-year-old Sports Arena and construct the new stadium.

The club, which tweeted an rendering of the stadium on Sunday, is expected to formally announce the move on Monday.

The 22,000-seat arena will still need approval from the Coliseum Commission and the L.A. City Council, but both groups, as well as L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, have expressed support for the project, which could be given the green light as soon as July.

The stadium would be the first open-air sports venue to be built in the city since 1962.

[Katon]

Cesc Fabregas is now officially on summer holiday.

[saldana]

Originally Posted by Katon

Cesc Fabregas is now officially on summer holiday.

I would pay real money to know wtf he was thinking there....hopefully when he pulled the ref aside before he left the pitch he apologized for being a dick and it will show up in the official report as unsportsmanlike instead of violent behavior.

[Coffee Warlord]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Speaking of Newcastle, what with the whole sponsor of the club being morally reprehensible (payday loan company), and the owner not giving two shits about the team other than making a profit, I'm starting to think the unthinkable and wondering if I need to cut ties with NUFC and go support some other squad.

I've been in the same boat for awhile. The team is awful, the constant shuffle of managers is maddening, and the owner clearly gives zero fucks, so long as they're turning a profit. It's made me stop following the EPL for the most part, and I've barely paid attention to NUFC all season. Sucks.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

I've been in the same boat for awhile. The team is awful, the constant shuffle of managers is maddening, and the owner clearly gives zero fucks, so long as they're turning a profit. It's made me stop following the EPL for the most part, and I've barely paid attention to NUFC all season. Sucks.

And unfortunately Newcastle will likely survive (as Hull City, which is 2 points back in relegation zone, is playing Manchester United on Saturday) and Ashley will be poised for another profitable season.

[Grover]

Report: Marketing Firm Owns Rights To Select Brazil National Team Squad

This is amazing.

[SirFozzie]

Fabregas will not get a late start to next season, his three game suspension's been cut to one.

[ISiddiqui]

So Raheem Sterling REEEEALY wants to leave Liverpool. Some rumors seem to indicate that ManU are interested and have started to talk to him.

[Grover]

For the sake of England, I hope Sterling goes abroad. He won't, but I can dream.

[sovereignstar v2]

It's down to two teams really - City and Arsenal. And by the narrative the media is already writing my money would be on City.

[ISiddiqui]

Interesting... France's Ligue 1 is going to reduce relegation spots from 3 teams to 2, because:

The French Football League (LFP) has opted to reduce the relegation spots in Ligue 1 from three to two in an effort to give potential owners “more security” on their investments.

“Investors need a little more security,” LFP president Frederic Thiriez told L’Equipe. “Three up, three down is too many. Those who invest in football must be less subject to the permanent threat of relegation. Two down out of 20 clubs is good.”

Friday Kickoff: Prince Ali confirms World Cup expansion plan; Queretaro drops first leg to Pachuca; and more | Soccer By Ives

The 'security' on investments thing is why the MLS has never really thought about promotion/relegation. I know there people who want the MLS to be like the rest of the world and go for pro/rel, but it may be working the other way - other countries reducing pro/rel spots for the same reasons that MLS doesn't have it.

[The Jackal]

Originally Posted by Grover

For the sake of England, I hope Sterling goes abroad. He won't, but I can dream.

Why do you hope he goes abroad? I wouldn't mind swapping out Theo for him.

[Grover]

Originally Posted by The Jackal

Why do you hope he goes abroad? I wouldn't mind swapping out Theo for him.

I think as a footballing nation England would be better served with some of their top talent going elsewhere in Europe rather than stacking up at a City/United/Arsenal and not getting the playing time they need.


I realize that Sterling is an outlier here with greater talent than most, but I still feel the same way.

[The Jackal]

Originally Posted by Grover

I think as a footballing nation England would be better served with some of their top talent going elsewhere in Europe rather than stacking up at a City/United/Arsenal and not getting the playing time they need.


I realize that Sterling is an outlier here with greater talent than most, but I still feel the same way.

I get that, in general. I don't think Sterling will have trouble getting playing time at the big 4-6, though.