The Soccer Thread

[jessexy]

ManU is getting all the breaks this year, even in the Champions League. They wont have to play an English team until the final (potentially) if they make it. The other 3 EPL teams are on the other side of the bracket. Roma, Schalke, and Fenerbahce are not traditionally Champions League contenders (or even league contenders in their countries) but are playing well.

I believe in Fabregas so Arsenal will do it. and Drogba is scoring goals now so Chelsea will be dangerous always. Interesting note in that Arsenal and Liverpool play in the Champions League this week, the EPL league match on the weekend, and then again in Champions League the week after. Methinks that 3rd game will be a ton of fun and very physical.

Prediction:
ManU over Roma (Ronaldo, Rooney, and Tevez are on fire)
Schalke over Barca (Messi and Ronaldinho are hurt, Henry's goal scoring has dried up and Krkic/Dos Santos are so young. The team is dis-jointed)
Arsenal over Liverpool (cuz i believe. F. Torres is awesome though)
Chelsea over Fenerbahce ( this could be an upset also cuz only Drogba will score for Chelsea. Fenerbahce plays balls to the wall)

[swampthing]

So, I am yet to beat my son (he's 7) at FIFA 2008. He always picks AC Milan. What team should I be picking to try and beat him? I usually pick Chelsea.

You can't play with Chelsea unless you're awesome because the game makes them waaay too slow. Go with Juventus (the fastest team in the game) or Manchester United (the fastest player in the game - ronaldo, put rooney at oppositte wing mid).

[FLAK]

Interesting note in that Arsenal and Liverpool play in the Champions League this week, the EPL league match on the weekend, and then again in Champions League the week after. Methinks that 3rd game will be a ton of fun and very physical.

The Red Cards will be flying all over the place....

[KnoxVegas]

While everyone was discussing Champions League and cheat codes for FIFA, the MLS kicked off two days ago. Just FYI!

Welcome Back, San Jose! Hope it works out better this time!

[jessexy]

we'll see what happens with MLS this season. I know FCD gave away the home opener on Sunday. And i watched most of the LA Beckhams v. Colorado and LA is terrible.

[FLAK]

we'll see what happens with MLS this season. I know FCD gave away the home opener on Sunday. And i watched most of the LA Beckhams v. Colorado and LA is terrible.

Hahaha, I hate Alexi LLalas(sp?) he has the type of "American" ego that suggests that he is the be-all end-all soccer guru in the U.S. that will some how make MLS one of the "big four" sports in the U.S. I hope Beckham enjoys his part ownership of a crappy sports franchise.

[jessexy]

i thought MLS really took advantage of the NHL lockout to make some noise and get some publicity over the last couple of seasons. I dont know any stats about hockey attendance figures, but there have gotta be some MLS teams that have a better average attendance than some MLS teams. MLS, in my opinion, also has a better TV deal than the NHL. an ESPN2 Thursday night feature game will always beat Versus and even Telefutura is showing Sunday MLS matches in timeslots that are usually reserved for the Mexican league.

Expansion is coming and the waiting list of cities includes some major ones. and soccer stadiums are popping up like downtown apartment complexes nationwide. there is an argument for soccer in that 4th spot, and please no NASCAR comments.

[Timbalaned]

As much as he can be a HUGE baby, Cristiano is sick. That header he had today was sick. Man U is playing some good ball right now...

[bste_lax]

As much as he can be a HUGE baby, Cristiano is sick. That header he had today was sick. Man U is playing some good ball right now...

His heel kick for a goal this past weekend was also pretty nasty.

[bste_lax]

As much as he can be a HUGE baby, Cristiano is sick. That header he had today was sick. Man U is playing some good ball right now...

His heel kick for a goal this past weekend was also pretty nasty.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDQaK2VbKq8[/youtube]

[Timbalaned]

Man, I do enjoy watching David Beckham and the MLS play, but man after watching the UEFA games this last week there really is no comparison in quality. Some guys in the MLS are good, but your average European would dominate here. I think this is all obvious to everyone, but I think it really comes down a lot to first touches. The ability to trap or one touch pass in the MLS is crap compared to European ball. Just in the first half alone of this LA/SJ game, there have been so many balls that should be trapped or touched off to a teammate, but aren't. So many turnovers that it makes the game look so sloppy and I think that alone is one of the biggest differences in the quality of ball. What does everyone else think?

[Scrape Mode]

Timb- I would have to agree...

[bste_lax]

I really don't buy into this rumor, but find it interesting.

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/03/ ... rry-henry/

[Timbalaned]

I really don't buy into this rumor, but find it interesting.

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/03/ ... rry-henry/

I would be a Seattle FC season ticket holder if that goes down.

[Dan Warren]

Euro ball is superior, BUT...the MLS has really improved over the last 5 plus years. I have wanted to be a fan, but I just couldn't watch the games. Now, they are watchable,and I have even gone to a few Revolution games, including last seasons Eastern Conference Championship. It will continue to improve, and I do think it will become the 4th sport at some point in time.