Re: tOfficial General Soccer Thread 2013-2014 Season

by **Cym Jim** 07/05/14, 11:00 pm

MiamiSpartan wrote:
To be honest, when I called it wildly unrealistic, I had forgotten that we'd be playing a team from Group H if we advance. That makes it fairly unrealistic instead of wildly unrealistic. Considering that the #2 and #3 teams in the world (FIFA rankings....or #3 and #7 teams in the world with ELO rankings) are in our group, and only two teams from the group can advance, then managing less than 3 points would be the only failure.

But rankings are silly, so why are we basing anything on it?

Yeah, it's probably mostly blind faith to think the US could go further. However, Portugal is beatable as you said. They're inconsistent, and while Ronaldo could score 6 on us, he could also get frustrated if the refs allow us to goon it up. We beat a Portugal team that was considered one of the favorites in 2002, and played remarkably well against Germany. And that was the last time that the World Cup was played more than 2 timezones away from those countries, so there! Yes, that's grasping at straws, but it was the only similarity I could find to 2002. And I realize that if we use previous WC meetings as a guide, then we lose to Ghana, beat Portugal, and narrowly lose to Germany, and still go home. I'd feel better if England were in our group, but we can't be that lucky again.

I'm telling you, it will be a USA - England final, with the US taking it on penalties after a 3-3 draw (Altidore getting the hat trick of course).

by **MiamiSpartan** 08/05/14, 11:57 am

Cym Jim wrote:

I'm telling you, it will be a USA - England final, with the US taking it on penalties after a 3-3 draw (Altidore getting the hat trick of course).

I'm actually hoping that England make it to the quarters and lose to Holland so that you, the English press, and English fans can get some extra intensity in your hatred for Van Gaal headed into the season.

Of course, that assumes that he gets the job. It's a little odd that it seems so certain, but not yet official. My conspiracy theory tells me that they'll announce late Sunday/early Monday to try to steal headlines from City (or Liverpool) winning the league on Sunday.

Actually, I think that there's a good chance that United are waiting to see if Guardiola or Ancelotti become available. There have been rumors of things not being so rosy between Pep, the players, and the management at Bayern, but I still think that's a long shot. Ancelotti may have saved his job with the trip to the CL final, but if they lose that to their Madrid rival after also losing La Liga to them, he could be out. You would hope that United wouldn't let the Van Gaal rumors get strung along so far and with such seriousness, and then back out of it for someone else, but the Glazers and Woodward are major fuckwits and have spent the last year acting very bush-league with the media with regard to transfer targets, the leaking of the Moyes firing, etc. So I don't trust them to act professionally.

Or maybe they're just trying to lowball Van Gaal like they did offering 25 million for Fabregas last summer.

by arfabe16 09/05/14, 01:57 pm

Mexico just released its list for the World Cup:

Goalkeepers: Jesus Corona, Guillermo Ochoa, Alfredo Talavera
Defenders: Miguel Layun, Diego Reyes, Rafael Marquez, Maza Rodriguez, Hector Moreno, Carlos Salcido, Andres Guardado, Paul Aguilar
Midfielders: Jose Vazquez, Marco Fabian, Gullit Pena, Hector Herrera, Chapo Montes, Isaac Brizuela, Juan Medina
Forwards: Oribe Peralta, Javier Hernandez, Raul Jimenez, Alan Pulido, Giovani Dos Santos

As expected, Carlos Vela is out -- which is a shame since he's Mexico's best player. Only surprise is Maza Rodriguez going instead of Ayala... I just hope Maza doesn't start (his lack of speed is a huge liability).

I would expect a starting lineup in a 5-3-2 formation: GK - Corona; DEF - Layun, Reyes, Marquez, Moreno, Guardado; MID - Pena, Herrera, Montes; FWD - Peralta, Dos Santos. It could also switch to a 4-3-3 with Reyes going to the bench, Chicharito starting, and Dos Santos sliding behind Peralta and Chicharito.

by **Cym Jim** 09/05/14, 02:29 pm

Anyone else collecting the World Cup Panini stickers? "My kids" are. They're awesome - takes me back. . .

by **Cym Jim** 09/05/14, 02:29 pm

Bobby Charlton just said "I am looking forward a lot to next year because Manchester United is not renowned for being second."

Second, Bobby? Second? You're fucking seventh!

Happy Anniversary . . .

tOfficial General Soccer Thread 2013-2014 Season - Page 5 JIIthe2

tOfficial General Soccer Thread 2013-2014 Season - Page 5 JIIthe2

by **MiamiSpartan** 09/05/14, 02:50 pm

Cym Jim wrote:Bobby Charlton just said "I am looking forward a lot to next year because Manchester United is not renowned for being second."

Second, Bobby? Second? You're fucking seventh!

Happy Anniversary . . .

My god, you're pathetic the way you take being disingenuous to a whole new level just to bash someone. Really to the point of taking things so far out of context as to be borderline slander (or is it libel?).

Here's what he actually said:

"But next year I guarantee that we will be number one in Manchester. We will have to buy a couple of players, which will happen. I am looking forward a lot to next year because Manchester United is not renowned for being second."

Honestly, Jim, do you try to change the meaning of a quote by ignoring what someone was talking about, or do you just pull snippets from other ABUs without looking into them yourself?

by **Cym Jim** 09/05/14, 03:18 pm

MiamiSpartan wrote:
My god, you're pathetic the way you take being disingenuous to a whole new level just to bash someone. Really to the point of taking things so far out of context as to be borderline slander (or is it libel?).

Here's what he actually said:

"But next year I guarantee that we will be number one in Manchester. We will have to buy a couple of players, which will happen. I am looking forward a lot to next year because Manchester United is not renowned for being second."

Honestly, Jim, do you try to change the meaning of a quote by ignoring what someone was talking about, or do you just pull snippets from other ABUs without looking into them yourself?

Jesus, chill the **** out for once.

Here's Ashley Young and his wife arriving at the rag player of the year dinner to cheer you up.

tOfficial General Soccer Thread 2013-2014 Season - Page 5 BnIvNgiIAAElufL

tOfficial General Soccer Thread 2013-2014 Season - Page 5 BnIvNgiIAAElufL

by **MiamiSpartan** 09/05/14, 03:44 pm

Cym Jim wrote:

Jesus, chill the **** out for once.

Here's Ashley Young and his wife arriving at the rag player of the year dinner to cheer you up.

I'm totally chilled. You thought you had some good piece to take a shot and you've been proven to be absolutely full of shit, and are now trying to deflect. Why don't you make up some quote from Klinsmann next?

by **Cym Jim** 09/05/14, 04:07 pm

MiamiSpartan wrote:
I'm totally chilled. You thought you had some good piece to take a shot and you've been proven to be absolutely full of shit, and are now trying to deflect. Why don't you make up some quote from Klinsmann next?

tOfficial General Soccer Thread 2013-2014 Season - Page 5 1966794946

It was joke you fucking idiot! Good god!

Season ticket sales can't be going too well if they have to send the senile old ticket tout to talk to the people of Cornwall. Probably meant number one in Trafford anyway . . .

by **Ass Dan** 09/05/14, 04:08 pm

God damn this thread sucks.

by **MiamiSpartan** 09/05/14, 04:11 pm

Cym Jim wrote:

It was joke you fucking idiot! Good god!

Season ticket sales can't be going too well if they have to send the senile old ticket tout to talk to the people of Cornwall. Probably meant number one in Trafford anyway . . .

tOfficial General Soccer Thread 2013-2014 Season - Page 5 502811600

Now it was just a joke, I see. You have a bridge that you want to sell me, too?

by **Cym Jim** 09/05/14, 04:27 pm

Good god you're a miserable twat sometimes! Can't blame you though! tOfficial General Soccer Thread 2013-2014 Season - Page 5 1966794946

Is this you?

by **MiamiSpartan** 09/05/14, 04:46 pm

Cym Jim wrote:Good god you're a miserable twat sometimes! Can't blame you though!

Is this you?

Why would I be miserable after my club have won 13 titles, and 2 European Cups in the last couple of decades? You think one poor season is a big deal? Your entire rooting interest in top flight soccer is based on hate. You can't get more miserable than that. Try having something to root FOR sometime.

by **Cym Jim** 09/05/14, 05:08 pm

WTF are you talking about - it's the playoffs tomorrow! tOfficial General Soccer Thread 2013-2014 Season - Page 5 3493939353

Did you see your game is on the SyFy channel tomorrow!

tOfficial General Soccer Thread 2013-2014 Season - Page 5 502811600

tOfficial General Soccer Thread 2013-2014 Season - Page 5 2809484752

by **MiamiSpartan** 09/05/14, 05:23 pm

Cym Jim wrote:WTF are you talking about - it's the playoffs tomorrow!

Did you see your game is on the SyFy channel tomorrow!

At least it's on. tOfficial General Soccer Thread 2013-2014 Season - Page 5 2599972566

by va slim 09/05/14, 05:27 pm

Any chance City lose the title on Sunday?

by **Cym Jim** 09/05/14, 10:44 pm

va slim wrote:Any chance City lose the title on Sunday?

Yes, about 10-1.

by **NigelUno** 11/05/14, 10:02 am

Championship Sunday? What is this all about? I can watch 10 games?

Liverpool vs. Newcastle...is this game important? Or should I switch to another game?

by **Cym Jim** 11/05/14, 10:14 am

NigelUno wrote:Championship Sunday? What is this all about? I can watch 10 games?

Liverpool vs. Newcastle...is this game important? Or should I switch to another game?

Only important if City lose, which is on NBC. Better atmosphere too because City are home.

by **NigelUno** 11/05/14, 10:16 am

Cym Jim wrote:
Only important if City lose, which is on NBC. Better atmosphere too because City are home.

I switched over already.

Is this the regular season title? Are there playoffs?

by **Cym Jim** 11/05/14, 10:23 am

W

NigelUno wrote:

I switched over already.

Is this the regular season title? Are there playoffs?

This is it. A bit of an anti-climax as things were all but settled last week, but it will be fun to watch the party in Manchester.

by **NigelUno** 11/05/14, 10:30 am

Looks like Man City is on a power play all the time.

They have to win or tie to clinch?

by Gob Bluth 11/05/14, 10:42 am

NigelUno wrote:Looks like Man City is on a power play all the time.

They have to win or tie to clinch?

A single point clinches the title for Man City, unless Liverpool pulls their collective head out of their ass and manages to win by about 20.

by **Cym Jim** 11/05/14, 11:49 am

Wonderful!

Congrats City

tOfficial General Soccer Thread 2013-2014 Season - Page 5 4198636888

by Zapp Brannigan 11/05/14, 12:02 pm

Cym Jim wrote:Wonderful!

Congrats City

Sweet crowd control there

by CrazySparty 11/05/14, 12:05 pm

http://thebiglead.com/2014/05/11/manchester-united-fans-hired-a-plane-to-troll-steven-gerrard/

by **Cym Jim** 11/05/14, 09:54 pm

Looks like I won the fantasy league, again. Nice try everyone - impressive showing from Fletch in second BTW.

by Zapp Brannigan 11/05/14, 10:07 pm

Cym Jim wrote:Looks like I won the fantasy league, again. Nice try everyone - impressive showing from Fletch in second BTW.

I missed the move when Suarez came off suspension and then packed it in for the season. First time I've quit on fantasy before Thanksgiving, but that blunder finished me.

by **MiamiSpartan** 11/05/14, 11:20 pm

CrazySparty wrote:http://thebiglead.com/2014/05/11/manchester-united-fans-hired-a-plane-to-troll-steven-gerrard/

I'm all for making fun of Liverpool, but that's small time.

by **Cym Jim** 11/05/14, 11:39 pm

MiamiSpartan wrote:
I'm all for making fun of Liverpool, but that's small time.

Must have taken a lot of work. Maybe that's why nobody was at the last home game of the season the other day?

by **Cym Jim** 12/05/14, 12:41 pm

Fairly uneventful England squad, but I'm glad some of the kids are in there - looking to future for once. Hopefully some of them will see the field - would be great to see Shaw, Barkley, Sterling etc on field, but I have a feeling it will be the likes lf Lampard and Milner getting the nod. I'm mostly just happy there's no Cleverly, Ashley Young, Carrick etc. - so good to finally drop that crap from midfield.

Goalkeepers Joe Hart (Man City), Ben Foster (West Brom), Fraser Forster (Celtic).

Defenders Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Chris Smalling (Man Utd), Phil Jones (Man Utd), Leighton Baines (Everton), Luke Shaw (Southampton).

Midfielders Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Milner (Man City), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Ross Barkley (Everton), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal).

Forwards Wayne Rooney (Man Utd), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Man Utd), Rickie Lambert (Southampton)

by **MiamiSpartan** 12/05/14, 12:57 pm

Cym Jim wrote:Fairly uneventful England squad, but I'm glad some of the kids are in there - looking to future for once. Hopefully some of them will see the field - would be great to see Shaw, Barkley, Sterling etc on field, but I have a feeling it will be the likes lf Lampard and Milner getting the nod. I'm mostly just happy there's no Cleverly, Ashley Young, Carrick etc. - so good to finally drop that crap from midfield.

Goalkeepers Joe Hart (Man City), Ben Foster (West Brom), Fraser Forster (Celtic).

Defenders Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Chris Smalling (Man Utd), Phil Jones (Man Utd), Leighton Baines (Everton), Luke Shaw (Southampton).

Midfielders Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Milner (Man City), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Ross Barkley (Everton), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal).

Forwards Wayne Rooney (Man Utd), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Man Utd), Rickie Lambert (Southampton)

Wow, only two City players were able to make the squad? How do the English champions end up with so few players on the English National Team?

by Zapp Brannigan 12/05/14, 01:06 pm

Randy Lerner thinks it's a good time to sell Aston Villa

My squad survived relegation so let's get the hell out of dodge before next season

by **Cym Jim** 13/05/14, 02:58 pm

Shocking, Ronaldo named in the Portugal squad. Only the provisional 30 though, there's still hope for you Yanks that he ruptures his spleen in the Champions League final!

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27402284

by Gob Bluth 13/05/14, 07:50 pm

Cym Jim wrote:Shocking, Ronaldo named in the Portugal squad. Only the provisional 30 though, there's still hope for you Yanks that he ruptures his spleen in the Champions League final!

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27402284

Is Portugal supposed to scare us?

by CrazySparty 13/05/14, 11:01 pm

Jim, please make up your mind. Is Portugal a team USA should beat, or lose to?

You keep flip flopping your stance on a post-by-post basis, and it's rather annoying.

by **Cym Jim** 14/05/14, 01:35 am

CrazySparty wrote:Jim, please make up your mind. Is Portugal a team USA should beat, or lose to?

You keep flip flopping your stance on a post-by-post basis, and it's rather annoying.

I apologize for annoying you. Assuming both teams are close to full strength, if the USA are truly around the top 10-15 team in the world, they should beat Portugal. If in reality they are actually more around the top 25-30, they should lose.

by **Cym Jim** 14/05/14, 01:42 am

Gob Bluth wrote:

Is Portugal supposed to scare us?

You're good.

by arfabe16 14/05/14, 04:16 pm

Arsenal is activating the buyback clause on Carlos Vela.

This could be either a masterstroke (as sarcyspice said on tRCMB) or a disaster. Vela is now a star player in La Liga (18 goals and 12 assists this season for the 6th place Spanish team), but he's also the type who won't be ok just being a role player at Arsenal. Immensely talented, but kind of a dick. We'll see how it turns out...

by **MiamiSpartan** 14/05/14, 04:38 pm

Cym Jim wrote:

I apologize for annoying you. Assuming both teams are close to full strength, if the USA are truly around the top 10-15 team in the world, they should beat Portugal. If in reality they are actually more around the top 25-30, they should lose.

Except that Portugal is a Top 5-7 team in the world......not to mention they have the best player in the world.

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