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The Soccer Thread

Started by HogFansReunited, May 14, 2017, 12:05:51 pm

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HogFansReunited

Where did the soccer thread go? I have gone back 5 pages and can't seem to find it. I can't imagine it being locked or nuked.
My girl told me to whisper something sexy in her ear...so I leaned in and said....Dominic Fletcher.

Quote from: WorfHog on April 05, 2019, 11:26:00 pm
Remember when Auburn dog piled AND THEY LOST!


Member #3568

runninhog

Obviously not a popular topic on this forum.
Happy die Schwarzgelben made it to Champions League. Looked doubtful this year, but they made it.

 

HogFansReunited

Quote from: runninhog on May 21, 2017, 11:10:05 am
Obviously not a popular topic on this forum.
Happy die Schwarzgelben made it to Champions League. Looked doubtful this year, but they made it.

I know soccer isn't popular to many people in Arkansas but this thread was around 70 pages long and the few that liked soccer discussed all soccer subjects in the one thread.
My girl told me to whisper something sexy in her ear...so I leaned in and said....Dominic Fletcher.

Quote from: WorfHog on April 05, 2019, 11:26:00 pm
Remember when Auburn dog piled AND THEY LOST!


Member #3568

McKdaddy

Quote from: HogFansReunited on May 21, 2017, 01:53:22 pm
I know soccer isn't popular to many people in Arkansas but this thread was around 70 pages long and the few that liked soccer discussed all soccer subjects in the one thread.

Agreed. Quite disappointing.
Don't buy upgrades, ride up grades.

"You are everything that is wrong with this place . . . Ban me"

"CPI, ex-food and energy, is only good for an anorexic pedestrian"--Art Cashin

HogFansReunited

Arsenal and Chelsea play today. I hate both teams but as a Spurs fan I can never root for Arsenal.
My girl told me to whisper something sexy in her ear...so I leaned in and said....Dominic Fletcher.

Quote from: WorfHog on April 05, 2019, 11:26:00 pm
Remember when Auburn dog piled AND THEY LOST!


Member #3568

runninhog

Quote from: HogFansReunited on May 27, 2017, 11:04:12 am
Arsenal and Chelsea play today. I hate both teams but as a Spurs fan I can never root for Arsenal.

Your Spurs are coming to Nashville this summer. I think they play City.

HogFansReunited

Quote from: runninhog on May 27, 2017, 11:16:59 am
Your Spurs are coming to Nashville this summer. I think they play City.

Yeah, unfortunately I will be in LA that week.
My girl told me to whisper something sexy in her ear...so I leaned in and said....Dominic Fletcher.

Quote from: WorfHog on April 05, 2019, 11:26:00 pm
Remember when Auburn dog piled AND THEY LOST!


Member #3568

HogFansReunited

 Chelsea playing a man down just scored the equalizer.
My girl told me to whisper something sexy in her ear...so I leaned in and said....Dominic Fletcher.

Quote from: WorfHog on April 05, 2019, 11:26:00 pm
Remember when Auburn dog piled AND THEY LOST!


Member #3568

HogFansReunited

And Arsenal answers with a goal of their own. Arsenal now up 2-1
My girl told me to whisper something sexy in her ear...so I leaned in and said....Dominic Fletcher.

Quote from: WorfHog on April 05, 2019, 11:26:00 pm
Remember when Auburn dog piled AND THEY LOST!


Member #3568

McKdaddy

Quote from: HogFansReunited on May 27, 2017, 01:10:37 pm
And Arsenal answers with a goal of their own. Arsenal now up 2-1

Wenger stays or goes out w/ a cup? He was adamant he's remains the man for the job in the presser yesterday, but stated he meets w/ the board next week where a decision will be made.
Don't buy upgrades, ride up grades.

"You are everything that is wrong with this place . . . Ban me"

"CPI, ex-food and energy, is only good for an anorexic pedestrian"--Art Cashin

runninhog

Quote from: HogFansReunited on May 27, 2017, 01:10:37 pm
And Arsenal answers with a goal of their own. Arsenal now up 2-1

That first goal was bogus.

AirWarren

Huge Chelsea fan here. Nice to win the EPL but hate losing to Arsenal in the FA cup.

Disappointing to see the massive soccer thread go. I enjoyed the commentary. Beats oversensitive moderators who delete your posts when you criticize our Hogs.

phadedhawg

Aye, I miss that thread for sure. 

USA vs Jamaica tonight, Gold Cup final 8:30 CST FS1

 

AirWarren

Quote from: phadedhawg on July 26, 2017, 01:10:12 pm
Aye, I miss that thread for sure. 

USA vs Jamaica tonight, Gold Cup final 8:30 CST FS1

Let's go red white and blue!

AirWarren

2017 Gold cup champions.

Good start heading into World Cup play.

phadedhawg

2-1.  Exciting game!  Some of the B team got a lot of playing time in the Gold Cup.  Hopefully Arena has found a couple more players to be useful in the Hex. 

September 1st, WCQ.  That game will be bigger than the one we played last night. 

MWR334

US Women play Australia in the Tournament of Nations tonight at 9 PM on ESPN.

phadedhawg

Quote from: MWR334 on July 27, 2017, 07:19:14 pm
US Women play Australia in the Tournament of Nations tonight at 9 PM on ESPN.

I missed the game but saw the results in the paper this morning.  USA loses to Australia.  Something is wrong with the USWNT right now.  They crashed out of Olympics and now lose to the Aussies.  Very odd. 

Maybe they need to retool their roster.  The WC generation is getting a little worn in places.   

AirWarren

Quote from: phadedhawg on July 28, 2017, 11:13:15 am
I missed the game but saw the results in the paper this morning.  USA loses to Australia.  Something is wrong with the USWNT right now.  They crashed out of Olympics and now lose to the Aussies.  Very odd. 

Maybe they need to retool their roster.  The WC generation is getting a little worn in places.

Too much political agenda and not enough getting out there and playing soccer.

phadedhawg

Quote from: AP85 on July 28, 2017, 12:59:31 pm
Too much political agenda and not enough getting out there and playing soccer.

Unfortunately there's some truth to that.  When they went on their "we should make as much as the men" campaign I kinda wondered what was up.  Just looking at results it's easy to make the case that the women should out-earn the men.  But way more people watch men's soccer vs women's soccer.  There's just a lot more money in it to be spread around. 

JayBell

RIP old Soccer Thread.  As any of the thread's posters will tell you, it was probably the most civil thread in Hogville history.  We argued, but it never got anywhere near what you would see on the rest of the site.

I've mainly followed MLS since the 2006 World Cup, but I used to follow Yanks Abroad pretty consistently.  I remember waking up in the late 2000s to watch illegal streams on various sites and platforms to watch Donovan at Everton, Michael Bradley in the Netherlands and Germany, Edu at Rangers, Freddy Adu and Eddie Johnson in Greece, etc.

Now, with most of the guys coming home to MLS, I barely watch any foreign soccer at all.  I'll watch some Champions League on the side of my computer when they come on while I'm at work.  Maybe an EPL or Bundesliga game or two if I'm at someone's house who has the channels on the weekend.

JayBell

Sadly, my MLS fandom has fallen way off this season.  With so many teams and so many games and other life stuff going on, I have hardly watched any MLS tat all.  I followed the NBA more this last season than I have in probably more than 15 years.

I guess after college football and all other Razorback sports, I only have a certain amount of time I'm willing to devote to various sports interests.

I still follow MLS constantly online and I did watch the All-Star Game last night.  The league is having a great season and the rest of the year should be pretty fun.

JayBell

Anyways, I thought I would jump back in with an overly long look into the US World Cup roster situation as we start the final year sprint before the tournament next season.

Top USMNT forwards:

Jozy Altidore, 27, is a bonafide superstar in MLS with Toronto FC, but some of the old US fan hate is never going to die down.  He's streaky, like a lot of strikers, but Jozy at his best makes the US so much more dangerous in the attack.

Bobby Wood, 24, has had a couple of breakout seasons in Germany at Union Berlin and now Hamburg in the Bundesliga.  He's had some injury issues, but when healthy, he's clearly a USMNT starter.  He has a different game from Altidore and plays well off of him.

Clint Dempsey, 34, looks to have accepted a part-time role for the US.  He's still a stud in MLS with the Seattle Sounders and has become a marksman on free kicks.  Seriously, his development as a free kick specialist over the course of his career has been beautiful to watch.  If he starts, he likely won't go past 60-75 minutes and he is more likely to come off the bench now.  As long as his form and fitness stay where they need to be, he'll still be a leader for the US next summer.

Jordan Morris, 23, probably has the inside track on the fourth forward spot right now, especially after a few crucial goals at the Gold Cup.  His form has been down for Seattle in MLS, but he still has dangerous pace.  He's bulked up and slowed down a bit, but he offers different things going forward than most other options.

Dom Dwyer, 27, finally became able to suit up for the USMNT this summer.  He was solid for the US in the group stage of the Gold Cup.  Recently traded from Sporting Kansas City to Orlando City in a major deal, he could be a great tool off the bench if he makes it to Russia.  He has a great work rate and smart movement.  He'll need to take his game to another level this year to be on next summer's roster.

Aron Johannsson, 26, has become the forgotten man for US Soccer.  It really bothers me how USMNT fans forget about guys any time they have a bad stretch.  He was in great form for AZ Alkmaar before the 2014 World Cup and likely would have helped the US if not for an injury.  He toiled on a bad leg in the win over Ghana, but he probably shouldn't have even been on the roster.  Injury issues have hampered him with Werder Bremen in Germany, but he could easily lock down the fourth spot with a solid season wherever he plays.

Rubio Rubin, 21, is one of my darkhorses.  He was a rising star for the US and Utrecht for several years before his career skidded.  He's with Silkeborg in Denmark right now, but he's one of a few young US players with a chance to break out.

Gyasi Zardes, 25, is another darkhorse if his coaches ever leave him at forward.  They want him to be a good wide player, but he just doesn't have the touch or patience for that role.  If they put him in a forward position where he thrived before with Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan for the LA Galaxy, I think he could still have a bright future.

Others to watch: Juan Agudelo, 24, New England Revolution; C.J. Sapong, 28, Philadelphia Union; Kekutah Manneh, 22, Vancouver Whitecaps; Fafà Picault, 26, Philadelphia Union; Julian Green, 22, Stuttgart

JayBell

Wide midfielders:

Christian Pulisic, 18, is a bonafide wunderkind for the US.  He's been the best player in a lot of his senior USMNT appearances and became a hell of a player for Dortmund in Germany.  Has the potential to the most in-form young player at the World Cup since Donovan in 2002.

Fabian Johnson, 29, thrives as a midfielder in Germany.  I think we're finally over the real position discussion, at least in the real world if not online.  He's been a midfielder for the past five years for his clubs, but Klinsmann squandered him as a defender.  He should be a top US player in Russia once Arena gets him used to his new/old role.

Darlington Nagbe, 27, showed at the Gold Cup he's definitely on the USMNT roster in important games now.  He attacks for the Portland Timbers in a way few other US players do.  I like him better off the bench.

Paul Arriola, 22, is a dynamic wide player for Tijuana in Liga MX.  He has speed and a great work rate.  Too often he struggles to find games in the first half, but he turns it on in the second half.  Another season of honing his game could make him dangerous in Russia.

Alejandro Bedoya, 30, is a leader for the Philadelphia Union and has been reliable for the US out wide.  With other options ahead of him, I hope Arena keeps him in a central role from now on.  He's literally played centrally his entire club career, but can still be an emergency option out wide.

Kenny Saief, 23, has been with Gent in Belgium since 2014.  He switched to the US from Israel this summer, but was limited by an injury at the Gold Cup.  If anyone is primed to stamp out a position with the US over the next year, it's him.

Kelyn Rowe, 25, was a standout for the US in the Gold Cup group stage.  He's been a star for the New England Revolution.

Others to watch: Julian Green, 22, Stuttgart; Sebastian Lletget, 24, LA Galaxy; Benny Feilhaber, 32, Sporting Kansas City; Miguel Ibarra, 27, Minnesota United; Graham Zusi, 31, Sporting Kansas City; Ethan Finlay, 27, Columbus Crew; Lynden Gooch, 21, Sunderland.

 

JayBell

Central midfield:

Michael Bradley, 30, is the US leader right now.  As with Donovan and Altidore, there's a contingent of USMNT fans that will just never like him, but he's long been the US's best CM and has been in great form for the US and Toronto FC over the past year.

Kellyn Acosta, 22, is the leader to line up next to Bradley right now.  He's in stellar form for FC Dallas and performed great against Mexico in the WCQ at the Azteca.  He's getting looks from Europe, but struggled in the Gold Cup.

Alejandro Bedoya, 30, is a leader for the Philadelphia Union and Arena is finally looking at him centrally, where he has been for his entire club career.  As others struggle alongside Bradley, Bedoya is one of a very few US players who can replicate Bradley's intelligence and work rate in the center of the field.

Sacha Kljestan, 31, has been one of the bst two-way midfielders in MLS since he went to the New York Red Bulls in 2015.  Other options have struggled in recent months and he doesn't seem to be in favor with Arena right now, but he is clearly still a top option.

Jermaine Jones, 35, is still loved by coaches, but, man, I hope he doesn't go to Russia next summer.  That would reflect a complete dearth of other options.  He can barely stay healthy and he's been a card threat for the US and LA Galaxy.

Others to watch: Danny Williams, 28, Huddersfield; Alfredo Morales, 27, Ingolstadt; Perry Kitchen, 25, Randers; Dax McCarty, 30, Chicago Fire; Wil Trapp, 24, Columbus Crew.

JayBell

I thought I'd put this here because I'm not sure where else they would classify.  The US still has a few young stars that are always just teetering on the edge of breaking out.

Gedion Zelalem, 20, is still a prospect for Arsenal, but he tore his ACL in the US's first game in the U-20 World Cup.  He seems to have as much potential as anyone in the player pool, but he hasn't broken out yet.

Emerson Hyndman, 21, is entering a critical season with Bournemouth.  He broke out with Fulham before manager turnover knocked him down the pecking order.  He bounced back last season with Rangers and has an opportunity this season to re-establish himself.

Joseph Gyau, 24, was long seen as one of the best USMNT youth prospects.  His career has stalled in Germany.  Like Lletget and so many others, his career could blow up with the right club decisions and performances.

JayBell

Left backs:

Jorge Villafana, 27, has the position on lock right now.  Partly because of a lack of other options, but he's a legit starter and I had been calling for him since 2014.  He won a reality show to get on the Chivas USA roster back in the day, but he was a solid player for a Portland Timbers team that won MLS Cup and has been a starter in Mexico since he got to Santos Laguna.

Damarcus Beasley, 35, is still a solid player.  He's one of the best left backs in MLS with the Houston Dynamo.  People will be mad that he's still considered, but he should be.  He's good enough, smart enough and still has good speed.  If no one else emerges, he'll be a great backup option in Russia.

Justin Morrow, 29, is an option, but he didn't take advantage of his opportunity at the Gold Cup.  He's solid for Toronto FC, but he's not a first choice.

Eric Lichaj, 28, finally broke back into the US setup after being banished by Klinsmann.  He's better on the right side, but he can be an option on the left.

Greg Garza, 25, looked to have a lock on the position a couple of years ago, but injury issues have plagued him in Mexico and again in MLS.  He got hurt in the All-Star game last night, but if he stays healthy for Atlanta United, he has a chance to go to Europe.

Matt Besler, 30, and Tim Ream, 29, are both left-footed centerbacks, but can play left back in a pinch.  They're an option at LB if other two-way options flame out.

JayBell

Right back:

Deandre Yedlin, 24, is the clear starter at right back.  No other coach has ever had any position debate about him.  Klinsmann was the only one to every try him in midfield for any meaningful amount of time.  After having success with Newcastle, he could be very important for the US in Russia.

Eric Lichaj, 28, struggled mightily in a few games for the US at the Gold Cup, but he does have the quality.  If he keeps his good club form for Nottingham Forest, he's going to be the main backup at right back.

Graham Zusi, 31, has transitioned to right back for Sporting Kansas City in MLS.  He's severely limited, as shown in the Gold Cup, but is relatively reliable and experienced.

Timothy Chandler, 27, has basically never carried over his club form in the Bundesliga over to the USMNT.  If he ever did, he's been a lock for every meaningful US tournament.  He's still a player for Frankfurt and could be an option on both the left and right sides if he found some consistency in the international game.

Geoff Cameron, 32, is seen by many as the stud starter at centerback for the US, but he's always made far too many mistakes for me.  He had a Player of the Season caliber year at right back for Stoke City in the EPL.  I'd love it if he was the main option behind Yedlin.

JayBell

Left centerback:

John Brooks, 24, is the star on the US backline.  He's one of the US's best performers in Europe right now and was the true standout at the 2016 Copa America.  This is his spot and could be for much of the next decade.

Tim Ream, 29, has been a consistent starter for Bolton and Fulham in England's Championship since he left the New York Red Bulls.  He's younger and in better form than Matt Besler, but they're the two most experienced backups right now behind Brooks.

Matt Besler, 30, is still a quality starter for Sporting Kansas City, but he hasn't had much consistency since the 2014 World Cup.  He performed well in the Gold Cup and improved his stock moving forward.

Matt Miazga, 22, was yet another forgotten US man after Chelsea bought him from the New York Red Bulls.  He languished on Chelsea's bench before a solid season on loan last season with Vitesse in the Netherlands revitalized his career.  He returns to Vitesse this season after a couple of good outings for the US in the Gold Cup.

JayBell

Right centerback:

Geoff Cameron, 32, is probably still the starter despite Omar Gonzalez's leading performance in the Gold Cup.  He does have stretches where he's the US's best defender, but he makes so many mistakes.  This is probably his spot until he does something demonstrably bad to lose it.

Omar Gonzalez, 28, is an extremely weird case to me.  Despite being one of the best MLS defenders for a long stretch with the LA Galaxy and two solid performances in the last World Cup, a sizable portion of the USMNT fanbase hates to see him on the field for the US.  He's been one of Pachuca's best players for the past year and half and helped them win multiple trophies, including the most recent Champions League.  He was easily the US's best defender at the Gold Cup.  In my mind, he should be starting alongside John Brooks.

Matt Hedges, 27, did not have the Gold Cup he or anybody else was hoping for.  After being ignored for years by Klinsmann, he finally got his chance.  He's been a leader for FC Dallas and had a decent game on the right side for the US, but he is a disaster on the left side.  He had a rough night last night for the MLS All-Stars on the left side again.  His future is on the right side.  He just reads the game better there.

Cameron Carter-Vickers, 19, is another top prospect constantly teetering on the bring of a breakout season.  He's been with Tottenham for the past year, but hasn't really come close to breaking into the rotation.  A good season for Tottenham or somewhere on loan would definitely get Arena's attention.

Steve Birnbaum, 27, is really the only other guy worth mentioning.  He's been a top MLS defender for DC United, but hasn't stood out much in limited chances for the US.  He wasn't terrible either, just didn't really stake a claim.

JayBell

Goalkeeper:

Tim Howard, 38, has reclaimed his spot as the clear No. 1 for the US.  He had an injury last year, but he's healthy again and in great form for Colorado and the US.  People are concerned about his age, but his reflexes are as great as ever and he'll have another long MLS offseason to recharge.

Brad Guzan, 32, saw his time in Europe sputter to an end with Middlesborough.  He'll have a chance with Atlanta United over the next year to get back into form, but he's still the clear No. 2 with no real competition.

*I'll make a break right here because there's been a lot of unwarranted panic by US fans worried that the US doesn't have talent behind the top two guys.  The US was spoiled for so long with such smooth transitions from Meola to Friedel/Keller to Keller to Howard, but it's led to exaggerations about the perceived lack of quality behind them.*

Jesse Gonzalez, 22, has probably staked his claim as the No. 3 for now.  He's risen up with FC Dallas and officially switched from Mexico this summer.  Another good year in Dallas will keep him as a good, young third option in Russia.

Ethan Horvath, 22, recently started Champions League matches for Belgian Club Brugge after transferring from Molde in Norway.  He's right there with Gonzalez.

Others to watch: Bill Hamid, 26, DC United; Sean Johnson, 28, NYC FC; William Yarbrough, 28, León; David Bingham, 27, San Jose Earthquakes; Tim Melia, 31, Sporting Kansas City; Luis Robles, 33, New York Red Bulls.

JayBell

If I was to bet on a World Cup roster right now, I think it'd be:

Goalkeepers: Howard, Guzan, Gonzalez
Defenders: Villafana, Beasley, Yedlin, Lichaj, Brooks, Cameron, Gonzalez, Miazga
Midfielders: Bradley, Acosta, Bedoya, Kitchen, Pulisic, Johnson, Nagbe, Arriola
Forwards: Altidore, Wood, Dempsey, Dwyer

First XI: Howard, Yedlin, Cameron, Brooks, Villafana, Bradley, Acosta, Pulisic, Fabian, Wood, Altidore

Another lineup option could use Pulisic and Dempsey in a No. 10 role.  I could definitely see a dangerous front six of Bradley, Acosta, Fabian, Nagbe, Pulisic and Altidore/Wood at some point.


There's definitely a lot of fun possibilities now that the US has a sane person again as manager.

runninhog

CP just scored for Dortmund against Bayern. In the starting lineup.

HogFansReunited

Very glad to see you post here JayBell. I haven't looked at this thread in a while. I am so glad to see the national team playing much better. Some of the young players are going to be very good for us in the future.
My girl told me to whisper something sexy in her ear...so I leaned in and said....Dominic Fletcher.

Quote from: WorfHog on April 05, 2019, 11:26:00 pm
Remember when Auburn dog piled AND THEY LOST!


Member #3568

HoggieStyle

On the USMNT

I pretty much agree with your assessments, Jay.

As for my opinions...

I can't stand Brad Guzan. I know Howard is getting on in years, so somebody needs to emerge as the next guy. Guzan isn't good enough, IMO.

I like what little I saw of Miazga in the Gold Cup. Likewise, Lichaj, Villafana, Acosta, Morrow, Morris and Arriola.

Dempsey won't be a 90-minute guy, but I think his presence is extremely important. He's still a threat and had probably the best free kick goal and one of the best assists (Altidore) in the Gold Cup.

I didn't feel like anyone was terrible, but there are still guys on the team that make me nuts. Bradley and Altidore are probably top of that list. Altidore is always going to be one of the bigger, stronger guys on the field, but he spends too much of his time sitting up top and trying to be a point man, which isn't really his forte. He's not really that good with his back to goal. Spends way too much time flopping and looking for a call. Bradley....when he's on, he's fantastic. I like the role he's playing of late, sort of a holding mid. Gives him the opportunity to be the QB without the pressure of a more attacking mid. But when he's not great, he's just "meh". He's frustrating.

Pulisic is going to be the face of US Soccer for a generation, just like Landon Donovan was. Even if he doesn't have anymore upside, he's proven that he can play at the highest level at 18 years old. If he stays healthy, he will always be a threat.

Lastly, I like what I'm seeing in terms of how they are playing the game together as a team. There were moments in the Gold Cup where we looked like we were actually playing the beautiful game. I hope that continues. We're still not in the clear qualifying for Russia.

In Bruce We Trust.

JayBell

Quote from: HogFansReunited on August 08, 2017, 11:49:18 amVery glad to see you post here JayBell. I haven't looked at this thread in a while. I am so glad to see the national team playing much better. Some of the young players are going to be very good for us in the future.

This is the generation(s) we've been talking about for forever.  They're kind of coming in two waves, but it's really one generations because they're only like 4-5 years apart.

The names have changed a lot though.  For a while, that first wave was led by guys like Charles Renken, Joseph Gyau, Alejandro Guido, Marc Pelosi, Omar Salgado, Jack McBean, Luis Gil and Julian Green.  That group is instead being led by Kellyn Acosta, Kenny Saief, Paul Arriola, Ethan Horvath, Jesse Gonzalez, Matt Miazga and Jordan Morris.

Other than Pulisic, we're still desperately waiting for someone in that next group to join the big time.  Haji Wright, Junior Flores, Zelalem, Hyndman, Gooch, Erick Palmer-Brown, CCV, etc.

The main positive is that the US has serious depth in future generations.  The USMNT had good depth post-2011, but it was squandered by JK.  It's going to be harder and harder to figure out who's going to pan out, but the US should have plenty of options moving forward.

JayBell

Quote from: HoggieStyle on August 08, 2017, 03:02:36 pmI can't stand Brad Guzan. I know Howard is getting on in years, so somebody needs to emerge as the next guy. Guzan isn't good enough, IMO.

I think he lost his sharpness.  I don't think he's any worse physically or anything, but he lost whatever edge he had before when he was deservedly challenging Howard for the No. 1.  He has a chance to re-assert himself over the next 10 months with Atlanta United, who is having an excellent debut season.  We're all rooting for him.
Quote from: HoggieStyle on August 08, 2017, 03:02:36 pmDempsey won't be a 90-minute guy, but I think his presence is extremely important. He's still a threat and had probably the best free kick goal and one of the best assists (Altidore) in the Gold Cup.

I probably get repetitive about this, but watching Dempsey hone his free kick skills has been one of the most delightful stories since I started following soccer.  He hardly took free kicks at all until his late 20s with Fulham and then that dropped off with Tottenham.

Ever since he signed with Seattle, he's only gotten better and better and better at them.  He can be a threat at the World Cup, even if used sparingly.
Quote from: HoggieStyle on August 08, 2017, 03:02:36 pmLastly, I like what I'm seeing in terms of how they are playing the game together as a team. There were moments in the Gold Cup where we looked like we were actually playing the beautiful game. I hope that continues. We're still not in the clear qualifying for Russia.

Steve Cherundolo brought this up the other day in an interview with ESPN.  The USMNT has always been known for being better than the sum of their parts.  The US was known for its fighting spirit.  It's the only reason they fought through the group at the World Cup despite JK's horrible tactics.

That disappeared in the last few years under JK.  I was doubtful about Arena's impact when he was rehired, but he's been the perfect fit.  US Soccer, namely the senior USMNT, didn't need some savior to drastically change up the establishment.  Just put players in positions to succeed.  And Arena is a master of that.

Hogsooey

Stoked that we can see a lot of US players each weekend in the Bundesliga on TV. Just caught up on seeing 18 year old Weston McKennie put in a solid sub appearance for Schalke.

dj shanon "Notshavin" smeya

19 year-old Pulisic in for Gotze for Borussia Dortmund against Real Madrid in 75th minute

Ronaldo scores 2nd as I type.

3-1 Real Madrid

On FS1

Gotta love Pulisic's fire.  Was furious in warm-ups that he wasn't starting lol
published songwriter(ASCAP)/audio production/radio jingles/producer<br /><br />Audio Production/Music

R.I.P. notshavintilnuttgo 12/11/07

Murr

Another US keeper jumping to Europe.

DC United 's Bill Hamid turned down two offers by the club.  Washington Post's Goff reports United offered to double the wages from $350k to $700k.  Bill reneged on both after D.C. Met his demands.  Bill is expected to look at European options on a free transfer.   DCU looking to use its final Designated Player position on a striker this winter.

HogFansReunited

US fails to qualify for the world cup. I am beyond disappointed, horrible showing today and through much of the world cup qualifying.
My girl told me to whisper something sexy in her ear...so I leaned in and said....Dominic Fletcher.

Quote from: WorfHog on April 05, 2019, 11:26:00 pm
Remember when Auburn dog piled AND THEY LOST!


Member #3568

holeinthewall

Glad the US lost now we can quit seeing it.

McKdaddy

Was looking forward to visiting my local sports bar at odd hours of the day & night to watch the US team.
Don't buy upgrades, ride up grades.

"You are everything that is wrong with this place . . . Ban me"

"CPI, ex-food and energy, is only good for an anorexic pedestrian"--Art Cashin

phadedhawg

Disaster of epic proportions....

I'm so disgusted I'm sick...

AFBack

US Soccer needs a major overhaul. Gulati and Arena need to go. Promotion and relegation between MLS and lower tiers.

311Hog


Cotton

Pay for Play is the biggest problem with US Soccer.

Arenas and Tim Howard being #2 and #3
"Who got a Scantron for Ryan Mallet?"  - Ryan Mallet, 2009

Razorbacks in Mexico

Ponderin' SUX

Dr. Starcs

What a joke.

Never seen a sport and its supporters demand so much attention for our country being so historically bad at it.

runninhog

We still don't understand youth soccer in America. If we're going to consistently compete, we'll need to shift more toward the youth programs developed by Ajax, Bayern and Barca.

HogFansReunited

Quote from: Dr. Starcs on October 11, 2017, 05:29:18 pm
What a joke.

Never seen a sport and its supporters demand so much attention for our country being so historically bad at it.

Even if our country has been historically bad at soccer, there is no excuse for not placing in the top 2 spots in our hexagonal.  This is the first time since 1986 that the US did not at least qualify for the World Cup.
My girl told me to whisper something sexy in her ear...so I leaned in and said....Dominic Fletcher.

Quote from: WorfHog on April 05, 2019, 11:26:00 pm
Remember when Auburn dog piled AND THEY LOST!


Member #3568