ES Soccer Thread

[FrFan]

Monaco and its russian godzillionaire targeting Radamel Falcao, Joao Moutinho, Victor Valdes, Carlos Tevez, Monachello (signed).

Breaking news: Ancelloti officially part ways with PSG, hello Madrid.

[RichmondRedskin88]

Bale didn't dive. If that's a dive I probably dove a few times over the years. I'm loving the Arsenal- Spurs champions league drama.

[ixcuincle]

@IanDarkeESPN 2:34 PM

Many many thanks for the kind tweets about our last EPL show on ESPN in America. Just cracked open some champagne with superb crew.

I've said many times, I'll say it again. Darkey and Macca were iconic and a staple of Saturday mornings for Americans all over. They were "THE" crew, they made watching EPL games a blast. Some say Martin Tyler is the best, but he doesn't show enough emotion. Ian Darke is excitable, the British Gus Johnson (with the knowledge and experience needed to call a match), and along with the wacky antics of Macca, every Saturday morning / Monday afternoon ESPN game was a delight.

They won't be the same without those two. The BPL moves on with the new home at NBC Sports, Arlo White takes over as the premiere voice. But there won't be the chemistry. There won't be the excitement. Arlo is a good broadcaster. But he is no Darke. Darke is iconic.

It makes me sad that these two legends depart, but I look forward, although sadly, to the new era at NBC Sports

[Elessar78]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du0d8QxlSYk

[MartinC]

Ouch Richmond. What an A-hole.

Rest assured if I'd of been on your team, the offender would of been going you on the sidelines soon after. Been the unwritten rule in any team I've played. You do one of ours. One of ours will do you.

Hail.

Those were the rules when I played .....and without rules, where would we be? FRANCE!!!!

(you have to know who the Pub Landlord is to understand the reference above - think Larry the Cable Guy but English ....)

---------- Post added May-20th-2013 at 02:23 AM ----------

Bale didn't dive. If that's a dive I probably dove a few times over the years. I'm loving the Arsenal- Spurs champions league drama.

Yep - that was a really bad decision. It was probably a free kick rather than a penalty as the contact started outside the box but it was NOT A dive. Someone should send Bale a copy of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" though, his reputation goes before him now.

Good final day in the Premier League though even if there was not much to be decided apart from the final Champions League spot. Some random thoughts:

If I was an Arsenal fan I would be upset their players were celebrating getting 4th place like they just won the title.

So glad WBA came back from 0-3 down and 1-4 to draw 5-5 against Man U. Its was good from a Leeds supporters perspective to see the smile wiped off Fergies face one last time...

Spurs will find it hard to hold onto Bale with no Champions League next season. Bale to Real Madrid Ronaldo back to England? (diving equilibrium maintained).

Molyes has big shoes to fill at Man U but whoever takes the Everton job will do well to match what Moyles has made from very little.

Finally (channeling my inner Alan Hansen) the standard of defending in the Premiership has been awful this year - its becoming a lost art.

Edited May 20, 2013 by MartinC

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Ahhh, Gareth Bale. His reputation proceeds him. Complete joke yesterday that not only did he not get the penalty, but he got the booking for a 'non' dive to compound it. Welcome to our World with Luis Suarez. The amount of penalty's Liverpool should of had this year for blatant fouls on Luis that haven't been awarded have been nothing shy of criminal. But it's self inflicted as his reputation for going down too easy proceeds him. Bale has the record number of Premiership bookings for diving. He's now a marked man with officials across the land. Get used to it Tottenham. (If he's even still there next year.).

Arsenal should be thinking they have a REAL chance next year to end the drought. Citeh in turmoil. Utd going in with such inexperience leading them. And I'm not convinced Mourinho is leaving Madrid. If he does, then obviously Chelsea become a serious threat. Wenger should be thinking if he actually breaks with his principles and signs three top class players through the spine of the team, then, allied to the youth, Arsenal have a serious shot of challenging for the league. But he doubtless won't and the suffering at the Emirates will continue.

And defending hasn't got worse this past season. It's been shockingly bad for years now in England. That's why the Premier League is the most exciting league in the World. No ****** can defend. For arguably the weakest squad Ferguson has ever had to win the league by so big a margin says it all about how poor this league is. Utd realise nobody can defend, so they continue to go all out attack. It's not rocket science to succeed in the EPL. Most exciting league in the World. But FAR from the best.

And sadly Elesser, kids now are getting lazier and lazier and just sticking behind a playstation or the like. There's still kids that kick a ball around the streets, or throw a couple of jerseys down the park and have a kick around after school. But not nearly to the extent we used to do. Hell, up until the time we discovered girls and alcohol, ALL we did from first light to last was kick a ball around. I remember asking a row of house that backed onto the field we used to mainly play to turn on their bathroom lights so we could continue playing as dusk fell, lol. Changed times.

Hail.

*Edit* I'll leave Liverpool until a later date. The Reina to Barcelona for Villa rumour seems to have legs. And the Suarez to Atletico is worryingly gathering pace. As for Rodgers hawking himself to City last week .....

Edited May 20, 2013 by Gibbs Hog Heaven

[ixcuincle]

Ian Darke basically made the BPL must-see-TV.

But enough about him, the other leagues aren't really available to US customers. Might be able to pick them up on the new BT Sport in England, but in the US, it's just BPL and MLS. La Liga, Bundesliga, and Serie A are all probably available, but they're all hidden on networks nobody gets.

Best way for soccer to improve is to stop hiding it on networks nobody gets (talking to you Fox Soccer) and make it available on basic tier systems.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

The fact that you got to experience Macca makes me smile.

If you'd of gotten to experience his genius on the field, you'd all of been smiling even more:

Hail.

Edited May 20, 2013 by Gibbs Hog Heaven

[Elessar78]

Ahhh, Gareth Bale. His reputation proceeds him. Complete joke yesterday that not only did he not get the penalty, but he got the booking for a 'non' dive to compound it. Welcome to our World with Luis Suarez.

Not so sure that was a clear cut foul. I think the defender can still put a hand on Bale, and Bale The Strong-Legged, certainly cannot just let his legs give out. I have very little sympathy for Bale.

Arsenal should be thinking they have a REAL chance next year to end the drought. Citeh in turmoil. Utd going in with such inexperience leading them. And I'm not convinced Mourinho is leaving Madrid. If he does, then obviously Chelsea become a serious threat. Wenger should be thinking if he actually breaks with his principles and signs three top class players through the spine of the team, then, allied to the youth, Arsenal have a serious shot of challenging for the league. But he doubtless won't and the suffering at the Emirates will continue.

Not to mention we'll start getting the PUMA monies, the new Emirates stadium money, AND, most importantly, our stadium debt is going away. Gary Neville observed yesterday that the last ten years Wenger has spent £9M NET. We need to show some continuity because we drop too many points early in the season and also to reinforce the squad. I think we'll have some good years ahead.

And sadly Elesser, kids now are getting lazier and lazier and just sticking behind a playstation or the like. There's still kids that kick a ball around the streets, or throw a couple of jerseys down the park and have a kick around after school. But not nearly to the extent we used to do. Hell, up until the time we discovered girls and alcohol, ALL we did from first light to last was kick a ball around. I remember asking a row of house that backed onto the field we used to mainly play to turn on their bathroom lights so we could continue playing as dusk fell, lol. Changed times.

I get into discussions about this with American coaches that Europeans are better because of street soccer but, as you noted, it doesn't really exist in the quantity it used to. Spain, Italy, Sweden, Germany, France—I frequent these countries and see very little in terms of informal play. I think it may still be present in Latin America. The guy who cuts my hair is Jamaican and he said it's pretty prevalent there, but when's the last time we saw a superstar Jamaican player? So you have an area like Jamaica with superb athletes (Usain Bolt) and lots of street soccer and still can't produce world class pros.

*Edit* I'll leave Liverpool until a later date. The Reina to Barcelona for Villa rumour seems to have legs. And the Suarez to Atletico is worryingly gathering pace. As for Rodgers hawking himself to City last week .....

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Seem's to me if you added a top quality keeper, center half (if not two), and 20 goal a season forward you'd have a real chance Elesser man. Maybe another central midfielder though Arteta seems to be getting his form back. The backbone of developing English youth is terrific. Gibbs is a fantastic full back. Walcott and Chamberlain on the wings (WTF Wenger was doing with Chamberlain in the middle and Cazorla wide yesterday is anyones guess); the terrific Wilshire in the middle and I like the way Jenkinson is steadily developing. Throw in Ramsey at still only 22, and the main man Cazorla at a great age and the core is there for a very special side indeed.

Hail.

[RichmondRedskin88]

I will say here in Richmond pick up soccer is very popular. There's a entire facebook page with thousands dedicated to games everyday of the week. I go there sometimes when I don't have games. Even if it means just using cones or back pack on a grassy field. I know there's something similar in Nova.

[MartinC]

And sadly Elesser, kids now are getting lazier and lazier and just sticking behind a playstation or the like. There's still kids that kick a ball around the streets, or throw a couple of jerseys down the park and have a kick around after school. But not nearly to the extent we used to do. Hell, up until the time we discovered girls and alcohol, ALL we did from first light to last was kick a ball around. I remember asking a row of house that backed onto the field we used to mainly play to turn on their bathroom lights so we could continue playing as dusk fell, lol. Changed times.

Pleased to say they are not all like that. My two lads are 7 and 10 and they are out playing in the street or more likely on the local astro turf pitches (when they can sneak on!) as much as they can (good weather or bad). The eldset lad who is 10 trains 4 times a week for his school and club side, goes to an academy specialist Goalkeeping session once a week and plays a couple of matches a week during the season. The youngest who is 7 trains once a week and comes to all the training sessions for the eldest with me and we kick a ball about while we watch.

They have PS3's iPads and Sky in their bedrooms so they do all that couch stuff but they like their fresh air as well!

Edited May 20, 2013 by MartinC

[Elessar78]

Pleased to say they are not all like that. My two lads are 7 and 10 and they are out playing in the street or more likely on the local astro turf pitches (when they can sneak on!) as much as they can (good weather or bad). The eldset lad who is 10 trains 4 times a week for his school and club side, goes to an academy specialist Goalkeeping session once a week and plays a couple of matches a week during the season. The youngest who is 7 trains once a week and comes to all the training sessions for the eldest with me and we kick a ball about while we watch.

They have PS3's iPads and Sky in their bedrooms so they do all that coach stuff as well but they like their fresh air as well!

Are they going out with their friends? Or just in small groups. It sounds like, like here, they spend a lot of their time in "organize" training? What's the overall feel in your neck of the woods? Are your kids the norm? I hope a lot of kids still go out on their own, but not sure that's the case anymore. Seems to be a trend in industrialized nations.

[MartinC]

Are they going out with their friends? Or just in small groups. It sounds like, like here, they spend a lot of their time in "organize" training? What's the overall feel in your neck of the woods? Are your kids the norm? I hope a lot of kids still go out on their own, but not sure that's the case anymore. Seems to be a trend in industrialized nations.

They go out with their friends and meet up and play pick up games. The eldest is in the coaching system as well which is organised - and much better organised than when I was his age with professional coaching including specialised goalkeeping coaching. Around that though they cant get enough football with playing just with their mates which is what I was like at that age.

Now I cant speak that all kids are like that or even most - mine have been brought up in a sports environment and have it in their blood as well, though I have never pushed them let alone forced them in that direction. Also because my eldest has some talent and spends so much time in organised training a lot of his friends are sporty as well so they tend to stick together. I'm sure there are a lot of kids who spend hours in front a TV or games console and kids like my sons are probably a minority but they are not yet extinct.

[Elessar78]

They go out with their friends and meet up and play pick up games. The eldest is in the coaching system as well which is organised - and much better organised than when I was his age with professional coaching including specialised goalkeeping coaching. Around that though they cant get enough football with playing just with their mates which is what I was like at that age.

Now I cant speak that all kids are like that or even most - mine have been brought up in a sports environment and have it in their blood as well, though I have never pushed them let alone forced them in that direction. Also because my eldest has some talent and spends so much time in organised training a lot of his friends are sporty as well so they tend to stick together. I'm sure there are a lot of kids who spend hours in front a TV or games console and kids like my sons are probably a minority but they are not yet extinct.

In the US, I think the independent players are dwindling too. We're so spread out here, that there's no feasible way to get enough kids to a centralized location without driving. Very few ride bikes anymore to get anywhere, can't say I blame them with the maniacs on the road. And sadly no one walks anywhere either. I do think that kids are getting better training in sports earlier in these organized environments but there's something "lost" or not gained when you're exclusively in organized situations like we have in the US.

You don't learn to experiment, you mostly play against kids the same age, it's too safe an environment—there's no threat of getting your butt kicked if you violate the unwritten rules. Everyone also wears shinguards all the time—no one has died from getting kicked in the shin and you learn to control yourself more because you and your mates are vulnerable. And you run the risk of getting your butt kicked if you're always hacking.

[RichmondRedskin88]

Are they going out with their friends? Or just in small groups. It sounds like, like here, they spend a lot of their time in "organize" training? What's the overall feel in your neck of the woods? Are your kids the norm? I hope a lot of kids still go out on their own, but not sure that's the case anymore. Seems to be a trend in industrialized nations.

Funny thing is you definitely see kids sitting around more not being active and it does show. Down here you see more active teens and 20s,30s, etc than kids. The pick up games have guys in their 50s,60s

[ixcuincle]

They were outbid for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cup rights and the English Premier League but props to ESPN for continuing to show an impressive commitment to soccer. The company announced at its upfront presentation for advertisers and media buyers last week that it will debut a 30-minute news and highlights-driven soccer studio show on August 11. The show (ESPN FC) will air daily on ESPN2, likely in the late afternoon hour between 4 and 6 p.m. ET. ESPN FC will air year-round Sunday through Friday. (The Sunday edition will be a one-hour program focusing on the best highlights from the weekend; the Monday through Friday program will air for 30 minutes.) Digital versions of the program will be available on ESPNFC.com.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/news/20130520/media-circus-dennis-rodman-espn-nba-epl/#ixzz2Tqcergw4

Considering ESPN's wont for ignoring sports that aren't football or basketball, this is a good decision. ESPN has been criticized for essentially pretending that only two sports exist.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Nice to read Martin. Sounds exactly like when we we're kids. (Without the technological entertainment in our bedrooms, lol.).

You're bringing them up right mate.

Hail.

[ixcuincle]

The fact that you got to experience Macca makes me smile.

If you'd of gotten to experience his genius on the field, you'd all of been smiling even more:

Hail.

http://espnfc.com/video/espnfc/video?id=1453785&cc=5901

Outtakes

[DC9]

Kolo Toure' to Liverpool. Temporary solution for Carra. Not a bad move.

[Dan T.]

[MartinC]

Thats is BRILLIANT! Love that the kid raises his arms after the crowd cheer

[Old Bay]

They were outbid for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cup rights and the English Premier League but props to ESPN for continuing to show an impressive commitment to soccer. The company announced at its upfront presentation for advertisers and media buyers last week that it will debut a 30-minute news and highlights-driven soccer studio show on August 11. The show (ESPN FC) will air daily on ESPN2, likely in the late afternoon hour between 4 and 6 p.m. ET. ESPN FC will air year-round Sunday through Friday. (The Sunday edition will be a one-hour program focusing on the best highlights from the weekend; the Monday through Friday program will air for 30 minutes.) Digital versions of the program will be available on ESPNFC.com.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/news/20130520/media-circus-dennis-rodman-espn-nba-epl/#ixzz2Tqcergw4

Considering ESPN's wont for ignoring sports that aren't football or basketball, this is a good decision. ESPN has been criticized for essentially pretending that only two sports exist.

That's encouraging. I might actually watch ESPN again.

I will definitely miss Darke and Macca. Their commentary was always good fun.

[ixcuincle]

@richarddeitsch 11:07 AM

.@SamBorden profiles the soccer education of Gus Johnson in today's @NYTSports. The piece: nyti.ms/19coEC1

[ixcuincle]

Earlier this year, Johnson was viciously criticized on social media after he repeatedly mispronounced Barcelona midfielder Andrés Iniesta’s name in a match (as EE-ya-nesta), and he takes responsibility for the misstep. If anything, it has motivated him to work harder as he readies himself to call a game that is the rough equivalent of soccer’s Super Bowl, if the Super Bowl routinely featured players with multiple Z’s, umlauts and diereses in their names.

 

In Europe, though, he works in relative anonymity. He has been recognized just once, he said — “We were in Manchester and there were some Man United fans who were visiting from America, and they said, ‘Hi, Gus!’ ” — but otherwise he receives little feedback from the public, save for the reviews of his performances, many of which have been scathing and can be found on the Internet. (One Web site, EPLTalk.com, noted that 69 percent of tweets about Johnson’s performance on a Barcelona-Bayern Munich game were negative.)

Edited May 25, 2013 by ixcuincle