So I got kinda into the Premier League over the spring/summer of 2020; Pulling for West Ham here, and they're on a remarkable run. Anyone else?

I started following Dortmund in the Bundesliga because of Christian Pulisic and now Chelsea after his transfer, though with the Bundesliga games moving from FOX to ESPN+, I can no longer see their games.

Both teams currently in the Champions League Quarterfinals.

Mother's mother's family immigrated from Dublin to Liverpool, mixed family allegiance between Liverpool and Everton, mostly Everton because they're historically the Roman Catholic club. They don't have the same dynamic in terms of geographical or social economic differences than at least stereotypes of differences between Sox and Cubs fans.

Anyway, the biggest story in 2021 across all of sports will likely be the smack down of the proposed European Super League, and the continued fallout including the take over of the "Field of Wet Dreams" by protesting fans. It was an absolutely evil and corrupt scheme. The pyramid / relegation system is sacred, and serves the entire nation. No sane fan wants and American system. Protestors were able to force cancelation of the Liverpool vs. United match earlier today. Well done!

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/manchester-united-fans-storm-pitch-in-antiownership-protest-manchester-united-manchester-england-liverpool-american-b1841006.html

https://www.businessinsider.com/european-super-league-socialism-comparison-american-sports-system-fan-backlash-2021-4?op=1

Prayers to Christian Eriksen and his family. My god man. Almost eerily similar to Darryl Kile.

Edited June 12, 20214 yr by SoxAce

that was one of the scariest things i have ever watched

Heard about Eriksen yesterday while on the road. Very scary.

Just watched England-Croatia and England looks very strong.

Anybody else watching Euro 2020 (+1)?

Germany blowing the doors off Portugal right now.

Gotta say that I'm enjoying Copa America and The Euros a lot. I think these confederation championships offer top competition, with the juicy familiarity of rivalry.

There are also a lot of great stories, from Eriksen and Denmark's ride, to Spain simultaneously rebuilding their team AND making it to the Semis, to England finally beating Germany in a knockout. Down in Brazil, some of the stories are: Messi putting Argentina on his back, Chile and Ecuador giving the hosts all they can handle, and all the young players that'll be the next stars of the game.

I think I might be enjoying these competitions more than The World Cup. This is awesome.

 

If you're only a "sometimer" in terms of your soccer consumption, right now is a good time to enjoy the best of the best.

Edited July 5, 20214 yr by Two-Gun Pete

Today is the Euro Championship final England v Italy (8:00pm GMT) Wembley Stadium , 55 years since England have made a final , Italy are tough opponents and have survived through two battles against Belgium and Spain , should have been beaten in both but their defensive resilience is very impressive . 

Argentina upset Brazil 1-0 last night to win Messi's first major trophy for Argentina.

@Bazox:

While I think that England were a deserving winner over the Danes, I also think that Sterling's dive was never a penalty, and was shameful that he simulated in such a way.

Best of luck to Three Lions today. I think you'll have your hands full with the Azzuri.

 

I've said it before, but if you're a casual soccer observer, we're seeing some of the best stuff right now. Better soccer than at world cups and olympics, IMO.

 

1 hour ago, WhiteSoxFan1993 said:

Argentina upset Brazil 1-0 last night to win Messi's first major trophy for Argentina.

I dont know if it was an upset, TBH. Brazil have now lost a Copa, an Olympics, and a World Cup at home now in recent years.

I think that this win will get the stoopud media to stfu about Messi and his play with Argentina. 

1 hour ago, Two-Gun Pete said:

I also think that Sterling's dive was never a penalty, and was shameful that he simulated in such a way.

Widely excepted as not a penalty what I can't understand is why VAR didn't change the verdict .

21 hours ago, Bazox said:

Widely excepted as not a penalty what I can't understand is why VAR didn't change the verdict .

Ok, I cant for the life of me understand why England, at home, as favorites, chose to cede as much possession and territory as they did.

I also didn't agree with the order of penalty takers for England. Their nerves were on full display, and I thought the last few takers were going to miss for sure.

That aside, congrats to Italy, and WOW, what a tournament!!!

Edited July 12, 20214 yr by Two-Gun Pete

5 hours ago, Two-Gun Pete said:

Ok, I cant for the life of me understand why England, at home, as favorites, chose to cede as much possession and territory as they did.

I also didn't agree with the order of penalty takers for England. Their nerves were on full display, and I thought they'll last few takers were going to miss for sure.

That aside, congrats to Italy, and WOW, what a tournament!!!

I think England felt that they could withstand the attacks and threaten/score on a counter. They were 25 minutes from being successful.

It was a great game, wish soccer in the US would get to that level.

Edited July 12, 20214 yr by Soxbadger

13 hours ago, Two-Gun Pete said:

Ok, I cant for the life of me understand why England, at home, as favorites, chose to cede as much possession and territory as they did.

I also didn't agree with the order of penalty takers for England. Their nerves were on full display, and I thought they'll last few takers were going to miss for sure.

That aside, congrats to Italy, and WOW, what a tournament!!!

The manager had decided to make England hard to beat , that they were but to not play the offensive players early in the game cost England. He also picked the penalty takers which is not the way to do things , it is who feels confident , as you say Pete the last two didn't want to be anywhere near the place .

9 hours ago, Soxbadger said:

I think England felt that they could withstand the attacks and threaten/score on a counter. They were 25 minutes from being successful.

It was a great game, wish soccer in the US would get to that level.

Trying to hold an opponent for 90 minutes is a fool's errand, IMO. Sooner or later, a mistake is made by a defender or keeper. 

1 hour ago, Bazox said:

The manager had decided to make England hard to beat , that they were but to not play the offensive players early in the game cost England. He also picked the penalty takers which is not the way to do things , it is who feels confident , as you say Pete the last two didn't want to be anywhere near the place .

I recall seeing 71% possession stats for Italy in the 2nd half. Overall, I saw a 66%/34% possession stat for the final! I can understand defend-and-counter, but at that level of possession, conceding a goal becomes an eventuality. Playing AGAINST that great a disparity in possession is exhausting.

 

I just looked and, Rushford hadn't played a lot of minutes this tournament. Same with Sancho. These two, plus Saka were ALL 23 or younger.

Putting this sort of responsibility on youngsters such as these is criminal, IMO. I mean, a nation's half-century of hopes, and here's a 19 year old to take a decisive PK? Unbelievable. 

US is playing its B team in the Gold Cup. Why even have the tournament if we aren't going to try to win it?

On 7/12/2021 at 8:17 AM, WhiteSoxFan1993 said:

US is playing its B team in the Gold Cup. Why even have the tournament if we aren't going to try to win it?

There's this other tournament that'll be in Qatar in 2022 for which they've got to get ready. Qualifying begins in September.

All of the Europe based players have come off a long season. Exposing them to further competition during their offseason risks injuries, just as qualifying is about to begin.

OTOH, the MLS based players are in mid-season form. And this is one opportunity to separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. This gives Berhalter one more opportunity to vet the MLS guys before qualifying starts.

 

The US' greatest player, Landon Donovan, had his career cut short, in part because he never refused a call up. So, instead of having him for one more World Cup, he was squandered on useless Gold Cups. IOW, he was squandered on running up the score on the likes of Martinique, or other CONCACAF minnows.

Similarly, I do not want to waste Pulisic on this tournament, if it will keep him healthy for qualifying for 2022. I also would rather have him in the wprld cup roster in 10 years from now, as opposed to being in this or any Gold Cup roster.

 

All in all, I give zero fucks about the Gold Cup. That is, apart from finding out which MLSers pack the gear necessary to serve in qualifying and in Qatar '22 itself. Gold Cup isn't really a competitive cup, so much as it is a cash grab for CONCACAF.

Edited July 19, 20214 yr by Two-Gun Pete

On 7/18/2021 at 8:32 PM, Two-Gun Pete said:

There's this other tournament that'll be in Qatar in 2022 for which they've got to get ready. Qualifying begins in September.

All of the Europe based players have come off a long season. Exposing them to further competition during their offseason risks injuries, just as qualifying is about to begin.

OTOH, the MLS based players are in mid-season form. And this is one opportunity to separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. This gives Berhalter one more opportunity to vet the MLS guys before qualifying starts.

Speaking of Qatar, that's who the US just beat in the semifinals. Not entirely sure how Qatar ended up in the Gold Cup, but the US will almost certainly face Mexico, which should surprise nobody.

36 minutes ago, WhiteSoxFan1993 said:

Speaking of Qatar, that's who the US just beat in the semifinals. Not entirely sure how Qatar ended up in the Gold Cup, but the US will almost certainly face Mexico, which should surprise nobody.

I was wondering what Qatar was doing in gold cup too. 

43 minutes ago, WhiteSoxFan1993 said:

Speaking of Qatar, that's who the US just beat in the semifinals. Not entirely sure how Qatar ended up in the Gold Cup, but the US will almost certainly face Mexico, which should surprise nobody.

We're playing with our B squad at best. We're probably gonna get trounced by Mexico in the final, but oh well. I don't think anyone really expected this group to win the whole thing. 

3 minutes ago, chw42 said:

We're playing with our B squad at best. We're probably gonna get trounced by Mexico in the final, but oh well. I don't think anyone really expected this group to win the whole thing. 

I know at least a few of Mexico's best players are at the Olympics.

12 hours ago, WhiteSoxFan1993 said:

Speaking of Qatar, that's who the US just beat in the semifinals. Not entirely sure how Qatar ended up in the Gold Cup, but the US will almost certainly face Mexico, which should surprise nobody.

The CONCACAF CASH GRAB Gold Cup usually invites one side from outside CONCACAF.

However, since The Euros and Copa America are on this year, none of the interesting sides were available. Im guessing that FIFA kinda-sorta "forced" USSF to invite Qatar, given the pile of controversy surrounding the 2022 WC.

11 hours ago, chw42 said:

We're playing with our B squad at best. We're probably gonna get trounced by Mexico in the final, but oh well. I don't think anyone really expected this group to win the whole thing. 

Again, who gives a flying fuck? Why does anyone give a shit about the CONCACAF CASH GRAB gold cup? Especially in a WC qualifying year? Especially after the US shit their pants and missed out on the last WC?

The Gold Cup is responsible for putting away a lot of corrupt FIFA officials for their graft. Its a non-competitive tournament that is ALWAYS hosted by the US, so as to maximize profit. It is a polished turd in the world of soccer.

The World Cup is the prize, and should be the sole aim of USSF. If you want to squander time watching the gold cup final, focus on finding the player or two who should be worthy of supplementing the Europe-based players.

Edited July 30, 20214 yr by Two-Gun Pete

The Gold Cup hasn't had an outside team invited since 2005.  

And you keep calling it a cash grab... Sure but UEFA doesn't run the Euros out of the goodness of their heart either, they also host that event to make themselves a lot of money. Now if you're saying it's stupid the Gold Cup is every 2 years then I agree.