ESPN: Top 50 players of the World Cup

[Knuck the Ficks]

It's 100 days til the greatest show on Earth, so ESPN are running daily features. They begin with a list of the top 100 players participating in South Africa (just in case you're wondering why Zlatan isn't there - Sweden didn't qualify).

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/page/worldcup101-03012010/ce/us/best-players-2010-world-cup?cc=3436&ver=global

I know we like to mock these things, but it's actually not a bad list. Would I change things? Of course, I have my own opinions. But it's far from the normal sports lists which we quickly dismiss.

Here's my thoughts:

- Steven Gerrard is too high - he's not having a good season and he hasn't played well for England in the past

- The #18 player Dani Alves will probably not start for his country: that either tells you something about the quality of Brazil or the quality of their coach

- Klose at #34 seems out of place. Any Germans here have thoughts about him? Will he even be in the starting lineup?

- Benzema at #44 seems strange as well. He hasn't played much this season and probably won't start for France

Anyone else got an opinion on this list?

[dough]

v Persie is the best player for the Netherlands. And IF vd Sar plays he's a top 20 player.

Too bad the Netherlands for some idiotic reason dont select Seedorf. A top 15 player in the world.

[Knuck the Ficks]

And IF vd Sar plays
Will he?

After watching Milan vs. ManU I was wondering why van der Sar had retired. He's playing at an elite level and has an insane amount of experience - shouldn't the Dutch be begging him to come back?

[dough]

Will he?

After watching Milan vs. ManU I was wondering why van der Sar had retired. He's playing at an elite level and has an insane amount of experience - shouldn't the Dutch be begging him to come back?

The Dutch are begging. The guy who's first goalie now isnt all that good.

We should be begging for Seedorf too play as well, but we all know that wont happen.


................................Sar............... .....................
vlaar.........heitinga.............ooijer......... ..bronkhorst
...........................de jong................................
..........sneijder..........seedorf..........vd vaart
................nistelrooy.........v persie..............


We COULD have that 11 with on the bench:

kuyt
huntelaar
vd wiel
braafheid
elia
bommel
drenthe
emanuelson
de zeeuw
etc


but ah well....

[D-Rose]

man i can't wait, the world cup is always epic

[Killuminati90]

Iniesta should be higher.



We will win the WC! :pimp:

[Ben Jordan]

Donovan is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy underrated.
usa is out for blood

[Killuminati90]

Donovan is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy underrated.
usa is out for blood


Donovan underrated? Donovan is overrated. Its just some cheap try of giving the USA some "soccer star" when he isnt one. Hasnt done a sh*t on the best football market in the world (Europe: specially Spain, Italy or England). Its like the NBA of football, Donovan can go to hell. Any non selected spaniard/brazilian/argentinian is better then that guy.

[quasimoto]

Donovan is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy underrated.
usa is out for blood
Yeah right, like any non-American would even think about him when making a list of the 50 best players in the world.

[Killuminati90]

My top 10 would be:


1. Messi --> I live in Madrid and im a Real Madrid fan but I just see him as the best player on a soccer field.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo --> I feel he is a little bit hyped sometimes but nobody can doubt he is incredible.

3. Xavi --> This kind of guys are always underrated. I look at his game like I look into a mirror, his smooth and effective way to move and organize a team. Best playmaker of the world.

4. Iniesta --> Makes soccer so simple, and he is a simple village guy, far from the media.

5. Rooney --> He is having a GOAT season, he keeps doing everything but now he scores even more.

6. Kaka --> he is still a great player but peeked on 2006/2007. Having some hard time to show all his skill at Real Madrid. I have faith in him though.

7. Ribery --> underrated because he plays in Bundesliga, his game is electric and very fun to watch.

8. Drogba --> In terms of physical power to play sports he is the Lebron James of soccer. Fast and strong as sh*t.

9. Iker Casillas --> he is not having the best season of his career but he is special for us, the spaniards. Our personal soccer hero. Guy has some strange supernatural forces surrounding him.

10. Gerrard --> Liverpool isnt having their best season as well but damn, this guy is at everything and everywhere. The "total" soccer player.

[kaktus14]

Pirlo should't be on this list,and Maicon is far better then Alves,that's why he starts infront of him in Brasilian squad.

Vidic and Eto'o way too far,especially Eto'o he is chucker,he got many goals in Barca cause he got 5-6 chances per game beacuse of setting up abilites of Barca midfield,now in Inter is clearly showened how limited he is.

And Donovan:wtf: :wtf: :wtf:

[JtotheIzzo]

I love how they throw Donovan in at 50, just to keep the Americans interested.

[Killuminati90]

Pirlo should't be on this list,and Maicon is far better then Alves,that's why he starts infront of him in Brasilian squad.

Vidic and Eto'o way too far,especially Eto'o he is chucker,he got many goals in Barca cause he got 5-6 chances per game beacuse of setting up abilites of Barca midfield,now in Inter is clearly showened how limited he is.

And Donovan:wtf: :wtf: :wtf:


1. I agree with the Pirlo talk, he is declining in his game, but you know Italy and the World Cups, they suddenly resurrect when the important event comes.

2. Maicon is not far better than Alves dude. The only thing he is better at is defense. He starts at Brazil because Dunga is a very defensive minded coach, Alves is very offensive minded and even more talented than Maicon, but he is not as good as a defender than Maicon.

3. Vidic is probably the best central defender of the world, so he has to be in that list.

4. Eto`o is a chucker, yeah I agree with that.

[The GM]

Kaka should not be that high & Torres should not even be anywhere near the top 10 when he's not even a top 3 or 4 striker at his position, as he is one of the most overrated players in the world.

The top 10 should be:
1. Messi
2. Xavi
3. Ronaldo
4. Iniesta
5. Drogba
6. Rooney
7. Villa
8. Kaka
9. Casillas
10. Cesc Fabregas

[LJJ]

v Persie is the best player for the Netherlands. And IF vd Sar plays he's a top 20 player.

Lol.


The Dutch are begging. The guy who's first goalie now isnt all that good.

We should be begging for Seedorf too play as well, but we all know that wont happen.


................................Sar............... .....................
vlaar.........heitinga.............ooijer......... ..bronkhorst
...........................de jong................................
..........sneijder..........seedorf..........vd vaart
................nistelrooy.........v persie..............


I like the idea of that midfield.

The thing about that lineup that is baffling is: How the hell are you not going to have Van der Wiel at rb?! That's ridiculous. I figure you are a Feyenoord boy, so you should have known Vlaar has never, ever played right back in his professional career. If he keeps up his current form though, I would like to slide him in at centre. Mathijsen & Heitinga is a bad combination because they are both short. Ooijer is too old, too slow and too mediocre to start, period.


The line up I expect is:

----------------Stekelenburg-----------------
-vd Wiel-----Heitinga--Mathijsen---v Bronckhorst--
---------van Bommel-----De Jong--------------
-----------------Sneijder-------------------
-Kuyt------------------------------Robben-
---------------v Persie--------------------

Not perfect. One of the Dutch defenders needs to step up and injure Dirk Kuyt. If I have to watch Kuyt being absolutely useless as a right winger once more I am going to cry.

[Hawker]

Donovan underrated? Donovan is overrated. Its just some cheap try of giving the USA some "soccer star" when he isnt one. Hasnt done a sh*t on the best football market in the world (Europe: specially Spain, Italy or England). Its like the NBA of football, Donovan can go to hell. Any non selected spaniard/brazilian/argentinian is better then that guy.

Guess you haven't been keeping up with Donovans play with Everton. Donovan has been deemed a success across the board.

They're 6-1-2 since he came on.

You're still mad USA waxed Spain's ass last summer.

[Hawker]

Lol.



I like the idea of that midfield.

The thing about that lineup that is baffling is: How the hell are you not going to have Van der Wiel at rb?! That's ridiculous. I figure you are a Feyenoord boy, so you should have known Vlaar has never, ever played right back in his professional career. If he keeps up his current form though, I would like to slide him in at centre. Mathijsen & Heitinga is a bad combination because they are both short. Ooijer is too old, too slow and too mediocre to start, period.


The line up I expect is:

----------------Stekelenburg-----------------
-vd Wiel-----Heitinga--Mathijsen---v Bronckhorst--
---------van Bommel-----De Jong--------------
-----------------Sneijder-------------------
-Kuyt------------------------------Robben-
---------------v Persie--------------------

Not perfect. One of the Dutch defenders needs to step up and injure Dirk Kuyt. If I have to watch Kuyt being absolutely useless as a right winger once more I am going to cry.
Speaking of ass waxes...The Dutch are going to get one tomorrow.

[dough]

Lol.



I like the idea of that midfield.

The thing about that lineup that is baffling is: How the hell are you not going to have Van der Wiel at rb?! That's ridiculous. I figure you are a Feyenoord boy, so you should have known Vlaar has never, ever played right back in his professional career. If he keeps up his current form though, I would like to slide him in at centre. Mathijsen & Heitinga is a bad combination because they are both short. Ooijer is too old, too slow and too mediocre to start, period.


The line up I expect is:

----------------Stekelenburg-----------------
-vd Wiel-----Heitinga--Mathijsen---v Bronckhorst--
---------van Bommel-----De Jong--------------
-----------------Sneijder-------------------
-Kuyt------------------------------Robben-
---------------v Persie--------------------

Not perfect. One of the Dutch defenders needs to step up and injure Dirk Kuyt. If I have to watch Kuyt being absolutely useless as a right winger once more I am going to cry.


Vlaar actually played rightback and did really really good. With Heitinga next to him I think it would be a great duo for the national team on that side. Im not a fan of Ooijer, but whatever to keep Matthijsen out. Good to see you (Ajax) respect Vlaars current form though, and I wouldnt mind replacing him at rightback for vd Wiel and finding a spot in the centre of the defense for Vlaar.

Also, I read Bahia wanted to play for the National team. I dont like him much, but he'd be a strong players which we could need. Dont see him making it though. Two young guys from Feyenoord who I'd like to see make it though are Wijnaldum and Fer. Lot of other good players at their positions though.

[dough]

Speaking of ass waxes...The Dutch are going to get one tomorrow.
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:


I dont think we'll do well this summer, but losing, or even drawing, against the USA would be a huge blasphemy.

I'm just hoping for two or three matches this summer like we had against France and Italy. Everybody was shook back then except for Hiddink, the ****er.

Where did you watch those games LLJ? I was in Amsterdam at the Heeren. Great atmosphere. Might be in Amsterdam again this summer to catch a few games with international co-workers.

[LJJ]

Guess you haven't been keeping up with Donovans play with Everton. Donovan has been deemed a success across the board.

They're 6-1-2 since he came on.

You're still mad USA waxed Spain's ass last summer.

Haha.

Donovan has actually played pretty well for Everton, but am I right in assuming you haven't seen Everton-Tottenham last weekend?

[Hawker]

Haha.

Donovan has actually played pretty well for Everton, but am I right in assuming you haven't seen Everton-Tottenham last weekend?

I didn't watch that game but I did read that Donovan missed a sitter. It happens.

[dough]

btw why i said this:
v Persie is the best player for the Netherlands. And IF vd Sar plays he's a top 20 player.
is because we saw what happened when v persie was subbed after the injury. the speed and creativity up front changes a lot. he's always dangerous and defends a lot too. he's unique within the team, while sneijder, who's just as talented and dangerous, has a player who can somewhat replace his strengths in vd vaart. sneijder could even turn out to be a distraction this summer. im hoping he wont be, but vd vaart seems to be a bit more steady.

[plowking]

I just don't see Messi as the best in the world. Ronaldo is just as good if not better in every aspect of the game.

Also, Essien is too low, while Gerrard is too high.

[Kobe Jnr]

Steve Nash is better than Landon Donovan.

[LJJ]

I didn't watch that game but I did read that Donovan missed a sitter. It happens.

They be calling it the "miss of the season". :oldlol:


Vlaar actually played rightback and did really really good. With Heitinga next to him I think it would be a great duo for the national team on that side. Im not a fan of Ooijer, but whatever to keep Matthijsen out. Good to see you (Ajax) respect Vlaars current form though, and I wouldnt mind replacing him at rightback for vd Wiel and finding a spot in the centre of the defense for Vlaar.

Also, I read Bahia wanted to play for the National team. I dont like him much, but he'd be a strong players which we could need. Dont see him making it though. Two young guys from Feyenoord who I'd like to see make it though are Wijnaldum and Fer. Lot of other good players at their positions though.

When did Vlaar play RB? Was it during the AZ days. I must admit, I completely steal my lineup knowledge from this site:
http://www.football-lineups.com/footballer/2412/Analysis/

We can't see every game.

The reason I don't like Van Persie for the national team is because, first of all, you can only really play him as a centre forward. I've never seen him as a winger, and as a midfielder the problem is that the boy does not like to pass.
But the national team plays with one striker, and Van Persie really is not that kind of striker like Van Nistelrooy or Huntelaar. But if Huntelaar sits on the bench in Milan and RvN doesn't prove he's still legit, you can't pass Van Persie up.

[dajadeed]

Donovan wouldn't make any respectable soccer publication's 100 best players, let alone top 50.

Rooney shouldn't be above Kaka.

Eto'o is one of the hardest working players in world football. Not too many attackers are willing to run as much as he does. He maybe alot of things, but the guy is a tireless workhorse. No problem with where he is at.

I personally think Messi IS the best player in the world.

Haven't gone through the whole list, but lmao @ anyone who thinks Donovan is anything but vastly overrated by the US media. :oldlol:

[dough]

They be calling it the "miss of the season". :oldlol:



When did Vlaar play RB? Was it during the AZ days. I must admit, I completely steal my lineup knowledge from this site:
http://www.football-lineups.com/footballer/2412/Analysis/

We can't see every game.

The reason I don't like Van Persie for the national team is because, first of all, you can only really play him as a centre forward. I've never seen him as a winger, and as a midfielder the problem is that the boy does not like to pass.
But the national team plays with one striker, and Van Persie really is not that kind of striker like Van Nistelrooy or Huntelaar. But if Huntelaar sits on the bench in Milan and RvN doesn't prove he's still legit, you can't pass Van Persie up.


No with Feyenoord. He had to fill in a few times when Both Leerdam as well as de Vrij were not available. It's a shame Hofland sucks so much, because the defense, on paper, in Rotterdam should be incredible. Huntelaar really isnt all that good imo. He never impressed me with the National team, and he's too little of a soccer player. Sure he scores, but to me he's akin more to a Mackaay where v Persie goes in the direction of a Bergkamp, (not level-wise but possibilities on the field).

[dough]

What happened to tat black kid who was supposed to be the Tiger Woods of US Soccer?

[kaktus14]

1. I agree with the Pirlo talk, he is declining in his game, but you know Italy and the World Cups, they suddenly resurrect when the important event comes.

2. Maicon is not far better than Alves dude. The only thing he is better at is defense. He starts at Brazil because Dunga is a very defensive minded coach, Alves is very offensive minded and even more talented than Maicon, but he is not as good as a defender than Maicon.

3. Vidic is probably the best central defender of the world, so he has to be in that list.

4. Eto`o is a chucker, yeah I agree with that.
Pirlo didnt played one half good game for Milan in last two years,lives on a old glory,his time is over

Vidic is great in system with good central defender with him,but without it he is not that great,and how Nesta is playing this season for me he is better,just pure class

[kaktus14]

What happened to tat black kid who was supposed to be the Tiger Woods of US Soccer?
Freddy Adu you mean?

He plays in Greece now,never lived any close to the hype which was created around hime when he was 14

[Shaolinswords]

What happened to tat black kid who was supposed to be the Tiger Woods of US Soccer?

Currently sucking with Aris Thessaloniki.

[Hawker]

Freddy Adu you mean?

He plays in Greece now,never lived any close to the hype which was created around hime when he was 14

He's still 20 years old dude. The jury is still out on him.

[Hawker]

Currently sucking with Aris Thessaloniki.

He's actually playing well for Aris.

[Skywalker]

Torres > Drogba

[Shaolinswords]

He's actually playing well for Aris.

Well, to be honest, I haven't seen him play with Aris so I was judging from his play in Benfica & Monaco which was far from good.

[craigthomasb]

this whole spanish midfield thing is geting out of hand, yes they are talented, will cesc start over xabi alonso? i dont know. but they shouldnt be ahead of torres villa or cassilas, they wont affect the game like those 3 will

gerrard is starting to finally get fit, i expect him to be at his peak come the world cup, if he was made england captain i could see him finally proving him self for england, rooney has been unplayable this season

torress will be the same as gerrard, getting back to full fitness, hes had plenty of rest this year, he could destroy some teams singlehandedly

[vapid]

http://www.fantasyfifaworldcup.com/
fantasy world cup anyone?

[Skywalker]

http://www.fantasyfifaworldcup.com/
fantasy world cup anyone?


wait for yahoooooooo

[LJJ]

this whole spanish midfield thing is geting out of hand, yes they are talented, will cesc start over xabi alonso? i dont know. but they shouldnt be ahead of torres villa or cassilas, they wont affect the game like those 3 will

gerrard is starting to finally get fit, i expect him to be at his peak come the world cup, if he was made england captain i could see him finally proving him self for england, rooney has been unplayable this season

torress will be the same as gerrard, getting back to full fitness, hes had plenty of rest this year, he could destroy some teams singlehandedly

I hadn't really browsed the list, but this ignorant post made me. Torres is incredibly overrated. He is a player who's only there to score goals. He doesn't get other players involved, barely makes assists and can't play off the ball.
And when you look at his goal scoring numbers? Not even good. All strikers on the list ranked on goals per match (didn't count the players who played under 10 matches):

14 Fabiano 0,69
11 Villa 0,67
6 Drogba 0,66
34 Klose 0,52
13 Eto'o 0,47
3 Rooney 0,44
28 Henry 0,44
27 Forlan 0,38
50 Donovan 0,35
25 Persie 0,34
8 Torres 0,32
44 Benzema 0,3
40 Anelka 0,23
24 Tevez 0,16

These are the facts.

[west_tip]

If you had'nt realised by now he's a Liverpool homer to the extreme, he's said before that Carragher was the best defender in the world.

[Killuminati90]

Guess you haven't been keeping up with Donovans play with Everton. Donovan has been deemed a success across the board.

They're 6-1-2 since he came on.

You're still mad USA waxed Spain's ass last summer.


Yeah whatever, even any African team beats USA on a soccer match. Stick up to the NFL and gtfo here noob. :oldlol: Last thing I imagined to see was a yankee schooling me on soccer, incredible.

[LJJ]

He's not the only one overrating Torres. He is 8th(!) on that list.

It's ESPN but still, what are they thinking?

[Bosnian Sajo]

I love Buffon, but he is a bit high. He is not what he used to be.

[Skywalker]

Pepe Reina should start for Spain.

[Hawker]

Yeah whatever, even any African team beats USA on a soccer match. Stick up to the NFL and gtfo here noob. :oldlol: Last thing I imagined to see was a yankee schooling me on soccer, incredible.

Wuts your deal with the US hatred man? You spaniards are some real shitheads. I punked some of your spaniard Euro trash POS buddies the other day on the soccer field. They were the biggest ******* I had ever met.

[Bosnian Sajo]

Wuts your deal with the US hatred man? You spaniards are some real shitheads. I punked some of your spaniard Euro trash POS buddies the other day on the soccer field. They were the biggest ******* I had ever met.


Lots of Europeans hate the US. Absolutely despise this country. I don't, I love the great states, although I would pick Europe over America any day, but thats just because I am from there :D

[Bosnian Sajo]

And about this world cup, I am excited for France and Ghana (IC as well), but my favorite national team just missed it (Bosnia), and 2 other teams that are amongst my favs also did not make it (Turkey and Croatia).

Bosnia
France
Turkey
Croatia
Ghana

Oh well, at least 2/5 made it...but I will have a heavy heart watching the cup knowing we came so close :ohwell:

[dough]

Wuts your deal with the Euro hatred man? You rednecks are some real shitheads. I punked some of your yanky doodle trash POS buddies the other day on the hoop field. They were the biggest ******* I had ever met.

[Hawker]

Wuts your deal with the Euro hatred man? You rednecks are some real shitheads. I punked some of your yanky doodle trash POS buddies the other day on the hoop field. They were the biggest ******* I had ever met.

I never instigated the Euro hatred. But when someone says, "Donovan can go to hell," that just shows straight hatred for USA. The only team I really hate is Mexico and I have pretty good reason for it.

The only thing I can think of is yall are still butthurt from last summer.

[vapid]

Wuts your deal with the US hatred man? You spaniards are some real shitheads. I punked some of your spaniard Euro trash POS buddies the other day on the soccer field. They were the biggest ******* I had ever met.
Hawker its because you act like an ass, especially in soccer threads.

[quasimoto]

Why did Bosnia dump Herzegovina from their team anyway? I know there were only two guys from there in the last cup, but seems rude.
Huh? Sure you're not talking about Serbia & Montenegro?

[Killuminati90]

Hey wait a minute, dont twist/manipulate my words, I dont hate the United States, I lived there for a time of my life, so stfu. I hate guys who think they can school everybody about certain topics or raise Donovan to the superstar level just because USA doesnt have a true superstar players, this is a fact, no matter how much you guys cry or whine about it.

And yeah, Confederations Cup, serious business. :lol

[Timmy D for MVP]

Yeah whatever, even any African team beats USA on a soccer match. Stick up to the NFL and gtfo here noob. :oldlol: Last thing I imagined to see was a yankee schooling me on soccer, incredible.

Yeah except the fact that the US is actually a pretty good team. So long as we don't have a flop like last time we should breeze through group stage. We know that we can beat these other teams and even these other teams know this.

Also idk what you mean by even an African side can beat them, have you seen the African sides lately? I'm curious as to whether a couple actually do something with all the talent they have.

Drogba is a curious dude because it seems if he wanted he could virtually unstoppable, yet sometimes he comes out flat. However this year he's playing out of his mind even with the attention he draws by the opposing team. Ivory Coast is a very dangerous team but they got a terrible draw. That's gonna be a tight group to watch.

[dough]

I never instigated the Euro hatred. But when someone says, "Donovan can go to hell," that just shows straight hatred for USA. The only team I really hate is Mexico and I have pretty good reason for it.

The only thing I can think of is yall are still butthurt from last summer.

What happened last summer? I'm not butthurt. I think its funny when you talk all big about US soccer. It's like Puerto Ricans talking trash about international hoops. They call it "Cute".

[Bosnian Sajo]

Oh shit my bad... Now I feel like a dumb ass :hammerhead:


Montenegro is now its own Country :lol

[Killuminati90]

Yeah except the fact that the US is actually a pretty good team. So long as we don't have a flop like last time we should breeze through group stage. We know that we can beat these other teams and even these other teams know this.

Also idk what you mean by even an African side can beat them, have you seen the African sides lately? I'm curious as to whether a couple actually do something with all the talent they have.

Drogba is a curious dude because it seems if he wanted he could virtually unstoppable, yet sometimes he comes out flat. However this year he's playing out of his mind even with the attention he draws by the opposing team. Ivory Coast is a very dangerous team but they got a terrible draw. That's gonna be a tight group to watch.


First paragraph is BS. This is the kind of trash that makes people hate US soccer team, most hyped team in the whole world. USA is not a bad team, has improved a lot since 1994, very physical and defensive minded team, good on the counter attack...but pretty good team? what do you mean by pretty good team? they arent even top 20 so no. Im sure they will pass the first round but they have been very lucky on the draw, Algheria and Slovakia? come on they suck, of course you guys will qualify.

The thing I said about African teams...well of those qualified in the WC except maybe Algheria...the rest are better more stacked than USA. You guys would also have a chance with South Africa perhaps.

My suggestion to USA soccer fans like Hawker or whatever his name is: dont be that arrogant and stop pretending to fool the world your team is elite, you guys are elite at basketball, baseball..etc, but not at soccer for gods sake, at least not today. Everybody in the states faps with some crap win against Spain in some crap cup nobody cared about. Yeah we lost to the USA so?? except for that game we have the best record for wins in a row along with Brazil in soccer history. We are the European Champions, and Europe is not North America, there are a lot of quality teams here. We were along with the Netherlands the first teams to qualify to WC. And we have done all of this playing the best soccer in the world, like the Phoenix Suns of soccer.

[Hawker]

What happened last summer? I'm not butthurt. I think its funny when you talk all big about US soccer. It's like Puerto Ricans talking trash about international hoops. They call it "Cute".

USA kicking Spain's ass...that's what happened.

Maybe it would've been a joke talking big about USA soccer in the 90s but certainly today it's not. USA holds their own.

[Killuminati90]

Even goddam Guti is better than crap Donovan. :lol

[Hawker]

First paragraph is BS. This is the kind of trash that makes people hate US soccer team, most hyped team in the whole world. USA is not a bad team, has improved a lot since 1994, very physical and defensive minded team, good on the counter attack...but pretty good team? what do you mean by pretty good team? they arent even top 20 so no. Im sure they will pass the first round but they have been very lucky on the draw, Algheria and Slovakia? come on they suck, of course you guys will qualify.

The thing I said about African teams...well of those qualified in the WC except maybe Algheria...the rest are better more stacked than USA. You guys would also have a chance with South Africa perhaps.

My suggestion to USA soccer fans like Hawker or whatever his name is: dont be that arrogant and stop pretending to fool the world your team is elite, you guys are elite at basketball, baseball..etc, but not at soccer for gods sake, at least not today. Everybody in the states faps with some crap win against Spain in some crap cup nobody cared about. Yeah we lost to the USA so?? except for that game we have the best record for wins in a row along with Brazil in soccer history. We are the European Champions, and Europe is not North America, there are a lot of quality teams here. We were along with the Netherlands the first teams to qualify to WC. And we have done all of this playing the best soccer in the world, like the Phoenix Suns of soccer.


Haha, that's a load of bullshit. You're telling me Spain wouldn't have cared to play Brazil in the final?

Lucio started crying and the rest of Brazil was in a lot of joy when they won. But ya, they didn't care.

The expressions on the faces of the entire Spanish team was priceless.

http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Spain+v+USA+FIFA+Confederations+Cup+Semi+Final+FBA mEZp6b2ol.jpg
Yep, those are the expressions of a team that doesn't care that they're getting their ass whipped by USA.

Give me a ****ing break.

[Andrei89]

Ribery should easily be top 6. That list sux

[Killuminati90]

Come on Hawker dont fool yourself, look deep inside of you, you know Spain is way better than USA, and you also know Donovan is just a hyped creation of the United States, just to pretend they have a soccer star.


Honduras won 1-3 to United States in last game...does it mean they better?


List of teams that piss on USA: Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, England, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, France, Portugal, Cameroon, Chile, Uruguay, Serbia, Italy, Ghana, Mexico, Croatia (they havent qualified but they would qualify in the North America zone), Turkey (same), Romania (same), Russia (same), Paraguay and im sure im leaving some.

[Hawker]

Come on Hawker dont fool yourself, look deep inside of you, you know Spain is way better than USA, and you also know Donovan is just a hyped creation of the United States, just to pretend they have a soccer star.


Honduras won 1-3 to United States in last game...does it mean they better?

Better than our B-team. Our A-team wasn't even playing.

Spain vs. USA was A-team vs. A-team. Spain didn't show they were better in that game.

You can be sure that people are taking notice of Donovan on Everton. If he plays well in the world cup, which he probably will, he could make a top Euro team.

[dough]

USA kicking Spain's ass...that's what happened.

Maybe it would've been a joke talking big about USA soccer in the 90s but certainly today it's not. USA holds their own.

But 'm not Spanish...why would I care? I always rot for the USA when it comes to basketball... Why are you being such a prick?

[Hawker]

But 'm not Spanish...why would I care? I always rot for the USA when it comes to basketball... Why are you being such a prick?

Not being a prick. Just tired of Euro arrogance when it comes to soccer.

My bad loot, you're dutch.

[qrich]

Come on Hawker dont fool yourself, look deep inside of you, you know Spain is way better than USA, and you also know Donovan is just a hyped creation of the United States, just to pretend they have a soccer star.


Honduras won 1-3 to United States in last game...does it mean they better?

This and last post are full of :oldlol: s.

Your comparing a friendly game where the US used scrubs (Wynne & Findley played the whole 90 & Mccarty/Goodson got playing time), to a game in a FIFA Tournament were both sides used their A squads? :oldlol:

[dough]

Not being a prick. Just tired of Euro arrogance when it comes to soccer.
Arrogance? 70% of the top 10 FIFA is European. 60% of the top 20.

We have a history of soccer. It's life here. Europe has every right to be cocky like the USA has every right to be cocky when it comes to Basketball.

You on the other hand are being a prick trying to call me out on stuff which doesnt even hold ground. In your rage you thought I was Spanish even. :oldlol:


The USA has been coming up in soccer, but really theyre not that good yet: they need a whole lot more accolades (and stars) before they'll be taken seriously. Sure they're 14th, but Switzerland is 18th on the FIFA list, and nobody fears them.

Then again, with the history of dominance of the USA in sports I can see them becoming very good in the future. Its just not very good right now.

[Hawker]

Arrogance? 70% of the top 10 FIFA is European. 60% of the top 20.

We have a history of soccer. It's life here. Europe has every right to be cocky like the USA has every right to be cocky when it comes to Basketball.

You on the other hand are being a prick trying to call me out on stuff which doesnt even hold ground. In your rage you thought I was Spanish even. :oldlol:

Loot, I've seen you get offended over people dissing euro basketball in the NBA forum. Don't even try and pull that card.

Sure in professional, europeans hold the edge but when it comes down to an average american citizen footballer and average spanish citizen footballer, there's no difference.

[dough]

Loot, I've seen you get offended over people dissing euro basketball in the NBA forum. Don't even try and pull that card.

Quote me please!

[Killuminati90]

This and last post are full of :oldlol: s.

Your comparing a friendly game where the US used scrubs (Wynne & Findley played the whole 90 & Mccarty/Goodson got playing time), to a game in a FIFA Tournament were both sides used their A squads? :oldlol:

:oldlol: I love the way you guys call it a "FIFA Tournament" just to act like Confederations Cup is important. World Cup, European Cup and South America Cup are the only international tournaments that people care about.

USA...what the f*ck has USA done in soccer history? besides playing some final of a crap tournament...come on kids, dont fool me, I aint swaloing it.


You tired of Euro arrogance hawker? what, you doing inverse psycology now?

[kaktus14]

Just watched Brasil against Ireland,second goal from Robinho is just increadible,thats why people love Brasil they bring some magic in game,and they still play on highest competitive level,I really like what Dunga did with the team,they now look more like Argentina,very good defensivly,can keep very high pressure,and on offense hey man its Brasil,they can always score:pimp:

Brasil will once again regain their title,mark my words:banana:

[qrich]

:oldlol: I love the way you guys call it a "FIFA Tournament" just to act like Confederations Cup is important. World Cup, European Cup and South America Cup are the only international tournaments that people care about.

USA...what the f*ck has USA done in soccer history? besides playing some final of a crap tournament...come on kids, dont fool me, I aint swaloing it.

Really? Please link me to the study that shows that those are the only three international tournaments people care about. Copa America is pretty wack by the way.

Also, it was a FIFA Tournament, so you fail with that, along with trying to compare two A-Teams going at it with an exhibition match where no A-Teamers were present.

http://www.buddy-icons.info/img/smile/1674.gif

[dough]

Sure in professional, europeans hold the edge but when it comes down to an average american citizen footballer and average spanish citizen footballer, there's no difference.

Eh...what? Whatever. If we go out on the street pick 5 random kids from any schoolyard, I bet you the European kids probably will beat the US kids since almost EVERY young boy here played soccer. In the US? Not as much. It's just not part of the culture.

This is how loads of streets look during ANY european championship in the Netherlands:

http://www.gelderlander.nl/multimedia/archive/00753/oranje_753440b.jpg

http://media.nu.nl/m/m1cz3j5a3uqw.jpg

http://oranjestraat.punt.nl/fotoboek/h_203937_406038.jpg

This is a random square in Switzerland full with fans who couldnt be there at a European Championship game:

http://www.oranjecamping.nl/uploaded_files/de_oranjecamping_ek_2004_Portugal2_550x275.jpg

Just to show you how much more football is a part of life here. Combine Hockey, Baseball, Basketball and college sports into one and you'll have the experience football brings on its own here in the Netherlands, in Germany, France, Spain, Italy and the UK.

[kaktus14]

:oldlol: I love the way you guys call it a "FIFA Tournament" just to act like Confederations Cup is important. World Cup, European Cup and South America Cup are the only international tournaments that people care about.

USA...what the f*ck has USA done in soccer history? besides playing some final of a crap tournament...come on kids, dont fool me, I aint swaloing it.


You tired of Euro arrogance hawker? what, you doing inverse psycology now?
You forgot African Nations Cup.

But basiclly Euro's and World Cup are most important and best tournaments in the world of football,Confederations cup is like Intercontinental Cup,no one cares about it,little tournament,they give you a Trophy,and two days after that everybody forgets about it,like Supercup also

[dough]

Really? Please link me to the study that you did that those are the only three international tournaments people care about.

Also, it was a FIFA Tournament, so you fail with that, along with trying to compare two A-Teams going at it with an exhibition match where no A-Teamers were present.

http://www.buddy-icons.info/img/smile/1674.gif
Well to be honest, in the international press you rarely heard news about the confederations cup in Europe and Asia. Soccer loving nations all follow the European Cup. Also, for example, the Champions League cup is considered more of a holy grail than a Club World Cup.

[O.J A 6'4Mamba]

who is Lionel Messi?

what happened to this guy i thought he was the next Pele?
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/writers/grant_wahl/06/01/ronaldinho.qa/p1_ronaldinho_0601.jpg

or this guy

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/08_03/owenDM2908_468x513.jpg

i thought he was a big time striker?

i need answers

[kaktus14]

Eh...what? Whatever. If we go out on the street pick 5 random kids from any schoolyard, I bet you the European kids probably will beat the US kids since almost EVERY young boy here played soccer. In the US? Not as much. It's just not part of the culture.

This is how loads of streets look during ANY european championship in the Netherlands:

http://www.gelderlander.nl/multimedia/archive/00753/oranje_753440b.jpg

http://media.nu.nl/m/m1cz3j5a3uqw.jpg

http://oranjestraat.punt.nl/fotoboek/h_203937_406038.jpg

This is a random square in Switzerland full with fans who couldnt be there at a European Championship game:

http://www.oranjecamping.nl/uploaded_files/de_oranjecamping_ek_2004_Portugal2_550x275.jpg

Just to show you how much more football is a part of life here. Combine Hockey, Baseball, Basketball and college sports into one and you'll have the experience football brings on its own here in the Netherlands, in Germany, France, Spain, Italy and the UK.

Many more countries in Europe are like that,basiclly most of them

[qrich]

Well to be honest, in the international press you rarely heard news about the confederations cup in Europe and Asia. Soccer loving nations all follow the European Cup. Also, for example, the Champions League cup is considered more of a holy grail than a Club World Cup.

Obviously those are the cases with the domestic teams due to the European Nations generating the most revenue, allowing them to pay for the best players in the world, but to say that is all thats cared about is a JOKE.

[Knuck the Ficks]

I like Donovan, but he shouldn't be on the list.

Xabi Alonso
Florent Malouda
Jeremy Toulalan
Lassana Diarra
Sergio Busquets

... are all better, because they play at a way higher level.

[T.O.RAPS]

people in n.america do no realize how huge football is worldwide, and the lengths people will go to if you say something negative about their club.

[knickballer]

First paragraph is BS. This is the kind of trash that makes people hate US soccer team, most hyped team in the whole world. USA is not a bad team, has improved a lot since 1994, very physical and defensive minded team, good on the counter attack...but pretty good team? what do you mean by pretty good team? they arent even top 20 so no. Im sure they will pass the first round but they have been very lucky on the draw, Algheria and Slovakia? come on they suck, of course you guys will qualify.

The thing I said about African teams...well of those qualified in the WC except maybe Algheria...the rest are better more stacked than USA. You guys would also have a chance with South Africa perhaps.

My suggestion to USA soccer fans like Hawker or whatever his name is: dont be that arrogant and stop pretending to fool the world your team is elite, you guys are elite at basketball, baseball..etc, but not at soccer for gods sake, at least not today. Everybody in the states faps with some crap win against Spain in some crap cup nobody cared about. Yeah we lost to the USA so?? except for that game we have the best record for wins in a row along with Brazil in soccer history. We are the European Champions, and Europe is not North America, there are a lot of quality teams here. We were along with the Netherlands the first teams to qualify to WC. And we have done all of this playing the best soccer in the world, like the Phoenix Suns of soccer.


Spain only won one big competition and it was this past competition. They choke in every big competition.. We aren't arrogant at all if anything it's your spanish ass. Were just saying we have a good squad and it looks like its our cup but no the ****ing Euro decides to bash america again.

[Killuminati90]

who is Lionel Messi?

what happened to this guy i thought he was the next Pele?
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/writers/grant_wahl/06/01/ronaldinho.qa/p1_ronaldinho_0601.jpg

or this guy

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/08_03/owenDM2908_468x513.jpg

i thought he was a big time striker?

i need answers


Ronaldinho in his prime is top 10 ever. After winning it all he began to hang out almost every night, no training, drinking...he sucked very hard. Now he has beginning to recover at AC Milan but will never be the player he was in 2005/2006.

Owen is injury prone. Great scorer but always injured so he can never show his true level. Guy peaked at Liverpool. I honestly liked him when he played here in Madrid. The guy always came out the bench and perfomed really good.

[T.O.RAPS]

seeing as espn is american, they had to place donovan at the last spot. kaka, is to high imo, he aint the same after his injury (although has been playing better)...

[Killuminati90]

Spain only won one big competition and it was this past competition. They choke in every big competition.. We aren't arrogant at all if anything it's your spanish ass. Were just saying we have a good squad and it looks like its our cup but no the ****ing Euro decides to bash america again.


We have won two big competitions, 2 European Tournaments. And yep we have choked a bit in WC but fuking refs havent helped us also, youtube Spain vs Korea 2002 if you dont believe me, that was fukin embarrasing.

Nodoby was bashing USA until some "enlightened" one said Donovan is an elite player. F*ck off.

[dough]

Owen is one of those players who came a long way mostly on promise as a youth. Ronaldinho just became lazy. See Ronaldo.

[Knuck the Ficks]

,I really like what Dunga did with the team

I think what Dunga is doing is completely un-Brazilian and he is deservedly getting blasted for it back home.

To leave Ronaldinho out for players like:

Feliple Melo (ask any Juventus fan and they'll tell you how bad he's been)
Gilberto Silva (didn't get picked up by any major Euro team and now plays in Greece)
Julio Baptista
Robinho (one of the most overrated athletes I've seen in the last 10 years)
Kleberson (!!!)

... is pretty unforgivable given his recent form. Brazil are meant to be more than a football team - it's not enough for them to win, it has to be pretty. They've got the players that can do this, but Dunga has a different mindset.

I sincerely hope that Brazil screw up if they continue down this path. However if I see Ronaldinho back in the lineup I'll start rooting for them again.

[qrich]

Spain only won one big competition and it was this past competition. They choke in every big competition.. We aren't arrogant at all if anything it's your spanish ass. Were just saying we have a good squad and it looks like its our cup but no the ****ing Euro decides to bash america again.

Bingo.

[Killuminati90]

I think what Dunga is doing is completely un-Brazilian and he is deservedly getting blasted for it back home.

To leave Ronaldinho out for players like:

Feliple Melo (ask any Juventus fan and they'll tell you how bad he's been)
Gilberto Silva (didn't get picked up by any major Euro team and now plays in Greece)
Julio Baptista
Robinho (one of the most overrated athletes I've seen in the last 10 years)
Kleberson (!!!)

... is pretty unforgivable given his recent form. Brazil are meant to be more than a football team - it's not enough for them to win, it has to be pretty. They've got the players that can do this, but Dunga has a different mindset.

I sincerely hope that Brazil screw up if they continue down this path. However if I see Ronaldinho back in the lineup I'll start rooting for them again.

Dunga`s Brazil is the most horrible Brazil squad/style of playing ive seen in years. At least they are winning, but very italian style, that sucks in Brazil.

[kaktus14]

I think what Dunga is doing is completely un-Brazilian and he is deservedly getting blasted for it back home.

To leave Ronaldinho out for players like:

Feliple Melo (ask any Juventus fan and they'll tell you how bad he's been)
Gilberto Silva (didn't get picked up by any major Euro team and now plays in Greece)
Julio Baptista
Robinho (one of the most overrated athletes I've seen in the last 10 years)
Kleberson (!!!)

... is pretty unforgivable given his recent form. Brazil are meant to be more than a football team - it's not enough for them to win, it has to be pretty. They've got the players that can do this, but Dunga has a different mindset.

I sincerely hope that Brazil screw up if they continue down this path. However if I see Ronaldinho back in the lineup I'll start rooting for them again.
See their second goal today to see how pretty they play:rockon:

Melo was hyped before season,didnt deliverd I know,but they dont have better defensive mildfielders fromt hose two and Silva is doing ok in Pao

I think Ronaldinho will be in squad for South Africa,but maybe Dunga doesnt like his party spirit which reflects whole team,just look how did they prepare for 2006 WC and what they did in their traning camp.

[Killuminati90]

After this and after all ill be rooting for USA because its almost my second home. Even if its full of dumbasses that think their team is the "no sh*t" of the next century.

[Hawker]

Eh...what? Whatever. If we go out on the street pick 5 random kids from any schoolyard, I bet you the European kids probably will beat the US kids since almost EVERY young boy here played soccer. In the US? Not as much. It's just not part of the culture.

This is how loads of streets look during ANY european championship in the Netherlands:

http://www.gelderlander.nl/multimedia/archive/00753/oranje_753440b.jpg

http://media.nu.nl/m/m1cz3j5a3uqw.jpg

http://oranjestraat.punt.nl/fotoboek/h_203937_406038.jpg

This is a random square in Switzerland full with fans who couldnt be there at a European Championship game:

http://www.oranjecamping.nl/uploaded_files/de_oranjecamping_ek_2004_Portugal2_550x275.jpg

Just to show you how much more football is a part of life here. Combine Hockey, Baseball, Basketball and college sports into one and you'll have the experience football brings on its own here in the Netherlands, in Germany, France, Spain, Italy and the UK.

I'm talking footballers...not random dudes.

[Hawker]

???:roll:

Ive lived in both USA and Spain and people here play waaaaaay better than yankees. Any 10 year old kid can play the game like no f*ck, back in San Diego when I was in high school yankees didnt even knew to kick the ball. Come on fool, its our first god damn sport!!! Why am I even argueing with you on this? Have you ever been or lived in Spain to even judge?

I played against a bunch of international students in an intramural game...the team was full of spaniards minus one american and the goalie. They were so mad they lost to americans.

[dough]

No but it is in central Europe you moron. I didn't mean it was in your backyard you dumb euro trash.


What was this then:


You panzies were watching innocent civilians getting massacred in your own backyard


And please refrain from using curses. Makes you look pretty sad.

[Hawker]

who is Lionel Messi?

what happened to this guy i thought he was the next Pele?
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/writers/grant_wahl/06/01/ronaldinho.qa/p1_ronaldinho_0601.jpg

or this guy

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/08_03/owenDM2908_468x513.jpg

i thought he was a big time striker?

i need answers

Someone is waaaaaaay behind.

[Killuminati90]

I played against a bunch of international students in an intramural game...the team was full of spaniards minus one american and the goalie. They were so mad they lost to americans.


So thats it? thats your experience of how spaniards play soccer? :lol


Soccer aint even the third sport in USA, wtf are we talking about...

[dough]

I played against a bunch of international students in an intramural game...the team was full of spaniards minus one american and the goalie. They were so mad they lost to americans.
Sounds pretty random to me.

[Hawker]

So thats it? thats your experience of how spaniards play soccer? :lol


Soccer aint even the third sport in USA, wtf are we talking about...

The average Spanish citizen footballer...yes.

[Hawker]

Sounds pretty random to me.

Sure they were random but they were random footballers that played soccer growing up and came over to get an education and thought they could easily win the intramural trophy because they're playing a bunch of americans.

[Killuminati90]

The average Spanish citizen footballer...yes.

Well then I must say your even more retarded than I thought.

[insidehoops]

Hello. Please keep the world cup soccer talk about soccer, not military moves countries have made. Thanks all

[qrich]

Well then I must say your even more retarded than I thought.

Coming from the guy who compared a game between two nations sending out their best squads to an exhibition game with neither squad sending out their best :rolleyes:

[Hawker]

Well then I must say your even more retarded than I thought.

Nah, the average american citizen that grew up playing football and still does can keep up with the average spanish citizen that grew up playing football and still currently does.

I'm not talking about picking some random shmoes in a gym that don't even play soccer.

[guiguinho86]

Some guys clearly don't belong on this list, only speaking of what I know:

-Miroslav Klose, as much as I love this player, he's only a shade of his former self. Doesn't score anymore (one goal so far in Bundesliga, in approx 20 gm, iirc), but still a good support striker, unselfish and blessed with good passing and heading skills.

-Karim Benzema: Him cracking the top 50 is just non sense and the result of hype, nothing else. He is not an established starter for his club, nor is he for the FNT. Often misses the unmissable, mentally weak sometimes, he's been having trouble finding his place in domenech's squad for years now.

-Landon Donovan: Well, he's just not part of the elite, not at all, only making the list because there had to be an American on here, probably in an attempt to instigate curiosity among the US casual public. The USA have a solid team, though, they just have no "real" star (Howard isn't quite one).

-Thierry Henry: See Klose, Miroslav. Still a solid player, but doesn't have too much left in the tank. He used to rely on his astoundishing pace, but now it's gone, I barely see why Domenech keeps on putting him in the starting XI. The guy misses a lot, slows the team down, honestly he is making them worse. As a striker, Anelka is better, Gignac is better, hell, even Benzema might be. As a winger, Malouda, Ribery, Govou are all more natural, and.. well better.



Some guys that should have made it, but didn't because they are not funky enough to get on the hype train:

-Jeremy Toulalan: the guy is a beast, plain and simple. He couldn't score even with Gerd Muller's feet, but defensively, there are not too many DMF that can compare to him. Guy is a dynamo, huge work rate, a real box-to-box MF. Sometimes referred as the French Gattuso by some people. Actually he is now better than him, and not to far from Gattuso's prime level of play. Has replaced Essien with ease in Lyon's midefield after his departure for Chelsea in 2005.

-Hugo Lloris: Lyon's best player, which is pretty unusual and says a lot about his level since he is a GK. If not for him, Lyon's domestic and continental title hopes would have been over for months now. He has no real weakness except for his sometimes shaky throws. Brazil's CB Cris recently said of him that he was on Casillas level, if not better. While many people will call it blasphemy , I'll say it is quite accurate.

-Totti: Look at Roma's redemption , then look at Totti's goal count, then think about how pivotal this guy's role is on this team. How come they missed him? Now that's a shame.

Also, I think Robben and Higuain should be higher, based on what they have accomplished so far this season.



And about this world cup, I am excited for France and Ghana (IC as well), but my favorite national team just missed it (Bosnia), and 2 other teams that are amongst my favs also did not make it (Turkey and Croatia).

Bosnia
France
Turkey
Croatia
Ghana

Oh well, at least 2/5 made it...but I will have a heavy heart watching the cup knowing we came so close :ohwell:

I'm glad to see there is another FNT aficionado on this board, You sure have good tastes, you proud and venerable Balkanian. :applause:

[dough]

Sure they were random but they were random footballers that played soccer growing up and came over to get an education and thought they could easily win the intramural trophy because they're playing a bunch of americans.
I dont think you should really base your experience on just that. Same thing happens with American players coming to Europe and getting their asses kicked. Matter of the fact remains that the USA hasnt got 1/1000th of the football culture Europe has. To tap in the potential talentpool which is surely there, the USA has ways to go. I remember Pele and Cruijff going statesside to make some dough in their heyday. I remember some players going to the states in the 90's. Still happens, Gullit went to LA and came back totally disinterested. Beckham was hauled in, basically just to promote soccer and it just didnt happen. IF the USA had 1/5th of the passion for football we have here, the national team would be among the 5 best. We've seen the us come up in cycling, iceskating etc. Soccer? Theyre still years away.

[qrich]

I dont think you should really base your experience on just that. Same thing happens with American players coming to Europe and getting their asses kicked. Matter of the fact remains that the USA hasnt got 1/1000th of the football culture Europe has. To tap in the potential talentpool which is surely there, the USA has ways to go. I remember Pele and Cruijff going statesside to make some dough in their heyday. I remember some players going to the states in the 90's. Still happens, Gullit went to LA and came back totally disinterested. Beckham was hauled in, basically just to promote soccer and it just didnt happen. IF the USA had 1/5th of the passion for football we have here, the national team would be among the 5 best. We've seen the us come up in cycling, iceskating etc. Soccer? Theyre still years away.

Am I glad he's gone.

[Killuminati90]

Nah, the average american citizen that grew up playing football and still does can keep up with the average spanish citizen that grew up playing football and still currently does.

I'm not talking about picking some random shmoes in a gym that don't even play soccer.


But that doesnt say anything. Sure, the average Burkina Faso citizen which has played football all his life and still plays can keep up with any average citizen in the world, so?

But theres few cases of those in USA, come on, is it that hard to admit? You guys dont give a damn about soccer, why are you pretending to tell me you guys also are the sh*t at something you dont even care about?

Spaniards suck at baseball, you know why? guess genious.

[dough]

Am I glad he's gone.
You couldve kept him for all I care. It's not the point.

[Killuminati90]

I dont think you should really base your experience on just that. Same thing happens with American players coming to Europe and getting their asses kicked. Matter of the fact remains that the USA hasnt got 1/1000th of the football culture Europe has. To tap in the potential talentpool which is surely there, the USA has ways to go. I remember Pele and Cruijff going statesside to make some dough in their heyday. I remember some players going to the states in the 90's. Still happens, Gullit went to LA and came back totally disinterested. Beckham was hauled in, basically just to promote soccer and it just didnt happen. IF the USA had 1/5th of the passion for football we have here, the national team would be among the 5 best. We've seen the us come up in cycling, iceskating etc. Soccer? Theyre still years away.

Wow, somebody said something intelligent in like 9 pages.

[dough]

Just throwing something out there. FC Utrecht, playing in Utrecht a city in the Netherlands with 300.000 inhabitants, currently 7th in the Dutch League has an attendance of 24.000 people each game. LA Galaxy, I assume the biggest team in the USA only gathers 21.000 per game (LA has 3.8 mil inhabitants). It just shows you how much room there is for growth.

[Killuminati90]

Just throwing something out there. FC Utrecht, playing in Utrecht a city in the Netherlands with 300.000 inhabitants, currently 7th in the Dutch League has an attendance of 24.000 people each game. LA Galaxy, I assume the biggest team in the USA only gathers 21.000 per game. It just shows you how much room there is for growth.

You from the Netherlands dude? Total football nation.

[dough]

Yes. Although not the biggest fan of our national team.

[west_tip]

Since this thread has gone down the USA vs the world road can somebody tell me why the US does not win the World Baseball Classic?

Is it along the lines of a tournament that no-one cares about, analagous to the Confed. Cup or is the US geuinely getting beaten by Japan etc. putting out a full strength team?

[Killuminati90]

Yes. Although not the biggest fan of our national team.


Very talented players but too much injury prone, its always like: left footed very skilled players but they get injured very easily.

[dough]

Very talented players but too much injury prone, its always like: left footed very skilled players but they get injured very easily.
Hm... worst thing is that it's too much thinking too little playing. We never put our best 11 players on the court, while most other countries use their best players and trust them. Good is also never good enough. If it all clicks here, we're unstoppable. For example last EC, we totally raped France an ruined Italy, and they werent even playing horrible, it was just that we were too fast and technically superb. But as soon as there was one distraction it all came down. Talent wise the squad is crazy, but theres too much going on which enables them from playing up to their level. Also, van Basten happened.

[west_tip]

Am I glad he's gone.

What was the deal with Gullit leaving?

[Killuminati90]

Hm... worst thing is that it's too much thinking too little playing. We never put our best 11 players on the court, while most other countries use their best players and trust them. Good is also never good enough. If it all clicks here, we're unstoppable. For example last EC, we totally raped France an ruined Italy, and they werent even playing horrible, it was just that we were too fast and technically superb. But as soon as there was one distraction it all came down. Talent wise the squad is crazy, but theres too much going on which enables them from playing up to their level. Also, van Basten happened.

I remember those games, I thought Netherlands was going to win the Euro (even over Spain) after watching them destroy Italy and France, but then, Arshavin happened.


Netherlands should play with this in my opinion:


-------------------------V.der Sar-----------------------------

----Heitinga--------Mathijsen-----Bouma-------V.Bronckhorst---

------------------------De Jong--------------------------------

-------------Sneijder------------V. der Vaart-------------------

------V.persie--------Huntelaar-------------Robben------------


I have my doubts on defense though.

[dough]

What was the deal with Gullit leaving?
Probably him sucking as a coach, gm and whatever he thinks he can be.

[qrich]

What was the deal with Gullit leaving?

Wanted full control over the team, butted heads with Becks & Landon and was garbage. Just like Mike Dunleavy

[dough]

I remember those games, I thought Netherlands was going to win the Euro (even over Spain) after watching them destroy Italy and France, but then, Arshavin happened.
Not so much Arshavin. Hiddink happened. The best coach of the past few decades from the Netherlands. He knew exactly what our weak points were. And the whole thing with Boularouz's baby dying happened too. Very very though, but the players could not handle that distraction either. Then again that was probably a direct result of the inexperience and youth. If you look at how young our team is compared to England, we've got some time.

[west_tip]

I remember those games, I thought Netherlands was going to win the Euro (even over Spain) after watching them destroy Italy and France, but then, Arshavin happened.

Nah, the teams that are firing on all cylinders in the group stages normally run out of gas come the knock out stages.

I saw the destruction of Italy and knew they could not sustain that level of excellence for the whole comp.

[Killuminati90]

Nah, the teams that are firing on all cylinders in the group stages normally run out of gas come the knock out stages.

I saw the destruction of Italy and knew they could not sustain that level of excellence for the whole comp.


Fair enough. Usually happens with Italy, those guys can play like crap on group stages and qualify by a miracle and then resurrect and win the world cup.

[Killuminati90]

Not so much Arshavin. Hiddink happened. The best coach of the past few decades from the Netherlands. He knew exactly what our weak points were. And the whole thing with Boularouz's baby dying happened too. Very very though, but the players could not handle that distraction either. Then again that was probably a direct result of the inexperience and youth. If you look at how young our team is compared to England, we've got some time.


Hiddink was the Netherlands coach in WC 1998 when they reached semi finals right? I remember Bergkamp schooling Ayala. :oldlol:

[Knuck the Ficks]

I saw the destruction of Italy and knew they could not sustain that level of excellence for the whole comp.
I honestly felt the same way.

The vast majority of the goals scored against France and Italy came from set pieces and counter-attacks. In fact they may all have been.

I was pretty sure they would falter once they came up against a decent defense.

[west_tip]

Yep Italy and Germany fall into that category.

Also takes a HUGE slice of luck/clutchness to win the WC, thought Italy were lucky to scrape through that game against Australia but Grosso cut in from the left and made Lucas Neill foul him. Totti takes the penalty, game over. As for the group game against the USA I thought the US matched them and could have sneaked a win.

[Hawker]

But that doesnt say anything. Sure, the average Burkina Faso citizen which has played football all his life and still plays can keep up with any average citizen in the world, so?

But theres few cases of those in USA, come on, is it that hard to admit? You guys dont give a damn about soccer, why are you pretending to tell me you guys also are the sh*t at something you dont even care about?

Spaniards suck at baseball, you know why? guess genious.

I care about soccer and I know many people that do. I'm not saying the USA is the shit. Just saying the only thing Europe has us beat is at the professional level. I could go to Europe and hold my own against average european footballers.

That's all I'm saying. And I know USA isn't the shit in professional, if we were we would've held that lead against Brazil last summer. We should've won that game but didn't. It was quite devastating.

[Andrei89]

LEt the World cup start.

[Hawker]

LEt the World cup start.

**** I know dude. I can't wait!

[Andrei89]

Argentina, Spain, Portugal, Brazil ,England and France. These 6 teams will come far.

Italy = Players are too old
Netherlands = They will choke in the quarter or semi finals as usual
Germany = They can compete, we saw them in the finals at the Euro cup. But they got too much luck in 2008 i don't expect them to get lucky again.

[Killuminati90]

How about we make some predictions?


Group A: Mexico and Uruguay (yeah, France out)

Group B: Argentina and Nigeria

Group C: England and USA

Group D: Germany and Serbia (although Ghana and Australia have big chances too)

Group E: Netherlands and Denmark (should be Cameroon, but since 1990 they always choke at WC)

Group F: Italy and Paraguay (most boring group ever)

Group G: Brazil and Ivory Coast (CR9 fails)

Group H: Spain and Chile

[west_tip]

USA will beat England in the groups (felt that since the draw came out) and the Aussies will advance from their group.

Argentina will win it all, I've got a gut feeling this will be Mexico 86 2.0.

Group G will be off the hook, but I still think that Portugal will go through.

Other than that, who knows? Best thing about international football, anyone on their day can upset anyone.

[Timmy D for MVP]

First paragraph is BS. This is the kind of trash that makes people hate US soccer team, most hyped team in the whole world. USA is not a bad team, has improved a lot since 1994, very physical and defensive minded team, good on the counter attack...but pretty good team? what do you mean by pretty good team? they arent even top 20 so no. Im sure they will pass the first round but they have been very lucky on the draw, Algheria and Slovakia? come on they suck, of course you guys will qualify.

The thing I said about African teams...well of those qualified in the WC except maybe Algheria...the rest are better more stacked than USA. You guys would also have a chance with South Africa perhaps.

My suggestion to USA soccer fans like Hawker or whatever his name is: dont be that arrogant and stop pretending to fool the world your team is elite, you guys are elite at basketball, baseball..etc, but not at soccer for gods sake, at least not today. Everybody in the states faps with some crap win against Spain in some crap cup nobody cared about. Yeah we lost to the USA so?? except for that game we have the best record for wins in a row along with Brazil in soccer history. We are the European Champions, and Europe is not North America, there are a lot of quality teams here. We were along with the Netherlands the first teams to qualify to WC. And we have done all of this playing the best soccer in the world, like the Phoenix Suns of soccer.

They are ranked 14th by the FIFA world power rankings. :confusedshrug:

I'm not saying they're elite. I'm saying they can beat elite teams. And all it takes to do that is one game.

Also you don't want to be the Pheonix Suns of anything.

[Jasi]

................................Sar............... .....................
vlaar.........heitinga.............ooijer......... ..bronkhorst
...........................de jong................................
..........sneijder..........seedorf..........vd vaart
................nistelrooy.........v persie..............




Man, you either have an overly high esteem of Vd Sar, or you just don't give a shit about flocks of opponents coming up through your non-tackling midfield

[west_tip]

They are ranked 14th by the FIFA world power rankings. :confusedshrug:

Those power rankings are basically worthless but the US give them their due can give anyone a game on their day, can't really say otherwise.

US path to success would have to be a replica of Italy in 2006, goals from all over the field, tight defense, great goalkeeping and riding their luck.

Where it falls down is they havent got a natural goalscorer so they are always going to have to play above themselves whereas other teams will win the game with one moment of brilliance. Basically they have to be mistake free and play the whole 90.

[Hawker]

I don't think Mexico will make it through. South Africa will pull it out along with France.

[Killuminati90]

Those power rankings are basically worthless but the US give them their due can give anyone a game on their day, can't really say otherwise.

US path to success would have to be a replica of Italy in 2006, goals from all over the field, tight defense, great goalkeeping and riding their luck.

Where it falls down is they havent got a natural goalscorer so they are always going to have to play above themselves whereas other teams will win the game with one moment of brilliance. Basically they have to be mistake free and play the whole 90.

I agree. Although they already play like this, very physical defense and counter attack, but yeah they dont have a prolific scorer. Altidore is nothing special.

But yet again, its too much. They can reach quarter finals with this style, or even the semi-finals with muuuuch luck/miracle...more than that? hell no.

[Killuminati90]

I don't think Mexico will make it through. South Africa will pull it out along with France.

South Africa? they have home advantage but I dont remember a hosting team so weak as this. Could be though.

[west_tip]

I agree. Although they already play like this, very physical defense and counter attack, but yeah they dont have a prolific scorer. Altidore is nothing special.

But yet again, its too much. They can reach quarter finals with this style, or even the semi-finals with muuuuch luck/miracle...more than that? hell no.


Yeah I think they might win their group but in the bracket I think that the USA would play Serbia or Aussies in the 2nd round. The Aussies present matchup problems for the USA, I predict they go out in the round of 16 to Australia.

[Hawker]

South Africa? they have home advantage but I dont remember a hosting team so weak as this. Could be though.

South Korea? The host team has never failed to make it past the first round. They have a hard group for sure but I think they'll pull it off.

[Killuminati90]

South Korea? The host team has never failed to make it past the first round. They have a hard group for sure but I think they'll pull it off.

World Cup 2002 and South Korea might be the most hilarious ref thing in professional sports. They cheated on Italy and then they cheated on Spain. Somebody dare to disagree? 2 mothafukin legal goals didnt count!!!


I hate Koreans since that.

[west_tip]

Altidore is nothing special.

Agreed, although playing for Hull he seems sort of lost on that team. Hard to EVER really see the US producing a great goal scorer, Americans just dont have those sort of football instincts. When it comes to putting 11 athletes on a field America can do that in just about any sport but a Van Basten, Romario type goal poacher/finisher (damn, even an Inzaghi) just won't materialise.

[Killuminati90]

Agreed, although playing for Hull he seems sort of lost on that team. Hard to EVER really see the US producing a great goal scorer, Americans just dont have those sort of football instincts. When it comes to putting 11 athletes on a field America can do that in just about any sport but a Van Basten, Romario type goal poacher/finisher (damn, even an Inzaghi) just won't materialise.


Van Basten or Romario are products of a true living football country/society. Type of players which have borned skilled and will die skilled. This is one of the main reasons USA is not elite, maybe in the future, but not today.

[Jasi]

ESPN list = :oldlol:

David Villa at 11 = :confusedshrug:
Fabregas out of top 10 = :eek:
De Rossi out of top 20 = :rant
Yaya Toure out of top 30 = :no:
Schweinsteiger and Stankovic out of the list = :wtf:

Evra, Pique, Chiellini and Donovan making the list = :banghead:

The first two positions are the only ones I agree on.

[west_tip]

Van Basten or Romario are products of a true living football country/society. Type of players which have borned skilled and will die skilled. This is one of the main reasons USA is not elite, maybe in the future, but not today.

Very true. When/if you see Americans playing pickup on street corners etc. then and only then you will see these types of players. Brad Friedel said "Americans don't get soccer, to us it's loading kids into a station wagon with moms and Dad's at the park, to the rest of the world its a street game like Basketball is in the US".

[west_tip]

ESPN list = :oldlol:

David Villa at 11 = :confusedshrug:
Fabregas out of top 10 = :eek:
De Rossi out of top 20 = :rant
Yaya Toure out of top 30 = :no:
Schweinsteiger and Stankovic out of the list = :wtf:

Evra, Pique, Chiellini and Donovan making the list = :banghead:

The first two positions are the only ones I agree on.

Can't expect too much it is ESPN after all.

[Killuminati90]

ESPN list = :oldlol:

David Villa at 11 = :confusedshrug:
Fabregas out of top 10 = :eek:
De Rossi out of top 20 = :rant
Yaya Toure out of top 30 = :no:
Schweinsteiger and Stankovic out of the list = :wtf:

Evra, Pique, Chiellini and Donovan making the list = :banghead:

The first two positions are the only ones I agree on.

David Villa is a top 3 scorer in the world, top goal scorer in the best league of the world.

I agree with the Fabregas thing.

De Rossi is good, but top 20?

I agree with the Yaya Toure thing.

Evra is probably the best back left side defender in the world. Pique is underrated, top 5 defender in the world, absolutely a beast. Chiellini and Donovan should not be there, true.

[Killuminati90]

Very true. When/if you see Americans playing pickup on street corners etc. then and only then you will see these types of players. Brad Friedel said "Americans don't get soccer, to us it's loading kids into a station wagon with moms and Dad's at the park, to the rest of the world its a street game like Basketball is in the US".

Exactly. Ive lived in the States for 3 years and never saw kids playing soccer on the street. Here in Spain almost every kid is hanging out on the street with the ball, 2 rocks to make the goal and there you go, you can start a game.

And as I always say, best players are from the street, not from some special football training camp or something. I rarely see USA players dribble. Things like dribbling is only learned at the street.

[west_tip]

http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/print/2006/7/adidas-impossible-team-print.jpg

Like this?

[Killuminati90]

http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/print/2006/7/adidas-impossible-team-print.jpg

Like this?


Lol.

[Jasi]

Exactly. Ive lived in the States for 3 years and never saw kids playing soccer on the street. Here in Spain almost every kid is hanging out on the street with the ball, 2 rocks to make the goal and there you go, you can start a game.

And as I always say, best players are from the street, not from some special football training camp or something.

Yep, that is exactly the point. :cheers:

Also, this is the first time I read US commentary on soccer and I've noticed that there is a huge focus on star players, like it's basketball with 5 player on the court and one player can single-handedly win the game :lol

[west_tip]

huge focus on star players

This generally is just a huge pet peeve of mine in the way that the American media covers sports. The way they make it seem as if Quarterbacks and Guards/First options are single handedly winning games for their team is disingenious and overly simplistic, it takes a whole team to win a game in a team sport.

This mentality produces selfish players and dumb fans.

[Killuminati90]

Individual stars, specially in football, struggle much more to performe by their own than in any sport. You wont win just because you have superstar, unless his name is Diego Armando Maradona, but that will never happen again.

[Jasi]

This generally is just a huge pet peeve of mine in the way that the American media covers sports. The way they make it seem as if Quarterbacks and Guards/First options are single handedly winning games for their team is disingenious and overly simplistic, it takes a whole team to win a game in a team sport.

This mentality produces selfish players and dumb fans.

I agree... And there is a trend towards that in Europe too. It makes more money.

It is also true that in basketball one single player can have a much bigger influence, just for the nature of it (smaller court, less players, almost complete interchangeability -is that a word?- of players' roles), than in football and soccer

[Knuck the Ficks]

Evra, Pique, Chiellini and Donovan making the list = :banghead:

You do realise that Evra is a very good player, right?

He's extremely consistent for United and is one of the best left backs in the world. He definitely belongs on the list, no amount of emoticons can change that.

[Bosnian Sajo]

I'm glad to see there is another FNT aficionado on this board, You sure have good tastes, you proud and venerable Balkanian. :applause:

:rockon:

I love the FNT, what made me become a fan was Zidane, my futbol hero. He is also the reason I am a fan of Real Madrid. Hope Ribery follows in his footsteps and joins Benzema at los blancos.

[jamal99]

Here in Serbia a lot of people have high hopes for our national team. We played good in qualifications and can hold our own against every team.
We might have the best defense on WC. Nemanja Vidic (Man. Utd.), Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Aleksandar Kolarov (Lazio) and Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund) are all amazingly good defenders.
On midfield we have likes of Dejan Stankovic (Inter), Nenad Milijas (Wolverhampton), Milos Krasic (CSKA, probably most wanted midfielder in Europe right now), Milan Jovanovic (Standard Liege, joins Liverpool in June, can also play as striker) and always dangerous 6'8 striker Nikola Zigic (Valencia).
Even our bench is consisting of very good players, Ivica Dragutinovic (Sevilla), Aleksandar Lukovic (Udinese), Gojko Kacar (Hertha), Zdravko Kuzmanovic (Stuttgart), Zoran Tosic (Keln, on loan from Man. Utd.) Danko Lazovic (PSV Eindhoven) and Marko Pantelic (Ajax).
That's a very deep team and I think that they can ball with the best of them.

[Killuminati90]

:rockon:

I love the FNT, what made me become a fan was Zidane, my futbol hero. He is also the reason I am a fan of Real Madrid. Hope Ribery follows in his footsteps and joins Benzema at los blancos.

Zidane is a god here, nice to see another Real Madrid fan around here.

[Jasi]

You do realise that Evra is a very good player, right?

He's extremely consistent for United and is one of the best left backs in the world. He definitely belongs on the list, no amount of emoticons can change that.

Yes I do.
No he doesn't. No full back should be in there, unless is a very very offensive one such as Maicon or Dani Alves - which usually happens only with Brazilians, and with Zambrotta some years ago.


PS I was sure someone would complain, the only time I play around with emoticons!

[Killuminati90]

Evra cant still do this though:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhVDFEW5348 :rockon:

[Jasi]

Here in Serbia a lot of people have high hopes for our national team. We played good in qualifications and can hold our own against every team.
We might have the best defense on WC. Nemanja Vidic (Man. Utd.), Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Aleksandar Kolarov (Lazio) and Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund) are all amazingly good defenders.
On midfield we have likes of Dejan Stankovic (Inter), Nenad Milijas (Wolverhampton), Milos Krasic (CSKA, probably most wanted midfielder in Europe right now), Milan Jovanovic (Standard Liege, joins Liverpool in June, can also play as striker) and always dangerous 6'8 striker Nikola Zigic (Valencia).
Even our bench is consisting of very good players, Ivica Dragutinovic (Sevilla), Aleksandar Lukovic (Udinese), Gojko Kacar (Hertha), Zdravko Kuzmanovic (Stuttgart), Zoran Tosic (Keln, on loan from Man. Utd.) Danko Lazovic (PSV Eindhoven) and Marko Pantelic (Ajax).
That's a very deep team and I think that they can ball with the best of them.

I agree. Not contenders for the title, but they can go far.

[Jasi]

Zidane is a god here, nice to see another Real Madrid fan around here.

Zidane is a god here too!
People still thankful with him for going nuts and getting out of the balls that night four years ago.

[Killuminati90]

Zidane is a god here too!
People still thankful with him for going nuts and getting out of the balls that night four years ago.

Im sure knowing Italians and their filosofy at football this was all planned. :oldlol:

This was italy locker room before the game:

-Buffon: "so...what we gonna do with this guy, Zidane, mothaf*ck is gonna destroy us dudes"

-Lippi: "dont know really...somebody has a plan?"

- Materazzi: "let me do the job coach, ill get into his head, ive watched some Kevin Garnett clips"

- Lippi: "ok then, but dont tell him nothing about his sister"

- Materazzi: "of course coach, you know me"

[Jasi]

Im sure knowing Italians and their filosofy at football this was all planned. :oldlol:

This was italy locker room before the game:

-Buffon: "so...what we gonna do with this guy, Zidane, mothaf*ck is gonna destroy us dudes"

-Lippi: "dont know really...somebody has a plan?"

- Materazzi: "let me do the job coach, ill get into his head, ive watched some Kevin Garnett clips"

- Lippi: "ok then, but dont tell him nothing about his sister"

- Materazzi: "of course coach, you know me"

:oldlol: Likely.
Funny thing is that "plans" like that will happen in any game in any soccer league in Europe, and one couldn't expect that the best player in the world, in the most important game of the most important event, would bite it!

[T.O.RAPS]

:rockon:

I love the FNT, what made me become a fan was Zidane, my futbol hero. He is also the reason I am a fan of Real Madrid. Hope Ribery follows in his footsteps and joins Benzema at los blancos.

haha f*ck real mierda, they already want to sell benzema. they get ribery, barca gets fabregas we still win...la liga, and champions league is barca's once again!

[Bosnian Sajo]

haha f*ck real mierda, they already want to sell benzema. they get ribery, barca gets fabregas we still win...la liga, and champions league is barca's once again!


Where the hell did you read that Madrid wants to sell Benzema? And in case you did not know, Ribery>Cesc.

I still cannot stand the fact that Ibra plays for Barca :cry: and Henry :cry:

[T.O.RAPS]

Where the hell did you read that Madrid wants to sell Benzema? And in case you did not know, Ribery>Cesc.

I still cannot stand the fact that Ibra plays for Barca :cry: and Henry :cry:

i read it in a spanish newspaper, did a quick google search:

http://www.laligatalk.com/will-real-madrid-sell-karim-benzema/2807
http://www.footballitaliano.org/7218/real-madrid-to-offer-karim-benzema-to-serie-a-giants.html

this years is: fabregas>>ribery

i hope when barca buys fabregas they send henry back to arsenal in the deal, taking away time from pedro...

[Knuck the Ficks]

i hope when barca buys fabregas they send henry back to arsenal in the deal, taking away time from pedro...
What makes you think Arsenal will sell him? As a casual Arsenal fan I would want at least 70 million Euros, which Barca may not be prepared to pay.

If I were starting a football team today the first player I would pick to have for the next ten years would be Lionel Messi. The second player would be Fabregas.

Arsenal aren't going to let him go without a fight - you can't replace a 22 year old who captains their side in the Champions League.

[Jasi]

What makes you think Arsenal will sell him? As a casual Arsenal fan I would want at least 70 million Euros, which Barca may not be prepared to pay.

If I were starting a football team today the first player I would pick to have for the next ten years would be Lionel Messi. The second player would be Fabregas.

Arsenal aren't going to let him go without a fight - you can't replace a 22 year old who captains their side in the Champions League.

Agreed 100%

[vapid]

Our draft saw fabregas fall to the end of the first round I think.:ohwell:

[Knuck the Ficks]

Our draft saw fabregas fall to the end of the first round I think.:ohwell:
Hey I'm down for the WC fantasy. You'll probably set it up later though, right?

[vapid]

Hey I'm down for the WC fantasy. You'll probably set it up later though, right?
Yea. I'll try to see which one is the best. I'm sure we won't start for another few months.

[Bosnian Sajo]

Inform me when you guys do start, would definitely like to be apart of that.

[Bosnian Sajo]

i read it in a spanish newspaper, did a quick google search:

http://www.laligatalk.com/will-real-madrid-sell-karim-benzema/2807
http://www.footballitaliano.org/7218/real-madrid-to-offer-karim-benzema-to-serie-a-giants.html

this years is: fabregas>>ribery

i hope when barca buys fabregas they send henry back to arsenal in the deal, taking away time from pedro...

Believe me, Benzema is not leaving Real. Not yet at least, he just came (no pun intended).

And I would rather have Ribery but thats just me.

[Bosnian Sajo]

Here in Serbia a lot of people have high hopes for our national team. We played good in qualifications and can hold our own against every team.
We might have the best defense on WC. Nemanja Vidic (Man. Utd.), Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Aleksandar Kolarov (Lazio) and Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund) are all amazingly good defenders.
On midfield we have likes of Dejan Stankovic (Inter), Nenad Milijas (Wolverhampton), Milos Krasic (CSKA, probably most wanted midfielder in Europe right now), Milan Jovanovic (Standard Liege, joins Liverpool in June, can also play as striker) and always dangerous 6'8 striker Nikola Zigic (Valencia).
Even our bench is consisting of very good players, Ivica Dragutinovic (Sevilla), Aleksandar Lukovic (Udinese), Gojko Kacar (Hertha), Zdravko Kuzmanovic (Stuttgart), Zoran Tosic (Keln, on loan from Man. Utd.) Danko Lazovic (PSV Eindhoven) and Marko Pantelic (Ajax).
That's a very deep team and I think that they can ball with the best of them.


Vidic is unbelievable, I am surprised that he is what he is today. I remember watching him when he still played in Beograd. But Dzeko > all those strikers you named :D

[Quizno]

man i can't wait for the world cup.

i really don't know all that much about soccer but i catch all of the national games and LA galaxy games whenever they're on TV. they're so fun to watch.

that was insane when we beat spain, too bad we blew that lead to brazil in the second half. obviously USA isn't top tier, but i think if we play hard we can hold our own against most teams. we might even pull off an upset or two in this cup.

[IInvented]

:lol @ them putting American in top 50

[Swaggin916]

Where is Robinho?????

JK I don't even know how good he is in the grand scheme of things I just like his name :lol

[Timmy D for MVP]

Ahhh!!! All this talk I just want it to start!

The only bad thing is in California so to see the games live it'll be odd hours.

[chains5000]

World Cup 2002 and South Korea might be the most hilarious ref thing in professional sports. They cheated on Italy and then they cheated on Spain. Somebody dare to disagree? 2 mothafukin legal goals didnt count!!!


I hate Koreans since that.
:applause:
I remember the local press here making fun of Italy losing cause of the referees, and then complaining heavily after Spain got eliminated too because of the same reasons.:oldlol:

[chains5000]

ESPN list = :oldlol:

David Villa at 11 = :confusedshrug:
Fabregas out of top 10 = :eek:
De Rossi out of top 20 = :rant
Yaya Toure out of top 30 = :no:
Schweinsteiger and Stankovic out of the list = :wtf:

Evra, Pique, Chiellini and Donovan making the list = :banghead:

The first two positions are the only ones I agree on.
Villa's a great scorer, may be too high tough.
Pique hasn't been that great this season, but he was incredible the previous one.

[craigthomasb]

I hadn't really browsed the list, but this ignorant post made me. Torres is incredibly overrated. He is a player who's only there to score goals. He doesn't get other players involved, barely makes assists and can't play off the ball.
And when you look at his goal scoring numbers? Not even good. All strikers on the list ranked on goals per match (didn't count the players who played under 10 matches):

14 Fabiano 0,69
11 Villa 0,67
6 Drogba 0,66
34 Klose 0,52
13 Eto'o 0,47
3 Rooney 0,44
28 Henry 0,44
27 Forlan 0,38
50 Donovan 0,35
25 Persie 0,34
8 Torres 0,32
44 Benzema 0,3
40 Anelka 0,23
24 Tevez 0,16

These are the facts.

51 goals in 74 games since joining liverpool - 0.69, same as fabiano, you cant pretend scoring goals for fun the brazilian and portuguese league is the same as the spanish and the EPL

then you say he only scores the goals, believe me, as someone who watches liverpool every week, the team is completely different with him than without him, he works incredibly hard off the ball for a lone striker, if it wasnt for all the injuries he would be the best in the world right now

[Lebowsky]

No with Feyenoord. He had to fill in a few times when Both Leerdam as well as de Vrij were not available. It's a shame Hofland sucks so much, because the defense, on paper, in Rotterdam should be incredible. Huntelaar really isnt all that good imo. He never impressed me with the National team, and he's too little of a soccer player. Sure he scores, but to me he's akin more to a Mackaay where v Persie goes in the direction of a Bergkamp, (not level-wise but possibilities on the field).

I agree Huntelaar is nothing special. He sure scored a lot of goals in the eredivisie, but he lacks pretty much everything but the striker instinct and the shooting-on-goal skills to be a successful striker in a major league (in my opinion, of course). I quite don't see the comparison with Makaay though, he was ten times the player Huntelaar will ever be. And I also agree with Van Persie being a big chucker. That seems to be quite common among dutch wingers, because Robber is equally talented but also a shameless chucker.

[thekavorka]

Van Persie is not really a chucker with Arsenal this year. Before his injury, he was playing out of his mind, scoring as well as setting up other people.

[lilmagicjohnson]

lol at Stevie G over Essien :roll:

WTF Marek Hamsik #43, should be top 25 atleast

[jamal99]

Serbia with easy win over Algeria (Vidic didn't play), 3-0.
Other results
England - Egypt 3-1
France - Spain 0-2
Netherlands - USA 2-1
Cote d'Ivoire - South Korea 0-2 (big suprise for me)
Germany - Argentina 0-1

Pretty much expected except Cote d'Ivoire and weak game by Netherland but win anyway...

[west_tip]

Van Persie is not really a chucker with Arsenal this year. Before his injury, he was playing out of his mind, scoring as well as setting up other people.

Whats a chucker? Never heard that term in the context of soccer.

[west_tip]

Serbia with easy win over Algeria (Vidic didn't play), 3-0.
Other results
England - Egypt 3-1
France - Spain 0-2
Netherlands - USA 2-1
Cote d'Ivoire - South Korea 0-2 (big suprise for me)
Germany - Argentina 0-1

Pretty much expected except Cote d'Ivoire and weak game by Netherland but win anyway...

Theres a rumour that Hiddink is going to coach Ivory Coast, Drogba approached him on their behalf.

[jamal99]

Theres a rumour that Hiddink is going to coach Ivory Coast, Drogba approached him on their behalf.

I think that he already has a deal with Turkey (national team).

[west_tip]

I think that he already has a deal with Turkey (national team).

To start after the world cup? iirc they didnt qualfiy so he may spend the summer with ic. :confusedshrug:

[Skywalker]

51 goals in 74 games since joining liverpool - 0.69, same as fabiano, you cant pretend scoring goals for fun the brazilian and portuguese league is the same as the spanish and the EPL

then you say he only scores the goals, believe me, as someone who watches liverpool every week, the team is completely different with him than without him, he works incredibly hard off the ball for a lone striker, if it wasnt for all the injuries he would be the best in the world right now

all this seems spot on

[west_tip]

51 goals in 74 games since joining liverpool - 0.69, same as fabiano, you cant pretend scoring goals for fun the brazilian and portuguese league is the same as the spanish and the EPL

then you say he only scores the goals, believe me, as someone who watches liverpool every week, the team is completely different with him than without him, he works incredibly hard off the ball for a lone striker, if it wasnt for all the injuries he would be the best in the world right now

You mean he pretty much does what he's supposed to do?

Explain how he is superior to Rooney.............injured or not

[IInvented]

What makes you think Arsenal will sell him? As a casual Arsenal fan I would want at least 70 million Euros, which Barca may not be prepared to pay.

If I were starting a football team today the first player I would pick to have for the next ten years would be Lionel Messi. The second player would be Fabregas.

Arsenal aren't going to let him go without a fight - you can't replace a 22 year old who captains their side in the Champions League.

Doubt Messi will have a great career for next 10 years. He has that one disease and the side effects of it is loss of energy level and tiredness....Messy might be unfortunate cause he may have to stop playing at this high of a level in 5-7 years...I hope that doesn't happen thou
But I agree wit you thou....if anyone starting a team and not taking Messi wit 1st pick, they need to give up on futbol. :applause:

[dough]

Loot, I've seen you get offended over people dissing euro basketball in the NBA forum. Don't even try and pull that card.


I'm still waiting for you to quote me?

[LJJ]

51 goals in 74 games since joining liverpool - 0.69, same as fabiano, you cant pretend scoring goals for fun the brazilian and portuguese league is the same as the spanish and the EPL

then you say he only scores the goals, believe me, as someone who watches liverpool every week, the team is completely different with him than without him, he works incredibly hard off the ball for a lone striker, if it wasnt for all the
injuries he would be the best in the world right now
:oldlol:


You can point out how he performs well in the least important matches, but why would you want to? It's awful for your argument.

107-63 total for Liverpool total brah, which amounts to 0.58.
In European play? 24-8, which is 0.33.

Notice the trend? His effectiveness goes down dramatically the bigger the stage.

Regular season? Good.
CL-EPL? Barely decent.
FA Cup? Non-existent.
National team? Terrible.

And he can't pass to save his life.

[SALFORD-RED]

Donovan is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy underrated.
usa is out for blood


:applause: :applause: :applause:

Any ideas on what stocks I should be investing in please sir?

[SALFORD-RED]

Yeah whatever, even any African team beats USA on a soccer match.


In short order we will be testing that hypothesis. :D

[SALFORD-RED]

I like Donovan, but he shouldn't be on the list.

Xabi Alonso
Florent Malouda
Jeremy Toulalan
Lassana Diarra
Sergio Busquets

... are all better, because they play at a way higher level.


quoted.

[beermonsteroo]

That list is so dreadfully bad it's not even funny.
Rooney is no where near the top 5.
Phili Lahm should be in the Top ten for sure,Schweinsteiger is Top 20 weithout any doubt.
Where are guys like Forland and Suarez? Thehy should be ranked higher. In terms of international play, Donovan is underated.
Steven Gerard over Michael Essien? What was the author smoking?
Luis Fabiano is way overated. Vidic at 19???????????? Oh my godness.
Robben not in the Top 25?????????????????
I could go on like this forever.

[beermonsteroo]

Here in Serbia a lot of people have high hopes for our national team. We played good in qualifications and can hold our own against every team.
We might have the best defense on WC. Nemanja Vidic (Man. Utd.), Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Aleksandar Kolarov (Lazio) and Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund) are all amazingly good defenders.
On midfield we have likes of Dejan Stankovic (Inter), Nenad Milijas (Wolverhampton), Milos Krasic (CSKA, probably most wanted midfielder in Europe right now), Milan Jovanovic (Standard Liege, joins Liverpool in June, can also play as striker) and always dangerous 6'8 striker Nikola Zigic (Valencia).
Even our bench is consisting of very good players, Ivica Dragutinovic (Sevilla), Aleksandar Lukovic (Udinese), Gojko Kacar (Hertha), Zdravko Kuzmanovic (Stuttgart), Zoran Tosic (Keln, on loan from Man. Utd.) Danko Lazovic (PSV Eindhoven) and Marko Pantelic (Ajax).
That's a very deep team and I think that they can ball with the best of them.
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: Epic Fail:lol :lol :lol

[EarlTheGoat]

In short order we will be testing that hypothesis. :D

Quoting myself for epic truth or epic fail.

[spree43]

Based on when this list came out, and even now, Donavan is massively overrated. They stuck him at the end so the Americans would feel involved, considering its an american site

What can they base skill on, considering the last world cup was 4 years ago. Solely on club play. He had a short stint at Everton ... wow, top 50. He's not even the best player on Everton, he's not even top 3 Arteta, Cahill, Saha are all better

[EarlTheGoat]

Based on when this list came out, and even now, Donavan is massively overrated. They stuck him at the end so the Americans would feel involved, considering its an american site

What can they base skill on, considering the last world cup was 4 years ago. Solely on club play. He had a short stint at Everton ... wow, top 50. He's not even the best player on Everton, he's not even top 3 Arteta, Cahill, Saha are all better

Donovan is a good player, but overrated as I stated on the thread I make.

Nobody gives a flying f*ck about Donovan outside of the United States. No hating, just a fact.

Any playmaker from any team on the spanish league is better than Donovan.

[SALFORD-RED]

Donovan is the Manu of soccer.

Either massively under or over rated, international success and clutch.

But at the same time inconsistent and a flopper.

[EarlTheGoat]

Donovan is the Manu of soccer.

Either massively under or over rated, international success and clutch.

But at the same time inconsistent and a flopper.

Good resume.

I even have more respect for Clint Dempsey.

[SALFORD-RED]

I even have more respect for Clint Dempsey.


Dempsey is a great player.

I wouldnt mind him at OT, couldnt hurt to give him a game for the Reds.

[Hawker]

Donovan is the Manu of soccer.

Either massively under or over rated, international success and clutch.

But at the same time inconsistent and a flopper.

Donovan doesn't flop lol

[Hawker]

In short order we will be testing that hypothesis. :D

That hypothesis has already been tested. We beat Algeria.

[SALFORD-RED]

Donovan doesn't flop lol

:lol jus playin.


That hypothesis has already been tested. We beat Algeria.

Me = :hammerhead: for some reason I always think of Algeria as being Middle Eastern, must be the crescent moon on their flag. :confusedshrug:

[jamal99]

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: Epic Fail:lol :lol :lol

Well they really had quality to compete with everyone, it's just their mentality that's ****ed up...

[moaz]

I like accurate predictions: :roll:

From Germany there is only Klose at 34 and Lahm at 47 in the list.

I don't think that anyone from ESPN has ever heard of the Bundesliga.

[ROCSteady]

bump

[dough]

Originally Posted by Hawker
Loot, I've seen you get offended over people dissing euro basketball in the NBA forum. Don't even try and pull that card.


Quote me please? You saw me... quote me.