Soccer Thread

[Rosebud]

Julian Draxler has really been taking off since Holtby's move, the kid's amazing and playing in the middle has really brought out his best.

[Rob S]

Originally Posted by Rosebud

Julian Draxler has really been taking off since Holtby's move, the kid's amazing and playing in the middle has really brought out his best.

How long until Bayern snaps him up?

[Rosebud]

Originally Posted by Rob S

How long until Bayern snaps him up?

I doubt it's any time soon. He's still just a teenager and Schalke are still in good position to qualify for the CL. Plus Bayern still are stacked in the attacking band with Ribery, Kroos, Mueller, Shaqiri, and Robben so their need isn't too great and they've been avoiding pilfering league rivals for guys they don't need badly. Staying at Schalke for a few more years to play with Max Meyer is best for his development, so i doubt he plays for Bayern before the WC, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him still there come the next Euros as well.

[Rob S]

Yeah, I figure he will stay a while as well. It makes sense. The comment was more tongue in cheek than anything.

[Rosebud]

I probably should've realized that, but with Bayern's history it's very easy to treat that concern seriously. Damn money bags!

Anyway I've never really liked Schalke but Draxler and Meyer are two of germany's top teenagers right now, watching the two of them develop for them will be so much fun, both are great shooters of the ball, who's movement and interplay is very clever, with great technique on the ball the sky is the limit for them. That team really needs a boost at FB, a boost in goal, a better backup for Hunter, and to keep their heads out of their asses so they can avoid going all Schalke.

[dabears10]

Originally Posted by Rosebud

High school and college soccer teams are the problem with the MLS youth development. No player who's to be a high level pro benefits from playing in college when compared to joining an academy in europe. That's why I think that the way to improve the US NT is to establish some programs with a handful of european academies for top american young players to go develop together. Have the american FA set up some barracks for the players to stay at with some cultural adjustment coaches.

That is what is happening. Academies for every MLS team have sprouted up and are being well attended. However, they still are not to the level of having their own schooling.

[Rosebud]

I know the US is having clubs develop their own academies, but it'll take a long time til there's a number of world class academies in the US. That's why I'd have worked on sending the best of the best youths to europe, while focusing on fewer, regional academies at home for the guys that don't go abroad.

[UKfan]

Suarez!!!! What play by Coutinho to set it up, he looks a real player IMO.

(I've also had a bet on a 2-1 Spurs win with Suarez scoring first, slightly worried it may come true!)

[UKfan]

Uh oh... :( think I jinxed it!

[Wootylicous]

I love Coutinho so damn much

[Wootylicous]

Stevieeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[Rob S]

I still don't get why Inter let Coutinho go.

[Wootylicous]

Big win !!!!

Suck it Gareth.

[UKfan]

Originally Posted by Rob S

I still don't get why Inter let Coutinho go.

Once he gets Prem League fit (at the moment he is fading around 60 mins in) and gets a bit of strength he is going to be special. Genuinely excited about our attacking potential now with Suarez, Coutinho, Sturridge and Sterling, just got to work out how to fit them all in :)

[SuperMcGee]

Damn, nice feet by de Gea. Was thinking Chelsea would take it right there.

[SuperMcGee]

Chelsea was so dominant in the second half. Some weak hits and good saves in the last 10-15. Replay should be fun. Anxious at the draw.

[Rob S]

That was a great save. DeGea is top class as a shot stopper.

[SuperPacker]

newcastle win :)

[Rob S]

Originally Posted by SuperPacker

newcastle win :)

So dreamy.

[SuperPacker]

I didn't even see either of the goals, gonna have to watch them later. Nice that Papiss is getting back into the swing of things as well, think he has 5 in 10 or something like that.

[TimD]

Do any of you NYC area guys follow the Red Bulls? They lost in a pretty dramatic way last night

[Jughead10]

Originally Posted by TimD

Do any of you NYC area guys follow the Red Bulls? They lost in a pretty dramatic way last night

Haha yeah. First part of any MLS game I watched in maybe a year or two. Nothing much else on Sunday night. Granted I haven't been watching soccer as long as a lot of you, but I've never seen that in a match.

[TimD]

Roy Miller also encroached on a penalty during the final stages of their last home game last season. He negated what would have been the game tying goal.

I don't understand why they play him when they have Heath Pearce, who is a top 5 LB in the MLS. Instead they have Pearce playing CB and don't play Holgersson, who was a rock during the second half of last year.

I'm assuming they'll change it up now that they've conceded 4 goals in 2 second halves this year, blowing 2 leads.

[djp]

Originally Posted by Rob S

I still don't get why Inter let Coutinho go.

Buy high, sell low philosophy?

I'm not quite sure either, you can just see that talent oozes from this kid when he plays. His ball control and vision are superb. Very bright future.

[Rosebud]

Same reason AC let Zlatan and Silva go while slashing their wage bill in the summer. The Milan clubs are really broke and their benefactors haven't been flushing too much money into them, although Berlusconi's strong showing in the election and the Super Mario purchase seem to signal a shift for AC. Inter meanwhile is mega-******.