Soccer, footie, football, futbol

[Rolvix]

Add another injury - Theo Walcott - our sub for van Persie.

[Lavabe]

Can hardly wait for Fantasy World Cup!!

As for EPL Fantasy, I'm skunked again, as Torres is NOT playing this weekend.

[Lavabe]

Here's our group in the 2010 World Cup:
England
USA
Algeria
Slovenia
Our first game is against ENGLAND.

NOT the group of death!!

[Lavabe]

Group of death?
Group G
Brazil
Portugal
Ivory Coast
North Korea

Or is it?
Group B
Argentina
Nigeria
South Korea
Greece

[Rolvix]

Group of death?
Group G
Brazil
Portugal
Ivory Coast
North Korea

Or is it?
Group B
Argentina
Nigeria
South Korea
Greece

G.

[Ben63]

Group of death?
Group G
Brazil
Portugal
Ivory Coast
North Korea

Or is it?
Group B
Argentina
Nigeria
South Korea
Greece

G.

Agreed. G for sure.

Not a bad draw for the USA either

[rockymtn devil]

Here's our group in the 2010 World Cup:
England
USA
Algeria
Slovenia
Our first game is against ENGLAND.

NOT the group of death!!

As favorable a draw as the U.S. could have hoped for.

1. England is a tough draw, but it's a team that we actually match up well with. Not only do they play a style that we are comfortable with, but several key Americans play in the EPL and know the English game well. In addition, it's our first game. England is a historically slow starter in World Cups. More importantly, if we draw or win, we're in terrific shape. Even if we lose, our pressure games are against teams we should beat.

2. Algeria and Slovenia both seem to be scrappy teams that could give us fits. But, we're better than both. If the U.S. plays they way it can/should, we should make it to the Round of 16.

3. Each of the top 4 teams in the tournament are in the other half of the bracket (Brazil, Spain, Holland, Italy). That means if we can get through the group stage, we will see solid matchups in the rounds of 16/8.

[Lavabe]

Here's our group in the 2010 World Cup:
England
USA
Algeria
Slovenia
Our first game is against ENGLAND.

NOT the group of death!!

As favorable a draw as the U.S. could have hoped for.

1. England is a tough draw, but it's a team that we actually match up well with. Not only do they play a style that we are comfortable with, but several key Americans play in the EPL and know the English game well. In addition, it's our first game. England is a historically slow starter in World Cups. More importantly, if we draw or win, we're in terrific shape. Even if we lose, our pressure games are against teams we should beat.

2. Algeria and Slovenia both seem to be scrappy teams that could give us fits. But, we're better than both. If the U.S. plays they way it can/should, we should make it to the Round of 16.

3. Each of the top 4 teams in the tournament are in the other half of the bracket (Brazil, Spain, Holland, Italy). That means if we can get through the group stage, we will see solid matchups in the rounds of 16/8.

Two points:
1) By your logic, you also have to admit that one of England's best (Beckham) played in the MLS and knows the American game well. ;)
2) Let's say US finishes 2nd in the group. They'd most likely play the #1 seed of the D group, Germany, in the next round (and Germany has a weak group). I don't see the US getting past Germany... assuming the US makes it past the Group stage. If the US wins its group, they stand a chance, as the D#2 finisher is going to be weak. This means, BEAT England.

[rockymtn devil]

Two points:
1) By your logic, you also have to admit that one of England's best (Beckham) played in the MLS and knows the American game well. ;)
2) Let's say US finishes 2nd in the group. They'd most likely play the #1 seed of the D group, Germany, in the next round (and Germany has a weak group). I don't see the US getting past Germany... assuming the US makes it past the Group stage. If the US wins its group, they stand a chance, as the D#2 finisher is going to be weak. This means, BEAT England.

1. I'm not sure there is such a thing as the "American" game. Also, is it a foregone conclusion that Becks will be on the squad?

2. Germany is another Euro team that we match up well with. They play a very aerial game, and at the very least that doesn't attack our weakness. The Spanish, Brazilians and Dutch worry me much more. The Italians? Not so much. In other words, I'd much rather be on Germany's side of the bracket. In that sense, it's as good as we could have hoped for.

[Lavabe]

Odd World Cup stat:
No European team has ever won the World Cup hosted outside of Europe.

rmd: Becks is going to play in Italy to try and make it onto the England team.

[Lavabe]

ManCity 2 - 1 Chelsea.

That Terry yellow card pretty much summed up the game.

Next week... Liverpool v Arsenal (aka Battle of the Injuries)

[Lavabe]

GOT to love Aston Villa beating ManUre at Ol' Trafford: ManU 0 - 1 Aston Villa
ManU is REALLY hurting on defense. Lots of injuries.

STUPID goal of the day (should be on SportsCenter): Wigan kicked it from just inside their half of the pitch, just off a foul. The ball caught the sunlight, and sailed just over Thomas Sorenson (Stoke). BIZARRE!!

Then Sorenson later blocks YET ANOTHER penalty kick. He has blocked something like 5 of the last 6 PK's he's faced.

WHY on earth did Chelsea blow a home game against Everton today. A 3-3 draw? That makes no sense.
The biggest surprise today might have been Tottenham Hotspur 0 - 1 Wolves.

Tomorrow is the big battle: Arsenal visit Liverpool at Anfield. Liverpool may have both Torres and Aqua start. Arsenal now have more injury problems than does Liverpool... at least for now.

ALSO: next week is an early week for making picks in Fantasy League.

[Lavabe]

Liverpool played its most putrid half of soccer yesterday, blowing a 1-0 lead against Arsenal.

First, it gave Arsenal a tie score by hitting an unnecessary own goal (thanks to Glen Johnson).

It then proceeded to play keep away from itself, and Arshavin hit a blistering shot through.

Final score: Liverpool 1 - 2 Arsenal.

I'm doing okay in Fantasy, Rolvix, but I simply don't know the score.

[Rolvix]

Liverpool played its most putrid half of soccer yesterday, blowing a 1-0 lead against Arsenal.

First, it gave Arsenal a tie score by hitting an unnecessary own goal (thanks to Glen Johnson).

It then proceeded to play keep away from itself, and Arshavin hit a blistering shot through.

Final score: Liverpool 1 - 2 Arsenal.

I'm doing okay in Fantasy, Rolvix, but I simply don't know the score.

I always forget to update my fantasy... I think I missed the deadline for I know the score this week.

[CameronBornAndBred]

I always forget to update my fantasy... I think I missed the deadline for I know the score this week.

I thought you were done with missed deadlines?

[Rolvix]

I always forget to update my fantasy... I think I missed the deadline for I know the score this week.

I thought you were done with missed deadlines?

I lied, I actually made it!

[Lavabe]

Your season just got worse, Rolvix. Cesc has just left today's game with a first-half injury.

As for me, I had Torres as a captain this week. He didn't start. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOD MOVE!!

[Rolvix]

Your season just got worse, Rolvix. Cesc has just left today's game with a first-half injury.

As for me, I had Torres as a captain this week. He didn't start. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOD MOVE!!

I quit.

[Rolvix]

I haven't paid attention to my fantasy in a while. I should probably get rid of van Persie.

[Lavabe]

Eating some crow, here.
Torres came on in the second half, and scored what proved to be the game-winning goal.

Yeah... I'm not sure how much you could get on the transfer market for van Persie, but I'd do it NOW, as he won't play until ...
... well, whenever. You might not be able to get Drogba, but you should be able to get someone good. My best trade got me Gabriel Agbonlahor (Villa); that might be within your price range.

I have to hold off on the transfer market. I'm down to my last trade, and the season is just about halfway done.