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[DeadsetAce]

^

@ the hair on Beckerman and Donovan

 

[Kimchi Papi]

Love seeing the young players for Barca in this Copa game... Barca up 5-0 on Huesca 55 mins in...

 

[Kimchi Papi]

Golazo from Adriano... 6-0 Barca 69 mins in...

 

[Kimchi Papi]

Germany's Sport1 is reporting that 15 year old Martin Odegaard has chosen Bayern despite visiting Arsenal today.

http://www.sport1.de/de/fussball/fussball_bundesliga/newspage_997327.html

The official announcement is expected Wed...

 

[keepie uppie]

Somebody explain to me what the point of the capital one cup is? Like seriously, do the teams take it remotely serious?

The FA cup and the community shield and whatever else the English folks are doing isn't enough?

the League Cup winners qualifies for the Europa League...great for those mid-table/bottom clubs...

 

[Kimchi Papi]

Just watched the El Azul vs Los Blancos game off the dvr... Man Isco has some impressive dribbling skills. He makes it look so easy... My son & I must have rewinded that plat with Ronnie stepping over to Isco scoring like 50 times...

God I hate that he's on Madrid... lol...

 

[Coupé It]

Just watched the El Azul vs Los Blancos game off the dvr... Man Isco has some impressive dribbling skills. He makes it look so easy... My son & I must have rewinded that plat with Ronnie stepping over to Isco scoring like 50 times...

God I hate that he's on Madrid... lol...

On twitter years ago when Madrid was playing against Barca in the Champions league, Isco made it clear he was rooting for Barca to win. - But I guess Barca never paid attention.

I seriously don't know what Barca is doing these days. Suarez (who I believe is the third best player in the world) should have never gone to Barca. Makes no god damn sense that they're playing him as a winger. He's out of position and even tho it's early, it's not looking like a good fit.

Now their are rumors that Barca is interested in Marcos Reus (great signing if Suarez wasn't on the team tho) but due to the fact that Barca is disallowed from transfers into 2016 - Chelsea & Real Madrid are probably going to pick him up in the summer.

Barca took a huge gamble on Suarez being the only big signing they could have made for a year and half, in a position that they already arguably have the best player in the world at. Not to mention letting go some of the players like Thiago, Yaya, Alexis and not going after Kroos during the summer - something's not right upstairs.

I think you'd agree right Psk?

 

[ice city fc]

 
Sorry Chiva, But being that I grew up on Chespirito HARDBODY (RIP btw) as a youngin, I had to Rock with AMERICA yesterday... Sorry breh...

Chivas needs to go head with that 100% mexican policy... Slightly xenophobic, plus look at the problems it caused in their MLS outfit (RIP to them as well)...

I'd argue it's more than slightly xenophobic, I'm not Mexican and I still love it though. 

Over 100 years of history and every player ever to put on the shirt has been Mexican. That's something I would take serious pride in, plus the circumstances a century ago behind the decision. One of my favorite traditions in all of sports.

I do wish they'd make exceptions to accommodate  Mexican American dual nationals but that will never happen. 

 

[Kimchi Papi]

Hannibal will be fine. Aside from his biting & irascible nature, he's a footballer through & through. He also tracks back nicely (complete footballer). He's played wide & deep at Liverpool &also wide at Ajax. I have more faith in him being able to adjust to whatever role than I would Messi. Hannibal is adjusting to playing a more concise system & Messi. Hell be fine.

Thiago was always going to leave & follow Pep to Bayern. His agent is Pep's brother Pere who made sure not to fuss about the playing time clause that wasn't met which helped him exit the team. Although very talented, Alexis didn't fit the team & he was getting to be a headache in the locker room.

Kroos was never coming to Barca or any other team than Madrid. Same thing with Rues. He's going to Madrid & no where else.

Barca's problem is it's leadership & quite frankly, Enrique needs to settle into a consistent line-up & tactics/formation. His experiment with 3 at the back vs PSG was ill timed. Barca is lucky to have played a down trodden PSG team that didn't capitalize on that.

Zubi & Co also fail to realize the talent the team has in the youth system & what to do with them.

Other random Barca thoughts - Rakitic needs to play much more & take some of the FKs, Bartra needs to play more, Busquets needs to make way for Masch playing the midfield more, Alves is now a liability at RB now. Enrique needs to figure out who will play that position now (Douglas is not &will not be the answer). Xavi can no longer play at a high level. :\

Like I said before, Barca will not win the league & the absolute best they can hope in the CL is to get to the semi final again.

In other news... Lil psk's team is starting off nicely in the indoor & futsal season. Tied our first game in indoor & are 2-0 in our futsal league. Lil psk scored a brace Sunday & had an assist beating a U12 team 10-5.

View media item 1308294

 

[Coupé It]

Idk man, as a Suarez fan I want to see him excel and score goals and be that world class center forward we've become used to seeing.

Not saying he can't play the wing, but I don't think he should. Of course he'll adjust, he's world class - but that's not what I want to see.

I think it was Cryuff who said Barca were idiots for not pulling the trigger for Kroos. I don't think it was set in stone he was going to Madrid, Madrid just got to him quicker. I'd like to see Reus in Barca tho, just don't know if he can wait that long with this ridiculous transfer ban. I DO NOT want to see him in Bayern under any circumstance.

 

[User 37837]

Reus headed to Madrid

 

[omariwestafari]

Whydont u want reus in bayern?

 

[AZwildcats]

Reus will replace Schurrle at Chelsea

 

[chiva1908]

I'd argue it's more than slightly xenophobic, I'm not Mexican and I still love it though. 

Over 100 years of history and every player ever to put on the shirt has been Mexican. That's something I would take serious pride in, plus the circumstances a century ago behind the decision. One of my favorite traditions in all of sports.

I do wish they'd make exceptions to accommodate  Mexican American dual nationals but that will never happen. 

THIS. If a non Mexican citizen by birth ever aligned for them, I'd never watch another minute and would end my support for them then and there. This coming from someone who has the crest tattooed right over his heart.

SEVERAL Mexican Americans have played for CHIVAS. The Mexican constitution states that any child born outside of Mexico from Mexican Parents is Mexican by law.

Off the top of my head, I remember Mascareño (who was booed every time he touched the ball) JESUS Padilla (nicknamed El Gringo), Miguel Angel Ponce (nicknamed Pocho lol) and there are several players in the lower divisions. One thing they do require is for the Mexican Americans to not partake in any of the US national teams.

 

[chiva1908]

Luis Martir is a perfect example of what I just mentioned. Dude was born in Los Angeles to Mexican parents, by Mexican law he is a Mexican citizen. He is a RB, and is said to be the most talented youngster at CHIVAS in that position.

He got called up by Tab Ramos for some friendlies with the US U-21 squad I believe. Dude attended the training camp but did participate in either game for obvious reasons.

Management got ahold of this news, and told him that if he ever even attended another training camp with any US squad, he would be given the boot. He publicly stated that he would no longer attend any training camp or anything having to do with the US.

 

[Beans]

Reus to Madrid? Who leaves to accommodate? Bale?

I think Ogden (reporter) said united have sights on a right winger this summer and are prepared to spend BIG .. i will accept Bale, Robben or Reus.. If we play it smart (like arsenal with Alexis) we can strike a great price, especially if they are trying to offset the arrival of Reus (bayern/madrid).

 

[Nawzlew]

bayern munich signing odegaard?

 

[Trey Bantz]

Counting down until 2:20 PM for San Lorenzo/Auckland City. VAMOS CICLON!!!

 

[vtotheinay]

if bayern gets reus, wouldnt ribery be odd man out not robben? reus and ribery are both usually LM and robben plays RW, RM for bayern

 

[ijumpmani]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...mproves-its-playing-field-in-mls-in-many-ways

D.C. United’s new stadium at Buzzard Point will deliver the game-day experience that most other MLS venues offer. It will provide modern amenities lacking at archaic RFK Stadium, improved sightlines and a proper backdrop for one of the league’s most sophisticated and avid fan bases.

The 20,000-seat dwelling, unanimously approved by the D.C. Council on Wednesday after a decade of false hope and crushing setbacks, will also bring United up to financial speed with the rest of the league and provide the resources to invest in the type of marquee players previously out of budgetary reach.

United will not christen the new stadium until the middle of 2017, at the earliest. But before the shovels crack ground next year at the forgotten plot in Southwest Washington, four blocks from Nationals Park and a corner kick from the Anacostia and Potomac rivers, United will begin broadening its search in the international marketplace.

“If we have more tools and resources at our disposal,” managing general partner Jason Levien said, “we are certainly going to want to utilize them.”

With a stadium under its control, United will have the ability to, among other things, sell naming rights and corporate suites, and collect a much larger share of concessions than it does at RFK, which United has leased since MLS’s founding in 1996.

The team is also banking on a new venue appealing to a broader audience, which, in turn, will increase ticket demand. United will continue playing at 45,000-seat RFK, built in 1961, until the new stadium opens.

Will Chang, the club’s longest-serving investor, said he expects United’s board of directors — himself, Levien and Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir — to raise the roster-spending topic at upcoming meetings.

“No doubt, the stadium will improve our ability to put better players on the field and improve the product,” he said. “The stadium brings a comfort in pursuing players.”

Chang and others in the organization cautioned that United does not plan to immediately acquire two designated players, the term coined by the league to categorize high-end stars who do not count fully against the salary cap. (The club employed one last season, forward Eddie Johnson, but on the low end of the DP scale.)

With training camp six weeks away, United plans to keep together a squad that finished first in the Eastern Conference regular season this year.

“The core is good,” Coach Ben Olsen said. “The character is right with this group.”

Some teams housed in new stadiums have resisted the urge to splurge on players and remained competitive. Despite playing in modern arenas, 2013 MLS Cup finalists Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake are in the bottom half of league payroll. (United was 11th of 19 clubs at the start of the 2014 season.)

Conversely, Toronto’s league-high spending spree last winter was a catastrophic bust.

Nonetheless, the promise of an improved economic status will provide United with the flexibility to pursue costlier players during the international signing periods every summer and winter.

“There is going to be an opportunity for us to do more, certainly,” said Levien, who owns a share of the club’s rights and spearheaded stadium negotiations. “We are an ownership group that is committed to investing in a team to be successful.”

For years, with financial losses mounting and revenue streams parched at RFK, United has taken a thrifty approach to roster-building. This, despite Thohir’s enormous wealth. He also owns a majority stake in Italian club Inter Milan and has myriad assets in Asia.

While the league grew, United remained largely stagnant — held back, many employees grumbled, by cash flow issues tied to stalled stadium efforts.

MLS’s implementation of the designated player rule — an initiative to raise the profile and quality of the league after years of incremental growth – took hold in 2007 when David Beckham arrived in Los Angeles. United was left behind.

Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill paired in New York. Robbie Keane joined Beckham. Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley returned after years abroad. Brazil’s Kaka, England’s Frank Lampard and Spain’s David Villa, all global names, have signed up with MLS expansion teams launching next season.

United’s technical staff, headed by Olsen and General Manager Dave Kasper, made the best of the tight budget in both 2012 and ’14, finishing with the league’s third-best point total.

Last winter, in the aftermath of a 3-24-7 campaign in 2013, Kasper and Olsen practiced a form of Moneyball, baseball’s tenet of identifying undervalued and affordable players, to augment their core of emerging young talent. There were no superstars. United executed the greatest one-year turnaround in league history before losing in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

However, “there is a thin line for us,” Chang said. “Two or three injuries and the whole plan goes out the window. In order to put out a competitive team consistently, we will have to acquire better players.”

Chang also cited the need for a stronger roster in order to compete on the international stage. United will play in the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals before the MLS season commences and it has qualified for the 2015-16 competition, which begins in August. No MLS team has won the title under the competition’s current format.

United has had six designated players – among them, Argentine midfielder Marcelo Gallardo was a one-year flop, Dwayne De Rosario won an MLS MVP award and Johnson was recruited this year – but none garnered enormous wages and packed influential punch both on the field and at the box office.

At $600,000, Johnson is United’s highest-paid player. Keane’s base salary was $4.5 million. Next on the Galaxy payroll was U.S. legend Landon Donovan at $4.25 million. Omar Gonzalez’s take with L.A. was $1 million. This month the Galaxy won its third title in four years.

The Galaxy and Toronto play in medium-size stadiums built for their purposes, while the Sounders are MLS’s outliers, drawing more than double the league attendance average (43,734 to 19,147) at CenturyLink Field, an NFL facility.

Along with the new stadium, United will pursue plans for a nicer training facility to help attract players. United currently practices on a scrubby field beyond RFK’s gates. The adjoining artificial turf field is in disrepair.

Levien said he is exploring several potential sites in the area but prefers to remain in the city. Staying at the current location with significant upgrades is also under consideration.

The size of the Buzzard Point venue remains undetermined. For the time being, United has been using 20,000 as the working number. However, Levien said “we want the opportunity to expand it as some point. We are going to figure out the right number for Day 1 and the right number for Year 5.”

For now, the new stadium, and the revenue that comes with it, is all that matters.

“There is a path to having more resources at our disposal,” Levien said. “And that is important for our team, for our fans and for the league, quite honestly. For the league to grow, it needs teams like D.C. United to have a financially viable business where it can spend more.”

b fresco

 

[flyeed]

lolz only reason beans is interested in the Reus to Madrid rumor is because he's buying that Bale to United nonsense 

 

How is he going to replace Bale when Bale is the better more talented player.

 

[b fresco]

 

You already know my G!

Signed up for priority list for new stadium...

Will prolly be copping a partial season ticket deal next season...

http://www.dcunited.com/content/buzzard-point-stadium-ticket-priority-list

#VAMOSUNITED

 

[ijumpmani]

You already know my G!

Signed up for priority list for new stadium...

Will prolly be copping a partial season ticket deal next season...

http://www.dcunited.com/content/buzzard-point-stadium-ticket-priority-list

#VAMOSUNITED

Good look on the link! I signed up for full season tickets last season - Section 106 Row 7! But this is a game changer, I need to move into the supporters section and maybe keep the midfield seats as well...decisions...decisions

#VAMOSUNITED

 

[Kimchi Papi]

Thierry Henry trophies by team.

Monaco - Ligue Un, French Supercup
Arsenal - Premier League (2), FA Cup (3)
Barcelona - La Liga (2), Champions League
New York - Supporters Shield
France - 1998 World Cup, Euro 2000



Great career.

 

[Trey Bantz]

^That's a legendary career. At the club level he won the league for every European club he played for, not to mention the Champions League he won with Barca. At the international level he won the Euro and the World Cup for his country. There aren't many players that can claim that list of achievements.