Master Index of Archived Threads


Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 17 2014 09:16 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Aug 18 2014 08:05 PM

Thoughts? Predictions? Thoughtless predictions? I'm thinking something like... THOUGHTS: United will look better, but... man, there are a LOT of holes, and Van Gaal ain't playing centerback or providing midfield depth himself any time soon, is he? Stoke looks frisky, and might just have the season neutrals are expecting from, say, Everton (still great, just... a little thin to handle European competish AND the fight for next year's European slots with the same aplomb as last year). Honestly, I averaged my thoughts on Newcastle to get their ranking here, but I think the ever-more-increasingly Gallic team either Frog-jumps to upper-half of the standings or falls apart early and drops to relegation dogfightin'... no in-betweens. I hope it stays as dramatic as last season for a while, at least, but I think it'll end up a two-team deathmatch for supremacy by, say, March; as is often the case, the bottom of the standings will probably be more interesting to impartial observers than the top (once you get past, say, 12th or so, it gets REALLY hard to differentiate 'em, doesn't it?). Manchester City (tough to defend a title, but... so many weapons) Chelsea (just barely, though I do like them to win SOMETHING) Arsenal Spurs (yes, really-- an underachieving team built for an attacking-minded manager gets a new, potentially much-better attacking-minded manager... AND some interesting reinforcements, besides?) Liverpool Manchester United (hey, it's a step up from last year!) Stoke City (yes, really) Everton (Barkley may be out for a while) Swansea Southampton (there's enough in the academy cupboard, it seems, to backfill those holes Liverpool's shopping spree left) Newcastle West Ham (crazy-ass new addition Mauro Zarate should be fun to watch in a NUMBER of respects) Aston Villa Leicester Sunderland Hull QPR Crystal Palace (not reinforcing, then losing the Manager of the Year two days before the season starts... this is probably not the best way to prep, preseasonally) West Brom Burnley And, yes, that's the way I had it before seeing yesterday's United match, or hearing about Spurs' escape.

MFS62 Aug 17 2014 01:32 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Go Spurs. I don't really follow soccer. But I've liked them after first hearing their name. Tottenham Hotspur. It just rolls off the tongue. Later

Frayed Knot Aug 21 2014 02:09 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Balotelli to Liverpool?

A Boy Named Seo Aug 22 2014 09:06 AM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Seems like it. He's not exactly Art Howe to Luis Suarez's Bobby Valentine, but at least he doesn't bite people. I kinda love Mario. He's so entertaining.

metirish Aug 22 2014 03:37 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Balotelli is a disaster , I love this move and hope it explodes all over the Liverpool, speaking of disasters, that would be Manchester United's lack of transfer dealings this off season..... Chelsea will be champions, Mourinho has built a great team while balancing the books . I really think Liverpool will have a hard time finishing in the top 4, Suarez is irreplaceable , not just his goals but his assists too.... United?, fuck if I know....but am hoping for some much needed players coming in and a top 4 finish Chelsea Man Shitty Arsenal United

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 22 2014 08:27 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Marcos Rojo will help. I mean, Vidal or, say, Di Maria would help, to the extent that I'd be a lot more worried about United as an opponent this year... but hey, you take what you get, right? Balo's soso watchable... I'd add him to our Bluesy freakshow anyday, if Rodgers hadn't already done so. Of course, there's always other additions available, like the kind that come with long-awaited subtractions.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 21 2014 11:18 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

So, um, maybe United should've spent the Di Maria money on, like, a defender/central midfielder or two?

metirish Sep 22 2014 07:19 AM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Di Maria is fine but yeah I get what you are saying, we have all known it but Christ they are a shambles at the back.... Chelsea should win the league , awful to watch at times though.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 22 2014 11:23 AM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

If the City game was the only one you'd seen, then, yeah, I get that sentiment. But they've mostly been playing wide-open, end-to-end footie besides that (see 4-2 Swansea, 6-3 Everton).

Frayed Knot Oct 20 2014 03:49 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

This seems like it was only a matter of time -- Soccer player dies after celebrating goal with flip

Mets – Willets Point Oct 20 2014 04:27 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Yikes! I'm not watching that clip, but the first thing that comes to my mind is Ozzie Smith flipping across the astroturf-covered hard surface of Busch Stadium. There but for fortune...

MFS62 Nov 02 2014 11:44 AM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Well, one of my football teams won. I just watched Tottenham win at the Villa 2-1. Later

Frayed Knot Nov 02 2014 06:31 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

A couple of more late goals and they might have out-scored your American-based football team.

MFS62 Nov 02 2014 06:38 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Frayed Knot wrote: A couple of more late goals and they might have out-scored your American-based football team. That wasn't very nice. Painfully true, but not nice. :( Later

A Boy Named Seo Nov 02 2014 08:05 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

I'm sure most of you saw a few of the Mets turned up at Shite Hart Lane. I was sorta bummed, but I guess they went to the Cottage to see Fulham, too. And Harvey lived out his dream by running out on the pitch for Fullham. Eat your heart out, Brian McBride. PS - Chelsea ever gonna lose one?

metirish Nov 02 2014 08:33 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Harvey living the life eh?, Chelsea will win the EPL in a cantor , so organised , and no that is not an insult . United?, I can see what LVG is trying to do but they give the ball away far to easily playing out from the back, it will come but damn they need top class center halves, Rojo is right now useless. McNair is one for the future, Shaw too, even today he looked very good at times. Fellanini looks reborn , Di Maria is out of sorts at the moment , when it clicks it will look beautiful though . This is how all of LVG teams start until they are moulded into what he wants. Very short sighted though to let Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra go. We desperately need Falcao to get fit. props to NBC for their great coverage

A Boy Named Seo Nov 03 2014 09:03 AM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Yeah, I don't see them running the table or anything, but I don't expect to ever see Chelsea lose, either. That Fagregas/Costa duo was expert shopping. United seemed fortunate to get out of there only losing 1-0, down a man. There prob should been a couple pens awarded to City. Smalling did them no favors. I'm sure I didn't watch it with the same attention that you did, but I thought Fellainni gave the ball away too easily at times, should've come close to the target on that header, and was such a dick hovering over Aguero after he kicked Aguero probably should've been booked. The rags this morning are saying Fellaini spit on him, too? Aye....

A Boy Named Seo Nov 03 2014 09:08 AM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

PS - can we all sort of root for Southampton to keep up their pace? Basically a feeder club, but amazingly in the top 4 right now. Seems an impossible task, but what an awesome thing if they could stick up there the whole year.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Nov 03 2014 01:40 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

A Boy Named Seo wrote: Yeah, I don't see them running the table or anything, but I don't expect to ever see Chelsea lose, either. That Fagregas/Costa duo was expert shopping. Last year (hell, any season in the last four or five), our boys in blue lose at least one of the Crystal Palace game and this last one. These guys kill games D-E-D dead. Southhampton's taken over the everyone's-second-favorite mantel from Martinez's Everton, it seems (stuff like that Wanyama goal from, like, 40 yards out doesn't hurt). And, yeah, I counted at least three potential penalties that City didn't get, post-red.

Frayed Knot Nov 15 2014 02:42 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

So I see where FIFA investigated charges of illegality* within FIFA but FIFA found FIFA to be blameless. * specifically with regard to the WC bids being awarded to Russia and Qatar in 2018 & 2022 - but you get the impression that it's kind of a one-size fits all finding

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Nov 21 2014 09:32 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

That's it, guys (as per Paddy Power)-- thanks for coming! Paddy Power is sticking its money where its mouth is and betting on a Premier League whitewash by Jose Mourinho this season, paying out a whopping £400,000 today to all the punters who have backed the ‘Special One’ to claim the coveted silverware.

Mets – Willets Point Dec 06 2014 11:18 AM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Women in Little Shorts. The draw for the Women's World Cup 2015 in Canada. GROUP A: Canada China New Zealand Netherlands GROUP B: Germany Ivory Coast Norway Thailand GROUP C: Japan Switzerland Cameroon Ecuador GROUP D: U.S. Australia Sweden Nigeria GROUP E: Brazil Korea Republic Spain Costa Rica GROUP F: France England Colombia Mexico

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Dec 08 2014 09:42 AM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

(Apologies in advance for this, what with the one loss and all.) Fucking Cahill. More importantly, fucking Tyneside, man. Every fucking time. Also, re: that World Cup draw... is it me, or is that US draw another shit-end-of-the-stick? I mean, Aussie's not bad, IIRC, and Sweden's still REALLY good, right?

Mets – Willets Point Dec 08 2014 10:40 AM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Also, re: that World Cup draw... is it me, or is that US draw another shit-end-of-the-stick? I mean, Aussie's not bad, IIRC, and Sweden's still REALLY good, right? They're calling it the Group of Death, although I'd think that's primarily because the USA is in it. For some reason, the USA and Sweden are in the same group in almost every WWC so far. Sweden beat the USA in 2011 and won the group, but ultimately the USA advanced to the Finals, fwiw.

Mets – Willets Point Dec 08 2014 10:41 AM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Meanwhile, my Revolution lost the MLS Cup for the fifth time. Robbie Keane scored the winning goal for Los Angeles, making metirish very happy.

Frayed Knot Dec 22 2014 06:28 AM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Christiano Ronaldo says he's very excited about his new statue in Portugal. [fimg=700]http://timedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/cristiano-ronaldo-statue.jpg?w=1680[/fimg]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Dec 22 2014 10:14 AM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

"It's like looking into a mirror, because that's pretty much the only way I achieve an erection these days*." *Translated from terrible-person Portuguese

Mets – Willets Point Dec 22 2014 01:30 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Wouldn't you be excited to have something erected in your honor?

Frayed Knot Jan 09 2015 06:53 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

So it seems that the new (MFY co-owned) MLS franchise -- the pretentiously named NYCFC (M-O-U-S-E) -- is fessing up that they ran a ruse on their fans (does a club that doesn't exist yet even have fans?) in order to bump up advance ticket and merchandise sales nearly a full year before play even begins. Manchester City and NYCFC broke their silence on Lampard-Gate, acknowledging for the first time Friday that they misled the public by claiming midfielder Frank Lampard signed a contract with the club. Only six months ago, NYCFC introduced Lampard as its marquee signing, benefiting from his star power while selling jerseys and over 11,000 season tickets for its inaugural season. Both during the press conference and on the team’s website, NYCFC claimed Lampard as a designated player signing and fourth member of the team’s roster - “a two-year deal which starts Aug. 1,” was the language. But as Lampard’s return to New York was delayed because of his surprising good play with Manchester City, the story began to unravel. As it turned out, Lampard never signed with NYCFC or MLS, instead making a non-contractual “commitment” to join the expansion club in January [but] his deal was with City Football Group, the umbrella company of both Manchester City and NYCFC. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/socce ... -1.2071478

Mets – Willets Point May 26 2015 11:15 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

USA wins at international soccer!

MFS62 May 27 2015 06:58 AM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Mets – Willets Point wrote: USA wins at international soccer! I can't wait for Megdal's article blaming Bernie Madoff. Later

Frayed Knot May 27 2015 07:03 AM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Mets – Willets Point wrote: USA wins at international soccer! I'm not going to pretend to be up on all the issues here, but I love this anyway. Now all I need to see is a bunch of dudes from the IOC and the NCAA perp-walked in front of cameras and my week will be made.

Mets – Willets Point May 27 2015 10:02 AM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

MFS62 wrote: Mets – Willets Point wrote: USA wins at international soccer! I can't wait for Megdal's article blaming Bernie Madoff. Later Close. Here's a tweetwith a Wilpon reference.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 27 2015 11:57 AM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

At the very least, Friday's rubber-stamp reelection of Sepp Blatter should have a sort of press-conference-in-front-of-a-burning-house charm to it. We don't need no water, let the motherfather burn.

Edgy MD May 27 2015 06:34 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

FIFA would burn a lot faster if the US ended their membership and invited other nations to follow. What do you really need to start a new international football governing body? An office, telephones, staplers, and a staff of six could get things off the ground. Because, really, the sooner we end FIFA for good, the better. [fimg=700:1t931s8c]https://img.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=https://img.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/files/2015/05/qatar11.png&w=1484[/fimg:1t931s8c]

MFS62 May 27 2015 09:19 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Mets – Willets Point wrote: Mets – Willets Point wrote: USA wins at international soccer! I can't wait for Megdal's article blaming Bernie Madoff. Later Close. Here's a tweetwith a Wilpon reference. He is a miserable fucker, isn't he? He's got a one track mind and I think the train derailed a few years ago. Later

Edgy MD May 28 2015 07:10 AM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

="The Daily News"]It’s an unexpected end for Blazer, who operated with high-flying impunity for decades, inhabiting a world of private jets, famous friends, secret island getaways, offshore bank accounts and two Trump Tower apartments with sweeping views of Central Park and the crenellations of The Plaza hotel. CONCACAF’s offices took up the entire 17th floor, but Blazer often worked from two apartments where he lived on the 49th floor in $18,000-per-month digs for himself and an adjoining $6,000 retreat largely for his unruly cats, according to a source. “He lived like there was no tomorrow,” said one source. “He ate and drank whatever he pleased. He probably thought he’d be gone before anybody noticed what he had helped himself to.”

'

="The Daily News also"]He allegedly brought in much more through a tangled web of income from commissions, offshore companies and massive expenses paid for by CONCACAF. According to evidence in CONCACAF’s 2013 Integrity Report, Blazer and other senior CONCACAF employees used credit cards linked to Blazer’s personal American Express card to rack up a staggering $29 million in charges over a period of seven years, resulting in a maze of CONCACAF expenses and his personal charges.

Blazer misappropriated at least $15 million in compensation payments from CONCACAF, including unauthorized payments of more than $11 million in commissions, $3.5 million in fees, and more than $837,000 in rent expenses, the report charged.
And this guy is the one who turned state's evidence, which makes you wonder who the real big fish are

Mets – Willets Point May 28 2015 09:22 AM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Blazer's Unruly Cats is my new band name.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 28 2015 06:13 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Favorite bit: The Daily News"]... and an adjoining $6,000 retreat largely for his unruly cats... Second favorite bit: The Daily News also"]... used credit cards linked to Blazer’s personal American Express card to rack up a staggering $29 million in charges over a period of seven years, resulting in a maze of CONCACAF expenses and his personal charges. I mean, damn. He wasn't content with simple, multifaceted embezzlement-- he was even working the AmEx points angle.

MFS62 May 28 2015 06:52 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Second favorite bit: ="The Daily News also"]... used credit cards linked to Blazer’s personal American Express card to rack up a staggering $29 million in charges over a period of seven years, resulting in a maze of CONCACAF expenses and his personal charges. I mean, damn. He wasn't content with simple, multifaceted embezzlement-- he was even working the AmEx points angle.

Maybe he was thinking of using the points to fly to a place that doesn't have extradition. They caught him because he couldn't get a flight in time. He tried to book a flight during blackout dates.
Later

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 28 2015 07:02 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

"It's an emergency emergency. I NEED a flight. Beijing, Moscow, Brunei, whatever-- as long as it's on that list. I need it, and I need it now. Minutes matte-- What's that? Just one flight? Fifteen minutes from now, to Qatar? Perfect. Make it happ-- waitwaitwait. Coach? No, I'm an executive, not a coach, so-- I'm sorry, you mean it's NOT first class? Um... do you have anything else?"

MFS62 May 29 2015 07:39 AM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Frayed Knot wrote: I'm not going to pretend to be up on all the issues here, but I love this anyway. Now all I need to see is a bunch of dudes from the IOC and the NCAA perp-walked in front of cameras and my week will be made. Greedy, corrupt bastards all. The firing squad is too good for them. They should be locked in a very warm, humid, room and forced to watch an endless loop of 0-0 soccer games. And, by the way, its ZERO-ZERO, not nil-nil, you pompous fuckers. Oh yeah, and FIFA invented the designated hitter. Later

Frayed Knot Jun 02 2015 11:38 AM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Blatter resigns as head of FIFA

Mets – Willets Point Jun 02 2015 01:23 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

This is all well and good but Sepp Blatter is only the tip of the iceberg of FIFA corruption. He built his power base by doing favors for small nations and developing nations that aren't ever going to succeed in international football. Everyone talks about how corrupt the Qatar bid was, but he was actually against that (mind you, he probably thought he could make more money in the USA). Michel Platini, who is being discussed as a potential FIFA president, actively supported the Qatar bid and his son has since been hired as a CEO for a Qatari sports apparel co. So this isn't over yet by a longshot.

Frayed Knot Jun 02 2015 02:16 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Yeah, the biggest mistake folks can make in a situation like this is to cast Blatter as the boogyman and think that all will be cured if and when he gets removed. But the problem with orgs like FIFA (or the IOC and others) is that, however noble the intent in the beginning, they're populated by entrenched elites used to lifestyles built on a culture of bribery and influence peddling whose main goal becomes one of assuring that they remain self-sustaining.

Nymr83 Jun 02 2015 07:13 PM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

FIFA would burn a lot faster if the US ended their membership and invited other nations to follow. What do you really need to start a new international football governing body? An office, telephones, staplers, and a staff of six could get things off the ground. Because, really, the sooner we end FIFA for good, the better. The same applies to the United Nations, and the same would probably end up happening to FIFA's eventual successor if the nations who constitute FIFA's current membership are all allowed back in.

Edgy MD Jun 03 2015 11:39 AM Re: Men In Little Shorts 2014-15 (Non-World-Cup)

Well, sometimes bureaucracies do work effectively — associations even — with proper governance and fiscal oversight and transparency and stuff. I refuse to believe in quitting and embracing disassociation. Look at this cover of The Atlantic. Are we to become a culture of hopeless quitters? [fimg=550]http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/2015/03/theatlantic.jpg[/fimg]