Hoping we (Spurs) have the monkey off our backs and can nail down the #4 spot, but Chelski are surging. 

In Canada, I'd say definitely more popular than golf or tennis, not sure about in the US. Hockey is the big sport up here - as if anyone needed reminding...

COYS!

I don't think it's more popular than golf.  Everyone seems to play golf, but can't say the same for soccer.  There are also huge turnouts at golf tournaments but the same can't be said about MLS games (except for Seattle).
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canuk1w1 

Hoping we (Spurs) have the monkey off our backs and can nail down the #4 spot, but Chelski are surging. 

 

In Canada, I'd say definitely more popular than golf or tennis, not sure about in the US. Hockey is the big sport up here - as if anyone needed reminding...

 

COYS!

I'd agree with you, but I'm spending a week staying at the house of some Gunners fans in London in June so for my own safety I better not agree with you. That said I think Newcastle is a bigger threat to the Spurs than Chelsea is. Chelsea is going to be sitting players in their league match to keep some of their older players fresh for the Championship Match on Saturday. Newcastle has won their last five, but their goal differential is pitiful right now so they're going to have to win out against Man City, Chelsea, and an Everton team who just managed to draw with Man U. 

The four spot is going to be hotly contested.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylrwnzl 

 

 

I'd agree with you, but I'm spending a week staying at the house of some Gunners fans in London in June so for my own safety I better not agree with you. That said I think Newcastle is a bigger threat to the Spurs than Chelsea is. Chelsea is going to be sitting players in their league match to keep some of their older players fresh for the Championship Match on Saturday. Newcastle has won their last five, but their goal differential is pitiful right now so they're going to have to win out against Man City, Chelsea, and an Everton team who just managed to draw with Man U. 

 

The four spot is going to be hotly contested.

You got some great friends!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylrwnzl 

 

 

I'd agree with you, but I'm spending a week staying at the house of some Gunners fans in London in June so for my own safety I better not agree with you. That said I think Newcastle is a bigger threat to the Spurs than Chelsea is. Chelsea is going to be sitting players in their league match to keep some of their older players fresh for the Championship Match on Saturday. Newcastle has won their last five, but their goal differential is pitiful right now so they're going to have to win out against Man City, Chelsea, and an Everton team who just managed to draw with Man U. 

 

The four spot is going to be hotly contested.

At least you'll be in North London mate .

Struth about #4 but:

1) The Toons have inferior GD (as you pointed out) and are in tough against Manshite and the Toffees.

2) Chelski have a congested fixture list but lots of depth and they are on a hot streak - here's hoping the age of their squad starts to come into play now. After what they did to QPR can';t say I hold much hope for Blackburn but they are fighting the drop so could rise to the occasion. 

3) The Arse have been flying, I'm hoping they hit the wall and soon.

4) Bolton are fighting the drop and been on a good run of late.

Now that Roy Boy's been confirmed as the new ENG manager, Modric may turn it on again, he's gone missing for the last few months. We have a decent fixture list but have been one of the worst teams on form since we thrashed Newcastle 5-0. Best result for us would be a draw in the Newcastle-Chelsea fixture and of course we win. On paper, we should win all three games.

COYS!

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylrwnzl 

Its going to be on ESPN3 as well. Hoping for a slow afternoon at work. 

 

 

I want to bring up a debate here. I was arguing with my brother yesterday after the match about how popular Soccer is in the US. There is the obvious pecking order of Tier 1 sports that I don't think Soccer has broken into. However of the "Tier 2" sports like Soccer, Tennis, Golf, NASCAR, etc. where do you think Soccer falls?

 

I think it ranks ahead of Tennis and Golf, he says behind golf definitely and probably behind tennis. Being the typical American he is it doesn't matter that yesterdays Manchester Derby pulled 4x the viewership of the Super Bowl because "it isn't big in the US and that is where you live." Where do you think Soccer falls?

Well ... this kind of shows, but the survey asked "favorite" sport, which isn't exactly the question. Viewership statistics would be better, but I have to go.

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2011/01/Jan-25/Ratings-and-Research/Harris-Poll.aspx

NOTES: * = Result was less than 0.5%. N/A = sport was not among answers during that year's question.

I've been a fan of soccer since the old NASL Minnesota Kicks.  I played in Junior high and high school (1979-1982) and various intramural and bar leagues in to my late 20s.  I coached my kids team last fall.  The beef with mainstream soccer here in the US revolves around the TV sponsorship.  There just isn't the big money and backing to get out lots of air time because there aren't enough time outs for full fledged commercials to air during the game.  The US sponsors just aren't going to pay a lot for banner ads here and there when the other sports have so much more lucrative exposure and commercial opportunities.  If the interest was already really high in the mainstream US the coverage would follow.

On the bright side, the growing Hispanic population has enabled me to see a lot of games on the Spanish speaking channels I wouldn't have in the past, tambien puedo eschuca a poco espanol y aprendar mas.

Quote:

Originally Posted by crgildart 

I've been a fan of soccer since the old NASL Minnesota Kicks.  I played in Junior high and high school (1979-1982) and various intramural and bar leagues in to my late 20s.  I coached my kids team last fall.  The beef with mainstream soccer here in the US revolves around the TV sponsorship.  There just isn't the big money and backing to get out lots of air time because there aren't enough time outs for full fledged commercials to air during the game.  The US sponsors just aren't going to pay a lot for banner ads here and there when the other sports have so much more lucrative exposure and commercial opportunities.  If the interest was already really high in the mainstream US the coverage would follow.

 

On the bright side, the growing Hispanic population has enabled me to see a lot of games on the Spanish speaking channels I wouldn't have in the past, tambien puedo eschuca a poco espanol y aprendar mas.

Yeah I was laughing pretty hard during ESPN's coverage yesterday when they were playing a commercial every break in Spanish. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by crgildart 

I've been a fan of soccer since the old NASL Minnesota Kicks.  I played in Junior high and high school (1979-1982) and various intramural and bar leagues in to my late 20s.  I coached my kids team last fall.  The beef with mainstream soccer here in the US revolves around the TV sponsorship.  There just isn't the big money and backing to get out lots of air time because there aren't enough time outs for full fledged commercials to air during the game.  The US sponsors just aren't going to pay a lot for banner ads here and there when the other sports have so much more lucrative exposure and commercial opportunities.  If the interest was already really high in the mainstream US the coverage would follow.

 

On the bright side, the growing Hispanic population has enabled me to see a lot of games on the Spanish speaking channels I wouldn't have in the past, tambien puedo eschuca a poco espanol y aprendar mas.

No time outs in other countries either but they have games on TV, it has to do w/ the number of people watching the games at the stadium (kind of why Raiders games are blacked out on TV a lot of times, although NFL does have time outs.  This may be the case w/ other teams as well).  Fans need to get their butts in seats, clubs will have better sponsors and more money which will allow them better players.  Better players will equal more people viewing/coming to games, especially the casual fans.  This is why Beckham sold out stadiums on his firg go-around, same thing w/
Adu, and somewhat Henry and Marquez.  So now let's get out and get to a few games in person (I'm of course going to watch the great Earthquakes beat up on DC tomorrow).  Sold out stadiums WILL equal better sponsorship for sure.

3rd and 4th now separated by only one on goal difference and points.

You may yet have that lodging offer rescinded - wasn't that a cracker by Modric (Harry's staying, looks like he is too...) and Adebayor's finish was deft (or clinical if you prefer).

COYS!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canuk1w1 

3rd and 4th now separated by only one on goal difference and points.

 

You may yet have that lodging offer rescinded - wasn't that a cracker by Modric (Harry's staying, looks like he is too...) and Adebayor's finish was deft (or clinical if you prefer).

 

COYS!!!

GD is only one there and also throw in that Newcastle is only in fifth based on goal differential. FWIW I am more inclined to cheer for the Gunners anyhow except when I'm trying to rile them up. 

Chelsea won the FA Cup today 2-1. Could be a very good month for the Blues. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliSki 

No time outs in other countries either but they have games on TV, it has to do w/ the number of people watching the games at the stadium (kind of why Raiders games are blacked out on TV a lot of times, although NFL does have time outs.  This may be the case w/ other teams as well).  Fans need to get their butts in seats, clubs will have better sponsors and more money which will allow them better players.

The days of black outs due to empty stadium seats are becoming a thing of the past.  Sponsors are not willing to lose the massively increased exposure opportunities to people with data plans and devices in their pockets simply because the arena didn't sell every seat.   It's a catch 22 in today's touch screen society.  More and more aging armchair warriors only want to be in the stadium seats to make their colleagues watching at home (or work, or just bout anywhere now) jealous.  Huge broadcast ratings tend to fill stadiums more than filled stadiums tend to drive broadcast ratings these days.  Broadcast sponsor $$$s are what drives it all though.  They put those $$$ where they foresee the best return on them.  The rest of the world already has the huge interest in the sport so that is where the sponsors put their money.  Here it seems NASCAR is more popular than soccer  Speaking of NASCAR, there is no way to really "follow" the race and enjoy it live at the event as comprehensively as one can watching it at home.  Yet, the track stands and infield are usually packed beyond capacity simply because people want to tell their friends that they were THERE. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylrwnzl 

GD is only one there and also throw in that Newcastle is only in fifth based on goal differential. FWIW I am more inclined to cheer for the Gunners anyhow except when I'm trying to rile them up. 

I reckon only one of us is pleased with today's result then .

The Toons are in tough against manshite. Citeh must win that game, Fergie's gonna be going all out for his remaining fixtures. We have a bit of an edge as the villains have been off the boil sine Petrov went out. Also, with all cylinders firing they are not a match for us. Scotty Parker sat out last game so his 31 year old legs are hopefully fresh for the last push. We have to win both games, Chelski may be able o pull it out against Bayern for CL and that means only the top three from EPL go through for next year.

Chelski looked to be running out of gas in the 2nd half today. Do they try for a result against Liverpool this week or give some of the lads a rest, give up on 4th and go all-in for the CL?

LA Galaxy v New York Red Bull tonight at 8 on ESPN. Seems to be worth watching. 

Red Bull win 1-0 despite Henry not playing. Becks blew his shot at an equalizer in stoppage time. Had it teed up and pushed it left. Wonder how that will impact his selection to the Olympic team. The coach was there scouting him. He wasn't playing too great. 

And this year we shall have Chelsea VS Bayern Munich.  Gotta go with the blue team from England there although BM really had RM's number this year.

When I was young they had this show on PBS called "Soccer Made in Germany".  It was our only exposure to European football at the time.  The NASL started up here around that time too.  Gotta wonder just how influential that little PBS show was on America's youth at the time..

Quote:

Originally Posted by crgildart 

 

When I was young they had this show on PBS called "Soccer Made in Germany".  It was our only exposure to European football at the time.  The NASL started up here around that time too.  Gotta wonder just how influential that little PBS show was on America's youth at the time..

Oh, I loved that show. My brother and I would watch religiously. Toby Charles was the best ... "Karl-Heinz Rrrrrruuumminegge" I still say it like that. And the theme song... I can still hear it. 

Still have a soft spot for Bayern Munchen, and all German football, really ... when in Munich in February, of course the family had to go get touristy at Allianz. Get out the wallet, dad...

I see your brother is also rockin' the Sambas for extra football cred!

Sambas (and a couple other indoor variations top right)

Quote:

Originally Posted by crgildart 

I see your brother is also rockin' the Sambas for extra football cred!

 

Sambas (and a couple other indoor variations top right)

 

dude, that's my son, not my brother.   Does he look like he was anywhere near alive in the 70s??? ;-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by segbrown 

 

dude, that's my son, not my brother.   Does he look like he was anywhere near alive in the 70s??? ;-)

Well the way you were talking about you and your brother I just assumed that was an old photo of you both with YOUR father at the store circa 1974.  The puffy coat fits LOL!

Quote:

Originally Posted by crgildart 

Well the way you were talking about you and your brother I just assumed that was an old photo of you both with YOUR father at the store circa 1974.  The puffy coat fits LOL!

Allianz Arena from 1974?? ;-) 

Quote:

Originally Posted by segbrown 

 

Allianz Arena from 1974?? ;-) 

Maybe they called it something else back then.?  Just going by the notion that it was you and your brother.. "Dad, get out your wallet"?  Not your dad???

Doesn't matter.  Baron Von Munchousen's  still going down to the giant killers from Chelsea

Tomorrow at 3PM Eastern FSN has Chelsea VS Liverpool.  Hoping the Reds can upset Chelsea

Well, apparently Chelsea's now going to have to dial it back so as not to rack up too many more cards before their Champions League Final on the 19th.  Already 3-0

I hope they really can throttle back and just let Liverpool win as I'd like Chelsea to be at full strength against Bayern Munich.  Do Premiere League cards count against Champions League games?  I didn't think they did but the announcers seem to be talking like they do???

Apparently, three of Chelsea's players are already disqualified from the final due to cards in previous games.  That sends BM a huge advantage, not to mention they are playing at home aren't they?

Unfortunately missed the crazy Man City match yesterday. Finally about to see the highlights on SportsCenter. I did get to go out an play a pick-up match though--and get some redemption for Man U with my team winning over my friends Real Madrid squad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylrwnzl 

Red Bull win 1-0 despite Henry not playing. Becks blew his shot at an equalizer in stoppage time. Had it teed up and pushed it left. Wonder how that will impact his selection to the Olympic team. The coach was there scouting him. He wasn't playing too great. 

Umm the US failed to qualify for the Olympics.  I saw this game. 

As for England, Becks will be there.  Rooney will likely captain though since he managed to stay out of trouble for most of the past year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by crgildart 

Umm the US failed to qualify for the Olympics.  I saw this game. 

 

 

 

As for England, Becks will be there.  Rooney will likely captain though since he managed to stay out of trouble for most of the past year.

Agree that Becks will probably be there - his last chance at a big tournament. He'll be too old for the next WC in 2014.

I really doubt Rooney will be on team GB. He's already in ENG Euro2012 side and will have a very full EPL season next year - Utd will want to grab the title back. The national teams assemble next week too so Fergie won't want him overused this summer...

Hoping for a Bayern win this Saturday!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canuk1w1 

Hoping for a Bayern win this Saturday!

Everything looks to be in their favor.  Chelsea is missing several key players due to card issues and BM is playing at home.  I'd put money on BM, but my heart favors anyone from the UK over other European nation clubs.