Cid_MCDP

That's not a new thing though. It's been the number 1 participation sport for ages. The system over there will still send the cream of the crop into the basketball, baseball and egg-chasing for the foreseeable. It's basically played by posh kids (private schools are well into it as the insurance for 'football' is way too high) and lasses. Two things that make it slightly different this time though is there's a fairly legitimate professional league here now and the sport is actually on TV. I played as a kid, but honest-to-God, I don't think I ever actually saw a match on TV until World Cup '94. Obviously you gotta play and have good coaches and whatnot, but I'm a firm believer in you have to see people playing on TV to get better, and although MLS is probably about 10th in league competitiveness compared to the rest of the world, at least it's a league, at least the teams that are still around seem to be making some money, and at least it's on TV. I tell ya though, and Parky will love this, but as this country's economy gets more and more in the toilet with every passing year, you're going to see more American kids playing football simply because their parents can't afford all the gear and league fees for the other sports. Guy I work with here at the plant has absolutely no interest in football, but his kid brought home a sign up sheet for baseball (which my co-worker loves) and a form for football. He hated to do it, but he signed his kid up for football. It was $50 cheaper and obviously the equipment purchase made even more economic sense. I LOLed.

Damn, Parky! You blast hip hop then start quoting Ice Cube? What up with that cracka? Me personally, I love that soccer/ football isn't more popular here. It's like hockey in that the few people that are into it, are really into it. Sure, you get your occasional bandwaggoners, but when I take in a match at one of the local bars or like when me and my buddy that looks like Malcom Glazer went to the USMNT v Honduras match, the people you meet there are into it, man. They aren't there because the guys from the office are going or it's somebody's bachelor party or some other stupid bullshit like that- they're there because they want to be there. Not because it's the "cool" thing to do. I hope it stays the fourth or fifth popular sport over here, personally. I hope the damn celebrities stay away- I don't want to see Jack Nicholson on the sidelines at an L.A. Galaxy match. Fuck 'em. And all the internet haters that don't get it, that's fine! Stay away (American) football fans! Keep your kids out of this "pussy sport." I hope I never go to a match and have to listen to morons scream at the refs because they don't understand the rules. I'd be totally cool with that. As long as we can field a competitive team, as long as we have a few of our guys playing around the world in top leagues, I'm fine with that. In regard to academies and college sports and all, that is an extremely valid point. Now, that's not to say that clubs won't open up academies here in the States (I think Barca and Chivas already have some, maybe Arsenal too?), but yeah, the way American sports are structured, kids play in college, adults play in the minors or majors. Hockey is different as some American kids will go play in the semi-pro kid leagues up in Canada (the QMJHL, the OHL, etc.), but that's largely to improve their draft ranking more than anything and you don't see the actual blue-chip type kids who are in national development do that kind of thing. College sports are a whole other ridiculousness though and I'll close before I get completely off-topic on that rant. Anyhizzle- good on ya, you managed to turn it around and make it out of Groups. Have fun with the Jormans.

After buying the missus a new vehicle last February, I finally got my car back. Looks just like that one except mines got the scalloped cutouts on the wheel covers instead of the spokes. Love that little car. Stuck a short ram intake on it, so it gets around 35mpg now. Just turned over 90k miles on it, only maintenance has been oil changes, tires, and belts. Haven't even had to put an alternator or battery into it.

Yeah, mainly around the sharp points of the "k" and the "t".

Unfortunate bastards, ain't we? And I was this close to getting Jonas instead.

Congrats man! On a somewhat related sidenote- my kid gets the hiccups constantly. The funny thing is, if you sit him up when he has them, it sounds as though he's actually saying, "Hiccup." A-freakin-dorable. Why do you think they call them hiccups? Because they sound like farts ? Don't you have a baseball game to go to? I know it's onomatopoeia smartass, but this kid is 1 month old and sounds as though he's literally saying the word.

Congrats man! On a somewhat related sidenote- my kid gets the hiccups constantly. The funny thing is, if you sit him up when he has them, it sounds as though he's actually saying, "Hiccup." A-freakin-dorable.

I'll be picking one of the home kit up. My 07/09 is thrashed and says "Owen" on the back.

Against shit like Costa Rica & El Salvador. Yeah, because Andorra and Kazakhstan are fucking powerhouses. Stones and glass houses, man.

Of course there's something fucking wrong! Look, all of you trying to talk yourself into this, "We're really not all that good" blah, blah, blah- you're nuts. I was having this same discussion with a couple of people at the bar last night- remember all that shit you were talking before the USA game? When you described Rooney, Lampard, Gerrard, etc. as dudes who'd had tons of experience in big matches and all that? When you lit up the teams (shite as they might have been, but that's another subject) in your qualifying group like Christmas Trees? FFS, you have talented players out there. Anyone who has watched any Champions League or PL in the past 5 years cannot deny that. They're playing like shit this past week to be sure, but it's not because they're not good. It's because they're playing like shit. Case in point, am I nuts or did I see Gerrard make a run into the box yesterday then hold up and try to pass across then throw a shit fit when nobody was there to take the pass? That's the kind of shit that happens when you overthink things- why in God's name doesn't he shoot the fucking thing? Then to throw a fit because he passed the ball to a space surrounded by green jerseys instead of the feet of someone in white? Yeah, that's captain material for ya. Rat-faced prick... I don't know, I have thought your roster strange since it was announced because it seemed you picked far too many players of the same type at midfield, not enough strikers, and a defense that's not all that suited to stopping and shutting down the opposition, but worst case scenario, it's at least fucking servicable. It should beat the Algerias of the world just like it beat those teams in your qualifying group. You looked good in your friendlies leading up to this thing, and while I realize that friendlies don't mean shit and all that, you hadn't looked bad until you came out against us a week ago today. There's something wrong all right- maybe the team is tuning out the coach, maybe they're worn out or playing with injuries we aren't aware of, maybe they're pissed at each other over the whole Wayne Bridge thing, didn't train long enough at altitude, who knows, but being a fan of the U.S. and hearing all this talk about how your roster just isn't talented enough to compete at this stage is absolutely fucking galling. interesting views. But this happens every world cup and European Championship ? Why ? Astute readers of this messageboard will know that I haven't watched football nearly long enough to make a completely informed comment on that question, but here's my take on it- 1) Pick a side, not 23 individuals Olympic basketball is one of those sports we should dominate in a similar way to how the English should dominate football- we invented it, we've played it longer than most, etc. etc. We don't always get the job done though, even though we boast having the majority of the most talented players on the planet? Why? I feel it comes down to picking stars and not players who can function as a team. When the England roster is selected- it needs to not be a process similar to fantasy football, in other words, just because a guy is great at a particular position shouldn't necessarily mean he gets the roster slot. Headcases that go out and party it up after a loss don't make the cut on my roster. Neither do players who can't seem to keep their dicks out of their teammate's girlfriends. Neither do guys who stand around and blame everyone else for their own performance or lack thereof. 2) Similarity breeds failure Let's be honest, the PL is one of the top leagues in all the world and if I'm not mistaken, all of your players come from it. In a strange way though, I think that sort of hurts you. The PL is a physical league (not as much as Championship obviously), but the world game, the FIFA game isn't nearly as much. To me, it's more like watching Liga or Serie A. I realize it's every English kid's dream to play in the PL, but picking a couple of guys from teams on the continent might not be a bad idea once in awhile. Especially midfielders and/ or backs because those are the guys who need to know how to shut down players without getting called for fouls. England plays a wrecking ball style better than anyone, but unfortunately for you, that doesn't really get you anywhere in World Cup. 3) Hunger, fire in the belly, etc. etc. While experience in big games is a great thing for a player to possess, there are times it can be a hindrance. Seems like just about everyone on your squad have won an EPL title and/ or Champions League. Again- having a few of those types around is great (again, assuming they don't violate point 1 above) because they can help the players who have not had the success or pressure on a massive stage. However, having a roster with closets full of hardware can also breed complacency. It wouldn't hurt to have a few players who were still in this thing feeling like they still had something to prove. That's all I got for now- I have to go AFK for a few- I've now got a wet shoulder covered in baby formula.

Of course there's something fucking wrong! Look, all of you trying to talk yourself into this, "We're really not all that good" blah, blah, blah- you're nuts. I was having this same discussion with a couple of people at the bar last night- remember all that shit you were talking before the USA game? When you described Rooney, Lampard, Gerrard, etc. as dudes who'd had tons of experience in big matches and all that? When you lit up the teams (shite as they might have been, but that's another subject) in your qualifying group like Christmas Trees? FFS, you have talented players out there. Anyone who has watched any Champions League or PL in the past 5 years cannot deny that. They're playing like shit this past week to be sure, but it's not because they're not good. It's because they're playing like shit. Case in point, am I nuts or did I see Gerrard make a run into the box yesterday then hold up and try to pass across then throw a shit fit when nobody was there to take the pass? That's the kind of shit that happens when you overthink things- why in God's name doesn't he shoot the fucking thing? Then to throw a fit because he passed the ball to a space surrounded by green jerseys instead of the feet of someone in white? Yeah, that's captain material for ya. Rat-faced prick... I don't know, I have thought your roster strange since it was announced because it seemed you picked far too many players of the same type at midfield, not enough strikers, and a defense that's not all that suited to stopping and shutting down the opposition, but worst case scenario, it's at least fucking servicable. It should beat the Algerias of the world just like it beat those teams in your qualifying group. You looked good in your friendlies leading up to this thing, and while I realize that friendlies don't mean shit and all that, you hadn't looked bad until you came out against us a week ago today. There's something wrong all right- maybe the team is tuning out the coach, maybe they're worn out or playing with injuries we aren't aware of, maybe they're pissed at each other over the whole Wayne Bridge thing, didn't train long enough at altitude, who knows, but being a fan of the U.S. and hearing all this talk about how your roster just isn't talented enough to compete at this stage is absolutely fucking galling.

Congrats man!

Piece of piss, huh boys? Howard is awesome. Bocanegra nearly lost us the match twice. Best I've seen Gerrard play in quite a while. Lampard was invisible. Donovan had one real good look in the first, then was for the most part, ineffective. Did Rooney get a touch in the first half? Glen Johnson had the game winner on his foot from that corner late in the game and completely shit the bed. I know most of y'all are all worried about your goaltending and defense, but if I were and England supporter, I'd be wondering what's up with nobody trying to involve Rooney for the majority of that match. You've got a ton of offense on paper with that squad and not much of it showed up yesterday at all.

ESPN is really hooking up the coverage, at least on this side of the pond- your mileage may vary... http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/?cc=5901&ver=us You can watch replays of past matches, watch live, whatever. It's good stuff.

On the eve of our momentous match, I'd just like to say good luck, may the best team win, and all that. Win or lose, I really hope that the result is decided by the players on the pitch and not the refs. That's the only thing that could ruin this match for me tomorrow.

That's what they want you to think. There's just no distinction between the ethos of the two parties. As Bill Hicks played it out.... "I think the puppet on the right shares my beliefs" "I think the puppet on the left is more to my liking" "Hey, wait! There's one guy holding up both puppets" True 'dat. When I was growing up, people always said that democrats were for the unions and minority rights, while the republicans were for less government and pro-business interests, but Clinton signed NAFTA, Bush 2 made the government bigger than ever before, etc. etc. It's been spelled out for people at least as long as I've been voting. It's all a massive scam, but most people still think that if a talking head with a news crawl below their image says it, it must be true- actual actions be damned!

It smells of Mid Term american senate elections according to our man in washington then it wouldn't be BO saying it, it would be a senator.....i think everything BO is saying relates to his re-election and the percieved weakness of the current white house regime in the face of what is potentially the worst environmental disaster of the last 50 years. (not to be sensationalistic...) I think the fear is this will hurt his re-election bid as the Iran hostage crisis hurt the peanut farmer. Not that I take agreat deal of notice of American politics but what went wrong with this fella. When he was running against Clinton I remember lots of documentarys on the TV about how he was going to be the new great this and that. I have I missed all his special powers are is he just one big anti climax. Well, when you run on a ticket of changing everything, then don't change much, a lot of people will get disillusioned. (And please note- I have no love for either of our two dominant parties and wasn't at all swayed by the "Change" ticket and the subsequent lack thereof.) As for the "kick ass" line, a fairly significant segment of the population over here are vocalizing disappointment with Obama's (rightly perceived or not) overall ineffectiveness in managing this situation. He needs to get out from under that cloud, so he's talking about kicking people's asses. At the end of the day though, it's going to be just like when my government put on that big dog and pony show a couple of months ago hauling in all the bankers before the Senate and bitching at them- lots of firey rhetoric that amounts to exactly jack shit zero. EDIT: As for the anti-British vibe, please keep in mind that most of my countrymen are xenophobic in the extreme and any perceived slight not committed by a resident of this country is tantamount to asking for a violent conflict. I shit you not- I was reading the discussion thread at the bottom of a Yahoo! News article yesterday about a Mexican who may or may not have thrown a rock at a U.S. Border Patrol agent, who most definitely did shoot and kill this person. More than half of the comments indicated that the agent was well within his rights to end this person's existence even though the alleged rock-thrower was in Mexico and the agent was in the U.S., and by all accounts, other than allegedly throwing the rock, wasn't in violation of any laws, borders, etc.

Ah, cut him some slack- he was probably baked when he wrote the letter.

What wasn't though?

No shit. Makes you wonder why teams schedule friendlies so close to the not-so-friendlies.

This is the match thread. You can imagine the yank press making this in to 1854 or whenever it was when those mugs got their independence, they always seem to forget it was English v English in essence, so no they didn't win, same as they didn't win the Vietnam War, and never win any war without our help. More like 1950, but whatever. I'm not one to split hairs. Only yanks count that one, we hit the post 7 times apparently. The people at the end of the telegram line thought there was a mistake in the message they thought it was USA 1 England 10, and a one had been missing off. We could've given the Italians a run for their money for arrogance back then. Right. The Yank press is making it into that, instead of 1854(?). That was my point. I generally disregard sporting results that didn't take place in my lifetime as precursors for results. Can't wait for the match Saturday. I think Stevie was suggesting that the USA won independence from Britain in 1854 Fuckin' hell, that took longer than I thought. worth the wait though, eh Lols, I meant that our war of independence apparently lasted until our Civil War began. Warmongers, tbh.

Not being funny Noelie, but The Gooch is the yank in Italy and despite being noble hasn't really done anything. Also, I wouldn't be wholly impressed by an American plying his trade in 4 of the leagues you mention. He missed (nearly) the entire season with a knee injury. More classic knowledge from The Fish I'd miss him if he didn't post. Mind Gooch is shite though. Tbh though, we don't really have any standout defensemen on our backline. They don't work badly as a unit, but individually, none of them are anything to write home about. Wouldn't go so far as to call him shite though. He's quite good at defending against corners and crosses where he can use his height to his advantage, although does have a tendency to ball watch when the action is close up.

This is the match thread. You can imagine the yank press making this in to 1854 or whenever it was when those mugs got their independence, they always seem to forget it was English v English in essence, so no they didn't win, same as they didn't win the Vietnam War, and never win any war without our help. More like 1950, but whatever. I'm not one to split hairs. Only yanks count that one, we hit the post 7 times apparently. The people at the end of the telegram line thought there was a mistake in the message they thought it was USA 1 England 10, and a one had been missing off. We could've given the Italians a run for their money for arrogance back then. Right. The Yank press is making it into that, instead of 1854(?). That was my point. I generally disregard sporting results that didn't take place in my lifetime as precursors for results. Can't wait for the match Saturday. I think Stevie was suggesting that the USA won independence from Britain in 1854 Fuckin' hell, that took longer than I thought.

Not being funny Noelie, but The Gooch is the yank in Italy and despite being noble hasn't really done anything. Also, I wouldn't be wholly impressed by an American plying his trade in 4 of the leagues you mention. He missed (nearly) the entire season with a knee injury.