World Cup and European leagues

[Hoosier Titan]

I watched it and Liverpool were awful.    Terrible crosses for two games in a row now.

I thought the first half was fine, and once the subs came on Liverpool were better.  The second goal was unfortunate for Jay Spearing, who's come into the first team as a replacement for Lucas Leiva, possibly the best defensive midfielder in the league. 

I've been giving Stewart Downing time, and time, and more time, and I've just about had it.  He was bought to create chances, but most of them are very slim chances.  There's been a lot of talk about Andy Carroll being overpriced, but he's young and coming on.  Downing, I think, will not be around long.

It's starting to look as though the cups are LFC's best chance of success this year; given how things have gone it could be worse.

[ScotsFan]

Nice talk that, Scots.  Were you hoping to initiate a calm and reasoned discussion with that post? 

<sarcasm off>

You might be interested to know that Luis Suarez, Kenny Dalglish, and Liverpool Football Club have all issued statements of apology today.  They can be read at liverpoolfc.tv

And then again, you might not be interested in reading them.  Just passing on the information.

To answer your first question, nope.  When it comes to the bush league behavior of one Luis Suarez who can't seem to figure out how to handle himself with class, my thoughts regarding Suarez are anything but calm and reasoned.  So sorry I don't hold bush league players like Suarez in high regard.    If he played for ManU I would feel the same way! 

Also, I'm sorry, but that apology is hallow at best!  And you are correct, I could care less about reading a hallow apology.  Suarez had a chance to do the right thing and be the bigger man and end all of this controversy by just shaking Evra's hand and he failed to do so.  He also failed to man up and recognize how shameful his racist behavior has been.  I guess sitting out 8 games wasn't enough of a message to send to Suarez.  Issuing a hallow apology 24 hours after his bush league move does nothing to change my low opinion of Luis Suarez...

As for Evra, I agree with you sac in that he should have taken the high road at the end of the match, but I would hardly say his actions were equally bush league to those that Suarez has continued to show towards Evra.  I would have had a hard time taking the high road with a player who continues the bush league actions like Suarez continues to do.  What Luis Suarez really needs is a good old fashioned arse kicking!

[ScotsFan]

A tad off topic, but tomorrow Sunday is the final of the African Cup of Nations. Before I knew much about soccer, two of my golf teammates at Kzoo were Zambian.  They told me the story of the plane crash that took almost the entire Zambian soccer team and execs. Heartbreaking.   Amazing they are in a major final. 

Here's the SI story:  http://si.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1138563/1/index.htm

And even more amazing, they WON.  Here's the much needed feel good story:

Zambia Wins African Cup

[sac]

Another handshake controversy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=Yv46nGqU0vQ

[sac]

FA Cup quarterfinals

Stoke at Liverpool
Leicester City at Chelsea or Birmingham City
Bolton at Stevenage or Tottonham
Sunderland at Everton

Somehow the 4 biggest remaining clubs all managed to avoid each other.

Liverpool won 6-1 over Brighton on the back of 3 own goals.  I've never seen that before, a bad game just kept getting more miserable for Brighton.

[Hoosier Titan]

Liverpool won 6-1 over Brighton on the back of 3 own goals.  I've never seen that before, a bad game just kept getting more miserable for Brighton.

Yes, that new signing O. Goal had a hat trick.  Had to feel for Brighton--they started brightly, and Lualua's goal off a free kick was beautiful.  But it all went south pretty quickly at the end of the first half with the first OG.

Lots of good things for Liverpool--Stewart Downing was much sharper (now I know, I just have to slate him here!), and Andy Carroll is starting to look like the player Liverpool hoped they were getting with a high work rate, good ball control, a goal with his left foot, and a lovely headed assist to Luis Suarez for the last goal.  Now to take some of that to the Carling Cup final at Wembley!

[Ron Boerger]

While Italy wasn't at full strength, good to see the US team get a win in a friendly yesterday ... and amazing that they pulled it off whilst getting outshot 19-4.

[Gotberg]

While Italy wasn't at full strength, good to see the US team get a win in a friendly yesterday ... and amazing that they pulled it off whilst getting outshot 19-4.

The US was not at full strength either.

US u-23's defeated their Mexican counterparts 2-0 in an Olympic qualifying prep game.  US dominated as well - also shorthanded.

[sac]

I had a post written the other day about the Carling Cup but I timed out and it was deleted and was too tired to do it again.

But I finally got to watch the whole thing.  I guess in England they would call Cardiff's effort brave.  I'm guessing Stephen Gerrard will not be serving punch out of the cup at the next family get together.  For all I know maybe he will.


EPL is ramping up for a good finish in all categories......winner, Champions League places, Europa League, and relegation.

[woacfan]

Here is a sad story--- we're heading across "the pond"; got very nice seats for Chelsea v. Newcastle only to find that the game is going to be bumped if Chelsea beats Leicester intheir FA cup matchup this weekend!  I called Chelsea before the "big purchase" and their ticket agent told me the game was not going to be moved even though it was listed as "tentative"; I guess its the old story of caveat emptor!    Here's to hoping Leicester can pull off a massive upset!! 

On a side note,  getting tickets for games over there is insane.  They need stub hub in the worst way.  I suspect the clubs want to control everything, but not only was it expensive, it was a pain...well you know where it was a pain!

[Mr. Ypsi]

There have been posts about bad officiating on here in past years, but I defy anyone to top this!

From this week's SI "Sign of the Apocalypse":

"After being knocked unconscious on a play in a Belgian amateur soccer league match (suffering a concussion and three displaced vertebrae), midfielder Julien Lecomte was issued a yellow card for diving; then - because it was his second yellow of the game - given a red card while being carted off the pitch."

[NCF]

There have been posts about bad officiating on here in past years, but I defy anyone to top this!

From this week's SI "Sign of the Apocalypse":

"After being knocked unconscious on a play in a Belgian amateur soccer league match (suffering a concussion and three displaced vertebrae), midfielder Julien Lecomte was issued a yellow card for diving; then - because it was his second yellow of the game - given a red card while being carted off the pitch."

And they say football is a violent sport

[sac]

Most of the time I record games to watch at a latter time and I often purposely avoid seeing scores, so I was quite shocked today to see Fabrice Muamba suffering what they are calling a heart attack on the pitch in the Tottenham/Bolton game.  Terrible scene, hopefully he pulls through.

[sac]

On a lighter note.......I found this, I highly encourage you to watch it two or three times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyK1owU3e6Y&feature=related

[NCF]

On a lighter note.......I found this, I highly encourage you to watch it two or three times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyK1owU3e6Y&feature=related

I wish I could understand what the announcers were saying:)