World Cup and European leagues

[Browneagle64]

Hey Folks,

Here's some info on the M.N.T schedule for the spring. As many of you may be aware, these friendly games are indeed needed for Coach Bradley's team in order to get ready for the World Cup qualifications. So far, scheduling a good team such as 4th ranked Spain sure will tell us how the boys will do this summer.

The U.S. Men's National Team will play a pair of friendlies in Europe this spring, traveling to face Poland and Spain in preparation for the start of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying. The United States will first meet Poland on March 26 in Krakow, the match falling on the final international fixture date before the start of qualifying. On June 4, the U.S. travels to face fourth-ranked Spain just six days before the Spaniards open group play in the 2008 European Championship against Russia.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Real got knocked out of the Champs League today.  It's going to be a strange final 8.

[Greek Tragedy]

I think the holders going out is more surprising.  They've never lost to a English team at home.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I think the holders going out is more surprising.  They've never lost to a English team at home.

I didn't think Arsenal had a chance in Milan.  They really must be a team of destiny this year.  Any of you read Bill Simmons on ESPN?  Arsenal potentially winning the Premiership and Champs League in the season after Henry's career year and flight to Spain just might qualify as a huge Ewing Theory moment.

[Stinger]

Real got knocked out of the Champs League today.  It's going to be a strange final 8.

Frickin Real. 4th straight dismissal in the first knockout stage

. On June 4, the U.S. travels to face fourth-ranked Spain just six days before the Spaniards open group play in the 2008 European Championship against Russia.

Really looking forward to this one.  Can you imagine Gooch and Bocanegra trying to deal with Torres and Villa.  I'd love to hop a flight for that one.

[Browneagle64]

Real got knocked out of the Champs League today.  It's going to be a strange final 8.

Frickin Real. 4th straight dismissal in the first knockout stage

. On June 4, the U.S. travels to face fourth-ranked Spain just six days before the Spaniards open group play in the 2008 European Championship against Russia.

Really looking forward to this one.  Can you imagine Gooch and Bocanegra trying to deal with Torres and Villa.  I'd love to hop a flight for that one.

OOOO.... that will be a good challenge that i am sure coach bradley and co. will prepare both players for. Boca will definately be ready as he has had experience in the past playing against good players like Torres. However, young Gooch will need to be ready to take on a big impact player like Villa. 

[Hoosier Titan]

Speaking of Torres--he was in superb form, scoring a hat trick, as Liverpool made up their game in hand against West Ham.  A Gerrard thunderbolt completed the 4-0 score.  They extended their lead (in goal differential) over Everton to remain in fourth in the EPL.  Although they began the season with higher hopes, protecting fourth place has to be the main concern now.  The good news is that Rafa is tinkering with the lineup a lot less these days.

Points to the Hammers' fans for humor--at one point they were chanting "USA!  USA!"  I hope the Anfield supporters found it funny--and I hope they find a way to dump Hicks.

[Stinger]

Second hat-trick in about 10 days I think.  The kid is good.  Any of you follow the ESPN Soccernet gamecast during the CL game over the past couple of days. The guys that type the game cast are very funny. An excerpt from yesterdays Real/Roma game:

"Totti's hold up play has been decent tonight, but he's had several sights of goal and has done precious little with them. I'm disappointed in him and might text him later to say so."

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

"Totti's hold up play has been decent tonight, but he's had several sights of goal and has done precious little with them. I'm disappointed in him and might text him later to say so."

Yeah, the text guys on Soccernet are better than most comedians I've seen in the past five years.

[sac]

FA Cup Finals from Saturday

Portsmouth 1 ManUtd 0

Barnsley 1 Chelsea 0



One of these clubs is going to lift the FA Cup
Barnsley, Portsmouth, Bristol Rovers, West Brom, Middlesbrough or Cardiff.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

One of these clubs is going to lift the FA Cup
Barnsley, Portsmouth, Bristol Rovers, West Brom, Middlesbrough or Cardiff.

Yeah, I think there was just too much for these injury depleted line-ups to deal with.  They had a ton of Premiership, Champs League, and FA matches in a very short span.  Both Chelsea and ManU have two premiership matches this upcoming week.  Rough.

[Hoosier Titan]

Fantastic defending by Barnsley today.  I only saw the last 20 minutes or so, but it was thrilling stuff.

[joepieters]

The FA matches were thrilling to watch.

Thoroughly enjoyed the effort of the Barnsley Bulldogs.

Watched the entirety of the Bristol City West Brom match.

The Rovers put up a tremendous challenge in the first half, but did not have the stamina to keep up with West Brom for the full ninety.

Still and all, a tremendous match.

The nature of those matches is something special that we will never be able to capture here in American professional sports, which is truly a shame.

[sac]

One of these clubs is going to lift the FA Cup
Barnsley, Portsmouth, Bristol Rovers, West Brom, Middlesbrough or Cardiff.

One of those four may be in the UEFA Cup as well, although the FA has a bad habit of changing the rules sometimes.

[sac]

Cardiff vs Barnsley.........West Brom vs Portsmouth