The 2016/2017 Soccer Thread

[Insidious Von]

Italy 1 Spain 1

A Spanish player needs to be taken aside and give a urine sample. I saw too many plays that defied clean physical limits. And this isn't the first time the Spaniards have cheated, Bilbao was juiced to the gills with a stimulant when they overran Manchester United. Whatever they were snorting, it didn't last, they nearly got over-run in the last 10 minutes of the game.

Great debuts by Romangnioli and Belotti.

 

[AK-47]

NL-France today should be a dandy. I'm expecting either a win or a draw, I dont think we'll lose this one.

Live on Sportsnet 1 at 2:45pm

 

[AK-47]

What a fucking shitshow!!!!

 

[AK-47]

TFC playoff game tonight at 7:30pm.

Its your civic duty to watch this game

 

[Don Draper]

TFC playoff game tonight at 7:30pm.

Its your civic duty to watch this game

I totally agree.

At the very least it's the same effort you would spend to egg on your sponsored UNICEF child.

 

[AK-47]

Fireball

 

[Insidious Von]

I hear ya AK, I was there. Unlike the Jays, FC celebrated their first ever playoff win pizza instead of champagne.

This win is also good news fir the Canadian National Team, Jonathan Osorio is rounding into a legit playmaker. Michael Bradley looked like his mentor Daniel De Rossi and Antman played like an iron giant.

And yes, we rented a limo to take us to and from BMO Field. There was a RIDE at Windermere.

 

[AK-47]

The pitch supposedly is in good condition.

No worries at all. All previous expectations of bad field conditions should be thrown out the window

 

[AK-47]

Semi-finals here we come!!

You know what's funny, I actually didn't watch the game

 

[Dawgger]

Semi-finals here we come!!

You know what's funny, I actually didn't watch the game

Even funnier.....I watched about 15 minutes(seemed longer)....... most soccer I have ever watched. Unlike you I was straight! lol

 

[AK-47]

I was gonna watch it, and then my SO had other ideas

 

[Insidious Von]

MLSE made the right call, they installed San Siro turf which has held up well so far. The big test will be what the turf will look like after The Winter Classic.

The club that plays in San Siro, AC Milan, is Serie A youngest. They took a major step forward by beating Juventus - then promptly crash 3-0 at Genoa. Mattia Perin won is personal rivalry with teenage prodigy Gigi Donnarumma, they are at the top of the list to succeed Buffon with the Azzurri.

More than likely Giovinco will be recalled to the Azzurri as well.

 

[Insidious Von]

TFC vs NYCFC (Giovinco vs Pirlo)

I wonder how the TV ratings will be for this: La Formica Atomica vs Il Maestro.

Ok, so Pirlo is now slower than frozen mud but he's still capable of that lethal outlet pass and few players can read a game better. TFC defenders better be on their toes.

It going to be a great day!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRb9oOhUOoE

 

[Insidious Von]

TFC 2 NYCFC 0

The game was very much up in the air, especially after Gio ate a free kick. FC scores two goals in the last eight minutes, the second by homegrown product Torsten Ricketts. Now all they have to do is go into Yankee Stadium and play catenaccio.

I'll be playing this with every advancement FC makes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_XLnFGNhL0

 

[AK-47]

2-0 is a heck of a lot better than 1-0

 

[Insidious Von]

Toronto FC 5 NYCFC 0

TFC dismantles a NYC squad with three superstars - maybe Villa should not have spiked Cooper in the first leg. But Villa wasn't the problem, Pirlo was. He can still thread the needle with his passes but he's far too slow to cover on counter attacks. Consequently, NYC had greater ball possession but TFC exploited their slow midfield with ruthless efficiency. Gio made up for indifferent first leg by netting a hat-trick. His third goal may not have been one of his most spectacular but it was one of the most difficult to score. Also good news for Canada, we have our first legit soccer superstar in Jonathan Osorio and Tosaint Ricketts isn't far behind.

Unlike NASL, MLS us adhering to FIFA rules. There will be an International break before the championship can be decided - let's rally around TFC folks!

Some triumphant music is in order.

 

[Don Draper]

I had some of my friends and work friends ask me why TFC won't play until until November 22. It seems so far away to them. Then I asked them if they'd like to watch Argentina vs. Brazil this thursday @ 7pm with me.

Now they get how clubs have to go on 'hiatus' while the National teams play. This can also favour TFC seeing as how the International players will hopefully keep sharp playing World Cup Qualifiers.

I'm all for a Canadian 'derby' between the Impact and TFC. I want to see us in the final probably against Seattle.

 

[Insidious Von]

Impact 3 TFC 2

TFC looked cooked, the Impact played the counter offensive game to perfection. Then they relent and FC scores two critical away goals. The incorrect goal crease boundaries was surreal.

Juventus 3 Sevilla 1

Another surreal match. Azzurri starter Franco Vazquez gets red carded (no question) and Juve's 16 year old prodigy Moise Kean makes an auspicious debut. Juve needed this win to get over their CL yips and keep the co-efficient pressure on the EPL. In spite of his flagrant foul, Argentina could have used Vazquez against Brazil. Kean being Italian born has a stronger right to be an Azzurri than Vazquez.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_XxQcfR94A

 

[Insidious Von]

Genoa 3 Juventus 1

Giovanni Simeone scores a brace and steps out from under his father's shadow. He was born in Milano, he's eligible for Azzurri duty.

 

[glamphotographer]

If TFC can beat Montreal they will be hosting the MLS CUP at BMO field vs Seattle on Dec 10. Something tells it's a lot harder than it sounds.