The New Footie Thread

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Tue, 2010-11-09 09:33

Caissa

Just call Christine Sinclair, "Captain Fantastic."

Sinclair scored from the penalty spot in the 54th minute to guide Canada to a 1-0 win over Mexico in Monday's CONCACAF Women's soccer final in Cancun, Mexico.

The victory delivered Canada its first CONCACAF championship since 1998, when it also beat Mexico in the final. CONCACAF is the soccer confederation covering North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Canada and Mexico had already claimed automatic berths for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup by reaching the final of the CONCACAF tournament, but continental bragging rights were still on the line in Monday's match.

Tue, 2010-11-09 22:32

#53

Wilf Day

Canada finished its six games without conceding a goal and outscoring its opponents 17-0, six from Sinclair.

Hmm. If the men's team did that well, they'd be given multi ticker-tape parades.

Sun, 2010-11-21 14:22

#54

Catchfire

FC United: A punk football fairytale

Quote:

It was their first competitive match against league opposition and their first match at this stage of the world's oldest football competition. The game was shown in China, Germany, Scandinavia and beyond. And on a rainy Lancashire night, victory was achieved in a manner that suggested that on Guy Fawkes night 2010, the fates had finally decided to take the side of the rebel: the winner was scored in injury-time by centre-forward Michael Norton, who may, possibly, have kicked the ball out of the goalkeeper's hands.

A tiler by trade, Norton earns £80 a week playing his football in a city where Sheikh Mansour of the United Arab Emirates has spent £355m buying Manchester City a new team. Where Wayne Rooney has just signed a contract worth £200,000 a week after threatening to leave Manchester United to join them. By contrast, the £100,000 earned by FC on 5 November is enough to pay the wages of FC's playing and coaching staff for an entire season.

"Glory Glory FC United" announced the Manchester Evening News. The fan-owned, members-run club, once described as a bunch of "attention-seekers" by Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager of Manchester United, had succeeded in grabbing the attention of the entire football community. When Zoo magazine publishes a double-page spread comparing Rooney with Carlos Roca, the diminutive FC winger who works by day as a debt adviser, a threshold has clearly been crossed.

I should, at this point, declare an interest. Five years ago I became a founder member of FC United of Manchester, after a lifetime supporting Manchester United. Like 4,000 others that summer, I joined out of a sense of outrage at the takeover of United by a Florida-based businessman who bought a footballing institution with debt he then piled on to the club. Since 2005, Manchester United, previously debt-free, has paid out hundreds of millions of pounds to service the debt of the Glazer family. Levels of investment in players have dropped markedly and ticket prices have gone up by around 50%. Last season, the green and gold protest campaign, sponsored by the Manchester United Shareholder's Trust (Must), prompted tens of thousands of United fans to wear the original colours of the Newton Heath club that was the forerunner to the modern Manchester United. "Green and gold until United are sold" went the slogan.

Mon, 2010-11-29 22:53

#55

Catchfire

Catalans thrash Franco's Madrid

Quote:
José Mourinho always said that his side would lose one day but he did not expect to lose like this – not after enjoying the greatest start of any coach in Real Madrid's history. His team, so impermeable before, were punctured. Five times. They were sunk. A 5-0 victory for Barcelona was described by the Madrid coach as a "historically bad result" for his club – it was the worst defeat he has suffered in his career.

The final whistle arrived amid cheers and olés, plus boos for Sergio Ramos, sent off at the death for a wild scythe at Leo Messi. At last Mourinho could move from the bench where he had been sitting powerless. The chant going round was inspired by Mourinho's infamous accusation that Messi had play-acted during a Chelsea-Barcelona Champions League clash: "Mourinho, go to the theatre!" He might have wished he had. By his own admission, he had felt "impotent".

There was little comfort in the fact that this Barcelona team are genuinely special. Pep Guardiola's side were imperious, their control breathtaking. Speaking of genuinely special, if this was indeed the game that decided the best player in the world, there can be only one answer. Messi failed to score for the first time in 10 matches but his performance – like those of Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández and Sergio Busquets – was sublime. There were fewer brilliant dribbles, less fantasy but there was a stunning assuredness and impeccable precision in the passing. This was the Messi who controls the game and then decides it.

Fri, 2010-12-10 15:14

#56

Catchfire

Barcelona sign record £25m a year shirt sponsorship deal with Qatar charity

Quote:
Barcelona will be paid to carry a sponsor on their shirt – for the first time in their 111-year history. A deal with the Qatar Foundation will earn the Catalan club €30m (£25m) a year until 2016, with further bonuses payable according to success on the field.

The €150m deal will be the biggest shirt sponsorship deal in football history and is worth double the €15m a season earned by Real Madrid from the bookmakers Bwin. The battle now will be to find a space for Barcelona's new sponsor alongside Unicef, whose name already occupies the front of the shirt.

The Barcelona vice-president, Javier Faus, described the deal as the "biggest in the history of football – and at a time of economic crisis, too". Attempting to shift the blame to the previous administration for a decision that has provoked mixed emotions and some criticism, Faus said the deal "would not have been signed if it were not for the debt which, as we have said before, is between €420m and €430m".

Thu, 2011-01-06 17:21

#57

Catchfire

Yet another reason why Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer in the world (throwing a bone to the anti-diving crowd as well):

Mon, 2011-01-10 16:50

#58

Catchfire

Spain (well, Barcelona) is basically awesome:

Quote:
Lionel Messi tonight became the inaugural winner of the Fifa Ballon d'Or at an award ceremony in Zurich. The Argentinian forward was selected ahead of his Barcelona team-mates Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, who won the World Cup with Spain last summer.

Messi, 23, scored an astonishing 60 goals for club and country in 2010 and is regarded by many as the most gifted player of his generation.

"To be honest, I didn't expect to win today, but it was already great to be here next to my two mates," said Messi.

"To win it makes it even more special. I want to share with all of my friends, my family, all the Barcelonistas and the Argentinians."

Mon, 2011-01-31 19:05

#59

Catchfire

Quote:
Liverpool and Chelsea produced an extraordinary finale to the January window today by both agreeing to break the British transfer record to sign Andy Carroll and Fernando Torres respectively in a combined spending spree that could reach almost £150m.

Torres became the most expensive signing made by a British club when his transfer on a five-and-a-half-year deal was confirmed after Chelsea finally met Liverpool's £50m asking price. But it was the Anfield club's decision to pay £35m to lure Carroll from Newcastle United that caused the greater surprise on deadline day. Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool's owner, also secured the £22.8m signature of Luis Suárez from Ajax, and Roman Abramovich's outlay reached £76.5m when Chelsea sealed a deal worth £26.5m to take David Luiz from Benfica.

Mon, 2011-02-07 08:20

#60

Caissa

CBC wrote:
Fernando Torres endured a miserable debut for Chelsea on Sunday after losing 1-0 to former club Liverpool, which lost its star striker to the defending Premier League champions six days earlier.

Chelsea's $80 million US recruit managed only two shots before being substituted in the 65th minute at Stamford Bridge.

Within four minutes of the Spain striker leaving the pitch, Raul Meireles hit his fourth goal in five games to complete Liverpool's double over Chelsea this season and give the club a fourth straight league win without having conceded a single goal.

Mon, 2011-02-07 17:24

#61

Catchfire

Personally I think Liverpool came out ahead. Torres is proving himself more and more petulant as his form deteriorates (he swore shortly after the trade that he "never kissed the Liverpool badge") and hasn't looked like his former self for over a year--with 'Pool or with Spain. Suarez, on the other hand, has looked more and more exciting since his handy World Cup performance for Uruguay and he scored off the bench on his debut. Andy Carroll isn't worth £35m (who is worth their transfer fees these days--Darren Bent went for almost £30m a week or two ago. Darren Bent!) but he's a great, strong player with lots of potential. It will be nice to see 'Pool develop with Miereles, Kuyt Gerrard, Suarez and Carroll. Now if they could only tidy up at the back...

Meanwhile, Man U finally lost after 29-league games, so Arsenal's "Invincibles" legend lives on. Arsenal, however, blew a 4-0 first half lead, the first such comeback in EPL history. What a match that was! Increasingly, it looks like no one wants to win the title, but whoever wants to lose it the least might snatch it (my money is still on Fergie's crew).

Wed, 2011-02-09 09:52

#62

Caissa

The Canadian women's soccer team has been involved in some hotly contested matches on the field over the past few years.

But the team's next big battle could be before a sports arbitrator.

Twenty-five members of the women's team have retained legal counsel in a dispute with the Canadian Soccer Association, the sport's governing body in Canada, over how they are paid.

The lawyer representing the teams said players are prepared to file a suit for arbitration with the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada. At the heart of the dispute is compensation for the players.

Toronto-based lawyer Jim Bunting, lead counsel for the women, contends that the members of the Canadian men's team have a fixed-term arrangement with the CSA under which they are compensated on a per game basis. He maintains the women do not have a similar deal, and instead receive ad-hoc compensation from the CSA.

Thu, 2011-03-03 13:04

#63

Caissa

It's official: The best women's soccer players in the world are coming to Canada.

FIFA, soccer's world governing body, on Thursday officially named Canada as the host nation of the 2015 Women's World Cup, rubber-stamping its bid after Zimbabwe pulled out of the running earlier in the week.

Zimbabwe was Canada's lone opposition, so when it withdrew from the race, Canada was virtually assured of staging the competition - all that was left to do was for FIFA was to formally evaluate and approve Canada's bid.

Fri, 2011-03-11 14:15

#64

Caissa

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has undergone surgery on his groin and will be out for up to four weeks.

"The decision was made following consultation with a specialist," a club statement read on Friday.

The England midfielder was not part of the Reds squad which travelled to Braga for Thursday's Europa League defeat.

If he is out for a month, Gerrard will not feature for England in the Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales on 26 March or the friendly against Ghana.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/9422204.stm

Fri, 2011-03-11 14:22

#65

politicalnick

I thought this was another NFL forum...imagine my dissapointment when I realized it was Soccer...a sport thats much more fun to play than to watch.

Fri, 2011-03-11 14:37

#66

Catchfire

Well enjoy that perspective while 4 billion others in the world blithely ignore it...

Poor Stevie, Caissa. Just as the Reds were starting to find their legs under prodigal son Daglish. I honestly can't believe he's doing so well--he's been out of professional coaching for like ten years!

Meanwhile, the race is back on for the EPL, after two quick losses to Chelsea and 'Pool. Boo. And I reckon neither of us want to look at the SPL standings...

Fri, 2011-03-11 14:42

#67

Caissa

I'll have to retire my Rangers scarf for the season.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/tables/_/league/sco.1/scottish-premier-league?cc=5901

ETA: they do have 2 games in hand on Celtic.

Fri, 2011-03-11 14:48

#68

Catchfire

Interesting--it's much better than the last time I looked at the table (which has been too depressing for me lately, as you can see). Most of the press has been about the violence of the Old Firm matches--it mirrors the NHL Head Shot talks. It's shown up in parliament, in the police, in the courts--but in this case the SFA actually tried to do something.

Fri, 2011-03-11 14:51

#69

Caissa

The good news is Hibs isn't being relegated. The bad news is Hibs isn't being relegated.

Fri, 2011-03-11 15:21

#70

politicalnick

Catchfire wrote:

Well enjoy that perspective while 4 billion others in the world blithely ignore it...

4 billion...I thought it would be much more than that...

My family is British and are rabid footie fans. We have much fun in debate and mockery as to whether soccer (sorry, footbal) or hockey is better.

Thu, 2011-03-17 13:28

#71

Catchfire

Up with socialist football!

Sun, 2011-03-20 13:34

#72

Catchfire

Whitecaps win MLS opener over Toronto

Quote:
The Whitecaps marked their Major League Soccer debut in fine fashion Saturday, beating Toronto FC 4-2 in the league’s first Canadian derby before a capacity hometown crowd of 22,592 spectators at Empire Field.

French striker Eric Hassli, Atiba Harris and Canadian midfielder Terry Dunfield scored for the Whitecaps, with Dwayne De Rosario and Maicon Santos tallying for TFC.

I hope this doesn't mean I'm going to start supporting the Whitecaps. I don't have time for this shit.

Mon, 2011-03-21 08:27

#73

Caissa

It was ugly. Toronto FC needs to work on its defense before their home opener next Saturday. The second Toronto FC goal was a lvely crack.

Mon, 2011-03-21 10:39

#74

Caissa

Nikica Jelavic grabbed an extra-time winner as Rangers triumphed against Old Firm rivals Celtic in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final.

Rangers took the lead through Steven Davis' 20-yard strike but Joe Ledley headed Celtic level on 31 minutes.

The second half was tense with Celtic's Fraser Forster saving from Steven Whittaker and Rangers keeper Neil Alexander denying Ledley.

But Jelavic fired in off the post in the 98th minute to win it for Rangers.

Rangers' win ends Celtic's hopes of a domestic treble but, with both sides chasing the Scottish Premier League and Celtic still in the Scottish Cup, each Old Firm club remains in contention for a trophy double.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_cups/9428470.stm

Mon, 2011-05-09 09:48

#75

Caissa

The current Scottish Premier League table.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/table/default.stm

Mon, 2011-05-09 11:28

#76

Catchfire

Hibs bravely holding on to ninth. Come on you Hibs!

Mon, 2011-05-09 12:06

#77

Caissa

It looks like they will avoid relegation.

Mon, 2011-05-09 12:06

#78

Catchfire

I've been down so long it looks like up to me.

Mon, 2011-05-09 12:26

#79

Caissa

The view looks great from the top of the table.

Mon, 2011-05-09 12:35

#80

Catchfire

I'm sure that's what Sauron said atop Mt. Doom.

Of course, it's the title for Man Utd after the impressive win over Chelsea this weekend (who put 50 million quid on the bench). And a Champions League final rematch against Barcelona. I like our chances.

Have 'Pool made it back into the Premier league yet?

Mon, 2011-05-09 12:42

#81

Caissa

Currently sitting in 6th place a think. How would one compare that to Hibs 9th place in the SPL, I wonder?

Mon, 2011-05-09 13:14

#82

Catchfire

It depends. Do Hibs get the Reds' training ground, stadium and bankroll in the bargain too?

You'll never walk alone...

Mon, 2011-05-09 13:30

#83

Caissa

Doesn't that post belong in the redistribution of wealth/grades thread, Catchfire?

Tue, 2011-05-10 13:56

#84

Caissa

Six FIFA executive committee members were accused of ethical misconduct in the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups during a British parliamentary hearing into football on Tuesday.

Member of Parliament Damian Collins said unpublished evidence from a newspaper investigation shows that Issa Hayatou of Cameroon and Jacques Anouma of the Ivory Coast were paid $1.5 million to vote for Qatar. The Gulf nation beat the United States in the final round of voting for the 2022 tournament in December.

The conduct of Jack Warner, Nicolas Leoz, Ricardo Teixeira and Worawi Makudi in the 2018 contest was described as "improper and unethical" by the former head of England's bid.

The allegations were made in the Culture, Media and Sport Committee of the House of Commons, which is looking at England's failed bid for the 2018 World Cup as part of a wider inquiry into football governance.

Mon, 2011-05-16 13:22

#85

Caissa

Madjid Bougherra, Allan McGregor and Sasa Papac all hope to remain with Rangers next season despite speculation about their futures at Ibrox.

Veteran captain David Weir has hinted that he might want to extend his stay.

And outgoing manager Walter Smith has predicted that striker Nikica Jelavic will not be sold during the summer.

"I don't think it would be the brightest thing for the new owner to sell one of our best players," said Smith after Rangers' title win.

"Especially when everyone expects him to spend money."

Rangers secured the title on the final day of the season with a 5-1 hammering of Kilmarnock to finish a point ahead of Celtic and Smith paid tribute to the part played by the £4m summer purchase who missed much of the start of the season through injury.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13410368.stm

Mon, 2011-05-16 14:35

#86

Catchfire

Those brave Rangers fans deserve it!

Quote:
Celtic Football Club and senior Scottish Catholics have demanded decisive action to combat sectarian bigotry in Scotland following 36 hours of drama that saw an assault on the club's manager, Neil Lennon, an apparent death threat made against him, and a series of police raids and arrests.

As the sectarian issue in central Scotland reached boiling point, police were called to Celtic's stadium in Glasgow to deal with a suspicious package, hours after the incident at a match in Edinburgh against Heart of Midlothian. It is understood that the package, which is being examined by forensic experts, was addressed to Lennon.

Lennon, a Northern Irish Catholic, has been the target of abuse, death threats and even a letter bomb in recent months. He has been sent packages containing bullets by loyalist hardliners in Northern Ireland.

Celtic manager sent bullet in post

Also, sorry, Caissa, but I can't resist:

Mon, 2011-05-16 14:38

#87

Caissa

Maybe we could merge them into Glasgow United.

Mon, 2011-05-16 15:23

#88

Catchfire

I think you've just solved the Irish problem in one fell swoop, Caissa. Then again, who would they challenge for the title?

Tue, 2011-05-17 07:05

#89

Caissa

Definitely not Hibs. They could play in the English Premier League. Give a whole new meaning to The Troubles.

This morning on the local CBC programme, the daily Happy Song feature was The Best by Tina Turner. The hosts were talking about how Rangers fans tried to drive it to the top of the British charts a few years ago.

Wed, 2011-05-18 10:13

#90

Caissa

As the Lower Mainland in British Colombia gets swept up in Stanley Cup fever, Vancouver's soccer team has its sights firmly set on lifting a trophy of its own over the next couple of weeks.

The Whitecaps will host Toronto FC on Wednesday at Empire Field in the first leg of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship Final, and amidst a busy Major League Soccer schedule, Vancouver head coach Teitur Thordarson is making no secret of where his priorities lie. The Iceland native made his immediate objectives quite clear by resting some of his leading players for Saturday's league match on the road against New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium.

http://www.tsn.ca/soccer/story/?id=365901

Thu, 2011-05-19 09:46

#91

Caissa

Toronto FC coach Aron Winter was not impressed with his team's effort Wednesday night, but he was not about to complain about the final score.

Maicon Santos scored in the 73rd minute Wednesday as Toronto rallied for a 1-1 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps in the first leg of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship.

"We didn't play well, but we got a good result," Winter said.

Eric Hassli replied for the Whitecaps, who will need to score at least once -- and hold the Reds scoreless -- in the second leg of the two-game, total-goals series May 25 at Toronto's BMO Field if they want to claim the national title.

Tue, 2011-05-31 07:55

#92

Caissa

The English Football Association has called on FIFA to postpone Wednesday's presidential election in the wake of the bribery scandal that led to Sepp Blatter's only challenger withdrawing.

The FA had already said it was abstaining before the allegations emerged that led to presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam and fellow FIFA executive committee member Jack Warner being suspended.

Now, in a statement released Tuesday, the FA is calling for a delay to the election so a new "reforming candidate" might be found and an independent body appointed to supervise reforms of FIFA in the wake of the organization's biggest crisis in its 107-year history.

Thu, 2011-06-02 07:37

#93

Caissa

A half dozen of the Ecuador players were still hollering at the referee when Tosaint Ricketts slyly slotted home his first career goal for Canada.

As debut goals go, Ricketts and Terry Dunfield certainly made their's memorable Wednesday.

The two scored for Canada in a 2-2 draw with Ecuador in a friendly Wednesday at BMO Field, the final game for Canada's men's soccer team before the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Ricketts, subbed into the game in the 85th minute, scored in injury time on a quick free quick by Julian de Guzman, while an unsuspecting Ecuador side was still clustered around the referee arguing the call.

"(De Guzman) played the ball quickly, I was surprised at first and took a couple of touches and just put it in," Ricketts said. "It's always good scoring, but the first one for Canada, I can't describe the feeling right now."

http://www.tsn.ca/soccer/story/?id=367611

Wed, 2011-06-15 10:30

#94

Caissa

Canada was minutes away from advancing at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, until a last-gasp equalizer from Panama dashed its hopes.

Luis Tejada scored in extra time during a chaotic scramble Tuesday as Panama tied Canada 1-1.

Canada needed a win to advance, and looked like it was going to get one after Dwayne De Rosario scored on a penalty in the 62nd minute.

Instead, Tejada's goal left Canadian hopes dangling by a thread, and then the United States dealt the deathblow with a 1-0 win over Guadeloupe later Tuesday.

Tejada scored after Canadian defenders were unable to handle a corner kick from Panama's Eric Davis. A shot bounced off the crossbar of the Canadian goal and ricocheted around the box. Goalkeeper Milan Borjan was unable to contain the ball and Tejada helped it across the goal-line.

Wed, 2011-06-22 07:58

#95

Caissa

Soccer referee Sarah Benkirane has been told she can no longer work for Quebec's Lac St. Louis Regional Soccer Association because she wears a hijab.

The 15-year-old has been refereeing games on Montreal's West Island and Vaudreuil, which is located just off the island, for the past two years but was informed by association officials that she had been cut as a referee because of rules prohibiting religious garments on the pitch.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2011/06/21/quebec-soccer-re...

Wed, 2011-06-22 08:46

#96

DaveW

Chelsea is to announce today the transfer/hiring, at a stupendous price, of the Porto manager, whose CV comes to 1.5 years total at the helm, although he was part of Mourinho's crew and is considered razor-sharp..

still, no one ever offered 15 million for, say, Scotty Bowman, who DID have a track record of winning a Cup

..................

here we go:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/8591303/Chelsea-confirm-Andre-Villas-Boas-as-new-manager-on-three-year-contract.html

Wed, 2011-06-22 10:31

#97

Catchfire

Yes, Dave--so how much for Alex Ferguson, say?

Wed, 2011-06-22 11:27

#98

DaveW

apparently, Villa-Boas wants to BE the next Alex Ferguson;

but it's one thing to aspire, another thing to pull it off .... Mourinho did not manage that

from The Telegraph's reader comments:

davidg Today 01:31 PM

Smacks of a desperate attempt to copy Barcelona with Guardiola. Good luck to the guy but its a big step up for him. Young enough to be Fergie's grandson

Wed, 2011-06-22 11:37

#99

Catchfire

Even Alex McLeish, former Rangers and Scotland manager, whose Birmingham City just were relegated after barely hanging in the EPL the year before, is valued at almost £5 million for his imminent switch to Aston Villa (why Villa would want him is another question--in fact, Villa fans held angry protests at word of his appointment!)

Anyway, Chelsea is a manager graveyard. Apparently winning the league double the year before and having a Champions League medal in your cabinet is not good enough to earn you a few years to build your team.

Thu, 2011-06-23 18:05

#100

bekayne

Canada earns its first ever point at the U-17 World Cup when goalkeeper Quillan Roberts scores the tying goal in the final minutes against England

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/canadian-goalkeeper-makes-history-with-goal-at-u-17-world-cup/article2072458/

Sun, 2011-06-26 15:11

#101

al-Qa'bong

Caissa wrote:

Soccer referee Sarah Benkirane has been told she can no longer work for Quebec's Lac St. Louis Regional Soccer Association because she wears a hijab.

The 15-year-old has been refereeing games on Montreal's West Island and Vaudreuil, which is located just off the island, for the past two years but was informed by association officials that she had been cut as a referee because of rules prohibiting religious garments on the pitch.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2011/06/21/quebec-soccer-referee-hijab.html[/quote]

They'd better be doing strip searches of Christian refs to ensure no crucifixes slip onto the pitch.

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