Everwood - Sports #18: Football, Soccer, Basketball, Hockey... sports talk 24/7 - Page 4

Wilpen · 11-12-2009, 09:32 AM

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Originally Posted by everwoodfan52 (View Post)

Did you see all 100?

No, since I'm lame, I only saw the first page! Let me check! *checks*

So funny how you knew I didn't see all of them, hee.

US is 14! That is good, right? Before Mexico, too, which makes sense.

What do you think of where the US is placed?

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I'm not really sure. The keep trying out different people in the striker position. We have Jose Altodore....but he's not Charlie.

We are going to have to find a way to fill that void using a different game plan, less through balls in the center, ones that really involve the wings from the outside. Our center mid especially better bring his A game since that's the way to make up for this spot a bit.

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That's exactly what I mean. You never know what team you're going to get.

Indeed.

**everwoodfan52** · 11-12-2009, 04:19 PM

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Originally Posted by Wilpen (View Post)

So funny how you knew I didn't see all of them, hee.

I figured that you didn't since you mentioned the English team and said nothing about the American team. I said to myself....she just saw the top 5! What good would just seeing the top 5 be?!?

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US is 14! That is good, right? Before Mexico, too, which makes sense.

We should definitely be placed before Mexico.

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What do you think of where the US is placed?

I think that's pretty respectable for us.

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We are going to have to find a way to fill that void using a different game plan, less through balls in the center, ones that really involve the wings from the outside. Our center mid especially better bring his A game since that's the way to make up for this spot a bit.

I'm not always sure that Coach Bradley is the right guy to make up the right game plan. He's definitely working on it.
He's going to be using different players for a friendly match against Slovakia on Saturday.

Bradley names U.S. roster to face Slovakia - U.S. Soccer - ESPN Soccernet

**everwoodfan52** · 11-12-2009, 06:21 PM

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That is a major loss. Who is essentially picking up the slack for him?

Some added remarks.

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One of the more important issues facing the U.S. is how to compensate for the loss of forward Charlie Davies, who was seriously injured in a car accident the day before the team's final World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica back in October. And the problem goes beyond finding a way to replicate Davies' pace and finishing ability. The knock-on effect his absence will have on Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey, and where they might line up on the field, must at some point be addressed.

"We don't really have any other forwards like [Davies]," said Feilhaber. "He's a guy that really spreads the defense out, and regardless of whether he's having a good or bad game, he's a guy that's going to be running all over the field and causing problems. I think we'll have to change our style to some extent."

U.S. men's schedule
Saturday
U.S. vs. Slovakia
Tehelne Pole; Bratislava, Slovakia 10 a.m. ET

Nov. 18
U.S. vs. Denmark
NRGi Park; Aarhus, Denmark
2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2, ESPN360.com

However, the MLS playoffs have also rendered Donovan unavailable. The same is true for a couple of other potential puzzle pieces in Houston midfielder Stuart Holden and Chicago forward Chris Rolfe, all of which complicates matters for U.S. manager Bob Bradley.

That still leaves Dempsey -- who has scored in each of his last three league games for club side Fulham -- available to be tried in a few different roles. Does the U.S. coach keep Dempsey on the right side of midfield, especially with Donovan unavailable, or does he move the Texan up front, where some late-game cameos have revealed an uncanny knack for popping up for goals?

At minimum, playing Dempsey at forward for an extended period ought to be tried, even though he's struggled with his back to goal in previous spells up front. Dempsey remains one of the few U.S. attacking players with the ability to conjure up the unexpected, and getting that kind of unpredictability closer to goal might

mitigate the loss of what Davies brings to the table.

Wilpen · 11-12-2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by everwoodfan52 (View Post)

I figured that you didn't since you mentioned the English team and said nothing about the American team. I said to myself....she just saw the top 5! What good would just seeing the top 5 be?!?

My head was in the clouds or I am need of a new brain, probably both options would suit me, heh! You are very perceptive about everything. It amazes me... is it your years of being an educator or just plain intelligence. Hmm, I think both.

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We should definitely be placed before Mexico.

Exactly... didn't they screw us the one year placing Mexico above us?

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I think that's pretty respectable for us.

Agreed.

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I'm not always sure that Coach Bradley is the right guy to make up the right game plan. He's definitely working on it.
He's going to be using different players for a friendly match against Slovakia on Saturday.

Bradley names U.S. roster to face Slovakia - U.S. Soccer - ESPN Soccernet

Very good deal. Is there a surrounding support system that might help him? Any names that are good for assistant coaches? His son is playing for the team, right?

Interesting added comments... I mentioned that the midfield in some way will have to pick up the slack... also, Dempsey, who is ripped repeatedly by analysts just might be the key or even the hero if the US should have some success. I say try him out in the middle and see how it goes.

Puck

Wild are up 2-1 in the middle of the 2nd at TB. That would be great if they could pull out another win.

ETA: They went up 3-1, TB tied it, they went into a shoot out, lost, but got one point. I guess that's better than nothing.

Everwoodian Kopite · 11-13-2009, 06:57 AM

As you know, Ireland are playing France in a play-off match to decide which of the countries go to South Africa. And now it's kicked off between them before the match has even started:

Irish and French fall out over box incident

(And I'm 99% sure it's completely made up. Made me laugh anyway.)

Wilpen · 11-13-2009, 07:15 AM

Matty, that is absolutely hilarious! I cannot stop laughing right now so thanks for that.

**everwoodfan52** · 11-13-2009, 09:44 AM

Hilarious, Matty,

It looks like Mr. O'leary is going to have to learn some international diplomacy.

Do you really think that he gives a **** if the French President attends that match?

That sounds like a real exciting match...I checked to see if it was televised here....but couldn't find a listing.
Michelle, can you imagine what the atmosphere is going to be like in Irish Pubs around the US tomorrow during that match?!?

Wilpen · 11-13-2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by everwoodfan52 (View Post)

Michelle, can you imagine what the atmosphere is going to be like in Irish Pubs around the US tomorrow during that match?!?

COMPLETELY insane, hee! Especially in areas like Boston, even St. Paul here in Minnesota being so Irish, of course NYC.

I had Alex take a look at that and while she thinks it's fake, she did call Sarkozy a Dwarf.

**everwoodfan52** · 11-13-2009, 01:02 PM

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Originally Posted by Wilpen (View Post)

COMPLETELY insane, hee! Especially in areas like Boston, even St. Paul here in Minnesota being so Irish, of course NYC.

I had Alex take a look at that and while she thinks it's fake, she did call Sarkozy a Dwarf.

It definitely has to be fake!

Alex...I know that you are not a Soccer fan...but what about your boyfriend and other friends? They must all be excited about this game and a little nervous as well....although I'm sure that France is favored to win with all of those great players.

Wilpen · 11-13-2009, 01:17 PM

Not sure if she'll see this or not before the match but I can answer this by saying that her boyfriend is not a diehard fan of football/soccer but if it's on and there's beer around, he might go head to a bar/pub to watch and sort of get into it, heh. He has in the past. I remember a certain time this did take place and she was glad because it gave us more time to talk without distractions.

Overall, he's not an enormous fan. As for her other friends, well that one from her work CERTAINLY will be watching as well as some other casual friends. I'm not sure if she'll tune in or not since she is at her parents visiting although maybe they will tune in and watch. I'll ask her when she returns after they have their outstanding dinner. She showed me pictures of their meal and it's all about:

Betty, are we for sure not getting the match here? I really wish we would!

**everwoodfan52** · 11-13-2009, 02:54 PM

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Betty, are we for sure not getting the match here? I really wish we would!

I'll keep checking.

Sometimes there are streams the day of the match that you can link onto and watch online. One site that sometimes has games is: Iraqgoals.com or justin.tv
I am often able to watch Fulham on that site.

Perhaps Matty has some ideas?

ETA: I found this:

Republic of Ireland vs France Live - Stream, Live Scores, TV Schedules :: November 14, 2009 World Cup Qualifying :: Football by Live Soccer TV

World Cup Qualifying Live Scores, Streams, Schedules, Fixtures, Results, Tables, Videos, News :: Live Soccer TV

Everwoodian Kopite · 11-13-2009, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by everwoodfan52 (View Post)

I'll keep checking.

Sometimes there are streams the day of the match that you can link onto and watch online. One site that sometimes has games is: Iraqgoals.com or justin.tv
I am often able to watch Fulham on that site.

Perhaps Matty has some ideas?

ETA: I found this:

Republic of Ireland vs France Live - Stream, Live Scores, TV Schedules :: November 14, 2009 World Cup Qualifying :: Football by Live Soccer TV

World Cup Qualifying Live Scores, Streams, Schedules, Fixtures, Results, Tables, Videos, News :: Live Soccer TV

These sites will always come up with something, but I use a site that delivers streams that are more stable. Well, to be honest, I haven't used those free sites in a couple of years, so I don't know what the quality is like these days.

I use Velkommen! | Live Sport 24/7. You get all the English and Norwegian sports channels. The thing is that it costs about $5 a week. However, because of some glitch at their end I haven't paid them a penny for about a year

Wilpen · 11-13-2009, 04:25 PM

Sweet, thanks for the info, Betty. I really hope we get to watch it online. I am not moving tomorrow and I will keep checking in hopes that this does happen!

ETA: Matty, thanks for the link!

Everwoodian Kopite · 11-13-2009, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilpen (View Post)

Sweet, thanks for the info, Betty. I really hope we get to watch it online. I am not moving tomorrow and I will keep checking in hopes that this does happen!

ETA: Matty, thanks for the link!

Yeah, it's a great site. Here's their programme schedual for the next week (the times are in CET):

Fri 13 kl 21.00 N.Ireland v Germany LIVE! (stream 1) U21

Sat 14 kl 13.05 Huddersfield v Wycombe LIVE! (stream 1) League One
Sat 14 kl 16.00 Wales v Scotland LIVE! (stream 1) International
Sat 14 kl 17.45 Switzerland v Norway LIVE! (stream 5) Friendly
Sat 14 kl 18.00 Brazil v England LIVE! (stream 1) Friendly
Sat 14 kl 20.00 Denmark v South Korea LIVE! (stream 6) Friendly
Sat 14 kl 21.00 Ireland v France LIVE! (stream 1) World Cup Playoff

Sun 15 kl 17.30 Southampton v Brighton LIVE! (stream 1) League One

Mon 16 kl 20.45 Coleraine v Glenavon LIVE! (stream 1) IFA Premiership

Wed 18 kl 20.30 Denmark v USA LIVE! (stream 6) Friendly

Sat 21 kl 13.45 Liverpool v Man City LIVE! (stream 1) Premiership
Sat 21 kl 16.00 Chelsea v Wolves LIVE! (stream 4) Premiership
Sat 21 kl 16.00 Sunderland v Arsenal LIVE! (stream 5) Premiership
Sat 21 kl 16.00 Burnley v Aston Villa LIVE! (stream 6) Premiership
Sat 21 kl 18.30 Man.Utd v Everton LIVE! (stream 1) Premiership

ETA: And in a week without international matches they show a lot more. Litterary 8 of 10 Premier League matches, about half of the Champions League matches, loads of Europa League matches, Italian, German, Spanish and Norwegian football.

Wilpen · 11-13-2009, 05:35 PM

Matty, you're the best! Hee. Awesome guy, you are!

Thank you so much for the information! I'll be watching!

We can talk about the matches right here!