OT- Man Utd v. Arsenal FA Cup Quarterfinal
March 12th, 2011 at 12:44 PM ^
I'm one of those that only watches soccer when it's relevant (Euro cup, World Cup). Anything other than international soccer is hard to watch for me
That's a pity because club soccer is played at a far higher level than international soccer is.
Most Americans who only watch World Cup would be shocked at how much better the flow is to a Champions League match.
Let's be honest here - there's Man U, there's Arsenal, there's Barcelona, there's Real Madrid, there's Milan, there's Inter, and then there's the rest.
After those big six, there really is no difference between international and Champions League football.
In fairness, this is Spurs first time going this far in the Champions League. I'd add Chelsea and Bayern to that list (although I'm slighly biased in Bayern's case).
I wouldn't agree with that. Tottenham, Chelsea and City all have some great players, as does Roma, Juventus, Valencia, Bayern, etc. They may not be as dominating as the clubs you mentioned, but they're still good. They're all relatively streaky as well. Milan hadn't been very good the last couple of years. Chelsea have a lot of the same players this year as they had on their league winning team, yet they aren't even in the running at this point. Liverpool will be back soon, as well. United had a much more talented team just a few years back when Ronaldo was there and Ferdinand was still in his prime.
There does need to be some sort of salary cap. Any team can become one of the best in the world if a rich oil guy decides to buy them, which is retarded (City, Chelsea, etc.).
I disagree -- Champions League football is WAY better than international ball. The World Cup sucked -- the teams play way too tentatively and teams like Holland, who disgraced themselves in my opinion, resort to thug tactics. Pro ball is way more entertaining.
....a bit off form these days, but LIverpool and Juventus will eventually get their acts together and return to a more competitive level at the top flight.
It's not so much how the game is played, but what's at stake. It's fun to see countries compete each other and the fans of those countries getting behind the team.
March 12th, 2011 at 12:46 PM ^
Goal Man Utd!!! Fabio puts in a rebound off of Chicharito header, following amazing pass from Rooney.
March 12th, 2011 at 12:49 PM ^
1 nil Man U
March 12th, 2011 at 12:59 PM ^
Gunners.
I don't like either team, but I guess I like Man U more than Arsenal. But, I have to admit Arsene Wenger's brand of soccer is fun to watch.
On the rare occassions he plays a team more talented and more fluid than his own, he reverts to the same anti-football he criticizes when its used against him. I love Arsene, but it's a bit hypocritical (to use the mgoblog word-of-the-week)
It's the FA Cup - who cares?
Leave the dreams of winning it to the Birminghams and Stoke Citys. Man U and Arsenal are concerned with the Premiership and Champions League.
I believe you're thinking about the Carling Cup, not the FA Cup. That cup has, literally, no influence on English football/soccer.
Except beating Birmingham would have stopped the x-years-without-a-trophy meme.
I'm glad the big teams are more serious about the FA Cup nowadays. It seemed for a time in the late 90's-early 00's that a lot of the Premiership teams just didn't give a damn.
The FA Cup is a great honor, but yes, it's fun when a lesser team does well in the competition.
@BRCE -
That's an interesting comment, because if you look at the records, since 1988, Man U has won the Cup 6 times, Liverpool 3 times, Arsenal 6 times, and Chelsea 5 times. Only Tottenham (91 - Gascoigne), Everton (95 - Rideout), and Portsmouth (08) have broken up the party. So, in fact, the FA Cup is barely more accessible to non-Big Four teams than the EPL.
Sorry to have facts get in the way of your incorrect opinions.
Looks like my thoughts are shot down too :) Maybe there's a conspiracy between the big four to play soft in the FA Cup occasionally. ;)
I wonder how Gazza is doing these days -- that guy was good for some laughs. I'll never forget him playing the flute in the Old Firm match.
I am watching on a stream anyone know television coverage in the states?
Edit: Van Der Saar just made 2 unbelievable saves!
Wayne Rooney makes it 2-0 Red Devils!
Goal Rooney
Fox Soccer Channel, Fhshockey
I hate Man U. In fact, I hate all English teams except Everton (long story). I prefer Spanish soccer, more of an emphasis on good passing.
That said, Chicharito is a monster in waiting. Im so glad the US nabbed Omar Salgado... otherwise Chicharito and Salgado were going to slice and dice the Yanks for years.
LETS GO GUNNERS
Have anything on Barcelona. Messi... Messi...Messi. La Pulga, Unstoppable. Barca !
There are few if any teams that have anything on Barca right now. That first goal by Messi against Arsenal was sick.
Two weeks ago, all of the talk was about how Arsenal had four chances to win a trophy. Well we managed to blow three of them in two weeks.
I love seeing Arsenal lose, especially after that display that Wenger put on last week in the wake of the Barca game. I understand that second yellow on RVP might have been BS, but his team still failed to register a shot, let alone a shot on target.
As an Arsenal fan, even I have to admit that it was a bit... hypocritical.
In America people fucking hate soccer