General Soccer Thread

[thrill]

Yes- Omar Gonzalez is the best American defender. isn't he hurt?

he's back. Been very good for LA since returning.

[Gashouse]

US to host 2016 Copa America

South American soccer governing body CONMEBOL will hold a special Copa America tournament in 2016 in the United States to commemorate the organization's 100th year.

CONMEBOL said at a meeting of its executive committee in the Argentine capital Wednesday that the tournament would include the 10 South American confederation teams, plus the United States, Mexico and four others from the CONCACAF region, which comprises North and Central America and the Caribbean.

The event will take place between the 2015 and 2019 Copa America tournaments.

CONMEBOL said in a statement that the four CONCACAF teams would be added according to their rankings in the Gold Cup, the CONCACAF regional championship.

CONMEBOL said the event will be played in July, but offered few other details. It's the first time the event will be played outside South America and could be a huge financial success showcasing Brazil and Argentina to North American fans.

Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Neymar, Oscar and Radamel Falcao are among the international stars who could represent South American teams.

The event will follow the 2016 European Championship in France, which will be expanded to 24 teams for the first time.

CONMEBOL also said Japan and Mexico will play in the 2015 Copa America as guest teams.

Uruguay won the 2011 Copa America, which was played in Argentina.

CONCACAF, which represents North and Central America and the Caribbean, holds its Gold Cup championship in odd-numbered years. Since 2007, South America's Copa America has been held every four years in the summers following World Cups. There have been two outside invitees since 1993, mostly from CONCACAF.

[Gashouse]

Has anyone gone to WC qualifiers in the US? I've long wanted to, but haven't been able to make a trip to Chicago or KC when they are played there.

It would be fun to catch a Copa America game in 2016. I would assume a game or 2 will be in Chicago.

[MrSaigon]

I'd love to go to a WC qualifier, but even though the PacNW has proven itself to be an incredible place for soccer support--incomparable, really--all the USMNT games are still played in goddamn Columbus.

Between Portland and Seattle they could add a couple thousand seats to Seahawks Stadium and still sell it out in hours. They could lay down grass for the game if the turf is an issue.

[thrill]

I'd love to go to a WC qualifier, but even though the PacNW has proven itself to be an incredible place for soccer support--incomparable, really--all the USMNT games are still played in goddamn Columbus.

Between Portland and Seattle they could add a couple thousand seats to Seahawks Stadium and still sell it out in hours. They could lay down grass for the game if the turf is an issue.

Laying down sod is ok for a friendly, but a qualifier? We don't need turf coming up in patches, especially in Seattle winter rain, during a crucial qualifier. We can't afford to lose any points at home. Field turf and time zone make it tough for the players and the support in Columbus for the last two home game vs Mexico in the hex has been a) great b) really effective. Back-to-back huge 2-0 wins.

[robbotis]

Yesterday, Juventus won, making it 49 in a row undefeated.
Saturday they go for 50 against Inter, of course.

[robbotis]

Yesterday, Juventus won, making it 49 in a row undefeated.
Saturday they go for 50 against Inter, of course.

Streak is kaput.
To F'in Inter. In Turin.
Unacceptable.

[thrill]

Zlatan just committed the soccer equivalent of genocide on England. Holy hell, I've never seen a performance so dominating.

http://videa.hu/videok/sport/sweden-vs- ... start=4.74

His fourth goal, even though it's not even the best goal of his career, is the best goal of anyone else's career.

[Maclowery]

Dammmmmmmmmn

[Gashouse]

Wow. His second goal was pretty nice, too, but holy crap that fourth one was nuts.