Soccer

[Thin Red Swine]

U.S.A women win goal.  Brazil played the incredibly physical.  It was scary in the first half as our back line were taking grenades.  2nd half the tables turned.  Korbin Albert served up a nice pass to Mallory Swanson who put it in.

Did SS hijack your phone?

[pigtacular]

Did SS hijack your phone?

Dear Lord, that was bad.

[Cornhogio]

Premier League is back!

[Hizog]

I don't know much about coaches managers. Is the new USMNT coach a good hire?

[Cornhogio]

I don't know much about coaches managers. Is the new USMNT coach a good hire?

I think so.  I was hoping for Klopp, but I like this guy. 

[Hogfan58]

I don't know much about coaches managers. Is the new USMNT coach a good hire?

What are your expectations for the men's team? Mine are fairly low.

[Hizog]

What are your expectations for the men's team? Mine are fairly low.

Not getting out of the group at the next World Cup would be a disaster on par with not qualifying for 2018.

Reasonable expectation is to win the first round of knockouts. Anything beyond that is a bonus.

[One Quarter]

I don't know much about coaches managers. Is the new USMNT coach a good hire?

Pochettino is a flashy hire, and would be known to anyone in South America or Europe who follows top-level soccer.  He's managed world-class clubs Chelsea and PSG and 2nd-tier clubs Southampton and Tottenham (the latter for a 5-year span, which is long for the Premier League).  He reportedly values vertical integration "from the academy to the first team", which the US is very bad at.  It's among the best hires we could realistically hope for given the unmanageable and mishandled blob he'll need to deal with.  Plus, at 52 he's young enough to have the energy to at least take it on.

[Hizog]

Pochettino is a flashy hire, and would be known to anyone in South America or Europe who follows top-level soccer.  He's managed world-class clubs Chelsea and PSG and 2nd-tier clubs Southampton and Tottenham (the latter for a 5-year span, which is long for the Premier League).  He reportedly values vertical integration "from the academy to the first team", which the US is very bad at.  It's among the best hires we could realistically hope for given the unmanageable and mishandled blob he'll need to deal with.  Plus, at 52 he's young enough to have the energy to at least take it on.

Even though I enjoy watching soccer, I still don't know much about the tactics. When I hear vertical integration, I picture speed up the field rather than Berhalters maintain possession and pass around pressure. Am I close?

[One Quarter]

Even though I enjoy watching soccer, I still don't know much about the tactics. When I hear vertical integration, I picture speed up the field rather than Berhalters maintain possession and pass around pressure. Am I close?

Ha!  That may be close, if anyone's ever used it to describe tactics.  What I meant was vertical integration as it's used in business -- managing and streamlining the organization from the lowest level (such as youth development) to the end product (the national team).  Pochettino is known to have valued this at his clubs, and more of it would be great for the US if it is even possible.  Like with most sports, tactics are less important than player quality, which is our main problem.

[Hizog]

Ha!  That may be close, if anyone's ever used it to describe tactics.  What I meant was vertical integration as it's used in business -- managing and streamlining the organization from the lowest level (such as youth development) to the end product (the national team).  Pochettino is known to have valued this at his clubs, and more of it would be great for the US if it is even possible.  Like with most sports, tactics are less important than player quality, which is our main problem.

Well, I'm a dumbass.

[BASS]

Watching the #9 lady razorbacks at #8 Michigan State on Big ten Network.

Hogs just scored to go up 2-1 in the beginning of the 2nd half.

[BASS]

These ladies go down hard, no flopping around like they stepped in a bear trap. Just get up and keep playing.

Professional men could learn some things.

Well shit, tied at 2 now

[Thin Red Swine]

These ladies go down hard, no flopping around like they stepped in a bear trap. Just get up and keep playing.

Professional men could learn some things.

Well shit, tied at 2 now

Yes, it's refreshing.

And their goal shouldn't have counted. The ball went past the end line before she made the cross.

[Thin Red Swine]

Not a bad finish considering that we were down a player for the last 20 minutes.  Some dicey moments but they fought hard to earn the draw.

Keegan Smith may turn out to be a superstar goalie. 

[pigtacular]

Not a bad finish considering that we were down a player for the last 20 minutes.  Some dicey moments but they fought hard to earn the draw.

Keegan Smith may turn out to be a superstar goalie. 

That girl made some tremendous saves tonight.

[BASS]

Our team plays tough girl football. What? 30 fouls and a red card?

[woodhog14]

One of my good friends is the Assistant Coach for the soccer team. He told me they should win the SEC again this year. He recruited the freshman goalie that starts this year.

[Thin Red Swine]

Our team plays tough girl football. What? 30 fouls and a red card?

Two yellows to get there. But yes they're scrappy. And the ref sucked balls.

[Thin Red Swine]

Narrowly defeated Northwestern State today...10-0.

Out-shot them 47-1 and 26-0 on goal.