Men's soccer recruiting class rankings

[Fk_Pitt]

TopDrawer soccer puts out top 10 class rankings and there was a January ranking buried on the website that I missed. These rankings are 30 days old. When the new rankings are posted, I will share.

Jan 4--Top 10 in order 1-10
Portland, Clemson, wake, Cal, Stanford, Duke, Washington, Indiana, Butler, UCLA

"In the running"-- ND, Michigan, Pitt, Harvard, Loyola Marymount, Dartmouth, Georgetown, St Johns, Louisville

So according to this, Pitt would be in the top 20. No capsules were give for the "in the running" schools, so I do not know if there were any changes that would cause Pitt to rise/fall.

This is good news. Quite a contrast from the Luxbacher teams that played their games on a polo field 15 miles from campus.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

TopDrawer soccer puts out top 10 class rankings and there was a January ranking buried on the website that I missed. These rankings are 30 days old. When the new rankings are posted, I will share.

Jan 4--Top 10 in order 1-10
Portland, Clemson, wake, Cal, Stanford, Duke, Washington, Indiana, Butler, UCLA

"In the running"-- ND, Michigan, Pitt, Harvard, Loyola Marymount, Dartmouth, Georgetown, St Johns, Louisville

So according to this, Pitt would be in the top 20. No capsules were give for the "in the running" schools, so I do not know if there were any changes that would cause Pitt to rise/fall.

This is good news. Quite a contrast from the Luxbacher teams that played their games on a polo field 15 miles from campus.

You are the man!

Curious, how did you develop your love for soccer?

 

[Fk_Pitt]

You are the man!

Curious, how did you develop your love for soccer?

Three daughters. No better sport for girls. Watching them win state and regional titles and compete for national titles at the club level, win state titles at the HS level, and go through the recruiting process all helped develop the love that I have. I've seen the youth and HS game at every possible level locally and nationally and now I'm learning about the college game.

I coach girls, and love doing it. I've seen girls play at the youth level that now coach at the club level and college level. I've been doing this a while. One girl I hoped would land on the Pitt women's staff. She still may. I also have a son, but boys have so many more challenges than what girls have. Look at the local NLI commit list for boys compared to the girls. It's a real shame.

 

[anon_d97v9o3a8b6xr]

If he can get them in the top 25 the next 2 years, they may very well be a top 10 team and tournament bound by year 3.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

If he can get them in the top 25 the next 2 years, they may very well be a top 10 team and tournament bound by year 3.

If he stays. Lol.

We are still Pitt, whether its soccer, football or basketball. People are surprised he's lasted this long. Granted these are people who may/may not know him on a personal level. Only coach Jay knows.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

If he can get them in the top 25 the next 2 years, they may very well be a top 10 team and tournament bound by year 3.

Would be a major disappointment if they dont make the NCAAT this year. They were close last year

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

You are the man!

Curious, how did you develop your love for soccer?

Three daughters. No better sport for girls. Watching them win state and regional titles and compete for national titles at the club level, win state titles at the HS level, and go through the recruiting process all helped develop the love that I have. I've seen the youth and HS game at every possible level locally and nationally and now I'm learning about the college game.

I coach girls, and love doing it. I've seen girls play at the youth level that now coach at the club level and college level. I've been doing this a while. One girl I hoped would land on the Pitt women's staff. She still may. I also have a son, but boys have so many more challenges than what girls have. Look at the local NLI commit list for boys compared to the girls. It's a real shame.

Did you play?

How did you start watching it on TV? I know a lot of good soccer players (adults and kids) who refuse to watch it on TV which I always found strange. My neighbor was an All-Section guy, still plays weekly and probably couldn't name 3 guys on the USMNT or Barcelona

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Did you play?

How did you start watching it on TV? I know a lot of good soccer players (adults and kids) who refuse to watch it on TV which I always found strange. My neighbor was an All-Section guy, still plays weekly and probably couldn't name 3 guys on the USMNT or Barcelona

Have only played for fun. I play occasionally in adult pick up and with the HS girls that I coach. I never played the game and am no longer athletic so I'm more or less a body.

No offense, but all section at BVA isn't saying much. BVA puts out some good players, but sectional games at that level often involve kids they pull out of the hallway at school and not 100% pedigreed kids who play for a good club or even play club at all. Most boys watch and follow the pro game. Girls however have minimal interest in it. Coaches have to incentivize girls or require them to watch. Boys watch and try to emulate what they see.

I watch EPL religiously. I have little time to watch anything else. I follow the other euro clubs from a distance, due to the transfer market and champions league. We've had so many soccer discussions on these boards and my position has always been that if one doesnt like it that's fine. It doesn't affect my life. But as a sports fan, my life is fuller because I have more viewing options, especially at a time when Pitt basketball/football is off for several days or any of my other teams are in a lull. Pitt basketball is wretched right now, but I get plenty of enjoyment out of my PL team battle in league games, league cups, champions league and transfer windows.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Did you play?

How did you start watching it on TV? I know a lot of good soccer players (adults and kids) who refuse to watch it on TV which I always found strange. My neighbor was an All-Section guy, still plays weekly and probably couldn't name 3 guys on the USMNT or Barcelona

Have only played for fun. I play occasionally in adult pick up and with the HS girls that I coach. I never played the game and am no longer athletic so I'm more or less a body.

No offense, but all section at BVA isn't saying much. BVA puts out some good players, but sectional games at that level often involve kids they pull out of the hallway at school and not 100% pedigreed kids who play for a good club or even play club at all. Most boys watch and follow the pro game. Girls however have minimal interest in it. Coaches have to incentivize girls or require them to watch. Boys watch and try to emulate what they see.

I watch EPL religiously. I have little time to watch anything else. I follow the other euro clubs from a distance, due to the transfer market and champions league. We've had so many soccer discussions on these boards and my position has always been that if one doesnt like it that's fine. It doesn't affect my life. But as a sports fan, my life is fuller because I have more viewing options, especially at a time when Pitt basketball/football is off for several days or any of my other teams are in a lull. Pitt basketball is wretched right now, but I get plenty of enjoyment out of my PL team battle in league games, league cups, champions league and transfer windows.

BVA? He didn't play there but at a school probably smaller. I understand the low level of competition but if you played soccer your whole life, were at least a fairly good player and still play, I don't understand how you couldn't watch it.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

BVA? He didn't play there but at a school probably smaller. I understand the low level of competition but if you played soccer your whole life, were at least a fairly good player and still play, I don't understand how you couldn't watch it.

Ahh. I read your post too quickly. Sorry about that. The main point is that the more serious male players mostly all watch and pay attention. They all have their favorite clubs or players. Females on the other hand don't have much of an interest. They'd rather watch the Kardashians. There's so much they can learn, especially with their off the ball movement. There's entirely different game out there that girls have no idea how it's played.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

BVA? He didn't play there but at a school probably smaller. I understand the low level of competition but if you played soccer your whole life, were at least a fairly good player and still play, I don't understand how you couldn't watch it.

Ahh. I read your post too quickly. Sorry about that. The main point is that the more serious male players mostly all watch and pay attention. They all have their favorite clubs or players. Females on the other hand don't have much of an interest. They'd rather watch the Kardashians. There's so much they can learn, especially with their off the ball movement. There's entirely different game out there that girls have no idea how it's played.

And it goes to show you how bad women's soccer is in the rest of the world if American girls arent anywhere near as "into it" as American boys and they are still the best. The rest of the world, girls dont take it serious at all. I hate explaining this to people.

The American college me want the NCAA to change the rule so they can play all year. The women dont want to. They like soccer, some love it Im sure, but as a whole they are not as "into it" but they still dominate

 

[anon_d97v9o3a8b6xr]

Would be a major disappointment if they dont make the NCAAT this year. They were close last year

The ACC is very tough, and you can be close one year, and disappear the next. They may have been close, but it won't be easy.

I know you didn't ask me, but I have a pretty significant soccer resume along with my family, including kids. Some similarities as Thomas and his daughters. I did play from age 4-35. Played everything from state to national teams, and over seas. I was part of the late 80's early 90's push to get players to the next level and over seas. I was extremely lucky because my parents are from Europe and had connections to coaches, teams, and higher level training in Belgium. As far as watching soccer, I absolutely love watching soccer, especially my kids, and my favorite pro teams. I will watch the US play, and will watch our women's team play, although there may be some other reason to it, like Alex Morgan.

Soccer truly got a bad rap in the US for far to long, but I think the popularity gains and the amount of families embracing it have realized it's more than just kicking a ball and bouncing a ball off your head. There is still a lack of appreciation with 0-0 draws or low scoring games. You can have one of the greatest games in the world, and it may end 1-0. Lot's of beautiful drama in soccer.

My teams: Belgium, Manchester United, and Anderlecht

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Would be a major disappointment if they dont make the NCAAT this year. They were close last year

The ACC is very tough, and you can be close one year, and disappear the next. They may have been close, but it won't be easy.

I know you didn't ask me, but I have a pretty significant soccer resume along with my family, including kids. Some similarities as Thomas and his daughters. I did play from age 4-35. Played everything from state to national teams, and over seas. I was part of the late 80's early 90's push to get players to the next level and over seas. I was extremely lucky because my parents are from Europe and had connections to coaches, teams, and higher level training in Belgium. As far as watching soccer, I absolutely love watching soccer, especially my kids, and my favorite pro teams. I will watch the US play, and will watch our women's team play, although there may be some other reason to it, like Alex Morgan.

Soccer truly got a bad rap in the US for far to long, but I think the popularity gains and the amount of families embracing it have realized it's more than just kicking a ball and bouncing a ball off your head. There is still a lack of appreciation with 0-0 draws or low scoring games. You can have one of the greatest games in the world, and it may end 1-0. Lot's of beautiful drama in soccer.

My teams: Belgium, Manchester United, and Anderlecht

That is impressive. I never played but developed a love for the game after spending time in Europe. My kids play. My son likes it, probably doesn't love it. He likes to score goals and the games get lower-scoring every year as the kids get better. Not sure if he'll stay interested. I can see why American kids drop out though. They need that instant gratification, a 3 pointer, a TD, a base hit. If you cant appreciate the beauty of a great pass in soccer or a great defensive play then its not for you

 

[Fk_Pitt]

And it goes to show you how bad women's soccer is in the rest of the world if American girls arent anywhere near as "into it" as American boys and they are still the best. The rest of the world, girls dont take it serious at all. I hate explaining this to people.

The American college me want the NCAA to change the rule so they can play all year. The women dont want to. They like soccer, some love it Im sure, but as a whole they are not as "into it" but they still dominate

I don't know about that. Women, for whatever reason, just don't have the sporting itch that men have. Maybe they have it right. Men waste a lot of time watching sports. I know I do!

But the women in college are used to playing year round. My daughter who plays D1 hasn't had a break from the game for longer than a week in over a decade. For states that play Fall soccer, High School season starts aug 1 and runs through Halloween. If you are on a good HS team, you can play until Thanksgiving. The largest club soccer recruiting event is around Dec 1. Then the better clubs (where most college players come from) continue their season non stop until June. The better teams play through regionals which are around July 4th and nationals are the end of July. High school starts back up aug 1. There are no breaks and surprisingly there is little burn out. Players on a lower level club team will play HS from aug 1- oct 31, start their club season in January and finish around June 1...essentially playing soccer 8 months out of the year.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

The ACC is very tough, and you can be close one year, and disappear the next. They may have been close, but it won't be easy.

I know you didn't ask me, but I have a pretty significant soccer resume along with my family, including kids. Some similarities as Thomas and his daughters. I did play from age 4-35. Played everything from state to national teams, and over seas. I was part of the late 80's early 90's push to get players to the next level and over seas. I was extremely lucky because my parents are from Europe and had connections to coaches, teams, and higher level training in Belgium. As far as watching soccer, I absolutely love watching soccer, especially my kids, and my favorite pro teams. I will watch the US play, and will watch our women's team play, although there may be some other reason to it, like Alex Morgan.

Soccer truly got a bad rap in the US for far to long, but I think the popularity gains and the amount of families embracing it have realized it's more than just kicking a ball and bouncing a ball off your head. There is still a lack of appreciation with 0-0 draws or low scoring games. You can have one of the greatest games in the world, and it may end 1-0. Lot's of beautiful drama in soccer.

My teams: Belgium, Manchester United, and Anderlecht

Yeah Belgium!!! That's my adopted team this World Cup. They are LOADED!!! Booo United!! And booo Alex Morgan. She so overrated!

 

[Fk_Pitt]

The ACC is very tough, and you can be close one year, and disappear the next. They may have been close, but it won't be easy.

I know you didn't ask me, but I have a pretty significant soccer resume along with my family, including kids. Some similarities as Thomas and his daughters. I did play from age 4-35. Played everything from state to national teams, and over seas. I was part of the late 80's early 90's push to get players to the next level and over seas. I was extremely lucky because my parents are from Europe and had connections to coaches, teams, and higher level training in Belgium. As far as watching soccer, I absolutely love watching soccer, especially my kids, and my favorite pro teams. I will watch the US play, and will watch our women's team play, although there may be some other reason to it, like Alex Morgan.

Soccer truly got a bad rap in the US for far to long, but I think the popularity gains and the amount of families embracing it have realized it's more than just kicking a ball and bouncing a ball off your head. There is still a lack of appreciation with 0-0 draws or low scoring games. You can have one of the greatest games in the world, and it may end 1-0. Lot's of beautiful drama in soccer.

My teams: Belgium, Manchester United, and Anderlecht

I know you didn't ask but Chelsea is my team. And what a mess they are right now. It's actually hard being a fan because of how the club is being run. I became a fan because of Frank Lampard, John Terry, Didier Drogba and Petr Cesc. And their colors were appealing to me at the time that I selected them as my team.

They are about to part ways with their manager, which is an every other year occurrence. My hope is that Thomas Tuchel will be the next manager but he only appears to be the #2 or #3 choice depending on what you read. Tuchel plays a good brand, and he may be able to sway Pulisic to come to Chelsea with him. Having Puliscic at Chelsea opens the entire American market up to the Chelsea Football Club. As it stands now, Man U gets it, they want to expand their American fan base, and are said to be in pursuit of Christian this summer. Liverpool is also an option due to Klopp.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

The ACC is very tough, and you can be close one year, and disappear the next. They may have been close, but it won't be easy.

I know you didn't ask me, but I have a pretty significant soccer resume along with my family, including kids. Some similarities as Thomas and his daughters. I did play from age 4-35. Played everything from state to national teams, and over seas. I was part of the late 80's early 90's push to get players to the next level and over seas. I was extremely lucky because my parents are from Europe and had connections to coaches, teams, and higher level training in Belgium. As far as watching soccer, I absolutely love watching soccer, especially my kids, and my favorite pro teams. I will watch the US play, and will watch our women's team play, although there may be some other reason to it, like Alex Morgan.

Soccer truly got a bad rap in the US for far to long, but I think the popularity gains and the amount of families embracing it have realized it's more than just kicking a ball and bouncing a ball off your head. There is still a lack of appreciation with 0-0 draws or low scoring games. You can have one of the greatest games in the world, and it may end 1-0. Lot's of beautiful drama in soccer.

My teams: Belgium, Manchester United, and Anderlecht

I know you didn't ask but Chelsea is my team. And what a mess they are right now. It's actually hard being a fan because of how the club is being run. I became a fan because of Frank Lampard, John Terry, Didier Drogba and Petr Cesc. And their colors were appealing to me at the time that I selected them as my team.

They are about to part ways with their manager, which is an every other year occurrence. My hope is that Thomas Tuchel will be the next manager but he only appears to be the #2 or #3 choice depending on what you read. Tuchel plays a good brand, and he may be able to sway Pulisic to come to Chelsea with him. Having Puliscic at Chelsea opens the entire American market up to the Chelsea Football Club. As it stands now, Man U gets it, they want to expand their American fan base, and are said to be in pursuit of Christian this summer. Liverpool is also an option due to Klopp.

My thing is that I cant get behind a club to root for. I dont identify with any. I tried being a Fulham fan when they had Dempsey and they were Pitt-like in a sense at that time. Mediocre, could win big games, etc. I don't like the blue bloods. Then i tried rooting for a blue blood in Man U but just couldn't identify

 

[Fk_Pitt]

My thing is that I cant get behind a club to root for. I dont identify with any. I tried being a Fulham fan when they had Dempsey and they were Pitt-like in a sense at that time. Mediocre, could win big games, etc. I don't like the blue bloods. Then i tried rooting for a blue blood in Man U but just couldn't identify

I can see that. It's like rooting for the Cubs or Yankees. For me, I just took to them before I knew anything about the economic part of the game.

On the flip side, I can't understand how people watch without having a rooting interest. If Liverpool is playing Arsenal, and it benefits Chelsea if Arsenal wins, then I can sit and watch and enjoy the entire game.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

My thing is that I cant get behind a club to root for. I dont identify with any. I tried being a Fulham fan when they had Dempsey and they were Pitt-like in a sense at that time. Mediocre, could win big games, etc. I don't like the blue bloods. Then i tried rooting for a blue blood in Man U but just couldn't identify

I can see that. It's like rooting for the Cubs or Yankees. For me, I just took to them before I knew anything about the economic part of the game.

On the flip side, I can't understand how people watch without having a rooting interest. If Liverpool is playing Arsenal, and it benefits Chelsea if Arsenal wins, then I can sit and watch and enjoy the entire game.

Besides the patriotic factor, one reason I love the USMNT is because the are Pitt-like and really i think thats a reason I like Pitt. I like a team who has some challenges but on a given day or given season can compete with anyone and do some big things

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Besides the patriotic factor, one reason I love the USMNT is because the are Pitt-like and really i think thats a reason I like Pitt. I like a team who has some challenges but on a given day or given season can compete with anyone and do some big things

Falling in love with Pitt when I was a kid was one of the worst things that ever happened to me. Haha.

 

[anon_d97v9o3a8b6xr]

Yeah Belgium!!! That's my adopted team this World Cup. They are LOADED!!! Booo United!! And booo Alex Morgan. She so overrated!

I'm not watching because of Alex Morgan's playing, but her looks are far from overrated, although I prefer a bit more in the boob department.

I played in Belgium as a middle schooler, high schooler, and after. My father, grandfather, and uncles all played soccer in Belgium, only my grandfather was worthy of bragging about. We had a bit of a slump in the World Cup from 1998 to early 2000's. Ever since losing to England back in 1990 World Cup. England was stacked that world cup. One of my favorite English players, Paul Gascoigne, started that game and my favorite Belgian players at the time Enzo Schifo. Schifo was a solid player back in the day for Belgium. They also had the great Michel Preud'homme in goal. When the US hosted the World Cup in 1994, we saw most of Belgium's games including the 3-2 loss to Germany. In 2014 Belgium gave up that early goal to Argentina despite being the better team.
Now they are just stacked all over the pitch and a top team in the world. How can you not love Lukaku, but my favorite current Belgian star is Dries Mertens.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

I'm not watching because of Alex Morgan's playing, but her looks are far from overrated, although I prefer a bit more in the boob department.

I played in Belgium as a middle schooler, high schooler, and after. My father, grandfather, and uncles all played soccer in Belgium, only my grandfather was worthy of bragging about. We had a bit of a slump in the World Cup from 1998 to early 2000's. Ever since losing to England back in 1990 World Cup. England was stacked that world cup. One of my favorite English players, Paul Gascoigne, started that game and my favorite Belgian players at the time Enzo Schifo. Schifo was a solid player back in the day for Belgium. They also had the great Michel Preud'homme in goal. When the US hosted the World Cup in 1994, we saw most of Belgium's games including the 3-2 loss to Germany. In 2014 Belgium gave up that early goal to Argentina despite being the better team.
Now they are just stacked all over the pitch and a top team in the world. How can you not love Lukaku, but my favorite current Belgian star is Dries Mertens.

Count me as one who doesn't like Lukaku. But only because he spurned my team this past summer. I didn't like seeing Pogba high-fiving Lukaku poolside in the Hollywood Hills the day the announcement was made. The consensus was that Lukaku was coming to Chelsea and Morata was going to United. I still wish it had worked out that way.

 

[PeetWeet1]

I'm not watching because of Alex Morgan's playing, but her looks are far from overrated, although I prefer a bit more in the boob department.

I played in Belgium as a middle schooler, high schooler, and after. My father, grandfather, and uncles all played soccer in Belgium, only my grandfather was worthy of bragging about. We had a bit of a slump in the World Cup from 1998 to early 2000's. Ever since losing to England back in 1990 World Cup. England was stacked that world cup. One of my favorite English players, Paul Gascoigne, started that game and my favorite Belgian players at the time Enzo Schifo. Schifo was a solid player back in the day for Belgium. They also had the great Michel Preud'homme in goal. When the US hosted the World Cup in 1994, we saw most of Belgium's games including the 3-2 loss to Germany. In 2014 Belgium gave up that early goal to Argentina despite being the better team.
Now they are just stacked all over the pitch and a top team in the world. How can you not love Lukaku, but my favorite current Belgian star is Dries Mertens.

Here’s to you Vincent Kompany, City loves you more than you will know...

 

[anon_d97v9o3a8b6xr]

Here’s to you Vincent Kompany, City loves you more than you will know...

Always loved Kompany. Check out Dries Mertens, he has so much personality and a heck of a fun player to watch.

 

[mike412]

I am a huge fan of one of the blue bloods: Barcelona. When I was at Pitt, I started covering soccer for the Pitt News. Coach Bemis told me he never had enough players to scrimmage at the end of practice, so he invited me to suit up for the practices. Then, when the team went on a road trip to PSU, Lehigh and Bucknell, he had me suit up for the Lehigh and Bucknell games. I actually had an assist in a game against WVU which we won 5-0 at Forbes Field. That was in 1968. It was an exhibition game so my cross on a header by Shelly Zvoma, an exchange student from the Congo, unfortunately is not in the official records.

Then, while attending law school I was clerking at Arnold & Porter, a law firm in DC, when one of the messengers who worked there invited me to watch the World Cup at the BBC. She had a friend who worked there. They didn’t show the World Cup on American TV back then. The first match I saw was Holland v Poland. The star of the Dutch team was Johan Cryuff, and he was mesmerizing. I quickly realized this was not the same sport we played at Pitt. Not even close. The Dutch were known at the “Clockwork Orange” because their game was possession and passing the ball. I fell in love with the game.

I found out that Cryuff played for Barcelona, and even better, that he had not been willing to sign with Real Madrid, which had offered Ajax, his Dutch team, and him much more money — because Cryuff would not play for “Franco’s team.” Fascist General Franco still ruled Spain at that time and Real Madrid was his pet team. He had forced some other Spanish teams to sell their best players to Real Madrid. But, with Cryuff, Barcelona began to challege them as the best team in Spain, and after Cryuff became player-coach Barcelona became dominant for a few years.

When I moved to LA in 1975, I discovered that Barca’s matches were televised live in Tijuana. So I began driving down there on weekends and watching them in a sports bar. I remember asking a bartender once why they always showed the Barca matches, and he said it was because in Tijuana everyone had two favorite teams: their local club and Barca.

Since BEIN Sports came along, I haven’t had to go to Tijuana to watch them, but I still drive down once or twice a year just for old times sake.

The first time I visited Barcelona, the number one thing I wanted to do was visit the Camp Nou, where Barca plays. For me, the Camp Nou is my church. I have spent one to three months a year in Barcelona every year since I retired in 2012, and until this year I have planned the trips to coincide with the most Barca home matches: La Liga, Copa Del Rey and Champions League. This year, we aren’t going until after the season ends because I had to have surgery and wanted to wait until I am able to go snorkeling again — my other passion. But, if they win the Champions League we will arrive in time for the parade. They have a parade through the city whenever they win a major trophy and the route happens to go right past the apartment we have rented every year we have gone there.

My wife loves to participate in sports. She was a gymnast and bicyclist in Ukraine and it is nothing for her to bike 75 miles a day along the beach here. But, she hates watching sports, so she goes biking or to the gym every time I watch Barca on TV. But, I did convince her to go to one match at the Camp Nou, and she loved the atmosphere there, so she now accompanies me to matches there.

Oh, I also can sing the Barca anthem by heart in Catalan.

 

[mike412]

Always loved Kompany. Check out Dries Mertens, he has so much personality and a heck of a fun player to watch.

One of my all-time favorite soccer memories is Leo Messi faking out Kompany so badly in the 2015 Champions League semis that Kompany fell on his ass, then going around him and chipping over Joe Hart when Hart came out as he did so often. Final score Messi/Barca 3 Man City 0.

 

[PeetWeet1]

One of my all-time favorite soccer memories is Leo Messi faking out Kompany so badly in the 2015 Champions League semis that Kompany fell on his ass, then going around him and chipping over Joe Hart when Hart came out as he did so often. Final score Messi/Barca 3 Man City 0.

FU, LOL.
So long as Silva gets back in form, I betting on another Barca - City matchup. Should be an awesome demonstration of Total football.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

I am a huge fan of one of the blue bloods: Barcelona. When I was at Pitt, I started covering soccer for the Pitt News. Coach Bemis told me he never had enough players to scrimmage at the end of practice, so he invited me to suit up for the practices. Then, when the team went on a road trip to PSU, Lehigh and Bucknell, he had me suit up for the Lehigh and Bucknell games. I actually had an assist in a game against WVU which we won 5-0 at Forbes Field. That was in 1968. It was an exhibition game so my cross on a header by Shelly Zvoma, an exchange student from the Congo, unfortunately is not in the official records.

Then, while attending law school I was clerking at Arnold & Porter, a law firm in DC, when one of the messengers who worked there invited me to watch the World Cup at the BBC. She had a friend who worked there. They didn’t show the World Cup on American TV back then. The first match I saw was Holland v Poland. The star of the Dutch team was Johan Cryuff, and he was mesmerizing. I quickly realized this was not the same sport we played at Pitt. Not even close. The Dutch were known at the “Clockwork Orange” because their game was possession and passing the ball. I fell in love with the game.

I found out that Cryuff played for Barcelona, and even better, that he had not been willing to sign with Real Madrid, which had offered Ajax, his Dutch team, and him much more money — because Cryuff would not play for “Franco’s team.” Fascist General Franco still ruled Spain at that time and Real Madrid was his pet team. He had forced some other Spanish teams to sell their best players to Real Madrid. But, with Cryuff, Barcelona began to challege them as the best team in Spain, and after Cryuff became player-coach Barcelona became dominant for a few years.

When I moved to LA in 1975, I discovered that Barca’s matches were televised live in Tijuana. So I began driving down there on weekends and watching them in a sports bar. I remember asking a bartender once why they always showed the Barca matches, and he said it was because in Tijuana everyone had two favorite teams: their local club and Barca.

Since BEIN Sports came along, I haven’t had to go to Tijuana to watch them, but I still drive down once or twice a year just for old times sake.

The first time I visited Barcelona, the number one thing I wanted to do was visit the Camp Nou, where Barca plays. For me, the Camp Nou is my church. I have spent one to three months a year in Barcelona every year since I retired in 2012, and until this year I have planned the trips to coincide with the most Barca home matches: La Liga, Copa Del Rey and Champions League. This year, we aren’t going until after the season ends because I had to have surgery and wanted to wait until I am able to go snorkeling again — my other passion. But, if they win the Champions League we will arrive in time for the parade. They have a parade through the city whenever they win a major trophy and the route happens to go right past the apartment we have rented every year we have gone there.

My wife loves to participate in sports. She was a gymnast and bicyclist in Ukraine and it is nothing for her to bike 75 miles a day along the beach here. But, she hates watching sports, so she goes biking or to the gym every time I watch Barca on TV. But, I did convince her to go to one match at the Camp Nou, and she loved the atmosphere there, so she now accompanies me to matches there.

Oh, I also can sing the Barca anthem by heart in Catalan.

Let's hope there's no parade for you! Cmon you Blues! Get your sh!t together and pull the upset! It starts in two weeks!!

 

[anon_d97v9o3a8b6xr]

Cryuff was a man among boys. I trained in holland and the Dutch are the most fine tuned players. We worked on so much ball control, balls in the air, pretty much balls everywhere and it was all about control and settling the ball. Technically, Dutch were so strong, recently having struggles as a team, but always very technical and smart tactically.

 

[anon_d97v9o3a8b6xr]

I am a huge fan of one of the blue bloods: Barcelona. When I was at Pitt, I started covering soccer for the Pitt News. Coach Bemis told me he never had enough players to scrimmage at the end of practice, so he invited me to suit up for the practices. Then, when the team went on a road trip to PSU, Lehigh and Bucknell, he had me suit up for the Lehigh and Bucknell games. I actually had an assist in a game against WVU which we won 5-0 at Forbes Field. That was in 1968. It was an exhibition game so my cross on a header by Shelly Zvoma, an exchange student from the Congo, unfortunately is not in the official records.

Then, while attending law school I was clerking at Arnold & Porter, a law firm in DC, when one of the messengers who worked there invited me to watch the World Cup at the BBC. She had a friend who worked there. They didn’t show the World Cup on American TV back then. The first match I saw was Holland v Poland. The star of the Dutch team was Johan Cryuff, and he was mesmerizing. I quickly realized this was not the same sport we played at Pitt. Not even close. The Dutch were known at the “Clockwork Orange” because their game was possession and passing the ball. I fell in love with the game.

I found out that Cryuff played for Barcelona, and even better, that he had not been willing to sign with Real Madrid, which had offered Ajax, his Dutch team, and him much more money — because Cryuff would not play for “Franco’s team.” Fascist General Franco still ruled Spain at that time and Real Madrid was his pet team. He had forced some other Spanish teams to sell their best players to Real Madrid. But, with Cryuff, Barcelona began to challege them as the best team in Spain, and after Cryuff became player-coach Barcelona became dominant for a few years.

When I moved to LA in 1975, I discovered that Barca’s matches were televised live in Tijuana. So I began driving down there on weekends and watching them in a sports bar. I remember asking a bartender once why they always showed the Barca matches, and he said it was because in Tijuana everyone had two favorite teams: their local club and Barca.

Since BEIN Sports came along, I haven’t had to go to Tijuana to watch them, but I still drive down once or twice a year just for old times sake.

The first time I visited Barcelona, the number one thing I wanted to do was visit the Camp Nou, where Barca plays. For me, the Camp Nou is my church. I have spent one to three months a year in Barcelona every year since I retired in 2012, and until this year I have planned the trips to coincide with the most Barca home matches: La Liga, Copa Del Rey and Champions League. This year, we aren’t going until after the season ends because I had to have surgery and wanted to wait until I am able to go snorkeling again — my other passion. But, if they win the Champions League we will arrive in time for the parade. They have a parade through the city whenever they win a major trophy and the route happens to go right past the apartment we have rented every year we have gone there.

My wife loves to participate in sports. She was a gymnast and bicyclist in Ukraine and it is nothing for her to bike 75 miles a day along the beach here. But, she hates watching sports, so she goes biking or to the gym every time I watch Barca on TV. But, I did convince her to go to one match at the Camp Nou, and she loved the atmosphere there, so she now accompanies me to matches there.

Oh, I also can sing the Barca anthem by heart in Catalan.

Great story about your time at Pitt and playing.

 

[DevilDog42]

I'm a huge Everton guy I'm the same age as Wayne Rooney so I have followed him throughout his career. Gutted to see lukaku go hoping the toffees can get the ship righted this season

 

[anon_d97v9o3a8b6xr]

You gotta love MU simply for Fellaini and his unibrow. Not my favorite Belgian, but a close third.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

You gotta love MU simply for Fellaini and his unibrow. Not my favorite Belgian, but a close third.

A good friend of mine is a hard core United fan...and hates Fellaini.

 

[anon_d97v9o3a8b6xr]

A good friend of mine is a hard core United fan...and hates Fellaini.

Man U pooped the bed against Newcastle.

 

[Pitt79]

I never played soccer ever, not even a little as a kid, where I grew up it didn't exist at all, just played football, basketball and baseball. Then when I was 28 years old I went to grad school at Pitt, hooked up with these Greek dudes that started a rec soccer team, at first I didn't want to play, then my 2nd game, the goal keeper they had got pissed off about something and quit for good, so immediately, I said, I'll try it, I'd rather play with my hands, LOL, well, that lead to playing goal keeper indoors and outdoors about 60+ games over the next 4 years and really having fun and understanding the game like never before. Then 20 years later I had a daughter in 3rd grade start playing, so I was assistant coach for her teams for 4-5 years, then she moved on to travel and high school and now she's about to play her 10th year and is senior captain of her high school, which is a bad team in a low classification, but who cares, she's really good at this level, and I never imagined she'd go this far.

Anyways, I can't get into the English or Spanish or German leagues, quality of play means nothing to me, I need ROOTING INTEREST, and I can't attach myself to an English or German city, so I follow USAMNT, Greece MNT, Olympiacos, DC United, Baltimore Blast and have fun! I joined a Maryland pro soccer supporters club this year, they go to local soccer games and support local pro teams, like DC or the Blast and new Baltimore teams coming out NPSL and USL. So to me like I said, quality of play means nothing, I want to go hang out, tail gate, get out in the open air and socialize too, have fun basically, not wake up at 7 am to watch two English teams play on TV. I mean I've been watching girls soccer for 10 years, so minor league USA mens teams are a step up anyways. But to each his own I guess..

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Man U pooped the bed against Newcastle.

I read today Pogba is being deployed as a holding mid to make room for Alexis? If true, then good!! I'm not a Pogba fan and the deeper in the formation he plays, the happy I am to see it!

 

[anon_d97v9o3a8b6xr]

I never played soccer ever, not even a little as a kid, where I grew up it didn't exist at all, just played football, basketball and baseball. Then when I was 28 years old I went to grad school at Pitt, hooked up with these Greek dudes that started a rec soccer team, at first I didn't want to play, then my 2nd game, the goal keeper they had got pissed off about something and quit for good, so immediately, I said, I'll try it, I'd rather play with my hands, LOL, well, that lead to playing goal keeper indoors and outdoors about 60+ games over the next 4 years and really having fun and understanding the game like never before. Then 20 years later I had a daughter in 3rd grade start playing, so I was assistant coach for her teams for 4-5 years, then she moved on to travel and high school and now she's about to play her 10th year and is senior captain of her high school, which is a bad team in a low classification, but who cares, she's really good at this level, and I never imagined she'd go this far.

Anyways, I can't get into the English or Spanish or German leagues, quality of play means nothing to me, I need ROOTING INTEREST, and I can't attach myself to an English or German city, so I follow USAMNT, Greece MNT, Olympiacos, DC United, Baltimore Blast and have fun! I joined a Maryland pro soccer supporters club this year, they go to local soccer games and support local pro teams, like DC or the Blast and new Baltimore teams coming out NPSL and USL. So to me like I said, quality of play means nothing, I want to go hang out, tail gate, get out in the open air and socialize too, have fun basically, not wake up at 7 am to watch two English teams play on TV. I mean I've been watching girls soccer for 10 years, so minor league USA mens teams are a step up anyways. But to each his own I guess..

I think you would appreciate Captain Robert Hatch, played by Sylvester Stallone. He played the goalie for a POW team playing against the Nazi German National team. He was an american football player who got himself on the team as a goalie to help with escaping the camp. In the end he becomes the hero by saving a penalty kick against the top german player.

Victory, great movie with Pele and many other greats.

 

[Pitt79]

I think you would appreciate Captain Robert Hatch, played by Sylvester Stallone. He played the goalie for a POW team playing against the Nazi German National team. He was an american football player who got himself on the team as a goalie to help with escaping the camp. In the end he becomes the hero by saving a penalty kick against the top german player.

Victory, great movie with Pele and many other greats.

I'll have to check it out, the premise always seemed stupid, so I never watched it.

I am tall 6-4, and had played football and basketball, so from basketball snatching the ball out of the air came somewhat easy, all I had to do was learn the rules, I really enjoyed playing soccer as a GK, I was good at punting, got good at throwing the ball downfield etc, when I tried to play in the field, I hated it! I'm glad I did play a little, it gives me a better appreciation for the game. I was 1-0 all time in PKs to decide a playoff game.

 

[mike412]

Victory was a mediocre movie and the soccer match was unrealistic, but it was fun to watch not only Pele, but other legends like Bobby Charlton play a match, even if it was in a movie.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Guys. Good to the football board. I'm posting something that you're going to enjoy!!!