Maybe Big Soccer is Useful: Message Board Meltdowns

I wish I had come up with this idea on my own, but I didn't. Instead, I'm stealing this idea from RollBamaRoll over at SBNation - and I learned about it from Sean & John on 1560 The Game in Houston.

On Sunday, Lazio lost the Derby della Capitale to Roma, 0-2. Here's what Lazio fans were saying:

I love Reja but fuck him for playing for the tie in the first half... Fuck Baptista for unfairly continuing play after 2 Lazio players got hurt.... and FUCK FUCK FUCK to HELL the ref for fucking up on 2 merda handballs, 1 missed penalty for dragging down Mauri, and for giving a second penalty to merda after he saw 2 lazio players get hurt and merda unfairly continue play... I seriously hope he dies a very very painful death.

I watched this BS for the last time! It just makes me mad, it just seems as if those cunts always get the refs on their side! Lets get our revenge by winning the Scudetto! Keep positive rega we're still prima in la classifica!

We were owned by referees!!! these bastards need to go to the hell asap

If you believe in fate, or karma, then I am not surprised at all. We had some moments of luck earlier in the season, we all know the strange goals we scored or whatever the fuck. It came back to haunt us TODAY. It was always the chance it could happen TODAY and it has.

This referee is a fucking shitass

Things didn't go much better for Lazio, who lost to Cesena 1-0 on Wednesday:

Zarate once aggain was playing like he is alone in the pitch and is shooting a comercial about dribling, no collective game!!!

What a fucking disgrace. Reja must be fucking stupid for resting basically everyone. I knew we wouldn't score as soon as I saw the starting lineup. I never want to see that piece of shit diakite and gonzalez on the field again. I don't understand how most of our starters needed rest. They play once a week and the first time they get a wednesday game they are too tired to play? Fuck that. I guess if we make Europe then we are going to have a shitty ass season because our players have no stamina. To play 2 games a week. What a joke.

This past weekend, Columbus Crew were knocked out of the MLS Cup Playoffs by Colorado Rapids:

bahhh! terrible! i'm sick of my team

Lenhart with the touch of a rapist. Unbelievable.

remind me again of why Jason Garey is on the field?

Hold the ball up top? no

Keep possession? no

Finishing? no

a shootout with greenbaum, oh god, what sort of a sick joke is this? threw this game away

Meanwhile, the Seattle Sounders were again knocked out of the MLS Cup Playoffs, this time by the Los Angeles Galaxy:

This is awful. I've gone from thinking we wouldn't make the playoffs at the beginning of the season, to being excited that we turned it around, to right now wishing we hadn't.

A goal would be nice, just to pop that cherry.

I don't understand this team. We've got the players to play great attacking soccer, yet we suck at attacking. Anyone know when Jason Kreis's contract is up?

Speaking of Kreis, his Real Salt Lake won't be defending their 2010 MLS Cup Championship since they were eliminated by Dallas this weekend:

AND BORCHERS WITH A YELLOW! this is ********ing bullshit, that was NOT a yellow worthy foul at all.

If anyone from our side would like to begin playing like it was the playoffs - now would be the time...

this has turned into one of the worst Utah sports days i can remember. down 1-0 on a ridiculous against the run of play goal for dallas. utes get absolutely embarrassed at home. ugh.

ferreira dives more than a $2 hooker in the cat house. absolute bullshit.

im going to drink myself into a straight stupor, i absolutely cannot believe this. we DOMINATED the second half, all 45 minutes. what a waste of a season, the greatest RSL team will go down in the first half. ******** you MLS for setting up the WORST playoff structure.

ugh, im so pissed right now i could punch a baby. see you in february.

Despite being the only MLS team with three Designated Players, RedBull New York was eliminated from the MLS Cup Playoffs by San Jose:

Backe is shiting in his pant and is afraid to take out Angel....

I stayed up for that?

Complete and utter bollox!

That was a ********ing embarassment. ******** Angel. Hasn't won shit in his entire career.

Marquez: If you wanna retire ******** off and do it cos your moving on the pitch like you have

Angel: Goodbye and Good riddance

Henry: Go ******** off and watch the Nick you cheating, handballing frog

On Wednesday, Newcastle lost, 1-2, to Blackburn Rovers:

Hey, look, it's like we remembered we're supposed to suck at defense.

Type of match Hatem Ben Arfa could have won on his own. Instead, we have Kevin ********ing nolan

Ultras Tutto in un giorno il derby della Capitale - All in a Day

Tutto in un Giorno is an Italian television series that focuses on a certain event on one particular day through the eyes of four persons involved or connected to the event. On April 28, 2002, Tutto in un Giorno broadcast an episode centering on the Derby della Capitale, the entire episode is contained in the videos below.

The first leg of the 2010/2011 Derby della Capitale takes place on Sunday November 7, 2010, it will be aired in the United States on Fox Soccer Channel at 8:00 a.m. central time.

Derby della Capitale - Fall 2010

One of the biggest matches in the world will take place in the Eternal City at 8:00 a.m. central time on Sunday morning when S.S. Lazio and A.S. Roma play each other at the Stadio Olimpico. This weekend's match will feature a Lazio side sitting atop the Serie A table with 22 points hosting a struggling Roma side that has only racked up 12 points after 9 match days in the race for the 2010-2011 Scudetto.

The match will be aired live on Fox Soccer Channel and, most likely, ESPN3.

Here's some video to help you get ready for the match:

Bobby Rhine on 1560 The Game's Orange Slice

Former FC Dallas forward and current play-by-play man for FC Dallas television broadcasts joined The Orange Slice on 1560 The Game to discuss Dallas' return to the MLS Playoffs. The Orange Slice airs on 1560 The Game in Houston every Saturday morning from 9-10 central time. If you don't live in Houston, never fear cause 1560 streams live on the internet 24/7 - CLICK HERE FOR THE 1560 STREAM.

Here's the podcast of Bobby Rhine on The Orange Slice:

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Halloween Weekend Videos

Since Sunday is Halloween and since I haven't done a soccer video post in a while, I figured I'd do my best to combine soccer & Halloween for a post, here's what I got for you:

Prior to playing Brian Clough in "The Damned United," British actor Michael Sheen appeared in this short film of Saki's classic story "The Open Window:"




Did you miss this past week's Halloween episode of Community on NBC? Jeff Winger (played by Joel McHale) dressed as David Beckham for the episode (not the insider bonus for those of you who recognize the costume for Winning Ugly Radio's Scott Bornstein), here's the sneak peak video that NBC released:



This has been around for awhile, thankfully the player doesn't die as some have suggested:



Stop Land Mines:

Episode 22 of The Zygo Soccer Report

The Houston Dynamo closed the season on a positive note by beating the Seattle Sounders 2-1 at Robertson Stadium on Saturday October 23, 2010. This episode includes post match audio from Cam Weaver, Geoff Cameron, Tyler Deric, and Coach Dominic Kinnear.

Episode 21 of The Zygo Soccer Report

Saturday October 22nd will mark the end of the Houston Dynamo's 2010 season, the first season the team hasn't made it into the MLS playoffs. Here's some thoughts on the season and some audio from Dominic Kinnear, Brian Ching, Brad Davis, and Lovell Palmer who were at the Houston Dynamo's press conference on Thursday.

Paul Dalglish on The Orange Slice - 1560 The Game - Houston, Texas

On Saturday October 16, 2010, former Houston Dynamo player and former coach of the Tampa Bay Rowdies joined The Orange Slice on 1560 The Game to discuss soccer in the United States and the change of ownership at Liverpool F.C.

Here's the audio:

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Liverpool Sale to NESV Should Occur Today - Hicks & Gillett TRO Withdrawn

UPDATE - 8:05 am Central Time, Friday October 15, 2010:

At this point, it looks like the sale of Liverpool FC to John Henry and NESV will be finalized today.

Expect Tom Hicks and George Gillett to file a civil lawsuit seeking damages for breach of contract and other claims. Don't be surprised if this lawsuit is filed in the United States.

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Early reports from Associated Press this morning indicate that when the 160th Judicial District Court convenes in Dallas County, Texas at 7:00 this morning, the attorneys for the plaintiffs (fronts for Tom Hicks and George Gillett) will move to have the temporary restraining order preventing the sale of Liverpool to NESV withdrawn.

While that removes the Texas legal hurdle, it does not necessarily mean that the intended sale to NESV will move forward as planned. This morning we're starting to hear rumblings that Tom Hicks has either sold his shares to Mills Financial, a US hedge fund, or is in talks to sell his shares to Mills Financial. This presents the prospect of Mills Financial stepping in and paying off the team's debt to the Royal Bank of Scotland before the sale to NESV can be finalized. As to what this means to the deal with NESV, worst case scenario is that the sale could be scuttled. We'll see what happens and hope these matters are resolved before this weekend's derby.

Follow Josh Imhoff on Twitter - he'll be at the Dallas County Courthouse today.

Here's a link to Sky's ongoing coverage of the Liverpool situation.

UPDATE - 7:30am Central Time

No word that the Judge has approved the motion to withdraw the TRO, but that should only be a matter of time.

Meanwhile, reports out of England indicate that Mills Financial's efforts to approach the EPL for the fit and proper determination have been rebuffed by the league, which will only deal with the legal board of directors for Liverpool.

My prediction, the sale to NESV will take place today, but Hicks and Gillett will pursue further legal options in an effort to get more money out of the club.

The Night Before: Will Liverpool's Future be Resolved on Friday?

As of this afternoon the future of Liverpool FC was, to a degree, back in the hands of the Honorable Jim Jordan, Judge of the District Court of Dallas County, Texas, 160th Judicial District, as attorneys for the Royal Bank of Scotland et al sought to have the temporary restraining order preventing the sale of Liverpool FC to NESV lifted. I'm not privy to the details of today's proceedings, but I do know that the court adjourned and will reconvene at 7:00 am central time tomorrow.

It's possible that Judge Jordan will review the law, pleadings, and arguments tonight and make a decision right of way tomorrow, or he might allow more oral argument before making a ruling tomorrow (though, he could postpone a decision until next week).

Time is of the essence as Liverpool FC is scheduled to go into administration unless an order to transfer funds for the purchase of the club is made by 3:00 pm London time tomorrow. At this point, I'll let my brethren in England explain the ramifications of administration and whether that process can be prevented if the Texas court doesn't rule in favor of RBS tomorrow.

CLICK HERE for an article from the Telegraph regarding the current Liverpool situation.

CLICK HERE for the Guardian's take.

CLICK HERE for an article by a sports law professor Michael McCann regarding the current legal situation.

I'm hoping a friend of mine who lives in the Dallas/Fort Worth area will be able to attend tomorrow's hearing and alert us to the results as soon as possible. Keep an eye on my twitter feed - http://www.twitter.com/bzygo - for updates.