If you have the Fox Soccer Channel,

[Brian]

Real Madrid is about to play Real Salt Lake.

Barcelona just finished thrashing the New York Red Bulls, 4-1.

[Brian]

Real Madrid looked kind of lethargic at times, but won 2-0. It was really cool being able to see RM and Barsa live in action!

Looks like FSC has also signed a 3-year deal to be able to broadcast 2 spanish soccer games per week, so more will be coming our way! :thumbs-up:

[gary]

Real Madrid looked kind of lethargic at times, but won 2-0. It was really cool being able to see RM and Barsa live in action!

Looks like FSC has also signed a 3-year deal to be able to broadcast 2 spanish soccer games per week, so more will be coming our way! :thumbs-up:

Lethargic is how continental football looks - its called the slow buildup - then wham bam and tha balls in the back of the net - the brits play at 100mph max effort all the time - but the coninentals and latin americans stroke the ball about and probe for opportunity. there are merits in both methods...

[Brian]

Lethargic is how continental football looks - its called the slow buildup - then wham bam and tha balls in the back of the net - the brits play at 100mph max effort all the time - but the coninentals and latin americans stroke the ball about and probe for opportunity. there are merits in both methods...

Thank you, Gary! I'm somewhat of a soccer neophyte, but I'm learning to appreciate it more and more.

I found a link to the video highlights of the Barsa match (http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/sights/), (scroll down to the International section, and watch the video of Barcelona and the Red Bulls). Barcelona were extremely aggressive the entire match, constantly looking to break down the defense. Ronaldinho is truly amazing.

[gary]

Thank you, Gary! I'm somewhat of a soccer neophyte, but I'm learning to appreciate it more and more.

I found a link to the video highlights of the Barsa match (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:mediaPlayer.play%28%7Bw:%27%20mms://a1503.v115042.c11504.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1503/11504/v0001/mlbmls.download.akamai.com/11504/2006/open/gp/08/081206_fcbrbn_gp_350.wmv%27,w_id:%273091%27,type:% 27v_free%27%7D%29), and I'll tell you that they were extremely aggressive the entire match, constantly looking to break down the defense. Ronaldinho is truly amazing.

good luck with the of-side rule!!

[Brian]

good luck with the of-side rule!!

Ahh yes, that bothersome little thing. It seems that the referees were a bit more liberal last night by not calling it so much.

[gary]

Ahh yes, that bothersome little thing. It seems that the referees were a bit more liberal last night by not calling it so much.


I for one an of the opinion that in the case od offside disputes technology could help, same with did-the-ball-cross-the-line queries and did-he-dive/was-it-a-penalty issues

[Brian]

I for one an of the opinion that in the case od offside disputes technology could help, same with did-the-ball-cross-the-line queries and did-he-dive/was-it-a-penalty issues

It's taken many years to get it right, but instant replay rulings have finally become streamlined for the NFL (Professional American Football). It could certainly help, especially when you're in such high-stakes games such as the World Cup, when you at times doubt the neutrality of the referee.

[gary]

It's taken many years to get it right, but instant replay rulings have finally become streamlined for the NFL (Professional American Football). It could certainly help, especially when you're in such high-stakes games such as the World Cup, when you at times doubt the neutrality of the referee.
Yeah, cricket and rugby(like american football but without the forward passes and the padding) use it all the time... oh and the really important games are the league and the European cup competitions... internationals are a nice sideline... and it is compulsory for both sides to doubt the neutrality of the referee in every game

[richardksa]

........rugby(like american football but without the forward passes and the padding) ...........

Rugby - like American football, but played by real men.http://qsmile.com/qsimages/177.gif

[Brian]

Rugby - like American football, but played by real men.http://qsmile.com/qsimages/177.gif

Well, real men with just a few more separated shoulders, torn ACLs, and not so many brain cells. ;) God gave us just one body, and if you want to be a real man and destroy it without wearing protection... have a go at it, man! ;D

[gary]

Well, real men with just a few more separated shoulders, torn ACLs, and not so many brain cells. ;) God gave us just one body, and if you want to be a real man and destroy it without wearing protection... have a go at it, man! ;D

Its also an 80 minute game that takes 80 minutes to play and youre on all the time attack=defense

(and there is a little padding on the shoulders but nothing like the NFL

as a former rugby player (both codes) the only legacy injury I have is a minor knee problem - the main problem in the NFL is knees too I understand - they are difficult to protect from damage caused by impact from the side

[Brian]

Its also an 80 minute game that takes 80 minutes to play and youre on all the time attack=defense

(and there is a little padding on the shoulders but nothing like the NFL

as a former rugby player (both codes) the only legacy injury I have is a minor knee problem - the main problem in the NFL is knees too I understand - they are difficult to protect from damage caused by impact from the side

Knees are undoubtedly a problem, exacerbated by playing on artificial turf, and linesmen whose weight averages 330 pounds.

It really isn't a contest to see who's more manly, just who's more crazy! ;D