July 29, 2003

The magic of Man U: explored as New Jersey gets ready for Thursday's game between Man U and Juventus.

posted by dales15 to soccer at 01:54 PM - 21 comments

" The club is actually the second-most successful team in England (rival Liverpool has 18 league championships) ..." Hahahahaha. Take that and stick it up your Roy Keane!

posted by worldcup2002 at 02:14 PM on July 29, 2003

Heh heh...good one worldcup...

posted by StarFucker at 02:17 PM on July 29, 2003

Fooker! Get thee to the SpoFi EPL Fantasy League!

posted by worldcup2002 at 02:23 PM on July 29, 2003

I'm pretty sure that when we leave there will be some people in Houston or Arizona or the Midwest somewhere that still have never heard of Manchester United. One would imagine the vast majority of Americans couldn't give a tuppeny toss about Man U. And for once, I applaud them in their judgement.

posted by squealy at 02:48 PM on July 29, 2003

more than 75,000 fans are gladly paying up to $85 to see them at Giants Stadium As their exec said in the article, it's not supposed to be overnight success but the three sellouts and 57k at LA Coliseum speak pretty loudly for the present. But the 'Pool still rulez!

posted by billsaysthis at 04:19 PM on July 29, 2003

I guess I'm going to have to retract my earlier statement - they're not going to be playing on FieldTurf after all. I was wondering why I was seeing so many slide tackles in Seattle. (Side note: I know this shouldn't be the forum for this, but one person in my group backed out and now I have one extra ticket to tomorrow's Man U v. Juventus match. The seat is located in Section 314, Row 26. I'm not looking to make money off this; all I'm looking for is to just cover the cost of the ticket. I know some of you wanted to go to the match and didn't have any tickets since it was sold out, so I'm just trying to give someone a chance. Just respond back to me in private.)

posted by chules at 12:19 PM on July 30, 2003

GOOD LORD!

posted by StarFucker at 01:42 PM on July 30, 2003

chules: Where are they playing? Will you throw in the cost of a round-trip ticket? Heeeeeeee.

posted by worldcup2002 at 02:20 PM on July 30, 2003

Wish I had that much money in me, WC. ;) That match is going to be at Giants Stadium in beautiful East Rutherford, NJ. I was a little late on the stick when tickets first went on sale, or I would've had much better seats. I'm not complaining, though. I've been to a few American football matches sitting in that same area and you can see the whole field just fine. I'm not even going to go into the fact that I could be going to the AC Milan v. Juventus Italian SuperCup just four days later and then would go to a function in NYC where I'd meet players for both teams, but I have to move to Virginia instead. Not one word.

posted by chules at 04:58 PM on July 30, 2003

chules: You are a beast! Whoooo! Good luck with all the fun and moving craziness.

posted by worldcup2002 at 10:02 PM on July 30, 2003

Barca sure had it together last night against Milan! The Milanese coach was so pissed he subbed off everyone except his main striker.

posted by billsaysthis at 10:35 AM on July 31, 2003

Er, no, bill. Pre-season friendlies are just that. Friendlies. The point is to give everybody a good run out and try and get fit for the season.

posted by salmacis at 04:50 PM on July 31, 2003

Aye, it's all about fitness and experimentation. Hence Sven's attitude towards England friendlies. One team first half another team second half. Personally I think it's bollocks.

posted by squealy at 06:03 PM on July 31, 2003

Salmacis, he sent all the starters to the lockerroom at the half and stayed out on the field with the reserves. Even the commentators (Chinaglia) were making this point. This wasn't just about the practice. And hey, how about Howard getting the start tonight (game starts in a minute or two)?!

posted by billsaysthis at 07:12 PM on July 31, 2003

I am watching!! When is Juventus going to score? Where is Del Piero? Trezeguet? Nedved?!

posted by StarFucker at 08:10 PM on July 31, 2003

SF, they all came on in the second half. Juve did get one in the net but Howard was pretty outstanding.

posted by billsaysthis at 11:10 PM on July 31, 2003

Salmacis, he sent all the starters to the lockerroom at the half and stayed out on the field with the reserves. Even the commentators (Chinaglia) were making this point. This wasn't just about the practice. That is normal practice in pre-season friendlies. Happens all the time, especially when a club is near the start of it's preparations, which, I believe, the case with Milan.

posted by salmacis at 03:00 AM on August 01, 2003

I think billsaysthis was right: "Marcello Lippi, the Juve coach, was so outraged that he substituted nine players immediately after Van Nistelrooy's goal."

posted by worldcup2002 at 10:51 AM on August 02, 2003

More on the Man U tour via the Guardian, written by Jamie Trecker, apparently "America's foremost soccer writer." (Wonder why I never heard of him.) Good inside stuff on the press, the Yankees connections, the money, MLS, Tim Howard, etc.

posted by worldcup2002 at 06:12 AM on August 05, 2003

Depressing... Exhilarating! Downright sad... Hopeful!

posted by StarFucker at 09:40 AM on August 05, 2003

WC, that is a very interesting article, thanks; I especially enjoyed all the mentions of strip clubs. Hard to believe Keene is the top paid Red Devil and makes half of what Jeter does.

posted by billsaysthis at 11:23 AM on August 05, 2003

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