**OFFICIAL Association Football 2012/2013 Season thread**

[Rageman]

I was hoping Milan would hold on. I don't even like Milan. I'm just fed up of Barcelona.

So says the Manchester United supporter.

[SebastianLeeDanzig]

Anybody else watching the highlight of this soccer year that's on right now? I'm talking, of course, about the final of the Algarve Cup. Unlike during the sucky last World Cup, Alexandras Morgan and Krieger are both on the team, so USA can't possibly lose this. And if they do, it's only because the latter is a double agent.

[MickeyG]

I'm watching Arsewipe against Bayern.

[MickeyG]

Unlucky Arsenal.

I know Bayern were missing Schweiney and Scarface but they were awful. Maybe it was complacency.

[Hellsinkey]

Rubbish game, but I'll take the 15 point lead.

[pieceofme]

Rubbish game, but I'll take the 15 point lead.

No kidding. We can't blow it now. Surely!

I really want us to win the FA cup as well.

[Rageman]

[Hellsinkey]

We manage away draw with Spain.

[MickeyG]

International breaks blow. England beat a bunch of nobodies, who cares.

[pieceofme]

International breaks blow. England beat a bunch of nobodies, who cares.

My sentiments as well.

[Rageman]

International breaks blow. England beat a bunch of nobodies, who cares.

People not from England, maybe?

Spain v Finland was your typical David vs Goliath . . . always fun to watch when it's not 5-0
I loved watching Honduras come back to draw with Mexico
Argentina v Venezuela may not have been dramatic but it sure was entertaining.
USA v Costa Rica was great because of the huge snowfall and USA was the only CONCACAF squad to grab 3 points and went from dead last to 2nd.

And how can you not like the Snow Fro from Jermaine Jones?


Plus I got to watch a couple of A-League matches late last night.

Always lots of football to watch

http://www.firstrow1.eu/

[MickeyG]

Yeah, but the likes of San Marino should have some kind of pre qualifying before they get to play the likes of England, Spain etc. Gibraltar are going to be joining Uefa too, so it's going to get worse.

[Rageman]

I completely agree. That's why I love CONCACAF's set up. All of the Minnows get mostly weeded out before USA, Mexico, Honduras and Costa Rica pop into the picture. The first round those countries show up is usually 3 groups of 4 with the top 2 from each group advancing to the Hexagonal. We CONCACAFers loves us some Hex.

Since UEFA gets 13 spots in Brazil '14 here is what a UEFA Hex would look like assuming that the teams finish by their FIFA rankings(which is a joke and a whole other discussion). Top three advance, fourth place playoff for the 13th spot, bottom 2 fall to qualifying round with the minnows next World Cup cycle.

Team - FIFA ranking
Group A
*Spain 1
*Russia 10
*Greece 12
Czech Republic 27
Montenegro 28
Bulgaria 46

Group B
*Germany 2
*Croatia 9
*Switzerland 14
Denmark 25
Norway 29
Turkey 45

Group C
*England 4
*Netherlands 8
*France 17
Bosnia-Herzegovina 23
Romania 31
Ireland 40

Group D
*Italy 5
*Portugal 7
*Belgium 19
Sweden 21
Hungary 32
Serbia 35

Playoff for final spot
Czech Republic
Denmark
Bosnia-Herzegovina
*Sweden(highest ranked)

I would love it if FIFA went to that format. A UEFA hex would be a huge TV moneymaker.

[MickeyG]

Those groups would make it far more interesting. Won't happen though, Uefa wants to make sure the little guys get a crack at the big boys as much as they can.

[Rageman]

England look boring and predictable as usual but still in the driver's seat with 3 of 4 remaining matches at home.

Predicting a Mexico win 2 or 3 to 0 . . . MAYBE USA scrapes a goal. No Landon Donovan, no Tim Howard and no Jermaine Jones plus two other Germericans injured. Add in that there are three players mostly playing out of position on the back line. I'll be at the sports bar with some friends rooting my ass off but this doesn't look promising.

Plus Robbie Keane may be out for the Galaxy for their Champions League semi-final tie with Monterrey. They qualified with Beckham, Donovan and Keane and may have none of them for the final stretch. Now MLS' depth and quality will be tested against the squad that's trying for it's third consecutive CONCACAF CL title. Strange part is . . . I feel that the Galaxy have a better chance against Monterrey than the USA does against Mexico.

[Rageman]

After looking at the schedule, England should still win the group since they have three of four remaining at home and don't have another qualifier until September. Plenty of time to panic and worry.

USA's makeshift defense played damn near flawless . . . but we were quite impotent on the attack. Mexico was denied an obvious penalty. They were the better team but that's not saying a lot. Neither squad looked at the top of their game. The pressure of the rivalry was obvious.

Pretty tight after 3 matches
5 Panama +2
4 Costa Rica +1
4 USA 0
4 Honduras -1
3 Mexico 0
2 Jamaica -2

Upcoming matches
June 4 Jamaica v Mexico

June 7 Panama v Mexico
June 7 Costa Rica v Honduras
June 7 Jamaica v USA

June 11 Honduras v Jamaica
June 11 Mexico v Costa Rica
June 11 USA v Panama

June 18 USA v Honduras
June 18 Costa Rica v Panama

Jamaica and Mexico both get hosed by having to play three matches in seven days while the other four squads play their three matches spread out over 11 days.

[pieceofme]

15 points clear still. And a good result before we face Chelsea.

[Hellsinkey]

Di Canio for Sunderland, this could get interesting. Vice president already resigned.

[Hellsinkey]

15 points clear still. And a good result before we face Chelsea.

Oh well. Benitez calls this a great season.

[pieceofme]

15 points clear still. And a good result before we face Chelsea.

Oh well. Benitez calls this a great season.

Seriously, I hope city knock them out.

[MickeyG]

Shocking team selection from Ferguson. Wish he'd retire.

[pieceofme]

Poor performance. Thought city were going to win this. Hopefully it shouldn't effect things too much. Surely 12 points is enough!

[MickeyG]

12 points should be enough, but United have been shit since Madrid which was a while ago now and it's up to management to get them going.

[pieceofme]

12 points should be enough, but United have been shit since Madrid which was a while ago now and it's up to management to get them going.

Yeah it is concerning. Still pissed off we got knocked out of the FA cup.

[MickeyG]

I dunno who makes the subs at United, but it was crying out for a change after Jones equalized. Fucking Giggs in center midfield? Please retire and let Jose take over.

[Hellsinkey]

Giggs and Carrick together doesn't work well. Jones played well, good thing that CD is his best position. The team didn't look like winning at all. I have to admit, Aguero's goal was good. This better not be repeat of last year's ending. 12 points should be enough. Though there's still Chelsea and Arsenal, I hope there is no choking with other teams.

[Hellsinkey]

7 more points.

[pieceofme]

7 more points.

[Hellsinkey]

It's possible to win it at Emirates, which would be sweet for RVP.

[Hellsinkey]

Citeh catch up by two points. Six points to go, I guess.