2024/2025 International Club Football Thread

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by browna

Vancouver well in control from probably the 25th minute on.

An absolute inexcusable giveaway from Cubas. To Messi or really anyone, such a lazy play in a dangerous spot.

Vancouver had all the momentum after the goal and then the double post and all got wiped away with that dumb play.

They brought on a guy who has played 4 minutes for the team the commentary said. Not sure I have ever seen a team use a player in a final thats not even logged more than 45 minutes of playing time for them. But also Ahmed had Miamis defence on their heels every time he had the ball and they sub him off for a guy returning from a knee injury and seemed to change formation. Bizarre to take him off unless he was injured

[M*A*S*H 4077]

So sad the Caps couldn’t pull it off. Whitecaps were the better team for 70/90 minutes and deserved a better fate. Unfortunately a terrible own goal and a really poor giveaway sunk them. Miami buried their few chances and Vancouver couldn’t convert.

They played out of their minds this year and don’t forget how injured they are. Even Müller was obviously not 100%

I also thought Messi was offside on the third goal but they never showed a replay.

It brings me small joy that people were watching the MLS final and discussing it here. Watch MLS next year. It very well could be the most entertaining football league in the world. Most c haptic? Definitely.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Originally Posted by Beninho

No idea why the Vancouver coach took off Ahmed who was having a hell of a game up to that point. Everything fell apart after he left the field. Don’t think they even have gotten close to goal since

Ahmed had a great stretch from 45’ to the goal but otherwise didn’t do much. Unfortunate as he was arguably the player of the playoffs for the Caps. Had to get Gauld on the field and Sabbi was overall the more dangerous player. I think if Müller was staying on it was the sub to make

[browna]

I’m sure he was. He was running up and down the field for 60+ minutes.

He’s also not a goal scorer.

Once Vancouver goes down though the game changes. Miami wastes time and drops everyone back in the middle, so any Vancouver goal isn’t going to be from some speed counter attack which Ahmed would be good for, it’s going to be by pumping the ball into the box and waiting for a bounce to land on a foot at the top of the box or getting a deflection, and that’s not Ahmed’s game.

Will be tough for Vancouver to swallow. Own goal, brutal giveaway an garbage time goal, when they showed a lot more offensively. And they get to see clips of Messi for years making a simple 5 foot pass off a gift giveaway and 10 foot lob pass in garbage time and being hailed as the game breaker.

Mane’s shot or rebound goes in and it’s Vancouvers Cup.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Some (many) rumours floating out there that Ahmed had the flu in the week leading up to the final and that would also explain his sub

[Locke]

Davies gets subbed on!

[McG]

Originally Posted by browna

Wifried Nancy the new Celtic boss. Previously managed Montreal (and won the MLS with Columbus) when Allister Johnston was there in Montreal, reunited now.

All sorts of off the pitch drama going on with Celtic, but last 6 weeks a great story with Martin O’Neill stepping (back) in from a pundit role as interim manager, and, in a short time, winning in Europe away for the first time in 4 years, booting Rangers out of the Scottish Cup and narrowing the deficit in the league from 8 points to 2.

As a rangers supporter, how’s this working out?

In all seriousness though, managing old firm teams is considerably more difficult than many teams; you are expected to win every game and with style. Draws are losses when the team across the city is winning.

I didn’t think that there would be a worse manager than Russell Martin. And it’s Wilfried Nancy.

[Locke]

Watching the Bayern match...Lennart Karl is great, Alphonso Davies is getting a ~20 minute run out and...is there a player in the game with a better name than 'Wisdom Mike?'

I doubt it.

[Locke]

Davies is looking pretty good. Looks like a man on a mission.

[Locke]

And of course Kane gets his.

[McG]

Originally Posted by browna

Wifried Nancy the new Celtic boss. Previously managed Montreal (and won the MLS with Columbus) when Allister Johnston was there in Montreal, reunited now.

All sorts of off the pitch drama going on with Celtic, but last 6 weeks a great story with Martin O’Neill stepping (back) in from a pundit role as interim manager, and, in a short time, winning in Europe away for the first time in 4 years, booting Rangers out of the Scottish Cup and narrowing the deficit in the league from 8 points to 2.

After getting walloped in 6 of 8 matches, especially the second half on Saturday versus Rangers, Nancy is now the former manager. And his staff. And the director that hired him.

As a Rangers supporter, it’s a sad day.

[GirlySports]

Celtic are so weird.

They expect instant results from a manager who is patient and deliberate with the ways he implements his system. I understand that a club like Celtic has a minimum of competition and can legitimately expect to win the Scottish Premiership every year, but if you want a manager for the long term, you wait on the long-term results. If you don't want a manager for the long term, just let Martin O'Neill caretake for as long as he wants to.

[MegaErtz]

I'm not sure you understand the gap between the top two in Scotland and the rest of the league. This would be like if the Flames played in the WHL - they'd be expected to win every game handily. Six losses in eight matches is the worst run of form in their entire history.

[agulati]

I went to watch a Bayern Munich game last month. First time at the Allianz Arena as well as first time watching one of the Big 5 leagues live. Such a fun experience!

Pretty big Germany supporter on the international stage, so getting to see Neuer, Kimmich, and Gnabry live was great. I had seen Mueller in the Whitecaps playoff game last month, so it definitely felt like a continuation of a legend watching tour with Neuer as well.

The icing on top of the cake? Davies got subbed on for his first bundesliga action post injury. When I had bought the tickets I hadn’t thought he would be back before the Christmas break.

All this for just 80 euros with phenomenal seats. What a bucket list experience. If you guys ever get a chance to watch live sports in Europe, do it!

[browna]

Yeah I think if Nancy had a full offseason to bring in his potential type of players and implement his system he would’ve had more of a chance; he’s a decent coach.
But after O’Neill pulled them back into the race, there was no patience. Scottish Cup loss and losing to Rangers at home and a terrible run of results, that won’t cut it for Celtic to waste this season hoping that Nancy can big time adjust everything on the fly.

Along with the other usual issues of unrest within some of the supporter groups before Nancy even started to do with other issues, there isn’t any patience for this massive slip of play.

With a fan favourite O’Neill still available and willing, a no brainer, give him the rest of the year and have a plan for next season.

[Locke]

Bayern with a nail-biter against Wolfsburg...

[devo22]

lol, Real have sacked Xabi Alonso. Crazy ####, but it's Real, after all.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by devo22

lol, Real have sacked Xabi Alonso. Crazy ####, but it's Real, after all.

Yeah Real gunna Real...I do feel bad for Alonso but he made the same mistake players make. They WANT to go to Real.

So he makes his bones at Leverkusen and immediately jumps into one of the hottest seats in World Football.

Where does he go from here? Who knows. Its not like he was an abject failure or anything.

[devo22]

honestly, I'd be pissed if United weren't on the phone and offered him a ####load of money. Not that I'd expect him to take it, but you have to try.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by devo22

honestly, I'd be pissed if United weren't on the phone and offered him a ####load of money. Not that I'd expect him to take it, but you have to try.

Yeah. I'd understand that. Maybe Spurs too.

Hell...I know Liverpool wanted him for a while.