The Official TFC/Soccer thread
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Madferret
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Manchester derby tomorrow at 2:30PM with pretty serious implications - if United wins they'll go 6 pts clear of City with 2 games left each / if City wins they're level on points with 2 games left each.
Newcastle holding onto the 4th and final CL spot - either way looks like they'll get some games in Europe next year, that's a pretty big accomplishment for the Geordies.
LEAGUE TABLE
Newcastle holding onto the 4th and final CL spot - either way looks like they'll get some games in Europe next year, that's a pretty big accomplishment for the Geordies.
LEAGUE TABLE
hockeyfan1
New member
The TFC tied the MLS record for futility (previously hedl by Kansas City) going winless in 7 starts (0-7), with yet another (heartbreaking) loss this time in Utah, 3-2 to Real Salt Lake.
A description of the TFC players reactions after the loss...
SANDY, Utah -- The Toronto FC players lay scattered about the field after collapsing to the ground in exasperation and stunned disappointment.
For more, go to:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2012/04/28/tfc_salt_lake_recap/
A description of the TFC players reactions after the loss...
SANDY, Utah -- The Toronto FC players lay scattered about the field after collapsing to the ground in exasperation and stunned disappointment.
For more, go to:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2012/04/28/tfc_salt_lake_recap/
Madferret
New member
STAKES AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH FOR MANCHESTER DERBY
MANCHESTER, England -- The stakes have never been so high for a Manchester derby.
Sure, Manchester United was once relegated after losing 1-0 at home to City but results elsewhere on that day in May 1974 meant the Red Devils would have gone down even without a back-heeled goal from former United striker Denis Law.
This time around, the northwest neighbours' business is being conducted at the right end of the table.
United was in control of its own destiny until Sunday's 4-4 draw against Everton tipped the balance toward City, which can now win a first championship since 1968 if it wins its three remaining games.
"We've given City the initiative; there's no question about that," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "It makes the game at the Etihad Stadium a really important game now. It makes it the title decider, really."
There is still a week and almost an entire round of Premier League action remaining before the northwest neighbours go head-to-head at City's Etihad Stadium but the game is already dominating the sports pages in the British press.
Even with two more matches for each team after next week, the encounter is more important than any of the 44 Manchester derbies Ferguson has previously been involved in.
"Definitely," Ferguson said.
United looked to have a record 20th title in the bag after overhauling City but it dropped five of the last nine available points and momentum now seems to be with City, which already mauled United 6-1 at Old Trafford this season for the worst defeat of Ferguson's 26 years in charge.
Everton's four goals means United has conceded more goals at home than in any league season since 1978-79, leaving Ferguson to emphasize spirit rather than stats.
"We make it hard for ourselves but we have to go there knowing we're capable of getting a result," Ferguson said. "We need to get a result now at the Etihad, there's no question about that. There's no reason why we can't do that."
The one thing in United's favour is the experience of the title winners in its ranks.
"It's a huge game," Nani said. "It will be a difficult game, but if you want to win the league you cannot think about the atmosphere or the opponents, we must just think about the way we play and try to win the game."
"We have to keep believing in our qualities because we still have a great opportunity to win the title."
Ferguson has been trying to suggest the pressure is on City because of its players' relative inexperience and City manager Roberto Mancini has seemed ready to embrace that diminished status despite his team's greater financial muscle and depth of squad.
Mancini pointed out that there are still two more games for each side to clinch or throw away the title.
Defending champion United hosts Swansea and finishes at Sunderland, while City is at fourth-place Newcastle before hosting Queens Park Rangers on the last day of the season.
"We have another chance but they have a bigger chance than us at this moment," Mancini said. "After the derby, the games United have left are not as difficult as the ones we have to play."
MANCHESTER, England -- The stakes have never been so high for a Manchester derby.
Sure, Manchester United was once relegated after losing 1-0 at home to City but results elsewhere on that day in May 1974 meant the Red Devils would have gone down even without a back-heeled goal from former United striker Denis Law.
This time around, the northwest neighbours' business is being conducted at the right end of the table.
United was in control of its own destiny until Sunday's 4-4 draw against Everton tipped the balance toward City, which can now win a first championship since 1968 if it wins its three remaining games.
"We've given City the initiative; there's no question about that," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "It makes the game at the Etihad Stadium a really important game now. It makes it the title decider, really."
There is still a week and almost an entire round of Premier League action remaining before the northwest neighbours go head-to-head at City's Etihad Stadium but the game is already dominating the sports pages in the British press.
Even with two more matches for each team after next week, the encounter is more important than any of the 44 Manchester derbies Ferguson has previously been involved in.
"Definitely," Ferguson said.
United looked to have a record 20th title in the bag after overhauling City but it dropped five of the last nine available points and momentum now seems to be with City, which already mauled United 6-1 at Old Trafford this season for the worst defeat of Ferguson's 26 years in charge.
Everton's four goals means United has conceded more goals at home than in any league season since 1978-79, leaving Ferguson to emphasize spirit rather than stats.
"We make it hard for ourselves but we have to go there knowing we're capable of getting a result," Ferguson said. "We need to get a result now at the Etihad, there's no question about that. There's no reason why we can't do that."
The one thing in United's favour is the experience of the title winners in its ranks.
"It's a huge game," Nani said. "It will be a difficult game, but if you want to win the league you cannot think about the atmosphere or the opponents, we must just think about the way we play and try to win the game."
"We have to keep believing in our qualities because we still have a great opportunity to win the title."
Ferguson has been trying to suggest the pressure is on City because of its players' relative inexperience and City manager Roberto Mancini has seemed ready to embrace that diminished status despite his team's greater financial muscle and depth of squad.
Mancini pointed out that there are still two more games for each side to clinch or throw away the title.
Defending champion United hosts Swansea and finishes at Sunderland, while City is at fourth-place Newcastle before hosting Queens Park Rangers on the last day of the season.
"We have another chance but they have a bigger chance than us at this moment," Mancini said. "After the derby, the games United have left are not as difficult as the ones we have to play."
B
brothert
Guest
Away to Sunderland will be a nail biter for ManU. QPR and Swansea should be no trouble. ManC is playing Newcastle on sunday, who are playing tomorrow and won't be as well rested. As long as Balotelli is playing ManC are still capable of falling on their faces.Madferret said:
Both QPR and Newcastle have something important to play for.
Newcastle is on the cusp of champions league football and QPR will desperately want to stay in the premier league.
Swansea and Sunderland are firmly entrenched in the middle of the table,
That may have an impact on the race.
Newcastle is on the cusp of champions league football and QPR will desperately want to stay in the premier league.
Swansea and Sunderland are firmly entrenched in the middle of the table,
That may have an impact on the race.