Hi all - TalkSoccer

WashingtonDiplomat · 16-06-2007, 06:54 PM

Long-time US soccer fan here. My interest in the sport goes back to the early 70's, as a kid who was part of that first wave of soccer enthusiasm which swept across the country and gave rise to a later generation of soccer moms (who, I guess, were the girls I was chasing around the playground way back when...!). I was kind of born into it (soccer)...my father was a scout for the NY Cosmos, which allowed me to meet Pele, Beckenbauer, Alberto, Chinaglia, etc,. Later, he worked for the Washington Diplomats (hence, the screen name) and met Cruyff...

It's been great seeing the sport really take hold here in the states. More than anything, I am a fan of the US National Team. Living in NYC has allowed me to gain a recent appreciation for Red Bull NY. In the end, I just love great soccer...especially with US players, though I was a big fan of FC Cologne (Koln?) and Aston Villa (Soocer Made In England with Mario Machado and the Soccer Made in Germany shows). Looking forward to some lively chat...

**DavidMc** · 16-06-2007, 06:58 PM

Welcome mate, looking forward to hearing your opinions

You have come to the right place 8)

**Dellas** · 16-06-2007, 07:05 PM

welcome mate, stick around.

WashingtonDiplomat · 16-06-2007, 07:06 PM

I see that. Appreciate the welcome. Looks like a great board...can't wait to waste vast amounts of time at work browsing/posting!

Diabolico · 16-06-2007, 07:18 PM

Welcome, hope you enjoy it here and stick around.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 16-06-2007, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WashingtonDiplomat

Long-time US soccer fan here. My interest in the sport goes back to the early 70's, as a kid who was part of that first wave of soccer enthusiasm which swept across the country and gave rise to a later generation of soccer moms (who, I guess, were the girls I was chasing around the playground way back when...!). I was kind of born into it (soccer)...my father was a scout for the NY Cosmos, which allowed me to meet Pele, Beckenbauer, Alberto, Chinaglia, etc,. Later, he worked for the Washington Diplomats (hence, the screen name) and met Cruyff...

It's been great seeing the sport really take hold here in the states. More than anything, I am a fan of the US National Team. Living in NYC has allowed me to gain a recent appreciation for Red Bull NY. In the end, I just love great soccer...especially with US players, though I was a big fan of FC Cologne (Koln?) and Aston Villa (Soocer Made In England with Mario Machado and the Soccer Made in Germany shows). Looking forward to some lively chat...

Köln you were close

Welcome to Talksoccer.

WashingtonDiplomat · 16-06-2007, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oliver_Kahn

Köln you were close

Welcome to Talksoccer.

Lol. As a kid, they had a goalkeeper...Toni Schumacher...who I absolutely idolized. Sepp Maier wasn't too bad either.

Daniel24 · 16-06-2007, 10:27 PM

Welcome mate.Hope you stick around.Enjoy your time here.If you need any help you can just ask me and I will be glad to help you.

ManuelD · 16-06-2007, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WashingtonDiplomat

Long-time US soccer fan here. My interest in the sport goes back to the early 70's, as a kid who was part of that first wave of soccer enthusiasm which swept across the country and gave rise to a later generation of soccer moms (who, I guess, were the girls I was chasing around the playground way back when...!). I was kind of born into it (soccer)...my father was a scout for the NY Cosmos, which allowed me to meet Pele, Beckenbauer, Alberto, Chinaglia, etc,. Later, he worked for the Washington Diplomats (hence, the screen name) and met Cruyff...

It's been great seeing the sport really take hold here in the states. More than anything, I am a fan of the US National Team. Living in NYC has allowed me to gain a recent appreciation for Red Bull NY. In the end, I just love great soccer...especially with US players, though I was a big fan of FC Cologne (Koln?) and Aston Villa (Soocer Made In England with Mario Machado and the Soccer Made in Germany shows). Looking forward to some lively chat...

Welcome are you following the CONCACAF Gold Cup series at all?

WashingtonDiplomat · 16-06-2007, 10:57 PM

Thanks DJ...will do.

Manuel, I am ABSOLUTELY following the Gold Cup. Posted a few observations in the appropriate threads elsewhere on this board. Enjoying the US performance but I still get frustrated with our poor finishing. I think the US-Canada match will be entertaining and I think Mexico will have their hands full with Costa Rica.

Daniel24 · 16-06-2007, 11:18 PM

USA is dominating the Gold Cup.They have no team to worry about at the moment because they are playing great football.

WashingtonDiplomat · 16-06-2007, 11:25 PM

I'm a HUGE USA fan, but I don't think we have that good of a team where we can say we don't have anyone to worry about (yet). Canada has been playing some nice ball and the other bracket has Costa Rica, Mexico and Honduras...all very capable of winning against us. I think we are playing "solid" football but still break down defensively at certai times and, as I've said elsewhere, we still don't finish as welll as we should. But I'm hopeful!

Daniel24 · 16-06-2007, 11:38 PM

The only team you guys need to worry about is Mexico.You guys can take the rest.

**Jager** · 17-06-2007, 05:38 AM

Welcome aboard mate.

WashingtonDiplomat · 17-06-2007, 07:12 AM

Thanks Jager. Feel at home already.

DJ...I wish I had your confidence. I do agree that the US and Mexico are the two powers in CONCACAF but I don't think that there are as many "gimme" games as there used to be. Teams like Costa Rica, Honduras, Jamaica, Canada and Panama can suprise either the US or Mexico. Maybe I'm just too9 superstitious to be outwardly confident...so I'll just say I'm cautiously optimistic!