Donovan: Galaxy players have lost hunger

The soccer intern only works on weekends now?

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 11:26 AM ET  06.03 by RuyDiaz

The soccer intern only works on weekends now?

Watching this Spain/China game and I'm liking Jordi Alba. Barca needs him desperately.

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 04:36 PM ET  06.03 by Freak Show

Watching this Spain/China game and I'm liking Jordi Alba. Barca needs him desperately.

Barca offered 10m euros and Valencia asked for 15m. He's in the last year of his contract and wants to return to Barca. He's coming.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 06:21 PM ET  06.03 by RuyDiaz

Barca offered 10m euros and Valencia asked for 15m. He's in the last year of his contract and wants to return to Barca. He's coming.

Been a hole at that spot for years, bout time they filled it.

....aaand Neymar still sucks balls.
Here is the rundown of the few games I've seen him play.
Against Mexico where he did nothing but dive around.
Against Barcelona: I don't think he played there and if he did I didn't see him
Against Velez, where he was completely dominated two games in a row by a 19 year old defender.
Against the US, but let's face it, any of us would've looked good in that game.
Against Mexico again, where he will only be remembered for being beatch slapped all around by Severo Meza

I understand how the Galaxy could lose interest. After all, they've already wont everything there is to win.
Just look at what happened to Barcelona.

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 11:13 AM ET  06.04 by Zarco

....aaand Neymar still sucks balls.

But Pele said he's better than Messi...

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 11:45 AM ET  06.04 by Freak Show

But Pele said he's better than Messi...

Apparently they don't have cable in Brazil because every time Neymar steps out he makes an ass out of himself.

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 12:03 PM ET  06.04 by Zarco

Apparently they don't have cable in Brazil because every time Neymar steps out he makes an ass out of himself.

They need to lock him in a Brazilian BBQ joint for a month or so. A stiff breeze can knock him over.

By the time is all said and done Neymar will end up being like Robinho. A solid player but not the best of his generation by a long shot.
As it stands right now I don't think he even belongs in the Brazilian NT.

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 12:03 PM ET  06.04 by Zarco

Apparently they don't have cable in Brazil because every time Neymar steps out he makes an ass out of himself.

He has tremendous ability with the ball, he's quick, fast, and a decent finisher.... BUT he doesn't know how to deal with adversity. When things go bad for him on the pitch, he keeps trying to do the same thing over and over again, and getting less effective as he does so. He has the ability, but not the mentality to ever be a world-class player.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 01:06 PM ET  06.04 by RuyDiaz

He has tremendous ability with the ball, he's quick, fast, and a decent finisher.... BUT he doesn't know how to deal with adversity. When things go bad for him on the pitch, he keeps trying to do the same thing over and over again, and getting less effective as he does so. He has the ability, but not the mentality to ever be a world-class player.

I've seen him deliver several truly outstanding performances in the last couple of Copa Libertadores, but I do agree that he needs to mature a bit more. The kid is still very young and I'd give him a bit more of a chance before calling him Robinho II.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 06:21 PM ET  06.03 by RuyDiaz

Barca offered 10m euros and Valencia asked for 15m. He's in the last year of his contract and wants to return to Barca. He's coming.

I think Valencia's signing of Andres Guardado has to be seen in this context. Because they already have a good left back in France international Mathieu, they often played Jordi Alba farther up the field as a left MF/Winger - which is the position that Guardado will be playing next season. With the Mathieu-Guardado combo on the left, they can afford to let Jordi Alba go.

South American Qual Roundup:

Argentina's first half against Ecuador was something else. Ecuador came into the game having given up only 2 goals in qualifying so far, but Argentina's star forwards just tore them apart with Messi finally at his very best for Argentina.

Chile and Colombia both got valuable wins on the road, in part because their goalkeepers made several outstanding saves early on when the home teams (Bolivia and Peru) were pressing forward. The player that impressed me most out of those two games was Arturo Vidal, picking up where he left off with Juventus. The guy is a beast. Not only was he all over the place holding the Chilean midfield together in the absence of Gary Medel, but he somehow still had the oxygen to dash all the way down the field to score Chile's second in the 80+ minute (not a minor thing given that they were playing in La Paz at almost 4,000 m).

In the other game, Venezuela did the usual in picking up points in Montevideo. Uruguay may be the best in South America these days, but they haven't been able to beat Venezuela in years.

At this point, Paraguay, Peru and Bolivia are the only ones who look to be in real trouble. Assuming that Argentina and Uruguay qualify, this means that one out of Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela is not going to make it. Ecuador is probably the weakest of those 4 right now, but given their big home field advantage in Quito, they can't be counted out.

QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 02:08 PM ET  06.04 by viajero

South American Qual Roundup:Argentina's first half against Ecuador was something else. Ecuador came into the game having given up only 2 goals in qualifying so far, but Argentina's star forwards just tore them apart with Messi finally at his very best for Argentina.Chile and Colombia both got valuable wins on the road, in part because their goalkeepers made several outstanding saves early on when the home teams (Bolivia and Peru) were pressing forward. The player that impressed me most out of those two games was Arturo Vidal, picking up where he left off with Juventus. The guy is a beast. Not only was he all over the place holding the Chilean midfield together in the absence of Gary Medel, but he somehow still had the oxygen to dash all the way down the field to score Chile's second in the 80+ minute (not a minor thing given that they were playing in La Paz at almost 4,000 m).In the other game, Venezuela did the usual in picking up points in Montevideo. Uruguay may be the best in South America these days, but they haven't been able to beat Venezuela in years.At this point, Paraguay, Peru and Bolivia are the only ones who look to be in real trouble. Assuming that Argentina and Uruguay qualify, this means that one out of Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela is not going to make it. Ecuador is probably the weakest of those 4 right now, but given their big home field advantage in Quito, they can't be counted out.

+1

Appreciate the insight.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 01:06 PM ET  06.04 by RuyDiaz

He has tremendous ability with the ball, he's quick, fast, and a decent finisher.... BUT he doesn't know how to deal with adversity. When things go bad for him on the pitch, he keeps trying to do the same thing over and over again, and getting less effective as he does so. He has the ability, but not the mentality to ever be a world-class player.

Plus he wears those breath right strips... you can't be world class and wear those.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 01:06 PM ET  06.04 by RuyDiaz

He has tremendous ability with the ball, he's quick, fast, and a decent finisher.... BUT he doesn't know how to deal with adversity. When things go bad for him on the pitch, he keeps trying to do the same thing over and over again, and getting less effective as he does so. He has the ability, but not the mentality to ever be a world-class player.

^spot-on

QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 02:08 PM ET  06.04 by viajero

South American Qual Roundup:Argentina's first half against Ecuador was something else. Ecuador came into the game having given up only 2 goals in qualifying so far, but Argentina's star forwards just tore them apart with Messi finally at his very best for Argentina.Chile and Colombia both got valuable wins on the road, in part because their goalkeepers made several outstanding saves early on when the home teams (Bolivia and Peru) were pressing forward. The player that impressed me most out of those two games was Arturo Vidal, picking up where he left off with Juventus. The guy is a beast. Not only was he all over the place holding the Chilean midfield together in the absence of Gary Medel, but he somehow still had the oxygen to dash all the way down the field to score Chile's second in the 80+ minute (not a minor thing given that they were playing in La Paz at almost 4,000 m).In the other game, Venezuela did the usual in picking up points in Montevideo. Uruguay may be the best in South America these days, but they haven't been able to beat Venezuela in years.At this point, Paraguay, Peru and Bolivia are the only ones who look to be in real trouble. Assuming that Argentina and Uruguay qualify, this means that one out of Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela is not going to make it. Ecuador is probably the weakest of those 4 right now, but given their big home field advantage in Quito, they can't be counted out.

^love this.

Gracias, viajero.