Soccer Thread

[Ajax]

The Armada match was amazing, if you missed the first 15 minuets you missed the most exciting portions of the match. We beats a MLS team 3-1 and had great attendance numbers so I think were off to a great starts. I really wish there had been a program with player profiles though... I wanted to know more about number 10, he was on fire.

Yeah #10 is Alhassane Keita - he was really causing problems for the Union back line.  (He has another name on the back of his shirt but I can't remember what it is and don't know what it means).  He won the Golden Boot a couple of years ago in the Swiss league.  Dario Sala has put together what looks to be a formidable lineup, and I would love to see how many frequent flier miles he's compiled over the past few months. 

By the way, I had something unexpected come up during the game and had to leave after the 2nd goal.  It was really good to be able to turn on the radio and listen during the drive home, and then to be able to get home and watch it on TV.  Cole Pepper and Mauricio Ruiz (JU men's soccer coach) did a very good job, and the camera work was very professionally done.  I'm really impressed with everything I've seen from this organization - from top to bottom. 

I like seeing our guys do well against MLS opposition, and I really can't wait to see them line up against another NASL side (Ft. Lauderdale Strikers) on 2/28. 

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

The field conversion itself takes 10-12 hours, and includes removing the pitcher's mound and covering the baseball field with turf.

What if the Sun's just use one of those rubber, removable mounds that they use in Little League?  No?  Crickets..... 

[CityLife]

The Armada match was amazing, if you missed the first 15 minuets you missed the most exciting portions of the match. We beats a MLS team 3-1 and had great attendance numbers so I think were off to a great starts. I really wish there had been a program with player profiles though... I wanted to know more about number 10, he was on fire.

Yeah #10 is Alhassane Keita - he was really causing problems for the Union back line.  (He has another name on the back of his shirt but I can't remember what it is and don't know what it means).  He won the Golden Boot a couple of years ago in the Swiss league.  Dario Sala has put together what looks to be a formidable lineup, and I would love to see how many frequent flier miles he's compiled over the past few months. 

That is a pretty darn impressive signing by the club. Not that I've heard of the guy, but in looking at his stats he was playing for St. Gallen in the Swiss League last season. They were in Europa League, and he played against Swansea, Valencia, and Spartak Moscow just last year. His strike rate in the Swiss League (which is ranked below Belgium and ahead of Turkey) was 1 goal every 231 minutes. Not great, but not bad. At 31, he's likely on the descent of his career, but I imagine will kill it in the NASL.

[fsquid]

need to sign Jermaine Johnson who played for Indy Eleven last year.

[ProjectMaximus]

The Armada match was amazing, if you missed the first 15 minuets you missed the most exciting portions of the match. We beats a MLS team 3-1 and had great attendance numbers so I think were off to a great starts. I really wish there had been a program with player profiles though... I wanted to know more about number 10, he was on fire.

Yeah #10 is Alhassane Keita - he was really causing problems for the Union back line.  (He has another name on the back of his shirt but I can't remember what it is and don't know what it means).  He won the Golden Boot a couple of years ago in the Swiss league.  Dario Sala has put together what looks to be a formidable lineup, and I would love to see how many frequent flier miles he's compiled over the past few months. 

That is a pretty darn impressive signing by the club. Not that I've heard of the guy, but in looking at his stats he was playing for St. Gallen in the Swiss League last season. They were in Europa League, and he played against Swansea, Valencia, and Spartak Moscow just last year. His strike rate in the Swiss League (which is ranked below Belgium and ahead of Turkey) was 1 goal every 231 minutes. Not great, but not bad. At 31, he's likely on the descent of his career, but I imagine will kill it in the NASL.

He probably heard about all the great stuff happening at the Shipyards and wants to be a part of it.

[Gamblor]

I wanted to know more about number 10, he was on fire.

Yeah #10 is Alhassane Keita - he was really causing problems for the Union back line.  (He has another name on the back of his shirt but I can't remember what it is and don't know what it means).

Back of his jersey says Otchico. Also not sure what it means

[ProjectMaximus]

I wanted to know more about number 10, he was on fire.

Yeah #10 is Alhassane Keita - he was really causing problems for the Union back line.  (He has another name on the back of his shirt but I can't remember what it is and don't know what it means).

Back of his jersey says Otchico. Also not sure what it means

Apparently that's his full name:

Alhassane Keita Otchico
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alhassane_Keita

[Gamblor]

^^ psh that's crazy 

[Gamblor]

Also anyone see today NYCFC announced they aren't starting an academy team, they are starting an academy league... they maybe promising sith lord apprentices, but if NYCFC throws money at that they way MC throws money at everything, then it is heck of a step forward for developing the next generations

[CityLife]

Speaking of Keita or whatever his name is, I'd love to see the Armada sign Nate Sturgis and Eddie Johnson (local guys) from the MLS when their careers start to wane. Eddie is about to turn 31, so he shouldn't be too far off.

Eddie was the best local player I ever watched or played against by a good margin. Not surprised he went on to have a great career.

[Gamblor]

^^Couldn't agree more about Eddie, you could always see he had the talent.

[Adam White]

Chelsea FC have just released some renderings of their proposed new stadium. The architect says, "It's beyond beauty or ugliness". Based on the (few) pics, it looks gorgeous.

http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/architecture-design-blog/2015/jul/03/chelseas-new-stadium-inspired-medieval-village-beyond-ugliness-roman-abramovich

[Tacachale]

Now that the Armada are pretty well established, I wonder what the thoughts are of the poster who was skeptical of their success? It sounds to me like they've done a pretty great job so far in terms of finding support from the community and using the baseball grounds for all it's worth.

[Adam White]

Now that the Armada are pretty well established, I wonder what the thoughts are of the poster who was skeptical of their success? It sounds to me like they've done a pretty great job so far in terms of finding support from the community and using the baseball grounds for all it's worth.

Were people skeptical? I guess it makes sense - Jax has had its fair share of sports franchises over the years that have struggled.

It seemed to me at the time that the Armada was probably the perfect fit for Jax - as the city had already demonstrated an apetite for soccer. Of course, they're currently sitting at the bottom of the table. I hope they can win more games next season - I'd imagine it's hard enough to establish a any new soccer franchise in a city, much less a losing one.

[Tacachale]

Now that the Armada are pretty well established, I wonder what the thoughts are of the poster who was skeptical of their success? It sounds to me like they've done a pretty great job so far in terms of finding support from the community and using the baseball grounds for all it's worth.

Were people skeptical? I guess it makes sense - Jax has had its fair share of sports franchises over the years that have struggled.

It seemed to me at the time that the Armada was probably the perfect fit for Jax - as the city had already demonstrated an apetite for soccer. Of course, they're currently sitting at the bottom of the table. I hope they can win more games next season - I'd imagine it's hard enough to establish a any new soccer franchise in a city, much less a losing one.

There was one poster here who was skeptical about how they were proceeding (and who seems pretty knowledgeable about soccer); I don't think that was the general sentiment. In my view the Armada seem to have been very successful in attracting fans and establishing themselves around town, which is all the more impressive considering they haven't played all that well.