Ronaldinho is set to start for Brazil in a friendly against Ghana today in London.
The lineup has not been confirmed by head coach Mano Menezes but the rumors are strong and they suggest the former Barcelona and AC Milan player, currently at Flamengo back in Brazil, will start for his national team for the first time since November 2010 when he played against Argentina in a 1-0 defeat in Doha, Qatar.
According to website Pitaco Do Gringo, Ronaldinho will lead a team that will also have Real Madrid and Barcelona target Neymar.

Ronaldinho is playing well this season.

Oh yeah, and US - Belgium friendly on ESPN. Didn't watch the Costa Rica match, but hopefully they get a result today. Don't want to start a losing trend, even in friendly matches.

Looks like another loss is on the way. 1-0 Belgium in the 60th minute.

Ballgame .... 1-0 Belgium. Disappointment to say the least, just one goal in three games. Where's the offense going to come from?

That was a shit performance.

Wasn't able to watch due to classes, but sounds like another underwhelming performance?

Does it seem like Jurgen is just trying to get a feel for the guys right now? I haven't seen much since he took over, aside from some of the CR match.

hoops23;885567 wrote:Wasn't able to watch due to classes, but sounds like another underwhelming performance?

Does it seem like Jurgen is just trying to get a feel for the guys right now? I haven't seen much since he took over, aside from some of the CR match.

Yes to both questions. Robbie Rogers started today, so that should give a pretty good idea of how little feel he has for most of these players right there. I actually thought Timmy Chandler looked good at left back today. Him and Torres both did pretty well for themselves.

I thought the team played pretty well for about the first 10 minutes and last 10 minutes, but the other 70 was hard to watch. Just no real chances at all to score.

Saw the first half.

Im excited to see what Jurgen throws out there when the games gat closer to the Olympic tune-ups. I know we have to go under 23 for the most part for the games, but he will at least be fielding a team who is trying to win stuff and not trying to see what he has. All the different line-ups its expected for us to look like this, you just wish the guys he was picking stood out more. It is an audition afterall, and for the most part the fringe guys have bombed.

Yes, two straight losses is disappointing. I'd rather be winning. But Jurgen is only 3 games in. He has played MANY young players. This is something that Bob-o wouldn't hardly EVER do. There are many players who are getting some experience EARLY, so that when their is FIFA competition, they'll be ready.

He is also trying to "unteach" several years of bad soccer. Bunker in...kick and run. The USMNT now possess the ball! They pick and choose their times to attack. It's completely new.

The goal that the USMNT conceded to Belgium was a tremendous strike. I believe Belgium should be bothersome to many in the near future. They have 10+ players 24-or-under who have incredible talent and are with amazing clubs. They will be tough for several years -- possibly.

I don't think the USMNT is "struggling." I think they are just undergoing a new identity. It'll take a little time. There will be some bumps along the way (like right now). I hate losing games to Costa Rica and Belgium. But I think they'll come along. At least I hope so. If Jurgen can't do it...who can?

Another American playing international club soccer may be coming to the MLS...24-year-old Sonny Guadarrama from Atlante is from Texas and would like to get out of Mexico.

Tottenham want Becks. It's hard to believe that Beckham's contract is up in November. I don't see him leaving COMPLETELY. I hope he doesn't. He's been good for the MLS and the LA Galaxy.

Since Chelski v. Sunderland is on the cusp of kicking off...Gyan gets a transfer from Sunderland to the UAE?! Strange.

USMNT just scheduled a game with Ecuador on October 11 in NJ, I believe.

EDIT: Oh, this is on the heels of playing Honduras on October 8.


Another perk...UEFA Champions League starts today!!!

Here's what annoys me:

The USA rarely plays away from home (due to $$$ issues) and when we do, we seem to lose...So why don't we play away from home more so that we can better prep for the qualifying and WC?

Barcelona hosts Milan to kick off Champion's League group play today. Not a bad way to start it off.

Mulva;894521 wrote:Barcelona hosts Milan to kick off Champion's League group play today. Not a bad way to start it off.

Barca coming off a loss. This is a great chance for Milan to get a point and have the upper leg to top spot in the group.

Milan with a QUICK start got up 1-0. Then Messi with a moment of pure brilliance dribbling through the box and crossing perfectly to Pedro for the equalizer.

Co-worker of mine just said Casillas is the best player in the world...LOL

Said Messi doesn't produce at the international level so he can't be considered.

I lost it on him

SportsAndLady;894854 wrote:Co-worker of mine just said Casillas is the best player in the world...LOL

Said Messi doesn't produce at the international level so he can't be considered.

I lost it on him

That fool needs smacked.

Sounds like the Milan v. Barca game was wonderful. Milan pull out a shocker getting a goal 24 seconds in and in stoppage time?! Unbelievable. Wish I could've watched it.

Automatik;894965 wrote:That fool needs smacked.

He's the same guy who last weekend (admittedly after a "few drinks) told my buddy and me that the reason we prefer the premiere league over La Liga is because we aren't spanish.

Laley23;894568 wrote:Barca coming off a loss. This is a great chance for Milan to get a point and have the upper leg to top spot in the group.

Someone needs to Rep me for my innate ability to be awesome.

SportsAndLady;894854 wrote:Co-worker of mine just said Casillas is the best player in the world...LOL

Said Messi doesn't produce at the international level so he can't be considered.

I lost it on him

That is the most retarded thing Ive ever heard. At least if you go that route...dont pick a fucking goalie on the most stacked international team out there. At least go Ronaldo or someone who is the man on club and country. Jesus.

OSH;895003 wrote:Sounds like the Milan v. Barca game was wonderful. Milan pull out a shocker getting a goal 24 seconds in and in stoppage time?! Unbelievable. Wish I could've watched it.

It was pretty fun game. Milan with a stunner as Pato just outran everyone....easily, for the first. Then Messi with an unreal touch in the 18 beat 4 guys with one touch, and crossed to a wide open Pedro for the tap in. Just to start the second half, Villa smashed home a free kick from about 25 yards out. Barca dominated possession. Had to be about 85-15 lol. If they had just finished some great chances, no chance for Milan...but they didn. Milan got a header from Thiago in the second minute of stoppage off a corner.

The worst part was it was only a corner cause Eric Abidal had seriously twisted his ankle and couldnt run well so he got to the ball barely first and had to just kick it out. Barca were out of subs since Iniesta had injured himself early on in the half and thus wasted a spot.

SportsAndLady;895023 wrote:He's the same guy who last weekend (admittedly after a "few drinks) told my buddy and me that the reason we prefer the premiere league over La Liga is because we aren't spanish.

I love both leagues. But EPL is just better top to bottom (or I guess, they dont have the 2 dominant teams that just run away with it). Thats what makes all the games fun in the EPL. For the most part, you have 10 teams each year who compete with anyone and fight for the spots in Europe. In La Liga, its a fight for the 3/4 spots and Europe. No one else has a shot at the title.

In the end, we all know ManU and Chelsea are the two teams...but at least you ahve some others who can compete with them and make it close till the end. Barca and Real have 2 big games each year so to speak...the Classicos.

SportsAndLady;894854 wrote:Co-worker of mine just said Casillas is the best player in the world...LOL<br>
<br>
Said Messi doesn't produce at the international level so he can't be considered.<br>
<br>
I lost it on him

<br><br>That is the most retarded thing Ive ever heard. At least if you go that route...dont pick a fucking goalie on the most stacked international team out there. At least go Ronaldo or someone who is the man on club and country. Jesus.<br>
<br>

OSH;895003 wrote:Sounds like the Milan v. Barca game was wonderful. Milan pull out a shocker getting a goal 24 seconds in and in stoppage time?! Unbelievable. Wish I could've watched it.

<br>
<br>
<br><br>It was pretty fun game. Milan with a stunner as Pato just outran everyone....easily, for the first. Then Messi with an unreal touch in the 18 beat 4 guys with one touch, and crossed to a wide open Pedro for the tap in. Just to start the second half, Villa smashed home a free kick from about 25 yards out. Barca dominated possession. Had to be about 85-15 lol. If they had just finished some great chances, no chance for Milan...but they didn. Milan got a header from Thiago in the second minute of stoppage off a corner. <br><br>The worst part was it was only a corner cause Eric Abidal had seriously twisted his ankle and couldnt run well so he got to the ball barely first and had to just kick it out. Barca were out of subs since Iniesta had injured himself early on in the half and thus wasted a spot.

That is the most retarded thing Ive ever heard. At least if you go that route...dont pick a ****ing goalie on the most stacked international team out there. At least go Ronaldo or someone who is the man on club and country. Jesus.

I compared it to saying Joe Thomas is the best player in the NFL lol why on EARTH would you choose a goalie?! Ughh...I really hate this kid lol he's dead serious too...he is literally serious with the messi and La Liga talk.