Tortilla9

I'm trying to see Frank and Christine in San Jose and can't see it happening. Does San Jose have papparazzi (sp?)? Regarding Galaxy and San Jose, barking up the wrong tree here. I don't have enough invested in it to fight this one. I go to maybe one game a year primarily because the daughter loves Beckham. Never been a big Donovan fan and Robbie Keane.... please. On that note, what the hell was wrong with Becks last week? It definitely appeared his panties were in a bunch over the GB snub and he took it out on the field.

I follow the Galaxy a little because it's my hometown MLS team. The Galaxy already have 3 DPs which they use for higher salaries, ie Beckham. Each team only has 3 so there's no way they could pay Frank unless they dump one of the 3 DPs, maybe Keane. The average MLS salary is 5 figures unless you're a DP.

Spanish team was playing like they were in first gear. Passing the ball with little purpose other than to connect the dots. They've played like that most of this tournament.

If memory serves for most of Euro 2008 he was a foil for Villa who gave him credit for his work for the team. In the final Villa was hurt so Torres actually played as a true 9.

Sometimes when I watch Spain I feel the mantra from top to bottom is "we MUST pass the ball at least X amount of times before we go forward with purpose".

I'm not sure how much he'll play for Spain in the Euros with the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, and Silva ahead of him on the VDB roster. He probably knows that too which is another reason why he wants to play in the Olympics.

While the middle has their own issues and the slow buildup makes me crazy, I think the bigger problem is the defense. For the love of God I hope VDB has seen the light and doesn't put Arbeloa back out there anytime soon.

I love watching ESP play but sometimes you can predict it to a T what they're going to do. I wish VDB would switch it up a little. I'm not an Alonso hater because he's an ex-LFC player but sometimes Alonso's inclusion seems redundant in the middle. What do I know, I've never won a WC or Euro Cup.

Niether Torres or Negredo are setting the Spanish world on fire. While Torres wasn't great yesterday I thought he was better than Negredo. Again doesn't matter what I think only what VDB thinks. I thought that first half was dull as dishwater. Second half Spain definitely picked it up. While I'd like to say it was because of Torres, the little man, Iniesta, was the man. And removing Xavi who had a poor game by his standards. Torres' speed did help and he helps pull the defenders more than Negredo does.

He's still a young player and he's admitted a few poor performances affected his confidence. I fully expect young players to go through ups and downs and hope to see him back on the pitch next season. Believe he has qualities which can contribute positively to CFC.

Damn double posting.

Not just Danny but I'm always a little surprised at how many players at this level play with their head down and never look up when they're on the field. What's up with that?

The thing is Danny may want to be a CF but Chelsea managers don't have him playing there. We can all go on and on about it but until his manager sees him playing CF and puts him in that role, Danny needs to put his head down and play whatever position he's given.

"He is one of those players who brings us speed, draws markers away, never stands still, and gets into positions to receive passes behind the back line," said Del Bosque, who is without the injured David Villa for the tournament. "Fernando is very happy to be here, he's euphoric."

Alonso makes the PK after a Korean handball. Cardoza converts a FK. I do like this Spaniard. Squad rotation, Torres, Mata, and Ramos subbed off. Twitter quiets down.

Torres and Mata off. 3 players not going to Euro 2012 subbed on.

Alonso playing better without Xavi and Iniesta. Too often when the 3 play together it's redundant and occasionally boring.

Spanish supporters on various forums are having a field day with the back 4. Not too thrilled with Mata's wastefulness in front of goal either.

@FootballFact101 Fernando has scored the winning goal in 3 Euro Championship finals at 3 different levels, U16 in 2001, U19 in 2002, and Senior team in 2008. There is a reason why he's well thought of in the Spanish NT.

By all accounts (newspapers following Spain, other players, etc) one Mr. Torres has been looking very sharp in training and glad to see it translated to the game. Cannot hurt his confidence to score so early.

I made a slight edit. Roman seems to want to win a certain way with some style and panache. The results are there and now he wants it to be pleasing to the eye. I think Pep is smart enough to figure out that he doesn't have the pieces at Chelsea to recreate Barca Part 2. Maybe that in itself is a challenge to Pep to see what he can do with a different, top level club. While some may not like the Barca tiki-taka or theatrics, I personally don't doubt Pep's ability. Another thing is he'll have the respect of the English media which is an animal unto itself. He'll have the respect which AVB never did. That said, Robbie seems to be well liked by the media but we all know it's not the media's decision, it's Roman's. Conclusion - it's up to Roman and Pep. Does Pep want to take more time off or does he want to step back into the fray? Never a dull moment at Chelsea.

I remember right after one of the PL games (can't remember which one) that Steve Holland was interviewed by CTV. Steve mentioned that he'd been working with Torres on movement, etc. Very interesting to hear Torres mention Steve publicly and reiterate what Steve said in that interview. While Torres is boycotting the English media, he should also boycott Guillem.

Why not Malouda?

I won't post it but there's a hate filled piece by Lipton also in that same rag. And he wonders why Torres won't speak to the English media.

Were there any players besides the Portugese players who liked AVB?