The Lions' Pride

Messi and Ronaldo are cleary the two best players in the world. Xavi and Iniesta are both amazing players and definitely up there, but to say they are better than Ronaldo or Messi is crazy.

I'm a die hard Manchester United fan too and just like you Sir Alex is a big reason for that.

As far as them signing Sneijder and how they'd play, I see it like this:

Premier League

Fabio/Rafael---------------Ferdinand-----------------Vidic---------------------------------Evra

Fletcher/Carrick-----------------Sneijder
Nani/Valencia Young/Nani

Rooney---------------Chicharito

Europe

Fabio/Rafael------------------Ferdinand---------------------Vidic----------------------------Evra

Fletcher Carrick

Valencia Sneijder Park

Rooney

I could also see him playing Rooney out on the left and play Chicharito up top.

Do you guys think Berbatov definitely gets unloaded before the season? Ive read PSG is very interested.

Anyone else been watching Copa America? Its only broadcast in spanish by me but there have been some pretty exciting games and I usually have it on in the background. Now the quarter finals are getting underway, Argentina-Uraguay tomorrow should be an awesome match with big names. Its amazing how good Messi can be for Barca, but so underwhelming for his country, especially with all of the attacking talent he has around him in Di Maria, Higuain, Aguero, and Tevez. Just goes to show how the talented Barca midfield makes that much of a difference.

Jozy to AZ is a great move. I just hope it's permanent and not a loan.

My big worries for us soccer, beyond rebuilding our backline, is club situation for mike bradley, jozy, and Freddy adu

Bradley got put in a poor situation at Villa, they had just signed a player who played his position and he couldn't break through the ranks. Not sure when his M'Gladbach contract is up but I can definitely see him going to either a better German team or an English team and contributing. With a fresh start for Jozy, you can only hope it will help him. With Adu, he really didn't do much on his 2nd Tier Turkish club, so IDK what to make of his two appearances during the Gold Cup. Hoping he can go back to a team in a top division somewhere in Europe, but either way he should be seeing regular time somewhere next season if he continues the form he showed during those two games.

When is his contract up? I'd obviously like to see him succeed, being so young he can still factor into the USMNT plans for years to come if he continues to improve - which starts by getting consistent playing time on a decent team.

WOW Argentina and Brazil both knocked out in the quarterfinals, didn't see that one coming. Can't believe Peru made it through to the semis either, I didn't read anything that suggested they had the squad to do it. Its been a fun tournament, lacking in the goal department a bit but other than that a good watch.

No, I'm actually scared even thinking about it, but thats a legitimate possibility after seeing the traditional powers in CONMEBOL compete poorly of late. It would have been really interesting had the full-power Mexico squad competed in this year's Copa America - I know that wasn't ever a possibility - and see how they would have faired.

Uruguay/Paraguay would be a bloodbath final.

Well, let the bloodbath ensue. Should be a good one.

Anyone catch the Ronaldo goal from last weekend? Pretty sick.

Guess villarreal wasn't willing to deal rossi. Have fun on the bench Pedro.

I don't actually know why they are bringing in Fabregas. They can't start all 3 of Xavi, Iniesta, and Cesc. Not unless they move Busquets, and his defensive work is integral to the tiki-taka. Imo they are better off waiting a couple years, when Xavi is ready to take a smaller role.

That said, I like what man utd is doing. Against Barca, you accept you lose possession, by a large amount. By getting Ashley Young and hopefully Sneijder, they get a much better cutting edge on the fly. That team might be over of the few that actually forces barca to back off it's high pressure somewhat, because of it's pace and skill in thee open field, and ability to maintain possession under pressure. With all due respect to valencia, giggs, and Carrick - they were overwhelmed by that high pressure. Young and sneijder won't be.

Disagree with you that RB is a problem for Man Utd. Rafael and Fabio are top class players and may be the two best young outside backs in the world. I don't see that as a weakness at all, it really is a strength to know you have two great players at the position.

Also, De Gea is ready for the big time. He has an insane amount of talent and always played well in the big games at Atletico.