alright... the metrostars are not in the UEFA Champions League... however Im glad that you believe so much in american soccer bc one day we will dominate
Just having some fun. It was still fun beating Bayern Munich last year 2-0, even though it was just a friendly.
I would say that perhaps the USA may one day <i>compete</i> with the so called "powers" of the football world...i would not go so far as to say the would ever <i>dominate</i>.
why not? as soon as this country starts to properly develops youth players why can't we dominate... I believe this country has the capability to be a world power in this sport once youth development is done like it is in the rest of the world... look at unpopular(not mainstream) sports in the us like swimming, tennis, cycling... these sports are not popular but are funded properly which allows for proper growth in development in the sport but enough of this lets talk UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!!!!
Man U will win the CL, count on it. As for a surprise, does Ajax qualify? Also, watch out for AC Milan, they just got Rivaldo.
AEK Athens as the surprise team. [/B][/QUOTE] Interesting choice, any reason in particular? I took Bayern over Real as they always play them tough and have added admirably to their squad this time around.Ze Roberto and Ballack should give Elber the service he needs to become lethal.
BTW...aren't they the team that may have to play another of their country to advance to the group stages?
Well, we still seem to underrate the Greek teams on these boards pretty frequently. However, Olympiakos and Panathinaikos have both performed pretty well over the past few years in Champions' League play, the latter in particular. AEK, the third member of the Greek big three, regularly gives both these teams a run for their money domestically and should be relishing the idea of what I believe is their first appearance in the European Cup since it switched over to the Champions' League format. Plus, their roster is nothing to laugh at - there is, of course, the load of Greek internationals that you might expect, but pay particular attention to striker Demis Nikolaidis and former Sevilla star Vassilis Tsartas. They also, I believe, feature Paraguayan international defender Carlos Gamarra.
As is usual with such teams though, their progress into the later stages of the competition will largely depend on the draw and the subsequent pairings they end up with in the group stages. There can be no doubt though that over the past couple of seasons that the "smaller"teams have been improving each and every season. I wonder if they will be in pot three or pot four if they make it to the group stages?
I think you have to favor Manchester United in any competion this season because they are hungrier after winning nothing last year.
They sold Gamarra to Inter. I think Bayern is my early favorite because they have every position covered this year with the arrival of Ballack, Deisler, and Ze Roberto. But if Milan can get Cannavaro they will have a dynamite starting eleven. and I would vault them to the top. As a surprise I would go for Fenerbahce. They just signed Ortega and they can't play any worse than they did in last years Champions League. But they will have to get through Feyenoord first.
If that was the criteria than Leverkusen would be the odds on favorite. They finished 2nd in every competition last year.