Magus978

As an American footy fan, I'm interested to see who the USA gets put up against. I watched every USA game during the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan (meant quite a few sleepless nights ), and I intend on doing the same for Germany 2006.

I watch all the AC Milan classics on Fox Soccer Channel, and saw more than my fair share of Milan games on one of the Public channels that simulcasts RAI (network that shows most of the Serie A games) so I believe my selections are valid.

AC Milan

Manager: Arrigo Sacchi

Formation: 5-3-2 (No real reason, just too many good defensive players to keep off)

GK: Sebastiano Rossi

DF: Franco Baresi

DF: Alessandro Costacurta

DF: Filippo Galli

DF: Mauro Tassotti

DF: Paolo Maldini

MD: Frank Rijkaard

MD: Ruud Gullit

MD: Zvonimir Boban

FW: Roberto Baggio

FW: Marco van Basten

New Orleans

Arkansas State (6-5)

GMAC

Toledo (8-3)

Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas

California (7-4)

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia

Navy (7-4)

Fort Worth

Kansas (6-5)

Sheraton Hawaii

UCF (8-4)

Motor City

Akron (7-5)

Champs Sports

Clemson (7-4)

Insight

Rutgers (7-4)

MPC Computers

Boise State (9-3)

MasterCard Alamo

Michigan (7-4)

Emerald Bowl

Georgia Tech (7-4)

Pacific Life Holiday

Oregon (10-1)

Gaylord Hotels Music City

Minnesota (7-4)

Vitalis Sun

UCLA (9-2)

Independence

South Carolina (7-4)

Chick-fil-A Peach

LSU (10-2)

Meineke Car Care

NC State (6-5)

AutoZone Liberty

Fresno State (8-4)

EV1.net Houston

TCU (10-1)

AT&T Cotton

Alabama (9-2)

Outback

Florida (8-3)

Toyota Gator

Louisville (9-2)

Capital One

Auburn (9-2)

Tostitos Fiesta

Notre Dame (9-2)

Nokia Sugar

West Virginia (10-1)

FedEx Orange

Penn State (10-1)

The Rose Bowl Game Presented by Citi

Texas (12-0)

UNC winning 9 games? Not a chance.

Maybe another 5 or 6 win season if things go their way, no more...especially when you consider that they play in one of the toughest confrences in all of college football. Just too many good teams in the ACC for them to even think about 9 wins.

How about Rutgers finishing the season 7-4? There going to the Insight.Com Bowl Game against Arizona State. What a great job Schiano has done for Rutgers!!!!

Would it be worth it for me to get this game? I already have Football Manager 2005, and since I have a bid on eBay for 2006, if I do win, I'd like to know what I'm getting into

EDIT: I've been outbid, and I currently don't have the funds to continue bidding, so my best hope is now to find it on Amazon for less than face value

Noooooooooo!!!

Pat Morita ruled in every role he played. RIP, Miyagi-san

On the field, he was a legend. Off the field, he couldn't overcome his alcohol problems. I feel horrible for his family, but I don't feel horrible for the way he lived his life post-soccer.

Rest in Peace anwyay, Mr. Best.

I plan on getting this game for Christmas.

Most likely, the first thing I do is play a season with Eddie Guerrero. I'd love to honor his memory by winning all the titles (probably not possible, but I can dream, can't I? )

Congrats to the 2005 World Champions, the Chicago White Sox.

Hard fought series by both teams, the Astros and their fans have nothing to be ashamed about.

Sad day in all of football. Mr. Mara was a pioneer. We'll never forget you.

RIP

ATLANTA (AP) -- Atlanta Hawks center Jason Collier died early Saturday after he had trouble breathing and was stricken in his home, his father said. He was 28.

General manager Billy Knight said the cause of death was not immediately clear for the 7-foot, 260-pound player. He said Collier had ``no issues'' in a preseason physical given to all players.

Jeff Collier told The Associated Press his son died in an ambulance on the way to the hospital and did not have any diagnosed health problems apart from his knees.

Team spokesman Arthur Triche initially said Collier possibly died of cardiac arrest, but would not provide details. He later said the team was not sure how Collier died.

``We'll wait until the experts can tell us, but there's no comments about any speculating at all that I'm going to do,'' Knight said. ``Right now we just think about Jason and his family, his wife and a daughter. He was a good guy, a great teammate and a member of our organization. We're going to miss him.''

The Hawks canceled an open scrimmage Saturday because Knight said the team was devastated. The Hawks play an exhibition game Monday at Charlotte, N.C.

``The players took it hard, as you would expect,'' Knight told the AP. ``We'll try to deal with it and keep moving forward.''

Jeff Collier said he received a phone call at 3:30 a.m. Saturday from Jason's wife, Katie, who said her husband was having trouble breathing and quickly turned blue.

``You get a call and it's your daughter-in-law crying saying she's giving him CPR and trying to keep him going,'' Jeff Collier said. ``I guess it took awhile for the paramedics to get there. He had a slight pulse when they took him and he passed away in the ambulance while they took him to the hospital.''

Jeff Collier told the AP by phone from his home in Springfield, Ohio, that his son had knee surgery when he played in Houston.

``Now all of a sudden this comes up,'' he said. ``We don't know exactly what happened. I'm anxious to find out. But I guess it doesn't make a whole lot of difference at this point.''

Collier was a part-time starting center the last two seasons after playing mostly as a backup in three years at Houston. He began his college career at Indiana before transferring to Georgia Tech.

Collier started 44 games last season, averaging 5.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in 13.5 minutes. With the addition of Zaza Pachulia, Collier was not projected as a starter this season but was viewed as a top backup. In two preseason games, Collier averaged 3.5 points and 3.0 rebounds.

Collier was drafted by Milwaukee in 2000 in the first round, the 15th pick overall, and was traded to Houston.

Jeff Collier said Jason had been married to Katie for four years and had a 1-year-old daughter, Elezan.

The elder Collier played at Georgia Tech from 1972-76 and said his son initially decided to wear the same No. 52 he did at Tech.

``He was a beautiful kid,'' Collier said. ``Everybody he touched liked him. He played basketball from the time he was in the fourth grade until now. I don't think the kid was ever in a fight or an altercation.''

Funeral arrangements are incomplete but the family plans a private viewing.

``Jason didn't really care to be a spectacle,'' his father said. ``He would have wanted this to be a quiet thing. Instead of people being grim, he wants them laughing.''

YANKEES LOSE! THEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE...YANKEES LOSE!

Bye Yankees. Thank you Angels!

I haven't been this excited about a baseball game since the last time the Yankees were on the verge of elimination (Y)

More importantly, we're three outs away from five straight months of Yankee "fans" whining and bitching that their $205 million team was incomplete and that they need to retool with another $20-40 million worth of payroll.

A little off topic here (playoffs-wise), but did anyone else watch the Mets finale today? I think it was very surreal, despite the loss, because it was most likely Mike Piazza's final game as a Met.

When I watched the Piazza tribute on MLB.com since I missed it on TV, I cried my lungs out.

Brings up an interesting question. Where do you think the greatest hitting catcher in baseball history will end up for next season? I personally hope he's back in a Mets uniform, but I cannot see that happening

I think McCarver said it was a good possibility that he could end up DHing for the Angels next year. It makes sense to me since he could give Vladdy some protection, would be on a contender, and would be back in the LA area to finish out his career. As a Mets fans since the mid 80's, I don't think there's been a Met who has meant as much to the team and yet got shitted on for his shortcomings. I think people will finally realize how valuable he was when he's not there next year. I liken it to the Knicks after Ewing left us.

Division Series

Angels over Yankees in 4

Red Sox over White Sox in 5

Cardinals over Padres in 3

Astros over Braves in 5

League Championship Series

Red Sox over Angels in 6

Cardinals over Astros in 5

World Series

Red Sox over Cardinals in 7

A little off topic here (playoffs-wise), but did anyone else watch the Mets finale today? I think it was very surreal, despite the loss, because it was most likely Mike Piazza's final game as a Met.

When I watched the Piazza tribute on MLB.com since I missed it on TV, I cried my lungs out.

Brings up an interesting question. Where do you think the greatest hitting catcher in baseball history will end up for next season? I personally hope he's back in a Mets uniform, but I cannot see that happening

World Series of Poker (PC)

8/10

It kept freezing up when I first played it, but after I tinkered with it a bit, it runs fine and sometimes I really feel like I'm playing in a World Series of Poker event. Finished 4th in the $2,000 Pot Limit Omaha event, but didn't cash in the Main Event

Addicting. Very addicting if you're a poker fan like I am

Got my money this morning, and already down $3

Doesn't help to always be dealt mid-connectors, and more 7-2 offsuits than I've seen in my lifetime.

Plus, the players at my table are relatively tight, so even if I got a hand, I wouldn't be able to win much.

Ugh.

Dynasty Warriors 4: Empires

9/10

Create-a-Warrior is still subpar, but the action and the musou attacks never get old

I just signed up for it. Hopefully this thing is legit and I get my money sooner rather than later.

Rutgers loses a heartbreaker to Illinois 33-30 in overtime

The Scarlet Knights blew a 27-7 lead, and deserved to lose. I hate coach Greg Schiano for being so goddamn conservative.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms X

8.5/10: Tough to learn, but once you do, it's addicting

The Sims 2

INCOMPLETE/10: Runs horribly on my computer. I gotta get more RAM before I offer a full judgement.

Duke?!? Kansas?!? What the hell are these coaches smoking?

Not surprised to see USC #1. Barring any major chokejobs, they'll stay there the entire year. I can't see them losing to anyone.

Cammy!

The Mets playoff hopes just took a major hit on that. In the time he's been back, I believe Cameron has been one of our better players. If there's one positive to be brought out of this, it's the fact that we'll get to see more of Victor Diaz. That kid is something special, and I'm glad that he's back in the Majors, even at the expense of Cammy.