Soccer Thread 2016-17 - Page 6

ISiddiqui · 10-03-2016, 10:44 AM

'Failing' with Egypt? He took a national team that couldn't play any games at home because of domestic turmoil and had them one game of the World Cup.

Being 'ok' in Norway?! He took a small team that everyone picked for relegation and led them to Europa League. After he left they are headed for relegation again.

WTF?

Critch · 10-03-2016, 11:03 AM

Yes, he failed with Egypt. He took one of the most talented teams in Africa (African Champions three times in a row from 2006 to 2010) and failed to qualify for either the African Cup of Nations or the World Cup, then they fired him.

And by Norwegian standards Stabaeck arent a small team, constant euro qualifiers in the 2000s, champions and cup winners. Ronnie Delia took a proper small team into the Norwegian top division and won it, real FM career stuff, but didnt get a sniff of an EPL job.

Bradley has done ok, but he got the Swansea job because he sells shirts in the US, not on record.

BishopMVP · 10-03-2016, 11:10 AM

Perhaps he'll attract a little more attention in Swansea from the 8 person American soccer media, but I can assure you that Bob Bradley is not directly influencing any jersey sale numbers in the US.

ISiddiqui · 10-03-2016, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Critch

Yes, he failed with Egypt. He took one of the most talented teams in Africa (African Champions three times in a row from 2006 to 2010) and failed to qualify for either the African Cup of Nations or the World Cup, then they fired him.

You do realize what was going on with an in Egypt when Bradley took over the team, right? Complete with the suspension of the Egyptian Premier League during the violence.

Quote:

And by Norwegian standards Stabaeck arent a small team, constant euro qualifiers in the 2000s, champions and cup winners. Ronnie Delia took a proper small team into the Norwegian top division and won it, real FM career stuff, but didnt get a sniff of an EPL job.

In the late 2000s they may have been successful (where they had their one and only Tippeligaen championship, but then dropped pretty badly. They also won the cup only in 1998, but if you need to ludicrously pump up Stabaeck to make Bradley look worse, go ahead.

Critch · 10-03-2016, 12:01 PM

Yes, I know what was going on in Egypt. Fact still remains he took one of the most talented teams in Africa (three time African champions, players mainly based in Europe) and failed to qualify for both the African Cup of Nations and the World Cup. Incidentally saying they couldnt play at home because of turmoil isnt really true, they played all their qualifiers in Egypt.

Go and have a look at Stabaek's record on wiki, they've been top 5 in the league in 12 out the last 20 seasons. Hardly the tiny little team than he worked wonders getting to third.

I'm not saying Bradley is a bad coach, it seems Swansea like a manager in a more US Head Coach style while keeping all the GMing in-house, and I think Swansea are underperforming and will probably improve. I'm just saying that he wouldnt have got the job if he wasnt American. Cant think of another EPL manager who got a job with no EPL experience or experience managing a top club.

ISiddiqui · 10-03-2016, 01:44 PM

We're going to completely disagree about Egypt, which I thought was a phenomenal job - there was even a documentary made about Bradley called "American Pharaoh" about that period.

But have you looked at Stabaek's recent record? The last time they were in the Top 3 was in 2009. And in the interim got themselves relegated. 5 years with bad results and then Bradley took them back to 3rd. Where are they now after Bradley you may ask... oh look, 3rd from the bottom. In addition, Stabaek's first season in the top division of Norway was 1995 (they were founded in 1912) and their 7,000 seater stadium is one of the smaller ones in the top flight (I think it's 4th from the bottom).

miami_fan · 10-04-2016, 10:27 AM

http://www.football365.com/news/medi...oor-ryan-giggs

I would probably have gone with Steve Bruce myself but I don't see Bradley as the worst appointment ever as the panel made it sound on this podcast this morning.

ISiddiqui · 10-04-2016, 10:40 AM

I don't get the Ryan Giggs is more qualified nonsense. Based on what? Being a great player? Those skills aren't necessarily transferable.

Steve Bruce likely would have been a decent hire, but apparently Bradley wowed the Chairman (a Welsh man, not an American) in the interviews.

BishopMVP · 10-07-2016, 04:36 PM

Why is Chris Wondolowski on the roster for these friendlies, let alone the field?

ISiddiqui · 10-07-2016, 04:37 PM

It is definitely strange, especially when you are trying to develop younger players... but at least he scored

.

PilotMan · 10-12-2016, 07:06 AM

Look what showed up in my email this morning!!

Dear USA vs. Mexico Ticket Applicant:
Congratulations! Your ticket application for the U.S. Men's National Team's 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Mexico, presented by AT&T, has been selected for fulfillment in The American Outlaws section. The game will take place on Nov. 11 at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio (kickoff time TBD). Your exact seat location will be disclosed and your payment card will be charged in the coming days.

ISiddiqui · 10-12-2016, 09:18 AM

Woo!! Of course this means you need to hold up a FOFC Tifo so we can see you on TV

.

bulletsponge · 10-12-2016, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PilotMan

Look what showed up in my email this morning!!

Dear USA vs. Mexico Ticket Applicant:
Congratulations! Your ticket application for the U.S. Men's National Team's 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Mexico, presented by AT&T, has been selected for fulfillment in The American Outlaws section. The game will take place on Nov. 11 at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio (kickoff time TBD). Your exact seat location will be disclosed and your payment card will be charged in the coming days.

now we know who to blame if we dont win Dos a Cero

CrescentMoonie · 10-19-2016, 03:00 PM

I know it's part of the international soccer ethos to vehemently argue every call you can, but someone needs to let the Man City schleps know that you cannot argue your goalie getting a red for handling a ball 10 yards outside the box.

sovereignstar v2 · 10-19-2016, 04:09 PM

Fucking coworker spoiled the City match result. Maybe for the better, though it sounds like the scoreline flattered Barca a bit.

CrescentMoonie · 10-19-2016, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sovereignstar v2

Fucking coworker spoiled the City match result. Maybe for the better, though it sounds like the scoreline flattered Barca a bit.

It was a 1-0 match, with some great back and forth, until the goalie brain fart.

CrescentMoonie · 10-22-2016, 08:56 AM

Dortmund doesn't seem to understand that just because their opponent is wearing read, that doesn't mean it's Bayern and they have to play like crap.

CrescentMoonie · 10-22-2016, 10:19 AM

Pulisic off the bench for the goal to tie it at 3-3 in the 91st minute.

BishopMVP · 10-22-2016, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrescentMoonie

Pulisic off the bench for the goal to tie it at 3-3 in the 91st minute.

Plus the assist (generous assist, but run at defenders & create chances, good things happen!) So happy he stayed at Dortmund and didn't make the classic young American mistake of chasing EPL glory.

Young Drachma · 10-23-2016, 12:20 AM

I'm a Swansea supporter for the past few years now and the Bradley thing to me isn't surprising, but I just figure when we get relegated, he'll be the right coach for the Championship if we're gonna suck anyway.

Hoffenheim is playing great and hanging out near the top of the Bundesliga which is awesome.

Pulisic is a beast. Where can clone a few of him?

ISiddiqui · 10-24-2016, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Plus the assist (generous assist, but run at defenders & create chances, good things happen!) So happy he stayed at Dortmund and didn't make the classic young American mistake of chasing EPL glory.

Yeah, this times a million. It seems that the Bundesliga seems much better for developing young Americans than the EPL (It seems too often that Americans face a bigger uphill climb in England before they can start regularly - it seems to be slightly reversing itself with Geoff Cameron and DeAndre Yedlin, though Yedlin is currently in the Championship with Newcastle).

CrescentMoonie · 10-24-2016, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Yeah, this times a million. It seems that the Bundesliga seems much better for developing young Americans than the EPL (It seems too often that Americans face a bigger uphill climb in England before they can start regularly - it seems to be slightly reversing itself with Geoff Cameron and DeAndre Yedlin, though Yedlin is currently in the Championship with Newcastle).

I think the Bundesliga is more adept at developing young talent in general, likely due to the national emphasis on it. I would much rather see the next US teen sensations go there than any of the other top Euro leagues.

ISiddiqui · 10-25-2016, 01:29 PM

This is more esoteric for the European fans, but there is some major stuff going down in the lower leagues in the US. Tampa Bay Rowdies just announced they are leaving the NASL (D2 for what that means in the US soccer landscape) for USL (D3, who want to be D2), which is highly significant. Not just because the NASL is losing teams quickly and not making a ton of money, but because the Rowdies, along with the New York Cosmos, are the most famous of NASL teams. It'd be similar to if Celtic announced it was leaving the Scottish Premier League.

So with this news and news that later this week the Ottawa Fury are leaving the NASL for the USL, it appears the NASL, with, what 8 teams now, is dead. It'll likely accelerate other teams like Indy Eleven and FC Edmonton exploring leaving. It bolsters the USL and their attempts to be D2.

It seems like that the USL will try to get to 40 teams and then either do a 20 team East and 20 team West league (which is basically what they have now with less teams) or have a USL 1 and USL 2, with potential for pro/reg in that limited league (with the MLS owned teams unable to be promoted). The issues with the later option is that travel costs would be significant for teams if its a national wide league. The reason USL has East and West conferences where teams don't play each other between conferences is due to travel money concerns.

CrescentMoonie · 10-25-2016, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

This is more esoteric for the European fans, but there is some major stuff going down in the lower leagues in the US. Tampa Bay Rowdies just announced they are leaving the NASL (D2 for what that means in the US soccer landscape) for USL (D3, who want to be D2), which is highly significant. Not just because the NASL is losing teams quickly and not making a ton of money, but because the Rowdies, along with the New York Cosmos, are the most famous of NASL teams. It'd be similar to if Celtic announced it was leaving the Scottish Premier League.

So with this news and news that later this week the Ottawa Fury are leaving the NASL for the USL, it appears the NASL, with, what 8 teams now, is dead. It'll likely accelerate other teams like Indy Eleven and FC Edmonton exploring leaving. It bolsters the USL and their attempts to be D2.

It seems like that the USL will try to get to 40 teams and then either do a 20 team East and 20 team West league (which is basically what they have now with less teams) or have a USL 1 and USL 2, with potential for pro/reg in that limited league (with the MLS owned teams unable to be promoted). The issues with the later option is that travel costs would be significant for teams if its a national wide league. The reason USL has East and West conferences where teams don't play each other between conferences is due to travel money concerns.

The sad part is that the NASL had the offer on the table to play the development role that USL is now playing. Commissioner Downs was on board, as were several teams, but the NeoCosmos talked everyone into sticking around and replacing Downs with Bill Peterson who has been part of one losing league after another (NFL Europa, UFL) to be their figurehead. They literally have tried to sell the idea of being a competing D1 against MLS. The on field product has been good, and some of the teams have been doing really well on the attendance front. Losing San Antonio last year was the beginning of the end. It's a shame as they had finally gotten national TV with CBSSN. Hopefully the stable remaining franchises will make the USL move and it will hit D2 qualifications soon.

ISiddiqui · 10-25-2016, 02:14 PM

Oh, the Ottawa Fury announcement was actually for today as well - just a few hours after the Tampa Bay Rowdies announcement. USL is really going for the throat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrescentMoonie

The sad part is that the NASL had the offer on the table to play the development role that USL is now playing. Commissioner Downs was on board, as were several teams, but the NeoCosmos talked everyone into sticking around and replacing Downs with Bill Peterson who has been part of one losing league after another (NFL Europa, UFL) to be their figurehead. They literally have tried to sell the idea of being a competing D1 against MLS. The on field product has been good, and some of the teams have been doing really well on the attendance front. Losing San Antonio last year was the beginning of the end. It's a shame as they had finally gotten national TV with CBSSN. Hopefully the stable remaining franchises will make the USL move and it will hit D2 qualifications soon.

Yep. I mean the NASL could have had a good working relationship with MLS. And then the Cosmos ruined everything for the NASL... again (well the first time wasn't totally their fault, just lack of long term thinking). Once the NASL tried to set itself up as an adversarial league to MLS, the USL, very smartly, jumped in to fill that partnership role. Ironically, because USL was a complete mess before that, while NASL was relatively stable.

ISiddiqui · 10-25-2016, 02:26 PM

Oh, also this happened:

MLS sets average attendance record in 2016 as Seattle Sounders lead all clubs - ESPN FC

Quote:

With the regular season now complete, data provided by MLS revealed an average attendance of 21,692 fans per game in 2016, just beating out the mark of 21,558 set in 2015.

It marked the third consecutive season that the attendance record had been broken, and the second season in a row that the average attendance exceeded 21,000 fans per game. MLS has seen its attendance increase 40 percent from 2006, when its average attendance was 15,504.

MLS is now the sixth-best attended soccer league in the world, behind the German Bundesliga, English Premier League, Spain's La Liga, Mexico's Liga MX, and the Chinese Super League.

cougarfreak · 10-25-2016, 05:16 PM

And FC Cincinnati averaged 17,200in their inaugural season in the USL.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

CrescentMoonie · 10-25-2016, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cougarfreak

And FC Cincinnati averaged 17,200in their inaugural season in the USL.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Their median was nearly 100 higher than their average.

ISiddiqui · 10-26-2016, 01:09 PM

So apparently the MLS has had a banner year. Not just the highest attendance ever, but also a massive uptick in television viewers (still not great, mind) and they are seemingly killing it on social media:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/markjbur.../#4ddc50f35677

Quote:

MLS followers across its social platforms have increased 95 percent in the past year while almost 690% percent since 2013.

Quote:

According to MLS, 55 percent of its viewership this year was aged 18-49, which is the highest percentage of any North American sports league. As Handler explained, the conversation with network executives at media companies like FOX, ESPN and Univision — all league partners in 2016 — more times than not revolves around that coveted demographic. For MLS to see such a high statistic in its sophomore year with the networks is a sign that “things are definitely clicking,” Handler said.

He pointed out that to date, the 2016 season has delivered 25.7 million gross viewership, which is an eight percent uptick from 2015. Additionally, two matches netted a million viewers this season, too.

Quote:

Forbes recently talked with Handler to discuss all things MLS, where now the average club is valued at $185 million, an 18 percent increase from 2015. When the first valuations were released in 2008, the average club was listed at just $37 million, a 400 percent spike.

Great news!

Neuqua · 10-26-2016, 02:52 PM

I just wish they'd get rid of the Chicago Fire ownership who are basically only holding on to the franchise for the huge profit they're going to make at the eventual flip.

Every season ticket holder I know has left to go support other local soccer teams (Red Stars) because of the lack of direction and effort from the higher ups. Chicago loves it's soccer, they would rabidly support a good team.

ISiddiqui · 10-27-2016, 09:20 AM

Great article on 538 today. I knew somewhat about how Reep screwed up the game from "Inverting the Pyramid" (MUCH recommended):

How One Man’s Bad Math Helped Ruin Decades Of English Soccer | FiveThirtyEight

Quote:

In the latest installment in our documentary podcast series Ahead Of Their Time, we look at Charles Reep, the father of soccer analytics — and a guy who made one big, glaring mistake that changed the course of English soccer for the worse. But in order to arrive at his very wrong conclusion, he first had to radically transform the way people thought about consuming a soccer match.

Mizzou B-ball fan · 10-28-2016, 03:59 PM

Wow. Vermes didn't pull any punches on this post-game conference. If this was a FM game, he just pushed every critical response in the entire press conference.

ISiddiqui · 10-28-2016, 04:12 PM

Well it was a terrible call.

I think next year is when MLS is going one of the pilot leagues in FIFA's instant replay trial. Hopefully it can deal with things like this (quickly, of course)

MrBug708 · 10-29-2016, 01:27 PM

Zaha goes down way to easy because he's so thin, but it's a shame because the refs just ignore every time he goes down, whether it's valid or not

CrescentMoonie · 11-01-2016, 04:16 PM

It's not often that Barca gets manhandled like this. Man City has been dominant for a good 30 minutes here.

MIJB#19 · 11-01-2016, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrescentMoonie

It's not often that Barca gets manhandled like this. Man City has been dominant for a good 30 minutes here.

Despite that a draw would have pulled Barcelona through to the knockout stages, the early 1-0 lead meant Manchester City would have to win 6-1 or better to get the head-to-head tie-breaker. All in all, Barcelona was already 9 toes into the next round, while Man. City needed every single one of those 3 points to stay ahead of BMg and Celtic.

sovereignstar v2 · 11-01-2016, 08:19 PM

Great performance and it happened despite the ref giving Sterling a yellow for a dive instead of a stonewall penalty in the opening minutes. Seemed like it was going to be them against the world if the ref wasn't going to be at his best.

TroyF · 11-02-2016, 09:14 AM

If you haven't seen the goal Ozil scored yesterday to win the game for Arsenal, I highly recommend you find it. I watched it live, what an amazing, amazing goal.

City were royally screwed on that Sterling call yesterday. Glad it didn't make a difference in the game.

https://streamable.com/7vow

TroyF · 11-04-2016, 09:04 AM

Will FIFA and the MLS EVER end this asinine rule that if a match official sees something, no action can be taken afterwards?

Instead of pretending nothing happened and moving on, it should create double suspensions: The player for being an idiot and the ref for not taking action on an obvious incident.

This past week we have both Villa and Ibra escaping punishment for violent conduct because the refs "saw what they did and didn't take action" If the ref saw a violent kick to the back for someones legs and a throat grab and chose not to take action, they should probably lose their jobs.

Either they didn't see it fully or they are incompetent. There really isn't another option here.

Sorry for the rant, but this rule pisses me off so much.

AlexB · 11-04-2016, 01:12 PM

Yeah, it, and many other rules in the game are just dumb. Couldn't agree with your rant more, but am sufficiently tired of it to be angry any more

miami_fan · 11-05-2016, 01:36 PM

It is still early, but is it possible that Diego Costa has removed all of the drug that is José Mourinho out of his system and is back to being the player he was at Athletico Madrid?

Critch · 11-05-2016, 07:55 PM

East Kilbride FC, Scottish Lowlands League (5th level) team, won their 27th competitive game in a row today, apparently beating the world record.

Ajax (previous holders of the record, 26 games won in the early 70s) sent their TV station to cover it, and presented the team with 27 crates of Dutch lager to celebrate. That was nice of them.

PilotMan · 11-07-2016, 08:05 PM

Neither Beckerman nor Wondo on the team this week. That has to be a plus.

I'm so excited for the game this week. Going up the night before to party with AO and then tailgate before the game on Friday.

ISiddiqui · 11-08-2016, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PilotMan

Neither Beckerman nor Wondo on the team this week. That has to be a plus.

But no Cameron either... and maybe no Morris as well

.

I'm guessing Omar Gonzales or Matt Besler may join John Brooks in Central Defense?

ISiddiqui · 11-08-2016, 09:48 AM

Apparently Alan Gordon has been called up to replace Jordan Morris... WTF?

kingfc22 · 11-11-2016, 06:37 PM

How is Tim Chandler starting for us???

MrBug708 · 11-11-2016, 06:44 PM

CP is the 10.

We are going to go balls to the wall attacking in this match

MrBug708 · 11-11-2016, 07:24 PM

Bradley sucks tonight

Fire Jurgy

kingfc22 · 11-11-2016, 07:28 PM

US getting beat all over the field. Should be 3-0 Mexico right now.

MrBug708 · 11-11-2016, 07:42 PM

Howard hurt.

10-03-2016, 10:44 AM	#251
ISiddiqui Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Decatur, GA	'Failing' with Egypt? He took a national team that couldn't play any games at home because of domestic turmoil and had them one game of the World Cup. Being 'ok' in Norway?! He took a small team that everyone picked for relegation and led them to Europa League. After he left they are headed for relegation again. WTF? __________________ "A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages" -Tennessee Williams

10-03-2016, 01:44 PM	#256
ISiddiqui Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Decatur, GA	We're going to completely disagree about Egypt, which I thought was a phenomenal job - there was even a documentary made about Bradley called "American Pharaoh" about that period. But have you looked at Stabaek's recent record? The last time they were in the Top 3 was in 2009. And in the interim got themselves relegated. 5 years with bad results and then Bradley took them back to 3rd. Where are they now after Bradley you may ask... oh look, 3rd from the bottom. In addition, Stabaek's first season in the top division of Norway was 1995 (they were founded in 1912) and their 7,000 seater stadium is one of the smaller ones in the top flight (I think it's 4th from the bottom). __________________ "A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages" -Tennessee Williams

10-04-2016, 10:27 AM	#257
miami_fan Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Land O Lakes FL	http://www.football365.com/news/medi...oor-ryan-giggs I would probably have gone with Steve Bruce myself but I don't see Bradley as the worst appointment ever as the panel made it sound on this podcast this morning. __________________ "The blind soldier fought for me in this war. The least I can do now is fight for him. I have eyes. He hasn’t. I have a voice on the radio, he hasn’t. I was born a white man. And until a colored man is a full citizen, like me, I haven’t the leisure to enjoy the freedom that colored man risked his life to maintain for me. I don’t own what I have until he owns an equal share of it. Until somebody beats me and blinds me, I am in his debt."- Orson Welles August 11, 1946

10-04-2016, 10:40 AM	#258
ISiddiqui Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Decatur, GA	I don't get the Ryan Giggs is more qualified nonsense. Based on what? Being a great player? Those skills aren't necessarily transferable. Steve Bruce likely would have been a decent hire, but apparently Bradley wowed the Chairman (a Welsh man, not an American) in the interviews. __________________ "A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages" -Tennessee Williams

10-07-2016, 04:37 PM	#260
ISiddiqui Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Decatur, GA	It is definitely strange, especially when you are trying to develop younger players... but at least he scored . __________________ "A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages" -Tennessee Williams

10-03-2016, 11:03 AM	#252
Critch lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Herndon, VA	Yes, he failed with Egypt. He took one of the most talented teams in Africa (African Champions three times in a row from 2006 to 2010) and failed to qualify for either the African Cup of Nations or the World Cup, then they fired him. And by Norwegian standards Stabaeck arent a small team, constant euro qualifiers in the 2000s, champions and cup winners. Ronnie Delia took a proper small team into the Norwegian top division and won it, real FM career stuff, but didnt get a sniff of an EPL job. Bradley has done ok, but he got the Swansea job because he sells shirts in the US, not on record.

10-03-2016, 11:10 AM	#253
BishopMVP Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Concord, MA/UMass	Perhaps he'll attract a little more attention in Swansea from the 8 person American soccer media, but I can assure you that Bob Bradley is not directly influencing any jersey sale numbers in the US.

10-03-2016, 12:01 PM	#255
Critch lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Herndon, VA	Yes, I know what was going on in Egypt. Fact still remains he took one of the most talented teams in Africa (three time African champions, players mainly based in Europe) and failed to qualify for both the African Cup of Nations and the World Cup. Incidentally saying they couldnt play at home because of turmoil isnt really true, they played all their qualifiers in Egypt. Go and have a look at Stabaek's record on wiki, they've been top 5 in the league in 12 out the last 20 seasons. Hardly the tiny little team than he worked wonders getting to third. I'm not saying Bradley is a bad coach, it seems Swansea like a manager in a more US Head Coach style while keeping all the GMing in-house, and I think Swansea are underperforming and will probably improve. I'm just saying that he wouldnt have got the job if he wasnt American. Cant think of another EPL manager who got a job with no EPL experience or experience managing a top club.

10-07-2016, 04:36 PM	#259
BishopMVP Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Concord, MA/UMass	Why is Chris Wondolowski on the roster for these friendlies, let alone the field?

10-12-2016, 07:06 AM	#261
PilotMan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Seven miles up	Look what showed up in my email this morning!! Dear USA vs. Mexico Ticket Applicant: Congratulations! Your ticket application for the U.S. Men's National Team's 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Mexico, presented by AT&T, has been selected for fulfillment in The American Outlaws section. The game will take place on Nov. 11 at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio (kickoff time TBD). Your exact seat location will be disclosed and your payment card will be charged in the coming days. __________________ He's just like if Snow White was competitive, horny, and capable of beating the shit out of anyone that called her Pops. Like Steam? Join the FOFC Steam group here: http://steamcommunity.com/groups/FOFConSteam

10-12-2016, 09:18 AM	#262
ISiddiqui Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Decatur, GA	Woo!! Of course this means you need to hold up a FOFC Tifo so we can see you on TV . __________________ "A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages" -Tennessee Williams

10-19-2016, 03:00 PM	#264
CrescentMoonie College Starter Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Earth, the semi-final frontier.	I know it's part of the international soccer ethos to vehemently argue every call you can, but someone needs to let the Man City schleps know that you cannot argue your goalie getting a red for handling a ball 10 yards outside the box.

10-19-2016, 04:09 PM	#265
sovereignstar v2 hates iowa Join Date: Oct 2010	Fucking coworker spoiled the City match result. Maybe for the better, though it sounds like the scoreline flattered Barca a bit.

10-22-2016, 08:56 AM	#267
CrescentMoonie College Starter Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Earth, the semi-final frontier.	Dortmund doesn't seem to understand that just because their opponent is wearing read, that doesn't mean it's Bayern and they have to play like crap.

10-22-2016, 10:19 AM	#268
CrescentMoonie College Starter Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Earth, the semi-final frontier.	Pulisic off the bench for the goal to tie it at 3-3 in the 91st minute.

10-23-2016, 12:20 AM	#270
Young Drachma Dark Cloud Join Date: Apr 2001	I'm a Swansea supporter for the past few years now and the Bradley thing to me isn't surprising, but I just figure when we get relegated, he'll be the right coach for the Championship if we're gonna suck anyway. Hoffenheim is playing great and hanging out near the top of the Bundesliga which is awesome. Pulisic is a beast. Where can clone a few of him? __________________ Current Dynasty:The Zenith of Professional Basketball Careers (FBPB/FBCB) FBCB / FPB3 Mods

10-25-2016, 01:29 PM	#273
ISiddiqui Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Decatur, GA	This is more esoteric for the European fans, but there is some major stuff going down in the lower leagues in the US. Tampa Bay Rowdies just announced they are leaving the NASL (D2 for what that means in the US soccer landscape) for USL (D3, who want to be D2), which is highly significant. Not just because the NASL is losing teams quickly and not making a ton of money, but because the Rowdies, along with the New York Cosmos, are the most famous of NASL teams. It'd be similar to if Celtic announced it was leaving the Scottish Premier League. So with this news and news that later this week the Ottawa Fury are leaving the NASL for the USL, it appears the NASL, with, what 8 teams now, is dead. It'll likely accelerate other teams like Indy Eleven and FC Edmonton exploring leaving. It bolsters the USL and their attempts to be D2. It seems like that the USL will try to get to 40 teams and then either do a 20 team East and 20 team West league (which is basically what they have now with less teams) or have a USL 1 and USL 2, with potential for pro/reg in that limited league (with the MLS owned teams unable to be promoted). The issues with the later option is that travel costs would be significant for teams if its a national wide league. The reason USL has East and West conferences where teams don't play each other between conferences is due to travel money concerns. __________________ "A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages" -Tennessee Williams

10-25-2016, 05:16 PM	#277
cougarfreak College Starter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Out of Grad School Hell :)	And FC Cincinnati averaged 17,200in their inaugural season in the USL. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ “I don’t like the Cubs,” Joey Votto said. “And I’m not going to pat anybody with a Cubs uniform on the back."

10-26-2016, 02:52 PM	#280
Neuqua Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Chicago, Ill	I just wish they'd get rid of the Chicago Fire ownership who are basically only holding on to the franchise for the huge profit they're going to make at the eventual flip. Every season ticket holder I know has left to go support other local soccer teams (Red Stars) because of the lack of direction and effort from the higher ups. Chicago loves it's soccer, they would rabidly support a good team. __________________ Our Deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be?

10-28-2016, 03:59 PM	#282
Mizzou B-ball fan General Manager Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kansas City, MO	Wow. Vermes didn't pull any punches on this post-game conference. If this was a FM game, he just pushed every critical response in the entire press conference.

10-28-2016, 04:12 PM	#283
ISiddiqui Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Decatur, GA	Well it was a terrible call. I think next year is when MLS is going one of the pilot leagues in FIFA's instant replay trial. Hopefully it can deal with things like this (quickly, of course) __________________ "A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages" -Tennessee Williams

10-29-2016, 01:27 PM	#284
MrBug708 Head Coach Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Whittier	Zaha goes down way to easy because he's so thin, but it's a shame because the refs just ignore every time he goes down, whether it's valid or not

11-01-2016, 04:16 PM	#285
CrescentMoonie College Starter Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Earth, the semi-final frontier.	It's not often that Barca gets manhandled like this. Man City has been dominant for a good 30 minutes here.

11-01-2016, 08:19 PM	#287
sovereignstar v2 hates iowa Join Date: Oct 2010	Great performance and it happened despite the ref giving Sterling a yellow for a dive instead of a stonewall penalty in the opening minutes. Seemed like it was going to be them against the world if the ref wasn't going to be at his best. Last edited by sovereignstar v2 : 11-01-2016 at 08:20 PM.

11-02-2016, 09:14 AM	#288
TroyF Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000	If you haven't seen the goal Ozil scored yesterday to win the game for Arsenal, I highly recommend you find it. I watched it live, what an amazing, amazing goal. City were royally screwed on that Sterling call yesterday. Glad it didn't make a difference in the game. https://streamable.com/7vow Last edited by TroyF : 11-02-2016 at 10:11 AM.

11-04-2016, 09:04 AM	#289
TroyF Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000	Will FIFA and the MLS EVER end this asinine rule that if a match official sees something, no action can be taken afterwards? Instead of pretending nothing happened and moving on, it should create double suspensions: The player for being an idiot and the ref for not taking action on an obvious incident. This past week we have both Villa and Ibra escaping punishment for violent conduct because the refs "saw what they did and didn't take action" If the ref saw a violent kick to the back for someones legs and a throat grab and chose not to take action, they should probably lose their jobs. Either they didn't see it fully or they are incompetent. There really isn't another option here. Sorry for the rant, but this rule pisses me off so much.

11-04-2016, 01:12 PM	#290
AlexB Pro Starter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Newbury, England	Yeah, it, and many other rules in the game are just dumb. Couldn't agree with your rant more, but am sufficiently tired of it to be angry any more __________________ 'A song is a beautiful lie', Idlewild, Self Healer. When you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you. Sports!

11-05-2016, 01:36 PM	#291
miami_fan Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Land O Lakes FL	It is still early, but is it possible that Diego Costa has removed all of the drug that is José Mourinho out of his system and is back to being the player he was at Athletico Madrid? __________________ "The blind soldier fought for me in this war. The least I can do now is fight for him. I have eyes. He hasn’t. I have a voice on the radio, he hasn’t. I was born a white man. And until a colored man is a full citizen, like me, I haven’t the leisure to enjoy the freedom that colored man risked his life to maintain for me. I don’t own what I have until he owns an equal share of it. Until somebody beats me and blinds me, I am in his debt."- Orson Welles August 11, 1946

11-05-2016, 07:55 PM	#292
Critch lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Herndon, VA	East Kilbride FC, Scottish Lowlands League (5th level) team, won their 27th competitive game in a row today, apparently beating the world record. Ajax (previous holders of the record, 26 games won in the early 70s) sent their TV station to cover it, and presented the team with 27 crates of Dutch lager to celebrate. That was nice of them.

11-07-2016, 08:05 PM	#293
PilotMan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Seven miles up	Neither Beckerman nor Wondo on the team this week. That has to be a plus. I'm so excited for the game this week. Going up the night before to party with AO and then tailgate before the game on Friday. __________________ He's just like if Snow White was competitive, horny, and capable of beating the shit out of anyone that called her Pops. Like Steam? Join the FOFC Steam group here: http://steamcommunity.com/groups/FOFConSteam

11-08-2016, 09:48 AM	#295
ISiddiqui Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Decatur, GA	Apparently Alan Gordon has been called up to replace Jordan Morris... WTF? __________________ "A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages" -Tennessee Williams

11-11-2016, 06:37 PM	#296
kingfc22 Head Coach Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Morgan Hill, CA	How is Tim Chandler starting for us??? __________________ Fan of SF Giants, 49ers, Sharks, Arsenal

11-11-2016, 06:44 PM	#297
MrBug708 Head Coach Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Whittier	CP is the 10. We are going to go balls to the wall attacking in this match

11-11-2016, 07:24 PM	#298
MrBug708 Head Coach Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Whittier	Bradley sucks tonight Fire Jurgy

11-11-2016, 07:28 PM	#299
kingfc22 Head Coach Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Morgan Hill, CA	US getting beat all over the field. Should be 3-0 Mexico right now. __________________ Fan of SF Giants, 49ers, Sharks, Arsenal Last edited by kingfc22 : 11-11-2016 at 07:29 PM.