Soccer Thread 2014-15

[The Jackal]

I know the world cup is still going on, but I have a dire need to express how much I want Arsenal to finalize this Sanchez signing.

Plus there's plenty going on in the transfer market, and didn't want to disrupt the FIFA thread.

It seems like there is a lot more certainty around Sanchez to the Gunners than there was with Higuain last year, but I'm still nervous up until it's confirmed.

Debuchy would be a solid replacement for Sagna, though Aurier could've been cool too.

Another reason I want Sanchez signed is so I can start focusing my energy on which holding midfielder I want. :cool:

[cougarfreak]

My wife got me tickets to see Liverpool in Charlotte on 8/2. I'm very stoked about that!

[flere-imsaho]

I can't believe I missed that David Luiz got sold to PSG for 50M.

Someone pointed out during the Guardian's text play-by-play that Jose Mourinho a) dropped Casillas, b) sold Luiz and c) doesn't appear to rate Oscar, therefore Mourinho might be as smart as he says he is. :D

Of course, the most important thing is how entertaining he'll be with Van Gaal next EPL season. :D

[bhlloy]

He was also spot on about Hazard, given this WC.

Can't believe Barca are selling Sanchez to fund the Suarez signing. Absolute madness, Sanchez is awesome.

[flere-imsaho]

I dunno, assuming he can stop biting people, a front line (presumably shifting and interchanging all the time) of Neymar-Messi-Suarez is downright terrifying.

[Barkeep49]

I dunno, assuming he can stop biting people, a front line (presumably shifting and interchanging all the time) of Neymar-Messi-Suarez is downright terrifying.
And if he doesn't stop biting people it's even more downright terrifying.

[flere-imsaho]

ZING!

:D

[Critch]

Marouane Fellaini has cut off his hair. If that doesnt get you excited for the new season, nothing will.

Dont know it that's his mom, hairdresser or girlfriend.

http://i.imgur.com/9elq8U1.jpg

[flere-imsaho]

Rumor is that he'll be one of the many to go (also Nani, Young and Kagawa) to finance all the other players Van Gaal wants to bring in.

[MIJB#19]

Freddy Adu has been spotted in Alkmaar, testing out with AZ. Will be interesting to see how that develops.

[MrBug708]

Crystal Palace is losing a lot of players but havent seen them add too much at this point. I know they are trying to get Caulkner, but Im not sure they will

[whomario]

Rumor is that he'll be one of the many to go (also Nani, Young and Kagawa) to finance all the other players Van Gaal wants to bring in.

please let him come back to Dortmund, that´d be real neat :)

Toni Kroos is 95% certain to leave Bayern Munich, be interesting where he ends up (ManU was trying to get him for a while now). Was often underrated, in the right system he is one of the best central midfielders around (as he´s been showing this WC). Still only 24, as well.

[miami_fan]

I know the world cup is still going on, but I have a dire need to express how much I want Arsenal to finalize this Sanchez signing.

Plus there's plenty going on in the transfer market, and didn't want to disrupt the FIFA thread.

It seems like there is a lot more certainty around Sanchez to the Gunners than there was with Higuain last year, but I'm still nervous up until it's confirmed.

Debuchy would be a solid replacement for Sagna, though Aurier could've been cool too.

Another reason I want Sanchez signed is so I can start focusing my energy on which holding midfielder I want. :cool:

Arsenal confirm Alexis Sanchez deal after agreeing undisclosed fee with Barcelona - ESPN FC (http://www.espnfc.com/league-name/story/1944402/headline)

Done

[MIJB#19]

Marouane Fellaini has cut off his hair. If that doesnt get you excited for the new season, nothing will.Boo! He said he was only going to do that if Belgium would win the World Cup.

[The Jackal]

Arsenal confirm Alexis Sanchez deal after agreeing undisclosed fee with Barcelona - ESPN FC (http://www.espnfc.com/league-name/story/1944402/headline)

Done

:party:

Now send me a jersey, Puma.

[bbgunn]

Nobody's talking about Seattle Sounders' chances at the MLS Cup this year?

(Of course, as a Timbers supporter, that would make me happy.)

[law90026]

Excited about the Sanchez signing! Here's hoping he settles in quickly to the PL.

The names being mentioned for the pseudo-DM spot are quite good as well (Khedira, Bender, Schneiderlin).

I'm holding out hope for one more big-name signing out of left field as well.

[Easy Mac]

Suarez to Barca for 75 million. So a team that is supposed to be banned from transfers is buys a player who is supposed to be banned from playing.

[TroyF]

Excited about the Sanchez signing! Here's hoping he settles in quickly to the PL.

The names being mentioned for the pseudo-DM spot are quite good as well (Khedira, Bender, Schneiderlin).

I'm holding out hope for one more big-name signing out of left field as well.

I feel like I'm living in some type of bizzaro world right now. It pretty clearly indicates that even through last year, the stadium debt and sponsorship deals blocked off needed funds for players. I say last year because even though we got Ozil, it was last minute and nobody else of any value came in. It was literally Ozil or bust which isn't the case this year.

So now we actually sign someone worth a lot of money in July, have a second lined up to close and are still looking to bring in 2 to 4 more players? There is the real possibility of a 75+ million euro splurge this year, which is shocking.

Sanchez seems like the perfect player for Arsenal. Very excited.

[MIJB#19]

Suarez to Barca for 75 million. So a team that is supposed to be banned from transfers is buys a player who is supposed to be banned from playing.Put it that way, that's a very good point.
Add the fact that Barcelona has a negative bank balance and you've got basically all that's wrong in soccer wrapped up in one transaction.

[flere-imsaho]

Suarez to Barca for 75 million. So a team that is supposed to be banned from transfers is buys a player who is supposed to be banned from playing.

Can't wait to see what Liverpool does with that money. You can buy yourself a very good defense for that money.

[ISiddiqui]

75mil pounds! Yikes!! That's like $130mil.

It seems like there was no drop in price at all due to missing 4 months this year due to a case of excessive biting of other players... and what in the world is Barcelona doing, esp considering their financial situation? Yeah, you didn't win La Liga... but I don't think Alexis Sanchez was the problem and you needed to get the cannibal instead. Or maybe they think he'll be a distraction from them losing again? ;)

[DaddyTorgo]

Suarez to Barca for 75 million. So a team that is supposed to be banned from transfers is buys a player who is supposed to be banned from playing.

Yeah wait - I thought Barca was still at least nominally banned from transfers. What gives??

[cartman]

Can't wait to see what Liverpool does with that money. You can buy yourself a very good defense for that money.

But if you can't score, doesn't really matter. It is tough to replace the amount of goals he scored, and they've missed out on Sanchez who went to Arsenal.

[Ronnie Dobbs3]

Liverpool has plenty of attacking options left. It will hurt to lose Suarez of course. But compare what Suarez is leaving behind at Liverpool to what Bale left at Tottenham - then realize that Tottenham only lost 3 points afterwards.

[flere-imsaho]

It seems like there was no drop in price at all due to missing 4 months this year due to a case of excessive biting of other players... and what in the world is Barcelona doing, esp considering their financial situation? Yeah, you didn't win La Liga... but I don't think Alexis Sanchez was the problem and you needed to get the cannibal instead. Or maybe they think he'll be a distraction from them losing again? ;)

They are acting like you would expect Real Madrid to act. Then again, Real just won the UCL, so what do I know?

Would have figured a better bet would have been someone in defense, tbh.

But if you can't score, doesn't really matter. It is tough to replace the amount of goals he scored, and they've missed out on Sanchez who went to Arsenal.

True, true. The easy comeback would be to say that Liverpool scored a lot of goals last season, and not all were Suarez, but then again Suarez had a hand in a lot of those goals too.

Still, the bottom line is that 75M can buy a lot of quality players, if you spend it wisely. Problem is, everyone else and their brother is heavy in the market this year. Maybe they can get Torres back? :D

[Galaxy]

Yeah wait - I thought Barca was still at least nominally banned from transfers. What gives??

Barcelona transfer ban suspended by FIFA, can buy players in summer - ESPN FC (http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/story/1794837/barcelona-transfer-ban-suspended-by-fifacan-buy-players-in-summer)

[Critch]

Looking forward to seeing Sanchez playing for Arsenal, as a neutral. If they really can add somebody like Khedira it'll make next season a lot more interesting than the boring Man City/Chelsea walkover I was expecting.

Some rumors that Liverpool are going to spend 2/3rds of the money they bring in on Lovren from Southampton, Bony from Swansea and Origi (the Belgian striker who ensured Belgium didnt score til Lukaku came on) from Lille. Add in Lallana and that's what they got for Suarez.

[rowech]

Kindle version of "Inverting the Pyramid" on sale for 3 bucks today.

Amazon.com: Inverting The Pyramid: The History of Soccer Tactics eBook: Jonathan Wilson: Kindle Store (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E257T8K/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1PDC4LWQQ93BA&coliid=I366LYTUNPYHXV)

[The Jackal]

Seems like the Khedira to Arsenal move is imminent, if it does happen I'm shocked we're getting business done so early in the summer. Would have preferred Bender, but Khedira is a quality box to box midfielder and the idea of him and Ramsey marauding back and forth is quite tantalizing.

[The Jackal]

Also, appears Lazar Markovic is having a medical at Anfield. They will still have quality attacking options but the sheer amount of opportunities created (and converted) by Suarez are going to be missed. I still don't know how they thought Lallana was worth 26 million pounds.

[Icy]

Kindle version of "Inverting the Pyramid" on sale for 3 bucks today.

Amazon.com: Inverting The Pyramid: The History of Soccer Tactics eBook: Jonathan Wilson: Kindle Store (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E257T8K/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1PDC4LWQQ93BA&coliid=I366LYTUNPYHXV)

It is an awesome book to learn about the evolution of tactics since soccer was invented, really fun way to learn both about soccer tactics and the story of the sport in general and a steal for $3.

[law90026]

Gut feel is that the current players Liverpool is going for leads to a Spurs situation. You can buy a bunch of players but they are unlikely to have the same value in a game as Suarez. The only upside is that it gives Pool more depth, which they were short on last year, but it feels like it will be a step back for them.

[DaddyTorgo]

Kindle version of "Inverting the Pyramid" on sale for 3 bucks today.

Amazon.com: Inverting The Pyramid: The History of Soccer Tactics eBook: Jonathan Wilson: Kindle Store (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E257T8K/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1PDC4LWQQ93BA&coliid=I366LYTUNPYHXV)

"Soccernomics" too BTW.

[flere-imsaho]

Gut feel is that the current players Liverpool is going for leads to a Spurs situation. You can buy a bunch of players but they are unlikely to have the same value in a game as Suarez. The only upside is that it gives Pool more depth, which they were short on last year, but it feels like it will be a step back for them.

Biting aside, Suarez is a legit world class attacking player, and the only one of that caliber at Liverpool (though they have several good ones). If you spend the bounty wisely, however, you can make up the overall quality, even if you lose those occasions where your star simply wins games on his own. As an example, Spurs only gave up 3 league points after selling Bale (72 points in 12/13, 69 points in 13/14).

Liverpool also have the advantage of a more settled Head Coaching position (i.e. Rodgers is unlikely to get sacked like AVB did) as well as a likely better Head Coach (Rodgers > Sherwood).

I'd still be quite positive if I was a Liverpool supporter. They may retreat from their #2 league position, but this is still a side heading in the right direction. The problem is that there's now more teams than perhaps ever making a serious case for UCL spots (City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd - assuming the Van Gaal revolution happens, and even Everton & Spurs).

[path12]

Nobody's talking about Seattle Sounders' chances at the MLS Cup this year?

(Of course, as a Timbers supporter, that would make me happy.)

After the collapse last year I'm not saying a word yet. It has been a really fun year to watch so far though. Martins and Dempsey get each other and they have a quality together you don't see much in MLS (yet).

[MrBug708]

So Crystal Palace has added Frazier Campbell and Steven Caulker (or at least finalizing) from Cardiff. Crystal Palace are said to be making another club-record bid of £8 million for Tottenham Hotspur's Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson. Looks like Zaha wants back into the CP side from ManU after he was mostly a bust under David Moyes

[DaddyTorgo]

Gylfi always kicks ass for me in FM14, so that would be a good signing I think.

[The Jackal]

Without Suarez, I think Liverpool will finish 6th, keeping Spurs out of Europe. Top 3 should be Chelsea, City, Arsenal (in no particular order), and I think United under Van Gaal (with the additions so far and potentially more) will finish 4th. After that, Everton/Pool/Spurs fighting for the Euro spots.

[Marc Vaughan]

Without Suarez, I think Liverpool will finish 6th, keeping Spurs out of Europe. Top 3 should be Chelsea, City, Arsenal (in no particular order), and I think United under Van Gaal (with the additions so far and potentially more) will finish 4th. After that, Everton/Pool/Spurs fighting for the Euro spots.

It'll be entirely down to how quickly Liverpool's new players settle in I expect, Rodgers will likely make intelligent signings going on his past record ... that being said strikers often 'blow out' if they don't settle quickly - it'll be an interesting season and I reckon Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Man Utd could all be in with a shot of the title (presuming Man Utd and Liverpool sign the right players and they settle quickly) ... beyond that the lesser performing of those along with Everton/Spurs and perhaps Southampton sniffing around the Euro slots.

My hope is that Utd and Liverpool get good results early on so they can put pressure on the others, thats a 'tough ask' for Liverpool as they have a hard start to the season ... however Man Utd have a REALLY nice initial fixture list (Swansea, Sunderland, Burnley, QPR, Leicsester, West Ham) ... so expect the pundits to potentially be talking up a Manchester United revolution and bigging up how well the new manager is doing after the first 6 matches ... the 'crunch' for them will come in October when they start facing up against the bigger sides and play Everton and Chelsea .. followed by Arsenal and Man City in November.

[law90026]

I expect Man Utd to do well simply because Van Gaal is a very good manager (although he burns his players out).

I think Liverpool will fall behind because last season was, to some extent, an anomaly, with a Man Utd side in flux, an Arsenal side that had no money yet (apparently) and a Chelsea side that uncharacteristically collapsed. I'm not convinced Rodger's system is so good that it allows him to just buy a replacement forward to replace Suarez and I think that then puts pressure on the rest of the front 4 to compensate.

[flere-imsaho]

Van Gaal is also talking big on signings. If he actually gets a bunch of the guys he's said he wants to sign (especially Hummels), the team could be very strong again.

[DaddyTorgo]

:cry:

FML.

Have fun in Manchester Arturo.

Boggles the mind if it's for anywhere NEAR what the reported figures (32-35m Euro) are, when they turned down like double that from Bayern last year. Absolutely NO reason to sell that low on someone who's as in-demand as Vidal is.

[The Jackal]

:cry:

FML.

Have fun in Manchester Arturo.

Did you see some news? From the chatter I'm seeing the last 24 hours it sounds like the deal is closer to dead than complete.

[Ronnie Dobbs3]

Why did Conte resign?

[ISiddiqui]

Did you see some news? From the chatter I'm seeing the last 24 hours it sounds like the deal is closer to dead than complete.

Same here.

[DaddyTorgo]

Conte's gone on record before as saying he'd resign if they sold Vidal.

I'm presuming that his resignation is a prelude to a sale of Vidal, as I don't know what other "disagreements with management over policy" could rise to the level of causing him to resign.

[Ryan S]

Man Utd's new kit deal is crazy.

BBC News - Manchester United and Adidas in £750m deal over 10 years (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-28282444)

£750m over 10 years. The previous deal was for £23.5m, and the record club deal was £31m, so £75m a year is an unbelievable sum.

Chevrolet is about to start a £53m per year shirt sponsorship deal with Man Utd for the next 7 years despite the fact they are pulling out of Europe.

[Ajaxab]

Chevrolet is about to start a £53m per year shirt sponsorship deal with Man Utd for the next 7 years despite the fact they are pulling out of Europe.

...and the new kits are pretty hideous emblazoned with the big Chevrolet logo across the rib cage.

http://cdn.nikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/New-Manchester-United-Kits-Home.jpg

[MrBug708]

If you pay that much, it's not going to be a token emblem on the front of the jersey

[sovereignstar v2]

Fair play baby oh yeah!

[Marc Vaughan]

I think Liverpool will fall behind because last season was, to some extent, an anomaly, with a Man Utd side in flux, an Arsenal side that had no money yet (apparently) and a Chelsea side that uncharacteristically collapsed. I'm not convinced Rodger's system is so good that it allows him to just buy a replacement forward to replace Suarez and I think that then puts pressure on the rest of the front 4 to compensate.

Going by his purchases I think Rodgers is moving away from being reliant on the importance of world class striker and more to a 4-5-1 with roaming midfielders ... thats my current 'gut instinct' and he might yet sign a new striker, but to me I think thats been the direction he'd prefer ultimately (Lambert I see as a rotation player, he'll be a good intelligent partner when Rodgers wants 2 up front and a great holding player up front when required - he'll also be content and patient if he has to sit on the bench instead of starting at times).

Its entirely possible that Liverpool will start this season SLOOWLY ... their initial fixture list is quite challenging - Southampton (home- good side, but should be beatable), Man City (away - VERY touch especially with new players bedding in), Spurs (away - tough, especially if City beat them).

However they then have a run of winnable matches until November when they meet Chelsea - so don't count them out even if they lose a few of their early matches .. people often underestimate the influence of the fixture list on table positions (especially pundits who basically ignore such things).

[Ronnie Dobbs3]

Also all the people pessimistic on Liverpool's chances this year were dead on predicting they would nab 2nd last year.

[The Jackal]

@DT

At his unveiling on Wednesday, Juve’s sporting director Giuseppe Marotta took the opportunity to address a number of issues, including Vidal’s future and the ongoing transfer gossip.

He said: “He’s a Juve player. We have never put him up for sale.

“A number of important clubs have asked about him but we have never sat around the table for negotiations.

“He’s one of the main players in this team and we hope to keep him, even though I know that it is often the player that decides their future.

“He has repeatedly said he's happy to stay here and we hope to continue together.”

[ISiddiqui]

So, apparently Xavi is weighing offers from 3 MLS teams - RBNY, NYCFC, and Seattle Sounders. I like the designated player rule, but can we shy away from the old European league player thing? David Villa and Kaka are 32 but Xavi is 34 and I think 32 is the proper line for me for European players - they still have some good mileage left. Xavi seems like he's looking for a place to retire - and how embarrassing after a team from Qatar pulled their offer after Xavi's WC.

[DaddyTorgo]

Yeah - so they say. I suppose they really can't sell him now - there'd be a fucking riot in the streets.

Conte's interview he looked...absolutely devastated, so I wonder what the reason is when we finally find out. If it wasn't Vidal then I wonder what it could have been - missing out on Sanchez can't have been it, and for all that people are whipped-up over Morata and Iturbe I don't rate either of them that highly to cause Conte to leave.

Allegri is so blah. Doesn't inspire any passion for me. Especially if it's true he wants to ship out Ogbonna and bring in Astori and Abate. Astori is alright (I don't rate him as high as Ogbonna, but he's close), but Abate is not what this club needs. And trying to integrate new players and throw a new tactical scheme out there at this point is just chaotic.

The one thing I keep telling myself about Allegri is that he took an old Milan team deep into the CL. But then again, they had Ibra. So yeah. Excitement-level for the season just went way down.

He gets a little rope with which to hang himself, we'll see if he can wriggle out of it.

[path12]

Unless MLS starts MLS'ing and changes the DP rules Sounders are probably not in that running -- already 3 DP's in Dempsey, Martins and Alonzo.

Though I guess they could buy Alonzo down with the allocation money they'll be getting for Yedlin.

[ISiddiqui]

True, so their name was strange on the list.

I dunno, maybe they have an inside track as to negotiations with the Players Association on a new CBA ;). (FTR, I would rather NOT have a 4th DP spot - raise the salary cap to $5mil per team first, maybe $10mil).

[path12]

Couldn't agree more about there being a bigger need for increased cap room than additional DP's. Very hard to build decent depth in MLS because of that.

[ISiddiqui]

Though, I will hasten to add (I'm sure you'd agree too), that the low cap is more than understandable considering how low the previous TV deal was, in trying to avoid an NASL implosion.

[TroyF]

Conte's gone on record before as saying he'd resign if they sold Vidal.

I'm presuming that his resignation is a prelude to a sale of Vidal, as I don't know what other "disagreements with management over policy" could rise to the level of causing him to resign.

sheesh. You don't even like Cointe. Every year, the second FM gets released, you fire the guy and take his job.

Strange that he left at this point in time. Seems like a good guy.

[DaddyTorgo]

sheesh. You don't even like Cointe. Every year, the second FM gets released, you fire the guy and take his job.

Strange that he left at this point in time. Seems like a good guy.

LOL :D

It is strange - you look at his video message/interview thingy and it looks like he's absolutely gutted about leaving. So I don't know if it really was over "the future direction of the club" or whether he's leaving for the national team job, or whether he's got personal family issues or what.

[path12]

Though, I will hasten to add (I'm sure you'd agree too), that the low cap is more than understandable considering how low the previous TV deal was, in trying to avoid an NASL implosion.

Yeah, I remember the NASL. 50K in the Kingdome for a few years.

The cap made sense while the league found its footing. I worry a little bit about how fast they have expanded, but the new teams coming in seem to be on pretty solid ground financially, especially compared to some of the founding teams.

I would expect a nice bump in the TV contract negotiations, and that should give enough stability to support a higher salary cap. The league has made some nice strides in the five years I've been watching games, it has been fun to see.

[ISiddiqui]

Well, the nice bump you've expected has already come to pass, starting next year ;). $90mil per year ($75mil from ESPN/FOX, $15mil from Univision), up from $18mil per year (combined English/Spanish). Deal goes until 2022; includes a dedicated weekly TV schedule (even Friday night a game on Univision, a Sunday doubleheader between ESPN2 and FS1 every Sunday evening - 5pm and 8pm, IIRC). Also, Univision, in addition to the Friday night game, when it shows an MLS game, it is required to have English commentary on SAP.

Oh, and MLS Live is going away - all non-nationally aired games will be available through ESPN3.

The entire deal is exciting - over 4x's the money and much more airtime.

[flere-imsaho]

Adam Lallana, age 26, goes to Liverpool (before the WC) for 26M

Toni Kroos, age 24, goes to Real Madrid (after the WC) for 20M

The "English Tax" at work, people. I still don't understand why this happens.

Nothing against Lallana, btw....

[Ronnie Dobbs3]

Look at the wages. Look at the price as a total transfer. Kroos will cost probably 3 times Lallana over five years.

[flere-imsaho]

Good points.

[Ronnie Dobbs3]

You also have to realize Kroos was in the last year of his contract and could pick his landing spot. Liverpool would never have a chance at Kroos, or at least would have had to pay through the nose in wages to get him there (well beyond the 200k/week RM will give him).

[Marc Vaughan]

Look at the wages. Look at the price as a total transfer. Kroos will cost probably 3 times Lallana over five years.

This in a nutshell - its one of the reasons I have to continually tell people playing FM to look into the reasons behind players moving clubs and other factors with regards to transfer values and suchlike.

(although even I have to admit sometimes real-life is ... well unrealistic, I mean Brazil losing so heavily in a World Cup semi-final ... ;) )

[DaddyTorgo]

Report: Real Madrid agree $107 million deal for James Rodriguez | ProSoccerTalk (http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/17/report-real-madrid-agree-107-million-deal-for-james-rodriguez/?utm_source=FB%20-%20NBC%20Sports%20-%20NBC%20Sports%20Soccer&utm_network=facebook&utm_post=2865513&utm_tags=)

The report in AS suggests that Angel di Maria is being offloaded by Real to fund the deal as Paris Saint-Germain are willing to pay $80 million for the Argentine winger.

[flere-imsaho]

Oh Real Madrid, never change....

[Neuqua]

Slightly off-topic, but anyone know how expensive kits are in Europe? I'm vacationing in London and Paris in the first week of August and thought it'd be a cool idea to purchase a kit from a team from each city. I see they're about $90 here in the states.

[DaddyTorgo]

Oh Real Madrid, never change....

Right?

"Oh he had one good tournament - he's worth $107m" (or even $27m if you factor in the net cost).

I mean look - I've liked him since I discovered a few years back on FM, but that's a ton to pay for a guy who had one good tournament and who is making a second massive leap-up in terms of quality of competition.

[flere-imsaho]

It would be tempting to say you're also paying for his potential (he's 23), but I can't remember the last time Real Madrid bought someone (at least in a mega-deal) with that purpose in mind.

[DaddyTorgo]

It would be tempting to say you're also paying for his potential (he's 23), but I can't remember the last time Real Madrid bought someone (at least in a mega-deal) with that purpose in mind.

You know what though - I mock them, but I've done the exact same thing in FM when I've had the means.

I paid $86m (plus I think a couple more clauses that don't show up on the history) for an 18 y/o striker in 2017 who had all of 2 games of Premier League experience.

Also paid $74m for a 22 y/o GK in 2022. He at least had 30 games under his belt in top-flight leagues (Premier League and Spanish League) though.

[Ryan S]

Slightly off-topic, but anyone know how expensive kits are in Europe? I'm vacationing in London and Paris in the first week of August and thought it'd be a cool idea to purchase a kit from a team from each city. I see they're about $90 here in the states.

New shirts have a retail price of about £50-£60 ($85-$100) in the UK, and you probably won't be paying any less than that if you go to a club store. If you try somewhere like Sports Direct (http://www.sportsdirect.com/ and you will find stores everywhere) you might find them as low as £40.

Not sure what the prices are like in Paris, but the PSG website is selling their new shirt for €85 ($114). Should you be interested, there are flagship Nike and Adidas stores on either side of the Champs Elysée between George V and Franklin D. Roosevelt Metro stations, but I suspect that they might be the most expensive places to look.

[ISiddiqui]

And let's be honest with James Rodriguez - it is tempting to say he's only had one good tournament, but he was named Portuguese Player of the Year at 21 after leading Porto to their third league title. AS Monaco bought him for 45mil Euros and he finished in the French Ligue 1 as the league's assist leader and was named to the League's Top 11... as a 22 year old. He turned 23 like a week ago.

Rodriguez has TONS of potential and has succeeded overwhelmingly in Portugal and France. And then won the Golden Boot in the World Cup as a 22 year old. I don't think this is THAT much of an overpay here.

[Neuqua]

New shirts have a retail price of about £50-£60 ($85-$100) in the UK, and you probably won't be paying any less than that if you go to a club store. If you try somewhere like Sports Direct (http://www.sportsdirect.com/ and you will find stores everywhere) you might find them as low as £40.


Thanks Ryan, is authenticity a problem if I buy at one of the "other" stores?

[DaddyTorgo]

And let's be honest with James Rodriguez - it is tempting to say he's only had one good tournament, but he was named Portuguese Player of the Year at 21 after leading Porto to their third league title. AS Monaco bought him for 45mil Euros and he finished in the French Ligue 1 as the league's assist leader and was named to the League's Top 11... as a 22 year old. He turned 23 like a week ago.

Rodriguez has TONS of potential and has succeeded overwhelmingly in Portugal and France. And then won the Golden Boot in the World Cup as a 22 year old. I don't think this is THAT much of an overpay here.

$107m isn't an overpay?

[Ryan S]

Thanks Ryan, is authenticity a problem if I buy at one of the "other" stores?

If you buy from a store you will be fine with authenticity. Sports Direct and JD Sports are the only two UK nationwide chains I can think of, but there are plenty of local sports stores and I am sure the same applies in France.

Decathlon is the only French sports chain I know, but their UK stores don't stock much in the way of kits. There is a store in Paris close to the Arc de Triomphe on Avenue de Wagram which might be worth a quick look.

The only places I would worry about authenticity would be at street markets.

[ISiddiqui]

$107m isn't an overpay?

Not if you are paying for potential.

[cubboyroy1826]

Anyone else excited the Premier League starts up again tomorrow?

[Ryan S]

Anyone else excited the Premier League starts up again tomorrow?

The Premier League season does not start until August 16th. Not sure when La Liga and Serie A return, but it's usually a week or so later.

[cubboyroy1826]

Yeah I was a bit premature. Just jonesing after the World Cup and MLS is just not giving me the fix I need.

[Sublime 2]

Spurs have literally done nothing since hiring Pochettino. A few rumors here and there, but other than that, *silence. I have no clue if that is good or bad, but I felt all last year that the talent on that team under-performed.

*Locking Lloris up for another 5 years was certainly big, shouldn't downplay that.

[DaddyTorgo]

Not if you are paying for potential.

Disagree. Not saying they shouldn't have done it or that I don't understand, but to try to spin it as "not an overpay" is silly.

Plain and simple it's a "We're Real Madrid so we're going to swing our financial dick around however we like" move.

[DaddyTorgo]

Charlie Davies starting for the Revolution against Dallas tonight!!

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

So happy to see Sporting KC resign Besler and Zusi. Lots of interest in those guys on the transfer market. Great to keep the quality players here in the States.

Big win for Sporting yesterday too. Really looking primed for another run at the Championship.

[rowech]

So happy to see Sporting KC resign Besler and Zusi. Lots of interest in those guys on the transfer market. Great to keep the quality players here in the States.

Big win for Sporting yesterday too. Really looking primed for another run at the Championship.

Hate seeing American players continue to believe MLS is good enough to get our best players to raise their game in their prime years. The MLS is not a top league yet has more teams than any major league. How watered down must it be?

[Warhammer]

Agreed. I really want to see our top talent go overseas during their prime and come back at 32-34 to teach the next generation how the Europeans do it. Until we get our talent level up, we need to learn from the best rather than worry about supporting a 2nd or 3rd tier league.

[CraigSca]

Until we get our talent level up, we need to learn from the best rather than worry about supporting a 2nd or 3rd tier league.

Are you speaking to the players here or the fans?

[Warhammer]

Players.

[TroyF]

Hate seeing American players continue to believe MLS is good enough to get our best players to raise their game in their prime years. The MLS is not a top league yet has more teams than any major league. How watered down must it be?

I agree. I find the amount of Americans who have stayed in the MLS to be horrible. I want as many in Europe as possible. It's nice the guys can stay home and make money. It's nice the MLS gets some recognizable faces for the teams and their fans. That said, I want Bradley, Belser, and the other top Americans to be in Europe, not here.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Awesome.

Matt Besler's letter to Kansas City fans: I am right where I belong | The Kansas City Star (http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mls/sporting-kc/article776898.html)

[rowech]

Awesome.

Matt Besler's letter to Kansas City fans: I am right where I belong | The Kansas City Star (http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mls/sporting-kc/article776898.html)

Not seeing much about becoming a better player, pushing myself to be a world class level player, etc. Just like staying here because it's comfortable. It's a great letter and if I was a KC fan I would be thrilled. I'm not though.

[DaddyTorgo]

Not seeing much about becoming a better player, pushing myself to be a world class level player, etc. Just like staying here because it's comfortable. It's a great letter and if I was a KC fan I would be thrilled. I'm not though.

Yeah. This is a really disappointing letter, not "awesome" at all. More callow than awesome.

USMNT players need to be playing overseas in order to improve their level of play and really push the national team to the next level.

The best players from other countries with second-rate domestic leagues don't play at home because it's "comfortable." They push themselves and go abroad to Europe.

[flere-imsaho]

I don't watch much of the MLS, but how would you compare the competition level? English Championship, League One?

[Butter]

At no point in the letter does he even use the word "comfortable".

I guess he should apologize to all of you for not being the player that YOU think he should be, never mind making his childhood dream of playing in front of the fans of his hometown come true.

As though going to Europe is going to wave some magic wand and all of a sudden make him 50% better. It really doesn't work that way. We've sent players to Europe, and frankly I haven't seen the improvement yet. Most just rot on the bench, while the ones that do play, play to about their level they were already around (Altidore, Donovan, Dempsey, Howard, Freidel, Keller all come to mind).

[Easy Mac]

Ehh, Beslar and Zusi are 27. They almost certainly won't be in the plans for 2018. Might as well be settled in a place they like and get regular playing time than 1-2 games a month at best in England. Being successful in MLS will do more for their immediate national team future than floundering in Europe will.

As butter said, what recent young US players have moved from MLS to Europe and been successful? Altidore and Bradley are the only ones under 30 who you could say are successful. Adu, bombed. Agudelo, bombed. Shea, bombing.

And the two MLS alums who are having some success, Tim Ream and Sacha Klejstan, didn't even make the world cup squad, so European success doesn't seem to be valued over MLS success to Klinnsmann.

[kingfc22]

I'm in the same camp as Butter and Easy Mac. Let's see what happens if our best players develop and thrive in MLS. Sending our top players in the past to Europe certainly hasn't been the best plan as our players have usually seen very intermittent action. One could argue that was still better than having them play in MLS where it used to be in terms of skill level, but I think the league is developing well. Our players may even develop better in a place where they get regular playing time and even get to play together on more of a regular basis.

[dacman]

Yeah, I was pissed at Belser initially too -- but then saw the list of interested teams -- Norwich, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Sunderland, either Frieburg or 'gladbach (depending which rumor you believe) plus a few "others." (and if they're not named, you can likely guess they are lesser teams than the ones mentioned). Not terribly impressed -- teams likely to struggle or are already not top flight. Doesn't seem so bad a move now.

[Neuqua]

Trying to decide whether to go to the Liverpool - Olympiacos "International Champions Cup" game at Soldier Field on Sunday. Hard to pass up a chance to watch Gerrard play live as his career winds down.

[ISiddiqui]

I'm with Easy Mac for the first reason he stated - Zuzi and Besler are both 27. They'll be 31 in 2018. Zuzi shouldn't be playing for us in the World Cup then, and Besler may more likely be coming off the bench. It's not a big deal that they stay in the US. Now, if Besler was 22, like... Yedlin. Staying the US may be a bigger deal - and once again that does depend on which teams are interested.

[DaddyTorgo]

At no point in the letter does he even use the word "comfortable".

I guess he should apologize to all of you for not being the player that YOU think he should be, never mind making his childhood dream of playing in front of the fans of his hometown come true.

As though going to Europe is going to wave some magic wand and all of a sudden make him 50% better. It really doesn't work that way. We've sent players to Europe, and frankly I haven't seen the improvement yet. Most just rot on the bench, while the ones that do play, play to about their level they were already around (Altidore, Donovan, Dempsey, Howard, Freidel, Keller all come to mind).

Whatever. You obviously get my point, so don't get all literal on me because I chose to put in quotes a word that he didn't explicitly use. He talked about seeing family and friends and what-not in the stands, to me that's a pretty clear stand-in for feeling "at home" or "comfortable."

[DaddyTorgo]

Ehh, Beslar and Zusi are 27. They almost certainly won't be in the plans for 2018.

This is relevant.

[flere-imsaho]

27-31 are prime years for central defenders... or so FM has taught me. :D

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Big announcement in advance of the Champions Shield game tonight. New $75M US National Training Facility to be built in Kansas City. Lamar Hunt is grinning ear to ear somewhere right now.

Governor Brownback joins officials in announcing U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Kansas City | Sporting Kansas City (http://m.sportingkc.com/news/2014/07/governor-brownback-joins-officials-announcing-us-soccer-national-training-center-kansas)

[ISiddiqui]

It appears that DaMarcus Beasley is coming back home from Mexico. Houston Dynamo sign him after dealing with Toronto for #1 in the allocation order (Toronto already had 3 DPs)

Houston Dynamo trades with Toronto FC, clearing way to acquire DaMarcus Beasley - The Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2014/07/23/houston-dynamo-trades-with-toronto-fc-clearing-way-to-acquire-damarcus-beasley/)

[rowech]

Looking at the results last night, I wonder why I don't want our best players playing in the MLS.

[Easy Mac]

Not having watched the game, I am a bit puzzled by your reasoning.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Looking at the results last night, I wonder why I don't want our best players playing in the MLS.

Looking at your comment, I'm pretty sure you didn't watch any of the games or look to see how much the MLS starters even played, if at all.

[rowech]

Not having watched the game, I am a bit puzzled by your reasoning.

The best teams in the MLS are relegation level in the EPL. Our best players aren't getting anything out of playing here.

[rowech]

Looking at your comment, I'm pretty sure you didn't watch any of the games or look to see how much the MLS starters even played, if at all.

Soccer is soccer. It's embarrassing that people think what is taking place in the MLS is any good. I continually watch and don't think it is much better than watching good college teams.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Soccer is soccer. It's embarrassing that people think what is taking place in the MLS is any good. I continually watch and don't think it is much better than watching good college teams.

I'll take that as a no.

[flere-imsaho]

If you love soccer and want it to grow in the United States and want the USMNT to become more competitive, the MLS is still a good thing.

Developing talent from MLS-level to WC-level is what we've been arguing about here and yes, I'm in the camp that believes that our top players need to be playing against tougher opposition than the MLS if USMNT is to become more competitive.

But don't discount the importance of growing soccer as a whole. A very key element of this is getting more kids into the game so more talent can be discovered and stay in soccer as opposed to our other 4 (or more) major sports.

The potential here is huge. Of the five largest countries by population only the U.S. (#3 at 318M) and Brazil (#5 at 202M) are reasonably competitive at soccer. The other quarterfinalists are Germany (#16 at 80M) and Argentina (#32 at 42M).

Besides raw population, the U.S. already clearly has the infrastructure to introduce kids to the game, with blanket pre-school coverage leading into a situation where the game rivals basketball for the most played sport for youth 6-18 (Source (http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303519404579350892629229918)). (Note: It shouldn't be surprising that both sports require very little in equipment to play.)

What the MLS does is increase interest in playing, which diverts more kids to the sport, which increases the likelihood of finding elite-level talent. But that talent still needs to be nurtured properly, both to get to MLS level (our college system probably does OK here) and then to get to WC-level (we don't do this well).

So, the MLS is not all bad. :D

[dacman]

The ManU 2nd teamers ran riot over the Galaxy 2nd teamers. No real surprise for me -- I'd argue this is the real significant difference now in EPL vs. MLS. The first teamers on most MLS teams, while certainly not to the level of the top EPL teams, are quite respectable, but the dropoff in talent to the 2nd tier guys is rather large in the MLS, and almost nil in the EPL.

If you think the level of play in MLS now is the same as a good college team - you haven't watched a minute of either.

[Butter]

The best teams in the MLS are relegation level in the EPL. Our best players aren't getting anything out of playing here.

Soccer is soccer.

These 2 statements don't seem to jibe together.

[rowech]

The MLS has value but not for our best players. I like a model that brings the guys back when they are Dempsey's age. Dempsey isn't going to grow as a player anymore.

If Besler is going to play defensive positions, doesn't it make sense to get him into foreign leagues to face better offensive players? What will he gain by going against the scorers in MLS? Same with Bradley as it pains me he's back in MLS.

I think our offensive players do have to find a little bit more in terms of being on a decent team. Altidore's season was wasted last year since nobody around him was really anything great.

The only thing in bringing guys back is that it does help sell the sport by having the star power but only to a point. The league needs to have a star player in every city to really grow and there aren't enough of those go around.

[flere-imsaho]

On the topic of star players, I guess I don't see the problem with bringing in big names who want to "cash out" before retirement to generate this star power. Like him or not, the presence of Beckham raised the profile of the MLS a lot.

[rowech]

On the topic of star players, I guess I don't see the problem with bringing in big names who want to "cash out" before retirement to generate this star power. Like him or not, the presence of Beckham raised the profile of the MLS a lot.

I think he definitely did as some of the guys here now and some of the ones coming soon. It would still be nice for the MLS to somehow get one of these guys in their prime.

[flere-imsaho]

It would still be nice for the MLS to somehow get one of these guys in their prime.

It would be great, but also unlikely. Neymar isn't going to pick Portugal or Holland's top division.

[whomario]

Another problem is that the salary cap makes it highly unattractive for mid level players and the out-of-the-way nature as well as the unattractive international fictures make it unattractive for young international prospects. (it´s not like the dutch or portuguese league where you can go, get PT and exposure in continental play and then be on the radar of the big clubs)

The other big sport leagues (NHL, NBA, NFL, MLS) have the advantage of having been the best leagues (and sometimes the only real leagues) in the world for a long time.

If you are behind the curve, it is tough to catch up. Only way to attract anybody of note is by throwing money or exposure around and in a sport where both can be had a plenty around the globe, this generally only applies to players who had their say on the global stage and are ready for a new experience or a nice retirement-package.

So it seems to me, that the only way MLS will improve is by offering more money to midlevel talent from central america or maybe south america, then try whatever it can to develop homegrown talent.
Which is obviously in competition with the goal of having individual players improve their game against better competition elsewhere.

And no, i can´t believe that College is comparable to the european system (not to mention 17,18 year old regularly training with the senior squad or playing against veterans in the lower divisions on loan or with the B team). This works for the Basketball because of a combination of the high number of players playing the sport from a young age and the comparatively benign youth setups (compared to the top level soccer clubs) in international basketball, don´t really see it working in soccer in comparison. Especially not for the absolute top flight talents who just get challenged way more in Europe.

In short, i just don´t think there is an easy way to do this. All the US can do is try what it can and improve little by little. There is no one with a magic wand out there making it all better. That does not mean the league should not strive to improve or for the US federation to abandon it, just that it is very likely that it will not be the factor that will suddenly raise the USMNT to another level in the next 4, 8 or even 12 years.

[flere-imsaho]

In short, i just don´t think there is an easy way to do this. All the US can do is try what it can and improve little by little.

I do agree with this.

However, it would be interesting to see what would happen if the MLS were allowed to be "free market" as, say, European leagues are, and if then you'd see very rich owners buy up teams in popular cities and try to stuff them with superstars. Of course, that probably wouldn't help U.S. talent as they'd not be able to get a game (much similar to the problem in England), but it would be interesting.

[DaddyTorgo]

If you love soccer and want it to grow in the United States and want the USMNT to become more competitive, the MLS is still a good thing.

Developing talent from MLS-level to WC-level is what we've been arguing about here and yes, I'm in the camp that believes that our top players need to be playing against tougher opposition than the MLS if USMNT is to become more competitive.

But don't discount the importance of growing soccer as a whole. A very key element of this is getting more kids into the game so more talent can be discovered and stay in soccer as opposed to our other 4 (or more) major sports.

The potential here is huge. Of the five largest countries by population only the U.S. (#3 at 318M) and Brazil (#5 at 202M) are reasonably competitive at soccer. The other quarterfinalists are Germany (#16 at 80M) and Argentina (#32 at 42M).

Besides raw population, the U.S. already clearly has the infrastructure to introduce kids to the game, with blanket pre-school coverage leading into a situation where the game rivals basketball for the most played sport for youth 6-18 (Source (http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303519404579350892629229918)). (Note: It shouldn't be surprising that both sports require very little in equipment to play.)

What the MLS does is increase interest in playing, which diverts more kids to the sport, which increases the likelihood of finding elite-level talent. But that talent still needs to be nurtured properly, both to get to MLS level (our college system probably does OK here) and then to get to WC-level (we don't do this well).

So, the MLS is not all bad. :D

100% agree with everything you've said here.

[ISiddiqui]

I do agree with this.

However, it would be interesting to see what would happen if the MLS were allowed to be "free market" as, say, European leagues are, and if then you'd see very rich owners buy up teams in popular cities and try to stuff them with superstars. Of course, that probably wouldn't help U.S. talent as they'd not be able to get a game (much similar to the problem in England), but it would be interesting.

Welcome to the NASL ;).

And I think everything whomario said was right on, and I think the ownership of MLS has been doing this. Moving forward little by little. Not taking on too much at once. Learning all the lessons of NASL (sometimes too much). I expect the salary cap to rise due to the new TV deal, but not ridiculously much.

[whomario]

Also, regarding the James transfer: Real makes ridicolous sums of money from jersey sales each time they get a new star. Apparently, they have already sold 350000 jerseys of James since the transfer. No idea how much of the money from each jersey makes its way back to Real, but on paper that is about a third of the transfer fee in money already.

[flere-imsaho]

Welcome to the NASL ;).

OK, good point. And I merely said it would be interesting, not that it would be good or sustainable.

[path12]

Without getting into the specific arguments of who should or shouldn't be playing/staying in MLS, the fact that this thread at least has MLS detours from the usual all Europe talk is encouraging.

And though no one asked, my hot take is that yes, it is a benefit to MLS and US soccer in general to have the quality of play steadily improve. However, it hasn't improved enough yet to let young stars develop to their full potential without spending time in the top three/four Europe leagues.

So yeah, I love watching DeAndre Yedlin regularly but he needs to go overseas. Besler/Zusi in their mid-late 20's though? Stay in MLS baby. Grow the product.

[TroyF]

Arsenal sign Chambers from Southhampton (at least it is being reported) as well as Ospina at the keeper spot.

Rumor still out there that they are looking for another midfielder as well, with Vermalean headed out (ManU seem to be the most likely spot)

Strange offseason for Arsenal. 90% of the transfer dealings dusted before the first match. The team is as deep as I've seen it in a long, long time. I know people will say we need another striker, but I think Sanchez can play that role to spell Giroud more. Hoping Sanogo or Campbell can spell them some against certain teams.

[Galaxy]

Ran into Dick's Sporting Goods yesterday...first time I've seen a national and well-known retail chain selling European club jerseys (Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Chelsea, and I think one of the big two Spanish clubs, ect.) in a big display. Was kind of interesting.

[ISiddiqui]

So yeah, I love watching DeAndre Yedlin regularly but he needs to go overseas. Besler/Zusi in their mid-late 20's though? Stay in MLS baby. Grow the product.

Indeed. I think there should be a different expectation for US players going to Europe based on age. Stars who are 26 or younger, go to Europe. 27 and older, stay in the MLS. It would help both the USMNT and MLS.

[Galaxy]

Hate seeing American players continue to believe MLS is good enough to get our best players to raise their game in their prime years. The MLS is not a top league yet has more teams than any major league. How watered down must it be?

I wish the MLS would go to a regulation-type system and eliminate the salary cap.

The best teams in the MLS are relegation level in the EPL. Our best players aren't getting anything out of playing here.

I didn't think the best teams were EPL relegation level. I figured mid-tier Championship league at best. One good thing about the MLS is they are investing in young academies that can help find and develop young talent a much higher level.

[ISiddiqui]

I wish the MLS would go to a regulation-type system and eliminate the salary cap.

Neither will ever happen.

[Marc Vaughan]

I didn't think the best teams were EPL relegation level. I figured mid-tier Championship league at best. One good thing about the MLS is they are investing in young academies that can help find and develop young talent a much higher level.

I'd say the MLS is around Championship level at present in the main, its hard to judge however as its far more 'hit-miss' than most other leagues because of its nature with regards to 'star' signings.

(ie. you've got some League 1/2 standard players mixed in with others who definitely don't/wouldn't look out of place in the Premiership)

I think its a good league and its definitely continually improving as is the profile of soccer within the US, I can see a day when the US national team is very competitive for sure ... with the MLS I think it will also, although its geographical abstraction from the holy-grail of the European Champions League will prove an obstacle in that regard*.

*gut instinct says if the league/US interest gets big enough EUFA will find a way to give them a 'guest' spot ;)

[ISiddiqui]

I'd argue that before that happens (EUFA invite), CONMEBOL will expand its tourney and host a joint CONMEBOL/CONCACAF tourney, especially if the Century one in 2016 does well.

[Galaxy]

Neither will ever happen.

I know. I just cannot get into the MLS at all.

[gstelmack]

The potential here is huge. Of the five largest countries by population only the U.S. (#3 at 318M) and Brazil (#5 at 202M) are reasonably competitive at soccer. The other quarterfinalists are Germany (#16 at 80M) and Argentina (#32 at 42M).

Besides raw population, the U.S. already clearly has the infrastructure to introduce kids to the game, with blanket pre-school coverage leading into a situation where the game rivals basketball for the most played sport for youth 6-18 (Source (http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303519404579350892629229918)). (Note: It shouldn't be surprising that both sports require very little in equipment to play.)

What the MLS does is increase interest in playing, which diverts more kids to the sport, which increases the likelihood of finding elite-level talent. But that talent still needs to be nurtured properly, both to get to MLS level (our college system probably does OK here) and then to get to WC-level (we don't do this well).

So, the MLS is not all bad. :D

The real issue is competition for athletes with MLB, NFL, and NBA, to a lesser extent NHL. We do have a large population, but we have a lot more sports than soccer competing for those star athletes. No matter how many kids play soccer, until soccer salaries are competitive, most kids that are athletes are going to try for a future in one of the other sports.

A start is getting salaries competitive enough that you're pulling the athletes that don't quite make it in those sports, if they had soccer exposure at a younger age.

But we are seeing some of the growth mentioned here. We are starting to see non-college options for soccer - the local NASL club, the Carolina Railhawks, sponsor a U-23 club, for example.

[ISiddiqui]

I know. I just cannot get into the MLS at all.

I guess I just don't understand why either are THAT important.

The MLS is a new league, existing in an American context. Relegation and Salary caps will only kill the league here and are in no way essential to enjoy the sport.

[BishopMVP]

I'd say the MLS is around Championship level at present in the main, its hard to judge however as its far more 'hit-miss' than most other leagues because of its nature with regards to 'star' signings.

(ie. you've got some League 1/2 standard players mixed in with others who definitely don't/wouldn't look out of place in the Premiership)I think this is spot on, but I hate the hipsterish "I won't watch it because it's not Premiership quality". It's not an either/or type of situation - you can support an MLS team and watch EPL/UCL too - and no one from the "pro-MLS" side is arguing that they're on that level.

The idea that people know exactly what's best for player development cracks me up. I coach kids from age 9-22 and I can tell you there's no blanket formula, and it can be hard to predict even for kids you've coached for 5+ years. Different people react differently to different situations - some improve more being aggressively challenged vs. better players, some improve more being one of the best on the field - and it can even change for each kid. The most important thing is internal drive, and I think the Tim Howard's, Clint Dempsey's and Michael Bradley's of the world would be fine anywhere.

I also do think there is a bias against MLS (and American) players. Landon Donovan was the same player here in MLS and for the USMNT for 12 years, and it was only a couple quick stints in Europe that made people acknowledge he was very good. Beckham showed he was able to play over here and then return to UCL level competition with no drop-off in skill level. Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard could have the same exact skill level, but if they'd only played in MLS plenty of people would argue they couldn't cut it in the premiership. DeAndre Yedlin has some obvious physical attributes, but he's really only considered a better prospect than the other 23 guys on this list (http://www.mlssoccer.com/24under24/2013/complete-list) (and add Omar Salgado, Dominic Dwyer, Erick Torres etc) who needs to move to Europe ASAP because he had 1.5 good games at the World Cup. Would all of them had played great if they got that same chance? No (and some aren't eligible for us), but I'm sure at least a few would have. Going forward some of them would develop better in Europe, some would develop worse in Europe, most would develop about the same on either side of the pond, and on balance MLS is just fine for developing those players at this point in their career. If a player's around 24 or younger and the best player at his position in the league, he should absolutely go to a bigger league for the bigger payday is nothing else, but there's nothing preventing anyone from becoming an all-world player in MLS if they have the skills and the drive.

To cross-over sports, MLS is basically the Cuban baseball league, which has superstars and some guys who would struggle to play above Single A ball in the US. Yet you still have players like Yasiel Puig and Jose Abreu who are able to step off that island and dominate MLB from Day 1. Expand it to Nippon, which is probably closer to AA/AAA level, and you've got your Ichiro's, Darvish's, Tanaka's and Uehara's

[BishopMVP]

I wish the MLS would go to a regulation-type system and eliminate the salary cap.Neither will ever happen.Well, I'd argue the MLS already did the first when they got rid of shootouts :devil:

[Critch]

Early in the season, but Tom Huddlestone already in with a good chance of miss of the season in Hull City's Europa League game v AC Trencin tonight:

<iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/MEDmQIK1npT/embed/simple" width="480" height="480" frameborder="0"></iframe><script async src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Would be better without the dickhead's face at the end of it.

[whomario]

German team won the U19 Euros last night, highly deserved 1:0 over Portugal (could have easily been 4:0), very impressive showing and there were a few sure-fire 1st division players missing (with Meyer and Goretzka already having been in the preliminary senior WC squad) and the team met up very shortly before the tournament (and a few players even only arriving for the 2nd game) due to wanting to have them do as much as possible of their clubs preseason.

Highly impressed by them going with a 4-1-4-1 with 5 mainly offensive players and both wingbacks high up the pitch.

[AlexB]

Man City play Olympiakos tonight in Minnesota, and the pitch looks to be a real problem.

TCF Bank Stadium first: Grass surface being installed for soccer match | Star Tribune (http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/269047341.html)

They've laid a membrane over the astroturf and laid natural turf over that as a temporary field. This might just be the most Heath Robinson thing I've ever heard about a major stadium football pitch, and IMHO a really bad idea.

Although they say they used a deeper sod than normal, there will be no depth of soil or roots, and the surface will be inherently unstable.

Best case is that because the players won't have confidence in the pitch, the game will be played at half pace. Worst case is that the players find confidence and play 100%, which will mean the turf just rips up creating a pitch that you can't pass on, and/or there will be knee/ankle injuries

I hope I'm wrong, but I really don't see this working out well.

On the other hand, there is no way I would have been bothered by this game in other circumstances, but as it is live on TV here I will be tuning in now to see how this pans out, so to a certain extent the PR is working on me :D

[MIJB#19]

Highly impressed by them going with a 4-1-4-1 with 5 mainly offensive players and both wingbacks high up the pitch.So you're saying it's not just the A squad playing successful attacking football, but it also works for the youth teams? (Fwiw, I saw pieces of that game and Germany to me too looked like an attacking team, despite that 4-1-4-1 sounds like a defensive approach.)

In a way that's ironic for those with Oranje tainted glasses. For over a decade all I hear is how we should look at Germany and Italy for their successful defensive playing styles, yet by the time we adopt the defensive playing style, people moan about our defensive team and how Germany blows the world away with the old fashioned score more goals mentality. Ironically, since WC2006, Germany has been far and beyond the team to root for when Oranje isn't playing, despite the rivalry.

[whomario]

But since the A team actually took a step back from that ideal in Brazil, that should help a little ;) (they basically played a No8 instead of a No10 and the 2 wing backs were much more defensive than previously, even when Lahm switched to RB)

But yeah, the irony is significant ;)

Of course it always depends on how you interpret a tactic (you can play an offensive 5-4-1 or a defensive 3-4-3), but that U19 tactic was definitely offensive minded with 2 attacking wingers and basically two No10 players with major leeway to roam around.
Heck, even the lone No6 was not exactly playing an anchor man role.

[ISiddiqui]

Btw, for American soccer fans, an MLS game is actually on BROADCAST Television today and it isn't the MLS Cup Final. NBC is showing the LA Galaxy and the Portland Timbers at 2:30pm EST.

[bulletsponge]

Btw, for American soccer fans, an MLS game is actually on BROADCAST Television today and it isn't the MLS Cup Final. NBC is showing the LA Galaxy and the Portland Timbers at 2:30pm EST.

thanks for reminding me, i would have thought the game came on tonight and would have missed it. MLS.com does a good job of telling you about nationally televised games, but i never look at the game time :banghead:

[The Jackal]

Happy to be able to watch Arsenal/Benfica today on ESPN3. Sanogo broke his Arsenal cherry and bagged four goals, but looked like he might have tweaked a hammy. Campbell looked quite good as well, scoring a strong volley off a Bellerin cross (who seems a heck of an attacking fullback but leaves some to be desired defensively).

Alexis came on near the end and the crowd went nuts. He danced around some, looked generally threatening, and setup either Coq or Akpom and they really should have scored.

[Marc Vaughan]

Sanogo broke his Arsenal cherry and bagged four goals, but looked like he might have tweaked a hammy.
Yup - sounds like an Arsenal player to me* ;)

*Fantastic for the 4 days each season that they're fit :D

[The Jackal]

Yup - sounds like an Arsenal player to me* ;)

*Fantastic for the 4 days each season that they're fit :D

I hadn't realized we led the EPL in injuries last year, but I'm not surprised. Pretty encouraged by the depth this year if Campbell doesn't get loaned out .. I guess I'm counting Diaby as depth, really feel sorry for that guy.

Could definitely use one more central defender, definitely if Vermaelen leaves.

And I'm not going to get greedy, but if Arsene really wants to nab Khedira that'd be fine - although a holding mid like Carvalho would be amazing.

[The Jackal]

Pretty encouraged by the depth this year if Campbell doesn't get loaned out

Wenger post-match: "No. There is no reason to let him go. I want to keep him."

Excellent.

[MacroGuru]

So I am in Charlotte for work this weekend. We are running our workshops in the Omni hotel.

Well, AC Milan has been here for the game tonight. I was able to meet Honda and Abbiati and they were cool. Our logistics guy sat and talked with Mario Balotelli.

They were really cool guys, the whole squad was.

[TroyF]

I hadn't realized we led the EPL in injuries last year, but I'm not surprised. Pretty encouraged by the depth this year if Campbell doesn't get loaned out .. I guess I'm counting Diaby as depth, really feel sorry for that guy.

Could definitely use one more central defender, definitely if Vermaelen leaves.

And I'm not going to get greedy, but if Arsene really wants to nab Khedira that'd be fine - although a holding mid like Carvalho would be amazing.

Arsenal have led the league in games missed by injuries like 4 out of 5 years. It is ridiculous. They brought in a new director of fitness this year and I'm hoping he can ease this a little.

The team is deeper than it has been in a long time with two glaring exceptions. The second midfielder is Arteta or Flamini, neither good enough to be a holding mid at this point. They NEED a holding midfielder badly. They also need another DC. Vermaelen is leaving and they need a third just in case. I think Chambers and others could fill in for a spell if need be, but if Per or Loren go down, you cannot count on what is there.

Outside of those two spots, the depth of this club is now pretty damned good. About time

[cougarfreak]

I was at the game tonight in Charlotte. It was amazing. I'd bet about 60,000 of the 69,000 fans were for Liverpool. Singing YNWA was awesome!

[flere-imsaho]

Man City play Olympiakos tonight in Minnesota, and the pitch looks to be a real problem.

TCF Bank Stadium first: Grass surface being installed for soccer match | Star Tribune (http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/269047341.html)

They've laid a membrane over the astroturf and laid natural turf over that as a temporary field. This might just be the most Heath Robinson thing I've ever heard about a major stadium football pitch, and IMHO a really bad idea.

If it's actually FieldTurf instead of AstroTurf (does anyone use that anymore?) they should really just cowboy up and play on it instead of this sod experiment.

[The Jackal]

Arsenal have led the league in games missed by injuries like 4 out of 5 years. It is ridiculous. They brought in a new director of fitness this year and I'm hoping he can ease this a little.

The team is deeper than it has been in a long time with two glaring exceptions. The second midfielder is Arteta or Flamini, neither good enough to be a holding mid at this point. They NEED a holding midfielder badly. They also need another DC. Vermaelen is leaving and they need a third just in case. I think Chambers and others could fill in for a spell if need be, but if Per or Loren go down, you cannot count on what is there.

Outside of those two spots, the depth of this club is now pretty damned good. About time

Fingers crossed for Carvalho. I think a depth DC will come in, doesn't need to be a big money signing.

[DaddyTorgo]

Fingers crossed for Carvalho. I think a depth DC will come in, doesn't need to be a big money signing.

And in FM-crossover news, my Arsenal team were ravaged by injuries. Both Giroud and Mitrovic (his backup/eventual successor) were out for 3-4 months with torn hamstrings (suffered two months apart).

Something in the water apparently.

[Alan T]

And in FM-crossover news, my Arsenal team were ravaged by injuries. Both Giroud and Mitrovic (his backup/eventual successor) were out for 3-4 months with torn hamstrings (suffered two months apart).

Something in the water apparently.


Not sure if you saw my previous posts for my arsenal save or not. I had 7 midfielders out at once for part of the season :) As was playing Poldolski at MC :)

[ISiddiqui]

Interesting stuff:

NBA Kings ownership looking to purchase Sacramento Republic FC | Soccer By Ives (http://www.soccerbyives.net/2014/08/ownership-sacramento-republic.html)

Apparently the Sacramento Kings are interested in buying a controlling interest in Sacramento Republic FC, a USL PRO team that is has been setting USL PRO attendance records (about 10,000 a game) in order to make them into a future MLS expansion team - similar to what happened with Orlando City SC.

It seems to me (well, in addition to how much expansion does MLS want) that NBA and NFL teams are natural partners for MLS teams (with the exception of New England Revolution, it seems) - as they don't directly compete except at the tail end of the MLS season. NBA teams can jointly own NBA and MLS teams, while NFL teams can push for stadiums with MLS capability (as Atlanta did).

Speaking of expansion - after Atlanta joins, MLS will have 22 teams. Miami has been offered a team when they can get a stadium side (it was part of David Beckham's contract when he signed for MLS and the LA Galaxy). Sacramento probably would be a good signing at the same time - to make the teams even (at 24 for the league - at that point it may make sense to make 4 divisions of 6 teams each).

[flere-imsaho]

Also in FM-related news, before the WC I was seriously thinking about converting to a 5-3-2 (or 3-4-1-2 - basically 3 CDs, 2 wingbacks, 3 CMs or 2 CMs & 1 AM, 2 strkers) because I had a plethora of CDs, CMs and strikers, and also fuck wingers. The key problem (at my level) has been wingbacks. So I haven't done it yet, but I still may.

Edit: The reason why it's funny, is because now Van Gaal has now super-popularized it with both Holland and Man Utd. It'll be interesting how it takes its place against the ubiquitous 4-2-3-1.

[Alan T]

It seems to me (well, in addition to how much expansion does MLS want) that NBA and NFL teams are natural partners for MLS teams (with the exception of New England Revolution, it seems) - as they don't directly compete except at the tail end of the MLS season.




Just curious, what does this part of your post mean? About the exception being the Revolution. Aren't both the Revs and Pats owned by kraft? I would think that supports your point rather than being the exception. or am I misunderstanding what you mean here?

[MacroGuru]

I was at the game tonight in Charlotte. It was amazing. I'd bet about 60,000 of the 69,000 fans were for Liverpool. Singing YNWA was awesome!

We wanted to go but our workshop cut into it and by the time we would have gotten to the stadium it would have been about 15 minutes left of the game.

[DaddyTorgo]

Just curious, what does this part of your post mean? About the exception being the Revolution. Aren't both the Revs and Pats owned by kraft? I would think that supports your point rather than being the exception. or am I misunderstanding what you mean here?

Because Kraft treats the Revs as a tax-shelter rather than a legit interest.

[ISiddiqui]

Just curious, what does this part of your post mean? About the exception being the Revolution. Aren't both the Revs and Pats owned by kraft? I would think that supports your point rather than being the exception. or am I misunderstanding what you mean here?

What DT said. Kraft basically hasn't put money into the Revolution in years and home games look horrible because there isn't any effort to make Gillette "look smaller" (A soccer game isn't going to fill a massive NFL stadium - Seattle has cloth screens over the upper deck, so it doesn't look 1/2 empty and Atlanta is also going to have cloth screens to block out upper decks when the team comes in 2017 - makes it look better in person and on TV).

[DaddyTorgo]

What DT said. Kraft basically hasn't put money into the Revolution in years and home games look horrible because there isn't any effort to make Gillette "look smaller" (A soccer game isn't going to fill a massive NFL stadium - Seattle has cloth screens over the upper deck, so it doesn't look 1/2 empty and Atlanta is also going to have cloth screens to block out upper decks when the team comes in 2017 - makes it look better in person and on TV).

And it's not just that it looks like a horrible product from a presentation standpoint, I'd argue that the whole culture of "who gives a fuck" has permeated through the entire upper echelon of the organization (it's hard to give a fuck if your boss doesn't care), and has CONTRIBUTED (not entirely caused, but contributed) to the on-field product being mediocre and lacking aspirations to be better to.

I had season tickets for the first like 4 years of the league, and I literally cannot watch the team anymore. I turned on the game this weekend, watched them go 1-0 up and a man up, and then concede two goals in the span of 15 minutes and lose the fucking game. It was EMBARRASSING. I shut the TV off in disgust after the second one.

[ISiddiqui]

Unfortunately, I don't think the MLS will have enough backbone to force Kraft to sell anytime soon.

They had to wait for Chivas USA to be abandoned before taking over (and hopefully moving them to, like, Minnesota rather than trying a rebrand and attempting to force an LA2)

[DaddyTorgo]

Unfortunately, I don't think the MLS will have enough backbone to force Kraft to sell anytime soon.

They had to wait for Chivas USA to be abandoned before taking over (and hopefully moving them to, like, Minnesota rather than trying a rebrand and attempting to force an LA2)

Yeah. Truly unfortunate. Ah well - when the ownership group decides to invest in the club I'll be back. Till then, it's just not worth my time.

Sucks too - they're missing out. $250 season ticket package...I'd drop that in a heartbeat at this point in my life. Shit - I'd probably throw down for two tickets just so I didn't go alone. But I'm not about to support an ownership group that's not investing in the club.

[ISiddiqui]

One can hope that some New England soccer fan with tons of money makes Kraft an offer on the team and moves them to Boston.

Of course Kraft has been saying they are looking for soccer specific stadium locale for like 8 years (though now it seems like posturing). They seemingly were close to a place in Somerville in the mid 2000s, which would have really jump started the team, IMO.

[cougarfreak]

Hell, at least you guys can watch local MLS teams. I can watch every single Liverpool game on TV. I can't watch any Columbus Crew game on TV. And they're like 80 miles up the road.

[DaddyTorgo]

One can hope that some New England soccer fan with tons of money makes Kraft an offer on the team and moves them to Boston.

Of course Kraft has been saying they are looking for soccer specific stadium locale for like 8 years (though now it seems like posturing). They seemingly were close to a place in Somerville in the mid 2000s, which would have really jump started the team, IMO.

Boggles my fucking mind why John Henry and those guys wouldn't take it off Kraft's hands - it's a natural tie-in with Liverpool kind of like Man City and the new NY club.

Kraft's probably being a grubby bitch about holding onto it though.

[ISiddiqui]

Cougarfreak: So get MLS Live (as I do) or watch it on ESPN or NBCSN like the rest of us :D.

(though in 2 years, MLS Live will cease to be and all out of market games will be on ESPN3 - and available to all, not just those who have cable)

[ISiddiqui]

Boggles my fucking mind why John Henry and those guys wouldn't take it off Kraft's hands - it's a natural tie-in with Liverpool kind of like Man City and the new NY club.

It'd, somewhat, compete with baseball though. That is one of the reasons you don't see baseball owners jumping on MLS teams.

[DaddyTorgo]

It'd, somewhat, compete with baseball though. That is one of the reasons you don't see baseball owners jumping on MLS teams.

I'd argue that at least here in NE that wouldn't be the case. The Red Sox are always going to be #1 for a majority of folks. And there's such a limited # of dates it'd conflict on, and it would tie-in well with Liverpool...I think the benefits would outweigh any slight competition. But then again what do I know.

[ISiddiqui]

Though... isn't the guy who owns AS Roma from Boston?

[ISiddiqui]

I'd argue that at least here in NE that wouldn't be the case. The Red Sox are always going to be #1 for a majority of folks. And there's such a limited # of dates it'd conflict on, and it would tie-in well with Liverpool...I think the benefits would outweigh any slight competition. But then again what do I know.

I don't necessarily think it'd be all that much competition, but league owners are known for being wary to support a team that MAY hurt attendance for their main franchise - regardless of how remote the possibility.

[Alan T]

One can hope that some New England soccer fan with tons of money makes Kraft an offer on the team and moves them to Boston.



Ugh, please don't move them to Boston, or I would go to the games as often as I go to Red Sox games, which is like never. At least now I go to a decent number of Revs games every year since it is not a royal pain in the butt to get to.

[DaddyTorgo]

Though... isn't the guy who owns AS Roma from Boston?

Yes, them too!

[DaddyTorgo]

Ugh, please don't move them to Boston, or I would go to the games as often as I go to Red Sox games, which is like never. At least now I go to a decent number of Revs games every year since it is not a royal pain in the butt to get to.

Come East more often Alan!!! :D

[Alan T]

Come East more often Alan!!! :D


My wife and I are planning on doing a bike ride from home to Boston Commons once she gets back in town.. if that works out somewhat ok maybe I will. (about 80 miles round trip) I just hate dealing with the lack of affordable parking and construction fueled traffic there :)

[ISiddiqui]

Yes, them too!

There you go... A.S. Boston ;)

It'd have the added benefit of allowing rival fans to call them ASS Boston. ;)

[DaddyTorgo]

My wife and I are planning on doing a bike ride from home to Boston Commons once she gets back in town.. if that works out somewhat ok maybe I will. (about 80 miles round trip) I just hate dealing with the lack of affordable parking and construction fueled traffic there :)

Very true!!

[BishopMVP]

Ugh, please don't move them to Boston, or I would go to the games as often as I go to Red Sox games, which is like never. At least now I go to a decent number of Revs games every year since it is not a royal pain in the butt to get to.Sorry Alan and the other few hundred thousand who find Foxboro easier to get to than Boston, but putting it somewhere it's accessible by the T is a necessity.

The funny thing is they've probably got their best team since the Clint Dempsey/Taylor Twellman days with some really good young players and even a few homegrown players, including a potential superstar in Fagundez, but they're just completely off this city's radar screen, even after all the World Cup excitement.

[ISiddiqui]

This thread got me looking at stadium plans in the MLS (sorry job). Orlando City's stadium mockups looks really nice. D.C.'s looks even nicer, but it seems like D.C. politics is going to doom it (some fans are saying they wouldn't be surprised if the United went to Baltimore after how D.C. may screw them out of this). The Earthquakes also seem to be getting a fun new home in 2015.

And NYCFC is stuck in Yankee Stadium for the time being. That may end up being a complete fuck up since they seemingly can't find a stadium site within city limits.

[DaddyTorgo]

Sorry Alan and the other few hundred thousand who find Foxboro easier to get to than Boston, but putting it somewhere it's accessible by the T is a necessity.

The funny thing is they've probably got their best team since the Clint Dempsey/Taylor Twellman days with some really good young players and even a few homegrown players, including a potential superstar in Fagundez, but they're just completely off this city's radar screen, even after all the World Cup excitement.

They lost a game in which they were 1-0 and a man up at halftime.

They're squarely in the middle of the pack as far as their record.

Maybe we're just spoiled around here as a result of the other teams, but I find it hard to get excited for that. How'd they lose Dempsey and replace him with *crickets* for instance?

I mean... I WANT to like this team. I want to be excited about them. I want to go get season tickets, but I'm just not seeing it. They sell/trade/whatever their DP slots away to other Eastern Conference teams to allow them to bring in the impact players (even if we've discussed the issue of bringing in "marquee older DPs" I still think they can be beneficial) and instead end up with guys who get injured/massively underperform/have nothing left (Raul Diaz Arce/Wolde Harris anyone?). This isn't a recent thing either BTW - it goes all the way back to like...trying to psyche myself up for fucking Chiquinho Conde.

Sure...Mullins and Farrell look real good in their early days, and Lee Ngyuen is quality, but Shuttleworth and the other dude are mediocre, the backline is a sieve, there's nobody else aside from Ngyuen in midfield, and they have yet to find a real goalscorer since Twellmen was forced to retire. And frankly, he's really the ONLY competent true striker they've ever had in their history.

[ISiddiqui]

Well, last season they finished with 51 points and were 3rd in the East (though, the 6th place team, and out of the playoffs, had 49 points). They are hovering around the playoff line this year as well (though they are worse than they were last season).

[cougarfreak]

Cougarfreak: So get MLS Live (as I do) or watch it on ESPN or NBCSN like the rest of us :D.

(though in 2 years, MLS Live will cease to be and all out of market games will be on ESPN3 - and available to all, not just those who have cable)

My understanding is the games would be blacked out since I live so close. They put them on FS Ohio, but like 5th in the picking order. Then they moved them to Time Warner. Which I don't have, and even if I did have it, I wouldn't get it because they don't consider me in their viewing area. The local TV deals for the MLS are atrocious. I literally CANNOT watch them.

[ISiddiqui]

IIRC, you wouldn't get blackedout for MLS Live if you wouldn't be considered under the Time Warner Cable SportsChannel broadcast region:

MLS LIVE blackout policies | MLSsoccer.com (http://www.mlssoccer.com/blackout)

[cougarfreak]

IIRC, you wouldn't get blackedout for MLS Live if you wouldn't be considered under the Time Warner Cable SportsChannel broadcast region:

MLS LIVE blackout policies | MLSsoccer.com (http://www.mlssoccer.com/blackout)

I just emailed them to find out. Thanks for the link.

[ISiddiqui]

No worries.

I wonder if you could also ask if there is a potential to get a refund if you find that Columbus games are blacked out in your region.

(I think that when ESPN takes over they'll likely keep the same blackout policies)

[BishopMVP]

They lost a game in which they were 1-0 and a man up at halftime.

They're squarely in the middle of the pack as far as their record.

Maybe we're just spoiled around here as a result of the other teams, but I find it hard to get excited for that. How'd they lose Dempsey and replace him with *crickets* for instance?Yes, because you should completely judge a team based on the one game you watched. And doing nothing to replace Dempsey sucked, but it happened 8 years ago (and the team actually did fine for the next season and a half until lack of depth and playing in multiple competitions killed them).

I'd love it if they'd bring in another really good mid or two (it baffles me they've never brought in a decently big-name Brazilian or Portuguese player to energize that community), and I'm not arguing they're world-beaters, but they're solidly mid-pack in a bigger and better league than MLS was 10 years ago, and have plenty of solid players to watch in Farrell, Mullins, Nguyen, Fagundez, Alston, Bunbury, Kelyn Rowe, even Caldwell and Charlie Davies with the local ties. But unless they signed a true superstar like Beckham or Steven Gerrard (or the Portuguese-speaking equivalent) they're never going to get the attention of people in Boston while they play at a stadium so hard to get to from Boston.

That core is plenty to get me excited and go to some games if you could take public transportation or a cheap cab to games, drink a few beers at neighborhood bars, and I know tons of 20's-30's young professionals in the city that would be all over that too. But as it is no one in that category wants to drive an hour and a half round-trip, worry about designated drivers, etc, especially when the primary audience appears to be families where the parents don't really understand the sport and kids who don't really care that much.

[SirFozzie]

So here's a breakdown on what's on English Language Networks this year:

One World Sports (Small provider, only on Satellite and a couple of cable providers, although the number is growing:) Japan/Asian Confederation, and delayed games from Chelsea, Arsenal, and Bayern Munich

Decent amount of footy, but 95% of it is tape delayed

The Fox Brigade:
Fox Sports 1 and 2 (Not quite ESPN level ubiquitous-ness, especially FS2): FA Cup, Champions League/Europa League (1st Choice)
Fox Soccer Plus: ($15/month channel normally), Scottish Football, FA Cup, Champions League/Europa League (2nd Choice) (Mostly Rugby and Aussie Rules otherwise)

Used to be the big guns, then in the space of two years lost the Serie A and then the EPL. They turned off Fox Soccer, but FS1 and 2 have aired a decent amount of soccer. Will be starting a big push next year with the Bundesliga. They have the rights for the next 12 years of World Cups etcetera, which is disappointing as ESPN really did an awesome job with em. Will get the MLS rights with ESPN starting in 2015.

BeIN Sports (Serie A, La Liga, English Championship/League Cup):

Oil-Rich. The new guns in town. Want to watch teams other then the Big 2 in Spain? Good luck. A bit more spread out in Italy (mostly the big guns, but they air so many Serie A games that some smaller teams get airtime), and sometimes 1-2 games a week from the Championship.

GolTV (Bundesliga, Latin American/South American Leagues)

Basically dead in English-language, they gambled big, and lost big. Most of their on talent went to BeIN Sport when they lost La Liga. How badly stuffed are they? A deal for the SWISS LEAGUE fell through. Will lose Bundesliga at end of season, and any hope of relevance.

NBC/NBCSN (English Premier League, MLS (see note)

They do a really freaking good job of carrying the EPL. Fox Soccer used to air the other 10AM games on tape delay when Fox owned the rights, but otherwise you can't really complain as you get 4-5 games a week live, and in a rarity, regular games on free-to-air channels (NBC Affiliates) weekly. They're losing MLS at the end of the season.

ESPN (MLS, Euro 2016)
Semi-transitioning out of soccer (losing the World Cup rights hurt), but they will stay airing the local league for the next seven years.

So yeah, us Yanks are frickin spoiled :)

[SirFozzie]

Yes, because you should completely judge a team based on the one game you watched. And doing nothing to replace Dempsey sucked, but it happened 8 years ago (and the team actually did fine for the next season and a half until lack of depth and playing in multiple competitions killed them).

I'd love it if they'd bring in another really good mid or two (it baffles me they've never brought in a decently big-name Brazilian or Portuguese player to energize that community), and I'm not arguing they're world-beaters, but they're solidly mid-pack in a bigger and better league than MLS was 10 years ago, and have plenty of solid players to watch in Farrell, Mullins, Nguyen, Fagundez, Alston, Bunbury, Kelyn Rowe, even Caldwell and Charlie Davies with the local ties. But unless they signed a true superstar like Beckham or Steven Gerrard (or the Portuguese-speaking equivalent) they're never going to get the attention of people in Boston while they play at a stadium so hard to get to from Boston.

That core is plenty to get me excited and go to some games if you could take public transportation or a cheap cab to games, drink a few beers at neighborhood bars, and I know tons of 20's-30's young professionals in the city that would be all over that too. But as it is no one in that category wants to drive an hour and a half round-trip, worry about designated drivers, etc, especially when the primary audience appears to be families where the parents don't really understand the sport and kids who don't really care that much.

To be fair to DT (as much as I like to torment him about other tings), even the hardcore fans are getting fed up with the Revs lack of progress. A friend of mine co-admins the Revs forum on BigSoccer. HUGE soccer fan, travels to every world cup, used to be the Capo for the Fort (the Revolution supporters area). He's tired of mediocre teams, penny-pinching from the Krafts in building the team, and having to deal with over zealous security.

During this last seven game losing streak, he openly wondered if he should just stop supporting the Revs so actively until changes are made/

[DaddyTorgo]

Yes, because you should completely judge a team based on the one game you watched. And doing nothing to replace Dempsey sucked, but it happened 8 years ago (and the team actually did fine for the next season and a half until lack of depth and playing in multiple competitions killed them).

I'd love it if they'd bring in another really good mid or two (it baffles me they've never brought in a decently big-name Brazilian or Portuguese player to energize that community), and I'm not arguing they're world-beaters, but they're solidly mid-pack in a bigger and better league than MLS was 10 years ago, and have plenty of solid players to watch in Farrell, Mullins, Nguyen, Fagundez, Alston, Bunbury, Kelyn Rowe, even Caldwell and Charlie Davies with the local ties. But unless they signed a true superstar like Beckham or Steven Gerrard (or the Portuguese-speaking equivalent) they're never going to get the attention of people in Boston while they play at a stadium so hard to get to from Boston.

That core is plenty to get me excited and go to some games if you could take public transportation or a cheap cab to games, drink a few beers at neighborhood bars, and I know tons of 20's-30's young professionals in the city that would be all over that too. But as it is no one in that category wants to drive an hour and a half round-trip, worry about designated drivers, etc, especially when the primary audience appears to be families where the parents don't really understand the sport and kids who don't really care that much.

I was speaking specifically about that game, but it's a general observation from anytime I've tuned in over the past few years - they give up soft goals frequently, and struggle to maintain possession and craft chances in basically every game I've seen.

I don't think I've seen one game in the last 4 years say, where they've dominated a game and imposed their will on the opponent.

[cougarfreak]

Don't forget NBC streams ALL EPL games through the NBC sports app

[BishopMVP]

To be fair to DT (as much as I like to torment him about other tings), even the hardcore fans are getting fed up with the Revs lack of progress. A friend of mine co-admins the Revs forum on BigSoccer. HUGE soccer fan, travels to every world cup, used to be the Capo for the Fort (the Revolution supporters area). He's tired of mediocre teams, penny-pinching from the Krafts in building the team, and having to deal with over zealous security.

During this last seven game losing streak, he openly wondered if he should just stop supporting the Revs so actively until changes are made/After being an above-average team that Nicol seemingly held together with duct tape, they completely fell apart in Nicol's last season and the subsequent 1-2. I think the 2nd half of last season and first half of this one they really turned it around and looked great around a young core. Now I really didn't pay attention during the world cup so I have no idea how they went from 7 game unbeaten stretch (with 6 W's) to an 8 game losing streak, and there's obviously the feeling the Kraft's will let Nguyen or Fagundez or whoever leave for nothing, or not spend for the extra piece, but right now the problem isn't the on-field product it's the off-field experience. I'd be down with going to see a few games each year if it was a better atmosphere, but even if they were better I have no interest in going to see a sterilized pro sports team that feels like a WNBA game.

[ISiddiqui]

Well, the lack of good DPs really does speak to lack of interest or spending by the Krafts. It's like they've built a good young core in spite of the Kraft ownership.

[Critch]

So here's a breakdown on what's on English Language Networks this year:

Havent been following, so hopefully you can answer my questions:

1. Do you know if Bein Sports will still have Russian League next year?
2. Do you know if ESPN3 (or whatever it's called now) with still have German Cup coverage?
3. Do you know if ESPN3 (or whatever it's called now) with still have Dutch League coverage?
4. Did you really just refer to Ray Hudson and Phil Schoen as talent?

[SirFozzie]

1) They do now, but don't air any.
2) I believe so
3) Doubt it, it's now controlled by Fox overseas
4) They do have a rather rabid following.

[BishopMVP]

Pep Guardiola channeling his inner Diego Simeone. Stay classy.

[kingfc22]

Pep Guardiola channeling his inner Diego Simeone. Stay classy.

Yea that was uncalled for.

[Marc Vaughan]

Don't forget NBC streams ALL EPL games through the NBC sports app

Their internet casts are pretty reliable also - I've watched a fair few matches that way.

[Critch]

Yeah, NBC's streaming is great. Weekend mornings in bed with EPL on an ipad because you cant be bothered getting up and turning on the tv. That's luxury.

[SirFozzie]

Yeah, they released the first 3 months schedule, I was going to copy them over, but I don't want to octuple post :)

[nol]

Here's some soccer. U20 Women's World Cup. How many attempts would it take to recreate that? At least a million, right?

https://mtc.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/131F8656D21108928021832077312_2263943af5c.2.0.6048346542644741290.mp4?versionId=5ZmpFBiopfk916H7HEAU4gmxc063lUuv

[flere-imsaho]

Wow, very nice shot!

[flere-imsaho]

Pep Guardiola channeling his inner Diego Simeone. Stay classy.

Guardiola's well within his rights, IMO. Those tackles were dangerous, and inexcusable for a friendly.

[MrBug708]

Pep expecting a cakewalk. Pep getting his ass handed to him. Pep reacting like a child. Pep losing the respect of a large American audience.

Porter should have ignored him after the snub.

[MrBug708]

Looks like Landon Donovan is retiring after this year. I would surmise that it's probably from the national team? Moreso officially since Jurgy pretty much made it clear he's not going to be part of the national team anymore anyways.

@RyanRosenblatt: No one player is more responsible for MLS getting to this point than Landon Donovan. When everyone else left, he stayed.

http://goldandorsmith.com/GIFs/LandonDonovanRain.gif

[BishopMVP]

Guardiola's well within his rights, IMO. Those tackles were dangerous, and inexcusable for a friendly.The 2 were bad tackles (nothing wrong with the collision vs. Boateng), but unless Porter said something back, Guardiola needs to understand the context. Be mad at the players, or at the people who set it up, or the referees. Blaming a coach who has no way to discipline players considering he doesn't actually coach them at a club is just poor form.

PS has Wright-Phillips actually improved in MLS or was he just in bad situations in England? That goal last night was awesome.

[cartman]

Looks like Landon Donovan is retiring after this year. I would surmise that it's probably from the national team?

Both national team and MLS. He's hanging up his cleats.

[bhlloy]

I don't think pep was expecting a cakewalk or probably gives a shit about the score but he does have a right that his players won't be crocked in a non competitive match. If the MLS are going to treat it like that then teams will probably think twice about playing in these all star games in the future.

Not the coaches fault and not real classy with the snub, but I can definitely understand where he's coming from

[ISiddiqui]

Will miss Landon. The greatest player the US has ever produced.

Now, I really wish he was able to go to Brazil. :(

[Easy Mac]

As I share a birthday with Donovan, I in no way feel old right now.

[ISiddiqui]

Oh, on the All Star game, there were a couple rough tackles. To not shake the hand of the coach of an All Star team because of those tackles is ridiculously unclassy. Pep embarrassed himself.

(Also it is kind of a shame that it overshone 3 amazing goals and a fun match)

[RainMaker]

Some local rumors that Jermaine Jones is coming to the Fire. Hope it's true.

[SirFozzie]

Piss on the Fire :)

Seeing Donovan's quotes, it's quite obvious that he's just burned out... sounds like he no longer had the fire to play at the top of his form (he used the phrasing "obligated to keep playing", and it sounds like that's why Klinsmann didn't pick him for the WC.

Now that he had decided to retire, he's relaxed and playing better.

[whomario]

Legia Warsaw apparently with a major brainfart. Having easily secured qualification, they sub in a non-eligible player and now Celtic is in the next round (Legia beat Celtic 4-1 AND 2:0 in both rounds).

Assuming Legia had won in the final qualification round (and they looked mighty impressive against Celtic, so why not), that´s a 10 mio dollar mistake.

[MIJB#19]

Legia Warsaw apparently with a major brainfart. Having easily secured qualification, they sub in a non-eligible player and now Celtic is in the next round (Legia beat Celtic 4-1 AND 2:0 in both rounds).

Assuming Legia had won in the final qualification round (and they looked mighty impressive against Celtic, so why not), that´s a 10 mio dollar mistake.It's an interesting decision from UEFA. Legia kept suspended player off the field for the required 3 games, but because of paperworks, the first two games didn't count for the suspension. What makes it a surprising decision is there's precedent of a blow out situation and then it didn't result in rewarding the losing side.

[Ajaxab]

Agreed. Even more interesting to me is UEFA's rule that the penalty is a 3-0 defeat with the 2-0 Legia win being wiped off the books. As I understand it, if the rule would allow for a 2-0 or 1-0 Celtic win, Legia would still go through. But Celtic end up advancing on away goals because the rule happens to be 3-0 making the adjusted score 4-4 over two legs. Weird...

[bhlloy]

Even by UEFA that's an obtuse decision. I have no idea why logically a player has to be registered for games they are suspended for and as noted, the score they awarded Celtic was just enough to affect the tie. Hope it gets overturned.

[ISiddiqui]

Piss on the Fire :)

Seeing Donovan's quotes, it's quite obvious that he's just burned out... sounds like he no longer had the fire to play at the top of his form (he used the phrasing "obligated to keep playing", and it sounds like that's why Klinsmann didn't pick him for the WC.

Now that he had decided to retire, he's relaxed and playing better.

Even obligated to keep playing he was one of our Top 5 players and Klinsmann should have brought him, even if just for moments of brilliance like the goal in the MLS All-Star Game against Bayern.

[ISiddiqui]

This is probably one of the best articles on Donovan's impact:

Landon Donovan is the most important player in American soccer history - SBNation.com (http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/8/7/5979425/landon-donovan-retires-us-soccer-impact)

The last few paragraphs especially:
In Donovan's 16 years on the pitch, American soccer went from a failed national team with a failing domestic league, no stars and no relevance to a thriving national team, a growing domestic league and relevance it could not dreamed of. And it was, more than any other person, because of one star -- Donovan.

Donovan touched every part of the exploding game in this country. He was at the start of the first dedicated development program and in the youth national teams. He was a part of three World Cups and six Gold Cups. He was the face of MLS, staying and buoying a league seemingly destined to sink when every other big name jumped ship.

American soccer wasn't going to disappear without Donovan. Satellite TV and changing demographics would have kept the sport alive and, at least by 1998's modest expectations, it may even have been deemed a success without Donovan's contributions, but without the bleach blond, turned receding hairline kid from Redlands, Calif., it wouldn't be near what it is today.

Now he is ready to bid the game goodbye, with the sport bigger than anyone could have imagined. And it is because of him. As far as this generation is concerned, Donovan is American soccer.

[cartman]

Coach Lasso is back!

<object width="560" height="315"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/iRqypM7jb5Y?hl=en_US&amp;version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/iRqypM7jb5Y?hl=en_US&amp;version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>

[DaddyTorgo]

Looks like Landon Donovan is retiring after this year. I would surmise that it's probably from the national team? Moreso officially since Jurgy pretty much made it clear he's not going to be part of the national team anymore anyways.

@RyanRosenblatt: No one player is more responsible for MLS getting to this point than Landon Donovan. When everyone else left, he stayed.

http://goldandorsmith.com/GIFs/LandonDonovanRain.gif

:(

Gonna miss him. Even more bummed there's no LA Galaxy game in Foxboro that I can go to coming up to say goodbye.

Anybody up for a trip to Montreal on September 10th?

Unfortunately it's a Wednesday night game, but I'm totally up for a 5 hour drive and an early departure the next morning if anybody else is.

[Ryan S]

What makes it a surprising decision is there's precedent of a blow out situation and then it didn't result in rewarding the losing side.

In the previous case it was a player who was unregistered rather than suspended.

UEFA had no option as the penalty for fielding a suspended player is written in the rulebook, and is harsher than the penalty for fielding an ineligible player.

The rule is on page 11, article 21 of the UEFA disciplinary regulations - http://www.uefa.org/MultimediaFiles/Download/Regulations/uefaorg/UEFACompDisCases/02/11/23/49/2112349_DOWNLOAD.pdf

The rule itself as copy and paste does not seem to work - http://i.imgur.com/4bzpZE6.jpg

[Marc Vaughan]

PS has Wright-Phillips actually improved in MLS or was he just in bad situations in England? That goal last night was awesome.

I don't think he's improved that much tbh; if you look at the goal in the MLS all-stars game he had acres of space - far more than he'd have been likely to get from a simple flick in a Premiership match.

Given time he's got fairly good technical ability, but put under pressure he has problems thinking/reacting fast enough to demonstrate it on the pitch.

IMHO the biggest differences between a good Championship player in England a a good Premiership player isn't physical acumen or even technique (although obviously they are definite factors) - its the mental side of things, how fast they can think and act under pressure ... thats why you often see some players who excel in the Championship but never quite cut it in the Premiership when they attempt the step up.

If you didn't follow him when he played in England here is a compilation of goals from his period there - there are some nice ones there, but he simply wasn't ever consistent enough under pressure - once he dropped down from the Premiership he did well enough but in the top level where space was at a Premium he was far from prolific (2 in 32 at Man City).

Bradley Wright-Phillips - Memorable Goals (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V-xoceCyOg)

[MIJB#19]

In the previous case it was a player who was unregistered rather than suspended.

UEFA had no option as the penalty for fielding a suspended player is written in the rulebook, and is harsher than the penalty for fielding an ineligible player.

The rule is on page 11, article 21 of the UEFA disciplinary regulations - http://www.uefa.org/MultimediaFiles/Download/Regulations/uefaorg/UEFACompDisCases/02/11/23/49/2112349_DOWNLOAD.pdf

The rule itself as copy and paste does not seem to work - http://i.imgur.com/4bzpZE6.jpgI stand corrected about the precedent. Maybe I should have known better and not trust the national media over here on these things, they rarely dig up the actual rules. :redface:

I hope Legia figures out whether the suspension now is down to 1 or 2 games, they don't want to go through another paperwork 3-0 loss.

[ISiddiqui]

I don't think he's improved that much tbh

I think that's slightly too harsh. BWP, recall only had 2 goals in 9 matches last season, and wasn't really considered an answer for what to do when Henry left.

I heard this interesting story that last year, Henry happened upon BWP watching all of these fantastic moves and said (basically) "You need to stop watching this crap and just focus on going forward". This season, apparently, he has stopped trying to do the fancy moves and has kept it simple and his goal scoring rate has exploded (9 times the goals in only 3 times the games from last season).

I think Henry has had a great influence on BWP's turning the corner.

Perhaps that sort of space analysis works for some other players, but I don't think it applies to BWP.

[SirFozzie]

I stand corrected about the precedent. Maybe I should have known better and not trust the national media over here on these things, they rarely dig up the actual rules. :redface:

I hope Legia figures out whether the suspension now is down to 1 or 2 games, they don't want to go through another paperwork 3-0 loss.

It's officially back to three games now.. (the first leg against Celtic, he was registered for, so down to 2, +1 game suspension tacked on, so back up to 3)

[SirFozzie]

England's lower levels started Saturday..

Blackpool had nine men early in the morning, they do call up enough youth team members/sign folks to have four subs (out of seven allowed), but still fall 2-0.

And my favorite lower level team, Cambridge United, win their first game in the league in 9 years over Plymouth

[Grover]

Is NBCSN televising the Community Shield?

[SirFozzie]

Fox Sports 1.

They own the Shield and FA Cup rights

BeinSports owns the English Championship and League Cup Rights

NBC/NBCSN owns the Premier League Rights

[rowech]

Is NBCSN televising the Community Shield?

Fox Sports

[Grover]

Fox Sports

Thankee-sai!

[kingfc22]

So has Fox finally stopped the Gus Johnson experiment? I haven't heard him call any games recently during the ICC or the Community Shield match.

[SirFozzie]

Nope. he'll be back for the Champions League :(

[kingfc22]

Nope. he'll be back for the Champions League :(

:banghead:

[ISiddiqui]

Fox is very obviously trying to groom Gus Johnson as the World Cup primary announcer in 2018, so get used to hearing him...

[kingfc22]

I've created a league in Fantasy EPL group called FOFC Premier League if anyone is interested.

Simply use this link:
http://fantasy.premierleague.<wbr>com/my-leagues/355699/join/?<wbr>autojoin-code=1233208-355699 (http://fantasy.premierleague.com/my-leagues/355699/join/?autojoin-code=1233208-355699).

You shouldn't need the league code, but just in case here it is: 1233208-355699.

[TroyF]

I am stunned at how good Calum Chambers is. I know, I know. He's 19 years old, it is only exhibition games, it's way too soon. . . OK, I'll give you that. All I know is he looks to me like he's worth a hell of a lot more than what we paid for him and I wouldn't be horrified to see him in the lineup as a first choice CB to open the season.

[SirFozzie]

The Men in Blazers move from ESPN Podcast to NBCSN Weekly Show. Good for them.

Report: ‘Men in Blazers’ moving from ESPN to NBC Sports | For The Win (http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/08/men-in-blazers-nbc-sports)

[whomario]

http://images.tempo.co/?id=307067&width=620

Miroslav Klose ends his NT career :( Not surprising and of course the right choice, but a small part of me still wished he could play on forever ... He was the constant in the german NT for so long, the only leftover from the pre-modernisation of the system. What a career.

[Marc Vaughan]

I am stunned at how good Calum Chambers is. I know, I know. He's 19 years old, it is only exhibition games, it's way too soon. . . OK, I'll give you that. All I know is he looks to me like he's worth a hell of a lot more than what we paid for him and I wouldn't be horrified to see him in the lineup as a first choice CB to open the season.

He's got HUGE potential in my opinion - he'll get some opportunities to play this season, but is in no way ready to be a consistent first team starter for Arsenal.

I expect he'll turn up in your domestic cup matches and also play a fair bit either as a sub (in already won games) and also against the teams who are considered 'smaller' opposition (or where you've played previously in that week).

PS - That being said, if you're good enough you're old enough? ;)

[AlexB]

My team look set to make one of the most exciting signings we have ever made, as Esteban Cambiasso looks set to come to Leicester.

Now admittedly I haven't really seen him play for a couple of years, and a large part of my excitement is that when I played FM regularly I picked up Cambiasso for my Leicester team, and he was a god, but it will give us City fans a huge boost before our torrid opening fixtures start!

[DaddyTorgo]

ZLATAN!!!!

http://www.dn.se/sport/fotboll/ibrahimovic-betalade-landslagsresa/

Soccer team for mild mental retardation qualified for the World Cup in Brazil but could not finance the trip. Then the team got unexpected help.

Assistant coach Stefan Jonsson got in touch with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, asked for a shirt to auction off - and received 350 000 SEK.

- He said, "What the hell are you going with a sweater? What does it cost to go? "When we said that we need to SEK 350 000. He asked for the account number and deposited it says Stefan Jonsson helahalsingland.se.

[TroyF]

He's got HUGE potential in my opinion - he'll get some opportunities to play this season, but is in no way ready to be a consistent first team starter for Arsenal.

I expect he'll turn up in your domestic cup matches and also play a fair bit either as a sub (in already won games) and also against the teams who are considered 'smaller' opposition (or where you've played previously in that week).

PS - That being said, if you're good enough you're old enough? ;)

I would want him to be 4th choice CB and 2nd/3rd choice RB this year. The reason I said the first week is because Per may not be fit and we'll need someone to start next to Kocielny. I've seen him as the CB in two preseason games (Monaco and Man City) and he didn't make a fool of himself either time. He seems so damned composed.

I agree with you, I don't think he's a regular first teamer yet, but I do think he will see quite a bit of time with them this year. (l'm thinking he'll get in 20 or so games as a starter or sub)

[flere-imsaho]

Zlatan is awesome. Sure, he's got a ridiculously high opinion of himself, but then again, he's won a championship in what, 8 leagues?

[ISiddiqui]

:D

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/he2t3zNCEgk?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[DaddyTorgo]

*sigh*

Again? "Let's trade our international roster spots to an in-conference opponent for $ instead of using them to make our team better."

FUCK YOU BOB KRAFT!!

New England Revolution send Saer Sene to New York Red Bulls in deal for for Andre Akpan | MLSsoccer.com (http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/08/12/new-england-revolution-send-saer-sene-new-york-red-bulls-deal-andre-akpan)

[Neuqua]

*sigh*

Again? "Let's trade our international roster spots to an in-conference opponent for $ instead of using them to make our team better."

FUCK YOU BOB KRAFT!!

New England Revolution send Saer Sene to New York Red Bulls in deal for for Andre Akpan | MLSsoccer.com (http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/08/12/new-england-revolution-send-saer-sene-new-york-red-bulls-deal-andre-akpan)

So this wasn't done to bring in Jermaine Jones?