Soccer Thread 2015-16

[miami_fan]

The transfer opens tomorrow and...

BBC Sport - Nigel Pearson: Leicester City sack manager (http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33338638)

Leicester City have sacked manager Nigel Pearson, with the club saying the working relationship between Pearson and the board was "no longer viable".

[JPhillips]

Another victim of the sex tape?

[whomario]

Under21 Euro Final 0:0 after about 75 minutes between Sweden and Portugal (who absolutely slaughtered the german squad in the semi final, 5:0)

First Semifinal of the Womens World Cup starts in about 3 hours, USA-Germany. Both teams did not seem all that good so far, yet one of them will advance and still be the favourite to win it all IMO. Says a little about the state of the womens game. Not that teams have not improved, its just that mainly 3rd rate teams improved into 2nd rate teams (Canada, Australia, England or the Netherlands) while the 2nd rate teams either fell off a cliff (Norway f.e.) or are still plagued by the same old problems (France and their inability to play efficiently in the final 3rd).

Japan is awesome to watch and clearly up for another title, but i always cant help but they always need to play so close to their potential with their limited phyiscal potential.

[ISiddiqui]

First Semifinal of the Womens World Cup starts in about 3 hours, USA-Germany. Both teams did not seem all that good so far

Eh? Germany has looked pretty damned good this tourney. They had a harder time against France, but that's because France plays very differently than every other women's team, yet Germany STILL had more possession (which tends to be difficult against the French) than shots on goal than France. Germany looks every bit the #1 team in the world.

[AlexB]

Another victim of the sex tape?

Could well have been the final straw after telling a fan to FOAD, 'strangling' James McArthur and Ostrich-gate.

I separately said to my brother and mates in April that if we stayed up I didn't think he would in charge for the next season (and that if we went down he probably would be kept on - never know on that latter part!)

I do think that there is a rift between Pearson and the board - Pearson is quite pragmatic and has been directly/indirectly involved in four fairly large negative PR incidents in the last 9 months; the Thai owners are (over) ambitious and want only good PR

Add in fears that the Japanese forward we signed last week may have been at the behest of the board to help their Asian market rather than for footballing reasons (we have now spent £23m on three strikers in the last 12 months, all of whom are likely to be (or should be) behind Nugent & Vardy who we had in the Championship

And there's no way that Pearson can be happy about his son being sacked, regardless of the circumstances.

And remember he was sacked by the father (owner) and then reinstated an hour later by the son (Chairman) last season.

Too much has happened between them: I don't think the board trust him, and want someone more dynamic. Whether that is the right decision I have my doubts, but it's not that surprising to me.

[miami_fan]

Chelsea get Falcao on a season long loan.

[SirFozzie]

USA 4-0 Guatemala, score favors them a bit but still a good result

[Katon]

Chelsea get Falcao on a season long loan.

At least this time the recently injured former superstar seems more the manager's idea than Abramovich's? And he's only on a yearlong loan, and nobody thinks he's our #1 striker?

I've been pretty happy with our overall transfer strategy for the last few years, but my initial reaction to this one involves a lot of :banghead: .

[MrBug708]

Cautiously optimistic that Palace can land Cabaye, but right now United is starting to kick the tires

[miami_fan]

At least this time the recently injured former superstar seems more the manager's idea than Abramovich's? And he's only on a yearlong loan, and nobody thinks he's our #1 striker?

I've been pretty happy with our overall transfer strategy for the last few years, but my initial reaction to this one involves a lot of :banghead: .

I really think this is to take a little shot at Manchester United. It is not a bad move given Costa's injury history.

[Katon]

It's certainly true that we need a new third-choice striker with Drogba leaving; I'm just twitchy after the Shevchenko and Torres experiences.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

The Telemundo scoring calls never get old.

U.S. Obliterating Japan, Now Up 4-0 As Lloyd Earns Hat Trick (http://screengrabber.deadspin.com/u-s-obliterating-japan-now-up-4-0-as-lloyd-earns-hat-1715886505)

[miami_fan]

Primarily for AlexB and other Leicester City supporters

Predrag 'Preki' Radosavljevic leaves Sacramento for England - ESPN FC (http://www.espnfc.us/barclays-premier-league/story/2516466/predrag-preki-radosavljevic-leaves-sacramento-for-england)

I feel for LLMs in English football. To lose out on EPL job to a manager from La Liga, Die Bundesliga or Serie A is one thing. Losing out to a manager from USL has to be disheartening.

[AlexB]

Saw this yesterday, but apparently it's being discredited today. Was slightly perplexing...

Not a great reaction amongst LCFC fans. If you saw the final straw behind Pearson's sacking, you'd like my mate's tweet :D

http://twitter.com/jeyes19/status/618829465540538368

[cartman]

Poor Cuba...

[MrBug708]

Cautiously optimistic that Palace can land Cabaye, but right now United is starting to kick the tires

Signed! Huge move!

[kingfc22]

Can we stop scheduling games on non-grass fields. This pitch is a joke.

It's not like there is a shortage of stadiums to choose from.

[MizzouCowboy]

Well that was frustrating.

[Easy Mac]

Well at least the team can finally take it easy for a game now that the group is wrapped up

[MrBug708]

Boston should never get a USMNT game again

[ISiddiqui]

I have been advocating for Zardes to be on top for a while. Let's start him there over Anti-goal for the rest of the tourney, ok?

[MrBug708]

Zardes has a killer cut back

[Grover]

And it looks like Raheem Sterling is headed to Man City for £49m

[miami_fan]

WTF is going on with the defending in the NYC- TOR game.

[miami_fan]

Is there a sensible reason for putting a group match between Trinidad and Tobago and Cuba in University of Phoenix Stadium? Seems like a good match for Florida or at least the East Coast.

[cartman]

Mexico found out it isn't so easy to dominate a team that has all of their players present, as well as the coach.

[AlexB]

So it's The Tinkerman at the KP instead of The Ostrich. Not sure what to make of it tbh: of all the names linked I think it wasn't the worst, but I am distinctly unexcited by it at the same time.

Recent highlights include getting beaten by the Faroe Islands while managing Greece, and being generally average at best at club level.

[Katon]

Well, that'll be interesting to watch. He managed to leave most of the club jobs I can think of with the club fairly well-positioned for the future but without achieving spectacular results; certainly that's what happened at Chelsea. More of a character upgrade than a quality upgrade, but he's a decent hire and I'll be rooting for him.

[cartman]

Pinto goes from coaching Costa Rica to the Quarterfinals of the World Cup to not bringing Honduras out of the group stage in the Gold Cup

[ISiddiqui]

God, the USMNT looked abysmal in the first half of the Panama game. That was the worst I've seen us play in a looong time. That defensive line is crap and Beckerman is finally starting to look his age. The team was much better in the 2nd half, but still... need to do much, much better.

[Grover]

Jenkinson back in on loan. Just need another midfielder and a forward and West Ham has enough depth to compete in Europe and the league. I'm giddy for this season.

[Grover]

Downing to Boro for 5m, 7m if they get promoted.

Looks like these funds could be used to make a run at Javier Hernandez. I'd be thrilled to see Chicharito in Claret and Blue.

[ISiddiqui]

Speaking of Mexican players, the LA Galaxy sign Giovani dos Santos from Villareal using the new Targeted Allocation Fund (yes, another MLS change to help the Galaxy, but we forget that they end up benefiting the league as a whole - think of where the MLS would be without DPs).

A pretty good piece of business. dos Santos is 26 in addition to being on the Mexican National Team, and did pretty well with Villareal last season (they finished 6th in La Liga).

[Grover]

That's a very nice signing for MLS. Too bad he never really got a chance to show his stuff at Spurs, but he really might have just been too young at the time.

[Chief Rum]

Downing to Boro for 5m, 7m if they get promoted.

Looks like these funds could be used to make a run at Javier Hernandez. I'd be thrilled to see Chicharito in Claret and Blue.

As a Boro fan, I don't usually get to comment much in the soccer thread.

I realize Downing isn't what he was when he left, but the prodigal son returns. Hopefully Boro can get back up this year.

[ISiddiqui]

That's a very nice signing for MLS. Too bad he never really got a chance to show his stuff at Spurs, but he really might have just been too young at the time.

Indeed. And pairing dos Santos with Gerrard and Keane as well as Juninho and Zardes makes LA a very scary team indeed. And business wise, a great way of getting Mexican fans more interested in MLS (that would have also been a great side benefit to Orlando City's current chase of Chicharito).

[ISiddiqui]

So the British magazine, Four-Four-Two had a ranking of its Top 50 managers in the world, and there was quite a surprise at #24... take a look:

FourFourTwo's 50 Best Football Managers in the World 2015: 25-21 | FourFourTwo (http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwos-50-best-football-managers-world-2015-25-21)

(Also Bruce Arena came in at 46)

[Chief Rum]

So the British magazine, Four-Four-Two had a ranking of its Top 50 managers in the world, and there was quite a surprise at #24... take a look:

FourFourTwo's 50 Best Football Managers in the World 2015: 25-21 | FourFourTwo (http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwos-50-best-football-managers-world-2015-25-21)

(Also Bruce Arena came in at 46)

I looked twice. Didn't see Jurgen.

[ISiddiqui]

LOL, no Klinsi didn't make the list. But #24, Bob Bradley has certain has talent in getting quality out of the teams he coaches, doesn't he? He almost led Egypt to the World Cup and then has Stabeck, a team that was supposed to be relegated last season, all the way at #2 in Norway right now.

[Grover]

As a Boro fan, I don't usually get to comment much in the soccer thread.

I realize Downing isn't what he was when he left, but the prodigal son returns. Hopefully Boro can get back up this year.

I hope so too, I'll take the 2m add-ons for that ;)

But really, I'm a bit sad to see him go, he was a revelation for us when he was moved into an attacking central role. Unfortunately, it seemed like he and the rest of the team really gave up on playing for Sam in the second half.

[Grover]

On Slaven Bilic, from the FourFourTwo article...

When Bilic was leaving Istanbul in early June, Besiktas supporters met him at the airport to say goodbye. They carried him on their shoulders and presented the outgoing boss with a t-shirt that said, in his native Croatian: “Farewell, grand commander.”

[miami_fan]

It's USA vs Cuba in the qtrs.

[sovereignstar v2]

So the British magazine, Four-Four-Two had a ranking of its Top 50 managers in the world, and there was quite a surprise at #24... take a look:

FourFourTwo's 50 Best Football Managers in the World 2015: 25-21 | FourFourTwo (http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwos-50-best-football-managers-world-2015-25-21)

(Also Bruce Arena came in at 46)


Garbage piece.

[JPhillips]

The end of the Mexico-Trinidad game was crazy. How can the refs let the game deteriorate to the point where the corner kicker was being blinded by lasers and pelted with bottles?

[RainMaker]

Was there no security at the game? I get that stuff happens in their shithole country but shouldn't be allowed here.

[Grover]

I love Benteke, but feel he is a horrible fit for Liverpool.

[miami_fan]

I agree. It reminds me of Barcelona signing of Zlatan as a Plan 'B' option. It will be interesting to see how the changes Rodgers makes to get the best out of him.

[Grover]

I agree. It reminds me of Barcelona signing of Zlatan as a Plan 'B' option. It will be interesting to see how the changes Rodgers makes to get the best out of him.

Yep.

This is what I said to Jackal after why he asked me why I thought it would be a bad move.

"Style. He's too much of a target man. They don't need someone who can hold up play. They need someone incisive, can run the channels, challenge defenders with the ball at their feet. He's a much more talented Carroll"

[The Jackal]

I still want Lacazette.

[sovereignstar v2]

I still want Lacazette.

You don't leave a team in the Champions League for a team that isn't and likely won't be for a long time.

[The Jackal]

You don't leave a team in the Champions League for a team that isn't and likely won't be for a long time.

Sorry, I'm an Arsenal fan. But I still don't think they'll pay what Lyon is rumored to be asking for him, nor do I know if he's worth it.

[MIJB#19]

You don't leave a team in the Champions League for a team that isn't and likely won't be for a long time.Unless they have a lot of money. Just look at Manchester City until roughly 4 seasons ago.

[whomario]

Yep.

This is what I said to Jackal after why he asked me why I thought it would be a bad move.

"Style. He's too much of a target man. They don't need someone who can hold up play. They need someone incisive, can run the channels, challenge defenders with the ball at their feet. He's a much more talented Carroll"

I actually think it jives pretty well with the Firmino signing, who is a real scoring threat and IMO was always at his best with Hoffenheim when paired with some sort of target man like player. The same could be said for Sturridge, imo.

[Grover]

I actually think it jives pretty well with the Firmino signing, who is a real scoring threat and IMO was always at his best with Hoffenheim when paired with some sort of target man like player. The same could be said for Sturridge, imo.

I've not seen enough of Firmino to comment, but I thought Sturridge played his best with Suarez, who was more of that 'trequarista' floating striker role. I haven't seen him paired particularly well with either Carroll when he was at Pool or with Lambert last year, which was an unmitigated disaster of £4m.

[bob]

The USMNT never plays in Atlanta, so I finally bought Gold Cup semifinal tickets. So now you know who to blame if they lose to Cuba.

[Grover]

Fabian Delph really makes himself unlikeable with his sudden turn on Aston Villa. £8m for him seems criminally low, based on the prices English players go for in England, but that's Villa's own fault

[Neuqua]

MLS makes an offer to Drogba to come stateside.

[ISiddiqui]

Looks like Chicago Fire are in the lead if he comes to MLS. You'd really think a Chicago based MLS team could do better, but the management has really screwed things up for the Fire.

[miami_fan]

Fabian Delph really makes himself unlikeable with his sudden turn on Aston Villa. £8m for him seems criminally low, based on the prices English players go for in England, but that's Villa's own fault

I get what DeAndre... I mean Fabian is doing. I don't know how much he will actually play but he is in the Champions League.

If I am a Villa fan, I am wondering if Micah Richards is a double agent.

[Neuqua]

Looks like Chicago Fire are in the lead if he comes to MLS. You'd really think a Chicago based MLS team could do better, but the management has really screwed things up for the Fire.

It's pathetic. The city loves soccer, we fill up soldier field/Millenium Park any time the US teams are playing big games. But the management is just inept and clueless on how to generate interest in the team. Not to mention it's way too difficult to get to the stadium via public transit from down town.

If I didn't have such a good relationship with my ticket rep, and was able to profit off flipping tickets, I would not keep renewing my season tickets every year.

[cubboyroy1826]

Hey Neuqua where abouts are your tickets?

[Neuqua]

Hey Neuqua where abouts are your tickets?

Section 209 this past season. I like being able to see the whole field of play.

[Grover]

I get what DeAndre... I mean Fabian is doing. I don't know how much he will actually play but he is in the Champions League.

If I am a Villa fan, I am wondering if Micah Richards is a double agent.

I get it too, but it's pretty awful. Especially with how strongly he came out about wanting to stay.

I wonder how much of it has to do with Benteke's exit. Delph sees the team's best attacking option leave, great time to jump ship.

[bob]

Ok, so Cuba just isn't very good. Defections or not.

[RainMaker]

Am I wrong in thinking Bradley isn't that good anymore?

[miami_fan]

Am I wrong in thinking Bradley isn't that good anymore?

I don't follow USMNT as closely as I should but I was surprised to see him getting so far up the field. I always thought he was more of a deep lying playmaker role.

[MrBug708]

Jurgy keeps playing him out of position. Bradley was too unselfish today. A few too many passes

[kingfc22]

This Mexico/Costa Rica match has been really, really entertaining.

[BishopMVP]

Mexico/Costa Rica extra time going on... Go Costa Rica I guess? Nearly an insane finish by Joel Campbell, but still 0-0 and PK's looking likely.

Btw, I'm wondering if Mexican fans are equally upset as USWNT fans that Adidas went with neon green & black uniforms instead of the iconic tri-color scheme.

[kingfc22]

You call that in minute 120+??? Wow. Come on.

[PilotMan]

That was heinous. Way to ruin the entire effort by CR.

[PilotMan]

Talk about a cheap win. I'd be pissed as hell too.

[BishopMVP]

Oh my god. I can only imagine the outrage if that happened in a WC or Euro knockout game.

Ref's lucky the game isn't in Costa Rica... <5% chance he'd make it out of the stadium alive.

[RainMaker]

CONCACAF needs ratings and ticket sales

[Easy Mac]

No way the US would ever get that call in CONCACAF.

[kingfc22]

That is just brutal. Don't care that Mexico won, but come on. You can't end a game like that.

[cartman]

I think El Chapo got access to the ref's earpiece.

[bhlloy]

I'm not sure it wasn't the US linesman that called it, given that all the Costa Rican players wanted to kill him

[BishopMVP]

Good points by the studio - as bad as the specific call was, Peralta was the one who probably should've been given a Red Card 10 minutes earlier, and there's really no reason for that much extra time. Brutal.

[bhlloy]

Yeah, the extra two minutes is really hard to swallow. That never gets called in extra time unless somebody had a serious injury on the field.

[ISiddiqui]

I'm not sure it wasn't the US linesman that called it, given that all the Costa Rican players wanted to kill him

Yep, it was the US linesman it looks like. Another brick in the conspiracy theories (US and Mexico gets Concacaf more moolah).

[HomerSimpson98]

Yikes. In their defense, I thought it was a blatant penalty when watching it live. I thought the defender yanked the Mexico player backwards when he went up for what looked like a cross he could have gotten too. Replays obviously proved me wrong.

[Bobble]

I wasn't watching it live. I only sought it out after you guys talked about it here. Has global soccer become so ... cheaty that the Mexican player would rather dive in the box than actually take a shot? Ugh! Something has to be done. Instant replay, post-match red cards, something.

[ISiddiqui]

I don't think it was a dive at all.. the Mexican player right leg obviously hits the Costa Rican player's shin as the Mexican player is going up for the ball, which throws the Mexican player off balance... but its not a penalty... but in real time I could imagine it'd be seen that way.

[Grover]

Steve Bruce is threatening to quit Hull if he's not given reassurances in the transfer policy about bringing in players to keep the club in contention to get promoted back to the Premier League.

I have to laugh at this because Bruce was allowed to spend a ridiculous amount of money over the last two years. Last year, after all ins and outs the 'net spend' for Hull City was £25M. Yeah, the tv money was rolling in, but that's still a significant amount of money for a team that was in the bottom quadrant the year before.

What does Steve Bruce expect? You spend 25M, get relegated and then have the gall to ask for millions more to try and get the club back up immediately? If I were Hull, I'd let him walk. He's never proven to be anything other than a 14-20th placed manager in the Prem.

[ISiddiqui]

Woot! Mike Ashley is actually, somewhat stunningly, spending money on Newcastle United. Like McLaren has some voodoo stuff going on. First Wijnaldum and now Mitrovic. This is what it feels like to have some hope...

[Grover]

Woot! Mike Ashley is actually, somewhat stunningly, spending money on Newcastle United. Like McLaren has some voodoo stuff going on. First Wijnaldum and now Mitrovic. This is what it feels like to have some hope...

Not to knock you down, but he did do the same thing when Chunky first arrived ;)

It's interesting in that Ashley will buy quality players, but then the rot starts to set in and he stops buying for a few years. It's a strange policy, if he kept the investment up for 3-4 years consistently, Newcastle would have a very strong squad.

[ISiddiqui]

Yeah, but Pardew had a few great seasons early on, so that's fun to look forward to ;).

[miami_fan]

Not to knock you down, but he did do the same thing when Chunky first arrived ;)



This was my initial reaction as well!:devil:

Maybe just maybe Ashley has gotten the message that the opportunity to have a mid-table season and a cup run or two is the least he can give the Toon army.

[ISiddiqui]

Well, he may have gotten somewhat afraid about the potential for relegation and the revenue loss that would have led to. Far better to be comfortably mid-table.

[MrBug708]

Uggh

[RainMaker]

Can someone get Tim Howard out of retirement?

[MrBug708]

Neither goals were Guzan's fault. Well, giving up the free kick was.

Bradley, Beckerman, and Brooks have been atrocious

[RainMaker]

Giving up that free kick was a pretty big deal.

[RainMaker]

Boy they needed that

[RainMaker]

When does the transformation of US soccer under Klinnsmann begin?

[Easy Mac]

Needs to be fired. If Bradley for fired for losing in the finals of the Gold Cup, Klinnsmann needs to go now.

[rowech]

I've defended him but agree. Team is way too inconsistent and is flat out dreadful at times. Time for him to go with time until qualifying.

[bob]

US soccer - if our first touch wasn't bad, don't worry, our second one is coming up

[cubboyroy1826]

Not sure if it is the players picked for the team, a lack of interest on the players or lack of any game plan from Klinsman. Almost looks like Klinsmann felt he just needed to roll the ball out there and let the boys recreate.

[RainMaker]

At some point the refereeing in this tournament is not just a coincidence.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I've defended him but agree. Team is way too inconsistent and is flat out dreadful at times. Time for him to go with time until qualifying.

This.

[ISiddiqui]

What was the point of starting Alvardo when Gonzalez is there your bench? Why play a 4-4-2 diamond all Gold Cup and in Friendlies before that and then all of a sudden change to a 4-2-3-1 (which ended up being a 4-1-4-1 because Bradley was never back really) all of a sudden in the semis which had people not really knowing where they were supposed to be? Why is Beckerman's only sub apparently Mix? Why is Alan Gordon our off the bench striker?

I've been saying it since last fall, but seriously, Klinsmann out. It's like he has no idea what he wants to accomplish.

[claphamsa]

Not sure if it is the players picked for the team, a lack of interest on the players or lack of any game plan from Klinsman. Almost looks like Klinsmann felt he just needed to roll the ball out there and let the boys recreate.

that was the comments on him at bayern...he just ran players, and had no idea of tactics. he seems to have brought in talent...but cant coach.

[kingfc22]

Wow. CONCACAF is so shady.

[ISiddiqui]

Wow. CONCACAF is so shady.

The shocking thing... the ref is AMERICAN - Mark Geiger, our World Cup rated ref. Wow!

[kingfc22]

El Chapo strikes again.

[claphamsa]

my spanish is very good...but im not following this.

[miami_fan]

What we got, 10-12 mins of extra time?

[kingfc22]

Just shank this already.

[Arles]

So, is it fair to say the ref has lost control over this match? :D

[MrBug708]

This is the end of Geiger as a WC ref

[RainMaker]

Can we stop hosting this farce of a tournament? Obviously the fans of these 3rd world shitholes can't handle themselves and it's about as legitimate as pro wrestling.

[Arles]

As to Klinsman, there has to be a better coach with some tactical knowledge/system to bring to the U.S. Team.

[rowech]

This is the end of Geiger as a WC ref

I really don't think it's as easy as that. I can see why he called it. I wouldn't have but I get it for sure.

[Arles]

I think there's no better tribute to this amazing gold cup than a heavyweight finals matchup of Jamaica and Panama.

[ISiddiqui]

As to Klinsman, there has to be a better coach with some tactical knowledge/system to bring to the U.S. Team.

Our most successful coach of all time was Bruce Arena, who proved himself in college soccer and MLS. I don't see why we don't go back to the MLS well again and hire someone like Caleb Porter or Ben Olsen. I imagine either would be better tactically.

[RainMaker]

Bradley really wasn't that bad.

[Arles]

I think Porter would be a great choice.

[claphamsa]

this game is why soccer will never be accepted in america.

[rowech]

I know it's nuts and there's no way it happens but go after Alex Ferguson. Give him one of his most ultimate challenges and give him three years to get it done. One shot deal, he's in it for just one cycle and a chance to have one last awesome challenge.

[ISiddiqui]

OTOH, that actually was a penalty. The previous one definitely wasn't.

Also, I'm glad I left the Georgia Dome at halftime of this game... I'm really sure I wouldn't want to be there right now.

[claphamsa]

OTOH, that actually was a penalty. The previous one definitely wasn't.

Also, I'm glad I left the Georgia Dome at halftime of this game... I'm really sure I wouldn't want to be there right now.

because its in Georgia? sorry couldn't, resist

[miami_fan]

Time to kick them off the park

[Karlifornia]

this game is why soccer will never be accepted in america.

I hear this phrase all the time, and it drives me nuts. You're pointing to one game and saying a whole country is going to write it off eternally?

What about the Russia/USA gold medal basketball game? What about Packers/Seahawks with the replacement refs? Don Denkinger? Jim Joyce and the stolen perfect game? That one goal in the Stars/Sabres finals (don't know the details, but I remember a lot of mad people in the Northeast)?

Tuck rule? Bush Push? Jordan push off against the Jazz?

[ISiddiqui]

I will say, though, that even though a lot of the US fans left after the US lost, the first half of the Mexico game (which I stayed through), the Mexican fans were absolutely electric. They have tons to teach us. Saying that, the US fans were really loud and excited (far more so than any Falcons game I've been at) - Mexican fans just take it to a completely different level in sound and excitement.

[RainMaker]

I will say, though, that even though a lot of the US fans left after the US lost, the first half of the Mexico game (which I stayed through), the Mexican fans were absolutely electric. They have tons to teach us. Saying that, the US fans were really loud and excited (far more so than any Falcons game I've been at) - Mexican fans just take it to a completely different level in sound and excitement.

We know how to throw trash on the field already.

[claphamsa]

I hear this phrase all the time, and it drives me nuts. You're pointing to one game and saying a whole country is going to write it off eternally?

What about the Russia/USA gold medal basketball game? What about Packers/Seahawks with the replacement refs? Don Denkinger? Jim Joyce and the stolen perfect game? That one goal in the Stars/Sabres finals (don't know the details, but I remember a lot of mad people in the Northeast)?

Tuck rule? Bush Push? Jordan push off against the Jazz?
let me rephrase...the fact that this kind of shit goes on, is why the game will never take off in america, we are a nation of lawyers, and important games being decided by random nonsense is not american

[ISiddiqui]

Well the NBA is successful ;)

[RainMaker]

I hear this phrase all the time, and it drives me nuts. You're pointing to one game and saying a whole country is going to write it off eternally?

What about the Russia/USA gold medal basketball game? What about Packers/Seahawks with the replacement refs? Don Denkinger? Jim Joyce and the stolen perfect game? That one goal in the Stars/Sabres finals (don't know the details, but I remember a lot of mad people in the Northeast)?

Tuck rule? Bush Push? Jordan push off against the Jazz?

Bad calls bring out a ton of outrage here. Imagine if you dealt with mass corruption and fixing of games. Sport is just too dirty to catch on.

[miami_fan]

Wait a minute. I swear I saw this on multiple youth soccer fields throughout the US.

[bhlloy]

let me rephrase...the fact that this kind of shit goes on, is why the game will never take off in america, we are a nation of lawyers, and important games being decided by random nonsense is not american

Firstly, it's taking off just fine. Second, as already mentioned, have you never watched an NBA game in your life?

[SirFozzie]

let me rephrase...the fact that this kind of shit goes on, is why the game will never take off in america, we are a nation of lawyers, and important games being decided by random nonsense is not american

deflategate? The Tuck Rule? Holy Roller?

[Butter]

What we got, 10-12 mins of extra time?

14+.

[Butter]

What was the point of starting Alvardo when Gonzalez is there your bench? Why play a 4-4-2 diamond all Gold Cup and in Friendlies before that and then all of a sudden change to a 4-2-3-1 (which ended up being a 4-1-4-1 because Bradley was never back really) all of a sudden in the semis which had people not really knowing where they were supposed to be? Why is Beckerman's only sub apparently Mix? Why is Alan Gordon our off the bench striker?

Brooks and Alvarado were not good. Beckerman was a fouling machine in this game, he didn't have the speed to keep up.

I also do not understand the tactics switch to go defensive when the success has been to attack.

Alan Gordon, I thought, was not bad for what he needed to be used for, but our striker choices were pretty terrible anyway. It seemed like once Gordon came on, they stopped trying to play through the middle and just lobbed it up all the time. Gordon won some of them, but he was asked to do a bit much.

That said, this was a bit of a fluke. The looping header is a 1-in-a-1000 shot, and the free kick off the Guzan throw is something that almost never gets called.

[bob]

We also left the Dome at half time, so we didn't get to see the 2nd half shenanigans, but I can't say I'm surprised. When the Panamanian player was given the straight red in the first half, I knew the ref was going to have a bad day. And the Mexican fans, while definitely loud and supportive, went nuts throwing crap on the field. The Mexican goalie had to escort the red carded Panamanian player off the field to get the fans to stop.

As for the US, I'm not sure what to think of the Gold Cup failure. If they win the playoff to get into the Confederation Cup, I don't think it is a big deal, but if they lose that, things become more troubling.

Question for those in the know - if we had won the Gold Cup, did we automatically qualify for the Confederation Cup as the winner of both the 2013 and 15 Gold Cup?

[dacman]

Question for those in the know - if we had won the Gold Cup, did we automatically qualify for the Confederation Cup as the winner of both the 2013 and 15 Gold Cup?

Yes.

[bob]

Then we shouldn't have been using the knockout stages to try stuff out. If we don't qualify for the Confederation Cup, JK should be held accountable, but won't be.

[Grover]

Even In Mexico, They're Admitting Last Night's Game Was Horseshit (http://screamer.deadspin.com/even-in-mexico-theyre-admitting-last-nights-game-was-h-1719744564)

[RainMaker]

I don't understand why there was no security at the game last night. It was a bad look for the tournament (which is a farce now anyways) but shouldn't some security been down there throwing people out?

[RainMaker]

https://www.facebook.com/hernandez.tls.3/videos/1736963196531286/

[miami_fan]

I don't understand why there was no security at the game last night. It was a bad look for the tournament (which is a farce now anyways) but shouldn't some security been down there throwing people out?

Security was there. The same security that handled the crowd US-Jamaica game?

I am not sure what they could have done unless you are suggesting having the riot police or National Guard in place for this game alone. Security was fine for the first match. Security for the first 23 minutes before the red card. From the international matches that I have seen, the match official is the first line of security at the match. If the match official pulls the teams off the field and refuses to bring the teams back on the field until that section is controlled, then I think he may have settled things down. The next incident was 4 mins.from time. I have no idea how security expects the reaction that came after the first penalty.

It will be interesting to see how they handle the finals. Does CONCACAF treat the Mexican supporters like the Leeds United supporters?

[RainMaker]

Security was there. The same security that handled the crowd US-Jamaica game?

I am not sure what they could have done unless you are suggesting having the riot police or National Guard in place for this game alone. Security was fine for the first match. Security for the first 23 minutes before the red card. From the international matches that I have seen, the match official is the first line of security at the match. If the match official pulls the teams off the field and refuses to bring the teams back on the field until that section is controlled, then I think he may have settled things down. The next incident was 4 mins.from time. I have no idea how security expects the reaction that came after the first penalty.

It will be interesting to see how they handle the finals. Does CONCACAF treat the Mexican supporters like the Leeds United supporters?

It wasn't one incident, it was happening all tournament. How about kicking fans out of the arena? Or maybe arresting some? Just made the tournament look bad as well as this country that was hosting it.

Pretty simple solution is the supporters of the teams that have been trashing the field are no longer allowed within 20 rows of the field in this tournament. They've proven they can't behave like adults in a first world country.

[miami_fan]

It wasn't one incident, it was happening all tournament. How about kicking fans out of the arena? Or maybe arresting some? Just made the tournament look bad as well as this country that was hosting it.

Pretty simple solution is the supporters of the teams that have been trashing the field are no longer allowed within 20 rows of the field in this tournament. They've proven they can't behave like adults in a first world country.

Typical stadium security is not capable of dealing with this sort of hooliganism (my word, not yours). I have been in stadiums when fans have thrown seat cushions, plastic baseball bats, batteries and other items on the field. I have seen fights between Dolphin and Jet fans at the old Meadowlands and in Sun Life Stadium. I don't remember seeing most of those fans getting kicked out and/or arrested.

Yes there are steps that could be taken to try to stop this lunacy. Identify the potential offenders and ban them before they get a chance to purchase tickets, limit the number of tickets sold to that fan base, search those problem fan bases before they enter the stadium, have cameras on those possible offending sections, etc. However, this does not guarantee 100% success.

As I said in my previous post, the security that they had in the stadium was fine for what they expected. A competitive football match for the right to go to the finals. It seemed to work just fine for first game. It has seemed to work fine for most of the matches of the tournament. If you want to set up rules specifically for one fanbase, those need to be put into place before the tournament to be effective.

As far as your simple solution, I am not sure CONCACAF can be in the business of banning arguably its most rabid supporters from any seats at this point.

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/07/23/gold-cup-ticket-prices-plummet-after-usas-loss.html

[JonInMiddleGA]

As I said in my previous post, the security that they had in the stadium was fine for what they expected.

Wait. So you're telling me that this sort of stuff actually surprised anybody?
Seriously?

[Grover]

ZLATAN KEEN ON MLS SWITCH

Zlatan Ibrahimovic would like a move to Major League Soccer before he ends his career.

The 33-year-old is currently in the United States with Paris Saint-Germain on a pre-season tour and admits the thought of playing in America appeals to him.

"I would like to play in the US, absolutely," he told Yahoo Sports. "I think it would be an amazing experience.

"I see that soccer is growing a lot in the US. I was here 10 years ago and soccer was not on the level that it is today, but it's growing.

"It's growing in the right direction and I want it to be on the level of Europe. It will come here."

[The Jackal]

"It's growing in the right direction and I want it to be on the level of Europe. It will come here."

If by it will come here he means some MLS teams will play games in Europe, that's about as far as I can stretch that.

[BishopMVP]

If by it will come here he means some MLS teams will play games in Europe, that's about as far as I can stretch that.Europe is more than the EPL, La Liga, the Bundesliga and the Champions League. I see no reason MLS can't be on that 2nd tier level of leagues like Holland, Portugal, even France if you take away PSG/Lyon. In fact, I think we're already pretty close to being there.Bradley really wasn't that bad.

Do people think he was? I thought he stayed in too rigid a defensive formation in his first couple years, but he had a clear vision and by the end he was getting more flexible and opening up a little more, especially against bad CONCACAF teams we were better than. I wasn't upset at all with the firing because I do think he'd been in long enough and we could do better, but I thought he did a solid job.

I defended Klinsmann a couple years ago because I felt he deserved a full cycle, but at this point I agree he should go. Everyone knew Jurgy Loew was the tactical genius but Klinsmann isn't even implementing a clear broader strategy. And all his talk about making the US team play better, more attacking soccer has proven to 100% be all talk, with the World Cup squad playing more negative football than multiple past US teams (2002/2010) did under "naive" American managers.

[Grover]

Europe is more than the EPL, La Liga, the Bundesliga and the Champions League. I see no reason MLS can't be on that 2nd tier level of leagues like Holland, Portugal, even France if you take away PSG/Lyon. In fact, I think we're already pretty close to being there.

MLS is considered the 55th best league in the world per the 2015 league ratings.

[The Jackal]

Europe is more than the EPL, La Liga, the Bundesliga and the Champions League. I see no reason MLS can't be on that 2nd tier level of leagues like Holland, Portugal, even France if you take away PSG/Lyon. In fact, I think we're already pretty close to being there.

MLS is considered the 55th best league in the world per the 2015 league ratings.

Source? I'd like to see that list. Brutal.

[Chief Rum]

MLS is considered the 55th best league in the world per the 2015 league ratings.

While I would agree we are much closer to 55 than to Bishop's 2nd tier, I would be surprised if we were that low. There's a fair bit of talent in the MLS, even if there isn't much world class talent.

If I had been guessing, I would have put the MLS around 25th or so.

[MrBug708]

I would imagine some of the stronger teams could participate strongly in some of the weaker "top" level leagues, but the bottom ones would be pretty bad in those leagues

[sovereignstar v2]

Source? I'd like to see that list. Brutal.

This must be the list -- THE WORLD’S STRONGEST NATIONAL LEAGUE 2014 | IFFHS (http://www.iffhs.de/the-worlds-strongest-national-league-2014/)

Lots to laugh about on this list, especially as it seems to only take the top league of each country into account. There are obviously some countries whose 2nd league is better than MLS. From English fans perspective, they seem to rate MLS as on par with League One (3rd tier), which is probably accurate.

[BishopMVP]

This must be the list -- THE WORLD’S STRONGEST NATIONAL LEAGUE 2014 | IFFHS (http://www.iffhs.de/the-worlds-strongest-national-league-2014/)

Lots to laugh about on this list, especially as it seems to only take the top league of each country into account. There are obviously some countries whose 2nd league is better than MLS. From English fans perspective, they seem to rate MLS as on par with League One (3rd tier), which is probably accurate.MLS has two things going against it for any ranking like that - A) MLS is much more even than most Euro leagues, so any ranking that's based on how the top teams do in international competition will underrate us (look at Scotland - because Celtic is really good they look great on these rankings but Celtic absolutely eviscerates in-league competition. I'm sure that's also the case for some ridiculously small countries like Moldova or Cyprus ranking above us. Costa Rica too with Saprissa, etc) B) I haven't paid much attention to it in years, but I remember most of the international competition happening at out of season times for MLS teams going against in-form Mexican or CA teams.

You can even compare individual players who have played in both. It's not perfect because they can play a slightly different role, but to use the Eredivisie as an example Michael Bradley put up 16 goals in a season. Jozy Altidore had 23. I'm not going to use those vs their MLS stats to argue that MLS is better, but it's pretty clear to me there's not this huge difference Eurosnobs like to claim.

[MrBug708]

Round 4:

Group A: Mexico, Honduras, Curaçao/El Salvador, Canada/Belize
Group B: Costa Rica, Panama, Grenada/Haiti, Jamaica/Nicaragua
Group C: USA, Trinidad & Tobago, St. Vincent & the Grenadines/Aruba, Antigua & Barbuda/Guatemala

[bob]

postscript: We came in 4th place.

[RainMaker]

Fire Jurgen

[TroyF]

I know it is preseason. Still, Arsenal played some pretty damned exciting soccer today. They really, really look good.

[MrBug708]

US has never gone winless back to back games in the Gold Cup. Until today

[TroyF]

Fire Jurgen


Ya know, I'm fine with this. Fire him. The team isn't progressing and we aren't seeing the improvement we should see.

That said, I don't know how any manager improves this team. I watched the gold cup. Every team we played (save Cuba) had better athletes and were better on the ball. At some point, we need to develop actual talent. Like maybe a competent #10?

I just don't see this team winning anymore than it has with anyone. Unless we can get the match officials who reffed the last two Mexico games on a permanent basis, this team will stay right where they are.

[The Jackal]

I know it is preseason. Still, Arsenal played some pretty damned exciting soccer today. They really, really look good.

Preseason, but always nice to see a team in-form. Getting jazzed.

[TroyF]

Preseason, but always nice to see a team in-form. Getting jazzed.


This is the first season in a long, long time I feel fairly comfortable to start the year. This is the third year in a row we didn't lose a key player to another club. (Love Sagna, but I wasn't crushed that he left)

I believe another player will be signed. Another top notch player. . . but just looking at the team as it stands now, there is a ridiculous amount of talent. The only worry for me is who backs up the Coq. I'm not sure I trust Arteta against a big club.

Last year we went into the year with way too many exhausted players. The year before Ozil came in late and had to adjust to the EPL. Finally, we are starting a year healthy, ready and confident. Not saying they are going to win the title, but I think the guys will contend for it this year.

A good feeling.

[MIJB#19]

MLS has two things going against it for any ranking like that - A) MLS is much more even than most Euro leagues, so any ranking that's based on how the top teams do in international competition will underrate us (look at Scotland - because Celtic is really good they look great on these rankings but Celtic absolutely eviscerates in-league competition. I'm sure that's also the case for some ridiculously small countries like Moldova or Cyprus ranking above us. Costa Rica too with Saprissa, etc) B) I haven't paid much attention to it in years, but I remember most of the international competition happening at out of season times for MLS teams going against in-form Mexican or CA teams.
The quoted ranking list is plain simply a horrible representation of reality. I used to take the IFFHS somewhat serious, but quite clearly is their rankings list broken and has IFFHS become a bit of a joke. There's no way the level of play in the Moldovan league is on par with the Polish, let alone should it rank higher than the Danish or Serbian. Cyprus is a different story, there appears to be a lot of money their, even drawing players in from more established leagues to simply increase their bank balance.

I'm tempted to think the real experts are those that played in the MLS and played in other leagues as well. Somebody like Ronald Waterreus, for example. Based on that, I'm sensing that MLS is probably somewhere around 20-25th in overall talent.

At the same time, who cares? If the quality of play is good and the games are enjoyable, what does it matter whether a couple of number crunchers have decided that the Moldovan league is 40th in the world and Iceland's league is only 69th? The Italian Serie A remains to be boring for those that prefer naïve attacking football, while the Eredivisie remains laughable for those that enjoy a good catenaccio.

[cthomer5000]

Klinsmann is a complete fraud.

What's really hilarious is that we are clearly moving backwards under him, yet the global media generally believes he is doing great work here and we have improved.

Confirmation bias is real, and powerful.

[cthomer5000]

Re: league rankings

Criteria is really important here. I would say leagues like Portugal and the Netherlands CLEARLY have better top talents, etc... but they are less competitive leagues generally.

Aside from the worst 1-2 teams each year (which tend to be dumpster fires), there isn't a huge gap between the #1 and #18 MLS team.

It also matters if you're including criteria like stadiums, etc (MLS would do very well here... while they would have been terrible in that regard a decade ago). Also - peoples paychecks actually make it to their bank account. We don't have the "not actually getting paid" issues that are rampant in South America, and even fairly present in European leagues (even some of the major ones). Stability has to account for something.

I guess I would say we are very solidly a 3rd tier league right now. Only definitely behind the really big European leagues, and the the 2nd tier European leagues (stuff like Portugal, Netherlands, etc).

I would take us over stuff like the Swedish and Norwegian leagues though.

And i think by the end of the decade we will be right up there with those leagues I just described as 2nd tier.

I think the transition from where we're at now to just behind the truly elite leagues is going to come very fast. And from there, the sky is the limit.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I think the transition from where we're at now to just behind the truly elite leagues is going to come very fast. And from there, the sky is the limit.

Expecting to import a lot of players are ya?

[cthomer5000]

Expecting to import a lot of players are ya?

1. Yes, and the league keeps showing an increasing willingness to do so. It will be a mix of old dudes and guy who are still mid-career.

2. I think the academy output is going to grow exponentially in a few years. We're only now starting to see the first few guys really trickle into the league from the club academies (most of which didn't even exist a decade ago).

[JonInMiddleGA]

1. Yes, and the league keeps showing an increasing willingness to do so. It will be a mix of old dudes and guy who are still mid-career.

2. I think the academy output is going to grow exponentially in a few years. We're only now starting to see the first few guys really trickle into the league from the club academies (most of which didn't even exist a decade ago).

I'm 48.

I'll be dead of old age before there's enough top level home grown talent to make MLS a first tier league.

[whomario]

I think the transition from where we're at now to just behind the truly elite leagues is going to come very fast. And from there, the sky is the limit.

No, it isnt. IMO there is a definite ceiling, unless things change drastically.

Something none has mentioned when talking about MLS: There is no continental competition worth speaking of. This works for the other leagues in the US because of infinite advantages in other areas and their long-earned prestige, but none of them work for soccer (there´s more money, more exposure, more prestige etc ...)

Aside from that: As long as way more than half your roster is playing for less money than a 3rd division player in England or Germany makes, how do you expect the talent level to drastically improve ? :confused:

MLS could become a lot more popular within the States because the lack of continental competition is not an issue in comparison and without salary restrictions you could raise the level of foreign players (but again, not infinitely), but that does not take into account the uphill battle competing with NHL/NFL/MLB/NBA.

[BishopMVP]

I'm 48.

I'll be dead of old age before there's enough top level home grown talent to make MLS a first tier league.There isn't enough home grown talent to make the EPL a top tier league either if we're being honest. But the EPL has by far the most money of any European league, which is why it's #1 (by a hair over Spain/Germany, which have bigger and better domestic talent bases.)

WhoMario brings up a great point with the Champions League, and I don't know what the solution to that is. Either getting involved in Copa Sudamerica (are Mexican teams in that? I thought we were getting involved a little) or hoping planes go faster so US teams could actually play in the Champions League etc. Travel time/jet lag would suck, but I think that's actually feasible for East Coast teams right now... Unfortunately not a chance for an LA or Seattle so it's a non-starter for the league as a whole. And you know Europe would jump at the chance to include the US because it'll enable them to get more money from the American market. You also don't need to be in the Champions League to be in that 2nd tier. Yes it means you'll always be a feeder league which rubs some people the wrong way but I'd love to be a feeder league that gets lots of young South Americans or Africans.

However, I don't think competing with the big 3.5 sports here really matters. It hurts for building the talent base, but in $$$ terms the US is so much bigger, and so much richer than most countries that it could be the 4th/5th sport here and still have a TV contract that dwarfs, say, Belgium, or Portugal. (Just look at World Cup rights fees.) The main thing keeping MLS from throwing around similar money to those leagues as a whole is that they were so terrified of NASL pt. 2 that they've prevented those sugar daddy owners from spending as they'd like. This has loosened a lot in the past few years alone, and I think will really change the next 1-2 CBA's (although I don't think they'll ever get rid of the salary cap completely.) I mean, look at Ligue 1 attendance and TV rights figures vs MLS... They'd be nothing without owners willing to lose obscene amounts of $$$.

[whomario]

I am just now watching the nycfc Vs Orlando game right now btw and like in basically every mls game i watch, it is startingly easy to spot the difference in Talent between the Top players and the “Rest“.

Really fun game in any case :)

[MIJB#19]

Quite the spectacle!
Edit: speaking of NYC - Orlando

[whomario]

Quite the spectacle!
Edit: speaking of NYC - Orlando

And what an ending :D Kaka hitting the Post in a last Minute FK, then counter attack and 5:3 ny

Larin looks interesting.

[whomario]

Wasnt sure where to post (here or FM thread), but has anybody put their resume in yet ? :D

http://www.11freunde.de/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/bildschirmfoto_2015-07-27_um_14.30.36.png?itok=OvWxPH0v

https://www.palloliitto.fi/sites/default/files/liitteet/faf_a_head_coach_eng.pdf

(and yes, that PDF is from the official homepage of the finish FA)

[The Jackal]

The only worry for me is who backs up the Coq. I'm not sure I trust Arteta against a big club.

Arteta may replace Coquelin in the lineup/off the bench sometimes, but he's not really a backup. Very different player. I agree that I would like someone in the Coquelin mold to challenge him, but I don't think we'll see it this season. Maybe next year Flamini/Arteta will be out and we'll bring in a big time holding midfielder. But you know Arsene and playing creative midfielders EVERYWHERE.

[cartman]

Mexico fired coach Miguel Herrera after evidence came to light that he assaulted a reporter after the Gold Cup final.

Miguel Herrera fired as Mexico manager; What now for El Tri? - Planet Futbol - SI.com (http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/07/28/miguel-herrera-fired-mexico-piojo-attack-reporter-el-tri)

[cthomer5000]

I always groan when the MLS All-Star game rolls around, but it usually ends up being surprisingly entertaining.

I guess I'll watch.

[Easy Mac]

So DC is up 6-4 right now over RSL.

[Marc Vaughan]

So in typical fashion the first Orlando City match I haven't been to in a while turns into a 5-2 cracker ;)

[miami_fan]

That was an amazing match.

[kingfc22]

Very nice strike by the Ox in the first half. Now time to get amped for next weekend!

[Easy Mac]

So what's wrong with Barca

[Grover]

Connor Wickham going to Palace for up to 9m.

If he weren't English he'd be going for 3-4m.

[miami_fan]

Don't Spurs have a match on Saturday? What the hell are they doing in Munich?

[Marc Vaughan]

I'm 48.

I'll be dead of old age before there's enough top level home grown talent to make MLS a first tier league.

I actually think that America has a potentially huge array of talent available once Soccer reaches a sufficient critical mass, I've been very impressed by the standard of play I've seen - not so much within the MLS itself (although there are stand out players within it) but at a grass roots level there are some very competent players and it seems to be continually increasing in popularity which will speed up its growth ...

I expect within the next 8-12 years that the US will be far more competitive on a national level with the mens team and the MLS itself will also have raised its standard substantially.

PS - In other news Brighton have signed Bobby Zamora - Bobby's come home :D

[ISiddiqui]

That said, I don't know how any manager improves this team. I watched the gold cup. Every team we played (save Cuba) had better athletes and were better on the ball. At some point, we need to develop actual talent. Like maybe a competent #10?

I just don't see this team winning anymore than it has with anyone. Unless we can get the match officials who reffed the last two Mexico games on a permanent basis, this team will stay right where they are.

So I haven't been around for 2 weeks (I was on vacation) so I know this is an older post, but 13 years ago our athletes were no better and perhaps even worse (with the, ok perhaps massive, exception of having a 20 year old Landon Donovan, of course). However that team made it to the Quarterfinals of the World Cup and were very close to beating Germany (actually dominated that game).

6 years ago, the US team had worse athletes than now (exception of Donovan who was 27 at the time), but ended Spain's 35 game unbeaten streak and pushed Brazil to the limit in the finals of the Confederations Cup.

I think people tend to completely forget the success that the USMNT has had under the past and fall into this weird malaise of thinking of Klinsmann can't do it, it can't be done. Well, Arena and Bradley did far better with arguably less talent.

[ISiddiqui]

As for MLS's growth. I think both Marc Vaughan, cthomer, and BishopMVP have hit on some good points. The talent level is growing. There are very exciting talented young players in MLS and in the U-20s. They all won't pan out, of course, but I don't remember this level of talent, say 10 years ago. Some of that is definitely due to MLS academies.

In addition the league is bound to open up more designated player spots at some point. With the addition of Gio de Santos and, before that, Cubo Torres, there is a potential to draw Mexican fans (or at the very least, Mexican-Americans who may have rather just watched Liga MX and not cared about MLS). And some other MLS teams are looking to sign the (more cheap) stars from Central America for their league. Of course you are still going to have to make a "splash" so older European players are going to continue to be purchased and that's just going to have to happen until MLS becomes popular enough that it doesn't have to.

[ISiddiqui]

Interestingly an example of what I just mentioned just happened:

Red Bulls sign Gonzalo Veron as youngest Designated Player in club history | Soccer By Ives (http://www.sbisoccer.com/2015/08/gonzalo-designated-player.html)

The New York Red Bulls just signed as their latest DP, 25 year old Argentinian player, Gonzalo Veron. Now he's not a superstar, but he's a good player in his prime. However, in terms of getting media attention, I'm betting they got far more eyeballs in their signing of 33 year old Shaun Wright-Phillips, who will likely help the team far less than Veron in the future (though SWP did have a good debut).

[TroyF]

Wilshire down for 6 to 8 weeks. His other ankle. He isn't first 11, but it sucks to not have him there. Arsenal finally have some depth, sucks to see some of it go down so quickly. If it puts him out until the international break in October. That means 10 games. 7 league, 1 league cup, 2 champions league.

If we can't handle that type of loss, we have less depth than I thought.

[rowech]

Wilshire down for 6 to 8 weeks. His other ankle. He isn't first 11, but it sucks to not have him there. Arsenal finally have some depth, sucks to see some of it go down so quickly. If it puts him out until the international break in October. That means 10 games. 7 league, 1 league cup, 2 champions league.

If we can't handle that type of loss, we have less depth than I thought.

They're better without him. Hate to say it but it's the truth.

[The Jackal]

They're better without him. Hate to say it but it's the truth.

I don't think I agree with this. I don't think he deserves a spot in the first XI, but he's important depth and causes problems.

[kingfc22]

I re-started the FOFC Premier League fantasy league for those that want to participate.

http://fantasy.premierleague.com
League code: 1996016-452188

[The Jackal]

I created an account and it won't let me log in to it. Good stuff.

[Grover]

I created an account and it won't let me log in to it. Good stuff.

Need to activate it through email first. I had the same issue.

[The Jackal]

Need to activate it through email first. I had the same issue.

They haven't sent me an email as of yet, maybe I'll try again later if I don't see one come through

[The Jackal]

In, good fun!

[Grover]

Looking like West Ham will be crashing out of Europe today.

[TroyF]

So I haven't been around for 2 weeks (I was on vacation) so I know this is an older post, but 13 years ago our athletes were no better and perhaps even worse (with the, ok perhaps massive, exception of having a 20 year old Landon Donovan, of course). However that team made it to the Quarterfinals of the World Cup and were very close to beating Germany (actually dominated that game).

6 years ago, the US team had worse athletes than now (exception of Donovan who was 27 at the time), but ended Spain's 35 game unbeaten streak and pushed Brazil to the limit in the finals of the Confederations Cup.

I think people tend to completely forget the success that the USMNT has had under the past and fall into this weird malaise of thinking of Klinsmann can't do it, it can't be done. Well, Arena and Bradley did far better with arguably less talent.

Again, I'm all for firing Klinsman, but I NEVER remember watching the US play where they were so thoroughly outmanned as they were in this tourney. Outside of Cuba, every team we played was simply dominant over us when it came to speed and power. I just don't remember watching teams do that to us before.

Maybe you are right, maybe it is coaching. But I look at this team and see nothing. I'm just not impressed with who we throw out there on a game to game basis.

[miami_fan]

No De Gea in goal for Manchester United

[ISiddiqui]

Again, I'm all for firing Klinsman, but I NEVER remember watching the US play where they were so thoroughly outmanned as they were in this tourney. Outside of Cuba, every team we played was simply dominant over us when it came to speed and power. I just don't remember watching teams do that to us before.

I agree entirely...

Maybe you are right, maybe it is coaching. But I look at this team and see nothing. I'm just not impressed with who we throw out there on a game to game basis.

And I'd say how are the players we throw out there on a game to game basis any worse than who we threw out there in the WC 2002 or Confederations Cup 2009? They aren't.

Klinsmann was known for being tactically poor with Bayern and even with Germany (Low was the tactical genius). It's the coaching, not the players. How can it be, when the players are playing against stronger competition than they ever have before (in MLS or Europe)?

An example - Mix Diskerud is a backup for the USMNT - he'd easily start in 2002.

[ISiddiqui]

So, the 2002 formation (in the knockout rounds anyway) was a 3-5-2, where the players were:

Sanneh-Pope-Berhalter
Hejduk-Reyna-Mastroeni-O'Brien-Lewis
McBride-Donovan

Diskerud is better than O'Brient. Fabian Johnson and Bedoya are better than Lewis. Yedlin is more dangerous than Hejduk. Bradley and Reyna are about equal. Masteroni and Beckerman are fairly equal. Dempsey and McBride are equal. Pope may be better than anyone than USMNT has now, but Omar Gonzales and Tim Ream are better than Sanneh and Berkhalter.

Donovan is, of course, the outlier. The current USMNT has no one close to as talented as him.

However, in just about every other position, the current squad is just as talented if not more than the team that made it to the Quarterfinals of the World Cup and outplayed the Germans, even as they lost 1-0.

[rowech]

So, the 2002 formation (in the knockout rounds anyway) was a 3-5-2, where the players were:

Sanneh-Pope-Berhalter
Hejduk-Reyna-Mastroeni-O'Brien-Lewis
McBride-Donovan

Diskerud is better than O'Brient. Fabian Johnson and Bedoya are better than Lewis. Yedlin is more dangerous than Hejduk. Bradley and Reyna are about equal. Masteroni and Beckerman are fairly equal. Dempsey and McBride are equal. Pope may be better than anyone than USMNT has now, but Omar Gonzales and Tim Ream are better than Sanneh and Berkhalter.

Donovan is, of course, the outlier. The current USMNT has no one close to as talented as him.

However, in just about every other position, the current squad is just as talented if not more than the team that made it to the Quarterfinals of the World Cup and outplayed the Germans, even as they lost 1-0.

Reyna and Bradley aren't really even close if both are playing an offensive midfield position. Bradley in a defensive mid position works -- him in an offensive position doesn't.

[Grover]

Darmian looks like he's going to be fantastic.

[ISiddiqui]

Reyna and Bradley aren't really even close if both are playing an offensive midfield position. Bradley in a defensive mid position works -- him in an offensive position doesn't.

Remember in the 3-5-2, Reyna played more of a box to box midfielder - which is Bradley's natural position.

[kingfc22]

Chelsea rolling the dice starting Courtois who received treatment during warmups on his knee and of course Costa is always a question mark.

[ISiddiqui]

Whoa.... an Courtois denying an obvious goal scoring chance and gets sent off with Chelsea up 2-1, with Swansea having a penalty coming up.

[SirFozzie]

Looks like the decision to sell Cech just turned around and bit Chelski right in the ass. Courtois sent off (straight red+penalty), 2-2 with 10 minutes to play. Oh, and the guaranteed game Courois misses? Man City next week.

Oops.

[ISiddiqui]

Though it looks as if the backup GK was more than equal to the task. They may not miss Courtois too much. I was impressed by the backup.

[bhlloy]

Begovic is a brilliant keeper - I can't believe he'd willingly go and be the backup at Chelsea to be honest. Although I imagine they are throwing some insane amount of money at him which probably helps.

United situation is more interesting to me. Think Romero will cost them some points sooner or later

[Katon]

Begovic is a starter-quality keeper, and in an argument with Ospina and the Man U keeper pile for the title of best backup in the league. Even now that he has to play against City, the downgrade from Cech is still a much better idea than forcing an unhappy legend to stick around.

I'm dreading reading Jose's post-match comments - a ton of tight big calls in that one, and most of them went against Chelsea, so here's another brick for the conspiracy wall. The thing is, most of those tight calls were right. I'd argue Gomis was going too far wide for the penalty to be a red given that Cahill was in position to get back, and I'm not sure how Williams got away with shoving Costa in the back when Costa was in behind late on, but Swansea's penalty was a penalty, Chelsea's claim was an excellent tackle, and Swansea were plenty good value for their point.

[whomario]

Begovic has not only started 160 PL games for Stoke, he was an absolute rock for them and is a a legitimate Top10 goalie in the PL. Believe you me, there is zero need to worry for Chelsea on that front. Heck, if Courtois were to miss the whole season, i am not sure this would really diminish Chelseas chances all that much more than it would with Cech instead of Begovic (and in either case not very much)

[sovereignstar v2]

Some showing their lack of Epl knowledge. That backup is the best backup in the league.

[sovereignstar v2]

Mancini wanted to bring begovic in to challenge Hart. But he was fired and that was that.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Although I imagine they are throwing some insane amount of money at him which probably helps.


Around $4m pounds a year according to this

Chelsea transfer news: Why Chelsea are right to pay the £8million transfer fee for Stoke City's Asmir Begovic | Metro News (http://metro.co.uk/2015/07/07/why-chelsea-are-right-to-pay-the-8million-transfer-fee-for-stoke-citys-asmir-begovic-5283298/)

[TroyF]

Begovic is a starter-quality keeper, and in an argument with Ospina and the Man U keeper pile for the title of best backup in the league. Even now that he has to play against City, the downgrade from Cech is still a much better idea than forcing an unhappy legend to stick around.

I'm dreading reading Jose's post-match comments - a ton of tight big calls in that one, and most of them went against Chelsea, so here's another brick for the conspiracy wall. The thing is, most of those tight calls were right. I'd argue Gomis was going too far wide for the penalty to be a red given that Cahill was in position to get back, and I'm not sure how Williams got away with shoving Costa in the back when Costa was in behind late on, but Swansea's penalty was a penalty, Chelsea's claim was an excellent tackle, and Swansea were plenty good value for their point.


OK, so I need some serious help regarding the red.

Nobody seems to be arguing the penalty. But with the red, I have heard two things:

1) he was going away from goal

and

2) There was another guy who was there.

So two serious questions from an American who still has a lot to learn about the game:

If the only reason you kicked the ball to the left (trying to 'round the keeper) was because the keeper was headed straight for your mid section, spike up, does that really count as going away from goal? (I know this wasn't intentional, but in the mind of the Swansea player going at full speed, he had to fear for is safety)


And Ok, there was another Chelsea player who was chasing after the ball. When the original contact hit, he was in front of the goalkeeper and striker. With the slowdown of the play he raced to equal them. Let's say he WAS equal from the start. If we swap the two parties and a defender hits the striker at the edge of the box on a one on one, it is counted as a goal scoring opportunity, even with the keeper back there. I remember an Arsenal player get sent off a year or two ago on a foul 45 yards from the box for taking away a goal scoring chance.

Why would the 1 v 1 with the keeper be different than a 1 v 1 with a defender who can't use his hands?

Do the rules account for this?

[TroyF]

So, the 2002 formation (in the knockout rounds anyway) was a 3-5-2, where the players were:

Sanneh-Pope-Berhalter
Hejduk-Reyna-Mastroeni-O'Brien-Lewis
McBride-Donovan

Diskerud is better than O'Brient. Fabian Johnson and Bedoya are better than Lewis. Yedlin is more dangerous than Hejduk. Bradley and Reyna are about equal. Masteroni and Beckerman are fairly equal. Dempsey and McBride are equal. Pope may be better than anyone than USMNT has now, but Omar Gonzales and Tim Ream are better than Sanneh and Berkhalter.

Donovan is, of course, the outlier. The current USMNT has no one close to as talented as him.

However, in just about every other position, the current squad is just as talented if not more than the team that made it to the Quarterfinals of the World Cup and outplayed the Germans, even as they lost 1-0.\

What about the other teams? Was Jamaica clearly superior to us athletically and technically that year? Did we look overmatched from an athletic AND technical standpoint every single time we went onto the pitch? Maybe my memory is deceiving me, but I don't remember too many teams that were that superior to us in size, speed and physicality.

Every Gold Cup game I watched this year, save Cuba, we looked outgunned and overwhelmed. I keep hearing about these wonderful players and how fast some of them are. I must be watching a different team than everyone else, because I don't see it.

[Katon]

Following up on the Chelsea-Swansea penalty conversation,

First question: Gomis had to go round Courtois one way or the other regardless of the foul - running the ball straight into the keeper does Swansea no good whatsoever. On this particular play, I don't think trying to minimize contact and trying to beat the keeper were mutually exclusive enough to separate them out. When you can separate the two, the sensible way to handle it seems to be looking at how good the chance was when the player had to go into self-defence mode, but I don't know for certain what the relevant rule would be.

Question the second: Basically, it's an issue of how much time do you have to shoot and how much control do you have over where the shot is taken. When someone gets sent off 45 yards from goal, the other defenders are usually far enough off that the striker can approach the keeper from whichever angle he prefers, taking the shot whenever he thinks gives him the best chance to score. In the Gomis case, if he'd caught up with the ball he'd have been well off to the side, with a bad angle and a blocking defender, and he'd have needed to do something quickly before Courtois got back in position. The angle, in particular, makes the defender a lot more troublesome because he doesn't need nearly as much horizontal reach to block most of the goal. It was still clearly a good chance, just tricky enough that a Chelsea fan like me can be unsure whether it was an "obvious goalscoring opportunity".

[TroyF]

Following up on the Chelsea-Swansea penalty conversation,

First question: Gomis had to go round Courtois one way or the other regardless of the foul - running the ball straight into the keeper does Swansea no good whatsoever. On this particular play, I don't think trying to minimize contact and trying to beat the keeper were mutually exclusive enough to separate them out. When you can separate the two, the sensible way to handle it seems to be looking at how good the chance was when the player had to go into self-defence mode, but I don't know for certain what the relevant rule would be.

Question the second: Basically, it's an issue of how much time do you have to shoot and how much control do you have over where the shot is taken. When someone gets sent off 45 yards from goal, the other defenders are usually far enough off that the striker can approach the keeper from whichever angle he prefers, taking the shot whenever he thinks gives him the best chance to score. In the Gomis case, if he'd caught up with the ball he'd have been well off to the side, with a bad angle and a blocking defender, and he'd have needed to do something quickly before Courtois got back in position. The angle, in particular, makes the defender a lot more troublesome because he doesn't need nearly as much horizontal reach to block most of the goal. It was still clearly a good chance, just tricky enough that a Chelsea fan like me can be unsure whether it was an "obvious goalscoring opportunity".

Your second point expects a lot out of a ref trying to make a judgement call at real speed. I don't know what percentage you have in your head that it was a clear chance. Is it 15%? 50%? As long as your consistent, Chelsea or no Chelsea, I can respect that.

I personally feel that the double punishment is too much and that there should never be a red in a situation like that.

In this case I think it could have been a red for the high spikes without any of the other considerations, but I am fascinated by the debate.

Either way, I'm happy Chelsea dropped points and hope for many more dropped points from your boys :)

[ISiddiqui]

What about the other teams? Was Jamaica clearly superior to us athletically and technically that year? Did we look overmatched from an athletic AND technical standpoint every single time we went onto the pitch? Maybe my memory is deceiving me, but I don't remember too many teams that were that superior to us in size, speed and physicality.

Every Gold Cup game I watched this year, save Cuba, we looked outgunned and overwhelmed. I keep hearing about these wonderful players and how fast some of them are. I must be watching a different team than everyone else, because I don't see it.

Those teams, especially in CONCACAF are NOT superior to US players athletically and technically. Take for example, Jamaica. The two goalscorers are their best players - both are MLS players (Darren Mattocks for the Vancouver Whitecaps and Giles Barnes for the Houston Dynamo). They are, obviously, two very good MLS players and starters for their teams, but they aren't the best players in the league and plenty of American players are far better than them. IIRC, neither have made an MLS Best XI team.

Bad coaching can definitely hide the talents of your players. Or good coaching can make players seem better than their talent level is (see: Swansea vs. Chelsea today)

Watch some MLS matches - Mattocks and Barnes can be very good, but players like Zardes and Dempsey are definitely more impressive. (and Alejandro Bedoya is an excellent player in the French Ligue 1, the only player on the pitch in that game who starts for a European first level club - though Aron Johannson is next as Werder Bremen just bought him).

Of course there have been more than a few complaints that Klinsmann left behind quite a few good players for no reason.

[Katon]

Your second point expects a lot out of a ref trying to make a judgement call at real speed. I don't know what percentage you have in your head that it was a clear chance. Is it 15%? 50%? As long as your consistent, Chelsea or no Chelsea, I can respect that.


Yeah, that's definitely a problem, but I don't see how to avoid it. If Gomis had caught up with the ball one step past Courtois, it's obviously a clear goalscoring opportunity. If he catches up with the ball near the touchline after it's run right through the area and Cahill's blocking any possible shot, it's not a direct opportunity at all. So there is a point where it stops being a red, and the ref basically has to guess how hard a shot Gomis would have had in order to figure out which side of the line it falls.

I think to be a clear chance, the attacker needs a one-on-one and either a good angle to shoot from (which doesn't have to be as good against a non-keeper with their limited horizontal reach), or the time to get to a significantly better angle. Gomis didn't have too much time before Courtois recovered, so we wind up guessing how wide the ball would have run and I get a chance to talk myself into thinking the call was Wrong To Chelsea's Detriment!!!

Even if the call was genuinely wrong - and I'm not particularly convinced of the purity of my analysis - Swansea would've been at 2-2 and good value for a point, so this is interesting much more as food for thought about where the line gets drawn than as a tight decision which wound up leading to a fair result.

[bhlloy]

Just saw it - in my opinion that's not a red, Cahill covering and the angle makes it not a clear goalscoring opportunity. Glad I didn't have to make the call in real time, however.

[SirFozzie]

Reading the BigSoccer Referee forum, they seem to think it was a red, especially at the angle the ref had to view it (looks like a straight leg kick). But yeah, I don't know why anyone would be a ref at the highest level. No matter what decision they make it will be endlessly argued.

oh, and while I mentioned BigSoccer, I mod two of the forums there (one for the local side, the New England Revolution, and the TV/Satellite forum), and bringing something over from there)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/07/sports/soccer/nbc-sports-group-adds-premier-league-games-to-usa-networks-lineup.html

Key notes on the upcoming contract
1) the EPL would prefer a single network host, so a joint ESPN/FOX bid does not look like a winner
2) Three and Six years options: The six year option is at the behest of the networks, who want a long term option like most other sports packages, but the EPL will need to be blown away to take a 6 year bid over a 3 year bid (they prefer rolling the dice that rates will continue to skyrocket)
3) Bids are in, winner could be announced this week (However, if the top two bids are within 15% of each other, a second round of bids will likely be necessary)
4) EPL rights in the US are expected to cost at LEAST double of the current package. (3 years, 250 Million to NBC)

And USA network has added an additional game each week or so Saturdays at 10 AM (same time as the NBCSN game), so between NBC, NBCSN and now USA, we are getting 5 or so games a week

[rowech]

Reading the BigSoccer Referee forum, they seem to think it was a red, especially at the angle the ref had to view it (looks like a straight leg kick). But yeah, I don't know why anyone would be a ref at the highest level. No matter what decision they make it will be endlessly argued.

oh, and while I mentioned BigSoccer, I mod two of the forums there (one for the local side, the New England Revolution, and the TV/Satellite forum), and bringing something over from there)

Log In - The New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/07/sports/soccer/nbc-sports-group-adds-premier-league-games-to-usa-networks-lineup.html)

Key notes on the upcoming contract
1) the EPL would prefer a single network host, so a joint ESPN/FOX bid does not look like a winner
2) Three and Six years options: The six year option is at the behest of the networks, who want a long term option like most other sports packages, but the EPL will need to be blown away to take a 6 year bid over a 3 year bid (they prefer rolling the dice that rates will continue to skyrocket)
3) Bids are in, winner could be announced this week (However, if the top two bids are within 15% of each other, a second round of bids will likely be necessary)
4) EPL rights in the US are expected to cost at LEAST double of the current package. (3 years, 250 Million to NBC)

And USA network has added an additional game each week or so Saturdays at 10 AM (same time as the NBCSN game), so between NBC, NBCSN and now USA, we are getting 5 or so games a week

Fox and ESPN have never approached the excellence that NBC has acheived in broadcasting the EPL. I will be surpremely disappointed for this to go back to ESPN and/or FOX.

[Grover]

West Ham starting 'wonderkid' Reece Oxford in midfield against Arsenal. At 16 years, 237 days Oxford becomes West Ham's youngest ever starter in the Premier League.

[Grover]

Wow.

[rowech]

Jose and Cech have pulled off a modern day Trojan Horse.

[miami_fan]

West Ham starting 'wonderkid' Reece Oxford in midfield against Arsenal. At 16 years, 237 days Oxford becomes West Ham's youngest ever starter in the Premier League.

Now that Allardyce is gone, I can at least have a neutral opinion on West Ham.

I must admit, I was fooled once again by Arsenal.

[miami_fan]

I guess the good news for the Gunners is that they are only a point behind Chelsea after one week. That is not a bad position, right?

[The Jackal]

I am disgusted

[kingfc22]

Oh Wegner...Giroud over Walcott? And then Cech...that was afwul.

[Grover]

I am chuffed

[murrayyyyy]

In this case I think it could have been a red for the high spikes without any of the other considerations, but I am fascinated by the debate.

Vine (https://vine.co/v/ewDirT7BHJB)

As a former keeper and Jacks fan, I thought high spikes in the box was an obvious reason for the red card. Then again, that was the call Swansea never got last season as I think they had 2 PKs.

[ISiddiqui]

Hey, Newcastle actually didn't do that bad... and maybe should have won. Against Southampton. Well, that's a good start!

[AlexB]

Continuing the end of last season where we were the most successful team in Europe over the last 9 matches, it's only natural Leicester sit on top of the league :D

[miami_fan]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In New Jersey and immediately encounter crowd trouble ahead of the New York derby (Red Bulls-City). Video: <a href="http://t.co/slY3hYn5aM">pic.twitter.com/slY3hYn5aM</a></p>&mdash; Rob Harris (@RobHarris) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobHarris/status/630488065014951940">August 9, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Landshark44]

Red Bulls uniforms are awful... WTF are they wearing?

[kingfc22]

Red Bulls uniforms are awful... WTF are they wearing?

Glad I wasn't the only one to notice. Makes it 10x worse when NYC's jerseys are pretty nice in contrast.

[Glengoyne]

I just watched the Tivo of Liverpool and Stoke.

I'm definitely not sold on Liverpool's attack. Aside from being saved by Coutinho, they looked hard pressed to crack through Stoke's well organized defense. While Coutinho saved the day with his strike, it seemed to me that LFC ran their offense through him almost exclusively, and he didn't seem any more capable of orchestrating a breakthrough today than he did during the lambasting last season.


Stoke looked far more impressive at both ends in my book. But it might have been Liverpool's lack of polish that made that impression.

[TroyF]

I am disgusted


Beyond disgusted. There was simply no reason for that. None.

The only solace, and I mean the ONLY solace I have is that the last time I was this stunned after an opening day, Arsenal went on a tear and led the league for most of the season before collapsing at the end. I think it was Aston Villa the last time.

One of the single most disappointing games I have ever watched one of the sports teams I cheer for have. Horrible.

[law90026]

Wenger trying to be clever again, similar to last season when he insisted on the 4-1-4-1 formation at the start.

If the Caz-Coq midfield pairing worked last season, why start to tinker with it ai order to shoehorn one of his favourite players into his preferred position, i.e. Ramsey? Especially Ramsey is still showing serious tactical ill-discipline?

[Grover]

Arsenal supporters, what's it like to have the midfield dominated by a 16 year old?

20-21 on passing, 3 tackles, 3 interceptions, won 5 of 7 challenges and only lost possession once.

[ISiddiqui]

Red Bulls uniforms are awful... WTF are they wearing?

Wasn't that their normal unis?

[Landshark44]

Wasn't that their normal unis?

I don't watch much MLS, so I've never really seen them.mthey just seemed very amateurish to me, especially the backs...

They look like stuff they wear in the local men's league..

[ISiddiqui]

Are you talking about the numbers on the back or the design on the back? The numbers are a fan-thing the MLS is doing for all teams in the league - its actually an amalgam of fan selfies digitally combined.

As for the rest of the design, I think that's the basic Red Bull team design - I think RB Salzburg has it similar, at the least (I think there are 3 RB teams in the world at current).

[Grover]

As for the rest of the design, I think that's the basic Red Bull team design - I think RB Salzburg has it similar, at the least (I think there are 3 RB teams in the world at current).

Yup. Salzburg, New York and Leipzig, though due to German ownership laws, the Leipzig team is RasenBallsport Leipzig and not Red Bull Leipzig.

[ISiddiqui]

There is always that desire that someone buys the team from Red Bull and gives them a more normal name. I remember the old Metrostars and hopefully they wouldn't go back to that ;).

[SirFozzie]

NBC keeps the English Premier League rights for six years. Link later as I'm out

[miami_fan]

I can help out;)

NBC Sports agrees to 6-year extension exclusive home of Premier League | ProSoccerTalk (http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2015/08/10/nbc-sports-agrees-to-six-year-extension-as-exclusive-home-of-premier-league-in-the-us/related/)

[ISiddiqui]

Ugh... horrible news for cord cutters. ESPN, at least, can be procured through Sling TV ($20 a month). At least I've have NBC's one game a Saturday (well for most weekends of the season).

[Grover]

Ugh... horrible news for cord cutters. ESPN, at least, can be procured through Sling TV ($20 a month). At least I've have NBC's one game a Saturday (well for most weekends of the season).

This has been my worry too. Luckily I have a friend with Dish (yikes), willing to give up his user/pass so I can abuse it for extra time.