Soccer Thread 2013-14

[Critch]

Originally Posted by TroyF

They need another DC pretty badly. Probably another MC/DMC type guy as well.

Suarez, John Terry and Joey Barton all on the one team. That would be something to see.

[Easy Mac]

Looks like Brek Shea wrecked his MCL last night, so he's out for the World Cup.

[Butter]

I thought Brek Shea was mostly terrible, so I'm not all that broken up about it.

I just realized that's a terrible thing to say about someone, but I'm posting it anyway.

[rowech]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

I thought Brek Shea was mostly terrible, so I'm not all that broken up about it.

I just realized that's a terrible thing to say about someone, but I'm posting it anyway.

I hate the injury but agree with the assessment. I've never been that impressed with him to be honest.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by rowech

I hate the injury but agree with the assessment. I've never been that impressed with him to be honest.

This

[Grover]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

I thought Brek Shea was mostly terrible, so I'm not all that broken up about it.

I just realized that's a terrible thing to say about someone, but I'm posting it anyway.

Even Tony Pulis thought he was terrible after buying him. Don't feel too bad.

[MrBug708]

Dream scenario?

Sep 6
Honduras @ Mexico - Draw
USA @ Costa Rica - USA Win
Panama @ Jamaica - Pan Win

Sep 10
Costa Rica @ Jamaica - Draw
Mexico @ USA - USA Win
Panama @ Honduras - Hon Win

Oct 11
Costa Rica @ Honduras - Draw
Panama @ Mexico - Draw
Jamaica @ USA - USA Win

Oct 15
Mexico @ Costa Rica - Draw
Honduras @ Jamaica - Draw
Panama @ USA - Pan Win (USA starts U-17 squad)

Final Standings
USA - 22
Costa Rica - 14
Honduras - 13
Panama - 13
Mexico - 11
Jamaica - 4

[bhlloy]

Cardiff sign Steven Caulker from Spurs for 9 million. For one of the relegation favorites, getting a guy tipped as a future England captain is a pretty big deal. Apparently not a Villas Boas player although I'm not sure what that means - not good enough on the ball?

Also Bale apparently walked out of training today, could get a lot worse for Spurs even if the transfer fee will help in the long term, this was supposed to be their year

[sovereignstar v2]

Every year is supposed to be Spurs' year. With or without Bale they'll be fighting for 4th place though.

[sovereignstar v2]

New York City subway. NBC 1, Fox Sports 0.



Another ad:

[Grover]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar v2

Every year is supposed to be Spurs' year. With or without Bale they'll be fighting for 4th place though.

Agreed. I think AVB bought Chadli because he figured he would end up losing Bale anyway. With 85+ in the bank they can buy some real firepower up front and build more quality throughout the squad. AVB has the talent to win the league if he can get more of his style players in given a couple of seasons post-Bale.

If all that happens, anyway.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

Looks like Brek Shea wrecked his MCL last night, so he's out for the World Cup.

MCL or ACL? MCL he'll just miss a couple months tops. ACL is another story.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Expansion plans announced for the MLS.

MLS plans to add 4 teams by 2020 - ESPN FC

[Grover]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Expansion plans announced for the MLS.

MLS plans to add 4 teams by 2020 - ESPN FC

Argh. Too many teams, but we're probably gonna end up with 28.

[Flasch186]

If they go relegation style (which they never will due to stadiums, money, etc) that'd be awesome!

[Wolfpack]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

If they go relegation style (which they never will due to stadiums, money, etc) that'd be awesome!

I had thought of a pro/rel format that could be used with 20 teams, yet still retain most of the structure of American sports leagues. Basically, the league would still split West and East, but then would further have two divisions within each conference that would feature promotion and relegation. The top three teams in each first division would qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs. The fifth place team would be relegated to the second division. To take their place? The winner of a playoff between the top two teams in the second division. What's more, that second division playoff winner would also qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs as the #4 seed. Schedules would be x3 against your own division (12 games), x2 against the other division in conference (10 games), and either once around against the other conference or x2 against the equal division in the other conference (10 games) for 32 games.

However, if they're going to 24, I'm pretty sure it'll be nice and basic. Two conferences of 12. Play your own conference twice for 22 games, other conference once for 12, 32 games total.

[SirFozzie]

Last I heard on Shea, it was a MCL Sprain not a tear, looks to be out a couple months but not a season ender

Coventry City go into liquidation as the owners of the Ricoh Arena object based on the fact that they won't be playing there (andpaying them rent) any more.

BBC Sport - Coventry City face 15-point penalty as part of club faces liquidation

Means at least a 15 point penalty.

[Marc Vaughan]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

If they go relegation style (which they never will due to stadiums, money, etc) that'd be awesome!

Its the only way for soccer to go 'huge' in America imho - keep expanding and adding divisions 'downward' to allow people to have more local teams and some interest in things.

I disagree that its not financially feasible - I think its more financially feasible than all the smaller pro leagues which are kicking around at the moment ie. USL etc. ... although it does obviously require some financial discipline in case a club ends up relegated (and provision of parachute payments etc.).

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by Marc Vaughan

Its the only way for soccer to go 'huge' in America imho - keep expanding and adding divisions 'downward' to allow people to have more local teams and some interest in things.

I disagree that its not financially feasible - I think its more financially feasible than all the smaller pro leagues which are kicking around at the moment ie. USL etc. ... although it does obviously require some financial discipline in case a club ends up relegated (and provision of parachute payments etc.).

Stop, blasphemer! You'll only get my hopes up. I'd love to see some (more) integration between the USL and the MLS. The loan options that they started this year are a great place to begin imo.

[Flasch186]

The problem with MV's thoughts is that when a city in this country spends a ton of money on infrastructure et al re: the stadium and surrounding arera they wont do it without a commitment from the team/league/sport that theyll have that team for X amount of years to fulfill the lease.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

The problem with MV's thoughts is that when a city in this country spends a ton of money on infrastructure et al re: the stadium and surrounding arera they wont do it without a commitment from the team/league/sport that theyll have that team for X amount of years to fulfill the lease.

Yes - this is a problem.

Radical solution - what if the teams themselves (the owners/players, etc.) moved, but the stadium didn't?

[path12]

Serious freaking out at the Sounders FC Sports Nation blog about Dempsey to MLS/Seattle rumor.

I would be shitting my pants if that happened but really can't imagine him moving to MLS when he could still make millions in Europe.

[SirFozzie]

yeahm rumor is he's talking to Everton, not Seattle.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by path12

Serious freaking out at the Sounders FC Sports Nation blog about Dempsey to MLS/Seattle rumor.

I would be shitting my pants if that happened but really can't imagine him moving to MLS when he could still make millions in Europe.

I'd be pissed if he came back to MLS and didn't come back to the Revs. But there's no way he comes back to MLS now.

[Easy Mac]

ESPN says the announcement is Saturday

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

I'd be pissed if he came back to MLS and didn't come back to the Revs. But there's no way he comes back to MLS now.

It's about market nowadays. Donovan didn't come back to the Earthquakes, they moved him to LA

Dempsey's development is done so he probably wants to finish out his career with friends

[MrBug708]

ALso a rumor that he's going to move to Everton

[path12]

Holy. Shit.

Reports transfer fee is $9 million with $32 million over four years for the contract.

SO EXCITED YOU GUYS! The game tomorrow night is gonna be nuts if this actually happens.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by path12

Holy. Shit.

Reports transfer fee is $9 million with $32 million over four years for the contract.

SO EXCITED YOU GUYS! The game tomorrow night is gonna be nuts if this actually happens.

Gonna be pissed if it's true and he's not coming back to N.E. from a homer-standpoint, but I won't believe it till he actually lands - just doesn't seem to make any sense for him from a career development standpoint - there's still plenty of heights for him to scale in Europe.

Impressive move by Seattle if true though - would be nice if N.E. would actually make moves like this and sign impact D.P.'s instead of the randoms that they bring in. Front office definitely not up to snuff IMO.

[RainMaker]

I see a lot of people online chastising the move. But I think it's good for MLS and American soccer as a whole.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I see a lot of people online chastising the move. But I think it's good for MLS and American soccer as a whole.

Good for MLS yes. Good for his personal continued development - not so much.

[rowech]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Good for MLS yes. Good for his personal continued development - not so much.

He's going on 31. He isn't going to develop much more if at all.

[RainMaker]

Yeah, I don't see what kind of development he'd have coming off the bench for a top EPL team at his age.

It's a perfect situation in my opinion. Send a guy off overseas to get better, then have them come back and improve the domestic league when they peak. If this was Bradley, I'd understand, but I think it's great for soccer in this country.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Good for MLS yes. Good for his personal continued development - not so much.

What development did you envision him with?

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

What development did you envision him with?

Fine - all you all bitching about my choice of words...not "development." That was obviously the wrong word to use. Not good for him from the standpoint of providing a challenge for him that would keep him continuing to play at a high level - there you happy with that? Can you all stop picking on the one word in my goddamn post now??

[MrBug708]

Why would do you think his play will suffer? Donovan doesnt seem any worse for wear after spending the past half dozen years here in the US.

I think this is a Revs issue more than anything, but he needs to go a visible franchise like Seattle. I think it's great that the highest paid player in the MLS is an American and not an aging player from Europe

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

I think it's great that the highest paid player in the MLS is an American and not an aging player from Europe

I think this is what it really boils down to. It's hard to argue that this isn't good for the MLS and US Soccer.

[RainMaker]

I think a great strategy for American soccer is to ship top talent overseas to get better, than bring them back at this stage in their career when development is likely stalled but they're still at their peak and popular.

[Sublime 2]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Gonna be pissed if it's true and he's not coming back to N.E. from a homer-standpoint, but I won't believe it till he actually lands - just doesn't seem to make any sense for him from a career development standpoint - there's still plenty of heights for him to scale in Europe.

Impressive move by Seattle if true though - would be nice if N.E. would actually make moves like this and sign impact D.P.'s instead of the randoms that they bring in. Front office definitely not up to snuff IMO.

Definitely sucks a bit he's not coming back a Rev. It was perfect for me to follow him as a Spur, but he wasn't going to see the pitch enough, so I am happy he's back in the US.

[whomario]

gotta admit, i had to chuckle quite a few times. The dead-pan assistant coach is money

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Why would do you think his play will suffer? Donovan doesnt seem any worse for wear after spending the past half dozen years here in the US.

I think this is a Revs issue more than anything, but he needs to go a visible franchise like Seattle. I think it's great that the highest paid player in the MLS is an American and not an aging player from Europe

Yes of course it's a Revs issue in part. Discontent with their management - never making any splash. I'm not trying to hide that.

And I don't buy your argument about "he needs to go to a visible franchise." Wherever he ends up is by definition going to be a visible franchise. And sure, Seattle's drawing a lot of fans, doesn't mean that the opportunity isn't there for other teams to draw just as many if he were there.

His impact on the # of fans drawn (or even the % drawn) in Seattle is not going to be as great as it would be if he went to another franchise that has more room to grow its fan base.

[MrBug708]

This isn't MLS buying Dempsey and telling him to go to Seattle. This is Seattle paying the buyout fee for Dempsey from the Spurs.

You don't necessarily send the best player to a bad franchise to try and help that one. You want him playing in front of full houses so the PNW is probably the best place for him to play.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

This isn't MLS buying Dempsey and telling him to go to Seattle. This is Seattle paying the buyout fee for Dempsey from the Spurs.

I understand that.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

You don't necessarily send the best player to a bad franchise to try and help that one. You want him playing in front of full houses so the PNW is probably the best place for him to play.

Not sure I 100% agree with that. There's plenty of other places he could play in front of full houses, and in fact, help to fill the houses, versus those in the PNW that are already full.

But it is what it is. Seattle's FO had the savvy and desire to get it done - kudos to them.

[path12]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Not sure I 100% agree with that. There's plenty of other places he could play in front of full houses, and in fact, help to fill the houses, versus those in the PNW that are already full.

But it is what it is. Seattle's FO had the savvy and desire to get it done - kudos to them.

Sounders actually have limited their seating over the years in order to keep ticket demand up. CLink holds like 67,000 people, first year Sounders offered around 32K, most of which were season tickets and they've opened up additional seats over the past few years so now the capacity for most MLS games are around 38,500 with the exception of a few games where they open up the whole stadium.

So anyway, my point is it wouldn't surprise me a bit if they opened up more of the stadium for next year and added 4-5K more season tickets. Between that and the thousands of jerseys they'll sell that will offset a portion of the transfer cost, plus with the MLS salary restrictions they are raking in cash anyway.

[path12]

Oh, and though the intro Saturday was kinda cheesy it was awesome to see him in rave green. With Dempsey sitting behind EJ and Martins that is a attack that I think is as good as many in Europe, certainly not to the level of the elites but competitive.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Yes of course it's a Revs issue in part. Discontent with their management - never making any splash. I'm not trying to hide that.

Well that won't change until Bob Kraft sells the Revs. I love him as the Pats owner, but he essentially uses the Revs as a tax shelter/write-off.

[SirFozzie]

Apparently the league is paying the $9 million transfer fee, and the contract is 3.5 years, $24 million to Dempsey:

How Seattle's stunning Clint Dempsey deal got done - Soccer - Grant Wahl - SI.com

[Izulde]

Originally Posted by rowech

He's going on 31. He isn't going to develop much more if at all.

This.

[path12]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

Apparently the league is paying the $9 million transfer fee, and the contract is 3.5 years, $24 million to Dempsey:

How Seattle's stunning Clint Dempsey deal got done - Soccer - Grant Wahl - SI.com

I think someone from the league is now saying that may not be right on the transfer fee, but who knows. I'm surprised given the usual MLS secrecy that there is as much info is out there as is.