Ghoat

So you Brits hang flags when the Missus consents to a round of bumming, just to brag to your mates? That's a custom we should all get behind!

As good as that FK was, the screamer Nacho hit was filthy, holy shit. Instant Classic.

Looking forward to how Argentina and Spain respond to a a joint England/Falkland/Gibraltar bid for for 2030.

There are few things more ironic in the language than the pronunciation of the word "phonic"

Mike you are seeming to forget that we "colonialist" (OMG that cracks me up when I see that used!) used to have to pay a tax to the crown for each letter we used - pronounced or written. That's why it's an "erb" not a "herb" even if it happens to be our FAVORITE COLOR.
It's was an economics choice, because the tea was killing us already.
The Syntax Tax of 1631 isn'tt really taught in school, I'd venture to say that no one has even heard of it until they read about it. In this post.
But now you know.

good thread guys  but one thng that could bring our colonials back in line could be the word LISP …  what cruel bastard came up with that one?

Mike you are seeming to forget that we "colonialist" (OMG that cracks me up when I see that used!) used to have to pay a tax to the crown for each letter we used - pronounced or written. That's why it's an "erb" not a "herb" even if it happens to be our FAVORITE COLOR.
It's was an economics choice, because the tea was killing us already.
The Syntax Tax of 1631 isn'tt really taught in school, I'd venture to say that no one has even heard of it until they read about it. In this post.
But now you know.

Yeah, well, we said that about 2000 as well.....

Mike you are seeming to forget that we "colonialist" (OMG that cracks me up when I see that used!) used to have to pay a tax to the crown for each letter we used - pronounced or written. That's why it's an "erb" not a "herb" even if it happens to be our FAVORITE COLOR.
It's was an economics choice, because the tea was killing us already.
The Syntax Tax of 1631 isn'tt really taught in school, I'd venture to say that no one has even heard of it until they read about it. In this post.
But now you know.

Mike you are seeming to forget that we "colonialist" (OMG that cracks me up when I see that used!) used to have to pay a tax to the crown for each letter we used - pronounced or written. That's why it's an "erb" not a "herb" even if it happens to be our FAVORITE COLOR.
It's was an economics choice, because the tea was killing us already.
The Syntax Tax of 1631 isn'tt really taught in school, I'd venture to say that no one has even heard of it until they read about it. In this post.
But now you know.

There are few things more ironic in the language than the pronunciation of the word "phonic"

Seeing how the games start here at 5am, 7am, 10am and 1pm....it's probably just going to be coffee and toast. Maybe toss some cinnamon or cheese on it if I'm feeling adventurous . 

There are few things more ironic in the language than the pronunciation of the word "phonic"

Seeing how the games start here at 5am, 7am, 10am and 1pm....it's probably just going to be coffee and toast. Maybe toss some cinnamon or cheese on it if I'm feeling adventurous . 

That’s his and the clubs business and business isn’t an emotional commitment but being a supporter or fan is, so him and the club can sort the business out between themselves and he can still be a fan, what ever the result of there negotiations are. 

I don't drink Jack Daniels whiskey, but if they offered me an opportunity that my current employer didn't, I'd take the job and keep drinking what I like. There is business and there is personal,  or love and money, sometimes they have to be separate. I'll just wear my Everton gear instead of my Atlanta United gear when DC United come to the ATL. 

I think he has shown flashes of being pretty good in all MF positions. Well rounded? Ok at all, good at none? I'm not sure, but I would think some stability at manager, as well as playing a single role for an extended run would help him a lot - as would having the same players around him in well defined roles. Our MF was different formations and different players seemingly game to game last year, grasping for something that worked. Not a single MF played consistently well last year - maybe be Gana due to work rate, but otherwise, it was a revolving door of players and tactics.  
His biggest for me isn'tt his skill on the ball or in tackles - but his willingness to attack, take players on as well as fly into tackles. It's hard/impossible to teach that in any sport - a player is aggressive/unafraid or they are not. He isn'tt intimidated by driving at a Yaya, or taking the ball off a Costa - grown ass men.
He needs polish, lots of it,. That can come from good coaching and experience. Lets not forget his Mum was driving him to training  every day from home this time last year.

While not really a follower of F1 or Indy cars, I was drinking beer at my neighbors pool last weekend.  As we filpped between the NASCAR race and the Detroit GP we saw one of the most awesome unbelievable things ever!
 
http://autoweek.com/article/indycar/video-gm-executive-crashes-2019-corvette-zr-1-pace-car-delay-chevrolet-detroit-grand

Looked really good yesterday against France, playing wingback in a 3-5-2.  Really good speed on the outside, both in defense and attack, throws dangerous balls into the box. I hope we see a lot more of him this year, he looks like a player.

Looked really good yesterday against France, playing wingback in a 3-5-2.  Really good speed on the outside, both in defense and attack, throws dangerous balls into the box. I hope we see a lot more of him this year, he looks like a player.

Looked really good yesterday against France, playing wingback in a 3-5-2.  Really good speed on the outside, both in defense and attack, throws dangerous balls into the box. I hope we see a lot more of him this year, he looks like a player.

Looked really good yesterday against France, playing wingback in a 3-5-2.  Really good speed on the outside, both in defense and attack, throws dangerous balls into the box. I hope we see a lot more of him this year, he looks like a player.

"2nd tier" leagues have never worked in the US, commercially anyway.  The NBA is and has tried, with lackluster results. Minor league baseball works - but due to a couple of major reasons. It's the PLAYERS being "promoted/relegated" not the team, and they are funded by their major league parent club like the EPL U-23's. They would not self-sustain on their own. And the leagues are geographic within a few hours bus ride apart. Not traveling 1500-2500 miles to play like the major sports do. The USFL and XFL failed for lots of reason, including owners outspending revenue.  I just cannot see relegation as we know it working with MLS for a very long time.  And again, geography doesn't help.
 I get why MLS operates the way it does - to ensure the health and solvency of the league. Not ideal, but effective. The key will be that when and if the league can fully stand on it's own, does MLS relinquish some control.  At a time when the NFL, NBA and MLB are stagnant or in declining ratings wise, MLS is increasing - and being very careful not to fuck it up. Ends/means and such. Understand Mark, I don't disagree with any of your points however.

I'll say this - MLS is run very differently from every other other NFL/MLB/NBA/NHL. In those sports the owners run it, in MLS, MLS runs it. So far it's worked, they have build a weird model. but it's kept the league solvent and the teams afloat and grown without imploding.
It's run very differently from other FA's -
    The season is March-October instead of August-May due to the peculiarities of American pro sports. Do NOT try to go head-to-head with the NFL and College Football that run September-January. Both in terms of the fans attention/money as well as use of facilities (which is becoming less of an issue).
    Playoffs at end of season, because all American sports have a playoff
    No relegation. I think while in it's infancy this wont change. You don't have generational fans who will stick with a team. If an MLS team got relegated, you may as well close the franchise.      Atlanta United has incredible support - great venue, great atmosphere, the games are a blast and they put 50,000 in about every game. But drop them out of MLS, and how many people are going to go to that stadium on a Tuesday night to watch the 5 Stripes play the Cincinnati River Balls? 
 
I don't see MLS dropping it's "American culture" to line up with the rest of the world any time soon. As ideal as that would be, it's just not practical, IMO, any time in the near future. To do so would be the death knell of professional soccer/football in the US and drastically hurt the sport domestically overall.
 

Hope Solo is half crazy, but she is a GK so...
In all honesty, she has been a live wire for a long time - great keeper, but she doesn't always play nice with authority, never has. I think she is just bitter with US Soccer after it terminated her contact with the national team due to her legal and off the field issues. She may have a point or two about MLS, and she is entitled to her own opinion of course. But, I don't see how NOT hosting the WC "helps" US Soccer. I think this is more about her than the sport.