Ghoat

It's toothless. And it's impossible. Racism is a human/society condition that has always existed and always will. Doesn't mean it's ok or acceptable, but you can't just 
"ban it". If that was the case, just pass a law banning stupidity and the world would be a better place. Or, pass laws against killing people so that would stop. Oh, wait. 

She’s mad they banned her so she’s taking it out on the WC bid.  The bits on MLS and promotion relegation I like but she’s just our for herself.

Just read this, it's long. A bit of it I knew, but most of it...holy crap! Damn fine journalism to me. Explains the "what" but not offering opinions on future track and such. But wow...
https://www.theringer.com/2018/6/5/17428184/2018-world-cup-us-soccer-inside-story-jurgen-klinsmann-sunil-gulati-bruce-arena 

Title IX was enacted in 1972
 
 
MLS is reaching out more overseas, they have to. The problem is that there just aren't enough coaches being "produced" stateside. Part of it is lack of culture/history - not having generation after generation growing up loving the sport - playing, reffing and eventually coaching. Soccer was invented sometime in the 70's. Y'all have been playing football since the 80's. 1880's... Pulisic is a good example -of a second generation player - both his parents played in college and were around good coaching and playing, and so their son grew up around it, playing it, watching it and the parents recognized his abilities and knew where to direct him. We HAVE to have more domestic growth and it takes time to develop that culture from within. It's started, but we're still 100 years behind
The US development problems are complex, but beyond culture and player development /coaching are far and away the core of it, IMO. Geography doesn't help, with the sheer size of the US...the nearest place for me to send a child for quality coaching or in a quality league is 150 miles away or so, which makes it unavailable financially for lots to even GET the coaching to GET "discovered" to GET to an academy! I would venture to guess you have more professional academies within 75 miles of London than we have in the entire country.
It's generally a white middle to upper-middle class suburban sport as far the availability of quality coaching and competition.. Nothing against white kids in the 'burbs, but that's a pretty small percentage of our population. Trying to build a sport from 10-15% of your "pool" is an uphill battle. The rest are going to gravitate towards American football, baseball and basketball. Those sports have the 100 years of culture, which means generations of quality coaching, and locally available developmental systems regardless of income level. Actually baseball is in decline as a youth sport, and is becoming less available and popular, especially among blacks and Major League Baseball is worried. I think I read recently that blacks make up less than 8% of MLB rosters now when it used to be 20-30% .

I think WAY too many do Mark, and the pols know it and play to it. I do think we should have the bear arms and I don't want the gov to be TOO heavy handed about it. That said I don't own a gun and have never been in the NRA. I believe in "traditional family values", but I think a pair of men or a pair of women should absolutely have the same rights to their family values under the law.  I have also been reminded this go around that if I vote repub, I am a racists who hates immigrants. If I vote demo I am a socialist who hates God. 
Makes it tough on a football/soccer lovin', NASCAR watchin',  drinkin'with gay/lesbian friends on Wed nights, Catholic schoolin' daughters guy in Alabama to figure out who to vote for me. I'm what's wrong with this country according to both parties. I'm unique - just like everyone else!

Much appreciated Aaron, found both and followed. Twitter is still a strange beast to me, it's the one social media that befuddles me a bit, but I'm trying!  And yes, I learned the history/backstory of the S*n animosity a couple years ago when the Ross Barkley/gorilla comments emerged.

State primaries. The democrat candidates are all running on "I hate Trump". The repubs are all holding a shotgun or rifle. Those seem to be the only qualifications for public office in Alabama ffs.
How about someone that doesn't give a shit about Trump either way, and leaves the 2nd amendment fights to the courts - and maybe try to de-fuck the clusterfuck that is Alabama politics for the betterment of the electorate?  Naaahhh, that would never work!

I cycle about 10 miles every day and have to say that there are a increasing number of abusive cyclists. Not the majority but all to common I am afraid. 
 
Funniest incident I had was about a year ago, I was on the canal path, and cycling on the left I approached a small hill, as I reached the top I saw another cyclist cycling on the right. We both stopped and the conversation went as follows:
Me "You should be on the left mate"
Him "Everybody says that but your wrong"
Me "Well everybody is right, we drive on the left and cycle on the left, canal paths are no different" _ He now starts moving around me to get passed.
Him "Fuck off your all wrong"
Me  - Passing comment as I cycle off "Look mate its not as if the canal path trust up and declared Independence and joined America so you can cycle on the right"
At this point he seemed to of had some breakdown, he threw his bike to the ground and came marching towards me, all 9 stone of him..
I got of my bike and told him to calm down, as I simultaneously reached for my warrant card just to warn him off. He then runs into me, and then realising that he is somewhat at a disadvantage just chest bumps and pushes me, or tries to.  I push him back and get my warrant card out and warn him that if he continues this will end very badly for him. I tell him that this really is not worth getting worked up about. 
He came to his senses and slumps off muttering under his breath.
It seems that some people, whether driving cars, riding bikes or jogging just seem to suffer from red mist syndrome.
I wear a go pro camera now to record stuff, it also seems to put people off being to much of an arse.

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.

2-1.  We got the opener at 45+1, Gave up the equallizer at 57 or so after GK was indecisive came out to punch a corner and got hung in traffic and didn't clear, was out of position for a tap in. ROI put the 2nd one in at 90', ugg...
Coleman was fairly quiet - a bit of a pest to be sure, missed a really good opportunity in second half I think when he came inside and had an open look. But honestly I was more bummed about Robinson not playing, both as an EFC and US supporter. Coincidence or not, we mostly played down the right side, some in the middle - but we had nothing on the left side at all. I'd have selfishly loved to see him going up against Coleman, even if he got his ass handed to him - who better to learn from than a teammate you can go back to later and break it down with.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Unless Jags, by his choice, wishes to hand it over to Coleman, I think the Club/Jags Vice/Coleman is the natural choice. I think Pickford is likely to be a captain in the not too distant future, hopefully at Everton. 

I'm not sure there is one thing really, but I'd guess it's a couple different things.
Klinsmann did a good job reaching out dual-citizenship kids, especially those in Germany who father's were US Servicemen. Most of them were young, already playing in Europe, and uncapped. We just need some Army bases in Brazil now...
I think there are more kids now who have smarter parents that played the sport themselves at higher levels and realize that the US system has flaws in development. In America we seem to place a premium on raw athleticism - size, speed, strength etc, at the expense of technical skill. It "works" in basketball and US football. Not so much in footy, and parents that are wiser and understand high-level soccer also understand the domestic training is still a ways behind on the technical side.
I also think that the success of several of the current young crop coming into the USMNT has opened the eyes of both high-level/elite kids as well as their parents to the opportunities available in Europe for proper coaching and development. I think it's also made European scouts look more at American teenagers. Success breeds success so to speak. And right now, there seems to be a lot of young raw US talent heading to Germany. 
I'd like to think our "soccer" IQ is growing, Maybe one day in the not way way off future, we will be able to domestically develop world-class players. But currently, our system will continue to produce great athletes, because that's what we do. But to produce great footballers, we need those teenagers to be in European academies and systems as soon as possible, and that's exactly where most of our bright young stars are.

I'm not sure there is one thing really, but I'd guess it's a couple different things.
Klinsmann did a good job reaching out dual-citizenship kids, especially those in Germany who father's were US Servicemen. Most of them were young, already playing in Europe, and uncapped. We just need some Army bases in Brazil now...
I think there are more kids now who have smarter parents that played the sport themselves at higher levels and realize that the US system has flaws in development. In America we seem to place a premium on raw athleticism - size, speed, strength etc, at the expense of technical skill. It "works" in basketball and US football. Not so much in footy, and parents that are wiser and understand high-level soccer also understand the domestic training is still a ways behind on the technical side.
I also think that the success of several of the current young crop coming into the USMNT has opened the eyes of both high-level/elite kids as well as their parents to the opportunities available in Europe for proper coaching and development. I think it's also made European scouts look more at American teenagers. Success breeds success so to speak. And right now, there seems to be a lot of young raw US talent heading to Germany. 
I'd like to think our "soccer" IQ is growing, Maybe one day in the not way way off future, we will be able to domestically develop world-class players. But currently, our system will continue to produce great athletes, because that's what we do. But to produce great footballers, we need those teenagers to be in European academies and systems as soon as possible, and that's exactly where most of our bright young stars are.

I'm not sure I would loan West Brom a pair of socks right now

Agreed, very good show, think I have seen every episode of that at well. The Americans and Breaking Bad are not comedies. Dramas, a bit more heavy than NCIS

I'm not sure there is one thing really, but I'd guess it's a couple different things.
Klinsmann did a good job reaching out dual-citizenship kids, especially those in Germany who father's were US Servicemen. Most of them were young, already playing in Europe, and uncapped. We just need some Army bases in Brazil now...
I think there are more kids now who have smarter parents that played the sport themselves at higher levels and realize that the US system has flaws in development. In America we seem to place a premium on raw athleticism - size, speed, strength etc, at the expense of technical skill. It "works" in basketball and US football. Not so much in footy, and parents that are wiser and understand high-level soccer also understand the domestic training is still a ways behind on the technical side.
I also think that the success of several of the current young crop coming into the USMNT has opened the eyes of both high-level/elite kids as well as their parents to the opportunities available in Europe for proper coaching and development. I think it's also made European scouts look more at American teenagers. Success breeds success so to speak. And right now, there seems to be a lot of young raw US talent heading to Germany. 
I'd like to think our "soccer" IQ is growing, Maybe one day in the not way way off future, we will be able to domestically develop world-class players. But currently, our system will continue to produce great athletes, because that's what we do. But to produce great footballers, we need those teenagers to be in European academies and systems as soon as possible, and that's exactly where most of our bright young stars are.

I'm not sure there is one thing really, but I'd guess it's a couple different things.
Klinsmann did a good job reaching out dual-citizenship kids, especially those in Germany who father's were US Servicemen. Most of them were young, already playing in Europe, and uncapped. We just need some Army bases in Brazil now...
I think there are more kids now who have smarter parents that played the sport themselves at higher levels and realize that the US system has flaws in development. In America we seem to place a premium on raw athleticism - size, speed, strength etc, at the expense of technical skill. It "works" in basketball and US football. Not so much in footy, and parents that are wiser and understand high-level soccer also understand the domestic training is still a ways behind on the technical side.
I also think that the success of several of the current young crop coming into the USMNT has opened the eyes of both high-level/elite kids as well as their parents to the opportunities available in Europe for proper coaching and development. I think it's also made European scouts look more at American teenagers. Success breeds success so to speak. And right now, there seems to be a lot of young raw US talent heading to Germany. 
I'd like to think our "soccer" IQ is growing, Maybe one day in the not way way off future, we will be able to domestically develop world-class players. But currently, our system will continue to produce great athletes, because that's what we do. But to produce great footballers, we need those teenagers to be in European academies and systems as soon as possible, and that's exactly where most of our bright young stars are.

I'm not sure there is one thing really, but I'd guess it's a couple different things.
Klinsmann did a good job reaching out dual-citizenship kids, especially those in Germany who father's were US Servicemen. Most of them were young, already playing in Europe, and uncapped. We just need some Army bases in Brazil now...
I think there are more kids now who have smarter parents that played the sport themselves at higher levels and realize that the US system has flaws in development. In America we seem to place a premium on raw athleticism - size, speed, strength etc, at the expense of technical skill. It "works" in basketball and US football. Not so much in footy, and parents that are wiser and understand high-level soccer also understand the domestic training is still a ways behind on the technical side.
I also think that the success of several of the current young crop coming into the USMNT has opened the eyes of both high-level/elite kids as well as their parents to the opportunities available in Europe for proper coaching and development. I think it's also made European scouts look more at American teenagers. Success breeds success so to speak. And right now, there seems to be a lot of young raw US talent heading to Germany. 
I'd like to think our "soccer" IQ is growing, Maybe one day in the not way way off future, we will be able to domestically develop world-class players. But currently, our system will continue to produce great athletes, because that's what we do. But to produce great footballers, we need those teenagers to be in European academies and systems as soon as possible, and that's exactly where most of our bright young stars are.

https://www.thesprucepets.com/some-fish-can-climb-trees-3969450