Fear and Loathing (USMNT 2018)

[Ghoat]

Several threads seem to divert into this from we yanks, and I'm as guilty as anyone.

Thought I would start a new one here for the current team moving toward the 2022 WC cycle.

 

Thoughts on the team this summer, starting with Bolivia friendly? 

Robinson was who I most wanted to see, from both club and country reasons, I thought he was excellent. Rest of the back 4 were solid enough

Pulisc didn't do much, but I thought Weston McKinnie looked good. He playing the 6 but was all over the pitch (in a good way). Adams didn't make roster, but MF is starting to look pretty good.

Most pleasant surprise was how well Sargent and Weah played together. They linked up often, lots of 1-2 passes. Surprised me for two 18 year olds who have never played together, let alone their first international caps - ignoring the 3 mins Weah played at end of last match.

Granted it was also a young inexperienced Bolivia side, but I thought for a team so young, they did about as well as could be expected. Lots of promise, but I'm a bit dismayed that we don't have

1) A keeper

2) A manager

 

[markjazzbassist]

yeah they need a good manager, that's the biggest need.  someone willing to play some decent football too, none of this work hard and try and eek out stoppage time wins while defending for our lives.  the talent and youngsters are there, just need someone to steer the ship.

 

i'd hire a foreigner, i'm not impressed with any of the american coaches.

[Sibdane]

I would say the future is very bright, especially from a technical point-of-view. I can't remember the last time we had so many youngster with such impressive technical ability. Weah, Sargent, Pulisic, McKennie, Robinson, and Adams will all go on to forge decent careers for themselves.

Weah really intrigues me -- he loves a trick, is very skillful, and he's breaking into a stacked PSG team. I think the next couple of years are going to be huge for him.

 

[Ghoat]

Weah seemed to cause lots of trouble with him movement, both on the flank and when coming inside. I'm not sure how much he has played on the right side of a 4-1-4-1. but he looked comfortable. He is exciting, but I was really impressed with his touches and flicks, seemed very unselfish inside the box. I do like the fact that and Sargent are both about 6'1 as well - 6-5" with hair! 

I wasn't familiar with Keaton Parks, can't say I see a lot of Benfica matches, but looked decent for a 20 year old in his first cap. I like the idea of a having a 6'4" presence in the MF if he can continue to develop. 

[Sibdane]

7 minutes ago, Ghoat said:

Weah seemed to cause lots of trouble with him movement, both on the flank and when coming inside. I'm not sure how much he has played on the right side of a 4-1-4-1. but he looked comfortable. He is exciting, but I was really impressed with his touches and flicks, seemed very unselfish inside the box. I do like the fact that and Sargent are both about 6'1 as well - 6-5" with hair! 

I wasn't familiar with Keaton Parks, can't say I see a lot of Benfica matches, but looked decent for a 20 year old in his first cap. I like the idea of a having a 6'4" presence in the MF if he can continue to develop. 

Benfica's manager has spoken about how he sees Parks as a player similar to Matic.

[Romey 1878]

I’m always intrigued by the US team and what’s going on with it, so keep the info coming lads. 

[Sir McGiven]

Ah, US soccer. I don't know which football game was it (probably FIFA) and which year it was but there was US League and I wanted to play to discover US soccer. I remember penalties were different. Please correct me if I am mistaken but they were being taken from a distance, right? I don't think so but have to ask, is it still like that?

Pulisic is a good prospect for future but US team always reminds me of how I admired Tim Howard, Jermaine Jones (didn't stick around much but we enjoyed to see him at my local team Besiktas in 2014) and also the global disappointment of Freddy Adu.

[nyblue23]

1 hour ago, tonkaroost said:

I would say the future is very bright, especially from a technical point-of-view. I can't remember the last time we had so many youngster with such impressive technical ability. Weah, Sargent, Pulisic, McKennie, Robinson, and Adams will all go on to forge decent careers for themselves.

Weah really intrigues me -- he loves a trick, is very skillful, and he's breaking into a stacked PSG team. I think the next couple of years are going to be huge for him.

 

The crazy part is the pedigree of most of these players will be so much better than any we've had and, like players from the European powerhouse national squads, they're playing for the best teams in their respective leagues. 

To have players from PSG, Dortmund, PSV Eindhoven, and Benfica is quite a step up in winning mentality from even our last world cup squad where Howard, Dempsey, Bradley and Cameron were not used to winning much in the way of trophies.

[Sibdane]

35 minutes ago, Sir McGiven said:

Ah, US soccer. I don't know which football game was it (probably FIFA) and which year it was but there was US League and I wanted to play to discover US soccer. I remember penalties were different. Please correct me if I am mistaken but they were being taken from a distance, right? I don't think so but have to ask, is it still like that?

Pulisic is a good prospect for future but US team always reminds me of how I admired Tim Howard, Jermaine Jones (didn't stick around much but we enjoyed to see him at my local team Besiktas in 2014) and also the global disappointment of Freddy Adu.

It's no longer like that -- not sure when they changed it exactly, but it's been awhile since it was like that.

Re: Freddy Adu -- I still can't believe how spectacularly he has fallen. He's now plying his trade with the Las Vegas Lights in the USL (second division), but last time I checked he hadn't played any minutes yet.

[Sibdane]

6 minutes ago, nyblue23 said:

The crazy part is the pedigree of most of these players will be so much better than any we've had and, like players from the European powerhouse national squads, they're playing for the best teams in their respective leagues. 

To have players from PSG, Dortmund, PSV Eindhoven, and Benfica is quite a step up in winning mentality from even our last world cup squad where Howard, Dempsey, Bradley and Cameron were not used to winning much in the way of trophies.

Yep -- Dempsey is probably the most technical player we've ever produced, but Pulisic already blows him out of the water with ability. I imagine Weah isn'tt too far behind.

Pulisic is pretty much guaranteed to be a top player (already is for BVB).

[markjazzbassist]

11 minutes ago, nyblue23 said:

The crazy part is the pedigree of most of these players will be so much better than any we've had and, like players from the European powerhouse national squads, they're playing for the best teams in their respective leagues. 

To have players from PSG, Dortmund, PSV Eindhoven, and Benfica is quite a step up in winning mentality from even our last world cup squad where Howard, Dempsey, Bradley and Cameron were not used to winning much in the way of trophies.

spot on, that's why we need a foreign manager, the MLS guys are all physical bob bradley (who i liked, so not slating him) defend first types.  we need a technical guy who picks skill players and relates well to the guys playing abroad.  the MLS guys give credence to mls players and it's a joke. 

[Sir McGiven]

13 minutes ago, tonkaroost said:

It's no longer like that -- not sure when they changed it exactly, but it's been awhile since it was like that.

Re: Freddy Adu -- I still can't believe how spectacularly he has fallen. He's now plying his trade with the Las Vegas Lights in the USL (second division), but last time I checked he hadn't played any minutes yet.

He even played (or "couldn't-play") for a low-rated Turkish team (Caykur Rizespor if I am not mistaken) but expectations were high from him when he was young, you are right about how he has fallen, it can be a case study.

But US soccer is growing now, I am checking it time by time. New adopted strategy is good, typical 'murican style, a good PR boost. (i.e. FIFA 18 story mode, our hero is unable to prove himself in EPL and goes to MLS for LA Galaxy. It gives you a taste of US soccer) Looking forward to seeing Pulisic's and Weah's development. If Weah could become a footballer half of his father, it'll be the success. He was a magnificent striker.

[Sibdane]

26 minutes ago, Sir McGiven said:

He even played (or "couldn't-play") for a low-rated Turkish team (Caykur Rizespor if I am not mistaken) but expectations were high from him when he was young, you are right about how he has fallen, it can be a case study.

But US soccer is growing now, I am checking it time by time. New adopted strategy is good, typical 'murican style, a good PR boost. (i.e. FIFA 18 story mode, our hero is unable to prove himself in EPL and goes to MLS for LA Galaxy. It gives you a taste of US soccer) Looking forward to seeing Pulisic's and Weah's development. If Weah could become a footballer half of his father, it'll be the success. He was a magnificent striker.

He was awarded Man of the Match against Bolivia (albeit a weak side), so signs are positive thus far.

[Bailey]

Is there any particular reason why you seem to have a lot more players coming through in Europe? 

[markjazzbassist]

39 minutes ago, Bailey said:

Is there any particular reason why you seem to have a lot more players coming through in Europe? 

1. dual nationalities kids

2. cheap untapped market (schalke has 2 well known US kids and just got another 1-2 this offseason, they are on to something)

3. US military  bases in germany, troops knock up german women and have german/american kids that are good but not enough for German team so they play for US (jones, johnson, chandler, boyd, green, etc).

[Sibdane]

For those to curious to see some of our young prospects.

[Ghoat]

47 minutes ago, Bailey said:

Is there any particular reason why you seem to have a lot more players coming through in Europe? 

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.

[Sibdane]

Coleman starting against the USA today. Hope he has a good game but hope ROI ultimately loses.

[Ghoat]

On 02/06/2018 at 14:21, tonkaroost said:

Coleman starting against the USA today. Hope he has a good game but hope ROI ultimately loses.

I was hoping for same, was disappointed that Robinson didn't get the nod at LB.

I thought we looked "decent" considering it is still mixing and matching players at positions, and we played what was pretty much the starting XI for ROI as a WC tune-up. Not a lot of positives other than young players getting quality experience playing time on foreign soil.  CCV looked a bit shaky, and Hamid....it just doesn't appear he is ever going to grow into what's needed. Terrible positioning, indecisiveness on coming off his line or staying, and getting stuck  between etc... We need someone to step up at GK so badly

[Sibdane]

1 hour ago, Ghoat said:

I was hoping for same, was disappointed that Robinson didn't get the nod at LB.

I thought we looked "decent" considering it is still mixing and matching players at positions, and we played what was pretty much the starting XI for ROI as a WC tune-up. Not a lot of positives other than young players getting quality experience playing time on foreign soil.  CCV looked a bit shaky, and Hamid....it just doesn't appear he is ever going to grow into what's needed. Terrible positioning, indecisiveness on coming off his line or staying, and getting stuck  between etc... We need someone to step up at GK so badly

Agree -- GK used to be the one position I wasn't worried about. I can't believe no one has stepped up to the task. Maybe Horvath if he can get decent playing time at Brugge.

[rubecula]

what was the final score?

[Ghoat]

12 minutes ago, rubecula said:

what was the final score?

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.

[rubecula]

thanks Ghoat  

oh by the way  Leath Eirennach leath sassanach es ar me   

[Ghoat]

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 

[Romey 1878]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jun/07/hope-solo-2026-world-cup-united-states-bid-soccer

Thoughts?

[Ghoat]

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.

[markjazzbassist]

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.

[Ghoat]

1 minute ago, markjazzbassist said:

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.

^^^^^this^^^^

[Ghoat]

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.

 

[markjazzbassist]

the problems are that MLS controls everything, i hate that, the owners should control their own team and transfers.  Not so.  Rooney is neogotiating with MLS, then MLS allocates him to the team with "Next" in the allocation of new players.  This is dumb.  They do this so all the big names dont' just go to NY and LA, and have to go to Kansas City, Dallas, Orlando, etc.  But just like other leagues if they are a small city but play good football they will get the good players anyways.  dumb.

 

second issue, promtion relegation.  very american, all profit no penalty for doing shitty and being a shit owner.  

 

third issue the amount of money in the salary cap (see issue 1) makes for most teams to have 3 "top 5 europe league" level players, then maybe 8 championship/league 1 level players and then the whole bench/rest of squad is english non-league level players.  the depth in the league is non existent due to the salary structure.  hence not great end product on the pitch.

[Ghoat]

"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.

[rubecula]

Hope Solo is a bit batty but it doesn't make her wrong in everything.  I like the fact that she is taking on the big guys, even if she does get steam rollered.

[aaron]

US, Canadia and Mexico get the 2026 World Cup!

[Ghoat]

4 hours ago, aaron said:

US, Canadia and Mexico get the 2026 World Cup!

End NAFTA now!

[markjazzbassist]

giving us a free spot would be a bad idea.  i like us working for it, mexico too, just give canada the free spot, they are awful and wouldn't qualify anyways.

[aaron]

16 hours ago, markjazzbassist said:

giving us a free spot would be a bad idea.  i like us working for it, mexico too, just give canada the free spot, they are awful and wouldn't qualify anyways.

Bring Tomas Radzinski out of retirement!

[rubecula]

1 hour ago, aaron said:

Bring Tomas Radzinski out of retirement!

why not, he would be better than any shite around now, even if he was playing with one leg,

[Romey 1878]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/aug/10/six-months-into-his-reign-is-carlos-cordeiro-close-to-us-soccer-fortunes

Thoughts American's?

[markjazzbassist]

Yep he’s new boss same as the old boss.  I don’t think he’s ever played soccer he’s a lawyer or something, only in America.  

 

Tried to sign my son up (he’s 4) and it’s 50 bucks  plus a late fee (just found out about the league) plus we gotta buy the kit and cleats.  The kid is 4.  I got to invest around 150 to watch him and his buds play?  At this age I wouldn’t even call it that, it’s a blob of kids that moves with the ball all kicking each other.

 

also it’s organized by some kids dad, there’s no structure to the youth system until maybe middle school when kids can join “travel” teams where they hit the road to play other teams that are staffed with better players.  

 

We needed  new leader to bring fresh ideas.

[Sibdane]

Quote

“His biggest and hardest challenge lies ahead,” Lalas says. “I think he will need to be seen as bringing true change to how USSF deals with things like pay to play, player registration, youth development, pro league sanctioning standards. SUM/MLS relationship and governance structure. As Janet Jackson said, ‘What have you done for me lately?’”

As much as I can't stand Lalas, he is spot on right here. Pay-to-play is huge hurdle in youth soccer here, and as kids get older it only becomes more expensive which a lot of parents can't afford. 

[aaron]

2 hours ago, markjazzbassist said:

Yep he’s new boss same as the old boss.  I don’t think he’s ever played soccer he’s a lawyer or something, only in America.  

 

Tried to sign my son up (he’s 4) and it’s 50 bucks  plus a late fee (just found out about the league) plus we gotta buy the kit and cleats.  The kid is 4.  I got to invest around 150 to watch him and his buds play?  At this age I wouldn’t even call it that, it’s a blob of kids that moves with the ball all kicking each other.

 

also it’s organized by some kids dad, there’s no structure to the youth system until maybe middle school when kids can join “travel” teams where they hit the road to play other teams that are staffed with better players.  

 

We needed  new leader to bring fresh ideas.

I think the MLS needs a big change, you need a proper football league, not a layout similar to NFL, why would a American football fan watch a sport with the same league layout when they could just watch their own sport?

Introduce a proper 20 team league, have a secondary league which you can be relegated to and promoted from, create a better competition. That will bring audiences in, which in turn will create a better love for the sport.

Correct me if I'm wrong but the way I understand the MLS is that its split into western and eastern divisions, the top teams go on to verse each other in knockout games and the winner wins the MLS cup? If so this is what needs binning off. Save stuff like that for a league cup competition.

Do they still do drafts? Bin that off. Save that for other American sports. Bring in what the rest of the world do with football, have leagues, have something to aim for instead of just finishing first. The top 4 teams qualify for the north American champions league, bottom 3 get relegated.

Just my thoughts on it anyway, its probably been mentioned before but if the MLS insist on doing it differently to everyone else then I can only see that as a problem.

[markjazzbassist]

2 minutes ago, aaron said:

I think the MLS needs a big change, you need a proper football league, not a layout similar to NFL, why would a American football fan watch a sport with the same league layout when they could just watch their own sport?

Introduce a proper 20 team league, have a secondary league which you can be relegated to and promoted from, create a better competition. That will bring audiences in, which in turn will create a better love for the sport.

Correct me if I'm wrong but the way I understand the MLS is that its split into western and eastern divisions, the top teams go on to verse each other in knockout games and the winner wins the MLS cup? If so this is what needs binning off. Save stuff like that for a league cup competition.

Do they still do drafts? Bin that off. Save that for other American sports. Bring in what the rest of the world do with football, have leagues, have something to aim for instead of just finishing first. The top 4 teams qualify for the north American champions league, bottom 3 get relegated.

Just my thoughts on it anyway, its probably been mentioned before but if the MLS insist on doing it differently to everyone else then I can only see that as a problem.

i agree, but the owners love the american setup because they can never get relegated and their investment stays profitable.  they like the playoff system, more matches and revenue the greedy bastards.  the draft is stupid agreed.

 

they will never change that stuff, the MLS is making money and that's all they care about (just like other american sports, business first, sport second)

[aaron]

Just now, markjazzbassist said:

i agree, but the owners love the american setup because they can never get relegated and their investment stays profitable.  they like the playoff system, more matches and revenue the greedy bastards.  the draft is stupid agreed.

 

they will never change that stuff, the MLS is making money and that's all they care about (just like other american sports, business first, sport second)

Shame that, it is usually the butt of jokes in footballing terms but the MLS is decent, I can only seeing it getting better and better if they would do a proper league system.

[markjazzbassist]

7 minutes ago, aaron said:

Shame that, it is usually the butt of jokes in footballing terms but the MLS is decent, I can only seeing it getting better and better if they would do a proper league system.

agreed, sadly greed is prominent in US sports whereas at least in europe it's held at bay (ie the super league keeps getting turned down)

[Sibdane]

Relegation/Promotion is great and it works in Europe, but that model wouldn't work in the USA... yet. The league is set-up in a way to where it can't fold like it did before.

It's the same way with the salary cap. MLS teams don't get a huge injection of TV money like PL clubs do. If the MLS didn't have a salary cap then the richer teams would just keep on getting better with no limits on spending. At least in the PL the less financially fortunate teams have TV money to fall back on. 

The real problem for the MLS (and American players in general) is a lack of a strong grassroots footballing culture, including a poor youth set-up that costs a ton of money if you really won't your child to progess. The better your kid then the more you have to pay it seems. It should be the other way around! 

As far as the draft goes... I'm not really sure what you would do for those players coming out of college. It's obviously not the same as in Europe because teams here don't generally have a youth academy and players are coming from all over the USA... it's not as localized like it is across the pond. You could allow them to sign for any team, but then again the teams with the most money are going to get the best players year in, year out. 

I just don't think it's as easy as saying "Okay, that works over there. Let's do the exact same thing then." The blueprints for one league aren't necessarily applicable for another league. 

There does need to be a lot of change though, and I believe it will come over time. The quality of players keep getting better and better and financial restrictions are getting looser as well. My main gripe at them moment is how much control that MLS, the entity, has on transfers. If a player gets an offer from somewhere else then it has to be negotiated with the team AND MLS. That really bothers me since it raises the price on young American players and keeps them from moving abroad. If Pulisic was in MLS instead of the Bundesliga he'd probably be priced out of a move. 

[Ghoat]

Happy to see Antonee Jedi called up again, I hope gets at least 90 mins in one of the 2 upcoming, if not both

[Romey 1878]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/sep/04/usa-womens-soccer-team-white-hope-solo

Not the men's team but a decent read.

[rubecula]

57 minutes ago, Romey 1878 said:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/sep/04/usa-womens-soccer-team-white-hope-solo

Not the men's team but a decent read.

I like the article as it highlights certain things  but I would not say it was a decent read mate 

[markjazzbassist]

while i don't disagree with the premise of the article, Hope Solo is on a mission to discredit the US soccer because of her suspension and she lost the bid for president.  The lack of players of color is honestly due to the same reasons in the men's game, the cost to play.  not a new issue.

[aaron]

Club Internacional de Futbol Miami AKA Inter Miami is the name of Becks new MLS team. The use of Futbol in the name is a thumbs up from me.

[markjazzbassist]

Just now, aaron said:

Club Internacional de Futbol Miami AKA Inter Miami is the name of Becks new MLS team. The use of Futbol in the name is a thumbs up from me.

i think they did it since a large portion (majority?) of the population speaks spanish.  makes sense to me.

[aaron]

1 minute ago, markjazzbassist said:

i think they did it since a large portion (majority?) of the population speaks spanish.  makes sense to me.

I just like it because I'm being a proper football Hipster! ha

[Haiku]

Why they allow football clubs to participate in soccer league? It makes no sense.

[markjazzbassist]

10 minutes ago, Haiku said:

Why they allow football clubs to participate in soccer league? It makes no sense.

haha, good point.  its america a country of contradictions.

[Ghoat]

2-0 loss to Brazil, including an utterly blown penalty call. Attacked Robinson all night, and Douglas Costa abused him a time or two, but he hung in there and had a good game all in all. Good learning experience.

[nyblue23]

3 hours ago, Ghoat said:

2-0 loss to Brazil, including an utterly blown penalty call. Attacked Robinson all night, and Douglas Costa abused him a time or two, but he hung in there and had a good game all in all. Good learning experience.

Yeah that penalty was an abomination. In a friendly, too. You have to say something is wrong in the culture of Brazilian football for them to dive and act so much in even a trivial international friendly.

[Ghoat]

8 minutes ago, nyblue23 said:

Yeah that penalty was an abomination. In a friendly, too. You have to say something is wrong in the culture of Brazilian football for them to dive and act so much in even a trivial international friendly.

Yeah, I agree but if it "works" why stop? But God I hate theatrical football with a passion.

Honestly, I think in a VAR situation, that would have been overturned and a yellow issues for simulation. 

[MikeO]

3 hours ago, Ghoat said:

Yeah, I agree but if it "works" why stop? But God I hate theatrical football with a passion

Endemic now sadly.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/04/cloud-hanging-world-cup-fifa-england-colombia

[Sibdane]

Promotion/relegation on the way it seems (at least in the lower leagues).

View article...

[markjazzbassist]

15 minutes ago, sibdane said:

Promotion/relegation on the way it seems (at least in the lower leagues).

View article...

a real league in the US, who would have thought