***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (6 Viewers)

[Christo]

I don't think there's any basis for your initial conclusion. All we know about him is that with a bunch of average players who bought into his system he's molded an above average team. Give him a bunch of above average players who buy into his system and he may be able to make them a great team.

So you think he should coach elsewhere?

That's up to him. I was just voicing my disagreement with TLEF's statement that it's a foregone conclusion that he doesn't have the ability to coach better players.

Is that statement somewhere else? I'm not seeing it here.

Seems to me that Bradley might be the kind of guy that can take a mediocre team to a certain level, but no further.Lucky for us, we probably don't have the talent to get that high anyway

To me, this implies that he doesn't think Bradley has the ability to coach more talented players.

 

[scoobygang]

Correct. But, the big question really is, is if Bradley is the best coach we can get to institute/integrate those changes. There's really nothing to say that he is (heck there are a couple of MLS coaches who I'd rather have over him). In any case the one thing we can agree on is that the Red Bulls look like they've really turned the corner (as they should). Henry, Marquez, Angel, Richards, and the Estonian LW really brought it this weekend and Tchaini looked decent. Was really one of the more entertaining games I saw all weekend.

Is Reyna still the technical director? There's absolutely no reason why Bradley or Reyna couldn't try to institute a plan like Klinsmann's. The key is going to be de-centralizing the instruction, which is something we're already beginning to see. The U-20 teams we're taking to the Milk Cup and other competitions are not being drawn out of Bradenton anymore. They're being drawn largely from the academies of MLS and overseas teams. The U.S. has one big disadvantage in that it may be difficult to have the type of relationship with the European teams, whereas the almost all young German nationals come through Bundesliga academies. But if the MLS academies buy into the program (or at least freely communicate with the national team), we're going to see a lot more players a lot earlier. Particularly if the academies can get into the ethnic communities where players might not have been on the standard travelling teams.

 

[Christo]

I think his hands are tied given the talent level of his players.

His hands are certainly tied to some extent. He doesn't have the talent of an elite team.

But he still made several god awful lineup decisions. The fact that he pulled Clarke 20 minutes into the game was an admission of that. Findley blowing a shot that i could have finished (quit soccer when i was 9) all but proves it.

I think that goes on the positive side of the ledger for him. It shows he has the ability to assess his decisions, admit when he's made a mistake and correct them. In the grand scheme of #### ups by coaches at the last WC (See France & Brazil), Bradley's was fairly benign.

 

[Christo]

I don't think that Bob Bradley is the coach to take the US to the next level. Furthermore, I think he's hurting the growth of the best up and coming talent that the USMNT has, and that's his son Michael.

How is he hurting Michael?

 

[Christo]

I'm prefacing this by saying I like Bradley ok- but even though I'm supporting him here, I'm not a huge supporter of his.

I've said for a while that US players have tended (although a slight shift is happening) to play to their strengths: conditioning, pace, tactical awareness and lack of technical foot-ability (but good tactical field-awareness). this leads them to play a 2-touch game from youth all the way up through MLS to the USMNT. it's a kind of bastardization of the central american short passing game (minus the dribbling/holding ability) with a more direct european game (I'm thinking more classical English and central europe here). I'm taking the leap, that it's been perpetuated because it's easier to teach those kind of skills and succeed than it is to teach kids advanced foot-skills and tactics (especially in the void before MLS).

I've been hearing noise from the youth level that coaches are being directed to allow more freedom to their players- incorporating futsol type games in practice in an effort to up the overall skill level. I caught a u19 game on FSC recently and was legitimately impressed with some of the things a couple of the players were doing in terms of taking guys on and trying things out in attack (MF and forward)... let alone with the overall skill level and game-awareness in all the players- especially compared to what I saw in my day.

We'll see where it goes- but with increased exposure to how the game is supposed to be played (seeing it live and on tv), kids can only get better... as long as coaches are in place that allow that kind of freedom. Regarding Bradley- again, I've seen him adapt his tactics based on the players in front of him, so I feel pretty confident that given players who bring more, he'll open the door more. But I think we're still another couple of WC cycles away from that.

Correct. But, the big question really is, is if Bradley is the best coach we can get to institute/integrate those changes. There's really nothing to say that he is (heck there are a couple of MLS coaches who I'd rather have over him). In any case the one thing we can agree on is that the Red Bulls look like they've really turned the corner (as they should). Henry, Marquez, Angel, Richards, and the Estonian LW really brought it this weekend and Tchaini looked decent. Was really one of the more entertaining games I saw all weekend.

Yeah... see- I don't think it's Bradley's responsibility to institute/integrate those changes. It's his job to get the players we've got to get the best results possible.Unless I'm wrong here- I don't think the USMNT is the top of some kind of US holistic soccer pyramid that feeds the rest of the sport. Seems to me, it's the other way around- and once the base raises it's game, Bradley/future-coach will have more to work with. ... sorry... with which to work.

I agree with this. It's Gulati's job to make sure the overall framework is there. Bradley's job is to get the best out of our best.

 

[El Floppo]

Seems to me that Bradley might be the kind of guy that can take a mediocre team to a certain level, but no further.Lucky for us, we probably don't have the talent to get that high anyway

To me, this implies that he doesn't think Bradley has the ability to coach more talented players.

TLEF? I see it as Bradley being unable to take mediocre players and make them a great team. No mention or implication of better players IMO.

 

[El Floppo]

Correct. But, the big question really is, is if Bradley is the best coach we can get to institute/integrate those changes. There's really nothing to say that he is (heck there are a couple of MLS coaches who I'd rather have over him). In any case the one thing we can agree on is that the Red Bulls look like they've really turned the corner (as they should). Henry, Marquez, Angel, Richards, and the Estonian LW really brought it this weekend and Tchaini looked decent. Was really one of the more entertaining games I saw all weekend.

Is Reyna still the technical director? There's absolutely no reason why Bradley or Reyna couldn't try to institute a plan like Klinsmann's. The key is going to be de-centralizing the instruction, which is something we're already beginning to see. The U-20 teams we're taking to the Milk Cup and other competitions are not being drawn out of Bradenton anymore. They're being drawn largely from the academies of MLS and overseas teams. The U.S. has one big disadvantage in that it may be difficult to have the type of relationship with the European teams, whereas the almost all young German nationals come through Bundesliga academies. But if the MLS academies buy into the program (or at least freely communicate with the national team), we're going to see a lot more players a lot earlier. Particularly if the academies can get into the ethnic communities where players might not have been on the standard travelling teams.

great posting.

 

[otello]

Watching the replay of Blackpool-Fulham. Great environment by the Blackpool fans and the team played a brilliant game. They put pressure on the Fulham goal for most of the second half and were unfortunate to only draw. Great story so far this year.

From what I read, Blackpool should have won. Could this team really survive the season in the EPL?

 

[scoobygang]

I don't think that Bob Bradley is the coach to take the US to the next level. Furthermore, I think he's hurting the growth of the best up and coming talent that the USMNT has, and that's his son Michael.

How is he hurting Michael?

Not to answer for Z, but I've read suggestions elsewhere that Bob's reliance on Michael as a dual holding MF has slowed his growth as a potential box to box MF. Bradley definitely offers a lot when he has the freedom to get forward. That's somewhat rare in the U.S. system.

 

[Christo]

Seems to me that Bradley might be the kind of guy that can take a mediocre team to a certain level, but no further.Lucky for us, we probably don't have the talent to get that high anyway

To me, this implies that he doesn't think Bradley has the ability to coach more talented players.

TLEF? I see it as Bradley being unable to take mediocre players and make them a great team. No mention or implication of better players IMO.

Except for the second sentence.

 

[Native]

Final day of th transfer window and lots of interesting deals going down. Milan sells Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to Schalke for only 13M Euro. Ive always rated Huntelaar quite high and think he could thrive in the right situation. Schalke is playing CL this year so it will be interesting to see how he performs now that he will finally get his long awaited chance of first team football.

 

[Christo]

I don't think that Bob Bradley is the coach to take the US to the next level. Furthermore, I think he's hurting the growth of the best up and coming talent that the USMNT has, and that's his son Michael.

How is he hurting Michael?

Not to answer for Z, but I've read suggestions elsewhere that Bob's reliance on Michael as a dual holding MF has slowed his growth as a potential box to box MF. Bradley definitely offers a lot when he has the freedom to get forward. That's somewhat rare in the U.S. system.

De minimus, IMO. In the last two years he's played more games with BM than he's played in his entire career with the USMNT.

 

[GoFishTN]

There's a t-shirt in the Spurs shop that I really want, but it's going to cost like $40 with the exchange rate and shipping. Does anyone have any experience picking up club merchandise in a cheaper way?

 

[El Floppo]

There's a t-shirt in the Spurs shop that I really want, but it's going to cost like $40 with the exchange rate and shipping. Does anyone have any experience picking up club merchandise in a cheaper way?

 

[Desert_Power]

Final day of th transfer window and lots of interesting deals going down. Milan sells Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to Schalke for only 13M Euro. Ive always rated Huntelaar quite high and think he could thrive in the right situation. Schalke is playing CL this year so it will be interesting to see how he performs now that he will finally get his long awaited chance of first team football.

Huntelaar is very underrated. When Real had him for half a season he was money.

 

[El Floppo]

Final day of th transfer window and lots of interesting deals going down. Milan sells Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to Schalke for only 13M Euro. Ive always rated Huntelaar quite high and think he could thrive in the right situation. Schalke is playing CL this year so it will be interesting to see how he performs now that he will finally get his long awaited chance of first team football.

Huntelaar is very underrated. When Real had him for half a season he was money.

I owe him another look, I guess- wasn't impressed with him at Milan. Poor man's Kuyt.

 

[GoFishTN]

There's a t-shirt in the Spurs shop that I really want, but it's going to cost like $40 with the exchange rate and shipping. Does anyone have any experience picking up club merchandise in a cheaper way?

 

[prefontaine]

Catching up a bit....

Not a fan of the Bradley re-up. I'd like to see new blood but mostly I'd like Gulati to get replaced. I think he lacks vision. Anyway, Bradley is a good tactical coach and will be fine. I just would like to see a different vision longer term.

Did it get mentioned DMB signed with Hannover?

Ibra never fit in with Barca but will do well at Milan but for the record, Bojan is a little #####.

Many are underrating Yaya who is a fantastic player. He is probably not the best fit for the role he was asked to play at Barca and Mascherano will be much better at it. But I think he's going to be a real force in the coming years in the EPL.

I don't get how a Nat'l Team coach can stunt the growth of a player. 90% of the time players are with their club. I don't think Bradley has stunted Clint's growth at all, I just think he doesn't use him right (I understand why though). Just bc Mikey is asked to do different things for club and country doesn't mean it stunts his growth especially since I'm pretty sure he's a whiz kid and soaks it all in.

Blackpool is not gonna stay up. It would be a great story, but just isn't in the cards just like Burnley last season.

 

[The Z Machine]

I don't think that Bob Bradley is the coach to take the US to the next level. Furthermore, I think he's hurting the growth of the best up and coming talent that the USMNT has, and that's his son Michael.

How is he hurting Michael?

I think he's stunting his development psychologically simply by being his father.There's no way that he can treat Michael the same way he does the other players on the roster. It's impossible. Therefore, Michael is by default not getting the same sort of interaction with the head coach that the other players are getting. That's detrimental IMO.Michael needs to have a "regular" relationship with the head coach, not something different.

 

[The Z Machine]

I don't think that Bob Bradley is the coach to take the US to the next level. Furthermore, I think he's hurting the growth of the best up and coming talent that the USMNT has, and that's his son Michael.

How is he hurting Michael?

Not to answer for Z, but I've read suggestions elsewhere that Bob's reliance on Michael as a dual holding MF has slowed his growth as a potential box to box MF. Bradley definitely offers a lot when he has the freedom to get forward. That's somewhat rare in the U.S. system.

I think it goes far beyond the technical. It would be very hard to find a father-son relationship that improves the development of the son when his father is the head coach. I'm sure there are some, but it's not something that I'd like to risk with a very bright spot (the brightest?) for the US going forward.

 

[The Z Machine]

I'm prefacing this by saying I like Bradley ok- but even though I'm supporting him here, I'm not a huge supporter of his.

I've said for a while that US players have tended (although a slight shift is happening) to play to their strengths: conditioning, pace, tactical awareness and lack of technical foot-ability (but good tactical field-awareness). this leads them to play a 2-touch game from youth all the way up through MLS to the USMNT. it's a kind of bastardization of the central american short passing game (minus the dribbling/holding ability) with a more direct european game (I'm thinking more classical English and central europe here). I'm taking the leap, that it's been perpetuated because it's easier to teach those kind of skills and succeed than it is to teach kids advanced foot-skills and tactics (especially in the void before MLS).

I've been hearing noise from the youth level that coaches are being directed to allow more freedom to their players- incorporating futsol type games in practice in an effort to up the overall skill level. I caught a u19 game on FSC recently and was legitimately impressed with some of the things a couple of the players were doing in terms of taking guys on and trying things out in attack (MF and forward)... let alone with the overall skill level and game-awareness in all the players- especially compared to what I saw in my day.

We'll see where it goes- but with increased exposure to how the game is supposed to be played (seeing it live and on tv), kids can only get better... as long as coaches are in place that allow that kind of freedom. Regarding Bradley- again, I've seen him adapt his tactics based on the players in front of him, so I feel pretty confident that given players who bring more, he'll open the door more. But I think we're still another couple of WC cycles away from that.

Correct. But, the big question really is, is if Bradley is the best coach we can get to institute/integrate those changes. There's really nothing to say that he is (heck there are a couple of MLS coaches who I'd rather have over him). In any case the one thing we can agree on is that the Red Bulls look like they've really turned the corner (as they should). Henry, Marquez, Angel, Richards, and the Estonian LW really brought it this weekend and Tchaini looked decent. Was really one of the more entertaining games I saw all weekend.

Yeah... see- I don't think it's Bradley's responsibility to institute/integrate those changes. It's his job to get the players we've got to get the best results possible.Unless I'm wrong here- I don't think the USMNT is the top of some kind of US holistic soccer pyramid that feeds the rest of the sport. Seems to me, it's the other way around- and once the base raises it's game, Bradley/future-coach will have more to work with. ... sorry... with which to work.

I agree with this. It's Gulati's job to make sure the overall framework is there. Bradley's job is to get the best out of our best.

Oh I definitely think Gulati's got to go. He's bringing the USMNT down now IMO. His time has come and gone, and it's time to get some new leadership in place. Maybe it's not good to rock the boat prior to the next WC bids being decided, but if the US doesn't get a WC in the next few cycles, Gulati has to go.

 

[The Gator]

30mins to go, right? There any good update sites for the deadline? I'm checking in on telegraph.co.uk :X

 

[The Gator]

17.40 We're now hearing that the deal for Asamoah Gyan is not quite done, but almost. Just a couple of details being thrashed out. "You will clear space around corner flag for me to dance, yes?" "Yes." "OK, I sign."

:X

 

[Sammy3469]

Oh I definitely think Gulati's got to go. He's bringing the USMNT down now IMO. His time has come and gone, and it's time to get some new leadership in place. Maybe it's not good to rock the boat prior to the next WC bids being decided, but if the US doesn't get a WC in the next few cycles, Gulati has to go.

Well Gulati isn't going anywhere until FIFA decides where the 2018/22 WCs will be in December. I have to think that if the US doesn't get one of the two, there's a very good chance he's gone. I have to at that point whoever replaces him would want his own coach. I actually think a lot of the Bradley re-hire has to do with not rocking the boat before those votes.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

from goal.com:

Insua loaned out to Galatasaray

Robinho confirmed to Milan

Aguero's agent confirms he is not leaving Athletico

conflicting news on Ryan Babel to Spurs (unconfirmed but reported as: "Goal.com can reveal that ...")

 

[The Gator]

15.17 It's done. Paul Konchesky is officially a Liverpool player. Lauri Dalla Valle and Alex Kacaniklic, both of whom frankly sound made up, move in the opposite direction.

This dude is killing me

 

[CletiusMaximus]

window now closed, but there are always several deals announced later this evening after physicals are completed

Also seeing that one of my all time favorites, Eidur Gudjohnson, is rumored to be making the seemingly bizarre move from Monaco to Stoke.

 

[The Z Machine]

Aguero's agent confirms he is not leaving Athletico

WOOO HOOOO!!!!Oh and it's Atlético. You can omit the accent on the 'e' if you must, but please don't put an 'h' in the name.TIA.¡VAMOS COLCHONEROS! ¡AUPA ATLETI!!!

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

30mins to go, right? There any good update sites for the deadline? I'm checking in on telegraph.co.uk

Sucks. Once again, Everton sits on their hands on the final transfer day despite the desperate need for a striker. The only move is Yobo to Fenerbahce on a season-long loan. I wish they would have just sold him outright.

 

[scoobygang]

Ryan Babel taking a helicoptor jaunt around England only to eventually stay at Liverpool was a bit anti-climactic, but it spawned some good Easy Lover jokes on the Guardian blog.

 

[Desert_Power]

Also seeing that one of my all time favorites, Eidur Gudjohnson, is rumored to be making the seemingly bizarre move from Monaco to Stoke.

Always really liked Eidur. I thought he has been looking to get back to permanently England to play for sometime. His sons are still with Barca Youth academy and I think he still resides there. He didn't do too bad in half a season with Spurs, hopefully he can get some more playing time with Stoke.

 

[Native]

Last minute signing - Rafael Van Der Vaart to Tottenham for 7 million pounds? Wow. Real is practically giving him away. Props to Rednapp if this goes through.

 

[Native]

Catching up a bit....

Not a fan of the Bradley re-up. I'd like to see new blood but mostly I'd like Gulati to get replaced. I think he lacks vision. Anyway, Bradley is a good tactical coach and will be fine. I just would like to see a different vision longer term.

Did it get mentioned DMB signed with Hannover?

Ibra never fit in with Barca but will do well at Milan but for the record, Bojan is a little #####.

Many are underrating Yaya who is a fantastic player. He is probably not the best fit for the role he was asked to play at Barca and Mascherano will be much better at it. But I think he's going to be a real force in the coming years in the EPL.

I don't get how a Nat'l Team coach can stunt the growth of a player. 90% of the time players are with their club. I don't think Bradley has stunted Clint's growth at all, I just think he doesn't use him right (I understand why though). Just bc Mikey is asked to do different things for club and country doesn't mean it stunts his growth especially since I'm pretty sure he's a whiz kid and soaks it all in.

Blackpool is not gonna stay up. It would be a great story, but just isn't in the cards just like Burnley last season.

Completely missed that one. Heres the link

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id...ers&cc=5901

DMB is probably the oldest 28 year old soccer player in the world.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Also seeing that one of my all time favorites, Eidur Gudjohnson, is rumored to be making the seemingly bizarre move from Monaco to Stoke.

Always really liked Eidur. I thought he has been looking to get back to permanently England to play for sometime. His sons are still with Barca Youth academy and I think he still resides there. He didn't do too bad in half a season with Spurs, hopefully he can get some more playing time with Stoke.

reminds me of this excellent youtube video I stumbled on a while back:
I pulled this move on my son and his friend in our back yard a couple weeks ago. Awesome move but I nearly broke my back.

 

[Native]

Also seeing that one of my all time favorites, Eidur Gudjohnson, is rumored to be making the seemingly bizarre move from Monaco to Stoke.

Always really liked Eidur. I thought he has been looking to get back to permanently England to play for sometime. His sons are still with Barca Youth academy and I think he still resides there. He didn't do too bad in half a season with Spurs, hopefully he can get some more playing time with Stoke.

reminds me of this excellent youtube video I stumbled on a while back:

Everyones favorite Eidur Moment

 

[GoFishTN]

Van der Vaart approved. W00T.

 

[Native]

Van der Vaart approved. W00T.

Lucky Spurs fans - his wife is one of the hottest girls on the planet

 

[El Floppo]

George Vescey on the Bradley decision in the NYTimes

I bolded a bit below about Bradley's non-responsibility for things outside the USMNT

Bob Bradley’s Return Is Right Move for U.S. Soccer

By GEORGE VECSEY

Published: August 31, 2010

The rising expectations for United States soccer — some of them unrealistic at this point — did not, ultimately, get in the way of a very good choice of a coach for the next four years.

Bob Bradley faced criticism after the United States lost in the second round of the World Cup, but it didn't cost him his job.

It will be Bob Bradley, the very same coach who has handled the team for the past four years. There was no über-coach to come floating out of the sky with the ability to bolster the American playing pool by a full generation with some magic trick, some secret code he had learned on the practice fields of Europe or South America.

Bradley will have to keep the United States in contention for the Round of 16 in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil because that is the standard now. This is by no means guaranteed.

The worst thing that happened to Bradley was the falling dominoes from Italy, France and England that eased the Americans’ path in the knockout rounds at the recent World Cup in South Africa. That raised hopes back home among people trying to squeeze into the local pub to watch — a whole new phenomenon.

“We had hopes — but so did Ghana,” said Sunil Gulati, the president of the United States Soccer Federation, who reintroduced Bradley on Tuesday. Gulati added, “If we had played Germany and lost, 2-1, in overtime, it would have been quite different.” Instead, the Americans lost to Ghana, and the wait began.

The best thing that happened to Bradley was probably the 2-0 trouncing by Brazil in an exhibition in mid-August. A young Brazil team shimmied through the American defense, leaving me (and maybe even Gulati and Bradley) to wonder who was going to make up the back line for the next four years.

•

Gulati expressed his theory that the top level of soccer is Brazil, always Brazil, and also Argentina, Italy, Spain, Germany, England and the Netherlands. The United States is not there yet. He and Bradley know that. Gulati talks about improving all of American soccer, from discovery and scouting to training and teaching to paying immigrant youngsters to stay with the sport. None of that will be Bradley’s role.

Gulati acknowledged and shrugged off the staleness factor, the fact that very few coaches have handled the same national team in two straight World Cups.

“I don’t worry about lineups and substitutions,” Gulati said Tuesday. But the bigger picture shows that the Americans fell behind early in three of their four games in South Africa, which could be seen as a disturbing trend. In the end, Gulati said, Bradley had coached more than 70 games and would benefit from his experience.

Bradley said a very un-Bob-like thing by musing out loud about reinventing himself. He is not likely to lose the hard work and acquired knowledge and intelligence and something of a glint behind the hard shell.

The entire team can be closed off at times: pre-World Cup practices at Princeton were not open to the public. Judging from his relaxed demeanor Tuesday, Bradley may try not to seem like such a sobersides next time around.

The important thing is, the Americans move the ball better than they ever did. Under Bradley, stalwarts like Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, Steve Cherundolo and Clint Dempsey have thrived. The best American player in the World Cup was probably Michael Bradley, the coach’s highly competitive son, who has developed a better touch with the ball.

The real key to the next four years will be if the country can produce more talented and hungry players. Bradley said he was inspired by the awareness of the American public, and also by the way coaches like Alex Ferguson of Manchester United and José Mourinho of Real Madrid have greeted him and praised him in public.

He did not deny that he had investigated jobs overseas, or that he would like to try Europe someday, but he seemed reinvigorated that the decision had been made — the right decision.

 

[Moe.]

I really like Bradley as a coach, but I do kind of agree with Z's point about the whole father-son relationship between the coach and our best player. Definitely not ideal. Also, I'm hopeful that Bradley won't be overly loyal to certain players. For some reason Dempsey comes to mind immediately. He's been great and if he is still one of the best 11 in 2014 then so be it. I just hope that Bradley is able to make that decision objectively.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Everton Made Late Bid for Donovan

 

[El Floppo]

Everton Made Late Bid for Donovan

Hmmmm... more interesting to me is the MLS/ Adidas thing at the end of the article... 200mil- not so bad for the league.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Looks like the US may have more qualifying games coming up

================================================================================

==

Reports in the Honduran media and a radio interview with CONCACAF deputy secretary Mario Monterrosa outline the changes to CONCACAF World Cup qualifying the Confederation will present to FIFA in September.

Under the new system, the 6 teams in CONCACAF with the lowest FIFA ranking will playoff against each other to reduce the total number of CONCACAF teams to 32. Those teams will then be drawn by lottery into 8 groups of 4 teams. The top two teams from each group advance to a second group stage with 4 groups of 4 teams. The top 2 teams from those groups advance to a final group stage with 2 groups of 4 teams.

The two group winners qualify for the World Cup. Depending on CONCACAF successfully lobbying for 4 World Cup slots, the runners-up in each group would also qualify. If the total number of World Cup slots is 3.5, the same as the last World Cup, the runners-up would play off against each other. The winner would automatically advance with the loser playing off against a team from another Confederation for the final slot.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Everton Made Late Bid for Donovan

Hmmmm... more interesting to me is the MLS/ Adidas thing at the end of the article... 200mil- not so bad for the league.

I agree, it is fantastic for the league and for US soccer in general. To think the old 150 million deal for 10 years was fantastic in itself. In this enconomy to now improve that to 200M over just 8 years is wonderful.MLS is hitting on all financial cylinders except for arguably the most important and that is people watching on TV. The World Cup provided almost no new fans to the league on TV.

Here is the text about the Adidas deal:

===============================

"Major League Soccer this week struck a significant deal by completing a new eight-year, $200 million marketing deal with Adidas. The contract replaced the previous deal worth $150 million over 10 years and is a serious boost to MLS in difficult economic times.

Most of the discussions were thrashed out during the World Cup in South Africa, when MLS chiefs and the Adidas hierarchy negotiated in person and looked to build a collective blueprint for future success. The deal, which was rubber-stamped last weekend and announced on Monday, will focus heavily on youth development."

 

[El Floppo]

Looks like the US may have more qualifying games coming up==================================================================================Reports in the Honduran media and a radio interview with CONCACAF deputy secretary Mario Monterrosa outline the changes to CONCACAF World Cup qualifying the Confederation will present to FIFA in September.Under the new system, the 6 teams in CONCACAF with the lowest FIFA ranking will playoff against each other to reduce the total number of CONCACAF teams to 32. Those teams will then be drawn by lottery into 8 groups of 4 teams. The top two teams from each group advance to a second group stage with 4 groups of 4 teams. The top 2 teams from those groups advance to a final group stage with 2 groups of 4 teams.The two group winners qualify for the World Cup. Depending on CONCACAF successfully lobbying for 4 World Cup slots, the runners-up in each group would also qualify. If the total number of World Cup slots is 3.5, the same as the last World Cup, the runners-up would play off against each other. The winner would automatically advance with the loser playing off against a team from another Confederation for the final slot.

Not sure I like this. Means the US has to win it's group every time or face essentially a sudden death playoff? that said- 2 groups of 4, with the US likely getting a top ranking, means a diluted group for the US to play against. THat said again- I think the 3rd place teams in the region are all pretty equal (Jamaica, T&T, Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala... even Panama) and will make a tough go of it for any visiting team.Canada's got to be getting better pretty soon, right?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Looks like the US may have more qualifying games coming up==================================================================================Reports in the Honduran media and a radio interview with CONCACAF deputy secretary Mario Monterrosa outline the changes to CONCACAF World Cup qualifying the Confederation will present to FIFA in September.Under the new system, the 6 teams in CONCACAF with the lowest FIFA ranking will playoff against each other to reduce the total number of CONCACAF teams to 32. Those teams will then be drawn by lottery into 8 groups of 4 teams. The top two teams from each group advance to a second group stage with 4 groups of 4 teams. The top 2 teams from those groups advance to a final group stage with 2 groups of 4 teams.The two group winners qualify for the World Cup. Depending on CONCACAF successfully lobbying for 4 World Cup slots, the runners-up in each group would also qualify. If the total number of World Cup slots is 3.5, the same as the last World Cup, the runners-up would play off against each other. The winner would automatically advance with the loser playing off against a team from another Confederation for the final slot.

Not sure I like this. Means the US has to win it's group every time or face essentially a sudden death playoff? Canada's got to be getting better pretty soon, right?

I think the US only has to win the final group. The other rounds, they only need to come in second. That 4th spot would be huge, but that may have been harmed when the US lost to Ghana which had the dual affect of hurting Concacaf and helping Africa's poor World Cup.I am not sure Canada will be that much better in qualifying for 2014 but with 4 Canadian teams entrenched in MLS soon, their depth and level of play should slowly get better making them a dangerous side for 2018 qualifying.

 

[El Floppo]

Looks like the US may have more qualifying games coming up==================================================================================Reports in the Honduran media and a radio interview with CONCACAF deputy secretary Mario Monterrosa outline the changes to CONCACAF World Cup qualifying the Confederation will present to FIFA in September.Under the new system, the 6 teams in CONCACAF with the lowest FIFA ranking will playoff against each other to reduce the total number of CONCACAF teams to 32. Those teams will then be drawn by lottery into 8 groups of 4 teams. The top two teams from each group advance to a second group stage with 4 groups of 4 teams. The top 2 teams from those groups advance to a final group stage with 2 groups of 4 teams.The two group winners qualify for the World Cup. Depending on CONCACAF successfully lobbying for 4 World Cup slots, the runners-up in each group would also qualify. If the total number of World Cup slots is 3.5, the same as the last World Cup, the runners-up would play off against each other. The winner would automatically advance with the loser playing off against a team from another Confederation for the final slot.

Not sure I like this. Means the US has to win it's group every time or face essentially a sudden death playoff? Canada's got to be getting better pretty soon, right?

I think the US only has to win the final group. The other rounds, they only need to come in second. That 4th spot would be huge, but that may have been harmed when the US lost to Ghana which had the dual affect of hurting Concacaf and helping Africa's poor World Cup.I am not sure Canada will be that much better in qualifying for 2014 but with 4 Canadian teams entrenched in MLS soon, their depth and level of play should slowly get better making them a dangerous side for 2018 qualifying.

I get that they need to win their final group... didn't come out right above. Point I was tyring to make- assuming US and Mexico are top ranked coming out of initial group play, they won't be paired in the same final group... I guess? But if they do, that's going to be a pressure cooker for sure- I don't see the US outpointing Mexico again (at least topping them in overall group play) for a LONG time given the crop of young tremendously talented players Mexico has. So in a way, the US does have to win it's initial groups (given that winners aren't paired in the same subsequent group). .... oof.... I'm completely bushed... did that make any sense? I had a point int here somewhere.

 

[Eephus]

Everton Made Late Bid for Donovan

Hmmmm... more interesting to me is the MLS/ Adidas thing at the end of the article... 200mil- not so bad for the league.

it would almost pay for the Citeh's summer transfers

 

[Eephus]

Looks like the US may have more qualifying games coming up==================================================================================Reports in the Honduran media and a radio interview with CONCACAF deputy secretary Mario Monterrosa outline the changes to CONCACAF World Cup qualifying the Confederation will present to FIFA in September.Under the new system, the 6 teams in CONCACAF with the lowest FIFA ranking will playoff against each other to reduce the total number of CONCACAF teams to 32. Those teams will then be drawn by lottery into 8 groups of 4 teams. The top two teams from each group advance to a second group stage with 4 groups of 4 teams. The top 2 teams from those groups advance to a final group stage with 2 groups of 4 teams.The two group winners qualify for the World Cup. Depending on CONCACAF successfully lobbying for 4 World Cup slots, the runners-up in each group would also qualify. If the total number of World Cup slots is 3.5, the same as the last World Cup, the runners-up would play off against each other. The winner would automatically advance with the loser playing off against a team from another Confederation for the final slot.

Not sure I like this. Means the US has to win it's group every time or face essentially a sudden death playoff? Canada's got to be getting better pretty soon, right?

I think the US only has to win the final group. The other rounds, they only need to come in second. That 4th spot would be huge, but that may have been harmed when the US lost to Ghana which had the dual affect of hurting Concacaf and helping Africa's poor World Cup.I am not sure Canada will be that much better in qualifying for 2014 but with 4 Canadian teams entrenched in MLS soon, their depth and level of play should slowly get better making them a dangerous side for 2018 qualifying.

I get that they need to win their final group... didn't come out right above. Point I was tyring to make- assuming US and Mexico are top ranked coming out of initial group play, they won't be paired in the same final group... I guess? But if they do, that's going to be a pressure cooker for sure- I don't see the US outpointing Mexico again (at least topping them in overall group play) for a LONG time given the crop of young tremendously talented players Mexico has. So in a way, the US does have to win it's initial groups (given that winners aren't paired in the same subsequent group). .... oof.... I'm completely bushed... did that make any sense? I had a point int here somewhere.

I think it'll give a few more meaningful internationals for some of the CONCACAF minnows, although who knows if these are profitable for the confederations and the promoters.

 

[El Floppo]

I think the point I"m tryign to make is this- if we have to win our final group, we don't want to be in Mexico's group until this generation is gone. I don't like having to do a playoff against a Costa Rica or Honduras for our WC life.

 

[wilked]

was at La Liga game tonite vs Revs... Revs got destroyed, I am glad they lost. Shoulda been 4-1. American soccer has a loooong way to go