***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (2 Viewers)

[Eephus]

I was reading an article with regard to the new availability of OL's Lloris. It seemed odd considering OL is a pretty big French club and there were not clear openings in any of the other big European teams.Apparently France's new tax structure is forcing team's to offload players so a lot of players that wouldn't normally be available suddenly are. It's not uncommon for Ligue 1 players to move, but there may be a fair amount of players that are exepcted to leave eventually being made available this transfer window. It's definitely something to keep an eye on.

The new Hollande government has proposed a 75% tax rate on income exceeding €1M which is 25-35% higher than the rest of Europe. It's not forcing teams to dump players but it does create an incentive for players to go elsewhere.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

The Euro Final was the most watched sporting event on cable TV last week just topping 4 million viewers and edging out the NASCAR race on TNT.

MLS should continue to reap the benefits of the growing interest in international soccer. It's just a matter time until we are a Bundesliga caliber league IMHO.

If the Euro flies apart or is massively devalued MLS could have a windfall until/unless the dollar does the same thing. Definitely not out of the question that a whole other caliber of player might decide that playing in the US has some appeal.

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

Any interest in the Copa Libertadores final tomorrow night? In in Sao Paolo this week and looking forward to finding a lively place to have a beer and watch this match. Huge rivalry between Boca Juniors (Buenos Aires) and Corinthians (Sao Paolo).

I'm travelling with a Swede so the two Gringoes should stand out considerably in the crowd of Brazilians.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Any interest in the Copa Libertadores final tomorrow night? In in Sao Paolo this week and looking forward to finding a lively place to have a beer and watch this match. Huge rivalry between Boca Juniors (Buenos Aires) and Corinthians (Sao Paolo).I'm travelling with a Swede so the two Gringoes should stand out considerably in the crowd of Brazilians.

Schmutzig, that should be an awesome take! Tied 1-1 after the first leg. And no away goals rule. If tied after the match tomorrow, it goes into a 30 minute OT and then PK's.Any chance you can get to the match itself? The atmosphere and the women would like be fantastic!

 

[NewlyRetired]

The Euro Final was the most watched sporting event on cable TV last week just topping 4 million viewers and edging out the NASCAR race on TNT.

MLS should continue to reap the benefits of the growing interest in international soccer. It's just a matter time until we are a Bundesliga caliber league IMHO.

If the Euro flies apart or is massively devalued MLS could have a windfall until/unless the dollar does the same thing. Definitely not out of the question that a whole other caliber of player might decide that playing in the US has some appeal.

That is a long shot IMO. MLS salaries, on the whole are still too low. And with places like Qatar, China, Brazil, and Russia all starting to pay good money, it will be harder for MLS to attract the big name players in their early 30's.

MLS does not need to be the Bundesliga nor will it ever get near that popularity/quality certainly in my lifetime IMO.

MLS should just continue the steady growth path it is on. Should the league get lucky and fall into a decent TV contract in 2014, then the quality will continue to rise as the salary cap will then go up.

MLS just needs to keep building the infrastructure (stadiums, fields, academies, knowledgeable media, announcers etc etc etc) and then try and become the best the league in North America first. That distinction is certainly achievable in the next 10-20 years IMO.

The league is now out of the dark days of the early 2000's where it was fair to ask if it was going to make it. Now resources can be channeled entirely into growth as they have the last 5-6 years.

 

[Eephus]

The Euro Final was the most watched sporting event on cable TV last week just topping 4 million viewers and edging out the NASCAR race on TNT.

MLS should continue to reap the benefits of the growing interest in international soccer. It's just a matter time until we are a Bundesliga caliber league IMHO.

If the Euro flies apart or is massively devalued MLS could have a windfall until/unless the dollar does the same thing. Definitely not out of the question that a whole other caliber of player might decide that playing in the US has some appeal.

That is a long shot IMO. MLS salaries, on the whole are still too low. And with places like Qatar, China, Brazil, and Russia all starting to pay good money, it will be harder for MLS to attract the big name players in their early 30's.

MLS does not need to be the Bundesliga nor will it ever get near that popularity/quality certainly in my lifetime IMO.

MLS should just continue the steady growth path it is on. Should the league get lucky and fall into a decent TV contract in 2014, then the quality will continue to rise as the salary cap will then go up.

MLS just needs to keep building the infrastructure (stadiums, fields, academies, knowledgeable media, announcers etc etc etc) and then try and become the best the league in North America first. That distinction is certainly achievable in the next 10-20 years IMO.

The league is now out of the dark days of the early 2000's where it was fair to ask if it was going to make it. Now resources can be channeled entirely into growth as they have the last 5-6 years.

the MLS has done a good job with sustainable growth on and off the field. Let other teams in other countries make Eto'o and Drogba ridiculously wealthy.

 

[Slapdash]

The Euro Final was the most watched sporting event on cable TV last week just topping 4 million viewers and edging out the NASCAR race on TNT.

MLS should continue to reap the benefits of the growing interest in international soccer. It's just a matter time until we are a Bundesliga caliber league IMHO.

If the Euro flies apart or is massively devalued MLS could have a windfall until/unless the dollar does the same thing. Definitely not out of the question that a whole other caliber of player might decide that playing in the US has some appeal.

That is a long shot IMO. MLS salaries, on the whole are still too low. And with places like Qatar, China, Brazil, and Russia all starting to pay good money, it will be harder for MLS to attract the big name players in their early 30's.

MLS does not need to be the Bundesliga nor will it ever get near that popularity/quality certainly in my lifetime IMO.

MLS should just continue the steady growth path it is on. Should the league get lucky and fall into a decent TV contract in 2014, then the quality will continue to rise as the salary cap will then go up.

MLS just needs to keep building the infrastructure (stadiums, fields, academies, knowledgeable media, announcers etc etc etc) and then try and become the best the league in North America first. That distinction is certainly achievable in the next 10-20 years IMO.

The league is now out of the dark days of the early 2000's where it was fair to ask if it was going to make it. Now resources can be channeled entirely into growth as they have the last 5-6 years.

No doubt the MLS is doing a good job; its quality and exposure continues to improve.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Ted, what is going on in Philly? Lots of people getting fired.

Basically just Nowak's guys getting the heave ho. Wondering how long the "Interim" stays in front of Hackworth's title.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Ted, what is going on in Philly? Lots of people getting fired.

Basically just Nowak's guys getting the heave ho. Wondering how long the "Interim" stays in front of Hackworth's title.

Is it Hackworth who is making the decisions to chop away or someone higher up?If Hackworth is doing it, then I agree they are going to have to remove the interim title.If on the other hand the organization is letting a true interim manager make these decisions, they may be in more trouble then first thought.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The Euro Final was the most watched sporting event on cable TV last week just topping 4 million viewers and edging out the NASCAR race on TNT.

MLS should continue to reap the benefits of the growing interest in international soccer. It's just a matter time until we are a Bundesliga caliber league IMHO.

If the Euro flies apart or is massively devalued MLS could have a windfall until/unless the dollar does the same thing. Definitely not out of the question that a whole other caliber of player might decide that playing in the US has some appeal.

That is a long shot IMO. MLS salaries, on the whole are still too low. And with places like Qatar, China, Brazil, and Russia all starting to pay good money, it will be harder for MLS to attract the big name players in their early 30's.

MLS does not need to be the Bundesliga nor will it ever get near that popularity/quality certainly in my lifetime IMO.

MLS should just continue the steady growth path it is on. Should the league get lucky and fall into a decent TV contract in 2014, then the quality will continue to rise as the salary cap will then go up.

MLS just needs to keep building the infrastructure (stadiums, fields, academies, knowledgeable media, announcers etc etc etc) and then try and become the best the league in North America first. That distinction is certainly achievable in the next 10-20 years IMO.

The league is now out of the dark days of the early 2000's where it was fair to ask if it was going to make it. Now resources can be channeled entirely into growth as they have the last 5-6 years.

the MLS has done a good job with sustainable growth on and off the field. Let other teams in other countries make Eto'o and Drogba ridiculously wealthy.

If this was 2007 again, I can't even imagine what Beck's would have commanded in one of those markets.I still don't know his whole deal with MLS since his salary wasn't outrageous for his name. There has been talk that he will immediately get to be a part of a new ownership group when he retires but who knows if that is true.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The Euro Final was the most watched sporting event on cable TV last week just topping 4 million viewers and edging out the NASCAR race on TNT.

MLS should continue to reap the benefits of the growing interest in international soccer. It's just a matter time until we are a Bundesliga caliber league IMHO.

If the Euro flies apart or is massively devalued MLS could have a windfall until/unless the dollar does the same thing. Definitely not out of the question that a whole other caliber of player might decide that playing in the US has some appeal.

That is a long shot IMO. MLS salaries, on the whole are still too low. And with places like Qatar, China, Brazil, and Russia all starting to pay good money, it will be harder for MLS to attract the big name players in their early 30's.

MLS does not need to be the Bundesliga nor will it ever get near that popularity/quality certainly in my lifetime IMO.

MLS should just continue the steady growth path it is on. Should the league get lucky and fall into a decent TV contract in 2014, then the quality will continue to rise as the salary cap will then go up.

MLS just needs to keep building the infrastructure (stadiums, fields, academies, knowledgeable media, announcers etc etc etc) and then try and become the best the league in North America first. That distinction is certainly achievable in the next 10-20 years IMO.

The league is now out of the dark days of the early 2000's where it was fair to ask if it was going to make it. Now resources can be channeled entirely into growth as they have the last 5-6 years.

No doubt the MLS is doing a good job; its quality and exposure continues to improve.

 

[GoFishTN]

MLS just needs to keep building the infrastructure (stadiums, fields, academies, knowledgeable media, announcers etc etc etc) and then try and become the best the league in North America first. That distinction is certainly achievable in the next 10-20 years IMO.

Good thing most of the clubs already have SSS, because it's going to get harder going forward. The residents of Bridgeview are already upset about their property taxes skyrocketing to support Toyota Park. I imagine it will be tough to convince taxpayers to build one in the next few years.

 

[NewlyRetired]

MLS just needs to keep building the infrastructure (stadiums, fields, academies, knowledgeable media, announcers etc etc etc) and then try and become the best the league in North America first. That distinction is certainly achievable in the next 10-20 years IMO.

Good thing most of the clubs already have SSS, because it's going to get harder going forward. The residents of Bridgeview are already upset about their property taxes skyrocketing to support Toyota Park. I imagine it will be tough to convince taxpayers to build one in the next few years.

Yup. Only really need NE and DC now to build. Seattle can stay where they are for now.

Boston didn't give Kraft a nickel for the Pats so he obviously knows any building will come from his own pocket.

DC has a very similar issue but they are in the middle of a new group taking on the majority ownership of the club. This group reportedly has the cash to build.

 

[The Gator]

Just randomly browsing Wikipedia, I've stumbled upon the Cachirules scandal, which I've never even heard of before. I'm sure some of the older US soccer fans have heard of it - maybe it's been mentioned in here - but it was new to me. Mexico was barred from World Cup qualification for the 1990 World Cup due to fielding overage players in a FIFA youth tournament in 1989. I didn't know this.

Only 2 CONCACAF teams earned berths in the 1990 World Cup, and the US finished second (on goal differential, despite having the same number of points) behind Costa Rica in qualifying.

I know we've discussed the importance of Paul Caligiuri's goal and how it is possibly the most important moment in USMNT history, but I didn't even realize that Mexico wasn't even a part of the qualification process. With the US qualifying for the 1990 Cup, hosting the 1994 Cup was legitimized, MLS is eventually spawned, and <scene missing> here we are. If Mexico is never disqualified from the 1990 qualifiers, who knows if the US even gets that chance against T&T?

Crazy how everything fell into place so perfectly.

Since you're not busy....How about confirming the EURO Fantasy things i can get paid?

 

[Christo]

No more soccer for a while (MLS doesn't really count)..no NFL til the Fall. Worst time of the year for a football any sports fan

Fixed

Baseball!

He said "any sports fan." If you don't like baseball you are not a sports fan.

 

[Brady Marino]

No more soccer for a while (MLS doesn't really count)..no NFL til the Fall. Worst time of the year for a football any sports fan

Fixed

Baseball!

He said "any sports fan." If you don't like baseball you are not a sports fan.

I like baseball. I also like having alternatives when baseball starts becoming meh.

 

[Christo]

No more soccer for a while (MLS doesn't really count)..no NFL til the Fall. Worst time of the year for a football any sports fan

Fixed

Baseball!

He said "any sports fan." If you don't like baseball you are not a sports fan.

I like baseball. I also like having alternatives when baseball starts becoming meh.

That's usually around two-a-days for Sox and Cubs fans.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Just randomly browsing Wikipedia, I've stumbled upon the Cachirules scandal, which I've never even heard of before. I'm sure some of the older US soccer fans have heard of it - maybe it's been mentioned in here - but it was new to me. Mexico was barred from World Cup qualification for the 1990 World Cup due to fielding overage players in a FIFA youth tournament in 1989. I didn't know this.

Only 2 CONCACAF teams earned berths in the 1990 World Cup, and the US finished second (on goal differential, despite having the same number of points) behind Costa Rica in qualifying.

I know we've discussed the importance of Paul Caligiuri's goal and how it is possibly the most important moment in USMNT history, but I didn't even realize that Mexico wasn't even a part of the qualification process. With the US qualifying for the 1990 Cup, hosting the 1994 Cup was legitimized, MLS is eventually spawned, and <scene missing> here we are. If Mexico is never disqualified from the 1990 qualifiers, who knows if the US even gets that chance against T&T?

Crazy how everything fell into place so perfectly.

Since you're not busy....How about confirming the EURO Fantasy things i can get paid?

I'm still waiting for the beer you owe me...1 Manchester City ©

2 Manchester United

3 Arsenal

4 Tottenham Hotspur

5 Newcastle United

6 Chelsea

7 Everton

8 Liverpool

 

[NewlyRetired]

Guardian sport (@guardian_sport)

7/4/12 9:21 AM

SPL clubs have voted overwhelmingly to reject the newco Rangers application …

 

[Mjolnirs]

German Euro bonus scale:

Germany's football elite may have missed out on the jackpot, but they departed Poland/Ukraine with a tidy pay-packet intact nonetheless. Each of the 23 players in the squad, along with Joachim Löw and his coaching team, will cash in a 100 thousand euro bonus from the German FA (DFB) for reaching the last four at EURO 2012.Had they made the final in Kyiv, that sum would have risen to 150 thousand - while lifting the title would have earned every man a record premium of 300 thousand euro. By contrast, there was nothing on offer for the eventuality of elimination at the group stage

 

[NewlyRetired]

New world rankings are out. One major flaw in the ranking system they have yet to fix if the fact that the WC hosts don't play in qualifiers. This has dropped Brazil to their lowest ever ranking. US is also at its lowest ever at 36.

Here is the top 25.

1 Spain

2 Germany

3 Uruguay

4 England

5 Portugal

6 Italy

7 Argentina

8 Netherlands

9 Croatia

10 Denmark

11 Brazil

12 Greece

13 Russia

14 France

15 Chile

16 Côte d'Ivoire

17 Sweden

18 Czech Republic

19 Mexico

20 Japan

21 Switzerland

22 Colombia

23 Australia

24 Norway

25 Paraguay

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

The ratings Nate Silver developed for ESPN are much better IMO.

US still at #33 though.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The ratings Nate Silver developed for ESPN are much better IMO.

US still at #33 though.

Is there any info on what formula SPI uses? Noticed that Mexico is significantly higher in SPI vs the Coca Cola rankings.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

The ratings Nate Silver developed for ESPN are much better IMO.

US still at #33 though.

Is there any info on what formula SPI uses? Noticed that Mexico is significantly higher in SPI vs the Coca Cola rankings.

He did a big post about it when he was formulating the system, but I can't find it now. I did just find this though, which is an interesting way to look at things:

What is SPI?

SPI rating represents the percentage of points a team would accumulate if a round-robin tournament were to be held among all the teams in the world.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Good news for Omar Gonzalez.

LA took him off the DL and he is available to play today. He has been tweeting the past week to expect a surprise about his availability and this is excellent news as it is less than 6 months from his ACL surgery.

Hopefully in the next week or so he can get some sub minutes and then eventually move back into the starting lineup. I have no idea what his form is going to be but if by chance he recovers, he should make for another CB choice come the September qualifiers.

===========

For our newer fans, here is a quick history of Gonzalez.

One of the US's top young center backs. Drafted in 2009 he was voted MLS Rookie of the Year. In 2010, he made the all star team and in 2011, by far his best year, he was named MLS Defender of the Year.

Then Klinsmann made the suggestion that in the offseason he train over in Europe. LA did one better than just training and secured a loan deal with FC Nurnberg of Germany. In his very first practice with the new club, in January, he collided with Timmy Chandler and tore his ACL.

 

[GoFishTN]

Can't link on my phone, but Sigurdsson signed with Spurs today.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Goal line technology to be used in EPL starting in 2013/2014 season. Will not be used during Champions League games (Platini). All contingent on IFAB voting on Thursday.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jul/04/goalline-technology-premier-league-2013?CMP=twt_gu

 

[GoFishTN]

Goal line technology to be used in EPL starting in 2013/2014 season. Will not be used during Champions League games (Platini). All contingent on IFAB voting on Thursday. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jul/04/goalline-technology-premier-league-2013?CMP=twt_gu

I don't like Hawkeye requiring a view of 25% of the ball. I think the GoalRef would be the better choice.Edit: stupid phone.

 

[Ursa M]

New world rankings are out. One major flaw in the ranking system they have yet to fix if the fact that the WC hosts don't play in qualifiers. This has dropped Brazil to their lowest ever ranking. US is also at its lowest ever at 36.Here is the top 25. 1 Spain2 Germany3 Uruguay4 England5 Portugal6 Italy7 Argentina8 Netherlands9 Croatia10 Denmark11 Brazil12 Greece13 Russia14 France15 Chile16 Côte d'Ivoire17 Sweden18 Czech Republic19 Mexico20 Japan21 Switzerland 22 Colombia23 Australia24 Norway25 Paraguay

England at 4. Jeez, I'm from there and even I wouldn't have the brass neck to put them at 4.

 

[NewlyRetired]

New world rankings are out. One major flaw in the ranking system they have yet to fix if the fact that the WC hosts don't play in qualifiers. This has dropped Brazil to their lowest ever ranking. US is also at its lowest ever at 36.Here is the top 25. 1 Spain2 Germany3 Uruguay4 England5 Portugal6 Italy7 Argentina8 Netherlands9 Croatia10 Denmark11 Brazil12 Greece13 Russia14 France15 Chile16 Côte d'Ivoire17 Sweden18 Czech Republic19 Mexico20 Japan21 Switzerland 22 Colombia23 Australia24 Norway25 Paraguay

England at 4. Jeez, I'm from there and even I wouldn't have the brass neck to put them at 4.

Yeah, that stood out for me too. The formula is extremely complicated though which makes it hard to predict.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Goal line technology to be used in EPL starting in 2013/2014 season. Will not be used during Champions League games (Platini). All contingent on IFAB voting on Thursday. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jul/04/goalline-technology-premier-league-2013?CMP=twt_gu

I don't like Hawkeye requiring a view of 25% of the ball. I think the GoalRef would be the better choice.Edit: stupid phone.

Goal ref seems better to me as well. There are usually a ton of normal camera angles available for replay that may offset the one feature Goal Ref does not give.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Can't link on my phone, but Sigurdsson signed with Spurs today.

This saddens me, but he will remain on my Liverpool Football Manager team. Guy's leading all scorers for me.

 

[Sebowski]

My top 10:

1 Spain

2 Germany

3 Italy

4 Argentina

5 Uruguay

6 Portugal

7 Brazil

8 Netherlands

9 England

10 Denmark

 

[Eephus]

Shout out to the biggest FIFA riser Tahiti, who climbs 41 spots in the rankings to #138. They went a perfect 5-0-0 in winning the 2012 OFC Nations Cup, beating the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia 1-0 in the knockout rounds. Tahiti's Steevy Chong Hue who plays in the Belgian third division scored the winner.

New Zealand lost in the semifinals to New Caledonia.

 

[Eephus]

Can't link on my phone, but Sigurdsson signed with Spurs today.

This saddens me, but he will remain on my Liverpool Football Manager team. Guy's leading all scorers for me.

Sigurdsson is a good pickup for AVB. He's cover for Modric when he turns in his inevitable transfer request. Villas-Boas is smart enough to realize Van der Vaart is exactly the type of player who got him sacked at Stamford Bridge.

 

[Pick]

End of soccer game

Soccer nerds help. I'm sure this is something cool but have no clue how.

 

[Sebowski]

End of soccer game

Soccer nerds help. I'm sure this is something cool but have no clue how.

The 90mins are up at that point and he's telling the ref to stop the game out of respect for Italy. No need to play out the entirety of the injury/extra time.

 

[Major]

Not using technology to determine close 'goals' in this technological age is

And if you're so concerned about keeping the continuity of the game, etc...then like others have said, hire two additional refs, one at each side just to watch that goal area much like those douches in tennis who wear the big Polo horse shirts during the US Open.

 

[jonessed]

Can't link on my phone, but Sigurdsson signed with Spurs today.

This saddens me, but he will remain on my Liverpool Football Manager team. Guy's leading all scorers for me.

Sigurdsson is a good pickup for AVB. He's cover for Modric when he turns in his inevitable transfer request. Villas-Boas is smart enough to realize Van der Vaart is exactly the type of player who got him sacked at Stamford Bridge.

He has been expected to sign for several weeks now. I think Spurs trumped Liverpool with him some time ago. I don't know the exact reasons though.I don't believe he's really cover for Modric as much as he is cover for VdV as he ages. Sigurdsson is much more offensive-minded than Modric. Modric dictates from a deep-lying position. He will come forward but he really plays in behind the wings and attacking players. He's more like a Schweinsteiger with less defensive capability, but better vision. Granted, Schweinsteiger can play more offensively, but it's not where he excels and it's really not where Modric excels either. Modric doesn't get a lot of goals or assists, but he's often the threaded pass just prior to the assist or the long ball on a dime that switches fields and opens up space.

The best available cover for Modric is Moutinho and with AVB's influence I imagine they could get him if they were willing to spend the 30MM it would probably require. I really doubt they spend that on one player though. It's really not their style to blow the transfer budget on one player and they obviously don't have the luxury of flinging money everywhere hoping some of it hits a superstar.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Interesting rumor: Real Madrid offered 25M plus Nuri Sahin for Modric. Tottenham and Modric both happy with that, but Sahin didn't want to go to Spurs and killed the deal.

 

[GoFishTN]

Interesting rumor: Real Madrid offered 25M plus Nuri Sahin for Modric. Tottenham and Modric both happy with that, but Sahin didn't want to go to Spurs and killed the deal.

Yeah that was all over twitter last week. I think it would have been a win for everyone, but maybe because of his refusal Modric well end up staying again. Levy will not sell him to an English team and Real refuses to meet their valuation with straight cash, supposedly.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Interesting rumor: Real Madrid offered 25M plus Nuri Sahin for Modric. Tottenham and Modric both happy with that, but Sahin didn't want to go to Spurs and killed the deal.

Yeah that was all over twitter last week. I think it would have been a win for everyone, but maybe because of his refusal Modric well end up staying again. Levy will not sell him to an English team and Real refuses to meet their valuation with straight cash, supposedly.

Agreed. Sahin would be an adequate Modric replacement and Spurs would've had a lot of money to spend somewhere else.

 

[Ursa M]

hire two additional refs, one at each side just to watch that goal area

Didn't do Ukraine any good.

 

[Sebowski]

RVP:

"As announced earlier this year I had a meeting with the boss [Arsene Wenger] and Mr [ivan] Gazidis after the season," said Van Persie in a statement. "This was a meeting about the club's future strategy and their policy. Financial terms or a contract have not been discussed, since that is not my priority at all.

"I personally have had a great season but my goal has been to win trophies with the team and to bring the club back to its glory days. Out of my huge respect for Mr Wenger, the players and the fans I don't want to go into any details, but unfortunately in this meeting it has again become clear to me that we in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal should move forward.

"I've thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract. You guys, the fans, have of course the right to disagree with my view and decision and I will always respect your opinions.

"I love the club and the fans, no matter what happens. I have grown up and became a man during my time with Arsenal. Everybody at the club and the fans have always supported me over the years and I have always given my all (and more) on and off the pitch.

"I am very proud of being part of this fantastic club for the last eight years. As soon as Mr Gazidis is back from his two-week holiday in America further meetings will follow and I will update you if and when there are more developments."

 

[Spartans Rule]

RVP:

"As announced earlier this year I had a meeting with the boss [Arsene Wenger] and Mr [ivan] Gazidis after the season," said Van Persie in a statement. "This was a meeting about the club's future strategy and their policy. Financial terms or a contract have not been discussed, since that is not my priority at all.

"I personally have had a great season but my goal has been to win trophies with the team and to bring the club back to its glory days. Out of my huge respect for Mr Wenger, the players and the fans I don't want to go into any details, but unfortunately in this meeting it has again become clear to me that we in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal should move forward.

"I've thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract. You guys, the fans, have of course the right to disagree with my view and decision and I will always respect your opinions.

"I love the club and the fans, no matter what happens. I have grown up and became a man during my time with Arsenal. Everybody at the club and the fans have always supported me over the years and I have always given my all (and more) on and off the pitch.

"I am very proud of being part of this fantastic club for the last eight years. As soon as Mr Gazidis is back from his two-week holiday in America further meetings will follow and I will update you if and when there are more developments."

Could see this coming, but it still sucks.

 

[jonessed]

RVP:

"As announced earlier this year I had a meeting with the boss [Arsene Wenger] and Mr [ivan] Gazidis after the season," said Van Persie in a statement. "This was a meeting about the club's future strategy and their policy. Financial terms or a contract have not been discussed, since that is not my priority at all.

"I personally have had a great season but my goal has been to win trophies with the team and to bring the club back to its glory days. Out of my huge respect for Mr Wenger, the players and the fans I don't want to go into any details, but unfortunately in this meeting it has again become clear to me that we in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal should move forward.

"I've thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract. You guys, the fans, have of course the right to disagree with my view and decision and I will always respect your opinions.

"I love the club and the fans, no matter what happens. I have grown up and became a man during my time with Arsenal. Everybody at the club and the fans have always supported me over the years and I have always given my all (and more) on and off the pitch.

"I am very proud of being part of this fantastic club for the last eight years. As soon as Mr Gazidis is back from his two-week holiday in America further meetings will follow and I will update you if and when there are more developments."

Could see this coming, but it still sucks.

Yeah, I poked a bit of fun at the end of the season, but it really does suck. I like the NFL model where there is a means to keep the big stars at the team so I'm not sure soccer will ever trump football as my favorite sport to follow. Anything like that would be illegal in Europe. You can talk about loyalty all you want, but at the end of the day it's going to be about money. With teams all around the world being bought by people so wealthy losses in the hundreds of millions or even billions is irrelevant top teams will struggle to keep their stars. The EPL has the added disadvantage of sharing TV revenues equally. It's great for the league because it brings parity, but Barca, RM, Milan, etc. all have massive team TV deals that will always keep them competitive.

It wouldn't mind seeing him at Barca as I think he is one of the few strikers that could actually fit there, but I suspect he will end up at City or Chelsea. Most likely City as I think they are going to drop Dzecko and Tevez.

 

[jonessed]

hire two additional refs, one at each side just to watch that goal area

Didn't do Ukraine any good.

I'm not sure why those guys even have headsets. The head referee always makes the call regardless of his positioning. There are plays in the box almost every game where that goalline referee has a much better view of the situation, but the head referee makes a decision before any consultation could even take place.FIFA has some intrinsic fear of using anything outside of the referee and two linesman approach to judging games. Are we really supposed to believe that it's a struggle to come up with a reasonable method of utilizing goalline technology? Like it's beyond the world's leading minds to figure out and implement in a cost effective manner? Or that kids in Africa will start tossing around a baseball because the introduction of a computer chip and a pen laser in professional leagues suddenly makes the game inaccessible to them? The whole thing is laughable.

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

Crazy environment right now in Sao Paulo before kickoff. Singing, yelling in The streets, cars honking, fireworks going off all over.

 

[Eephus]

RVP:

"As announced earlier this year I had a meeting with the boss [Arsene Wenger] and Mr [ivan] Gazidis after the season," said Van Persie in a statement. "This was a meeting about the club's future strategy and their policy. Financial terms or a contract have not been discussed, since that is not my priority at all.

"I personally have had a great season but my goal has been to win trophies with the team and to bring the club back to its glory days. Out of my huge respect for Mr Wenger, the players and the fans I don't want to go into any details, but unfortunately in this meeting it has again become clear to me that we in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal should move forward.

"I've thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract. You guys, the fans, have of course the right to disagree with my view and decision and I will always respect your opinions.

"I love the club and the fans, no matter what happens. I have grown up and became a man during my time with Arsenal. Everybody at the club and the fans have always supported me over the years and I have always given my all (and more) on and off the pitch.

"I am very proud of being part of this fantastic club for the last eight years. As soon as Mr Gazidis is back from his two-week holiday in America further meetings will follow and I will update you if and when there are more developments."

Could see this coming, but it still sucks.

Yeah, I poked a bit of fun at the end of the season, but it really does suck. I like the NFL model where there is a means to keep the big stars at the team so I'm not sure soccer will ever trump football as my favorite sport to follow. Anything like that would be illegal in Europe. You can talk about loyalty all you want, but at the end of the day it's going to be about money. With teams all around the world being bought by people so wealthy losses in the hundreds of millions or even billions is irrelevant top teams will struggle to keep their stars. The EPL has the added disadvantage of sharing TV revenues equally. It's great for the league because it brings parity, but Barca, RM, Milan, etc. all have massive team TV deals that will always keep them competitive.

It wouldn't mind seeing him at Barca as I think he is one of the few strikers that could actually fit there, but I suspect he will end up at City or Chelsea. Most likely City as I think they are going to drop Dzecko and Tevez.

v. Persie has been at Arsenal for eight years, during which time they've won just one FA Cup (his first season at Highbury). He's been a great performer for the club when healthy and has never been among the highest paid players in England. His contract is coming up, which makes him free to leave under the rules of just about every sport in the world. Arsenal still has a year to get something in return by selling him off to one of the few teams that can afford him. Wenger got the best value out of the player while he was in North London, which is in line with his managerial style. Whoever signs him to his next contract will be paying a lot more for seasons that will include his decline.I don't see why this sucks or is unfair.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Good news for Omar Gonzalez. LA took him off the DL and he is available to play today. He has been tweeting the past week to expect a surprise about his availability and this is excellent news as it is less than 6 months from his ACL surgery. Hopefully in the next week or so he can get some sub minutes and then eventually move back into the starting lineup. I have no idea what his form is going to be but if by chance he recovers, he should make for another CB choice come the September qualifiers.===========For our newer fans, here is a quick history of Gonzalez.One of the US's top young center backs. Drafted in 2009 he was voted MLS Rookie of the Year. In 2010, he made the all star team and in 2011, by far his best year, he was named MLS Defender of the Year.Then Klinsmann made the suggestion that in the offseason he train over in Europe. LA did one better than just training and secured a loan deal with FC Nurnberg of Germany. In his very first practice with the new club, in January, he collided with Timmy Chandler and tore his ACL.

Omar in the starting XI for LA tonight vs the Union