***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (8 Viewers)

[NewlyRetired]

Any predictions tonight on a lineup? I could see many different choices. Here is my guess

Howard

Cher Ream Boca Castillo

Donovan Clark Bradley Shea

Adu Agudelo

Bradley would switch into the role he played in Holland which is a more advanced role. May not take the form of a classic diamond midfield but should be close.

 

[Mjolnirs]

Easiest solution to a crowded sports Sunday is to give up on the NFL. I did it years ago and I'm in a better place for it.

Not going to happen.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Wow this is big news for MLS. There have been rumors going back a while but I never expected this, especially getting 6 games on the big channel itself.

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

Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider)

8/10/11 11:47 AM

Fox Soccer Channel out as #MLS broadcaster. NBC takes over in 2012: 6 games on network, 43 on Versus (now NBC Sports Network). ESPN remains

 

[NewlyRetired]

Looks like NBC got some US National team games as well. This is very cool. Been so long since anyone besides Disney and FSC showed US soccer in any real fashion

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

NEW YORK — Major League Soccer and the NBC Sports Group today announced a three-year media rights agreement, which commences at the start of the 2012 MLS season. The partnership calls for 45 MLS games and four US men’s national team contests to be televised live across both NBC and NBC Sports Network each season. This marks the first rights deal for the newly named cable channel that will be re-branded from VERSUS on January 2, 2012. The announcement was made today by MLS Commissioner and Soccer United Marketing CEO Don Garber and Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group.

“Everyone at the NBC Sports Group is thrilled to begin this partnership with Major League Soccer,” said Lazarus. “MLS is a perfect fit for our new group, and we are uniquely positioned to help grow soccer in the United States with extensive coverage on NBC Sports Network, significant programming on the broadcast network and our growing digital platforms. Additionally, this agreement complements the partnerships that five of our regional sports networks have with their local MLS teams.”

Each season, NBC will broadcast two regular-season MLS games, two playoff games and two appearances by the US men’s national team, marking the first time four MLS matches will be broadcast on English-language network television since 2002. The NBC Sports Network will televise 38 regular-season games, three playoff games and two US men’s national team matches. All telecasts on NBC and NBC Sports Network will consist of pregame and postgame coverage. According to the agreement, the NBC Sports Group obtains digital rights across all platforms and devices for the games it televises. 

“Our new partnership with the NBC Sports Group is a significant step forward for Major League Soccer and US Soccer,” said Garber. “The NBC Sports Group is world-renowned for its award-winning coverage, superb broadcast quality and promotional expertise. We are excited to be part of NBC’s ambitious plans for soccer, and look forward to reaching a considerable audience on multiple platforms.”

Featuring an exciting mix of players, including world-class stars such as Landon Donovan, David Beckham and Thierry Henry, MLS is one of the nation’s fastest growing sports properties. It has seen considerable growth across many metrics, including number of teams (10 clubs in 2004 to 19 in 2012) and new stadiums (two soccer stadiums in 2004 to having 15 of 19 clubs playing in venues built with soccer in mind, including new soccer stadiums in Houston and Montreal next year). This season, the League is enjoying the highest average attendance and largest number of corporate sponsors in its 16-year history.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Interesting comments from Garber. Seems risky to have both TV contracts run out at the same time but from his wording, it seems like this is what they wanted.

As a side note, this may also signal that NBC may be getting ready to bid on the 2018/2022 TV contracts.

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

Garber added: “The key thing for us relates to 2014, this three-year deal allows us to align all our TV relationships to end concurrently at end of ‘14 season and provides us with a potential opportunity to have more exclusive relationship with a broadcaster. Way to early what plans will be three years from now.”

Asked if those plans might include an M.L.S. network, modeled after the NFL, NHL and Major League Baseball channels, Garber would only say “it’s to early to comment.”

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Cool - six games on the network! I assume the MLS reg season games will be a NY/LA or a Port/Sea.

Comcast is clearly making a run at the 2018/2022 WC rights

Looks like the league is getting $10M a year for this. Not too shabby

 

[otello]

I am leaning toward Norwich City this season in the EPL as my team. A team on the move with a great coach.

 

[Eephus]

I am leaning toward Norwich City this season in the EPL as my team. A team on the move with a great coach.

probably followed by a great coach on the move

 

[NewlyRetired]

Cool - six games on the network! I assume the MLS reg season games will be a NY/LA or a Port/Sea.

Comcast is clearly making a run at the 2018/2022 WC rights

Looks like the league is getting $10M a year for this. Not too shabby

I read $12 million a year here. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/08/nbc-sports-snags-major-league-soccer.htmlThe 6 games on NBC look to be 2 regular season, 2 playoffs and 2 US Nats games. This will be very nice exposure and much more than Disney gives on ABC.

Hockey fans seem to be very happy with the way Versus treats the NHL, so keeping fingers crossed. NBC is going to want to push their newly named network to bigger and better things so this is likely one small piece of a much larger puzzle.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Nothing official yet but Ives is reporting that yet another US player got hurt. Some rumblings that Ream won't dress tonight, which is ugly as Goodson already got hurt leaving the team very short back there.

Ives mentioned that Clark may play center back after playing that position last year in Germany.

 

[otello]

I am leaning toward Norwich City this season in the EPL as my team. A team on the move with a great coach.

probably followed by a great coach on the move

You are probably right.

 

[NewlyRetired]

One other interesting item in the new TV deal is that we may see some announcers move from FSC or Gol TV to NBC Sports Network as I don't think NBC has any soccer announcers on the roster right now.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Interesting comments from Garber. Seems risky to have both TV contracts run out at the same time but from his wording, it seems like this is what they wanted.As a side note, this may also signal that NBC may be getting ready to bid on the 2018/2022 TV contracts. ========================================Garber added: “The key thing for us relates to 2014, this three-year deal allows us to align all our TV relationships to end concurrently at end of ‘14 season and provides us with a potential opportunity to have more exclusive relationship with a broadcaster. Way to early what plans will be three years from now.”Asked if those plans might include an M.L.S. network, modeled after the NFL, NHL and Major League Baseball channels, Garber would only say “it’s to early to comment.”

This makes more sense to me now. I forgot an important component, Univision. The Univision MLS contract also conveniently runs out in 2014. This opens the door for a massive COMCAST deal. COMCAST might be thinking much bigger than I first realized. Don't forget that COMCAST owns a huge Spanish channel in Telemundo. They might go after both the English AND Spanish rights for 2018/2022, of which MLS would fit perfectly into that picture. Fascinating times.

 

[JMon348]

So who had Rafael Marquez as the third player on the cover of Fifa 12? Guess they wanted a Mexican and didn't want Chicharito because that would have been two United players. At least he's a former Barca player!

 

[NewlyRetired]

So who had Rafael Marquez as the third player on the cover of Fifa 12? Guess they wanted a Mexican and didn't want Chicharito because that would have been two United players. At least he's a former Barca player!

Strange choice. Since this was the North American cover, I think Messi, Donovan and Chicharito would have made more sense. Marquez must be at least wearing a Mex jersey right?

 

[scoobygang]

So who had Rafael Marquez as the third player on the cover of Fifa 12? Guess they wanted a Mexican and didn't want Chicharito because that would have been two United players. At least he's a former Barca player!

Strange choice. Since this was the North American cover, I think Messi, Donovan and Chicharito would have made more sense. Marquez must be at least wearing a Mex jersey right?

Messi has an exclusive endorsement with PES. He can't be on the FIFA cover.

 

[NewlyRetired]

So who had Rafael Marquez as the third player on the cover of Fifa 12? Guess they wanted a Mexican and didn't want Chicharito because that would have been two United players. At least he's a former Barca player!

Strange choice. Since this was the North American cover, I think Messi, Donovan and Chicharito would have made more sense. Marquez must be at least wearing a Mex jersey right?

Messi has an exclusive endorsement with PES. He can't be on the FIFA cover.

Oh that makes sense then. I was wondering why he has not been on the cover. Thanks for the info.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Damn this new TV deal continues to open possibilities.

With NBC being openly (and probably rightfully so thanks to more FIFA corruption) hostile towards soccer, soccer in the Olympics was always buried on NBC.

Now with the changes coming, I think it is safe to say that we might get to see at least some soccer games on a decent sized channel in English and perhaps even rate NBC itself should the men or women progress far enough.

 

[JMon348]

Well it finally looks Cesc is going to Barcelona. I know we have been down this road before but it finally looks like its happening.

 

[Christo]

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/11/08/10/SOCCER_Arsenal_2nd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=soccer&BID=165

However, with the European champions not willing to improve significantly on their initial £27million offer and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitting the player was unsettled, it now appears as if the Emirates Stadium club will have to broker a cut-price deal to move on.

The package is reported to include a downpayment of 30million euros (£27million), with an additional 6million euros (£5.2million) in performance-based add-ons at a later stage.

There are also suggestions Fabregas is prepared to wave the £4million compensation he would be entitled to for the remainder of his long-term Arsenal contract, as technically the player never asked for a transfer.

I would hope he'd wave it. He may not have asked for the transfer. But he certainly had the ability to make all of this a lot easier on the Gunners.

 

[guru_007]

yeah, I'm reading that Cesc will be gone before league play starts too - think it would be best for all parties involved.

Also just read that Juve's bid for Elia was rejected - 7 million euros. Seems kinda low actually. I'd love to see him at Juve. Oh well. Now he'll wallow in Hamburg and I'll get to see him again at the next euro championship.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

The strange thing is that, as great a player as he is, FCB really has no need for Cesc, so why would they pay market? If one were to rank the top midfield lines, I think Barca's second group would probably be #2 in the world right now.

 

[Christo]

The strange thing is that, as great a player as he is, FCB really has no need for Cesc, so why would they pay market? If one were to rank the top midfield lines, I think Barca's second group would probably be #2 in the world right now.

The rich get richer.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

The strange thing is that, as great a player as he is, FCB really has no need for Cesc, so why would they pay market? If one were to rank the top midfield lines, I think Barca's second group would probably be #2 in the world right now.

Lots of games, again, to play this year. Liga, CL, Copa del Rey, the Club World Cup. They may not dodge the injury bug as well as last year, and Xavi's no spring chicken.Still, it's a lot of money to add to the best midfield in the world. I would've rather seen them upgrade their backline, but they're the experts.

 

[Eephus]

The strange thing is that, as great a player as he is, FCB really has no need for Cesc, so why would they pay market? If one were to rank the top midfield lines, I think Barca's second group would probably be #2 in the world right now.

Lots of games, again, to play this year. Liga, CL, Copa del Rey, the Club World Cup. They may not dodge the injury bug as well as last year, and Xavi's no spring chicken.Still, it's a lot of money to add to the best midfield in the world. I would've rather seen them upgrade their backline, but they're the experts.

It's easier to defend if the other team never has possession

 

[GoFishTN]

Looks like NBC got some US National team games as well. This is very cool. Been so long since anyone besides Disney and FSC showed US soccer in any real fashion=================NEW YORK — Major League Soccer and the NBC Sports Group today announced a three-year media rights agreement, which commences at the start of the 2012 MLS season. The partnership calls for 45 MLS games and four US men’s national team contests to be televised live across both NBC and NBC Sports Network each season. This marks the first rights deal for the newly named cable channel that will be re-branded from VERSUS on January 2, 2012. The announcement was made today by MLS Commissioner and Soccer United Marketing CEO Don Garber and Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group.“Everyone at the NBC Sports Group is thrilled to begin this partnership with Major League Soccer,” said Lazarus. “MLS is a perfect fit for our new group, and we are uniquely positioned to help grow soccer in the United States with extensive coverage on NBC Sports Network, significant programming on the broadcast network and our growing digital platforms. Additionally, this agreement complements the partnerships that five of our regional sports networks have with their local MLS teams.”Each season, NBC will broadcast two regular-season MLS games, two playoff games and two appearances by the US men’s national team, marking the first time four MLS matches will be broadcast on English-language network television since 2002. The NBC Sports Network will televise 38 regular-season games, three playoff games and two US men’s national team matches. All telecasts on NBC and NBC Sports Network will consist of pregame and postgame coverage. According to the agreement, the NBC Sports Group obtains digital rights across all platforms and devices for the games it televises. “Our new partnership with the NBC Sports Group is a significant step forward for Major League Soccer and US Soccer,” said Garber. “The NBC Sports Group is world-renowned for its award-winning coverage, superb broadcast quality and promotional expertise. We are excited to be part of NBC’s ambitious plans for soccer, and look forward to reaching a considerable audience on multiple platforms.”Featuring an exciting mix of players, including world-class stars such as Landon Donovan, David Beckham and Thierry Henry, MLS is one of the nation’s fastest growing sports properties. It has seen considerable growth across many metrics, including number of teams (10 clubs in 2004 to 19 in 2012) and new stadiums (two soccer stadiums in 2004 to having 15 of 19 clubs playing in venues built with soccer in mind, including new soccer stadiums in Houston and Montreal next year). This season, the League is enjoying the highest average attendance and largest number of corporate sponsors in its 16-year history.

I think they really need to do something before the NFL starts on Sunday nights. It seems like there's a void there. Of course, I don't follow the NBA or NHL, so maybe it's already filled.

 

[bweiser]

two whole regular-season MLS games? stop the presses. seriously, this is the best they could do?

 

[scoobygang]

Damn this new TV deal continues to open possibilities. With NBC being openly (and probably rightfully so thanks to more FIFA corruption) hostile towards soccer, soccer in the Olympics was always buried on NBC.Now with the changes coming, I think it is safe to say that we might get to see at least some soccer games on a decent sized channel in English and perhaps even rate NBC itself should the men or women progress far enough.

I don't see the synergy there. This is an MLS deal, not a soccer deal. The Olympics showcase a bunch of players who NBC has no reason to market, because they're all playing in European leagues that are televised on Fox channels.I am an unabashed Eurosnob, but I just don't see the big deal. I think MLS has made great gains, but I don't think you grow soccer in the US based on MLS. I think it works the other way around.

 

[wazoo11]

Wow this is big news for MLS. There have been rumors going back a while but I never expected this, especially getting 6 games on the big channel itself. ===========================Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider)8/10/11 11:47 AMFox Soccer Channel out as #MLS broadcaster. NBC takes over in 2012: 6 games on network, 43 on Versus (now NBC Sports Network). ESPN remains

NBC Sports is making a big push for Big East basketball and Soccer rights.

 

[scoobygang]

I wonder if a Cesc move will start the Eden Hazard to Arsenal rumors again.

 

[NewlyRetired]

two whole regular-season MLS games? stop the presses. seriously, this is the best they could do?

I believe the deal is for 45 MLS games and 4 US Nats games with the majority obviously being shown on NBC Sports Network.The fact that there are any games on the OTA channel are just amazing. Disney has not shown a single MLS game on their OTA channel in I think almost 4 years and you might have to go back even further to find a regular season game being played on.And the obvious huge up side to this is that that they nearly double the household penetration by switching from FSC to NBC Sports Network.The only downside to this deal comes if for some reason the US does not qualify for the World Cup in 2014. With everything expiring at that time, it could be a very very bad thing.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Wow this is big news for MLS. There have been rumors going back a while but I never expected this, especially getting 6 games on the big channel itself. ===========================Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider)8/10/11 11:47 AMFox Soccer Channel out as #MLS broadcaster. NBC takes over in 2012: 6 games on network, 43 on Versus (now NBC Sports Network). ESPN remains

NBC Sports is making a big push for Big East basketball and Soccer rights.

Yeah it is pretty clear that they are starting something very big. Many of the media writers around the country all seem to agree that that is all going to lead up to NBC going after the World Cup. Whether that is a good or bad thing is up to anyone's guess but anyone who doesn't think today's news is big, really doesn't get it.

 

[scoobygang]

two whole regular-season MLS games? stop the presses. seriously, this is the best they could do?

It is 45 regular season games.

But only two on "network." Maybe the Network Formerly Known as Versus is a step up from FSC, but it's still cable.This is a nice content filler for a network that trying to become the second option to ESPN, but I don't see it as a huge game changer for MLS.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

two whole regular-season MLS games? stop the presses. seriously, this is the best they could do?

It is 45 regular season games.

But only two on "network." Maybe the Network Formerly Known as Versus is a step up from FSC, but it's still cable.This is a nice content filler for a network that trying to become the second option to ESPN, but I don't see it as a huge game changer for MLS.

Yes it is.Versus is in ~75 million homes, in most cases on a basic cable tier. FSC is in ~35 million homes, in a lot of cases on a premium digital sports tier.Cable is penetrated enough that the "it's just cable" stigma doesn't apply. All of the leagues apart from the NFL have the majority of their national TV package on cable.Two years ago, MLS was getting $2million from FSC for rights fees. NBC is giving them $12million for 2012. That's a hell of a bump.Of course it's all relative. This doesnt mean MLS will be threatening the NHL to be a top 4 sport. But it could do wonders to bump the salary cap and bring in better talent (or hold onto existing talent)

 

[NewlyRetired]

two whole regular-season MLS games? stop the presses. seriously, this is the best they could do?

It is 45 regular season games.

But only two on "network." Maybe the Network Formerly Known as Versus is a step up from FSC, but it's still cable.This is a nice content filler for a network that trying to become the second option to ESPN, but I don't see it as a huge game changer for MLS.

Yes I agree, it is not huge game changer for MLS but it is bigger than you realize. Getting into twice the households as FSC reaches though is excellent as well as the increased rights fees.But as I have said a number of times now, this is just a seed. The real game changing items may not come for a few years now. We just need to wait it out and see what happens.

 

[NewlyRetired]

two whole regular-season MLS games? stop the presses. seriously, this is the best they could do?

It is 45 regular season games.

But only two on "network." Maybe the Network Formerly Known as Versus is a step up from FSC, but it's still cable.This is a nice content filler for a network that trying to become the second option to ESPN, but I don't see it as a huge game changer for MLS.

Yes it is.Versus is in ~75 million homes, in most cases on a basic cable tier. FSC is in ~35 million homes, in a lot of cases on a premium digital sports tier.Cable is penetrated enough that the "it's just cable" stigma doesn't apply. All of the leagues apart from the NFL have the majority of their national TV package on cable.Two years ago, MLS was getting $2million from FSC for rights fees. NBC is giving them $12million for 2012. That's a hell of a bump.

Me thinks Ted gets it

 

[NewlyRetired]

Of course it's all relative. This doesnt mean MLS will be threatening the NHL to be a top 4 sport. But it could do wonders to bump the salary cap and bring in better talent (or hold onto existing talent)

Agreed that it is all relative. This will increase MLS's exposure a small amount and bring in some new revenue. But it is just another in the small steps of improvement MLS has made the last 5 years or so.I am not expecting this deal to bump the salary cap too much though as it will only be about 500k extra per team and I am unsure how the CBA handles new revenue in terms of the salary cap.In the end though it is impossible to see anything but positives out of this.Pros: Twice the cable penetration. More games on TV. Larger rights fee. OTA exposure for the first time in forever.Cons: None

 

[NewlyRetired]

The German guy is making a small change to how the US will be presented tonight.

Supposedly no names will be on the jerseys and all starters will go old school being numbered 1-11.

 

[bentley]

So who had Rafael Marquez as the third player on the cover of Fifa 12? Guess they wanted a Mexican and didn't want Chicharito because that would have been two United players. At least he's a former Barca player!

Marquez is pretty popular here, at least in Texas. As anyone that follows my soccer rantings knows, he was the Mexican player featured on the 2010 World Cup Miller Lite can.

 

[NewlyRetired]

This is a nice piece from Ives on Chivas USA trying to land Freddy Adu.

http://on-msn.com/qmBwop

 

[SmoovySmoov]

two whole regular-season MLS games? stop the presses. seriously, this is the best they could do?

It is 45 regular season games.

But only two on "network." Maybe the Network Formerly Known as Versus is a step up from FSC, but it's still cable.This is a nice content filler for a network that trying to become the second option to ESPN, but I don't see it as a huge game changer for MLS.

Yes it is.Versus is in ~75 million homes, in most cases on a basic cable tier. FSC is in ~35 million homes, in a lot of cases on a premium digital sports tier.Cable is penetrated enough that the "it's just cable" stigma doesn't apply. All of the leagues apart from the NFL have the majority of their national TV package on cable.Two years ago, MLS was getting $2million from FSC for rights fees. NBC is giving them $12million for 2012. That's a hell of a bump.

Me thinks Ted gets it

The poop stain on the seat of these shorts is that I'll still have to subscribe to FSC to be able to watch the Premier League, so there's that.

 

[NewlyRetired]

two whole regular-season MLS games? stop the presses. seriously, this is the best they could do?

It is 45 regular season games.

But only two on "network." Maybe the Network Formerly Known as Versus is a step up from FSC, but it's still cable.This is a nice content filler for a network that trying to become the second option to ESPN, but I don't see it as a huge game changer for MLS.

Yes it is.Versus is in ~75 million homes, in most cases on a basic cable tier. FSC is in ~35 million homes, in a lot of cases on a premium digital sports tier.Cable is penetrated enough that the "it's just cable" stigma doesn't apply. All of the leagues apart from the NFL have the majority of their national TV package on cable.Two years ago, MLS was getting $2million from FSC for rights fees. NBC is giving them $12million for 2012. That's a hell of a bump.

Me thinks Ted gets it

The poop stain on the seat of these shorts is that I'll still have to subscribe to FSC to be able to watch the Premier League, so there's that.

Yeah. It is going to be tougher and tougher to make that choice but I will likely stay with FSC for a while into 2012. One thing I am unsure of is will FSC have any US games or did they lose that as well?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Reminder that there is a 30 minute pregame show on ESPN News tonight at 8:30 eastern.

 

[Native]

Modric to Chelsea for Beanayoun + Cash? Dont know what the final cash amount will be, but I can see some form this deal going through. Tottenham can use the cash to buy a top flight striker with Yossi taking Modric's place.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2024249/Yossi-Luka-Chelsea-offer-Benayoun-Spurs-seal-Modric-deal.html

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Eto'o is apparently going to that crazy Russian club. Ansky whatever.

 

[GoFishTN]

Modric to Chelsea for Beanayoun + Cash? Dont know what the final cash amount will be, but I can see some form this deal going through. Tottenham can use the cash to buy a top flight striker with Yossi taking Modric's place. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2024249/Yossi-Luka-Chelsea-offer-Benayoun-Spurs-seal-Modric-deal.html

I think this says it best.

This is a very generous offer from Chelski and could make all the difference - Spuds should be very grateful that, in addition to undermining, unsettling and undervaluing Modric by about £25m, Chelski have now offered them an injury-prone, ineffectual, 30+ years old player who wasn't good enough to get into either their first team or Liverpool's.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Eto'o is apparently going to that crazy Russian club. Ansky whatever.

Russia is going to be a very interesting league in a couple of years. They have already upped the spending the last few years and are starting to attract talent. They will also be upgrading the stadiums which should produce more revenue for the clubs as part of the infrastructure for 2018.

 

[NewlyRetired]

US looks to be using a 4-5-1 tonight

U.S. SOCCER (@ussoccer)

8/10/11 8:04 PM

#USMNT lineup v. MEX:

Howard;

Cherundolo Orozco Fiscal, Bocanegra ©, Castillo;

Jones, Beckerman; Donovan, Bradley, Torres;

Buddle

3 Mexican based players starting. Might be the most ever.

 

[TLEF316]

Neither Adu nor Ream made the bench. Pretty disappointing. Neither did Beasley, but thats not so disappointing.

Interested to see Castillo.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Neither Adu nor Ream made the bench. Pretty disappointing. Neither did Beasley, but thats not so disappointing. Interested to see Castillo.

I posted earlier that Ream got hurt and was likely not to dress. I am disappointed about Freddy though.