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

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

MONTREAL IMPACTINNelson Rivas D (Free - Internazionale)Evan Bush GK (Montreal D2)Hassoun Camara M (Montreal D2)Sinisa Ubiparipovic M (Montreal D2)Brian Ching F (Expansion Draft - HOU)Zarek Valentin D (Expansion Draft - CHV)Justin Mapp M (Expansion Draft - PHI)Bobby Burling D (Expansion Draft - SJE)Jeb Brovsky D/M (Expansion Draft - VWFC)Collen Warner M (Expansion Draft - RSL)Josh Gardner D/M (Expansion Draft - CLB)Sanna Nyassi M/F (Expansion Draft - COL)Seth Sinovic D (Expansion Draft - SKC)James Riley D (Expansion Draft - SSFC)Tyson Wahl D (Trade - SSFC)Gerson Mayen M (Trade - CHV)Justin Braun F (Trade - CHV)Bryan Arguez M (Ft Lauderdale Strikers D2)Davy Arnaud M (Trade - SKC)Donovan Rickets GK (Trade - LAG)Ian Westlake M (Montreal D2)Miguel Montano M/F (Free - SSFC)Greg Sutton GK (Free - RBNY)Patrice Bernier M (Free - Lyngby BK)Felipe Martins M (Free - FC Lugano)

I haven't been following this closely and I'm not sure exactly how the expansion draft works, but it looks like they've put together a pretty nice core here - Ricketts, Rivas, Valentin, Arnaud, Mapp, Ching, Nyassi are all quality players.

I'd add Justin Braun to that list of nice adds by the Impact. He hasn't gotten much pub since he was on Chivas USA, but he's a quality young player.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The CCL game between Toronto and LA in Toronto has been moved to the Rogers Center due to weather concerns. With this being LA's only trip into Toronto this year, they are expecting a huge crowd of between 40 and 50k.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

The CCL game between Toronto and LA in Toronto has been moved to the Rogers Center due to weather concerns. With this being LA's only trip into Toronto this year, they are expecting a huge crowd of between 40 and 50k.

I'm guessing the 40-50k is more of a reason to move it than the weather

 

[El Floppo]

MONTREAL IMPACTINNelson Rivas D (Free - Internazionale)Evan Bush GK (Montreal D2)Hassoun Camara M (Montreal D2)Sinisa Ubiparipovic M (Montreal D2)Brian Ching F (Expansion Draft - HOU)Zarek Valentin D (Expansion Draft - CHV)Justin Mapp M (Expansion Draft - PHI)Bobby Burling D (Expansion Draft - SJE)Jeb Brovsky D/M (Expansion Draft - VWFC)Collen Warner M (Expansion Draft - RSL)Josh Gardner D/M (Expansion Draft - CLB)Sanna Nyassi M/F (Expansion Draft - COL)Seth Sinovic D (Expansion Draft - SKC)James Riley D (Expansion Draft - SSFC)Tyson Wahl D (Trade - SSFC)Gerson Mayen M (Trade - CHV)Justin Braun F (Trade - CHV)Bryan Arguez M (Ft Lauderdale Strikers D2)Davy Arnaud M (Trade - SKC)Donovan Rickets GK (Trade - LAG)Ian Westlake M (Montreal D2)Miguel Montano M/F (Free - SSFC)Greg Sutton GK (Free - RBNY)Patrice Bernier M (Free - Lyngby BK)Felipe Martins M (Free - FC Lugano)

I haven't been following this closely and I'm not sure exactly how the expansion draft works, but it looks like they've put together a pretty nice core here - Ricketts, Rivas, Valentin, Arnaud, Mapp, Ching, Nyassi are all quality players.

I'd add Justin Braun to that list of nice adds by the Impact. He hasn't gotten much pub since he was on Chivas USA, but he's a quality young player.

Agree- although Braun suffers the inconsistencies of being a young player. He tends to disappear in games and make some poor decisions, but his upside is pretty nice; he singlehandedly took apart the BullStars in one game last year... or maybe the year before.But I'd probably put Riley ahead of Braun in terms of consistency, and he's also young. I know Seattle fans were pretty bummed that Riley got away in that draft.

 

[El Floppo]

Anybody else watching the live US Soccer thing on FSC right now? I started, but am recording it. Kind of interesting so far- looking forward to hearing what they have to say about youth development.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The CCL game between Toronto and LA in Toronto has been moved to the Rogers Center due to weather concerns. With this being LA's only trip into Toronto this year, they are expecting a huge crowd of between 40 and 50k.

I'm guessing the 40-50k is more of a reason to move it than the weather

Hard to say. They planned to move the game before the 2012 schedule came out so they had no idea LA was not going to visit during the regular season. Also, while the crowd will be much bigger than what they can get at BMO, they won't keep any of the concessions money or any of the parking revenue and they likely have to pay a pretty big fee to rent the place so it's not a total slam dunk financially.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Very nice signing by Toronto FC. Great to see the league lock down a good young player like this.

http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2012/01/tfc-agree-terms-joao-plata

 

[NewlyRetired]

US Soccer has revamped (again), the US Open Cup format. Some of these rules seem to be directly put in place to block Seattle from always hosting, which has given them an obvious advantage in winning the last three Cups.

Here are all the details

http://thecup.us/ussf-announces-monumental-format-changes-to-2012-us-open-cup/

 

[NewlyRetired]

Wow, this at first shocked me, but then I kind of understood as I realized that he has graduated from Generation Adidas and will be taking a pretty big chunk out of the cap this year.

Philly is shopping Mwanga

 

[Steve Tasker]

US Soccer has revamped (again), the US Open Cup format. Some of these rules seem to be directly put in place to block Seattle from always hosting, which has given them an obvious advantage in winning the last three Cups. Here are all the detailshttp://thecup.us/ussf-announces-monumental-format-changes-to-2012-us-open-cup/

Whew, looks like my men's league team will still be able to qualify. Never give up the dream, all we have to do is win like 15 straight games to get there. This summer for sure.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

The CCL game between Toronto and LA in Toronto has been moved to the Rogers Center due to weather concerns. With this being LA's only trip into Toronto this year, they are expecting a huge crowd of between 40 and 50k.

I'm guessing the 40-50k is more of a reason to move it than the weather

Hard to say. They planned to move the game before the 2012 schedule came out so they had no idea LA was not going to visit during the regular season. Also, while the crowd will be much bigger than what they can get at BMO, they won't keep any of the concessions money or any of the parking revenue and they likely have to pay a pretty big fee to rent the place so it's not a total slam dunk financially.

Fair points - I was thinking more of the fact that TFC's attendance, though still strong, is no longer the lock It up sell out type crowd it's been in the past. No surprise since they've been pretty terrible for their entire existence. But they seem to be possibly (finally) turning it around a little under Aron Winter. Putting in a good show in front of 50k could give the fanbase and team a shot in the arm, and might be worth sacrificing some revenue in what is essentially a bonus home game.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The CCL game between Toronto and LA in Toronto has been moved to the Rogers Center due to weather concerns. With this being LA's only trip into Toronto this year, they are expecting a huge crowd of between 40 and 50k.

I'm guessing the 40-50k is more of a reason to move it than the weather

Hard to say. They planned to move the game before the 2012 schedule came out so they had no idea LA was not going to visit during the regular season. Also, while the crowd will be much bigger than what they can get at BMO, they won't keep any of the concessions money or any of the parking revenue and they likely have to pay a pretty big fee to rent the place so it's not a total slam dunk financially.

Fair points - I was thinking more of the fact that TFC's attendance, though still strong, is no longer the lock It up sell out type crowd it's been in the past. No surprise since they've been pretty terrible for their entire existence. But they seem to be possibly (finally) turning it around a little under Aron Winter. Putting in a good show in front of 50k could give the fanbase and team a shot in the arm, and might be worth sacrificing some revenue in what is essentially a bonus home game.

Agree entirely. Also along with Winter, I think Paul Mariner really knows what he is doing. He was Nicol's number 2 during the strong years of the Revs and when he left, the team plummeted.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The Galaxy are rolling the dice again. Robbie Keane has moved to Aston Villa for a short term loan.

 

[The Gator]

The Galaxy are rolling the dice again. Robbie Keane has moved to Aston Villa for a short term loan.

Are they making any money of of these loan spells?

 

[The Gator]

^^ That one is filthy, too

Favorite/best goal of the year?

Rooney v. City(game winner)

Meireles v. Wolves

Sandro v. Chelsea

This site collects goals throughout the year and have chosen their top ten. We mentioned some of them already. I forgot about the Dos Santos goal in the Gold Cup final, that was a pretty neat one.http://www.101greatgoals.com/vote-top-10-goals-of-2011/128851/

Robin van Persie (Arsenal) (23%, 165 Votes)Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) (23%, 163 Votes)

:blink:

Don't get me wrong, that RvP one was niiiiice, but Rooney's game winner has to win...no?

ETA: No offense tasker

Should be a slam dunk really.

Goal of the decade/century as far as I can recall (although I'm looking forward to you guys reminding me of some other doozies). A bike, in the closing minutes in a massive derby with title aspirations on the line... to win the game? Easy winner.

And this win?

 

[El Floppo]

^^ That one is filthy, too

Favorite/best goal of the year?

Rooney v. City(game winner)

Meireles v. Wolves

Sandro v. Chelsea

This site collects goals throughout the year and have chosen their top ten. We mentioned some of them already. I forgot about the Dos Santos goal in the Gold Cup final, that was a pretty neat one.http://www.101greatgoals.com/vote-top-10-goals-of-2011/128851/

Robin van Persie (Arsenal) (23%, 165 Votes)Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) (23%, 163 Votes)

:blink:

Don't get me wrong, that RvP one was niiiiice, but Rooney's game winner has to win...no?

ETA: No offense tasker

Should be a slam dunk really.

Goal of the decade/century as far as I can recall (although I'm looking forward to you guys reminding me of some other doozies). A bike, in the closing minutes in a massive derby with title aspirations on the line... to win the game? Easy winner.

And this win?

If it was best move of the year- yeah... that was filthy. But the goal?

 

[El Floppo]

Super-Duper-Draft underway...

 

[jonessed]

^^ That one is filthy, too

Favorite/best goal of the year?

Rooney v. City(game winner)

Meireles v. Wolves

Sandro v. Chelsea

This site collects goals throughout the year and have chosen their top ten. We mentioned some of them already. I forgot about the Dos Santos goal in the Gold Cup final, that was a pretty neat one.http://www.101greatgoals.com/vote-top-10-goals-of-2011/128851/

Robin van Persie (Arsenal) (23%, 165 Votes)Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) (23%, 163 Votes)

:blink:

Don't get me wrong, that RvP one was niiiiice, but Rooney's game winner has to win...no?

ETA: No offense tasker

Should be a slam dunk really.

Goal of the decade/century as far as I can recall (although I'm looking forward to you guys reminding me of some other doozies). A bike, in the closing minutes in a massive derby with title aspirations on the line... to win the game? Easy winner.

And this win?

...is wrong. I dislike Rooney. I would love to pimp someone else's goal, but there just wasn't anything else close. Neymar's goal is cool, but it's a cheeky move against a sub-par team vs. an overhead bicycle kick corner-shot from the 18-yard box off of a 25-yard cross.

This is a fan award I believe so it's not neccesarily surprising that the dink and dunk goal won, but there is no question which one is more sensational.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Robbie Rogers signed with Leeds today.

 

[NewlyRetired]

According to the Brazilian federation, Brazil will play US in Foxboro on 5/30 or 5/31

 

[NewlyRetired]

Most interesting move of the draft is the Red Bulls trading for Kenny Cooper. Not sure what this says about Agudelo, although he is expected to miss some of the season with the Olympics

 

[El Floppo]

Most interesting move of the draft is the Red Bulls trading for Kenny Cooper. Not sure what this says about Agudelo, although he is expected to miss some of the season with the Olympics

 

[NewlyRetired]

Wow, this at first shocked me, but then I kind of understood as I realized that he has graduated from Generation Adidas and will be taking a pretty big chunk out of the cap this year.

Philly is shopping Mwanga

And right on cue, Philly drafts one of the most promising strikers in the draft in Chandler Hoffman.

 

[El Floppo]

btw, I got to watch 1.1 Wenger play for Duke this year on TV... that kid is $$- looking forward to seeing his progress.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The Revs drafted two generation Adidas players which is going to give them a ton of flexibility.

The second of them is going to be most interesting to US fans as it was Tyler Polak who slipped into the second round due to a poor combine but many rate him the best left full back in the national team youth system.

 

[El Floppo]

The Revs drafted two generation Adidas players which is going to give them a ton of flexibility. The second of them is going to be most interesting to US fans as it was Tyler Polak who slipped into the second round due to a poor combine but many rate him the best left full back in the national team youth system.

Say... that reminds me- how many Polaks does it take to screw in a light bulb?

 

[El Floppo]

F-ing StarReds obviously have zero confidence in young US players- I think this is the third or fourth year in a row they've ditched their 1st round pick. And for Kenny freaking Cooper?!

 

[El Floppo]

As much as I disliked the name Hunter Freeman, Hunter Jumper makes me want to punch somebody.

 

[NewlyRetired]

F-ing StarReds obviously have zero confidence in young US players- I think this is the third or fourth year in a row they've ditched their 1st round pick. And for Kenny freaking Cooper?!

They traded a 2013 first round pick and allocation money for Cooper. This years 1st round pick was traded away in the DeRo acquisition last summer. So the trend you mentioned is in full force.

 

[NewlyRetired]

No international players(non college) went in the Super Draft. They are likely to be a few that go in the Supplemental draft which comes up on January 17th. After that its pretty much sign the stragglers and off to training camp for all the teams.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Interesting changes to the next version of the CCL. If I am reading this correctly, no US based MLS team can face a Mexican team until the quarters.

NEW YORK - The Preliminary Round will be eliminated from next season's CONCACAF Champions League under a format change announced Thursday by the confederation.The four-year-old competition will remain a 24-club tournament, but instead of an initial knockout phase of 16 teams, all qualifiers will proceed to a main stage of eight, three-team groups, from which only the winners will advance to the quarterfinals.The knockout, or Championship Round, will not be altered.No team will face another club from the same country in the group stage - except in the case of a reallocated or "wild card" berth, and each group will contain either a Mexican or U.S. club. "This new format will streamline the first phase of the competition," said Ted Howard, CONCACAF's acting general secretary. "It will alleviate schedule congestion on both domestic and international calendars."The competition will begin as previously planned during the week of July 31, resuming with games the weeks of August 21, August 28, September 18, September 25 and October 23. Eight games will be contested each of those weeks as previously on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.With each team playing four matches instead of six, and the elimination of the Preliminary Round, the initial phases of the competition will be pared from 64 to 48 games.The top two teams from the United States and Mexico along with the top qualified sides from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama will be placed in the top seeded group for purposes of the draw. The second two teams from the United States and Mexico, Canada's entrant as well a the top team from El Salvador and the second teams from Costa Rica and Honduras will be placed in a second group of seeds.The three Caribbean teams, as well as the qualifiers from Belize and Nicaragua and the second teams from El Salvador, Guatemala and Panama will be placed in a final group.Quarterfinal legs will be played March 5-7 and March 12-14, with the semifinals April 2-4 and April 9-11. The finals are slated for April 24 and May 1.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Interesting changes to the next version of the CCL. If I am reading this correctly, no US based MLS team can face a Mexican team until the quarters.

NEW YORK - The Preliminary Round will be eliminated from next season's CONCACAF Champions League under a format change announced Thursday by the confederation.The four-year-old competition will remain a 24-club tournament, but instead of an initial knockout phase of 16 teams, all qualifiers will proceed to a main stage of eight, three-team groups, from which only the winners will advance to the quarterfinals.The knockout, or Championship Round, will not be altered.No team will face another club from the same country in the group stage - except in the case of a reallocated or "wild card" berth, and each group will contain either a Mexican or U.S. club. "This new format will streamline the first phase of the competition," said Ted Howard, CONCACAF's acting general secretary. "It will alleviate schedule congestion on both domestic and international calendars."The competition will begin as previously planned during the week of July 31, resuming with games the weeks of August 21, August 28, September 18, September 25 and October 23. Eight games will be contested each of those weeks as previously on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.With each team playing four matches instead of six, and the elimination of the Preliminary Round, the initial phases of the competition will be pared from 64 to 48 games.The top two teams from the United States and Mexico along with the top qualified sides from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama will be placed in the top seeded group for purposes of the draw. The second two teams from the United States and Mexico, Canada's entrant as well a the top team from El Salvador and the second teams from Costa Rica and Honduras will be placed in a second group of seeds.The three Caribbean teams, as well as the qualifiers from Belize and Nicaragua and the second teams from El Salvador, Guatemala and Panama will be placed in a final group.Quarterfinal legs will be played March 5-7 and March 12-14, with the semifinals April 2-4 and April 9-11. The finals are slated for April 24 and May 1.

Not sure how I feel about this change to be honest. It certainly would seem to favor MLS sides making the knockout rounds more often, but on the other hand, the group stage matches without playing Mexican teams seem less interesting.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Interesting changes to the next version of the CCL. If I am reading this correctly, no US based MLS team can face a Mexican team until the quarters.

NEW YORK - The Preliminary Round will be eliminated from next season's CONCACAF Champions League under a format change announced Thursday by the confederation.The four-year-old competition will remain a 24-club tournament, but instead of an initial knockout phase of 16 teams, all qualifiers will proceed to a main stage of eight, three-team groups, from which only the winners will advance to the quarterfinals.The knockout, or Championship Round, will not be altered.No team will face another club from the same country in the group stage - except in the case of a reallocated or "wild card" berth, and each group will contain either a Mexican or U.S. club. "This new format will streamline the first phase of the competition," said Ted Howard, CONCACAF's acting general secretary. "It will alleviate schedule congestion on both domestic and international calendars."The competition will begin as previously planned during the week of July 31, resuming with games the weeks of August 21, August 28, September 18, September 25 and October 23. Eight games will be contested each of those weeks as previously on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.With each team playing four matches instead of six, and the elimination of the Preliminary Round, the initial phases of the competition will be pared from 64 to 48 games.The top two teams from the United States and Mexico along with the top qualified sides from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama will be placed in the top seeded group for purposes of the draw. The second two teams from the United States and Mexico, Canada's entrant as well a the top team from El Salvador and the second teams from Costa Rica and Honduras will be placed in a second group of seeds.The three Caribbean teams, as well as the qualifiers from Belize and Nicaragua and the second teams from El Salvador, Guatemala and Panama will be placed in a final group.Quarterfinal legs will be played March 5-7 and March 12-14, with the semifinals April 2-4 and April 9-11. The finals are slated for April 24 and May 1.

Not sure how I feel about this change to be honest. It certainly would seem to favor MLS sides making the knockout rounds more often, but on the other hand, the group stage matches without playing Mexican teams seem less interesting.

I am torn. I really love group play with 4 teams in it but I also know MLS sides struggle with roster depth and have to make difficult choices on which games they will basically give up on. By the way Ted, my Revs would kill for a striker. Is your Union going to let go any of that talent they have up top? Benny for Mwanga and allocation money would be an interesting trade for both teams (assuming Rowe is as good as advertised).

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Interesting changes to the next version of the CCL. If I am reading this correctly, no US based MLS team can face a Mexican team until the quarters.

NEW YORK - The Preliminary Round will be eliminated from next season's CONCACAF Champions League under a format change announced Thursday by the confederation.The four-year-old competition will remain a 24-club tournament, but instead of an initial knockout phase of 16 teams, all qualifiers will proceed to a main stage of eight, three-team groups, from which only the winners will advance to the quarterfinals.The knockout, or Championship Round, will not be altered.No team will face another club from the same country in the group stage - except in the case of a reallocated or "wild card" berth, and each group will contain either a Mexican or U.S. club. "This new format will streamline the first phase of the competition," said Ted Howard, CONCACAF's acting general secretary. "It will alleviate schedule congestion on both domestic and international calendars."The competition will begin as previously planned during the week of July 31, resuming with games the weeks of August 21, August 28, September 18, September 25 and October 23. Eight games will be contested each of those weeks as previously on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.With each team playing four matches instead of six, and the elimination of the Preliminary Round, the initial phases of the competition will be pared from 64 to 48 games.The top two teams from the United States and Mexico along with the top qualified sides from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama will be placed in the top seeded group for purposes of the draw. The second two teams from the United States and Mexico, Canada's entrant as well a the top team from El Salvador and the second teams from Costa Rica and Honduras will be placed in a second group of seeds.The three Caribbean teams, as well as the qualifiers from Belize and Nicaragua and the second teams from El Salvador, Guatemala and Panama will be placed in a final group.Quarterfinal legs will be played March 5-7 and March 12-14, with the semifinals April 2-4 and April 9-11. The finals are slated for April 24 and May 1.

Not sure how I feel about this change to be honest. It certainly would seem to favor MLS sides making the knockout rounds more often, but on the other hand, the group stage matches without playing Mexican teams seem less interesting.

I am torn. I really love group play with 4 teams in it but I also know MLS sides struggle with roster depth and have to make difficult choices on which games they will basically give up on. By the way Ted, my Revs would kill for a striker. Is your Union going to let go any of that talent they have up top? Benny for Mwanga and allocation money would be an interesting trade for both teams (assuming Rowe is as good as advertised).

I thought they were dangling Danny for that #3 pick and th Revs didn't bite.It's going to be tough finding consistent minutes amongst Martinez, Mwanga, McInerney and now Hoffman (next to Le Toux). Hoffman and Jack Mac are GA ao no rush there, but I still have to think some kind of move will be made before the start of the season.Re: Benny, I'd be surprised. If they wanted Benny, they would have used their allocation on him last year instead of letting him fall to the Revs

 

[NewlyRetired]

I thought they were dangling Danny for that #3 pick and th Revs didn't bite.

I have not seen enough of Rowe to know if that would have been a good trade or not however I have seen enough of how the Krafts run the business to know that there was no way in hell they were going to trade away a GA player with a multi year locked in relatively low salary which they were guaranteed to get at number 3.I still think Philly should move at least one of those players to someone. I know they don't need to rush but the team is very talented as it stands now and just needs a slightly different mix to be one of the main contenders.

 

[El Floppo]

I thought they were dangling Danny for that #3 pick and th Revs didn't bite.

I have not seen enough of Rowe to know if that would have been a good trade or not however I have seen enough of how the Krafts run the business to know that there was no way in hell they were going to trade away a GA player with a multi year locked in relatively low salary which they were guaranteed to get at number 3.I still think Philly should move at least one of those players to someone. I know they don't need to rush but the team is very talented as it stands now and just needs a slightly different mix to be one of the main contenders.

We'll trade ya Kenny Cooper for... anything.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

I thought they were dangling Danny for that #3 pick and th Revs didn't bite.

I have not seen enough of Rowe to know if that would have been a good trade or not however I have seen enough of how the Krafts run the business to know that there was no way in hell they were going to trade away a GA player with a multi year locked in relatively low salary which they were guaranteed to get at number 3.I still think Philly should move at least one of those players to someone. I know they don't need to rush but the team is very talented as it stands now and just needs a slightly different mix to be one of the main contenders.

We'll trade ya Kenny Cooper for... anything.

Yikes - that was a hefty price your guys paid there.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Interesting changes to the next version of the CCL. If I am reading this correctly, no US based MLS team can face a Mexican team until the quarters.

NEW YORK - The Preliminary Round will be eliminated from next season's CONCACAF Champions League under a format change announced Thursday by the confederation.The four-year-old competition will remain a 24-club tournament, but instead of an initial knockout phase of 16 teams, all qualifiers will proceed to a main stage of eight, three-team groups, from which only the winners will advance to the quarterfinals.The knockout, or Championship Round, will not be altered.No team will face another club from the same country in the group stage - except in the case of a reallocated or "wild card" berth, and each group will contain either a Mexican or U.S. club. "This new format will streamline the first phase of the competition," said Ted Howard, CONCACAF's acting general secretary. "It will alleviate schedule congestion on both domestic and international calendars."The competition will begin as previously planned during the week of July 31, resuming with games the weeks of August 21, August 28, September 18, September 25 and October 23. Eight games will be contested each of those weeks as previously on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.With each team playing four matches instead of six, and the elimination of the Preliminary Round, the initial phases of the competition will be pared from 64 to 48 games.The top two teams from the United States and Mexico along with the top qualified sides from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama will be placed in the top seeded group for purposes of the draw. The second two teams from the United States and Mexico, Canada's entrant as well a the top team from El Salvador and the second teams from Costa Rica and Honduras will be placed in a second group of seeds.The three Caribbean teams, as well as the qualifiers from Belize and Nicaragua and the second teams from El Salvador, Guatemala and Panama will be placed in a final group.Quarterfinal legs will be played March 5-7 and March 12-14, with the semifinals April 2-4 and April 9-11. The finals are slated for April 24 and May 1.

Not sure how I feel about this change to be honest. It certainly would seem to favor MLS sides making the knockout rounds more often, but on the other hand, the group stage matches without playing Mexican teams seem less interesting.

I am torn. I really love group play with 4 teams in it but I also know MLS sides struggle with roster depth and have to make difficult choices on which games they will basically give up on.

Actually the best idea I read was setting it up like the Europa League group stage - 4 groups of 5 teams, single round-robin, top 2 in each group advance. You don't get the home-and-home, but you keep MLS-FMF matches, you get a wider array of opponents, and you can finish the group stage in 5 match days, instead of the current set-up which requires 6.

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

Interesting tweets from DaMarcus Beasley. Apparently the Federales are seizing the stadium.

Wow. The government seized the stadium today! Couldn't even park n the stadium. Alot of problems right now! Nothin can get out the stadium!

The before pic of the government officials taking down the tv in the locker room! SMH lockerz.com/s/174175158

And there is the after pic of the government taking the tv Off the wall!! I've never seen nothing like this!! lockerz.com/s/174176057

Never in my life I see something like this! Jus heard the government officials seized our bus too when we left the stadium! Everything!!!

Had to take everything from the locker rm that was personal! They were even taking the soccer balls and everythin in the equipment room! Wow

 

[Steve Tasker]

Interesting tweets from DaMarcus Beasley. Apparently the Federales are seizing the stadium.

Wow. The government seized the stadium today! Couldn't even park n the stadium. Alot of problems right now! Nothin can get out the stadium!

The before pic of the government officials taking down the tv in the locker room! SMH lockerz.com/s/174175158

And there is the after pic of the government taking the tv Off the wall!! I've never seen nothing like this!! lockerz.com/s/174176057

Never in my life I see something like this! Jus heard the government officials seized our bus too when we left the stadium! Everything!!!

Had to take everything from the locker rm that was personal! They were even taking the soccer balls and everythin in the equipment room! Wow

Yeah, terrifying. Grant Wahl just drew attention to his tweets as well.

 

[El Floppo]

Milan Derby on sunday!

 

[Christo]

Milan Derby on sunday!

Dammit, it's the late Serie A game so it clashes with the Ravens/Texans game.

 

[Christo]

Starting to feel a little sorry for Torres-as sorry as I can for a Chelsea player. What would have been a brilliant goal turns into a lucky assist to Lampard.

 

[guru_007]

Ah look who it is, Scholesy

 

[Steve Tasker]

Starting to feel a little sorry for Torres-as sorry as I can for a Chelsea player. What would have been a brilliant goal turns into a lucky assist to Lampard.

That was a ridiculous shot...I was disappointed for him on that one too. I've always been a big Torres fan (my old Shining Path avatar was Torres with Tinky Winky's head, after all) and I'd love to see him do well. Looks like he's Shevchenko 2.0...

 

[Steve Tasker]

Any Time Warner people here know if Gol TV is having a free weekend this weekend? I turned it on on a whim expecting the "you don't get this channel with your ####ty cable package, #######", only to find Sevilla v. Espanyol in HD. I'm pretty sure I didn't get Gol TV before, but I haven't looked in awhile. I can't find any info anywhere about it.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

That's pretty embarrassing for Fulham.

 

[jonessed]

I could have sworn I just watched Liverpool play for a draw against Stoke at home. Either that or they just couldn't be bothered with making an offensive effort.

Essien's return should help Luiz look like a central defender again. He has been a big miss for them.

 

[The Gator]

I could have sworn I just watched Liverpool play for a draw against Stoke at home. Either that or they just couldn't be bothered with making an offensive effort.

When i saw the starting lineup i almost left and went out to get some work done. Wish i would have...5 defenders with Bellamy and Maxi on the bench? AT HOME AGAINST STOKE

 

[El Floppo]

Starting to feel a little sorry for Torres-as sorry as I can for a Chelsea player. What would have been a brilliant goal turns into a lucky assist to Lampard.

That was a ridiculous shot...I was disappointed for him on that one too. I've always been a big Torres fan (my old Shining Path avatar was Torres with Tinky Winky's head, after all) and I'd love to see him do well. Looks like he's Shevchenko 2.0...

Thought he looked good on the day. His whole demeanor on the field has been pretty down-trodden lately- weak touches, runs and fearful attempts on goal. But not today- lots of positive stuff from him on and off the ball. I have a feeling that goal will come soon, and then lots more behind it. And yeah- especially if Essien can come back.