***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (4 Viewers)

[NewlyRetired]

Sporting KC cleaned up in Turin Italy last night at the Stadium Business Awards gala. They won 4 of the 6 categories they were nominated for.

Just another small step in getting the world to know the sport continues to grow here.

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

http://www.stadiumbusinessawards.com/winners-of-thestadiumbusiness-awards-2012-announced/

The winners of the TheStadiumBusiness Awards 2012 were announced tonight, at a glittering Gala Awards Evening held in Turin, Italy.

Now in their third year, The Awards – presented annually during the programme for TheStadiumBusiness Summit – recognise achievement, innovation, fresh thinking and the leaders in the world of stadium, arena and sports venue management.

The 2012 Award Winners are as follows:

VENUE OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Venue of The Year Award recognises the world’s best stadium, arena or sports venue – from the small local club to the mega-capacity national sports facilities – over the past 12 months.

Winner: LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, Kansas City, USA

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Often called a “lifetime achievement” award, the Outstanding Achievement Award reqards an individual that has shown outstanding commitment, service and leadership to our industry over a sustained period of time.

Recipient: Dr Bernie J Mullin, CEO, The Aspire Group, USA

EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Executive of the Year Award recognises the sports venue leader, pioneer or visionary that has over-delivered in the past 12 months.

Winner: Robb Heineman, CEO, Sporting KC, USA

NEW VENUE AWARD

The New Venue Award is presented to a stadium, arena or major sports venue that opened to great success in the past year.

Winner: The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, UK

SPORTS EVENT OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Sports Event of The Year Award recognises the best stadium, arena or sports venue event in the last 12 months.

Winner: 2011 UEFA Champions League Final at Wembley Stadium, UK

GUEST EVENT OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Guest Event of The Year Award recognises the best non-sports event, guest event, concert or one-off spectacle at a major sporting venue in the last 12 months.

Winner: HM Queen visit to Croke Park, Dublin

UNSUNG HERO AWARD

Every sports venue has an Unsung Hero… or a team of them! The Unsung Hero Award recognises the quiet achiever, the ever-reliable ‘behind-the-scenes’ fixer and the person that ‘just gets on with the job’.

Winner: Green Team @ Commerzbank-Arena, Germany

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AWARD

The Customer Experience Award recognises a stadium, arena or major sports venue that has delivered consistently outstanding levels of service at every stage of the customer journey.

Winner: City Square / Etihad Stadium, Manchester City FC, UK

TEAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Team Player of the Year Award is presented to an individual who has delivered outstanding service, contribution and loyalty to a particular stadium, arena or major sports venue.

Winner: Caron Lefever, Co-ordinator – Media & Communications, Sydney Cricket & Sports Ground Trust, Australia

SAFETY & SECURITY AWARD

The Safety & Security Award recognises the continued effort of an individual, team or major sports venue to ensure the safety, comfort and security of sports venue patrons.

Winner: Maurizio Francini, Head of Stadium Security, ACF Fiorentina, Italy

PRODUCT INNOVATION AWARD

The Product Innovation Award recognises a product or service that has uniquely transformed and improved the way stadiums, arenas and sports venues do business.

Winner: FAN360 (Sporting Innovations), USA

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

The Sustainability Award recognises achievement, success or leadership in the pursuit of sustainable venue and event management.

Winner: Wembley Stadium, London, UK

INDUSTRY SUPPLIER AWARD

The Industry Supplier Award recognises the consistent service and industry support by a product or service supplier.

Winner: SkiData

RISING STAR AWARD

Who is a future leader? Who’s going on to greater things? The Rising Star Award identifies a young stadium industry executive that is destined to do just that.

Winner: Alexii Zhukovin, Head of Stadium Operations, UEFA Euro 2012 / LVIV ARENA, Ukraine

PROJECT OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Project of The Year Award is presented to an expansion, modernization or major capital enhancement of an existing sporting venue that has delivered on all its project goals and more.

Winner: BC Place Redevelopment, Canada

COMMUNITY AWARD

The Community Award is presented to a stadium, arena and major sports complex that has found new ways to support, enhance and improve its local community.

Winner: LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, Kansas City, USA

ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AWARD

The Architecture & Design Award is awarded to an architecture or design practice for a completed project that has delivered on both ‘form and function’ to inspire the future direction of stadium, arena or major sports venue design.

Winner: RKW, for PGE Arena, Gdansk

SPONSORSHIP, SALES & MARKETING AWARD

The Sponsorship, Sales & Marketing Award recognises a stadium-related sales, marketing or sponsorship campaign, deal or activity that delivered outstanding results for a venue, team or major event.

Winner: Major League Soccer, for the National Sales Center

 

[NewlyRetired]

Juan Agudelo has reportedly been traded from NY to Chivas in return for Heath Pearce.

Agudelo should get constant playing time at Chivas that he needs.

NY gets a much needed solid defender in Pearce

Pearce gets a step up in visibility in his hopes to reenter the US National Team picture

Another part of the rumor is that NY will get a portion of the transfer fee if/when Agudelo makes the jump to Europe.

The Pearce part of the rumor is 100% certain as he already tweeted he was traded to NY.

The NY fans were really hoping it was for Marquez instead of Agudelo from reading the Big Soccer boards.

 

[El Floppo]

Juan Agudelo has reportedly been traded from NY to Chivas in return for Heath Pearce. Agudelo should get constant playing time at Chivas that he needs.NY gets a much needed solid defender in PearcePearce gets a step up in visibility in his hopes to reenter the US National Team pictureAnother part of the rumor is that NY will get a portion of the transfer fee if/when Agudelo makes the jump to Europe.The Pearce part of the rumor is 100% certain as he already tweeted he was traded to NY.The NY fans were really hoping it was for Marquez instead of Agudelo from reading the Big Soccer boards.

wat.the ####.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Juan Agudelo has reportedly been traded from NY to Chivas in return for Heath Pearce. Agudelo should get constant playing time at Chivas that he needs.NY gets a much needed solid defender in PearcePearce gets a step up in visibility in his hopes to reenter the US National Team pictureAnother part of the rumor is that NY will get a portion of the transfer fee if/when Agudelo makes the jump to Europe.The Pearce part of the rumor is 100% certain as he already tweeted he was traded to NY.The NY fans were really hoping it was for Marquez instead of Agudelo from reading the Big Soccer boards.

wat.the ####.

Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl)5/17/12 1:32 PMHearing NY trades Agudelo, gets Pearce, big allocation, portion of Agudelo sign-on fee, plus Chivas covers part of salary number this year.FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer)5/17/12 1:33 PMSources have confirmed to Fox Soccer that Juan Agudelo has been traded by RBNY to Chivas USA for Heath Pearce & allocation $===========The NY fans won't like this for now but the allocation likely will allow them a big summer signing.

 

[El Floppo]

Juan Agudelo has reportedly been traded from NY to Chivas in return for Heath Pearce. Agudelo should get constant playing time at Chivas that he needs.NY gets a much needed solid defender in PearcePearce gets a step up in visibility in his hopes to reenter the US National Team pictureAnother part of the rumor is that NY will get a portion of the transfer fee if/when Agudelo makes the jump to Europe.The Pearce part of the rumor is 100% certain as he already tweeted he was traded to NY.The NY fans were really hoping it was for Marquez instead of Agudelo from reading the Big Soccer boards.

wat.the ####.

Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl)5/17/12 1:32 PMHearing NY trades Agudelo, gets Pearce, big allocation, portion of Agudelo sign-on fee, plus Chivas covers part of salary number this year.FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer)5/17/12 1:33 PMSources have confirmed to Fox Soccer that Juan Agudelo has been traded by RBNY to Chivas USA for Heath Pearce & allocation $===========The NY fans won't like this for now but the allocation likely will allow them a big summer signing.

Yeah, and a quality (albeit not fancy) defender in Pearce. Bull's back-line is a mangled mess right now, so the move helps. I wonder if this might also mean that Rogers fixed his visa issues. They'll need somebody else to plug in up there.

 

[El Floppo]

But ####. Arguably the most exciting US prospect at the position going somewhere else... never an all-around good thing, even if holes are plugged and money is acquired in future transactions.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I wonder if this might also mean that Rogers fixed his visa issues. They'll need somebody else to plug in up there.

This makes me think about Cooper as well.Do you think NY knows that Cooper is not being asked to the US camp? If he gets asked, they will almost be literally out of viable forwards depending on Henry's health.

 

[NewlyRetired]

But ####. Arguably the most exciting US prospect at the position going somewhere else... never an all-around good thing, even if holes are plugged and money is acquired in future transactions.

I hear you.NY has never been afraid of getting rid of young US talent. Juan now joins M. Bradley, Jozy and Ream as viable US players that NY has either transferred or traded.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

LINK to Euro Odds

Personally I like Germany or the Netherlands. Portugal as a darkhorse.

How can you pick Portugal as a darkhorse when they are in the same group as your two favorites?

Because they have the talent to play with anyone.

Where would you put Portugal's chances of making the knockout stage? Nobody's doubting their talent, their odds are that long because there are three teams in Europe that are ranked higher than them in the world, and two of them are in the group with them.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Shea (@BrekShea)

5/17/12 6:24 PM

I'd like to apologize to my teammates, the club and our fans.

Brek Shea (@BrekShea)

5/17/12 6:24 PM

I know that my recent actions have let everyone down, but I will learn from this mistake.

Brek Shea (@BrekShea)

5/17/12 6:24 PM

I will use this time to get healthy and come back better than ever. Thank you for your support.

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

The last tweet makes me feel he is not getting called up to the US camp but I can't be sure. If he is called up, his suspension won't start until after he comes back meaning he won't play an MLS game again until July 4th

Freddy Adu will be missing this weekends game as well but he tweeted he will be playing the following week for Philly also possibly indicating he will not be called up.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Looks like Agudelo pushed for the trade

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

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2012/05/agudelo-wanted-out-says-red-bulls-gm-erik-soler.html

When the time came to pull a trigger on a trade sending away Juan Agudelo, the ultimate push to make a trade happen came from none other than Agudelo himself.

That is the contention of team General Manager Erik Soler as he discussed the details of the young striker’s trade to Chivas USA for defender Heath Pearce, allocation money and future considerations.

“First and foremost, I think it’s important to state that the initiative for this trade was not in our hands,” Soler told reporters.  “We had conversations with Juan for a long period of time about his future and development. “

Soler cited Agudelo’s health and long term prospects with the team as a reason for his steady paced developmental but was also quick to point out that the young striker had started the first game of the season against FC Dallas after barely participating in the team’s preseason due to injury issues.

Agudelo's frustration with a lack of playing time dated back to last season, with U.S. national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann recently revealing that Agudelo had raised concerns about his status with the Red Bulls.

There have been rumblings for a long time about Hans Backe not rating Agudelo highly, and the team's decision to trade for Kenny Cooper in the off-season seemed to suggest the team wasn't ready to make Agudelo a starter in 2012.

“It had become clear that he thought that his chance to develop as a player would maybe get better chances if he played somewhere else," Soler said. "We still don’t think that’s the case, but sometimes when you work in this sport you have to put on larger glasses.“

“We want to support Juan but he wants to try something new and we’ll give him that opportunity,” Soler continued.  “We had numerous people calling us from the league about Juan, and we had turned everybody down for a long time. But in the end, when it became clear that he really wanted to try something else, and Hans and I discussed it, we don’t want to be anywhere close to giving him less opportunity than what he wants himself. “

Among the teams that had previously shown interest in Agudelo was Chivas USA, who ultimately became his final suitor. 

When the right opportunity arose to pull the trigger, the Red Bulls General Manager pointed to the recent form of Kenny Cooper for helping facilitate the move.  “We have a pair of strikers that are working fantastic at the moment,” he said.  “To be a backup player is not good enough for Juan and we understand that.  He would have been a starter in the games coming up after (the season opener against FC Dallas), but then he left for the National Team, came back with an injury and in that time, Kenny Cooper did what he did. He turned out a great player for us.”

In Heath Pearce, Soler hopes to address many of the team’s pressing issues.  With Teemu Tainio out of the lineup for the next two months or more, and the state of Wilman Conde’s health up in the air, Pearce may be looked at to fill one of many positions on the pitch.   

“We have a situation with Wilman Conde where he’s been out injured for a long time. We don’t want to push him, so he (Pearce) can play as a left central defender,” he said.  “Roy Miller has an issue with his knee, so he can play (at left back). And of course young Connor Lade had done fantastic. And he’s a left fullback that can also go further up the field, so it gives us another option. Heath Pearce can play right fullback, he can do that well.  We think he can certainly play central midfield as a defensive holding guy if we want to put Rafa Marquez somewhere else, or play Dax McCarty higher up the pitch. Defensively I think already we will see how Hans chooses to play Heath Pearce. We will see very quickly that he will help us in that part of our game. “

As for Agudelo, Soler took a realistic approach in analyzing his future with the team had the trade not been made.  “I am convinced that Juan at one time will go to Europe, and of course we are ultimately in a position to financially have a gain if that should happen. But I think that should be in a few years time from now, but I really hope he does get the chance to go to the right club.

“The only thing I can say is, I really hope in his career he scores 250 goals for Chivas. They only meet us once a year if they don’t come through to the final. I hope he doesn’t score too many against us anyway, but that’s all you can do. He’s a young, lovely kid that I really like, and I really wish all the best for him, and I’m sure he’ll do fine. “

 

[NewlyRetired]

More info for Copa America, LA Liga, Serie A, and France Div 1 fans. Still no word on where these will show up next year but they hinted it won't be on Direct TV.

=====

Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 5/17/2012 3:58:19 PM

There will be a new pair of soccer networks kicking it around for Stateside distribution and viewers this summer.

Available in both English and Spanish, beIn Sport is part of the multiplatform sports services launching across Europe and the Middle East by Al Jazeera Sports this summer.

The services, eyeing an August 1 launch, will present a host of top-flight international soccer fare, including Spain's top circuit La Liga, France's premier division, La Ligue Un (English-only), Italy's Serie A, the Copa America tournament, and South American World Cup qualifiers ahead of FIFA's 2014 tournament in Brazil.

beIn Sport has contracted with Miami-headquartered Imagina US to handle distribution and provide technical support in this country.

All told, the services are slated to present more than 1300 live soccer matches annually via linear and online platforms to authenticated viewers.

"We are very proud to bring to the American community a new way of watching sports, a better way, where all platforms come together to provide a truly customized and totally unprecedented depth of interactive experience to the viewer," said Yousef Al Obaidli, managing director of beIN Sport in a statement. " We are working together with Imagina US as our partner, and we are already in the last stages of negotiation with different providers having secured two major deals so far that will bring the channel to subscribers homes on August 1.

In an interview, Antonio Briceño, vice president of affiliate sales for Imagina US, said: "We don't expect to have 100% distribution at launch, but we will reach enough homes at launch to satisfy the business plan." He expects beIN Sport to gain further distribution over time.

Although he would not identify the providers that beIn Sport was in advanced carriage talks, Briceño insisted that the matches would be available to U.S. soccer fans this upcoming season. "You may have to switch providers," he noted.

The rights the networks have secured come from a trio of U.S. soccer proponents. La Liga and Spain's flanking Copa del Rey tournament have been televised by GolTV, since 2003; the quadrennial Copa America tournament, the South American equivalent of the Euro championship, was televised by Univision during its most recent iteration in 2011; and Fox Soccer and primarily premium service Fox Soccer Plus have been the domestic home to France's La Ligue Un, while those services and Fox Deportes have aired Serie A action.

At presstime, officials at Gol TV, Univision and Fox Soccer, who were in Munich for Saturday's UEFA Champions League final between Chelsea and Bayern Munich, were all unavailable for comment.

Although beIn Sport won't officially launch until August, the service will begin providing feeds in June, showcasing the South American World Cup qualifiers. Briceño said Imagina US was nearing deals for residential pay-per-view distributions for the matches scheduled on June 2 and June 9.

Briceño deferred questions about why the matches were not being incorporated as part of programming on Al Jazeera English, or whether beIn Sports will participate in the rights auction for England's Barclays Premiere League, which is expected to take place late this summer or in the fall, to Al Obaidli, who was not available at presstime. Al Jazeera English only has managed to gain limited distribution in the U.S.

As of right now, Briceño said beIn Sport has no plans to sublicense the rights it has obtained in the U.S. whatsoever. Under GolTV's expiring La Liga contract, it sublicensed some match rights to ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and broadband service ESPN3.com. Through a pact with Fox Sports International, Fox Soccer holds the rights to BPL through the end of the 2012-13 season, with some of those matches sublicensed to ESPN2.

In France on June 1, beIn Sport will launch a pair of channels, fueled by rights to La Ligue Un, next month's Euro championship and the Champions League.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Ugh.

ETA: Thanks for the info, NR.

 

[The Z Machine]

Pretty much the only reason I have DirecTV and the package I chose was because of la liga games. Not looking forward to breaking my contract.

 

[El Floppo]

RIP WPS.

 

[Moe.]

Another channel? Given that Time Warner can't even manage to get the ####### NFL Network I'm not too optimistic about them carrying whatever the hell this is.

 

[El Floppo]

Another channel? Given that Time Warner can't even manage to get the ####### NFL Network I'm not too optimistic about them carrying whatever the hell this is.

And I'm stuck with TW- only carrier our apt building has.

 

[The Z Machine]

Another channel? Given that Time Warner can't even manage to get the ####### NFL Network I'm not too optimistic about them carrying whatever the hell this is.

And I'm stuck with TW- only carrier our apt building has.

Time to go rogue and pirate some satellite somehow.

 

[El Floppo]

I'm sure andy covered this at length and I somehow missed it. If not... (from the NYTimes)

Guatemala-U.S. World Cup Qualifier on PPV OnlyBy JACK BELLThere may be more live soccer games on television available in the United States than nearly any other place in the world, but the United States World Cup qualifying match at Guatemala on June 12 will not be one of them — unless you are willing to stick a crowbar in your pocket and pull out $29.95 for a pay-per-view only telecast.The host country owns the TV rights to games played on its soil and Guatemalan authorities were unable to come to terms with the usual suspects in American TV: ESPN, Fox, NBC Sports Network, GolTV.Instead, the match, the second World Cup qualifier to be played by the United States in June, was sold to the highest bidder and will be distributed in the U.S. by Integrated Sports Media and Traffic Sports USA. It will be available on most of the major cable systems, and DirecTV DISH Network (the satellite carriers) and Avail-TVN, via the iN Demand pay-per-view (in standard definition). Fans will also be able to see the game live (10 p.m. Eastern, with commentary in English and Spanish) on the Internet at ustream.tv, also for $29.95.The match in Guatemala comes after the U.S. opens play in the Concacaf region against Antigua and Barbuda on June 8 in Tampa, Fla. The rights to future U.S. World Cup away matches, against Jamaica, and Antigua and Barbuda, are still up for sale through Traffic, the Brazilian company that has offices in Miami.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I'm sure andy covered this at length and I somehow missed it. If not... (from the NYTimes)

Guatemala-U.S. World Cup Qualifier on PPV OnlyBy JACK BELLThere may be more live soccer games on television available in the United States than nearly any other place in the world, but the United States World Cup qualifying match at Guatemala on June 12 will not be one of them — unless you are willing to stick a crowbar in your pocket and pull out $29.95 for a pay-per-view only telecast.The host country owns the TV rights to games played on its soil and Guatemalan authorities were unable to come to terms with the usual suspects in American TV: ESPN, Fox, NBC Sports Network, GolTV.Instead, the match, the second World Cup qualifier to be played by the United States in June, was sold to the highest bidder and will be distributed in the U.S. by Integrated Sports Media and Traffic Sports USA. It will be available on most of the major cable systems, and DirecTV DISH Network (the satellite carriers) and Avail-TVN, via the iN Demand pay-per-view (in standard definition). Fans will also be able to see the game live (10 p.m. Eastern, with commentary in English and Spanish) on the Internet at ustream.tv, also for $29.95.The match in Guatemala comes after the U.S. opens play in the Concacaf region against Antigua and Barbuda on June 8 in Tampa, Fla. The rights to future U.S. World Cup away matches, against Jamaica, and Antigua and Barbuda, are still up for sale through Traffic, the Brazilian company that has offices in Miami.

Yeah, we talked about this being a possibility a few weeks ago. Looks like i will be looking for a stream or stuck with Gamecast for arguably the most important game of the round. This of course sets a bad precedence for the other away qualifiers.

 

[El Floppo]

I'm sure andy covered this at length and I somehow missed it. If not... (from the NYTimes)

Guatemala-U.S. World Cup Qualifier on PPV OnlyBy JACK BELLThere may be more live soccer games on television available in the United States than nearly any other place in the world, but the United States World Cup qualifying match at Guatemala on June 12 will not be one of them — unless you are willing to stick a crowbar in your pocket and pull out $29.95 for a pay-per-view only telecast.The host country owns the TV rights to games played on its soil and Guatemalan authorities were unable to come to terms with the usual suspects in American TV: ESPN, Fox, NBC Sports Network, GolTV.Instead, the match, the second World Cup qualifier to be played by the United States in June, was sold to the highest bidder and will be distributed in the U.S. by Integrated Sports Media and Traffic Sports USA. It will be available on most of the major cable systems, and DirecTV DISH Network (the satellite carriers) and Avail-TVN, via the iN Demand pay-per-view (in standard definition). Fans will also be able to see the game live (10 p.m. Eastern, with commentary in English and Spanish) on the Internet at ustream.tv, also for $29.95.The match in Guatemala comes after the U.S. opens play in the Concacaf region against Antigua and Barbuda on June 8 in Tampa, Fla. The rights to future U.S. World Cup away matches, against Jamaica, and Antigua and Barbuda, are still up for sale through Traffic, the Brazilian company that has offices in Miami.

Yeah, we talked about this being a possibility a few weeks ago. Looks like i will be looking for a stream or stuck with Gamecast for arguably the most important game of the round. This of course sets a bad precedence for the other away qualifiers.

I'm thinking of finding a bar- I'm sure there will be a few that get the PPV.Although that one game last cycle that was like this... vs Honduras? ... there was only one bar in Manhattan showing the game.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I'm sure andy covered this at length and I somehow missed it. If not... (from the NYTimes)

Guatemala-U.S. World Cup Qualifier on PPV OnlyBy JACK BELLThere may be more live soccer games on television available in the United States than nearly any other place in the world, but the United States World Cup qualifying match at Guatemala on June 12 will not be one of them — unless you are willing to stick a crowbar in your pocket and pull out $29.95 for a pay-per-view only telecast.The host country owns the TV rights to games played on its soil and Guatemalan authorities were unable to come to terms with the usual suspects in American TV: ESPN, Fox, NBC Sports Network, GolTV.Instead, the match, the second World Cup qualifier to be played by the United States in June, was sold to the highest bidder and will be distributed in the U.S. by Integrated Sports Media and Traffic Sports USA. It will be available on most of the major cable systems, and DirecTV DISH Network (the satellite carriers) and Avail-TVN, via the iN Demand pay-per-view (in standard definition). Fans will also be able to see the game live (10 p.m. Eastern, with commentary in English and Spanish) on the Internet at ustream.tv, also for $29.95.The match in Guatemala comes after the U.S. opens play in the Concacaf region against Antigua and Barbuda on June 8 in Tampa, Fla. The rights to future U.S. World Cup away matches, against Jamaica, and Antigua and Barbuda, are still up for sale through Traffic, the Brazilian company that has offices in Miami.

Yeah, we talked about this being a possibility a few weeks ago. Looks like i will be looking for a stream or stuck with Gamecast for arguably the most important game of the round. This of course sets a bad precedence for the other away qualifiers.

I'm thinking of finding a bar- I'm sure there will be a few that get the PPV.Although that one game last cycle that was like this... vs Honduras? ... there was only one bar in Manhattan showing the game.

Sadly the only way to break this cycle is to not go to the bars or order the PPV's and that sucks because we obviously want to watch the games. :(

 

[Slapdash]

More info for Copa America, LA Liga, Serie A, and France Div 1 fans. Still no word on where these will show up next year but they hinted it won't be on Direct TV.

=====

Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 5/17/2012 3:58:19 PM

There will be a new pair of soccer networks kicking it around for Stateside distribution and viewers this summer.

Available in both English and Spanish, beIn Sport is part of the multiplatform sports services launching across Europe and the Middle East by Al Jazeera Sports this summer.

The services, eyeing an August 1 launch, will present a host of top-flight international soccer fare, including Spain's top circuit La Liga, France's premier division, La Ligue Un (English-only), Italy's Serie A, the Copa America tournament, and South American World Cup qualifiers ahead of FIFA's 2014 tournament in Brazil.

beIn Sport has contracted with Miami-headquartered Imagina US to handle distribution and provide technical support in this country.

All told, the services are slated to present more than 1300 live soccer matches annually via linear and online platforms to authenticated viewers.

"We are very proud to bring to the American community a new way of watching sports, a better way, where all platforms come together to provide a truly customized and totally unprecedented depth of interactive experience to the viewer," said Yousef Al Obaidli, managing director of beIN Sport in a statement. " We are working together with Imagina US as our partner, and we are already in the last stages of negotiation with different providers having secured two major deals so far that will bring the channel to subscribers homes on August 1.

In an interview, Antonio Briceño, vice president of affiliate sales for Imagina US, said: "We don't expect to have 100% distribution at launch, but we will reach enough homes at launch to satisfy the business plan." He expects beIN Sport to gain further distribution over time.

Although he would not identify the providers that beIn Sport was in advanced carriage talks, Briceño insisted that the matches would be available to U.S. soccer fans this upcoming season. "You may have to switch providers," he noted.

The rights the networks have secured come from a trio of U.S. soccer proponents. La Liga and Spain's flanking Copa del Rey tournament have been televised by GolTV, since 2003; the quadrennial Copa America tournament, the South American equivalent of the Euro championship, was televised by Univision during its most recent iteration in 2011; and Fox Soccer and primarily premium service Fox Soccer Plus have been the domestic home to France's La Ligue Un, while those services and Fox Deportes have aired Serie A action.

At presstime, officials at Gol TV, Univision and Fox Soccer, who were in Munich for Saturday's UEFA Champions League final between Chelsea and Bayern Munich, were all unavailable for comment.

Although beIn Sport won't officially launch until August, the service will begin providing feeds in June, showcasing the South American World Cup qualifiers. Briceño said Imagina US was nearing deals for residential pay-per-view distributions for the matches scheduled on June 2 and June 9.

Briceño deferred questions about why the matches were not being incorporated as part of programming on Al Jazeera English, or whether beIn Sports will participate in the rights auction for England's Barclays Premiere League, which is expected to take place late this summer or in the fall, to Al Obaidli, who was not available at presstime. Al Jazeera English only has managed to gain limited distribution in the U.S.

As of right now, Briceño said beIn Sport has no plans to sublicense the rights it has obtained in the U.S. whatsoever. Under GolTV's expiring La Liga contract, it sublicensed some match rights to ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and broadband service ESPN3.com. Through a pact with Fox Sports International, Fox Soccer holds the rights to BPL through the end of the 2012-13 season, with some of those matches sublicensed to ESPN2.

In France on June 1, beIn Sport will launch a pair of channels, fueled by rights to La Ligue Un, next month's Euro championship and the Champions League.

Mother ####ers. Anyone know a good site to torrent games after they air?

 

[bentley]

I'm sure andy covered this at length and I somehow missed it. If not... (from the NYTimes)

Guatemala-U.S. World Cup Qualifier on PPV OnlyBy JACK BELLThere may be more live soccer games on television available in the United States than nearly any other place in the world, but the United States World Cup qualifying match at Guatemala on June 12 will not be one of them — unless you are willing to stick a crowbar in your pocket and pull out $29.95 for a pay-per-view only telecast.The host country owns the TV rights to games played on its soil and Guatemalan authorities were unable to come to terms with the usual suspects in American TV: ESPN, Fox, NBC Sports Network, GolTV.Instead, the match, the second World Cup qualifier to be played by the United States in June, was sold to the highest bidder and will be distributed in the U.S. by Integrated Sports Media and Traffic Sports USA. It will be available on most of the major cable systems, and DirecTV DISH Network (the satellite carriers) and Avail-TVN, via the iN Demand pay-per-view (in standard definition). Fans will also be able to see the game live (10 p.m. Eastern, with commentary in English and Spanish) on the Internet at ustream.tv, also for $29.95.The match in Guatemala comes after the U.S. opens play in the Concacaf region against Antigua and Barbuda on June 8 in Tampa, Fla. The rights to future U.S. World Cup away matches, against Jamaica, and Antigua and Barbuda, are still up for sale through Traffic, the Brazilian company that has offices in Miami.

Yeah, we talked about this being a possibility a few weeks ago. Looks like i will be looking for a stream or stuck with Gamecast for arguably the most important game of the round. This of course sets a bad precedence for the other away qualifiers.

I'm thinking of finding a bar- I'm sure there will be a few that get the PPV.Although that one game last cycle that was like this... vs Honduras? ... there was only one bar in Manhattan showing the game.

Sadly the only way to break this cycle is to not go to the bars or order the PPV's and that sucks because we obviously want to watch the games. :(

My understanding for stuff like this is that the PPV is only an option if nobody else will carry it. So staying home from the bars only makes it more likely that it won't be shown anywhere at all, not that it will start appearing on cable.

 

[jonessed]

More info for Copa America, LA Liga, Serie A, and France Div 1 fans. Still no word on where these will show up next year but they hinted it won't be on Direct TV.

=====

Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 5/17/2012 3:58:19 PM

There will be a new pair of soccer networks kicking it around for Stateside distribution and viewers this summer.

Available in both English and Spanish, beIn Sport is part of the multiplatform sports services launching across Europe and the Middle East by Al Jazeera Sports this summer.

The services, eyeing an August 1 launch, will present a host of top-flight international soccer fare, including Spain's top circuit La Liga, France's premier division, La Ligue Un (English-only), Italy's Serie A, the Copa America tournament, and South American World Cup qualifiers ahead of FIFA's 2014 tournament in Brazil.

beIn Sport has contracted with Miami-headquartered Imagina US to handle distribution and provide technical support in this country.

All told, the services are slated to present more than 1300 live soccer matches annually via linear and online platforms to authenticated viewers.

"We are very proud to bring to the American community a new way of watching sports, a better way, where all platforms come together to provide a truly customized and totally unprecedented depth of interactive experience to the viewer," said Yousef Al Obaidli, managing director of beIN Sport in a statement. " We are working together with Imagina US as our partner, and we are already in the last stages of negotiation with different providers having secured two major deals so far that will bring the channel to subscribers homes on August 1.

In an interview, Antonio Briceño, vice president of affiliate sales for Imagina US, said: "We don't expect to have 100% distribution at launch, but we will reach enough homes at launch to satisfy the business plan." He expects beIN Sport to gain further distribution over time.

Although he would not identify the providers that beIn Sport was in advanced carriage talks, Briceño insisted that the matches would be available to U.S. soccer fans this upcoming season. "You may have to switch providers," he noted.

The rights the networks have secured come from a trio of U.S. soccer proponents. La Liga and Spain's flanking Copa del Rey tournament have been televised by GolTV, since 2003; the quadrennial Copa America tournament, the South American equivalent of the Euro championship, was televised by Univision during its most recent iteration in 2011; and Fox Soccer and primarily premium service Fox Soccer Plus have been the domestic home to France's La Ligue Un, while those services and Fox Deportes have aired Serie A action.

At presstime, officials at Gol TV, Univision and Fox Soccer, who were in Munich for Saturday's UEFA Champions League final between Chelsea and Bayern Munich, were all unavailable for comment.

Although beIn Sport won't officially launch until August, the service will begin providing feeds in June, showcasing the South American World Cup qualifiers. Briceño said Imagina US was nearing deals for residential pay-per-view distributions for the matches scheduled on June 2 and June 9.

Briceño deferred questions about why the matches were not being incorporated as part of programming on Al Jazeera English, or whether beIn Sports will participate in the rights auction for England's Barclays Premiere League, which is expected to take place late this summer or in the fall, to Al Obaidli, who was not available at presstime. Al Jazeera English only has managed to gain limited distribution in the U.S.

As of right now, Briceño said beIn Sport has no plans to sublicense the rights it has obtained in the U.S. whatsoever. Under GolTV's expiring La Liga contract, it sublicensed some match rights to ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and broadband service ESPN3.com. Through a pact with Fox Sports International, Fox Soccer holds the rights to BPL through the end of the 2012-13 season, with some of those matches sublicensed to ESPN2.

In France on June 1, beIn Sport will launch a pair of channels, fueled by rights to La Ligue Un, next month's Euro championship and the Champions League.

Mother ####ers. Anyone know a good site to torrent games after they air?

Welcome to the EPL.

 

[GoFishTN]

More info for Copa America, LA Liga, Serie A, and France Div 1 fans. Still no word on where these will show up next year but they hinted it won't be on Direct TV.

=====

Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 5/17/2012 3:58:19 PM

There will be a new pair of soccer networks kicking it around for Stateside distribution and viewers this summer.

Available in both English and Spanish, beIn Sport is part of the multiplatform sports services launching across Europe and the Middle East by Al Jazeera Sports this summer.

The services, eyeing an August 1 launch, will present a host of top-flight international soccer fare, including Spain's top circuit La Liga, France's premier division, La Ligue Un (English-only), Italy's Serie A, the Copa America tournament, and South American World Cup qualifiers ahead of FIFA's 2014 tournament in Brazil.

beIn Sport has contracted with Miami-headquartered Imagina US to handle distribution and provide technical support in this country.

All told, the services are slated to present more than 1300 live soccer matches annually via linear and online platforms to authenticated viewers.

"We are very proud to bring to the American community a new way of watching sports, a better way, where all platforms come together to provide a truly customized and totally unprecedented depth of interactive experience to the viewer," said Yousef Al Obaidli, managing director of beIN Sport in a statement. " We are working together with Imagina US as our partner, and we are already in the last stages of negotiation with different providers having secured two major deals so far that will bring the channel to subscribers homes on August 1.

In an interview, Antonio Briceño, vice president of affiliate sales for Imagina US, said: "We don't expect to have 100% distribution at launch, but we will reach enough homes at launch to satisfy the business plan." He expects beIN Sport to gain further distribution over time.

Although he would not identify the providers that beIn Sport was in advanced carriage talks, Briceño insisted that the matches would be available to U.S. soccer fans this upcoming season. "You may have to switch providers," he noted.

The rights the networks have secured come from a trio of U.S. soccer proponents. La Liga and Spain's flanking Copa del Rey tournament have been televised by GolTV, since 2003; the quadrennial Copa America tournament, the South American equivalent of the Euro championship, was televised by Univision during its most recent iteration in 2011; and Fox Soccer and primarily premium service Fox Soccer Plus have been the domestic home to France's La Ligue Un, while those services and Fox Deportes have aired Serie A action.

At presstime, officials at Gol TV, Univision and Fox Soccer, who were in Munich for Saturday's UEFA Champions League final between Chelsea and Bayern Munich, were all unavailable for comment.

Although beIn Sport won't officially launch until August, the service will begin providing feeds in June, showcasing the South American World Cup qualifiers. Briceño said Imagina US was nearing deals for residential pay-per-view distributions for the matches scheduled on June 2 and June 9.

Briceño deferred questions about why the matches were not being incorporated as part of programming on Al Jazeera English, or whether beIn Sports will participate in the rights auction for England's Barclays Premiere League, which is expected to take place late this summer or in the fall, to Al Obaidli, who was not available at presstime. Al Jazeera English only has managed to gain limited distribution in the U.S.

As of right now, Briceño said beIn Sport has no plans to sublicense the rights it has obtained in the U.S. whatsoever. Under GolTV's expiring La Liga contract, it sublicensed some match rights to ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and broadband service ESPN3.com. Through a pact with Fox Sports International, Fox Soccer holds the rights to BPL through the end of the 2012-13 season, with some of those matches sublicensed to ESPN2.

In France on June 1, beIn Sport will launch a pair of channels, fueled by rights to La Ligue Un, next month's Euro championship and the Champions League.

Mother ####ers. Anyone know a good site to torrent games after they air?

I do not know of any American sites for Soccer games or Archives.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I'm sure andy covered this at length and I somehow missed it. If not... (from the NYTimes)

Guatemala-U.S. World Cup Qualifier on PPV OnlyBy JACK BELLThere may be more live soccer games on television available in the United States than nearly any other place in the world, but the United States World Cup qualifying match at Guatemala on June 12 will not be one of them — unless you are willing to stick a crowbar in your pocket and pull out $29.95 for a pay-per-view only telecast.The host country owns the TV rights to games played on its soil and Guatemalan authorities were unable to come to terms with the usual suspects in American TV: ESPN, Fox, NBC Sports Network, GolTV.Instead, the match, the second World Cup qualifier to be played by the United States in June, was sold to the highest bidder and will be distributed in the U.S. by Integrated Sports Media and Traffic Sports USA. It will be available on most of the major cable systems, and DirecTV DISH Network (the satellite carriers) and Avail-TVN, via the iN Demand pay-per-view (in standard definition). Fans will also be able to see the game live (10 p.m. Eastern, with commentary in English and Spanish) on the Internet at ustream.tv, also for $29.95.The match in Guatemala comes after the U.S. opens play in the Concacaf region against Antigua and Barbuda on June 8 in Tampa, Fla. The rights to future U.S. World Cup away matches, against Jamaica, and Antigua and Barbuda, are still up for sale through Traffic, the Brazilian company that has offices in Miami.

Yeah, we talked about this being a possibility a few weeks ago. Looks like i will be looking for a stream or stuck with Gamecast for arguably the most important game of the round. This of course sets a bad precedence for the other away qualifiers.

I'm thinking of finding a bar- I'm sure there will be a few that get the PPV.Although that one game last cycle that was like this... vs Honduras? ... there was only one bar in Manhattan showing the game.

Sadly the only way to break this cycle is to not go to the bars or order the PPV's and that sucks because we obviously want to watch the games. :(

My understanding for stuff like this is that the PPV is only an option if nobody else will carry it. So staying home from the bars only makes it more likely that it won't be shown anywhere at all, not that it will start appearing on cable.

This is incorrect I believe. The highest bidder bid more money than either ESPN, Fox or NBC. The Guatamalen federation could care less who shows the games in the US, they are only looking for the best bid. Goff reported that the Guatemalan federation sold them to MediaWorld, a global entertainment company, which in turn sold them to Traffic Sports USA, a Miami outfit. Traffic partnered with Integrated Sports Media, a New Jersey company specializing in pay-per-view events.If no one buys the PPV's (and or no one goes to the bars), the company that is distrubuting the game will have to lower its bid next time to stay competitive profit wise allowing the normal broadcasters to have bids that might be higher.

 

[bentley]

The story reads as if the usual suspects weren't willing to pay the asking price, so it was auctioned off and a PPV provider bought the rights. Seems like its similar to the situation we used to have here in Austin when Longhorn football stunk under Mackovic. If the regular networks weren't picking the game up, they would make it available though PPV figuring that any money was better than nothing.

 

[NewlyRetired]

US Soccer has a FAQ about the tv issues. This link will provide a link to all soccer bars across the country that intend to carry the game.

http://www.ussoccer.com/Live/WCQ-TV-FAQ.aspx

 

[NewlyRetired]

The story reads as if the usual suspects weren't willing to pay the asking price, so it was auctioned off and a PPV provider bought the rights.

The rights were not auctioned off according to Goff. MediaWorld put in a higher bid than anyone else so they won it. Media World then sold to Traffic Sports who determined how they could make the most money and in the end they felt they would get more ppv buys then they were getting offers from ESPN/Fox etc.

 

[Slapdash]

More info for Copa America, LA Liga, Serie A, and France Div 1 fans. Still no word on where these will show up next year but they hinted it won't be on Direct TV.

=====

Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 5/17/2012 3:58:19 PM

There will be a new pair of soccer networks kicking it around for Stateside distribution and viewers this summer.

Available in both English and Spanish, beIn Sport is part of the multiplatform sports services launching across Europe and the Middle East by Al Jazeera Sports this summer.

The services, eyeing an August 1 launch, will present a host of top-flight international soccer fare, including Spain's top circuit La Liga, France's premier division, La Ligue Un (English-only), Italy's Serie A, the Copa America tournament, and South American World Cup qualifiers ahead of FIFA's 2014 tournament in Brazil.

beIn Sport has contracted with Miami-headquartered Imagina US to handle distribution and provide technical support in this country.

All told, the services are slated to present more than 1300 live soccer matches annually via linear and online platforms to authenticated viewers.

"We are very proud to bring to the American community a new way of watching sports, a better way, where all platforms come together to provide a truly customized and totally unprecedented depth of interactive experience to the viewer," said Yousef Al Obaidli, managing director of beIN Sport in a statement. " We are working together with Imagina US as our partner, and we are already in the last stages of negotiation with different providers having secured two major deals so far that will bring the channel to subscribers homes on August 1.

In an interview, Antonio Briceño, vice president of affiliate sales for Imagina US, said: "We don't expect to have 100% distribution at launch, but we will reach enough homes at launch to satisfy the business plan." He expects beIN Sport to gain further distribution over time.

Although he would not identify the providers that beIn Sport was in advanced carriage talks, Briceño insisted that the matches would be available to U.S. soccer fans this upcoming season. "You may have to switch providers," he noted.

The rights the networks have secured come from a trio of U.S. soccer proponents. La Liga and Spain's flanking Copa del Rey tournament have been televised by GolTV, since 2003; the quadrennial Copa America tournament, the South American equivalent of the Euro championship, was televised by Univision during its most recent iteration in 2011; and Fox Soccer and primarily premium service Fox Soccer Plus have been the domestic home to France's La Ligue Un, while those services and Fox Deportes have aired Serie A action.

At presstime, officials at Gol TV, Univision and Fox Soccer, who were in Munich for Saturday's UEFA Champions League final between Chelsea and Bayern Munich, were all unavailable for comment.

Although beIn Sport won't officially launch until August, the service will begin providing feeds in June, showcasing the South American World Cup qualifiers. Briceño said Imagina US was nearing deals for residential pay-per-view distributions for the matches scheduled on June 2 and June 9.

Briceño deferred questions about why the matches were not being incorporated as part of programming on Al Jazeera English, or whether beIn Sports will participate in the rights auction for England's Barclays Premiere League, which is expected to take place late this summer or in the fall, to Al Obaidli, who was not available at presstime. Al Jazeera English only has managed to gain limited distribution in the U.S.

As of right now, Briceño said beIn Sport has no plans to sublicense the rights it has obtained in the U.S. whatsoever. Under GolTV's expiring La Liga contract, it sublicensed some match rights to ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and broadband service ESPN3.com. Through a pact with Fox Sports International, Fox Soccer holds the rights to BPL through the end of the 2012-13 season, with some of those matches sublicensed to ESPN2.

In France on June 1, beIn Sport will launch a pair of channels, fueled by rights to La Ligue Un, next month's Euro championship and the Champions League.

Mother ####ers. Anyone know a good site to torrent games after they air?

Welcome to the EPL.

No thanks.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I was hoping that SUM would buy the rights and then work with one of the normal broadcasters to defray the costs but it does not appear that SUM was involved in the process.

Floppo was right that this happened in 2010 qualifying at Honduras. That one was not even ppv, it was only on closed circuit tv.

 

[Slapdash]

Mother ####ers. Anyone know a good site to torrent games after they air?

I do not know of any American sites for Soccer games or Archives.

Doesn't matter what language or locality the site would be in.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Hopefully we can find some decent streams and share them here when the time comes.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Mother ####ers. Anyone know a good site to torrent games after they air?

I do not know of any American sites for Soccer games or Archives.

Doesn't matter what language or locality the site would be in.

I have seen a ton of epl games at the normal torrent sites a few hours after the games have finished. I have never downloaded one to see the quality though.

 

[Slapdash]

Mother ####ers. Anyone know a good site to torrent games after they air?

I do not know of any American sites for Soccer games or Archives.

Doesn't matter what language or locality the site would be in.

I have seen a ton of epl games at the normal torrent sites a few hours after the games have finished. I have never downloaded one to see the quality though.

Yeah. I've been able to find Barcelona's big matches at times but nothing for anything else.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Floppo, you nailed this one. Good call

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

Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves)

5/18/12 1:03 PM

That certainly changes things RT @NYPost_Lewis: Erik Soler says "We hope to have Luke (Rodgers) back by late July." #RBNY #MLS

 

[NewlyRetired]

More fun from Red Bull

Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves)

5/18/12 1:04 PM

Rumors of Marquez forcing a trade are rampant, but team says he's hurt RT @FrancoPanizo: Not seeing Rafa Marquez again here at NYRB training

Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves)

5/18/12 1:23 PM

Sources tell me RBNY got $200K in allocation in Agudelo deal, as well as between 1/3 & half of Chivas' cut of Agudelo's future transfer

 

[Christo]

I'm sure you guys talked about yesterday, but...

Is this the last we see of Joey Barton in the EPL?

(btw- I loved how he allowed Micah Richards to escort him off, but the second he sees SuperMario, :headasplode: )

QPR planning to dump himSure teams will be lining up for a goon who makes 70k per week and is looking at a long suspension.

 

[NewlyRetired]

12 players from Bolton have been released.

Ream and Holdem were retained.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The Agudelo trade makes the LA Chivas game this weekend much more interesting for me. Will be interesting to see if Agudelo was being held back by Backe or if he simply was not ready.

 

[El Floppo]

Floppo, you nailed this one. Good call==============Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves)5/18/12 1:03 PMThat certainly changes things RT @NYPost_Lewis: Erik Soler says "We hope to have Luke (Rodgers) back by late July." #RBNY #MLS

Late July is a ways away... but that's good news.From what I've seen, Rogers + RBNY >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Agudelo + RBNY. Agudelo on his own is the better talent, but I never saw him make the team better the way Rogers did. Teh difference between knowing how and when to make the runs and not- pure and simple.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Floppo, you nailed this one. Good call==============Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves)5/18/12 1:03 PMThat certainly changes things RT @NYPost_Lewis: Erik Soler says "We hope to have Luke (Rodgers) back by late July." #RBNY #MLS

Late July is a ways away... but that's good news.From what I've seen, Rogers + RBNY >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Agudelo + RBNY. Agudelo on his own is the better talent, but I never saw him make the team better the way Rogers did. Teh difference between knowing how and when to make the runs and not- pure and simple.

I agree. How do you see NY lining up with Cooper, Henry and Rogers?

 

[GoFishTN]

Mother ####ers. Anyone know a good site to torrent games after they air?

I do not know of any American sites for Soccer games or Archives.

Doesn't matter what language or locality the site would be in.

Look again.

 

[bentley]

12 players from Bolton have been released. Ream and Holdem were retained.

Does this speak highly or poorly of Ream / Holden? I've never really followed what happens when someone gets relegated?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Mother ####ers. Anyone know a good site to torrent games after they air?

I do not know of any American sites for Soccer games or Archives.

Doesn't matter what language or locality the site would be in.

Look again.

I know you are not talking to me but I don't understand what you are asking for?Are you looking for a torrent site to download games or are you looking for something else?

 

[Christo]

That makes more sense, but I hate to tell you, Liverpool is pretty close to second rate club at this time. I doubt a world-class manager would want the job.

Somewhat true, but there's only a handful of huge clubs. Liverpool might be the best job opening out there this summer, depending whether Chelsea and Inter keep their interim managers.

Chelsea can compete with those clubs financially, but is not in the same class in terms of big club status ... yet.

Yeah, a lot of people don't realize that up until 14-15 years ago Chelsea was essentially what Fulham is now.

 

[NewlyRetired]

12 players from Bolton have been released. Ream and Holdem were retained.

Does this speak highly or poorly of Ream / Holden? I've never really followed what happens when someone gets relegated?

I can only guess that when most teams are relegated they have to make decision based on new budget constraints. The decisions are not only based on quality, but also on value. With Ream and Holden both likely be lower on the pay scale, that ups their value to the team. Ream was a consistent starter almost from the moment he arrived and Holden was arguably the best player on the team when he got hurt so the decisions to keep them were relatively easy.

 

[Slapdash]

Mother ####ers. Anyone know a good site to torrent games after they air?

I do not know of any American sites for Soccer games or Archives.

Doesn't matter what language or locality the site would be in.

Look again.

 

[Moe.]

That makes more sense, but I hate to tell you, Liverpool is pretty close to second rate club at this time. I doubt a world-class manager would want the job.

Somewhat true, but there's only a handful of huge clubs. Liverpool might be the best job opening out there this summer, depending whether Chelsea and Inter keep their interim managers.

Chelsea can compete with those clubs financially, but is not in the same class in terms of big club status ... yet.

Yeah, a lot of people don't realize that up until 14-15 years ago Chelsea was essentially what Fulham is now.

Which made it even more hilarious when people tried to act like City weren't instant contenders with all that money.