***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (3 Viewers)

[Good Posting Judge]

Brian Phillips on Sepp Blatter:

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8803609/sepp-blatter-criticizes-mls

 

[NewlyRetired]

Alfredo Morales told the German media he will be attending the US January camp. He is 20 and plays very infrequently for Hertha in the Bundesliga 2 (relegated last season from Bundesliga). He has played for US U20's and US U23's but not cap tied to US. He could represent 3 different countries, Germany, where he was born, Peru via father, US via mother.

It's weird because that same Hertha team plays John Anthony Brooks extensively at CB. Morales has certainly been the more heralded prospect (many consider Hertha's refusal to release him for Olympic qualifying to have really hurt Porter's team, although I guess playing Kitchen at CB instead of having him cover Morales' #6 role also played a role). Morales was MoM in the Under 23's friendly win against Mexico.Probably not much to be made out of an invitation to Camp Cupcake.

John Anthony Brooks is another interesting prospect but seeing as he has already played for the German U20 side (as well as the US U20 side), it might be harder to get him to give the US a chance if he thinks he might have an outside chance at Germany some day which at just 19 he may feel is attainable. While he is young, he would make for a perfect compliment to what we have. But for some reason, he has not been targeted by JK (at least from what we know). Considering his experience and playing a position we need to fill I have a feeling he may have quietly turned down JK. Chandler, Cam, Brooks and Fab would give us a youngish back 4 that would be together for many years.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Brian Phillips on Sepp Blatter:http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8803609/sepp-blatter-criticizes-mls

If somebody locked Blatter and Havelange in a room by themselves and told them no one could come out until two people were dead I'd be OK with it.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

John Anthony Brooks is another interesting prospect but seeing as he has already played for the German U20 side (as well as the US U20 side), it might be harder to get him to give the US a chance if he thinks he might have an outside chance at Germany some day which at just 19 he may feel is attainable. While he is young, he would make for a perfect compliment to what we have. But for some reason, he has not been targeted by JK (at least from what we know). Considering his experience and playing a position we need to fill I have a feeling he may have quietly turned down JK. Chandler, Cam, Brooks and Fab would give us a youngish back 4 that would be together for many years.

Ives seems to think Brooks is overrated too. I have no idea. I've never seen him. But I understand he's among the best rated CBs in the 2nd division by Kicker (he's partnered with the highest rated CB in the division, which might help). I suppose there are few CB's aging out of the German squad with Mertesacker and Westerman. But Hummels, Howedes, Badstuber, and Boateng figure to be in the mix for a while.

 

[Eephus]

Brian Phillips on Sepp Blatter:http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8803609/sepp-blatter-criticizes-mls

If somebody locked Blatter and Havelange in a room by themselves and told them no one could come out until two people were dead I'd be OK with it.

Patience

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Cruyff told the media that Guardiola is going to be coaching in England next year.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Brian Phillips on Sepp Blatter:http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8803609/sepp-blatter-criticizes-mls

If somebody locked Blatter and Havelange in a room by themselves and told them no one could come out until two people were dead I'd be OK with it.

Patience

the problem for me is that i don't believe it id going to get better post Blatter. Platini is not going to be any improvement nor will anyone from Middle East who buys the presidency.Platini I fear will be bad specifically for any non UEFA members. There are already rumors floating that it is Platini's loud UEFA voice inside of FIFA that is trying to block the expanded Copa America in 2016 to protect the Euro's.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Andrew Wegner, number 1 pick in last years MLS Super Draft shows that he got more out of college than a soccer career. Via a Soccer America email, we have a link to a 4400 word essay on Financial Fair Play. I have only skimmed it so far but it is incredibly detailed and appears to be very well researched.

http://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/2012/12/27/uefa-financial-fair-play/

 

[The Gator]

Andrew Wegner, number 1 pick in last years MLS Super Draft shows that he got more out of college than a soccer career. Via a Soccer America email, we have a link to a 4400 word essay on Financial Fair Play. I have only skimmed it so far but it is incredibly detailed and appears to be very well researched.

http://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/2012/12/27/uefa-financial-fair-play/

quickly skimmed also...looks very good.

One vague thing that stood out was this:

This means that clubs may have a deficit in one of the three years but, as long as they post a surplus for the aggregate of the three years, they pass the test. So, a club can post a surplus in T-1, T-2 but not T, as long as the reported deficit is within the acceptable deviation for all 3 years, then the club passes the break-even requirement.

2014 +24M

2015 +26M

2016 -41M - Bought Ronaldo for 80M

2017 +33M

2018 +45M

In no three year period did they take a loss.Basically the big teams can still grow/spend crazy money, just a little slower?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Andrew Wegner, number 1 pick in last years MLS Super Draft shows that he got more out of college than a soccer career. Via a Soccer America email, we have a link to a 4400 word essay on Financial Fair Play. I have only skimmed it so far but it is incredibly detailed and appears to be very well researched.

http://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/2012/12/27/uefa-financial-fair-play/

quickly skimmed also...looks very good.

One vague thing that stood out was this:

This means that clubs may have a deficit in one of the three years but, as long as they post a surplus for the aggregate of the three years, they pass the test. So, a club can post a surplus in T-1, T-2 but not T, as long as the reported deficit is within the acceptable deviation for all 3 years, then the club passes the break-even requirement.

2014 +24M

2015 +26M

2016 -41M - Bought Ronaldo for 80M

2017 +33M

2018 +45M

In no three year period did they take a loss.Basically the big teams can still grow/spend crazy money, just a little slower?

I am starting to read it much closer now and only about halfway through but I read it the same way you do. The author does bring up some enormous concerns though that monitoring this for teams across Europe is going to be a daunting task to say the least. The amount of loop holes/book cooking opportunities is scary especially for a sport not shy of that kind of thing.

For people wondering exactly what counts as expense and revenue, here are the details. I love that youth development or community outreach are not expenses. Makes good sense

Income:

Gate receipts, broadcasting rights, sponsorship and advertising, commercial activities and other operating income, plus either profit on disposal of player registrations or income from disposal of player registrations, excess proceeds on disposal of tangible fixed assets and finance income. It does not include any non-monetary items or certain income from non-football operations.

Expenses:

Cost of sales, employee benefits expenses and other operating expenses, plus either amortisation or costs of acquiring player registrations, finance costs and dividends. It does not include depreciation/impairment of tangible fixed assets, amortisation/impairment of intangible fixed assets (other than player registrations), expenditure on youth development activities, expenditure on community development activities, any other non-monetary items, finance costs directly attributable to the construction of tangible fixed assets, tax expenses or certain expenses from non-football operations.

 

[NewlyRetired]

This is another tidbit in the FFP rule that will protect the big clubs for five years as the FFP is rolled up.

Though it is not as easy as simply finishing in the green. Article 61 states that there is an acceptable deviation of 5 million Euros.[10] This number is subject to change for if the equity partner can supply the difference, up to a certain amount, the club is able to pass the solvency test. As stated earlier, FFP is in a 5-year implementation process. This process is directly felt in Article 61 because in 2013-14 and 2014-15 owners can contribute up to an additional 45 million Euros to help their club break-even and 30 million Euros in 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18. After which time UEFA will make a decision about a lower amount.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Today's sobering thought.

Charlie Davies went a massive 17 months between league games with an injury that broke many different parts of his body.

Stewart Holden is now around 22 months between league games. :(

 

[jonessed]

This is another tidbit in the FFP rule that will protect the big clubs for five years as the FFP is rolled up.

Though it is not as easy as simply finishing in the green. Article 61 states that there is an acceptable deviation of 5 million Euros.[10] This number is subject to change for if the equity partner can supply the difference, up to a certain amount, the club is able to pass the solvency test. As stated earlier, FFP is in a 5-year implementation process. This process is directly felt in Article 61 because in 2013-14 and 2014-15 owners can contribute up to an additional 45 million Euros to help their club break-even and 30 million Euros in 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18. After which time UEFA will make a decision about a lower amount.

FFP was the best thing that could have ever happened to the big clubs and the new sugar daddy teams. It essentially locks the current status quo in place.

 

[The Gator]

Fiorentina agree Giuseppe Rossi fee with Villarreal

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Fiorentina agree Giuseppe Rossi fee with Villarreal

#### Rossi.

 

[The Gator]

This is another tidbit in the FFP rule that will protect the big clubs for five years as the FFP is rolled up.

Though it is not as easy as simply finishing in the green. Article 61 states that there is an acceptable deviation of 5 million Euros.[10] This number is subject to change for if the equity partner can supply the difference, up to a certain amount, the club is able to pass the solvency test. As stated earlier, FFP is in a 5-year implementation process. This process is directly felt in Article 61 because in 2013-14 and 2014-15 owners can contribute up to an additional 45 million Euros to help their club break-even and 30 million Euros in 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18. After which time UEFA will make a decision about a lower amount.

FFP was the best thing that could have ever happened to the big clubs and the new sugar daddy teams. It essentially locks the current status quo in place.

Any wonder why City keep mentioning FFP? Of course they back it, keep the small teams small and the big teams big.

 

[The Gator]

Fiorentina agree Giuseppe Rossi fee with Villarreal

#### Rossi.

I think you should change your survivor pick away from Fiorentina in protest....

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Fiorentina agree Giuseppe Rossi fee with Villarreal

#### Rossi.

I think you should change your survivor pick away from Fiorentina in protest....

Well he probably isn't going to suit up this weekend, so...

 

[Slapdash]

This is another tidbit in the FFP rule that will protect the big clubs for five years as the FFP is rolled up.

Though it is not as easy as simply finishing in the green. Article 61 states that there is an acceptable deviation of 5 million Euros.[10] This number is subject to change for if the equity partner can supply the difference, up to a certain amount, the club is able to pass the solvency test. As stated earlier, FFP is in a 5-year implementation process. This process is directly felt in Article 61 because in 2013-14 and 2014-15 owners can contribute up to an additional 45 million Euros to help their club break-even and 30 million Euros in 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18. After which time UEFA will make a decision about a lower amount.

FFP was the best thing that could have ever happened to the big clubs and the new sugar daddy teams. It essentially locks the current status quo in place.

I don't think it locks the status quo in place. It actually will put teams like City, Chelsea, and PSG with a rich owner at an advantage over clubs like Barca, Real, and Bayern which have a fan-owner model. The latter clubs will still have to break-even but cannot have a fresh capital injection. Assuming I'm reading this right.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Man, the auditors for FFP are going to be be swimming in hookers and money for a long time.

 

[jonessed]

This is another tidbit in the FFP rule that will protect the big clubs for five years as the FFP is rolled up.

Though it is not as easy as simply finishing in the green. Article 61 states that there is an acceptable deviation of 5 million Euros.[10] This number is subject to change for if the equity partner can supply the difference, up to a certain amount, the club is able to pass the solvency test. As stated earlier, FFP is in a 5-year implementation process. This process is directly felt in Article 61 because in 2013-14 and 2014-15 owners can contribute up to an additional 45 million Euros to help their club break-even and 30 million Euros in 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18. After which time UEFA will make a decision about a lower amount.

FFP was the best thing that could have ever happened to the big clubs and the new sugar daddy teams. It essentially locks the current status quo in place.

I don't think it locks the status quo in place. It actually will put teams like City, Chelsea, and PSG with a rich owner at an advantage over clubs like Barca, Real, and Bayern which have a fan-owner model. The latter clubs will still have to break-even but cannot have a fresh capital injection. Assuming I'm reading this right.

The sugar daddies and the big clubs will likely move around over time, but I would largely consider that the current status quo anyway.The big clubs have pretty massive development infrastructures in place that will take sugar daddy clubs decades to build. I think they will be on relatively even footing for quite some time.

 

[El Floppo]

Fiorentina agree Giuseppe Rossi fee with Villarreal

#### Rossi.

 

[NewlyRetired]

This is another tidbit in the FFP rule that will protect the big clubs for five years as the FFP is rolled up.

Though it is not as easy as simply finishing in the green. Article 61 states that there is an acceptable deviation of 5 million Euros.[10] This number is subject to change for if the equity partner can supply the difference, up to a certain amount, the club is able to pass the solvency test. As stated earlier, FFP is in a 5-year implementation process. This process is directly felt in Article 61 because in 2013-14 and 2014-15 owners can contribute up to an additional 45 million Euros to help their club break-even and 30 million Euros in 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18. After which time UEFA will make a decision about a lower amount.

FFP was the best thing that could have ever happened to the big clubs and the new sugar daddy teams. It essentially locks the current status quo in place.

I don't think it locks the status quo in place. It actually will put teams like City, Chelsea, and PSG with a rich owner at an advantage over clubs like Barca, Real, and Bayern which have a fan-owner model. The latter clubs will still have to break-even but cannot have a fresh capital injection. Assuming I'm reading this right.

The sugar daddies and the big clubs will likely move around over time, but I would largely consider that the current status quo anyway.The big clubs have pretty massive development infrastructures in place that will take sugar daddy clubs decades to build. I think they will be on relatively even footing for quite some time.

Also, a team like Barca has a ton of owners, something north of 170k. They could easily raise the 30-40M if needed to balance the books just via increasing ownership dues like items.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

The Rossi transfer is interesting if only because Fiorentina is one of the teams that is rumored to be interested in Altidore. And I wonder if they can hold on to Jovetic. Probably nothing to it, but it might be interesting to see if we get a second chance at seeing The Great Quasi-American Striker Tandem.

 

[Eephus]

May have already been posted but Roger Espinoza's move from SKC to Wigan has been finalized. He'll join countryman Maynor Figueroa in the Northwest.

 

[NewlyRetired]

May have already been posted but Roger Espinoza's move from SKC to Wigan has been finalized. He'll join countryman Maynor Figueroa in the Northwest.

This was a free transfer right?Espinosa is a US citizen after being here since 12 years old but chose to go with his country of birth for international games.

 

[T Bell]

Andrew Wegner, number 1 pick in last years MLS Super Draft shows that he got more out of college than a soccer career. Via a Soccer America email, we have a link to a 4400 word essay on Financial Fair Play. I have only skimmed it so far but it is incredibly detailed and appears to be very well researched.

http://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/2012/12/27/uefa-financial-fair-play/

quickly skimmed also...looks very good.

One vague thing that stood out was this:

This means that clubs may have a deficit in one of the three years but, as long as they post a surplus for the aggregate of the three years, they pass the test. So, a club can post a surplus in T-1, T-2 but not T, as long as the reported deficit is within the acceptable deviation for all 3 years, then the club passes the break-even requirement.

2014 +24M

2015 +26M

2016 -41M - Bought Ronaldo for 80M

2017 +33M

2018 +45M

In no three year period did they take a loss.Basically the big teams can still grow/spend crazy money, just a little slower?

All of this assumes both honest bookkeeping (doubtful in many countries, including Spain and Italy), as well as arms length transactions and no collusion between teams and sources of income, especially sponsors (e.g. Man City and Etihad Airways, which are owned by the same folks).The truth is FFP is a fairy tale right now. It's going to be years before it has any real teeth, and the tragedy for me as a English PL fan is that the relatively honest FA will put itself at a disadvantage in Europe trying to comply with FFP while many contintental clubs will flout it.

 

[T Bell]

This is another tidbit in the FFP rule that will protect the big clubs for five years as the FFP is rolled up.

Though it is not as easy as simply finishing in the green. Article 61 states that there is an acceptable deviation of 5 million Euros.[10] This number is subject to change for if the equity partner can supply the difference, up to a certain amount, the club is able to pass the solvency test. As stated earlier, FFP is in a 5-year implementation process. This process is directly felt in Article 61 because in 2013-14 and 2014-15 owners can contribute up to an additional 45 million Euros to help their club break-even and 30 million Euros in 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18. After which time UEFA will make a decision about a lower amount.

FFP was the best thing that could have ever happened to the big clubs and the new sugar daddy teams. It essentially locks the current status quo in place.

I don't think it locks the status quo in place. It actually will put teams like City, Chelsea, and PSG with a rich owner at an advantage over clubs like Barca, Real, and Bayern which have a fan-owner model. The latter clubs will still have to break-even but cannot have a fresh capital injection. Assuming I'm reading this right.

The sugar daddies and the big clubs will likely move around over time, but I would largely consider that the current status quo anyway.The big clubs have pretty massive development infrastructures in place that will take sugar daddy clubs decades to build. I think they will be on relatively even footing for quite some time.

Also, a team like Barca has a ton of owners, something north of 170k. They could easily raise the 30-40M if needed to balance the books just via increasing ownership dues like items.

Spanish banks are notorious for extending sweetheart loans and/or forgiving such loans to the big clubs, especially Barca and Real.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Interesting article on midfielder/vintage mustache enthusiast Sacha Kljestan on ASN.

A surprising stat from the article below:

Renders' analysis shows that in Anderlecht’s last 108 games (for a total of 324 possible points), the club has won 72.8% of all possible points with Kljestan on the field. In the 22 games where Kljestan did not play, the club accumulated just 42.4% of the points (28 out of 66).

Sacha plays as one the withdrawn CM roles in a 4-2-3-1. Because I have an unhealthy fixation with stocking that role with two versatile/dynamic box to box midfielders who can trade attacking and defending responsibilities, I can't help but wonder if Sacha would be an interesting partner for Bradley. Essentially the partnership that we all hoped Jones would be. We'd lose a little bite (although I think Sacha has improved in that area from what I see in CL matches), but the distribution would be better, IMO. He does share Bradley's weakness for some bad giveaways at time, but he plays quicker than Jones, IMO.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

May have already been posted but Roger Espinoza's move from SKC to Wigan has been finalized. He'll join countryman Maynor Figueroa in the Northwest.

This was a free transfer right?Espinosa is a US citizen after being here since 12 years old but chose to go with his country of birth for international games.

He was a real revelation in the Olympics. One of the best players in the tournament (yes, I know he was very good with SKC).

 

[NewlyRetired]

Interesting article on midfielder/vintage mustache enthusiast Sacha Kljestan on ASN.

A surprising stat from the article below:

Renders' analysis shows that in Anderlecht’s last 108 games (for a total of 324 possible points), the club has won 72.8% of all possible points with Kljestan on the field. In the 22 games where Kljestan did not play, the club accumulated just 42.4% of the points (28 out of 66).

Sacha plays as one the withdrawn CM roles in a 4-2-3-1. Because I have an unhealthy fixation with stocking that role with two versatile/dynamic box to box midfielders who can trade attacking and defending responsibilities, I can't help but wonder if Sacha would be an interesting partner for Bradley. Essentially the partnership that we all hoped Jones would be. We'd lose a little bite (although I think Sacha has improved in that area from what I see in CL matches), but the distribution would be better, IMO. He does share Bradley's weakness for some bad giveaways at time, but he plays quicker than Jones, IMO.

I love that site. Probably one of the best sites on US Soccer already in its short life span so far. I know Sacha was a favorite whipping boy of many in this thread but he has built himself a nice career in Belgium after working his way through MLS. I think he is going to be right in the mix for getting a roster spot for WC2014 should the US qualify and has certainly moved ahead of Edu in the midfield pecking order but unless Jones breaks someone's leg, or gets hurt, I would be surprised to see JK not stick with him.

 

[NewlyRetired]

May have already been posted but Roger Espinoza's move from SKC to Wigan has been finalized. He'll join countryman Maynor Figueroa in the Northwest.

This was a free transfer right?Espinosa is a US citizen after being here since 12 years old but chose to go with his country of birth for international games.

He was a real revelation in the Olympics. One of the best players in the tournament (yes, I know he was very good with SKC).

He likely picked up a massive raise for himself. He was making $159k in MLS last season.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Balotelli and Mancini got into a tussle at practice yesterday and had to be separated by teammates. Here are some pics.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2256586/Mario-Balotelli-Roberto-Mancini-training-ground-fight.html

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I love that site. Probably one of the best sites on US Soccer already in its short life span so far. I know Sacha was a favorite whipping boy of many in this thread but he has built himself a nice career in Belgium after working his way through MLS. I think he is going to be right in the mix for getting a roster spot for WC2014 should the US qualify and has certainly moved ahead of Edu in the midfield pecking order but unless Jones breaks someone's leg, or gets hurt, I would be surprised to see JK not stick with him.

Yeah, I know JK loves Jones' grit. And I see flashes of really great stuff from him. But he doesn't seem to have any understanding with Bradley. It's weird. And Jones seems unwilling to play a pure #6 role (where's he's probably the best option). I could be fooling myself about the prospect of two complementary 6/8s. Even at Arsenal, where it was awesome when Song and Wilshere first started playing that way, the wheels came off a bit as people adjusted and Wilshere got tired. One thing I like about Sacha is that while he's not left-footed, he has a good weak foot making him a nice choice to drop in and cover when Johnson goes forward. That would naturally put Bradley as the more forward 8 most of the time unless Chandler supplants Cherundolo, in which case it might be more balanced.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Balotelli and Mancini got into a tussle at practice yesterday and had to be separated by teammates. Here are some pics. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2256586/Mario-Balotelli-Roberto-Mancini-training-ground-fight.html

Well I, for one, am shocked.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Balotelli and Mancini got into a tussle at practice yesterday and had to be separated by teammates. Here are some pics. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2256586/Mario-Balotelli-Roberto-Mancini-training-ground-fight.html

Bonus pics of Mario's camouflage Bentley. He might as well just drive around Manchester in the Bat Mobile.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Andrew Wegner, number 1 pick in last years MLS Super Draft shows that he got more out of college than a soccer career. Via a Soccer America email, we have a link to a 4400 word essay on Financial Fair Play. I have only skimmed it so far but it is incredibly detailed and appears to be very well researched.

http://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/2012/12/27/uefa-financial-fair-play/

quickly skimmed also...looks very good.

One vague thing that stood out was this:

This means that clubs may have a deficit in one of the three years but, as long as they post a surplus for the aggregate of the three years, they pass the test. So, a club can post a surplus in T-1, T-2 but not T, as long as the reported deficit is within the acceptable deviation for all 3 years, then the club passes the break-even requirement.

2014 +24M

2015 +26M

2016 -41M - Bought Ronaldo for 80M

2017 +33M

2018 +45M

In no three year period did they take a loss.Basically the big teams can still grow/spend crazy money, just a little slower?

All of this assumes both honest bookkeeping (doubtful in many countries, including Spain and Italy), as well as arms length transactions and no collusion between teams and sources of income, especially sponsors (e.g. Man City and Etihad Airways, which are owned by the same folks).The truth is FFP is a fairy tale right now. It's going to be years before it has any real teeth, and the tragedy for me as a English PL fan is that the relatively honest FA will put itself at a disadvantage in Europe trying to comply with FFP while many contintental clubs will flout it.

I don't understand the "fairy tale" comment, but have noted in the past that many comments here indicate a misunderstanding of the goals of FFP. It is not intended to create a US-style salary cap or parity among teams. That has never been the goal of FFP and would not make sense given the realities of European football clubs, which have always been leagues of have and have-nots. Several teams have already been banned from UEFA competitions and winners purses have been withheld, which in my opinion is a demonstration of real teeth. Malaga will be hurting severely if they qualify for CL and can't take part due to FFP sanctions.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

So, out of nowhere in my Football Manager Staines save, I got offered the job of the US National team. If it had been any other national job (besides maybe England or Brazil), I would have turned it down. Being the US, I had to take it. Problem is, I don't keep up with them close enough. Anyone care to give me a Cliff's Notes version of the thread up to know regarding the US? Suggestions for starters?

I know the US can't really run it, but I'm going to use it anyway and see what happens. I run a tiki taka formation that is basically:

STCAML AMC AMC (switches with STC) MC DMCDL DC DC DR
Anyone care to take a stab at who I should be looking at? Younger players that might step in and do well?

 

[Spartans Rule]

I don't understand the "fairy tale" comment, but have noted in the past that many comments here indicate a misunderstanding of the goals of FFP. It is not intended to create a US-style salary cap or parity among teams. That has never been the goal of FFP and would not make sense given the realities of European football clubs, which have always been leagues of have and have-nots. Several teams have already been banned from UEFA competitions and winners purses have been withheld, which in my opinion is a demonstration of real teeth. Malaga will be hurting severely if they qualify for CL and can't take part due to FFP sanctions.

Calling it "financial fair play" probably misleads people in to thinking it's about leveling the playing field, but it's really about finanical responsibility - making sure clubs pay their players, stay out of debt and ultimately keep from going under like Rangers.

 

[NewlyRetired]

So, out of nowhere in my Football Manager Staines save, I got offered the job of the US National team. If it had been any other national job (besides maybe England or Brazil), I would have turned it down. Being the US, I had to take it. Problem is, I don't keep up with them close enough. Anyone care to give me a Cliff's Notes version of the thread up to know regarding the US? Suggestions for starters?I know the US can't really run it, but I'm going to use it anyway and see what happens. I run a tiki taka formation that is basically:

                                          STCAML                                       AMC      AMC (switches with STC)                                   MC                                             DMCDL                   DC                                       DC                                  DR

Anyone care to take a stab at who I should be looking at? Younger players that might step in and do well?

Is Landon semi retired in this simulation? If not try this, if you want to use that formation..........................HowardCherundolo.......Cameron......Bocanegra........Johnson...................................Williams............................Bradley.........................Jones....Dempsey...........................................Donovan............................JozyOn bench:Gonzalez and Goodson for CBLichaj or Castillo for LBChandler for RB/LB/winger Zusi and E. Johnson for attacking forwardsBoyd and Gomez for strikersSacha and Torres for a general MF role. Guzan as backup keeperYoung players to watch include Shea, Pontius, Agudelo, and De Leon

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

So, out of nowhere in my Football Manager Staines save, I got offered the job of the US National team. If it had been any other national job (besides maybe England or Brazil), I would have turned it down. Being the US, I had to take it. Problem is, I don't keep up with them close enough. Anyone care to give me a Cliff's Notes version of the thread up to know regarding the US? Suggestions for starters?I know the US can't really run it, but I'm going to use it anyway and see what happens. I run a tiki taka formation that is basically:

                                          STCAML                                       AMC      AMC (switches with STC)                                   MC                                             DMCDL                   DC                                       DC                                  DR

Anyone care to take a stab at who I should be looking at? Younger players that might step in and do well?

I know that in FM13, Mixx Diskerud matures into a pretty useful 3.5* CM. I've seen him eventually sign with Arsenal where he's part of a squad rotation.

 

[NewlyRetired]

FC Barcelona will be one of the featured segments on this weeks 60 Minutes program

Barcelona's soccer team may be the best of all time thanks to a unique training system that produced 17 of the football club's current 25 first-line players - including Lionel Messi, considered the best player in the world. Bob Simon reports on Sunday, Jan. 6 at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Demba Ba getting the start for Chelsea today, Torres looking comfy back in his familiar spot on the bench.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Dempsey scored early for Spurs today against Coventry City.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Soccer Night in Newtown is growing. The following players will be attending and playing with the kids

US Men’s

Cobi Jones, Alexi Lalas, Eric Wynalda, Mike Burns, Tony Meola

US Women’s

Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Christie Rampone

Chicago Fire

Chris Rolfe

Columbus Crew

Ethan Finlay

FC Dallas

Zach Loyd, Bobby Warshaw

DC United

Dwayne DeRosario

Houston Dynamo

Corey Ashe, Brad Davis, Brian Ching, Ricardo Clark, Tally Hall

LA Galaxy

Landon Donovan, Sean Franklin, Rafael Garcia

New England Revolution

Kevin Alston, Darrius Barnes, Hunter Freeman, Ryan Guy, Matt Reis, Clyde Simms, Chris Tierney, Bobby Shuttleworth

New York Red Bulls

Kenny Cooper, Heath Pearce, Ryan Meara

Philadelphia Union

Chris Albright, Ray Gaddis

Real Salt Lake

Kwame Watson-Siriboe

San Jose Earthquakes

Marcus Tracy

Seattle Sounders

David Estrada, Josh Ford

Sporting Kansas City

Kevin Ellis

Vancouver Whitecaps

Brad Knighton , Omar Salgado

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Ba gets a tap-in (albeit a contested tap-in) for his first Chelsea goal. 1-1.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Two for Dempsey.

Didn't realize that Man U/West Ham is on the Fox Mothership today. I was wondering why it wasn't showing up on FSC's schedule...

 

[El Floppo]

damn I love the FA cup.

 

[T Bell]

I don't understand the "fairy tale" comment, but have noted in the past that many comments here indicate a misunderstanding of the goals of FFP. It is not intended to create a US-style salary cap or parity among teams. That has never been the goal of FFP and would not make sense given the realities of European football clubs, which have always been leagues of have and have-nots. Several teams have already been banned from UEFA competitions and winners purses have been withheld, which in my opinion is a demonstration of real teeth. Malaga will be hurting severely if they qualify for CL and can't take part due to FFP sanctions.

Calling it "financial fair play" probably misleads people in to thinking it's about leveling the playing field, but it's really about finanical responsibility - making sure clubs pay their players, stay out of debt and ultimately keep from going under like Rangers.

That's a tad patronizing, isn't it? I explained why I thought FFP was BS. I've got a perfectly good understanding of the difference between what FFP aims for and what a salary cap does. In short, I explained the weaknesses, and you accused me of ignorance without addressing what I said. I'll let that speak for itself.

 

[guru_007]

Ba already paying dividends. He's so much more a dynamic offensive force than Torres. He holds off defenders, has to be accounted for in the box, very Drogba-like, imho.