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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (8 Viewers)
- Thread starter jpeace121
- Start date
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Thank god this is the last year for the Open Cup on Gol TV.
Put it on Youtube, espn3, anything but this virtual black out. :(
Put it on Youtube, espn3, anything but this virtual black out. :(
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Open Cup Final headed to extra time all square at 1-1.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
I'm so happy that Atlético payed 16m for Oblak. He really looked great today.
Seriously though, I'm glad Moya is wearing the number 1 shirt. I don't think Oblak will get any more non copa starts, unless it's against Malmo in Madrid.
Not such a great start to CL play. Griezmann looked good though... I'm really liking his dynamism and pace. Great combo with Koke and Arda.
Seriously though, I'm glad Moya is wearing the number 1 shirt. I don't think Oblak will get any more non copa starts, unless it's against Malmo in Madrid.
Not such a great start to CL play. Griezmann looked good though... I'm really liking his dynamism and pace. Great combo with Koke and Arda.
shader
Footballguy
First champions league game! First of all this absolutely sucks being here in America. I just refuse to stream this at work in the corner of my screen. So I held out all day
Felt like there was a cover on the goal.
But balotelli's goal, the subsequent defensive breakdown (which you could see coming way before it happened), and then the penalty was more sports drama than I've experienced in years.
Honestly I don't know how a longtime liverpool fan didn't absolutely fall apart during that game, as I was on pins and needles.
In the football vs soccer "shader" rankings, soccer continues to bridge the gap. If you consider that I haven't been that tense in an nfl game...ever, I'd say that the crimson tide are currently the only thing keeping me from pushing soccer to number 1. A few more games like that though, and I'm gonna go with it.
Felt like there was a cover on the goal.
But balotelli's goal, the subsequent defensive breakdown (which you could see coming way before it happened), and then the penalty was more sports drama than I've experienced in years.
Honestly I don't know how a longtime liverpool fan didn't absolutely fall apart during that game, as I was on pins and needles.
In the football vs soccer "shader" rankings, soccer continues to bridge the gap. If you consider that I haven't been that tense in an nfl game...ever, I'd say that the crimson tide are currently the only thing keeping me from pushing soccer to number 1. A few more games like that though, and I'm gonna go with it.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Ugly today. Hoped for more but the quick goals from Dortmund were too much. They were clearly the better team today. Sucks to start with a loss in the group stage, but this is the toughest game of the group stage.
Score could've been much worse.
Mkhitaryan (I'm not even gonna try to look up how to spell that) could've have 3-4 if he could've finished.
Score could've been much worse.
Mkhitaryan (I'm not even gonna try to look up how to spell that) could've have 3-4 if he could've finished.
shader
Footballguy
Seriously.
The second an nfl game even approaches that level of tension, there's a challenge, or a penalty, or a timeout.
I'll never stop enjoying football. There is room for multiple sports in my life.
But I'm looking at that crowd tonight, and I know that at some point in the next 2 years, I'm going to plan a trip to England and go see a game.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Seattle gets the first jewel in their possible treble this year, which has never been done.
The already have the US Open Cup trophy now and they are well out in front of the Supporters Shield race. They have always had problems in the playoffs though so MLS Cup will be the hardest of the 3.
At worst now, they are assured of the CCL spot and now second place in the Supporters Shield becomes much more important as if Seattle wins the shield, I believe second place gets the CCL spot.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Nice win by DC tonight down in Jamaica and the 3 points almost assures them of advancing to the CCL quarter finals.
They need 1 point in their last 2 games and both games are against the worst team in the group.
They need 1 point in their last 2 games and both games are against the worst team in the group.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
Also :X at those Arsenal uniforms today.
T Bell
Footballguy
I don't even want to think what that game would have looked like if Reus was healthy.
The Gator
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Solid 4-2 win by Portland tonight keeping them on track to advance to the CCL quarters. Good to see an MLS team win against a decent team by playing most of their reserves. MLS squad depth has forever been an issue.
CBusAlex
Footballguy
Portland is in pretty good shape too, after beating Olympia 4-2 at home. Assuming they take care of business against possibly the worst team in the tournament next week, they'll advance with a one goal loss or better in their last game.
The catch? That game is in Honduras on the Tuesday before the final week of the MLS regular season. If the Timbers are still fighting for that fifth playoff spot, I have to wonder what kind of team Porter brings to that one.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Yeah, Portland is in a nice spot. If they can pound Alpha by 4 at home (Olimpia beat them by 6), I think Portland could lose by 2 in Honduras and still advance.
Big games tomorrow night. KC needs to beat Saprissa at home to have a decent chance to advance.
I believe if Montreal beats NY at home, they advance to the quarters and subsequently knock out NY (only one MLS team could advance in this format so one of them was going to get bounced).
It is interesting to see a couple of the Mexican teams dropping points early. Cruz Azul is probably in the worst spot as they are likely to have to go to Costa Rica and get a win in their last game.
Eephus
Footballguy
Sebowski
Footballguy
Eephus
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Right.
I am unsure what to call a 4 trophy year but seeing as that is likely never to happen in MLS in my lifetime I am not too worried about it
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Sebowski
Footballguy
Just doesn't have the same sense of accomplishment as Euro Trebles that include CL. Supporters shield even matter? It's just a glorified #1 seed for the playoffs, right?Right.
I am unsure what to call a 4 trophy year but seeing as that is likely never to happen in MLS in my lifetime I am not too worried about it
I think an MLS team can win the CCL in the next 5-10yrs. And if they're good enough to do that...
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Tom Hagen
Footballguy
Other than Bayern last year, does anyone else play a 4-1-4-1 regularly? I'd like to see what it looks like when it works.
Even Pep took some criticism for it last year and he had Schweinsteiger, Kroos and Lahm instead of Arteta and Flamini.
T Bell
Footballguy
I don't know, but what it seems to do is utterly expose the weakest parts of the squad right now, especially our DM's who aren't exactly athletic dynamos at this point in their careers, not to mention watering down the central midfield play. Only Wilshere is doing well in this system. I just don't get it.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
The Supporters Shield winner gets a CCL spot as well as the #1 seed to the playoffs.Just doesn't have the same sense of accomplishment as Euro Trebles that include CL. Supporters shield even matter? It's just a glorified #1 seed for the playoffs, right?Right.
I am unsure what to call a 4 trophy year but seeing as that is likely never to happen in MLS in my lifetime I am not too worried about it
I think an MLS team can win the CCL in the next 5-10yrs. And if they're good enough to do that...
I agree the domestic treble is not as impressive with out the CCL.
AAABatteries
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I am unsure what this is. I know MLS officials were visiting today to look at a perspective stadium site but there is no need for a PC regarding that alone....
Evan Ream @EvanReam Follow
MLS press conference in Sacramento will take place Friday at 2:30 p.m. at the Railyards. #SRFC
Evan Ream @EvanReam Follow
MLS press conference in Sacramento will take place Friday at 2:30 p.m. at the Railyards. #SRFC
SmoovySmoov
The Way of the Samurai
Youse guys against them just because they're a different color than normal, or what? I thought they looked pretty sharp.
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
It was the diagonal stripe things that soured me on them.Youse guys against them just because they're a different color than normal, or what? I thought they looked pretty sharp.
SmoovySmoov
The Way of the Samurai
I thought they looked pretty good. Now, Puma's decision to fit them around the body type of an 8 year old boy, well that's something altogether different. Holy nipples, Batman!It was the diagonal stripe things that soured me on them.Youse guys against them just because they're a different color than normal, or what? I thought they looked pretty sharp.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Suffolk Downs is a horse race track that has been in Boston since 1935. Yesterday, due to a a vote that went against them in the hopes to develop a casino on the site, they announced they would be closing.
Peter J. Howe ✔ @PeterHoweNECN Follow
That was fast: Buzz building about Bob Kraft buying @SuffolkDowns to house Revolution soccer and maybe a Revs Place. #macasinos
Suffolk down, developers champ at bit
Boston Herald
September 17, 2014
The track may yet have a sporting future. A spokesman for the New England Patriots declined comment yesterday. But team owner Robert Kraft — who also owns the New England Revolution professional soccer team — has been hunting for a Greater Boston stadium.
Peter J. Howe ✔ @PeterHoweNECN Follow
That was fast: Buzz building about Bob Kraft buying @SuffolkDowns to house Revolution soccer and maybe a Revs Place. #macasinos
Suffolk down, developers champ at bit
Boston Herald
September 17, 2014
The track may yet have a sporting future. A spokesman for the New England Patriots declined comment yesterday. But team owner Robert Kraft — who also owns the New England Revolution professional soccer team — has been hunting for a Greater Boston stadium.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I guess we knew this was coming but this is the first I have seen with some details. This will likely lead to less opportunities in the EPL for American players
====================================
A report in The Times has revealed that English FA chairman Greg Dyke plans to completely redo the rules on work permits for players from non-European Union countries.
The plans, the report states, would slash the amount of players in the Premier League from non-EU countries by a massive 50%, and would eliminate them from the lower leagues entirely.
Dyke would plan to, among other things, restrict visa applicants to those in the top 70 FIFA-ranked countries, and institute a minimum transfer fee (thought to be between $16-24 million) that would enable a player from any country to bypass the system and come through to a team.
He believes that the number of “mediocre” players from abroad is restricting young English talent from being developed properly, a potential cause of the downturn the country’s national team has taken.
Dyke revealed in May that of the 122 non-EU players who had come to England since 2009, 79% were denied upon first entry but were allowed in on the appeals process.
These new rules would seriously hinder the ability of a player from the United States to make his way over to the Premier League without dual citizenship of an EU country. With the current rules, we saw Stoke City fail in their attempts to bring young Juan Agudelo to England’s top flight, as the club believed he fit the criteria but they were unable to secure a work permit for him.
The report states Dyke is hopeful his new rules would be streamlined through to be implemented at the start of next season. It’s unclear whether current players would be grandfathered in, or if they would have to reapply for a work permit.
====================================
A report in The Times has revealed that English FA chairman Greg Dyke plans to completely redo the rules on work permits for players from non-European Union countries.
The plans, the report states, would slash the amount of players in the Premier League from non-EU countries by a massive 50%, and would eliminate them from the lower leagues entirely.
Dyke would plan to, among other things, restrict visa applicants to those in the top 70 FIFA-ranked countries, and institute a minimum transfer fee (thought to be between $16-24 million) that would enable a player from any country to bypass the system and come through to a team.
He believes that the number of “mediocre” players from abroad is restricting young English talent from being developed properly, a potential cause of the downturn the country’s national team has taken.
Dyke revealed in May that of the 122 non-EU players who had come to England since 2009, 79% were denied upon first entry but were allowed in on the appeals process.
These new rules would seriously hinder the ability of a player from the United States to make his way over to the Premier League without dual citizenship of an EU country. With the current rules, we saw Stoke City fail in their attempts to bring young Juan Agudelo to England’s top flight, as the club believed he fit the criteria but they were unable to secure a work permit for him.
The report states Dyke is hopeful his new rules would be streamlined through to be implemented at the start of next season. It’s unclear whether current players would be grandfathered in, or if they would have to reapply for a work permit.
Mjolnirs
Footballguy
CBusAlex
Footballguy
If you asked all the MLS coaches if they'd rather win the shield or the open cup, at least 18 of them would probably pick the shield.Just doesn't have the same sense of accomplishment as Euro Trebles that include CL. Supporters shield even matter? It's just a glorified #1 seed for the playoffs, right?Right.I am unsure what to call a 4 trophy year but seeing as that is likely never to happen in MLS in my lifetime I am not too worried about it
I think an MLS team can win the CCL in the next 5-10yrs. And if they're good enough to do that...
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
yup. The Supporters Shield is a fantastic accomplishment and carries a lot of weight in the league.If you asked all the MLS coaches if they'd rather win the shield or the open cup, at least 18 of them would probably pick the shield.Just doesn't have the same sense of accomplishment as Euro Trebles that include CL. Supporters shield even matter? It's just a glorified #1 seed for the playoffs, right?Right.I am unsure what to call a 4 trophy year but seeing as that is likely never to happen in MLS in my lifetime I am not too worried about it
I think an MLS team can win the CCL in the next 5-10yrs. And if they're good enough to do that...
While the Open Cup is fun, most teams get to the final by playing their reserves as they clearly treat it at a lower level than the league.
Same kind of goes for the CCL group stage as most MLS teams play their reserves to save the players for the league.
Only the CCL quarter finals (or beyond) appear to get the full attention from MLS coaches.
shader
Footballguy
What's more important to England...the strength of the Premier League, or the strength of the National team? Restricting the available players for the EPL just seems short-sighted.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
Easier to believe those dirty foreigners are taking opportunities from your domestic players than to believe you aren't developing as many good ones as you hope to, I guess.
Also, if 10m pounds becomes the guaranteed entry point you'll see a lot of players move for that price.
Also, if 10m pounds becomes the guaranteed entry point you'll see a lot of players move for that price.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
This is a common knee-jerk that happens every time a national team disappoints in a tournament, and there's no right answer or known solution. When a team underperforms, there will be a faction that says more young players need to get out of the country and play abroad, and there will be an equal faction that says the national league has too many foreigners stunting the growth of the nation's youth. If England wants better English players, they need to invest money and resources in youth development, like Germany did 10-15 years ago and Belgium has done more recently.
Eephus
Footballguy
The FA and the Premier League are not one and the same. They've had numerous commercial disputes in the past. I doubt Dyke's proposal will go through unchallenged.
They are not really restricting many players from the PL - really only Americans. Europeans get a pass, and this may make it easier for South Americans who could not meet the 75% threshold who can now be bought for enough money to get in. Probably hurts a few African nationals too - not sure where they rank, but I imagine a number of African nations will be below the top-70.
Eephus
Footballguy
I don't think the FIFA top 70 restriction has any relevance to US players but it would certainly affect the odd talent from African, Asian and Central American minnow country. The threat to eliminate non-EU players from the lower divisions is a far bigger change to the balance of power.
It would also really increase the degree of difficulty in Football Manager.
It would also really increase the degree of difficulty in Football Manager.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
This would hurt CONCACAF, Africa and Asian opportunities mostly since those regions EPL teams are much less likely to dump $20m on for a transfer fee for a speculation.
On the domestic front, this is probably good news for MLS teams since it will be harder for players to move for the significantly bigger pay check in England.
Autumn Wind
Footballguy
Speaking of MLS...
https://sports.vice.com/article/the-mls-labor-battle-is-not-going-to-be-pretty
I guess we're about to see how close the league is to taking off the training wheels. I don't follow the league quite closely enough to have an opinion on whether MLS is ready to move to away from the single-entity system, but salaries most definitely need to go up if the league wants to keep growing.
https://sports.vice.com/article/the-mls-labor-battle-is-not-going-to-be-pretty
I guess we're about to see how close the league is to taking off the training wheels. I don't follow the league quite closely enough to have an opinion on whether MLS is ready to move to away from the single-entity system, but salaries most definitely need to go up if the league wants to keep growing.
Top-70 has no impact on the US - a $16-24M price tag has a significant impact...particularly since one of the brightest young stars just sold for $5M.
For what it is worth - the top-70 requirement is in place now for the auto-in (75% of competitive national team matches over 2 years).
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