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

[Rooney10]

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 countrys 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 Englands 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. Its unclear whether current players would be grandfathered in, or if they would have to reapply for a work permit.

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.

Every time this issue is raised this is all I can think of...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=768h3Tz4Qik

 

[Spartans Rule]

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.

It's very shortsighted, because it would hurt the Premier League without really helping the national team. The players losing their spots to foreigners aren't English international players, they're fringe players who will never be good enough to help England.

 

[Eephus]

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.

It's very shortsighted, because it would hurt the Premier League without really helping the national team. The players losing their spots to foreigners aren't English international players, they're fringe players who will never be good enough to help England.

Tom Cleverley does not approve this message

 

[The Z Machine]

Nice bounce off Mandzukic. Brutal goal.

That would be one hell of a deflection.

Had me scrambling to see why my web feed had the wrong teams playing...did learn that Mandzukic needs surgery - scheduled for tomorrow...(on his nose)

Yeah, and the defender didn't even get a card for it. Atlético played poorly and Oblak left a lot to be desired, but that ref was terrible. ####ty way to start CL play. Hopefully the anti-Chicharito will step up along with Griezmann to score some goals.

 

[Sebowski]

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.

It's very shortsighted, because it would hurt the Premier League without really helping the national team. The players losing their spots to foreigners aren't English international players, they're fringe players who will never be good enough to help England.

It's worse than that. Instead of losing their jobs to Concacaf and Africa, they'll lose their jobs to more Spanish, Italian, Belgian... players. Really really stupid. But what else do you expect from the Brits?

 

[NewlyRetired]

A new USL team for Charlotte. Not sure what this means for the Eagles.

Charlotte Soccer Academy is pleased to announce a financial and strategic partnership with Queen City Soccer Club LLC in their efforts to return professional soccer to Uptown Charlotte at American Legion Memorial Stadium. As part of the partnership, Charlotte Soccer Academy will be the Official Youth Soccer Academy Affiliate Club of Queen City Soccer Club and the Team. The Team, to be named Charlotte Independence in honor of the history associated with the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, will begin play next spring. The season will consist of 14 USL PRO home games, at least one US Cup match and several friendlies, which will take place between April and September of 2015. Demand for tickets is expected to be high.

The Independence will use the new OrthoCarolina Sportsplex in Pineville, NC (currently under construction by Charlotte Soccer Academy) as its home practice facility per a five-season agreement with CSA. This will be a great learning opportunity for CSAs players to observe and interact with top-level professional soccer players.The Team will begin taking 2015 season ticket deposits at 10:00 AM EST on Thursday, September 18th. Tickets can be reserved by visiting www.charlotteindependence.com or by calling 704-206-1515. CSA families should use code CSA2015 when finalizing their ticket purchase. This code will not be input when making your deposit but will be taken when finalizing seat locations after tickets are released in November.

Eagles get sent down to a lower level of the US pyramid. Finally soccer in Charlotte where you can buy beer!!!

What comes next after USL Pro in the pyramid?

This article helps explains what is happening in Charlotte

The Queen City Soccer Club will announce Charlottes new USL Pro franchise at an open-to-the-public event at Courtyard Hooligans, 140 Brevard Court in uptown Charlotte, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

With an eye toward potentially bigger things in the future, Charlottes United Soccer Leagues Pro soccer franchise will change hands Wednesday.

Pro lacrosse executive Jim McPhilliamy is heading a group that has purchased the franchise rights from the Charlotte Eagles, who have played in USL Pro soccers version of AA baseball since 1993. The Eagles will switch to the USLs lower-level Premier Developmental League (PDL).

The new USL Pro team which will likely be called the Charlotte Independence will play the 2015 season in Memorial Stadium. The soccer team will share the stadium with Major League Lacrosses Charlotte Hounds. The stadium has undergone recent renovation to accommodate lacrosse and will undergo further work including enlarging the field for soccer.

McPhilliamy, the Hounds president, hopes the new USL Pro franchise can one day help lure Major League Soccer to Charlotte.

Soccer is the only other major league sport left out there that Charlotte doesnt have that the city can realistically accommodate, said McPhilliamy. Were working toward that over the next couple of years. But nothing is imminent.

McPhilliamy said a deep-pocketed investor will have to step forward to give the MLS idea legitimacy. Franchise costs for the league range from $80-$90 million.

But if aging Memorial Stadium, located near uptown and on the campus of Central Piedmont Community College, can be further retrofitted, McPhilliamy thinks Charlotte will be an ideal candidate for MLS.

The 19-team MLS will expand by two Orlando, Fla., and a second franchise in New York in 2015, with another new team in Atlanta planned for 2017. Commissioner Don Garber has said he wants the league to expand to 24 teams by 2020. Other cities pursuing MLS expansion reportedly include Austin, Texas; Sacramento, Calif.; Las Vegas and St. Louis.

Im kind of skating toward where the puck will be, like (hockey great Wayne) Gretzky used to say, said McPhilliamy. If we can strike a chord with that 18-35 (age group demographic), MLS will be watching. But we understand that there are a lot of people doing what were doing.

McPhilliamy said the USL Pro team is finalizing a deal to have an affiliate partnership with the MLS Colorado Rapids. Ortho-Carolina will be the teams uniform sponsors in a deal that was worth the low six figures, according to McPhilliamy.

 

[T Bell]

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.

It's very shortsighted, because it would hurt the Premier League without really helping the national team. The players losing their spots to foreigners aren't English international players, they're fringe players who will never be good enough to help England.

It's worse than that. Instead of losing their jobs to Concacaf and Africa, they'll lose their jobs to more Spanish, Italian, Belgian... players. Really really stupid. But what else do you expect from the Brits?

The Brits simply can't bring themselves to admit that they don't churn out top class footballers. They always need someone to blame for their national mediocrity in the sport they invented.

Some people are starting to see the rather stark pattern in their international football history (good article by Nick Hornby).

 

[NewlyRetired]

I have never seen a deal come together so quickly. Everyone involved in Sacramento seems to be actually pulling together

Ryan Lillis @Ryan_Lillis

@SacRepublicFC announces it has entered into agreement to buy land in railyard for stadium. Railyard owner Larry Kelley to join as investor

And here is the stadium porn

http://www.sacrepublicfc.com/republic-fc-chooses-railyards-stadium-site/#.VBpuD-e9KSM

Here is the full press release. No wonder they planned a press conference. Just amazing progress in such a short time

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

Republic FC Chooses Railyards Site for Soccer Stadium; Signs Agreement

LDK Ventures President and Founder Larry Kelley poised to join Republic FC MLS ownership group as investor in club.

Sacramento Republic FC announced today that it has entered into a letter of intent with Downtown Railyard Venture, LLC (an affiliate of LDK Ventures, LLC) for the acquisition of a site at the Sacramento Railyards for its proposed MLS soccer stadium. The site is located at 7th Street and Railyards Boulevard within the Railyard master plan. In addition, LDK Ventures President and founder Larry Kelley will join Republic FCs MLS ownership group, contingent on the league granting expansion rights to the club.

Ive had the privilege of working with Larry Kelley in our efforts to save the Kings, said Republic FC lead investor and Envision RX co-founder Kevin Nagle. But now, we get to build something together. The Railyards is a once-in-a-lifetime project that will transform our city and region. The soccer stadium will serve as a catalyst of this development and be a key attraction for recruiting a vibrant workforce to live, work and play in our city.

The Railyards is the largest urban infill project in the country. In addition, infrastructure improvements of $350 million are allocated for the project, much of which will be completed by 2015. Downtown Railyard Venture, LLC is anticipated to acquire title and possession of the Railyards property from current owners Inland American Real Estate Trust by end of 2014.

We couldnt have a better partner in Republic FC for what will be this regions most important real estate project in 100 years, said LDK Ventures President Larry Kelly. Sporting and culture events add to our civic amenities, quality of life and attract people to our region; both to live and invest. In addition to building a stadium with the club, I am also honored to be a part of their bid for MLS expansion and join its ownership group.

The Railyards is located just north of downtown Sacramento and south of the River District. Once serving as the western terminus of the 1860s Transcontinental Railroad and railroad technology hub of the country, the Railyards continues today to house a major transportation hub and will soon be home to a dynamic mixed-use, transit oriented development. The 244-acre site will transform the historic Union Pacific site into a dynamic and urban environment. The Railyards will be a mixed-use hub for entertainment, retail, housing, office, theaters, parks, hotels and museums, including one million square feet of retail, 2.3 million square feet of office, a hotel, varying residential housing units and recreational and cultural uses.

MLS teams with the best attendance and highest revenues share three criteria in their stadiums: location within the demo (18 to 34-years-old), walkable access to public transportation and proximity to pubs and restaurants, said Republic FC President Warren Smith. The Railyards provides all three key attributes. The 7th Street site was especially appealing to us due to the planned completion of a Regional Transit light rail station that will be adjacent to a soccer stadium.

LDK Ventures, LLC (LDK) is an entrepreneurial real estate development and investment company most notably known for its development of Stanford Ranch and McClellan Park. The LDK team has significant experience in the development of master-planned communities, brownfields, adaptive reuse, mixed-use and industrial projects. LDK Ventures is based in Sacramento and operated by Larry Kelley and his son, Denton Kelley, and is owned by the LDK Ventures executive team.

MLS officials will visit Sacramento on September 18-19 to evaluate the regions viability for MLS expansion. Details on their visit may be found at SacRepublicFC.com. Larrys full biography and additional details on Republic FC ownership group available at SacRepublicFC.com.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

It's Sacramento from the year 2400.

 

[NewlyRetired]

MLS has had the same league logo since the first year.

With next season being the 20th anniversary for the league (#### me.....20 years....my youth....), they intended to change the logo for next season.

But they decided they wanted the new logo to appear in the latest EA FIFA game so they will be announcing the new logo on Thirsday as EA will be having its launch party in NY on Thursday ahead of next weeks official release.

 

[Tom Hagen]

MLS has had the same league logo since the first year.

With next season being the 20th anniversary for the league (#### me.....20 years....my youth....), they intended to change the logo for next season.

But they decided they wanted the new logo to appear in the latest EA FIFA game so they will be announcing the new logo on Thirsday as EA will be having its launch party in NY on Thursday ahead of next weeks official release.

New logo

It's fine but nothing special.

It's probably just me but that line starting outside the crest doesn't look right,

 

[The Gator]

MLS has had the same league logo since the first year.

With next season being the 20th anniversary for the league (#### me.....20 years....my youth....), they intended to change the logo for next season.

But they decided they wanted the new logo to appear in the latest EA FIFA game so they will be announcing the new logo on Thirsday as EA will be having its launch party in NY on Thursday ahead of next weeks official release.

New logo

It's fine but nothing special.

It's probably just me but that line starting outside the crest doesn't look right,

Not just you, it's terrible

eta; LOL

 

[Autumn Wind]

I'll have to give it some time to sink in. I do think that the old logo screamed "1990s!" to me, so some sort of change was needed. And maybe it's because of the discussion going on here, but the arrangement of team-specific MLS logos seemed to be a not-so-subtle hint that single-entity is not going away anytime soon.

 

[Mjolnirs]

Ouch loss at the 90' minute for Man City. Hurts

 

[Steve Tasker]

I don't understand why Gervinho was so bad when he played for Arsenal...

 

[Sammy3469]

MLS has had the same league logo since the first year.

With next season being the 20th anniversary for the league (#### me.....20 years....my youth....), they intended to change the logo for next season.

But they decided they wanted the new logo to appear in the latest EA FIFA game so they will be announcing the new logo on Thirsday as EA will be having its launch party in NY on Thursday ahead of next weeks official release.

New logo

It's fine but nothing special.

It's probably just me but that line starting outside the crest doesn't look right,

Not just you, it's terrible

eta; LOL

It's horrendous. Why have half the logo empty space?

More importantly there's nothing that says "soccer". It really could be any generic shield.

and probably the worst part is the little stand out so much.

Just horrible.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

I don't understand why Gervinho was so bad when he played for Arsenal...

Probably hung out with Wilshere too much.

 

[The Gator]

MLS has had the same league logo since the first year.

With next season being the 20th anniversary for the league (#### me.....20 years....my youth....), they intended to change the logo for next season.

But they decided they wanted the new logo to appear in the latest EA FIFA game so they will be announcing the new logo on Thirsday as EA will be having its launch party in NY on Thursday ahead of next weeks official release.

New logo

It's fine but nothing special.

It's probably just me but that line starting outside the crest doesn't look right,

Not just you, it's terrible

eta; LOL

It's horrendous. Why have half the logo empty space?

The second half is an open white space that brings you in and out of the MLS world.

 

[NewlyRetired]

MLS has had the same league logo since the first year.

With next season being the 20th anniversary for the league (#### me.....20 years....my youth....), they intended to change the logo for next season.

But they decided they wanted the new logo to appear in the latest EA FIFA game so they will be announcing the new logo on Thirsday as EA will be having its launch party in NY on Thursday ahead of next weeks official release.

New logoIt's fine but nothing special.

It's probably just me but that line starting outside the crest doesn't look right,

Not just you, it's terrible

eta; LOL

It's horrendous. Why have half the logo empty space?

More importantly there's nothing that says "soccer". It really could be any generic shield.

and probably the worst part is the little stand out so much.

Just horrible.

I don't like it either. I have no problems with change, but this looks incomplete at best to me.I also don't get the club versions? If the current club badges are not going away, what are these new club badges for?

 

[Slapdash]

Turrible

 

[T Bell]

MLS has had the same league logo since the first year.

With next season being the 20th anniversary for the league (#### me.....20 years....my youth....), they intended to change the logo for next season.

But they decided they wanted the new logo to appear in the latest EA FIFA game so they will be announcing the new logo on Thirsday as EA will be having its launch party in NY on Thursday ahead of next weeks official release.

New logoIt's fine but nothing special.

It's probably just me but that line starting outside the crest doesn't look right,

Not just you, it's terrible

eta; LOL

It's horrendous. Why have half the logo empty space?

More importantly there's nothing that says "soccer". It really could be any generic shield.

and probably the worst part is the little stand out so much.

Just horrible.

I don't like it either. I have no problems with change, but this looks incomplete at best to me.I also don't get the club versions? If the current club badges are not going away, what are these new club badges for?

WORDMARK: MLS stands for Major League Soccer.

SLASH: The slash refers to soccer’s speed and energy. The slash begins outside the perimeter and drives upward at a 45-degree angle to illustrate both the nonstop nature of our game and the rising trajectory of our league. It bisects the crest to create a “first half” and “second half.”

STARS: The three stars represent the pillars of our brand: For Club, For Country, For Community.

PERIMETER: The perimeter represents the lines that mark off the field of play.

FIRST HALF AND SECOND HALF: The first half contains MLS and the three stars. The second half is an open white space that brings you in and out of the MLS world.

Oh #### off!

 

[NewlyRetired]

Saw this on BS

3 agencies were used to make the design.

One to draw the outline of the crest. One to draw the line (badly). One to write MLS. And then Garber gave them each a star for their great work.

 

[Sammy3469]

MLS has had the same league logo since the first year.

With next season being the 20th anniversary for the league (#### me.....20 years....my youth....), they intended to change the logo for next season.

But they decided they wanted the new logo to appear in the latest EA FIFA game so they will be announcing the new logo on Thirsday as EA will be having its launch party in NY on Thursday ahead of next weeks official release.

New logoIt's fine but nothing special.

It's probably just me but that line starting outside the crest doesn't look right,

Not just you, it's terrible

eta; LOL

It's horrendous. Why have half the logo empty space?

More importantly there's nothing that says "soccer". It really could be any generic shield.

and probably the worst part is the little stand out so much.

Just horrible.

I don't like it either. I have no problems with change, but this looks incomplete at best to me.I also don't get the club versions? If the current club badges are not going away, what are these new club badges for?

I quickly looked at the European leagues and they all have some type of ball or field structure in the logo(Serie A elegantly incorporates the center circle in theirs...I guess the kings of style should have a nice logo). I get the shield is important in soccer, but the logo is more for the marginal fan who probably isn't "up" on that sort of thing.

 

[T Bell]

This is MLS once again trying to be something it's not, namely European. The shield is evocative of coats of arms. You tell me where that's at all relevant.

This is just round two of "Real" Salt Lake and other non-organic nonsense that looks ridiculous to everyone, it's just not as obvious.

 

[NewlyRetired]

This is from one of the designers about why half is blank. I have no idea what that means when on a jersey.............

===========

The 45-degree line also divides the shield in two – soccer is a game of two 45-minute halves – creating a blank space that can be used as a window or frame for animated elements.

 

[Steve Tasker]

MLS has had the same league logo since the first year.

With next season being the 20th anniversary for the league (#### me.....20 years....my youth....), they intended to change the logo for next season.

But they decided they wanted the new logo to appear in the latest EA FIFA game so they will be announcing the new logo on Thirsday as EA will be having its launch party in NY on Thursday ahead of next weeks official release.

New logoIt's fine but nothing special.

It's probably just me but that line starting outside the crest doesn't look right,

Not just you, it's terrible

eta; LOL

It's horrendous. Why have half the logo empty space?

More importantly there's nothing that says "soccer". It really could be any generic shield.

and probably the worst part is the little stand out so much.

Just horrible.

I don't like it either. I have no problems with change, but this looks incomplete at best to me.I also don't get the club versions? If the current club badges are not going away, what are these new club badges for?

WORDMARK: MLS stands for Major League Soccer.

SLASH: The slash refers to soccer’s speed and energy. The slash begins outside the perimeter and drives upward at a 45-degree angle to illustrate both the nonstop nature of our game and the rising trajectory of our league. It bisects the crest to create a “first half” and “second half.”

STARS: The three stars represent the pillars of our brand: For Club, For Country, For Community.

PERIMETER: The perimeter represents the lines that mark off the field of play.

FIRST HALF AND SECOND HALF: The first half contains MLS and the three stars. The second half is an open white space that brings you in and out of the MLS world.

Oh #### off!

FIRST HALF AND SECOND HALF: The first half contains MLS and the three stars (Henry, Keane, and Dempsey). The second half is an open white space, which represents the abundant open space on the field as our not-quite-world-class kids-right-out-of-college tire out in the second half.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Can someone repost that Balotelli interview link about him moving to Liverpool? The one where he brought a random midget to the interview? Want to send it to my boss for reading.

 

[T Bell]

MLS has had the same league logo since the first year.

With next season being the 20th anniversary for the league (#### me.....20 years....my youth....), they intended to change the logo for next season.

But they decided they wanted the new logo to appear in the latest EA FIFA game so they will be announcing the new logo on Thirsday as EA will be having its launch party in NY on Thursday ahead of next weeks official release.

New logoIt's fine but nothing special.

It's probably just me but that line starting outside the crest doesn't look right,

Not just you, it's terrible

eta; LOL

It's horrendous. Why have half the logo empty space?

More importantly there's nothing that says "soccer". It really could be any generic shield.

and probably the worst part is the little stand out so much.

Just horrible.

I don't like it either. I have no problems with change, but this looks incomplete at best to me.I also don't get the club versions? If the current club badges are not going away, what are these new club badges for?

WORDMARK: MLS stands for Major League Soccer.

SLASH: The slash refers to soccer’s speed and energy. The slash begins outside the perimeter and drives upward at a 45-degree angle to illustrate both the nonstop nature of our game and the rising trajectory of our league. It bisects the crest to create a “first half” and “second half.”

STARS: The three stars represent the pillars of our brand: For Club, For Country, For Community.

PERIMETER: The perimeter represents the lines that mark off the field of play.

FIRST HALF AND SECOND HALF: The first half contains MLS and the three stars. The second half is an open white space that brings you in and out of the MLS world.

Oh #### off!

FIRST HALF AND SECOND HALF: The first half contains MLS and the three stars (Henry, Keane, and Dempsey). The second half is an open white space, which represents the abundant open space on the field as our not-quite-world-class kids-right-out-of-college tire out in the second half.

Seriously. Less forced symbolism was pumped into the 9/11 memorial FFS.

 

[QuizGuy66]

This is from one of the designers about why half is blank. I have no idea what that means when on a jersey.............

===========

The 45-degree line also divides the shield in two soccer is a game of two 45-minute halves creating a blank space that can be used as a window or frame for animated elements.

Ooooh! Like the Fox robot!

-QG

 

[CletiusMaximus]

MLS has had the same league logo since the first year.

With next season being the 20th anniversary for the league (#### me.....20 years....my youth....), they intended to change the logo for next season.

But they decided they wanted the new logo to appear in the latest EA FIFA game so they will be announcing the new logo on Thirsday as EA will be having its launch party in NY on Thursday ahead of next weeks official release.

New logoIt's fine but nothing special.

It's probably just me but that line starting outside the crest doesn't look right,

Not just you, it's terrible

eta; LOL

It's horrendous. Why have half the logo empty space?

More importantly there's nothing that says "soccer". It really could be any generic shield.

and probably the worst part is the little stand out so much.

Just horrible.

I don't like it either. I have no problems with change, but this looks incomplete at best to me.I also don't get the club versions? If the current club badges are not going away, what are these new club badges for?

WORDMARK: MLS stands for Major League Soccer.

SLASH: The slash refers to soccer’s speed and energy. The slash begins outside the perimeter and drives upward at a 45-degree angle to illustrate both the nonstop nature of our game and the rising trajectory of our league. It bisects the crest to create a “first half” and “second half.”

STARS: The three stars represent the pillars of our brand: For Club, For Country, For Community.

PERIMETER: The perimeter represents the lines that mark off the field of play.

FIRST HALF AND SECOND HALF: The first half contains MLS and the three stars. The second half is an open white space that brings you in and out of the MLS world.

Oh #### off!

FIRST HALF AND SECOND HALF: The first half contains MLS and the three stars (Henry, Keane, and Dempsey). The second half is an open white space, which represents the abundant open space on the field as our not-quite-world-class kids-right-out-of-college tire out in the second half.

Similar to Man City putting three stars on their crest, just because.

 

[The Gator]

Can someone repost that Balotelli interview link about him moving to Liverpool? The one where he brought a random midget to the interview? Want to send it to my boss for reading.

A wow piece on Mario

Friday 22nd August 2014

Paul Clarkson

If you knew me, you would know me the rise and rise of Mario Balotelli

He walked in carrying a midget. Ive been a journalist for 40 years and I have never envisaged a situation where I would ever open a piece with those words and I very much doubt I ever will again, unless, that is, I am lucky enough to have another interview with Mario Balotelli.

It was a beautiful spring day in Milan, we arranged to meet in the bar of the Principe Di Savoia where I was told Mario Balotelli would meet me for 10 minutes and no longer, his agent told me over the phone, sounding almost apologetic. I made sure I was there early as Id heard Mario is always early, whether it is for training, having lunch, making his breakfast, he has to be there first. So when I turned up at 9:30 am for our 11:00 am meeting I was relieved to find the bar Balotelliless. I took a seat near the window which overlooked the hotels main entrance and I waited eagerly. It was Mario himself who had his agent contact me; he wanted to speak to me for 10 minutes and no longer about what and why me in particular, I had no clue. I had no hesitation in say yes of course, I wasnt going to pass up an opportunity to fly out to Milan to have a brief chat with one of footballs most polarising characters.

So there I sat, waiting. And waiting, and waiting. Three incredibly strong cappuccinos, two unanswered phone calls to his agent and 3 ½ hours later, in walks Balotelli from what I had assumed was a staff entrance carrying a very small man! Mario had the biggest grin on his face as he walked over to me say hello to Sir Papa Pepe he said as the little man, also grinning profusely, held out his hand as if he was royalty for me to kiss. I shook his hand, hesitantly, wondering if those cappuccinos had done something to my brain I had not had time to comprehend what I was faced with. Mario placed Sir Papa Pepe on his feet, and with a tip of his hat to me, off Sir Papa Pepe went, skipping down the hall and out the main lobby onto the sun bathed street outside gone. Mario, still grinning like a Milanese cat, sat down and asked me to join him.

You were early, I like that he said before I could begin but not as early as me. Still trying to compute what had just happened, I was a little stuck for words at this point and wondering if I was an object of some bizarre practical joke. erm, actually Mario pleased to meet you by the way yes, I was here at 9:30, but thats ok, its a beautiful place... he stared at me, always smiling, his eyes electric and mischievous. I know you were, I seen you. Ive been here since 8 oclock this morning and you drink too many cappuccino, they are strong and he let out a loud cackle and gave a thumbs up to his agent who had taken a seat at the next table. I had to make you wait; I had to know if you are serious. By now I was reeling a little, I didnt know what to make of it all and in truth I was a little peeved, what do you mean serious? I asked calmly whats this about Mario? He leaned forward and patted my knee look, I like you Paulo, you are a good one, its all good. He then proceeded to tell me about his new Lamborghini which he had painted especially for him at the Lamborghini custom shop in Camouflage Red. I couldnt get a word in; he went on enthusiastically it is the only one in the world Paulo, Camouflage Red, its like camouflage that the army have on their trousers but it is not green, it is red. Red! Haha I laughed too, but I didnt know why. I tell you something Paulo, I am a rich man but I am not what people say I am, I am not a stupid man who feeds fat goats. I play football, it is a job. I can be better than anyone who ever play[ed] this game but I will decide when I am. Like I decide I have camouflage red, I say when, I say how. I was relieved he had mentioned football, Id almost forgotten all about it. I jumped at the opportunity to ask him about things with Milan and how he was looking forward to the World Cup. Milan is my club but Ill be somewhere different next season. I might come back to England, I like it there, people can laugh in your country but not make racist laughs. Italian people is more racist here. For the first time, the smile was gone and he became serious and I asked him if he had been approached by any club in England people say Im not even Italian and they say I should not play for the national team in Brazil. What can a man say to that? he went on, ignoring my question #### them and the world cup, it is all bull#### Paulo. But I will score against England and show Rooney how it is done and he cackled again and clapped his hands as his eyes bristled once more. I tried again and asked if he had been approached by any club back in England I can only tell you that I still have a home in England Paulo, a nice big house and I will go back there next season with my camouflage red lambo and he winked. I asked him if that meant a team in the North West had approached him, could he be returning to City? haha you smart Paulo. No, I approach, I do the talking. I play in all red, you will see. City can forget it and my ####, who are they? surely not Manchester United I asked #### off! Dont swear like that Paulo, it is filthy language. Dont say that again or I will not show you my lambo. Youre better than that, hey? No you will see the team in all red that is made for me, you smart, you know. Liverpool? I said, failing to contain my surprise. I asked if he had spoken to them, to Brenden Rodgers. Look Paulo, it is like I say, when I decide, it is done. I speak to people and people listen, that is how it is done. I will be wearing all red next season and I will drive my red lambo in the streets and people will wave and shout look there is Mario in his camouflage red lambo, the only one in the world, he is god

Unbeknownst to me during our conversation, Marios agent had being timing us. And now he whistled to catch Marios attention oh #### Paulo, 9 minutes, you have 1 minute left then I must go he made it clear that he was serious by jabbing his finger at an enormous and extremely expensive looking watch on his wrist. My head was spinning, Mario Balotelli had just said to me, in not so many words, that he was going to be playing for Liverpool in the Premiership next season and I now had less than a minute to try and get some details from him. Or was he joking with me; was this all still a ridiculous set up and I was the joke? so heres what you do Paulo he continued you go away and remember all what I have said today and in three or four months time you will see it is all true, yes? I nodded vacantly haha Paulo no worry hey? You have to promise me something though I agreed and asked what it was you cannot write about this until I give you a call, I am thinking it will be after the first game of the season, you will see why I had no idea what he meant but I agreed anyway and asked if we could meet again as I had much more I wanted to ask him. you will get to know me Paulo, dont worry. See, if you knew me, you would know me, thats what I tell people. I am a star Paulo and that is just how it is, people think they know you because you are famous but that is not true, that is not how it works. You will see and with that, he jumped to his feet and clapped his hands together thats it Paulo, ten minutes are up, time to go I stood up to shake his hand and instead he gave me a bear hug and kissed me on both cheeks then pulled my head forward and kissed my forehead Caio Paulo his huge grin retuned, and he and his agent walked off towards the lobby. I was in a daze but I couldnt resist one final question as they left Mario! Whats the story with the midget, who was he? I dont know Paulo, I found him outside and I picked him up and carried him in to meet you hahaha. Caio! and with that he was gone.

Today, Mario Balotelli will sign for Liverpool Football Club and he will likely play his first game in the all red of Liverpool against Manchester City. When Mario talks, people listen.

 

[The Gator]

MLS has had the same league logo since the first year.

With next season being the 20th anniversary for the league (#### me.....20 years....my youth....), they intended to change the logo for next season.

But they decided they wanted the new logo to appear in the latest EA FIFA game so they will be announcing the new logo on Thirsday as EA will be having its launch party in NY on Thursday ahead of next weeks official release.

New logoIt's fine but nothing special.

It's probably just me but that line starting outside the crest doesn't look right,

Not just you, it's terrible

eta; LOL

It's horrendous. Why have half the logo empty space?

More importantly there's nothing that says "soccer". It really could be any generic shield.

and probably the worst part is the little stand out so much.

Just horrible.

I don't like it either. I have no problems with change, but this looks incomplete at best to me.I also don't get the club versions? If the current club badges are not going away, what are these new club badges for?

WORDMARK: MLS stands for Major League Soccer.

SLASH: The slash refers to soccer’s speed and energy. The slash begins outside the perimeter and drives upward at a 45-degree angle to illustrate both the nonstop nature of our game and the rising trajectory of our league. It bisects the crest to create a “first half” and “second half.”

STARS: The three stars represent the pillars of our brand: For Club, For Country, For Community.

PERIMETER: The perimeter represents the lines that mark off the field of play.

FIRST HALF AND SECOND HALF: The first half contains MLS and the three stars. The second half is an open white space that brings you in and out of the MLS world.

Oh #### off!

FIRST HALF AND SECOND HALF: The first half contains MLS and the three stars (Henry, Keane, and Dempsey). The second half is an open white space, which represents the abundant open space on the field as our not-quite-world-class kids-right-out-of-college tire out in the second half.

Similar to Man City putting three stars on their crest, just because.

Relegated three times?

 

[T Bell]

MLS has had the same league logo since the first year.

With next season being the 20th anniversary for the league (#### me.....20 years....my youth....), they intended to change the logo for next season.

But they decided they wanted the new logo to appear in the latest EA FIFA game so they will be announcing the new logo on Thirsday as EA will be having its launch party in NY on Thursday ahead of next weeks official release.

New logoIt's fine but nothing special.

It's probably just me but that line starting outside the crest doesn't look right,

Not just you, it's terrible

eta; LOL

It's horrendous. Why have half the logo empty space?

More importantly there's nothing that says "soccer". It really could be any generic shield.

and probably the worst part is the little stand out so much.

Just horrible.

I don't like it either. I have no problems with change, but this looks incomplete at best to me.I also don't get the club versions? If the current club badges are not going away, what are these new club badges for?

WORDMARK: MLS stands for Major League Soccer.

SLASH: The slash refers to soccer’s speed and energy. The slash begins outside the perimeter and drives upward at a 45-degree angle to illustrate both the nonstop nature of our game and the rising trajectory of our league. It bisects the crest to create a “first half” and “second half.”

STARS: The three stars represent the pillars of our brand: For Club, For Country, For Community.

PERIMETER: The perimeter represents the lines that mark off the field of play.

FIRST HALF AND SECOND HALF: The first half contains MLS and the three stars. The second half is an open white space that brings you in and out of the MLS world.

Oh #### off!

FIRST HALF AND SECOND HALF: The first half contains MLS and the three stars (Henry, Keane, and Dempsey). The second half is an open white space, which represents the abundant open space on the field as our not-quite-world-class kids-right-out-of-college tire out in the second half.

Similar to Man City putting three stars on their crest, just because.

Relegated three times?

3m barrels of oil per day?

 

[The Gator]

MLS has had the same league logo since the first year.

With next season being the 20th anniversary for the league (#### me.....20 years....my youth....), they intended to change the logo for next season.

But they decided they wanted the new logo to appear in the latest EA FIFA game so they will be announcing the new logo on Thirsday as EA will be having its launch party in NY on Thursday ahead of next weeks official release.

New logoIt's fine but nothing special.

It's probably just me but that line starting outside the crest doesn't look right,

Not just you, it's terrible

eta; LOL

It's horrendous. Why have half the logo empty space?

More importantly there's nothing that says "soccer". It really could be any generic shield.

and probably the worst part is the little stand out so much.

Just horrible.

I don't like it either. I have no problems with change, but this looks incomplete at best to me.I also don't get the club versions? If the current club badges are not going away, what are these new club badges for?

Oh #### off!

FIRST HALF AND SECOND HALF: The first half contains MLS and the three stars (Henry, Keane, and Dempsey). The second half is an open white space, which represents the abundant open space on the field as our not-quite-world-class kids-right-out-of-college tire out in the second half.

Similar to Man City putting three stars on their crest, just because.

Relegated three times?

3m barrels of oil per day?

three slave labour deaths per week?

 

[NewlyRetired]

New FIFA rankings are out.

Costa Rica, Mexico and US are all in a row at 15, 16, and 17 respectively. England is 18th.

 

[T Bell]

three slave labour deaths per week?

Slow week? I thought they were a more ambitious club than that.

 

[Sinn Fein]

Europa starts today!!!

PL has just two teams in the Group Stage (thanks for playing Hull, here are some nice parting gifts) - Liverpool and Arsenal won't join until the knockout stage.

Spurs open up on the road at Belgrade, while Everton open up at home against Wolfsburg

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Liverpool and Arsenal won't join until the knockout stage.

12-0

 

[El Floppo]

at that MLS logo.

the wife and I work in creative/design fields and have to hear that kind of BS rationalizing of design intent all the time. So bad. Love Gator's link

This has the look of one of the owners having a daughter niece in college or HS who is studying graphic design... here- design something for us, sweetie... with a shield and the letters MLS with a trademark somewhere. The rest? whatever you like. 3 months later... where's the logo, pumpkin? (oh ####... um... totally forgot about that... *####### around in Illustrator for 2 minutes*... here you go, daddykins. Ahhhhhhh... there's my princess- I LOOOOOOOVE it.

 

[Slapdash]

This is MLS once again trying to be something it's not, namely European. The shield is evocative of coats of arms. You tell me where that's at all relevant.

This is just round two of "Real" Salt Lake and other non-organic nonsense that looks ridiculous to everyone, it's just not as obvious.

This is decidedly the worst part of American soccer.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Holy ####storm, Batman!!!

Before I tell you this story, I know that a lot of you in here are fans of MLS. I'm not trying to downplay that for you, nor am I trying to have a repeat of the battle I've fought on the interwebs this morning. But before I tell you the story, let me lay out the facts:

1) I am glad that we have a league in this country

2) I fully agree that it has gotten better

3) I have tried many many many times to watch it, and I just can't get into it because a) I live in Tennessee, and there's no local team for me to get behind, and b) the quality just isn't as good as other leagues around the world. I don't think any of you would disagree with that.

4) Nothing would make me happier than if MLS got on the same level as leagues around the world, and nothing would make me happier than if it became bigger than the NFL or MLB in this country

Having said that, I can't get into it. Would love to, but have been unable to for the above reasons. So, as you know, today was the unveiling of the new logo, which as many of you agree above, looks pretty poor. When the story was posted at NBC Soccer, they asked the question "What do you think of the new logo?" I responded with "About as uninteresting as the league, itself."

You would think that I wiped my ### on the flag and pissed on Miss America. Jeez. I took more abuse their then I do here, and that's saying something. Having said that, it was kinda sorta cool, in a weird sort of way, to at least see people fired up about the sport in this country.

 

[Eephus]

Magath Out

finally

 

[T Bell]

Magath Out

finally

That just seemed like a really ill-suited relationship. He's pretty much eliminated any chance they have of promotion this year all in a matter of four weeks. Crazy.

 

[T Bell]

Wow, Solskjaer's out at Cardiff too.

 

[El Floppo]

I was a big fan of Magath.

as a player.

 

[Eephus]

I was a big fan of Magath.

as a player.

I'll miss him because he's the German manager from Central Casting. You'd have to go to Colonel Klink to find a broader stereotype. But Felix and the mishmash of the squad he inherited at Craven Cottage were a terrible fit.

There's enough time and probably enough talent there to avoid another drop but Magath's constant roster shuffling suggests he hadn't found the location of the lock, much less the key. I like Kit Symons and hope he gets a bit of time to prove himself before the usual suspects (e.g. Pulis, Jones, Lennon) get called in. Shahid Khan seems like the kind of owner who will bring in a brand name manager even though his last hire failed spectacularly.

 

[T Bell]

I was a big fan of Magath.

as a player.

I'll miss him because he's the German manager from Central Casting. You'd have to go to Colonel Klink to find a broader stereotype. But Felix and the mishmash of the squad he inherited at Craven Cottage were a terrible fit.

There's enough time and probably enough talent there to avoid another drop but Magath's constant roster shuffling suggests he hadn't found the location of the lock, much less the key. I like Kit Symons and hope he gets a bit of time to prove himself before the usual suspects (e.g. Pulis, Jones, Lennon) get called in. Shahid Khan seems like the kind of owner who will bring in a brand name manager even though his last hire failed spectacularly.

He's a bit like Mike Martz in that he's got a stiff personality, he's got one stop on his resume that met with wild success, but you get the impression that he got a little lucky rather than being a truly outstanding manager. Just a very, very poor fit.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Holy ####storm, Batman!!!

Before I tell you this story, I know that a lot of you in here are fans of MLS. I'm not trying to downplay that for you, nor am I trying to have a repeat of the battle I've fought on the interwebs this morning. But before I tell you the story, let me lay out the facts:

1) I am glad that we have a league in this country

2) I fully agree that it has gotten better

3) I have tried many many many times to watch it, and I just can't get into it because a) I live in Tennessee, and there's no local team for me to get behind, and b) the quality just isn't as good as other leagues around the world. I don't think any of you would disagree with that.

4) Nothing would make me happier than if MLS got on the same level as leagues around the world, and nothing would make me happier than if it became bigger than the NFL or MLB in this country

Having said that, I can't get into it. Would love to, but have been unable to for the above reasons. So, as you know, today was the unveiling of the new logo, which as many of you agree above, looks pretty poor. When the story was posted at NBC Soccer, they asked the question "What do you think of the new logo?" I responded with "About as uninteresting as the league, itself."

You would think that I wiped my ### on the flag and pissed on Miss America. Jeez. I took more abuse their then I do here, and that's saying something..

Imo you deserved the abuse.

What you did was no different than the idiots who constantly posted how much they hated soccer during the WC.

If you don't like the league, that is your opinion and there is nothing wrong with it. More people hold that opinion than do not so you are in the majority.

Feeling the need to denegrate people who might like it is pretty sad and that is exactly what your statement says to me. You are basically saying you are smarter than those people who like MLS, no different than the people who thought they were smarter than soccer fans because they do not like soccer.

Why not just stick to what leagues you like and not put down leagues you don't? It just makes no sense to me why you would have even bothered answering that question when you obviously hate the league. What response did you actually expect when you post something that inflammatory to people who likely watch and enjoy a league?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Magath Out

finally

I wonder if this is going to negatively affect Emerson Hyndman? Magath obviously gave the kids too much rope but I fear the new manager might go in the complete opposite direction.

 

[T Bell]

Magath Out

finally

I wonder if this is going to negatively affect Emerson Hyndman? Magath obviously gave the kids too much rope but I fear the new manager might go in the complete opposite direction.

It's been hard to find info on his performances, but I don't get the impression that Hyndman was being cited as part of the problem. His performances have seemed solid when I've had the opportunity to watch Fulham matches.