***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (5 Viewers)

[AAABatteries]

Expansion lottery results:

1) Orlando City won the draw and took the expansion draft top pick.

2) NYC took top priority in the allocation draft.

3) Orlando City took the SuperDraft top pick.

4)NYC took 20th place in Discovery ranking. They quickly realized they made a mistake, but league said no takebacks.

5) Orlando City took top priority for USL Pro/NASL player picks.

6) NYC took 20th place in re-entry draft and 20th in waiver wire priority.

7) Orlando City took 20th place in lottery ranking.

8) NYC took top priority for DP's.

 

[roadkill1292]

Expansion lottery results:

1) Orlando City won the draw and took the expansion draft top pick.

2) NYC took top priority in the allocation draft.

3) Orlando City took the SuperDraft top pick.

4)NYC took 20th place in Discovery ranking. They quickly realized they made a mistake, but league said no takebacks.

5) Orlando City took top priority for USL Pro/NASL player picks.

6) NYC took 20th place in re-entry draft and 20th in waiver wire priority.

7) Orlando City took 20th place in lottery ranking.

8) NYC took top priority for DP's.

 

[Sinn Fein]

Cain Hoy has pulled out of discussion to purchase Spurs

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Cain Hoy has pulled out of discussion to purchase Spurs

Is Hain Coy still in the picture?

 

[Sinn Fein]

Cain Hoy has pulled out of discussion to purchase Spurs

Is Hain Coy still in the picture?

Nope, they pulled out also

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Dean Cain and Chips Ahoy are still doing due diligence.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Cain Hoy has pulled out of discussion to purchase Spurs

Is Hain Coy still in the picture?

Nope, they pulled out also

I hear these guys might be available.

 

[El Floppo]

Expansion lottery results:

1) Orlando City won the draw and took the expansion draft top pick.

2) NYC took top priority in the allocation draft.

3) Orlando City took the SuperDraft top pick.

4)NYC took 20th place in Discovery ranking. They quickly realized they made a mistake, but league said no takebacks.

5) Orlando City took top priority for USL Pro/NASL player picks.

6) NYC took 20th place in re-entry draft and 20th in waiver wire priority.

7) Orlando City took 20th place in lottery ranking.

8) NYC took top priority for DP's.

NYC TOOK TOP PRIORITY FOR DPs!

 

[T Bell]

MLS is always going to come off as a rinky dink league until they make things fully competitive. They just look like they stack the deck for certain teams, and that completely blows. It doesn't make me as a fan want to get invested in the league.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

9. Orlando City took half a ham sandwich and a bag of Sun Chips

10. NYC took a Groupon for half-off cronuts

11. Orlando City took the first pick in timsochet's Misconceptions About Hitler draft

12. NYC took numbers 2, 6, 8 in the latest Who's Hottest Poll

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Cain Hoy has pulled out of discussion to purchase Spurs

Is Hain Coy still in the picture?

Corey Haim now the front-runner.

 

[El Floppo]

9. Orlando City took half a ham sandwich and a bag of Sun Chips

10. NYC took a Groupon for half-off cronuts

11. Orlando City took the first pick in timsochet's Misconceptions About Hitler draft

12. NYC took numbers 2, 6, 8 in the latest Who's Hottest Poll

 

[CBusAlex]

MLS is always going to come off as a rinky dink league until they make things fully competitive. They just look like they stack the deck for certain teams, and that completely blows. It doesn't make me as a fan want to get invested in the league.

"I would watch MLS if only it had the competitive balance of the European leagues," said no one ever.

 

[T Bell]

MLS is always going to come off as a rinky dink league until they make things fully competitive. They just look like they stack the deck for certain teams, and that completely blows. It doesn't make me as a fan want to get invested in the league.

"I would watch MLS if only it had the competitive balance of the European leagues," said no one ever.

It's not about competitive balance, it's about not coming away with the feeling that the on-field results are orchestrated by some central planning committee.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

9. Orlando City took half a ham sandwich and a bag of Sun Chips

10. NYC took a Groupon for half-off cronuts

11. Orlando City took the first pick in timsochet's Misconceptions About Hitler draft

12. NYC took numbers 2, 6, 8 in the latest Who's Hottest Poll

Well... at least I understand these picks.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

MLS is always going to come off as a rinky dink league until they make things fully competitive. They just look like they stack the deck for certain teams, and that completely blows. It doesn't make me as a fan want to get invested in the league.

"I would watch MLS if only it had the competitive balance of the European leagues," said no one ever.

It's not about competitive balance, it's about not coming away with the feeling that the on-field results are orchestrated influenced by some central planning committee.

I don't think it's fixed, but there's no doubt the league puts its finger on the scale to benefit some teams. Doesn't mean the disadvantaged teams can't still win (parity leads to a lot of fluky results), but they have to do more or get luckier.

 

[El Floppo]

MLS is always going to come off as a rinky dink league until they make things fully competitive. They just look like they stack the deck for certain teams, and that completely blows. It doesn't make me as a fan want to get invested in the league.

"I would watch MLS if only it had the competitive balance of the European leagues," said no one ever.

It's not about competitive balance, it's about not coming away with the feeling that the on-field results are orchestrated influenced by some central planning committee.

I don't think it's fixed, but there's no doubt the league puts its finger on the scale to benefit some teams. Doesn't mean the disadvantaged teams can't still win (parity leads to a lot of fluky results), but they have to do more or get luckier.

MLS has had it's fat ### on the scale for NYC since 1996... WE NEED MORE HELP

They make things up as they go along- and are obviously trying to help certain teams along the way- but not watching MLS because you think the deck is stacked and actually helping one team or another...

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

MLS is always going to come off as a rinky dink league until they make things fully competitive. They just look like they stack the deck for certain teams, and that completely blows. It doesn't make me as a fan want to get invested in the league.

"I would watch MLS if only it had the competitive balance of the European leagues," said no one ever.

It's not about competitive balance, it's about not coming away with the feeling that the on-field results are orchestrated influenced by some central planning committee.

I don't think it's fixed, but there's no doubt the league puts its finger on the scale to benefit some teams. Doesn't mean the disadvantaged teams can't still win (parity leads to a lot of fluky results), but they have to do more or get luckier.

MLS has had it's fat ### on the scale for NYC since 1996... WE NEED MORE HELP

They make things up as they go along- and are obviously trying to help certain teams along the way- but not watching MLS because you think the deck is stacked and actually helping one team or another...

I'd wager that a dynasty in LA or NY would probably help the league. I think fairness matters, because MLS needs more than 2 or 3 owners to invest in franchises and owners aren't going to invest if they feel they can be dicked around. But I doubt it matters much at all to fans. Dynasties create stars. I like watching stars.

 

[roadkill1292]

RELEGATE CHIVAS!!1!

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Agree there probably aren't many people who care enough not to watch the league because of all this stuff, but it definitely does undermine the product. Even the fans of MLS hate these rules/non-rules/whatever and soccer journalists mock them.

When "shenanigans" is a part of your brand it's just not a good thing.

 

[El Floppo]

Agree there probably aren't many people who care enough not to watch the league because of all this stuff, but it definitely does undermine the product. Even the fans of MLS hate these rules/non-rules/whatever and soccer journalists mock them.

When "shenanigans" is a part of your brand it's just not a good thing.

For me at least, the shenanigans are in such a state of constant flux, I'm not bothered.

If it was always the same crap- I'd start to care. I find their continuous retinkering or things funny more than irritating.

 

[charvik]

This shenanigans concept in soccer must be an american thing... /Blatter /Platini /everyFIFAdelegateeverserving

 

[Sinn Fein]

RELEGATE CHIVAS!!1!

Deport Chivas

 

[charvik]

Steven Gerrard ‏@Gerrard8FanPage 5m
UEFA announces formal investigation into Liverpool and six other European clubs for possible financial fair play (FFP) breaches.



I wonder what's going on here... I read it, but I'm still not sure.

The other clubs are: Inter, Roma, Sporting, Monaco, Beskitas, Krasnodar

 

[El Floppo]

Krasnodar must be stopped!

 

[NewlyRetired]

When "shenanigans" is a part of your brand it's just not a good thing.

In a way shenanigans is ingrained in the sport world wide via corruptions, fixed games, bungs and god knows what else.

If I had to choose, I would prefer the cluster #### shenanigans of MLS over the corruption else where.

 

[NewlyRetired]

MLS is always going to come off as a rinky dink league until they make things fully competitive. They just look like they stack the deck for certain teams, and that completely blows. It doesn't make me as a fan want to get invested in the league.

"I would watch MLS if only it had the competitive balance of the European leagues," said no one ever.

The hypocrisy runs deep for the people who hate MLS.

 

[NewlyRetired]

MLS is always going to come off as a rinky dink league until they make things fully competitive. They just look like they stack the deck for certain teams, and that completely blows. It doesn't make me as a fan want to get invested in the league.

"I would watch MLS if only it had the competitive balance of the European leagues," said no one ever.

It's not about competitive balance, it's about not coming away with the feeling that the on-field results are orchestrated by some central planning committee.

If this is true (and it is not imo) then they should all be fired since they should be propping up NY and historically they have been one of the weakest sides.

If you want to get on field results orchestrated by a few, Europe is rife with it via the monopolies only a few teams have and the corruption of fixed games.

As I mentioned before the hypocrisy is awful when people complain about MLS.

 

[charvik]

BTW, the APLT after 5 games:

Chelsea 2
Manchester City -3
Liverpool -3
Arsenal -4
Tottenham Hotspur -6
Manchester United -10
Everton -10

 

[charvik]

Not sure if anyone here is eligible to sign up for betfair accounts, but they are offering 3/1 on Liverpool wearing red for the Merseyside derby on Saturday for new signups. So basically a 300% deposit bonus.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Agree there probably aren't many people who care enough not to watch the league because of all this stuff, but it definitely does undermine the product. Even the fans of MLS hate these rules/non-rules/whatever and soccer journalists mock them.

When "shenanigans" is a part of your brand it's just not a good thing.

For me at least, the shenanigans are in such a state of constant flux, I'm not bothered.

If it was always the same crap- I'd start to care. I find their continuous retinkering or things funny more than irritating.

The re tinkering is hilarious because no matter how many loop holes they hope to close, a new one pops up every year in which they again try and close by adding yet another rule.

It is like a leaking dam. They plug one hole, and then another opens up. They just keep trying to fix the leaks instead of rebuilding the dam.

I had hoped the new CBA would spur some rebuilding but what we learned yesterday tells me not.

 

[NewlyRetired]

RELEGATE CHIVAS!!1!

This might be the one thing that every MLS fan and every MLS hater agree on Well, that and the fact that Rafa Marquez is a #####.

 

[charvik]

BTW, the APLT after 5 games:

Chelsea 2
Manchester City -3
Liverpool -3
Arsenal -4
Tottenham Hotspur -6
Manchester United -10
Everton -10

Historically, and this is taken from the last 3 years only:

In 11-12, the first team to drop below the 10 point line were Newcastle United. It took them until match 15 to do it, and eventually they ended the season on 65 points, in 5th place.

In 12-13, Liverpool were the first to fall below the 10 point mark. It happened after match 10, and the reds eventually ended the season on 61 pts, which was 7th in the table.

Last season, it was Tottenham who had the dubious honour of being first through the ten point trap door. They held out until match 12, and eventually finished the season on 69 pts, in 6th place.

 

[Sinn Fein]

BTW, the APLT after 5 games:

Chelsea 2
Manchester City -3
Liverpool -3
Arsenal -4
Tottenham Hotspur -6
Manchester United -10
Everton -10

Historically, and this is taken from the last 3 years only:

In 11-12, the first team to drop below the 10 point line were Newcastle United. It took them until match 15 to do it, and eventually they ended the season on 65 points, in 5th place.

In 12-13, Liverpool were the first to fall below the 10 point mark. It happened after match 10, and the reds eventually ended the season on 61 pts, which was 7th in the table.

Last season, it was Tottenham who had the dubious honour of being first through the ten point trap door. They held out until match 12, and eventually finished the season on 69 pts, in 6th place.

Everton does not have the horses to compete at the top of the table, and in Europa, and in FA cup.

I would not rule out ManUtd just yet though. After Chelsea and ManCity the field is pretty open, and United does not have many mid-week games left in their schedule...

 

[charvik]

BTW, the APLT after 5 games:

Chelsea 2
Manchester City -3
Liverpool -3
Arsenal -4
Tottenham Hotspur -6
Manchester United -10
Everton -10

Historically, and this is taken from the last 3 years only:

In 11-12, the first team to drop below the 10 point line were Newcastle United. It took them until match 15 to do it, and eventually they ended the season on 65 points, in 5th place.

In 12-13, Liverpool were the first to fall below the 10 point mark. It happened after match 10, and the reds eventually ended the season on 61 pts, which was 7th in the table.

Last season, it was Tottenham who had the dubious honour of being first through the ten point trap door. They held out until match 12, and eventually finished the season on 69 pts, in 6th place.

Everton does not have the horses to compete at the top of the table, and in Europa, and in FA cup.

I would not rule out ManUtd just yet though. After Chelsea and ManCity the field is pretty open, and United does not have many mid-week games left in their schedule...

Yeah, I agree... but it's an interesting view of the table...

ManUtd could turn things around by regaining some points in their away 1pt games, but it's going to be a very tough task to catch all the top teams if this is to be trusted.

 

[El Floppo]

what is this thing called APLT?

what, is this thing called APLT?

what is thing called, APLT?

 

[El Floppo]

MLS's 24 under 24... usually an interesting look at good young talent, with lots of US products included:

FORWARDS

Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls) – Agudelo may be experiencing a bit of professional purgatory at the moment – Stoke City was forced to release him from his contract after work-permit issues – but it's important to remember we're still talking about a US international with 18 caps who is ... wait for it ... just 21 years old.

Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy) – "Fifteen goals is pretty good, but he plays with Landon Donovanand Robbie Keane." How many other players, I might ask, have done with same with LD and Keano over the past few years? Nobody, that's who. In fact, nobody even got close. Zardes is going to be a double-digit scorer for years to come.

MIDFIELDERS

Diego Fagundez (New England Revolution) – It's been a bit of a rough go for Fagundez a year after setting a Homegrown goal record (13) that's since been broken by that Gyasi fella. Still, at just 19 years old, five goals and four assists is nothing to sneeze at. On this team, Fagundez will cut in from the left and combine with former Revs teammate Agudelo up front.

Russell Teibert (Vancouver Whitecaps) – Once I settled on a 4-4-2 (after experimenting with a 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-4-1), Teibert was an easy choice. He can play wide too, but I'm sticking him in the middle where his ability on the ball and underrated play without it will help free up the players in front of him.

Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew) – No brainer here. They don't call Trapp "Franchise" in Columbusfor nothing, and he'll anchor my midfield, spraying diagonals to Fagundez and Najar on the flanks and keeping time in the middle with Teibert. He might even score a goal or two given the chance to push forward from time to time.

Andy Najar (D.C. United) – The Honduran is, without a doubt, the most accomplished Homegrown player of all-time (for now, at least). His play with D.C. United earned him a multi-million dollar move to Anderlecht, where he's locked down a starting spot and logged Champions League minutes for the Belgian champs. Oh, and he played in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

DEFENDERS

Ashtone Morgan (Toronto FC) – Difficult choice here, but Morgan's international and MLS experience gave him the nod over FC Dallas' Moises Hernandez. With Justin Morrow taking the majority of the left-back minutes in Toronto this year, it's been a slow season for Morgan but he's still just 23 with 58 MLS starts under his belt.

Doneil Henry (Toronto FC) – Yes, he has a tendency to concede penalty kicks, but Henry hastremendous upside potential (Hubie Brown alert!!!). It was a toss up between the TFC man and Philly's Ethan White. Henry takes it by a nose, with the resurgent White on the bench just in case.

Shane O'Neill (Colorado Rapids) – When injury felled O'Neill earlier this season, it was a massive blow for the Rapids, one they've still not recovered from, with Drew Moor down and out as well. O'Neill marshalls this backline and will take on the majority of the distribution duties from central defense into the feet of Trapp and Teibert.

DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders) – Do I really have to explain this one? I pity the left back for whatever imaginary team my Homegrown squad are taking on. Najar AND Yedlin running down your throat? That just sounds exhausting.

GOALKEEPER

Bill Hamid (D.C. United) – On the fringe of the national team and a shoo-in for D.C. in goal, Hamid seems to be the heir apparent when it comes to the next great American netminder.

BENCH

Richard Sanchez (DAL); Ethan White (PHI), Kellyn Acosta (DAL), Victor Ulloa (DAL), Dillon Serna (COL), Tommy Thompson (SJ), Harrison Shipp (CHI)

 

[El Floppo]

wait a sec... posted it without reading...

Agudelo?!

 

[El Floppo]

Sorry... I posted something else above... here's the **official** 24 under 24

Rank Player Club

1 DeAndre Yedlin Seattle Sounders

2 Erick "Cubo" Torres Chivas USA

3 Fabian Castillo FC Dallas

4 Gyasi Zardes LA Galaxy

5 Diego Fagundez New England Revolution

6 Mauro Diaz FC Dallas

7 Joao Plata Real Salt Lake

8 Luis Gil Real Salt Lake

9 Wil Trapp Columbus Crew

10 Bill Hamid D.C. United

11 Dillon Powers Colorado Rapids

12 Kekuta Manneh Vancouver Whitecaps

13 Amobi Okugo Philadelphia Union

14 Andrew Farrell New England Revolution

15 Matias Laba Vancouver Whitecaps

16 Kelyn Rowe New England Revolution

17 Harry Shipp Chicago Fire

18 Perry Kitchen D.C. United

19 Shane O'Neill Colorado Rapids

20 Deshorn Brown Colorado Rapids

21 Olmes Garcia Real Salt Lake

22 Gershon Koffie Vancouver Whitecaps

23 Tesho Akindele FC Dallas

24 Russell Teibert Vancouver Whitecaps

 

[SmoovySmoov]

MLS is always going to come off as a rinky dink league until they make things fully competitive. They just look like they stack the deck for certain teams, and that completely blows. It doesn't make me as a fan want to get invested in the league.

"I would watch MLS if only it had the competitive balance of the European leagues," said no one ever.

The hypocrisy runs deep for the people who hate MLS.

Why do you confuse being not interested in MLS for the many reasons that have been posted above, with hate for MLS? (Serious question)

 

[NewlyRetired]

wait a sec... posted it without reading...

Agudelo?!

And Najar??

This looks wrong in a few places. Why is Agudelo tied to NY? He is two MLS teams removed from Red Bull.

I have to go read what they used to build the list. In years past it was just best players in MLS U24. They must have changed their requirements some how.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Sorry... I posted something else above... here's the **official** 24 under 24

Rank Player Club

1 DeAndre Yedlin Seattle Sounders

2 Erick "Cubo" Torres Chivas USA

3 Fabian Castillo FC Dallas

4 Gyasi Zardes LA Galaxy

5 Diego Fagundez New England Revolution

6 Mauro Diaz FC Dallas

7 Joao Plata Real Salt Lake

8 Luis Gil Real Salt Lake

9 Wil Trapp Columbus Crew

10 Bill Hamid D.C. United

11 Dillon Powers Colorado Rapids

12 Kekuta Manneh Vancouver Whitecaps

13 Amobi Okugo Philadelphia Union

14 Andrew Farrell New England Revolution

15 Matias Laba Vancouver Whitecaps

16 Kelyn Rowe New England Revolution

17 Harry Shipp Chicago Fire

18 Perry Kitchen D.C. United

19 Shane O'Neill Colorado Rapids

20 Deshorn Brown Colorado Rapids

21 Olmes Garcia Real Salt Lake

22 Gershon Koffie Vancouver Whitecaps

23 Tesho Akindele FC Dallas

24 Russell Teibert Vancouver Whitecaps

Now this makes more sense! What was the other list you posted?

 

[roadkill1292]

MLS is always going to come off as a rinky dink league until they make things fully competitive. They just look like they stack the deck for certain teams, and that completely blows. It doesn't make me as a fan want to get invested in the league.

"I would watch MLS if only it had the competitive balance of the European leagues," said no one ever.

The hypocrisy runs deep for the people who hate MLS.

Why do you confuse being not interested in MLS for the many reasons that have been posted above, with hate for MLS? (Serious question)

Indeed, I'd like them to be my league. And I'd pay even more attention if they gave any indication that moving in my direction was in the distant future. Instead, they're digging in their heels. I don't think they can pull that off, to be honest, but the attitude bugs me.

 

[NewlyRetired]

MLS is always going to come off as a rinky dink league until they make things fully competitive. They just look like they stack the deck for certain teams, and that completely blows. It doesn't make me as a fan want to get invested in the league.

"I would watch MLS if only it had the competitive balance of the European leagues," said no one ever.

The hypocrisy runs deep for the people who hate MLS.

Why do you confuse being not interested in MLS for the many reasons that have been posted above, with hate for MLS? (Serious question)

When some one is not interested in an item, you typically don't bash it or belittle it at every opportunity. One typically just ignores it if uninterested.

People who bash something typically have stronger emotions tied to it than being just uninterested.

Just my opinion.

 

[El Floppo]

wait a sec... posted it without reading...

Agudelo?!

And Najar??

This looks wrong in a few places. Why is Agudelo tied to NY? He is two MLS teams removed from Red Bull.

I have to go read what they used to build the list. In years past it was just best players in MLS U24. They must have changed their requirements some how.

I think it was a best young home-grown talent under 24 list... thus Agudelo and Najar.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Sorry... I posted something else above... here's the **official** 24 under 24

Rank Player Club

1 DeAndre Yedlin Seattle Sounders

2 Erick "Cubo" Torres Chivas USA

If they shut down Chivas, it is going to be a bloodbath to see who gets Torres.

I smell another rule change coming

 

[El Floppo]

MLS is always going to come off as a rinky dink league until they make things fully competitive. They just look like they stack the deck for certain teams, and that completely blows. It doesn't make me as a fan want to get invested in the league.

"I would watch MLS if only it had the competitive balance of the European leagues," said no one ever.

The hypocrisy runs deep for the people who hate MLS.

Why do you confuse being not interested in MLS for the many reasons that have been posted above, with hate for MLS? (Serious question)

Indeed, I'd like them to be my league. And I'd pay even more attention if they gave any indication that moving in my direction was in the distant future. Instead, they're digging in their heels. I don't think they can pull that off, to be honest, but the attitude bugs me.

huh?

they're tap-dancing more than heel-digging.

choose not to like it because the quality is admittedly not as good as the top euro-leagues. the rest, I don't get.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Indeed, I'd like them to be my league. And I'd pay even more attention if they gave any indication that moving in my direction was in the distant future. Instead, they're digging in their heels. I don't think they can pull that off, to be honest, but the attitude bugs me.

You don't think they can pull what off?

 

[NewlyRetired]

choose not to like it because the quality is admittedly not as good as the top euro-leagues. the rest, I don't get.

Yeah, this is such a simple thing to do. It is like people go out of their way to look for things to hate MLS about while ignoring all the monstrous flaws in European soccer.

Since there are flaws on both sides, just stick to the quality argument. You can't really go wrong with that.

 

[The Gator]

what is this thing called APLT?

what, is this thing called APLT?

what is thing called, APLT?

Alternate premier league table

It's a good judge of early season standings.

For those of you who are new to the APLT, or those who need a reminder of the model, the APLT makes an assumption that in order to win the league title, a team needs to win 90 points for the season. This can be achieved by winning all home matches, the seven easiest away matches (the three promoted teams and the 14th-17th ranked teams from the previous season) and draw the 12 remaining away matches. I refer to these as the par results. As in golf, par will be achieved more often than not, but sometimes points are dropped or gained in relation to par.

The fixture list below for the top six teams (and Man Utd) indicates the hardest matches which are all par 1s, with the remaining fixtures all par 3s.

http://i.imgur.com/FsLdNdA.png

Also, the chart shows just how easy United's start was with