***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (1 Viewer)

[NewlyRetired]

Fox sucks at this. They are showing Chelsea-Sporting on Fox Sports2 instead of Barça-PSG, which is on live on my regional Fox Sports channel. Check that one if you were looking for it. That channel never gets mentioned in the the soccer on tv emails.

I think the Soccer America emails are based on national tv stations, not regional stations. The regional channels all have different schedules of what they show.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Last week’s West Ham/Liverpool English Premier League match drew a 0.5 final rating and 693,000 viewers on NBC, the network’s least-watched telecast of the season (five matches). The previous low was 791,000 for Everton/Chelsea a week earlier. NBCSN earned a larger audience for Sunday’s Chelsea/Manchester City match (821K). (Sat. numbers from Sports Business Daily)

 

[Sebowski]

Fox sucks at this. They are showing Chelsea-Sporting on Fox Sports2 instead of Barça-PSG, which is on live on my regional Fox Sports channel. Check that one if you were looking for it. That channel never gets mentioned in the the soccer on tv emails.

I think the Soccer America emails are based on national tv stations, not regional stations. The regional channels all have different schedules of what they show.

Yeah. Makes sense. I just wanted to give a heads up to check your regional fox sports channel for the game.

 

[El Floppo]

Dominant male monkey mother ####er!

eta:

um.... yeah.

wrong thread.

 

[NewlyRetired]

This is great

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

Barcelona and Uruguay striker Luis Suarez is not currently playable in the “career mode” of FIFA 15, the immensely popular video game from EA Sports, and will remain unplayable until his real-world ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup in June runs its course on October 26. According to video game news site Gamespot, publisher Electronic Arts chose to imitate this suspension in the game by informing players who choose to play as Barcelona in “career mode” with the following notice: "Please be aware that Luis Suarez is serving a suspension and will not be available for selection until 26 October 2014."

 

[The Gator]

Floppo is on fire today

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Feel like the Rebecca Lowe schism is worse than the one between the MLS dorks and the Euro-snobs.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Ter Stegen; Alba, Mathieu, Mascherano, Alves; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Pedro, Messi, Neymar.

 

[Sebowski]

Ter Stegen; Alba, Mathieu, Mascherano, Alves; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Pedro, Messi, Neymar.

Full A squad.

also, at the Road Dogg avatar. If there is a DX forming around here, I call X-Pac.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Weather is supposed to be temperate in "Lisbon, Spain" for the game today.

Fox Sports, ladies and gentlemen!

 

[Kafka]

In semi-related Barca news...35 yr. old Keita gets the start today for Roma; has been a boss filling in for DeRossi last couple games; along with Nainggolan & Pjanic, they need to control/neutralize the middle for Roma to come away with any points. Steel.

 

[Jaysus]

Chelsea coming out string today too, I thought for sure that we would see a padded helmet today:

Team to face Sporting: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry ©, Filipe Luis; Matic, Fabregas; Schurrle, Oscar, Hazard; Diego Costa. #CFC

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Hey, it's Filipe Luis!

 

[Kafka]

Daje Roma!

 

[Good Posting Judge]

United could make some hay in the Prem table with their midweek schedule cleared out, no Capital One Cup, no Europe.

Or, nah: http://screamer.deadspin.com/looks-like-the-manchester-united-traveling-circus-might-1640743233

 

[El Floppo]

PK deserved? I'm following on ESPN game-cast.

Gotta say- Aguerro has been looking like he has his step back... seems like he needs a little more time to get his full fitness back though- has faded in games I've watched.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Oh come on!!

MLS actually went out and found the only person on the planet who might be a worse owner than Vegera was for Chivas USA

News is just coming in, but Grant Wahl is reporting that the new ownership group will include

Vincent Tan

Holy ####### ####. That is hilarious!

 

[NewlyRetired]

Here is more info

MLS will soon announce the owners of its new team in Los Angeles that will replace Chivas USA, and the ownership group that’s almost certain to land the team includes Henry Nguyen, Peter Guber, Vincent Tan and Tom Penn, SI.com has learned.

MLS is expected to announce the winning group officially as soon as next week, after the league’s Board of Governors meets in Los Angeles on Monday.

Nguyen is a Vietnamese-American venture capitalist who recently brought the first McDonald’s franchise to Vietnam. Guber is a Hollywood producer and co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Golden State Warriors. Tan is the flamboyant Malaysian owner of Cardiff City, which played in the Premier League last season. And Penn is a former NBA executive and analytics expert who has worked at ESPN.

The fee for the new L.A. team, which will likely start play in 2017, is believed to be in excess of $100 million, the league record fee that New York City FC paid to join MLS next March. It would be an expansion team in MLS, and Chivas USA would be dissolved.

The group has committed to building a new soccer stadium in Los Angeles. Sources tell SI.com that two sites they are interested in are in downtown L.A. (“not far from the Staples Center”) and near the Hollywood Park racetrack. The league has spoken about a possible site near the current L.A. Sports Arena.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Chelsea coming out string today too, I thought for sure that we would see a padded helmet today:

Some believe they don't want him cup-tied to preserve a potential January transfer.

 

[NewlyRetired]

It is interesting how some MLB teams owners are starting to get in bed with MLS. Gruber in LA, the Yankees in NY and the Twins are backing one of the two Minnesota expansion bids.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Andy Glockner @AndyGlockner

Follow

At Cardiff, Vincent Tan fired his management team and made a 23-yo stadium painter his director of recruitment. @mls definitely needs him.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

If only Roma had been drawn with Chelsea or Arsenal, we might have had the pleasure of seeing Pjanic in the streets of London today.

apologies to Scobby and Ephus

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Oh come on!!

MLS actually went out and found the only person on the planet who might be a worse owner than Vegera was for Chivas USA

News is just coming in, but Grant Wahl is reporting that the new ownership group will include

Vincent Tan

Holy ####### ####. That is hilarious!

Oof. I think I actually prefer the Kroenke "LA Gunners" conspiracy theory over having Vincent Tan around

 

[NewlyRetired]

This removes some of the train wreck appeal of the deal

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

Grant Wahl ✔ @GrantWahl

Vincent Tan is a minority partner in the LA MLS group. Henry Nguyen is the majority partner, would move to LA.

2:46 PM - 30 Sep 2014

 

[Jaysus]

Oh come on!!

Vincent Tan

Holy ####### ####. That is hilarious!

Here is more info

MLS will soon announce the owners of its new team in Los Angeles that will replace Chivas USA, and the ownership group that’s almost certain to land the team includes Henry Nguyen, Peter Guber, Vincent Tan and Tom Penn, SI.com has learned.

That RULES!

I just read something last night that made it sound like, while Tan was looking to get into the MLS, that it would be a bit more in the future than this,

ETA: LInk: http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2014/09/29/cardiff-city-owner-vincent-tan-says-he-hopes-to-invest-in-mls/

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Seattle Sounders all-time leading scorer Freddy Montero on the bench for Sporting today as Nani gets the call.

 

[shader]

Messi/Neymar are so fun to watch together. Messi, looped a little lob over the head of the defender right to Neymar, who then almost sunk a lob over the goalkeeper. Would have been an unbelievable goal.

 

[NewlyRetired]

So it sounds like it won't be a rebranding. It reads pretty clearly that Chivas is being dissolved and the new team will come in as an expansion side.

I actually think that is better. Cut all ties/records etc with the failed experiment and let the new team launch at will.

Now if they want to sign Cubo Torres and park him some where for 2 years, that would be cool too

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

If only Roma had been drawn with Chelsea or Arsenal, we might have had the pleasure of seeing Pjanic in the streets of London today.

apologies to Scobby and Ephus

You have no idea how long I've been sitting on that one.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Messi has been electric, but otherwise the dominant theme today is schoolboy defending. Some real howlers from Maicon and the entire Barca backline/GK corps.

 

[T Bell]

I've never really followed much soccer before but got really into the world cup (I think I watched just about every game) and am looking to carry that over to something else. Trouble is, there is just sooooooo much soccer going on I'm having trouble sorting it all out. What's the go-to league here for Americans?

Is it the MLS because this is 'Murica, even though the quality of play is lower? The players that people are always talking about (Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar) are all in La Liga but I never hear anyone here talking about watching La Liga or really caring about any of the teams. It seems like most people I hear talking about soccer are talking about EPL (and aren't they bringing that to TV in the states?) but I looked over the current leading goal scorers for that league and I barely recognize any of the names.

So what's the play here?

I was in the same boat as you earlier this summer. I agree with most of the suggestions here. EPL will get you the best bang for your viewing buck, and if you have the NBC Sports Extra app you can watch ANY game, which is a huge plus. It's made it much easier for me to follow my new team, Swansea City.

MLS is definitely worthy of your attention, particularly if you live close to one of their teams. And while the general level of play is not at an EPL level, it's not like we're talking XFL vs. NFL either. I've seen plenty of really entertaining MLS games, just as I've seen some real stinkers in the EPL.

Personally, I have no interest or time to hunt down anything outside of these two leagues yet. But hey, I was hungry enough for soccer a few weeks ago that I sat through a Liga MX league game in Spanish. Never thought I'd say that six months ago.

Fantastic observation.

The "quality" of skills are higher in the EPL, but that doesn't mean there aren't some fantastically entertaining games to watch in MLS.

And people will talk about tactics in here- but for the most part, unless you're watching live and can see what the other players are doing outside of the frame of the TV camera, it's very difficult to gauge or judge the relative tactics of teams by watching on tv... so even the tactically less skilled teams and leagues are worth watching (the S Amercian supercup- Copa Libertadores, especially can be fun for that reason- wide open games with good footskills and lots of tactical mistakes to create more chances).

MLS is roughly on par with the Championship in England (2nd tier of English football). It's got a handful of players who are still Premier League quality (Keane; Henry; Donovan), and some who of course are below Championship level.

 

[T Bell]

Oh come on!!

MLS actually went out and found the only person on the planet who might be a worse owner than Vegera was for Chivas USA

News is just coming in, but Grant Wahl is reporting that the new ownership group will include

Vincent Tan

Holy ####### ####. That is hilarious!

At least they already wear red...

 

[CletiusMaximus]

If only Roma had been drawn with Chelsea or Arsenal, we might have had the pleasure of seeing Pjanic in the streets of London today.

apologies to Scobby and Ephus

You have no idea how long I've been sitting on that one.

You've still got possibilities with Birmingham if Villa gets top 4.

 

[Jaysus]

Francesco Totti's equlizer for Roma is makes him the oldest scorer in the Champions League at 38 years and 3 days: link

 

[shader]

I've never really followed much soccer before but got really into the world cup (I think I watched just about every game) and am looking to carry that over to something else. Trouble is, there is just sooooooo much soccer going on I'm having trouble sorting it all out. What's the go-to league here for Americans?

Is it the MLS because this is 'Murica, even though the quality of play is lower? The players that people are always talking about (Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar) are all in La Liga but I never hear anyone here talking about watching La Liga or really caring about any of the teams. It seems like most people I hear talking about soccer are talking about EPL (and aren't they bringing that to TV in the states?) but I looked over the current leading goal scorers for that league and I barely recognize any of the names.

So what's the play here?

I was in the same boat as you earlier this summer. I agree with most of the suggestions here. EPL will get you the best bang for your viewing buck, and if you have the NBC Sports Extra app you can watch ANY game, which is a huge plus. It's made it much easier for me to follow my new team, Swansea City.

MLS is definitely worthy of your attention, particularly if you live close to one of their teams. And while the general level of play is not at an EPL level, it's not like we're talking XFL vs. NFL either. I've seen plenty of really entertaining MLS games, just as I've seen some real stinkers in the EPL.

Personally, I have no interest or time to hunt down anything outside of these two leagues yet. But hey, I was hungry enough for soccer a few weeks ago that I sat through a Liga MX league game in Spanish. Never thought I'd say that six months ago.

Fantastic observation.

The "quality" of skills are higher in the EPL, but that doesn't mean there aren't some fantastically entertaining games to watch in MLS.

And people will talk about tactics in here- but for the most part, unless you're watching live and can see what the other players are doing outside of the frame of the TV camera, it's very difficult to gauge or judge the relative tactics of teams by watching on tv... so even the tactically less skilled teams and leagues are worth watching (the S Amercian supercup- Copa Libertadores, especially can be fun for that reason- wide open games with good footskills and lots of tactical mistakes to create more chances).

MLS is roughly on par with the Championship in England (2nd tier of English football). It's got a handful of players who are still Premier League quality (Keane; Henry; Donovan), and some who of course are below Championship level.

I'm still the new guy, but every time I see a MLS post on this thread, I quickly scan past it. I just don't get the fascination with a league of second-rate players.

 

[El Floppo]

Oh come on!!

MLS actually went out and found the only person on the planet who might be a worse owner than Vegera was for Chivas USA

News is just coming in, but Grant Wahl is reporting that the new ownership group will include

Vincent Tan

Holy ####### ####. That is hilarious!

YES!

I just hiked my pants up over my nipples and cinched in my belt to celebrate.

everysing RED.

 

[El Floppo]

I've never really followed much soccer before but got really into the world cup (I think I watched just about every game) and am looking to carry that over to something else. Trouble is, there is just sooooooo much soccer going on I'm having trouble sorting it all out. What's the go-to league here for Americans?

Is it the MLS because this is 'Murica, even though the quality of play is lower? The players that people are always talking about (Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar) are all in La Liga but I never hear anyone here talking about watching La Liga or really caring about any of the teams. It seems like most people I hear talking about soccer are talking about EPL (and aren't they bringing that to TV in the states?) but I looked over the current leading goal scorers for that league and I barely recognize any of the names.

So what's the play here?

I was in the same boat as you earlier this summer. I agree with most of the suggestions here. EPL will get you the best bang for your viewing buck, and if you have the NBC Sports Extra app you can watch ANY game, which is a huge plus. It's made it much easier for me to follow my new team, Swansea City.

MLS is definitely worthy of your attention, particularly if you live close to one of their teams. And while the general level of play is not at an EPL level, it's not like we're talking XFL vs. NFL either. I've seen plenty of really entertaining MLS games, just as I've seen some real stinkers in the EPL.

Personally, I have no interest or time to hunt down anything outside of these two leagues yet. But hey, I was hungry enough for soccer a few weeks ago that I sat through a Liga MX league game in Spanish. Never thought I'd say that six months ago.

Fantastic observation.

The "quality" of skills are higher in the EPL, but that doesn't mean there aren't some fantastically entertaining games to watch in MLS.

And people will talk about tactics in here- but for the most part, unless you're watching live and can see what the other players are doing outside of the frame of the TV camera, it's very difficult to gauge or judge the relative tactics of teams by watching on tv... so even the tactically less skilled teams and leagues are worth watching (the S Amercian supercup- Copa Libertadores, especially can be fun for that reason- wide open games with good footskills and lots of tactical mistakes to create more chances).

MLS is roughly on par with the Championship in England (2nd tier of English football). It's got a handful of players who are still Premier League quality (Keane; Henry; Donovan), and some who of course are below Championship level.

I'm still the new guy, but every time I see a MLS post on this thread, I quickly scan past it. I just don't get the fascination with a league of second-rate players.

hi. totally understand #### you.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

I've never really followed much soccer before but got really into the world cup (I think I watched just about every game) and am looking to carry that over to something else. Trouble is, there is just sooooooo much soccer going on I'm having trouble sorting it all out. What's the go-to league here for Americans?

Is it the MLS because this is 'Murica, even though the quality of play is lower? The players that people are always talking about (Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar) are all in La Liga but I never hear anyone here talking about watching La Liga or really caring about any of the teams. It seems like most people I hear talking about soccer are talking about EPL (and aren't they bringing that to TV in the states?) but I looked over the current leading goal scorers for that league and I barely recognize any of the names.

So what's the play here?

I was in the same boat as you earlier this summer. I agree with most of the suggestions here. EPL will get you the best bang for your viewing buck, and if you have the NBC Sports Extra app you can watch ANY game, which is a huge plus. It's made it much easier for me to follow my new team, Swansea City.

MLS is definitely worthy of your attention, particularly if you live close to one of their teams. And while the general level of play is not at an EPL level, it's not like we're talking XFL vs. NFL either. I've seen plenty of really entertaining MLS games, just as I've seen some real stinkers in the EPL.

Personally, I have no interest or time to hunt down anything outside of these two leagues yet. But hey, I was hungry enough for soccer a few weeks ago that I sat through a Liga MX league game in Spanish. Never thought I'd say that six months ago.

Fantastic observation.

The "quality" of skills are higher in the EPL, but that doesn't mean there aren't some fantastically entertaining games to watch in MLS.

And people will talk about tactics in here- but for the most part, unless you're watching live and can see what the other players are doing outside of the frame of the TV camera, it's very difficult to gauge or judge the relative tactics of teams by watching on tv... so even the tactically less skilled teams and leagues are worth watching (the S Amercian supercup- Copa Libertadores, especially can be fun for that reason- wide open games with good footskills and lots of tactical mistakes to create more chances).

MLS is roughly on par with the Championship in England (2nd tier of English football). It's got a handful of players who are still Premier League quality (Keane; Henry; Donovan), and some who of course are below Championship level.

I'm still the new guy, but every time I see a MLS post on this thread, I quickly scan past it. I just don't get the fascination with a league of second-rate players.

Because I can't drive to London this weekend to attend a live match.

I know you live in SEC country - your outlook would possibly be different if you had a local team.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Totally freaking me out as a GSW fan that Guber would even associate with a clown like Tan.

 

[shader]

I've never really followed much soccer before but got really into the world cup (I think I watched just about every game) and am looking to carry that over to something else. Trouble is, there is just sooooooo much soccer going on I'm having trouble sorting it all out. What's the go-to league here for Americans?

Is it the MLS because this is 'Murica, even though the quality of play is lower? The players that people are always talking about (Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar) are all in La Liga but I never hear anyone here talking about watching La Liga or really caring about any of the teams. It seems like most people I hear talking about soccer are talking about EPL (and aren't they bringing that to TV in the states?) but I looked over the current leading goal scorers for that league and I barely recognize any of the names.

So what's the play here?

I was in the same boat as you earlier this summer. I agree with most of the suggestions here. EPL will get you the best bang for your viewing buck, and if you have the NBC Sports Extra app you can watch ANY game, which is a huge plus. It's made it much easier for me to follow my new team, Swansea City.

MLS is definitely worthy of your attention, particularly if you live close to one of their teams. And while the general level of play is not at an EPL level, it's not like we're talking XFL vs. NFL either. I've seen plenty of really entertaining MLS games, just as I've seen some real stinkers in the EPL.

Personally, I have no interest or time to hunt down anything outside of these two leagues yet. But hey, I was hungry enough for soccer a few weeks ago that I sat through a Liga MX league game in Spanish. Never thought I'd say that six months ago.

Fantastic observation.

The "quality" of skills are higher in the EPL, but that doesn't mean there aren't some fantastically entertaining games to watch in MLS.

And people will talk about tactics in here- but for the most part, unless you're watching live and can see what the other players are doing outside of the frame of the TV camera, it's very difficult to gauge or judge the relative tactics of teams by watching on tv... so even the tactically less skilled teams and leagues are worth watching (the S Amercian supercup- Copa Libertadores, especially can be fun for that reason- wide open games with good footskills and lots of tactical mistakes to create more chances).

MLS is roughly on par with the Championship in England (2nd tier of English football). It's got a handful of players who are still Premier League quality (Keane; Henry; Donovan), and some who of course are below Championship level.

I'm still the new guy, but every time I see a MLS post on this thread, I quickly scan past it. I just don't get the fascination with a league of second-rate players.

hi. totally understand #### you.

nice

 

[shader]

I've never really followed much soccer before but got really into the world cup (I think I watched just about every game) and am looking to carry that over to something else. Trouble is, there is just sooooooo much soccer going on I'm having trouble sorting it all out. What's the go-to league here for Americans?

Is it the MLS because this is 'Murica, even though the quality of play is lower? The players that people are always talking about (Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar) are all in La Liga but I never hear anyone here talking about watching La Liga or really caring about any of the teams. It seems like most people I hear talking about soccer are talking about EPL (and aren't they bringing that to TV in the states?) but I looked over the current leading goal scorers for that league and I barely recognize any of the names.

So what's the play here?

I was in the same boat as you earlier this summer. I agree with most of the suggestions here. EPL will get you the best bang for your viewing buck, and if you have the NBC Sports Extra app you can watch ANY game, which is a huge plus. It's made it much easier for me to follow my new team, Swansea City.

MLS is definitely worthy of your attention, particularly if you live close to one of their teams. And while the general level of play is not at an EPL level, it's not like we're talking XFL vs. NFL either. I've seen plenty of really entertaining MLS games, just as I've seen some real stinkers in the EPL.

Personally, I have no interest or time to hunt down anything outside of these two leagues yet. But hey, I was hungry enough for soccer a few weeks ago that I sat through a Liga MX league game in Spanish. Never thought I'd say that six months ago.

Fantastic observation.

The "quality" of skills are higher in the EPL, but that doesn't mean there aren't some fantastically entertaining games to watch in MLS.

And people will talk about tactics in here- but for the most part, unless you're watching live and can see what the other players are doing outside of the frame of the TV camera, it's very difficult to gauge or judge the relative tactics of teams by watching on tv... so even the tactically less skilled teams and leagues are worth watching (the S Amercian supercup- Copa Libertadores, especially can be fun for that reason- wide open games with good footskills and lots of tactical mistakes to create more chances).

MLS is roughly on par with the Championship in England (2nd tier of English football). It's got a handful of players who are still Premier League quality (Keane; Henry; Donovan), and some who of course are below Championship level.

I'm still the new guy, but every time I see a MLS post on this thread, I quickly scan past it. I just don't get the fascination with a league of second-rate players.

Because I can't drive to London this weekend to attend a live match.

I know you live in SEC country - your outlook would possibly be different if you had a local team.

Good point. If I had a soccer game to attend, I'm sure my outlook would be different.

 

[El Floppo]

I've never really followed much soccer before but got really into the world cup (I think I watched just about every game) and am looking to carry that over to something else. Trouble is, there is just sooooooo much soccer going on I'm having trouble sorting it all out. What's the go-to league here for Americans?

Is it the MLS because this is 'Murica, even though the quality of play is lower? The players that people are always talking about (Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar) are all in La Liga but I never hear anyone here talking about watching La Liga or really caring about any of the teams. It seems like most people I hear talking about soccer are talking about EPL (and aren't they bringing that to TV in the states?) but I looked over the current leading goal scorers for that league and I barely recognize any of the names.

So what's the play here?

I was in the same boat as you earlier this summer. I agree with most of the suggestions here. EPL will get you the best bang for your viewing buck, and if you have the NBC Sports Extra app you can watch ANY game, which is a huge plus. It's made it much easier for me to follow my new team, Swansea City.

MLS is definitely worthy of your attention, particularly if you live close to one of their teams. And while the general level of play is not at an EPL level, it's not like we're talking XFL vs. NFL either. I've seen plenty of really entertaining MLS games, just as I've seen some real stinkers in the EPL.

Personally, I have no interest or time to hunt down anything outside of these two leagues yet. But hey, I was hungry enough for soccer a few weeks ago that I sat through a Liga MX league game in Spanish. Never thought I'd say that six months ago.

Fantastic observation.

The "quality" of skills are higher in the EPL, but that doesn't mean there aren't some fantastically entertaining games to watch in MLS.

And people will talk about tactics in here- but for the most part, unless you're watching live and can see what the other players are doing outside of the frame of the TV camera, it's very difficult to gauge or judge the relative tactics of teams by watching on tv... so even the tactically less skilled teams and leagues are worth watching (the S Amercian supercup- Copa Libertadores, especially can be fun for that reason- wide open games with good footskills and lots of tactical mistakes to create more chances).

MLS is roughly on par with the Championship in England (2nd tier of English football). It's got a handful of players who are still Premier League quality (Keane; Henry; Donovan), and some who of course are below Championship level.

I still say MLS is a hair above the Championship... straddles bottom tier EPL and Championship, IMO.

eta: considering the bottom tier of the EPL is basically the Championship, ping-ponging back and forth... your comment fits in with mine.

 

[NewlyRetired]

So this gives MLS an even 20 teams next year. Chivas dissolving and Orlando and NY joining.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

I've never really followed much soccer before but got really into the world cup (I think I watched just about every game) and am looking to carry that over to something else. Trouble is, there is just sooooooo much soccer going on I'm having trouble sorting it all out. What's the go-to league here for Americans?

Is it the MLS because this is 'Murica, even though the quality of play is lower? The players that people are always talking about (Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar) are all in La Liga but I never hear anyone here talking about watching La Liga or really caring about any of the teams. It seems like most people I hear talking about soccer are talking about EPL (and aren't they bringing that to TV in the states?) but I looked over the current leading goal scorers for that league and I barely recognize any of the names.

So what's the play here?

I was in the same boat as you earlier this summer. I agree with most of the suggestions here. EPL will get you the best bang for your viewing buck, and if you have the NBC Sports Extra app you can watch ANY game, which is a huge plus. It's made it much easier for me to follow my new team, Swansea City.

MLS is definitely worthy of your attention, particularly if you live close to one of their teams. And while the general level of play is not at an EPL level, it's not like we're talking XFL vs. NFL either. I've seen plenty of really entertaining MLS games, just as I've seen some real stinkers in the EPL.

Personally, I have no interest or time to hunt down anything outside of these two leagues yet. But hey, I was hungry enough for soccer a few weeks ago that I sat through a Liga MX league game in Spanish. Never thought I'd say that six months ago.

Fantastic observation.

The "quality" of skills are higher in the EPL, but that doesn't mean there aren't some fantastically entertaining games to watch in MLS.

And people will talk about tactics in here- but for the most part, unless you're watching live and can see what the other players are doing outside of the frame of the TV camera, it's very difficult to gauge or judge the relative tactics of teams by watching on tv... so even the tactically less skilled teams and leagues are worth watching (the S Amercian supercup- Copa Libertadores, especially can be fun for that reason- wide open games with good footskills and lots of tactical mistakes to create more chances).

MLS is roughly on par with the Championship in England (2nd tier of English football). It's got a handful of players who are still Premier League quality (Keane; Henry; Donovan), and some who of course are below Championship level.

I still say MLS is a hair above the Championship... straddles bottom tier EPL and Championship, IMO.

I'd say the top half of the league's starting XI's could be at that level. This year's Galaxy starting lineup could hang in the EPL (with no injuries/suspensions). But squad depth is severely lacking across the board, and quality falls off fast.

 

[El Floppo]

I've never really followed much soccer before but got really into the world cup (I think I watched just about every game) and am looking to carry that over to something else. Trouble is, there is just sooooooo much soccer going on I'm having trouble sorting it all out. What's the go-to league here for Americans?

Is it the MLS because this is 'Murica, even though the quality of play is lower? The players that people are always talking about (Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar) are all in La Liga but I never hear anyone here talking about watching La Liga or really caring about any of the teams. It seems like most people I hear talking about soccer are talking about EPL (and aren't they bringing that to TV in the states?) but I looked over the current leading goal scorers for that league and I barely recognize any of the names.

So what's the play here?

I was in the same boat as you earlier this summer. I agree with most of the suggestions here. EPL will get you the best bang for your viewing buck, and if you have the NBC Sports Extra app you can watch ANY game, which is a huge plus. It's made it much easier for me to follow my new team, Swansea City.

MLS is definitely worthy of your attention, particularly if you live close to one of their teams. And while the general level of play is not at an EPL level, it's not like we're talking XFL vs. NFL either. I've seen plenty of really entertaining MLS games, just as I've seen some real stinkers in the EPL.

Personally, I have no interest or time to hunt down anything outside of these two leagues yet. But hey, I was hungry enough for soccer a few weeks ago that I sat through a Liga MX league game in Spanish. Never thought I'd say that six months ago.

Fantastic observation.

The "quality" of skills are higher in the EPL, but that doesn't mean there aren't some fantastically entertaining games to watch in MLS.

And people will talk about tactics in here- but for the most part, unless you're watching live and can see what the other players are doing outside of the frame of the TV camera, it's very difficult to gauge or judge the relative tactics of teams by watching on tv... so even the tactically less skilled teams and leagues are worth watching (the S Amercian supercup- Copa Libertadores, especially can be fun for that reason- wide open games with good footskills and lots of tactical mistakes to create more chances).

MLS is roughly on par with the Championship in England (2nd tier of English football). It's got a handful of players who are still Premier League quality (Keane; Henry; Donovan), and some who of course are below Championship level.

I'm still the new guy, but every time I see a MLS post on this thread, I quickly scan past it. I just don't get the fascination with a league of second-rate players.

hi. totally understand #### you.

nice

"I'm new to this sport... but wtf are you people wasting your time with MLS"

nice.

eta: and "#### you" isn't meant to be as mean as it comes across. more of a "welcome to the thread... now shut up... :hugs: "

 

[NewlyRetired]

I've never really followed much soccer before but got really into the world cup (I think I watched just about every game) and am looking to carry that over to something else. Trouble is, there is just sooooooo much soccer going on I'm having trouble sorting it all out. What's the go-to league here for Americans?

Is it the MLS because this is 'Murica, even though the quality of play is lower? The players that people are always talking about (Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar) are all in La Liga but I never hear anyone here talking about watching La Liga or really caring about any of the teams. It seems like most people I hear talking about soccer are talking about EPL (and aren't they bringing that to TV in the states?) but I looked over the current leading goal scorers for that league and I barely recognize any of the names.

So what's the play here?

I was in the same boat as you earlier this summer. I agree with most of the suggestions here. EPL will get you the best bang for your viewing buck, and if you have the NBC Sports Extra app you can watch ANY game, which is a huge plus. It's made it much easier for me to follow my new team, Swansea City.

MLS is definitely worthy of your attention, particularly if you live close to one of their teams. And while the general level of play is not at an EPL level, it's not like we're talking XFL vs. NFL either. I've seen plenty of really entertaining MLS games, just as I've seen some real stinkers in the EPL.

Personally, I have no interest or time to hunt down anything outside of these two leagues yet. But hey, I was hungry enough for soccer a few weeks ago that I sat through a Liga MX league game in Spanish. Never thought I'd say that six months ago.

Fantastic observation.

The "quality" of skills are higher in the EPL, but that doesn't mean there aren't some fantastically entertaining games to watch in MLS.

And people will talk about tactics in here- but for the most part, unless you're watching live and can see what the other players are doing outside of the frame of the TV camera, it's very difficult to gauge or judge the relative tactics of teams by watching on tv... so even the tactically less skilled teams and leagues are worth watching (the S Amercian supercup- Copa Libertadores, especially can be fun for that reason- wide open games with good footskills and lots of tactical mistakes to create more chances).

MLS is roughly on par with the Championship in England (2nd tier of English football). It's got a handful of players who are still Premier League quality (Keane; Henry; Donovan), and some who of course are below Championship level.

I'm still the new guy, but every time I see a MLS post on this thread, I quickly scan past it. I just don't get the fascination with a league of second-rate players.

Because I can't drive to London this weekend to attend a live match.I know you live in SEC country - your outlook would possibly be different if you had a local team.

Good point. If I had a soccer game to attend, I'm sure my outlook would be different.

For me specifically, out side of the local team affect, I am a huge fan of the US National team and I enjoy seeing the potential players. Don't feel bad about skipping past MLS posts. People skip past EPL, MLS, Bundesliga, international etc posts. The sport is really so big you should have no worries that every facet does not interest you.

Just enjoy what you enjoy, and try not to bash other leagues, especially when you have admittedly little knowledge of them.

 

[Jaysus]

ROMA FACTS!

Roma (1) have the same number of English players in today's starting XI as Manchester City.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I've never really followed much soccer before but got really into the world cup (I think I watched just about every game) and am looking to carry that over to something else. Trouble is, there is just sooooooo much soccer going on I'm having trouble sorting it all out. What's the go-to league here for Americans?

Is it the MLS because this is 'Murica, even though the quality of play is lower? The players that people are always talking about (Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar) are all in La Liga but I never hear anyone here talking about watching La Liga or really caring about any of the teams. It seems like most people I hear talking about soccer are talking about EPL (and aren't they bringing that to TV in the states?) but I looked over the current leading goal scorers for that league and I barely recognize any of the names.

So what's the play here?

I was in the same boat as you earlier this summer. I agree with most of the suggestions here. EPL will get you the best bang for your viewing buck, and if you have the NBC Sports Extra app you can watch ANY game, which is a huge plus. It's made it much easier for me to follow my new team, Swansea City.

MLS is definitely worthy of your attention, particularly if you live close to one of their teams. And while the general level of play is not at an EPL level, it's not like we're talking XFL vs. NFL either. I've seen plenty of really entertaining MLS games, just as I've seen some real stinkers in the EPL.

Personally, I have no interest or time to hunt down anything outside of these two leagues yet. But hey, I was hungry enough for soccer a few weeks ago that I sat through a Liga MX league game in Spanish. Never thought I'd say that six months ago.

Fantastic observation.

The "quality" of skills are higher in the EPL, but that doesn't mean there aren't some fantastically entertaining games to watch in MLS.

And people will talk about tactics in here- but for the most part, unless you're watching live and can see what the other players are doing outside of the frame of the TV camera, it's very difficult to gauge or judge the relative tactics of teams by watching on tv... so even the tactically less skilled teams and leagues are worth watching (the S Amercian supercup- Copa Libertadores, especially can be fun for that reason- wide open games with good footskills and lots of tactical mistakes to create more chances).

MLS is roughly on par with the Championship in England (2nd tier of English football). It's got a handful of players who are still Premier League quality (Keane; Henry; Donovan), and some who of course are below Championship level.

I still say MLS is a hair above the Championship... straddles bottom tier EPL and Championship, IMO.

I'd say the top half of the league's starting XI's could be at that level. This year's Galaxy starting lineup could hang in the EPL (with no injuries/suspensions). But squad depth is severely lacking across the board, and quality falls off fast.

Depth will be an issue for a long time.

1) the salary cap obviously hurts

2) the young cheap American player simply is not as good (in large quantities) as the young cheap talent in other countries.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I was going to make the obvious joke about Jay-Z at the PSG game, but I don't want a stadium ban.

 

[Tom Hagen]

hi. totally understand #### you.

nice

Don't be offended, Floppo also doesn't think she is attractive so his judgement is questionable.