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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (2 Viewers)

I wonder if the, to date, total busts that Gerrard and Lampard turned out to be will cause MLS teams to be wary of looking at other English players...specifically Rooney.

 
A research firm put together a methodology on how to rank the various soccer markets in the US.

Playing, Watching, Attending, Conversing and Searching were the 5 main parameters used and 22 different data sets were evaluated.

They supposedly adjusted for population but the big markets still seem to dominate.  The link lists the top 30 markets if interested but here are the top 5 according to this study.  I will put in spoiler tags to not take up a ton of room.

http://giltedgesoccer.com/what-are-the-top-soccer-markets-in-the-u-s/

No. 5: New York City

Coming in at #5 in our soccer market rankings is the Big Apple, New York City.  NYC is a mecca for soccer on several levels. The city is home to two MLS teams (New York Red Bulls and New York City FC), the NY Cosmos (NASL), Sky Blue FC (NWSL) as well as several major international matches. No city is more culturally diverse than NYC with a thriving European and South American club team supporter culture and a bold pride for national teams from around the world.

New York’s #5 overall ranking was driven in part by a top 3 showing in 4 different categories: Overall aggregate attendance, UEFA Champions League Facebook activity, Google searches for soccer, and unique visitors to the Foxsoccer website. But more modest rankings in categories such as soccer participation (Scarborough) and U.S. Soccer activity on Facebook led New York to the #5 slot and not the top position as some may have expected.

No. 4: Washington, D.C.

For the #4 soccer market on our list, we travel south down I-95 from New York to Washington, D.C. Home to D.C. United of MLS, the Washington Spirit of NWSL, several U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Team games per year, as well as various international club or national team friendlies, D.C. residents see their fair share of soccer.

DC is one of the most popular cities in the U.S. for Millennials – soccer’s most passionate demographic. This fact likely help drive the markets strong ranking in several digital categories including Google searches of “soccer” where it ranked #1. Strong TV viewership and soccer participation rankings also helped the nation’s capital into the 4th overall spot on our list.

No. 3: Dallas-Fort Worth

At #3 on the Soccer Market Rankings list we travel deep in the heart of Texas to the Dallas-Fort Worth market. Home to a large Hispanic population, several Mexican National Team games per year, FC Dallas of MLS, and Jerry Jones’ palace for friendlies and qualifiers, the Big D is a must-hit place for soccer fans, promoters, and brands.

At its foundation, Dallas is a youth soccer mecca. Home of the Dallas Cup, the most prestigious youth soccer tournament in the country, Dallas ranked #8 in overall soccer participation. The large and growing Mexican community chipped in with some strong rankings for Liga MX Google searches (5th) and Liga MX Facebook activity (9th). Dallas also ranked 4th in visits to FoxSoccer.com.

No. 2: Houston-Galveston

Coming in at #2 on our list is the Space City.  Home to a large Hispanic population, the Houston Dynamo of MLS, the Dash of NWSL, and an NFL stadium that attracts major international soccer events, Houston is a great soccer market.

Houston ranks well across many categories including aggregate attendance (5th) and overall Scarborough attendance (6th). Facebook keyword activity is notably strong with Major League Soccer (5th), Liga MX (2nd), Mexican National Team (4th), and UEFA Champions League (5th).  A 6th place ranking for Scarborough soccer television viewership also helps round out an impressive showing for Houston.

No. 1: Los Angeles

The market at the top of our list is Los Angeles. The City of Angels is home to the Los Angeles Galaxy of MLS who is soon to be joined by Los Angeles Football Club in 2018. The Rose Bowl in Pasadena has truly been one of the cathedrals of soccer in the U.S. over the last few decades. From World Cups (men’s and women’s) to club friendlies to Gold Cups and everything in-between, over 90,000 soccer fans have packed the Rose Bowl on more than one occasion. Beyond infrastructure is the booming Hispanic population that plays and watches the sport in huge numbers. For many reasons, Los Angeles is #1 in our 2016 GESM Soccer Market Rankings.

Los Angeles ranks in the top five for Scarborough TV ratings (3rd), Scarborough participation (4th), and aggregate attendance (3rd).  Socially, Los Angeles ranks highly in several Facebook keyword activity categories, including Futbol (4th), Major League Soccer (7th), English Premier League (9th), UEFA Champions League (6th), Liga MX (5th), U.S. Soccer (4th), and Mexican National Team (5th).  Google searches also ranked highly for almost every category, while a 1st overall ranking in FoxSoccer.com visits round out an impressive showing for Los Angeles




 
shader said:
Biggest gut-punch game of my young Liverpool life 
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article-2638263-1E2B716D00000578-638_634x340.jpg


 
If anyone would like to hear more in-depth on my opinion about Skrtel please just ask.

Also,

#LFC have conceded as many goals in 40 minutes with Martin Skrtel in the team than their previous 795 minutes without him.

 
Sinn Fein said:
Steve Tasker said:
Yedlin absolutely dominated by Mitrovic on the back post on that Newcastle equalizer (or do I need to post this in the USMNT thread??).
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Just watched the goal - not sure what else Yedlin could do there...

https://streamable.com/q62j
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Can't let him get there.  Get a body on him before he drifts to the back post, or at the very least - as the announcer (Lee Dixon maybe) said - you have to use your body when you jump.  Yedlin is never going to win that header going straight up.

 
Steve Tasker said:
Can't let him get there.  Get a body on him before he drifts to the back post, or at the very least - as the announcer (Lee Dixon maybe) said - you have to use your body when you jump.  Yedlin is never going to win that header going straight up.
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I don't think Yedlin took a look to see where his man was really.  He just went to play the ball, which isn't going to work when your mark has 8" on you.  Make your mark push you to get to the ball, even if he gets it in the net there's a good chance that it'll get called back for a shove.

 
That play and game 6 of the 2011 World Series are the two sports things in my life that NEVER EVER REALLY HAPPENED NO MATTER WHAT THE INTERNET OR VISUAL EVIDENCE SAYS.

 
NewlyRetired said:
@Steve Tasker old buddy Bobby Shuttleworth pulled off the rare two PK saves in a single game today for the Revs which sadly still did not prevent them from getting crushed by Philly 3-0.
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Is he still the #1 starter?  Amazing the career he's carved out for himself.  Went to a small school, transferred to UB, latched on with local PDL/NPSL teams and somehow worked his way up through the USL ranks to MLS.  Not a story you hear too often.....guy goes from undrafted 4th tier to MLS starter.

 
Steve Tasker said:
Is he still the #1 starter?  Amazing the career he's carved out for himself.  Went to a small school, transferred to UB, latched on with local PDL/NPSL teams and somehow worked his way up through the USL ranks to MLS.  Not a story you hear too often.....guy goes from undrafted 4th tier to MLS starter.
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Yes he has been the clear number 1 for a few years now.

He re-signed a multi year deal with the team last year and the Revs have put next to zero resources in a back up so I expect him to be the starter for a few years going forward.

It is a very cool story.  I expect he could end his career here if things go well.  Time goes by, he has already been with the club 7 years now and has over a 100 starts for them.

He is far from a great keeper but he does just enough to keep his spot and rarely makes blunders.  He is not blessed athletically so he does not make many spectacular saves but some coaches prefer the steady, unspectacular approach and with the MLS salary cap, having a dependable run of the mil GK works out pretty well if he does not break the bank (Bobby makes about $110k now).

 
NewlyRetired said:
He is far from a great keeper but he does just enough to keep his spot and rarely makes blunders.  He is not blessed athletically so he does not make many spectacular saves but some coaches prefer the steady, unspectacular approach and with the MLS salary cap, having a dependable run of the mil GK works out pretty well if he does not break the bank (Bobby makes about $110k now).
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Funny you say this, it's pretty spot on.  We had track star strikers, hulking defenders, even a kid who spent a summer training with Lazio.  Bobby was clearly a very good player, and one of our better players, but I don't ever remember thinking he was going to be a pro someday.  We always knew we had a rock-solid GK at the back, but he was just such an unassuming player, you could be forgiven if you glossed right over how good he was.  If you would've asked 15 year old me to rank my teammates on that premier team who had the best chance of playing pro, I would've probably put 3-4 guys ahead of him.  He was never flashy, always pretty quiet kid, just a steady hard worker.  I haven't spoken to him in forever but couldn't be happier for him.  Great story.

 
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Steve Tasker said:
Funny you say this, it's pretty spot on.  We had track star strikers, hulking defenders, even a kid who spent a summer training with Lazio.  Bobby was clearly a very good player, and one of our better players, but I don't ever remember thinking he was going to be a pro someday.  We always knew we had a rock-solid GK at the back, but he was just such an unassuming player, you could be forgiven if you glossed right over how good he was.  If you would've asked 15 year old me to rank my teammates on that premier team who had the best chance of playing pro, I would've probably put 3-4 guys ahead of him.  He was never flashy, always pretty quiet kid, just a steady hard worker.  I haven't spoken to him in forever but couldn't be happier for him.  Great story.
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you would be pleased to here there are fans on Big Soccer just today arguing that he needs to start being considered for the US National Team.  I don't agree but the simple fact that some people think so says a lot about him.

 
NewlyRetired said:
you would be pleased to here there are fans on Big Soccer just today arguing that he needs to start being considered for the US National Team.  I don't agree but the simple fact that some people think so says a lot about him.
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I've been asking you for years when he's gonna get that callup ;)

 
wdcrob said:
Steven Goff Verified account
‏@SoccerInsider
God, this is awful.


Steven Goff weighs in on the Rapids v DCU match.
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The only good thing about this game is that it might have garnered the lowest TV rating ever in MLS :)  

Horrible match up, between the two dullest sides in MLS, going up against the NCAA's is not what one designs for must see TV lol

 
wdcrob said:
Just saw that game is here too.  It's miserable.  Don't think it's still raining, but it's cold and wet and breezy.
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Howard was at the game.  He came on screen at halftime to talk.  He had just finished signing his pre-contract today.  It is ironic that this would be his reintroduction game to MLS :)

Jones and Howard should at least give Colorado a tiny bit of life for their fans once they are available.

 
Is this a good move for Howard and his national team starter status? He will certainly be getting regular games. Seems like a very non-Klinsman way to do it.

 
bentley said:
Is this a good move for Howard and his national team starter status? He will certainly be getting regular games. Seems like a very non-Klinsman way to do it.
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It has to be better than sitting every week.  And I don't think he is considered the clear number 1 any more for the Nats.  His taking a year off from National Team games pretty much removed that status.   I think him and Guzan are 1a/1b type players right now.  I have no idea who JK prefers but we will get an answer on Friday.

JK still calls plenty of MLS players for every roster so I don't think he has too many issues with it as he had no problems calling Jozy, Bradley, and Dempsey after they returned to MLS.

Here is what Howard said today about this topic:

After more than a decade abroad in the English Premier League, the former MetroStars 'keeper returns to a dramatically different league. He said he's "very confident" that regular minutes in Colorado can keep him at the forefront of the USMNT's goalkeeping situation, where he is currently neck and neck with Brad Guzan. 

"It puts me in the shop window," Howard said. "I'll be playing week in and week out. Jurgen [Klinsmann] will be able to see that. As long as I'm playing well, I'm very confident in my ability. Brad and I are both tremendous goalkeepers. Every time we're on the pitch, the team responds well. Jurgen gives us both opportunities to perform, so I have no worries about that."

 
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Will it help Tim that the Rapids play/train at altitude?  Can't hurt, right?

I'm stoked for the upcoming games w/ Columbia and Guat, but my legs are tired from squatting.

 
I was at the DCU/Rapids game yesterday. Cold, miserable, and some definite slow moments, but the stadium had a good energy and my kids had a great time. My son's team was honored at halftime for winning the Sportsmanship award in ODSL for U10.

 
Michael Oliver is the worst ref in the EPL.  Now that we got that out of the way....

Good win for United.  Rashford made demichellis look silly on both the goal and what should have been a PK.  United were lucky that Aguero was slightly off yesterday.  Header off the post and pulled another wide.  

Somethings I noticed that hadnt been seen in awhile:  

Defenders throwing themselves in front of the ball.  Been lacking as they usually watch the shot go off, maybe believing that De Gea will save them.  This game they did what they could to block them.  

Good passing, runs in, some attacking with pace.  Rashford looked great.  MF looked good.  Schneiderlin was solid.  

LVG still does not know how to sub.  Holding a 1-0 lead his left back gets a knock so he puts in a right back and shuffles his defense.  Almost led to a goal.  Then he decides to take off Mata early for Schweini for no reason other then he cant let Mata go 90.  So then his LB gets injured and he finally puts in a LB.  But then what happens?  Rashford starts cramping with 10 to go and hes out of subs.  Last week chasing 3 goals he subs defenders for defenders.

Michael Oliver is the worst ref in the EPL. How did he not give the PK? Probably same reason he didnt red card Joe Hart for headbutting him last season.  Worst Ref in the EPL.

Best part of yesterday's game?  NO EFFING  :fro:  and the world noticed how improved the play was, less fouls, less giveaways, less missed headers, more cohesive MF.  The question came up who City missed more, Kompany or Fellaini.  Tough call.

Now time for the international break so more senior players can heal and make it so LVG does things like start Rooney over Martial or Rashford.

Everton, @ Tottenaham, AV, Palace, Leicester, @ Norwich, @ West Ham, Bournemouth.

 
Cold Dead Hands said:
I was at the DCU/Rapids game yesterday. Cold, miserable, and some definite slow moments, but the stadium had a good energy and my kids had a great time. My son's team was honored at halftime for winning the Sportsmanship award in ODSL for U10.
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Do you have any update on the new stadium?

Last I heard was that they were looking into eminent domain to grab the last piece of the property needed for the stadium as they could not come to an agreement with the property owner.

 
I haven't looked very hard at the schedules of the other teams scrapping for Europa berths but Southampton's most likely final total looks to be 54-56 points and I don't think that'll cut it for them. Away at Leicester, Tottenham, Everton and Villa, home v City, Palace and Newcastle. Best bet to steal an unexpected away win could be at an unmotivated (by either hope or fear) Everton, even though Everton kicked butt at St. Mary's early in the season.

 
roadkill1292 said:
I haven't looked very hard at the schedules of the other teams scrapping for Europa berths but Southampton's most likely final total looks to be 54-56 points and I don't think that'll cut it for them. Away at Leicester, Tottenham, Everton and Villa, home v City, Palace and Newcastle. Best bet to steal an unexpected away win could be at an unmotivated (by either hope or fear) Everton, even though Everton kicked butt at St. Mary's early in the season.
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I wish I could predict what United will do.  They've been so up and down with inconsistency that they could win their next 3 or lose their next 5.  They can beat the top teams, and lose to relegation teams.  Its amazing.

Everton, @ Tottenham, AV, Palace, Leicester, @ Norwich, @ West Ham, Bournemouth.

I would hope they beat Everton, AV, Palace, Norwich, Bournemouth (3 of the 5 are relegation zone so they probably wont win)

Lose to Tottenham since its away.  Draw West Ham?

Then their is Leicester, at OT.  Who knows.  Hope for a draw?

14-15 points = 66 or 67

 
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“It’s the hope that kills you. After three successive Premier League victories had re-ignited talk of securing European qualification, his players delivered a painful reality check at St Mary’s.

“Skrtel endured a torrid afternoon and having played a part in all three of Saints’ goals it was something of a surprise he didn’t walk away with their man of the match bubbly.

“The Slovakian is playing for his Anfield future and this display will have done nothing to dispel doubts about him.”
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Liverpool @ Soton post-match report, March 2013.

 
Swansea would seem to have successfully avoided the drop this season, but I won't pop the champagne cork just yet. Meanwhile, the Union look like a scarily competent team. I don't think I can take the ups and downs of the soccer year anymore.

 
Soton gave Jay Rodriguez some work this weekend and he got a hat trick in a 5-0 win over the Liverpool under-21s. I have no idea what that means.

 
This one's for Andy...Croatian FIL wants to see Pirlo, so we're going to the Revs@NYCFC Sat.  Will be my first MLS match :bag:

Also for you Chelsea fans out there, 4-year old decided his favorite team is Chelsea since he loves Willian's hair.  He does know he plays the right wing and shoots really well. 

Speaking of which, anyone (Floppo?) have any idea where's less bad places to sit at Yankee stadium with a 4-year old?

 
Sammy3469 said:
Plucky little Leicester is coming to America with the big boys and a couple mid table EPL teams:
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I've got to think the ICC is going to suck even more than usual, with the Euro, Copa and Olympic tournaments this summer. Lots of reserves I'd imagine, and the Dutch, with the other stars either out "injured" or walking around for a half at most.

 
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