What's new
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

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

NewlyRetired said:
it is all a ruse to make Chicago pay more for him :)
Click to expand...
all in all I am not sure what the deal is with him vs Jose.  He has been injured and probably is on his last legs but why straight up exile him then mysteriously bring him back?  We may see what he has left tonight although to me he should be down the selection order

Holding MF selections should be Carrick > Herrera <> Schneiderlin > Blind > Schweini >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> (> x infinity) Fro

When Healthy?

          Zlatan
Martial Pogba Mata Mkhy 
          Carrick 
Shaw Smalling Bailley Valencia 
          De Gea

Bench: Lingard, Young, Blind, Herrera, Schneid, Rashford, Romero
Others who could make bench as injuries and schedule calls for: Fosu Mensa, Memphis, Jones, Rojo

As rotation/injuries/form dictates Herrera or Scheniderlin in for Carrick, Rashford up top for Zlatan, Lingard for Martial or Mkhy

Left out - Rooney, Fellaini, Schweini and I am sure there are some I missed.

 
B Maverick said:
all in all I am not sure what the deal is with him vs Jose.  He has been injured and probably is on his last legs but why straight up exile him then mysteriously bring him back?  We may see what he has left tonight although to me he should be down the selection order

Holding MF selections should be Carrick > Herrera <> Schneiderlin > Blind > Schweini >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> (> x infinity) Fro

When Healthy?

          Zlatan
Martial Pogba Mata Mkhy 
          Carrick 
Shaw Smalling Bailley Valencia 
          De Gea

Bench: Lingard, Young, Blind, Herrera, Schneid, Rashford, Romero
Others who could make bench as injuries and schedule calls for: Fosu Mensa, Memphis, Jones, Rojo

As rotation/injuries/form dictates Herrera or Scheniderlin in for Carrick, Rashford up top for Zlatan, Lingard for Martial or Mkhy

Left out - Rooney, Fellaini, Schweini and I am sure there are some I missed.
Click to expand...
I could see swapping Herrera in for Martial/mkhy to go with more of a 4-2-3-1. 

whoa... forgot they even had Young. is he playing at all? hurt?

 
El Floppo said:
I could see swapping Herrera in for Martial/mkhy to go with more of a 4-2-3-1. 

whoa... forgot they even had Young. is he playing at all? hurt?
Click to expand...
Yeah Mata can go wide as well with Herrera coming inside.

Young has played a little here and there.  I like him on the bench since he is a hard worker and is solid as a wide player and defender. Memphis could be a better version of Young if he gets his head on straight and his work rate going.  He could be switched out on the bench as needed for Fosu Mensa, Memphis, Jones, Rojo

Regardless of whether they go Schweini or Carrick i would love to see Martial Mata Herrera Mkhy across the MF in a 4-1-4-1

 
Sammy3469 said:
I was wondering why it wasn't on last night :bag:
Click to expand...
your not the only one.  I sat down for the game last night only to realize no Tuesday night soccer.

Even considering MLS, this playoff schedule has been just nuts to follow.

Should be a really fun game tonight.  Montreal takes a 3-2 lead into Toronto. 

 
NewlyRetired said:
your not the only one.  I sat down for the game last night only to realize no Tuesday night soccer.

Even considering MLS, this playoff schedule has been just nuts to follow.

Should be a really fun game tonight.  Montreal takes a 3-2 lead into Toronto. 
Click to expand...
After reading all the Morris' stories on Monday, I just assumed the East game was the next night...well you know what they say about assuming.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Sammy3469 said:
After reading all the Morris' stories yesterday, I just assumed the East game was the next night...well you know what they say about assuming.
Click to expand...
I mistakenly thought MLS Cup was this Saturday but it is a week from Saturday, December 10th.

It will be the very first MLS game ever on in prime time on an OTA network (Fox).

 
It is odd after so many NASL/USl rumors yesterday going into the meetings (which Sunil reportedly attended) that no information has come out today...

Has anyone seen anything..?

 
NewlyRetired said:
It is odd after so many NASL/USl rumors yesterday going into the meetings (which Sunil reportedly attended) that no information has come out today...

Has anyone seen anything..?
Click to expand...
:shrug:  nothing really news-worthy here, but from ESPN today...

The future of the North American Soccer League appeared to be in peril on Tuesday, as club owners and potential investors met for crisis talks in Atlanta.

The NASL, which operates as a second-tier league under MLS, ended the 2016 campaign with 12 teams, but recently saw the Ottawa Fury and the Tampa Bay Rowdies leave for the third-tier USL, while Minnesota United is set to join MLSnext season. Numerous reports have said the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers and Rayo OKC are in financial trouble.

But the biggest blow of all could come from the league's marquee franchise, the New York Cosmos. A report early on Monday stated that the Cosmos would be shut down. This comes on the heels of an Empire of Soccer report that the Cosmos had furloughed much of its front office staff.

However, a club source denied that the Cosmos had ceased operations.

"We're in league meetings over the next couple of days," said the source. "Based on the outcome of those meetings, then we'll make a decision on the club's future."

Another club employee added, "We're working, but there's no point in selling tickets when there's no games scheduled. There's a lot that's up in the air."

The Cosmos have been a success on the field, winning three league titles since joining the NASL in 2013. Attendance has been another story. This season, the club averaged just 3,775 at Shuart Stadium at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, which saw them ranked eighth out of 12 teams and below the league average of 4,734.

It would appear that the NASL has a stark choice in front of it. It could shut down and see some of its teams be absorbed by the USL -- which is angling for Division II status -- or it could attempt to carry on.

According to one former NASL team executive, the Cosmos, and chairman Seamus O'Brien, have no interest in moving to the USL, and see themselves as a Division I franchise. They had hoped to accomplish that through the growth of the NASL.

The Cosmos could have joined MLS in 2012, but rather than spend $100 million or so on an expansion fee to join the league, the Cosmos wanted to invest that money in the club's infrastructure. To that end, the Cosmos submitted plans to the state of New York to build a stadium near Belmont Park in 2012, but four years later, the Cosmos and three other bidders have yet to hear back from the state's Empire Development Corp. to see which proposal will get approved.

"O'Brien's vision is media, television rights, and with the Cosmos being a global brand, he saw the club as being at the forefront of that," said the source. "That's where he saw the future, so for him, the USL is just not an option. No second-division league in this country has ever been on TV. It just doesn't happen.

"That's why the big issue for them was [the NASL] getting first-division status so they could sell sponsorships and TV rights deals. They didn't just want to have a team. For now, they didn't really care how many fans showed up. They were trying to get a stadium built and get TV rights down the road."

One source attending the meetings in Atlanta indicated that new owners for the Cosmos were being pursued, and that four investor groups interested in starting NASL expansion teams were also in attendance. It was unknown how far along those talks are.

The prospect of new teams entering the NASL hasn't done much to ease the sense of impending doom surrounding the league. If the Cosmos are shut down, and Ft. Lauderdale and Oklahoma City fold as well, then the NASL would be left with just seven teams, including the expansion San Francisco Deltas, who are set to come on board in 2017.

According to standards for Division II leagues as set forth by the U.S. Soccer Federation, a second-tier league must have eight teams in its first season, 10 teams by its third year, and 12 teams by its sixth year, though a USSF spokesman confirmed that exceptions have been made in the past for the NASL.

A USSF board meeting is set for next week, and a USSF spokesman said that "a review of all [U.S.] leagues is on the agenda." At a roundtable with reporters earlier this month, USSF president Sunil Gulati said, "I'm fully confident based on the meetings that I've had that [the NASL] will go forward."

The current incarnation of the NASL was formed out of a split among teams in the USL. A hybrid league existed for the 2010 season, before the NASL emerged as a standalone entity for the 2011 campaign, and it positioned itself in direct competition with MLS.

The league was much more decentralized, had no salary cap, and began competing with MLS for players. That strategy proved to be unsuccessful, as there was always the threat that MLS would start poaching the NASL's best franchises. The Montreal Impact, part of the NASL's inaugural season in 2011, had already committed to joining MLS. Minnesota United will now follow suit next season.

Another NASL team, the San Antonio Scorpions, positioned itself as an MLS candidate, but the team folded in 2015, and its stadium was sold, paving the way for a new USL entry owned by Spurs Sports & Entertainment.

Much of the NASL's funding came from a now-disgraced sports marketing firm, Traffic Sports USA, who at one time had ownership stakes in three teams. When Traffic USA president Aaron Davidson, who also was chairman of the league's Board of Governors, was indicted for his part in the FIFA corruption scandal, his involvement with the league ceased.
Click to expand...

 
EoS reporting that Carlos Slim might be interested in the cosmos.

, EoS has also heard the Cosmos ownership has no interest in a potential USL move. However, their future participation in the NASL is contingent on this week’s meetings, meaning even that stance could change.

What we have learned is that most, if not all, New York Cosmos players are up to date on pay as of late Tuesday afternoon. Players are now waiting on bonuses and wages for December to be paid.

Front office staff, however, remain unpaid, with some enduring two billing cycles (four weeks) or more without a check heading into December and the holiday season.
Click to expand...

 
so close....

              Zlatan
Martial Rooney Mkhy
        Carrick Herrera
Shaw Rojo Jones Valencia
       De Gea

I like it except Rooney.

 
NewlyRetired said:
This board is no where near the slobber level of reddit and Big Soccer.  People are insane about the kid (and to be fair he is doing things that no other American ever has so it should not be that hard to understand the excitement).  

Most acknowledge he is far from Messi at this point but it is worth noting that Messi was breaking in at the exact same age too.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I don't read those boards... are they US focused (with mainly US posters)?

 
Last edited by a moderator:
shader said:
Ben Woodburn is basically one year younger than Pulisic.  He just scored ONE goal in a league cup game and the LFC world is slobbering over him, as he broke the record for youngest goal scorer.
Click to expand...
Every place I frequent is made up for the kid, but they all are taking a cautious approach. Not seeing any slobbering... :shrug:

 
charvik said:
Every place I frequent is made up for the kid, but they all are taking a cautious approach. Not seeing any slobbering... :shrug:
Click to expand...
I know it's fun to beat on every dumb thing I apparently say, but the point remains.

Only the real insiders on the USMNT knew much about Pulisic 2 years ago.  I'm sure you guys did, but in general public, he was where Woodburn was 6 months ago.  A guy that was only known by those that pay REALLY close attention.

I'm only using Woodburn as an example, btw, to show a point, not as a comparison of their talent.

Woodburn hit the consciousness of the average LFC fan when he scored some goals in the pre-season.  Yesterday he became known on a MUCH wider basis due to his goal in a senior match, breaking the record, etc. 

My point as it relates to Pulisic is that the hype is real.  It's not coming just because he's scoring in the U-21's or is a great player for the youth MNT.  It's coming because he's doing it on the big stage in Europe, and also because he made the Senior USMNT, looked good and appears to have possibly locked up a senior spot.

I'm sure something in there was wrong, but the overall point remains the same.  His results are phenomenal for his age, and I think USMNT fans have every right to be ecstatic and excited about his future.

 
charvik said:
Yeah, I don't read those boards... are they US focused (with mainly US posters)?
Click to expand...
I find reddit boards are much more US based.  Even r/soccer and the individual boards for most teams have a much higher US contingent than you'll find on other LFC websites.  

 
shader said:
I know it's fun to beat on every dumb thing I apparently say, but the point remains.

Only the real insiders on the USMNT knew much about Pulisic 2 years ago.  I'm sure you guys did, but in general public, he was where Woodburn was 6 months ago.  A guy that was only known by those that pay REALLY close attention.

I'm only using Woodburn as an example, btw, to show a point, not as a comparison of their talent.

Woodburn hit the consciousness of the average LFC fan when he scored some goals in the pre-season.  Yesterday he became known on a MUCH wider basis due to his goal in a senior match, breaking the record, etc. 

My point as it relates to Pulisic is that the hype is real.  It's not coming just because he's scoring in the U-21's or is a great player for the youth MNT.  It's coming because he's doing it on the big stage in Europe, and also because he made the Senior USMNT, looked good and appears to have possibly locked up a senior spot.

I'm sure something in there was wrong, but the overall point remains the same.  His results are phenomenal for his age, and I think USMNT fans have every right to be ecstatic and excited about his future.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I don't follow the USMNT, no interest really. Good for the kid that things are going well, but I have no interest in him outside of the links to Liverpool, which is why I asked the question. I like Dortmund's play, so watch them on and off, but I haven't seen enough to pick him over Reus when they are both available. :shrug:  

Regarding Woodburn, he has been great in the U-18 and U-23 for years, along with TAA, Ibe, Ojo, Ejaria and multiple others, so he's hardly a new prospect. Some of the kids work out, some don't, it's a numbers game really. Most of those kids are still in school, so they have a long way to go. 

ETA: I realize most don't follow the youth teams to the extent I do... but even so, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ojo, Ejaria, Woodburn should be names most are aware of I would think. I'm more excited about Camacho and Allan to be honest, but again, it's early doors.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
El Floppo said:
EoS reporting that Carlos Slim might be interested in the cosmos.
Click to expand...
plot continues to thicken

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

U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati and two top United Soccer League executives joined the meeting, according to a source close to the league. USL Chief Executive Officer Alec Papadakis and president Jake Edwards are the two executives, the source said.

One thing was certain: the meeting became heated at times as tensions rose, the source said.

U.S. Soccer reportedly is ready to give the USL Second Division status next week.

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

Brian Quarstad‏@IMSoccerNews

Source also informed me that San Francisco, Puerto Rico, Raleigh and Jacksonville all have interest in joining USL subject to negotiations.

 
charvik said:
Yeah, I don't follow the USMNT, no interest really. Good for the kid that things are going well, but I have no interest in him outside of the links to Liverpool, which is why I asked the question. I like Dortmund's play, so watch them on and off, but I haven't seen enough to pick him over Reus when they are both available. :shrug:  

Regarding Woodburn, he has been great in the U-18 and U-23 for years, along with TAA, Ibe, Ojo, Ejaria and multiple others, so he's hardly a new prospect. Some of the kids work out, some don't, it's a numbers game really. Most of those kids are still in school, so they have a long way to go. 
Click to expand...
Nobody in their right mind picks Pulisic over Reus in a starting 11, well...maybe Mourinho does :fro:  ...bmav knows what I'm talking about....fml I am typing like kafka

 
CGRdrJoe said:
Nobody in their right mind picks Pulisic over Reus in a starting 11, well...maybe Mourinho does :fro:  ...bmav knows what I'm talking about....fml I am typing like kafka
Click to expand...
it is such a strange comparison.  Of course no one would make this choice if both players are healthy on and on form.

What I can't figure out is that because an 18 year old American can't beat out one of the better players in the world, suddenly that means he is crap?  I still don't get the comment someone made earlier that Pulisic is not good enough to help any team out.   Someone should tell Dortmund to stop playing him so much then.

 
NewlyRetired said:
it is such a strange comparison.  Of course no one would make this choice if both players are healthy on and on form.

What I can't figure out is that because an 18 year old American can't beat out one of the better players in the world, suddenly that means he is crap?  I still don't get the comment someone made earlier that Pulisic is not good enough to help any team out.   Someone should tell Dortmund to stop playing him so much then.
Click to expand...
I think the point was- if you're going to splash 30m on a player in Jan... you want that player to be a game-changing plug and play proposition (or at least, I would). CP is quality, but even with the minutes he's getting, he's not that guy yet, IMO. on loan? damn skippy. for half that- sure, if it doesn't get in the way of my also getting that guy. over the summer- definitely... investing in a bit of the future and hoping the straight up growth curve continues and pays dividends. but in the Jan window? 

 
NewlyRetired said:
it is such a strange comparison.  Of course no one would make this choice if both players are healthy on and on form.

What I can't figure out is that because an 18 year old American can't beat out one of the better players in the world, suddenly that means he is crap?  I still don't get the comment someone made earlier that Pulisic is not good enough to help any team out.   Someone should tell Dortmund to stop playing him so much then.
Click to expand...
yeah, that is just outright crazy :crazy:

That's like saying James Rodgriguez, Isco, Turan, etc . are all crap.

 
El Floppo said:
I think the point was- if you're going to splash 30m on a player in Jan... you want that player to be a game-changing plug and play proposition (or at least, I would). CP is quality, but even with the minutes he's getting, he's not that guy yet, IMO. on loan? damn skippy. for half that- sure, if it doesn't get in the way of my also getting that guy. over the summer- definitely... investing in a bit of the future and hoping the straight up growth curve continues and pays dividends. but in the Jan window? 
Click to expand...
oh I agree, the money rumored is lunacy for a player of his experience level.  It probably has very little truth to it. 

 
El Floppo said:
I think the point was- if you're going to splash 30m on a player in Jan... you want that player to be a game-changing plug and play proposition (or at least, I would). CP is quality, but even with the minutes he's getting, he's not that guy yet, IMO. on loan? damn skippy. for half that- sure, if it doesn't get in the way of my also getting that guy. over the summer- definitely... investing in a bit of the future and hoping the straight up growth curve continues and pays dividends. but in the Jan window? 
Click to expand...
yeah, that was my point, kind of. I am only concerned from a Liverpool perspective, and that was regarding a Jan transfer to help with the league push. I'm sure he's quality, will be great etc, but if my club splashes 30 million pound in Jan I want him to be a sure starter. 

 
NewlyRetired said:
oh I agree, the money rumored is lunacy for a player of his experience level.  It probably has very little truth to it. 
Click to expand...
so that's the point of the "helping a team out" comment... I think. right from the start, inserted into the lineup and getting the team needed points. what I've seen of him- he's not there, in spite of showing a lot of flashes of that type of quality. plus- he'd be switching teams AND leagues and would need time to adjust to both. guys like the zlatan can make the move because he's the zlatan and he's also 35 having gone through it a bunch of times before.

 
El Floppo said:
so that's the point of the "helping a team out" comment... I think. right from the start, inserted into the lineup and getting the team needed points. what I've seen of him- he's not there, in spite of showing a lot of flashes of that type of quality. plus- he'd be switching teams AND leagues and would need time to adjust to both. guys like the zlatan can make the move because he's the zlatan and he's also 35 having gone through it a bunch of times before.
Click to expand...
for sure... switching leagues isn't easy, except for the very top players... There's been many examples of great players needing a year or so to find their feet again.

 
El Floppo said:
I think the point was- if you're going to splash 30m on a player in Jan... you want that player to be a game-changing plug and play proposition (or at least, I would). CP is quality, but even with the minutes he's getting, he's not that guy yet, IMO. on loan? damn skippy. for half that- sure, if it doesn't get in the way of my also getting that guy. over the summer- definitely... investing in a bit of the future and hoping the straight up growth curve continues and pays dividends. but in the Jan window? 
Click to expand...
Yeah imo no chance he moves in Jan.

 
United are looking much better today.  Martial and Mkhi making bids for playing time.  I think it's time to let Rashford step out of the starting lineup for awhile.  

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

BLOCKED_PUNT
list index
Replies
16
Views
645
El Floppo
El Floppo
Andrew74
2025 FBG Stock Contest
2
Replies
77
Views
4K
Andrew74
Andrew74
SwampDawg
The College Soccer Experience
Replies
23
Views
943
BassNBrew
BassNBrew

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 3 (members: 0, guests: 3)
Back
Top