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

Juve vs. Tottenham 
Basel vs. Man City
Porto vs. Liverpool
Sevilla vs. Man Utd
Real Madrid vs. PSG
Shakhtar vs. Roma 
Chelsea vs. BARCELONA
Bayern vs. Besiktas

 
PSG made it their offseason goal to revamp the squad to win the champions league...and they draw Madrid in first round. 

Great news for everyone else tho. 

 
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Tottenham with the tough out against Juve. Congrats on winning your group, you get a powerhouse.

At least Atletico drawing at Chelsea forced them into 2nd in the group and they got Barça.

Whichever group winner got Real was going to get the worst draw, followed by whichever winner got Bayern.

 
Per Oddschecker, each team's chances of advancing:

City 89-11 Basel
Bayern 87-13 Besiktas
Barca 72-28 Chelsea
Liverpool 71-29 Porto
United 70-30 Sevilla
Roma 65-35 Shakhtar
Juventus 56-44 Tottenham
PSG 54-46 Real Madrid


Having two out of PSG, Real, Barca and Chelsea helps the smaller clubs, especially if there's a fluke result or two and/or the Round of Eight pairs the giants against each other again.

 
Dinsy Ejotuz said:
Per Oddschecker, each team's chances of advancing:

City 89-11 Basel
Bayern 87-13 Besiktas
Barca 72-28 Chelsea
Liverpool 71-29 Porto
United 70-30 Sevilla
Roma 65-35 Shakhtar
Juventus 56-44 Tottenham
PSG 54-46 Real Madrid


Having two out of PSG, Real, Barca and Chelsea helps the smaller clubs, especially if there's a fluke result or two and/or the Round of Eight pairs the giants against each other again.
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I'm at least a little surprised by the Juve-Totts odds.  I think that has more to do with their recent EPL form than anything Juve has done, IMO.  I like Tottenham in that tie quite a bit for some reason.

 
AAABatteries said:
I'm at least a little surprised by the Juve-Totts odds.  I think that has more to do with their recent EPL form than anything Juve has done, IMO.  I like Tottenham in that tie quite a bit for some reason.
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Maybe the odds are due to big game experience. Spurs have had an impressive run in one of their few CL appearances but Juvie, despite not being the Juvie of the past few years, still brings a lot of battle hardened talent to this matchup. The core of the lineup that shut out Barca(!) over two legs last year is still there. 

 
NewlyRetired said:
It does sound yummy!  :)

On a more serious note, I did not realize how much of an effect this was going to have.  Tenorio broke it all down in this video that is worth a watch for those interested in this stuff.  https://www.pscp.tv/w/1RDxlnZZWWzGL

Teams that are willing to spend the money are going to have a huge advantage over teams that don't.   And this is going to get the better teams much closer to the better Liga MX teams.

One big thing I missed is that the TAM cap was lifted from $1m to $1.5m.  That is likely to free up a bunch of DP slots all over the league.

Seattle, LA Galaxy, Atlanta, Toronto, NYCFC, Orlando and LAFC are likely to be the biggest beneficiaries of this influx of budget to spend since those teams have both the local revenue and the ownership's willing to spend.

This tweet was the most surprising to me.  I can't figure out how the Kraft's voted yes for this

Ives Galarcep‏Verified account @SoccerByIves

I'm told that the vote on the new $2.8 million in team-funded TAM was unanimous in favor of it, so no small-spending teams objected to it, which surprised me.
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This whole TAM thing is going to be very interesting as NYCFC has already sort of gone off the reservation in terms of what I thought they'd do.  I said before that I don't think it will have much effect this year and I feel even stronger now seeing how NYCFC is having to manage their international slots.  They offloaded one of the TAMs (Brilliant) for another international slot (giving them 9...they currently have 6 internationals in Villa, Ring, Callens, Herrera, Moralez, and Chanot...who they didn't protect....Matarrita and Wallace must have green cards).  Throw in the 3rd DP and assuming they don't lose Chanot...well that's already 8 internationals.  With the Venezuelan U-20 CB (I forget his name) that's 9, leaving no spot currently for an international TAM.  

Point being, without increasing the international spots, this TAM money may not really get spent in the short-term (it also explains why Chanot was unprotected) and may in fact boost US/green card wages.

 
Sammy3469 said:
Point being, without increasing the international spots
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even as a US fan, I would be ok if that number of international spots increased a bit.

In 2008 there were an average of 8 per team in a 14 team league.  Last year was still an average of 8 per team in a 22 team league.  With LAFC starting up next year that league size grows to 23 teams. 

There are more roster spots for American/green card holders than ever before.  They can probably afford to raise the cap of international slots next year if they desire (although some of this might be mandated by US Soccer and they can't just change on a whim, I am unsure).

 
NewlyRetired said:
even as a US fan, I would be ok if that number of international spots increased a bit.

In 2008 there were an average of 8 per team in a 14 team league.  Last year was still an average of 8 per team in a 22 team league.  With LAFC starting up next year that league size grows to 23 teams. 

There are more roster spots for American/green card holders than ever before.  They can probably afford to raise the cap of international slots next year if they desire (although some of this might be mandated by US Soccer and they can't just change on a whim, I am unsure).
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Yeah, I think the limiting factor is the international spots which I'm frankly fine with.  Like I said, all the TAM really does is let teams get 8 good internationals if they want.  That can be 3 DPs and 5 TAMs (from now on in this thread I'm calling anyone in MLS making between 500K and 1.5 million a TAM) or 8 TAM with there being some give and take since DPs still cost 500K on the cap while the TAM can be bought down to 150K.  Looked at that way, you can see why some of the big spenders like this since they can manipulate the salary cap easier than a team relying on DPs.   

 
The Z Machine said:
So bummed to hear about your ideal, Mjolnirs. Is be happy to contribute money or airline miles to help get you home.  Gotta think that there are didn't flights from Munich to Atlanta on Delta, and then you could even drive from Atlanta to wherever you live in SC.
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Delta is who we will be using to get home.  Munich to Atlanta to Charleston.

 
AAABatteries said:
For those of us who are still relatively new to MLS and following NA football, can you explain what the 4 trophies are?  I'm guessing that the top line is MLS Cup Champion?  The bottom appears to be something strictly about Canada??
Click to expand...
from top to bottom

MLS Cup, Supporters Shield, US Open Cup, Canadian Championship

 
roadkill1292 said:
Maybe the odds are due to big game experience. Spurs have had an impressive run in one of their few CL appearances but Juvie, despite not being the Juvie of the past few years, still brings a lot of battle hardened talent to this matchup. The core of the lineup that shut out Barca(!) over two legs last year is still there. 
Click to expand...
And before getting well against Stoke, Spurs were in a really bad run of form.  I think it's pretty much a pick'em tie.  I could see either Kane or Dybala supplying the heroics.

 
B Maverick said:
Congrats to Man City on their derby win Sunday and their 11 point lead on United.  Potentially wrapping up the title by Christmas.....

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/marouane-fellaini-line-make-manchester-11663325

:fro:  to return and probably start in place of the suspended Pogba.  

:rant: :wall: nothing like him planted in the middle of the park watching the City players speed right by him.
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Well, imagine how happy i was with no Fro in the team, even on the bench...

Unlucky result with two mistakes in the back for the goals.  Pogba in the MF helping to settle and control a bit would have been nice although not sure it would have changed the result.  United had chances.

Title race may very well be over but good competition for 2-6.  Lukaku needs to sit a game or two and get back to early season form.  Give him a rest.  If Pogba is out Mata is your most creative player, use him not Lingard. (Lingard has pace and work rate over Mata but lack of vision and skill diminishes his effectiveness).  

 
Native said:
Messi on Chelsea
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That's an interesting comment. I'd like to see the context. Messi himself has had bad luck against Chelsea (his next goal against CFC will be his first), but I would not have expected Chelsea to even be on his radar in terms of a rivalry. From Chelsea's perspective, if one were to list the top 10 most memorable moments of the past 20 years, easily half or more could come from the games against Barca during that period. I'm very happy with this draw, even if CFC is a big underdog. I think it will be the first time Cesc and Pedro face their old club.  I'm disappointed with City v Basel, otherwise its a pretty good draw.

 
CletiusMaximus said:
That's an interesting comment. I'd like to see the context. Messi himself has had bad luck against Chelsea (his next goal against CFC will be his first), but I would not have expected Chelsea to even be on his radar in terms of a rivalry. From Chelsea's perspective, if one were to list the top 10 most memorable moments of the past 20 years, easily half or more could come from the games against Barca during that period. I'm very happy with this draw, even if CFC is a big underdog. I think it will be the first time Cesc and Pedro face their old club.  I'm disappointed with City v Basel, otherwise its a pretty good draw.
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This quote is from years ago, but I thought it was poignant. Lots of great moments between the two teams.

CFC has tons of Spaniards who know the Barca players well - Pedro, Cesc, Morata, Azpilicuetta, Alonso, etc. 

 
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
And before getting well against Stoke, Spurs were in a really bad run of form.  I think it's pretty much a pick'em tie.  I could see either Kane or Dybala supplying the heroics.
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Really depends on fitness imo.

Spurs are really hurt with both Wanyama and Alderweireld out (and Sanchez is also out for 2 more games, including City) - since it moves Dier to the back, and leaves no DMs on the field.  Toby looks like he could still be out for a bit.  I am a bit more hopeful that Wanyama is back around the first of the year - he was partially practicing with the squad today.

 
B Maverick said:
Well, imagine how happy i was with no Fro in the team, even on the bench...

Unlucky result with two mistakes in the back for the goals.  Pogba in the MF helping to settle and control a bit would have been nice although not sure it would have changed the result.  United had chances.

Title race may very well be over but good competition for 2-6.  Lukaku needs to sit a game or two and get back to early season form.  Give him a rest.  If Pogba is out Mata is your most creative player, use him not Lingard. (Lingard has pace and work rate over Mata but lack of vision and skill diminishes his effectiveness).  
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Yeah - I'm not disappointed with how they setup or how they played - just with the screw-ups, which Lukaku had a hand in.  That along with his point blank miss, guy is having a bad run.  I'm good with sitting him and let him get some rest.

 
Norman Paperman said:
Zidane is all of a sudden on the Real-ly Hot seat.  4th in La Liga, and likely to be out of Champions League at the knock-out round.
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I think he's probably got some leeway.  In La Liga, it's tough when Ronaldo and Benzema have a combined 6 goals in 22 appearances. CR7 keeps banging them in in Europe, so I sense he's saving his legs for a big second half.  We'll see.  Real are a team in transition.  They should probably be looking to transform into Isco and Asensio's team, but that will require some growing pains.  

 
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
I think he's probably got some leeway.  In La Liga, it's tough when Ronaldo and Benzema have a combined 6 goals in 22 appearances. CR7 keeps banging them in in Europe, so I sense he's saving his legs for a big second half.  We'll see.  Real are a team in transition.  They should probably be looking to transform into Isco and Asensio's team, but that will require some growing pains.  
Click to expand...
You would hope he has some leeway - but there is not much leeway granted at RM.  Agree about them being in transition.  Next summer will be a big set of moves - and it sounds like they are planning it now - telling Bale and Modric that they both can leave - and rumors persist that they will sign Neymar this summer.  So, it sounds like the brass knows this is a transition year, but no margin for error next season.

 
Norman Paperman said:
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
I think he's probably got some leeway.  In La Liga, it's tough when Ronaldo and Benzema have a combined 6 goals in 22 appearances. CR7 keeps banging them in in Europe, so I sense he's saving his legs for a big second half.  We'll see.  Real are a team in transition.  They should probably be looking to transform into Isco and Asensio's team, but that will require some growing pains.  
Click to expand...
You would hope he has some leeway - but there is not much leeway granted at RM.  Agree about them being in transition.  Next summer will be a big set of moves - and it sounds like they are planning it now - telling Bale and Modric that they both can leave - and rumors persist that they will sign Neymar this summer.  So, it sounds like the brass knows this is a transition year, but no margin for error next season.
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scoob didn't include all of Bale's goals this year.

 
:popcorn: :popcorn:

Taylor Twellman‏Verified account @TaylorTwellman

Hearing Nagbe could be on the move to @ATLUTD in the near future. #MLS

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

Kristian Dyer‏ @KristianRDyer

Hearing from multiple sources that Atlanta is looking to acquire Darlington Nagbe... If a deal were to go through then I'm being told it would be for an amount that would have eclipss Dom Dwyer's fee to Orlando earlier this year.

 
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AAABatteries said:
For those of us who are still relatively new to MLS and following NA football, can you explain what the 4 trophies are?  I'm guessing that the top line is MLS Cup Champion?  The bottom appears to be something strictly about Canada??
Click to expand...
Cool. So Toronto is the first team to sweep.

 
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