***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (10 Viewers)

[NewlyRetired]

A note on the team above.

It is not a pragmatic team, more of a team of the best players.

If one was to really coach a team like this, when you have the luxury of lining up 4 of the greatest offensive talents the game has ever seen to play together in Garrincha, Pele, Maradona and Messi, needing non stop attacking wing full backs like Roberto Carlos and Cafu is not really needed.  You could probably do better with solid stay at home defenders, that do nothing but get the ball to Didi or Socrates and let them link to the golden 4.

 

[Christo]

If I'm in charge of the South Americans I refuse to field anyone in net other than René Higuita.

 

[Zigg]

If I'm in charge of the South Americans I refuse to field anyone in net other than René Higuita.

Chilavert, someone needs to take free kicks.

 

[NewlyRetired]

So Fabian Castillo went, in just a couple of days, from being carried around on the shoulders of fans in Turkey to being expected back in training in Dallas today.

Twellman said the deal which originally looked done is now completely dead.  

 

[El Floppo]

So Fabian Castillo went, in just a couple of days, from being carried around on the shoulders of fans in Turkey to being expected back in training in Dallas today.

Twellman said the deal which originally looked done is now completely dead.  

lol... perfect.

 

[NewlyRetired]

lol... perfect.

I wonder what it was that caused it to collapse?  He was in Turkey for a medical which usually means the money has been agreed upon.......it makes me wonder if they found some sort of heart condition or if Castillo just did not like what he saw there and wanted out...

 

[El Floppo]

I wonder what it was that caused it to collapse?  He was in Turkey for a medical which usually means the money has been agreed upon.......it makes me wonder if they found some sort of heart condition or if Castillo just did not like what he saw there and wanted out...

googles not giving me anything other than this princess bride nod:




 Follow

Steve Davis‏@SteveDavis90



ESPN's @TaylorTwellman told you no deal for Fabian Castillo as of now. Club now says the deal is 100 percent dead. Not "mostly dead." Dead.

 

[B Maverick]

One ManU player who has always intrigued me is Januzaj...he seems to have immense talent & capability, from the limited times I've actually seen him play, but apparently said talent hasn't manifested itself  on the actual playing field when it really matters.  Was he on loan last year, & what is keeping him from actualizing (what I saw to be) his raw talent?  I thought he would become a major name in the European game, but apparently that's not the case.  Just curious...

Januzaj looked the best player while everyone else suffered under Moyes.  As it can happen with younger players, Belgium took him to the world cup and I think it went to his head and then he tried to do too much.  He seemed to lose his way.  With LVG coming in and the likes of ADM and others coming in, he lost his spot, was sent on loan and didnt really want to be there and never recovered.  It may be a classic case of a legitimate move and playing time getting him back into form.  Heck, maybe Sunderland with Moyes would let him regain form, he was the one that believed in him.  Sell him to Moyes with a buy back clause and let Fellaini go with him as a bonus.

 

[The Gator]

####, i have no idea how to use instagram 

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:28.1018518519% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BIk3Il3gOtT/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A video posted by ###oares76</a> on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-08-01T18:21:50+00:00">Aug 1, 2016 at 11:21am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
<script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>

The Liverpool/Milan game was awesome. First teamers got a lot of time, intensity was good and people got kicked out for flares. So it felt like a real game  

PS, I made eye contact with Grujic. #SpankBankUpdated 

 

[Kafka]

####, i have no idea how to use instagram 

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:28.1018518519% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BIk3Il3gOtT/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A video posted by ###oares76</a> on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-08-01T18:21:50+00:00">Aug 1, 2016 at 11:21am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
<script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>

The Liverpool/Milan game was awesome. First teamers got a lot of time, intensity was good and people got kicked out for flares. So it felt like a real game  

PS, I made eye contact with Grujic. #SpankBankUpdated 

"Not till you see the whites of their eyes!" #BunkerHill...

What's Instagram?...Rapid access to the aforementioned "marching powder"?

 

[The Gator]

PSS, M'Baye Niang is a freaking monster, can't believe he's only 21. Going to try and catch more of his games 

 

[berndog]

Seeing rumors that Swansea have sold Ashley Williams to Everton for 10M.  I'm not sure what the new owners have in store but selling the captain and Wales hero seems like an odd way to kick things off. 

Oh yeah and sign a striker.

 

[Brady Marino]

Seeing rumors that Swansea have sold Ashley Williams to Everton for 10M.  I'm not sure what the new owners have in store but selling the captain and Wales hero seems like an odd way to kick things off. 

Oh yeah and sign a striker.

I wonder how Balotelli feels about Wales.

 

[Brady Marino]

####, i have no idea how to use instagram 

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:28.1018518519% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BIk3Il3gOtT/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A video posted by ###oares76</a> on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-08-01T18:21:50+00:00">Aug 1, 2016 at 11:21am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
<script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>

The Liverpool/Milan game was awesome. First teamers got a lot of time, intensity was good and people got kicked out for flares. So it felt like a real game  

PS, I made eye contact with Grujic. #SpankBankUpdated 

Nice job, Hipple.

Will try and get pics and maybe video of YNWA at Liverpool/Roma in STL if my casual soccer fan friend agrees to hold the phone.

 

[Jaysus]

Seeing rumors that Swansea have sold Ashley Williams to Everton for 10M.  I'm not sure what the new owners have in store but selling the captain and Wales hero seems like an odd way to kick things off. 

Oh yeah and sign a striker.

 

[NewlyRetired]

googles not giving me anything other than this princess bride nod:




 Follow

Steve Davis‏@SteveDavis90



ESPN's @TaylorTwellman told you no deal for Fabian Castillo as of now. Club now says the deal is 100 percent dead. Not "mostly dead." Dead.

It looks like the dead are trying to breath   The saga continues

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2016/08/01/26140312/fabian-castillos-turkish-transfer-saga-continues

 

[Kafka]

You'll always have Leeds...stable, professional, & always committed...

 

[NewlyRetired]

Answer: Omer Dimari

Question: Name the player who has been on 3 different teams in succession with out having to change his uniform?

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

Dimari has gone from RB Liezpig, to Red Bull Salzberg to NY Red Bulls

 

[El Floppo]

####, i have no idea how to use instagram 

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:28.1018518519% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BIk3Il3gOtT/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A video posted by ###oares76</a> on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-08-01T18:21:50+00:00">Aug 1, 2016 at 11:21am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
<script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>

The Liverpool/Milan game was awesome. First teamers got a lot of time, intensity was good and people got kicked out for flares. So it felt like a real game  

PS, I made eye contact with Grujic. #SpankBankUpdated 

NAILED IT

 

[AAABatteries]

####, i have no idea how to use instagram 

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:28.1018518519% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BIk3Il3gOtT/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A video posted by ###oares76</a> on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-08-01T18:21:50+00:00">Aug 1, 2016 at 11:21am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
<script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>

The Liverpool/Milan game was awesome. First teamers got a lot of time, intensity was good and people got kicked out for flares. So it felt like a real game  

PS, I made eye contact with Grujic. #SpankBankUpdated 

Hipple?  Is that you?  If so, please bump a few 3 year old posts to confirm for us.

 

[The Gator]

did hipple also not know how the functions of instagram work? 

 

[NewlyRetired]

This should slow down MLS expansion some

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

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-08-01/buying-an-mls-franchise-just-got-a-lot-more-expensive

Aspiring sports team owners will have to pony up if they want a piece of the American soccer boom.

Once seen as one of the last affordable investments in pro sports, Major League Soccer is preparing to nearly double expansion fees to about $200 million, MLS Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott said in an interview.

The 20-team league has already committed to new franchises in Atlanta, which begins play next season; Los Angeles, which joins in 2018; and Minnesota, whose start date hasn’t been determined. It is also negotiating with David Beckham’s ownership group about putting a team in Miami.

In the most recent round of expansion in 2014, the owners of the L.A. Football Club paid $110 million to put a second franchise in Los Angeles. MLS teams are worth an average $157 million, with three clubs -- the Seattle Sounders, L.A. Galaxy and Houston Dynamo -- valued at more than $200 million, according to Forbes’s 2015 rankings.

With a target of 28 teams, league officials are talking with a number of prospective cities, including Sacramento, Detroit, Cincinnati, San Diego, St. Louis, San Antonio, Charlotte and Oklahoma City.

Abbott said league officials discussed expansion during last week’s All-Star Break, though no timetable for applications was set.

 

[Sinn Fein]

Wijnaldum asks the question that is on everyone's mind

 

[The Z Machine]

It looks like the dead are trying to breath   The saga continues

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2016/08/01/26140312/fabian-castillos-turkish-transfer-saga-continues

Wu-Tang, Wu-Tang

 

[Christo]

Wijnaldum asks the question that is on everyone's mind

And why can't Newcastle? Oh, yeah.

 

[roadkill1292]

Wijnaldum asks the question that is on everyone's mind

 

[Poke_4_Life]

This should slow down MLS expansion some

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

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-08-01/buying-an-mls-franchise-just-got-a-lot-more-expensive

Aspiring sports team owners will have to pony up if they want a piece of the American soccer boom.

Once seen as one of the last affordable investments in pro sports, Major League Soccer is preparing to nearly double expansion fees to about $200 million, MLS Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott said in an interview.

The 20-team league has already committed to new franchises in Atlanta, which begins play next season; Los Angeles, which joins in 2018; and Minnesota, whose start date hasn’t been determined. It is also negotiating with David Beckham’s ownership group about putting a team in Miami.

In the most recent round of expansion in 2014, the owners of the L.A. Football Club paid $110 million to put a second franchise in Los Angeles. MLS teams are worth an average $157 million, with three clubs -- the Seattle Sounders, L.A. Galaxy and Houston Dynamo -- valued at more than $200 million, according to Forbes’s 2015 rankings.

With a target of 28 teams, league officials are talking with a number of prospective cities, including Sacramento, Detroit, Cincinnati, San Diego, St. Louis, San Antonio, Charlotte and Oklahoma City.

Abbott said league officials discussed expansion during last week’s All-Star Break, though no timetable for applications was set.

Team average worth is 157mil, so we'll charge 200mil for expansion teams?  That math seems fuzzy.  

Also, happy to see Oklahoma City listed as a prospective city.  Both of the minor league teams in OKC are drawing well, 8-9k each for OKC Energy and OKC Rayo.  Although I'm unsure how the Rayo parent club's financial troubles will impact the OKC Rayo.  I'd assume some local leadership will buy the team, which could be the start of the MLS push.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Team average worth is 157mil, so we'll charge 200mil for expansion teams?  That math seems fuzzy.  

Two points are related to this

1) Remember when you buy into MLS, one of the key pieces you are buying is a piece of SUM.  Each time an expansion team comes in, the previous owners shares of SUM are diluted.   To make up for that dilution, they continue to raise the expansion fees.

2) This next set of expansion probably won't come into play for quite a few years.  MLS team value have risen significantly the last 5 years and they probably are projecting them to continue growing.   The $157m average in 2016 will likely be much higher come the early 2020's.

It still amazes me that is was not that long ago that they could not give away teams for free and now they can have multiple cities engaged with an asking price of $200m.

The deal Becks is getting gets better and better the longer he takes to get in the league

 

[Poke_4_Life]

Remember when you buy into MLS, one of the key pieces you are buying is a piece SUM.  Each time an expansion team comes in, the previous owners shares of SUM are diluted.   To make up for that dilution, they continue to raise the expansion fees.

It still amazes me that is was not that long ago that they could not give away teams for free and now they can have multiple cities engaged with an asking price of $200m.

The deal Becks is getting gets better and better the longer he takes to get in the league

Will the league ever tell Becks to 'deficate or get off the toilet'?  I mean how long has this been going on?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Will the league ever tell Becks to 'deficate or get off the toilet'?  I mean how long has this been going on?

December 2013 was the first official announcement that Becks and Fuller were doing their due diligence on Miami.   On February 5th 2014, the league then announced that Miami would be the city that Becks and his group had chosen.

So many deadlines have come and gone since then I don't know what the league is considering.  I have a feeling that if the next site for the stadium falls through, something is going to happen either on Becks giving up on city or the league suggesting he look elsewhere.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The Fire seem cursed.  That can't generate any decent pub for their team and then the see this from a former player in the press today

http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/08/01/former-pro-soccer-player-arrested-clinton/87924614/

Kellen Gulley, 22, of Clinton and a former player for Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire, was charged with multiple counts of possession of illegal narcotics with intent to distribute while in possession of a firearm.

Gulley is "believed to be a significant dealer of marijuana, powder cocaine, and codeine syrup in Clinton and other portions of the metro area," according to a press release issued by the city of Clinton Monday.

 

[shader]

What a day.

So me and 3 buddies made the trip to St. Louis yesterday. Two of us major LIV fans, one a guy from Europe who just loves soccer, and one friend we're trying to convert to the beautiful game.   A few highlights.

We had just finished eating great BBQ downtown when my bud said "hey LIV is training right now at St Louis U.  I said "let's go".  hopped in the car, went over to the University, and sure enough there's the Liverpool football team right there playing on the St Louis practice field!  

There were only about 50 fans there and most of them were college kids.  We were a little late, but got to see 20-25 minutes of a professional practice!  It's amazing how technical these guys are, but it's such a different experience to seeing many American athletes.  Football and basketball players look like men from another planet.  Many of these guys are so small and their insane physical condition causes most of them to look super skinny.

The highlight was after the practice when they all walked by and signed autographs.  I don't do autographs, but I got so many great pics and it was great seeing basically the entire team walk by you and give you thumbs up and nods, etc.  Klopp posed for a selfie for a number of us at once.  I hate selfies, but it's Jurgen Klopp!  Sturridge was so engaging with the fans.

There was then a trip to the Arch.  We came upon Ian Rush and the LIV media crew at the Arch.  Chatted up one of the LFCTV guys for about 10 minutes.  I was having a blast talking to him until one of my buddies asked him about the Brexit.  Cmon man seriously lets chat football and you ask him about freaking politics!

LIV pregame party was next.  Tons of LIV fans there.  Felt like a college football atmosphere.  My college football loving buddy was seriously impressed...and he was in his element chatting up rabid sports fans.  We met a ton of fun and engaging people.

Then the march to the stadium began.  Some guy actually had a red smoke bomb.  No pyro no party!  I got a pic with me holding my scarf up, walking down the street in front of red smoke.  

The cops outside the stadium were staring at the marching crowd, the red smoke and they truly looked confused as to what was happening.  A revolution? flag-waving crowd of chanting people with smoke bombs isn't a sight they see often.

The game

Well it was preseason.  We had pretty decent seats behind the goal, a little higher up than I'd like.  Unfortunately the first team was attacking the opposite end and they had 4-5 great chances and only converted 1.  

In the 2nd half when they came towards our end, the only real starter out there was Coutinho.  He made some moves and jukes that left the crowd in awe. It was great.

Ultimately, it was a pre-season game.  LIV played 2 days ago, the humidity was awful, the players looked tired but still put on a really good display of 1st half attacking.

We lost the 2nd half, but we had 3 guys on the backline that probably won't play a single minute in the upcoming season so I'm not too worried about it.

What a day.  I can't wait to plan a trip to Anfield, but many have told me that I'll never experience the up close level of contact that we had at the University, as that's just not something that happens in Europe.

Take-away for anyone that travels in the US to see their team.  Usually these teams have free practices that are open to the public.  I highly encourage going.  For a true fan, it's an unbelievable experience.

 

[Jaysus]

TL;DR

 

[El Floppo]

can we just call them OKC Mayo.... or better yet, Yayo. or Real Mayo.

rayo and electric? wow.

eta: sorry... I mistakenly inserted electric for energy. game-changer, there.

 

[El Floppo]

But yeah- averaging 157 and now jumping to 200 doesn't seem like a big enticement to me.

 

[NewlyRetired]

But yeah- averaging 157 and now jumping to 200 doesn't seem like a big enticement to me.

Check my post on why this is happening. 

 

[El Floppo]

@shader

GREAT write-up! love that you got to see them train... I've never gotten to do that and would love to see it up close like you did. was the training literally right before the game? definitely a different intensity level if so.

oh... pics or gtfo.

 

[Kafka]

The Fire seem cursed.  That can't generate any decent pub for their team and then the see this from a former player in the press today

http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/08/01/former-pro-soccer-player-arrested-clinton/87924614/

Kellen Gulley, 22, of Clinton and a former player for Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire, was charged with multiple counts of possession of illegal narcotics with intent to distribute while in possession of a firearm.

Gulley is "believed to be a significant dealer of marijuana, powder cocaine, and codeine syrup in Clinton and other portions of the metro area," according to a press release issued by the city of Clinton Monday.

...pretty sure Christo was his supplier.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Dax McCarty with a fracture tibia.  Big loss for Red Bull, Dax and Stache might be the best midfield pairing in MLS this season.

 

[Sinn Fein]

What a day.

So me and 3 buddies made the trip to St. Louis yesterday. Two of us major LIV fans, one a guy from Europe who just loves soccer, and one friend we're trying to convert to the beautiful game.   A few highlights.

We had just finished eating great BBQ downtown when my bud said "hey LIV is training right now at St Louis U.  I said "let's go".  hopped in the car, went over to the University, and sure enough there's the Liverpool football team right there playing on the St Louis practice field!  

There were only about 50 fans there and most of them were college kids.  We were a little late, but got to see 20-25 minutes of a professional practice!  It's amazing how technical these guys are, but it's such a different experience to seeing many American athletes.  Football and basketball players look like men from another planet.  Many of these guys are so small and their insane physical condition causes most of them to look super skinny.

The highlight was after the practice when they all walked by and signed autographs.  I don't do autographs, but I got so many great pics and it was great seeing basically the entire team walk by you and give you thumbs up and nods, etc.  Klopp posed for a selfie for a number of us at once.  I hate selfies, but it's Jurgen Klopp!  Sturridge was so engaging with the fans.

There was then a trip to the Arch.  We came upon Ian Rush and the LIV media crew at the Arch.  Chatted up one of the LFCTV guys for about 10 minutes.  I was having a blast talking to him until one of my buddies asked him about the Brexit.  Cmon man seriously lets chat football and you ask him about freaking politics!

LIV pregame party was next.  Tons of LIV fans there.  Felt like a college football atmosphere.  My college football loving buddy was seriously impressed...and he was in his element chatting up rabid sports fans.  We met a ton of fun and engaging people.

Then the march to the stadium began.  Some guy actually had a red smoke bomb.  No pyro no party!  I got a pic with me holding my scarf up, walking down the street in front of red smoke.  

The cops outside the stadium were staring at the marching crowd, the red smoke and they truly looked confused as to what was happening.  A revolution? flag-waving crowd of chanting people with smoke bombs isn't a sight they see often.

The game

Well it was preseason.  We had pretty decent seats behind the goal, a little higher up than I'd like.  Unfortunately the first team was attacking the opposite end and they had 4-5 great chances and only converted 1.  

In the 2nd half when they came towards our end, the only real starter out there was Coutinho.  He made some moves and jukes that left the crowd in awe. It was great.

Ultimately, it was a pre-season game.  LIV played 2 days ago, the humidity was awful, the players looked tired but still put on a really good display of 1st half attacking.

We lost the 2nd half, but we had 3 guys on the backline that probably won't play a single minute in the upcoming season so I'm not too worried about it.

What a day.  I can't wait to plan a trip to Anfield, but many have told me that I'll never experience the up close level of contact that we had at the University, as that's just not something that happens in Europe.

Take-away for anyone that travels in the US to see their team.  Usually these teams have free practices that are open to the public.  I highly encourage going.  For a true fan, it's an unbelievable experience.

Thats a lot of words just to say "Liverpool lost"



Seriously, though sounds like a great time!

 

[El Floppo]

Dax McCarty with a fracture tibia.  Big loss for Red Bull, Dax and Stache might be the best midfield pairing in MLS this season.

ugh. any word on how long he's out? back this season?

 

[NewlyRetired]

ugh. any word on how long he's out? back this season?

I think I saw 6 weeks but I am not sure.

 

[El Floppo]

whoa... was looking for RBNY news, ended up at stubhub looking at tickets for tomorrow night's CL game against powerhouse Angtigua Real Mayo United. tickets start at $5.

 

[Slapdash]

can we just call them OKC Mayo.... or better yet, Yayo. or Real Mayo.

rayo and electric? wow.

eta: sorry... I mistakenly inserted electric for energy. game-changer, there.

Rayo OKC is owned by Rayo Vallecano...much better than other US soccer names

 

[El Floppo]

Rayo OKC is owned by Rayo Vallecano...much better than other US soccer names

well okeedokeec then.

 

[Poke_4_Life]

Rayo OKC is owned by Rayo Vallecano...much better than other US soccer names

Sure, if they weren't relegated and now looking to sell the team they would be Fab-U-Lous!  

 

[shader]

@shader

GREAT write-up! love that you got to see them train... I've never gotten to do that and would love to see it up close like you did. was the training literally right before the game? definitely a different intensity level if so.

oh... pics or gtfo.

They trained for a couple hours around noon.  They had been there awhile and we watched them for 30 minutes.  The game was at night.  

They've been doing two-a-days basically the whole time they were in the USA.  Im not sure if this is standard for visiting teams.

I Need to upload them later today.

 

[El Floppo]

They trained for a couple hours around noon.  They had been there awhile and we watched them for 30 minutes.  The game was at night.  

They've been doing two-a-days basically the whole time they were in the USA.  Im not sure if this is standard for visiting teams.

I Need to upload them later today.

thanks. I figure 2-3 a days are standard for these teams, whether they're travelling or at home. didn't know they were doing it day of games too.... then again, yeah- that's what we did in college too.

looking forward to the pics. what kind of face did Klopp give you guys? (pleasepleasepleasebeangryface)

 

[El Floppo]

whoa... was looking for RBNY news, ended up at stubhub looking at tickets for tomorrow night's CL game against powerhouse Angtigua Real Mayo United. tickets start at $5.

They trained for a couple hours around noon.  They had been there awhile and we watched them for 30 minutes.  The game was at night.  

They've been doing two-a-days basically the whole time they were in the USA.  Im not sure if this is standard for visiting teams.

I Need to upload them later today.

now I'm seeing that RBstadium is having Bayern AND RM practicing on their field TODAY at 5:00- open to the public for $20.

not quite the same, as up close and individual as shader's experience... but would still be pretty great to see these guys go through the paces.

 

[shader]

now I'm seeing that RBstadium is having Bayern AND RM practicing on their field TODAY at 5:00- open to the public for $20.

not quite the same, as up close and individual as shader's experience... but would still be pretty great to see these guys go through the paces.

Interesting.  I think 20 bucks would totally be worth it.