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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (7 Viewers)

@shaderhere is some news about Nashville and MLS

Businessman John Ingram, who is leading an effort to bring Major League Soccer to Nashville, has now purchased a majority stake in Nashville SC, the city's lower-league team set to begin play next year.

It makes Ingram majority owner of Nashville SC. And it means that Nashville's MLS bid is now aligned with the United Soccer League's Nashville SC, likely strengthening Nashville's candidacy for one of four MLS expansion spots.

“Our effort to bring Major League Soccer to Nashville and the mission of DMD Soccer are now jointly committed to elevate and expand professional soccer in Music City,” Ingram, chairman of Ingram Industries Inc., said in a statement Thursday announcing the acquisition.

“We plan to give Nashville SC fans an exceptional soccer experience, starting with this season’s debut of the organization’s PDL (Premier Development League) team, which will lead to a successful debut in the USL as we continue to grow the game in Nashville at every level.”

The billionaire Ingram, under the entity Nashville Holdings LLC, acquired majority interest in DMD Soccer, the ownership arm of Nashville SC founded by David Dill, president of LifePoint, and Nashville entrepreneurs Chris Redhage and Marcus Whitney.

The team did not release details of the financial transaction.

For months, talks had swirled about a potential partnership between Nashville SC and the Ingram-led MLS Steering Committee, which includes a long list of Middle Tennessee business heavyweights who support MLS in Nashville. Presenting a united soccer front is seen as a boost for Nashville's MLS chances.

 
“John Ingram has a long history supporting sports in Nashville," Dill said. "He will be a driving force in Nashville SC’s ownership group as we move our vision forward, which is to provide professional soccer to the region’s passionate fans. Nashville SC has grown from the grassroots, and now John’s commitment speaks volumes about the future of soccer in Nashville and helps Nashville SC grow while unifying soccer interests in our city.”
 
Bayern has clinched the Bundesliga title and a CL spot for next season. 

Now for more than you really wanted to know on the Bundesliga:
Here is a rundown on the rest of the league's qualifying situation.  There are three matchdays left.

Positions 2 and 3 are CL Group stage, 4 is CL Playoff round.  All three of these teams have qualified for CL, they just have to work out who finishes 4th.

2 Leipzig 19- 6-6 63 56:31 +25
3 Hoffenheim 15-13-3 58 58:32 +26
4 Dortmund 16- 9-9 57 65:35 +30


Positions 5 and 6 are Europa League spots. Group stage and 3rd Qualifying round.
 

5 Hertha Berlin 14- 4-13 46 38:37 + 1 Europa League group stage
6 Werder Bremen 13- 6-12 45 52:51 + 1 Europa League 3rd qualifying round
7 Freiburg 13- 5-13 44 38:55 -17 Possible EL spot
8 Köln 10-12- 9 42 43:37 + 6
9 M'gladbach 12- 6-13 42 41:45 - 4
10 Schalke 11- 8-12 41 43:36 + 7
11 Frankfurt 11- 8-12 41 32:35 - 3


Dortmund and Frankfurt meet in the DFB Pokal final.  The winner of that competition gets an auto bid to Europa League group stage.  If that winner is Dortmund, since they have already qualified for CL, then the 6th place team will go to group stage and the 7th place team will qualify for Europa League 3rd Q round.

Relegation and Promotion
Positions 17 and 18 are straight relegation, 16 is a playoff against the 3rd promotion team from BL2
 

12 Leverkusen 10- 6-15 36 44:50 - 6
13 Augsburg 9- 8-14 35 33:49 -16
14 Mainz 9- 6-16 33 40:51 -11
15 Wolfsburg 9- 6-16 33 30:49 -19
16 Hamburg 9- 6-16 33 30:59 -29 relegation playoff
17 Ingolstadt 8- 5-18 29 33:54 -21 relegation
18 Darmstadt 7- 3-21 24 26:58 -32 relegation
Ingolstadt and Darmstadt both came up together in '15-'16.


BL2 Promotion battle
 

Code: 
1 Stuttgart      19-6-6  63  56:35  +21  Promotion
2 Braunshcweig   17-9-5  60  42:28  +17  Promotion
3 Hannover       17-9-5  60  47:31  +16  Promotion playoff
4 Union Berlin   17-6-8  57  48:34  +14
Stuttgart and Hannover were relegated last season.
 
Swansea v Reading for an EPL spot?  IN!

i wouldn't mind seeing it as a two-legged tie.  #### that being played at Wembey - reward the home fans and would make for better drama.  No away goals rule, TIA.

 
El Floppo said:
I love the 3rd to last playing it out against the 3rd to front team promotion/relegation. 
Click to expand...
True, but the 4 team Championship play-off for the 3rd promotion spot is pretty awesome as well. Two-leg home/home semi's, and the final at Wembley. The only problem is they play the final on a Monday morning US time.

 
CletiusMaximus said:
True, but the 4 team Championship play-off for the 3rd promotion spot is pretty awesome as well. Two-leg home/home semi's, and the final at Wembley. The only problem is they play the final on a Monday morning US time.
Click to expand...
It may sound wishy-washy but I also agree with this. I'm glad we have different leagues using different pro/rel systems so that we can enjoy watching all of them play out.

 
CletiusMaximus said:
True, but the 4 team Championship play-off for the 3rd promotion spot is pretty awesome as well. Two-leg home/home semi's, and the final at Wembley. The only problem is they play the final on a Monday morning US time.
Click to expand...
funny... I don't think S####horpe is playing at Wembley?

 
75 year old Michael Eisner trying to buy Portsmouth seemed an odd thing to see in the papers a while back, but the more I think about it the more it seems like a pretty smart investment. He'd be getting a historically significant club with a huge supporters network, but is buying a team playing in the 4th tier of English football, having just won promotion for next season to League One. The American investors who bought 80% of Swansea last year paid I think about 80mil, and they might get relegated this season. Eisner is proposing to pay less than 6mil for 100%, with an agreement to invest at least another 10 mil or so.

If he succeeds, it will be one more local supporters ownership group selling to a financial investor. Its becoming quite a trend.

 
CletiusMaximus said:
75 year old Michael Eisner trying to buy Portsmouth seemed an odd thing to see in the papers a while back, but the more I think about it the more it seems like a pretty smart investment. He'd be getting a historically significant club with a huge supporters network, but is buying a team playing in the 4th tier of English football, having just won promotion for next season to League One. The American investors who bought 80% of Swansea last year paid I think about 80mil, and they might get relegated this season. Eisner is proposing to pay less than 6mil for 100%, with an agreement to invest at least another 10 mil or so.

If he succeeds, it will be one more local supporters ownership group selling to a financial investor. Its becoming quite a trend.
Click to expand...
Pfffttt...75 yr old RHE just had a second child!  (not sure about the pretty smart investment part, though..)

 
The Galaxy have been one of the most consistent teams in the history of MLS.

Now with LAFC about to make a likely loud smash when entering the league next year, the Galaxy have gotten off to its worst start in its history.  They look horrendous.  And their record is even worse that it first appears since they have played twice as many games at home as away (6 vs 3) so far.

If they don't get this turned around quickly, and LAFC makes the big Chicharito signing, they could see their market share drop dramatically next season.

 
NYCFC is fun to see in person.  The interplay between Villa, Moralez, Harrison, and Wallace is really biting right now.  Villa doesn't have to create everything from nothing anymore and the other three make smart enough runs off of him that it's just a different level of soccer to watch (this has especially the case with Herrera in for Pirlo since Ring is the de-facto 6 now and he's damn good at that role).  

Poor Pirlo and McNamara.  They can't get off the bench (Tommy Mc didn't even make the subs bench).  I won't be shocked if Pirlo "retires" during the next transfer window and they use the DP slot to bring in another center of the park MF.  

BTW, Herrera has a chance to be really good for City.  With some more strength, you can certainly see why they signed him.  He's not there yet, but his instincts and touch are really good, better than anyone I've seen who plays a little deeper in the middle of the pitch in say the CONCACAF U-20/17 matches.  

 
it'll be interesting to see that group up front develop... still a LOT of deferring to Villa when other options are available- but given how well he's still playing, not a big issue there.

 
El Floppo said:
it'll be interesting to see that group up front develop... still a LOT of deferring to Villa when other options are available- but given how well he's still playing, not a big issue there.
Click to expand...
They've used him more as a pure target this year with the others running off that.  Even his goal yesterday started with him being the target with a nice 1-2 with Sweat to Wallace back to a streaking Villa.  The third was from Villa heading it onto Wallace with a incisive pass to a smart run by Moralez from into the space left from the CB trying to defend Villa.  They should have had 3 or 4 more as well.  

More impressive though was the defense though.  They gave up basically three good half chances all game.  One was the exquisite side-volley goal, a second was a meek header off a set piece and one was from a bad decision by Sweat.  I know the field favors them, but Ring and Herrera in MF give them defensive cover in MF they lack with Pirlo out there.  Ring in particular has been excellent.  I don't know why he washed out of Germany, but he's a quality MLS CM.

 
Sammy3469 said:
They've used him more as a pure target this year with the others running off that.  Even his goal yesterday started with him being the target with a nice 1-2 with Sweat to Wallace back to a streaking Villa.  The third was from Villa heading it onto Wallace with a incisive pass to a smart run by Moralez from into the space left from the CB trying to defend Villa.  They should have had 3 or 4 more as well.  

More impressive though was the defense though.  They gave up basically three good half chances all game.  One was the exquisite side-volley goal, a second was a meek header off a set piece and one was from a bad decision by Sweat.  I know the field favors them, but Ring and Herrera in MF give them defensive cover in MF they lack with Pirlo out there.  Ring in particular has been excellent.  I don't know why he washed out of Germany, but he's a quality MLS CM.
Click to expand...
ring has been great- and yeah, perfect mls MF. you can see with the RBs how they're struggling without Dax... another perfect mls MF.

that first ATL goal, btw- the guy with the long throw stepped a few feet onto the field while making it. not something you see called too often, but it was really blatant. and I always think of that call against Timmy or Brad for the US where they were called for a handball while throwing the ball out of the box.

 
Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner is rumored to be negotiating for the club's purchase with the supporters' group currently running Portsmouth. 

 
NewlyRetired said:
@shaderhere is some news about Nashville and MLS

Businessman John Ingram, who is leading an effort to bring Major League Soccer to Nashville, has now purchased a majority stake in Nashville SC, the city's lower-league team set to begin play next year.

It makes Ingram majority owner of Nashville SC. And it means that Nashville's MLS bid is now aligned with the United Soccer League's Nashville SC, likely strengthening Nashville's candidacy for one of four MLS expansion spots.

“Our effort to bring Major League Soccer to Nashville and the mission of DMD Soccer are now jointly committed to elevate and expand professional soccer in Music City,” Ingram, chairman of Ingram Industries Inc., said in a statement Thursday announcing the acquisition.

“We plan to give Nashville SC fans an exceptional soccer experience, starting with this season’s debut of the organization’s PDL (Premier Development League) team, which will lead to a successful debut in the USL as we continue to grow the game in Nashville at every level.”

The billionaire Ingram, under the entity Nashville Holdings LLC, acquired majority interest in DMD Soccer, the ownership arm of Nashville SC founded by David Dill, president of LifePoint, and Nashville entrepreneurs Chris Redhage and Marcus Whitney.

The team did not release details of the financial transaction.

For months, talks had swirled about a potential partnership between Nashville SC and the Ingram-led MLS Steering Committee, which includes a long list of Middle Tennessee business heavyweights who support MLS in Nashville. Presenting a united soccer front is seen as a boost for Nashville's MLS chances.

 
“John Ingram has a long history supporting sports in Nashville," Dill said. "He will be a driving force in Nashville SC’s ownership group as we move our vision forward, which is to provide professional soccer to the region’s passionate fans. Nashville SC has grown from the grassroots, and now John’s commitment speaks volumes about the future of soccer in Nashville and helps Nashville SC grow while unifying soccer interests in our city.”
Click to expand...
Thanks @NewlyRetired!  Sorry I was on vacation w/no internet access for a week.

I've sort of held back on really going all-in on Atlanta until I see what happens with the Nashville team.  I think the Nashville market is so hot and booming right now that an MLS team would be perfect for the City.  I'm hopeful and this news is quite positive!

 
roadkill1292 said:
Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner is rumored to be negotiating for the club's purchase with the supporters' group currently running Portsmouth. 
Click to expand...
Its much more than a rumor - he's held at least one public meeting with supporters and has confirmed his offer price, documented his investment plan for the club.

 
If find it is amazing that after Minnesota's historic bad start, that they are actually level on points with Atlanta (Atlanta does have a game in hand though).  It is a super impressive turn around in such a short span of time.

 
NewlyRetired said:
If find it is amazing that after Minnesota's historic bad start, that they are actually level on points with Atlanta (Atlanta does have a game in hand though).  It is a super impressive turn around in such a short span of time.
Click to expand...
It is totally killing my fantasy MLS strategy of "load up my team with whoever is playing Minn"

 
CletiusMaximus said:
Its much more than a rumor - he's held at least one public meeting with supporters and has confirmed his offer price, documented his investment plan for the club.
Click to expand...
What do you think his ambitions are as owner? Disclaimer -- I have some interest in Portsmouth because of their history and their ancient enmity with Soton. I'm also a little sad to see the highest placed supporter-owned club give it up (and no number of common sense, practical arguments will dissuade me on this).

 
roadkill1292 said:
What do you think his ambitions are as owner? Disclaimer -- I have some interest in Portsmouth because of their history and their ancient enmity with Soton. I'm also a little sad to see the highest placed supporter-owned club give it up (and no number of common sense, practical arguments will dissuade me on this).
Click to expand...
I posted earlier it seems like a pretty good choice for someone purely interested in an investment, particularly compared to the Swansea purchase last year where the buyers paid something like 100mil for partial ownership of what is now a second level club. He's proposing to pay a 4th level price for a club that has lots of top flight history and very strong support. Unlike the Swansea deal, the supporters group who owns the Pompey shares will make no profit - just get their investment back w/out interest. Of course, he'll probably have to increase that offer to get a deal done. I can't imagine Eisner gives a damn about Portsmouth football. Much more likely he'll be more of a Glazer-type financial owner, which isn't all bad. He knows he's got to invest to make this pay off. I expect he plans to more or less follow the RB model. Based on the few articles I saw on this last week, I also think there's a decent chance they hold out and don't sell.

 
https://twitter.com/City_Watch/status/861661889117515776

Manchester City and Manchester United are the final two teams left in the battle to sign Monaco playmaker Bernardo Silva

2 things about this tweet.

1.  I think it might be easier to list the players in the world that City aren't "interested in", than the hourly updates.

2.  If you're a playmaker why would you ever want to play for Jose?  He'd probably criticize Ditka or Parcells for being too aggressive passing the ball all over the field.  

 
Becks found a sugar daddy

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

With Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly joining David Beckham’s Miami soccer ownership group, they’re in good shape financially and not looking for more investors. The next hurdle, which shouldn’t be a big one: acquiring Miami-Dade County-owned land, where a slice of the proposed Overtown stadium will sit, for upwards of $10 million.

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez told WQAM’s Joe Rose: “We’re ready to go. We’re waiting for the league to award the franchise. We can get our part of the deal done within 30 days.”

 
The cycle of Dutch arrogance marches on:

Michels

Beenhakker

Michels

Beenhakker

Michels

Advocaat

Hiddink

Van Gaal

Advocaat

Van Gaal

Hiddink

Advocaat

 
LAUNCH said:
https://twitter.com/City_Watch/status/861661889117515776

Manchester City and Manchester United are the final two teams left in the battle to sign Monaco playmaker Bernardo Silva

2 things about this tweet.

1.  I think it might be easier to list the players in the world that City aren't "interested in", than the hourly updates.

2.  If you're a playmaker why would you ever want to play for Jose?  He'd probably criticize Ditka or Parcells for being too aggressive passing the ball all over the field.  
Click to expand...
you could also change #1 to United and it still is correct.

 
mentioned pirlo's call to de rossi to avoid mls.

here's schweiny's more specific comments... nothing we couldn't guess, but interesting nonetheless. interesting to me see the off-the-ball comments, which makes sense. reading into it for me- the second and third runs don't happen and/or aren't recognized so plays don't develop as elaborately.

Schweinsteiger added that adapting to MLS is also proving frustrating at times, given it is not at the same level as the previous leagues he has played in.

"We all know that this league is just not like the Premier League or the Bundesliga," the former Bayern Munich and United midfielder said.

Bastian Schweinsteiger joined Chicago Fire from Manchester United in March.

"And, of course, it can be frustrating on the pitch at times when things discussed [in the team meeting] are not implemented or when somebody loses a ball or just does not have an eye for the teammate.

"I don't blame anyone for it, that's my problem -- I need to adapt to the league and cope with those situations."

When asked about the differences to European football, Schweinsteiger said: "If you compare it to Bayern Munich or the national team [Germany], the difference is huge. But I knew what I let myself in for.

"The league is interesting because it's evident everyone can beat everyone. And sometimes things happen you just don't understand. This might be referee decisions or the running paths or passes of a teammate. It's different than in Europe, but you have to take things as they are."

Schweinsteiger also said that while MLS is "very strong" physically there are other things still lacking in the U.S. top flight.

"Not everything is seen that happens on the pitch -- the teammate in a good position, where it might get dangerous, how a situation develops," Schweinsteiger said. "Too many balls are lost as well. But that's normal.

"If this were not the case, the people would not play in the United States but rather in the Bundesliga, Premier League or La Liga. Still, MLS has potential, a lot of potential."
Click to expand...

 
El Floppo said:
mentioned pirlo's call to de rossi to avoid mls.

here's schweiny's more specific comments... nothing we couldn't guess, but interesting nonetheless. interesting to me see the off-the-ball comments, which makes sense. reading into it for me- the second and third runs don't happen and/or aren't recognized so plays don't develop as elaborately.
Click to expand...
It is interesting.  I think his comments about the MLS being very strong physically are interesting.  I'd love to see comparisons between the MLS and, for instance, the English Championship.  I'd imagine the MLS is athletically far superior to the Championship.  Would that trump any "technical" issues?

 
shader said:
It is interesting.  I think his comments about the MLS being very strong physically are interesting.  I'd love to see comparisons between the MLS and, for instance, the English Championship.  I'd imagine the MLS is athletically far superior to the Championship.  Would that trump any "technical" issues?
Click to expand...
fwiw- that's been the code-word for MLS and the US for decades. "physically strong". don't read anything into it.... just another way of saying they don't use tactics and skills as their primary weapon.

 
for those that are interested, a piece about chapecoense in ESPN...

Chapecoense, the Brazilian club that suffered the air disaster at the end of November, had a reason to smile on Sunday, when their rebuilt team landed the local title. For the sixth time, and the second year in succession, they are champions of Santa Catarina, one of the 27 states that make up this giant country.

It was an emotional celebration, with coach Vagner Mancini and his players paying tribute to those who died over five months ago. Being champions of their southern state is evidence that the restructuring job is on schedule. But essentially, it is nothing more than preseason. The real stuff starts now.

This weekend the national Brazilian Championship kicks off. Chapecoense's main aim, their over-riding objective in the rebuilding process, is to retain their first-division status. Less than a decade ago, the team from the small town of Chapeco were not even part of Brazil's four national divisions. Then, with a model based on getting the basics right, they climbed all the way from the fourth to the first division in six years. Since 2014, they have established themselves as a competitive top-flight team, a magnificent achievement that will be all the more sensational if they can keep it up despite losing almost all of their playing and coaching staff in the air crash.

Chapecoense's league campaign could hardly have a harder start. On Saturday, they are away to Corinthians, the Sao Paulo giants who are on a high after claiming their own state title. Soon after the air disaster, the idea was floated that Chapecoense should be protected from relegation for three years, allowing them to rebuild in relative tranquility. The club themselves would not hear of it. They wanted no such special dispensation and were determined to stand or fall by their own merits. The 38 rounds of the league promise to be a tough battle that will provide the ultimate test of the club's capacity to bounce back.

And either side of that opening league fixture, Chapecoense have the glamour of international commitments.

Next week comes the crunch game of their debut campaign in the Copa Libertadores, South America's Champions League. With just four points from four games they are struggling -- which was only to be expected. Anything they get from this first adventure is a bonus. And in order for the adventure to be prolonged, they must get something from their visit to Lanus, an attractive Argentine side who beat them 3-1 in Brazil in March. Chapecoense will expect to win their final group match, at home to Zulia of Venezuela a week later. But without a win in Argentina in theoretically their most difficult group game, any last-day heroics may not count for much.

Chapecoense had a reason to smile on Sunday, as they took home the Campeonato Catarinense title.

Before that, though, comes another chance to win a title, in circumstances that are bound to be extremely touching. The air crash, of course, happened when Chapecoense were approaching Medellin airport in Colombia, where they were to face Atletico Nacional in the final of the Copa Sudamericana, the continent's Europa League equivalent.

The response of the Colombian club to the tragedy was heartfelt and sincere. At the hour when the game was to have been played they threw open the doors of the stadium, and a packed crowd took part in a beautiful memorial service. And Atletico Nacional insisted that the Sudamericana title be awarded to Chapecoense in tribute to those who lost their lives.

As champions, Chapecoense get to play the two-legged Recopa -- a duel between the winners of the Sudamericana and the Libertadores -- who by happy coincidence are their new friends, Atletico Nacional. In Chapeco last month, the Brazilian side came out 2-1 on top in the first leg. On Wednesday, the clubs will finally meet in Medellin.

The match takes place on Chapecoense's 44th birthday. The celebration should belong to all. The meeting commemorates those who died and the international friendships forged through football. And with both sides wanting to claim the Recopa title, there is also the prospect of an enthralling 90 minutes in Medellin.
Click to expand...

 
shader said:
It is interesting.  I think his comments about the MLS being very strong physically are interesting.  I'd love to see comparisons between the MLS and, for instance, the English Championship.  I'd imagine the MLS is athletically far superior to the Championship.  Would that trump any "technical" issues?
Click to expand...
the level between The Championship and MLS is fairly close.  50% might say Championship is better, 50% might say MLS is better, but there is no huge gap either way imo.

Outside the top 4 leagues and the upper half of France, there is very little gap between MLS and the other 48 Euro countries IMO.  Now I will say that a ton of leagues in Europe have 2 or 3 teams that are better than anything MLS can put on the field, but that is due to how many countries funnel all the best players to 2 or 3 teams, which in MLS's structure can not happen.

Scotland is a fantastic example.  I think Celtic could sweep every domestic trophy in the US but I would be hard pressed to say the rest of the league is as good as the average MLS team.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
El Floppo said:
fwiw- that's been the code-word for MLS and the US for decades. "physically strong". don't read anything into it.... just another way of saying they don't use tactics and skills as their primary weapon.
Click to expand...
In addition to being "physically strong," we're also "gutsy", play with a strong "fighting spirit" and exhibit extraordinary "unity" and "togetherness" in our play.

 
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