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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (13 Viewers)

AAABatteries said:
Huge game for Atlanta tonight - win and they move in to 2nd in the East.  Playing Minnesota at home would make them probably favorites to do just that but AUFC will be without 5 first team players - Almiron and Garza (injury); Guzan and Martinez (international duty) and Walkes (rest) - may be a tougher test than I'd like.  Honestly, I doubt we miss Guzan much as the backup keeper has been good but missing Almiron, Martinez and Garza is huge.
Click to expand...
SONOFA#####

That was both great and brutal.  I'll post more later but  :censored:

 
Sammy3469 said:
Yeah...NYCFC had left the door open
Click to expand...
Yeah - big blown opportunity but as my buddy pointed out if we get 2nd place then we lose out on the free playoff ticket so there's a silver lining I guess.

It was shaping up to be a frustrating night and then all hell broke lose.  We give up a nicely taken goal but HORRIBLE defense by Parkhurst and then our 3rd string keeper gets sent off on what I think was a questionable call.  Lamenting out missed chance the team keeps ratcheting up the pressure and scores 2 goals down a man to go up 2-1.  

I think it was around the 75th minute and they were gassed at that point.  I told my friend we should keep attacking as they were a complete mess defensively at this point but Tata made the (probably) prudent decision to park the 9 man bus and it but us in the ###.  Martino has forgotten 10 times more about soccer than I'll ever know but I wish he would have continued to push forward.  We aren't built to sit back and defend and bring down a man made it that much worse.  Granted we got to the 90th minute with the lead but collapsed.  

The crowd was really loud from the time that we had the guy sent off until Gressel's goal - and then the place went nuts.  Could have been a great result but missing your two best players and 5 total starters was just too much.

 
Anybody know where I can upload  a couple of videos?  I tried imgur but it says it's not supported.  I got one of the Game of Thrones intro and one is the supporters group after the game tonight that I thought you guys may want to see.

 
here is how to watch up to 49 world cup qualifiers this week

===========

THURSDAY

8:30 a.m.: Playoff first leg, Syria vs. Australia ESPN3, WatchESPN

Noon: Armenia vs. Poland ESPN Deportes, ESPN3, WatchESPN

Noon: Azerbaijan vs. Czech Republic FS2, Fox Deportes, Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer Match Pass, fuboTV

2:45 p.m.: England vs. Slovenia FS2, Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer Match Pass, fuboTV

2:45 p.m.: Northern Ireland vs. Germany Fox Soccer Plus, UniMas, Univision Deportes, Univision Now, univisiondeportes.com, Fox Soccer Match Pass, fuboTV

2:45 p.m.: Scotland vs. Slovakia ESPN Deportes, ESPN3, WatchESPN

2:45 p.m.: Malta vs. Lithuania ESPN3, WatchESPN

2:45 p.m.: Montenegro vs. Denmark ESPN3, WatchESPN

2:45 p.m.: Romania vs. Kazakhstan Fox Soccer Match Pass

2:45 p.m.: San Marino vs. Norway Fox Soccer Match Pass

4 p.m.: Bolivia vs. Brazil beIN Sports, beIN Sports Connect, fuboTV

5 p.m.: Venezuela vs. Uruguay beIN Sports Espanol, beIN Sports Connect, fuboTV

7:30 p.m.: Colombia vs. Paraguay beIN Sports, beIN Sports Connect, fuboTV

7:30 p.m.: Chile vs. Ecuador beIN Sports Connect, fuboTV

7:30 p.m.: Argentina vs. Peru beIN Sports Espanol, beIN Sports Connect, fuboTV

FRIDAY

Noon: Georgia vs. Wales Fox Deportes, Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer Match Pass, fuboTV

2:45 p.m.: Italy vs. Macedonia FS2, Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer Match Pass, fuboTV

2:45 p.m.: Spain vs. Albania ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN, ESPN3

2:45 p.m.: Turkey vs. Iceland Fox Soccer Plus, Fox Soccer Match Pass, fuboTV

2:45 p.m.: Ireland vs. Moldova ESPN3, WatchESPN

2:45 p.m.: Austria vs. Serbia ESPN3, WatchESPN

2:45 p.m.: Kosovo vs. Ukraine ESPN3, WatchESPN

2:45 p.m.: Liechtenstein vs. Israel ESPN3, WatchESPN

2:45 p.m.: Croatia vs. Finland Fox Soccer Match Pass

3 p.m.: Mali vs. Ivory Coast beIN Sports, beIN Sports Espanol, beIN Sports Connect, fuboTV

7:35 p.m.: United States vs. Panama ESPN2, Univision, Univision Deportes, WatchESPN, ESPN3, Univision Now, univisiondeportes.com, fuboTV

9:30 p.m.: Mexico vs. Trinidad and Tobago FS1, Univision, Univision Deportes, Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer Match Pass, Univision Now, univisiondeportes.com, fuboTV

10 p.m.: Costa Rica vs. Honduras beIN Sports, beIN Sports Espanol, Universo, Universo Now, Telemundo Deportes en Vivo, beIN Sports Connect, fuboTV

SATURDAY

9 a.m.: South Africa vs. Burkina Faso beIN Sports Espanol, beIN Sports Connect, fuboTV

Noon: Bosnia vs. Belgium ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN, ESPN3

Noon: Sweden vs. Luxembourg Fox Soccer Plus, Fox Deportes, Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer Match Pass, fuboTV

Noon: Cameroon vs. Algeria beIN Sports Espanol, beIN Sports Connect, fuboTV

Noon: Faroe Islands vs. Latvia Fox Soccer Match Pass

Noon: Gibraltar vs. Estonia ESPN3, WatchESPN

2:45 p.m.: Bulgaria vs. France FS2, Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer Match Pass, fuboTV

2:45 p.m.: Switzerland vs. Hungary Fox Soccer Plus, Fox Soccer Match Pass, fuboTV

2:45 p.m.: Andorra vs. Portugal ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN, ESPN3

2:45 p.m.: Belarus vs. Netherlands ESPN3, WatchESPN

2:45 p.m.: Cyprus vs. Greece Fox Soccer Match Pass

SUNDAY

Noon: Lithuania vs. England FS1, Fox Deportes, Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer Match Pass, fuboTV

Noon: Slovenia vs. Scotland FS2, Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer Match Pass, fuboTV

Noon: Poland vs. Montenegro ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN, ESPN3

Noon: Slovakia vs. Malta Fox Soccer Plus, Fox Soccer Match Pass

Noon: Denmark vs. Romania ESPN3, WatchESPN

Noon: Kazakhstan vs. Armenia ESPN3, WatchESPN

1 p.m.: Egypt vs. Congo beIN Sports Espanol, beIN Sports Connect, fuboTV

2:45 p.m.: Germany vs. Azerbaijan FS2, UniMas, Univision Deportes, Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer Match Pass, Univision Now, univisiondeportes.com, fuboTV

2:45 p.m.: Czech Republic vs. San Marino FS2, Fox Deportes, Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer Match Pass, fuboTV

2:45 p.m.: Norway vs. Northern Ireland ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN, ESPN3

 
I don't get ESPN3, who's going to scout Syria-Australia for us?

I'm trying to imagine the roadkill version of 10 years ago typing that question. 

 
roadkill1292 said:
I don't get ESPN3, who's going to scout Syria-Australia for us?
Click to expand...
if you have the internet you have ESPN3.   Almost all of those games are free for everyone to watch.  You can access via espn3.com on your computer or via WatchESPN app on any smart device (roku, PS4, Amazon Fire,,etc).

 
one web site continuously ranks the MLS expansion bids.  Here is the latest

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

1. Sacramento Republic FC (Previous Rank: 1)

They broke ground on a new stadium. You don’t build an MLS size stadium unless certain assurances have been made that you are getting an MLS team. I’ve also spoken to multiple people who believe Sacramento to MLS is a done deal. Now we just wait until December to make it official.

2. Nashville SC (Previous Rank: 5)

I always said they were the dark horse to take this thing. I thought that was for spots 27 and 28. I had no idea 25 and 26 were in play. The league won’t make it official until December but it seems possible that this is basically a done deal too. If they start building that stadium on the fairgrounds, we’ll know for sure. I’d like to have seen them play games in the USL first to see how it went, but look at Atlanta United. They never did the minor league thing and they are killing it. MLS sure does love billionaires.

3. Miami, Florida (Previous Rank: 2)

Don Garber said an announcement was coming by the end of summer. By my count that was late September. Here were are in early October. This thing could still fall apart and let one of the below teams in.

4. FC Cincinnati (Previous Rank: 4)

They basically have a stadium. Strangely it’ll be in Kentucky. I’m sure everyone would love a re-brand to FC Kentucky. But they do have that whole billionaire thing figured out, even if said billionaire is asking for (and getting... like in Nashville) public money.

5. Phoenix Rising FC (Previous Rank: 3)

They are the 2nd most ready team behind Sacramento and they look like they are getting left out. They are averaging less than 100 fans under a sell out every week and have a diverse and enthused ownership group. They have land, financing and aren’t asking for any public money. It appears they need a billionaire to swoop in to become the lead investor since MLS apparently only see dollar signs.

6. Detroit, Michigan (Previous Rank: 6)

Two billionaires. They just need to get that whole stadium site figured out and they probably leap a few spots by default.

7. Tampa Bay Rowdies (Previous Rank: 7)

No billionaire. But they have a stadium already built, a plan to expand it and a huge media market. They are doing well in their first season in USL too. Attendance is still a bit low compared to capacity though.

8. San Diego, California (Previous Rank: 8)

They are sitting an waiting for a vote in November 2018. That’s a long wait. So much could change by then.

9. St. Louis, Missouri (Previous Rank: 11)

Now this is just silly. Basically nothing has happened. Other than that league official saying they were 99% certain St. Louis was in if they had the money. Who has $60 million just laying around. I know a team you can buy into.

10. San Antonio FC (Previous Rank: 9)

Probably unfairly, I just keep dropping them down. They have a good record and rich owners. Their attendance is decent, though about 1,200 tickets per week appear to be going unsold, so that hurts. They need to crank up their PR team and generate some excitement.

11. North Carolina FC (Previous Rank: 10)

Attendance doesn’t look good. Competing bids in their state is weird. At least they are in second in the NASL standings. That’s more than can be said for the next guys.

12. Indy Eleven (Previous Rank: 12)

They have great attendance but they are playing bad soccer. They are last in the now third division NASL. Plus they still appear to be seeking public money which isn’t coming. This bid hardly seems serious.

13. Charlotte, North Carolina (Previous Rank: 13)

Always been last, always will be last. I only keep them on here because they technically put in a bid. Louisville City FC and the OKC Energy FC seem like they have better chances and they didn’t even apply.

 
Anglophiles only please - @Sebowski need not apply....

This is right up @shader's alley though.

I am bored on the International break already.

Rank the top six EPL clubs (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Man United, Spurs) on the following:

Strikers

1. Spurs
2. Man City
3. Chelsea
4. Man United
5. Liverpool
6. Arsenal

Kane>Aguero/Jesus>Morata>Lukaku>>>>>>>>Firmino>Lacazette

Attacking Midfielders

1. Man City
2. Chelsea
3. Liverpool
4. Spurs
5. Man United
6. Arsenal

This is a tougher group to rank - all the teams have quality here.  Sanchez is one of the best players in the league, but I don't think Arsenal's AMs as a group deserve a higher rating.  City seems to have the best mix of players, Hazard/Pedro/Willian combo slightly ahead of Coutinho/Salah/Mane - but I would not quibble with a higher ranking for Liverpool here.  Spurs combo of Dele/Eriksen/Son just a bit below the top-3, and United's group of Mata/Mkhitaryan/Rashford also quality.  

Central Midfield

1. Man United
2. Chelsea
3. Spurs
4. Man City
5. Liverpool
6. Arsenal

United, with a healthy Pogba and Matic seem to be a step above Chelsea's combo of Kante and Bakayoto/Fabregas, Spurs CMs of Dier/Dembele/Wanyama/Winks/Sissoko - slightly more defensive oriented than attacking, but good mix.  The rest are each kind of meh, in their own way.  Liverpool - no defensive help, Arsenal - too much defensive help, Man City - depends on where you put De Bruyne (I included him among the AMs), but Fernandinho - does a solid, if unspectacular job.

Fullbacks/WingBacks

1. Chelsea
2. Spurs
3. Man City
4. Arsenal
5. Man United
6. Liverpool

Marcos Alonso, by himself, warrants the top ranking.  Chelsea would be in a little trouble if he were injured though.  Spurs have the best Starter/Back-up fullbacks in the league, when Rose is healthy, and Aurier acclimated to the league, they would challenge Chelsea for the top spot here.  Man City - very thin, but Walker was the top RB last season, and looks like he fits in well with City this season.  Arsenal, seems like they should be ranked higher with Bellerin and Kolasinak/Monreal - but I can't see them above any of the other teams.  United are doing an effective job with some spare parts at WB, and Liverpool are clearly a step behind everyone else at this position.

Center Backs

1. Spurs
2. Chelsea
3. Man United
4. Man City
5. Arsenal
6. Liverpool

Last season's top pair, Alderweireld and Vertonghen added Speed and Strength in Davinson Sanchez - only issue is depth.  I like David Luiz and Azpilicueta - very close to Spurs, and I could see some putting them at the top.  United and City still utilize a back 4 - I like Bailly + anyone more than any combo of Stones/Otamendi/Kompany (if only he could stay healthy).  Nothing special about Arsenal's back line, and they are a step or two ahead of Liverpool...

Goal Keepers

1. Man United
2. Chelsea
3. Man City
4. Spurs
5. Arsenal

DeGea >> Courtois>>Ederson>Lloris>>>Cech

I only ranked 5 here, because it would not be fair to the others to include Mignolet in the same conversation.

Overall Rankings

Chelsea - 12
Spurs - 16
Man City - 17
Man United - 18
Liverpool - 31 
Arsenal - 32

 
Before we do all that, are we absolutely positive that we have nothing more to discuss re: an all-star lineup from nations which made up the former Yugoslavia? Because that was a corker, that was.

 
Of course the other thing we could do, that might be more fun and timely, is to put together all-star teams from the various confederations, and debate who would win that tournament.   Probably have to combine Asia and Oceana.

(Or we could just cut to the chase and pick the best UEFA squad v. CONMEBOL squad - @Eephus can have a side conversation about the best CAF side)

 
I think we should do a best XI from Catalunya, Euskal Herria (Basque Country, including portions of France), and "Rest of Spain".  Players would need to be born in those regions to qualify.

 
NewlyRetired said:
one web site continuously ranks the MLS expansion bids.  Here is the latest...
Click to expand...
I was going to say, that I find it very hard to believe MLS would go with Sacramento and Nashville (great cities I'm sure, but small markets) when they don't know what's really up with the places they really want to be in (San Diego, Detroit, Phoenix, and St Louis).  They still might, but Garber seems to be pushing back the timeline:

Garber: next round of expansion we have to get right. If we can’t get it right in December, we’ll delay it.
Click to expand...
https://twitter.com/byIanThomas/status/915944133654667264

 
We go into this International Break with 8 teams qualified for the World Cup Finals.  This time next week we will know 18 more.

We should be left with:
8 UEFA second place teams fighting for 4 spots.
AFC v CONCACAF for 1 spot.
CONMEBOL v OFC for 1 spot.

:popcorn:

 
Sammy3469 said:
I was going to say, that I find it very hard to believe MLS would go with Sacramento and Nashville (great cities I'm sure, but small markets) when they don't know what's really up with the places they really want to be in (San Diego, Detroit, Phoenix, and St Louis).  They still might, but Garber seems to be pushing back the timeline:

https://twitter.com/byIanThomas/status/915944133654667264
Click to expand...
lots of moving parts it seems.  Wahl is back now, so his usually good sources should be helpful here

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

Grant Wahl‏Verified account @GrantWahl

MLS source says league will clarify Garber's comments, MLS remains on schedule to announce next 2 expansion teams in December

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

Also it is interesting that Garber said this at the same time this key Detroit news appeared

http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2017/10/05/american-motors-ddot-gilbert-jail-proposal/688929001/

A tentative deal to swap the massive former American Motors headquarters in Detroit in exchange for 11 acres of city-owned land needed to build a new criminal justice complex near I-75  has been reached— bringing the $520.3-million offer from billionaire developer Dan Gilbert's Rock Ventures, one step closer to fruition.

The agreement between Wayne County and the City of Detroit comes after officials told the Free Press last week that negotiations were ongoing and both sides were optimistic an agreement would be reached soon.

The deal also pushes forward an effort by a group led by Gilbert and Pistons owner Tom Gores to build a 23,000-seat stadium on the unfinished Gratiot jail site to host a Major League Soccer team. The investment has been estimated at $1 billion. The application for an expansion team filed in January listed only the jail site as a location

 
NewlyRetired said:
lots of moving parts it seems.  Wahl is back now, so his usually good sources should be helpful here

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

Grant Wahl‏Verified account @GrantWahl

MLS source says league will clarify Garber's comments, MLS remains on schedule to announce next 2 expansion teams in December

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

Also it is interesting that Garber said this at the same time this key Detroit news appeared

http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2017/10/05/american-motors-ddot-gilbert-jail-proposal/688929001/

A tentative deal to swap the massive former American Motors headquarters in Detroit in exchange for 11 acres of city-owned land needed to build a new criminal justice complex near I-75  has been reached— bringing the $520.3-million offer from billionaire developer Dan Gilbert's Rock Ventures, one step closer to fruition.

The agreement between Wayne County and the City of Detroit comes after officials told the Free Press last week that negotiations were ongoing and both sides were optimistic an agreement would be reached soon.

The deal also pushes forward an effort by a group led by Gilbert and Pistons owner Tom Gores to build a 23,000-seat stadium on the unfinished Gratiot jail site to host a Major League Soccer team. The investment has been estimated at $1 billion. The application for an expansion team filed in January listed only the jail site as a location
Click to expand...
My guess is that they want at a minimum one big market (Detroit/Phoenix/San Diego/St.Louis...with Tampa last on that list) for any December expansion.  I can't see them going into Nashville with Sacremento.  It's forces their hand for the last 2 (3 I guess) teams.

 
Sammy3469 said:
My guess is that they want at a minimum one big market (Detroit/Phoenix/San Diego/St.Louis...with Tampa last on that list) for any December expansion.  I can't see them going into Nashville with Sacremento.  It's forces their hand for the last 2 (3 I guess) teams.
Click to expand...
The Miami mess throws an added wrench into it as well. 

I think we can rule out both SD and SL for December.  Nothing is happening in St Louis unless a sugar daddy emerges and SD is dead in its tracks until the vote in 2018.  I think it is unlikely that either can change enough to affect anything in December.

But Miami not being ready could cause the owners to change there mind and announce 3 teams in December and push Miami back.  This Detroit news is consistent and appears to have some real traction.  I think they are likely to jump right into the choice if they get it settled by MLS Cup (when the owners will vote).

Cincy is another wild card.  They have to figure the stadium out quickly else they are going to get bumped.

 
Mjolnirs said:
We go into this International Break with 8 teams qualified for the World Cup Finals.  This time next week we will know 18 more.

We should be left with:
8 UEFA second place teams fighting for 4 spots.
AFC v CONCACAF for 1 spot.
CONMEBOL v OFC for 1 spot.

:popcorn:
Click to expand...
Poland won today 6-1 over Armenia (Lewandowski with three).  Montenegro and Denmark play each other this afternoon.  The loser is can't win the group.  If they draw, then Poland is the next to qualify.

 
roadkill1292 said:
Before we do all that, are we absolutely positive that we have nothing more to discuss re: an all-star lineup from nations which made up the former Yugoslavia? Because that was a corker, that was.
Click to expand...
Montenegro losing to Denmark 1-0, while Slovenia is holding its own against England at Webley so far - still scoreless 10 minutes into the second half.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
CletiusMaximus said:
Montenegro losing to Denmark 1-0, while Slovenia is holding its own against England at Webley so far - still scoreless 10 minutes into the second half.
Click to expand...
Kane scores in stoppage time to put England through to Russia.

ETA - and Eriksen's goal holds up for Denmark.

Spurs >>>> Former Yugoslavia....

 
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