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

Also noticed United had over 4xpg yesterday vs Chelsea, second highest in PL this season.
Not so coincidentally, Rashford was dropped from the team. I saw a rumor that he'll be moved to Barcelona in January transfer market. Love Rashford, high quality guy, but he's been downright terrible this year. One trick pony, trying to take on anyone and everyone 1v1. Bad passing, poor finishing. Not sure there's room for him and Antony doing the same crap.
Rashford has been in bad form this season for sure. Not sure I see him leaving though. Not in January anyway. I think part of his problem is that he isn't getting in behind like he did last year. I think he is missing Casemiro and Erikson more than anyone.

But my complain with him has been his decision making. Dribbling when he should pass, passing when he should shoot, shooting when he should pass. He is getting it all backwards. He constantly tries to dribble 3 guys at the same time instead of getting his head up and serving.

He also seems to not be having fun. Is that because he isn't scoring or is he not scoring because he isnt having fun?


And if all the rumors were true, United's January window would consist of selling Mount, Onana, Rashford, Maguire, Varane, Martial, VdB, Sancho, Antony.....

I think if we are being objective that has always been Rashford’s problem- if anything, last year was a bit of an aberration in that just about everything went well for him with his decision making. I had hoped that ETH had unlocked his potential and he would become a more consistent goal threat - doesn’t seem to be the case.
 
Also noticed United had over 4xpg yesterday vs Chelsea, second highest in PL this season.
Not so coincidentally, Rashford was dropped from the team. I saw a rumor that he'll be moved to Barcelona in January transfer market. Love Rashford, high quality guy, but he's been downright terrible this year. One trick pony, trying to take on anyone and everyone 1v1. Bad passing, poor finishing. Not sure there's room for him and Antony doing the same crap.
Rashford has been in bad form this season for sure. Not sure I see him leaving though. Not in January anyway. I think part of his problem is that he isn't getting in behind like he did last year. I think he is missing Casemiro and Erikson more than anyone.

But my complain with him has been his decision making. Dribbling when he should pass, passing when he should shoot, shooting when he should pass. He is getting it all backwards. He constantly tries to dribble 3 guys at the same time instead of getting his head up and serving.

He also seems to not be having fun. Is that because he isn't scoring or is he not scoring because he isnt having fun?


And if all the rumors were true, United's January window would consist of selling Mount, Onana, Rashford, Maguire, Varane, Martial, VdB, Sancho, Antony.....

I think if we are being objective that has always been Rashford’s problem- if anything, last year was a bit of an aberration in that just about everything went well for him with his decision making. I had hoped that ETH had unlocked his potential and he would become a more consistent goal threat - doesn’t seem to be the case.
Its been an interesting rollercoaster ride for him and Martial. They both burst onto the scene, scoring goals and enjoying themselves. Various struggles happened, then during the covid season the two of them seemed to work together to make sure they each scored. Both had over 20 goals in all comps and looked like they were hitting their potential. But then it all changed again with the Ronaldo affect... And like you said last season just worked for Rashford, but what changed and what's missing this season? Rumors he's back with his GF and his top seasons happened while with her.

Its the hope that kills you, but I hope once he and Hojlund get a few, the flood gates will open and they can become dangerous in the EPL...
 
I am not sure a lifetime ban is enough for the coach and owner in Turkey that attacked the ref. Which ever one (I think it was the owner) kicked him in the head when he was on the ground and fractured his eye socket should be put in prison.
 
I am not sure a lifetime ban is enough for the coach and owner in Turkey that attacked the ref. Which ever one (I think it was the owner) kicked him in the head when he was on the ground and fractured his eye socket should be put in prison.
Yes. Prison sentences for both. This is craziness
 
The amount of people that have kept their mouth shut on this issue is unbelievable.

To have gone this far and still no one has leaked what happened is mind boggling to me and we have made it so far that it sounds like he is getting reinstated by the league.
It's crazy. If he said something racist/sexist/homophobic I can't believe he'd ever coach again. It makes me really want to hear what was actually said.
 
Normally I don't want MLS doing things that no other league does but when something makes so much sense (like the vanishing spray for free kicks), I am ok with it. This below is another one of those times that the rule just makes too much sense to care whether or not other leagues do it

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

Timed Substitution Rule
Maximizing effective match time, the Timed Substitution Rule requires that a substituted player exit the field within 10 seconds. Failure to exit from any point on the field within the 10 seconds will cause the incoming player to wait for a 60-second holding period, before entering the game at the next stoppage. During the holding period and prior to the substitute entering, the team will play down a player. Exceptions to the rule include injury and goalkeeper substitutions.
 
I have not been following the data (is there a site that tracks this?), but with Newcastle and Man United both finishing last in their respective groups, will this effect England's chances to get the 5th UCL spot for next season?
 
The amount of people that have kept their mouth shut on this issue is unbelievable.

To have gone this far and still no one has leaked what happened is mind boggling to me and we have made it so far that it sounds like he is getting reinstated by the league.
It's crazy. If he said something racist/sexist/homophobic I can't believe he'd ever coach again. It makes me really want to hear what was actually said.
I have run the full course from when it first started thinking that he must have said something VERY wrong to flipping almost 180 thinking that he may have said something slightly insensitive and things spiraled the wrong way.

The whole Richie Williams angle makes the entire thing bizarre. From what we know it was Williams who ratted out Arena for what ever he said. And then the Revs let Williams address the media as the face of the team as head coach after Arena had been placed on leave. But then shortly there after Williams himself was removed from the team entirely, almost as if he was complicit in some way.

Also, two other assistant coaches quit in what looked to be a solidarity move backing Arena which is another clue that what ever dumb thing Arena said was likely marginal because no one in going to quit their job for a guy that said something truly horrific IMO.

I have to assume some one in the league office told Arena, just keep your mouth shut and we reinstate you for next season.

Like you, I would love to know the whole story. Arena has made a ton of money in soccer so I would like to think that if he really did nothing wrong he would have tried to clear his name instead of staying quiet, so there is still some smoke there, I just don't know if it was really a true fire or not.
 
Strange numbers from a geek that looks at this too closely.
The Group round of the three European tournaments just finished.
All three are eight groups of four, so 96 matches each.

Champions League 76-40-76 with 296 goals scored
Europa League 80-32-80 with 293 goals scored
Europa Conference League 80-32-80 with 293 goals

The numbers of EL and ECL being the exact same seems just crazy to me.
 
Strange numbers from a geek that looks at this too closely.
The Group round of the three European tournaments just finished.
All three are eight groups of four, so 96 matches each.

Champions League 76-40-76 with 296 goals scored
Europa League 80-32-80 with 293 goals scored
Europa Conference League 80-32-80 with 293 goals

The numbers of EL and ECL being the exact same seems just crazy to me.
I think that Leverkusen was the only undefeated team in all of them.
 
Strange numbers from a geek that looks at this too closely.
The Group round of the three European tournaments just finished.
All three are eight groups of four, so 96 matches each.

Champions League 76-40-76 with 296 goals scored
Europa League 80-32-80 with 293 goals scored
Europa Conference League 80-32-80 with 293 goals

The numbers of EL and ECL being the exact same seems just crazy to me.
I think that Leverkusen was the only undefeated team in all of them.
Not quite.
In CL Real Madrid and Mac City went 6-0-0, and four other teams went undefeated but with draws too.
In EL, yes Leverkusen was the only 6-0-0 team, and one other team undefeated with draws.
In ECL Viktoria Plzen went 6-0-0, and five teams undefeated with draws.

Leverkusen is having a heck of a year.
 
Strange numbers from a geek that looks at this too closely.
The Group round of the three European tournaments just finished.
All three are eight groups of four, so 96 matches each.

Champions League 76-40-76 with 296 goals scored
Europa League 80-32-80 with 293 goals scored
Europa Conference League 80-32-80 with 293 goals

The numbers of EL and ECL being the exact same seems just crazy to me.
I think that Leverkusen was the only undefeated team in all of them.
Not quite.
In CL Real Madrid and Mac City went 6-0-0, and four other teams went undefeated but with draws too.
In EL, yes Leverkusen was the only 6-0-0 team, and one other team undefeated with draws.
In ECL Viktoria Plzen went 6-0-0, and five teams undefeated with draws.

Leverkusen is having a heck of a year.
I think he means when including domestic league and Europe together
 
Normally I don't want MLS doing things that no other league does but when something makes so much sense (like the vanishing spray for free kicks), I am ok with it. This below is another one of those times that the rule just makes too much sense to care whether or not other leagues do it

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

Timed Substitution Rule
Maximizing effective match time, the Timed Substitution Rule requires that a substituted player exit the field within 10 seconds. Failure to exit from any point on the field within the 10 seconds will cause the incoming player to wait for a 60-second holding period, before entering the game at the next stoppage. During the holding period and prior to the substitute entering, the team will play down a player. Exceptions to the rule include injury and goalkeeper substitutions.
I don't mind this. Subs taking a min to walk across the field, clap to the fans, take off tape, etc is a waste. I thought Europe updated to tell players to go off at the nearest point to them? Don't think the refs are enforcing as they should. These are the things they should do to reduce loss of action. Much better than 60min games with clock stopping.
Enforce players going off at the nearest point. Don't let throwins take as long as they do while a player walks up the field 20 yards or a keeper catch the ball with no one around and lie down for 30 secs. It all adds up.
 
I have not been following the data (is there a site that tracks this?), but with Newcastle and Man United both finishing last in their respective groups, will this effect England's chances to get the 5th UCL spot for next season?
This changed a few years ago so not sure how it works now. Doesn't Europa and now Conf League play in? City and WHU winning last year, and everyone else advancing this year might balance it out.
 
This is too bad, I always liked him. I hope he lands on his feet some where

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


Adrian Healey

@AdrianHealey

25 yrs after 1st calling an MLS game, it appears my run with the league has been been ended. To fans & supp grps: Thank you. You are the best thing about this league. You all deserve so much more, so much better. Remember ... without you they are nothing. Good luck Y'all
 
MLS teams will enter their "MLS NEXT PRO" teams in the 2024 Open Cup and not their senior team per Paul Kennedy (@pkedit on Twitter). Basically entering a reserve team.

Does MLS not care about the Open Cup anymore? I don't get the decision.
 
MLS teams will enter their "MLS NEXT PRO" teams in the 2024 Open Cup and not their senior team per Paul Kennedy (@pkedit on Twitter). Basically entering a reserve team.

Does MLS not care about the Open Cup anymore? I don't get the decision.
I think the leagues cup (thanks much to Messi) proved to be such a big hit that the fixture congestion is just too much now as the dates often conflicted especially with MLS trying to not play through international breaks.

I am disappointed because I think the Open Cup is a lovely tournament as a fan but others have said US Soccer does an absolute crap job organizing it which drove MLS nuts over the years. My guess is that MLS pulling out is their way of saying "give us more say in the future and we will come back". That is just speculation on my part.
 
MLS teams will enter their "MLS NEXT PRO" teams in the 2024 Open Cup and not their senior team per Paul Kennedy (@pkedit on Twitter). Basically entering a reserve team.

Does MLS not care about the Open Cup anymore? I don't get the decision.
I think the leagues cup (thanks much to Messi) proved to be such a big hit that the fixture congestion is just too much now as the dates often conflicted especially with MLS trying to not play through international breaks.

I am disappointed because I think the Open Cup is a lovely tournament as a fan but others have said US Soccer does an absolute crap job organizing it which drove MLS nuts over the years. My guess is that MLS pulling out is their way of saying "give us more say in the future and we will come back". That is just speculation on my part.
Oh and I should add US Soccer would be 100% with in its right to remove MLS being sanction as the Division 1 league in the US. One of US Soccer core tenants is that all clubs sanctioned by US Soccer must compete in US Soccer competitions.

And yes I know it (losing sanction) almost certainly won't happen but MLS is playing a dangerous game here, especially when the league has ever so slowly tried to integrate itself in the larger picture of the sport. IMO, this is a massive step in the wrong direction.
 
Are whatever "next pro" teams distinct feeder clubs that play lower down the US football system, or just their internal youth teams that may or may not play in a league separate to the main system? Over here, teams will normally make changes en masse for cup competitions from within their own club, while I agree with the sentiment that clubs should take cups more seriously than they do, if it's just MLS saying as a group we're all just picking weakened teams, deal with it, I don't really see the problem?
 
Are whatever "next pro" teams distinct feeder clubs that play lower down the US football system, or just their internal youth teams that may or may not play in a league separate to the main system? Over here, teams will normally make changes en masse for cup competitions from within their own club, while I agree with the sentiment that clubs should take cups more seriously than they do, if it's just MLS saying as a group we're all just picking weakened teams, deal with it, I don't really see the problem?
Next Pro teams are effectively reserve teams for MLS. These players are not on MLS teams rosters. They do not play in the football system. MLS Next is basically an enormous youth league that is fully run by MLS, not US Soccer.

MLS has typically always used reserved players for the most part for US Open Cup and then if the team advances deep enough teams starts using their main squad all the way to their top starting team.

The main difference now is that MLS has drawn a line in the sand saying no MLS roster player will play in an Open Cup game at all next season, no matter how far a team gets.
 
US Soccer has rejected MLS request to only use MLS Next teams in US Open Cup.

Buckle up, this could get ugly
My guess:

MLS invents a new rule where teams can temporarily expand their rosters for US Open Cup games only, and then use MLS Next Players for those Open Cup games under the guise of the full team.
 
Wow Ajax just lost to Hercules (club, not demigod ) which at first glance I didn’t think was too bad as they are sitting 15th in the Eredivise. But then realized that was Heracles and Hercules is actually a 4th division club. That is crazy almost as bad as if say MK Dons was able to beat a Manchester United in a cup game :mellow:
 
Wow Ajax just lost to Hercules (club, not demigod ) which at first glance I didn’t think was too bad as they are sitting 15th in the Eredivise. But then realized that was Heracles and Hercules is actually a 4th division club. That is crazy almost as bad as if say MK Dons was able to beat a Manchester United in a cup game :mellow:

I totally agree with the announcer, I must say.
 
This is such an odd move, especially now that we know the salary........

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

Tom Bogert
@tombogert

Hugo Lloris will make $350k at LAFC this year, sources can confirm @kbaxter11's report.

26 (!) GKs in MLS made at least $350k or more in 2023.
I thought there were some Saudi clubs trying to sign him. Can't imagine they didn't offer at least 10 times that.... Probably 30 times that. Wonder what pushed him towards LA? And at that salary there had to be half a dozen Ligue 1 teams(maybe even Nice) ready to bring him in where he could've finished his career at home.
 

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