The [Horribly Unpopular] Soccer Thread

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

MLS can get as big as the US market lets it. Face it if MLS gets big and makes TV deals like the NBA or MLB then they can afford top players either through scouting and signing young guys or sniping a few greats.

It doesn't need a UEFA Champions League, it needs it's own prestige. It has to rely on itself. I think the first step is building up quality American prospects to get noticed on the national level who'll then draw more fans in.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Is anyone else excited for Landon's return? haha

Honestly though, the USMNT is better with him there giving it his all, but if he's gonna be a distraction I don't want him. If he's there giving 100% the US is better for it. If he's there to subvert the coach then let him leave and thanks for the years of effort. Guys who buy into Klinsmann's ways have improved.

 

[ScotBrew]

You said the correct word there - distraction. There's more to the national team than Landon Donovan.

And with more MLS teams expanding their academies, Union are introducing U14's this summer, the only way is up. However, the league needs to allow 'homegrown' players in to their teams. There's a limit on how many a club can include in their squad but I can't remember how many it is.

 

[hopstupid]

Southampton fc looked great today, so easy on the eye to watch. They have wins again Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea

 

[BrewKnurd]

Fun fact: there have been as many if not more different league champions in MLSs 17 year history than the entire history of either Premiere League or La Liga.

Ok, but the "entire history" of the premier league is all of 20 years. No denying that there's more variety of winners in mls vs premier league, but your wording implies that the premier league has been around for ages.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Ok, but the "entire history" of the premier league is all of 20 years. No denying that there's more variety of winners in mls vs premier league, but your wording implies that the premier league has been around for ages.

My bad. But after looking at the history of England First Division champions, there really aren't that many considering the lengthy history.

Serie A also seems to have a small champion pool.

 

[hopstupid]

Ok, but the "entire history" of the premier league is all of 20 years. No denying that there's more variety of winners in mls vs premier league, but your wording implies that the premier league has been around for ages.

Also the winner is the team with the most points. They don't have a tournament at the end of the regular season.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Also the winner is the team with the most points. They don't have a tournament at the end of the regular season.

Well sure, but MLS recognizes both. Most points in the season is the Supporters Shield winner. The winner of the playoffs in MLS Cup champion.

 

[HoppyDaze]

So what's with the stupid scarves the fans wear? I find it inexcusable.

 

[hopstupid]

Well sure, but MLS recognizes both. Most points in the season is the Supporters Shield winner. The winner of the playoffs in MLS Cup champion.

It makes it a lot easier for the smaller clubs to get hot in the tournament and win the championship. In the European leagues teams can get relegated that adds a whole other level of excitement that no sport in the USA has.

 

[BrewKnurd]

Well sure, but MLS recognizes both. Most points in the season is the Supporters Shield winner. The winner of the playoffs in MLS Cup champion.

Yeah, they recognize both, but who gets invited to the white house? Who gets referred to as the MLS champions (I understand that the official title would be MLS Cup Champions, but anytime someone says "MLS Champions", they're not talking about the supporters shield winner). I think its hard to argue that the MLS cup, i.e. the playoff format, is not the one that is held in highest regard in MLS.

Interestingly, if you look at the supporters shield vs the MLS cup, 8 teams have won the supporters shield vs 9 for the MLS Cup. So at least in the case of the MLS, it hasn't been a situation where meaningfully more teams have won the MLS cup, even though it would seem playoff format should lead to more variability due to the "hot streak" scenario.

Honestly, if major European leagues had the same salary cap structure as the MLS, I would expect more parity there as well.

 

[Dragon30]

Got to tell you, I was expecting the Mexicans to run all over us too. I can't explain it. Were they that bad or we that good? I'm talking defensively only! With Jozy as the top choice forward, our chances of offense are pretty poor. For his size, he just doesn't impress me.
Central Defense played well in Mexico. Could have had a penalty called on us, but wasn't.

 

[BrewKnurd]

Got to tell you, I was expecting the Mexicans to run all over us too. I can't explain it. Were they that bad or we that good? I'm talking defensively only! With Jozy as the top choice forward, our chances of offense are pretty poor. For his size, he just doesn't impress me.
Central Defense played well in Mexico. Could have had a penalty called on us, but wasn't.

Mexico did run all over us. But they couldn't turn their domination into goals, which is both a testament to the US defense and a knock on the Mexican execution, both in creating chances and converting.

Jozy is a quality forward. He held the ball up well against Mexico. He hasn't scored in forever, but when was the last time he got any decent service where you thought, boy, he should have converted that one. He's not great at creating something out of nothing, but very few players are. Just look at what he's doing for AZ, where he actually gets good service from his surrounding players.

 

[Grannyknot]

Anyone follow the Scottish Premier League?
If so, can someone explain the proposed restructuring of the league system?
As in, what is the purpose of consolidating to 3 divisions, but then going back to 4 divisions, with only 8 teams in the top 3?

 

[Reno_eNVy]

I'd be willing to bet it's money issues. From what I understand a lot of SPL clubs are hurting financially.

 

[starsman20]

Been watching soccer now for about 6 months Channels showed up on fios. What's with the refs in international play? They suck. Bpl seems better for refs. I don't think they have rooted out all the playoffs. Champions league is the worst.

 

[Grannyknot]

I'd be willing to bet it's money issues. From what I understand a lot of SPL clubs are hurting financially.

Indeed. I'm a little worried about Hearts going into administration.
If that happens, along with the restructuring, it will be another pompey in the making.

I'm guessing its just a way of consolidating the distribution of tv revenues?

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Goal Line Technology is official, mofos!

http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organ...tml?intcmp=fifacom_hp_module_media_statements

 

[Punity]

Good god finally

 

[Grannyknot]

Well, there it was...the lack of consistency.
Karim Benzema raised a boot to a players chest in a 50/50 challenge, no card, no foul.

I'm sure the United fan boys will be blowing up the internet with GIFs.

 

[FlyDoctor]

Oh I know you were implying UEFA. My issue with putting a huge emphasis on UEFA Champions League is that these European leagues are soooo proud of not having playoffs when that's essentially what CL is.

Yes, MLSers don't change clubs in order to be on a CCL club but you can be darn sure they would change to be on a playoff club. Not only that but the participating CCL and MLS playoffs clubs are constantly shifting. Fun fact: there have been as many if not more different league champions in MLSs 17 year history than the entire history of either Premiere League or La Liga. That just makes it more exciting than the same four clubs winning the league or the same clubs over and over in Champions League.

I disagree here the champions league is not the same as play-offs. Particularly since the teams are all from different leagues. I have no problem with the play offs in MLS - but his is not a fair comparison.

 

[HoppyDaze]

Are the Timbers going to make the playoffs? I assume it would be good for the league if they were perinial contestants in post season play?

 

[Reno_eNVy]

I disagree here the champions league is not the same as play-offs. Particularly since the teams are all from different leagues. I have no problem with the play offs in MLS - but his is not a fair comparison.

Well, technically they are regional playoffs to not only win the tournament but to qualify for the Club World Cup.

I consider them playoffs if you venture out of leagues and into regions. The best clubs from the countries in the confederation come together to see who is best, just like in MLS the best clubs during the regular season come together to see who is best.

 

[BrewKnurd]

Well, technically they are regional playoffs to not only win the tournament but to qualify for the Club World Cup.

I consider them playoffs if you venture out of leagues and into regions. The best clubs from the countries in the confederation come together to see who is best, just like in MLS the best clubs during the regular season come together to see who is best.

Sure, but it's a playoff between teams that don't necessarily play each other in the "regular season", so there's a very significant difference there. If it was just like in the mls, it would be between teams who had already played an entire season against each other.

That said, for the current mls structure with unbalanced schedules, some sort of playoff makes sense. In leagues where it's straight home and away between all teams, no need for a playoff. You already determined the best team over the course of the season. All a playoff does is artificially over value a handful of games at the end of the season over all others.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Ha I know I'm just seeing if I can put together a good enough argument. But it's been hard since this week since this job I've been on has me all sleep deprived.

But, as far as the schedule, I think playoffs should be in MLS either way. The typical American sports fan loves playoffs because we love the underdog stories. And in general the playoffs create a lot of amazing play and drama/controversy. Which is fun to watch

 

[Grannyknot]

Well, there it was...the lack of consistency.
Karim Benzema raised a boot to a players chest in a 50/50 challenge, no card, no foul.

I'm sure the United fan boys will be blowing up the internet with GIFs.

Just to follow up on this...
http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/w...n-united-benzema-got-nothing-for-real-madrid/

Sorry to harp on this, but like I said before I'm awfully tired of English teams being on the wrong end of the inconsistent calls (or no calls) in european tournaments.

 

[aygov]

That definitely should have been a red.

As he got nothing you'd think UEFA could review it or something like that, but they won't.

 

[hopstupid]

I thought this should of been a red card in the man u game

 

[tennesseean_87]

For once a footballer had a reason to grab his face! (If there was even contact, it didn't seem clear from the video I watched).

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

I thought this should of been a red card in the man u game

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KcqbMheJa4

That probably should have been (Rafael's hand wasn't in a natural position) but that's irrelevant to the hypocrisy of the 2 situations. Nani's foul was about 10 times less dangerous than Benzema's