The [Horribly Unpopular] Soccer Thread

[Grannyknot]

I hope Celtic wins as well.
I'd love to see them go deep into the tournament.

well, so much for that.
game, set, match.
Unless they can win by 4 goals in Turin :rockin:

 

[MVKTR2]

Haha. I tried to keep my mouth shut cos I don't like talking about my work too often but I felt the need to let people know that the MLS clubs do have youth setups in one fashion or another. Can't possibly comment on how the other clubs do it but the Union's setup does work well.

You'll probably see some 'homegrown' players from their youth setup coming through in around 5 years I reckon.

An important and encouraging note for US soccer is the fact that MLS has only recently taken and been financially capable of taking youth development seriously. The U-18 and below setups are fairly adequate and as ScotBrew references the Philly Union they outline how their development system works online. Where MLS is lacking is in U20 and U23 teams. Generally speaking everywhere in the world 20-21 year olds aren't fit for full time service with senior sides. This hole is what makes the recent MLS-USL Pro partnership announcement so enticing and such a HUGE potential step forward in US soccer player development as it takes a first legitimate concrete step toward addressing this issue. The agreement allows MLS clubs to affiliate with and swap players down to a USL Pro side or run a full on USL Pro team or schedule USL Pro teams as part of it's PDL schedule.

Again using the Union as an example young Zach Pfeffer (sp?) a very promising US player in the Union organization is loaned out to Europe this year in order to get him more playing time as the current PDL-Reserve League schedule is only about 10 games, FAR FAR too few for proper player development. I've got tons more to say on the issue as I place a lot of value on it and believe because there is SO much room for growth in the player development arena of US Soccer that the US still has another fairly large step forward it not only can, but will make on the international soccer stage within the next 12-20 years.

A final word, I'm really cheering for TFC's big investment (huge player development investments/academy) pays off big time for them as it will pressure others to follow suit. Additionally LA Galaxy are currently producing prodigious youth soccer talent with scouts saying that in the past 2 MLS drafts that last year Villareal would have been the #1 draft pick and this year's homegrown player signing Zardes would have probably been evaluated as #1 also by many scouts. On that note I wish MLS would tweak homegrown player salary rules to keep them 'off the books' a fair bit longer to further incentivize team to develop talent.

 

[MVKTR2]

What? There's an MLS insider on here? Awesome!

Being in the soccer (and beer) wastelands of the southeast (MS) what are the odds that the 'soccer insider' is connected to a team I follow. Yet he is! Being 9.5+ hours each way away from my nearest MLS club (Houston whom I just couldn't get attached to) when I decided to follow/back MLS I decided I'd follow one original team and one expansion team from each conference. Thus I chose Chicago, Philly, LA, & Seattle. Not sure exactly how I chose those but those choices were fairly easy, paring it down from there however would be a challenge. Notice I didn't call myself a fan of any of those teams, just a backer or someone whom pulls for them. I keep up with all 4 teams as best I can and watch any MLS game of interest. Always enjoyed watching NYRB under Backe as there were always goals being scored, by them and against their D. Plus there was always drama. Did I mention I hate Timber-Joey! He's gonna have an accident with that chainsaw, it's inevitable!

Btw my b-day gift is gonna be a MLS-Live subscription. I purchased it 2 years ago, and won last years subscription by finishing top 50 in MLS fantasy league play, alas this year my fantasy team stunk so bad I quit playing them! Back to purchasing... but hey it supports the domestic league and that's all good!

 

[ScotBrew]

Like you've mentioned above, the Zach Pfeffer thing REALLY got me interested. As a youth soccer coach for the past 7 years, the youth side of the game always catches my interest. How/why clubs do things different from other clubs etc etc. Anyway, when I say this deal, going to a 2nd division German club, I found it incredibly strange. It was only when I looked into it further, like you say, that he'd hardly have any games here.

I think the MLS needs another expansion team to round up the number and to lower the number of play off teams(IMHO there should only be 4 in the play offs, its FAR too large) and then they really need to concentrate on the structure/youths. Every league should mirror the rest, and they should work in partnership with each other. With proper reserve/youth leagues for the MLS teams also. They could have their reserve teams within this structure also like they do in the Spanish leagues but I think this is what the USL Pro thing is (I've not had the chance to properly look at how it's gonna work)

I agree with the salary cap thing regarding the homegrown players. What is it now? I'm not too sure? I'd probably go with the suggestion that they don't count if they're U23 or something similar. This would mean that the club could bring them through and if they're a proper talent at 22 but don't fit into their salary cap/structure, they could trade/sell/release the player but they've at least got some proper development behind them.

Btw, I would never consider myself as a 'soccer insider'!!! I'm just lucky enough to be involved in the game on a daily basis as my job, and I consider myself very lucky to be on the field coaching players that will hopefully follow their dreams to making it pro.

 

[MVKTR2]

How about the news Friday from Robbie Rogers? Hope he gets life put together, finds some peace and returns to MLS. If not I wish him well.

 

[Grannyknot]

How about the news Friday from Robbie Rogers? Hope he gets life put together, finds some peace and returns to MLS. If not I wish him well.

I guess it is a matter of perspective, but it seems to me that his life is together and he has been "at peace" for some time now.

I think he has decided to retire.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

It's official! Landy Cakes returns in the last week of March!

Plus I just picked up a new laptop for working out of town. Looks like it's time to sign up for MLS Live again.

 

[dwarven_stout]

Plus there was always drama. Did I mention I hate Timber-Joey! He's gonna have an accident with that chainsaw, it's inevitable!

They said Timber Jim was crazy 40 years ago for showing up on the stadium with a chainsaw. With decades of mascot time between Jim and Joey, your "inevitable" looks to be on the same timeline as the Sounders MLS Cup.

 

[Joker]

You do realize the traveling chain saw has no chain on it right? The other remains stuck in a log until needed. Last game we finally got some use out of it.

 

[mrgstiffler]

Got my Thorns season tickets today. Very good deal for 11 games.

 

[dwarven_stout]

You do realize the traveling chain saw has no chain on it right? The other remains stuck in a log until needed. Last game we finally got some use out of it.

I know that, but I don't think that the other dude does.

 

[Joker]

Got my Thorns season tickets today. Very good deal for 11 games.

I wouldn't mind catching a game or two but no way I have the time to make it to that many more soccer games.

Currently the line up for the Timbers is looking very strong. I am excited to see what this season will bring us. Going to the game tonight to see how many time Kenny Cooper flops while playing against the Timbers.

 

[Joker]

I know that, but I don't think that the other dude does.

I should have quoted him.

 

[mrgstiffler]

Going to the game tonight to see how many time Kenny Cooper flops while playing against the Timbers.

Damn double-painted lines...

 

[Grannyknot]

Did anyone get to watch that Liverpool v. Zenit game yesterday?
Man, what a game, I really thought they were going to do it.
Looks like its time for Carragher to hang up his boots.

 

[ScotBrew]

Looks like its time for Carragher to hang up his boots.

He's retiring at the end of the season.

 

[Grannyknot]

He's retiring at the end of the season.

I meant now, like no more starts for him.
Its been almost 3 years since his testimonial match. Time to shut'er down.

 

[ScotBrew]

Just because you have a testimonial doesn't mean you should retire though. Carra is very underrated IMHO. Didn't have a great game but he's actually been pretty decent from what I've seen this season.

 

[mrgstiffler]

I wouldn't mind catching a game or two but no way I have the time to make it to that many more soccer games.

Currently the line up for the Timbers is looking very strong. I am excited to see what this season will bring us. Going to the game tonight to see how many time Kenny Cooper flops while playing against the Timbers.

I know there will be a couple games that I wont be able to make it to. I'll keep you in mind and let you know if I have tickets available for them.

 

[Grannyknot]

Just because you have a testimonial doesn't mean you should retire though. Carra is very underrated IMHO. Didn't have a great game but he's actually been pretty decent from what I've seen this season.

I didn't say he was overrated.
I also didn't say just because he had a testimonial match meant he had to retire, I only mentioned it to note how long he has been playing.
I just think they have better options at CB.
Although all of them seem to suck at passing back to the keeper.

 

[Grannyknot]

%$&!# Gareth Bale.
Sell him to Real Madrid already.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

I was gonna post that same gif. Guy is flat out insane. Shame Wales is garbage so he has no shot of doing anything internationally.

 

[ScotBrew]

I didn't say he was overrated.
I also didn't say just because he had a testimonial match meant he had to retire, I only mentioned it to note how long he has been playing.
I just think they have better options at CB.
Although all of them seem to suck at passing back to the keeper.

Haha I know ya didn't, was just giving ya my opinion that's all!

Re: Bale & internationally, he'll be following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Ryan Giggs. Which is a damn shame.

 

[aygov]

This is definitely Bale's "Shop Window" season. He has been killing it for Spurs and as an Arsenal fan I can't wait till they send him to Spain.

 

[Grannyknot]

massive game this weekend aygov.
hoping for another 5-2.

 

[aygov]

Indeed. I'm not really sure what to expect. I think we'll take em, but we just seem to be prone to disastrous individual mistakes. That coupled with the fact that they will be well and truly up for this game while we seem to have trouble getting up for anything... I'm slightly worried.

 

[beyondink]

COYG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope we are gonna show up this weekend! Cazorla is firing on all cylinders! Szczęsny keep those hands together and for God's sake hold the ball!

 

[Reno_eNVy]

OH SNAP, *******!!

The 2013 MLS season officially kicks off tomorrow. EEEEEEEEEEEEEE SO EXCITED!

And because I'm so stoked, here are the new kits:

Colorado Rapids​

New Primary - The hoops are made up of the season ticket holders names. Slick.

New Secondary - Bright but simple... a cool new look.

Houston Dynamo​

New Primary - No more sunburst. Bright orange. It's what's to be expected from Houston.

New Secondary - This could be great if done with black shorts.

LA Galaxy​

New Secondary - Boldly bland... blandly bold? Also, embossed quasars at the bottom left and top right corners.

Montreal Impact​

New Tertiary - Tons of awesome. A kickback to their championship '98 season.

New York Red Bulls​

New Primary - No change... just bigger sponsor ad

Philadelphia Union​

New Tertiary - A tribute to arguably the best club in the history of American soccer, Bethlehem Steel. Pure. Effing. Class.

Portland Timbers​

New Primary - Not as great as the inaugural kits (seriously, there's no beating those) but the attention to detail and the old-school V neck jersey is appropriate.

New Secondary - Ditched the special Rose City crest and instead embossed a rose over the crest. Pretty dang cool.

Seattle Sounders FC​

New Primary - Dropped the duct tape bra straps, simplified, and added an embossed Space Needle. Nice touch.

New Secondary - Dude.... duuuuuude. These are sick. Great green and blue "Soundwave" stripe.

Sporting Kansas City​

New Primary - Finally have a sponsor, added some dual-state flare. It's almost like they'll never need a secondary.

Toronto FC​

New Primary - Oh Canada! That is all.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC​

New Primary - Awww their inaugural kit was so perfect. This isn't terrible, but just like Portland you're going to be tough-pressed to beat the original.

Chivas USA​

New Secondary - This may be intra-stadium bias, but "blah." All of the other simplified kits had some kind of nod to their city. The new Chivas secondary ditched the trademark stripes and only added the "Rebaño Angelino" seal, which further states that Guadalajara owns you. Not directly, but you get the point.

 

[Grannyknot]

That NYRB v. Portland game was fun to watch.
Lots of new players making an impact, albeit some had a negative impact.
Wonder how long Juninho makes it without injury or just plain exhaustion....

No comment on the Arsenal / Spurs NLD.

 

[aygov]

The Portland NYRB game was indeed a good one. As an Arsenal fan I got a chuckle out of seeing Silvestre again.

The NLD... well... what a perfect way to ruin a nice Sunday morning.