Everything Soccer

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Andrea Pirlo out of contention for Italy job amid flap over deal with Russian betting firm

Andrea Pirlo is out of contention for the Italy job amid political concerns over a sponsorship deal with a Russian betting firm.

apnews.com

Germany gets Klopp. Guardiola says no to Italy, now this.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/report-maldini-leonardo-resign-italy-172000322.html

WTF

 

[IrishLax]

 

[OrlaNDomer]

I am trying to stay in soccer mode and have picked up on watching LAFC. I have to say, I have been entertained and can tell the overall talent level has been raised since I last tried to give MLS a try about 10 years ago.

As an Orlando City supporter and season ticket holder for 10 years the level has definitely advanced but still miles away from a top league. The biggest issue is MLS itself. It’s FIFA levels of corruption. Worst officiated league in the world and clear favoritism to Miami and Messi. They’ve literally re-writtten salary cap and roster rules mid season to accommodate Miami.

 

[Fbolt]

I certainly enjoy calling people out! Beautiful!

 

[Huntr]

Mancini in for Italy

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

The Infanntino rampant capitalism era won't be forever. I could see FIFA moving back to a more culture focused WC in future

https://news.sky.com/story/uefa-fury-as-fifa-boss-wants-to-sell-shares-in-world-cup-spin-off-venture-13567834

Not looking great.

Sepp Blatter before him. He'll just be replaced by another grifting scumbag.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Mancini in for Italy

As Technical Commissioner.

Claudio Ranieri has been named FIGC Technical Director and President.

 

[Huntr]

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I will be worried until they announce it is done. My first inclination was that he would leave. Let's hope this news is true and they're working toward getting a deal locked in to keep him.

 

[fightingirish26]

Assumed poch would head back to club football, but maybe the lifestyle difference between managing club vs international is something he values

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Assumed poch would head back to club football, but maybe the lifestyle difference between managing club vs international is something he values

Hopefully that is the case.

They need to lock him up fast in the event that Scaloni is done at Argentina. We can safely assume that Argentina would call Poch and he'd likely accept.

Scaloni's contract is up in December and he won't have Messi in four years most likely.

 

[calvegas04]

 

[IrishLax]

I think it's the right move, now they just need to let him cook for four years. Long term, leaning into athleticism with the high press is the way to go.

 

[Dale]

The most industry plant an industry plant has ever been:

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Big money from the private sector to back Pochettino.

They're going to have to take every tournament seriously now. Gold Cup, Nations League, etc. Play to win. The best guys need to show up if they're fit. Simple as that.

 

[jerseyborn1971]

They need some guys with attitude. Some leaders that aren't the "elder statesman who's leadership is understated". They need a bad ass who's not intimidated by these big name teams.

 

[fightingirish26]

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

They need some guys with attitude. Some leaders that aren't the "elder statesman who's leadership is understated". They need a bad ass who's not intimidated by these big name teams.

Probably true. They could use some Dempsey/Donovan/Howard types. I'd rather have better tactics, execution and a deeper roster.

The roster and talent has gotten better. There is no question about that. The next level of this is having guys who are one of the top three dudes at their club in Europe. Preferably bigger clubs in Europe.

There wasn't enough swagger and attitude to get them by Belgium. That team was tactically miles better than the USMNT and showed it from the jump. Then they lost to Spain 1-0.

 

[NDWarrior]

FCOL, can the Kushner and Trump families and their corrupt collaborators please stay away from FIFA and World Cup Soccer - They have plenty of other things to focus on to ruin the world; please don't make ruining World Cup Soccer one of them. End of rant.

 

[Fbolt]

.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

FCOL, can the Kushner and Trump families and their corrupt collaborators please stay away from FIFA and World Cup Soccer - They have plenty of other things to focus on to ruin the world; please don't make ruining World Cup Soccer one of them. End of rant.

100%. FIFA can do the job on their own, anyway.

 

[jerseyborn1971]

Probably true. They could use some Dempsey/Donovan/Howard types. I'd rather have better tactics, execution and a deeper roster.

The roster and talent has gotten better. There is no question about that. The next level of this is having guys who are one of the top three dudes at their club in Europe. Preferably bigger clubs in Europe.

There wasn't enough swagger and attitude to get them by Belgium. That team was tactically miles better than the USMNT and showed it from the jump. Then they lost to Spain 1-0.

As Herb Brooks would say, "We aren't good enough to win on talent alone." We'll probably never be. We're going to need to be scrappers to getting the quarters of any world cup. We'll have to be scrappers and lucky to get past that. We're just never going to have the same talent as the Top 5-6 teams in the world.

 

[NDRock]

The most industry plant an industry plant has ever been:

Freddy was shooting guns down the road from me a couple weeks ago. Pretty funny.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

As Herb Brooks would say, "We aren't good enough to win on talent alone." We'll probably never be. We're going to need to be scrappers to getting the quarters of any world cup. We'll have to be scrappers and lucky to get past that. We're just never going to have the same talent as the Top 5-6 teams in the world.

This is not as true as it used to be. They've been scrapping for decades. When you look at the roster and the clubs these guys play for compared to 2002, there has been significant progress.

The U.S. isn't in the Spain or France tier on pure talent, but we're also not some plucky underdog that has to rely on grit and luck just to reach the quarterfinals. We have enough players at top European clubs that making the Round of 16 should be the expectation, and a quarterfinal run is realistic with the right draw and good coaching. Luck always helps in a tournament. Us acting like the USMNT can only succeed by out-scrapping everyone sells the talent pool short.

The gap to the top is real, but it's smaller than it was before. Focus on the technical aspect of the sport and FFS fix the youth system.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Gianni Infantino’s senior advisor quits over FIFA’s World Cup plans: ‘It is mortgaging football’s future’

Carlos Cordeiro, 70, had been in the role for five years. He described FIFA's plans as a "bad deal."

www.nytimes.com

 

[jerseyborn1971]

I think a tougher, scrappier team doesn't get taken to the woodshed by a Belgium team that needed a miracle 10 minutes to beat Senegal. We got pounded because are admittedly more talented guys than previous teams had a deer in the headlights look when the game kicked off. And outside of 1 or 2 guys, no one responded. The talent is better, but I don't think they even believe they really belong in the top tier yet. We need someone who's going to get them to believe. Who's going to take the reigns and show them.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I think a tougher, scrappier team doesn't get taken to the woodshed by a Belgium team that needed a miracle 10 minutes to beat Senegal. We got pounded because are admittedly more talented guys than previous teams had a deer in the headlights look when the game kicked off. And outside of 1 or 2 guys, no one responded. The talent is better, but I don't think they even believe they really belong in the top tier yet. We need someone who's going to get them to believe. Who's going to take the reigns and show them.

Jersey, it's the same song and dance with American sports. Things don't go well, fans question heart, effort and toughness. It wasn't mentality or lack of belief that made them lose to Belgium. Belgium is better.

There is a tactical gap and Belgium exposed it. They were better on the ball, more organized and they pounced on every mistake. The Balogun red card was a distraction and it pissed Belgium off, which is just what they needed after surviving Senegal. In tournament play.

The players, system, tactics and skill have to be good enough. Right now, they are not. There needs to be more progress built upon the progress they've already made.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Max Arfsten finalizing transfer to Middlesbrough, will team with USMNT’s Berhalter, Morris: Sources

The wingback will leave the Columbus Crew for the EFL Championship, joining a pair of familiar faces

www.nytimes.com

It doesn't get tougher than the Championship. Middlesbrough will be fighting for promotion again. Great to have these USMNT guys there for that.

Northeast England, too. Good stuff.

 

[dublinirish]

Gianni Infantino’s senior advisor quits over FIFA’s World Cup plans: ‘It is mortgaging football’s future’

Carlos Cordeiro, 70, had been in the role for five years. He described FIFA's plans as a "bad deal."

www.nytimes.com

Gianni risked it all for his billionaire pals and now he's probably on the outs