Everything Soccer

[Rogue219]

Definitely agree with this here. The people that always use the, we have 300+ million in the country argument have a flawed one. China and India never make noise. It's all about development, retaining top athletic talent in soccer (not letting them slide away to football, basketball, etc.), and expanding the academies. It's very tough since the USA has not had a system built like other countries, therefore it's about playing catch up. Think of how good the USMNT would have been from 2006-Present with a viable and working youth system in place. Especially the 2014 team.

The population of the US is an indictment on their developmental program. The United States isn't China and India athletically. We have the people AND the resources, in addition to the "want to." I don't know that India and China want to be good at men's soccer. There's zero reason why the USMNT shouldn't be better than they've been. We have the pool to pick from. The issue is two fold:

1. Casting the net wider and making it affordable for kids to get into the program.
2. Improving the developmental program and process once they're in.

There are more than enough athletes to go around, especially when participation in the other four major sports is dropping. They can seize the moment and capitalize on boosting their numbers.

 

[ACamp1900]

USL on ESPN2 right now... NICE!!!!

 

[NorthDakota]

Finishing in the Top Four on a regular basis is important. Liverpool is proving that, and Klopp seems to hit on the guys he wants more than he's missed so far.

Fekir deal looks to be back on too. They are mounting a challenge to City.

Should be a very fun Premier League season again.

Klopp does seem to be hitting on "his" guys. Willing to splash the cash. Fekir...man, could fit in the front three possibly or maybe even in Lallana's spot if necessary.


Alisson
Clyne/TRR Lovren VVD Robertson

Hendo/Fabinho

Keita Fekir/Lallana

Salah Bobby Firmino Mane

Bench: pretty strong.

They won't likely be as deep as City but wow could this be one hell of a team.

 

[IrishLion]

USL on ESPN2 right now... NICE!!!!

Cincy’s center backs both scored in the first 30 minutes on set pieces. That’s the first time all year either of them had scored lol.

Idk if you watched the whole match, but Cincy’s star player (Ledesma) scored an olimpico midway through the second half, but the ref waved it off for a phantom foul on the goalie, who hadn’t even been touched.

 

[ACamp1900]

Cincy’s center backs both scored in the first 30 minutes on set pieces. That’s the first time all year either of them had scored lol.

Idk if you watched the whole match, but Cincy’s star player (Ledesma) scored an olimpico midway through the second half, but the ref waved it off for a phantom foul on the goalie, who hadn’t even been touched.

I saw that... lol

 

[Rogue219]

Klopp does seem to be hitting on "his" guys. Willing to splash the cash. Fekir...man, could fit in the front three possibly or maybe even in Lallana's spot if necessary.


Alisson
Clyne/TRR Lovren VVD Robertson

Hendo/Fabinho

Keita Fekir/Lallana

Salah Bobby Firmino Mane

Bench: pretty strong.

They won't likely be as deep as City but wow could this be one hell of a team.

They need to keep Mignolet as the back up and loan Karius somewhere he will start every match. Selling Ward was smart.

Potential second team:

Mignolet/Karius
Clyne
Moreno
Matip
Gomez/Klavan
Milner
Wijnaldum
Lallana
Shaqiri
Woodburn
Solanke

They have Ings, Sturridge and Origi to sort out. Plus Markovic, Ojo and Grujic.

Lyon announced they're having a special World Cup ceremony for Fekir at their opener. Klopp hinted Allison will be his last signing.

Hard to say here. Keita looked dead and it happened. They ended up getting Van Dijk in the end, just at the following window. I'm guessing if Klopp wants Fekir, and Fekir wants Liverpool, something will get done.

Should be interesting. Fekir or not, Liverpool have had a very good summer.

 

[Rogue219]

Sounds like Alisson Becker will be at Liverpool. 75 million euros. Love that Pool is throwing down big money for starting 11 players.

A few weeks ago, Klopp said they were not after a keeper and that Danny Ward could be LFC's number one. They got Allison.

I think they're denying interest in Fekir to knock a leg out from under Lyon in the negotiations. The deal was done, he passed his medical and then it fell off. It's clear Klopp wants Fekir and Fekir wants Liverpool. I don't see this deal being dead yet. Not when Liverpool have shown this much ambition this summer.

They had Emre Can's replacement signed before Can was even gone. They closed Shaqiri quickly after Switzerland was eliminated from the World Cup. Allison was done very fast.

Chelsea is going to be the other team to watch in the Premier League for the rest of the window. That situation is going to be interesting depending on what plays out, if anything.

 

[notredomer23]

Pulisic to Chelsea picking up a bit of steam

 

[dublinirish]

Jose acting like he wants to get fired. Folks predicting he won't make it past 5 games

 

[IrishLion]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hearing <a href="https://twitter.com/fccincinnati?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fccincinnati</a> will announce 2 new signings from <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MLS</a>...Fanendo Adi & Fatai Alashe will be in Cincinnati to finish the 2018 <a href="https://twitter.com/USL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USL</a> season. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLSALLSTAR?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLSALLSTAR</a></p>— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) <a href="https://twitter.com/TaylorTwellman/status/1023673339511025664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Acamp's MLS expertise will have to confirm for me, but my understanding from reddit and Twitter is that this is a pretty solid start in terms of the MLS roster, and will result in running roughshod over USL competition for the rest of the year.

I love that Cincy is apparently going scorched-earth on the USL on their way out.

 

[notredomer23]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hearing <a href="https://twitter.com/fccincinnati?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fccincinnati</a> will announce 2 new signings from <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MLS</a>...Fanendo Adi & Fatai Alashe will be in Cincinnati to finish the 2018 <a href="https://twitter.com/USL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USL</a> season. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLSALLSTAR?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLSALLSTAR</a></p>— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) <a href="https://twitter.com/TaylorTwellman/status/1023673339511025664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Acamp's MLS expertise will have to confirm for me, but my understanding from reddit and Twitter is that this is a pretty solid start in terms of the MLS roster, and will result in running roughshod over USL competition for the rest of the year.

I love that Cincy is apparently going scorched-earth on the USL on their way out.

Adi is a phenomenal pick up. He's had a below average season but he's a beast. He scores goals in bunches too so if he gets one, expect another.

Alashe has been one of the few bright spots on a terrible San Jose squad.

Both great starts for Cincy, and I love that they are doing it while still in USL. Will let them really develop some chemistry with a lot of the players who are likely to stay.

 

[IrishLion]

Adi is a phenomenal pick up. He's had a below average season but he's a beast. He scores goals in bunches too so if he gets one, expect another.

Alashe has been one of the few bright spots on a terrible San Jose squad.

Both great starts for Cincy, and I love that they are doing it while still in USL. Will let them really develop some chemistry with a lot of the players who are likely to stay.

You are now subbed in as my go-to on MLS info.

I gotta spread the love, but sending spiritual reps.

 

[notredomer23]

You are now subbed in as my go-to on MLS info.

I gotta spread the love, but sending spiritual reps.

Haha, I am sure ACamp watches just as much as me, I just spread love to all the other leagues as well.

It will be interesting to see what Cincy does in regards to DPs. Hope they go the new NYCFC or ATL route and not the LAG or original NYCFC route.

Adi is an interesting forward. He can go on streaks of no goals for 5-6 games, but then will get you back to back braces. His hold up play is always great though. Pretty good distributor for a forward.

 

[IrishLion]

Haha, I am sure ACamp watches just as much as me, I just spread love to all the other leagues as well.

It will be interesting to see what Cincy does in regards to DPs. Hope they go the new NYCFC or ATL route and not the LAG or original NYCFC route.

How many DP slots do you get? I'm pretty sure Adi is the first.

In general, though, Cincy is a mid-sized market. If the MLS club follows the other professional teams in town, they'll have one or two stars, and the rest of the team will have to be built intelligently and developed over a three or four year cycle. If they think they have gotten their development right once they enter one of their predicted cycles, that's when they'll drop the extra cash to try and get over the top.

 

[notredomer23]

How many DP slots do you get? I'm pretty sure Adi is the first.

You get 3. I'd be surprised if Adi was a DP. He seems like a guy they'd pay a $1M to $1.5M for which they'd be able to buy his contract down to below a DP level with TAM or GAM (stupid mechanisms you will quickly learn about as you get into MLS).

 

[ACamp1900]

Adi is a great pickup... he will be fun for you to watch for sure. Yeah, he could go wild in the USL. 23 is no upgrade on me tho, not because I’m special,... we are both equally numbskulled...

 

[notredomer23]

Yeah, anyone whose two top leagues are MLS and SPL definitely has a few loose screws

 

[ACamp1900]

Yeah, anyone whose two top leagues are MLS and SPL definitely has a few loose screws

SP F L.... and yes I knew in this thread it’d go there.... whatever.

 

[Rogue219]

Jose acting like he wants to get fired. Folks predicting he won't make it past 5 games

I don't know about five games, but there is a VERY good chance they have an implosion and he's gone. It's July and he's already in mid-season miserable prick mode.

I think City and Liverpool have him thinking he's in trouble. Pretty defeatist attitude if that's the case, but he was babbling the other day about how much money Liverpool have spent this summer.

 

[dublinirish]

I don't know about five games, but there is a VERY good chance they have an implosion and he's gone. It's July and he's already in mid-season miserable prick mode.

I think City and Liverpool have him thinking he's in trouble. Pretty defeatist attitude if that's the case, but he was babbling the other day about how much money Liverpool have spent this summer.

yeah he's basically acting like he's mad they didnt sign ronaldo or bale. the board don't trust his transfer acumen i reckon and there's a huge disconnect there.

 

[ACamp1900]

yeah he's basically acting like he's mad they didnt sign ronaldo or bale. the board don't trust his transfer acumen i reckon and there's a huge disconnect there.

Odd, why bring him on in the first place if you aren't going to trust his transfer acumen, at least a little bit...

 

[dublinirish]

Odd, why bring him on in the first place if you aren't going to trust his transfer acumen, at least a little bit...

Problem is he hates working with kids under 25/26. he only wants experienced players who can come in and make immediate impact with little coaching from him. But the problem is such players are totally overpriced in modern football. You have to take changes on 20-22 year olds and coach them up and develop them and they either become stars or have some value to sell on at a future date. Jose has no interest/patience in that. Basically his philosophy/preferences are totally incompatible with a club like United.

 

[Rogue219]

Odd, why bring him on in the first place if you aren't going to trust his transfer acumen, at least a little bit...

I highly doubt he was their first choice, but he was available. He can clean house for them and then they bring in who they want. I'm still convinced Pochettino will be there soon.

 

[Rogue219]

Problem is he hates working with kids under 25/26. he only wants experienced players who can come in and make immediate impact with little coaching from him. But the problem is such players are totally overpriced in modern football. You have to take changes on 20-22 year olds and coach them up and develop them and they either become stars or have some value to sell on at a future date. Jose has no interest/patience in that. Basically his philosophy/preferences are totally incompatible with a club like United.

They improved their league standing last year, but their attack didn't improve at all.

David deGea is probably keeping them in the Top Four. Even with Jose parking his bus more often than not, deGea has been tremendous over the years.

 

[nsisk157]

I highly doubt he was their first choice, but he was available. He can clean house for them and then they bring in who they want. I'm still convinced Pochettino will be there soon.

No.

 

[fightingirish26]

No.

You're right, he'll probably be somewhere in Spain

 

[ACamp1900]

On a slightly related note FIFA announced they poached UCL licensing from PES last month. Which is something I've wanted for YEARS now... my dream has been UCL and Celtic Park in FIFA.

So of course PES follows that up with a number of team exclusives (stadiums, player faces, songs, etc...) and one of their headliners is Celtic.

 

[Rogue219]

You're right, he'll probably be somewhere in Spain

"Somewhere" meaning Barcelona or Real?

He's never won a trophy as a manager. I'm wondering if he gets a big job like United, Barca or Real with that said.

I think he'd be a force with United's resources.

 

[dublinirish]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/aug/01/mls-state-of-the-league-don-garber

 

[Emcee77]

Problem is he hates working with kids under 25/26. he only wants experienced players who can come in and make immediate impact with little coaching from him. But the problem is such players are totally overpriced in modern football. You have to take changes on 20-22 year olds and coach them up and develop them and they either become stars or have some value to sell on at a future date. Jose has no interest/patience in that. Basically his philosophy/preferences are totally incompatible with a club like United.

So true.

dublin, did you attend Man U/Liverpool in the Big House? It was stunning to see how different the Liverpool kids look compared to the Man U kids. Klopp has clearly put his stamp on the club all the way down to the Academy. Not so Mourinho. Someone on Twitter called the friendly "90 minutes of nothingness" from United. I thought it was a good description. The team he put out in that friendly just went through the motions, no cohesion or drive. It was a good illustration of what you are talking about; Jose just has no interest in coaching up kids.

Also that Shaqiri overhead kick ... Wow. It was wonderful to see how confident and comfortable Shaqiri looked playing as the most advanced central midfielder, a la Ox for much of last year. I expected LFC to stick him on the wing, but if he can play the Ox role this year, that would be huge.