Everything Soccer

[GowerND11]

Does anyone here think the MLS will ever adopt the Aug.-May schedule? Would really be interesting if done, though I don't know how well it would go in the USA/Canada.

 

[ACamp1900]

Does anyone here think the MLS will ever adopt the Aug.-May schedule? Would really be interesting if done, though I don't know how well it would go in the USA/Canada.

There is always talk... it won't happen soon if ever but I would put it under possible category. I think the growth of the sport/league over the next ten years plays heavy into that.

 

[Emcee77]

Does anyone here think the MLS will ever adopt the Aug.-May schedule? Would really be interesting if done, though I don't know how well it would go in the USA/Canada.

There is always talk... it won't happen soon if ever but I would put it under possible category. I think the growth of the sport/league over the next ten years plays heavy into that.

Interesting. I've often wondered about this.

Weather would present a challenge for parts of the league. I mean, you can't play soccer in the zero-degree weather Chicago is having right now, for example. But maybe MLS could have a winter break, a la the Russian league, which I believe shuts down from December to March.

 

[GowerND11]

Interesting. I've often wondered about this.

Weather would present a challenge for parts of the league. I mean, you can't play soccer in the zero-degree weather Chicago is having right now, for example. But maybe MLS could have a winter break, a la the Russian league, which I believe shuts down from December to March.

They do. I think the important part of moving to a schedule like Russia's would be to have the MLS get split. It would be hard IMO to justify having an Aug.-May schedule with 30+ teams in one league, especially if you incorporate a break like they do.

 

[ACamp1900]

Interesting. I've often wondered about this.

Weather would present a challenge for parts of the league. I mean, you can't play soccer in the zero-degree weather Chicago is having right now, for example. But maybe MLS could have a winter break, a la the Russian league, which I believe shuts down from December to March.

I'm sure there are numerous factors (like the weather you touched upon) but the main reason they took on the calendar they did was to avoid competing with TV viewing AND stadium usage of American football (CFB and NFL). I think if the league/sport grows to where they are comfortable with going toe to toe, and no longer share any stadiums, then I think they will ultimately make that move... that's why I see it as possible, but much further down the road.

**The EPL and it's place may help, it has shown earlier games can fit nicely on Saturdays and Sundays... maybe the MLS tries early game of the weeks at some point?? But again, you're competing with a bigger force at the present time (EPL). That can all change over the course of the next decade though, lot of factors there.

 

[GowerND11]

I'm sure there are numerous factors (like the weather you touched upon) but the main reason they took on the calendar they did was to avoid competing with TV viewing AND stadium usage of American football (CFB and NFL). I think if the league/sport grows to where they are comfortable with going toe to toe, and no longer share any stadiums, then I think they will ultimately make that move... that's why I see it as possible, but much further down the road.

Agreed about the competition aspect with football. I would argue that, at least, in shared stadiums conversion from football to soccer (and vice versa) would have to be an easier task that football to baseball (though thank god that is almost done, looking at you Oakland).

 

[ACamp1900]

looking at you Oakland.

They need to just contract that cancer of a franchise anyway...........




















Go Angels.

 

[notredomer23]

Interesting. I've often wondered about this.

Weather would present a challenge for parts of the league. I mean, you can't play soccer in the zero-degree weather Chicago is having right now, for example. But maybe MLS could have a winter break, a la the Russian league, which I believe shuts down from December to March.

This.

But ultimately it is all irrelevant if MLS would just follow the FIFA breaks. The fact that they don't honor the FIFA breaks now when some teams like NYCFC, Toronto, and Atlanta each have 7+ players that represent international teams is super messed up.

NYC this coming season will have players representing the following countries:
USA (2)
Norway
Paraguay
Venezuela
Luxembourg
Finland
Sweden
Peru
Benin
Ghana
Costa Rica (2)

This is about double what they had last year, but even then, it is absurd that you could ask a team to play without 7 of their best players let alone as many as 13.

Atlanta would be without any given matchday because of international play:
Darlington Nagbe
Brad Guzan
Greg Garza
Miguel Almiron
Josef Martinez
Romario Williams

Not to mention they have about 5 youth national teamers that would get called up during these breaks as well so they couldn't even replace the starters.

This will always be my biggest beef with MLS. Just follow the damn breaks.

 

[IrishLion]

Just copped my tickets to FC Cincinnati's home opener against defending USL champs Louisville City FC.

There's probably gonna be 30k+ in Nippert, ready to get HYYYYYYYPPPPPEEEEEE.


Hopefully this is the last home opener they have in the USL...

 

[ACamp1900]

Six year anniversary of Rangers getting liquidated... saw this poem on a Celtic board:

Sashes to ashes, dust goes to dust
Been 6 year since huns went a bust
Bluebells are blue, shamrocks are green
we paid our tax bill whilst huns screwed the Queen.

This rivalry never gets old.

 

[Emcee77]

Citrus slaughter in Portugal!!! Love it for the Reds.

I'm hoping that hat trick gets Mane back to his best. He has scored a few goals in recent weeks but for the most part has struggled to get on track and in sync with the rest of the team.


This tweet annoys me:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Two late goals from Ronaldo and Marcelo give Real the edge, but PSG come out of the 1st leg with a big away goal. <a href="https://t.co/ezjKdig11O">pic.twitter.com/ezjKdig11O</a></p>— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/963889814339649536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

People say stuff like this all the time, but if you lose 3-1, you haven't scored a "big" away goal. All that means is that you go through with a 2-0 win. If you lose 2-1 away, then I agree you've scored a "big" away goal, but a two-goal deficit is much "bigger" than the fact that you go through on a tie breaker if and only if the aggregate score ends at 3-3.

 

[ACamp1900]

I think it's just always seen as a 'big away goal' in any first leg that isn't a blowout...

 

[NorthDakota]

Pool did poor Porto dirty today. Does anyone want to play pool??

 

[Cackalacky]

That was an amazing game. Loved every second of it.

 

[ACamp1900]

Anyone watch Celtic Zenit?? The pass on the McGregor goal was just ridiculous

 

[Cackalacky]

Anyone watch Celtic Zenit?? The pass on the McGregor goal was just ridiculous

Didn’t watch it but saw the highlights. Big win for them.

 

[notredomer23]

Pool did poor Porto dirty today. Does anyone want to play pool??

Any bottom half side does

 

[NorthDakota]

Any bottom half side does

LMAO...ouch.

I should have clarified, any team in Europe.

 

[nsisk157]

LMAO...ouch.

I should have clarified, any team in Europe.

Unsure of where the blind confidence comes from...Played in one of the easier groups to qualify for the knockout stage..drew one of the of the more desirable teams to play in the round of 16, all the while conceding leads in the prem...

Not trying to be a nudge, just looking for some insight.

 

[fightingirish26]

Unsure of where the blind confidence comes from...Played in one of the easier groups to qualify for the knockout stage..drew one of the of the more desirable teams to play in the round of 16, all the while conceding leads in the prem...

Not trying to be a nudge, just looking for some insight.

In a draw that could be something like Liverpool, City, United, Bayern, Juve, Real, Barca and Roma, I'd bet most teams would be somewhat relieved to draw them*

*but not City, keep us as fucking far from Anfield as possible please

 

[Emcee77]

In a draw that could be something like Liverpool, City, United, Bayern, Juve, Real, Barca and Roma, I'd bet most teams would be somewhat relieved to draw them*

*but not City, keep us as fucking far from Anfield as possible please

Ha, nicely done.

That's really the thing, isn't it? Both parts of this post ring true.

Liverpool haven't been in a Champs League knockout stage since 2009, and fans of clubs like Bayern, Juve, Real, and Barca, who are regular Champs League powerhouses, will all probably expect their clubs to be able to beat Liverpool.

On the other hand, anyone who has seen Liverpool at their best this season, such as during that first 75 minutes or so against City, knows that they can be an absolute buzzsaw capable of embarrassing even top-drawer opposition.

With Liverpool, it's always the same basic questions:
(1) which Liverpool will we see today? The good Liverpool or the bad Liverpool? and
(2) if it's the good Liverpool, how long can they keep that intensity up? when the intensity drops, will they give up goals, or will they be able to ride the game out?

 

[Cackalacky]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Time flies. <a href="https://t.co/OCwUBLLhIp">pic.twitter.com/OCwUBLLhIp</a></p>— Football Stuff (@FootbalIStuff) <a href="https://twitter.com/FootbalIStuff/status/964227423259766784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Cackalacky]

Ha, nicely done.

That's really the thing, isn't it? Both parts of this post ring true.

Liverpool haven't been in a Champs League knockout stage since 2009, and fans of clubs like Bayern, Juve, Real, and Barca, who are regular Champs League powerhouses, will all probably expect their clubs to be able to beat Liverpool.

On the other hand, anyone who has seen Liverpool at their best this season, such as during that first 75 minutes or so against City, knows that they can be an absolute buzzsaw capable of embarrassing even top-drawer opposition.

With Liverpool, it's always the same basic questions:
(1) which Liverpool will we see today? The good Liverpool or the bad Liverpool? and
(2) if it's the good Liverpool, how long can they keep that intensity up? when the intensity drops, will they give up goals, or will they be able to ride the game out?

I see it kind of differently. I think teams that are able to slow the game down, be compact defensively and counter are not afraid of Liverpool at all. Those that can't likely have a defensive line shitting themselves.

 

[ACamp1900]

Anyone watch Celtic Zenit?? The pass on the McGregor goal was just ridiculous

Didn’t watch it but saw the highlights. Big win for them.

Dat final pass tho...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Mg6UZov3Wus" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Emcee77]

I see it kind of differently. I think teams that are able to slow the game down, be compact defensively and counter are not afraid of Liverpool at all. Those that can't likely have a defensive line shitting themselves.

I totally agree that any club who has been paying close attention to Liverpool this year should look at it exactly that way.

With Coutinho gone, Liverpool are probably worse than ever at breaking down a deep-defending team.

But against teams that want to come out and push forward, Liverpool will be tough to beat.

 

[Emcee77]

Liverpool stars Mane, Salah, Firmino should unity beats individuals

Wednesday night's Champions League action was a wonderful demonstration of the fact that football remains a team sport rather than an individual one, and that assembling the world's most talented footballers is no guarantee of making the world's most formidable side.

Contrast the two matches. In Madrid, Real ran out 3-1 winners over Paris Saint-Germain, but realistically neither side played impressive football, especially in the final third. There was too much speed and rather too little thought, with the game's defining feature the complete lack of interplay between the attackers.

Neymar and Edinson Cavani appear to have no relationship, while Kylian Mbappe floated around on the periphery. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, who have combined effectively over the years, barely offered any passing combinations either. It felt like a beauty parade rather than a football game, with a few choice individuals desperately trying to prove their individual worth.

Over in Porto, meanwhile, Liverpool were putting on quite the show. Five goals without reply, largely thanks to the understanding between the front three. Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino might not quite be the calibre of individual PSG are interested in, but collectively they must now be considered among the most devastating attacking trios in Europe.

To imply this is some kind of anti-all-star triumvirate would be stretching the point -- Salah was voted African Player of the Year recently, Mane was also nominated, and Firmino is a regular for Brazil and all were signed for considerable fees. Yet there's an entirely different feel about Liverpool's front three: no egos, no selfishness.

Firmino is theoretically the primary goalscorer yet concentrates on providing as much as goalscoring. Mane's position has arguably been weakened after the arrival of Salah, who took his place on the right, and yet he has got on with business without complaint, providing his most important performance of the campaign against Porto. Salah, meanwhile, is as hard-working as he is productive, and has been the revelation of the season in the Premier League, and quite possibly the Champions League too.

...

It's a stark contrast from the situation at Real Madrid, for example, where Ronaldo is largely allowed freedom from defensive responsibilities. Perhaps Ronaldo's goal return justifies that liberty, and it helps when he manages to score two crucial goals even when looking out of sorts, as was the case this week. Football has increasingly moved toward a situation where all 11 players must contribute with and without the ball, however.

...

Firmino's greatest contribution for Liverpool this week, though, was his marvellous flick into Salah's path for Liverpool's second goal against Southampton, a truly outstanding touch that took two opponents out of the game immediately, and owed much to a combination of spatial awareness, selflessness and supreme technical skill. Salah had assisted him for the first, Firmino repaid the favour for the second.

It was visually spectacular but also highly effective, and precisely the type of thing we didn't witness during Real's win over PSG, where Neymar was attempting to dribble past the entire Real defence solo, and where Ronaldo had 10 shots but didn't pass to Karim Benzema once. To recall two old themes, Liverpool's pass-and-move is far more impressive than Real's Galacticos.

Liverpool's progress so far in Europe this season has been smooth, in part because of some favourable draws, but it would be fascinating to see against a side like Real or PSG in the next round. After all, the constant theme of this Liverpool side is that they perform better against strong opposition -- and that might become particularly obvious against supposedly stronger clubs who have put too much emphasis upon the individual, and too little upon the team.

Interesting stuff from Michael Cox. The Guardian Football Weekly guys made similar comments about the Real/PSG game in the Thursday show, i.e., it was actually a really crappy game of soccer because neither team really plays like a team.

 

[Old Man Mike]

.... yeh but ... you have to get past midfields like Real has to GET it to the Wizards. Modric, Froos and Casimiro are doing a lot of "team" that writer isn't acknowledging. This is why Man City is so tough this season (when their midfield is intact.) Liverpool's is nowhere near as good as those sorts of midfields.

PLEASE get Lallana back in shape!!! (and probably get "Backwards-Pass Henderson" off the field --- Can will at least aggressively attack.)

 

[ACamp1900]

Saw this elsewhere and had a good laugh:

"Alan Pardew has said the 4 players who stole the taxi will never play for West Brom again... as a result 8 more players have come forward and said they were in the back."

lol

 

[ACamp1900]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3EtWSaxWl1c" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Got to love Broony...

 

[Rogue219]

I'm at a loss for words about Arsenal right now. Wenger is ruining his legacy because he's arrogant and completely out of touch with reality.

I can't really find a player on this club right now with a redeeming quality that really stands out. I guess Ramsey is okay...??? I don't know. They're all just dogs. Ozil especially.

Arsenal after Sanchez;

Lost to Nottingham Forest 4-2
Lost to Bournemouth 2-1
Lost to Swansea 3-1
Lost to Tottenham 1-0
Lost to Ostersunds 1-2
Lost to Man City 3-0 twice in 5 days

Aubameyang was a panic signing.