Everything Soccer

[Cackalacky2.0]

That was the first time Panama has beaten the US. WTG Greg.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Bringing in Roldan in the last quarter hour lmao.

 

[phillyirish]

Awful. Way too much rotation in tonight’s lineup when we’re already without our 2 best players for the window.

That loss is huge because now instead of competing with Mexico for #1, we are firmly in contention with Canada and now Panama for positions 2-3.

For once I’d like to see Berhalter put out an aggressive, attacking lineup. Something like Konrad, Pepi and Weah as forwards, with Aaronson, Musah and Adams in the midfield. Dest and Robinson as fullbacks. Zimmerman and miles Robinson have played well but still would like to see Chris Richards, probably in Robinsons place.

 

[Rogue219]

I know a bunch of Fulham fans because of the US contingent throughout the years.

If I was choosing a team now that wasn't top 4, but had good ownership, ambition, and excitement, I would probably go with Wolverhampton.

I like Blackpool and Tranmere Rovers. Blackpool are back in The Championship and currently sit 12th.

Tranmere Rovers are currently fifth in League Two resting one point ahead of...Leyton Orient. LOL

The only other Premier League teams I like are Newcastle and Southampton. I see that changing rather shortly.

 

[Irish#1]

Saudi-Newcastle soccer takeover prompts 'sportswashing' concerns

LONDON — A former shipbuilding city in northeast England may seem an unlikely place for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to rehabilitate his tarnished reputation.

And yet last week, hundreds of Newcastle residents gathered outside the city’s soccer stadium to pay homage to the power behind the Saudi throne — the man widely known as MBS.

Some tied dishtowels to their heads, others waved Saudi flags, and a few even wore masks of the crown prince himself — a world leader accused of a raft of human rights abuses and of ordering the assassination of a prominent journalist.

On a sporting level, these supporters had good reason to cheer. Saudi Arabia’s $400 billion sovereign wealth fund had just bought their long-suffering soccer team, Newcastle United, overnight making it the world’s richest club. But the deal has spurred criticism that Saudi Arabia is using the team, founded in 1892, as a vehicle for “sportswashing.”

In other words, Saudi Arabia is accused of trying to launder its reputation so that it is no longer synonymous with a brutal absolute monarchy that jails activists, carries out public beheadings and oppresses women and the LGBTQ community, and becomes known instead as the smiling face of international soccer success.

Newcastle United supporters wear Gulf-style head dresses in honor of their new owners. Oli Scarff / AFP via Getty Images

“It gives the Saudi authorities an opportunity to put their name, their branding and positive messages about their country around the world,” said Felix Jakens, head of U.K. campaigns at the human rights group Amnesty International.

It’s a familiar playbook. Manchester City is now owned by Abu Dhabi’s royal family and Paris Saint Germain by Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, to name a few. Soccer’s elite is increasingly dominated by faraway regimes with bottomless pockets.

But the Saudi-Newcastle takeover has prompted international outrage on another level.

“This is a country that carries out some of the worst, systematic human rights violations against its own population — and the situation is getting worse, not better,” Jakens said.

The Saudi Ministry of Media did not respond to a request for comment about its human rights record and the allegations of sportswashing.
‘Colossal change’

The face of the $400 million deal is a British businesswoman, Amanda Staveley of PCP Capital Partners. Saudi Arabia’s sovereign Public Investment Fund owns 80 percent of the team.

The consortium says the fund is independent from the Saudi government. The Premier League says it has received “legally binding assurances” that this is the case. Many experts disagree, pointing out that the fund’s board is composed of Saudi government ministers and its chairman is MBS himself.

The crown prince has been trying to overhaul the kingdom’s image from being seen as an exporter of Islamic radicalism to a modern powerhouse instead driven by technology, tourism, entertainment, and sports. Accompanying social reforms mean women are now allowed to drive and movie theaters have opened for the first time in 35 years.

 

[ACamp1900]

Awful. Way too much rotation in tonight’s lineup when we’re already without our 2 best players for the window.

That loss is huge because now instead of competing with Mexico for #1, we are firmly in contention with Canada and now Panama for positions 2-3.

For once I’d like to see Berhalter put out an aggressive, attacking lineup. Something like Konrad, Pepi and Weah as forwards, with Aaronson, Musah and Adams in the midfield. Dest and Robinson as fullbacks. Zimmerman and miles Robinson have played well but still would like to see Chris Richards, probably in Robinsons place.

He did have an aggressive lineup the previous game. Play felt very different than the first window. I expected that to continue but,….

 

[ACamp1900]

Just got home,… geez,… first minute????

 

[zelezo vlk]

Up 2-1 now over Costa Rica

 

[ACamp1900]

Love Weah

 

[phillyirish]

Love Musah

 

[notredomer23]

Pepi isn’t there yet and wasn’t active enough. Still like him as the 9 though.

if you didn’t know CR scored in the first minute you’d think that was some of the best soccer they’ve played since they beat Mexico.

I will love Weah as a spark plug. Bring him on in the 55th or 60th minute to run against tired legs.

Dest giveth and Dest taketh. I still think trying him at RW is worth it. Interchange with him and Yedlin would be amazing.

McKennie had a few turnovers but he was picking out some insane passes. Adams was immense as always.

Really important stat from the night: US’s oldest player was younger than Costa Rica’s youngest player. This was a battle of talent but inexperience against a weak but super experienced squad. I think the team took a big step tonight to get 3 points and getting Pulisic and Reyna back will make 3 points against Mexico attainable.

 

[Rogue219]

Love Weah

Same. Get him to England and into a Premier League side soon.

 

[phillyirish]

Same. Get him to England and into a Premier League side soon.

Rather not have him buried on an premier league roster. In terms of minutes, he’s in the top 11 for the reigning French champions and really starting to develop a rapport with one of the best young strikers in the world…. Man how awesome would it be if New York native, Jonathan David, decided to play for the USMNT???

 

[ACamp1900]

Issue with the US,… first touches,… jeebus, Mary, and all the Saints,… can ANYONE receive the ball without spitting it back five yards??? It’s shocking honestly. Beyond that creativity in the attack,… it’s the same design every damned time and the design they go with is like running streaks every play in football,… mix shit up. I gave GB way more room than most and I’m even getting there, at least on this point,… anyway, that’s my TedTalk for the day.

 

[Rogue219]

Rather not have him buried on an premier league roster. In terms of minutes, he’s in the top 11 for the reigning French champions and really starting to develop a rapport with one of the best young strikers in the world…. Man how awesome would it be if New York native, Jonathan David, decided to play for the USMNT???

Who says he'd have to be buried? If he's good, he's going to start in the Premier League.

If not, he'll stay in France.

 

[Rogue219]

Guessing Simeone ran down the tunnel at full time because he had explosive ass piss.

Good riddance to him and Athletico Madrid. On to Old Trafford, where Anthony Taylor will be referee. Cannot wait.

 

[Rogue219]

Bruce out at Newcastle, as expected. Paulo Fonseca's name being connected to replacing him.

Man United down 2-0 at half.

Lukaku and Werner both come off injured for Chelsea.

Yikes.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

I half watched the United game. Poor defending in the first half and they were missing good chances. I'm actually surprised they came back to win. Somehow, they are on top of an easy group. If they keep playing like this, they'll get lit up in the round of 16.

The last time they played Liverpool with questions surrounding a coach, they lost 3-1 and Mourinho was sacked...

 

[Rogue219]

I figured United would come back and win 3-2. I'm glad they did. I want Ole at the wheel for years to come.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Omg

 

[NorthDakota]

Ole gonna have a job by the time he goes to bed tonight?

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

Wow, love it. But the bad thing is Ole will lose the wheel.

 

[NorthDakota]

That pass.......

 

[NDRock]

Ole gonna have a job by the time he goes to bed tonight?

Doesn't look good

 

[NorthDakota]

I have no idea how Ronaldo didn't get red. That was much more criminal than Stevie G stomping Herrera

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Worst home defeat in 96 years

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Was hoping someone was gonna raise the “6” like Torres gave the 5. Didn’t see it.

 

[Rogue219]

A Man United manager and squad that are nothing but frauds, whose sole accomplishment today was getting a player taken off on a stretcher. Pogba didn't even seem bothered.

Liverpool need to get healthy in the midfield. More injuries today.

Salah is locked in. My word.

 

[Rogue219]

In Serie A, both Mourinho and Spalletti sent off in the Roma v Napoli match.

Two managers, both gone.

Mourinho seems to be trying to get fired even faster this time around.

 

[Rogue219]

I have no idea how Ronaldo didn't get red. That was much more criminal than Stevie G stomping Herrera

Anthony Taylor was the referee. He's from Manchester.

There should have been four reds today. Taylor gave none. VAR gave one.