The Soccer Thread (Version 8)

[UPChip]

On a semi-related note:

I'm heading south next weekend to visit a buddy of mine in greater Madison. Normally, we'd go to Miller Park, but the Brewers are having their issues (not the least of which being they're on the road next weekend), and we're probably going to try something new. That something is probably going to be a Chicago Fire home game against Montreal.

I've never taken in an MLS game and actually very little familiarity with the league, as there is no team in what I'd consider my "home" market. In fact, the Fire are the only MLS team within 700 miles of my current location.

Any thoughts on Toyota Park and insights into the current state of both teams would be appreciated.

 

[deskslave]

Opening Day in the Football League today:

spikechiquet should be happy as Wigan stamp out Barnsley 4-0 away today. Forest with an unspectacular but effective three points, beating Huddersfield 1-0 at home. All the demoted sides won today, as both QPR (v. Sheffield Wednesday) and Reading (v. Ipswich) won 2-1.

You must not be friends with me on facebook (but I am tooting the horn on twitter)! LOL Yeah, it's a good day to be a top the table. Better in a year when they are back with the big boys!
Was surprised they picked 'Arry for the game to show on TV. Guess winning the FA Cup doesn't have much clout. LOL

Went along to Fratton Park as part of a League Two record attendance (just for when it's been known as League Two, mind, not the old Third Division or older Division Four). Pompey dominate the first 25 against Oxford, go a goal up on a fine cross and header ... then utterly, completely collapse and lose 4-1.

Hopefully not a harbinger of things to come in the fan-owned era.

 

[spikechiquet]

On a semi-related note:

I'm heading south next weekend to visit a buddy of mine in greater Madison. Normally, we'd go to Miller Park, but the Brewers are having their issues (not the least of which being they're on the road next weekend), and we're probably going to try something new. That something is probably going to be a Chicago Fire home game against Montreal.

I've never taken in an MLS game and actually very little familiarity with the league, as there is no team in what I'd consider my "home" market. In fact, the Fire are the only MLS team within 700 miles of my current location.

Any thoughts on Toyota Park and insights into the current state of both teams would be appreciated.

Sounds fun.
When I went to Columbus for the Crew/Wigan match, I got a lot of help (meaning, finding a good bar and food) from the facebook page of the supporters union for the Crew. Maybe the Fire has one as well?

 

[AtticusFinch]

Yeah, guess I don't get the Dempsey move either. I mean, if he's moving back to the States to be closer to his family, that I can understand, but as much as the MLS has improved (and vastly so), it's still not on the same level as any of the big European leagues. And don't get me wrong, I enjoy MLS for what it is, and will try to catch a game if it's on, but I just don't get the move.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

RT @NBCSportsSoccer: Jason Sudeikis is Coach Lasso. Meet the newest Premier League coach here: http://t.co/ZbFU0O9Rue

 

[spikechiquet]

RT @NBCSportsSoccer: Jason Sudeikis is Coach Lasso. Meet the newest Premier League coach here: http://t.co/ZbFU0O9Rue

Love it. Watched it a few times this weekend for a good laugh.
"How many countries are in this country?"
"4"
LOL

 

[TrooperBari]

As usual, Grant Wahl gets it done.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130805/clint-dempsey-seattle-sounders-mls/

On the morning of July 18, Seattle Sounders part-owner and general manager Adrian Hanauer was reading the newspaper at his home in the Leschi neighborhood of Seattle when a call came from Todd Durbin, the MLS executive VP in charge of negotiating player deals for the single-entity league.

"Adrian, there's a chance you could get Clint Dempsey," Durbin told him.

Durbin explained the situation: Dempsey, the U.S. captain who's still in the latter prime of his career at age 30, had decided he was interested in returning to MLS from Tottenham Hotspur -- but only for the right price. Tottenham, moreover, was interested in working out a transfer deal -- but only for the right price. Hanauer was floored. "I kind of stopped in my tracks," he said. "It was one of those memorable moments where you thought, holy crap, this might happen."

 

[Big Circus]

As usual, Grant Wahl gets it done.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130805/clint-dempsey-seattle-sounders-mls/

On the morning of July 18, Seattle Sounders part-owner and general manager Adrian Hanauer was reading the newspaper at his home in the Leschi neighborhood of Seattle when a call came from Todd Durbin, the MLS executive VP in charge of negotiating player deals for the single-entity league.

"Adrian, there's a chance you could get Clint Dempsey," Durbin told him.

Durbin explained the situation: Dempsey, the U.S. captain who's still in the latter prime of his career at age 30, had decided he was interested in returning to MLS from Tottenham Hotspur -- but only for the right price. Tottenham, moreover, was interested in working out a transfer deal -- but only for the right price. Hanauer was floored. "I kind of stopped in my tracks," he said. "It was one of those memorable moments where you thought, holy crap, this might happen."

How is this anything but collusion? People would be ****ting themselves if something like this went down in MLB or the NFL.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

As usual, Grant Wahl gets it done.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130805/clint-dempsey-seattle-sounders-mls/

On the morning of July 18, Seattle Sounders part-owner and general manager Adrian Hanauer was reading the newspaper at his home in the Leschi neighborhood of Seattle when a call came from Todd Durbin, the MLS executive VP in charge of negotiating player deals for the single-entity league.

"Adrian, there's a chance you could get Clint Dempsey," Durbin told him.

Durbin explained the situation: Dempsey, the U.S. captain who's still in the latter prime of his career at age 30, had decided he was interested in returning to MLS from Tottenham Hotspur -- but only for the right price. Tottenham, moreover, was interested in working out a transfer deal -- but only for the right price. Hanauer was floored. "I kind of stopped in my tracks," he said. "It was one of those memorable moments where you thought, holy crap, this might happen."

How is this anything but collusion? People would be ****ting themselves if something like this went down in MLB or the NFL.

Totally different league structure. MLS has a very odd system.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

Spurs have removed big picture of Gareth Bale from their Twitter feed. Real Madrid, here he comes.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

As usual, Grant Wahl gets it done.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130805/clint-dempsey-seattle-sounders-mls/

On the morning of July 18, Seattle Sounders part-owner and general manager Adrian Hanauer was reading the newspaper at his home in the Leschi neighborhood of Seattle when a call came from Todd Durbin, the MLS executive VP in charge of negotiating player deals for the single-entity league.

"Adrian, there's a chance you could get Clint Dempsey," Durbin told him.

Durbin explained the situation: Dempsey, the U.S. captain who's still in the latter prime of his career at age 30, had decided he was interested in returning to MLS from Tottenham Hotspur -- but only for the right price. Tottenham, moreover, was interested in working out a transfer deal -- but only for the right price. Hanauer was floored. "I kind of stopped in my tracks," he said. "It was one of those memorable moments where you thought, holy crap, this might happen."

Hanauer won me over with that.

 

[TrooperBari]

Spurs have removed big picture of Gareth Bale from their Twitter feed. Real Madrid, here he comes.

You're sure it's not Portland trying to one-up Seattle?

 

[Inky_Wretch]

A starting MLS keeper explains life as a $35,000 per year professional athlete.

http://www.psmag.com/business-economics/my-economics-of-being-a-regular-professional-athlete-63770/

 

[spikechiquet]

A starting MLS keeper explains life as a $35,000 per year professional athlete.

http://www.psmag.com/business-economics/my-economics-of-being-a-regular-professional-athlete-63770/

Great read. Of course most comments on the story didn't get the point...but an interesting look into a minor-leaguer getting his break and making (albeit very little) money for a sport he wanted to be a pro in.

 

[TrooperBari]

A starting MLS keeper explains life as a $35,000 per year professional athlete.

http://www.psmag.com/business-economics/my-economics-of-being-a-regular-professional-athlete-63770/

Great read. Of course most comments on the story didn't get the point...but an interesting look into a minor-leaguer getting his break and making (albeit very little) money for a sport he wanted to be a pro in.

Ah, the Rapids -- the same organization where one of its hot young prospects decided to retire from pro soccer to take an internship at the UN.

 

[spikechiquet]

Goal-line technology to be used for 1st time in Community Shield this weekend.
Watch it never be needed! LOL
http://bigpondnews.com/articles/Technology/2013/08/09/Comm_Shield_to_use_goal-line_technology_894894.html

 

[Inky_Wretch]

I love this so, so much.

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9529241/usmnt-new-york-s-magazine-greatest-photo-shoot-history

 

[PCLoadLetter]

I love this so, so much.

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9529241/usmnt-new-york-s-magazine-greatest-photo-shoot-history

Tremendous.

The year was 2002. American soccer, normally a global power, was going through one of its brief down periods, this one having begun in August of 1930.

 

[AtticusFinch]

Juan Agudelo to leave the Revs for Stoke in January:

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1517821/juan-agudelo-join-stoke-city-january?cc=5901

 

[Inky_Wretch]

United wins the Community Shield. Still not convinced they can compete for the title this season.