MLS/Soccer Thread

[fatcowxlive]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Ibra, Falcao, Fernando Torres, Iniesta, Xavi, Drogba, Robben, etc. come over during the next few years.

 

MLS is growing. It's undeniable.

 

It needs to hit a point where eventually people stop thinking of it as a retirement league and start thinking of it as an actual destination. Just because there's an influx of stars hitting the league at ages 34+ doesn't mean the league is growing at all. Just look at the Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Chinese leagues they've been doing this for years too. The MLS needs more Giovinco signings, where players in their prime flock to the MLS (even if Giovinco did become the highest paid Italian with this move)

[dineke]

So Pirlo's signed with New york... I might actually have to go to a TFC game now.

[Zaun of the Dead]

Giovinco is so f***ing good

[o2cui2i]

go man united!!!!

 

http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i/?img=/photo/2015/0712/fc_darmian_rh_1296x729.jpg&w=904&h=509&scale=crop&site=espnfc

[o2cui2i]

United game after baseball tonight. so much for sleep... at least they are not on at the same time.

[Frag]

I totally forgot that TFC could potentially make the playoffs this year.

[KingKat]

Anyone else been following the Karim Benzema crazyness?

 

http://www.thescore.com/fran/news/907041

[Madkenstalin]

Euro 2016 Draw

 

Group A

France

Albania

Romania

Switzerland

 

 

Group B

England

Wales

Slovakia

Russia

 

Group C

Germany

Northern Ireland

Poland

Ukraine

 

Group D

Spain

Turkey

Czech Republic

Croatia

 

Group E

Belgium

Republic of Ireland

Sweden

Italy

 

Group F

Portugal

Iceland

Hungary

Austria

[Boxcar]

Ouch, group E

[ClevelandBrownsFan2]

Tough draw for Ukraine.

 

 

Also, re the MLS growth from the posts from 6 months ago - the problem with the MLS now is the league structure, where the best imports get shuffled off to the biggest markets. They're almost trying to bring in the EPL model but with a salary cap. It's a pretty screwed up system, I don't know if it works in the long run. It was smart as a way of getting the league going, but it appears to be outgrowing it pretty quickly, and the system runs counter to the facade of "parity" that all major North American sports leagues put on (except maybe the NBA?).

[KingKat]

Euro 2016 Draw

 

Group A

France

Albania

Romania

Switzerland

 

 

Group B

England

Wales

Slovakia

Russia

 

Group C

Germany

Northern Ireland

Poland

Ukraine

 

Group D

Spain

Turkey

Czech Republic

Croatia

 

Group E

Belgium

Republic of Ireland

Sweden

Italy

 

Group F

Portugal

Iceland

Hungary

Austria

 

I'm not a big fan of the expansion from 16 to 24 team but it does create some intrigue with countries that haven't been in it since forever like Northern Ireland, Iceland and Wales. Hopefully they don't bring down the overall quality of the tournament too much. I'll miss the "anyone could win" days when the Euro was arguably the best International Tournament.

[43211234]

Don't follow soccer and I notice no Netherlands. Any other big disappointments?

[KingKat]

Don't follow soccer and I notice no Netherlands. Any other big disappointments?

 

Italy didn't make the top qualifying group and as a result they get the top seed (Belgium) in their group. That's pretty minor compared to the Dutch collapse though. Greece has to be pretty disappointed that they didn't qualify when you look at some of the countries that did. Denmark probably figured this would be a chance to get back in the tournament and it didn't happen. That's the main ones off the top of my head.

[KingKat]

Were in the 2nd set of matchups of the first round, and the first real blowout of Euro 2016 is happening now with Spain leading Turkey 3-0 late in the 2nd half. Looks like the expanded tournament hasn't really diluted the quality of play as much as might have been feared.

[KingKat]

Spain had a goal where every single one of their players touched the ball on the possession which is the most "Spain" thing ever.

[crazy47larry]

Spain had a goal where every single one of their players touched the ball on the possession which is the most "Spain" thing ever.

 

it better be slow to develop and extremely precise

[KingKat]

it better be slow to develop and extremely precise

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/06/17/21/1466194233618_lc_galleryImage_image001_png.JPG

[Dr Negative]

This tournament hasn't been great so far but at least Morata got my fantasy team back on track.

[crazy47larry]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/06/17/21/1466194233618_lc_galleryImage_image001_png.JPG

 

who is #6? that guy deserves a raise.

[Orgfiller]

who is #6? that guy deserves a raise.

 

Andres Iniesta lol, I'm pretty sure he's satisfied with his current salary.

[KingKat]

Andres Iniesta lol, I'm pretty sure he's satisfied with his current salary.

 

Is Iniesta the best player of his era? I mean everyone talks about Messi but maybe there's a bit of a goal scorer bias there? Iniesta is f***in' boss and the list of accomplishments for Iniesta led teams is staggering.

[Dr Negative]

Wales humiliating Russia was one of the greatest things I've ever seen.

[dineke]

Is Iniesta the best player of his era? I mean everyone talks about Messi but maybe there's a bit of a goal scorer bias there? Iniesta is f***in' boss and the list of accomplishments for Iniesta led teams is staggering.

 

you're not saying iniesta is better than messi right...?

[Dr Negative]

 

lol @ this

[KingKat]

you're not saying iniesta is better than messi right...?

 

I'm not really qualified to answer that question. I'm just throwing it out there.

[Dr Negative]

Iniesta is one of the best players to ever play the game. Messi is unquestionably the greatest of all time.

[ElNik2013]

Is Iniesta the best player of his era? I mean everyone talks about Messi but maybe there's a bit of a goal scorer bias there? Iniesta is f***in' boss and the list of accomplishments for Iniesta led teams is staggering.

 

 

I love Iniesta. However, to answer your question, no. Messi is the the guy. Messi isn't just a great goal-scorer, he is a great passer. I think he'll end up, if he isn't already, as the all time assists leader in La Liga and CL.

 

Iniesta is definitely a magician with the ball and is great at building up play. I really hate to say anything that could be viewed as negative about him but he just isn't at Messi's level.

 

I've always said that Messi is a combination of a great passer and goal-scorer.

 

Anyway...

[KingKat]

I love Iniesta. However, to answer your question, no. Messi is the the guy. Messi isn't just a great goal-scorer, he is a great passer. I think he'll end up, if he isn't already, as the all time assists leader in La Liga and CL.

 

Iniesta is definitely a magician with the ball and is great at building up play. I really hate to say anything that could be viewed as negative about him but he just isn't at Messi's level.

 

I've always said that Messi is a combination of a great passer and goal-scorer.

 

Anyway...

 

Thanks I appreciate the thoughtful answer. It's pretty sick that Barca fielded Iniesta, Xavi and Messi all at the same and in their prime. That's some seriously insane play-making ability to have all on one side.

[ElNik2013]

Thanks I appreciate the thoughtful answer. It's pretty sick that Barca fielded Iniesta, Xavi and Messi all at the same and in their prime. That's some seriously insane play-making ability to have all on one side.

 

 

You're WC!

 

And yes, it's been amazing.

 

By the way, here's a video of some of Messi's Passing Genius:

 

[Captain Adama]

Leave it to the Italians to dive left and right. It's what they're good at.