USMNT

[Garrick]

I dig it.

I just get annoyed with people that seem to think I must support MLS or American teams because of my geography. As you well know, Everton chooses you. I was chosen by Everton.

I think of the MLS about what I think of Liga MX - i.e. I don't.

I know promotion/relegation won't happen in the US, and honestly, it probably shouldn't. Our systems work very well for the leagues over here in general. I'm not saying they should have promotion. It's just without it I don't really care so much, just like I don't care about American football, baseball, hockey, or basketball.

Leagues thinking Atlanta, Vegas, Miami and the like will ever embrace a sport is really quite funny to me. I suppose Miami at least has the excuse of a large Cuban population...but Cubans tend to like baseball...and how has that worked for the Marlins?

I'd like to be able to watch professional soccer live, in-person, on a regular basis. That's all that geography means to me. I could go be a neutral at Chicago Fire games, but that's way too far away for it to be convenient (Toyota Park is in southwestern suburbs, 100 miles away). In no way would a hypothetical Milwaukee NASL club become my 1st club, because I was chosen too, and goddammit I like you people around here.

I'd like to at least entertain the idea of promotion/relegation between NASL and MLS. Not necessarily English style, cutthroat 3 up, 3 down relegation, but perhaps like Liga MX where only one club goes down. That would better provide some stability while still servicing the dozens of large cities that MLS is planning to leave untouched.

(Again, understanding that with the money in play, it'll never happen. But I can dream.)

 

[SerenityNigh]

I'd like to be able to watch professional soccer live, in-person, on a regular basis.

F F S

It's more than 3 hours from where I live to see FCD. Even if I were back in DFW, it would be a 45 minute commute to Frisco, which is a suburb of a suburb of a suburb of Dallas. I hope you can see something like this in Milwaukee or DC or Raleigh, but I'm not holding out hope. I'm holding out hope that I get a better stream or decide to buy an HD cable package.

 

[BMFin]

I dig it.

I just get annoyed with people that seem to think I must support MLS or American teams because of my geography. As you well know, Everton chooses you. I was chosen by Everton.

I think of the MLS about what I think of Liga MX - i.e. I don't.

I know promotion/relegation won't happen in the US, and honestly, it probably shouldn't. Our systems work very well for the leagues over here in general. I'm not saying they should have promotion. It's just without it I don't really care so much, just like I don't care about American football, baseball, hockey, or basketball.

Leagues thinking Atlanta, Vegas, Miami and the like will ever embrace a sport is really quite funny to me. I suppose Miami at least has the excuse of a large Cuban population...but Cubans tend to like baseball...and how has that worked for the Marlins?

I too don't really follow the MLS. I tend to get some of the same comments from people that think I must, as you, support the MLS as I do Everton. That being said, I'm giving it a chance with Orlando City. I've bought season tickets for next year, so we'll see how that goes!

 

[Garrick]

I too don't really follow the MLS. I tend to get some of the same comments from people that think I must, as you, support the MLS as I do Everton. That being said, I'm giving it a chance with Orlando City. I've bought season tickets for next year, so we'll see how that goes!

I wish the best for Orlando. Out of all of the new clubs, it's the only one I'm truly excited for and genuinely happy that the city is getting an MLS club.

F F S

It's more than 3 hours from where I live to see FCD. Even if I were back in DFW, it would be a 45 minute commute to Frisco, which is a suburb of a suburb of a suburb of Dallas. I hope you can see something like this in Milwaukee or DC or Raleigh, but I'm not holding out hope. I'm holding out hope that I get a better stream or decide to buy an HD cable package.

Are you far enough away to be outside of the Dallas media market? Thinking maybe you could look into to MLS Live, but I hope you're not subjected to the blackout regulations.

 

[SerenityNigh]

I wish the best for Orlando. Out of all of the new clubs, it's the only one I'm truly excited for and genuinely happy that the city is getting an MLS club.



Are you far enough away to be outside of the Dallas media market? Thinking maybe you could look into to MLS Live, but I hope you're not subjected to the blackout regulations.

Not in the Dallas media market, but too cheap/scroogey to buy a cable package atm. There's always a seat available in the first row if you're looking to see the game streamed.

 

[Garrick]

Not in the Dallas media market, but too cheap/scroogey to buy a cable package atm. There's always a seat available in the first row if you're looking to see the game streamed.

This is the service I'm talking about: http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/

Although $50 a year is kind of pricey, but at least you'd be able to watch on almost anything. And the streams would be much better quality, too.

 

[SerenityNigh]

This is the service I'm talking about: http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/

Although $50 a year is kind of pricey, but at least you'd be able to watch on almost anything. And the streams would be much better quality, too.

Nice package. The major problem I have is spending time watching games when I have a busy schedule with kids, etc. When they're a little older, maybe I'll be free to commit. It's easier watching EFC since the games are early, except for late starts that conflict with late Sat/Sun am commitments.

Not sure yet what I'm going to do when the new season starts, but have already investigated with a friend how to record the matches and watch later or transfer the file to watch at home.

... back on topic

 

[SerenityNigh]

Bob Bradley says there is a lack of respect for American players because Arsenal signed Kallstrom when Michael Bradley was available

Not going to quote it. Mildly interesting, but Bob Bradley can be a great whiner at times.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Michael Wilbon calls out Jurgen Klinsmann (der Skipper) as "gutless"

I have no idea how to link ESPN videos. I like Wilbon, but his opinion on this is relatively meaningless.

 

[Goat]

HES NOT THE FREAKING SKIPPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[hopleaf]

Bob Bradley says there is a lack of respect for American players because Arsenal signed Kallstrom when Michael Bradley was available

Not going to quote it. Mildly interesting, but Bob Bradley can be a great whiner at times.

Thought this was a strange story. Doesn't seem like a Bob thing to say. I reckon he was answering a point blank question. In all honesty it is curious that Bradley was never even linked with Arsenal given the happy timing. He's probably better than present day Arteta.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Thought this was a strange story. Doesn't seem like a Bob thing to say. I reckon he was answering a point blank question. In all honesty it is curious that Bradley was never even linked with Arsenal given the happy timing. He's probably better than present day Arteta.

I do like Bob Bradley's honesty. Sometimes I wish he'd hold back a little more. It paints a really weird picture, especially combined with the curtness they both speak with. I agree that Arsenal could have shown more interest--can't see how Kallstrom is better than Bradley unless they don't rate Bradley for the long term. Still, Bradley could have waited until at least the 2nd or 3rd day of the transfer window before making his decision if he was that interested in another team. Were there no other options?

 

[hopleaf]

I do like Bob Bradley's honesty. Sometimes I wish he'd hold back a little more. It paints a really weird picture, especially combined with the curtness they both speak with. I agree that Arsenal could have shown more interest--can't see how Kallstrom is better than Bradley unless they don't rate Bradley for the long term. Still, Bradley could have waited until at least the 2nd or 3rd day of the transfer window before making his decision if he was that interested in another team. Were there no other options?

I don't think anyone was going to offer the kind of money he's getting now...He got something like a 4x raise from his Roma salary.

That certain nationalities are more coveted and get disproportionate attention in the transfer market is a topic well covered in Soccernomics, though. They make a pretty convincing case that a Brazilian and an Icelander of equal skill will command draw far different levels of interest. You can guess which one will get a bigger transfer fee.

 

[Garrick]

I don't think anyone was going to offer the kind of money he's getting now...He got something like a 4x raise from his Roma salary.

That certain nationalities are more coveted and get disproportionate attention in the transfer market is a topic well covered in Soccernomics, though. They make a pretty convincing case that a Brazilian and an Icelander of equal skill will command draw far different levels of interest. You can guess which one will get a bigger transfer fee.

I think one thing that other Yanks forget is that it isn't an anti-American thing, it's a wholesale sort of discrimination based off your country's footballing history (or lack thereof).

 

[Hellerad]

Stereotypes are a social constant. Football isn't different.