Soccer Thread

[Gamblor]

http://www.youtube.com/v/rg8wlhoarZA

So frustrated...

[JaxByDefault]

+1000   
That wins the Internets for the day.

At least you can take comfort that without spending a dime today, and probably even without a striker for half the year, Arsenal will still (somehow) be playing CL football next year.

All I have to look forward to later today is drinking the (heavily liquor-infused) FFP koolaid so I can celebrate offloading Torres on a wage-covering loan* as "good business." 


*Don't even get me started on the Mitroglu loan at Fulham.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

This particular instance might not be a big deal, but when THIS starts becoming the norm instead of the exception, then my guess is that we would start down the path of being a serious perineal contender on the world futbol scene.

Four-star wide receiver recruit Drake Davis chooses soccer over football

[Gamblor]

^^ This instance is important though as it is a high profile recruit who is sought after by high profile teams taking the path less taken. And we may never be able to fully judge this, as most athletes tend to make the choice before they receive much media attention, but when you listen to the stories of our soccer players, most can talk about being star athletes in baseball, football, ect as well. Good link though Non appreciate it...

In other news that should be shared, the soccer don is now cancer free and signed up for another 5 years.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/09/11/mls-commissioner-don-garber-signs-five-year-extension-through-2018?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=News&utm_campaign=Unpaid


If anyone wants to have some hypothetical discussion, the NFL choose Goodell over Garber, mistake?

My answer, yes. Don has taken the MLS from practically nothing to a precipice no one thought possible when he took over. The next CBA will be vital to continued MLS success, but when I think of the improvement in all areas its amazing. Take TV for instance. When he took over MLS was shot like a high school football game, now with the commitment coming from ESPN and Fox starting next year, it will be shot like NFL and BPL, making it much more possible to clear the national ratings hurdle, which should happen in due time.

And as for Roger, he is getting what he deserves now... a good point was made that he has reacted to the outrage when he should have been outraged about this Rice thing to begin with. But thats been Roger, and its been for the worse.

[JaxByDefault]

What makes a good handegg player is not the same as what makes a good footballer. Professional football internationally is full of 5'7" guys who play at the top of the sport because they're fit, fast, and have excellent finesse on the ball. It's the third skill that we have perennial trouble developing in the US. Our men's national team is often taller, faster, and fitter than many opponents (in fact, it's what we relied on for years) but we suffer with tactical acumen, first-touch skill, and overall finesse.

It may help if more good base athletes choose soccer, but it won't fix everything. We need a real academy system.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

What makes a good handegg player is not the same as what makes a good footballer. Professional football internationally is full of 5'7" guys who play at the top of the sport because they're fit, fast, and have excellent finesse on the ball. It's the third skill that we have perennial trouble developing in the US. Our men's national team is often taller, faster, and fitter than many opponents (in fact, it's what we relied on for years) but we suffer with tactical acumen, first-touch skill, and overall finesse.

It may help if more good base athletes choose soccer, but it won't fix everything. We need a real academy system.

I've heard and read and agree with the general sentiment that the majority of our top athletes play sports like baseball, football and basketball while other countries' top athletes play soccer. 

It's not about the guy's size, but his overall athletic makeup.  And if the tide ever turns to where our top athletes start playing soccer rather than one of the big 3, then our national team will be on par with or greater than most in the world.

[Gamblor]

Our men's national team is often taller, faster, and fitter than many opponents (in fact, it's what we relied on for years) but we suffer with tactical acumen, first-touch skill, and overall finesse.

Truth...

We need a real academy system.

All MLS clubs have been required to have an academy since 2007. Some are better than others and it may not be a big enough system for a country of our population and land area, but it is a good start that is cultivating talent like Yedlin and Zardes

For anyone interested in academies in America, here is an MLS Insider on academies from August of this year which is specifically focused on Philly's as it is the new standard with its fully accredited high school. 

http://www.youtube.com/v/Hjhi2UUOnuo?list=UUEPKlFeUjRY_1mpZP8GnkVg

[JaxByDefault]

If we can't pay youth to play or tie it into academy-schools, and we're further handicapped in prime development years by the NCAA system, then we'll always be at an international recruitment disadvantage over some European and S. American countries that hand out citizenship cards with early-youth academy spots.

It generally costs U.S. families a lot to send talent kids in their mid-teens to the best soccer camps, summer academies, etc. That limits the reach of the game.

[Gamblor]

If we can't pay youth to play or tie it into academy-schools, and we're further handicapped in prime development years by the NCAA system, then we'll always be at an international recruitment disadvantage over some European and S. American countries that hand out citizenship cards with early-youth academy spots.

It generally costs U.S. families a lot to send talent kids in their mid-teens to the best soccer camps, summer academies, etc. That limits the reach of the game.

Considering the state of things ten to fifteen years ago I'd rather focus on the positive, which is a lot in a short period of time. Maybe the NCAA and child labor laws do hamper things but there are a lot of people working hard everyday to make our youth system stronger and it is making a difference.

Also generally MLS academies do not charge and provide their educational services for free...

[Gamblor]

Yay!! The Qatar 2022 World Cup should die soon. Yay!! Hopefully they can move it to US like Sepp Blatter wants. Yay!!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/22/fifa-executive-world-cup-qatar_n_5860062.html

[I-10east]

Jacksonville Armada vs the Philadelphia Union will be broadcasted on CW17 at 5:30.

[I-10east]

2-0 Armada!!!

[Gamblor]

Twas a fun one! Looked to me like Union were pretty much just going thru their paces and Armada went out on fire to get one for the fans.

[KenFSU]

14,000 in attendance.

NASL preseason record.

[edjax]

14,000 in attendance.

NASL preseason record.

And most likely barring horrible weather will set the NASL regular season record with their opener.