Futbol Talk

[JWags85]

Source?

Still speculation but rumor floating around some of the connected soccer accounts, that aren't total MLS shills, is a guaranteed WC spot is tied to the signing.  And also that MLS ties are going to be heavily impacting selection for next summer. 

And then also looking at the Gold Cup and seeing how MLS guys like Arfsten, Berhalter, and Agyemang were not only selected, but saw significant playing time over much better players in the pool plying their trade abroad.  Aaronson had a standout season for Utrecht, one of the best attackers in the Eredivise, and yet he couldn't see the field ahead of MLS guys.

[panda2.0]

I don't rate Paxton or Brendan at all. Both are super high motor players with minimal technical skills. I rate Paxton even less now that he's making this move with clubs playing in Europe looking at him. The fact is he's going to a disaster of a franchise in Colorado makes this terrible situation even worse.

I've never felt worse about the state of the usmnt than now and that is saying something given how the last few years have gone.

[brewcity77]

I like how half their window was signing washed up former Premier League players...Conor Coady, Danny Ward, Jay Rodriguez...

Honestly, finishing in the top 15 would be a big win

They really can't afford to get promoted again. And I mean that literally. They need to make improvements to the Racecourse; at this point I'm not sure they would even be admitted to the Premier League if they did manage to get promoted (Luton's return was delayed because Kenilworth Road wasn't ready). The story of three consecutive promotions is fun, but there's a level of infrastructure required to compete at that level and I don't think Wrexham is there. They would probably be best served spending 2-3 years in the Championship before trying to get up to the next level.

Of course, that assumes they even survive a year in the Championship. Early returns are definitely less than ideal.

[JWags85]

I don't rate Paxton or Brendan at all. Both are super high motor players with minimal technical skills. I rate Paxton even less now that he's making this move with clubs playing in Europe looking at him. The fact is he's going to a disaster of a franchise in Colorado makes this terrible situation even worse.

I've never felt worse about the state of the usmnt than now and that is saying something given how the last few years have gone.

I agree with you about Brendan.  I think his move to Leeds sort of highlighted his deficiencies.  His motor/work rate/skill was good enough in MLS and at Salzburg, but not for the higher level.

But I rated Paxton pretty well after the last few seasons.  He was good at Vitesse, and then really good at Utrecht.  And it wasn't just against minnows, he had great performances vs Ajax/PSV/Feyenoord.  Given his age, it was impressive and a good trajectory.  But he'll stall out in MLS, cause his level will be good enough to excel against mediocre MLS defenses. 

Its once again showing the complete disconnect between MLS fans and USMNT supporters.  Listen, if you're a Rapids fan, I get it, be excited.  But the number of other MLS fans who are cheering it cause they act like this makes the MLS better or its a win against Euro soccer "snobs" is silly.  Almost as silly as the people who are like "he'll come back and have some good years and still can make a big money move back to Europe!" but yet can't name a single USMNT player who has done that, cause it doesn't happen.

MLS is hell bent on doing the same thing Liga MX did in trying to put their domestic players in golden cages with inflated salaries to the detriment of their national team.

[panda2.0]

I agree with you about Brendan.  I think his move to Leeds sort of highlighted his deficiencies.  His motor/work rate/skill was good enough in MLS and at Salzburg, but not for the higher level.

But I rated Paxton pretty well after the last few seasons.  He was good at Vitesse, and then really good at Utrecht.  And it wasn't just against minnows, he had great performances vs Ajax/PSV/Feyenoord.  Given his age, it was impressive and a good trajectory.  But he'll stall out in MLS, cause his level will be good enough to excel against mediocre MLS defenses. 

Its once again showing the complete disconnect between MLS fans and USMNT supporters.  Listen, if you're a Rapids fan, I get it, be excited.  But the number of other MLS fans who are cheering it cause they act like this makes the MLS better or its a win against Euro soccer "snobs" is silly.  Almost as silly as the people who are like "he'll come back and have some good years and still can make a big money move back to Europe!" but yet can't name a single USMNT player who has done that, cause it doesn't happen.

MLS is hell bent on doing the same thing Liga MX did in trying to put their domestic players in golden cages with inflated salaries to the detriment of their national team.

Much of my judgement on Paxton is clouded by his brother to be fair. Brendan displayed the same level of potential  early on but ultimately never developed technically. I foresee the same path for Paxton, especially moving back to a league where skills on the ball are not a priority.

[The Sultan]

The Champions League this year will include teams from the notable soccer countries of Kazakhstan, Cyprus, and Norway.

[JWags85]

The Champions League this year will include teams from the notable soccer countries of Kazakhstan, Cyprus, and Norway.

One of the more surprising qualifying rounds in awhile.  Bodo/Glimt from Norway isn't very surprising.  They were a goal away last year, then made the Europa semis and have turned into a powerhouse in Norway, I think they've won 3 or 4 of the last 5 league titles.  But still its a super cool story cause they are CRAZY far north in Norway, north of Iceland.  Gonna be some cool away matches there.

But the usual characters in Croatia, Czechia, and other former Yugoslav countries all kind of fell on their faces this time around and it lead to other clubs sneaking in.  Pafos from Cyprus is kind of wild, they are barely 10 years old as a club.

And not only are they getting the first Kazak club in the CL ever, they did it by absolutely blanking Celtic.  I'm pretty sure Celtic was more than 2 goal favorites in each match and they scored 0 against a team with a lower coefficient than the club from Malta and level with clubs from Luxembourg and Moldova.

[The Sultan]

Astana from Kazakhstan made the group stages in the CL before. About a decade ago.

But we will have the furthest north and the furthest east matches this year. Almaty is closer to Tokyo than it is to Madrid.

And a team from Azerbaijan can qualify tomorrow.

[JWags85]

Astana from Kazakhstan made the group stages in the CL before. About a decade ago.

But we will have the furthest north and the furthest east matches this year. Almaty is closer to Tokyo than it is to Madrid.

And a team from Azerbaijan can qualify tomorrow.

Oh thats right, I always mix up Astana and one of the Soviet block clubs.

The Azerbaijan entry wouldn't be that crazy though, Qarabag is like Gonzaga in the WCC.  They've made a few CLs, lost in the final playoff a few times the last few years, and then are always around Europa.  They're a team that could content in the Championship every year in a league that is mostly League 2 or National League talent at best.

[Its DJOver]

Oh United.  Always down for a good hatewatch. Does Amorim make it to Christmas?

[JWags85]

Oh United.  Always down for a good hatewatch. Does Amorim make it to Christmas?

I wanted Amorim for a time before LFC hired Slot, bullet dodged.  But United has become a wasteland so maybe it's not totally his fault.

But my god, go down 2-0 to a League 2 club.  Fight back to tie with 2 in the last 15 min.  Then have your $70MM signing choke to seal the match in a shootout then lose because your $50MM GK can't stop a single shot from 10 in a row from guys who all make less than he does in 2 weeks, most less than he does in a week.

[Its DJOver]

TAA and KDB homecomings. Suspicious.