Futbol Talk

[ZiggysFryBoy]

USMNT out of gold cup on pens, 5-4.

As a ref and a GK dad, the slow motion camera behind the net showing the PK and a foot on the line is absolutely mind-blowing how microseconds the difference is.

[jesmu84]

USMNT out of gold cup on pens, 5-4.

As a ref and a GK dad, the slow motion camera behind the net showing the PK and a foot on the line is absolutely mind-blowing how microseconds the difference is.

Meh. Probably a fair outcome. One of the few times the US looked like the less fit side.

[brewcity77]

They looked gassed before halftime. 120 with Canada and 120 again was just too much for the B team. Not watching much MLS, I assume Cristian Roldan must be some sort of god there, because good Christ is he useless in a national team jersey.

[JWags85]

They looked gassed before halftime. 120 with Canada and 120 again was just too much for the B team. Not watching much MLS, I assume Cristian Roldan must be some sort of god there, because good Christ is he useless in a national team jersey.

That Sounders mystique that has allowed Roldan and his buddy Morris to amass a combined 92 caps.  Neither of them should be sniffing actual competition but continue to get call ups.  Its pathetic.  Its crazy that both of them are only 28 and will be cashing fat MLS paychecks well past the 2026 WC but also have no business being near a USMNT other than meaningless friendlies due to injuries.

I'm fine with the US not sending the A team to the Gold Cup.  But at least use it to blood young guys and see what they got.  I LOVE what Ive seen from Cowell.  Dude is a bull in a china shop.  Thats the kind of player that should be getting run.  Why no Caleb Wiley?  Why bring up Aiden Morris and then just play Roldan?  Its beyond frustrating.

This was just an AWFUL soccer match to watch for the majority of it, both as a US supporter, or just a casual observer.

[panda]

It's not very embarrassing we lost to Panama given the roster we rolled out this tournament. The lesson from this tournament is what others have said already. No more Aaron Long, roldan, morris, arriola, acosta, miazga, Yedlin etc. MLS has beens who consistently under achieve with the national team have absolutely no business putting on the shirt.

I'm very concerned several of those names will continue to see call ups with GGG.

[drewm88]

That Sounders mystique that has allowed Roldan and his buddy Morris to amass a combined 92 caps.  Neither of them should be sniffing actual competition but continue to get call ups.  Its pathetic.  Its crazy that both of them are only 28 and will be cashing fat MLS paychecks well past the 2026 WC but also have no business being near a USMNT other than meaningless friendlies due to injuries.

I'm fine with the US not sending the A team to the Gold Cup.  But at least use it to blood young guys and see what they got.  I LOVE what Ive seen from Cowell.  Dude is a bull in a china shop.  Thats the kind of player that should be getting run.  Why no Caleb Wiley?  Why bring up Aiden Morris and then just play Roldan?  Its beyond frustrating.

This was just an AWFUL soccer match to watch for the majority of it, both as a US supporter, or just a casual observer.

Aidan Morris left camp for personal reasons after the group stage. The rest of your points stand.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

If you haven't watch the Dele interview, you need to.  One of my favorite players, wish him nothing but the best and hope he returns to glory.

https://youtu.be/9wsUnTugpjc

[JWags85]

Aidan Morris left camp for personal reasons after the group stage. The rest of your points stand.

Totally forgot that in my annoyance, you're right

[jesmu84]

https://twitter.com/FulhamishPod/status/1681568598169378817?t=oD5lg4Z_6TR4FyxXZyCgtQ&s=19

[jesmu84]

https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3474900/why-hiring-gregg-berhalter-was-an-incredibly-dumb-decision-us-soccer-had-to-assure-gio-reyna-that-hed-have-a-role-on-the-team

[21Jumpstreet]

Messi is incredible. Saw a game at Inter in the spring, what a different atmosphere in Miami tonight. Absolute GOAT

[panda]

Messi is incredible. Saw a game at Inter in the spring, what a different atmosphere in Miami tonight. Absolute GOAT

Inter is hilariously bad. This may be Messi's heaviest lift. He's not my goat until he lifts hardware in America lol

[21Jumpstreet]

Inter is hilariously bad. This may be Messi's heaviest lift. He's not my goat until he lifts hardware in America lol

Hah, fair. My seventeen year old couldn't believe how bad Inter was.

[jesmu84]

Messi is incredible. Saw a game at Inter in the spring, what a different atmosphere in Miami tonight. Absolute GOAT

Rigged

[jesmu84]

1 year, $1.1 billion for Mbappe to move from PSG to a Saudi team

What an offer

[ZiggysFryBoy]

1 year, $1.1 billion for Mbappe to move from PSG to a Saudi team

What an offer

And he can leave on a free to Madrid after 1 year.

Maybe the Saudis will run out of money quicker than everyone thinks....

[Golden Avalanche]

Can't wait to see how the people spin this development as Mbappe's fault.

[Its DJOver]

Fault? Certainly not. Massive benefit to him? Can hardly think of a situation that he would prefer more.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Messi in the MLS is awesome for so many reasons.

[JWags85]

Messi in the MLS is awesome for so many reasons.

I'll admit to not being the biggest Messi fan.  Far more a fan of Ray Hudson's manic ravings about his play than Messi or Barca.  But this has been absolutely ELECTRIC.  Eclipsing Zlatan taking MLS by storm.

Zlatan joined MLS after 2 disappointing injury filled years at Man United.  Huge arrival and tons of buzz but you thought it was a 37 year old on his last legs.  That first match where he scored the brace in dramatic glorious fashion was incredible and he rampaged through the league for 2 seasons.

But Messi is coming off a really good season at PSG and winning an f-ing World Cup.  Not only that, he has one of the absolute best defensive midfielders in European history giving him service upfield.  It's been incredible to watch a wizard like Busquests, who was sublime under pressure at the highest level, have all the time in the world to thread perfect balls to Messi.  It's like 2 college stars coming back to play sandlot ball with their scrub former HS teammates.

[Heisenberg]

The Saudis are offering Mbappe $1.1 BILLION to play for ONE YEAR for Al Hilal.

Numbers no one understands.

Saudi Arabia paying €1billion for one year of Kylian Mbappe makes total sense for all sides
https://theathletic.com/4718492/2023/07/25/kylian-mbappe-saudi-arabia/

This is going to create chaos once the Saudis get serious, and instead of paying stupid money to one superstar and more intelligently spend this kind of money to produce 2 to 4 Champions League quality teams.

-----

ADDED ... imagine in a few years should, the Saudis get interested in basketball and offer hundreds of millions per year for the top players in the NBA to play in Saudia Arabia.

[Hards Alumni]

The Saudis are offering Mbappe $1.1 BILLION to play for ONE YEAR for Al Hilal.

Numbers no one understands.

Saudi Arabia paying €1billion for one year of Kylian Mbappe makes total sense for all sides
https://theathletic.com/4718492/2023/07/25/kylian-mbappe-saudi-arabia/

This is going to create chaos once the Saudis get serious, and instead of paying stupid money to one superstar and more intelligently spend this kind of money to produce 2 to 4 Champions League quality teams.

-----

ADDED ... imagine in a few years should, the Saudis get interested in basketball and offer hundreds of millions per year for the top players in the NBA to play in Saudia Arabia.

Here is a good video you might enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txmzVsBniZQ

[MU82]

In their season finale, Oct. 21, Charlotte FC hosts Inter Miami. Messi doesn't like playing on artificial turf, and there was some thought that owner David Tepper would put in grass for the game to make sure Messi plays - ensuring a sellout. His willingness to put in grass for occasional events has ticked off Panthers players, who are still not happy Tepper switched to artificial turf a few years ago.

But Tepper's people announced recently that there are no plans to switch to grass for the game. Will the other MLS teams that also play on artificial turf also refuse to switch, or will some make the change? Will Messi play those games that aren't on grass? We'll see.

https://www.insidesport.in/lionel-messi-charlotte-fc-refuse-to-switch-from-artificial-to-natural-grass-for-messi/

[MU82]

In the history of sports, what percentage of ultra-hyped athletes actually live up to the extreme hype? 0.5%? Less?

I'm not a soccer guy ... and even I've enjoyed watching what Messi has accomplished so far in his brief MLS career. The tying goal last night was absolutely incredible.

https://twitter.com/TheAthletic/status/1688392080920358913?source=pulsenewsletter&campaign=7410069

He's got 7 goals in his 4 games for Miami, including 2 in each of the last 3 games, and he's singlehandedly turned a pathetic team into must-see TV. Pretty cool.

[Golden Avalanche]

MLS couldn't have asked for any better start and now ball is in their court to capitalize on it and increase their presence.