On the Eve of the new Season...

Sidehatch wrote:
vansmack wrote:
I don't want to bum anybody out, but if you're a US soccer fan, sit here for 20 minutes and see how many favorable draws you come up with for next year:

2014 World Cup Draw Simulator


Got one with USA Greece, Chile and Belgium….not that they will get that lucky



Chile is pretty good…

we  definitely need a WC draw when the time comes…

Better World Cup News:

http://deadspin.com/brazils-world-cup-kick-off-times-are-perfect-1469766047

The Highlights (all times Eastern):

In the group stage, matches are at 12 noon, 3 p.m, and 6 p.m. nearly every day.

Over the final two days of the group stage, when all four teams in a group play simultaneously, two matches each will be played at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.

That schedule extends through the knockout stages, with the Round of 16 and the quarterfinals seeing matches every day at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.

The two semifinals will be played at 4 p.m., and the final on Sunday, July 12, at 3 p.m.

ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC will broadcast every single match live and in HD. Even better, since most of us will be at the office, they'll all be available via the WatchESPN streaming service on computers and mobile devices.
Really could not have gone better for United….

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW
To be played Feb. 18, 19, 25, 26 and March 11, 12, 18, 19

Manchester City v Barcelona
Olympiakos v Manchester United
AC Milan v Atletico Madrid
Bayer Leverkusen v Paris St Germain
Galatasaray v Chelsea
Schalke v Real Madrid
Zenit v Dortmund
Arsenal v Bayern
Good article on kinda local, Gedion Zelalem.
Looks like he's not going to be ruined by being rushed along like another teen that played in Maryland.
http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/arsenal/id/3264?cc=5901
hutch wrote:
Moyes out at Man Utd.


I though they might fire him at halftime on Sunday.  Jurgen Klopp, please.
sweetcell wrote:
oh zombie, arise…

Copa America Coming to United States in 2016 Is a Game-Changer for US Soccer
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2048212-copa-amrica-coming-to-united-states-in-2016-is-a-game-changer-for-us-soccer

thoughts?


Game changer is a stretch, but it's still good for soccer in America.  The majority of the fans will be existing Anglo-American soccer fans and ex-pats of South/Central American nations, but even that's a huge improvement on the Gold Cup.

While soccer attendance and attention continues to improve in the States, it will require the US Team to be more competitive in international tournaments or the US hosting the World Cup to call it a "game changer"

I, for one, am very happy to watch the Euro's all morning and attend a Copa America in the evening.
In the last 10 days I've seen Gerrard, Terry and now Suarez cry.

Really makes up for an otherwise shitty season for United fans.
vansmack wrote:
sweetcell wrote:
oh zombie, arise…

Copa America Coming to United States in 2016 Is a Game-Changer for US Soccer
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2048212-copa-amrica-coming-to-united-states-in-2016-is-a-game-changer-for-us-soccer

thoughts?


Game changer is a stretch, but it's still good for soccer in America.  The majority of the fans will be existing Anglo-American soccer fans and ex-pats of South/Central American nations, but even that's a huge improvement on the Gold Cup.

While soccer attendance and attention continues to improve in the States, it will require the US Team to be more competitive in international tournaments or the US hosting the World Cup to call it a "game changer"

I, for one, am very happy to watch the Euro's all morning and attend a Copa America in the evening.


Why are US fans so stuck on the UK Premier League?  The German League and Spanish League have had more champions in the Champions League.  Is it because of the English speaking announcers?
atomic wrote:
vansmack wrote:
sweetcell wrote:
oh zombie, arise…

Copa America Coming to United States in 2016 Is a Game-Changer for US Soccer
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2048212-copa-amrica-coming-to-united-states-in-2016-is-a-game-changer-for-us-soccer

thoughts?



Game changer is a stretch, but it's still good for soccer in America.  The majority of the fans will be existing Anglo-American soccer fans and ex-pats of South/Central American nations, but even that's a huge improvement on the Gold Cup.

While soccer attendance and attention continues to improve in the States, it will require the US Team to be more competitive in international tournaments or the US hosting the World Cup to call it a "game changer"

I, for one, am very happy to watch the Euro's all morning and attend a Copa America in the evening.


Why are US fans so stuck on the UK Premier League?  The German League and Spanish League have had more champions in the Champions League.  Is it because of the English speaking announcers?

Probably because of access to view games on TV. Until recently it was much more difficult to see a bunch Bundesliga and La Liga games. With BeIN, you can also catch Serie A and Ligue 1 matches without buying some expensive package.

It's also generally accepted that the Premier League is the best league from top to bottom. The teams from other leagues that make the Champions League are generally better than their league competition by a wider margin. Any top 4 Premier League team have to take a Stoke City or Crystal Palace seriously or they will lose. The others can rest their top players without as much fear of a loss.
sweetcell wrote:
FIFA president Sepp Blatter awarding World Cup to Qatar in 2022 was ?of course? a mistake
http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/fifa-president-sepp-blatter-awarding-world-cup-to-qatar-in-2022-was-of-course-a-mistake/story-e6frf423-1226920623265


yes…but the bribes were oh so nice and big..

FIFA is a mafia.


Russia for 2018 and then Qatar 2022… tells you all you need to know.
hutch wrote:
sweetcell wrote:
FIFA president Sepp Blatter awarding World Cup to Qatar in 2022 was ?of course? a mistake
http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/fifa-president-sepp-blatter-awarding-world-cup-to-qatar-in-2022-was-of-course-a-mistake/story-e6frf423-1226920623265


yes…but the bribes were oh so nice and big..

FIFA is a mafia.


Russia for 2018 and then Qatar 2022… tells you all you need to know.


Don't know which is worse the IOC or FIFA.
sweetcell wrote:
Corruption allegations rock Qatar's successful 2022 World Cup bid
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/02/sport/football/football-qatar-world-cup-sunday-times/index.html


I was thinking: why would you bribe to hold an event no one cares about?  But then I guess this is a pretty big deal in some countries. 
atomic wrote:
sweetcell wrote:
Corruption allegations rock Qatar's successful 2022 World Cup bid
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/02/sport/football/football-qatar-world-cup-sunday-times/index.html


I was thinking: why would you bribe to hold an event no one cares about?  But then I guess this is a pretty big deal in some countries. 


And by 'in some countries' you mean the rest of the entire world.
Shemp wrote:
atomic wrote:
sweetcell wrote:
Corruption allegations rock Qatar's successful 2022 World Cup bid
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/02/sport/football/football-qatar-world-cup-sunday-times/index.html


I was thinking: why would you bribe to hold an event no one cares about?  But then I guess this is a pretty big deal in some countries. 


And by 'in some countries' you mean the rest of the entire world.


Canadians don't care about soccer do they?