(10-17-2017 08:14 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(10-17-2017 07:57 AM)aTxTIGER Wrote:  

(10-17-2017 07:20 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(10-17-2017 06:33 AM)DexterDevil Wrote:  Well, Columbus Crew may be moving to Austin to chase that tax payer funded stadium.

My first thought in all of that, FC Cincinnati is going to be an MLS team as well as Detroit.

MLS cannot afford to have a 700 miles wide gapin hole in their coverage in the most populated region in America.

According to the census bureau its the 3rd most populous.

https://www.census.gov/popclock/data_tab...ent=growth

The "Golden Triangle" (Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania) is still arguably the largest target population...although I would understand why Texas makes so much sense, all of the "immigrants" do make attendance numbers much more gaudy.

What do you mean by "immigrants" ?

(10-17-2017 04:18 PM)Loco Bearcat Wrote:  

(10-17-2017 08:14 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(10-17-2017 07:57 AM)aTxTIGER Wrote:  

(10-17-2017 07:20 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(10-17-2017 06:33 AM)DexterDevil Wrote:  Well, Columbus Crew may be moving to Austin to chase that tax payer funded stadium.

My first thought in all of that, FC Cincinnati is going to be an MLS team as well as Detroit.

MLS cannot afford to have a 700 miles wide gapin hole in their coverage in the most populated region in America.

According to the census bureau its the 3rd most populous.

https://www.census.gov/popclock/data_tab...ent=growth

The "Golden Triangle" (Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania) is still arguably the largest target population...although I would understand why Texas makes so much sense, all of the immigrants do make attendance numbers much more gaudy.

What do you mean by immigrants?

People who immigrated to the country who have more affinity for soccer than Americans? At least, that's what people who don't give a **** about the sport always tell me when I'm sitting and watching a game on a TV in the back of a restaurant.

Truth be told, the Latino population does show out, but only for the national team, as FC Dallas' attendance (which is worse than Columbus' oddly enough).

(10-18-2017 08:05 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(10-17-2017 04:18 PM)Loco Bearcat Wrote:  

(10-17-2017 08:14 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(10-17-2017 07:57 AM)aTxTIGER Wrote:  

(10-17-2017 07:20 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  My first thought in all of that, FC Cincinnati is going to be an MLS team as well as Detroit.

MLS cannot afford to have a 700 miles wide gapin hole in their coverage in the most populated region in America.

According to the census bureau its the 3rd most populous.

https://www.census.gov/popclock/data_tab...ent=growth

The "Golden Triangle" (Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania) is still arguably the largest target population...although I would understand why Texas makes so much sense, all of the immigrants do make attendance numbers much more gaudy.

What do you mean by immigrants?

People who immigrated to the country who have more affinity for soccer than Americans? At least, that's what people who don't give a **** about the sport always tell me when I'm sitting and watching a game on a TV in the back of a restaurant.

Truth be told, the Latino population does show out, but only for the national team, as FC Dallas' attendance (which is worse than Columbus' oddly enough).

There are a lot of 1st and 2nd generation Americans in Texas. I watched a lot of Liga MX games and Mexico/Cent American national team games with them when I lived in Texas. And that's not including the Asian and African immigrant communities in Houston. Houston is the 3rd largest immigrant city in the US.

(10-18-2017 08:09 AM)aTxTIGER Wrote:  

(10-18-2017 08:05 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(10-17-2017 04:18 PM)Loco Bearcat Wrote:  

(10-17-2017 08:14 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(10-17-2017 07:57 AM)aTxTIGER Wrote:  According to the census bureau its the 3rd most populous.

https://www.census.gov/popclock/data_tab...ent=growth

The "Golden Triangle" (Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania) is still arguably the largest target population...although I would understand why Texas makes so much sense, all of the immigrants do make attendance numbers much more gaudy.

What do you mean by immigrants?

People who immigrated to the country who have more affinity for soccer than Americans? At least, that's what people who don't give a **** about the sport always tell me when I'm sitting and watching a game on a TV in the back of a restaurant.

Truth be told, the Latino population does show out, but only for the national team, as FC Dallas' attendance (which is worse than Columbus' oddly enough).

There are a lot of 1st and 2nd generation Americans in Texas. I watched a lot of Liga MX games and Mexico/Cent American national team games with them when I lived in Texas. And that's not including the Asian and African immigrant communities in Houston. Houston is the 3rd largest immigrant city in the US.

Yeah, you don't have to do much digging...just look at what happened any time a Copa game was held in Texas or Phoenix. There are a lot of soccer fans down there, but their affinity is for a different product than the MLS provides. I think Austin may be more the hipster union, which could be a good thing for their attendance, but if they are relying on the population demographics down there to show out, it probably won't happen the way they think it will.

Yeah, there are a lot of first and second generation americans that love soccer. It's just they don't care for MLS. And who can blame them? The quality of product is much less than what they get out of Liga MX.

That should be pretty evident looking at the National team picture. US Soccer is still in hot water for playing Costa Rica in New York with its High Costa Rican immigrant population, but most of those same people don't attend RBNY games.

(10-18-2017 08:05 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(10-17-2017 04:18 PM)Loco Bearcat Wrote:  

(10-17-2017 08:14 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(10-17-2017 07:57 AM)aTxTIGER Wrote:  

(10-17-2017 07:20 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  My first thought in all of that, FC Cincinnati is going to be an MLS team as well as Detroit.

MLS cannot afford to have a 700 miles wide gapin hole in their coverage in the most populated region in America.

According to the census bureau its the 3rd most populous.

https://www.census.gov/popclock/data_tab...ent=growth

The "Golden Triangle" (Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania) is still arguably the largest target population...although I would understand why Texas makes so much sense, all of the immigrants do make attendance numbers much more gaudy.

What do you mean by immigrants?

People who immigrated to the country who have more affinity for soccer than Americans? At least, that's what people who don't give a **** about the sport always tell me when I'm sitting and watching a game on a TV in the back of a restaurant.

Truth be told, the Latino population does show out, but only for the national team, as FC Dallas' attendance (which is worse than Columbus' oddly enough).

I agree with that assessment, I grew up in Cincinnati however I lived in Tampa for 1 year and I have lived in Albuquerque for 7 years. Lots of Colombian fans in Tampa, Mexican and Central American fans in Albuquerque. Liga MX is by far the most popular league in Albuquerque. MLS has been trying to tap into the Latino market without much success. I'm half Mexican descent 4th generation on the paternal side and the maternal side goes back to the Colonial days of Spain and most of my familia don't watch soccer.

(10-18-2017 11:16 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  Yeah, there are a lot of first and second generation americans that love soccer. It's just they don't care for MLS. And who can blame them? The quality of product is much less than what they get out of Liga MX.

That should be pretty evident looking at the National team picture. US Soccer is still in hot water for playing Costa Rica in New York with its High Costa Rican immigrant population, but most of those same people don't attend RBNY games.

Houston Dynamo get good hispanic support. Austin/San Antonio area has a massive Mexican/Central American population. Im sure they would reach out.

Mr. Shakira was just sent off (2nd yellow) for a handball goal. I question that card.

THis Chelsea roma game is nuts

(10-18-2017 03:25 PM)aTxTIGER Wrote:  THis Chelsea roma game is nuts

It's a damn shame that they mirrored that match for the next round of play...after watching that game I couldn't imagine a better way to end the group stage than with these two teams battling for a spot (maybe...as long at Atleti don't drop more points to the Azerbaijani champions) on the last day.


One thing is for sure...It's almost a foregone conclusion that Group E is going to go to whomever beats Maribor by more goals

And as a Celtic fan...every time I look at Groups A and G I get pissed...you replace CSKA or RB with us and I bet we stand a fine chance at moving to the knockouts, but instead we get grouped with two of the top 6 teams in the world again for what feels like the 8th straight time in the CL.

Halfway through the group stage the winners/runnerups are:

Winner
====
Man U
PSG
Chelsea
Barcelona
Liverpool( by GD)
Man City
Besiktas
Tottenham Hotspur(on away goals head to head)

Runner Ups
========
FC Basel
Bayern
Roma
Juventus
Spartak Moscow
Shaktar Donetsk
RB Leipzig
Real Madrid




Ath Madrid, Sevilla, Monaco, Porto, and Dortmund would be out. All 5 English teams would win their groups and Man City would certainly draw Real Madrid in the Round of 16 bc that's just what happens to them.

(10-18-2017 03:34 PM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(10-18-2017 03:25 PM)aTxTIGER Wrote:  THis Chelsea roma game is nuts

It's a damn shame that they mirrored that match for the next round of play...after watching that game I couldn't imagine a better way to end the group stage than with these two teams battling for a spot (maybe...as long at Atleti don't drop more points to the Azerbaijani champions) on the last day.


One thing is for sure...It's almost a foregone conclusion that Group E is going to go to whomever beats Maribor by more goals

And as a Celtic fan...every time I look at Groups A and G I get pissed...you replace CSKA or RB with us and I bet we stand a fine chance at moving to the knockouts, but instead we get grouped with two of the top 6 teams in the world again for what feels like the 8th straight time in the CL.

We've been over this. UEFA stores certain ping pong balls in the freezer before they "draw" them out of the pots for Champions League play.

Surely Celtic have figured out that this thing is rigged by now?

On the US Side of things, 2 pieces of news today after the insanity that was Yesterday with Crew's potential relocation, NASL wanting to steal half of the NPSL, and MLS reserve sides probably leaving the USL.

1: Bill Hamid is leaving DC United to play in Europe. Probably trying to get his name back among the contingent of potential goalkeepers for the National team next World Cup cycle.

2. Landon Donnovan is reportedly mulling over running for US Soccer President.

Thoughts?

(10-18-2017 08:01 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-18-2017 03:34 PM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(10-18-2017 03:25 PM)aTxTIGER Wrote:  THis Chelsea roma game is nuts

It's a damn shame that they mirrored that match for the next round of play...after watching that game I couldn't imagine a better way to end the group stage than with these two teams battling for a spot (maybe...as long at Atleti don't drop more points to the Azerbaijani champions) on the last day.


One thing is for sure...It's almost a foregone conclusion that Group E is going to go to whomever beats Maribor by more goals

And as a Celtic fan...every time I look at Groups A and G I get pissed...you replace CSKA or RB with us and I bet we stand a fine chance at moving to the knockouts, but instead we get grouped with two of the top 6 teams in the world again for what feels like the 8th straight time in the CL.

We've been over this. UEFA stores certain ping pong balls in the freezer before they "draw" them out of the pots for Champions League play.

Surely Celtic have figured out that this thing is rigged by now?

I know...it's a trick they learn from good old David Stern's during the Ewing draft

(10-18-2017 08:04 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  On the US Side of things, 2 pieces of news today after the insanity that was Yesterday with Crew's potential relocation, NASL wanting to steal half of the NPSL, and MLS reserve sides probably leaving the USL.

1: Bill Hamid is leaving DC United to play in Europe. Probably trying to get his name back among the contingent of potential goalkeepers for the National team next World Cup cycle.

2. Landon Donnovan is reportedly mulling over running for US Soccer President.

Thoughts?

1). If he actually goes to Denmark, I feel like that'll almost be a step back. Horvath is facing better competition on a nightly basis in Belgium.

2). If he runs, it'll be more of the same I fear. Think about it, the one disruptor coach we had didn't pick him for the side, you think he'll want to give that guy any credence?

(10-19-2017 06:27 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(10-18-2017 08:04 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  On the US Side of things, 2 pieces of news today after the insanity that was Yesterday with Crew's potential relocation, NASL wanting to steal half of the NPSL, and MLS reserve sides probably leaving the USL.

1: Bill Hamid is leaving DC United to play in Europe. Probably trying to get his name back among the contingent of potential goalkeepers for the National team next World Cup cycle.

2. Landon Donnovan is reportedly mulling over running for US Soccer President.

Thoughts?

1). If he actually goes to Denmark, I feel like that'll almost be a step back. Horvath is facing better competition on a nightly basis in Belgium.

2). If he runs, it'll be more of the same I fear. Think about it, the one disruptor coach we had didn't pick him for the side, you think he'll want to give that guy any credence?

yea, I dont understand the move to Denmark at his age. It sounds like hell go to Midtjylland which is one of the top 3 clubs over the last 5 years. So it could be worse I guess.

About LD, yea, I dont think I am on board with him.

(10-19-2017 08:10 AM)aTxTIGER Wrote:  

(10-19-2017 06:27 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(10-18-2017 08:04 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  On the US Side of things, 2 pieces of news today after the insanity that was Yesterday with Crew's potential relocation, NASL wanting to steal half of the NPSL, and MLS reserve sides probably leaving the USL.

1: Bill Hamid is leaving DC United to play in Europe. Probably trying to get his name back among the contingent of potential goalkeepers for the National team next World Cup cycle.

2. Landon Donnovan is reportedly mulling over running for US Soccer President.

Thoughts?

1). If he actually goes to Denmark, I feel like that'll almost be a step back. Horvath is facing better competition on a nightly basis in Belgium.

2). If he runs, it'll be more of the same I fear. Think about it, the one disruptor coach we had didn't pick him for the side, you think he'll want to give that guy any credence?

yea, I dont understand the move to Denmark at his age. It sounds like hell go to Midtjylland which is one of the top 3 clubs over the last 5 years. So it could be worse I guess.

About LD, yea, I dont think I am on board with him.

Still...Top 3 in Denmark would probably still struggle to stay up in any of the Top 5 leagues. I would figure there's a Dutch team or a Bund side near the bottom that would take him. He's probably going to try to start there and move in a year if I had to guess; he just wouldn't be getting enough 'good' experience at that point. Horvath is obviously outpacing him there so far AND he's got 5 years on him.

(10-14-2017 11:43 AM)TU4ever Wrote:  

(10-14-2017 09:04 AM)DefCONNOne Wrote:  

(10-14-2017 02:59 AM)DexterDevil Wrote:  

(10-13-2017 09:46 AM)DefCONNOne Wrote:  

(10-12-2017 11:16 PM)DexterDevil Wrote:  Two of the larger semi-pro/amateur USASA leagues have called for his resignation and pro/rel.

Do these two leagues have an actual plan to get there? Or, as I suspect, does their plan involves a snap of the fingers?

Because I'm of the opinion nearly everyone calling for pro/rel in the US has no plan. other than a snap of the fingers to get to the pro/rel system.

I'd assume it's a simple thing called capping out the first division at say 24-28 and starting to relegate clubs while promoting clubs that earned it by merit. USL itself probably isn't far away from having a viable pro/rel setup either. Plan is called a free market where things are based on merit. Regardless of when or how it happens, it will be and is the USSF's job to make a plan and set timeline for it to happen, not independent leagues and one single entity.

So in other words their plan involves a mere snap of the fingers. Which is the same as having no plan.

Pretty sure he just outlined a plan, 24 top teams, everybody else divided into tiers. Top 2 teams go up, bottom two go down. This isnt rocket science, its been done in europe forever.

Boo hoo i paid a 100 million for my team, well if you spent that money on player and team development you should be fine. Player development becomes a big deal in these set ups because clubs rarely can buy a whole team to be competitive.

Player developement should be us soccer's main goal since we are limited by nationality for selection. The second goal should be over all soccer popularity to get as many people involved as possible, to give the us more players to develop.

If your hometown team can move up or be relegated the casual fan is more likely to follow, to help with homefield advantage which is big in a teams wins and losses. Which means you dont have 24 cities strongly supporting teams instead you get 60.

So having read this post again I've come to the conclusion you're simply miserable and need to vent at that damn MLS!! Also, you don't have a plan either...other than a simple snap of the fingers. Strangely outside of a couple of posters in this thread, everyone seems to think MLS pro/rel can be accomplished by a simple snap of the fingers.

(10-18-2017 08:04 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  On the US Side of things, 2 pieces of news today after the insanity that was Yesterday with Crew's potential relocation, NASL wanting to steal half of the NPSL, and MLS reserve sides probably leaving the USL.

1: Bill Hamid is leaving DC United to play in Europe. Probably trying to get his name back among the contingent of potential goalkeepers for the National team next World Cup cycle.

2. Landon Donnovan is reportedly mulling over running for US Soccer President.

Thoughts?

Has Eric Wynalda put forth his name for consideration for USSF President? I had read somewhere (or saw a video) that stated he wanted Gulati's job.

(10-19-2017 08:50 AM)DefCONNOne Wrote:  

(10-18-2017 08:04 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  On the US Side of things, 2 pieces of news today after the insanity that was Yesterday with Crew's potential relocation, NASL wanting to steal half of the NPSL, and MLS reserve sides probably leaving the USL.

1: Bill Hamid is leaving DC United to play in Europe. Probably trying to get his name back among the contingent of potential goalkeepers for the National team next World Cup cycle.

2. Landon Donnovan is reportedly mulling over running for US Soccer President.

Thoughts?

Has Eric Wynalda put forth his name for consideration for USSF President? I had read somewhere (or saw a video) that stated he wanted Gulati's job.

I'm sure that Harkes would just step in and take it from him.