<Insert Name Here> Sucks! - Our Very Own 'Other Teams' Thread [R]

Discussion in 'Philadelphia Union' started by Highbury, Feb 26, 2009.

  1. USArsnl

    USArsnl New Member

    Aug 4, 2006
    Philadelphia
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Our Very Own 'Other Teams' Thread [R]


    A decent band, even if the LA punk scene wasn't as influential as London or NY.


    Allez Le Impact!
     
  2. Highbury

    Highbury Member

    May 13, 2006
    Philadelphia
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Our Very Own 'Other Teams' Thread [R]

    Crazy day today.

    Spurs botch it in PK's.
    Stoke City perform miracles.
    Atletico and Barca play a classic. I can definately see Real coming back t owin the title especially if they beat barca later on.
     
  3. SmashtheVan

    SmashtheVan Member+

    Jan 13, 2009
    South Jersey
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Our Very Own 'Other Teams' Thread [R]

    So pissed at Villa. Up 1-0 off a good petrov goal right before the half, and then I went to watch Bayern/Bremen and was happy when I saw the Villa score was 2-0, and then both my teams get draw and then the flyers lost. what a shitty day for me and sports.
     
  4. FC Matt 90

    FC Matt 90 New Member

    Aug 1, 2006
    Philadelphia
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Our Very Own 'Other Teams' Thread [R]

    I bet on Villa and Barca this weekend, and both were looking good...:(
     
  5. CyphaPSU

    CyphaPSU Member+

    Mar 16, 2003
    Not Far
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Our Very Own 'Other Teams' Thread [R]

    You know...seeing the Dynamo crash out of the CCL last night as the last remaining representative from MLS--I'm a little tired of this stuff. I happen to think these kinds of competitions are good and should be taken seriously. Perhaps one could say that the Dynamo are only in preseason which put them at a disadvantage, however, Montreal and Puerto Rico are still getting results and that same excuse cannot be applied to the other three MLS clubs who crashed out in the previous round. It would be nice to see someday MLS teams catching up to our national team in terms of results against regional international competition. With USL teams fairing much better than MLS teams, I'd say there is an attitude problem amongst MLS clubs in general towards certain competitions.

    [/ok, end rant]
     
  6. Z010 Union

    Z010 Union Moderator
    Staff Member

    Mar 28, 2002
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Our Very Own 'Other Teams' Thread [R]

    I think the disparity is part of the salary cap and wage disparity issues that exist in MLS. These will be hopefully be addressed by the CBA after this year. Additionally, player acquisition rules will hopefully be modified more in line with world standards.
     
  7. SoB Bolton

    SoB Bolton New Member

    Mar 25, 2007
    Chester, PA
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Our Very Own 'Other Teams' Thread [R]

    Yeah I'm really hoping the CBA helps the league...they have the money now.
     
  8. Dills

    Dills Moderator
    Staff Member

    Philadelphia Union
    United States
    Jun 6, 2006
    Southampton|PA
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Our Very Own 'Other Teams' Thread [R]

    if/when FIFA's 6+5 rule gains momentum, and is implemented world-wide, i could see many yanks abroad who are/will be riding the pine at their current clubs coming back stateside, thereby increasing the quality of play amongst the various MLS clubs.
     
  9. ChefJim27

    ChefJim27 Member

    Feb 9, 2008
    Re: Our Very Own 'Other Teams' Thread [R]

    Good point. I'm sick of MLS selling a Beasley or Altidore to Europe so they can ride the bench and have their skills completely rust. Why do clubs buy these players if they have little intention of playing them?
     
  10. buzzkiller23

    buzzkiller23 Member+

    Jan 30, 2009
    Glenolden, PA
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Our Very Own 'Other Teams' Thread [R]

    Agreed. A lot of people have been and are still worried about key players on the USMNT, Beasley included, being rusty from riding the pine in Europe. They could play here and lead a team. Oh well.
     
  11. Dills

    Dills Moderator
    Staff Member

    Philadelphia Union
    United States
    Jun 6, 2006
    Southampton|PA
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Our Very Own 'Other Teams' Thread [R]

    it's a double-edged sword though ... when they actually do get playing-time, the quality of their opposition is higher.
     
  12. buzzkiller23

    buzzkiller23 Member+

    Jan 30, 2009
    Glenolden, PA
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Our Very Own 'Other Teams' Thread [R]

    I totally agree in that sense. Landon Donovan gets a ton of playing time for FC Bayern Munich and I think that's great. I just don't agree with the guys who play in the last 10 minutes of 3-0 game instead of 90 here.
     
  13. ChefJim27

    ChefJim27 Member

    Feb 9, 2008
    Re: Our Very Own 'Other Teams' Thread [R]

    True, but what gets a footballer more ready for MLS? Is it playing garbage time in the EPL, or starting as the focal point of the attack in USL-1?
     
  14. Dills

    Dills Moderator
    Staff Member

    Philadelphia Union
    United States
    Jun 6, 2006
    Southampton|PA
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Our Very Own 'Other Teams' Thread [R]

    but i guess that's the point i'm trying to come to ... IF (and that's a big IF) this 6+5 rule does get implemented, homegrown players won't be going overseas - especially not to big clubs - if they won't be getting any substantial time on the field. some players may want more than 10-15 minutes a game, even if it means playing for a "lowly" MLS/USL side.

    as it is now, the "best" american* soccer players aren't playing for the likes of man utd, barcelona, inter, or any other top tier team. these yanks are stuck at lower tier teams, ones without as much clout or international presence.




    *and by american, i mean those who would proudly wear the USMNT jersey.
     
  15. ChefJim27

    ChefJim27 Member

    Feb 9, 2008
    Re: Our Very Own 'Other Teams' Thread [R]

    I don't really see how the 6+5 rule could possibly be implimented. Granted, it would be easier on MLS than other leagues, but just for giggles, I'm using Wiki's info on how many on each roster aren't American, or Canadian for TFC

    Chi-7/22
    Clb-8/23
    DCU-9/23
    KC-6/30
    NE-7/22
    NY-12/23
    Tor-6 Canadian,6 American/23
    CHV -6/23
    Col- 6/23
    Dal- 8/23
    Hou- 3/22 (No Problem)
    LA- 5/23
    RSL- 6/22
    SJ- 4/19
    Sea- 10/21

    Just using MLS, the 6+5 rule could happen, easier for some clubs than others. Could you imagine what the EPL would look like if Manchester United, to name one, would have to start at least 6 Englishmen every game? Only 13 of the clubs 36 players are English, and in today's match, 1-1 at the half thanks to that R up top, only 3 are starting. I could imagine most top flight clubs going to war with FIFA over the 6+5, and it would get very ugly if it did.
     
  16. DoctorD

    DoctorD Member+

    Sep 29, 2002
    MidAtlantic
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Our Very Own 'Other Teams' Thread [R]

    I'll take "restraint of trade" for $1000, Jim.
     
  17. Highbury

    Highbury Member

    May 13, 2006
    Philadelphia
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Our Very Own 'Other Teams' Thread [R]

    Beasley has had injury problems and failed to catch on at any club recently. Altidore at, what, 19? I don't think it's too much of a problem having him ride the pine and learn from the likes of Nihat, Rossi, Franco, Pires, etc. There are big plans for him. Villareal thought highly enough of him to buy him early on because of the future they see him having at their club. He's getting playing time anyway at Xerez, a club comparable to the better teams in MLS.

    The USL better than MLS one is a tricky one. Sure the USL has two teams looking to progress to the semi's of the CCL, and MLS has zilch. The problem is MLS' salary cap. The salary cap is designed to create parity throughout the league, therefore it is very difficult for one team to become so dominant that they can do well in the CCL. Depth also becomes a big issue with the cap. The cap simply doesn't allow MLS teams to pay enough decent players beyond the starting XI, if that. The USL on the other hand, does not have a cap. There are plenty of good players in this country and not all can have a place in MLS. They can certainly be paid more in the USL in many cases. These teams also don't have massive drop offs in quality from the starting XI to the bench.

    Now the case of Montreal and Puerto Rico. These teams, due to their locations are like all-star teams for their region. Montreal is comprised of basically every class player in Quebec. Why aren't they in MLS? They are paid more than they will be in MLS and get to play in their back yard. The same is for Puerto Rico. It is a Puerto Rican stud team. There is too much parity throughout our large country, and a salary cap, to create as strong of teams. That said, even with a cap limiting quality, and the talent scattered throughout many teams, MLS teams are certainly very close to Monteal and Puerto Rico.

    That's just my take. I could be wrong on certain issues.
     
  18. SoB Bolton

    SoB Bolton New Member

    Mar 25, 2007
    Chester, PA
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Our Very Own 'Other Teams' Thread [R]

    That's because the MLS already has quotas.
     
  19. Highbury

    Highbury Member

    May 13, 2006
    Philadelphia
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Our Very Own 'Other Teams' Thread [R]

    PR advances to the semi's 3-1 over Marathon. 0-1 tonight. Marathon looked better but couldn't finish.

    Anyone else find it weird that for the MLS/USL sides in the quarterfinal they qualified for this competition not last season now, but the one before? It's a bit of a headache as everyone else runs the competition more parallel to the season after they qualify.
     
  20. buzzkiller23

    buzzkiller23 Member+

    Jan 30, 2009
    Glenolden, PA
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    SI "Go Figure" blurb about Seattle

    I'm about 99% sure this is in the hard cop but not online...so I'm not sure how much of this I can type out. It stood out to me because we'd discussed the troubles of the NHL and NBA and the steady rise of the MLS and US Soccer in gereral. So here we go...

    Go Figure
    ______

    0 Assists by Lebron James in the Cavaliers' loss to Houston last Thursday, the first game of his career without one.
    ______

    20,000 Season tickets sold by the Seattle Sounders, who will begin their first MLS season on March 19.
    ______

    16,000 Season ticket sales the Mariners have averaged over the last five seasons.
    ______

    $200 million: Amount the NBA borrowed from banks last week to distribute to franchises needing assistance during the economic crisis.
    ______

    12 NBA teams that have expressed interest in receiving assistance funds.
     
  21. chapka

    chapka Member+

    May 18, 2004
    Haverford, PA
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: SI "Go Figure" blurb about Seattle

    You know what I like about this? (Assuming buzzkiller typed it in verbatim...)

    Sports Illustrated assumes that their average reader will know what "MLS" means without having to spell out that the Sounders are a soccer team playing soccer in a soccer league (you know, like Pele?).
     
  22. Dills

    Dills Moderator
    Staff Member

    Philadelphia Union
    United States
    Jun 6, 2006
    Southampton|PA
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Our Very Own 'Other Teams' Thread [R]

    what does the hawaiian goddess of fire have to do with this?
     
  23. buzzkiller23

    buzzkiller23 Member+

    Jan 30, 2009
    Glenolden, PA
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: SI "Go Figure" blurb about Seattle

    It is verbatim.
     
  24. ChefJim27

    ChefJim27 Member

    Feb 9, 2008
    Re: Our Very Own 'Other Teams' Thread [R]

    That's hilarious that the Sounders have sold more season tickets than the Mariners. I guess that's one more nail in the coffin of the "no one cares about soccer" naysayers. I'm looking foreward to hearing how the major sports news organizations are going to handle this. A few will simply call this an expansion abomination, which will likely fade over time, but I suspect most will do what they always do when it comes to the beautiful game. They will crawl back into bed, pull the covers over their heads, and shake until it goes away. I wonder how a Jim Rome or a Skip Bayless might react to this. I'm sure JR would find a way to dismiss the fact, while denegrating soccer once again, and SB would probably throw his hands up and shout about discussing a real sport. Considering that MLS is the only major sports league in the US/Canada that is expanding during the recession, do you think it's time for MLS to finally get some of the attention it deserves? Do you think soccer in general is going to continue to be shit on due to arrogance, ignorance, and the nihilistic attitues of the majority of the American sports marketplace, fans and journalists alike? We'll see two weeks from today, when MLS kicks off its 14th campaign with a jam packed house in Seattle. I'm sure the Qwest atmosphere will be great, and I bet it will be really entertaining soccer, but does anyone have even a shred of hope that USA Today will have anything more than its usual 1/2 inch column on the inside back cover?
     
  25. chapka

    chapka Member+

    May 18, 2004
    Haverford, PA
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Our Very Own 'Other Teams' Thread [R]

    Hey, now--USA Today's soccer coverage is actually pretty good, especially compared to other American sports media. (Their news coverage is still pretty awful, but you can't have everything).

    Pretty much every time I pick up a USA Today (free from in front of my hotel room door) there's a soccer story somewhere in the sports section. That's not something you can say about most papers.
     

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