Remember. First, you have to be good enough. Second, any coach should always build the best team, and never a team out of the best players (look to a number of teams in this years World Cup). As players we cannot, and should not, do more than to try our hardest to stay in contention of that. To speculate about own chances or probabilities will always be misinterpreted by someone, -and offend others. Respect that. Hence, respect also the majority of players that reads, but never post here nor anywhere else. That being said, I doubt that anything in the schedules will fit either Ussoccer or Stabæk for the reminder of this year. However, I can tell you that I am trying to cut a deal with my club so I will have "a greater say" over the next years, if the US coordinators calls us up. I had a hard time being released to camps and matches prior to the final call to Egypt U20. Actually, I only had two full days with Rongens U20 before I luckily was honored by him with an invitation to represent USA in "the real thing". I didn't know that there is, and that there would be, so much positioning and "give and take situations" going on between federations, clubs and conferences. I know now. So, ..... I am attempting to improve my odds. Because, ........London, the five colo(u)red rings, and a red, white and blue jersey at .... let's say ....Wembley ... - is worth dreaming about .... -is worth fighting for. Therefore, I don't think too much about how realistic it all is. 'cause that won't change much. I think the drive will still be there. (but I have to admit -it is a bit inspirational to know that Anthony Annan, a former teammate of mine, who played some decent matches for Ghana in this year's World Cup, played my current position in Stabæk as one of two central mids less than two years ago, before he was sold to Rosenborg)
Jesus Christ, this is the second coming of the brazilian woman holding the flag in the short shorts last time around.
It's amazing the "Where's Waldo" zoom-in the cameraman did. Found bouncing breasts in a sea of people. Target acquired.
I admire your confidence, Mix! And I really appreciate your stopping by from time to time to post. I'll be rooting for you and hoping to see you in the US colors soon! I wish you all the best!
Sorry if this has been posted already. One poster here is famous apparently. http://www.tnr.com/blog/world-cup/75872/first-they-ignore-you
I would change the question in the title to Does Anyone Important in US Soccer Not Read Bigsoccer? My guess is that the number answering yes to that question is a good deal smaller than the number answering yes to the original question.
Since I'm the one who started this thread, I would then suggest a new title: Does Bigsoccer have any tangible effect on how soccer is played, coached, represented, marketed, covered (in the wider media), or appreciated? Put differently, are we all just wasting our time?
After lurking for years and posting for the last one, I honestly think we have an effect on what coaches do...or at least on how they perceive their decisions and attempt to rectify them. I think the same can be said for some decisions made in the front office. We are a sort of guiding force, a public opinion which is very tangible. On top of that, it is nice to gain new perspectives. You're only wasting your time when you stop learning.
Okay, then. Now that I know that a) important people read these posts, and b) our comments impact soccer worldwide, I've got some important things to say. .....I just need to figure out what they are.
I am certain BS is the primary destination for many of them, as intuitive as an early morning cup of coffee. I also assume there are plants and informants as well. PS. Has anyone mentioned ex-Chicago Fire GM Peter Wilt's long standing participation in the forums?
I don't put much stock in my own gut reaction on this one, but when I first saw the Costa Rica away line-up, I was tempted to think that Bob was reading his second-guessers here, answering with a line-up that included just about every experiment that was being called for on N&A at the time in the very same line-up. (There was a big push for 433 among a certain core of the posters at that time, a big push for Torres, Beasley at LB was a popular though contentiously-debated experiment, and to a slightly lesser extent, ditto Wynne at RB.) To answer the OP's question (as if it hasn't already been answered): yes. We know that lots of them at least HAVE read it if they don't currently read it regularly, and have been quoted as saying so. And Wahl has referred to it in his writing a number of times, actually. I don't know how much STOCK they put into it. Probably not that much, overall. But Big Soccer has basically become American soccer's call-in talk show, without a smarmy hyperbolic voice strictly moderating and controlling the discussion. (Soccer talk and soccer fan culture in the US has been very DIY since day one, as we've had so few media outlets, we've gone to the internet early on and made it ourselves from the grassroots level, and it makes sense that our "talk show" would be much the same.)
I don't care what detractors say, we make an effect and people can't help but be persuaded by what they read, regardless of stature. Your gut is not lying, sir. I thought the EXACT same thing when I saw the CR line-up and I have seen changes in Bob in the last year or so that would not lead me to think anything other than we effect him at least on a small level, perhaps on a major one. Not saying he doesn't think for himself, but its human nature to read things and begin to formulate new opinions and outlooks.
https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/member.php?u=11209 I'm not sure who this is but they've been registered for 10 years and only recently within the last couple weeks did they decide to post. Each of the 3 total posts is sticking up for Landon Donovan. Could be no one but it's a little odd to say the least.