Soccer, Sports and Politics - Part Deux

Sounds like Heaven!

 

This is pretty much my viewpoint. I went to six games in '94 including a quarterfinal and semifinal. This time the combination of reasons you state make me just want to walk away from it. Trump's oh-so-predictable pressure on shithole cities and their mayors is just about the last straw for me. And we know it's only going to get worse between now and next June, especially with Infantino kissing Trump's ass on a continual basis. Maybe we'll end up with a red state World Cup...

 

I'm pretty sure Heaven is in Iowa!

 

Yeah...my one and only match was between Morocco and Saudi Arabia @ "Giants Stadium. Don't remember much about the match but the atmosphere and crowd was unreal. The NY Rangers were champs that year and at half time we all did the wave and chanted "Let's Go Rangers"!

 

And if they play their cards right, they might get another by 2094
LGD!!!

 

Imagine how Carli Lloyd and Lala will have to dumb down the coverage for MAGAstan

"There are 11 players on each team...so just like American football!"

 

Julie Foudy feels left out.

 

"Except you use your feet most of the time!!!"

 

Definitely need to SECDEE sooner rather than later

 

Also, unlike for previous WCs, missing out on the first round of ticket sales this time probably doesn't leave you in a worse position. Of course, prices for some fixtures will go up after the WC draw, but others will go down. Supply of tickets will probably still be as good if not easier post-draw.
For previous WCs, if you struck out in the first ticket sales phase, your chances of scoring tickets through the FIFA website decreased.

 

That’s true but in ‘94 I had no issues getting quarterfinal and semifinal tickets a few days before the games. And with no dynamic pricing in effect, they were reasonably priced.

 

Lalas grew up not far from where I live and he's MAGA in all the Macomb County ways.

Also, dude went to Cranbrook which educated Mitt Romney so there's that.

 

Other than doing the Trump dance (i.e. mimicking jerking off two guys at the same time), it is difficult to imagine how Lala can dumb things down any further. But let's see. I'll stick with BBC and ITV so appreciate if you can share any LOL moments on here.

 

Terrific article about the Newcastle academy. I don’t know if it’s real or marketing BS, but the article portrays their academy like Right to Dream, in that they’re just as proud of the academic success of their trainees as they are of the footballing achievements.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/67...ehind-the-scenes-at-a-premier-league-academy/

 

Bonesaw FC's soccer madrassa is indeed a top story.

And the NYT helping the Saudis sportswash? That's a winning combination!

 

At best, the EPL letting sovereign wealth funds to own teams will only artificially inflate the transfer market. At worst, well, yeah, they ARE sportswashing.

Pretty much every academy puts out this type of "human interest story" to put a halo over their heads, from La Masia, all the way down to MLS academies.


But, I'm amused that (to your point) not a damn one of these kids will play for Bonesaw FC, because they'll just shovel cash at the next star player ahead of them.

I'm also MOSTLY amused that the NYT just HAD TO fall all over themselves to help the Saudis sportswash. Couldn't they have chosen a less repugnant club?

I dunno, BHA, or your (snicker) Spurs?

 

Also, @soccernutter , if memory serves, don't the French have Clairfontaine and other "national" academies?

I seem to remember that the existence of their national academies explains their excellent national teams, while also explaining their shyte clubs, apart from Q$G.

 

I don’t even know what to think about this one.

The Saudis reached out to Michael Lombardi, the general manager of UNC’s football program, about investing in UNC football. He took the meeting.

There’s like 10 elements of this story that each, by themselves, could be the starting point for an essay about how The World Today is menacing.

The situation at UNC looked like college football’s answer to Urban Meyer with the Jaguars, but it’s turning out to be a lot worse.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/67...mbardi-unc-football-saudi-arabia-fundraising/

 

There's the NYT and Saudi sportswashing again.

That said, in this new paid player era of "college" pointyball, ya gotta get that sweet, sweet cash to pay the players. After all, there's no salary cap, and ya gotta keep up with the other schools if ya wanna win a "natty."

 

you didn’t read the article.

You very, very frequently have very strong opinions about things you don’t know anything about. You must be a mediocre white man.