We donβt have to applaud it or accept it. Civilization is based on the rule of law. Not the Luigi Mangione Manifesto.
Do I have to say it again that I agree?!? Reality is another thing Don. Like it or not things are not what they seem....ever. Let's quit playing this game of higher morals because the world ain't like that. We're old enough to know better. If most people prefer to live in some kind of ecstacy more power to them but at this point in time it shouldn't be such a shock that a sports team may have cheated.
My argument has nothing to do with "it never happens". There's no "naivete" here. I'm arguing that there's no need for it to happen - you can push the envelope within the scope of the parameters. And if it does happen, if someone gets caught, there has to be a penalty or the league quickly becomes a joke.
I can't believe anybody believes that blatantly ignoring any rule is a sports league is all right. The moment we take the attitude that everyone does it, and give a wink and a nod to those who do cheat, is the moment when championships are bought, not earned. I didn't agree with the leniency the league showed Beckham and Miami then, and I don't condone it now. The only problem is, that the penalty for cheating is not strict enough. Beckham should have to forfeit his ownership (I am sure there is a morals clause somewhere in there), and the team should have been run by the league for a year, before being sold to someone else. That would have sent the appropriate message to anyone who wanted to blatantly cheat. Go ahead and cheat, and when you get caught, you will be punished and it will hurt.
We have three U-22 initiative slots... I think we are the ONLY team to not have used any. Clubs with three DPs can use up to three U-22 roster spots. Teams with two DPs can exchange the third DP slot for a fourth U-22 Initiative slot plus up to an additional $2 million in General Allocation Money. This is why it's a good idea to bring in talented young prospects using U-22 spots: The Chicago Fire sold Jhon Duran to Aston Villa for Β£15 million, two years later Villa value a 21 year old Duran (who is entering the conversation for best player to ever be produced in MLS alongside Alphonso Davies) at β¬100 million and clubs like PSG are interested... the Fire almost certainly have a sell-on clause. π¨ Aston Villa will not let Jhon Duran leave this month for less than β¬100M.PSG have contacted his entourage, but the transfer is not a priority. A swap deal with Randal Kolo Muani could be offered. π€(Source: @edu17burgos) pic.twitter.com/SBSeaxO1XF— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) January 10, 2025 Some places where a U-22 signing would make sense: - Starting left winger ahead of Pellegrino / Kikanovic - Starting defensive midfielder ahead of Kaye (note Gruezo has to be gone given currently 4 DPs) - Backup #9 behind Arango ahead of Judd One name that Tom Bogert recently mentioned, the Timbers are looking at Dor Turgeman as a U-22 signing if their first option for a #9 doesn't work out, if it does the Quakes should jump on that if he's willing to come to the US... he can play as a striker or winger.
At the very least we need to bring in a winger on loan like the Revs just did Official: New England Revolution have signed Ignatius Ganago on a six-month loan from French Ligue 1 side FC Nantes, with an option to purchase. The loan will be extended by six months if certain playing-time conditions are met.Β #NERevs pic.twitter.com/mHFTWo9bEg— Seth (@SethMan31) January 10, 2025 π₯π₯ @ignatiusganago in action!#NERevs pic.twitter.com/vY7rRQN0AC— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) January 10, 2025
They're all rich guys - I'm sure they'll get an unconditional discharge sentence, because after all this nation is based on equal justice, right?
Not sure I trust a random Instagram screenshot posted on Reddit but... Matthew Hoppe? Matthew Hoppe rumored back as a free agent
If we're going to sign Martinez, I'd rather not sign Hoppe. I don't know how we'd use his skill set. He doesn't work as a winger. And with Martinez we'd have plenty of center forwards.
Maybe the Quakes are looking at Hoppe as a backup option in case they can't sign Josef... neither takes up an international slot.
This is why the Quakes need to buy more talented young foreign players... LAFC paid $1 million for Bogusz in 2023, just two years later they're reportedly selling him for $12 million at age 23 According to @fer_esquivel22, the transfer fee for Mati Bogusz would be $12m. LAFC bought him in March 2023 for $1m.$11m profit would make him the the 5th most profitable transfer in MLS history. pic.twitter.com/BbcYMbiSZT— πππ π ππππππ (@lafcdaniel) January 14, 2025
Probably the best prospect the Quakes have in the academy right now for a potential big transfer someday is KK Spivey, one of the highest rated players in the country for his age group (maybe they should sign him?). Just found out that he has a younger brother Shemar ('12) who also has a lot of promise.
He played in the Pleasanton when we discovered him. https://www.sjearthquakes.com/news/...-academy-product-cade-cowell-homegrown-player
Let's hope so https://bsky.app/profile/jeffreycarlisle.bsky.social/post/3lfsyw4otxc2d As you know, roster builds are never done. Still over a month until the season starts, so plenty of time for Arena and to bring in some more reinforcements.