On MLS: Bale & Vela with the Galaxy. Insigne in Toronto. Seattle’s history. Some MLS owners are serious about winning, and some simply aren’t. Too bad they didn’t have to actually try to improve their teams to avoid relegation and protect their investment.
Too bad MLS can’t at least be split into 2, 14-team, 1st & 2nd divisions based on record - yes, pro/rel, at least on a limited scale. Rivalries make fans and grow a sport. Playing home and away with ALL of your rivals would spur interest.
Grant: if FIFA was really toying with Nixing LA and SoFi, they are beyond myopic. It must’ve been a bluff because NOT being in LA and the world’s most magnificent stadium? Gimme a break.
That said, would you be able to do a deep dive into what are the specific financial and logistical demands from FIFA for host venues? Then we can make the decision if FIFA is more of an extortion racket or a sport governing body? Lol
World Cups in Russia & Qatar. FIFA officials indicted. The FIFA org lives on kickbacks and bribes. Money got passed under the table. I’d bet my house in it.
And seriously, there will be a slate of games *30 miles* outside Boston? That smells bad, too.
Bob, there’s an article in the Athletic today on Blatter and Platini going on trial in Switzerland. I refuse to believe the culture at FIFA has changed one bit, and the only thing that’s changed are the names at the top of that org. FIFA is a case of “fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on ME”.
With FIFA it is ALWAYS 100% about the money. They bribe, cajole, blackmail, extort, and flat-out steal every nickel their can get their grubby hands on. And they would destroy the international game if left to themselves. Obviously Kraft forked over enough green, while DC / Baltimore didn’t. FIFA is a totally corrupt organization, and getting rid of Blatter and his cronies only paved the way for a new set of cronies.
Other than Tabarez at Uruguay, has any coach who has stayed on for multiple World Cup cycles been successful? Seems pretty rare. Why would USSoccer think Gregg would be any different?
I think Berhalter is staying almost no matter what. If the team loses all three games and Jesse Marsch gets sacked before the winter break it could get dicey but who else are they going to get? Tata Martino? He's kind of been exposed as a fraud.
If the players like 3G, he might stay. But if they flame out badly and there’s dissension in the ranks, he’s gone. They stuck with Klinsmann until he lost the team.
By Christmas the verdict will be in on Jesse with Leeds. I’m hoping he’s successful.
On MLS: Bale & Vela with the Galaxy. Insigne in Toronto. Seattle’s history. Some MLS owners are serious about winning, and some simply aren’t. Too bad they didn’t have to actually try to improve their teams to avoid relegation and protect their investment.
Too bad MLS can’t at least be split into 2, 14-team, 1st & 2nd divisions based on record - yes, pro/rel, at least on a limited scale. Rivalries make fans and grow a sport. Playing home and away with ALL of your rivals would spur interest.
Grant: if FIFA was really toying with Nixing LA and SoFi, they are beyond myopic. It must’ve been a bluff because NOT being in LA and the world’s most magnificent stadium? Gimme a break.
That said, would you be able to do a deep dive into what are the specific financial and logistical demands from FIFA for host venues? Then we can make the decision if FIFA is more of an extortion racket or a sport governing body? Lol
Bob, I can *guarantee* you that Rose v. SoFi was all about a kickback.
Tell me how you think this alleged kickback worked?
World Cups in Russia & Qatar. FIFA officials indicted. The FIFA org lives on kickbacks and bribes. Money got passed under the table. I’d bet my house in it.
And seriously, there will be a slate of games *30 miles* outside Boston? That smells bad, too.
Bob, there’s an article in the Athletic today on Blatter and Platini going on trial in Switzerland. I refuse to believe the culture at FIFA has changed one bit, and the only thing that’s changed are the names at the top of that org. FIFA is a case of “fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on ME”.
With FIFA it is ALWAYS 100% about the money. They bribe, cajole, blackmail, extort, and flat-out steal every nickel their can get their grubby hands on. And they would destroy the international game if left to themselves. Obviously Kraft forked over enough green, while DC / Baltimore didn’t. FIFA is a totally corrupt organization, and getting rid of Blatter and his cronies only paved the way for a new set of cronies.
Other than Tabarez at Uruguay, has any coach who has stayed on for multiple World Cup cycles been successful? Seems pretty rare. Why would USSoccer think Gregg would be any different?
I think Berhalter is staying almost no matter what. If the team loses all three games and Jesse Marsch gets sacked before the winter break it could get dicey but who else are they going to get? Tata Martino? He's kind of been exposed as a fraud.
If the players like 3G, he might stay. But if they flame out badly and there’s dissension in the ranks, he’s gone. They stuck with Klinsmann until he lost the team.
By Christmas the verdict will be in on Jesse with Leeds. I’m hoping he’s successful.
There is NO WAY Berhalter stays in your scenario.