The U.S.’s Tim Ream, who has captained Fulham to a promising Premier League start, awaits Christian Pulisic and in-turmoil Chelsea (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
It’s another big soccer weekend ahead with Man City-Spurs, Boca Juniors-River Plate, the start of the WSL season (including Man City-Arsenal), Leeds United-Nottingham Forest, Fulham-Chelsea and 14 MLS and 6 NWSL games.But first we’ll have our Friday Newsletter. Feel free below to ask your probing, thoughtful and/or amusing questions about any soccer topic, and I’ll answer the best ones tomorrow. Thank you!
Your latest usmnt goalkeeper assessment given Turner isn’t playing and Steffen had not been playing while perhaps recovering from an injury .. perhaps Horvath time?
The Premier League’s transfer spending this past cycle was nearly equal to the combined transfer spending of the next few top European Leagues combined. The Champions League Final 8 teams come from a very small pool of the same teams from the same leagues year after year. Do you ever see UEFA implementing any type of Salary Cap or Luxury Tax structure to some to all countries in UEFA to promote more balance? Can they even do that? Should they?
One month into the European seasons, is there anything that you see developing as a trend - either positive or negative - across the continent or at least in a single league?
Coming of the heels of the US Open Cup and a CONCACAF slot awarded to Orlando, how successful will MLS have to become before the CONCACAF Champions Leagues gets traction in US Markets?
Any sense of how strong the Iran team will be at the WC? It seems like beating Wales should get the US through the group but maybe I’m underestimating Iran.
With 26 spots on the World Cup roster, should the USA consider bringing a specialist to help score on a corner kick or or free kick? If so, who would it be? I just imagine with extra spots on the roster that we could afford if we are chasing a game to have someone to pair with Zimmerman, Richards, and McKennie.
On the days between the Round of 16 and the quarterfinal, I’m flying to Italy. And the day after the second semifinal, I’m going to fly from Rome to one of the countries that’s playing in the final, to watch the final there and experience either the greatest party or the saddest wake of my life. Generally, I’m assuming I’ll go to the capital -- Paris, London, Madrid, maybe Amsterdam or Brussels or Lisbon. My question is, if Germany makes the final and I go there, should I go to Munich instead of Berlin?
Everyone talks about the current form of USMNT players as we head to the World Cup, but are there "form-independent" players who have been so entrenched in the roster, or so historically good, that they go to Qatar--or even start--no matter what? If so, who do you think they are?
1. With Jedi being injured, what are the chances USMNT give Joe Scally a look?
2. What types of wingers do Graham Potter like? Will Pulisic realistically get more playing time or is he not Potter's type?
3. GGG has shown tactical flexibility over his time as USMNT coach, what are the chances that he plays Gio Reyna in the center as a 10 instead of on the wings?
4. Opinion question: Is it better for USMNT players to transfer from another European league into the Championship or the Premier League? Which will give them more playing time against opponents that are a challenge?
Thoughts on Graham Potter to Chelsea? He’s done an excellent job at Brighton, but the expectations are about to ratchet up for a guy whose resume in European competitions is pretty light.
I would be interested to know Grant's thinking about whether Graham Potter is likely to be a successful hire as Chelsea's new manager. He has obviously had a great success at Brighton. But he's never managed a big club, with all of its outsized egos, intense media pressure, unrealistic expectations from the fan base, and the need to juggle the squad for European competition. - Robert Naeye, Hershey, PA
Does Graham Potter's tactical approach suit Christian Pulisic's strengths?
Your latest usmnt goalkeeper assessment given Turner isn’t playing and Steffen had not been playing while perhaps recovering from an injury .. perhaps Horvath time?
The Premier League’s transfer spending this past cycle was nearly equal to the combined transfer spending of the next few top European Leagues combined. The Champions League Final 8 teams come from a very small pool of the same teams from the same leagues year after year. Do you ever see UEFA implementing any type of Salary Cap or Luxury Tax structure to some to all countries in UEFA to promote more balance? Can they even do that? Should they?
would you rather fight a Weston McKinnie sized squirrel, or 11 squirrel sized Weston McKinnies?
thoughts on this rumored 2 week EPL break because of the Queen's passing?
Which USMNT player has the most stylish club jersey to purchase?
How do you see Graham Potter's style as a fit for Pulisic? Any early thoughts on how well or not well you'd expect it to work out?
If Jedi Robinson's bacta tank treatments are unsuccessful repairing his ankle by the World Cup, who is your pick at left back?
http://eleven-thirtyeight.com/2014/09/bacta-basics-medical-science-and-technology-in-a-galaxy-far-far-away/
Mbappe or Haaland?
Could Josh Cohen from Maccabi Haifa playing in Champions League earn a look for the muddled US goalkeeper picture?
One month into the European seasons, is there anything that you see developing as a trend - either positive or negative - across the continent or at least in a single league?
Coming of the heels of the US Open Cup and a CONCACAF slot awarded to Orlando, how successful will MLS have to become before the CONCACAF Champions Leagues gets traction in US Markets?
What do you make of the Alex Zendejas situation, and can you see Berhalter giving him a look in the upcoming friendlies?
Any sense of how strong the Iran team will be at the WC? It seems like beating Wales should get the US through the group but maybe I’m underestimating Iran.
What about Simeone? I would think he would be better suited than Potter to manage the egos of a team like Chelsea.
With 26 spots on the World Cup roster, should the USA consider bringing a specialist to help score on a corner kick or or free kick? If so, who would it be? I just imagine with extra spots on the roster that we could afford if we are chasing a game to have someone to pair with Zimmerman, Richards, and McKennie.
On the days between the Round of 16 and the quarterfinal, I’m flying to Italy. And the day after the second semifinal, I’m going to fly from Rome to one of the countries that’s playing in the final, to watch the final there and experience either the greatest party or the saddest wake of my life. Generally, I’m assuming I’ll go to the capital -- Paris, London, Madrid, maybe Amsterdam or Brussels or Lisbon. My question is, if Germany makes the final and I go there, should I go to Munich instead of Berlin?
What are your thoughts on this semi-automated offside, and which British pundit will have an actual stroke over it first?
Everyone talks about the current form of USMNT players as we head to the World Cup, but are there "form-independent" players who have been so entrenched in the roster, or so historically good, that they go to Qatar--or even start--no matter what? If so, who do you think they are?
USMNT questions:
1. With Jedi being injured, what are the chances USMNT give Joe Scally a look?
2. What types of wingers do Graham Potter like? Will Pulisic realistically get more playing time or is he not Potter's type?
3. GGG has shown tactical flexibility over his time as USMNT coach, what are the chances that he plays Gio Reyna in the center as a 10 instead of on the wings?
4. Opinion question: Is it better for USMNT players to transfer from another European league into the Championship or the Premier League? Which will give them more playing time against opponents that are a challenge?
Thoughts on Graham Potter to Chelsea? He’s done an excellent job at Brighton, but the expectations are about to ratchet up for a guy whose resume in European competitions is pretty light.
I would be interested to know Grant's thinking about whether Graham Potter is likely to be a successful hire as Chelsea's new manager. He has obviously had a great success at Brighton. But he's never managed a big club, with all of its outsized egos, intense media pressure, unrealistic expectations from the fan base, and the need to juggle the squad for European competition. - Robert Naeye, Hershey, PA
Is it at all plausible that Tuchel's refusal to give Pulisic consistent minutes played a factor in Boehly deciding to give him the sack?