Gareth Bale and LAFC visit Sporting Kansas City (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
It’s another big soccer weekend ahead with the Euro 2022 quarterfinals, a full slate of MLS games, preseason friendlies (Real Madrid-Barcelona, Manchester City-Bayern Munich, Chelsea-Arsenal), the women’s AFCON final (host Morocco vs. South Africa) and CONMEBOL women’s World Cup berth-deciders.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!
Biggest summer surprise? Biggest transfer impact in Europe so far (Lewandowski? Haaland? Matt Turner (just kidding)?) Biggest transfer impact yet to come?
Bev Priestman before the final said of the USWNT, "We definitely won't underestimate them." My Dad called this, "damning by faint praise." How could a team that has only won 4 times in 61 tries "underestimate" their opponent?! In the NFL/NBA/MLB, this diss would be major bulletin board material. Was it such for our USWNT? If not, do they look for and post "bulletin board material" in women's soccer like they do in so many other men's sports?
Do you think that the success/failure of Jesse Marsch at Leeds will drive the chances of future American coaches getting opportunities at Big 5 European clubs?
How to make sense out of BM trouncing DC United 6-2 and the Lions beating Everyone 4-0? Seems these friendly data points are too fickle to draw any meaningful comparisons between MLS and too flight European football.
Will Brazil and next ranked South American team be invited to first woman’s gold cup like happened in the past mens gold cup?
There is a major difference between end of season and pre season for traveling PL teams. End of season is party time.
Biggest summer surprise? Biggest transfer impact in Europe so far (Lewandowski? Haaland? Matt Turner (just kidding)?) Biggest transfer impact yet to come?
Bev Priestman before the final said of the USWNT, "We definitely won't underestimate them." My Dad called this, "damning by faint praise." How could a team that has only won 4 times in 61 tries "underestimate" their opponent?! In the NFL/NBA/MLB, this diss would be major bulletin board material. Was it such for our USWNT? If not, do they look for and post "bulletin board material" in women's soccer like they do in so many other men's sports?
Are any of the women's CONCACAF teams showing any signs of rising to level of U.S. or Canada?
Do you think that the success/failure of Jesse Marsch at Leeds will drive the chances of future American coaches getting opportunities at Big 5 European clubs?
Sorry, make that the Loons beating Everton. 🤣
How to make sense out of BM trouncing DC United 6-2 and the Lions beating Everyone 4-0? Seems these friendly data points are too fickle to draw any meaningful comparisons between MLS and too flight European football.
Thoughts on MN Aurora FC inaugural season? Heading into the final Saturday averaging 6,200 at the 2 playoff games as well undefeated.