Vini Jr., Karim Benzema and Real Madrid will host archrival Barcelona on Sunday (Photo by Diego Souto/ Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
A phenomenal rivalry weekend including Real Madrid-Barcelona, River-Boca and Roma-Lazio; the drumbeat for the USMNT World Cup qualifiers; the start of the NWSL Challenge Cup: A big soccer weekend is ahead. Feel free below to ask any probing, thoughtful and/or amusing questions about any soccer topic, and I’ll answer the best ones as part of the Friday Newsletter. Thank you!
Grant I haven't heard you say you have an intern... so maybe this is asking a lot... Question: Has any non-Mexican first division club team ever won a game at Azteca or for that matter even in Mexico City? I *think* the answer is "no" which I find somewhat interesting because the Final for 2022 CCL will include a match at Azteca or Estadio Olímpico. I believe the MLS is 0-8-1 in Azteca and has never played at Olímpico or Ciudad de los Deportes. 2022 may be the last year for monumental USA-MEX national team ties in the capital... but should an MLS team prevail this year it may also hail the beginning of a genuine MLS-MX leagues rivalry. I find that kind of interesting.
What is the real reason that John Brooks is being left off of the USMNT roster? What is the actual justification for not bringing in a Bundesliga starter?
There is some chatter among Mexican soccer fans to bring back THAT chant during the WCQ qualifiers to essentially drop points due to DQ as self-inflicted punishment for the disgrace that was Querétaro-Atlas (and lack of response from FMF and FIFA). This feels like crazy-talk, but I could still see it happening. Curious if you have more thoughts on the fallout from that game with an important qualifying window ahead?
Can you say more about Jordan Morris and his continued inclusion in the squad. I like him a lot, but it seems like as you note in the article that there are other strong options. Could he still be in the team come World Cup?
What are your thoughts and what are you hearing on squad rotation for the upcoming qualifiers? Any serious discussion of bringing a mostly MLS "B" team to Mexico, leaving the majority of our European-based "A" team in Florida to minimize travel and maximize the chances of success against Panama? It seems with the heavy travel for our European-based players coupled with the high-altitude playing conditions in Mexico the chances of falling flat in the most important game in the window are high. I get that we don't want to give a game away, especially against Mexico of all teams, but I think our MLSers could potentially hold their own and grind out a point.
It seems clear from Derek Rae's reporting that John Anthony Brooks wants to be a part of this team, especially in the run up to the World Cup. While it may seem plausible that Gregg thinks it is too late to reintroduce him, why is there no honesty or reality in the reasoning for his exclusion? He is bound to excel more with a full strength squad, something that was not the case in September, and he is the only player in our pool that can break defensive presses with accurate through balls to our offensive players.
I believe in two conspiracy theories. One is that Jurgen Klinsmann told the USMNT players to intentionally lose in the March 2014 friendly against Ukraine, which was played in Cyprus due to protests and violence in Ukraine, and that's why John Brooks had an incredibly bad game. My question is, if this indeed happened, do you think anyone involved would ever admit it?
How does the Revs Pumas meltdown rank vs past CONCACAF champions league meltdowns? Where would it rank with the meltdowns of Barca and PSG of the past 5 yrs?
Clearly the soccer gods did indeed smite us for me daring to speak the words "all-MLS ..." I shan't say it further. What must I do to cleanse myself and our world of the blasphemy?
The Athletic is reporting trouble with the MLS national tv deal. What would effects on the league be if the deal doesn’t grow?
Grant I haven't heard you say you have an intern... so maybe this is asking a lot... Question: Has any non-Mexican first division club team ever won a game at Azteca or for that matter even in Mexico City? I *think* the answer is "no" which I find somewhat interesting because the Final for 2022 CCL will include a match at Azteca or Estadio Olímpico. I believe the MLS is 0-8-1 in Azteca and has never played at Olímpico or Ciudad de los Deportes. 2022 may be the last year for monumental USA-MEX national team ties in the capital... but should an MLS team prevail this year it may also hail the beginning of a genuine MLS-MX leagues rivalry. I find that kind of interesting.
Did Joe Scally run over Berhalter's dog or something?
Do you save Tyler Adams for the Panama game, due to his yellow card?
What is the real reason that John Brooks is being left off of the USMNT roster? What is the actual justification for not bringing in a Bundesliga starter?
There is some chatter among Mexican soccer fans to bring back THAT chant during the WCQ qualifiers to essentially drop points due to DQ as self-inflicted punishment for the disgrace that was Querétaro-Atlas (and lack of response from FMF and FIFA). This feels like crazy-talk, but I could still see it happening. Curious if you have more thoughts on the fallout from that game with an important qualifying window ahead?
Christian Pullisic scored again this week. Do you get the sense he's found his confidence, and is rounding into form?
Can you say more about Jordan Morris and his continued inclusion in the squad. I like him a lot, but it seems like as you note in the article that there are other strong options. Could he still be in the team come World Cup?
What are your thoughts and what are you hearing on squad rotation for the upcoming qualifiers? Any serious discussion of bringing a mostly MLS "B" team to Mexico, leaving the majority of our European-based "A" team in Florida to minimize travel and maximize the chances of success against Panama? It seems with the heavy travel for our European-based players coupled with the high-altitude playing conditions in Mexico the chances of falling flat in the most important game in the window are high. I get that we don't want to give a game away, especially against Mexico of all teams, but I think our MLSers could potentially hold their own and grind out a point.
It seems clear from Derek Rae's reporting that John Anthony Brooks wants to be a part of this team, especially in the run up to the World Cup. While it may seem plausible that Gregg thinks it is too late to reintroduce him, why is there no honesty or reality in the reasoning for his exclusion? He is bound to excel more with a full strength squad, something that was not the case in September, and he is the only player in our pool that can break defensive presses with accurate through balls to our offensive players.
I believe in two conspiracy theories. One is that Jurgen Klinsmann told the USMNT players to intentionally lose in the March 2014 friendly against Ukraine, which was played in Cyprus due to protests and violence in Ukraine, and that's why John Brooks had an incredibly bad game. My question is, if this indeed happened, do you think anyone involved would ever admit it?
How does the Revs Pumas meltdown rank vs past CONCACAF champions league meltdowns? Where would it rank with the meltdowns of Barca and PSG of the past 5 yrs?
Why is John Brooks not on the USMNT? He is much more talented (and in form) than the other CBs.
Does Gregg’s press conference answer put to bed the rumor of Turner’s foot injury by frostbite?
It's the finals of the English Championship promotion playoffs, between AFC Richmond and Harchester United. Who ya got?
Clearly the soccer gods did indeed smite us for me daring to speak the words "all-MLS ..." I shan't say it further. What must I do to cleanse myself and our world of the blasphemy?