More Liverpool-Manchester City? Yes, indeed, we’ve got another one coming on Saturday, this time in the FA Cup semifinals.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!
With the most success of the USWNT at the She Believes Cup and most recently against Uzbekistan (understanding their not the strongest opponent), which veteran USWNT players are most at risk of losing either their starting position or even place on the roster? Will any veterans get another chance or will this younger generation carry the team forward?
With the new MLS tv deal expected soon, the vibes don’t seem that positive, though the potential for apple to be involved seems somewhat interesting. What will it take for MLS to level up? It seems hopeless as the ratings continue to suck, even for a game with the storylines of el trafico. Without a substantially larger tv deal it seems as if it will be continual slow growth. 2026 could act as a booster though.
Is Jesse Marsch's current success a harbinger of things to come for American coaches in Europe? What's going to really move the needle? Staying up at Leeds is well and good (good on Marsch for that), but what changes the calculus for big European clubs w.r.t. hiring American managers?
Wondering what your thoughts are concerning Liverpool resting starters for the 2nd leg of Champions League Quarterfinal? In my opinion, this is unfair to fans who pay full price for tickets or TV streaming fees to only get to watch a half squad?
Leagues more prestigious than the MLS not only have better players, but much better refs too. In fact, much of the refereeing is abysmal and diminishes the quality of play in many ways. What can be done to improve the situation? Granted, the pay disparity is an obvious problem.
Why do you not cover the huge youth/club soccer industry in the US and its structural advantages or disadvantages compared to other countries? Grant, I feel like you would have a unique perspective in covering this topic (in long form).
I hate penalty shootouts. It’s so different than the rest of the game. Why not play extra time without a goalie? That would encourage offensive play for teams parking the bus, and the extra time will still feel much like the normal game. If a game is still not decided you could take additional players off.
In your Thursday pod discussion, you said Chelsea and Villarreal were set up for cup success. Does that mean in addition to league success or instead of? And how does a manager build a team for cup success differently than for league success or for success at both?
Give us your keys to the CCL final between Sounders and Pumas!
Did Pep and City show they are growing up when it comes to how to win hard scrappy games in champions league?
With the most success of the USWNT at the She Believes Cup and most recently against Uzbekistan (understanding their not the strongest opponent), which veteran USWNT players are most at risk of losing either their starting position or even place on the roster? Will any veterans get another chance or will this younger generation carry the team forward?
With the new MLS tv deal expected soon, the vibes don’t seem that positive, though the potential for apple to be involved seems somewhat interesting. What will it take for MLS to level up? It seems hopeless as the ratings continue to suck, even for a game with the storylines of el trafico. Without a substantially larger tv deal it seems as if it will be continual slow growth. 2026 could act as a booster though.
Is Jesse Marsch's current success a harbinger of things to come for American coaches in Europe? What's going to really move the needle? Staying up at Leeds is well and good (good on Marsch for that), but what changes the calculus for big European clubs w.r.t. hiring American managers?
Wondering what your thoughts are concerning Liverpool resting starters for the 2nd leg of Champions League Quarterfinal? In my opinion, this is unfair to fans who pay full price for tickets or TV streaming fees to only get to watch a half squad?
Is it reasonable to become a Liverpool fan simply because of the “ you’ll never walk alone” commitment the fans make to the players?
Leagues more prestigious than the MLS not only have better players, but much better refs too. In fact, much of the refereeing is abysmal and diminishes the quality of play in many ways. What can be done to improve the situation? Granted, the pay disparity is an obvious problem.
With the World Cup coming up around the corner, what city in the US would you most want to go watch the final in?
Why do you not cover the huge youth/club soccer industry in the US and its structural advantages or disadvantages compared to other countries? Grant, I feel like you would have a unique perspective in covering this topic (in long form).
Who is the next USMNT player (after Pulisic, Dest, McKennie, and maybe Reyna?) to become a regular for a major European club?
I hate penalty shootouts. It’s so different than the rest of the game. Why not play extra time without a goalie? That would encourage offensive play for teams parking the bus, and the extra time will still feel much like the normal game. If a game is still not decided you could take additional players off.
In your Thursday pod discussion, you said Chelsea and Villarreal were set up for cup success. Does that mean in addition to league success or instead of? And how does a manager build a team for cup success differently than for league success or for success at both?