Virgil van Dijk and Liverpool face Fulham on Saturday morning (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
It’s another big soccer weekend ahead with the start of the Premier League, German Bundesliga and Ligue 1, in addition to a full slate of MLS and 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!
How do you think USWNT will fare against the Lionesses? Will be interesting to see Vlatko's lineup. They certainly won't be as dialed in as England's squad. A loss won't be fatal but will throw shade on his progress. and whether he is the ONE.
What EPL teams will be most hurt by the fatigue of national team overwork? Will Jesse Marsch be scapegoated at Leeds for WC fatigue in fellow Americans Tyler Adams and Brendan Aaronson (with home supporters blaming the Americans for failing to live up to replacement expectations for fan favorites Marco Bielsa, Kalvin Phillips, and Raphina)?
What are your thoughts on the work Pablo Mauer has done for The Athletic? I have really enjoyed his long pieces on the stories and quirks regarding the history of US soccer.
Would Greg Berhalter benefit the USMNT by bringing on someone like Landon Donovan as part of the staff for the World Cup? In a similar way Argentina is bringing Sergio Aguero along? Not just for the experience, and inspiration he can impart on the young group, but also since he's now a coach in his own right?
Ronaldo wants to leave a messed up ManU. His perfect move is to MLS where he will be made extremely welcome for a couple of years and will continue to be a star. In MLS he will be a bigger star than Beckham and help grow the game in USA.
What's your take on the Miazgo move back to MLS? Will he partner with or replace Cameron at FCC? Any chance of getting back into the USMNT mix? Were all those years loaned out by CFC lost, or has he improved while doing so?
The 2030 WC bids are starting and I think I saw that you were dubious about the Argentina et al bid, saying FIFA would prefer China. Could you expand on that? I’m less sure I’d agree after the pandemic with its impact on China’s image and economy. Spain/Portugal looks like a good safer option to me.
Will climate change and the continually increasing temperatures in Northern Hemisphere summers lead to more World Cups being scheduled in Northern Hemisphere winters (Nov-Jan) and Southern Hemisphere winters (Jun-Aug)?
When do you think Laporta and crew will take all the trophies down to the local pawn shop or put them on eBay? (Seriously, very sad to be watching that club and its legacy crumble before our eyes.)
I’d put it at number three, behind Maradona’s second goal against England and that one where the kid hits three other kids in the face with the ball in quick succession.
In 1998, Steve Sampson said that, with the benefit of hindsight, he wished he had taken Roy Lassiter to France instead of Juergen Sommer as third goalkeeper. With the 26-man roster (that’s official now, right?) what are your thoughts on how many keepers a team should take to Qatar, and is Berhalter considering taking only two or as many as four?
Which European-based USMNT player will raise their profile the most people by their club performance leading up to the WC? (I think Brenden Aaronson will hit the ground running at Leeds and surprise a lot of people who haven't seen him play)
How do you think USWNT will fare against the Lionesses? Will be interesting to see Vlatko's lineup. They certainly won't be as dialed in as England's squad. A loss won't be fatal but will throw shade on his progress. and whether he is the ONE.
Roque Puig have a better, longer and less controversial run in LA than Yasiel Puig. Yes or no?
What EPL teams will be most hurt by the fatigue of national team overwork? Will Jesse Marsch be scapegoated at Leeds for WC fatigue in fellow Americans Tyler Adams and Brendan Aaronson (with home supporters blaming the Americans for failing to live up to replacement expectations for fan favorites Marco Bielsa, Kalvin Phillips, and Raphina)?
World Cup fatigue for US players? Everybody in the UK thinks the US will be gone in 3 games!
What are your thoughts on the work Pablo Mauer has done for The Athletic? I have really enjoyed his long pieces on the stories and quirks regarding the history of US soccer.
How do you think limited travel at this year’s World Cup will impact the experience of teams and fans?
Would Greg Berhalter benefit the USMNT by bringing on someone like Landon Donovan as part of the staff for the World Cup? In a similar way Argentina is bringing Sergio Aguero along? Not just for the experience, and inspiration he can impart on the young group, but also since he's now a coach in his own right?
Ronaldo wants to leave a messed up ManU. His perfect move is to MLS where he will be made extremely welcome for a couple of years and will continue to be a star. In MLS he will be a bigger star than Beckham and help grow the game in USA.
What's your take on the Miazgo move back to MLS? Will he partner with or replace Cameron at FCC? Any chance of getting back into the USMNT mix? Were all those years loaned out by CFC lost, or has he improved while doing so?
Is your mind blown by the attendance numbers for women's soccer this year, especially in Europe? I love this and really hope it continues.
What’s up on Sporting KC?!? Down two DPs sure but SKC has always been defined by team and not their big stars. What will it take to right the ship?
The 2030 WC bids are starting and I think I saw that you were dubious about the Argentina et al bid, saying FIFA would prefer China. Could you expand on that? I’m less sure I’d agree after the pandemic with its impact on China’s image and economy. Spain/Portugal looks like a good safer option to me.
Will climate change and the continually increasing temperatures in Northern Hemisphere summers lead to more World Cups being scheduled in Northern Hemisphere winters (Nov-Jan) and Southern Hemisphere winters (Jun-Aug)?
When do you think Laporta and crew will take all the trophies down to the local pawn shop or put them on eBay? (Seriously, very sad to be watching that club and its legacy crumble before our eyes.)
Where would you rank this among the greatest soccer videos ever?
https://twitter.com/fredschultz35/status/1554578332594982913
I’d put it at number three, behind Maradona’s second goal against England and that one where the kid hits three other kids in the face with the ball in quick succession.
In 1998, Steve Sampson said that, with the benefit of hindsight, he wished he had taken Roy Lassiter to France instead of Juergen Sommer as third goalkeeper. With the 26-man roster (that’s official now, right?) what are your thoughts on how many keepers a team should take to Qatar, and is Berhalter considering taking only two or as many as four?
We would have seen a good number more offsides called in '98:)
Four?! Boy, if we go through 3 keepers and have a need to play a 4th, something will have gone terribly terribly wrong!
Yeah, but with Covid around, that’s less unlikely than we want it to be.
Who do you see as surprise candidates to surface for the USMNT or the USWNT in time for their respective World Cup competition?
Which European-based USMNT player will raise their profile the most people by their club performance leading up to the WC? (I think Brenden Aaronson will hit the ground running at Leeds and surprise a lot of people who haven't seen him play)
What's going on with John Brooks? Are many clubs averse to signing him for the same reason(s) he hasn't gotten a USMNT callup in nearly a year?