Soon to be former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich (Photo by Artyom Geodakyan\TASS via Getty Images)
The UK sanctions Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, Mexico’s biggest rivalry game, MLS’s CCL statement, the NWSL’s new commissioner: There’s a lot to talk about heading into the weekend, and I’m looking to open the Mailbag. 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!
With Qatar, China, and Russia seemingly using sport (Olympics and World Cups) as cover for domestic and international atrocities, should the organizations that own these sport tournament properties have a basic litmus before awarding tournaments or ability to pull the tournament after awarding it? Given the US is typically involved in a conflict somewhere in the world, would this essentially mean that militarily powerful nations, are likely unworthy to host? Should there be a line drawn? It seems the tournament itself is not allowed to be used for politics while being played, but hosts are prostituting them for geo-political gain.
Why is it many professional level players are horrible with one foot? You see many left footed players with absolutely zero confidence in their right foot. How is this possible at a professional level? Why do coaches let this happen?
Along the theme of March Madness, what role (if any) do you see college soccer playing in American soccer in the context of the modern global landscape?
In the immediate aftermath of the riot in Queretaro in Liga MX last weekend, many on Twitter, including prominent journalists, were quick to latch onto the '17 dead' number being tossed around.
We know now this is false, thankfully there were zero casualties.
Outside of soccer, modern journalism has recently attempted to 'get it right' rather than 'get it first'.
How did this principle fail so spectacularly in this instance? Where is the outcry on the erroneous reporting?
You have traveled the world providing us with great soccer coverage and stories. What is the current opinion of people around the world of US soccer and our domestic league? What, if anything, has changed about their views in the last 10 to 20 years?
What is a fair amount of time/games/transfer window(s) that any top league new coach should be afforded? Should factors such as strength of schedule during that period be a factor? Is it the same for top clubs, middle of the table clubs, and relegation threatened clubs? While not universally accepted, are coaches begining to be evaluated based on game statistics?
Should there be a farm system for coaches? Are these corporations that buy multiple teams blazing a trail for a coaching pipeline beyond single club youth systems?
When I sent a friend (and fellow USMNT fan) your article strongly recommending attending a USA-Mexico match in Estadio Azteca a few weeks ago, he wasn't as sanguine. He lived in Mexico City for about 3 years (2017-2019), and his comment was, "I'd be slightly afraid for my life." Then Querétaro happened. Does he have a point? Or is "safety in numbers" enough?
The Russian FA said it would appeal its sanctions to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Has this appeal been filed? Can the CAS work fast enough to resolve the case before the date of the now-cancelled Russia-Poland match? If CAS rules in Russia's favor but after the Path B spot is won, or even if the World Cup draw has been conducted, what happens? If CAS rules in Russia's favor but Poland, Sweden and Czechia refuse to play Russia, does Russia win by default, like how Chile won its match by default against the USSR in 1973 because the USSR refused to play in a stadium that had been used as a killing ground? Wow this got dark.
The Abramovich saga, human rights abuses in Qatar, the flood of oil money into soccer and corruption across FIFA have been hot topics for a while, will there finally be a reckoning about the source of money in the sport? What might an ethical funding approach look like?
What are your thoughts pre and post the Chelsea sanctions relative to whether Pulisic should stay or go. It seems as if Tuchel may be trying to boost his morale lately but is he really a good fit in this system?
Grant, please explain if the new USSF tv rights on Warnermedia are a good thing? I’ve generally been an ESPN guy since the 1990’s. But didn’t Turner (EJ) have the 1990 WC? Cheers - paul
With Qatar, China, and Russia seemingly using sport (Olympics and World Cups) as cover for domestic and international atrocities, should the organizations that own these sport tournament properties have a basic litmus before awarding tournaments or ability to pull the tournament after awarding it? Given the US is typically involved in a conflict somewhere in the world, would this essentially mean that militarily powerful nations, are likely unworthy to host? Should there be a line drawn? It seems the tournament itself is not allowed to be used for politics while being played, but hosts are prostituting them for geo-political gain.
Why is it many professional level players are horrible with one foot? You see many left footed players with absolutely zero confidence in their right foot. How is this possible at a professional level? Why do coaches let this happen?
Along the theme of March Madness, what role (if any) do you see college soccer playing in American soccer in the context of the modern global landscape?
Who do you see as the two or three World Cup favorites? Any other “sleepers” besides Canada perhaps?
In the immediate aftermath of the riot in Queretaro in Liga MX last weekend, many on Twitter, including prominent journalists, were quick to latch onto the '17 dead' number being tossed around.
We know now this is false, thankfully there were zero casualties.
Outside of soccer, modern journalism has recently attempted to 'get it right' rather than 'get it first'.
How did this principle fail so spectacularly in this instance? Where is the outcry on the erroneous reporting?
Grant- could you give us an alert of which games you are going to give three comments on?
Why haven't any of the other ongoing armed conflicts in the world resulted in FIFA sanctions?
You have traveled the world providing us with great soccer coverage and stories. What is the current opinion of people around the world of US soccer and our domestic league? What, if anything, has changed about their views in the last 10 to 20 years?
What is a fair amount of time/games/transfer window(s) that any top league new coach should be afforded? Should factors such as strength of schedule during that period be a factor? Is it the same for top clubs, middle of the table clubs, and relegation threatened clubs? While not universally accepted, are coaches begining to be evaluated based on game statistics?
Should there be a farm system for coaches? Are these corporations that buy multiple teams blazing a trail for a coaching pipeline beyond single club youth systems?
Will you be going to see Leeds United play in person ?
Is Pochettino overrated?
How much am I jinxing it by thinking and typing the words "all-MLS Concacaf Champions League semifinals"?
When I sent a friend (and fellow USMNT fan) your article strongly recommending attending a USA-Mexico match in Estadio Azteca a few weeks ago, he wasn't as sanguine. He lived in Mexico City for about 3 years (2017-2019), and his comment was, "I'd be slightly afraid for my life." Then Querétaro happened. Does he have a point? Or is "safety in numbers" enough?
Who does Berhalter call in to play #9 for upcoming WCQs?
Sean Johnson or Ethan Horvath as #1 GK with both Steffen and Turner hurt?
The Russian FA said it would appeal its sanctions to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Has this appeal been filed? Can the CAS work fast enough to resolve the case before the date of the now-cancelled Russia-Poland match? If CAS rules in Russia's favor but after the Path B spot is won, or even if the World Cup draw has been conducted, what happens? If CAS rules in Russia's favor but Poland, Sweden and Czechia refuse to play Russia, does Russia win by default, like how Chile won its match by default against the USSR in 1973 because the USSR refused to play in a stadium that had been used as a killing ground? Wow this got dark.
Given the heinous violence in Queretero, will (or should) MLS pump the brakes on inter-league play and closer ties to Liga MX?
Good thing they allow Saudi to own teams but not Roman
Such a joke
The Abramovich saga, human rights abuses in Qatar, the flood of oil money into soccer and corruption across FIFA have been hot topics for a while, will there finally be a reckoning about the source of money in the sport? What might an ethical funding approach look like?
What are your thoughts pre and post the Chelsea sanctions relative to whether Pulisic should stay or go. It seems as if Tuchel may be trying to boost his morale lately but is he really a good fit in this system?
Grant, please explain if the new USSF tv rights on Warnermedia are a good thing? I’ve generally been an ESPN guy since the 1990’s. But didn’t Turner (EJ) have the 1990 WC? Cheers - paul