New US soccer thread

[anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a]

NYCFC is playing home games in 3 stadiums next year. 10 at Yankee Stadium, 6 at Citi Field, 1 at Red Bull Arena.

I can't believe MLS let them in without a stadium deal. Everyone knew how hard it would be to get a stadium built NYC. Man City will pay for the whole thing but zoning rules prohibit it. They even offered to tear down Columbia's football stadium and build a joint NYCFC/Columbia stadium in its place but Columbia said no.

Anyone with 2 brains cells and even a remote understanding of NYC politics would know that building a stadium wasn't going to be as easy and Man City football group pulling out their checkbook and writing a massive check to build a stadium.

Shoulda done something in southwestern Connecticut like the Red Bulls did in NJ.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Anyone with 2 brains cells and even a remote understanding of NYC politics would know that building a stadium wasn't going to be as easy and Man City football group pulling out their checkbook and writing a massive check to build a stadium.

Shoulda done something in southwestern Connecticut like the Red Bulls did in NJ.

MLS wanted to be in NYC. That was part of the deal. They basically said we need a team in NYC (just about 0 New Yorkers are fans of RBNY) and offered a franchise to the highest bidder basically regardless of the stadium situation. Things looked promising that they were going to get a stadium in the beginning but not anymore. If I'm the owners, I go back to Columbia and sweeten the pot. Columbia football could be playing in a world-class stadium. Heck, their colors even match NYCFC.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Yankee Stadium doesn't meet the minimum requirements for CONCACAF champions league.

Oddly enough, the team that they are playing, Santos de Guapiles of Costa Rica, also plays in a stadium that does not meet FIFA requirements, so technically neither of them is playing a home game.

Although NYCFC is playing their "home game" just a little further from home.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

What word describes him? Enigma? I mean, last year his Juventus Manager benched him and said he needed to learn how to be a professional. People speculated that he was on his way out at Juventus. And since then, Berhalter benched him for off the field stuff. Did he learn from these incidents? The way you described him and the video above that I posted Sunday shows a player with a winners attitude and not the behavior of someone with questionable character or work ethic.

Hopefully it's a sign that he's growing up. I don't watch Juve enough to make any definitive statements, but he was their best player when I was watching yesterday.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Oddly enough, the team that they are playing, Santos de Guapiles of Costa Rica, also plays in a stadium that does not meet FIFA requirements, so technically neither of them is playing a home game.

Although NYCFC is playing their "home game" just a little further from home.

Is it the size of the pitch at Yankee Stadium that doesn't meet the requirements because I'm sure that otherwise the facility meets the requirements?

I hate watching soccer games at Yankee Stadium. The pitch is so small, it sometimes has a feel of an indoor soccer. Every time I watch it, I wonder what they'd have to do to make it a normal size, like taking out permanent baseball seating and replacing it with portable baseball seating in some locations. Not that they'd do that but just saying. At Mercedes-Benz Stadium, I was actually sitting in the portable football seating that they remove for soccer.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Is it the size of the pitch at Yankee Stadium that doesn't meet the requirements because I'm sure that otherwise the facility meets the requirements?

They have always claimed that the field meets the FIFA minimums for size, so I don't know why it's not certified.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

They have always claimed that the field meets the FIFA minimums for size, so I don't know why it's not certified.

I don't know what it could be then. I did some googling....and nothing. I've watched some of those games played in Central American stadiums that looked like they'd be insufficient for D3 football. Here are my 2 thoughts:

1. They don't allow game to be played on "non-permanent surfaces" like the grass NYCFC has to lay down over the infield but that sounds weirdly specific.

2. It meets CONCACAF requirements and the fact no one is saying what it doesn't meet, leads me to believe that the Yankees didn't want them playing there that early to damage the grass and instead of playing in East Hartford or Philly or some place like that, in front of 1000 fans, they decided to just stay in LA where they are having preseason camp and opening up with the Galaxy.

BTW, with the 2nd leg being 4 days before their MLS opener, I wonder if we'll see Veljko Petkovic. I cant imagine they dont sign him.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

How about the African nations cup that’s going on now? I haven’t watched a game but I heard some discussion on it yesterday.

apparently in one of the games, the ref blew his end of match whistle in the 85th minute of a 1-0 match. Protests and arguments were presented to no avail. Players left the pitch and hit the ice baths. But then were told to go back out and finish the game. They then played like 4 minutes and the ref blew his final whistle in the 89th minute. So they still didn’t play a full 90 and there wasn’t any added time.

is this corruption or just plain stupidity? I mean, we have our own corruption in our country at the highest levels, but this is crazy and overt. Only in Africa…

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

1. They don't allow game to be played on "non-permanent surfaces" like the grass NYCFC has to lay down over the infield but that sounds weirdly specific.

The other thing is that maybe FIFA has an issue with how close the stands are to the field in some places. I've only ever watched bits and pieces of maybe two games that they've played there, but there is not a lot of room between the edge of the field and permanent structures that it would really hurt if someone ran into.

But that's just a wild guess. I really have no idea what the problem is.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

apparently in one of the games, the ref blew his end of match whistle in the 85th minute of a 1-0 match. Protests and arguments were presented to no avail. Players left the pitch and hit the ice baths. But then were told to go back out and finish the game. They then played like 4 minutes and the ref blew his final whistle in the 89th minute. So they still didn’t play a full 90 and there wasn’t any added time.

Eventually they tried to get the teams to come back out an play a few more minutes and the players refused.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

The other thing is that maybe FIFA has an issue with how close the stands are to the field in some places. I've only ever watched bits and pieces of maybe two games that they've played there, but there is not a lot of room between the edge of the field and permanent structures that it would really hurt if someone ran into.

But that's just a wild guess. I really have no idea what the problem is.

I don't think that's it because I don't think the corners are any closer to other venues that hosts these games. Plus, CONCACAF allows Central American and Carribbean countries to host games on pitches that aren't suitable for U10 games. The fact that they aren't saying what it is tells me that the Yankees didn't want them playing there that early and they just blamed CONCACAF.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Sargent!!! What a goal!!

 

[anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a]

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Sargent!!! What a goal!!

Good to see Josh still getting a run.

The bottom is getting exciting. Newcastle up 1-0, Norwich up 2-1 and Everton are a complete disaster. If they don't be careful, they'll be dragged down into the mix.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

View embedded media

We'll see what happens, but Dest keeps saying that he doesn't want to leave.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Newcastle up 1-0

Watford with the 88th minute equalizer.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Newcastle has scored first 10 times this season so far. They have one win.

That is stunning.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

We'll see what happens, but Dest keeps saying that he doesn't want to leave.

Yeah he wants to stay and many of the big boys want him, even if it’s on loan.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Newcastle has scored first 10 times this season so far. They have one win.

That is stunning.

I was at St James park last month. Flew into new castle. Sadly there was no match. But at least I can say I saw it. Lol.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Too bad London derby was canceled. I don’t get it. Arsenal has ONE Covid case but cite injuries and international duty as an excuse. Chelsea played several matches and dropped 6-8 points in December with 8 cases of Covid and plenty of injuries.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Good to see Josh still getting a run.

The bottom is getting exciting. Newcastle up 1-0, Norwich up 2-1 and Everton are a complete disaster. If they don't be careful, they'll be dragged down into the mix.

If you check the history of the premier league, I think there are only a small handful of clubs that have spent every season in the top flight. Obviously chelsea, Man U, Liverpool and Arsenal have. But I think Everton is one too. Even Man City dropped way back in the day.

 

[anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a]

Watford with the 88th minute equalizer.

Gutting for the Geordies. Norwich who have no business being 18th, are 18th. Now Burnley and Sean Dyche have 4 games in hand at the bottom on 11. I still expect Norwich to comfortably go down. The other 2 are a complete toss up.

 

[anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a]

If you check the history of the premier league, I think there are only a small handful of clubs that have spent every season in the top flight. Obviously chelsea, Man U, Liverpool and Arsenal have. But I think Everton is one too. Even Man City dropped way back in the day.

Man City was garbage for plenty of periods until they got Arab Oil money.

 

[anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a]

Newcastle has scored first 10 times this season so far. They have one win.

That is stunning.

They've gotten themself a quality manager in Eddie Howe. I wanted him at Fulham before they pulled Marco Silva in the summer. If Eddie had guys he wanted, Newcastle would be ok.

Sadly if Newcastle go down, all that money won't mean a hill of beans because FFP really hits clubs hard in the Championship

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Sadly if Newcastle go down, all that money won't mean a hill of beans because FFP really hits clubs hard in the Championship

Obviously any Newcastle fans excepted, but don't all the neutrals have to be rooting hard for Newcastle to go down?

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Man City was garbage for plenty of periods until they got Arab Oil money.

Oh yeah. No doubt. I laugh as I never heard this one before, but I recently heard that the ship in their logo is actually an oil tanker. Lol.

I can’t complain though as my club is bought and run with oil money too. But hey at least my club is owned by one philanthropist and not an Arab country!!

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Obviously any Newcastle fans excepted, but don't all the neutrals have to be rooting hard for Newcastle to go down?

New castle was always a club I rooted for. But it’s hard to now. Going down won’t kill them, but it will certainly slow their ascension.

 

[anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a]

Obviously any Newcastle fans excepted, but don't all the neutrals have to be rooting hard for Newcastle to go down?

I never really had an issue with Newcastle. They're an old top dog in England and their fans are as supportive as any out there. The investments with the new ownership group doesn't bug me too much because their previous owner just seemed to hate the supporters and did nothing to bolster the squad ever.

 

[anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a]

New castle was always a club I rooted for. But it’s hard to now. Going down won’t kill them, but it will certainly slow their ascension.

I don't know about not killing them FK. Once they get into the championship, they won't be able to spend millions upon millions to get back up. If they do skirt and flirt with FFP and don't go back up, they'll really get crushed their 2nd season. FFP is more of a factor in the Championship, League 1 and 2 than in Premier League.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

FFP is more of a factor in the Championship, League 1 and 2 than in Premier League.

Especially when PL (and other top level teams) can routinely ignore FFP to absolutely no consequences at all.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

I don't know about not killing them FK. Once they get into the championship, they won't be able to spend millions upon millions to get back up. If they do skirt and flirt with FFP and don't go back up, they'll really get crushed their 2nd season. FFP is more of a factor in the Championship, League 1 and 2 than in Premier League.

I see what you’re saying. That said, and I don’t mean this disparingly, but I suppose you know how difficult it is and what it’s like much more intimately given the club you support.

 

[anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a]

I see what you’re saying. That said, and I don’t mean this disparingly, but I suppose you know how difficult it is and what it’s like much more intimately given the club you support.

What makes it easy for a Fulham and Norwich to continue to yo yo is the parachute payment and neither of us made drastic changes and shed players. West Brom and Stoke struggled because they shed their key EPL guys when they went down a few years back and didn't know how to build a championship squad for a 46 game league schedule and add another 5 or 6 games between the Moose Cup and FA Cup. When we went down in 14, we didn't know how to play Championship football and went on a dumb spending spree and brought in the wrong players with a German manager who didn't know diddly about the Championship which led to a 17th place finish. Slowly built and ended up with promotion in 18. I cried when they beat Villa at Wembley to win the playoff.

The parachute payment is great if you keep your EPL squad together because it helps pay the higher wage players but if you don't get back up, those higher wage players get loaned off or sold off and you're left with nothing unless you have a tremendous academy (Brentford) or a staff that understand the Championship. Honestly I enjoy being in the Championship a tad more than the EPL. Any team can be competitive. Reading was crap 2 seasons ago, pushed really hard for promotion last year and are crap this year. Tiny lil Luton were crap a few years ago and now are a mid table Championship club. Coventry as well...a good sized club that got their act together, same as Blackpool. They almost got dissolved but got a committed ownership group and they're back in the 2nd tier.

I'll be over the moon if we win auto promotion and finish 1st but I know it'll be a struggle again next year. I do like Silva though, alot better than Scotty Parker and that sentiment is shared by alot of White supporters.

Sorry for the novel

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I don't know about not killing them FK. Once they get into the championship, they won't be able to spend millions upon millions to get back up.

Why not?

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Why not?

Because they won't be allowed to outspend their revenues, and their revenues in the Championship will be a fraction of what they are in the PL. But unless they have relegation clauses in most of their players contracts their payroll will only go down by a significant degree by offloading players. And offloading players isn't generally a good strategy to making the team better.

 

[anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a]

Because they won't be allowed to outspend their revenues, and their revenues in the Championship will be a fraction of what they are in the PL. But unless they have relegation clauses in most of their players contracts their payroll will only go down by a significant degree by offloading players. And offloading players isn't generally a good strategy to making the team better.

I can't see Allan Saint-Maximim or Kieran Trippier wanting to play Championship ball.

The only thing and it's big that Newcastle have going for them is St. James Park. at 52K, they'll still get 35-40K per match and still bring in enough revenue by that alone to give themselves a good shot to go straight back up. Even if they did try and spend millions upon millions if they get relegated, what top players will want to sign to play in Newcastle, in the Championship. Not many, if any.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Because they won't be allowed to outspend their revenues, and their revenues in the Championship will be a fraction of what they are in the PL. But unless they have relegation clauses in most of their players contracts their payroll will only go down by a significant degree by offloading players. And offloading players isn't generally a good strategy to making the team better.

What's the penalty if they spend like they're an EPL team while in the Championship? Maybe the penalty would he worth it.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Got an email that tickets still available for St. Paul. Maybe not a great idea to play a game where the temperature could be below 0. I didn't buy Columbus tickets because I'm waiting on weather and will have to do Stubhub if I go. If Columbus is 25-30, that's somewhat doable. But, St. Paul, wow, if its below 0, they have to move that game. Funny thing is there's a dome across the river but you lose "home field advantage" in a large stadium.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

What's the penalty if they spend like they're an EPL team while in the Championship? Maybe the penalty would he worth it.

The big ones for a Championship team would be large fines (Man City's was over 50 million Euros until they got it reduced), points deductions (which make it not worth it), and transfer bans (so they can't bring in any new players).

 

[anon_4dfwm2pijbr0a]

The big ones for a Championship team would be large fines (Man City's was over 50 million Euros until they got it reduced), points deductions (which make it not worth it), and transfer bans (so they can't bring in any new players).

And a transfer ban. Chelsea I believe was hit with this they year they got Pulisic on loan. Derby County were docked 6 points automatically at the beginning of this season and Sheffield Wednesday were docked 12 points automatically last season. Sheffield got relegated to League 1 last season and Derby is on their way to relegation to League 1 this season.

The FA started doing things a bit different this year from what I have read, I believe it's the FA. After the January transfer window they do their audits so a team who is sitting comfy mid table or a team at the top getting ready for auto promotion or the playoffs can find themselves in an unhappy spot.

 

[anon_d97v9o3a8b6xr]

For you Chelsea fans, what are the chances of seeing Hazard back in uniform? His time in Spain has been a disappointment so far. I’d love to see him back in the EPL. Although, you make a play to get him back and you would have to lose some other star players.