Who's watching the World Cup?

[Isaiah 63:1]

...What is the USL, and what is the difference between USL1 and USL2? I saw it listed in one of the apps. Is this another pro league like MLS?

If MLS is single A, then USL is cactus league spring training free agent tryouts. You've said watching MLS is tough sledding; stay as far away as possible from USL (even the Championship, the highest level; just below MLS) until you appreciate the sport for its own sake. Pick an EPL team for the coming season and then re-evaluate.

One final word of advice: don't try to compare metric football (soccer) to American football. People who do that (or the reverse) spend so much energy nitpicking the idiosyncrasies of the "new" sport that they rarely if ever really appreciate it. Both sports have elements of the ridiculous about them.

 

[dayhiker]

 

[Bazza]

As a horticulturist......I really enjoyed this segment. My advisor in college was the department Turfgrass professor, Dr. Al Dudek. I'll never forget the research projects with little 'circles' of turfgrass in pots on the greenhouse benches.

That was 50 years ago.......a lot has changed in the industry since then!

 

[CHATTBRIT]

The Spanish Federation had Chattanooga as a potential venue through the Group Stage for 3 years prior to the World Cup. It also worked very closely with the Turf Guru to ensure the pitches were at their best at the Baylor School. The Spanish team also brought their own food and chef as well as tons of equipment, medical personnel, etc. They were very well prepared as is evident by their winning of the World Cup.

 

[arthurdawg]

The Spanish Federation had Chattanooga as a potential venue through the Group Stage for 3 years prior to the World Cup. It also worked very closely with the Turf Guru to ensure the pitches were at their best at the Baylor School. The Spanish team also brought their own food and chef as well as tons of equipment, medical personnel, etc. They were very well prepared as is evident by their winning of the World Cup.

I noticed they grew their own lettuce there...

 

[Isaiah 63:1]

If MLS is single A, then USL is cactus league spring training free agent tryouts. You've said watching MLS is tough sledding; stay as far away as possible from USL (even the Championship, the highest level; just below MLS) until you appreciate the sport for its own sake. Pick an EPL team for the coming season and then re-evaluate...

The prosecution rests...

Inter Miami GK whiff leads to embarrassing own goal

 

[denverexpat]

The prosecution rests...

Inter Miami GK whiff leads to embarrassing own goal

Building out the back is the most self destructive tactic for weak teams to use....but thanks to Pep, its an epidemic....great for highlight reels though

 

[CrimsonNagus]

I'll give the EPL a shot when the season starts. I think I will start by following Arsenal and Manchester United since those are the 2 I have heard of without even knowing anything about the EPL. I guess I have also heard of Manchester City, but I thought it was just another name used for Manchester United.

I'll continue to try and watch some MLS to keep the soccer bug alive until the international leagues start back up.

MLS seems to play the bulk of its games on Saturdays. Is the EPL the same, and other international leagues? If so, that is going to be tough to pull away from college football. I like that MLS is not during football season, but y'all mentioned that is about to change. Seems short-sighted for an American soccer league to go up against college football if you want to grow interest.

 

[bamajas]

I'll give the EPL a shot when the season starts. I think I will start by following Arsenal and Manchester United since those are the 2 I have heard of without even knowing anything about the EPL. I guess I have also heard of Manchester City, but I thought it was just another name used for Manchester United.

I'll continue to try and watch some MLS to keep the soccer bug alive until the international leagues start back up.

MLS seems to play the bulk of its games on Saturdays. Is the EPL the same, and other international leagues? If so, that is going to be tough to pull away from college football. I like that MLS is not during football season, but y'all mentioned that is about to change. Seems short-sighted for an American soccer league to go up against college football if you want to grow interest.

Fwiw, Hoover native and USMNT defender Chris Richards plays for Crystal Palace in the EPL

EPL does Sat & Sun, and because of the time difference, their games start early in the AM on US time and their primetime games are mid-afternoon

 

[Isaiah 63:1]

...I like that MLS is not during football season, but y'all mentioned that is about to change. Seems short-sighted for an American soccer league to go up against college football if you want to grow interest.

The metric football season is so long that at least some overlap with the NFL and college football is unavoidable. The current February to early November MLS season does minimize the conflict, and avoids the playoffs of both, but comes at a cost. The rest of the world's metric football pro leagues play August to May. They get new players in the June timeframe, when MLS is mid-season. That makes it harder for MLS to attract top talent. And you get highlights like this one.

MLS is making a strategic bet: that by being able fully to participate in the global transfer market, they can improve player quality, create a better on-field product, and attract more eyeballs despite competing more directly with the NFL and college football...

 

[CoolBreeze]

EPL is so stacked with good teams. It is just like the SEC, a rivalry on every weekend just about. Arsenal, Liverpool, Man U, Man City, Chelsea, Tottenham and sometimes y and w are all teams with legit shots of the title every year and with 20 teams in the league there is always some good players going at it on the weekend. I record them all and always have a good match to watch. Also enjoy recording all the champions league games which are incredibly entertaining at times.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

I'll give the EPL a shot when the season starts. I think I will start by following Arsenal and Manchester United since those are the 2 I have heard of without even knowing anything about the EPL. I guess I have also heard of Manchester City, but I thought it was just another name used for Manchester United.

Nah, it's okay.

I try to follow one of the big guns - Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester (either one), Chelsea, all of whom I hate - and one of the "not as big names" like Everton (them esp), Tottenham, or Brighton. I try not to follow teams who will obviously be relegated (there's usually one or two by January).

Except in years when Ipswich is in the PL.

Here's the standings from my first year as a fan when I lived there.

See if you notice anything - and "oh yeah, who's THAT team?"

Your eyes are not playing tricks on you.

Coventry City, who just got promoted back to the top tier for the first time since 2001, was pretty good.

 

[CHATTBRIT]

I'll give the EPL a shot when the season starts. I think I will start by following Arsenal and Manchester United since those are the 2 I have heard of without even knowing anything about the EPL. I guess I have also heard of Manchester City, but I thought it was just another name used for Manchester United.

I'll continue to try and watch some MLS to keep the soccer bug alive until the international leagues start back up.

MLS seems to play the bulk of its games on Saturdays. Is the EPL the same, and other international leagues? If so, that is going to be tough to pull away from college football. I like that MLS is not during football season, but y'all mentioned that is about to change. Seems short-sighted for an American soccer league to go up against college football if you want to grow interest.

Oh Crimson Negus how could ever think Man City was a euphanism for the Rags aka Man Utd? Man City is the team in the City of Manchester whereas the Rags are located in Stretford, a suburb. Forget Arsenal as they employ the dark arts similar to Argentina. United on the other hand have improved under Michael Carrick, a former player, so they would be OK to follow.

Man City have just had 10 great years under Pep Guardiola winning the EPL 6 times, Champions League once, FA cup 3 times, Caraboe Cup 6 times, Community Shield 3 times, European Super Cup once and Club World Cup once. A former assistant of Pep's is now manager of the club (Maresca) and they have done great business in the transfer market. As you can tell I am a Man City fan and have been for 73 years despite them being relegated once or twice (or more) down to lower leagues

 

[selmaborntidefan]

My only significant quibble with this is over your suggested CFB analog for Man City. I don't think it's Michigan, but rather Oregon: traditional middle-of-the-pack program whose relatively recent ascent into the sport’s elite closely followed significant financial investment primarily from one benefactor.

Here's the thing (and not to argue):

when I stated Michigan originally, here was my thought process - they're a team that won a lot of stuff A LONG TIME AGO and then enjoyed some recent success, including the "triple" (first place, FA Cup, League Cup) in 2019 by cheating.

City have won EIGHT FA Cups, four of them prior to 1970 and back when it really was the Super Bowl of British football. If you rate them on OVERALL COMPETITIVE HONORS WON, they're fourth behind Liverpool, Arsenal, and Man United - and ahead of Chelsea. Their 8 FA Cups trail only two teams - Arsenal and Man United.

The Michigan analogy may not apply, but the Oregon one - a team that has yet to win a damn thing - doesn't really work, either. If City had a lot of first place finishes but precious little hardware otherwise, I'd agree Oregon fits better.

That's why this one was the most difficult.

City had success a long time ago (not as much as Michigan but still). They've had A LOT lately (more than Michigan) and under the taint of scandal. And Auburn is taken by Newcastle.

And they're in proximity to a more glorious program (Notre Dame >>> Michigan).

Anyway, in the larger picture this is just a discussion. It's not like it's going to balance the budget or end world hunger.

 

[CrimsonNagus]

Are there any recommended phone apps that help you to follow international soccer? The specific league apps or a good universal app? I'm just using the Apple Sports app right now.

 

[Isaiah 63:1]

Here's the thing (and not to argue):

when I stated Michigan originally, here was my thought process - they're a team that won a lot of stuff A LONG TIME AGO and then enjoyed some recent success, including the "triple" (first place, FA Cup, League Cup) in 2019 by cheating.

City have won EIGHT FA Cups, four of them prior to 1970 and back when it really was the Super Bowl of British football. If you rate them on OVERALL COMPETITIVE HONORS WON, they're fourth behind Liverpool, Arsenal, and Man United - and ahead of Chelsea. Their 8 FA Cups trail only two teams - Arsenal and Man United.

The Michigan analogy may not apply, but the Oregon one - a team that has yet to win a damn thing - doesn't really work, either. If City had a lot of first place finishes but precious little hardware otherwise, I'd agree Oregon fits better.

That's why this one was the most difficult.

City had success a long time ago (not as much as Michigan but still). They've had A LOT lately (more than Michigan) and under the taint of scandal. And Auburn is taken by Newcastle.

And they're in proximity to a more glorious program (Notre Dame >>> Michigan).

Anyway, in the larger picture this is just a discussion. It's not like it's going to balance the budget or end world hunger.

All fair points. I began following English football when I was in school there; longer ago than I care to admit; not long enough ago to have known there was a time when Man City were anything more than people who sing some song about Munich the way Auburn people talk about the Play That Shall Not Be Named. In other words, I had known them as a club that existed at least as much to hate their rival as to do anything on their own.

I've always thought of Everton as AU's EPL analogue: perpetually in the shadow of their chief, and far more successful, rival (almost literally, in Everton's case, until their recent stadium move); on average mid-table with occasional oscillations between success and unmitigated disaster.

 

[Isaiah 63:1]

Are there any recommended phone apps that help you to follow international soccer? The specific league apps or a good universal app? I'm just using the Apple Sports app right now.

EPL has an app. FIFA for all metric football action. But I just use ESPN (blushes)...

 

[Titans&Tide]

Oh Crimson Negus how could ever think Man City was a euphanism for the Rags aka Man Utd? Man City is the team in the City of Manchester whereas the Rags are located in Stretford, a suburb. Forget Arsenal as they employ the dark arts similar to Argentina. United on the other hand have improved under Michael Carrick, a former player, so they would be OK to follow.

Man City have just had 10 great years under Pep Guardiola winning the EPL 6 times, Champions League once, FA cup 3 times, Caraboe Cup 6 times, Community Shield 3 times, European Super Cup once and Club World Cup once. A former assistant of Pep's is now manager of the club (Maresca) and they have done great business in the transfer market. As you can tell I am a Man City fan and have been for 73 years despite them being relegated once or twice (or more) down to lower leagues

There you go again with those blatantly false accusations against my beloved Gunners...

115 financial rule violation charges for your side. Hopefully they'll get fairly adjudicated soon.

Oh, and I took this pic last Saturday while I was across the pond. Definitely looks better with red and white ribbons...

 

[denverexpat]

There you go again with those blatantly false accusations against my beloved Gunners...

115 financial rule violation charges for your side. Hopefully they'll get fairly adjudicated soon.

Oh, and I took this pic last Saturday while I was across the pond. Definitely looks better with red and white ribbons...

View attachment 58170

LOL....looks lonely...where are the Champiosn League trophies....oh wait....going to be tough for VARsenal to repeat this year with all the rule changes on corners. Raya may play a game without needing "treatment"!

 

[Titans&Tide]

LOL....looks lonely...where are the Champiosn League trophies....oh wait....going to be tough for VARsenal to repeat this year with all the rule changes on corners. Raya may play a game without needing "treatment"!

You call us VARsenal because Champions hurts too much. Cope harder.

Sure is a lot of smack being talked from supporters of teams that spent so much not to win anything last season.