Premiere League & World Soccer Thread

#5,528
#5,528
“David Beckham will have a greater impact on soccer in America than any athlete has ever had on a sport globally," said Timothy J. Leiweke, a member of the Galaxy’s ownership, according to the Boston Globe. “David is truly the only individual that can build the bridge between soccer in America and the rest of the world.”

However, Beckham will leave MLS having played just one full season. He has missed many games due to injury and has been unable to lead the Galaxy to the league playoffs. Though he undoubtedly brought increased attention to the league, many have questioned whether he accomplished what he set out to do.

“So what did he accomplish in 18 months?” asks Grahame L. Jones of the Los Angeles Times. “Thirty games played for the Galaxy. Five goals scored. A lot of squealing female fans. A lot of Galaxy jerseys sold. A few more fans in seats. A bit of media buzz. Not much more than that. The soccer needle remains about where it was before he stepped off the plane at LAX.”
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#5,529
#5,529
IMO, Americans care about the USMNT in the World Cup, not soccer in general. Maybe we'll get there one way, but it seems a long way off. MLS is still a destination for past their prime stars. It's the equivalent of LeBron going to play in France or something after he retires from the NBA, or Albert Pujols playing in Japan.
 
#5,530
#5,530
As cool as I think this is to hear a name like Messi attached to the MLS, I still can't help but wonder how MLS can shake the "retirement home" reputation its received since Beckham's move to LA Galaxy all those years ago.

How do we attract talented players in the prime of their careers vs. the tail-end? My theory is that a more exciting product would lead to many more eyes and interest. Imagine watching a Monday night game with a Haaland-led DC United going up against Mbappe's FC Dallas squad. To even type that feels like a joke, but how can we make it a reality?

Money certainly is a factor, but to me the biggest one is the prestige of the league. MLS has to expand its global reach and insert itself into global competition (IE Champions League, Europa League play). I don't know the answer on how they do it, but its the only way to make it one of the best leagues to rival England/Spain and have players become interested in it as a viable option for the prime of their careers.
 
#5,531
#5,531
Through_The_T said:
As cool as I think this is to hear a name like Messi attached to the MLS, I still can't help but wonder how MLS can shake the "retirement home" reputation its received since Beckham's move to LA Galaxy all those years ago.

How do we attract talented players in the prime of their careers vs. the tail-end? My theory is that a more exciting product would lead to many more eyes and interest. Imagine watching a Monday night game with a Haaland-led DC United going up against Mbappe's FC Dallas squad. To even type that feels like a joke, but how can we make it a reality?

Money certainly is a factor, but to me the biggest one is the prestige of the league. MLS has to expand its global reach and insert itself into global competition (IE Champions League, Europa League play). I don't know the answer on how they do it, but its the only way to make it one of the best leagues to rival England/Spain and have players become interested in it as a viable option for the prime of their careers.
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MLS is not in the UEFA so they would not be eligible for Champions League or Europa?

Basically $$$. More fan support. More tv coverage. More $$$ to spend on players. And soccer needs to attract and keep the best athletes the US has. Kids (boys) may play soccer when they're young, but for the most part they focus on one of the big 3 later in their teens. Hard to do in the US when MLS is still behind NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL in popularity. And possibly golf as well?

The revenues have to go up significantly. Yea it's wikipedia, but it's probably mostly accurate:

List of professional sports leagues by revenue - Wikipedia
 
#5,532
#5,532
TheDeeble said:
MLS is not in the UEFA so they would not be eligible for Champions League or Europa?

Basically $$$. More fan support. More tv coverage. More $$$ to spend on players. And soccer needs to attract and keep the best athletes the US has. Kids (boys) may play soccer when they're young, but for the most part they focus on one of the big 3 later in their teens. Hard to do in the US when MLS is still behind NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL in popularity. And possibly golf as well?

The revenues have to go up significantly. Yea it's wikipedia, but it's probably mostly accurate:

List of professional sports leagues by revenue - Wikipedia
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Sorry my reply wasn't clear in re-reading. I meant a global-style competition like Champions League or Europa, not necessarily apart of those leagues.

As far as the revenues, I'm not sure they ever go up without signing premier talent that is some of the world's best. Chicken-egg type scenario. I do like that MLS is getting creative with revenue sharing and things like that to attract Messi. Potentially that could be used to lure younger players who show promise.
 
#5,533
#5,533
Through_The_T said:
As cool as I think this is to hear a name like Messi attached to the MLS, I still can't help but wonder how MLS can shake the "retirement home" reputation its received since Beckham's move to LA Galaxy all those years ago.

How do we attract talented players in the prime of their careers vs. the tail-end? My theory is that a more exciting product would lead to many more eyes and interest. Imagine watching a Monday night game with a Haaland-led DC United going up against Mbappe's FC Dallas squad. To even type that feels like a joke, but how can we make it a reality?

Money certainly is a factor, but to me the biggest one is the prestige of the league. MLS has to expand its global reach and insert itself into global competition (IE Champions League, Europa League play). I don't know the answer on how they do it, but its the only way to make it one of the best leagues to rival England/Spain and have players become interested in it as a viable option for the prime of their careers.
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Those are all things that will elevate the game to that status, I agree. Thing is we can’t get there with the fan support and exposure we have now. That’s why guys like Messi coming to the MLS, even in retirement years, is huge. The exposure this gives the MLS is something to build on. The tricky part is when do you decide you have enough fan support to take a next step towards something like you said? Because when you do take that next step you then need to ditch the retirement league aspect and go for prime players. We are just so far off of this at the moment though.
 
#5,534
#5,534
This will be at least the fourth time this has been tried (Pele, Beckham, and Rooney). No doubt, Messi is an attraction but the days of watching him dribble headlong into two or three defenders and come out on the other side with an open shooting lane are just about over. This is going to cost a lot. This deal is going to suck all of the economic air out of the room, and it's not just Inter Miami's money. If more stars and elevated talent is going to happen, it's going to cost big money. MLS's TV deals are locked in until 2026 (Fox) and 2032 (Apple), which means new revenue is going to have to come from somewhere else. Even if every club started selling out season tickets and tripling merchandise sales, it would not be enough. The only obvious well for more big money will be expansion franchise fees, which will only further dilute a league that does not have relegation.

On the ? of international play, MLS already participates in the CONCACAF Champions League, the winner of which participates in the FIFA Club World Cup. Unfortunately, Mexico' Liga MX has dominated the competition up until the Sounders became the first MLS club to win it last year. Additionally, MLS will be able to play in the new CONMEBOL-CONCACAF club championship series. Again, MLS teams would have to get past Mexican clubs to earn the right to play the likes of Palmeiras and Boca Juniors.

I admire Messi greatly and hope this works out but I just don't see it happening. The one thing that will elevate the game in the US is for the USMNT to advance far (like final 4 or THE final) in 2026 WC. I think that is where the resources need to go but it doesn't produce short-term hype and MLS owner's have not figured out that the health of their league is inextricably tied to the success of the national team.
 
#5,535
#5,535
Disappointed to see this. I thought the World Cup system worked well, or at least better (and MUCH faster) than what the PL is currently using. My only complaint during the WC was that images weren’t always available on the TV broadcast in real time, but I’m sure that could be ironed out.
 
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#5,539
#5,539
C/O said:
Congrats to Man City*

*pending the years long investigation into the over 100 alleged illegal activities
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I suppose UEFA can still go in and strip them of the title, but what difference does that really make? It’s just like when the NCAA vacates National Championships here. The games were still played on the field, the supporters still got to travel and have their good times, City still won. No decision from UEFA will ever change any of that.

Regardless of how the team was assembled, they really do play the game in a beautiful way, and seem like a genuinely likable group of guys. Happy to see them win it this year.
 
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#5,540
#5,540
bleedorange0037 said:
I suppose UEFA can still go in and strip them of the title, but what difference does that really make? It’s just like when the NCAA vacates National Championships here. The games were still played on the field, the supporters still got to travel and have their good times, City still won. No decision from UEFA will ever change any of that.

Regardless of how the team was assembled, they really do play the game in a beautiful way, and seem like a genuinely likable group of guys. Happy to see them win it this year.
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I agree when looking at the season in totality. My take on yesterday is Inter looked like the better team and Ederson won the game with some instinctive positioning.
 
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#5,541
#5,541
Through_The_T said:
As cool as I think this is to hear a name like Messi attached to the MLS, I still can't help but wonder how MLS can shake the "retirement home" reputation its received since Beckham's move to LA Galaxy all those years ago.

How do we attract talented players in the prime of their careers vs. the tail-end? My theory is that a more exciting product would lead to many more eyes and interest. Imagine watching a Monday night game with a Haaland-led DC United going up against Mbappe's FC Dallas squad. To even type that feels like a joke, but how can we make it a reality?

Money certainly is a factor, but to me the biggest one is the prestige of the league. MLS has to expand its global reach and insert itself into global competition (IE Champions League, Europa League play). I don't know the answer on how they do it, but its the only way to make it one of the best leagues to rival England/Spain and have players become interested in it as a viable option for the prime of their careers.
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It's like a Sun Belt school asking "How do we convince good players to come into our conference and not the SEC?"

Money and everything associated with it is the biggest reason, but as you said it's also the prestige and reputation of the league.
 
#5,545
#5,545
C/O said:
No hate here. Pep is one of the greatest coaches of all time and City won a historic treble, I just put an asterisk and stated facts. I didn’t say they cheated or anything, I said the alleged claims. Enjoy the victory and get ready for another fun season starting soon
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One thing I saw mentioned was a potential vacate of the champions league. That won’t be possible as they already settled that with Uefa. They could however be docked points, be demoted, be fined, or nothing at all by the premier league. We’ll see but I just cannot stand the hypocrisy from long standing established clubs. How does everyone think United, Liverpool, Madrid, and Barcelona got so big? Did they just have better local players in the early 1900’s and it carried forward?
 
#5,547
#5,547
C/O said:
No hate here. Pep is one of the greatest coaches of all time and City won a historic treble, I just put an asterisk and stated facts. I didn’t say they cheated or anything, I said the alleged claims. Enjoy the victory and get ready for another fun season starting soon
Click to expand...
When can we start setting up next seasons Fantasy league? Can we just reuse the one we just finished?
 
#5,548
#5,548
I botched my EPL team by making several mistakes.
1. I mistakenly thought the wild card, triple captain, and bench boost were refreshed after mid-season. They did that in my past leagues.
2. I started tinkering too much with lineup vs sticking with original team. Basically turned it into day trading.
3 Too heavily invested in top squads playing in both domestic and European competition.
I started chasing and that’s when I knew it was over.
 
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