I wonder if there are concerns about Walker's health. After missing the WC and resting all summer, he still isn't anywhere near fit. Nothing has been said publicly but it's a bit suspicious that the club would sign a third (or fourth if you count Fredericks) right back.

On August 14 2014 06:35 kyllinghest wrote:
He did well enough for Liverpool to trigger his release clause of 35 mill quid at least. Admittedly I don´t watch too much La Liga.

I can't even bring myself to make the Andy Carroll joke...

kyllinghest

Norway1607 Posts

August 13 2014 21:48 GMT

#1712

On August 14 2014 06:39 city42 wrote:

Show nested quote +

I can't even bring myself to make the Andy Carroll joke...

Costa did turn out decent though.

{CC}StealthBlue

United States41117 Posts

August 13 2014 23:45 GMT

#1713

On August 14 2014 06:29 Ferrose wrote:
https://twitter.com/SpursOfficial/status/499639312322134016

Rokomish

United States68 Posts

August 14 2014 01:50 GMT

#1714

3+ years of lurking and I'm making my first ever post...I got the jitters! I've been following these threads pretty religiously for 2 years now, so thanks to all for keeping me entertained.

I've seen this conversation pop up and quickly disappear a couple times, but now that MLS is getting a bit more popular, thought I'd get some input from you all (since my RL friends could/couldn't care less about anything that isn't the NFL).

I've been trying to follow MLS the last season and a half, and also watched a fair amount of Serie B (Palermo is my main squeeze), and the requisite 8 hours per weekend of Prem. The level of play in Serie B (with the exception of Palermo, of course) seemed very similar to, or even a smidge worse than basically any MLS team. I also feel like even a top MLS team would have a tough task to get more than 20 points in the Prem.

At it's current level, about where would you rate MLS in comparison to EU leagues? Seems like some of the mid-season MLS teams were able to give decent games to preseason Prem B teams (SKC vs. Man City comes to mind). Obviously there's not too much to be learned from those games, but it's basically the only barometer we have right now.

With American big-shots like Besler, Deuce, and Bradley pledging their future to the MLS, I'm just wondering if the league is potentially on the cusp of getting some international recognition.

SKC

Brazil18828 Posts

August 14 2014 02:20 GMT

#1715

A bit more presence on international competitions could be a good start. From a quick glance it seems Mexico completelly dominates the NA Champion's League equivalent, and they are pretty far from top EU clubs. Maybe winning the clubs world championship could give them a bit of recognition. Not exactly the most important tournament but better than friendlies.

I dont expect the MLS to be anywhere near the european leagues in the future, they would still need a lot of money and talent for that to happen. How well lower tier leagues would do against low-mid tier european clubs will always be hard to say, be it the MLS, south american or asian leagues.

Rokomish

United States68 Posts

August 14 2014 03:17 GMT

#1716

Fair points, thanks for the input! Agreed it's an ultimately futile conversation - just interesting to get the take of non-Americans on it. Listening to Lalas and Twellman, you'd think MLS is already on par with Serie A.

Re: CONCACAF CL - the latter stages come at a horrible time form-wise for MLS compared to Liga MX (very beginning of the season for MLS vs meat of the season for MX), for what that's worth.

Rebs

Pakistan10726 Posts

August 14 2014 03:40 GMT

#1717

I like Twellman, but he can be over optimistic. Lala's is your quintessential douchebag.

I also started watching a fair bit of MLS when I moved to seattle, attended some games to that pull in a healthy 40k fans a week. Im in DC now and DC United is having a decent to.

The main problem at the moment is that the MLS suffers from being away from the hotbed of football. Sure the worlds shrunk alot more but exposure to top level football is what raises the culture and level of understanding. You can watch film and get foreign coaching techniques but the nuances of the game dont come to you till you grind with them day in day out.

From a physicallity stand point the MLS is as good as any but every time you see MLS games turn into a pinball fest between opposing teams it makes you want to break your tv. It has gotten heaps and bounds better than sayyy 4 years ago and top European clubs see the US as their next frontier for $$ so they will bring better football here. That might be more of a curse for MLS than a boon because what they are essentially saying is, dont watch your local teams watch us, but lets see.

Also liga MX is such a roller coaster and hes right playing the NA CL all the Mex teams are so far into high gear it does make a massive difference.

Money and talent on their own cant improve the sporting culture in any country, but yeah ofcourse it helps.

As for players, American stars sticking to MLS isnt as big deal as players coming in from Europe. Deuce is winding down his career, Bradley kinda didnt cut it, Besler is good but just USA good not world good

Pandemona

Charlie Sheens House51490 Posts

August 14 2014 07:45 GMT

#1718

Super Cups!

Community Shield
Manchester City 0-3 Arsenal

Cazorla 22min

Ramsey 43min

Giroud 62min

Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira
Benfica vs Rio Ave
Benfica Win 3-2 on Penalties

DFL-Super Cup
Borussia Dortmund 2-0 FC Bayern

Mkhitaryan 23min

Aubameyang 62min

Supercopa de España
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid
1st Leg
2nd Leg

Supercoppa Italiana
Juventus vs Napoli

Trophée des Champions
Paris-Saint Germain 2-0 Guingamp

Ibrahimovic 8min & 20min (pen)

Johan Cruijff Shield
Ajax 0-1 PEC Zwolle

Nijland 54min

Craze

United States561 Posts

August 14 2014 07:53 GMT

#1719

On August 14 2014 16:45 Pandemona wrote: