On March 29 2021 09:23 {CC}StealthBlue wrote: God we blow. Ship every USMNT under 23's to Germany. Have them broken and mold them into something that resembles a spec of talent. God damnit.
It’s a pretty good pipeline, the raw material’s now there and clubs are happy to take a punt on American talent.
I think Pulisic and Reyna are a step up on talent wise from the best of the last generation, so things are moving in a good direction.
South America can’t keep hold of its real top talent, who are moving earlier and earlier, indeed the strength of North and South American football are probably trending in opposite directions, I think it’s quite conceivable that MLS will outstrip those leagues in a reasonably short period of time.
Eh, maybe. South American teams haven't been particularly good in a rather long time. While they definitely had some very talented players they lacked the facilities and structure for the training that European teams have had for at least 2 decades. Even a Corinthians or River Plate, which are comparatively rich teams don't have anywhere near the setup of even mid level European teams like a Feyenoord or Betis Sevilla have. MLS should easily outstrip them simply because of the money involved. Buying players like Zlatan is a flashy hype move that generates interest, but the real investments are in training facilities and team, and the better MLS teams are making those moves.
But that won't change the fact that the US's best athletes don't aspire to play "soccer". It's still only the 4th or 5th most popular sport, while every kid on every street in South America wants to play futbol.
On March 31 2021 00:46 clusen wrote: Lewy out for 4 weeks because of a game against Andorra wtf
Polish national team doing what the entire Bundesliga was going to fail at - stopping Lewy from breaking the Gerd Müller record.
Argh, that was such a compelling story for this season too How many matches does he have to do it if he is out the 4 weeks? Might still be within his abilities
Aguero leaving Man City means they are either getting Haaland or Messi i feel. Rumour has been around Lukaku but i feel he isn't big enough for Man City to replace Aguero.
Isn't big enough? Best striker in the world? The age (and perhaps availability? Why would he want to leave Bayern anyway imo) is the only argument against Lewa - and it's a pretty good argument - but that's it.
On March 31 2021 02:30 Liquid`Drone wrote: Isn't big enough? Best striker in the world? The age (and perhaps availability? Why would he want to leave Bayern anyway imo) is the only argument against Lewa - and it's a pretty good argument - but that's it.
Best 9 in the world for sure, with Kane not hugely behind. There’s really not a huge amount of really top tier old school 9s are in pretty short supply that said.
Haaland is the coming man, he’s not yet as rounded, especially with Kane as creatively effective as he is, but for City he’s absolutely perfect.
The amount of times they do that buildup thru to a cutback and a tap in in the 6 yard box Haaland will be banging them in, plus his sheer pace and physicality give them a potential other dimension in having more vertical options too.
Haaland’s already this good and yet he’s patently an unpolished diamond with room to improve further, both naturally just by playing games and gaining more and more experience, but also in being actively coached in certain areas too.
On March 31 2021 00:46 clusen wrote: Lewy out for 4 weeks because of a game against Andorra wtf
Polish national team doing what the entire Bundesliga was going to fail at - stopping Lewy from breaking the Gerd Müller record.
Argh, that was such a compelling story for this season too How many matches does he have to do it if he is out the 4 weeks? Might still be within his abilities
3 matchdays, 4 at most and he needs 5 goals to tie.
On March 31 2021 00:46 clusen wrote: Lewy out for 4 weeks because of a game against Andorra wtf
Polish national team doing what the entire Bundesliga was going to fail at - stopping Lewy from breaking the Gerd Müller record.
Argh, that was such a compelling story for this season too How many matches does he have to do it if he is out the 4 weeks? Might still be within his abilities
3 matchdays, 4 at most and he needs 5 goals to tie.
Depends on who Bayern plays, this is absolutely doable, even in only 2 games :D Dont Bayern play against Schalke again?
Edit: No but they play Mainz so it might still be a 7:2 for Bayern, Lewa scoring 3-4 goals easy.
I don't like Bayern and was thinking without Lewa we might have a race for first again, but I was hoping he could play against PSG who I deteste. 4 weeks is long enough for him to also miss the second leg in CL :/
Harry Kane just doesn't fit into England's system at all. What's the point in having a quality striker who spends more time in midfield and out wide leaving no-one in the box? Foden isn't going to run beyond him centrally, and Sterling isn't really doing that either. I just don't get it.
On April 01 2021 05:35 Jockmcplop wrote: Harry Kane just doesn't fit into England's system at all. What's the point in having a quality striker who spends more time in midfield and out wide leaving no-one in the box? Foden isn't going to run beyond him centrally, and Sterling isn't really doing that either. I just don't get it.
He has been groomed into it now is the problem due to playing the Benzema role in Spurs with Son running off of him. He trying to do the same now for England in a system which isn't working because Foden isn't that kind of winger like you said.
Scrappy win tonight was ok for England but they are miles below par of where they need to be and i feel Southgate going to be exposed more than Low is right now!