The Soccer Thread

[shnsajax]

With the FA Cup on Saturday too I know what my plans for this weekend look like.

[wvcbxl]

With the FA Cup on Saturday too I know what my plans for this weekend look like.

 

Belgian league looks set to go down to the wire next Sunday - I'll be in front of my TV :-)

[USSoccer]

I am not a fan of the new MLS TV deal. Not at all. FOX is a [expletive] platform and putting MLS games on FS2 (which no matter what they say today will happen) is going to be detrimental.

 

I also don't like ESPN gaining all digital rights, as MLS Live is one of the best things ever.

[wolf stansson]

Wait, that's part of it? ESPN 3? So no more MLS LIVE? That's [expletive] [expletive].

 

They gain ground and popularity by being fan friendly with and making their content available affordably, they're cutting edge with their digital content and they sell out all of that progress just to get in bed with "traditional" media to feel more legit? That's horse [expletive].

 

Fox...they suck and I don't want to hear Gus Johnson calling a Seattle v Portland club banger, but whatever. If NBC doesn't pony up, that's on them.

[USSoccer]

Wait, that's part of it? ESPN 3? So no more MLS LIVE? That's [expletive] [expletive].

 

They gain ground and popularity by being fan friendly with and making their content available affordably, they're cutting edge with their digital content and they sell out all of that progress just to get in bed with "traditional" media to feel more legit? That's horse [expletive].

 

Fox...they suck and I don't want to hear Gus Johnson calling a Seattle v Portland club banger, but whatever. If NBC doesn't pony up, that's on them.

 

I really loved NBC's production and promotion. It's a damn shame they wouldn't pony up.

 

And yeah, the MLS Live/FS2 things are to me, the things that make this deal [expletive]. ESPN has treated MLS poorly historically, and Fox is just garbage when it comes to soccer. I get that the $70m per season is a big number, but if it comes at the cost of half the games banished off the SD-broadcast FS2 (which most people don't even get), is it really worth it?

[wolf stansson]

ESPN isn't even going to broadcast an MLS game until after the World Cup this season, which is essentially them holding the stance that haters take re: games not mattering until the playoff chase, which is ultimately kind of true in MLS, but doesn't matter to fans. That's not how you treat a property you value. I really get the sense that the only reason ESPN did this is because without the EPL rights and without the World Cup rights for the foreseeable future, they had to have some kind of soccer property in order to stay relevant. England, Spain and Germany are owned by BeIn, NBC and FOX, so they are left with what's left. Ultimately, I guess I'm fine with whatever makes MLS more valuable in the long run, but losing MLS Live sucks big time. I don't get ESPN 3.

[USSoccer]

ESPN isn't even going to broadcast an MLS game until after the World Cup this season, which is essentially them holding the stance that haters take re: games not mattering until the playoff chase, which is ultimately kind of true in MLS, but doesn't matter to fans. That's not how you treat a property you value. I really get the sense that the only reason ESPN did this is because without the EPL rights and without the World Cup rights for the foreseeable future, they had to have some kind of soccer property in order to stay relevant. England, Spain and Germany are owned by BeIn, NBC and FOX, so they are left with what's left. Ultimately, I guess I'm fine with whatever makes MLS more valuable in the long run, but losing MLS Live sucks big time. I don't get ESPN 3.

 

I think you're dead on about them just wanting any soccer property. They've been an MLS partner for years and have barely given the league any exposure.

[wolf stansson]

Stoke and Agudelo mutually terminated their contract after a final work permit denial by the FA. Multiple Dutch and other European clubs interested in him on a free.

[USSoccer]

Stoke and Agudelo mutually terminated their contract after a final work permit denial by the FA. Multiple Dutch and other European clubs interested in him on a free.

 

Good move; sucks he couldn't get a work permit but the EPL isn't where he should be anyway

[wolf stansson]

Reading the details on the media deal. Obviously the digital rights thing is a bummer and Fox beating NBC is a bummer, but I do like finally having destination MLS nights rather than bouncing the national matches all over the weekly schedule.

I think that's a big deal.

[USSoccer]

GOALKEEPERS (3) :Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

 

DEFENDERS (11) : DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Michael Parkhurst (Columbus Crew), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)

 

MIDFIELDERS (10) : Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Maurice Edu (Philadelphia Union), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

 

FORWARDS (6) : Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

[Guest]

I can't imagine how the digital rights moving to ESPN could possibly be a bad thing. Either they treat it like Gameplan and you can still pay to get those games, or even more games are available for free. On a better/more polished platform with greater visibility. What's the downside here?

[USSoccer]

I can't imagine how the digital rights moving to ESPN could possibly be a bad thing. Either they treat it like Gamplan and you can still pay to get those games, or even more games are available for free. On a better/more polished platform with greater visibility. What's the downside here?

 

MLS Live allows you access to previous season's games via archive, condensed versions of games, game highlights as well as live streaming and play-from-beginning. WatchESPN doesn't have the condensed stuff, and their archive goes back like a month. MLS Live stream quality and interface is a lot stronger than WatchESPN is. We'll have to see what happens with the actual product, but $60 to get every game past and present in multiple formats was an amazing deal.

 

There was some stuff in the presser about MLS retaining some digital rights, so hopefully that means they can keep the archive stuff and ESPN just got live broadcast streaming rights.

 

ETA: I'm not really articulating my point here as well as I could, but the gist of it is that MLS Live is a great value and offers a lot of extras that WatchESPN doesn't currently offer.

Edited May 12, 2014 by USSoccer

[jersey cubs fan]

why would anybody want to watch a game from last year?

[USSoccer]

why would anybody want to watch a game from last year?

 

There are particularly memorable games that its fun to go back and watch the highlights of.

 

If they move everything over to WatchESPN, it broadens the viewer base and gives the league more overall exposure, but for the hardcore fans that take advantage of MLS Live (or don't get WatchESPN access), it will suck.

[Guest]

I can't imagine how the digital rights moving to ESPN could possibly be a bad thing. Either they treat it like Gamplan and you can still pay to get those games, or even more games are available for free. On a better/more polished platform with greater visibility. What's the downside here?

 

MLS Live allows you access to previous season's games via archive, condensed versions of games, game highlights as well as live streaming and play-from-beginning. WatchESPN doesn't have the condensed stuff, and their archive goes back like a month. MLS Live stream quality and interface is a lot stronger than WatchESPN is. We'll have to see what happens with the actual product, but $60 to get every game past and present in multiple formats was an amazing deal.

 

There was some stuff in the presser about MLS retaining some digital rights, so hopefully that means they can keep the archive stuff and ESPN just got live broadcast streaming rights.

 

Yeah, I can't imagine ESPN would care too much about digital rights to past seasons, although stuff like condensed games and such would probably suffer. As for the quality, I admit I've never paid for Live so I'm not an expert, but judging by the other video resources on the MLS website I would be shocked if it's a better experience than WatchESPN. It's literally a 50/50 chance I can ever get a highlight to actually play from mlssoccer.com.

[Guest]

GOALKEEPERS (3) :Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

 

DEFENDERS (11) : DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Michael Parkhurst (Columbus Crew), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)

 

MIDFIELDERS (10) : Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Maurice Edu (Philadelphia Union), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

 

FORWARDS (6) : Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

 

Wow, Wondo and Boyd over EJ.

[USSoccer]

I can't imagine how the digital rights moving to ESPN could possibly be a bad thing. Either they treat it like Gamplan and you can still pay to get those games, or even more games are available for free. On a better/more polished platform with greater visibility. What's the downside here?

 

MLS Live allows you access to previous season's games via archive, condensed versions of games, game highlights as well as live streaming and play-from-beginning. WatchESPN doesn't have the condensed stuff, and their archive goes back like a month. MLS Live stream quality and interface is a lot stronger than WatchESPN is. We'll have to see what happens with the actual product, but $60 to get every game past and present in multiple formats was an amazing deal.

 

There was some stuff in the presser about MLS retaining some digital rights, so hopefully that means they can keep the archive stuff and ESPN just got live broadcast streaming rights.

 

Yeah, I can't imagine ESPN would care too much about digital rights to past seasons, although stuff like condensed games and such would probably suffer. As for the quality, I admit I've never paid for Live so I'm not an expert, but judging by the other video resources on the MLS website I would be shocked if it's a better experience than WatchESPN. It's literally a 50/50 chance I can ever get a highlight to actually play from mlssoccer.com.

 

Live is glorious. It's one of the best things I've even purchased; for $60 I get to watch all the games? I can blow through condensed versions in an hour or so for an entire weekend? It's awesome. And the stream quality is top notch.

 

The league website itself is...not great.

[USSoccer]

GOALKEEPERS (3) :Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

 

DEFENDERS (11) : DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Michael Parkhurst (Columbus Crew), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)

 

MIDFIELDERS (10) : Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Maurice Edu (Philadelphia Union), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

 

FORWARDS (6) : Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

 

Wow, Wondo and Boyd over EJ.

 

I'm not thrilled about Chandler being on the 30, to be honest.

 

EJ's bad start and worse attitude probably doomed him. Also surprised to see Corona on there, but I'd guess he's just camp fodder.

[shnsajax]

GOALKEEPERS (3) :Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

 

DEFENDERS (11) : DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Michael Parkhurst (Columbus Crew), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)

 

MIDFIELDERS (10) : Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Maurice Edu (Philadelphia Union), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

 

FORWARDS (6) : Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

 

Wow, Wondo and Boyd over EJ.

 

No point in bringing a player who has no chance of seeing the field who is also bad in the clubhouse right now.

[wolf stansson]

My 23

 

Brad Guzan

Tim Howard

Nick Rimando

 

DaMarcus Beasley

Matt Besler

Geoff Cameron

Brad Evans

Omar Gonzalez

Clarence Goodson

Fabian Johnson

Michael Parkhurst

 

Kyle Beckerman

Alejandro Bedoya

Michael Bradley

Mix Diskerud

Julian Green

Jermaine Jones

Graham Zusi

 

Jozy Altidore

Clint Dempsey

Landon Donovan

Aron Johannsson

Chris Wondolowski

 

My 11

 

-----------------Howard

Cameron-Gonzalez-Besler-Johnson

------------------Jones

Donovan---------------------Zusi

----------------Bradley

------------------Dempsey

---------------Altidore

 

 

Garber: MLS shift to winter almost impossible.

http://www.soccerbyives.net/2014/05/european-schedule-impossible.html

 

No [expletive].

[shnsajax]

Stoke and Agudelo mutually terminated their contract after a final work permit denial by the FA. Multiple Dutch and other European clubs interested in him on a free.

 

Its nice when things inadvertantly workout for the best. Keep him in Holland for another 2 years.

 

Whats up with Aron, is he going to be making a move?

[wolf stansson]

Alejandro Bedoya leading Nantes fans in "I Believe."

[wolf stansson]

I'm not thrilled about Chandler being on the 30, to be honest.

Been thinking about this since the roster was released. If he brings it in camp, you have to take him.

He's the best right back in the pool on the club level and his size and speed matches up vs Ghana, Ronaldo and Germany better than anyone on the roster. He has experience and understands the germans and what they'll try to do. I think he's on the plane as long as Jurgen thinks team chemistry can handle it.

[USSoccer]

I'm not thrilled about Chandler being on the 30, to be honest.

Been thinking about this since the roster was released. If he brings it in camp, you have to take him.

He's the best right back in the pool on the club level and his size and speed matches up vs Ghana, Ronaldo and Germany better than anyone on the roster. He has experience and understands the germans and what they'll try to do. I think he's on the plane as long as Jurgen thinks team chemistry can handle it.

 

I think he's a lock at this point; if JK included him in the 30, he's going to be on the 23 barring injury. I'm not happy about it; I think Chandler's a mercenary flake who is indifferent at best about playing for the US, but he has a whole camp to change his teammates' minds. Hope he brings it.