soccer soccer soccer

[stitchface]

Complete Alisson meltdown ends premier league race . . . my aim is true.

[stitchface]

Where is Pulisic?

[bukie]

Where is Pulisic?

Super Bowl?

[imb]

If they’re gonna do 2 wing backs it’s gonna be rough stuff getting Pulisic on the pitch. Especially if they’re gonna do Werner central like today

[stitchface]

If they’re gonna do 2 wing backs it’s gonna be rough stuff getting Pulisic on the pitch. Especially if they’re gonna do Werner central like today

 

https://www.espn.com/soccer/chelsea/story/4310481/chelseas-pulisic-kept-out-with-family-issue-tuchel

 

He isn't even in the squad today.

[stitchface]

So does Steffen get the start tomorrow up against Arriola and Morris? #AmericansinEurope

[stitchface]

meh. I would certainly get more interested in MLS if I didn't have to go San Jose to see a game.

 

https://www.indomitablecitysoccer.com/2021/1/11/22223679/weve-seen-mls-expansion-bumps-before-dont-panic-sacramento-republic-fans

[imb]

MLS expansion is so wild to me. How big do they want this league to get? 40 teams? 50? Are they hoping to get so big that they can do their own promotion/relegation without using the USL?

[bukie]

MLS expansion is so wild to me. How big do they want this league to get? 40 teams? 50? Are they hoping to get so big that they can do their own promotion/relegation without using the USL?

That's what I'm guessing, get it to, like, 32 and then split into two levels for promotion/relegation.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

MLS expansion is so wild to me. How big do they want this league to get? 40 teams? 50? Are they hoping to get so big that they can do their own promotion/relegation without using the USL?

 

I think they've mostly got the league they want leading up to the world cup, and they'll be exploring how to combine with Liga MX in more significant ways. The smallest version of that is basically a beefed up Leagues Cup, but you could imagine a world where you have a MLS/Liga MX Super League with 10 teams from each league(probably closed or mostly closed), and then a separate MLS(which would have a more manageable 18-22 teams after further expansion) and Liga MX(whose 2nd tier is dying and would consolidate to a single league). If they go small, you could see more teams leading up to 40 with basically 2-3 distinct leagues/conferences that have less overlap(greater emphasis on Open Cup, playoffs, continental play, etc) or mayyyybe something resembling pro/rel.

[Derwood]

It's super wild that Columbus was all but moving to Austin not long ago, but an enormous grass-roots movement got it to not only stay, but win the MLS Cup, AND get a brand new downtown stadium (which I drive by every day, and it looks amazing)

[wolf stansson]

 

Big Wes is an extremely interesting player. ELITE at everything except passing. Shows an insane work rate but also hyper-intelligent off-ball movement.

[wvcbxl]

So does Steffen get the start tomorrow up against Arriola and Morris? #AmericansinEurope

 

Yes (Arriola only on for the last half hour)

[wolf stansson]

 

 

Terrible defensive marking aside, slick finish.

[stitchface]

Spurs played an 8 goal game?

[wolf stansson]

Chelsea really could’ve used a shifty winger that can break the press and advance possession by dribbling. Instead they had a very short, anonymous false 9.

 

Dike going for a header against Abraham and just absolutely rag dolling him is my only highlight.

[stitchface]

Chelsea really could’ve used a shifty winger that can break the press and advance possession by dribbling. Instead they had a very short, anonymous false 9.

 

Dike going for a header against Abraham and just absolutely rag dolling him is my only highlight.

 

They needed a mudder.

 

Not being able to play out against Barnsley pretty well sums up Chelsea's midfield.

[stitchface]

increasingly concerned about Pulisic and playing time. Starting to feel like managers just don't like him. Would he better off at a lower level team like an Everton or even Leicester where he will get more playing time?

[wolf stansson]

It's a weirdly constructed roster.

 

Frank played him 90 every chance he could when they were fighting for a top-4, and the team may be more talented now, but I haven't seen a single thing that would lead me to believe CP can't cut it at Chelsea. I think the biggest issue here is a lot of redundant pieces and some key missing pieces. I look at that roster and don't see it as purpose-built for any particular style or tactical formation. I think Tuchel is really struggling to find his best 11 that works as a team, rather than his most talented 11.

 

I'm not saying everything is going to work for Christian at Chelsea, but I also don't see him as the problem yet.

 

 

Look at Kepa. Kepa was TRASH against Burnley and now he's getting another start. Tuchel is clearly trying to figure out what's what with this roster, and even if he doesn't currently think CP is a starter, I think it will shake itself out eventually.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

how did I miss that Kepa was back in the team under Tuchel, are they venting carbon monoxide into the Chelsea manager's office or something

[stitchface]

how did I miss that Kepa was back in the team under Tuchel, are they venting carbon monoxide into the Chelsea manager's office or something

 

I don't think he's the problem at all but not playing is a problem for him.

[imb]

chelsea are a total freak show right now. It's pretty crazy to have an unprecedented transfer window and a new coach the following mid-season. No Havertz, no Ziyech, no Chilwell .... that's like $150 million in transfer fees not even on the field.

 

Can't really argue with the results, though they're still playing bottom feeders (and middle feeders, i guess, depending on how you view Spurs.)

 

I'm sure part of what Tuchel is doing is just trying to rotate unused guys (like Alonso and even Kepa) in to try to make it possible to sell them and then convince Roman to try and buy Haaland.

 

But you really do have Lampard's players in a non-Lampard system. Seems like Tuchel wants attackers who come back to win the ball (Odoi does this a lot) and that's not really anything Pulisic will ever do. Plus he played against Barnsley and tweaked something after like 7 minutes. I don't know, after watching uninspired Fifa rookie mode 4-3-3 stuff under Lampard the Tuchel formation is fun, but I can't imagine we're going to be seeing Marcos Alonso and Odoi lining up at wing back forever.

[stitchface]

Champions League is back! Happy day!

 

Seems like all the good R16 matches are this week starting with Barca-PSG and Leipzig-Liverpool today.

 

Porto-Juventus and Sevilla-Dortmund tomorrow. All four of those are interesting.

 

Next week's are Lazio-Bayern and Athletico-Chelsea on Tuesday - hard to see Lazio or Chelsea being competitive there. Wednesday next week is Gladbach-Man City (could be fun) and Atalanta and Real Madrid. The Wednesday matchups could prove interesting.

[squally1313]

Parlayed over 2.5 on both games today because people have pretty much stopped pretending to work, but our nanny couldn't come so I'm on kid duty.

 

Let's go goals.

[stitchface]

Parlayed over 2.5 on both games today because people have pretty much stopped pretending to work, but our nanny couldn't come so I'm on kid duty.

 

Let's go goals.

 

I'll guess you'll get that on Barca-PSG - not looking good on other game. man, dembele needs to provide better help for Dest. Adams also gets the start.