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Topic in transactions:http://www.northsidebaseball.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=61255

It's weird that they keep warning people off of their two best attacking players, all while being linked with transfer interest in other team's attacking players. Lukaku to Fulham on a loan deal for the 2012-2013 season, according to The Sun.

Wow, dude. That is mind numbingly stupid. It also lacks a fishing reference. :wink:

It has probably escaped most people's attention on this board, but Ryne Stanek is currently playing for Team USA in the Haarlem tournament in the Netherlands. Incidentally, the team is 4-1and Stanek was tagged with the one loss (to Puerto Rico). Results and stats are here: http://www.honkbalweek.nl/index.php?hhw=programma&lang=eng&id=&event=&team=&wid= (page in English)

As shnsajax already pointed out, the basic business model of MLS may be part of the problem. Just to illustrate: Eden Hazard started his playing career with his hometown/village club (Stade Brainoise) like most young players and was subsequently picked up by the "bigger" club in the region (Tubize, currently in the Belgian second division). When he was 14, he was poached away by Lille to join their academy and the rest is history. Now here's the crucial part: under UEFA rules, both Stade Braine and Tubize get paid a part of subsequent transfer fees as a "training fee" for the formative years he spent with them. They don't control their youth players (on their 16th birthday, a player can sign a contract with any club they like), but they do maintain a financial interest in developing them. Romelu Lukaku has a similar story; he joined Rupel Boom when he was 5 years old (my youngest is the same age and did train there a couple of times, for all I know they may have played together at some point). He moved to Lierse (easily the best youth system in the country, by quite a margin) when he was 9, and joined Anderlecht when he was 13. (caveat: his dad was a professional soccer player, so all those moves were probably carefully thought through with a long term goal in mind). As for exuberant transfer demands from the "holding" club: since the Bosman arrest, a player can free himself from contractual obligations with a fixed financial penalty (and a waiting time) - that has changed a lot in the European soccer landscape (a bit similar to free agency in MLB)

Too much delicious Belgian beer. Actually, we just blame the coach (like every other fanbase in the world :wink: ).

Capello confirmed as new coach of the Russian national team..

There's a thread about compensation for dempster in the Transactions forum: http://www.northsidebaseball.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=60865

Yes please; I'm hoping ESPN stays with this game here in Europe.

Perfect day for the system :D

I didn't think mods could foe people. You're the ones responsible for keeping those who deserve to be foed from bothering the rest of us. We can't (and yes, I've tried ...)

Probably because the US affiliates didn't win a single game. :wink:

It'll also be Friday 13th. I know, I'm doing it wrong. :wink:

Saw that on TV this weekend - I don't think he'll need a second reminder. :lol:

I love him in a cold, dark tiny way. How nice of you to clarify since I was thinking of something else

I can imagine having to deliver it was worse.

Vertonghen's move from Ajax to Tottenham is done.

In related news, congrats to Celtic on their 2012-13 SPL Championship. Anyone know how far Rangers are going down? Not yet. Either first or third SFL division; there will be a vote on Friday 13th according to this BBC report

Diskerud is going back to Stabaek in his native Norway after a loan spell at Gent last season.

He made his debut in the Dutch league (easily the toughest in Europe, but that doesn't mean much) when he was just 15, and his brother Bryan plays for the national team. The Dutch league sent him over to a showcase in Arizona at the end of last year, and he said a couple of organizations had shown interest, so I expect he'll end up signing somewhere, but maybe this year would be too soon.

This clip struck me: :shock: As far as I know, the fielding of youth teams is mandatory in our FA. The downside of having a good youth system is that nowadays in Europe, rich Premiership clubs are poaching away 15yr olds (like Musonda Jr from Anderlecht recently) all over the continent. ETA: BTW, Dutch striker Sherjill MacDonald is moving to Chicago Fire from Beerschot (that's a club from Antwerp in the Belgian premier league).

Probably a fair result. Loved the Pirlo penalty. 8-)

I love shootouts when I'm indifferent about the result. :D

Yes; I was talking about the days. :wink:

The one day difference was unavoidable, but two days was unnecessary; they should have flipped the Friday and Saturday quarterfinal games.