38 replies to this topic

[BSLSteveBirrer]

In US soccer, pro/rel.

That is a great topic for discussion. I would love to see that happen but I think given how soccer franchises are handled in this country it would be a very difficult task.

 

There are a lot of articles out there with proposals about how it could happen. What it would look like say for 2020. Etc.

 

This one is a decent look at a hypothetical 2020 season based upon promotion/relegation from last season. The biggest issue to me is shown in this article and that is the stadiums the teams play in. The promoted teams play in stadiums along the lines of 5000 capacity. That just can't generate enough revenue. So to me even if they could fix the franchise cost issues. Player contracts and labor legal issues. This one is a potential show stopper. You simply can't have a team in the MLS playing in such small venues. If you could figure out short team lease arrangements for other venues perhaps that could work.

 

https://mlsmultiplex...ion-relegation/

[DJ MC]

That is a great topic for discussion. I would love to see that happen but I think given how soccer franchises are handled in this country it would be a very difficult task.

 

There are a lot of articles out there with proposals about how it could happen. What it would look like say for 2020. Etc.

 

This one is a decent look at a hypothetical 2020 season based upon promotion/relegation from last season. The biggest issue to me is shown in this article and that is the stadiums the teams play in. The promoted teams play in stadiums along the lines of 5000 capacity. That just can't generate enough revenue. So to me even if they could fix the franchise cost issues. Player contracts and labor legal issues. This one is a potential show stopper. You simply can't have a team in the MLS playing in such small venues. If you could figure out short team lease arrangements for other venues perhaps that could work.

 

https://mlsmultiplex...ion-relegation/

 

I mean, if the system was designed for pro/rel, you would see fewer issues like that. Stadiums would likely be built with the possibility of expansion in mind. And in the situations listed here, the promoted teams all play in cities with major college or pro venues close by that could--in theory--be used.

[BSLChrisStoner]

I mean, if the system was designed for pro/rel, you would see fewer issues like that. Stadiums would likely be built with the possibility of expansion in mind. And in the situations listed here, the promoted teams all play in cities with major college or pro venues close by that could--in theory--be used.

The MLS expansion fee is $200M at this point. 

The USL expansion fee is $7M. 

 

How do you reconcile that with a prospective or current MLS owner?

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Chris, spot on, and the genesis of my comment "how soccer franchises are handled in this country."  If a system is built from the get go with pro/rel in mind then its much more workable. Soccer in this country wasn't founded that way. 

 

Not sure how to address that in MLS. Pretty sure an ownership that forks out $200M for a franchise would not buy into a system where they could be moved down to a league with a franchise fee a fraction of what they had to spend. The value of their club would fall of a cliff overnight. Of course the promoted clubs would be excited as hell since their pittance franchise just leaped in value. Complex issue for sure and maybe guys smarter than me could figure it out?

[DJ MC]

The MLS expansion fee is $200M at this point. 

The USL expansion fee is $7M. 

 

How do you reconcile that with a prospective or current MLS owner?

 

You don't have MLS "expansion" at that point. You let the lower leagues expand and if MLS wants more teams they can add them through additional promotion.

 

Of course, they wouldn't do that because the reason they are expanding like they have been is because of those fees.

[BSLChrisStoner]

You don't have MLS "expansion" at that point. You let the lower leagues expand and if MLS wants more teams they can add them through additional promotion.

 

Of course, they wouldn't do that because the reason they are expanding like they have been is because of those fees.

Right.. they'd still want those future fees... and you'd also have the issue of the teams that have already paid whatever amount to gain entrance to the league.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Right.. they'd still want those future fees... and you'd also have the issue of the teams that have already paid whatever amount to gain entrance to the league.

Bingo!

[DJ MC]

Right.. they'd still want those future fees... and you'd also have the issue of the teams that have already paid whatever amount to gain entrance to the league.

 

I mean, eff 'em. But of course you're right

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Well things are starting back up. Seems like this is as good a place as any to post a link to my latest article.

 

https://www.baltimor...will-test-case/

[BSLSteveBirrer]

The latest league decisions:

 

 

Liga MX has been cancelled

 

Serie A to return June 13

 

EPL has stated that they plan to return June 12 but rumors have that slipping one week to June 19.

 

MLS is looking more and more like it may reopen with some sort of tournament in Orlando. Still not official but they keep pushing back their training dates.

[Don Quixote]

On 2 January 1971, an edition of one of the most famous derbies in football, the Old Firm matchup, was contested at Ibrox. Shortly after the match's conclusion, a massive crush occurred on Stairway 13, resulting in the deaths of 66 people, nearly half of them teenagers and younger. The BBC's Andrew Picken recounts the event, with a focus on eight boys from the village of Markinch, Fife.

 

https://www.bbc.co.u...MZS3B1/Fiveboys

[BSLSteveBirrer]

https://www.espn.com...chance-at-glory

 

I hope this doesn't get lost in the weeds with all that is going on in soccer. Euros, Gold Cup starting, MLS, and transfer window. But guys you really should watch the Copa America final. Brazil vs Argentina is as good a final as it gets.

 

Last night the Argentina semi-final against Colombia was just intense. Messi set a Copa record for assists in a tourney with a superb slotted ball that lead to them taking a 1-0 lead. Columbia responded at half time with 3 changes (that is rare) and pressured the Argentine defense merciless and tied it up and kept going. Totally took command the first 20 minutes of the second half. But the last 20 minutes Argentina (mostly Messi) took back over and pounded the area but just couldn't score (Messi hit the post). So it was off to penalties (no extra time in this round at Copa).  In the end the Argentinian keeper was HUGE making 3 saves so Argentina advances.

 

And the game stats pretty much coincide with the evenness of the score line.

Possession was 50-50

Shots 14-13 in favor of Columbia

Corners were 5-3 in favor of Argentina

 

And the match was very physical. Argentina had 20 fouls and 4 yellow cards. Thats a lot. But Columbia had 27 fouls and 6 yellows. Thats insane. They hacked Messi to death the second half and it was very surprising that nobody got a second yellow and dismissed. But they kept their heads about them and once they 'earned" a yellow they backed off a bit and let another teammate take over the hacking. But in the end the right team won.

 

 

Argentina has not won a senior team major trophy since 1993. So yes that means that Leo Messi has never won an international major trophy. And he is down to likely just two more chances. This Saturday and WC 2022. I so hope he gets it on Saturday!

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Well tomorrow is the big one. Copa America final between probably the two biggest soccer rivals on the planet. Brazil and Argentina. This is the classic all fans have hoped for and now we have it.

 

Brazil is probably the overall more complete team and they have Neymar. However, Neymar has a nasty habit of getting frustrated in big moments and it affects his play.

 

Argentina on the other hand has the best passing midfield and the Brazilian defense will be tested. Then there is Lionel Messi. Many (me included) believe he is the GOAT. But this may be his last chance to earn an international senior level trophy. He's 34 and who knows what happens 18 months from now at WC2022. 

 

How important is Messi to Argentina?  All you need to know is this. They have scored 11 goals in the tournament so far. Messi has scored 4, assisted on 5, and made the pass to the assistor on the other 2.

 

So hope Leo gets this!

[BSLChrisStoner]

CBS Sports: When Messi meets Neymar: Copa America final preview

[DuffMan]

Flops and fouls what an ugly 1st half of "soccer"

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Argentina midfield collapsing 2 and 3 guys on every Brazil pass giving them zero time. Need Messi to stick one here and bury Brazil.

 

And DuffMan.....welcome to South American football...lol

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Leo gets his trophy after all these years. Not the prettiest game for sure but the intensity level was way up there. Too bad he didn't finish the late chance he had. He scores that 8 out of 10 times. Would have been a fitting end.

 

[BSLSteveBirrer]

One down two to go.  Lets go England and USA!!!

[DuffMan]

 Not the prettiest game for sure but the intensity level was way up there. 

That's an understatement.  I turned it off at half time, it's crap like that which gives soccer a bad name.  Those guys are too good to be playing like that.