He was ejected the other night in the second half when the ref would not call fouls on the Honduras players who were intentionally trying to hurt people.
Klinsmann suspended for Gold Cup final by CONCACAF.
- Thread starter DesotoCountyDawg
- Start date
Our country has always had a lot of problems with refs and judges in international competition. The Russian (I think) basketball team that got three inbounds passes and finally won the championship, the Cuban ref that kept pausing the fight to let the Cuban boxer recover from getting the crap beat out of him, the fight in Korea where the Korean won after being almost beat to pieces. I'm sure there are many more examples.
CONCACAF officiating as a whole hasn't been nearly as bad as the old days the last few years, but Wednesday was about as bad as anything I've ever seen. They just completely ignored numerous yellow cards and you're not exaggerating much that the Honduran players were intentionally trying to hurt people. Pretty cowardly move by CONCACAF to suspend Klinsman.
It's an affront to our country. I say we bomb their capital.** Take the advice of Conan and "crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of their women."
Courtney Campbell (Jamaica) who reffed the Mexico-Panama game was pretty terrible as well. Even the the half-time show made mention of it (I think Wynalda).
Off topic here but I would love it if they'd put a team from New York and Boston in the Premier League. It's about the same flight as from NY to LA as it is from NY to London. Soccer would explode in popularity over here if we had just 2 American teams to root for against all the British teams. There'd be so much pressure on the USA teams to compete that it'd only take 4-5 years before the soccer here matched what's over there. I firmly believe USA is very close to being one of the better soccer nations in the world. This would put us there.
If we abandoned football, basketball, and baseball and shielded future generations of the glory players receive from spectators or the macho-ness that comes with being a player for one of those teams... yes, we would become the world's #1 soccer nation in less than 20 years and it wouldn't be close.
When it comes to anything the world competes at OTHER than soccer we're the best at it, except maybe hockey and that's because it's a Canadian sport and practically useless. The problem is exactly that. Baseball, basketball, and football are too far ingrained in American culture to allow soccer to become anywhere close, because kids grow up trading baseball cards, idolizing the #1 basketball player in the world (some it was Magic, for me it was MJ, now it's LBJ, and in 10 years there will be a new guy), and playing two-hand touch football and watching high school games on friday, college games on saturday, and NFL games on sunday. They play soccer in the field next to their house because it's easy to start a game and the only rule is don't use your hands, and I truly think that's the only thing. If they sold a type of ball in every store with as simple of rules as that and mom's decided to buy it for their kids it could easily have the child popularity of soccer.
This is a baseless argument because there is no evidence to support this either way but I bet if the guys who are now good enough to play WR in the NFL had played soccer exclusively and had worked at it as much as they worked at high school varsity and college we'd be competing for a World Cup every 4 years. The US has as many resources for someone to become a pro soccer player than anywhere, it's just the 3rd tier athlete doing club soccer teams, going to regional training camps, and playing college soccer. Your exceptions (because there is always an exception) are Altidore, Donovan, Howard, and Dempsey. As good as they are I still don't think they're as good of "athletes" as someone like Percy Harvin or RGIII.
There's a bigger chance of American football becoming popular in Europe than soccer becoming popular in the way you're talking in the US.
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One win puts us in the final 8 right? That's pretty damn good for a nation that puts soccer like 5th or worse in popularity. Say putting 2 USA teams in the Premier League affords us another win in 4-5 years. That puts USA in the final four at the WC. That's pretty 17ing good I think.
You do realize that players from all different countries play in the MLS and the EPL (along with every other league). There are Americans who already play in the Premier League (Dempsey, Guzan, Howard, Altidore, Shea, Lichaj, Edu, Cameron, etc.). So having an "American" team in the EPL does not necessarily elevate the level of soccer of our country nationally. Also, there are many divisions in England and each year the bottom tier of teams are relegated to the second division while the top teams in the second division are promoted to the top. Therefore, if this were to ever happen (which it won't -- what you speak of is video-game-fantasy), a team would most likely have to start in the bottom division and work its way up.
All that to say, there is no real correlation to an MLS team and how advanced our soccer is on a national level. Our best players will always be recognized and play for the better, long-established teams of England, Spain, Germany, Italy, etc.
All that to say, there is no real correlation to an MLS team and how advanced our soccer is on a national level. Our best players will always be recognized and play for the better, long-established teams of England, Spain, Germany, Italy, etc.
You missed the point here... There is a huge difference between American players playing in the European league vs. an American based team playing in the European league. It would be much easier for the Americans to follow an American team in the most competitive league in the world, rather than numerous players scattered across several leagues. While I believe this would drastically grow American's interest in soccer around the world, it wouldn't magically make our players better.
BUT... as interest grows, this American premier league team could become a Manchester United of sorts, thus making soccer a big deal in the States, making our national team better after several years. DAWGS61's comment was about an American team... A HUGE difference between players scattered in foreign leagues.
Lastly, none of the above will ever happen.
BUT... as interest grows, this American premier league team could become a Manchester United of sorts, thus making soccer a big deal in the States, making our national team better after several years. DAWGS61's comment was about an American team... A HUGE difference between players scattered in foreign leagues.
Lastly, none of the above will ever happen.
Why do you concede it won't happen? The Jacksonville Jaguars owner just bought a team in the Premier League and he has already agreed to play atleast a couple games a year with the Jaguars in London. I have a sneaky feeling his brand new Premier League team will be playing several matches a year in the Jaguars stadium. That is one HUGE step closer to there actually being a franchise based over here. I bet it happens in the next 5 years and I'm betting NYC is the first of 2 franchises based in USA that play in that league.
I didn't miss the point, I just tried to address all of DAWG61's points in his three posts. He mentioned something about US being top 4 in the World Cup... I don't know. Anyways, my main rebuttal to his proposal was this: What would make an American club team so privileged to just simply walk into the first division of the EPL? There are many other teams who claw and scratch to get their way into the top division each year, but because we are Americans we can just walk our way in there and act as if nothing happened? Trust me, I love America... but that just seems naive and arrogant to me. There is a system to European soccer and I just can't fathom someone allowing an MLS team to just join in when there are many other English teams serving their time trying to get to the top. Just my two cents.
With all due respect, you changed the substance of the thread entirely, and I was just throwing in my two cents. You have every right to dream about an American/MLS squad competing in a high level European league (like EPL), I was just seeing if you had considered how far-fetched that idea may be. Never responding to the substance of my posts and simply calling me a troll over and over again should speak for itself.
Why in the world would the EPL put two US teams in the ENGLISH Premier League? Their league is not their to cater to America's needs as a soccer country. And as far as adding teams, why in the world would the add US teams if they had the opportunity to add teams? Would it not make more sense to add good European teams? Either way, this is never going to happen, and its shocking that you believe an American team will play in the EPL.
It's America dude. England would be drooling at the chance to add the USA market. You are thinking very small here. ESPN/ABC would pay BILLIONS to have the rights to show USA soccer teams in the Premier League. Man U is worth $3 billion. How much would a NYC team be worth? Last I checked when USA television dollars start writing checks people tend to cater to them.
They already show English teams on ESPN or ESPN2 nearly every Sunday during the soccer season. They show MLS games consistently during its season.
Your idea is stupid and shows a lack of a basic understanding of European soccer.
Your idea is stupid and shows a lack of a basic understanding of European soccer.
You never cease to amaze. Do you seriously believe that teams would fly over seas every week to play ENGLISH soccer games in America? Do you think about what you are saying before you say them? I thought your ignorance was just in basketball, but I realize it goes much deeper.
Unfortunately they are moving to NBC and NBC Sports Network. No more Ian Darke calling EPL games on espn. 
For billions of American dollars I think they could manage. Answer me just one question. Would you watch just a little bit more soccer if you had an American team to root for vs Manchester United etc? You would and so would everyone else on this board and in this country. That's why the idea isn't as far fetched as you make it out to be.
Same reason they come over here every summer for their preseason games and the NFL plays some games in London. Money. I'm not saying we'll ever see an EPL team based in the US or an NFL team based in London, but it's not as far-fetched as most of you guys are making it out to be.
I concede that it won't happen because it's not realistic to believe that a team would routinely make trips half-way across the world for a full season. I don't care how much money is involved, I just don't see that happening. As Brad Stevens says, I don't think the American team should step straight into the EPL. Let them work themselves up through the ranks. But, I do think this would create unprecedented support of a club team from Americans which would lead to success.
This is interesting to think about, but just not gonna happen due to travel.
This is interesting to think about, but just not gonna happen due to travel.
It's about as far fetched as they come. Yet again, the EPL has no desire at all to please Americans. In all actuality, they probably would rather do things not to please us. We could offer to pay anything we wanted and it wouldn't happen. Are you telling me that you think it would be a good idea to add an English team to the NBA?
To answer your question though, sure I would watch it. But what I would want has absolutely no relevance in this discussion. The English Premier League is not going to add an American team. Ever. It is a ridiculous thought.
To answer your question though, sure I would watch it. But what I would want has absolutely no relevance in this discussion. The English Premier League is not going to add an American team. Ever. It is a ridiculous thought.
One 7 hour flight every 2-3 weeks is too much? Build the USA team a second "home" over there and let them play away games for a couple weeks in a row and then when they are here they can play in NYC for 3 weeks in a row. There's ways to minimize the travel.
It is though. I could understand y'alls argument if were talking of adding a French team or something. Another European team possibly. But not a team that is an 8 hour plane ride away. No US team is going to fly to Europe over 15 times in one season. Then add in other European tournaments. It is not logical at all. Teams that play preseason in the US come for weeks and play multiple games in the United States. NFL teams play 1 game in England. That is much different than flying across the world every other weekend.
All in all, though, it is the English Premier League. They have teams from Great Britain. They have been doing this for a lot longer than we have, as well, as all the other European countries. They aren't going to change just to accomodate the United States.
All in all, though, it is the English Premier League. They have teams from Great Britain. They have been doing this for a lot longer than we have, as well, as all the other European countries. They aren't going to change just to accomodate the United States.
I'm a big Ian Darke fan.
Do you know how many games they are planning on showing on the NBC networks. I'm hoping more than ESPN does. I also don't like how only the championship of the Gold Cup is on network television. Granted, I don't know all about the contracts and what not, but you would think that ESPN could get them if they wanted to.
Do you know how many games they are planning on showing on the NBC networks. I'm hoping more than ESPN does. I also don't like how only the championship of the Gold Cup is on network television. Granted, I don't know all about the contracts and what not, but you would think that ESPN could get them if they wanted to.
NBC is advertising that EVERY game is on tv or online on the NBC family of networks starting next season.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=H1pZ3oxuNwA
http://youtube.com/watch?v=H1pZ3oxuNwA
Every two to three weeks? They play twice a week sometimes. So English teams would routinely have to come here as well, not to mention the other European teams if the American team is involved in Champions or Euro League play. Again, your premise is stupid and shows a complete lack of any kind of basic knowledge of European soccer.