2023/24 Soccer Thread

Marta Cox's goal.

Incredible strike.

Okay, I know we all joked that Messi would walk the MLS, but this is getting stupid.

WOW.

what a World Cup cycle for Germany, huh?

100% here for Morocco being a World Cup spoiler in every division

Tom Brady: NFL legend becomes minority owner of Birmingham City

Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady has become a minority owner of Championship side Birmingham City.

The NFL legend, who retired from the sport in February, has "entered a partnership" with Blues' new owners Knighthead Capital Management LLC.

The 46-year-old will become chairman of a new advisory board at St Andrew's.

"Tom Brady joining the Birmingham City team is a statement of intent. We are setting the bar at world class," Knighthead co-founder Tom Wagner said.

"Tom is both investing [as well as] committing his time and extensive expertise.

"As chair of the advisory board Tom will have a direct impact on the club. The men's, women's, and academy teams are going to benefit from [his] knowledge.

"The goal that Tom has committed to is to make Birmingham City a respected leader in nutrition, health, wellness, and recovery across the world of football."

My fellow Americans will probably understand better why that last line is absolutely hilarious, to me.

Also, saying "We're setting the bar at World Class" when talking about Birmingham City. Dude. C'mon man.

"Birmingham City is an iconic club with so much history and passion, and to be part of the Blues is a real honour for me," Brady said.

"BCFC is built on teamwork and determination and I'm excited to work alongside the board, management and players to make our Second City club second to none."

Uh-huh. Well, if he offers the club any new investment opportunities, I hope they'll take it with the appropriate grain of salt.

EDIT: "He is not here for promotional purposes." God it's fun to watch them lie.

Saudi Pro League: Cristiano Ronaldo, Jordan Henderson, Karim Benzema just the start

The Saudi Pro League's "remarkable" spending spree on players is set to continue, according to one of its leading executives.

"I think the budgets are in place for a number of years - you know, I don't see this slowing down," said British director Peter Hutton, who sits on the league's board.

The SPL has lured some of football's biggest names since five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo joined in January from Manchester United.

They include former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, Liverpool's former captain Jordan Henderson and established players from Chelsea, Manchester City and Bayern Munich.

In addition, last month Al-Hilal made a world-record £259m bid for Paris St-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe.

Hutton, who has been a senior executive at Eurosport, ESPN, IMG & Facebook, said: "I've worked in sport for 40 years and I've never seen a project as big, as ambitious and as determined to be a success."

I don't doubt it. Like I said, this isn't China, they're in this for the next decade, at least.

Seriously though, what an amazing year for Moroccan football.

Getting 6 points with a -4 GD is very impressive.

It’s the Community Shield this weekend. Come around fast doesn’t it?

Yes, and the Championship kicks off today!

Stele wrote:

Glad I didn't wake up at 3am to watch a 0-0 draw. Oof

I did. No regrets; I couldn't take the idea of waking up to find that we'd been eliminated. Which is definitely on the menu this coming Sunday! Things aren't good.

I do agree with the "between generations" bit, which surprised me because I previously felt we were the model of reloading to stay evergreen. I think we kept too many of the old guard and don't have much middle. Lavelle and Horan, if you consider them the middle generation, are about the only great starters of their generation.

I'm not hopeful, but I will wake up again Sunday to hope against hope. At this point, I'm hoping that we clean house like the US Men did after 2017 and build something new and exciting.

And without Vlatko. I don't know how much of this is on him, but if we score zero goals from the run of play against the Netherlands and Portugal, he can't be bringing many brilliant ideas.

Early Sunday isn't a workday though. I should be awake and napping later.

Tasty Pudding wrote:

Yes, and the Championship kicks off today!

Wrexham favorites to win League Two. Double promotion, perhaps?

Tasty Pudding wrote:

Yes, and the Championship kicks off today!

2-1, Southampton over Sheffield Wednesday.

Genuinely a bit shocked that James Ward-Prowse is still with the club after going down, I thought he was dead-cert to get a move.

Fedaykin98 wrote:
Stele wrote:

Glad I didn't wake up at 3am to watch a 0-0 draw. Oof

I did. No regrets; I couldn't take the idea of waking up to find that we'd been eliminated. Which is definitely on the menu this coming Sunday! Things aren't good.

I do agree with the "between generations" bit, which surprised me because I previously felt we were the model of reloading to stay evergreen. I think we kept too many of the old guard and don't have much middle. Lavelle and Horan, if you consider them the middle generation, are about the only great starters of their generation.

I'm not hopeful, but I will wake up again Sunday to hope against hope. At this point, I'm hoping that we clean house like the US Men did after 2017 and build something new and exciting.

And without Vlatko. I don't know how much of this is on him, but if we score zero goals from the run of play against the Netherlands and Portugal, he can't be bringing many brilliant ideas.

Guys, its obvious what the problem is...

too much stanfurd on the field.

Prederick wrote:
Tasty Pudding wrote:

Yes, and the Championship kicks off today!

2-1, Southampton over Sheffield Wednesday.

Genuinely a bit shocked that James Ward-Prowse is still with the club after going down, I thought he was dead-cert to get a move.

West Ham tried to sign him but backed out over the price.

https://www.theguardian.com/football...

Carlbear95 wrote:
Fedaykin98 wrote:
Stele wrote:

Glad I didn't wake up at 3am to watch a 0-0 draw. Oof

I did. No regrets; I couldn't take the idea of waking up to find that we'd been eliminated. Which is definitely on the menu this coming Sunday! Things aren't good.

I do agree with the "between generations" bit, which surprised me because I previously felt we were the model of reloading to stay evergreen. I think we kept too many of the old guard and don't have much middle. Lavelle and Horan, if you consider them the middle generation, are about the only great starters of their generation.

I'm not hopeful, but I will wake up again Sunday to hope against hope. At this point, I'm hoping that we clean house like the US Men did after 2017 and build something new and exciting.

And without Vlatko. I don't know how much of this is on him, but if we score zero goals from the run of play against the Netherlands and Portugal, he can't be bringing many brilliant ideas.

Guys, its obvious what the problem is...

too much stanfurd on the field.

Also Data:

Teams with Cal and stanfurd players:
- USA (into knockout, but disappointing)
- New Zealand (out)

Teams with only stanfurd but no Cal players:
- Ireland OUT
- Canada has a coach from stanfurd

Teams with Cal but no stanfurd players:
- Norway
- Nigeria

Data and science ftw!

Meanwhile... Racing Louisville players have scored more goals in World Cup than any other club so far

the club’s players have scored eight goals and three assists in the World Cup.

... four players are advancing to the knockout round.

And Kgatlana with the game winner for S Africa in stoppage time sending them through the other day.

LOL, Tony Khan must've pissed the Saudis off because they are just flexing on Fulham right now.

William, who signed a new deal two weeks ago, says he wants out after the Saudis backed up the Brinks truck.

It does speak to how the Saudis are handling these things recently though. They apparently agreed on a deal with Willian and his people first, not his club.

First knockout game in the Women's World Cup and the Swiss decided to just save time and knock themselves out inside a half of football.

75% possession for the Spanish, Nineteen shots to zero and the only reason the Swiss are on the board is a peach of an own goal from 40 yards out by Laia Codina, who then made up for that somewhat by scoring Spain's fourth first half goal.

I'm not sure if the team talk is harder or easier when a side completely fails to show up like that. "Literally anything you do will be better than that, so just do... anything."

Jesus.

So Japan and Spain are the clear favorites right now, huh?

Japan has beaten the shit out of everyone they've played so far.

Prederick wrote:

Jesus.

So Japan and Spain are the clear favorites right now, huh?

Japan has beaten the shit out of everyone they've played so far.

Too bad they can only meet in a semi-final.

That Japan team is the reward for the winner of Sweden/USA.

IMAGE(https://digitalhub.fifa.com/transform/55d44277-bb04-4b1d-aa30-b5f37f86305e/Women-s-World-Cup-knockout-bracket-August-5-JAPAN?io=transform:fill,width:1024&quality=75)

The first half of the Netherlands-South Africa game has been a lot of fun.

The Dutch took an early lead and South Africa then had two separate injuries that required substitutions, but even so the Netherlands are being really tested - they've face more shots tonight than in the whole of the group stages combined - Daphne van Domselaar has made some good saves to make sure it stayed 1-0.

Looking forward to the second half and hope South Africa can keep up the pressure.

Screw it I'm awake. USA!

Stele wrote:

Screw it I'm awake. USA!

Team looking a lot more purposeful so far.

Indeed. Seen a half hour of good football with several chances to score.

Great half but no goal to show for it

Rodman out? She's been so good

So I could have slept until 7? Hah.

Extra time here we go

Dammit. Penalty kicks

Stele wrote:

Dammit. Penalty kicks

Uggggghhhhh