World Soccer XXX: We Have Men Too!

[Jimjamesak]

I know. But it doesn't negate what I said -- they are the last ones to the party.

Things like this can take time, especially in the IIHF where Russia has a lot of power.

As for FIFA, I’m betting Coke, Adidas, and the Qataris got on the phone after the previous announcement.

I’m shocked at how quickly US Soccer got their announcement out, considering how challenging it probably was to get everyone necessary together getting it out before Noon ET is impressive.

[Russell Jaslow]

Things like this can take time, especially in the IIHF where Russia has a lot of power.

Which is also causing a delay for Haas F1 to dump Uralkali sponsorship and their Russian driver.

[mookie1995]

saudi magpies are on a bit of a hot streak. out of relegation for the moment, but have a tough stretch upcoming. keep it up boys!!

[Jimjamesak]

US Soccer TV rights to Warner starting in 2023. 8 years at $25 million a year, games on HBO Max with at least half on TNT/TBS.

So Warner is paying $200 million for friendlies and one cycle of home qualifying and I guess the SheBelieves Cup? No World Cup (Fox has that until 2026), no Gold Cup (Fox until 2023), no Women’s qualifying (CBS/Paramount), no Nations League (separate deal apparently). They may have the US Open Cup rights but that’s not clear. I guess Warner really values 2030 World Cup Qualifying, which considering CONCACAF will get 6 slots isn’t all that interesting.

ESPN and Fox, the current rights holders, didn’t even put in a bid.

[SonofSouthie]

Abramovich has Chelsea up for sale.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football...aire-hansjorg/

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

Abramovich has Chelsea up for sale.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football...aire-hansjorg/

Liquidation sale!

[Jimjamesak]

US Soccer announced new friendlies for the USWNT in September against…

Uzbekistan.

[RaceBoarder]

US Soccer announced new friendlies for the USWNT in September against…

Uzbekistan.

No different than a NCAA Basketball team playing the local community college in November...

[Kepler]

US Soccer announced new friendlies for the USWNT in September against…

Uzbekistan.

By September we may be at war with Uzbekistan.

[Jimjamesak]

Uzbekistan is ranked lower than Thailand in the FIFA Women’s Rankings.

My only thought is “that was the best available team to play?”

[Spartanforlife4]

US Soccer announced new friendlies for the USWNT in September against…

Uzbekistan.

I saw that on the bottom line last night and thought they must be some fast rising team. But nope, it looks like they’ve been pretty stable in the mid 40s.

Guess they’ll put away a couple 7-0 wins to gear up some confidence for WC qualifiers.

One of the USWNT U20 WC qualifiers was on a couple days ago. Odd format. 16 teams play in the group stage. Four teams qualify directly to the knockout round as the lowest seeds and don’t play any group stage. But they end up playing the US, Canada, etc so it’s one and done for them.

[JF_Gophers]

It's like men's soccer powers scheduling the US for a friendly. Sometimes you do nice things for countries with little talent.

[Jimjamesak]

It's like men's soccer powers scheduling the US for a friendly. Sometimes you do nice things for countries with little talent.

Actually those friendlies are scheduled strictly for money. If they play here in the states they know they’re guaranteed a big crowd at a big stadium and a nice cut. At home they can sell tickets to Americans stationed abroad and their own people eager to see the Americans lose.

[Jimjamesak]

Ukraine has requested that their World Cup Qualifying Playoff against Scotland be postponed.

[SonofSouthie]

US Soccer announced new friendlies for the USWNT in September against…

Uzbekistan.

In April according to this unless they play them in Sept too.

https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/202...and-chester-pa