World Soccer XXX: We Have Men Too!

[Slap Shot]

What's next for USMNT at any level? Any big friendlies and/or tournaments on the horizon?

[Jimjamesak]

What's next for USMNT at any level? Any big friendlies and/or tournaments on the horizon?

Nations League finishes up with two group stage matches in March. Assuming they win those two (Grenada on the road, El Salvador at Home) then there’s the Nations League Finals in June. Gold Cup is then at the end of June and July.

[Jimjamesak]

U17 qualifying is in February.

U20 World Cup is at the end of May. We don’t know the final makeup of teams as qualifying isn’t done yet but the US should be seeded in Pot 1 as they’ve made the quarterfinals in the last three U20s and are Confederational Champions.

[Jimjamesak]

Quick note about the U17s, if the US wins the qualifying tournament the US will hold all the active CONCACAF soccer titles at the same time: Gold Cup, Nations League, Champions League, U20s, U17s, Women’s Championship, U20 Women’s, and U17 Women’s.

I specify soccer because the US does not hold the Futsal or Beach titles (though they did make the finals in both).

[Slap Shot]

Thanks for the info jj.

[Kepler]

Quick note about the U17s, if the US wins the qualifying tournament the US will hold all the active CONCACAF soccer titles at the same time: Gold Cup, Nations League, Champions League, U20s, U17s, Women’s Championship, U20 Women’s, and U17 Women’s.

I specify soccer because the US does not hold the Futsal or Beach titles (though they did make the finals in both).

I assume that can't be bad, but in your opinion do you think it is a significant indicator of the US maturing into a serious power, or just the tallest dwarf in CONCACAF, i.e., "Better than Mexico"?

[Jimjamesak]

I assume that can't be bad, but in your opinion do you think it is a significant indicator of the US maturing into a serious power, or just the tallest dwarf in CONCACAF, i.e., "Better than Mexico"?

Probably a bit of both. Being able to dominate at all levels is no small feat but, it is still CONCACAF.

Finding some consistency at the youth levels would be a good sign of maturity and they’ve been able to do that at the U20 level for the men.

The youth tournament results on the women’s side should have the alarm bells ringing though.

[Jimjamesak]

On a business note, the referees for the USL, NWSL, and MLS Next Pro (called PRO2) recently won union recognition and have been hashing out a CBA. The NWSL responded by announcing they’d increase their investment to refereeing and will be introducing VAR next season. MLS Next Pro (basically MLS’ minor league with their reserve teams and an increasing number of independent teams) has been quiet but they’re continuing with PRO2.

The USL has decided to go in a different direction.

Because nothing says “we’re a totally stable and professional soccer league” like cheaping out on your refs. Solid move for a league that is trying to position itself as an MLS competitor.

[Kepler]

On a business note, the referees for the USL, NWSL, and MLS Next Pro (called PRO2) recently won union recognition and have been hashing out a CBA. The NWSL responded by announcing they’d increase their investment to refereeing and will be introducing VAR next season. MLS Next Pro (basically MLS’ minor league with their reserve teams and an increasing number of independent teams) has been quiet but they’re continuing with PRO2.

The USL has decided to go in a different direction.

Because nothing says “we’re a totally stable and professional soccer league” like cheaping out on your refs. Solid move for a league that is trying to position itself as an MLS competitor.

Is USL destined to become the relegation league when we go to tiers?

[French Rage]

OK, now Messi is the greatest living soccer player.

[Jimjamesak]

Is USL destined to become the relegation league when we go to tiers?

No.

Because a) that’s near impossible to ever happen and b) if it were to somehow happen it would be on MLS’ terms.

[Russell Jaslow]

No.

Because a) that’s near impossible to ever happen and b) if it were to somehow happen it would be on MLS’ terms.

Yeah, I don't ever see American sports owners ever accepting a relegation system. Ever.

[Jimjamesak]

Yeah, I don't ever see American sports owners ever accepting a relegation system. Ever.

And for good reason, in the modern world it is a terrible system.

[Russell Jaslow]

I just saw on the ticker that Russia is considering withdrawing from UEFA and joining the Asian region. I suspect they think there will be enough Asian countries who will not vote on banning them.

[Jimjamesak]

I just saw on the ticker that Russia is considering withdrawing from UEFA and joining the Asian region. I suspect they think there will be enough Asian countries who will not vote on banning them.

China, India, and the Middle Eastern countries don’t care. Japan, South Korea and Australia probably won’t like it but will be outvoted.

I wonder if it could lead to the Asian Confederation splitting along East/West like they should?