World Soccer XXX: We Have Men Too!

[RaceBoarder]

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.

USL sounds like they will be working with the same tier of officials that you see in Independant League Baseball. Basically I'm guessing NCAA guys working semi-close to home in the NCAA's off-season. I assume that is made up of guys who tend to be older and/or realize that life won't allow them to make the sacrifices needed to progress in the "pro"/FIFA ranks (pun not intended).

[Jimjamesak]

USL sounds like they will be working with the same tier of officials that you see in Independant League Baseball. Basically I'm guessing NCAA guys working semi-close to home in the NCAA's off-season. I assume that is made up of guys who tend to be older and/or realize that life won't allow them to make the sacrifices needed to progress in the "pro"/FIFA ranks (pun not intended).

Nope, NCAA guys won’t touch anything at that level. They’re either already on the path towards MLS or they’re not going to take the pay cut. Most likely it’ll be guys like me, older Regional Referees looking for one last chance or younger referees passed over looking for a desperate chance.

A good example would be the people who referee Rounds One and Two of the US Open Cup. There’ll be a couple of good ones but it’ll be a lot of people out of their element and barely hanging on.

[RaceBoarder]

Nope, NCAA guys won’t touch anything at that level. They’re either already on the path towards MLS or they’re not going to take the pay cut. Most likely it’ll be guys like me, older Regional Referees looking for one last chance or younger referees passed over looking for a desperate chance.

A good example would be the people who referee Rounds One and Two of the US Open Cup. There’ll be a couple of good ones but it’ll be a lot of people out of their element and barely hanging on.

I gotcha...

I didn't realize that NCAA was officials that were still climbing the ladder. I got the impression that NFHS and the NCAA kind of did their own thing outside of FIFA/US Soccer, so I figured that the officials would be outsiders as well, so to speak.

[Jimjamesak]

I gotcha...

I didn't realize that NCAA was officials that were still climbing the ladder. I got the impression that NFHS and the NCAA kind of did their own thing outside of FIFA/US Soccer, so I figured that the officials would be outsiders as well, so to speak.

NCAA officials, well the D1 folks, kind of used to be like that but about 5-6 years ago the major D1 conferences started getting pretty serious about their officials. Most of the Midwest and East Coast conferences run through the Elite College Soccer Referees organization (that’s run by a former MLS referee) that does pretty extensive training and I know the Pac 12 and SEC have pretty similar setups. You’re not getting into any of those games without having some kind of resume through USSF games. Because of that, most tend to do both.

[JF_Gophers]

Washed up Ronaldo joins Al Nassr (SA).

Only making 177mm pound a year.

[dxmnkd316]

Only making 177mm pound a year.

I'm sorry. What.

[ticapnews]

Washed up Ronaldo joins Al Nassr (SA).

Only making 177mm pound a year.

If he thought the pressure in Manchester and Madrid was tough, wait until he looks to the touchline and sees a crew with a bonesaw, blowtorch and a couple monkey wrenches waiting in case he doesn't get a brace.

[ticapnews]

Arteta is the ultimate fantasy football troll. Another 20 seconds on the pitch for Ben White was worth five points...

[Jimjamesak]

If he thought the pressure in Manchester and Madrid was tough, wait until he looks to the touchline and sees a crew with a bonesaw, blowtorch and a couple monkey wrenches waiting in case he doesn't get a brace.

Exactly why he took the deal. MLS could only offer a 10 year prison stretch.

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

Bernhalter admits he kicked his now wife in the legs at age 18.

why? Because someone was blackmailing him with the info

[Jimjamesak]

Bernhalter admits he kicked his now wife in the legs at age 18.

why? Because someone was blackmailing him with the info

What a weird story that I think is only going to get weirder.

Here is Berhalter's Statement.

US Soccer's Statement.

So how does this possibly get weirder? Well, Gregg and Rosalind met while playing soccer at North Carolina in 1991, a teammate of Rosalind at UNC and someone who would likely know this story? Danielle Egan, now known as Danielle Reyna aka the wife of Claudio Reyna and mother of Gio Reyna. It's speculation at this point but there's some dots that line up.

Though my money is on some crazy #USMNT Twitter stan.

[mookie1995]

mookie was so interested in the hakeem jefferies votes last night that he forgot all about the toon - arsenal match :-(

If he thought the pressure in Manchester and Madrid was tough, wait until he looks to the touchline and sees a crew with a bonesaw, blowtorch and a couple monkey wrenches waiting in case he doesn't get a brace.

nah... more than a dozen people in the world know of cr7. he didt go to russia as an example where well known peeps fall from windows all the time.

[Kepler]

Cristiano Ronaldo, our greatest living dead pan comedian.

[Jimjamesak]

I love it when I’m right…

ESPN: Danielle and Claudio Reyna told US Soccer about Berhalter’s past domestic violence incident.

tl;dr It’s your typical “parents upset about their kid’s lack of playing time” drama just at a World Cup level.

[Jimjamesak]

Better confirmation now.

Danielle Reyna, mother of U.S. winger Gio Reyna, said in statement that she told USSF sporting director Earnie Stewart about Gregg Berhalter incident from 31 years ago involving his now-wife.

JFC what a mess.