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Post by rifle on Feb 22, 2024 6:27:34 GMT -5
I thought that post seemed familiar. And true.
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Post by rifle on Feb 22, 2024 6:22:22 GMT -5
It’s only hard to implement because of the golden rule. And not the good version.
Regional or state (why not both?) based lower leagues is absolutely how it should be structured below the top of the pyramid. Possibly even including the top.
But a closed pyramid is just shenanigans. I wish our federation wasn’t compromised.
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Post by rifle on Feb 20, 2024 17:06:06 GMT -5
Soup sandwich.
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USWNT
Feb 17, 2024 14:41:58 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by rifle on Feb 17, 2024 14:41:58 GMT -5
Hmmm...guess my initial post was not far off... I thought you said you were done?
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Post by rifle on Feb 17, 2024 7:24:07 GMT -5
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Post by rifle on Feb 16, 2024 7:22:45 GMT -5
Roster needs more Jordynn Dudley
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Post by rifle on Feb 14, 2024 21:50:03 GMT -5
Will 90 minutes with them removed really cause problems with new piercings?
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Post by rifle on Feb 13, 2024 7:41:12 GMT -5
Will MLS teams just become a talent magnet, spend a lot of money and then go find some 18 year year old goof like Barco to play in the first team anyway?
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Post by rifle on Feb 11, 2024 21:56:46 GMT -5
#1 GAA NFL #1.a AFL Both are the top leagues in the world and have no rival. what are they?
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Post by rifle on Feb 11, 2024 21:53:06 GMT -5
Cristiano’s achievements are legendary.
R9 didn’t have the discipline of CR7 but my eyeball saw him dominate while he was playing.
I’m still gonna pick Messi above both of them. His present situation is tarnishing the career IMO.
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Post by rifle on Feb 11, 2024 11:30:32 GMT -5
So you’re saying you never saw R9 play?
Edit: I like EPL the best but I must admit that I also love when LaLiga teams hammer PL teams in European competitions.
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Post by rifle on Feb 11, 2024 11:28:33 GMT -5
Without a clear “top” league we’re just speculating.
Having the best teams in ECNL is good news. Unfortunately having ALL the teams (strong or weak) from a club in XYZ league is the reason our system isn’t as good as it could be. Promotion and relegation isn’t a magic bullet but it’s used around the world for reasons that just make sense.
Teams can’t avoid playing rivals. Mismatches in team level are self resolved each year. Really good coaches don’t get stuck in obscurity.
MLS efforts to control the system are stifling progress. Any changes toward excising MLS from “too much control” of the USSF is a positive change.
Seeking parity in competitive sports dulls excellence and tolerates failure. An open pyramid is strong because the big base is the foundation and getting to the top is an achievement. STAYING at the top is a clear signal of excellence. But greed screws everything up.
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Post by rifle on Feb 10, 2024 7:33:48 GMT -5
If it makes you feel better look at the rankings app. It's fairly unbiased and gives a good perspective of how teams from different leagues stackup. At all age groups MLS Next teams are at the top. As the boys get older it becomes all MLS Academy teams at the top. Why is there such a push to be affiliated with a 10th tier pro league? I know MLS plays on a goofy schedule and thus it is their “off” season.. but have you seen how Miami is doing in their tour? ROFL..
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Post by rifle on Feb 10, 2024 7:28:55 GMT -5
It all goes to development.
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Post by rifle on Feb 8, 2024 17:21:13 GMT -5
NASA and Concord will soon be in MLS Next then the opinions on this forum will change Why isn't NASA playing in MLS Next already? In most places the only advantage clubs get from playing boys in ECNL is girls get to play in ECNL. because the DOCs aren’t friends and they’re vindictive. Same reason Tophat is stuck in GA. “It’s all about development”
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Post by rifle on Feb 7, 2024 22:20:33 GMT -5
Pretty please don’t call it a pyramid. The term Pyramid implies a hierarchy. Instead, we have competing leagues that don’t play against one another. And all claim they are the best… so it’s actually a tree. An open pyramid is an amazing organizational structure - with strength at the base and the middle and the top. I prefer to think of it all as a "multi level marketing" league fairly appropriate. Most get something and some profit a lot.
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Post by rifle on Feb 7, 2024 18:31:45 GMT -5
Pretty please don’t call it a pyramid.
The term Pyramid implies a hierarchy. Instead, we have competing leagues that don’t play against one another. And all claim they are the best… so it’s actually a tree.
An open pyramid is an amazing organizational structure - with strength at the base and the middle and the top.
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Post by rifle on Feb 6, 2024 21:37:54 GMT -5
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Post by rifle on Feb 6, 2024 21:32:17 GMT -5
Final? And yeah Walton is (always) stacked with high level players so there are always disappointments.
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Post by rifle on Feb 6, 2024 18:48:10 GMT -5
It’s all about development, just ask them…
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Post by rifle on Feb 6, 2024 18:44:10 GMT -5
Go check out Alexi Lalas' critique. Feels much the same as original post. I’d rather not give him the views. Alexi is a cartoon character who lives to stir the pot. If he ever took a position that didn’t fall in line with MLS I might have some respect for his work after hanging up the boots.
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Post by rifle on Feb 6, 2024 12:01:50 GMT -5
On brand. If MLS can’t control the profit, they’re not interested.
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USWNT
Feb 5, 2024 19:54:16 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by rifle on Feb 5, 2024 19:54:16 GMT -5
“milquetoast”- ok, I know I’m not the only one who had to look that one up🤣. Thanks for sending me to the dictionary rifle . rifle birthday pre-1950 confirmed HA! Nope. ..I guess I should stick to four letter words.
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Post by rifle on Feb 3, 2024 9:54:21 GMT -5
WNT needs to step up its game between the lines. It doesn’t mean players lose their freedom of speech but it likely means selecting fewer who seek attention off the field.
They went and got a first class manager. She will have only two months with the team before the Olympics but I’m hoping to see a revolution. There are a TON of ballers in this country. Time to repair the leaky ship and get competitive once again with real soccer countries who have awakened to WSOC. USWNT dominance probably is a thing of the past.
Meanwhile the MNT continues to run with a manager who was average at best in MLS. Gotta wake up and aim a LOT higher.
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USWNT
Feb 3, 2024 9:43:18 GMT -5
via mobile
bogan likes this
Post by rifle on Feb 3, 2024 9:43:18 GMT -5
“milquetoast”- ok, I know I’m not the only one who had to look that one up🤣. Thanks for sending me to the dictionary rifle. Word
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Post by rifle on Feb 3, 2024 0:31:03 GMT -5
The good news is RYSA is being taken over a big and nice club from Gwinnett! Good changes are to come. Kalonji?
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Post by rifle on Feb 3, 2024 0:26:14 GMT -5
What was the USWNT Team Captain thinking? Just when it seemed like they would just get back to soccer look at the comments from Horan. I definitely am done. Sounds like she is thinking it’s time to get back to work. Good interview IMO. Good insight into new mindsets. I find it silly that people are still trying to pluck controversy from player words. The team’s recent problems were between the lines. Players and manager. Hopefully the new manager will find the recipe and raise the standard higher than ever. Can we please drop the milquetoast “one woman’s opinion makes the team bad” mindset?
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Post by rifle on Feb 1, 2024 13:28:59 GMT -5
I think you are already at the point where the coach can’t handle his commitments to the team and second job. Have you considered getting the manager to discuss the concerns with the coach? That would be a good first step. You should also go to the Director of Coaching to ensure the concerns get more visibility. I recommend addressing the situation now so it doesn’t get worse. Plus, if things go south this will give the club ample time to find a replacement. Raise your hand if you want to be TM? The TM role is a huge pain in the back side without having to be the aggregator of grievances. And… This is why clubs have a DOC. Talk to them.
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Post by rifle on Jan 25, 2024 13:47:23 GMT -5
Sign him up for basketball in the winter.
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Post by rifle on Jan 22, 2024 17:59:01 GMT -5
B team with 11 players making their international debuts. It could have gone either way and with Slovenia’s compact defense it was hard for the men to create chances once they got behind. However, the USMNT is frankly not very impressive without their proven playmakers. Once you get past Pulisic, McKennie, Weah, Serginio Dest, the level of playmakers goes way down. Especially, at outside back and wide areas of the field with not having Dest out there. NOT GOOD. I have never been a fan of Shaq Moore. Dejuan Jones (I think ?) sent the ball way over the box in a 3 v 2 situation. Kamungo (winger) loss the ball on a 1v1 in the top of the defensive 3rd resulting in the Slovenia goal. One thing I've noticed about American players who are only trained here domestically, is their inability to be creative when in the final/attacking third. You tend to see strikers only striking the ball. What I mean is sometimes there are defenders in front of their pathway to the goal, yet they "strike" the ball in the hopes that it will magically go through the defenders. It is something that has always intrigued me. Not sure if it's the youth system or the inability of coaches to rectify since it's already engrained. You will notice that the missing playmakers you mentioned: Pulisic, McKennie, Weah, Serginio, etc. Everyone one of them, had a stint outside the country during the pivotal developmental youth years. So when they are on the ball, they do things to create the space needed to strike the ball with a higher percentage of finding the back of the net. Sometimes a step-over, a juke to the left or right can move a defender or goalie and increase your chances of success. A classic example of this locally, is Jackson Conway (who btw just signed this week with the Charleston Battery). He was exposed when he went on loan to Phoenix Rising, which is why he was sent packing back to the ATL... That is a really interesting observation. Totally agree.. it seems like domestic players couldn't unlock a safe with the combination tattooed on (our) hand. I certainly don’t expect every USMNT player to be able to turn like Martin Odegaard. But I damn sure wish they wouldn’t ALL think the last option (passing backwards for safety) is the only option. Do you suppose it has to do with youth soccer parents screaming “not in the middle!!” LOL. And lastly - regarding JC. My son played against his Cobb FC teams way back at U11-U12 and they had some friends in common. The one thing that dazzled my son at that early age was JC being legendary for kicking the ball SO HARD that he once broke a kid’s arm……
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