Thiago Almada Controversy

Honestly -- until yesterday, I wasn't really familiar with his history.
I'll find the link later but dirtysouthsoccer wrote up a nice summary of the investigation and case.

right now he's listed as the most valuable player in MLS....
www.transfermarkt.us/mlstm/marktwerte/wettbewerb/MLS1

Funny, in looking on the Transfermarkt site, I see that of the top 25 valued players in the MLS, there is no American listed, not by birth, parental/married relationship or naturalization 😪

In regards to Almada, not sure what or why the Supporters Groups are up in arms.  This has been a pending deal for a few months now, where was their outrage prior?  While I agree that if you commit or are involved in any form of sexual or physical assault, the book should be thrown at you (ask Kurt Zouma and the Hammers) but all indications are that at some point he was at a party where a woman was assaulted.  She did not name him or point him out as being involved in the alleged assault.  Last I read, the prosecutor got DNA samples from everyone at the party and the results came back last month. He  was cleared as being a suspect or person of interest, and no longer a target by the prosecution.  Once that occurred, AU pulled the trigger on signing him.  Like DunwoodySoccerDad there is a whole explanation from Darren Eales and a member of the AU legal team...

I never heard of “Guerrilla Company” before this tweet but the author of that statement sounds like good company to me. This whole topic is an interesting study in journalism. The desire to report first is so much stronger than the desire to be accurate… Imagine being this kid and accused of sexual assault IF it wasn’t true.

And finally.. this team might be quite exciting to watch in 22.

It must either be.. 1) easier to come here - or 2) they’re really not good enough to go to Europe

I’ve tried to watch more SA soccer lately. I haven’t seen as much as I’d like but I’m not convinced that MLS going “all-in” on players from SA is really so smart. In SA they seem to play like gladiators and definitely have skill but I’m not sure they’re on a better level than well trained (rich) American kids.

As for Miggy - even when he does play he is far from a standout, on a terrible team. The team is however in the top league, in a place where you’ve got to perform to stay up. So good for him for still being there - even if he is on the bench. It’s dog eat dog and they’ll replace you if there are better options.

The fact that he was such a standout in MLS just goes to show the level here vs Europe simply isn’t close.

/end of rambling thoughts. Your mileage may vary.

As an aside, there are many wonderful footballers out there who fall out of favor with a current manager b/c of style of play. Nothing wrong with the lads, they just don’t fit a system.

You just described one of my kids. Despite objectively solid results (plus/minus on goals, selflessness with the ball, and 20 yard movement in average line of play when she was on the field), often overlooked in favor of players who 'looked' busier without actually doing anything. Frustrating beyond imagination.