World Cup 2022

[hollodero]

(12-01-2022, 11:44 PM)Forever Spinning Vinyl Wrote: I went skiing once. No thanks. Cured for life.

Well, I had to do it in my childhood, and skiing is essential for my nation's well-being, but I'm with you on that one. Never saw the appeal, will never again do it ever. I'm a bad Austrian.

(12-01-2022, 11:44 PM)Forever Spinning Vinyl Wrote: This may come as a shock but we've gotten lots of European youth players on loans over the years. Man City bought New York City and have had lots of Man City youth league players get minutes on loan, but most weren't good enough to make an impact on the MLS first team.

Not a shock at all. But loans are not the same as players persuing a career in the MLS. And make MLS teams appear like farm teams.
 

(12-01-2022, 11:44 PM)Forever Spinning Vinyl Wrote: I can tell you this though, I don't see any of your mid table or below teams waltzing through an MLS season.

No, of course not. We're a nation of 8 million people, not many big cities, there's not that many good soccer clubs to harbor. We have one good team, maybe 2-3 dcecent ones that have a good year every once in a while and a bunch of village clubs. We do pretty well with our youth, but again, 8 million, the supply is limited.
Our best team, however, yeah they would waltz through MLS probably. And I also do not believe MLS players have that much of a conditioning advantage. Your example with Koke is noted, but that's just one instance. I would presume that's rather an exception than the rule.

(12-01-2022, 11:44 PM)Forever Spinning Vinyl Wrote: Casual fans mostly tune in only because their nation is playing. You watch Austria play because you're Austrian and a self professed soccer nerd. The lady across the road doesn't give two shits about the Austrian Bundesliga, but she'll tune in to watch the Austrian national team because she's a proud Austrian. Same thing for those five WC nations and most of their neighbors in Asia, those five WC nations and most of their neighbors in Africa and that's a lot of eyes watching your corporate partners ads.

I see the point. It is well taken.

(12-01-2022, 11:44 PM)Forever Spinning Vinyl Wrote: It's an exhibition in the form of a tournament. Look at the format of the Canada/USA/Mexico World Cup in 2026. 48 teams starting with 16 knockout games for 32 teams to join the other 16. It's going to be a shit show.

Yeah that's too many.