Interesting news in terms of national team managers. Pirlo going to Italy. For the casuals, he ran their midfield for many years. Klopp, who led Liverpool to much success, is taking over Germany. Earlier, Pep Guardiola, the outgoing manager at Man City, turned down Italy and says he will take the year off. Complete silence on Poch. One bit of news is that Matt Crocker was the head of the soccer side of US Soccer when Poch was hired. He has left and not been replaced. So it seems difficult to hire a coach now when there is no leader. Of course no coach is really needed right now.
Soccer Topics: No goalies in the USA
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Last: 7 hrs ago by sluggo
One last piece of soccer news. In addition to the USMNT there are national soccer teams that go down to U15. They are fun to watch as you get to see up and coming prospects. Right now the U19 team that will play in the U20 WC next year is in qualifying. They play Saturday, Tuesday and Friday at 7pm pacific on FS2. Some matches may also be streamed. They need to come in the top 2 in their group and then win one more game to qualify. Not qualifying would be a huge disappointment.
Top players on the team that I know are Christopher Cupps, a center defender, and NImfasha Berchimas, a winger. If they qualify better players like Sullivan and Albert and Mehmeti may play in the U20 WC.
https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2026/07/ynt-u19-mnt/how-to-watch-us-under-19-mens-national-team-concacaf-u-20-championship-mexico
Top players on the team that I know are Christopher Cupps, a center defender, and NImfasha Berchimas, a winger. If they qualify better players like Sullivan and Albert and Mehmeti may play in the U20 WC.
https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2026/07/ynt-u19-mnt/how-to-watch-us-under-19-mens-national-team-concacaf-u-20-championship-mexico
Germany upgraded their coaching with Klopp, now Italy with Pirlo, Maldini
🚨🇮🇹 BREAKING: Andrea Pirlo accepts the verbal proposal and he’s set to become new Italy head coach, here we go!
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 24, 2026
Pirlo said yes to long term project presented by Paolo Maldini and Leonardo.
He’s set to sign in the upcoming days, waiting for formal steps. pic.twitter.com/JEEz6wg5AI
Little brother of Georgian PSG forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia looks pretty impressive at 16:
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's 16-year-old brother Tornike made his first European start for Dinamo Tbilisi last night and... wow!pic.twitter.com/5pFniw4cv6
— Robin Bairner (@RBairner) July 24, 2026
This was made by someone who has played Subbuteo when he was young...
How the World Cup final should have been pic.twitter.com/i7gXGs1sQU
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) July 25, 2026
Cal88 said:
This was made by someone who has played Subbuteo when he was young...
Ha.
Huh!
I had never seen subbuteo until some YouTube clips just now.
Cal88 said:
Little brother of Georgian PSG forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia looks pretty impressive at 16:
That guy is ridiculous. I think his brother is the most underrated player in the world, he is just incredible.
concordtom said:Cal88 said:
This was made by someone who has played Subbuteo when he was young...
Ha.
Huh!
I had never seen subbuteo until some YouTube clips just now.
It was a rite of passage for all western European kids from the 70s to the 90s. In the UK a lot of adults played that too, according to that excellent Guardian article linked above.
Same with foosball tables, though those were heavy, professional tables that you could only play in local bars and bistros, or elaborate man caves. The best foosball tables by a wide margin are the Bonzinis, made in France, with heavy metal figurines, sturdy telescopic bars that rolled and moved very smoothly, and a light cork ball that travels very fast:
https://www.themenscave.sg/blog/editors-review-bonzini-babyfoot-b90/
https://www.bonzini.com/en/
~ random M-WC'26 queries for our bi - ot futbol brain trust -- Who wins US vs Scotland? England vs Morocco? Russe vs Chine, hypothetical, currently?
prospeCt said:
~ random M-WC'26 queries for our bi - ot futbol brain trust -- Who wins US vs Scotland? England vs Morocco? Russe vs Chine, hypothetical, currently?
US vs Scotland is an even game, same with England-Morocco. Russia would blow out China, the Chinese are pretty bad at soccer (their men, the Chinese women's team is decent.)
sluggo said:
One last piece of soccer news. In addition to the USMNT there are national soccer teams that go down to U15. They are fun to watch as you get to see up and coming prospects. Right now the U19 team that will play in the U20 WC next year is in qualifying. They play Saturday, Tuesday and Friday at 7pm pacific on FS2. Some matches may also be streamed. They need to come in the top 2 in their group and then win one more game to qualify. Not qualifying would be a huge disappointment.
Top players on the team that I know are Christopher Cupps, a center defender, and NImfasha Berchimas, a winger. If they qualify better players like Sullivan and Albert and Mehmeti may play in the U20 WC.
https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2026/07/ynt-u19-mnt/how-to-watch-us-under-19-mens-national-team-concacaf-u-20-championship-mexico
I watched most of the USMNT's first U20 match against Haiti. A 3-0 win, though not truly dominant until Haiti, down 1-0 in the second half, got a red card stopping what would have been the second goal with an intentional handball, leading to a converted penalty anyway and a 2-0 score.
Cupps seemed solid/decent at center back. I was not all that impressed by Berchimas. A few good plays here and there, but also dribbled into traffic and lost the ball several times, and did not show the game-breaking speed you want from a right winger. Maybe I am too harsh on right-winger prospects given my previous opinions on Zavier Gozo (which weren't nearly as harsh).
Top Ten Nations (by population):
1. India
2. China
3. USA
4. Indonesia
5. Pakistan
6. Nigeria
7. Brazil
8. Bangladesh
9. Russia
10. Ethiopia
For the countries above who don't have good national teams (most of them), my question is: Do they wish they did, or do they not care? Are there tens of millions of people in those countries who want to start a national "football" movement of some sort? Or are they concentrated on trivial issues such as feeding their citizens and winning wars (sorry, you Rooskies)?
1. India
2. China
3. USA
4. Indonesia
5. Pakistan
6. Nigeria
7. Brazil
8. Bangladesh
9. Russia
10. Ethiopia
For the countries above who don't have good national teams (most of them), my question is: Do they wish they did, or do they not care? Are there tens of millions of people in those countries who want to start a national "football" movement of some sort? Or are they concentrated on trivial issues such as feeding their citizens and winning wars (sorry, you Rooskies)?
Big C said:
Top Ten Nations (by population):
1. India-cricket
2. China-want to be good but not at any cost
3. USA-trying
4. Indonesia-cricket?
5. Pakistan-cricket
6. Nigeria-corruption and poverty and civil strife, were good in the 90s, remarkably bad considering interest
7. Brazil-in a down period, I think their players don't like each other
8. Bangladesh-cricket
9. Russia-broken country
10. Ethiopia-may not care, good at track
For the countries above who don't have good national teams (most of them), my question is: Do they wish they did, or do they not care? Are there tens of millions of people in those countries who want to start a national "football" movement of some sort? Or are they concentrated on trivial issues such as feeding their citizens and winning wars (sorry, you Rooskies)?
I wrote my thoughts above.
OneKeg said:sluggo said:
One last piece of soccer news. In addition to the USMNT there are national soccer teams that go down to U15. They are fun to watch as you get to see up and coming prospects. Right now the U19 team that will play in the U20 WC next year is in qualifying. They play Saturday, Tuesday and Friday at 7pm pacific on FS2. Some matches may also be streamed. They need to come in the top 2 in their group and then win one more game to qualify. Not qualifying would be a huge disappointment.
Top players on the team that I know are Christopher Cupps, a center defender, and NImfasha Berchimas, a winger. If they qualify better players like Sullivan and Albert and Mehmeti may play in the U20 WC.
https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2026/07/ynt-u19-mnt/how-to-watch-us-under-19-mens-national-team-concacaf-u-20-championship-mexico
I watched most of the USMNT's first U20 match against Haiti. A 3-0 win, though not truly dominant until Haiti, down 1-0 in the second half, got a red card stopping what would have been the second goal with an intentional handball, leading to a converted penalty anyway and a 2-0 score.
Cupps seemed solid/decent at center back. I was not all that impressed by Berchimas. A few good plays here and there, but also dribbled into traffic and lost the ball several times, and did not show the game-breaking speed you want from a right winger. Maybe I am too harsh on right-winger prospects given my previous opinions on Zavier Gozo (which weren't nearly as harsh).
Thanks for the report. I actually went to the Quakes-Galaxy game and forgot to record it.
These are not our best players in qualifying. They are players their teams does not mind playing without. Cupps is solid when I have seen him in the past. His coach, Berhalter, does not care about youth development. Same for Berchimas in Charlotte. At 15 Berchimas was the US star of the U17 World Cup playing two years up. He seemed like our Bakayo Saka. And nothing has gone right since. I don't know if it was injuries, confidence, peaked early, or whatever. But it does not help that his club does not play him. Most MLS clubs don't play their young players despite locking them up. Even Philly did not until just now.
Cal88 said:prospeCt said:
~ random M-WC'26 queries for our bi - ot futbol brain trust -- Who wins US vs Scotland? England vs Morocco? Russe vs Chine, hypothetical, currently?
US vs Scotland is an even game, same with England-Morocco. Russia would blow out China, the Chinese are pretty bad at soccer (their men, the Chinese women's team is decent.)
I will gently disagree.
US over Scotland at least 60-40.
England over Morocco 90-10. England is in the second tier with France and Argentina and Portugal behind Spain. Morocco is in the next tier, maybe, with Belgium and the Netherlands.
Traditionally Russia is better than China but I have not seen either national team in years. I guess qualifying results tell us but I am not looking them up.
sluggo said:
The most exciting thing that happened in MLS last night from a USMNT point of view is that Neil Pierre scored his first goal. Pierre says he is 6'7'' and says he is still growing. He is 18 and a central defender for Philly. He is not usually considered the next thing because he is a little awkward, not surprising at that height, but he is getting better.
And he can jump.18 year old Neil Pierre scores his first MLS goal to give Philadelphia Union a 3-1 lead! The assist came from Kai Wagner on his return to the Philadelphia #DOOP pic.twitter.com/OBR4EporXw
— Jimmy King (@Jimmyking35) July 23, 2026
I have a hyperbolic update. I watched half of the Union game last night. Pierre started and is amazing. In addition to the height he has very good speed and his touch is excellent. At the level of pressure in MLS, he does not make mistakes. He also showed the ability to hit a cross field long ball, which is a next level skill. And he just missed scoring off a corner. I saw him a few years ago and he was awkward but he has grown out of it. I could not find what they call a "comp," which is video of just one player from a game, but I hope someone is making one right now in their mother's basement. I could not be more encouraged. I think he will go to Arsenal because they are so focused on corner kicks. I am serious.
Cavan Sullivan was also very good with an assist that was called back by a player being just barely offside. Messi was given growth hormones by Barcelona, but maybe he is too old for that.
The Union may have become appointment viewing.
sluggo said:Cal88 said:prospeCt said:
~ random M-WC'26 queries for our bi - ot futbol brain trust -- Who wins US vs Scotland? England vs Morocco? Russe vs Chine, hypothetical, currently?
US vs Scotland is an even game, same with England-Morocco. Russia would blow out China, the Chinese are pretty bad at soccer (their men, the Chinese women's team is decent.)
I will gently disagree.
US over Scotland at least 60-40.
England over Morocco 90-10. England is in the second tier with France and Argentina and Portugal behind Spain. Morocco is in the next tier, maybe, with Belgium and the Netherlands.
Traditionally Russia is better than China but I have not seen either national team in years. I guess qualifying results tell us but I am not looking them up.
Generally agree with this though it looked to me like Morocco was closer to England than 90-10.
Russia didn't get to participate in qualifying (banned due to invading Ukraine) so who knows how good their team is? (Probably still better than China.)
sluggo said:Big C said:
Top Ten Nations (by population):
1. India-cricket
2. China-want to be good but not at any cost
3. USA-trying
4. Indonesia-cricket?
5. Pakistan-cricket
6. Nigeria-corruption and poverty and civil strife, were good in the 90s, remarkably bad considering interest
7. Brazil-in a down period, I think their players don't like each other
8. Bangladesh-cricket
9. Russia-broken country
10. Ethiopia-may not care, good at track
For the countries above who don't have good national teams (most of them), my question is: Do they wish they did, or do they not care? Are there tens of millions of people in those countries who want to start a national "football" movement of some sort? Or are they concentrated on trivial issues such as feeding their citizens and winning wars (sorry, you Rooskies)?
I wrote my thoughts above.
For USA, we should say "trying, but American football, basketball, baseball, etc."
Honestly the Americans do quite well for a country where soccer is not the top team sport.
sluggo said:sluggo said:
The most exciting thing that happened in MLS last night from a USMNT point of view is that Neil Pierre scored his first goal. Pierre says he is 6'7'' and says he is still growing. He is 18 and a central defender for Philly. He is not usually considered the next thing because he is a little awkward, not surprising at that height, but he is getting better.
And he can jump.
I have a hyperbolic update. I watched half of the Union game last night. Pierre started and is amazing. In addition to the height he has very good speed and his touch is excellent. At the level of pressure in MLS, he does not make mistakes. He also showed the ability to hit a cross field long ball, which is a next level skill. And he just missed scoring off a corner. I saw him a few years ago and he was awkward but he has grown out of it. I could not find what they call a "comp," which is video of just one player from a game, but I hope someone is making one right now in their mother's basement. I could not be more encouraged. I think he will go to Arsenal because they are so focused on corner kicks. I am serious.
Cavan Sullivan was also very good with an assist that was called back by a player being just barely offside. Messi was given growth hormones by Barcelona, but maybe he is too old for that.
The Union may have become appointment viewing.
Someone made a comp. Absolutely shocking how good Pierre is. He will have to figure out how to read the game, but everything else is there.
sluggo said:sluggo said:
The most exciting thing that happened in MLS last night from a USMNT point of view is that Neil Pierre scored his first goal. Pierre says he is 6'7'' and says he is still growing. He is 18 and a central defender for Philly. He is not usually considered the next thing because he is a little awkward, not surprising at that height, but he is getting better.
And he can jump.18 year old Neil Pierre scores his first MLS goal to give Philadelphia Union a 3-1 lead! The assist came from Kai Wagner on his return to the Philadelphia #DOOP pic.twitter.com/OBR4EporXw
— Jimmy King (@Jimmyking35) July 23, 2026
I have a hyperbolic update. I watched half of the Union game last night. Pierre started and is amazing. In addition to the height he has very good speed and his touch is excellent. At the level of pressure in MLS, he does not make mistakes. He also showed the ability to hit a cross field long ball, which is a next level skill. And he just missed scoring off a corner. I saw him a few years ago and he was awkward but he has grown out of it. I could not find what they call a "comp," which is video of just one player from a game, but I hope someone is making one right now in their mother's basement. I could not be more encouraged. I think he will go to Arsenal because they are so focused on corner kicks. I am serious.
Cavan Sullivan was also very good with an assist that was called back by a player being just barely offside. Messi was given growth hormones by Barcelona, but maybe he is too old for that.
The Union may have become appointment viewing.
I only had watched youtube match highlights for the Philadelphia Union - Seattle Sounders match, but generally agree on both Pierre and Sullivan (I'm not quite as hyperbolic on Pierre, but he was definitely good). And in other good news, he started, which he didn't the previous match. As for Sullivan, I'm not even sure his assist was actually offside, or if it was, then maybe by a couple inches. And the great vision leading to the steal he had to begin that counterattack was excellent.
Hopefully, both of them end up in Europe when they are 18 and are on the USMNT roster by the qualifying rounds for the 2030 World Cup at the latest. Pierre looks like a contender (along with Trusty) to take over Ream's starting center back spot alongside Richards in 2030, with Pierre being the future at that position.
On the England-Morocco hypothetical, the Ismael Saibari injury in the Canada round-of-16 match really decimated Morocco's offense. Without Saibari, I agree it is 90-10 England. With him, I still favor England, but by less.
sluggo said:
Traditionally Russia is better than China but I have not seen either national team in years. I guess qualifying results tell us but I am not looking them up.
Russia?
Qualifying???
both UEFA and FIFA suspended Russia, and that prevented Russia from participating in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying.
Here's how it worked:
* On February 28, 2022, following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, UEFA and FIFA jointly suspended Russian national teams and clubs from their competitions.
* Because Russia is a UEFA member association, it would normally qualify through the European qualifying tournament. However, its entry was invalidated before the qualifying draw, so Russia was not placed into any qualifying group.
* The suspension has remained in effect, meaning Russia also did not participate in the 2026 World Cup itself.
A small distinction:
* UEFA barred Russia from UEFA competitions and did not include it in the European qualifiers.
* FIFA also suspended Russia from FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
OneKeg said:sluggo said:sluggo said:
The most exciting thing that happened in MLS last night from a USMNT point of view is that Neil Pierre scored his first goal. Pierre says he is 6'7'' and says he is still growing. He is 18 and a central defender for Philly. He is not usually considered the next thing because he is a little awkward, not surprising at that height, but he is getting better.
And he can jump.18 year old Neil Pierre scores his first MLS goal to give Philadelphia Union a 3-1 lead! The assist came from Kai Wagner on his return to the Philadelphia #DOOP pic.twitter.com/OBR4EporXw
— Jimmy King (@Jimmyking35) July 23, 2026
I have a hyperbolic update. I watched half of the Union game last night. Pierre started and is amazing. In addition to the height he has very good speed and his touch is excellent. At the level of pressure in MLS, he does not make mistakes. He also showed the ability to hit a cross field long ball, which is a next level skill. And he just missed scoring off a corner. I saw him a few years ago and he was awkward but he has grown out of it. I could not find what they call a "comp," which is video of just one player from a game, but I hope someone is making one right now in their mother's basement. I could not be more encouraged. I think he will go to Arsenal because they are so focused on corner kicks. I am serious.
Cavan Sullivan was also very good with an assist that was called back by a player being just barely offside. Messi was given growth hormones by Barcelona, but maybe he is too old for that.
The Union may have become appointment viewing.
I only had watched youtube match highlights for the Philadelphia Union - Seattle Sounders match, but generally agree on both Pierre and Sullivan (I'm not quite as hyperbolic on Pierre, but he was definitely good). And in other good news, he started, which he didn't the previous match. As for Sullivan, I'm not even sure his assist was actually offside, or if it was, then maybe by a couple inches. And the great vision leading to the steal he had to begin that counterattack was excellent.
Hopefully, both of them end up in Europe when they are 18 and are on the USMNT roster by the qualifying rounds for the 2030 World Cup at the latest. Pierre looks like a contender (along with Trusty) to take over Ream's starting center back spot alongside Richards in 2030, with Pierre being the future at that position.
On the England-Morocco hypothetical, the Ismael Saibari injury in the Canada round-of-16 match really decimated Morocco's offense. Without Saibari, I agree it is 90-10 England. With him, I still favor England, but by less.
Pierre is good but just another guy. Except that he is 6'7''. The list of defenders who are that tall, at a position where height matters, and have that level of athleticism is just him. I think he has a 35 inch vertical leap and at least 4.6 forty speed, probably faster. He is 18 and could go now. I hope Philly sells him soon. They have a mixed record of selling players. But they have never had someone with his value.
Sullivan signed some weird hybrid contract with Man City and the Philly Union. There was talk of him going to Europe, maybe to Belgium, but not right to Man City if the Union did not work out. So I think he has some European roots so that he could go now. Right now I think MLS is a good place for him while he develops. By next year if he gets stronger MLS may be too low a level.
You could be right on Morocco. I did not see their early games. They were offensively inept against France.
Being very tall and lean might subject Pierre to more leg and knee injuries, especially as a defender. There were a few super tall forwards like Jan Koller and Peter Crouch, but I can't think of any defenders above 6'6".
The one that got away? could he have played for the USMNT?
" just three years after playing high school soccer in Florida, he's set to join Real Madrid in a deal worth more than 100 million euros."
" just three years after playing high school soccer in Florida, he's set to join Real Madrid in a deal worth more than 100 million euros."
Yan Diomande has one of the craziest soccer stories that you’ll ever see.
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) July 27, 2026
◽ In 2023, he was still playing high school soccer in Florida at Yulee High School and DME Academy after moving from Ivory Coast.
◽ That same year, playing for AS Frenzi, he won the UPSL national… pic.twitter.com/gJ2zL0hv7i
Diomande, now worth $100M for Leipzig, had trials & was rejected by Charlotte FC, Colorado Rapids and Rangers. He would have been a free signing. Everyone assessing talent at these clubs/franchises needs to be FIRED immediately. Congrats to Leganes & Leipzig who notice talent. pic.twitter.com/YlLYWdE9H3
— Derek Richey (@BoomerRichey) July 26, 2026
Cal88 said:
Being very tall and lean might subject Pierre to more leg and knee injuries, especially as a defender. There were a few super tall forwards like Jan Koller and Peter Crouch, but I can't think of any defenders above 6'6".
Dan Burn of England/Newcastle is listed at 6'7. But he is a wider guy than Pierre. In the 1998 World Cup there was a striker who I think was 6'8'' who scored against the US. It is true that Pierre's body type could lead to injuries but maybe they would have already if he was vulnerable.
sluggo said:Cal88 said:
Being very tall and lean might subject Pierre to more leg and knee injuries, especially as a defender. There were a few super tall forwards like Jan Koller and Peter Crouch, but I can't think of any defenders above 6'6".
Dan Burn of England/Newcastle is listed at 6'7. But he is a wider guy than Pierre. In the 1998 World Cup there was a striker who I think was 6'8'' who scored against the US. It is true that Pierre's body type could lead to injuries but maybe they would have already if he was vulnerable.
In 98 it was Serb/Yugoslav Komljenovic who scored against the US, but he's only 6'2", perhaps you had him confused with 2m02 (6' 7.5") Czech forward Koller who played for Dortmund?
Super tall and lanky soccer players tend to get injured, very tall and wide tend to be less quick on their feet, guys like Haaland are the exception, he's "only" 6'5" though.
Cal88 said:sluggo said:Cal88 said:
Being very tall and lean might subject Pierre to more leg and knee injuries, especially as a defender. There were a few super tall forwards like Jan Koller and Peter Crouch, but I can't think of any defenders above 6'6".
Dan Burn of England/Newcastle is listed at 6'7. But he is a wider guy than Pierre. In the 1998 World Cup there was a striker who I think was 6'8'' who scored against the US. It is true that Pierre's body type could lead to injuries but maybe they would have already if he was vulnerable.
In 98 it was Serb/Yugoslav Komljenovic who scored against the US, but he's only 6'2", perhaps you had him confused with 2m02 (6' 7.5") Czech forward Koller who played for Dortmund?
Super tall and lanky soccer players tend to get injured, very tall and wide tend to be less quick on their feet, guys like Haaland are the exception, he's "only" 6'5" though.
Wrong year. 2006 6'8'' Koller scored at five minutes in the first game and the Cup felt over for the US. I get confused between 1998 and 2006 because they were both dismal.
Pierre is 1 of 1 like Zlatan and Haaland. I realize he has not done anything yet, unlike those all-time greats, but it is just from an athletic perspective. I will cross my fingers on his health.
Cal88 said:
The one that got away? could he have played for the USMNT?
" just three years after playing high school soccer in Florida, he's set to join Real Madrid in a deal worth more than 100 million euros."
…both prominent soccer players with the last name Diomand are permanently cap-tied to the Ivory Coast:
Yan Diomand (the breakout RB Leipzig/Real Madrid forward) is cap-tied because he represented the Ivory Coast senior team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, playing in all four of their tournament matches.
Ousmane Diomand (the Sporting CP center-back) is also cap-tied, having been a regular fixture for the Ivorian senior squad, including at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations and subsequent FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
They are according to Google AI not related but both played on this recent WC squad.
Maldiini and Leonardo resign from their new appointment as assistants to Pirlo after the Italian football federation blocks Pirlo's hire as Italy coach due to his sponsorship by a Russian company.
Big blow to Italian soccer.
Big blow to Italian soccer.
Maldini said 'Pirlo or I walk' and really walked 10 days later. That's real bro code right there🤝💯 pic.twitter.com/7uGt210iK2
— Da No💣💣💣 (@W33358Weng) July 27, 2026
Cal88 said:
the Italian football federation blocks Pirlo's hire as Italy coach due to his sponsorship by a Russian company.
Say what?!?!?
That's intriguing and hilarious!
Italian fans aren't laughing, Pirlo is one of the most creative midfielders in the history of the sport, Maldini touted as the greatest defender of all time, must be devastating for the tiffozi.
The sponsor in question is Russian sports betting company Fonbet.
The sponsor in question is Russian sports betting company Fonbet.
Cal88 said:
Italian fans aren't laughing, Pirlo is one of the most creative midfielders in the history of the sport, Maldini touted as the greatest defender of all time, must be devastating for the tiffozi.
The sponsor in question is Russian sports betting company Fonbet.
But Pirlo and Maldini are too old to play. Having them involved gives a small emotional boast, but there are lots of good Italian coaches, they will find one.
Better for the team would be if Italy was more welcoming to immigrants.
Cal88 said:
The one that got away? could he have played for the USMNT?
There are rules as to how many years you have to be in the country continuously to play for a team if you are a non-citizen. Obviously MLS screwed up, but he probably would have gone to Europe anyway and would not be eligible for us.
sluggo said:Cal88 said:
Italian fans aren't laughing, Pirlo is one of the most creative midfielders in the history of the sport, Maldini touted as the greatest defender of all time, must be devastating for the tiffozi.
The sponsor in question is Russian sports betting company Fonbet.
But Pirlo and Maldini are too old to play. Having them involved gives a small emotional boast, but there are lots of good Italian coaches, they will find one.
Better for the team would be if Italy was more welcoming to immigrants.
Maldini was going to be in charge of a much needed organizational overhaul, and Pirlo had one of the highest football IQs ever as a player, and these guys have an incredible amount of aura and reverence in their country and beyond, as well as superior leadership skills.
The current squad has a good half dozen Black players of African origin, a lot more than world champion Spain, or runner-ups Argentina, so that point above is not really appropriate here.
Cal88 said:sluggo said:Cal88 said:
Italian fans aren't laughing, Pirlo is one of the most creative midfielders in the history of the sport, Maldini touted as the greatest defender of all time, must be devastating for the tiffozi.
The sponsor in question is Russian sports betting company Fonbet.
But Pirlo and Maldini are too old to play. Having them involved gives a small emotional boast, but there are lots of good Italian coaches, they will find one.
Better for the team would be if Italy was more welcoming to immigrants.
Maldini was going to be in charge of a much needed organizational overhaul, and Pirlo had one of the highest football IQs ever as a player, and these guys have an incredible amount of aura and reverence in their country and beyond, as well as superior leadership skills.
The current squad has a good half dozen Black players of African origin, a lot more than world champion Spain, or runner-ups Argentina, so that point above is not really appropriate here.
In their final game where they lost to Bosnia they had one black player, Moises Kean, and no North Africans. A couple countries can get away with almost exclusively white players but Italy is no longer one of them. The cupboard is bare.
Maldini was an amazing player but I don't think he can't be replaced as a leader.
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