sluggo said:

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Cal88 said:

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Seems a bit low for the MLS.

Top 50 strongest leagues in the world, ranked by Opta's Power Rankings 🌍⚽️

1. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 English Premier League
2. 🇪🇸 Spanish La Liga
3. 🇩🇪 German Bundesliga
4. 🇮🇹 Italian Serie A
5. 🇫🇷 French Ligue 1
6. 🇧🇷 Brazilian Serie A
7. 🇦🇷 Liga Profesional Argentina
8. 🇧🇪 Belgian Jupiler Pro…

— World of Statistics (@stats_feed) July 28, 2026

...
9. Portuguese Primeira Liga
10. English Championship
11. Polish Ekstraklasa
12. Danish Superligaen
13. Colombia Primera A
14. Japanese J1 League
15. Norwegian Eliteserien
16. Ecuador Liga Pro
17. Swiss Super League
18. Croatia Prva HNL
19. US Major League Soccer
20. Paraguay Primera Divisin
21. Mexican Primera
22. Dutch Eredivisie
23. Spanish Segunda Divisin

---

Whatever these rankings are they are absurd. The right way to rank to me is value of the players from transfermarket. I don't know where MLS comes out in that, but I bet it is top 10. THe Mexican league and the Dutch league being ranked so low also makes no sense.

---

The European leagues ranking is very well established via the UEFA country coefficients, which are based on the clubs performance in the CL and Europa leagues, so it's very accurate.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_coefficient#Current_ranking
Holland should be at the same level as Belgium, and the Turkish league just below.

The roster salaries might not be a reliable indicator because in leagues like the Saudi or Chinese salaries of foreign near retirement age players are inflated, same dynamic in the MLS, while in leagues like the Portuguese, Belgian or Dutch you have a conveyor belt of new, underpaid talent with clubs punching well above their payroll weight. I would guess MLS clubs are on the same level as the Danish, Swiss or Norwegian leagues, so in the #15-20 range.

It would be fun for the MLS to organize tournaments with other leagues like the J-League, K-League, Mexican Primera and maybe a couple of mid-tier European clubs in Summers without World Cups. Take 8 top clubs from 5 or 6 leagues and have them play in a direct elimination tournament.

OneKeg said:

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sluggo said:

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OneKeg said:

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sluggo said:

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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

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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).

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I watched the USU20 second game and I warn everyone else, it is only for sickos. If we qualify, which we probably will, we will send many of our best prospects. For instance, in the last U20 WC we had Banks and Gozo and were supposed to have top keeper prospect Kochen but he got injured. But we sent the C team to qualify, and boy is this team bad. We did beat a dirty, talentless El Salvador team 3-0. Jaidyn Contreras from FC Dallas looks okays, as does Cupps from the Chicago Fire. But the team is full of professionals and there is no excuse for being so bad.

---

Turns out, I'm a sicko too. I blame you, sluggo!

I watched most of the match and agree with you. Uninspiring despite the 3-0 result. In addition to Contreras on the right wing who moved over to replace the injured Berchimas early on, I thought Cupps again looked decent/solid at center back and #6 Guskie looked ok at holding midfielder (one great through pass near the end that should have been a beautiful goal if the center forward didn't loft it over the bar). Overall, though, not nearly enough chances generated against a terrible El Salvador team.

Having no live play goals until the 89th minute in this match was just embarrassing (first two goals were on penalties - 4 of the 6 US goals so far have been on penalties). Even Cupps' 89th minute goal off a set piece was pretty sloppy and probably doesn't happen against a better opponent.

I guess at least all four penalties have been well-taken (by 3 different players I think), so there's that.

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Welcome to the club, fellow sicko! If you want to show true sickoness watch the third game of qualifying when the US has already wrapped up first place in the group. Only the truly irredeemable would watch such a thing. (Read that as a dare.) The US qualifies for the U20 World Cup if they win the fourth game, which should be an easy opponent given they have won the group.

I agree with your review. It was raining, although the field looked in good shape for one of these tournaments that is often played on a cow pasture. American players struggle in imperfect conditions because they mostly grew up on perfect fields, many of them artificial.

The actual U20 WC is always fun. Lots of guys have come through there including Weah and Dest. Players like Pulisic and Reyna did not play because they were already on the first team in their teens. Maybe around 2019 we beat a good France team in the tournament. The final goal was scored by a striker who was committed to Cal (can't remember his name) but went to Europe instead where he had a nothing career and is probably retired. The winning pass was made by outside back Richie Ledesma, who I like, but the people in power did not like and so now plays for the Mexican national team.

A Brazilian player who made a vicious tackle that broke his opponent's leg will be suspended as long as it takes for his opponent to recover, up to 6 months, per a court ruling. That might set a precedent and new rule in Brazilian football.

🚨Inter player Victor Gabriel has been suspended after his foul on Gabriel Pec.

How long is his suspension?

He will only be allowed to return once Gabriel Pec has return from injury, with a maximum punishment of up to 6 months.

Very interesting rule 🤯 pic.twitter.com/KujjfqYhdy

— Brasil Football 🇧🇷 (@BrasilEdition) July 28, 2026

Cal88 said:

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A Brazilian player who made a vicious tackle that broke his opponent's leg will be suspended as long as it takes for his opponent to recover, up to 6 months, per a court ruling. That might set a precedent and new rule in Brazilian football.

🚨Inter player Victor Gabriel has been suspended after his foul on Gabriel Pec.

How long is his suspension?

He will only be allowed to return once Gabriel Pec has return from injury, with a maximum punishment of up to 6 months.

Very interesting rule 🤯 pic.twitter.com/KujjfqYhdy

— Brasil Football 🇧🇷 (@BrasilEdition) July 28, 2026

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Was the injured player wearing proper shin guards? This is excessive, especially if the injured player didn't wear such.

From the footage, it looks like he was hit in the upper side of his ankle, area not usually covered by shinguards.

I am worried this Infantino plan will have legs. Many countries may just accept the money. It is not actually much money for UEFA nations, but they are not the majority of voters.

I would be fine with the US, Canada and Mexico joining UEFA for tournament purposes and having the big tournament being the Euro. If Israel, which is in either Asia or Africa, is part of UEFA, so why not North American countries, too?

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49478198/gianni-infantino-tells-fifa-members-agree-world-cup-plan-miss-40m-funding-report

Cal88 said:

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From the footage, it looks like he was hit in the upper side of his ankle, area not usually covered by shinguards.

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From the footage, it looks like shin guards would have lessened the blow.

sluggo said:

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I am worried this Infantino plan will have legs. Many countries may just accept the money. It is not actually much money for UEFA nations, but they are not the majority of voters.

I would be fine with the US, Canada and Mexico joining UEFA for tournament purposes and having the big tournament being the Euro. If Israel, which is in either Asia or Africa, is part of UEFA, so why not North American countries, too?

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49478198/gianni-infantino-tells-fifa-members-agree-world-cup-plan-miss-40m-funding-report

---

Brazil is the key player here. UEFA + Brazil boycotting the WC would turn it into a farce. Milei's Argentina would be 100% behind the Infantino-Kushner billion dollar FIFA grift, but I don't see Brazil following that.

If this goes through, Infantino will move FIFA to the US or somewhere like Dubai (current conflict notwithstanding). He would also be prosecuted for corruption in a number of European countries. It's incredibly sad how this one man is literally threatening to kill international football.

🚨The President of the Czechia FA, David Trunda, has gone AGAINST UEFA’s stance and accepted Infantino’s proposal

CZECHIA REPUBLIC ARE THE FIRST NATION TO SELL THEIR SOULS🇨🇿 https://t.co/yENITkJOW2 pic.twitter.com/16jbLzq4na

— The 44 ⚽️ (@The_Forty_Four) July 29, 2026

Expect Ukraine, the Baltic states and most Balkan countries to follow the Czechs. This is going to be a good stand-in for the level of corruption in European governments. I would also expect staunch opposition from nearly every western European country, football is part of the culture and you don't mess with that.

sluggo said:

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OneKeg said:

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sluggo said:

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OneKeg said:

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sluggo said:

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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).

---

I watched the USU20 second game and I warn everyone else, it is only for sickos. If we qualify, which we probably will, we will send many of our best prospects. For instance, in the last U20 WC we had Banks and Gozo and were supposed to have top keeper prospect Kochen but he got injured. But we sent the C team to qualify, and boy is this team bad. We did beat a dirty, talentless El Salvador team 3-0. Jaidyn Contreras from FC Dallas looks okays, as does Cupps from the Chicago Fire. But the team is full of professionals and there is no excuse for being so bad.

---

Turns out, I'm a sicko too. I blame you, sluggo!

I watched most of the match and agree with you. Uninspiring despite the 3-0 result. In addition to Contreras on the right wing who moved over to replace the injured Berchimas early on, I thought Cupps again looked decent/solid at center back and #6 Guskie looked ok at holding midfielder (one great through pass near the end that should have been a beautiful goal if the center forward didn't loft it over the bar). Overall, though, not nearly enough chances generated against a terrible El Salvador team.

Having no live play goals until the 89th minute in this match was just embarrassing (first two goals were on penalties - 4 of the 6 US goals so far have been on penalties). Even Cupps' 89th minute goal off a set piece was pretty sloppy and probably doesn't happen against a better opponent.

I guess at least all four penalties have been well-taken (by 3 different players I think), so there's that.

---

Welcome to the club, fellow sicko! If you want to show true sickoness watch the third game of qualifying when the US has already wrapped up first place in the group. Only the truly irredeemable would watch such a thing. (Read that as a dare.) The US qualifies for the U20 World Cup if they win the fourth game, which should be an easy opponent given they have won the group.

I agree with your review. It was raining, although the field looked in good shape for one of these tournaments that is often played on a cow pasture. American players struggle in imperfect conditions because they mostly grew up on perfect fields, many of them artificial.

The actual U20 WC is always fun. Lots of guys have come through there including Weah and Dest. Players like Pulisic and Reyna did not play because they were already on the first team in their teens. Maybe around 2019 we beat a good France team in the tournament. The final goal was scored by a striker who was committed to Cal (can't remember his name) but went to Europe instead where he had a nothing career and is probably retired. The winning pass was made by outside back Richie Ledesma, who I like, but the people in power did not like and so now plays for the Mexican national team.

---

Has the US U-20 team actually clinched first place in their group though? I think they've only clinched qualification to the quarterfinals.

Let's say Cuba beats the US 2-0 on Friday and Haiti draws with El Salvador (even though Haiti is better). Cuba would be even with the US on points (6), have the head-to-head tiebreaker, have the same goal differential, and have more goals scored. Wouldn't Cuba win the group, then? Not sure what the tie breaker is.

But yeah, I'll probably go full sicko on Friday night and watch the US v Cuba U-20 match. Can't be more depressing than watching FIFA/Infantino/Kushner try to F over the sport for personal gain.

Hahaha.
Wait till the end!!!!

If USA u20 plays Friday, I'll watch.
What time and channel?

concordtom said:

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If USA u20 plays Friday, I'll watch.
What time and channel?

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It's at 7pm Pacific this Friday 7/31. US v Cuba. Win or draw wins the US the group and hopefully an easy opponent in the CONCACAF quarterfinals (which they've already qualified for with two albeit rather unimpressive wins, especially the latest one over El Salvador). A win in the quarterfinals qualifies the U-20 team for the U-20 World Cup.

I've been watching on FS2, which I stream on my phone while my wife watches shows I am less interested in.=)

It's available on some other services too - go to the US soccer official website and look at the schedule, which should show all upcoming matches, men and women, all levels, including where to watch.

Be warned, though, this is definitely our U-20 B team. Or sluggo would say, the C team, who will be playing on Friday. See above for the (few) players sluggo and I have thought looked ok.

OneKeg said:

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concordtom said:

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If USA u20 plays Friday, I'll watch.
What time and channel?

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It's at 7pm Pacific this Friday 7/31. US v Cuba. Win or draw wins the US the group and hopefully an easy opponent in the quarterfinals (which they've already qualified for with two albeit rather unimpressive wins, especially the latest one over El Salvador).

I've been watching on FS2, which I stream on my phone while my wife watches shows I am less interested in.=)

It's available on some other services too - go to the US soccer official website and look at the schedule, which should show all upcoming matches, men and women, all levels, including where to watch.

Be warned, though, this is definitely our U-20 B team. Or sluggo would say, the C team, who will be playing on Friday. See above for the (few) players sluggo and I have thought looked ok.

---

The game is 7pm Friday on FS1. As my new sicko friend said, the USA has not technically clinched the group. Cuba would have to win by two or more goals, which won't happen as they are unlikely to score a goal. Cuba is not great in soccer and their player constantly defect. Maybe they won't even show up.

The games to watch are the QFs (the game after Friday), which is not scheduled yet, and then the semis or finals will probably be against real teams, Canada or Mexico. This USA team is terrible, but the opponents have been worse. Last night ES should have had four or five players with red cards, they were so dirty. One put our best winger Berchimas on crutches.

If soccer gets reorganized, I hope we join UEFA with Mexico and Canada. I would not mind beating up on helpless teams, but the Central American ones are dirty.

(Which has nothing to do with my appreciation of immigration from all over the world. More of that please.)

Joining UEFA is not realistic due to geography, LA to Tbilissi or Istanbul would be a travel ordeal...

Cal88 said:

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Joining UEFA is not realistic due to geography, LA to Tbilissi or Istanbul would be a travel ordeal...

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Our players are mostly in Europe anyway. It is very realistic. Plus faster planes are coming.

Passenger jets haven't gotten faster in 50 years, 1970s 707s and 747s cruise at the same speed as 787s and Airbuses. We won't see supersonic travel anytime soon.

Also, let's assume the US is lumped into UEFA, it would be orders of magnitude harder to qualify for the World Cup.

Not with 64 teams. We'd get in! And the qualifying games would be great fun!!

But, even with Boomjet, I can't see it happening. It would turn into big 10 and sec, not the World Cup.

UEFA is having an emergency meeting Thursday to fight the Infantino plan. And the head of PSG may challenge him for his position. I can't say I knew his name five minutes ago, but he seems like a reasonable alternative.

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/29/europe-nasser-al-khelaifi-challenge-infantino-fifa-01015898

Terrible choice, he is not even European, does not understand local culture and would probably be for a superleague doing away with the long-standing meritocracy system where clubs get relegated or promoted through their performance on the field.

Cal88 said:

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Terrible choice, he is not even European, does not understand local culture and would probably be for a superleague doing away with the long-standing meritocracy system where clubs get relegated or promoted through their performance on the field.

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1. UEFA has only slightly more than 25% of the votes. Being not European could be an advantage if he has European support. Infantino is European, and he is the problem.
2. He is presumably Muslim, which could help with support.
3. He is tied to big money. Infantino is ruining the game for very little money. Someone needs to promise similar money without ruining the game.
4. He is reported to have fought against the Super League.
5. He does not understand local culture? Sorry, I don't know what that is code for.

Again, I don't know anything about him personally but he seems like he has a nice resume.

Cal88 said:

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Passenger jets haven't gotten faster in 50 years, 1970s 707s and 747s cruise at the same speed as 787s and Airbuses. We won't see supersonic travel anytime soon.

Also, let's assume the US is lumped into UEFA, it would be orders of magnitude harder to qualify for the World Cup.

---

Yes faster jets are still on the drawing board. Someone has to want to build them. I bet Elon Musk does if no one else does. So that solution is probably in 15-20 years, not that long in World Cup time.

The US players are in Europe. No problem. The big problem is the European teams will not want to have qualifiers or Nations League here.

Qualifying would be harder, but the US needs to raise its game. Nothing like a push.

sluggo said:

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Cal88 said:

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Passenger jets haven't gotten faster in 50 years, 1970s 707s and 747s cruise at the same speed as 787s and Airbuses. We won't see supersonic travel anytime soon.

Also, let's assume the US is lumped into UEFA, it would be orders of magnitude harder to qualify for the World Cup.

---

Yes faster jets are still on the drawing board. Someone has to want to build them. I bet Elon Musk does if no one else does. So that solution is probably in 15-20 years, not that long in World Cup time.

---

Lots of plans. Crazy that we had commercial supersonic travel 50 years ago and not now.

https://aerospaceglobalnews.com/news/new-commercial-jets-2030/

Europe says no. Importantly, the article says 50 of 55 countries support the boycott. Concacaf meets tomorrow. Will be interesting. Unbelievably, there are 41 nations in Concacaf. If they teamed with Europe they could likely choose the new leader of their choice. Praying hands emoji.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49488584/uefa-boycott-all-fifa-competitions-protest-world-cup-private-equity-plan

sluggo said:

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Europe says no. Importantly, the article says 50 of 55 countries support the boycott. Concacaf meets tomorrow. Will be interesting. Unbelievably, there are 41 nations in Concacaf. If they teamed with Europe they could likely choose the new leader of their choice. Praying hands emoji.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49488584/uefa-boycott-all-fifa-competitions-protest-world-cup-private-equity-plan

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Please do so, Infantino is evil

sluggo said:

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Europe says no. Importantly, the article says 50 of 55 countries support the boycott. Concacaf meets tomorrow. Will be interesting. Unbelievably, there are 41 nations in Concacaf. If they teamed with Europe they could likely choose the new leader of their choice. Praying hands emoji.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49488584/uefa-boycott-all-fifa-competitions-protest-world-cup-private-equity-plan

---

What is the dynamic at the US soccer federation, are they going to go with FIFA's evil scheme?

The Czechs and others have pulled rank with UEFA, which now claims to be unanimously opposed to the Gigantino scheme.

Statement on behalf of UEFA and its 55 National Associations

— UEFA (@UEFA) July 30, 2026

"UEFA and its 55 member associations stand as one. We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA's proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors.
The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football's greatest sporting legacies. It has been built over generations by players, national teams and supporters across every continent. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.
It is both irresponsible and indefensible that a proposal of such significance for football was conceived in secret and brought to the brink of approval without any meaningful consultation with those entrusted with stewarding the game. This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA's duty as the custodian of world football.
National associations around the world are now presented with an ultimatum: accept the irreversible capture of football's greatest competitions or bear the consequences. This is not a "democratic decision", but governance by intimidation an act of coercion unworthy of an institution entrusted with the stewardship of the global game.
But our opposition goes far beyond process.
The moment external investors acquire ownership interests in FIFA competitions, football changes forever. Commercial return becomes a permanent obligation. Investor expectations become a daily pressure. From that moment onwards, every decision on the international calendar, every decision on competition formats and every decision shaping the future of football is no longer driven by what best serves the game, but by what best serves shareholders.
This model has no place in world football. Football's future cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return. Nor can the interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players and supporters become subordinate to investor returns. Football cannot mortgage its future for financial gain.
Europe's position is clear. We will never lend this model our legitimacy. No one has the moral authority to sell what they merely hold in trust for the next generation.
As a result of today's discussion, no UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership."
Nobody should be in any doubt: UEFA and its national associations will oppose these plans with absolute determination.
There are moments when institutions are judged not by what they are prepared to accept, but by what they refuse to compromise. This is one of those moments.
Some things are simply too important to sell. The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It always will. And so long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale."

🚨 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗜𝗡: All of CONCACAF's 41 nations are having an emergency meeting today.

They have concerns about due process, FIFA's transparency, and why FIFA would need outsourced investment.

— @AdamCrafton_ pic.twitter.com/AOXEXXVyug

— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) July 30, 2026

Thanks. I reported tomorrow, but it must be today. Regarding US Soccer, I think it would take a lot of courage to go against a Trump family proposal. Further, the US plays a disproportionate number of games in red states, I think reflecting their sympathies. On the other hand, our neighbors, outside of El Salvador, hate our government, so there is hope Concacaf as a whole will vote against.

I don't get the Athletic but it seems like Concacaf is also a "no."

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7480502/2026/07/30/concacaf-reject-fifa-world-cup-proposal/

Infantino clearly overplayed his hand. Thankfully.

🚨 BREAKING: All 41 Concacaf members have rejected Gianni Infantino's FIFA Forward Enterprise plans.

"Concacaf is a confederation united by the love of our game, where football comes first. Guided by this philosophy over the past ten years we have built, from the ground up, an… pic.twitter.com/oBhtm0DLCU

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 30, 2026

Data point: UEFA represents 70% of FIFA"s income, flexing its muscles, threatening boycott, I doubt this is going to go through.

European nations have agreed to boycott the World Cup over FIFA’s plans to sell stakes in the tournament to private investors.

The decision was taken at a virtual meeting of the 55 national associations which are members of UEFA, the European football confederation, on Thursday,… pic.twitter.com/EfgDtSZOPK

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) July 30, 2026

70% of FIFA revenue is generated in UEFA.

Premier League world's biggest revenue generating and watched football league.

Champions League is the most watched regional tournament in the world.

Argentinian league makes less revenue than the Belgian league, J League, and… https://t.co/1UPOBYaTLV pic.twitter.com/DzPZHoDJM0

— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) July 30, 2026

Definitely a problem without UEFA. But without CONCACAF and probably with mixed support on CONMEBOL (South America), it would like not even get 50% of the vote. I am going to worry about other things.