The Soccer Thread (Version 13) — Winter World Cup Edition

Kansas City star, that's what I are
Yodel-odel-ady, ya ought see my car
It's a big ole Cadillac with wire wheels
Got rhinestones on the spokes
Got credit down at the grocery store
And my barber tells me jokes
I'm the No. 1 attraction at every supermarket parking lot
I'm the king of Kansas City, no thanks, Omaha, thanks a lot.

-- Roger Miller

 

I’m obviously in the bag for United, but Ronaldo in 2003-04 was the most exciting young player I’ve ever seen (M’Bappe at Monaco and Neuer at Schalke were close). But given his ego, it was only going to end this way. Portugal at its best wasn’t half the team of Argentina so it’s silly to compare WC results as some sort of ultimate test between him and Messi.

 

Worth noting that Portugal's biggest trophy, Euro 2016, came when Ronaldo was out injured after 20 something minutes of the final.

 

He was pretty good that tournament and generally has been an excellent player for the national team.

 

No question. He actually was kind of effective in absentia in the final after he went out hurt. Paul Pogba, whose assignment had clearly been to mark Ronaldo come what may, just sort of wandered about aimlessly through the match after Ronaldo went out.

 

Auld Firm live on CBS Sports Network. Complete with magnificent Scottish accents on the call.

 

You know it’s a great rivalry when they have to play the matches at around noon before the fans get too liquored up.

 

There's a large Celtic supporters club a five-minute walk from my house, buddy of mine was there this morning and they were getting into the meat pies, sausage rolls and pints of Tennents well in advance of kickoff. I watched it on his Celtic TV account

 

All class, this operation.

 

Seems somebody was trying to blackmail Berhalter.

 

I suspect that Berhalter is deflecting from a more recent/substantial issue, but it's just a theory. I don't want these to be the terms under which we move on from him.

 

The whole thing is very strange. Obviously, that type of violence is not acceptable, but if they are telling the truth, a single drunken altercation when you are 18/19 seems like pretty weak sauce to throw dirt at him for 30 years later.