KinKAID

The qualification process alone takes at the very least 2 years, maybe more I'm not 100% sure but it's a long and grueling cycle. That's why countries in Europe have the EURO every 4 years as well, it's a major tournament that fills the gap between WC cycles.

Our equivalent to that would be Copa America and for whatever reason, may very well be Gulati's fault but for lack of a better explanation, they just won't let us play. Mexico gets an invitation consistently and in 2015 Jamaica is even being invited after China declined. USA will host Copa America 2016 however, which is indeed strange because it's not a tournament we're generally invited to, but in 2016 we will play and we will host. 

CONCACAF's tournament is the Gold Cup (every 2 years) and it really couldn't matter less. Still nice to play in a tournament though, and of course I'll take any excuse to play Mexico. Win the Gold Cup and you earn a spot in the Confederations Cup (smaller tournament year before WC)
Actually now instead of having to win the Gold Cup on a particular year like in the past, the winners (if more than one) play each other for the Confed spot. (US MNT Gold Cup winners 2013) 

The tone or undertone was because this isn't the first time many of us (football community) has had to hear these silly and ridiculous "ideas", and nothing against you it's just frustrating. Every four years people come along and try to Americanize the sport, which is football btw but that's a completely different discussion. Every four years someone has their suggestion on how it could be done "better".

If you can't appreciate and understand what all happens leading up to a goal (buildup, long crosses, tiki taka, switching of play, etc), then you probably shouldn't watch this sport honestly. It sounds harsh but really that's what it's all about. So much happens in the buildup to a goal, and it's rarely if ever shown on ESPN and even NBCSN (MLS) at times. They really got the Premier League coverage right though, I mean you want to watch this sport at it's truly highest level, wake up Saturday mornings here in the fall because it gets no better than the EPL. Anyway, there's so much more to a goal than just the 1 or 2 passes leading up to it, you can literally hear the buildup with the crowds too, at least in EPL. 

Case in point Germany 7 Brasil 1. The hosts were humiliated like never before, and don't think that this is anywhere near commonplace or even the occasional result. It isn't, nowhere near it, Brasil suffered their worst loss since the 30's I believe, and it was on their home soil to make it that much worse. Anyway 7-1 ft, 5 goals in the first half and 3 in the second and it was one of the most dreadful matches you could really ever watch. Huge letoff for a WC semifinal, unless you're a Germany supporter or just watching to see Brasil's ultimate and spectacular demise. The ripples of this haven't even began to set in yet, in fact the waves are still in motion for Brasil, who might as well be out in the ocean right now. Anyway my point would be that goals do not always produce a great product.

The offside rule is perfect, exceptional even if it weren't for the borderline incompetent at times referee's assistants. Each season, and each tournament passes with the hopes that "they'll get it right" and it hasn't happened yet. Better and more extensive training is needed, period, because it is unacceptable to have both a man a foot offside score a goal that stands, and a man 2 feet onside score a goal and it be disallowed. But the answer is certainly not to do away with the rule.

As far as MLS goes, the product, attendance and viewers have all consistently been growing in the last 5 years at least. We might not have the best domestic league, but at the moment we don't even get a chance to compete with any. The only competition MLS can play in (at the moment) is CONCACAF Champions League, which the winner of earns a spot in the FIFA Club WC, and there's been opportunities but so far no MLS team has won CCL(in it's current format) So, you can make the argument that we don't deserve to play with the top sides. I do feel there should be a tournament or competition with some of the mid to lower leagues in the world but we're not allowed in Europe or elsewhere at the moment. MLS is just about both attendance and quality wise level with Championship football (English 2nd tier) as it stands. I'm sure that can be argued as well, MLS is definitely improving though.

First of all to say The Beautiful Game needs to change just to accomodate for people in America is both asinine and arrogant. This is the number one most popular sport in the world, both modern and historically, hands down. No contest, in fact it's not even a conversation, but yet people in this country constantly feel that it needs changing and an injection of "excitement"? I say "excitement" in quotations because there's plenty of it already, you just have to fully understand the sport, and most in the US don't even have a clue, nor do they want one really.

Baseball is one of the most mundane, boring to watch, un-athletic "sports" ever created, and yet people continuously boast about it being "America's past time". Comical really, at the very least ironic.

Any rule changes that may be needed are tweaks more than anything, and the continual clock is not and never will be one of them. Why would you want the clock to stop? So you can watch beer and car ads every time there's a stoppage in play? There's a reason the clock doesn't stop and that's because the match doesn't stop. The ball going out of play is irrelevant and any injury or stoppage time is noted by the ref and added on at the end of that half. Usually no more than 5 minutes unless extreme circumstances occur. It's not a secret that's kept from anyone, and it's certainly not a way the refs are "controlling" the game.

If you want simulation (diving, flops) to stop, referees need to issue bookings for it and do it on a regular basis. Blatant ones in the penalty area are deserving of a red card for me, you know the risk going in, and therefore would be more likely to exhibit "fair play". Most infractions would likely be yellow cards though. This would immediately cut down on simulation in and around the penalty area. Increase the penalty for it and players would be less likely to try and get away with it.

Injuries/Stretchered off - This is one of the most frustrating things right now imo, even more so than simulation. If a player has to be stretchered off or even taken off the pitch, they shouldn't be able to return for at least a minute or so. Too many times you see someone barely limping off or even taken off on the stretcher, only to return to the pitch immediately. Frustrating, and I do agree that something must be done to curtail the exaggerated injury claims.

Anything else is outlandish and ignorant. As far as substitutions, I could possibly see allowing 1 extra sub if the match goes to extra time. Anything else is unnecessary. In other words football is chess, not checkers, and everything that the manager has at his disposal (tactics, formations, subs, clock management, etc, etc) goes into his strategy. An absolute perfect example of this would be Van Gaal bringing in Krul before the penalty shootout with Costa Rica.

Removing the offside rule would be one of the absolute worst things you could ever do to the game. A close second would be shortening the size of the pitch. Only skilled teams and defenses can work the offside trap like we saw with Costa Rica, if you can do it then yes it's a vital weapon to have in your arsenal, but if you get bit on it, your opponent is now in on goal 1 v 1 with the goalkeeper. Better training is needed though because far too often the referee's assistant gets it wrong, and sometimes obviously wrong.

Just because a match ends 0-0 or 1-0 doesn't mean there wasn't action, excitement and intensity. One of the hardest things in all of sport is to score a goal, that's why you see players the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Rooney, Ibrahimovic, Suarez, etc, etc, etc being paid absurd amounts of money by their clubs, because even after all the work has been done in the build up (and that's where the excitement stems from) you still have to put the ball in the back of the net. It's also why you see people in the stands and the broadcast booth alike going mental when it happens, because it is a huge deal. Football is not all about scoring goals though, that's just how we keep score.

As far as MLS attendance, it's now the 3rd most attended major sport in the US behind only the NFL and MLB, narrowly beating out both the NBA and NHL. Also it is the only sport who's average attendance continues to grow year after year. Also it's the 8th most attended league in the world, ranking slightly higher than the Championship division (2nd tier) of English football.

Scratch that....

X BOX 360 - AFC Droski 2010

Literally the only game I own/play. New version the day it comes out every year, lol (WC 2014 is trash btw, arcade feel garbage)

You really want a challenge, test? FIWC. FIFA Interactive World Cup. Only on PS3 right now though. Massive world-wide competition that concludes at the World Cup I think this time, never gonna be able to play enough games to really be in the hunt but the competition is a lot higher than standard "Seasons".

Anyway yeah FIFA is a big big part of my football journey. Fantasy is something else that adds yet another layer on top of the cake, the knowledge and information that you absorb is really something. And of course since it couldn't hurt our current ordeal, COYW!!!

360 - AFC Angelo

PS3 - FULHAMERICA FC

Just locked in with West Ham PK -150 pretty heavy. Their table position and history say one thing but quality is another and Crystal Palace hasn't had any in quite some time.

West Ham keep it tight at the back while moving methodically through the midfield. Plenty of attacking options for the Hammers today with Noble, Nolan and Carlton Cole who has recently been getting back in form. Joe Cole and Maiga both start from the bench but who is to be feared so much from Palace??

Chamakh CAN score doesn't mean he ever will. Jerome I'd be more anxious about than Chamakh, Puncheon in the midfield but that's it. Pulis is a decent gaffer but in the end West Ham's quality should win out for me. Crystal Palace is just not a side worthy of being in the Premier League.

Hammers win 2-0

For good reason. Line should be around -330 for me. PSG are miles ahead of Anderlecht, it would take an errant red or an injury. 

Just locked in at -230 and hit the -1 @ -145 as well

For me the strongest play on the board today is PSG. Anderlecht have proven time and time again they have no business being in this competition. They made Olympiakos look untouchable losing 3-0 away. Benfica, a side I feel is over rated a bit went to Belgium and beat Anderlecht 2-0. PSG is in top form right now scoring goals seemingly at will and just enjoying their football. They top the group only conceding once and don't expect it to happen today. Winners of their last 5 in all competitions and they're simply a much better side than their Belgian opponents today. 

PSG -235
PSG -1 (-145)

After PSG for me it's Moyes's United. They haven't been the most convincing at times but this is a great opportunity to try and get things back on track. Sociedad much like Anderlecht are an inferior team and they're not in the best run of form either. Only 2 wins through 9 matches in Liga and 0 points in UCL. Expect a Rooney/RVP combo and United to nurse another slight lead unless they finally find one to put it away. Either way this shouldn't be too worry some, even for Moyes' United. 

United -210

No value in the Bayern match for me and really not much in Madrid either. I can't lay -1 against an opponent like Juve and -190 is too heavy for the same reason. Over is 3 so no reason to move there either. Probably just going to watch those 2. Pass on the Galatasaray as well unless you want to fire at the -270 but that's too high for me with a side like the Turks.

I do however like a few DRAW/dogs. Best kind of dog  

Really in no order as far as strength, CSKA Moskva at home are a different side than they are away. Pellegrini is already complaining about the pitch, rightfully so but the seeds are being planted. Add that City have Chelsea on the weekend and throw our Kompany for today's match?? I'll take my chances on a big payoff with CSKA, Doumbia back today for the Russians as well. My gut tells me this goes over too. 

DRAW +285
CSKA +425

After that it's Olympiakos who Anderlecht made look PSG like a few weeks ago. They can score though and Benfica certainly aren't untouchable. They leak goals and aren't always able to find theirs in big moments. I'll take my chances again especially the form they're in. 

DRAW +280
Olympiakos +420

Last one for me is the Ukrainians. Shaktar Donetsk doesn't get enough credit IMO and they've been playing inspired top football for a few years now. Even without Willian this side scores goals, they demonstrated that to Arsenal a few campaigns ago and Chelsea last year. Not to mention that Shaktar absolutely love the big stage. Leverkeusen even at home should never be this heavily favored. Keisling is one thing but Leverkeusen leak goals and if somehow the machine that is Keisling is shut off then it's lights out in Germany. Slight lean on the over. 

DRAW +280
Shaktar +340

Best of luck with your plays and if you have one for me to add by all means let me know! Cheers everyone look forward to some good entertaining football today! 

City should not be favored like they are IMO they travel very poorly and the pitch is absolute garbage from what's being reported. CSKA are a tough side especially at home and now they get Doumbia back. 

PSG though I love. No stronger play on the board today than PSG. -235, -1, -1.5 even 2 if you can get the line. Anderlecht have no business being in this competition and they're results show it. Once Suarez left in the window so did the goals. Sorry Sacha your club is just not good enough. PSG rolls today with ease. 

United seem strong to me, not at -1 though

Shaktar is a quality side that usually plays up to their competition in CL. Leverkeusen are good, but certainly not untouchable. They do concede goals and although Kiesling is a machine they still remain vulnerable in areas

Wouldn't play this other than an over, actually truth be told I kind of like a DRAW/Shaktar combination here a lot like DRAW/Olympiakos and DRAW/CSKA. 

United seem to be a strong play here today. Both Moyes and the team knows what CL means and the sluggish run of form they've shown lately. They need this and everyone knows it. Of course it helps that they're opponent is Sociedad who are in no form at all. Your Villareal reference was spot on. Probably going to lay the -210 here, -1 always makes me nervous with Moyes' Utd.

Call me crazy but I think CSKA can get a result today. City already don't travel well and now they go to Russia midweek to play on a shite choppy pitch? No Dzagoev for the Russians but Seydou Doumbia is back and he links well with Honda. Also doesn't City have Chelsea on the weekend? No Kompany either which leaves them exposed in the centre, even if Joleon is the replacement. When they're on they're on but more times than not this season City have been off, miserably at times away. Doesn't get more away than Russia. DRAW +295 and CSKA +425 for me just look at that value. 

Olympiakos is another one that screams value. Decent side, impressive away at times and Benfica isn't exactly instilling fear into anyone at the moment. DRAW +280 and Olympiakos +420 wow how can I say no? 

Mistake to take Palace here, even if they are at home. We haven't exactly played top football this season but a result is a must away for Fulham today.

Can't exactly speak for Jol but I expect to see Berbatov, Ruiz, and some combination of either Rodallege/Bent. Leaning more on Hugo though because we like to bring Darren off the bench late. Scotty Parker should be back fit as well. 

Only one win/result on the campaign for Palace and that was 1 point Sunderland. Fulham looking for all 3 away today 

Honduras away to the Reggaeboys but if the Hondurans field any kind of adequate starting XI they should win this. Jamaica are not on the level of the rest of the Hexagonal sides and it's shown all campaign. My only hesistation here is Honduras don't really need to win here. A draw and they qualify, I just don't think Jamaica has the quality to keep them out. Wouldn't totally surprise me to see a rout here but I do like Honduras, also over 2.

Panama PK is tempting especially at EV value. They need a win and a Mexico loss to take the 4th spot and bump Mexico out. In fact it's the only time you'll ever see me cheering against my beloved Yanks, and only because I hate Mexico. Hope to see a miracle tonight but Panama have it all to play for and we're (US MNT) already topped the group and are sending a young lineup into a difficult away with Panama.

Honduras -110
Hon/Jam OV 2
Panama PK
Pan/US OV 2

Cheers boys 

Uruguay NTL and over here for me pretty big. I just can't see this Uruguayan side lose here, as talented as they are they should actually take all 3 away. Luis Suarez is a man that's really enjoying his football at the moment and so is Cavani with new life at his new club. Ecuador just do not match up with Uruguay, even though they are at home here. 

Really hope to see a rout, call it wishful but I could see it. Lugano, Godin tight at the back. Rodriguez roaming the midfield. 

Uruguay NTL and over 2.5

Anybody firing at the -325 Tipsarovic??

GOT EM BOYS! Game set and match and the -200 has been cashed!

See you lads at the ticket window

Missed on the first

Double match point here just need one!

Slight edge to Pops if we go to a tiebreak. Hasn't lost a point on his last 8 serves

Pops! Jesus my son you had the whole court for 0-30 and you put it long!