joey barton

People gonna keep ducking Arman and Damir

Not that surprising, but it’s been a really good card

I’ve actually really liked Donovan. I find him genuinely insightful without being overbearing about it (e.g., at half of US game, suggested that the US rotate central midfielders out wide to open up space for Pulisic/Weah vs. Clint saying that the US needs to be brave). He’s always been kind of a fricking weirdo as far as athletes go, so maybe that has caused me to temper my expectations

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by their coverage, but I may just not have the energy to get worked up about it

They grow up playing in hyper competitive youth programs financed by professional soccer teams. While it’s a romantic idea, players don’t just play in the street until 18 then get on a plane to Europe

I remember being really excited then having my optimism crushed by Jan Koller dicking over Eddie Pope and Oguchi Onyewu within like 10 minutes

His replacement just got styled on near post

Onana excluded because he won’t play as a “more traditional” goalkeeper has to be the most African goalkeeper shite ever

No, unless this is a separate event, they used an Iranian flag with the emblem of the Islamic Republic removed

Unnecessary distraction given the press conference described above, but not the most indefensible stance of all time

I have no idea how this interview is getting aired in its entirety

Yeah, Kattar doesn’t contort himself mid-flying knee in a desperate attempt to get Allen back, no injury

Allen pretty ruthlessly seized on it, though

I’m sure it’s a pandering and/or self-assigned title, but it’s an active city, and there’s a lot sporting infrastructure pretty close to the city center - opposite the Botanic Gardens (which has a cool little public running track around it, the Tan). In the grand scheme of things, I’m sure there are multiple cities with a better claim to the title, but it’s a cool city from a sports perspective.