World Football (Soccer): Season 2018-19

Mourinho is getting turfed before Christmas. We should have a pool going. He's talking like he usually does when he knows he's toast but won't walk away from the cash. So he's going to make everyone as miserable as he is until he gets canned with the full payout.

And Eden Hazard is leaving London Town for Real Madrid, right? Think we may see a world record fee set this summer. I love his talent though he doesn't have Ronaldo's persona. Will be interesting to see if he thrives in Madrid. Or washes out.

BBC report last night that the English Premier League may be at a disadvantage in transfers, because the window closes next Thursday August 9, day before league play begins, while the other big European leagues have until later in the month to complete transfers and loans.

Hope all the lads are enjoying their holidays and getting ready to get back to business.

Can't wait for the Ligue 1 to restart. I love PSG with Mbappé, Cavani and Neymar at the front. Great team to watch.

Nobody gives a damn about soccer. Talk about a real sport.

I watch mostly Premier league. La Liga sometimes, definitely the el classico.

It's the 3rd year curse for Jose. I saw him during preseason tour with Chelsea before he was fired, also it was that season with the female doctor incident. He was drinking heavily...Some fans said they could smell the booze on him, it was late at night.

R5, Sure Jan

[quote] Nobody gives a damn about soccer. Talk about a real sport.

Football is the biggest, most watched sport on the planet. Only Americans discredit it because they suck at it and can only qualify in the word cup when they host.

Worse, what the US call "football" is rugby with a lot of walking around and protective gear. Pussy rugby, basically. It's a joke.

Time for the US to get some balls and join the rest of the world in real sporting competitions.

Hey , how about a sport where you can, say, use your hands? People have been trying to push soccer on the US for decades, to no avail.

Football--not American football, obviously--requires creative flair, speed, and intense athleticism. So you are right, R9, it may not be a sport for the US. (I grew up watching sports like American football and baseball, and you couldn't get me to watch them again, ever; the slowness, the dullness, is too much).

R10, yeah , there is nothing more exciting than hours of a soccer game culminating in a 1-0 score.

R11 didn't watch this summer's World Cup. Obviously, taking 4 hours to watch a "60 minute" football game is much more exciting. Run a play for 5 seconds. Take 5 minutes to call penalties, refs confer, move the chain. Players huddle and coaches mastermind next play. Go to commercial. Rinse and repeat for the next 4 hours.

[quote]Mourinho is getting turfed before Christmas. We should have a pool going. He's talking like he usually does when he knows he's toast but won't walk away from the cash. So he's going to make everyone as miserable as he is until he gets canned with the full payout.

The boy's losing it! He looks like shit. Remember when he was everything you could want in a football manager: handsome, well-groomed, expensively dressed. Now he looks like he's coming off a three-day bender, unshaved, bags under his eyes and a little black cloud over his head.

It took me a while to warm up to low-scoring games, even nil-nil draws, r11. Sure, a match with a goal or two in each half is more exciting, but I have watched some great games that end with low scores and draws.

Where you really miss the appeal of European football league games to me is when you suggest they go too long. No, it's a firm commercial-free 45 minutes per half, plus "stoppage time" each half which rarely exceeds 4 minutes. Halftime is a quick 15. No match except in tournaments when single elimination is played lasts more than two hours The only reason a match might go slightly over two hours (most are a bit under) would be excessive injury time.

Preliminary 2018-19 Premier League schedule of matches (or "fixtures," as they say).

Subject to change and incomplete; there are some blank Sundays in there and the week between Christmas and New Years Day, when there are usually matches every day, is not all set yet.

My favorite Team!!! Up the Irons!!!

Real Madrid is staying in a hotel just 5 min walk from me. Too bad I'm not a fan of theirs. But that Asensio is super cute and very talented! I might walk by to see if I see him. It's gonna be in the 90s tomorrow. I wonder if their fans will be braving the heat to see them outside the hotel. Last time they came, it was crazy outside the hotel. the whole sidewalk was packed 5 deep. And CR7 didn't even come then. But there are less stars on this tour.

pretty hot. he kisses him back in the next picture.

I abhor footie. The only reason I take an interest in the Mundial is because that's the only thing the entire planet - with the exception of the Yanks and Aussies - talks about for a month.

So it's Thibaut Courtois who is pushing for a move to Real Madrid and not Hazard. He's AWOL from training camp for the last two days. Reason given is that he wants to be near his two kids who live with his ex in Madrid.

NBCSN has a live EPL Transfer Deadline Day special tomorrow (Thursday 8/9) starting at 11 am eastern and running until the window closes.

Then the season starts Friday with Man U playing Leicester City in the Friday night game, late afternoon in the US.

[quote]NBCSN has a live EPL Transfer Deadline Day special tomorrow (Thursday 8/9) starting at 11 am eastern and running until the window closes.

Find a stream for Sky Sports instead.

A few weeks after watching a lot of this year's World Cup, I watched an MLS game (Kansas City versus... someone). The talent drop-off was astounding. Which I knew, of course, but it was almost laughable. Looking forward to seeing the PL's Burnley play again, if NBCSports will ever deign to show them. I like the Clarets because they play as a team, not as a bunch of overpaid stars.

Alas, the start of the Premier League also means the start of NFL and "throwball."

Thanks for reminding me, will dvr the program!

I went too late to the hotel and didn’t see ascensio but on my way home, I saw Isco with Real Madrid staff walking into Tao. They sneaked out via the back door. Wiki lists him as 5 ‘9”, he looked shorter than that

Season opener Manchester United v Leicester City at Old Trafford about to start. Jesus, what a dour presence United's "legendary" manager Jose Mourinho is. Bitch, bitch, bitch from him. Will he survive until the season ends in May?

Check that-- in minute two, Penalty scored already by World Cup winner Pogba!

Schmeichel's save of Lukaku's attempt was brilliant

Schmeichel can GET IT.

There were a couple of good goals (headers all) in that 2-1 win for Tottenham Hotspur over Newcastle today. Including a great one by the lovely and talented Dele Alli, England national. Harry Kane continues his tradition of not scoring in August.

Arsenal is shit as usual

I came here for the mess and to know about who is gay, bi or bearding. I guess this is not it. Peace

Here you go, R31

Nobody cares about soccer.

I have no use for the players. I want Mauricio Pochettino in me deeply.

Wayne Rooney's still got it

Arsenal just got a bad draw. Man City for the first league game. Chelsea for the second. Let's see how they do for the other 36 games. Though, admittedly, they looked very lackluster this weekend.

Looks like it's going to be between City and Liverpool this season.

Why was Kyle Martino calling the Man City-Arsenal match with Arlo White while Graeme Le Saux was in the studio? Kyle was fine (less yelly than ESPN's Taylor Twellman), but I missed Arlo and Graeme's rapport. (Yeah, this is what I was thinking about while watching Arsenal flop around. That and Not-Arsene's ginormous wristwatch. And the fact that Arsenal's Sokratis appears to be packing.)

Ozil is so overrated

Yes, Liverpool looked good but it was only weat ham, but still it’s a good start

I think hector bellerin might be gay (arsenal). He wants to be a fashion designer after football

R37, I love Arlo and Graeme in the box for the big games too, but this an "on location" weekend where both Robbies and Kyle were in England and each got a turn in the booth to call the game with Arlo. I wonder if contract negotiations for future seasons are underway with all of them, even the divine Rebecca, since NBC is clearly boosting Arlo White.

Liverpool looked great on Sunday, bitches!

I'm looking forward to Spurs opening their new stadium next month. Sept 15 hosting L'pool unless construction delays. There is a Monday night game a week from today and I hope that it will be followed by the season premiere of Men in Blazers.

Harry Kane finally scored in August

Tim Parker is the sex

Come on, another football weekend about to begin. What's the story with the "security" delay in opening the new stadium for Tottenham Hotspur? Is Manchester United's fabled manager Mourinho really going crazy or is he just done with the team and ready to leave, or both?

And what about the Wolves? I'm rooting for them to stay in.

I love Ronaldo but can't get excited to watch Serie A. I'll stay tuned for The Champions League

Mourinho has always seemed bipolar and unmedicated, R43. All the signs are there: the zany highs, the miserable, apathetic lows . . . He's always claimed that he envied Wenger for having near-lifetime tenure, yet he's repeatedly driven to force owners to fire him.

R44, I've learned to like Serie A, though it will never be my favorite league. I think it will work well for Cristiano: fans treat their players like gods, and they love beautiful play. Italian ultras, though, can be very scary.

Hey, NBCSports, why the hate for Burnley? And, no, I'm not buying your Gold package just to see my favorite team. Eff off.

I like the Clarets because they play as a team, not as a bunch of overpriced position players. And Turf Moor isn't a megastadium built for revenue-raising corporate boxes so the cameras are closer.

Hugo Lloris has been charged with drink driving. Why do these people do this? If you're that nauseatingly rich, why not call a taxi?

They don't call them "dumb jocks" for nothing, R47.

Wolves played a great first half against Man City just now, including an incredible save by the goalkeeper and a brilliant goal that was just offsides. 0-0 at half.

The Spurs v Man United match Monday should be interesting ( though the Monday "night" games are in the afternoon on work days for us in the US)

SALAH!! Great goal! Liverpool can take the lead on the table today, as City dropped points earlier this morning.

Why no Arlo White in the booth for NBC today? He always calls the network games.

Salah is so sexy. I could imagine him riding my dong his entire torso covered in sweat and his hair damp.

Spurs 3, Man Utd 0. Oh dear, Mourinho...

Who couldn't see this coming? The minute Mourinho was linked with MU, you could see the 3rd season meltdown on the horizon. So predictable. He always, always forces everyone to be so fucking miserable that they fire him and he rides off into the sunset with the full payout. But he's done it one time too many now and at one of the biggest global clubs. Where does he go now? Who is going to hire him in England? Spain's out. So now it's going to be a step-down to lesser leagues and clubs. Or the Portuguese national team. His days at the biggest clubs in the world are over unless he turns it around in MU or at his next job and proves he can be relied upon. But I doubt he can arrest the slide.

Jose walking out of a press conference:

He's fucking lost it. Actually, he lost it during his last season with Chelsea, but MU were fool enough to hire him.

Works out well for me as I can't stand either MU and Mourinho.

Surely, Jose has enough money in the bank that he need never work again. Walk away, Jose... And keep walking.

In other news, I was happy to see Kyle Martino clean-shaven and with a tidy haircut on NBCSports before the Arsenal-WestHam match. He looked 10 years younger and hot(-adjacent) again.

So Clint Dempsey has retired, effective immediately, from the Seattle Sounders. Why "immediately"? He could have played out the rest of the season as a sub. Pretty fantastic career, though, both in the US and UK. I wonder what he'll do next, if anything. He'd never be hired as a commentator since he's got mushmouth and usually sounds surly. And I don't see him playing in Mexico like Landycakes.

Well, to the Burnley fan above: they're on NBCSN today, and sadly getting beat by United. But it may not be enough to save Mourinho, now will it?

Liverpool on top of the table; first season to win the four opening games in like 25 years. Manchester City dropped points. It's off to a good and unpredictable start in the Premier League.

International break coming up--please post about what happens in those matches between now and when league play resumes, bitches.

Is it worth watching the US Mens National Team on Friday? I hardly recognize any of the (painfully young) players since the great loss and purge. (Although Sebastian Lletget can GET it.)

Jose, for the last 2 games, went out to thank the fans after the matches! He went over to clap them, sign autographs and take pics. He usually goes straight back to the locker room.

He's safe for now. But he knows Zidane is waiting

R59, I will watch, I don't know many of the players, they are in NJ. I will be watching for the Brazilian players.

I don't know if you guys are in the USA but this year Turner sports has the broadcast rights to Champions League and Europa League so no more annoying Alexi lalas from fox sports but they will be showing less games. The matches this year will take place at 12 55pm and at another after that. So there will be double headers of soccer matches. Last year, I believe all the matches were played at 245pm.

they only gonna show the matches on TNT. the rest of the games will be streamed on B/R app which is subscription based. Trying to screw the consumer...big surprise. They only intend to broadcast the Europa League final on TNT (rest of them stream).

good news is, there is still univision, unimas, gala vision. they will be showing the games as well. I don't intend to subscribe to B/R app. fuck that shit.

Does anyone here use ESPN+ to watch soccer? I refuse to pay $50/year for it, but that's mainly because I've become used to recording Premier League matches on my DVR (no, I haven't cut the cable, thanks) because the matches are invariably on at 7:00 a.m. or earlier here in California and I'm not getting up that early on a weekend. Since I watch matches on tape delay, I can fast forward through half time or rewind a bit if I miss some commentary or a player uses his jersey to wipe the sweat off his face and shows off a nice flat stomach (what? I'm only human). Can't do any of that with ESPN+, I'm guessing. Too bad, since ESPN seems to have shunted most of its MLS programming to the app. There are only two MLS teams I pay attention to, and neither are broadcast as often as they used to be.

No I don't use ESPN +, I have access to it but I haven't used it yet.

2 possible gay footballers in Man City. These 2 have matching rings. Went away on vacation and in one of their insta stories, is a pic of them 2 "sampre juntas hermosa" (always beautiful together) Te Ama (she loves you) with heart emoji.

the insta story is in the profile linked. Aymeric Laporte. the other player is Brahim Díaz.

What is Nation's League? Is this new competition? or did they just change the name?

Sorry to hear that England lost in its first game since the great summer adventure in World Cup. In a game that apparently counts in some complicated way for Europe 2020, or whatever. And I believe it was only available in the US on some subscription service, sadly.

I am so into Premier League on weekend mornings that this weekend, with the break, gave me a chance to catch up on some things, like sleeping in and doing laundry.

Spain just beat Croatia 6-0! Did not see that one coming.

Croatia is probably still exhausted after the World Cup. Spain, not so much.

International break over, the best game of the weekend may be the first one: Liverpool at Tottenham in Wembley Stadium (since the new Spurs stadium isn't ready yet). 7:30 am tomorrow in the eastern US.

It was supposed to be the opening game in the new stadium, but delays...

Two things, R170: When is Spurs' new stadium supposed to kinda maybe scheduled to open? And do you follow the Premier League in general (i.e., will watch pretty much any match) or do you only follow certain clubs? I only follow Burnley and Arsenal and very rarely watch other matches with clubs I have no interest in. Just curious! (Burnley v Wolves on Sunday; thanks NBCS! It starts at 4:30 a. here in CA, which is why I keep my DVR.)

R71, Their new stadium is behind schedule and probably over budget. They are so poor, they didn't even sign a new player this past transfer window. They are saying they may have to play the whole season at Wembley.

I watch the big teams. And there are programs like goal zone where they show highlights of all the matches.

R71, sorry for your loss this morning. I like Burnley, too--and good for them for making to Europa League after their results last season.

Tough loss to Wolves today, but good on Wolverton for stepping up as a newly promoted team.

Meanwhile, bottom of table, zero points West Ham beating Everton 2-1 at 60 minutes right now. Upset in progress?

No worries, R74. It's a long season. I'm sure the Clarets will be mid-table soon enough.

Liverpool up 2-1 over Paris Saint Germain at 67 minutes, in the opening day of group matches in EUFA Champions League. Live in the US on TNT

I agree, weirdly, better here than on Fox!

Salah scored a clever disallowed goal for L'pool that would have made it 3 to 1 at home, early in 2nd half.

The new PSG kits are truly a bit over the top, then, aren't they, being honest?

R76, from a distance, it looks like the PSG players have giant white crosses on their chests. I'm not sure that's the inclusive message the club wants to send.

Oh, and Firmino wins it for Liverpool at the death.

Mourinho's 3rd Season Spiral of Death continues afoot. MU loses to League 2 Derby in a We don't give a fuck Cup. Still..League 2...And already 8 points behind Liverpool in the league. It's not going well is it?

This encounter between Pogba and Mourinho is like a scene from EastEnders

Anyone watching Champions League? Manchester United is not playing well, score is 0-0 Vs Valencia. I think Jose is gonna be axed this week. That's the word on the street.

Bumping for the start of another football weekend before another international break.

Big Liverpool/Man City game on Sunday. With two attacking teams, this one should be good.

No score yet in the Liverpool v Man City match, 35 minutes in at Anfield

Did Mourinho save his job at Man United yesterday, coming back from 2-nil down to win 3-2 at home? His press conference afterward was typically bizarre. "If it rains in London, and I am in London tomorrow, they blame me. If there is problems with the Brexit, they blame me. Hunting man. I don't accept" (paraphrasing, please look it up if you don't believe me).

Arsenal looked great today, yeah?

LFC versus MC has been a bit shit actually. So much for two exciting attacking teams. One of them will probably win it with one solitary great or flukey goal. MC need Kevin De Bruyne to come back soon. Silva is brilliant of course, but MC could do with KDB's magic passes.

Salah has missed a few chances.

Sane has come on and watch....he's gonna score and win the game.

Or Sturridge....he's on too.

Jesus (Gabriel) is a bit crap isn't he? Can't believe Pep benched Kun for awhile in favor of JG.

Penalty! Christ!

I was about to say a draw would satisfy both

R87, and it may yet have to do. What a miss!

Fuck, Mahrez's penalty is still orbiting in space.

Really need KDB to come back.

Jesus gives all his earnings to his mommy. His mom give him allowance. He's a very good boy. lol. Still teenager.

Early yet, but we have a race for the Trophy, right? City, Chelsea and L'pool all on 20 points, only goal diff separating them

I watched 2 episodes of the amazon series on Man City. There is no way Jesus understands a fucking word Pep says. He speaks so fast and his accent is thick. Jesus barely speaks english. I wonder if he understand what pep was saying to him at the end of the match...poor boy looks like he was almost in tears.

Chelsea's shorts seem to be designed so you can imagine what each guy would look like bent over. Azpilicueta and Alonso particularly look like they are begging to be fucked in those clinging shorts.

Arsenal kits will now be designed by Adidas. no more tight fitting pumas kits

My dear Sons of Odin from Iceland, what the Hell has happened to you? You had victory in your hands until 86' and then... everything fell apart! First, an own goal and then Mbappé scores. One does not simply let Mbappé unsupervised!

But I love you anyway... Fight harder next time!

Croatia hosting England live on ESPN2 right now, but there are literally no spectators in the stands. What is that about?!!

The fuck, right?

R96, something to do with a swastika appearing on a pitch prepared by Croatian groundskeepers. It’s meant as a sanction for that team.

Wow, thanks r97. Fascinating how UEFA (FIFA?) actually puts some teeth into its anti-racism campaign.

Can anyone think of any infraction that would result in any US professional game being played "behind closed doors?"

R98, it's very difficult to think of that ever happening. US sports are run in a very bland, corporate way; it's all about keeping the advertisers happy.

match fixing in champions league.

French champions PSG eased to a simple 6-1 victory over the Serbian side on October 3 - with Neymar crashing home an impressive hat-trick at the Parc des Princes.

But in the days leading up to the match, UEFA received a tip off that a senior official at Red Star Belgrade, who has not been identified, along with accomplices, were ready to place a mega bet on their outfit to lose heavily.

According to L'Equipe, a member of the Red Star travelling party bet €5million, or £4.3m, on the Serbian side to lose the fixture by five goals.

Russia beating Turkey 1-0 at the hour mark from Sochi, live on one of the ESPN channels, Nations League.

Can't wait til regular league play resumes later this week. Too early for me to care too much about international play.

Jamie Vardy BENCHED as Leicester City takes on West Ham, just now. Possibly because he's been critical of the LC manager on social media?

We hate Vardy anyway here at DL, right?

The helicopter that Leicester City owner uses crashed outside the stadium after the match.

I did not watch the game. I do not know who is in the chopper. RIP.

R103, they are still holding off announcing who was in the helicopter, although all the reporting is implying that Leicester City's owner was killed in the crash.

Weird that, at least on NBC (with a rare Sunday game on the main network, Man United up 1-nil over Everton after controversial penalty) there is STILL no confirmation of who was on that LC helicopter that crashed.

The best game of the weekend could be tomorrow's at Wembley, probably with NFL striping still on the pitch, between Tottenham and Man City.

I don’t understand why is it taking so long to confirm who was on the helicopter....they left from the pitch last night...surely there were witnesses who saw the group board the flight.

They said it was the owner and 2 pilots.

At first they said his daughter was on board too but now they are saying she was not.

From accounts of eye witnesses, there was a problem with the tail and the chopper spinning and crashing. the officers on scene tried to get the passengers out (there was already a fire) but then there was an explosion and the fire too hot and couldn't. They tried to break window etc.

I saw the wreck. Hard to believe anyone survived that.

Also, when the ambulances left the scene, the lights were not flashing...I wonder if already dead on scene etc.

His son is flying to UK from Asia.

Owner was only 61 years old. too young.

This might be the longest Saturday of Premier League football broadcast in the US ever: Man United already defeated Bournemouth; Leister at Cardiff just started (along with other games); Arsenal v L'pool at 1:30 eastern on NBC; and then a Saturday "night" game Wolves v Spurs at 3:45.

As an aside, I love the two weekends of poppies for Remembrance of the end of WWI and other vets (100 years next weekend)

Bit of opportunistic grab ass in Italy!

In the least surprising move of the season, Manchester United have sacked Mourinho.

This is a sad day for United haters.

Geez, if US Soccer had continued farting around looking for a new USMNT manager for a few more weeks they could have had Jose instead of Greg. And wouldn't THAT have been a (highly entertaining) shitstorm.

Gee are you kidding? Jose would never coach US soccer team. Maybe he coach German team next.

Totally kidding -- Jose wouldn't deign to do it and US Soccer wouldn't want the headache. But it's hilarious (to me) to think about.

Every Man United hater is brokenhearted. First we enjoyed the shit show and then it just became normalized. Still, it didn't mean we wanted it to end.

I dislike Mourinho more than I dislike MU actually. I knew it was going to end in tears. Which makes it even funnier--United still gave the guy a massive contract and gave him 400 million to sign 11 slightly disappointing players to outright busts.

I'm sure Jose is crying all the way to the bank. I read he got $24 million to fuck off! Nice job if you can get it!

Soccer sucks and always will!!

Wow, big results in the Premier League since Boxing Day! L'pool way up in points. Spurs lose today to Wolves, Man City two losses is a row!

It's a title race bitches

Thursday City plays Liverpool, last game before the break.

Bump

Any gay gossip?

Pulisic to Chelsea next season? Ugh. At least when he's in Germany he's off my radar. Actually, I don't really mind him, he's clearly talented. What I can't stand the US soccer media's hardon for him as the Great White Hope of American Soccer.

Liverpool at Man City coverage begins at 2 pm on NBCSN in the US; game time 3 pm (21:00 GMT or 8 pm in Manchester, right?)

Huge game at the end of the (long) festive schedule. Anyone?

I'm agnostic as I watch PL football but do not support any particular team. But City is going to have to win today to keep the title race interesting. Kudos to Liverpool for finally putting it together this season. They look irrepressible.

Hopefully Man City gonna get banned from Champion's League for all the illegal shit they pulled.

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

R125, Bellerin has said that he gets a lot of homophobic abuse during matches and on Twitter.

Liverpool should be beating Brighton easily but 0-0 at the half. Get it together, lads (although I like B&H Albion a lot)

Lots of good Premier League stuff this weekend, including a few relegation zone games

Big game tomorrow Spurs v Manchester United; Man City doesn't play til Monday