Soccer 2020-21 (A/K/A Futbol)

[English Natsie]

All tooled up for the Champions League - do they suit them up for Ligue 1?

That doesn't seem to be Pochettino's style - if last season is anything to go by, he prefers to rotate (platoon) his squad for Ligue games. Of course, it could be argued that his approach led to PSG losing the title, so whether he'll be allowed such free-rein this time out is questionable. Having said that, he is well reagrded by both the Qatari owners and (just as importantly) Leonardo (Sporting Director) - Tuechel's fate was sealed once he fell out with same.

For reasons which would take too long to explain here, I've always taken a close interest in French football, so watch this space...

[English Natsie]

Oh yes - and a special mention for Clermont Foot 63, who are playing in the top flight for the first time in the club's 110 year history.

[Natsinpwc]

Oh yes - and a special mention for Clermont Foot 63, who are playing in the top flight for the first time in the club's 110 year history.

Awesome.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Very cool.  Maybe Neymar will give them un pourboir, a few ducats from his jockstrap, so they can buy a new team bus. 

[English Natsie]

they can buy a new team bus.

Although given how the Boulogne Boys generally show their displeasure with how PSG are playing, they probably won't bother....

[English Natsie]

It's official - Messi to PSG on a two year deal, with option for third year.

[Natsinpwc]

USA makes the top ten in the new FIFA rankings.

https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men?dateId=id13372

[HalfSmokes]

how about they win something first?

[Natsinpwc]

how about they win something first?

Tell FIFA.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

On what planet was that calculated??

[Natsinpwc]

FIFA cryptocurrency.

[HalfSmokes]

Apparently one where the Euros never occurred

[Natsinpwc]

If they just ranked all euro teams in the top ten would you guys be happy? 

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Well, you can toss in Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil

[HalfSmokes]

If they just ranked all euro teams in the top ten would you guys be happy? 

Italy should get a little more respect than being ranked behind the team they beat to win the most recent championship let alone being behind Belgium

[bluestreak]

how about they win something first?

Well the team that’s number one hasn’t won crap either.

[bluestreak]

Apparently one where the Euros never occurred

Italy gained the most points of anyone on the table and a lot compared to all the other teams in Europe. 103 to England’s 66. They started farther down the list.
The rankings make sense if you look at the play that occurred last month. The three teams that won continental championships (Italy, USA, Argentina) had the biggest point increases.
This isn’t like the college football rankings.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

One of these is not like the others...

IThe three teams that won continental championships

[HalfSmokes]

Italy gained the most points of anyone on the table and a lot compared to all the other teams in Europe. 103 to England’s 66. They started farther down the list.
The rankings make sense if you look at the play that occurred last month. The three teams that won continental championships (Italy, USA, Argentina) had the biggest point increases.
This isn’t like the college football rankings.

And the team that lost in a quarterfinal is number 1- ahead of the two finalists

[bluestreak]

And the team that lost in a quarterfinal is number 1- ahead of the two finalists

The rankings are designed to reflect 4 years of play. Like I said, not everything has to be like college football. Should the guy who beat Djokovic in the Olympics be number 1 now?
Hell, if anyone has a beef by your logic it should be the USA, who beat Mexico twice in the last two months and is still behind them.

[HalfSmokes]

The rankings are designed to reflect 4 years of play. Like I said, not everything has to be like college football. Should the guy who beat Djokovic in the Olympics be number 1 now?
Hell, if anyone has a beef by your logic it should be the USA, who beat Mexico twice in the last two months and is still behind them.

4 years ago the Americans were at home watching the World Cup and they are number 10 after winning a regional tournament where Mexico is the only other remotely credible team

[English Natsie]

This article is from 2018, but it lays out the principles of the ranking system pretty well.

https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/fifa-world-ranking-how-it-is-calculated-what-it-is-used-for/16w60sntgv7x61a6q08b7ooi0p

[Natsinpwc]

4 years ago the Americans were at home watching the World Cup and they are number 10 after winning a regional tournament where Mexico is the only other remotely credible team

So? They have beaten Mexico twice this summer and Mexico is a top ten team.

[HalfSmokes]

So? They have beaten Mexico twice this summer and Mexico is a top ten team.

Because they play in a region with only one other credible team- the US.

[Natsinpwc]

Because they play in a region with only one other credible team- the US.

Mexico always holds its own in the World Cup.  I’m not sure what you expect but the only real international competition is the World Cup and that comes every four years.  The others are regional. So hard for anyone to assess.  The World Cup will be next year so we will see.

Just happy that the USA is rated higher. Deserved or not. It’s factored into the draw for the World Cup and will help them get a more favorable draw. The USA talent level even to a non expert like me is clearly far superior to what the team was in the last decade. You have several players playing high level on club teams. Whether that translates to any success next year is uncertain.  But they will be more fun to watch than before.