TL;DR: How to develop an effective national team is totally different than what is required to develop a successful domestic league in the 21st century.

This is a very uncool take. A lack of civic engagement, where people are more likely to research conspiracy theories and celebrity gossip than learn about the actual fundamentals that should affect their vote, is arguably the underlying problem behind much of our societal decay. It’s a good thing when influential…

There’s a lot written here and not much being said other than a weirdly hostile “stick to weighty sports issues but sports nonetheless” message.

Did you expect something different from Billy?

Huh. Billy missing an easily checked fact. So weird and out of character for him.

Do all soccer/football articles in other countries constantly discuss the relative merits of their league?

Decent write up, but I have to say it's incredibly similar to Sam Knight's "Rise of the Red Devils" from a month back (though he goes into more detail, especially re: the restructuring of Belgium's FA and system from the ground up).

Most likely some mix of the two.

Everyone needs a chat with Mama Aran from time to time. She'll cut you down and then fill you up with curry, so it works out in the end.

Only when mixed with plaid. ;)

Nothing better explains the abject mediocrity that has been USMNT soccer the past decade than the fact that Landon Donovan was considered its best player. Except maybe the fact that his departure is considered anything other than a very good thing for the future of the USMNT.

Agreed. Man City could have been built in a day if they didn't first buy layers like Robinho and Roque Santa Cruz. Billy is looking for a reason to laugh at Untied when the team has just done two smart things: hire a a hardass, winning manager and give him a to of cash to rebuild.

Billy, I asked you what time it was, and you told me it's raining outside. You implied that it was a "totally United move" that doesn't make sense. I explained why it did make sense for United to think that way. You're response of "Liverpool" is the only thing that doesn't make sense.

Besides being a totally United move, it doesn't really make sense to just lay out a transfer budget and expect a title.

He looked particularly ridiculous in that moment on the weekend, but I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt that he was just as stunned as the rest of us at the 85th minute goal that did them in.

Something about this couple screams "dusty rose and country blue."

Fucking pastels!

Murderous Maroon and Death Becomes Her White?

My colors are Blush and Bashful

I bet he wants green and gold or blue and white and my guess is those colors are college or sports team related.

You were the tip of the snarky spear, you might say.