Posts by Ethan Jones5

Nicole Jackson3 said:Fun fact, the teams from San Diego and Los Angeles never even played for the 2020 Super Cup, so much about this "prestigious" trophy. They should just scrap it already.

I think the concept of a Super Cup is fine, but the timing is completely off.

It’s right at the start of the season when teams haven't found their rhythm yet because they're too focused on getting ready for the Champions League, all while dealing with a brutal heatwave.

Personally, I’d move it to sometime in September after the European qualifiers are out of the way. Basically, anytime except the very beginning of the season.

Dinamo
2. Hajduk
3. Springfield
4. Lokomotiva (-3)
5. Slaven (-3)
6. Seattle (+2)
7. Istria (+2)
8. Springfield (+2)
9. Aurora, Colorado
10. San Francisco

Here’s a blind prediction based on pure gut feeling. I'm curious to see how many I actually get right.

.

Last season's prediction was a solid 5/10. If I could actually bet using the picks from this closed thread, I’d be sharing the rest of my forecasts too, but damn, I can't.

I handled Goricu like a pro.☕

I actually pulled out of the project in [City Name], but the second half ended up moving forward without me. It was basically how Slaven went under. But since everyone else was giving him nothing but grief, I saw some actual potential there.☕

To be honest, the only massive blunder here was letting Loksa slide. I mean, who could have actually predicted Kačavenda would get injured? That part was a toss-up, but everything else I laid out was pretty much spot on.☕

Brenda Murphy3 said:Look, you don't have to go bankrupt trying to build a dynasty, but you absolutely need to bring in at least five or six solid starters who actually belong in the top flight.

Their current roster from the second division just isn't cut out for the major leagues—there's a massive gap there. I'm sure management has factored this in... it's not like their coach showed up to work for free... they'll definitely pull in some players. Whether it's free agents or guys on loan, we aren't talking about spending hundreds of millions here, but adding three or four decent, reliable top-tier players makes a world of difference. Toss in another two or three guys on loan, and suddenly you actually have a competitive squad. That’s likely how they'll play it.

We'll see. It’s not a disgrace if they get relegated back to the second tier, but it *is* a disgrace if the whole club collapses.

From what I've seen, their level isn't anywhere near the top of the US pro leagues, yet there's zero chance they can overhaul the entire roster overnight.

In my opinion, loans could be the deciding factor if they actually want a shot. Maybe they can lure in a signing by bringing back a former player, but that's tough when you're operating in such a small market.

But fine, I won't write them off just yet. Let's see what happens during the transfer window.

Brenda Murphy3 said:Nah, they won't...

Even if they end up getting relegated—it's not the end of the world, and the whole club isn't going to implode.

The only thing they really need to do is get serious about signing some actual talent... their roster from the lower divisions isn't even in the same ballpark when it comes to competing in the big leagues.

I don't know, I don't get the feeling they actually have the cash to go on a spending spree. They’re better off sticking to what they've got and seeing where it leads. Maybe grab a few loan players from the big clubs like the Lakers or similar heavyweights.

History shows that taking too much of a gamble with money usually backfires, leaving you spiraling even further down.

Nancy Sanchez31 said:They just don't want to take any responsibility for organizing the matches. Instead, they're shifting the whole burden onto the clubs.

Look, I get what's going on here, but the whole thing is a joke. It’s just a melting pot of incompetence, favoritism, and corruption.

We have all this potential right in our hands, yet everything we touch turns to crap.

rapidstag2 said:My, how subtly you present yourself... 🤣 🤣

I would actually grant this man a moderator position simply because he possesses the sheer willpower required to waste his time acting as a moderator on an American forum. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find such individuals in this day and age, especially as online forums continue their slow descent into obsolescence. ☕

That is, of course, with the caveat that he hasn't particularly caught my eye yet, so I remain uncertain whether he is perfectly sane or perhaps a bit of a patient. ☕

Local employers are struggling to find workers, and here I am offering to work for free—where else do you find that? Sure, some customers might still hold a grudge over my past mistakes, but I'm older and wiser now. Even if I used to wear a Yankees cap back in the day, everyone gets over it eventually. ☕

I promise top-tier moderation, plus I'll bring that sharp, decisive officiating to high-stakes debates, Pierluigi Collina style.

I’ll even run giveaways with a symbolic prize pool for the winners. Like those old-school politicians used to say, I’ll always have something tucked away for the people. ☕

ruggedowl13 said:I'm with you there. And honestly, playing at a neutral site seems pretty stupid when you consider how small the stadiums are and what a nightmare the logistics for the fans will be. I mean, maybe we should just pick one venue and go with a Davis Cup style home/away setup instead.

If they go with two matches, the logistical nightmare of managing fans and having zero security will be even worse.🤷

It’s not just bad; it’s pathetic. The only upside is that they'll squeeze out more cash and maybe make the final slightly more marketable.

Besides, if they can't even manage to hold a game without riots breaking out, they shouldn't be hosting anything at all.

Or they should just move the Final Four to Saudi Arabia—I'm sure the Commissioner could grease some palms there and rake in a massive payday while he's at it.☕

fadedmaker44 said:I certainly don't doubt you've got a diagnosis.

That’s off-topic, but whatever. The trolls would say I should go seek help, but I'll be my own doctor.☕

If only Ryan Vaughn7 were an actual runaway, he might have handed me those moderator powers so I could finally put you all in your place.☕

neonfalcon16 said:It’s like they’re trying to hide from the spotlight in the MLS; look at them over at the Seattle Sounders. Clearly, that coaching spark just fizzled out completely. Honestly, I’m starting to get a bad feeling. After three straight losses, I’m worried that whole inspiring quarterfinal run is about to be snuffed out entirely.

By the way, playing two matches for a cup final feels like a total waste—it almost devalues the whole tournament.

I might be wrong, but this feels like the classic scenario where we’re already locked into last place. If that's the case, we're looking at a very boring season ahead.

I just hope they don't go the typical route of blowing the entire budget just to fly straight up to the third division. There’s nothing worse than that. I'd much rather we be a bottom-tier club with a solid young squad than burn through cash only to end up in the red—especially when staying in the league barely pays off anyway.

Ryan Vaughn7 said:That’s not it. Don't put words in my mouth. I never said you were ridiculous—that's just not true. It's more that people can get a bit irrational sometimes. Not all the time, obviously, but when you get caught up in a frenzy like this recent obsession with Livaja. It's a bit much, if I'm being honest.
But look, that's beside the point. This isn't some fan forum where every single group gets their own dedicated moderator. We operate under different criteria here.

People from Miami are incredibly volatile and self-destructive. If things don't go their way, they leave nothing but scorched earth behind them. Maybe they picked up that habit from someone else back in the day, who knows.

I've been treating myself for that diagnosis for years now. It isn't easy, but I'm making progress, one small step at a time.

boldbadger1 said:I mean, why isn't Bryan Adams6 a moderator? I recently got slapped with a six-month ban myself, which was... well, let's just say an experience.

That's a different user entirely; there are two different Zooms on here.☕

You don't even know who banned you, you poor thing.☕

Susan Nelson3 said:Word is Prosinecki might be the new manager at Rudes🙏

Rudeš is basically just the new American Paradise, a club built for heaven.

Joe, Mara, and Robi... it’ll be a laugh, but honestly, they’d have a better shot at putting me in charge of my mom's place.

Back when the folks from Tampa were the only annoying ones to read, things weren't this bad. Now, these guys from Miami have become even worse.

Seriously, just chill out. You guys are driving everyone crazy with your little cliques, conspiracy theories, and endless manifestos.

Thomas Long7 said:Why bother with these supposed "giants" when they’ve spent years looking down their noses at local neighborhood clubs instead of actually supporting them?

It’s just pure American delusion. It’s like someone thinks teams like Zadra, Cibalija, or Karlovac actually have a shot at becoming the next Gorica or Belupo.

They have ten times the fan base, the political backing, and the financial muscle, yet they can't manage to outperform a side like Rudeš, Gorica, or Inker. These comments are honestly laughable.

Some things just aren't for sale; for everything else, there's the Republican Party.☕

This Istria trip has been the perfect cure for my insomnia all half-season.🥱

goldentinker8 said:Man, you kidding me? Watching the Funkuts play on a weekday is an absolute blast, there is no way those guys are just going to vanish into thin air! Honestly, until they get back in the mix—and let's not forget about the big players like the local favorites—the whole league is just gonna feel incomplete, you know what I mean? We’d probably have to hand out five wins to the underdog teams if we had to, but hey, we’re playing the long game because we *know* they’re coming back. It's gonna be legendary, and honestly, massive shoutout to the crew from Sibulet! 👍

I don't care much about Sibenik, but Cibalia is really missed, just like Varaždin was.

Aside from Hajduk, none of the Dalmatian teams have that certain something—either in terms of fan culture or football quality—that would make me actually want them in the top flight, honestly.

Hajduk has simply dominated down there, both logistically and with their supporters. Plus, those guys from the coast generally lack the business savvy and financial management skills, so they end up constantly sabotaging themselves.

boldbadger1 said:Honestly, what is wrong with this country—what kind of people are these? ☕

There are plenty of nations out there, but very few actual humans☕

Thomas Long7 said:Modern journalism has become absolutely repulsive—everything is about chasing clicks now, completely devoid of any sense of responsibility.

What kind of people actually practice that kind of journalism?☕

Thomas Hayes said:He was solid all season, but honestly? He basically had to go out and dominate the World Cup just to get those haters off his back.
He took way too much heat last season when his form dipped—there was this constant hysteria claiming he was washed, even though he was clearly working his way back.
Besides, there wouldn't have been nearly as much hype about that win over Chelsea if he hadn't pulled off those couple of saves right at the end.
But man, people are shallow—they only ever remember the guys who find the back of the net.

Look, I'm not saying he was bad, but overall, I'd rank him lower than a 5 this season in MLS. He’s more like a player you respect but isn't necessarily blowing your mind. Something along the lines of a solid starter who doesn't quite reach superstar status.

Anyway, fine, we don't have to agree.😁