GatewayRedbirds.com

I've always wanted to see a rankings list, but never found one in my limited searchings. I know the Mexican league is better, but it seems that MLS is making progress in catching them up, if CONCACAF Champions League is any indication, MLS broke through against Mexican teams in Mexico for the first time last year. But U.S. players going there still seem to be advancing when they move from MLS.

I wonder if MLS' reputation would be better or worse if the league didn't try so hard to make things level and we had a couple super teams.

I love the Timbers Army. I love the ambiance and atmosphere they create at games. They do a lot of good. The experience wouldn't be even remotely as special without them. I even pay dues and am a member, even if I only sat there a couple times last year. Some of the individuals are real self-righteous hard-ons though, which I guess is to be expected in the first promotion years.

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"Isn't it just like BirdBot 6000 [the deity of the Beltran's bizarre cult] to send us to a team called the 'Cardinals?'" -Jessica Beltran
VolatileLyle

Mexico's top flight league is the best league in N America and the third best league in the Western Hemisphere, though at any time could fluctuate back and forth from 2nd to 3rd depending the strength of either Brazil or Argentina's currency. Generally it's 1. Argentina, 2. Brazil, 3. Mexico, 4. MLS. The best teams in MLS with a lot of depth and good coaching (LA, Seattle, Salt Lake) would be competitive if not downright good in any of those leagues. MLS's problem on the whole is depth. It's getting there though, as our youth development catches up to those other leagues.


Historically the best leagues in the world are EPL, La Liga (Spain), Serie A (Italy), Bundesliga (Germany) with Ligue 1 (France), the Eredivisie (Netherlands) in the mix. Scotland had a great run near the top in the 60's and the early 90's, Holland did in the 70's and 90's, Portugal in the 50's & 60's but the constants are the big 4 of England, Spain, Italy and Germany in that order. It has a lot to do with each country's respective economies.

Right now, off the top of my head, I'd rank them like this:

1. Spain - Not as deep as England but the strength at the top can't be beaten.
2. England
3. Germany
4. Italy
5. France

Behind them you'd have in some order the Russian league, the Netherlands, Argentina, Brazil, Portugal, Mexico, MLS, Belgium, Scotland and the second divisions of the big leagues like the English Championship, Serie B, Bundesliga 2 etc.

After the big leagues, individual clubs are more important because there are big spending clubs in all leagues that can buy more talent than their counterparts like the Galaxy, the Red Bulls, Chivas, Club America, Boca Juniors, Corinthians, Red Star, Zenit St Petersburg, Anzhi Machalaka etc.

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"If it was anyone but Carp, I would have said, 'No,'" Matheny said. "Anyone but Carp."

Starting in goal against Dallas FC tomorrow. Mostly reserves with a few starters.

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This week in Ronaldo:



I believe the English call this "cheeky." I would call it brash as hell.This is a man who knows he's the [expletive].

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"If it was anyone but Carp, I would have said, 'No,'" Matheny said. "Anyone but Carp."

USA! USA! USA!

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Tim Howard was a monster today. Fabian Johnson looks like the best left back we have, Mo Edu played his strongest in a US kit ever and of course, Michael Bradley is still a star and of course, the man himself cannot be denied.

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"If it was anyone but Carp, I would have said, 'No,'" Matheny said. "Anyone but Carp."

Good news there, but what the hell is going on with those jerseys? Are those vests? Please tell me that is just a one-off uni.

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Horror's Not Dead.com

They're dark sleeves. Nike makes new jerseys for the US about every 6 months. These aren't permanent.

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"If it was anyone but Carp, I would have said, 'No,'" Matheny said. "Anyone but Carp."

Our olympic team (u-23) beat Mexico's olympic team 2-0 in a tune up last night in Dallas. Agudelo with a goal and Diskerrud with a goal and assist.

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"If it was anyone but Carp, I would have said, 'No,'" Matheny said. "Anyone but Carp."

I am 70 mins in and it looks like a very solid all around game from the USMNT. Fabian Johnson looked very strong. Much more under control than Chandler. I thought Shea looked better today than the last few games. More involved. More creative. Altidore didn't do much but still had a strong game if that makes any sense. If Edu and Bradley can play this way together all the time, then I love our defense and our offense and ball control passing will be strong in the midfield with Donovan, shea and Dempsey.

Lots of reasons for optimism.

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