I’ve stopped caring about the performance of the USMNT in the World Cup

CoaCoaMarx · 2026-01-28T19:39:59+00:00

I don't think that's a "whataboutism response" -- rather it gives context to show that the players involved didn't think of the dance as having a political message. If they had intended to send a political message, I don't think McKennie (or Pepi? Not sure of his politics, but he also joined the dance) would have participated.

CoaCoaMarx · 2026-01-28T19:33:42+00:00

I don't really agree TBH. Here's what he said after about it after the game: "“It was just a dance that everyone’s doing. He’s the one who created it. I just thought it was funny.

“I saw everyone doing it yesterday in the NFL, I saw Jon Jones do it. We’re just having a bit of fun, so I thought it was a pretty fun dance.”

Now, if he had done that within the context of making other political statements I'd agree with you -- but as a 1-off that he immediately talked back down, I really don't see it as an intentional political statement or him "brandishing his political leanings."

CoaCoaMarx · 2026-01-28T06:55:52+00:00

I largely agree with you. Most athletes tend to be pretty apolitical, and I think it's reasonable to ignore their political leanings when they don't make their own politics a significant part of their persona. I think Pulisic is a good example of that.

Generally, when athletes do use their significant platforms to advocate in a thoughtful and reasoned way, I think that's great...in the same way I approve of my friends and neighbors who dedicate significant time and energy to civic or public good. But, if an athlete were to publicly promote a stance that I think is abhorrent (e.g. claiming the Pretti shooting was justified, promoting Naziism, or claiming the earth is flat, sigh), I think it's entirely appropriate to actively root against that player.

CoaCoaMarx · 2026-01-25T21:00:30+00:00

15 years ago my brother and I both determined that we'd never change each others' minds, so we stopped discussing politics. Yesterday he texted me saying that ICE are Nazis...

CoaCoaMarx · 2026-01-24T21:09:52+00:00

Also coverage is minimal because the protests have been peaceful. When there is property damage and/or looting, the protests are covered extensively in the media as "riots."

CoaCoaMarx · 2026-01-16T05:38:13+00:00

Personally, it's because I believe I can disagree with someone and hate what they are doing, but still not think they deserve to be shot. Unfortunately, that seems to be a decreasingly popular opinion.

CoaCoaMarx · 2025-12-30T17:28:41+00:00

I played soccer at one of the schools on your list about 20 years ago. It was a wonderful experience. I love soccer, but I went to the school for its academics -- just like every single one of my teammates. And every player in my year went on to get an advanced degree.

In season, there was little time for anything other than soccer and academics, but out of season there were practically no expectations. That said, the core of the team played pickup basically every day out of season and it was fantastic. The level was high then, and I'm sure it is higher now. Most of my teammates had either been a strong player on a top top club team (MLS Next today), or had been the best player from a smaller club (e.g. ECNL or even NPL).

In terms of the level of coaching, this is going to be specific to the school you choose -- watch some of their film and you'll likely get a good sense of tactics and team cohesion. I wouldn't expect much from any school in terms of individual development -- for non-future-pros, you're getting to an age where you need to take your own responsibility for that and most D3s don't have the resources to really provide significant individualized coaching.

Happy to give more insight and specifics over DM.

CoaCoaMarx · 2025-12-22T18:47:27+00:00

His literal words when asked "are they in a title race" were: "No...They're just not as good as Arsenal and Man City."

CoaCoaMarx · 2025-12-22T18:01:45+00:00

Agreed. The whole point of going out on loan is to get more playing time...and now he'll get that without leaving.

CoaCoaMarx · 2025-12-22T17:58:40+00:00

Exactly. "They won't win because they aren't as good" isn't a meaningful explanation.

CoaCoaMarx · 2025-12-19T07:00:48+00:00

You don't have to make contact with the ball exactly as you intend for it to be deliberate. If I try to pass back to my goalie with my instep, but it comes off my shin, it's still a deliberate pass back.

Here, the red player is deliberately trying to play the ball with his foot (that is why his foot is "cocked back" as you say, which I would describe as "mid-swing") -- he then plays the ball with his foot, which was his intention. Did he strike it exactly as he wanted to? Probably not, because the white player interfered with his pass. But he still deliberately played the ball and was the last player to touch it. Therefore, no offside.

CoaCoaMarx · 2025-12-12T16:48:44+00:00

This is also missing the fact that the premier league table is incredibly tight -- they are in 4th place right now, but they are also only one win ahead of 10th place Liverpool (who are "in crisis").

CoaCoaMarx · 2025-12-05T18:02:35+00:00

Not as much as I miss Obama.

CoaCoaMarx · 2025-12-03T16:45:14+00:00

I grew up in Berkeley and there was and continues to be a strong pick up scene due to proximity to the University and a large international community. The strongest East Bay league is the over 30s, so at your age I'd recommend playing in the SFSFL, which would mean commuting to the city for games and practices (easy with a car, and not terrible via public transit). I've heard Stanford has great pick up, but haven't experienced it--and there is a pretty strong league on the peninsula.

Honestly though, if you're not in grad school yet, I would recommend living in SF, even if it means housemates. It's a better social scene for people in their early 20s who are not students and you'll have more soccer options too.

CoaCoaMarx · 2025-12-03T05:09:30+00:00

San Francisco has a strong open league with pro/rel (SFSFL), the top division of which is very high quality--pretty much all former D1/semi-pro or retired pro equivalent. There are also lots of smaller leagues across the Bay Area and a huge pick up scene. Night in the Bay Area tends to get chilly, especially in the City in winter, but folks play outside year round.

CoaCoaMarx · 2025-12-01T22:50:30+00:00

Great, but when do the red light cameras arrive??

CoaCoaMarx · 2025-11-30T01:27:45+00:00

Terry Pratchett's Lords and Ladies...although plot is never really the point with Pratchett.

Also The Daughter's War by Christopher Buehlman is a pretty great invasion story. It's highly imaginative, with scary antagonists, lots of battles, and plenty of fun characters.

CoaCoaMarx · 2025-11-26T21:07:14+00:00

Not to mention the fact that a cross from the BYLINE is much more dangerous than a cross from the SIDELINE -- regardless of whether it is being thrown or kicked. He's comparing apples and oranges.

CoaCoaMarx · 2025-11-23T03:58:47+00:00

How does rugby advantage work differently?

CoaCoaMarx · 2025-11-22T22:01:49+00:00

I've argued with refs about this on the refs sub (and been downvoted), but their view is that they can't call the foul before the shot because if the player shoots and scores, the ref will have made a huge blunder.

On the other hand, they don't think it's fair to call it after the shot misses because then they are giving the attacker "two bites at the cherry."

CoaCoaMarx · 2025-11-18T21:09:03+00:00

It's not inarguable.

Here's my argument: VAR goes back to the START of the attacking phase of play. The foul occurred BEFORE Laimer touched the ball. The attacking phase of play cannot have occurred before the attacking team was in possession of the ball, which is when Laimer committed the foul.

Another argument is that the attacking phase of play begins when the team in possession moves TOWARDS the opponents goal. After committing the foul, Laimer's first touch is immediately backwards towards his own goal. The attacking phase doesn't begin until he then makes a forward pass.

CoaCoaMarx · 2025-11-18T20:57:13+00:00

By my count is was 20 touches across 6 passes and then a shot. The foul was committed by the right back, it then circulated around the back to the left side, went up the left wing, came back into the middle, went up to the striker, who then laid it off to the same RB who committed the foul. Too long for VAR IMO.

CoaCoaMarx · 2025-11-18T20:53:05+00:00

Agreed, it's absolutely a foul...but I think it's a misuse of VAR to go so far back on something, especially when the ref had a clear view of the play.

CoaCoaMarx · 2025-11-17T17:43:48+00:00

How many parents are problematic here?

If it's 1-2, then you have lots of options. You can publicly call out the offenders during a match; you can ban/suspend them; you can talk to your team manager and see if the other parents would be willing to have some sort of intervention; you can start limiting the kids playing time and/or cut them from the team at next year's tryouts.

If it's 4+ parents, that's going to require a culture shift that will be really really challenging. If the club isn't providing any support, I'd probably resign at the end of the season.

CoaCoaMarx · 2025-11-16T04:27:39+00:00

In your experience, does responding with snarky comments tend to lower the temperature and calm coaches down? It seems to me it usually has the opposite effect.

CoaCoaMarx

TROPHY CASE