Want to watch soccer? Start here! Soccer thread 2014

[Tyrath]

Messi got his head in the Panama papers.

[Roranora]

Explaining the Leicester story to Americans
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36028733

If Leicester City win the Premier League, it will be one of the most captivating British sport stories in years. But how does a football-mad Englishman living in the US explain its importance to Americans?

"Lie-kester."
"No, Leicester."
"Less-ester?"
"No, Leicester. As in Lester."
"Oh. Why is it pronounced like that?"

Trying, and failing, to explain the mystery of English phonetics can be a daily task for Brits living in the US.

But when it comes to the Leicester City story, the how-to-say is not the only part that's lost in translation.

For those not yet aware, a small, unfashionable team based in England's East Midlands has somehow stormed the Premier League.

With four games left, Leicester City are five points ahead of anyone and barring a collapse, on course for their first top-flight league title in their 132-year history.

This team was in the third tier of English football in 2009, and after climbing to the top division, they spent months last season in bottom place.
They weren't just out of fashion, they were a byword for failure.

As recently as 18 months ago, the chairman of Marseille said he would be a "sucker" to take an interest in signing any Leicester City player.

Should they win English football's most prestigious prize, some say the feat would be the most unlikely event in the history of team sports. Globally.

Bookmakers' odds on them winning the Premier League were 5,000 to one last summer. So it was five times more likely that Hugh Hefner would declare himself a virgin.

For a British sports fan living in the US, there's a natural inclination to share this footballing fairytale with friends. This, after all, is a story as much about the human spirit as it is about scoring goals.

Writing in The Players' Tribune, their manager Claudio Ranieri said: "This is a small club that is showing the world what can be achieved through spirit and determination. Twenty-six players. Twenty-six different brains. But one heart."

But mention Leicester City to American friends who don't closely follow English football and a blank look is the stock response. Or worse, a nod and a smile. Even from sports fans.

It's understandable. My eyes would probably glaze over if someone tried to enthuse me about, say, the San Diego Padres being on a winning streak.

So how to put it in terms that my American friends would understand? Has there ever been an American Leicester?

'91 Twins? '99 Rams? newp.

There are structural reasons why the Premier League / US sport comparisons are imperfect.

There is no promotion or relegation in NFL or baseball, so a smaller team can't rise up through the ranks like Leicester has, in a way that pitches David against Goliath.

And the NFL operates a more level socialist playing field than the Premier League, through a salary cap and by giving the weaker teams first pick of the best college players.

In English football, the reverse happens - the rich clubs tighten their grip on success because a higher placed finish gets a bigger cash reward and therefore they buy the better players. It's a virtuous circle of success feeding money feeding success.

As a consequence, only five teams have won the Premier League since it was set up in 1992. In that period, 14 teams have won the Super Bowl.

That's what makes Leicester's potential feat on a comparative shoestring so remarkable, breaking into a rich elite. When they beat Manchester City recently, they overcame a squad that cost 15 times their own.

If Leicester was in the US, it might be...

Wichita, Kansas, similar population (roughly 375,000)
New Orleans, Louisiana, similar diversity (Leicester is majority non-white, 55%)
Belle Fourche, South Dakota, similar location (the geographical centre of England is Fenny Drayton in Leicestershire)

Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated thinks there's no direct comparison but the nearest would be if an AA (third division) baseball team managed to find its way - magically - to the major leagues and then won the World Series.

If England and America truly are two nations divided by a common language then sporting talk is where the chasm is at its widest.

[Talint]

Grats, Leicester.

sad-jordan.jpg

[Jefe]

Don't fucking jinx it man, it can still crash and burn. It'd be incredible if they win the title v. MU doe.

[Roranora]

1. He'd prefer the jinx I imagine. Fans of teams often give that sort of preemptive congrats especially when it's at the expense of his/her team. You're either right or you're happy you were wrong.
2. While cautious optimism seemed appropriate after last week's results, this week, not so much. This really is going to be Leicester's title. Chelsea have two chances to lock the title up for the Foxes, and they will almost surely oblige us.

[Talint]

Chelsea, Southampton, Newcastle. Spurs are likely to crash again before Leicester. Plus Alli is probably going to be banned for violent conduct. Maybe even Kyle Walker too (though Davies is an ample replacement)

Fun fact: Spurs have not won at Stamford Bridge since 1990.

The title is Leicester's. I'm just hoping Spurs place above Arsenal at this point to make that dumb stat/St. Totteringham's Day cease.

I mean, if Leicester can't beat this meek Everton side...

[FallingHigher]

Spurs always end up choking anyway

[Tyrath]

Hope y'all are planning to watch the Bayern vs Atletico semi final matches. This is gonna be some Unstoppable Force vs Immovable Object type shit. One of the best offenses around vs one of the best defenses.

[Talint]

Rooting for Bayern Yankees over Atleti. Yes, Barca and Real made it impossible to win La Liga, but Atleti go too far with the boundary-pushing.

[Tyrath]

How many games does La Liga have left? Top 3 are so close...

[Tyrath]

Also the contrast between the Bayern and Atl kits are horrible.

[Talint]

I'm sure it's fine on the pitch, but you're right. There's way too much red going on there.

[Mugekuge]

Madrid vs Madrid final! Go Go

Today game was exciting.

[Tyrath]

Atleti's defense man. If they go through, I expect them to win.

[Mugekuge]

700+ minutes without getting a goal at home for Atletico.

[Tyrath]

Bayerns gonna need some early goals at home. Because if Atleti score, getting 3 in will be near impossible.

[Talint]

God playing against Atleti must be frustrating as fuck.

[Mugekuge]

To be honest Atletico has it difficult just because Allianz Arena is a pain in the ass for any team, but yea Atleti needs to score at least once so Bayern enters in desperation mode.

Sadly for me lol Barcelona is probably winning La Liga, last games for them are easier than Madrid x2 have, besides Madrid x2 are focusing more on Champions atm. (well Barcelona is 14-0 last 2 games lol...)

[Jefe]

El Cholo Simeone deserves all the credit for pulling off the kinds of shit he has w/ Atletico. Barca and RM can go fuck themselves lol.

[Talint]

So, to review, for Spurs:

A win tomorrow secures Champions League.

A win tomorrow breaks a 26 year non-win streak at Stamford Bridge.

A win tomorrow keeps title dreams alive.

A win tomorrow seriously delays St. Totteringham's Day.

Too much for Spurs. They'll win it for Leicester tomorrow. lol