EPL Talk - Latest Comments in Why Premier League’s Game 39 is Good for America

Re: Why Premier League’s Game 39 is Good for America

Shakira Graham — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:04:33 -0000

Yes, the matches will count towards the table.

Re: Why Premier League’s Game 39 is Good for America

Specter — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:37:23 -0000

Are the matches going to count toward the table? I thought it was just more or less a friendly. If points are at stake, then that changes my view quite a lot. That would not be fair, plain and simple.

Re: Why Premier League’s Game 39 is Good for America

AtlantaPompey — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 08:33:19 -0000

Home and Away against every team in the Premiership is the integrity of the league. Under this proposal, somebody plays ManU three times and somebody plays Derby three times. What if one of those teams makes the UEFA Cup and the other doesn't and the difference is the points acquired/lost in that match? What if relegation is determined by those points? Strength of schedule is a big argument in American College Football. It doesn't exist in the EPL. It will now if this proposal goes through.

Also, asking two teams to fly to Sydney is a lot more difficult than flying to New York City. In an already crowded fixture list, adding one more match involving a long plane flight is stress these players don't need.

Putting an MLS game before an EPL game would only highlight the differences between the two leagues. Do we really want a direct comparison? I don't think so.

Don't get me wrong, if there is a good matchup in America, I'll probably go, especially if it's Pompey, but this fundamentally changes the competitive nature of the league.

Re: Why Premier League’s Game 39 is Good for America

wanderer_abroad — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:31:27 -0000

Completely agree with Kartik. Its illegal and would a said a dangerous example. Clubs would think they could get away with anything.

Re: Why Premier League’s Game 39 is Good for America

Specter — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:27:07 -0000

I stated the MLS/Prem double header in an email I set to Premier League Radio (Was read after the Arsenal vs. Blackburn game). Obviously, great minds think alike ;)

But I also talked about what the USSF has came out and said. That they won't allow the prem to play here if FIFA does not sanction round 39. Thats idiotic in my opinion, cause basically they've told the prem that they aren't necessarily welcome, and that they can plan to play elsewhere.

Re: Why Premier League’s Game 39 is Good for America

peleorei — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 21:37:46 -0000

I am for the 39th game in the US it would be great to see the EPL played in MLS stadium's around the country. It would create a huge buzz and excitement for MLS fans.

Re: Why Premier League’s Game 39 is Good for America

kkfla737 — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 21:01:04 -0000

I respectfully completely totally disagree. Besides it is illegal under FIFA rules. The EPL cannot have a club in Scotland for a reason. You cannot play competitive matches in a nation with a FIFA sanctioned first division. If they do and MLS goes along with it as has been reported since the PL will split the money with SUM (an arm of MLS) both leagues should be expelled from FIFA and lose their first division status. In other words the 20 PL clubs go back to the Football League and MLS shuts down, and those clubs either fold or join the Mexican Primera Division (if they will have them).

This whole proposal is insulting to fans in England and the USA. Why the PL in the face of opposition from all corners continues to promote is something that needs to be discussed and why the English FA is allowing the PL to conduct itself in a completely disrespectful and improper manner is also of serious concern.

Re: Why Premier League’s Game 39 is Good for America

eplnfl — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 18:59:01 -0000

Well, thanks for coming out on the pro-side of the 39th game issue. I do not think it will increase British acceptance of the MLS, but in my opinion exposure to world class club football, in a game that means something will be a big plus for the game in America.

Re: Why Premier League’s Game 39 is Good for America

The Gaffer — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 18:20:14 -0000

Scout,

Good observation. What I mean by number three is that the British press will most probably be present to view the first game between the MLS sides so they'll be able to view a back-to-back comparison between how two MLS sides compare against each other and how two Premier League sides compare playing against each other.

I'm not suggesting that the MLS sides play any friendlies against the Premier League sides while they're here.

Cheers,
The Gaffer

Re: Why Premier League’s Game 39 is Good for America

TheScout — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 17:15:06 -0000

I'm confused on point 3. How will English teams playing in America convince the Brits that MLS is not "mickey mouse"?

Even if they do manage to schedule a friendly against an MLS side, they won't play their top-XI if they have a League match in the same weekend. And...if the B-team manage to beat the MLS side, friendly or not, it will only re-inforce the image of inferiority that the British press seems to have of MLS.

Re: Why Premier League’s Game 39 is Good for America

Tippo — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:34:49 -0000

The Middle East is part of the Asian confederation and therefore if the AFC does not sanction those matches then they will also not be played in the Middle East.

I fully support the AFC in not supporting the Game 39 plan and I hope CAF will also come and say no to those plans as well.