Top Stories

Wednesday Kickoff: Chinese Super League, World Cup, Alonso and more

adrianramosborussiadortmundvwerderbremenacpizjr9hasl

Another forward is bound for the Chinese Super League, while an American-based change could be coming to the World Cup.

Borussia Dortmund has reached an agreement to sell forward Adrian Ramos to Chinese Super League club Chongqing Lifan. (REPORT)

Marco Van Basten says FIFA is considering using NASL-style shootout penalty kicks in group stage matches of expanded World Cups. (REPORT)

Xabi Alonso is reportedly set to retire at the end of the season. (REPORT)

Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen could miss up to 10 weeks due to an ankle injury. (REPORT)

Giacamo Bonaventura has signed a new deal that will keep him at AC Milan until 2020. (REPORT)

Borussia Dortmund’s Sven Bender suffered an ankle injury in the club’s most recent winter friendly. (REPORT)

Swansea has completed a deal to sign Tottenham midfielder Tom Carroll, who played for the club on loan during the 2014-15 season. (REPORT)

Comments

    • Shootouts >>> pks!!

      Not sure why fifa is reverting to US soccer 1980-90’s mindset and even bringing back the discussion but if they have to have something shootouts were much more entertaining. imagine Messi and Neuer sprinting towards eachother 30 yards apart – who wins and how?

      Reply
    • The biggest complaint about pens I hear (from Americans at least) is that it has little correlation to the game that’s played for 2 hours. Honestly, I’d rather see games decided in a manner that’s a truer test of skill. Any player can score a pen from 12 yards, but one bad touch on a run up pen and you’re cooked.

      Added bonus, we no longer have to worry about GKs coming off their line early and the arbitrary nature in which refs call a violation (seems like usually when the other team complains about it).

      Reply
      • Forgot the troll portion of my comment: Run up PKs are the biggest thing the US got right vs. Europe outside of Pro/Rel

      • My off-the-wall idea for ties: Set-Piece ball-in-hand horse.

        Team A places ball anywhere they wish. They try to score off a set piece. Team B simply has to “clear” the ball. If Team B clears it is now their chance and they can place the ball where they wish.

        If Team B scores, Team A gets one chance to score from the same spot. Repeat until we have a winner.

        Outside the box are direct free kicks. Inside the box are indirect.

      • Two trolls in one with a side Pro-Rel thrown in. I like it…and agree.

        BTW, the shootouts were from 35 yards, not about 30 as stated above.

Leave a Comment