AMERICANS ON THE MOVE 🇺🇸

Hail GFOP!

I type with fingers mourning the passing of another summer. Don’t get me wrong. I love fall. Cardigan weather lies ahead, and I could not be happier. But this summer. We have all shared so much: Spain’s delirious Euros, the insanity of the Copa, the USMNT’s wilt, Berhalter’s Waterloo, and the Coming of Poch (which I expect is imminent), as well as Emma Hayes’s transformational Olympic march to Glory. Now the Premier League is back with all its new gleaming, shiny, sexy, sexy bald managers. Are we not so blessed? 

For all of us, this footballing journey has been woven into our own personal narrative – for me, the passing of my Dad, and watching England raise then shatter hope, and now, our beautiful Zombie-Club Everton stagger on fitfully, without him. Let me know what you have enjoyed most this summer, and learned about yourself in the process at [email protected]. I would love to hear it. 

Transfer deadline day today. The sleepiest of windows. Because, you know… money. I broke it all down this week with Fabrizio Romano, and you can catch the biggest storylines to watch today here. P.S. The biggest storyline for USMNT fans on this day is U.S. No. 1 Matty Turner, who is headed to Crystal Palace, according to Fab. Matt badly needs a fresh start after tenaciously grinding his way to the Premier League. The Bergen County Buffon now gets one alongside USMNT teammate Chris Richards. He'll back up Palace starter Dean Henderson, so the path to minutes is not without obstacles, but he's overcome bigger ones before. Godspeed, Matt, you King. 💪 

ii. It has been a packed week at MiB World Headquarters. The highlight was spending time with Mo Salah early Tuesday morning. This is the third time Mo has made the mistake of coming on our show, and I really appreciate his willingness to reflect where many footballers of his stature would parry. We talked Arne Slot, the creative process of celebrations, legacy, and his abs. It is a really lovely piece. 

One small note: Thanks to Bay FC for the jacket which has instantly become one of my favorite garments. I love Brandi Chastain and I admire what she and her group are building out on the West Coast. To more. 

PS: If you like this newsletter, please share it with your football-curious friends and tell them to subscribe. I hope it tells you all you need to know to savor the slate of football this weekend. Friends telling friends is the best way to grow the culture. 

2. To the Football 🍻

i. Arsenal vs. Brighton (Saturday, 7.30 a.m. ET, USA)

What a way to start the weekend. Two still-perfect teams filled with optimism, love and rainbows. Mikel Arteta faces Fabian Hürzeler, a manager who makes him look like Mel Brooks, but Basque in age-comparison. New signing Mikel Merino is already injured. Will Areteta unleash former-Seagull Leandro H-O-T-T-O-G-O Trossard against his old side, like an Ice Dragon at the Battle of Winterfell? 

Brighton have spent big this summer, dropping over $248M on nine players, but it is how they spend which is so fascinating. Watch this interview with CEO Paul Barber to understand the soul of the club. So many could learn by watching.

ii. Manchester United vs. Liverpool (Sunday, 11 a.m. ET, Peacock)

The “DUTCH BALD-MAN-DERBY” Ten Hag vs Arne Slot, winner of this – the clash between the two traditional winningest teams in English football – gets a toothless comb. Erik Ten Hag’s United are deeply flawed, but will still amount to Arne Slot’s first big test for his self-admittedly, work-in-progress, yet still perfect Liverpool project. United tormented Klopp in his final season, including that 4-3 NBA style-humdinger of an FA Cup win. Lose here, and Ten Hag is going to have a very long, lonely international break. 

More: I think Liverpool have a bargain with the discount-priced $16.5M arrival of 26-year old Italian 2020 Euro wonder Federico Chiesa.

iii. West Ham United v. Manchester City (Saturday, 12.30 p.m. ET, NBC)

City are unbeaten in 25 matches. It feels like the only suspense that makes us tune in is to see if Haaland can score his 11th Premier League hat trick. Lopetegui’s West Ham are a whole new beast, still the club have not beaten City in 17 games since 2015.

More: Incredible stat on Haaland from the xG Philosophy: Gent has scored 67 goals from 67.05(xG) since arriving in the Premier League. In line with expectations. 

iv. Newcastle vs. Tottenham Hotspur (Sunday, 8.30 a.m. ET, USA)

A clash made for American fans who deplore the lack of scoring in soccer as it is the game the marketing geniuses/Premier League writers are selling as “The Premier League fixture that has never finished 0-0.” 58 games! Newcastle’s record at home is “fortress-y” and Tottenham have just three wins in their last 14 on the road, yet are feeling themselves after last weekend’s 4-0 win BUT IT WAS ONLY EVERTON LADS. 

v. Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace (Sunday, 8.30 a.m. ET, Peacock)

After surviving Swiss-minows, Servette, despite losing 2-1 in the second leg of the Europa Conference League qualifiers, Enzo Maresca’s strange garbage-can-filled-with-money-set-on-fire art project (I am convinced we all just watching some weird Mr. Beast video-in the making) stumbles chaotically on, able to score at will but leak impotently. Here’s a stat to help you sleep tonight Chelsea fans: Your team have 13 straight league wins against Rebecca Lowe’s winless mob.

vi. Everton vs. Bournemouth (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, USA)

I am in two moods: three games into the season, which has seen two feckless league defeats, no goals scored, and seven conceded, and led a segment of fans to decide it was a good idea to swear at their own players at a train station, Sean Dyche is in must-win territory. Yet, after vanquishing League 2 Doncaster in the Carabao Cup this week NOTHING CAN STOP US NOW. 

As an Everton fan, the only joys I expect to witness this season are this fan delivering perhaps our greatest victory as a club, and Neal Maupay sodding off to Marseille, despite his trolling exit. This is a human truth, provided by @EllBretland: "The level of dislike Neal Maupay has for Everton actually makes him one of the biggest Evertonians to have played for the club. He ‘gets it’."

More: Full Television Broadcast Schedule here. 📺

PS: Get the perfect mug, glass, or chalice for your early morning coffee, third first, or whatever you need it for right here ahead of another Premier League weekend.

2. The Champions League Draw happened. The Greatest Anthem in Sports is upon us.

The Champions League Draw was yesterday. You can read about it here.

Good analysis and explainer of the new format here. Kicks off Sept. 17. Bring it, and its wonky new format which sounds great, but feels like there will be more dead rubbers than ever, on. As Miguel Delaney writes: 75% of games (144) will be used to get rid of just a third of teams (12 from 36). I think it's probably gone under the radar how the expansion of competitions (World Cup too) is going to scramble our basic expectation of the sport.

More: Delaney on the oddity that is the new Champions League format.

3. More Football, Did Ya Say?

i. RIP Sven-Goran Eriksson. The ice cool tactical Swede who became the first foreign manager ever to manage England, despite being buzz-sawed by the tabloids, but remained beloved to all, passed away this week from cancer. His commitment to living life to the full will perhaps be his legacy, but he was a hell of a manager. This piece about his approach to life is lovely. And this story is typical of many that capture his earthy, honest approach to being.

ii. Congratulations to the Columbus Crew who won the Leagues Cup this week, their second trophy in nine months. The tournament is still a work in progress and did not gain the headlines the club truly warrant – in coach Wilfried Nancy, the Crew have a real tactical brain, and attacking talisman Cucho Hernandez is a real one. As this knife-twisting stat illustrates, the Crew are dynastic.

iii. Kazuyoshi Miuri is so inspiring: The 57-year-old Japanese player remains the oldest professional footballer in the world. "I'm going to be 60 in three years. When I see that I can't do it anymore, I'll stop. But I admit, I would love to continue until I'm 80." 

iv. MLS retirement league vs MLS feel old stars are important. Interesting read. Does feel like MLS has gone back to the early 2010’s in its recruitment strategy. The old star strategy has to be augmented with money spent on intelligent youth recruiting and more Premier League big money acquisitions AKA more Miggy Almirons. 

v. The Eredivisie Talent of the Year Johan Cruyff 2023/24 award announcement will be this Monday September 2. Live on ESPN NL around 2.30 p.m. ET. US fans of 17-year old Dutch-American sensation Lily Yohannes should most certainly tune-in. I count myself amongst them. I pray Emma Hayes is watching. 🇺🇸🇳🇱

PrizePicks. Best PP since Peter Piper

Charlie Kipp Writes: Like a bear coming out of hibernation, we are shaking off the dust, rubbing our eyes and getting our feet under us. Two weeks ago, it was the Premier League. This weekend, College Football - the sport I’ve long maintained is the closest parallel to European Soccer, culturally, you’re going to find on these shores, also returns. And the best part? All of the sports action is ready and available for you on PrizePicks. But - to the matter at hand, we started hot last week (sorry, Michael Keane) so let’s keep the momentum going with an admittedly selfish pick: Bernd Leno MORE than 2.5 Saves.

My mighty Fulham FC head to producer JW’s beloved Ipswich Town this Saturday, at 10 a.m. ET on Peacock. The Men in Blazers social media department’s civil war. Lets state the obvious: this has been a tough start for the Tractor Boys. Despite investing handsomely in their squad - Ipswich have struggled against admittedly unforgiving opponents. At home, a winnable match in their sights, they will be firing. I just know it. Will they get the three points? Not my job to answer - but what I can tell you is that the Fulham defense and keeper Bernd Leno will be busy. COYW. Bernd Leno MORE than 2.5 Saves.

If you haven’t joined PrizePicks, CLICK HERE and play $5 and get $50 instantly when you use code MIB.

4. Other Games of interest to Keep an Eye on

i. Wrexham: Don’t Wrexham it Up 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Unbeaten in their opening three League 1 games, Wrexham travel to Peterborough this weekend (Saturday, 10 AM ET, Paramount+) looking to pick up points against a side managed by Darren Ferguson (YES son of Sir Alex). After making his return last weekend in the 3-0 win over Reading, Paul Mullin is questionable going into Saturday as he works back to full fitness. New players keep arriving: Welcome to 21-year old Gambian Mo Faal signed from West Brom.

ii. Como 🇮🇹

This week, we launched our season-long follow of fascinating Serie A newcomers Como – and the new boys picked up their first Serie A point in over two decades. Coincidence? I think not. They travel to Udinese Sunday after a week in which Cesc Fabregas added 21-year-old City midfielder Maximo Perronne to his growing list of summer signings (2:45 p.m. ET, Paramount+).

More: Watch my interview with Arsenal icon Cesc Fabregas as he talks about his transition into management at Como.

Also: AC Milan are away to Lazio Saturday (2.45 p.m. ET, Paramount+). After opening his goal account in last week’s loss to Parma (watch here), Christian Pulisic is a lock for the starting lineup, meanwhile marquee summer signing Alvaro Morata continues to be sidelined with a thigh injury. Read this: AC Milan's disappointing start: What has gone wrong and what Paulo Fonseca has to change to keep his job safe.

5. The Women’s Game 

The record-breaking 18-straight-win-Orlando Pride remains top of the NWSL after last weekend’s Olympic return, they host 4th-placed Gotham on Sunday (6 p.m. ET, Paramount+). The Washington Spirit could widen the gap between second and third with victory against Landon Donovan-experimentally managed San Diego Wave side (Sunday, 8 p.m. ET, Paramount+.)

6. Not Football, and All the Better For it

i. Everyone loves Liam Gallagher and the kindergarten class, but Noel Gallagher on an English call-in show where the DJ punked him by only having over-75 year-old callers is amazing. 

ii. The Particles of Order. You can listen to this even if you're not a subscriber!

iii. The world's greatest detective: ‘An Ass-Backward Sherlock Holmes’. Only kind of related, but delightful, Peter Falk, John Cassavetes, and Ben Gazzara Run Riot.

iv. Give this man a Pulitzer: Why toilet paper keeps getting smaller and smaller.

v. What to wear to the Oasis reunion concerts. Reminder to buy ticket insurance!

vi. Can't wait for this record: MJ Lenderman Keeps It Raw.

vii. Steven Bartlett’s empire of bluff. "Podcaster-entrepreneur" has to be the most cursed job title of all time. 

viii. Best Texas-style BBQ in the nation according to the experts in Texas.

ix. Don’t stop me now: Queen’s Brian May on saving badgers — and the scientific method. "The guitarist has spent a decade studying the science of bovine tuberculosis" Your fave could never!

x. How America Can Break Its Highway Addiction. The first step is reading an article. 

xi. This Song Saved Me This Week: Go Your Own Way by The Cranberries. I normally do not like covers but somehow this song brings out the singular stylings of the late, great Dolores O’Riordan. RIP.

xii. I LOVED THIS BOOK: You Are Here by David Nicholls. A beautifully written easy-read novel which fuses a stripped-down, emotionally true telling of adult loneliness with a hiking-through line depicting a raw portrait of modern Britain. Dialogue is particularly terrific. More here.

That is it for today. I did like the Raven I received from the terrific GFOP Mark Dolce who noted that this season’s Premier League scriptwriters may have reduced the Premier League to a hair-throughline: 

Mark writes: In Week 2, with romps by Pep's Man City and Slot's Liverpool, along with the rejuvenated Chelsea under new gaffer and Pep stunt double, Enzo Maresca, one might think the scriptwriters are trying out a new storyline that we might call Rise of the Balds. But they're hedging their bets with a fallback Alien vs. Predator storyline pitting Power Balds against the Heavily Hirsute, with Arsenal's Arteta with his dark black helmet hair and Brighton's Hurzeler with his voluminous coif that would give Kyle Martino a run for his money. 

Mark, your letter makes me think Everton are going to hire Gareth Ainsworth mid-season to save the day. 

To more. 

Let’s not take a second of watching football together for granted

Let’s make great collective Memories

Big Love,

Courage

ROG

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