91713_kljestansacha_isi_usmntjt0325131240 John Todd/isiphotos.com
9.17.13

ASN Morning Read: An American in Europe

Sacha Kljestan starts his Champions League group stage campaign while the controversy surrounding the 2022 World Cup voting continues to grow and MLS celebrates its talented youngsters.
BY Jesse Yomtov Posted
September 17, 2013
8:13 AM
  • One of the countries that lost out on the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, Australia’s FA wants FIFA to provide $43 million in compensation for its unsuccessful bid if the tournament is shifted to winter. What they’re asking for is “an in-principle decision that just and fair compensation should be paid to those nations that invested many millions, and national prestige, in bidding for a summer event.” Since Australia’s summer is actually between December and February, the argument is that they could have assembled a more compelling bid if they had known the tournament would be held in those months. We’ll see how this plays out, but Australia probably shouldn’t be expecting a dime.

  • The Champions League group stage starts today. Sacha Kljestan and Anderlecht take on Benfica. There's no truth to the rumor that if the midfielder leads his team to the CL championship he'll get a call from Jurgen Klinsmann.

  • Our John Godfrey disagrees with Jurgen Klinsmann’s plan to “bring in the best players” for the final two meaningless World Cup qualifiers, and argues that it’s a perfect opportunity to test second-stringers and fringe players in impossible-to-replicate conditions. Read the man.

  • MLSSoccer.com did a neat list of the five best seasons for players 24 and under in the league’s history. At No. 1 was 2002, a season that saw Carlos Ruiz win the MVP, Taylor Twellman score 23 goals, Carlos Bocanegra and Tim Howard make the Best XI and Landon Donovan continue to find his footing.

  • NBC Sports is now offering full Premier League match replays. Awesome.

  • Best. Roster. Photos. Ever.

  • HBO Real Sports goes to the Pacific Northwest for a feature on the Seattle Sounders that will air Tuesday night. Here's the preview:
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