This is when I went to bed too. The defending on the first goal and the failure to push out after a half clear on the second was Revsy as fuck.
MLS Turns 21 - the 2016 season
- Thread starter Titans Bastard
- Start date
The age-old question has been answered at last: who would win if Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard played a match against 30 8-year-olds all playing at once?
The transfer window closed last month, but yesterday was the roster freeze date and the last day that teams could make free agent signings. There were three:
An interview with Don Garber with some interesting remarks on various subjects:
Sacramento still leading the expansion race:
- Dallas signed Carlos "El Pescadito" Ruiz, the most notorious forward in CONCACAF, who turned 37 yesterday. Hey, he's still scoring. I think he'll probably be used as a grizzled veteran alternative to Maxi Urruti. Dallas doesn't have great forward depth - Akindele is only okay and summer signing Getterson hasn't impressed. They also have a bunch of road games and CONCACAF Champions League games down the stretch and will need some squad rotation. So a short-term rental of a wily veteran like Ruiz, though a bit of an unsightly signing, makes sense.
- Philadelphia signed 29 year old German CM Kevin Kratz, a 2.Bundesliga veteran who managed one season in the top tier with Braunschweig. Depth for now, maybe more if he plays well and Tranquillo Barnetta goes back to Switzerland at the end of the year.
- KC signed Benji Joya, a former US U20 whose career hasn't progressed despite having some talent. I think problem is that he doesn't have particularly good athleticism for a winger, so his future success will depend on transitioning to be a decent #8 or something.
An interview with Don Garber with some interesting remarks on various subjects:
Sacramento still leading the expansion race:
The question about Weston McKennie caught my eye. MLS owners have a long-term view on ROI in general and it would really be a shame if they backed off investment in youth development:
The LA Sports Arena & future site of LAFC's stadium:
CCL update:
Two clubs are officially through to the quarterfinals. Vancouver clinched their group with a win over SKC. In Group D, the Mexicans lost a club as Monterrey was beaten home and away by Árabe Unido of Panama.
Pachuca, Tigres, Pumas, NYRB, and Dallas look very likely to go through. The Timbers are in a precarious position after losing to Deportivo Saprissa. They need to beat Dragón in El Salvador and Saprissa in Portland.
Two clubs are officially through to the quarterfinals. Vancouver clinched their group with a win over SKC. In Group D, the Mexicans lost a club as Monterrey was beaten home and away by Árabe Unido of Panama.
Pachuca, Tigres, Pumas, NYRB, and Dallas look very likely to go through. The Timbers are in a precarious position after losing to Deportivo Saprissa. They need to beat Dragón in El Salvador and Saprissa in Portland.
The Revs are in a playoff spot after winning their last three league games. I give up on trying to figure out what the hell is going on with that team.
Amazing, even with the shittiness of the East. I really didn't expect this given the schedule - third game in seven days and another game on the road after the tough loss in Dallas on Tuesday.
9/9 pts in September, which is seven more than DC and six more than Orlando.
DC and Orlando have five games remaining while the Revs only have four. However, DC and Orlando still play each other twice, so that's going to be some guaranteed points lost (and won, but still). Revs have an easier SOS, too.
Toronto-NYRB should be a good one today.
Seriously, absolutely nuts:
Thomas Floyd @thomasfloyd10
The Red Bulls have now settled for a draw after having a two-goal lead in the second half in 5 of their past 10 matches.#TORvNY
6:57 PM - 18 Sep 2016
Jack Jewsbury announced last night that he plans to retire at the end of the season.
http://www.timbers.com/post/2016/09/18/timbers-midfielder-jack-jewsbury-retire-following-2016-season
Never a flashy player, with stats of 14 years, 348 games, 25,363 minutes, 28 goals, 37 assists.
He's been with the Timbers since the earliest days of the MLS team, and quietly helped lead the team though some rocky stretches. He's played several different positions and never complained.
http://www.timbers.com/post/2016/09/18/timbers-midfielder-jack-jewsbury-retire-following-2016-season
Never a flashy player, with stats of 14 years, 348 games, 25,363 minutes, 28 goals, 37 assists.
He's been with the Timbers since the earliest days of the MLS team, and quietly helped lead the team though some rocky stretches. He's played several different positions and never complained.
Atlanta United is in talks with Tata Martino. Sigi Schmid has also interviewed and is a backup option.
There's still smoke coming from the Guardado-to-Atlanta rumor, too.
There's still smoke coming from the Guardado-to-Atlanta rumor, too.
Brian Straus: NASL faces major shakeup, potential demise, amid impending exits, financial distress
While the NASL, I think, has been a poorly run league, there are some good, well-run clubs there. I think the USL would be happy to take any refugees except the clubs that look like goners (Rayo OKC and Fort Lauderdale).
This has been coming for a while.
While the NASL, I think, has been a poorly run league, there are some good, well-run clubs there. I think the USL would be happy to take any refugees except the clubs that look like goners (Rayo OKC and Fort Lauderdale).
In theory. In practice, I find the Cosmos to have by far the most myopic and annoying fanbase in all of American soccer. I am probably being unfair because I've mainly been exposed to their militant, lunatic fringe, but it does seem like something about that name & logo has a special attraction to the deluded. Ironically, many Cosmos fans objected to the MetroStars for playing in NJ, even though the MetroStars played in the very same stadium that the Cosmos played in during their old NASL heyday.
I think the addition of a NY team that actually plays within the five boroughs put an end to any slim chance the Cosmos had of building some sort of alternative to "RBNJ".
In any case, there are 12 teams in NASL.
To MLS (1): Minnesota
To USL, rumored (2): Ottawa, Tampa Bay
Would be warmly welcomed by USL (3): Carolina, Indy, Jacksonville
Questionable Stability (3): Miami, Puerto Rico, Edmonton
Probably Folding (2): Rayo OKC, Fort Lauderdale
New York Cosmos (1): New York Cosmos
Interesting read about the influx of foreign players into NCAA soccer. An increasing number of Euro academy washouts are coming to the US to hedge their attempt to keep the dream alive with getting an education. The vast majority of them aren't pro prospects, but inevitably some decent players emerge. Coupled with the homegrown player rule in MLS, which has siphoned American talent out of the MLS draft pool, you can see the effects of this change - so many MLS draft prospects are foreigners now.
ESPN did a nice video about Victor Ulloa, who came through Dallas' academy and was eventually discarded by Schellas Hyndman, only to be brought back by Oscar Pareja and almost immediately became a starter. I think it would be a more celebrated storyline if FC Dallas didn't have such a low profile both locally and nationally.
ESPN did a nice video about Victor Ulloa, who came through Dallas' academy and was eventually discarded by Schellas Hyndman, only to be brought back by Oscar Pareja and almost immediately became a starter. I think it would be a more celebrated storyline if FC Dallas didn't have such a low profile both locally and nationally.
to go along with the NASL/USL battle, a couple weeks back, Canada Soccer Pres mentioned that Canada's aiming at starting a 2nd division in 2018, perhaps getting teams out of NASL and USL. 12:30 here
He also mentions how stupid it is to have USA players count as domestic on Canadian MLS teams but Canadians count as foreign on USA teams. He says he's talked with Garber about it to get it changed for next year.
He also mentions how stupid it is to have USA players count as domestic on Canadian MLS teams but Canadians count as foreign on USA teams. He says he's talked with Garber about it to get it changed for next year.
Canadian soccer fans and officials love to bitch endlessly about that rule, but I've never seen a clear refutation to what MLS cites.
Namely, US labor law stipulates that you can privilege American workers over non-Americans but you can't create rules that privilege one non-American group (e.g. Canadian players) over another non-American group (e.g. everyone else).
Canada could advocate to have Americans count as foreigners in Canadian clubs, but leaning on the domestic Canadian player pool is tough. There is just not a lot of talent there.
Maybe they will come up with a creative "domestically produced" type solution.
Namely, US labor law stipulates that you can privilege American workers over non-Americans but you can't create rules that privilege one non-American group (e.g. Canadian players) over another non-American group (e.g. everyone else).
Canada could advocate to have Americans count as foreigners in Canadian clubs, but leaning on the domestic Canadian player pool is tough. There is just not a lot of talent there.
Maybe they will come up with a creative "domestically produced" type solution.
I think they'd have to change the international roster slot rules to allow Canadian clubs to sign more foreign (US or otherwise) players, and/or have a mandatory number of US spots on Canadian teams. Vancouver and Montreal have traded for more international slots (Vancouver has 11!), with varying returns. That's basically what they have to do, trade US players or draft picks for more international slots.
Either that or CSA should encourage Canadian MLSers to get green cards or marry Americans
Either that or CSA should encourage Canadian MLSers to get green cards or marry Americans
Well, Toronto has gone in the other direction and has a largely North American roster now. Unlike VAN and MTL, they have stockpiled quite a few solid Americans and have very few internationals. Of the six players who are under a non-US/CAN flag, one (Beitashour) is US born and raised but plays for Iran, two (Endoh, Simonin) played NCAA soccer, and two (Cheyrou, Cooper) are not starters. The only foreigner in their best XI is their best player, Giovinco.
That's the surest model for success in MLS. Find a few big stars and surround them with a solid cast of mostly American/Canadian players (since they are often better value for money than middle-of-the-road foreign signings). Toronto has Americans Justin Morrow, Clint Irwin, Drew Moor, Marco Delgado, Steven Beitashour and Canadians Jonathan Osorio, Tosaint Ricketts, Jay Chapman, and Jordan Hamilton. If we consider the USMNT player pool to be about 40 players, all those Americans would be in pool of the next best 40 players.
In any case, Canadian soccer would surely benefit if Canadians had an easier time getting on the other 17 (and counting) American clubs. I think the CPL would be a great boon too, though I am still skeptical that it will get off the ground. And if it does, the quality of play will be very low if the player pool is largely Canadian. USL-level at best, probably lower to start.
The Timbers are still alive in the CCL, they got their first road win since the MLS Cup final in El Salvador on this beautiful free kick from Darlington Nagbe.
In order to advance they have to win at home against Deportivo Saprissa on October 19th.
In order to advance they have to win at home against Deportivo Saprissa on October 19th.
The match was being played in El Salvador's National Stadium (Estadio Cuscatlán) which is 2+ hours drive away from their home stadium (Juan San Francisco Barraza Estadio Municipal) due to their home stadium not being up to CONCACAF standards.
The people going crazy at the end were a few Timbers fans the traveled form the states and some kids from a community outreach program that the Timbers sponsored.
http://www.timbers.com/post/2016/09/28/stands-fans-new-and-old-unite-cheer-timbers-el-salvador
The people going crazy at the end were a few Timbers fans the traveled form the states and some kids from a community outreach program that the Timbers sponsored.
http://www.timbers.com/post/2016/09/28/stands-fans-new-and-old-unite-cheer-timbers-el-salvador
Regardless of the particulars of this case, it's obvious that the CCL group stage is way too big and is very uncompelling. The expansion from 16 to 24 removed all MLS vs. Liga MX games from the group stage and added eight useless UNCAF and CFU clubs.
In any case, NYRB clinched last night. Unless Dallas and the un-clinched Mexican clubs choke, it's going to be 3 MLS + 3 Liga MX + Árabe Unido + the winner of the Timbers/Saprissa group in the quarterfinals.
Bad news for Union fans...Tranquillo Barnetta is returning to Switzerland at the end of the season. He's been the best player on the Union for some time so it's a tough blow to an improving team. Perhaps recently signed German Kevin Kratz can help fill the void. In Earnie we trust.
http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/post/2016/09/27/tranquillo-barnetta-returning-switzerland-after-2016-season
http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/post/2016/09/27/tranquillo-barnetta-returning-switzerland-after-2016-season
Brutal blow to the highest quality player to wear the Blue and Gold to date. One assumes that Bedoya becomes the 10 next season which isn't the worst news in the world. Trust in Earnie is correct, let's see what they do with the cash in the offseason.
Uh, what the fuck?
Explain this to me like I'm five: why is the former Argentina NT coach and former Barcelona manager signing on to manage an MLS expansion team?
Is this Gulati's way of stashing Klinsmann's replacement in a safe place, with a steady paycheck and nothing to do for the next 18 months?
Does MLS have any rules governing off-field spending by its teams, or are the salary requirements strictly the roster related ones.
I've always suspected that if the loosening of salary structures continues to be gradual, mostly at the behest of old school, more cautious ownership, then management & coaching talent might be somewhere the more ambitious ownership groups start dumping excess cash.
I've always suspected that if the loosening of salary structures continues to be gradual, mostly at the behest of old school, more cautious ownership, then management & coaching talent might be somewhere the more ambitious ownership groups start dumping excess cash.
http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/09/28/long-lunch-saltshaker-how-atlanta-united-got-gerardo-tata-martino
This story is a bit glossy but informative with some good quotes. He apparently did his homework and really liked traveling around the US during Copa America Centenario. Technical director Carlos Bocanegra is not effing around
This story is a bit glossy but informative with some good quotes. He apparently did his homework and really liked traveling around the US during Copa America Centenario. Technical director Carlos Bocanegra is not effing around
I like that the former manager of Barcelona and Argentina now reports to Carlos Bocanegra. What a world.
I've been saying this for a while, but Atlanta United looks like they are going to be a behemoth. They are going to be Seattle-sized in terms of fan support (as of mid-August they had sold 22,000 season tickets and they'll get a bump with this news and any other splashy signings). They moved very early to absorb the top local youth club, Georgia United, and have already signed the current top US U17 prospect, Andrew Carleton. There are a few other good prospects in the pipeline. It's obviously way too soon to know how good they will be in year one, but they've already made some astute signings in Kenwyne Jones and Hector Villalba. Given how they've been successfully executing on so much, I wouldn't at all be surprised if they land Andres Guardado as rumored.
No, I don't think there are any limits to spending on infrastructure (stadium, training facilities, etc) or youth development. The only thing that comes to mind is that there is a league-wide cap on the number of charter flights that teams can arrange each season.
The Revs got a badly-needed 3-1 win over SKC last night. Unfortunately, Toronto choked at home and lost to DC, so the Revs are still four back of DC with two to play.
DC is close to un-catchable now, but slumps from Montreal and Philadelphia have brought them within range. The Revs REALLY need Orlando to sack up and beat Montreal this afternoon. If they do, the Impact will be two points ahead of Revs with two to play....and the Revs will host Montreal on the last day of the season.
DC is close to un-catchable now, but slumps from Montreal and Philadelphia have brought them within range. The Revs REALLY need Orlando to sack up and beat Montreal this afternoon. If they do, the Impact will be two points ahead of Revs with two to play....and the Revs will host Montreal on the last day of the season.
Lodeiro was a massive signing. And managing a road win last night without him puts Seattle in a shockingly good position. Their next game is against Houston next Wednesday, who are hosting the only game next weekend, so they will be traveling on short rest. Seattle wins and that's pretty close to a playoff spot wrapped up.
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Despite three points for the Revs, this weekend was calamitous for New England's playoff chances. Both Montreal and DC won, which means the Revs will likely need six points from their last two games and some help in other games. I still think the best path to the playoffs involves taking Montreal's spot -- but we need MTL to lose at home to Toronto and for the Revs to win in Chicago. That would set up a must-win NE-MTL game on the final day.
DC is pretty much un-catchable and it's hard to imagine Philly failing to beat the dumpster fire known as Orlando City at home.
Of course, NE in no way deserves to make the playoffs after a pretty poor campaign.
Atlanta United will play the first three months of the 2017 season at GT's Bobby Dodd Stadium because of construction delays to the Falcons stadium.
An interesting look at travel woes in MLS. Clubs are restricted to a small number of charter flights per season.
An interesting look at travel woes in MLS. Clubs are restricted to a small number of charter flights per season.
- The Chicago Fire hired Cedric Cattenoy as their technical director. Cattenoy has been with PSG's academy since 2001 and looks like he could be a pretty nice hire based on his resume. Chicago has been badly underperforming in just about every respect over the last five years; failing to make use of the fact that they are in a huge and highly Hispanic market with lots of youth soccer talent is only one of them.
- Atlanta United signed Chris Goslin, another player who has been with their academy teams in the Development Academy. He's a 16 year old box-to-box mid who is also a member of the U17 national team. Along with Andrew Carleton, they have two of the better prospects in that age group.
Sounders could've clinched with a win, but draw Houston 0-0 after Ozzie Alonso earned a moronic red card for grabbing a Houston player's head.
Now Seattle needs a win against Dallas or Salt Lake to move on.
Now Seattle needs a win against Dallas or Salt Lake to move on.
Interesting article about the processes various MLS teams use to help foreign players settle into MLS and America. You'll never guess which team admits that they understaff for this! (you will totally guess).
Not sure how a club can be understaffed if they don't scout foreign players to begin with.
What, fielding calls from random agents doesn't count as scouting?!
To be fair, Kouassi looked like a pretty interesting signing, shame he tore his ACL before he arrived. Even that, however, may have been part of some connection with FC Sion that I don't really understand -- unless he and Gonçalves both flukily came from the same club? (RSL got Alvaro Saborio from them back in the day, too.)
The Rapids won last weekend's sole game and then won again last night against SJ. They are now in the lead for the Supporters Shield with two games remaining for all teams. It's down to Colorado and Dallas, but Dallas has a tougher schedule. I have to say, despite their success, to me Colorado remains an uninspiring team and I'd rather someone else takes the title. And I do have a soft spot for Dallas and Oscar Pareja, anyway.
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RSL bought out on-loan forward Yura Movsisyan's contract from Spartak Moscow.
Portland, which has largely been a wasteland for youth despite their USL team, has signed their first homegrown player in a while, 17 year old left back Marco Farfan. He played in the USL quite a bit last season as an amateur and now he's on an MLS deal. T2 used a couple of other academy guys who will likely go pro sooner or later, too.
Sign of the times for the Revs:
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RSL bought out on-loan forward Yura Movsisyan's contract from Spartak Moscow.
Portland, which has largely been a wasteland for youth despite their USL team, has signed their first homegrown player in a while, 17 year old left back Marco Farfan. He played in the USL quite a bit last season as an amateur and now he's on an MLS deal. T2 used a couple of other academy guys who will likely go pro sooner or later, too.
Sign of the times for the Revs:
The Revs just received an unlikely boost to their playoff chances. Taylor Twellman reported Didier Drogba is out of the 18 due to a dispute with the club. (IMFC claims it's due to a back injury.) Assuming he follows through on his pledge never to play on turf again, they'll be without him for their last two games.
And as I type that, the Revs give up a goal to the fucking Fire.
And as I type that, the Revs give up a goal to the fucking Fire.
As essential as Drogba was to Montreal down the stretch last season, the Impact have been far worse with him starting in 2016 than they've been without him in the lineup. He's good as a supersub, but that's the extent of his contribution now.
Piatti, who I think is one of the more underrated players in the league, has scored for Montreal. DC is up on NYCFC by a 2-0 scoreline. At least Philly isn't winning (yet) but several things have to change for the Revs to avoid being eliminated in an hour.
Philly didn't eliminate the Revs yet, but they'll have to erase a monstrous goal-differential. The season is effectively over, and hopefully Jay Heaps's time as manager is over too.
I feel that losing to sad-sack Chicago is a fitting end to the Revs' playoff hopes in 2016. I am also ready to move on from Jay Heaps, though I think the Revs have problems at every level of management, starting with Heaps, but also including Burns, and going straight to the top with the Krafts.
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NYRB has effectively won the Eastern Conference with their win over Columbus after NYCFC lost to DC. NYRB continued to be terrible in their late-game management, nearly blowing a 3-0 lead. If NYRB didn't totally suck in the last 15 minutes, they would have run away with the Supporters Shield.
Crazy win for Dallas. Late comeback, the winner was scored by El Pescadito, and Seattle's GK nearly tied the game deep into stoppage time after coming forward on a set piece and putting a nice header on frame. They're back on top of the SS table, but they have to travel to LA while Colorado gets to host Houston.
Yeah, I agree with you 100% on that. I could write a treatise on all the problems facing the Revs. It's probably unfair for the manager to be the scapegoat for all the team's issues, but right now it's the simplest and most obvious improvement for 2017.
Looking at the organization, I'm more positive than I was at the end of the Nichol/Gulati era. I think the Krafts realize their investment in MLS in 1996 is finally paying some dividends and they don't want the Revs to be laughingstocks, even if they don't care if they're true contenders. I don't know exactly what Bilello does, but at least he's doing the job of president full time. Burns keeps finding gems in the draft but is outperformed by his rivals, albeit with fewer resources. Heaps was tactically overmatched in his first job, but really did help turn the franchise around in 2014. Still, missing the playoffs in MLS is a disastrous outcome and hopefully, the necessary changes are made. We're not quite Chivas New England, but we're miles behind our rivals in the East.
Mauro Diaz out for up to 8 months with an Achilles injury.
http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/10/18/mauro-diaz-fc-dallas-injury-achilles-playoffs
That's devastating for Dallas, whose offense I think will really struggle without him and Castillo (forced his way out & sold in the summer). FCD can still hold on to take the Supporter Shield, but winning the first-ever MLS Treble is a much tougher task now.
http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/10/18/mauro-diaz-fc-dallas-injury-achilles-playoffs
That's devastating for Dallas, whose offense I think will really struggle without him and Castillo (forced his way out & sold in the summer). FCD can still hold on to take the Supporter Shield, but winning the first-ever MLS Treble is a much tougher task now.
Portland couldn't beat Saprissa at home midweek, so they were eliminated from the CCL. Dallas came back from 2-0 down in Guatemala and ended up winning 5-2 over Suchitepequez to advance.
Quarterfinals are seeded based on group stage performance. The way it shook out was definitely favorable to MLS teams, who avoid Liga MX opposition in the quarterfinals. The QF games happen before the MLS season starts, so having more time to gear up for Mexican opposition in the SF is a plus.
(1)Vancouver vs. (8)NYRB
(4)Pumas vs. (5)Tigres
(2)Árabe Unido vs. (7)FC Dallas
(3)Pachuca vs. (6)Deportivo Saprissa
Portland and Monterrey are on the roll of shame for losing out to Central American opposition - especially Monterrey, who were beaten twice by Arabe Unido.
CONCACAF president Victor Montagliano has talked about changing the format of this tournament, which I think is badly needed....though it's always possible for CONCACAF to make things worse.
Quarterfinals are seeded based on group stage performance. The way it shook out was definitely favorable to MLS teams, who avoid Liga MX opposition in the quarterfinals. The QF games happen before the MLS season starts, so having more time to gear up for Mexican opposition in the SF is a plus.
(1)Vancouver vs. (8)NYRB
(4)Pumas vs. (5)Tigres
(2)Árabe Unido vs. (7)FC Dallas
(3)Pachuca vs. (6)Deportivo Saprissa
Portland and Monterrey are on the roll of shame for losing out to Central American opposition - especially Monterrey, who were beaten twice by Arabe Unido.
CONCACAF president Victor Montagliano has talked about changing the format of this tournament, which I think is badly needed....though it's always possible for CONCACAF to make things worse.
Obviously, there are still plenty of reasons to be skeptical, but Governor Baker has now spoken favorably about the Revolution/UMass stadium project.
http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2016/10/20/charlie-baker-says-soccer-stadium-dorchester-could-really-terrific/ulkhMPFpcwyNhQUJ8aowGM/story.html
http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2016/10/20/charlie-baker-says-soccer-stadium-dorchester-could-really-terrific/ulkhMPFpcwyNhQUJ8aowGM/story.html
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Which is good, because I think I saw a different plan for the Assembly Sq Somerville plot that was discussed at one point.
Yeah, Assembly Sq is long dead, as are Brickbottom and Wonderland.
I'm not going to hold my breath. These stories come out every fall, when it's season ticket renewal season. I just find it difficult that the Krafts will do what it takes to get a stadium deal done for the Revs. They'll take it if it is handed to them on a silver platter, but obviously that's never going to happen.