MLS Turns 21 - the 2016 season

[Infield Infidel]

I think it depends. For the more marginal cases, having a really strong show of support in the lower divisions helps your case. It proves that the interest is there. It's a real boon to Cincinnati, for example. Overall, though, the correlation between lower-division and MLS attendance isn't there.

The top three in attendance in MLS next season could easily be Seattle, Atlanta, and Toronto. (Seattle and Atlanta look like locks for the top three, Orlando is going to fall out of the top three when they move into their new stadium, and Toronto could easily overtake NYCFC after their strong showing this season.)

Seattle, Atlanta, and Toronto all had NASL/USL clubs leading up to their entry into MLS and all three drew flies. Even the hallowed Seattle Sounders drew less than 3.5k in the USL in 2008. It didn't matter, though. If a city like St. Louis has deep-pocketed investors and can come up with a downtown stadium, it's going to happen even though Saint Louis FC draws a little less than 5k. And I bet they'd be pretty successful, too.

I'm going to move the goalposts a bit. I think the best comps for Tampa Bay are Portland and Montreal, in that the Rowdies are proposing expanding their existing Div 2 stadium instead of building a new one or moving to a larger existing stadium. (in addition, they are in a former minor league baseball stadium similar to Portland). Montreal averaged over 11,000 their last 7 seasons before MLS, and Portland had 8,500 the season before and 9,700 the season they were awarded an MLS franchise (and over 10k the next year, their last in Div 2).

Rowdies attendance in St. Pete is increasing but it's still below 6,000 (I made a mistake earlier, the stadium currently seats closer to 7,500, thanks Tampa Bay Times). If it keeps progressing maybe they'll be in the running, but before then, I'd like to see them avg closer to a full house or maybe wait till some temporary extra seating is necessary. I'm not saying it won't work, I know a few Rowdies fans and they are really passionate about the team. I was a bit surprised how fervent the fans are since I've lived out of the area for a long time, but they need more of them

 

[Vinho Tinto]

Forecast of a windy and cold night in Toronto for tomorrow night's final. Low 20s, but doesn't look like any precipitation during the match.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Forecast of a windy and cold night in Toronto for tomorrow night's final. Low 20s, but doesn't look like any precipitation during the match.

I thought this was an interesting read on a player's perspective about dealing with temperatures in the 20s.

 

[Infield Infidel]

Montreal Impact's USL affiliate FC Montreal shut down, and Ottawa Fury will be Impact's new affiliate. That says to me that Ottawa are aiming for MLS in the future

 

[Titans Bastard]

Twellman says that Atlanta is going to sign Brad Guzan:


I can't recall a time when Twellman has reported something like this and been wrong. There had been murmurs that Guzan was heading stateside anyway. It had also been widely reported that Atlanta had a deal with Chicago for Sean Johnson that was due to go through when the winter transfer window opened. I am curious as to whether that will still happen.

--

Montreal announced the signing of Blerim Džemaili, a Swiss international currently at Bologna (which is also owned by Joey Saputo). He'll join on a Designated Player contract in the 2017 summer transfer window.

--

MLS announced an increase in one form of GarberBux -- the annual TAM budget is going up by 50% ($400k). That basically means that teams can stretch the salary cap a bit more by spending this TAM on certain players. TAM is structured in a tortured way to ensure that additional salary expenditure goes towards securing the services of higher-end foreigners rather than seeping into the salaries of the rank-and-file. Domestic players get bitter about this, but at the end of the day the market for their services is what it is.

--

LAFC announced an affiliation with the Orange County Blues. LAFC won't start until 2018, but they might do what Atlanta did and sign a few young players and loan them out to the USL the year before they begin in MLS.

--

Sporting KC signed a couple of players from their USL team to MLS contracts. Mex-Am goalkeeper Adrian Zendejas, who had joined Swope Park Rangers from Tijuana's reserves last year and Canadian left back Tyler Pasher.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

What is everyone's prediction for tonight?

I'm hoping Sounders 2-1, but I fear a 3-1 or 4-2 loss.

 

[Titans Bastard]

I see Toronto taking this (though predicting MLS games is a fool's errand). Home-field advantage is a powerful thing, especially for a game like this. Toronto just put up five goals in 120 minutes against Montreal even though Giovinco laid an egg by his standards. Jozy is unplayable right now.

Then there's the possible weakness in Seattle's midfield due to their trio of banged up players (Alonso, Evans, Friberg). If Alonso can't go or if he's less than 100%, that's a big problem. Evans or Friberg could step in, but would be worse and both of them may be less than 100% as well, given that neither made the 18 in Colorado.

Seattle will need Lodeiro and Morris to bring it and to be clinical with their chances. Toronto will very likely roll out a three-in-the-back formation, so the thing I'll look for early on is how easily Morris can exploit the space out wide behind the wingbacks. Morris' speed is just devastating, so getting punched in the face on a counter is what would scare me most if I'm Vanney.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Toronto starts a 3-5-2 with the typical cast of characters, except Jonathan Osorio starts in place of Will Johnson in central midfield. That's a somewhat more attack-minded swap.

Seattle starts a 4-2-3-1.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

MLS Twitter says Toronto is going for a couple of early knockout goals with its lineup. Hoping Seattle can score on the counter.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

Whatever Arena just said about Dempsey wasn't heard in the Seattle area because of a emergency broadcast test. Fuck.

 

[Senator Donut]

Whatever Arena just said about Dempsey wasn't heard in the Seattle area because of a emergency broadcast test. Fuck.

Arena expects Dempsey in January camp

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

That seems like good news, for country and club.

Even start, though TFC has had better chances.

 

[OCST]

24 degrees. Oof.

 

[Senator Donut]

Maybe I was spoiled by the semifinals, but this has been a very drab cup final thus far.

 

[SocrManiac]

Seattle is taking Gio away by packing the middle and opening the wings. They'd rather be beat by Altidore on a cross than Giovinco with the ball at his feet.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Bradley's been everywhere tonight. More of this for the USMNT, please.

 

[OCST]

Maybe I was spoiled by the semifinals, but this has been a very drab cup final thus far.

Was thinking the same thing and wonder if it's the cold.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Was thinking the same thing and wonder if it's the cold.

I think that's a factor. There's a reason Barcelona is associated with tiki-taka and not Dundee United. Well, multiple reasons, but...

In any case, I believe the appropriate euphemism for this sort of cup final is a "cagey affair".


Hopefully somebody scores early in the second half - a goal would really open up the game.

 

[OCST]

Also wonder if Bradley looks good by comparison because everyone else is slowed by the cold.

 

[Senator Donut]

Was thinking the same thing and wonder if it's the cold.

I think the cold has been a bigger issue due to the three long injury stoppages.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Also wonder if Bradley looks good by comparison because everyone else is slowed by the cold.

Meanwhile, Bradley is rocking short sleeves. More evidence, along with his media interviews, that he is a robot.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

This game is terrifying.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Ref needs to call a tighter game.

 

[SocrManiac]

This is a shitshow.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

Wow. Friberg out. Not the first sub I wanted.

 

[Infield Infidel]

It's cold out there today but it's not as windy as yesterday. I kind of regret not going since tix were selling for under $150 CAD past few days

Ref needs to call a tighter game.

Yeah, it's pretty physical

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

Wow. Toronto is flopping. Jesus.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Beitashour embellished that for sure, but WTF was Jones doing with his arms? Waving elbows like that is asking for trouble.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Subbing Valdez off due to injury might be a blessing in disguise. Morris up top now.

 

[MiracleOfO2704]

Beitashour embellished that for sure, but WTF was Jones doing with his arms? Waving elbows like that is asking for trouble.

That's exactly where I'm at. Jones deserved the booking just for being so irredeemably dumb.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Ridiculous no-call on what should have been a professional foul yellow.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

Feels like a classic nut-punch goal to send the Sounders home losers. Terrified.

 

[Titans Bastard]

@ThePrideofShiner's nuts narrowly escape a punching on that corner.

 

[OCST]

Bradley deserved that yellow.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

I was at the MLS Cup in 2006 when Houston beat New England in PKs. Don't want to witness that again.

Hoping Seattle pulls out the win, though my nuts and heart would really like to avoid PKs.

 

[Titans Bastard]

 

[Catcher Block]

The number of times guys have been whistled for running on other players' heels in the game has been so much higher than I can ever remember. Such poor defending.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

I don't think my heart can handle PKs. Cmon Sounders. Get it done.

 

[Titans Bastard]

I actually thought the first half was entertaining in a certain way, but it's been ugly since and it's getting uglier. PKs seem inevitable now.

 

[Infield Infidel]

Ricketts has to pass that on net instead of trying to crush it

 

[Infield Infidel]

Amazing save there for Frei.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Wow. Toronto fans will think about those Ricketts and Altidore chances for a long time if they end up losing on PKs or something. Great save by Frei on that Jozy header.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

No PKs. Give me a late Seattle goal dammit.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Friedel doesn't think anything is a foul.

 

[jcaz]

New to MLS - watching my first full game of my life, I think. Seems like a bit of a train wreck - in both quality of play and officiating.

 

[Catcher Block]

Seattle's been cramping/playing for PKs since about the 75th minute.

 

[Catcher Block]

Another terrible pass, Bradley.

 

[InstaFace]

I don't think the officiating was bad at all. It was called fairly loosely, but consistently so, and not without some boundary-setting.

That said, Michael Bradley having the only failed PK so far is... fitting.

 

[McBride11]

I don't think the officiating was bad at all. It was called fairly loosely, but consistently so, and not without some boundary-setting.

That said, Michael Bradley having the only failed PK so far is... fitting.

But did you see his work rate on the attempt?

 

[InstaFace]

He looked very intense. He cares.