One Strike and You're Out: The 2015 MLS In-Season Thread

[Titans Bastard]

NYRB's win over Montreal last night places them firmly in pole position for the Supporters Shield, especially with Vancouver and Dallas playing to a draw.
 
The weekend's only game is Colorado vs. Montreal, a massive game for the Impact.  A loss against the pathetic Rapids and it's time for them to seriously start panicking about choking away their playoff spot to Orlando.  The Impact have a tougher schedule for the last two (@NE, v. TOR) than Orlando (v. NYC, @PHI)

 

[FlexFlexerson]

Was at this afternoon's Rapids game (Dick's Sporting Goods Park is a nice place to take in a game, even when the hometown team can't get it together), and this was flying around overhead:
 
 

 ​

@ColoradoRapids Return of the Plane #rapids96 #mls #majorleaguesoccer #soccer #football #futbol #fifa @tkhinchey3 "The Club Is Still A Wreck KSE & Hinchey Out"
A photo posted by Andrew (@av0311) on

Oct 10, 2015 at 3:40pm PDT

 
Hysterical.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Was at this afternoon's Rapids game (Dick's Sporting Goods Park is a nice place to take in a game, even when the hometown team can't get it together), and this was flying around overhead:
 
 

 ​

@ColoradoRapids Return of the Plane #rapids96 #mls #majorleaguesoccer #soccer #football #futbol #fifa @tkhinchey3 "The Club Is Still A Wreck KSE & Hinchey Out"
A photo posted by Andrew (@av0311) on
Oct 10, 2015 at 3:40pm PDT

 
Hysterical.


 
I have been to the Dick, it's beautiful.
 
Knowing that Hinchey and Mastroeni still have jobs must be soul-crushing.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Montreal beat Colorado in the weekend's only game, a huge win for the Impact, who had allowed Orlando to creep close to them in the standings.  Orlando isn't done yet, but they have to win out and hope that Montreal doesn't get more than one point from their final two games.
 
Toronto hired Bill Manning as club president.  Manning had been president at RSL before being let go by Dell Loy Hansen earlier this year.  Manning is pretty well regarded as part of the trio (along with Jason Kreis and Garth Lagerwey) that built the strong RSL teams from 2010-2014.  All three guys are now gone and employed elsewhere in the league.
 
The USL's Austin Aztex are going on hiatus in 2016 in an attempt to sort out their stadium situation.  They played at HS stadium (where they couldn't sell alcohol) until being forced out by the flooding earlier in the year.  Teams that go on hiatus rarely make it back, although it has happened.  This is a blow to the USL's momentum, although they are still expected to grow from 24 to 28 teams next season.

 

[ilivefaster]

The USL's Austin Aztex are going on hiatus in 2016 in an attempt to sort out their stadium situation.  They played at HS stadium (where they couldn't sell alcohol) until being forced out by the flooding earlier in the year.  Teams that go on hiatus rarely make it back, although it has happened.  This is a blow to the USL's momentum, although they are still expected to grow from 24 to 28 teams next season.

 
 
This year we actually had a little beer garden, which was helping, and everything seemed to be going the right way (we were middle of the pack in attendance through week 24!) until the floods. Ownership down here said all the right things, and there's whispering of a re-branding happening with a new stadium opening, but there doesn't seem to be a big hunt for stadium space at the moment.
 
I for one can't stand "Aztex", especially if they're not just gonna go whole hog and beat the hell out of it -- hang sacrifices near the opponents' benches, talk about "Nextlahualli" regarding the players' performances and "Give Your Service" as the motto, designing the stadium like a giant pyramid temple -- but it'll probably be lame like Austin United or FC Austin. Fingers crossed though, because even with a lame name like that it'd be so much better than cheering for college sports.

 

[dirtynine]

Aztec FC / SC would be pretty great.  It's the X that ruins the idea. 

 

[Titans Bastard]

Jozy Altidore just got red carded in this Toronto vs. NYRB game.  From the bench.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Toronto just beat NYRB 2-1 and qualified for the playoffs for the first time ever.  It's their 9th season and Greg Vanney is their 9th manager.
 
Giovinco is insane.  He came off the bench for Italy yesterday and helped set up two goals.  This morning, he hopped on a flight from Rome to Toronto, arrived at 4pm local time, and then came off the bench agan for TFC tonight and scored a ridiculous goal.
 
NYRB missed Matt Miazga badly.  Ronald Zubar may have EPL and Champions League experience, but he's a freaking traffic cone out there.  Bradley missed the game with a "mild groin injury".
 
If Dallas beats Vancouver tonight, they'll be level on points with NYRB for the Supporters Shield with two to play for each.

 

[SocrManiac]

Giovinco absolutely undressed undressed half of NYRB. I loved him when he was owned by Juventus and hoped he'd finally break through, but he's been stuck behind some world class talent. 
 
I'm wondering if he can be blamed a bit for Jozy's continued run with the USMNT. Does Altidore have double digit goals without Giovinco serving him and diverting pressure?

 

[Titans Bastard]

Giovinco absolutely undressed undressed half of NYRB. I loved him when he was owned by Juventus and hoped he'd finally break through, but he's been stuck behind some world class talent. 
 
I'm wondering if he can be blamed a bit for Jozy's continued run with the USMNT. Does Altidore have double digit goals without Giovinco serving him and diverting pressure?

 
Giovinco is a no-brainer MVP pick this year.  He's used the season as a springboard back into the Italy picture, too.
 
I'd agree with your line of thinking about his effect on Jozy's goal totals.  Generally, scoring 12 goals is a pretty decent haul in MLS, but most Toronto fans would tell you that they haven't been very impressed with Altidore.  There have certainly been many games where he hasn't lived up to his billing.  For some reason his off-the-ball work has been particularly awful in recent times for both club and country.
 
---
 
 
A few news items:
 
- MLS is talking about video review in 2016, for PKs, red cards, and goal line decisions.  I'm ambivalent about video review, but as long as it is used only in situations where there would be a stoppage in play anyway, I'm willing to go along with an experiment.
 
- Atlanta United announced they are starting their academy this coming fall (2016), ahead of their 2017 MLS launch.  A wise move in my opinion, as it takes time to ramp up operations and establish yourself as the destination for top area players.  A number of the supposedly top prospects in the next U17 cycle (players born in 2000 and 2001, ugh) are from the Atlanta area and I wouldn't be surprised if the club wants to hoover them up.
 
- Atlanta also announced they are up to 26,000 season ticket deposits with 1.5 years left to continue selling them.  Well done, Atlanta.
 
- Orlando City finally made the official announcement of their long-rumored USL team.  It is uncreatively named Orlando City B and will play at Eastern Florida State's campus in Melbourne.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Orlando rattled off their fifth straight win last night, 2-1 over NYCFC.  Cyle Larin scored a brace, taking him to 17 goals on the season.  He's a shoo-in for Rookie of the Year.  Orlando are now within one point of Montreal again, but they need to beat Philadelphia next week and hope that Montreal doesn't get more than one point over their last two games.  The Impact play @NE and v TOR so it's possible.
 
SJ also beat SKC to stay alive in the West.  One point separating #4 from #7 right now.
 
Rochester beat LA Galaxy II last night in extra time to win the USL title.  The Rhinos lapped the field in the regular season with only one loss and a 13-point edge on the next best team, so they'd be deserving champions.

 

[Titans Bastard]

A home loss for the Revs last night leaves them winless in four and down to 6th place in the conference.  It is still highly unlikely they will miss the playoffs, as they'd need to lose to NYCFC and Orlando would need to beat Philly by margins large enough to swing around an 8-goal difference in GD.  However, a first-round bye is now out of reach and the chances of hosting a playoff game have decreased significantly.  Too bad, the Revs broke a single-game attendance record for the regular season (not counting double header-padded games) with over 42k at Gillette.
 
 
Dallas won on the road last night to clinch the Western Conference title and with it, a place in the 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League.  I am impressed by what Oscar Pareja has done down there.  His commitment to youth is admirable, especially because he gets results.  He entrusted the midfield engine to the youthful duo of Victor Ulloa and Kellyn Acosta, both local academy products.  And down the stretch of a Supporters Shield race, he decided to give the starting GK role to unproven 20 year old Jesse Gonzalez over two competent veterans.  (Gonzalez is another Dallas academy product, but he's chosen to play for Mexico.)  It's worked out.

 

[Zomp]

So are the Revs going to have a home playoff game?

 

[Billy R Ford]

They need to leapfrog two of Columbus, Toronto, and Montreal. Columbus has 50 points and plays DC, Toronto and Montreal have 49 and 48 points and play each other, and the Revs have 47 points and play NYCFC. So its possible, just unlikely. Simplest scenario Revs win, Columbus loses, and there's a winner in TOR/MON match.

If they make it to the second round they'll have a home playoff match because then its a home-and-away series.

 

[Snakebauer007]

Orlando rattled off their fifth straight win last night, 2-1 over NYCFC.  Cyle Larin scored a brace, taking him to 17 goals on the season.  He's a shoo-in for Rookie of the Year.  Orlando are now within one point of Montreal again, but they need to beat Philadelphia next week and hope that Montreal doesn't get more than one point over their last two games.  The Impact play @NE and v TOR so it's possible.
 

It was a great game, the best part about the 5 match win streak is OC learning to get by without Kaka(he missed 3 of the games), especially Larin who looked so dependent on his service until recently. I'd also add the atmosphere was insane, I was directly under the purple section of this :
http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2015/10/16/%E2%80%9Cbest-fans-league%E2%80%9D-break-expansion-attendance-record

Tally Hall did go down with a knee injury, which is unfortunate, he has been stellar for us, hopefully he is ready to go in 2016.

 

[nickandemmasuncle]

They need to leapfrog two of Columbus, Toronto, and Montreal. Columbus has 50 points and plays DC, Toronto and Montreal have 49 and 48 points and play each other, and the Revs have 47 points and play NYCFC. So its possible, just unlikely. Simplest scenario Revs win, Columbus loses, and there's a winner in TOR/MON match.

If they make it to the second round they'll have a home playoff match because then its a home-and-away series.

 
I may have the math wrong, but I think that if NE wins and Columbus loses on the final day, that guarantees the Revs a home game no matter what happens between Toronto and Montreal. That would leave NYRB in first, DC in second, and NE and CLB even at 50 points -- with the first tiebreaker (wins) also even and the second tiebreaker (goal difference) going to the Revs.
 
So against that backdrop, if Toronto wins, they get the third seed with 52, Revs get the fourth seed with 50 and the tiebreaker, Columbus gets the fifth seed with 50, and MTL gets the sixth seed with 48. If Montreal wins, flip them (51 pts) and Toronto (49 pts), but the Revs stay fourth and still host the play-in. And then if Toronto and Montreal draw, it'll be Toronto as a 3 seed with 50 and the tiebreaker over NE and CLB (most wins), Revs as a 4 seed with 50 and the tiebreaker (GD) over CLB, Columbus as the 5 seed with 50, and Montreal as the 6 seed with 49.
 
Anything but a Revs win and a Columbus loss and I believe NE has to go on the road for the play-in -- that's assuming, of course, that Orlando doesn't beat Philly by a boatload and NE doesn't lose to NYC by a boatload, leaving NE out of the playoffs entirely. Orlando 4-0 and NYC 4-0 would do the trick. Unlikely, but not completely implausible.

 

[steeplechase3k]

In the west Portland jumped from 7th to 3rd (4th on tie breakers) with a 5-2 win over the Galaxy.  I think the Timbers only earned 1 point in Carson (vs LAG) in MLS.  
 
Absolutely amazing come back from the Timbers.  According to one of our statheads the Timbers had not won on the road after trailing at the half since 2003.
 
https://twitter.com/TheMikeDonovan/status/655914043111112704

 

[Titans Bastard]

NYRB crushed Philly yesterday 4-1, a performance that included a Mike Grella goal seven seconds after kickoff, an MLS record.  NYRB and Dallas are tied on points going into the final game, with NYRB holding the tiebreaker.  They'll travel to Chicago (who clinched the Wooden Spoon with an embarassing 4-0 defeat to DC), while Dallas hosts SJ, who are still fighting to make the playoffs.
 
And how about this?
 
https://twitter.com/SoccerInsider/status/655950674954493952

 

[Titans Bastard]

Also in Grant Wahl's piece, Kreis is rumored to be getting the axe at NYCFC and replaced by Patrick Vieira.  I hope it happens for the entertainment value.
 
RSL's win over Municipal last night means that four MLS teams advance to the CCL quarterfinals for the first time ever.  It looks to be the first time that the quarterfinals will exclusively be American and Mexican clubs, although Tigres still has to take care of business against Herediano before that's assured.
 
 
MLS is taking a page from the EPL's book and playing a bunch of simultaneous games on the last day of the season.  The East kicks off at 5pm ET and the West kicks off at 7pm.  However, Chicago vs. NYRB has been bumped back to 7pm so that the two Supporters Shield competitors, NYRB and Dallas, kick off at the same time.
 
 
There's an interesting rumor that Philadelphia making a run at Earnie Stewart.  I've thought that Stewart would be an intriguing candidate for US technical director, actually.  He's a former USMNT player who grew up in and mostly played in Europe, and who has TD experience at multiple Dutch clubs.  Isn't that pretty much an ideal resume?

 

[teddykgb]

I'd be surprised if Kreis is fired this soon.  He made quite a commitment to take a year off and the club made quite a commitment to him bringing him to Europe and having him spend time there.  I don't think you do all that and fire him at the first sign of trouble.  As far as Vieira, he's done well with City's Youth setup by most accounts but I'd be surprised if his only option for first team coaching is in MLS.  I think he could probably get a "bigger" job elsewhere, although maybe City will pay him far more to manage NYCFC. 

 

[Titans Bastard]

RSL's win over Municipal last night means that four MLS teams advance to the CCL quarterfinals for the first time ever.  It looks to be the first time that the quarterfinals will exclusively be American and Mexican clubs, although Tigres still has to take care of business against Herediano before that's assured.

 
Tigres tied Herediano, which was enough to advance.  LA traveled to Comunicaciones for a largely meaningless game with a true B squad.  Bruce Arena didn't even make the trip.  They ended up coughing up a last-minute equalizer, which together with the Tigres draw, caused the ranking of group winners to be arranged in such a way that all four QF matchups will be Liga MX vs. MLS.
 
Fun times, but could be ugly for the US, we'll see.
 

 

[dirtynine]

The ghost of SuperLiga rises!
 
ed. added link 

 

[Titans Bastard]

I haven't seen a list like this before.
 
https://twitter.com/svertelney/status/657263958391418881
 
 
No surprise that half the names on the list play in NYC or LA.  I'm kind of surprised that a Revs player made the top 20.

 

[Titans Bastard]

KC officially announced their USL team today, Swope Park Rangers.
 
Swope Park is a large public park in Kansas City that has a soccer complex where KC's reserve team used to play.  The fans nicknamed the reserve team "Swope Park Rangers" and they've decided to run with it for the USL team since they'll also be playing in the park.

 

[Jimy Hendrix]

KC officially announced their USL team today, Swope Park Rangers.
 
Swope Park is a large public park in Kansas City that has a soccer complex where KC's reserve team used to play.  The fans nicknamed the reserve team "Swope Park Rangers" and they've decided to run with it for the USL team since they'll also be playing in the park.

If we're gonna rip off Euro club names, I enjoy it a lot more when there's a knowing wink involved than the generic American FCs or Uniteds.

 

[Titans Bastard]

If we're gonna rip off Euro club names, I enjoy it a lot more when there's a knowing wink involved than the generic American FCs or Uniteds.

 
Definitely.  Although given Sporting Kansas City's name, the best choice for a minor league affiliate would always be Topeka Benfica.

 

[dirtynine]

I was hoping for Kansas City (Kansas) City

 

[nickandemmasuncle]

I assume you guys are already familiar with the practice of calling SKC the Missouri Azzurri, but it seemed like the logical next thing to point out in this discussion.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

They'll always be the Wiz to me.

 

[steeplechase3k]

http://www.mnunitedfc.com/news/2015/10/23/minnesota-united-announces-intention-to-build-stadium-in-st-paul
 
 

Minnesota United FC’s William McGuire and Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman today announced the team’s commitment to building a new soccer stadium at the Snelling-Midway site in Saint Paul, providing a home for Major League Soccer (MLS) in the state of Minnesota. Joined by local officials and soccer fans from across the state, the two confirmed that the team and city will work together – along with key partners at the state and local level including a community advisory committee – to build the nearly 20,000 person capacity soccer stadium at the well-known, centrally located site.
 
“By all measures important to soccer fans throughout the Twin Cities metro and the state, as well as the needs of the team and Major League Soccer (MLS), this is a great location for an iconic soccer facility that will house the MLS franchise in Minnesota,” said McGuire. “Located between two great downtowns, situated along multiple transit options and the interstate, and in the heart of a dynamic community, this site provides us the opportunity to work in partnership with the city of Saint Paul and the local community to establish top-tier professional soccer that will be readily accessible to everyone.”
 
Minnesota United was awarded an MLS franchise earlier this year in a highly competitive process that put Minnesota ahead of other major markets in the United States.

 

 

[Titans Bastard]

Early goal from Lee Nguyen puts the Revs up 1-0.  Great hold up play from Davies, but less-than-stellar defending from NYCFC.  Bunbury nearly scored a few minutes later after a bad giveaway, but he skied it and probably should have dished it off to Nguyen.

 

[Titans Bastard]

2-0 at halftime thanks to a Davies goal.
 
Revs need to win + Columbus needs to lose to DC for New England to host a play-in game.  Despite being without Kamara and Higuain, the Crew are up 1-0, so it looks like the Revs will hit the road in the playoffs.
 
If current results hold, the Revs will travel to DC.  I can live with that.

 

[wilked]

Can't really figure this out

What is revs playoff schedule and will they play at Gillette?

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

Sounders up 2-0 early to all but clinch their spot.
 
Timbers-Rapids tied at 1-1. If everything holds, I think the Sounders jump to the No. 2 seed.
 
Edit: Dempsey makes it 3-0 in the 20th!

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

Can't really figure this out

What is revs playoff schedule and will they play at Gillette?

 
Revs finished fifth in the East and will play a knockout game at DC United on Wednesday or Thursday.

 

[Titans Bastard]

 
Revs finished fifth in the East and will play a knockout game at DC United on Wednesday or Thursday.

 
DC got absolutely pistol-whipped by Columbus 5-0 today and after a miraculous first half the season have basically completed their transformation into a pumpkin.  I like this matchup, although I'm never too confident when the Revs go on the road.  I'm glad the Revs avoided Montreal, who have become more dangerous because of Drogba.
 
IF the Revs win, the next round is a home-and-home so they'd get a home game.

 

[DJnVa]

Can't believe that the Timbers are in line for a possible 2nd place finish in West. They need to hold on and hope LA doesn't win, but the fact that it's possible seems crazy.

 

[Titans Bastard]

NYRB up 2-0 on Chicago and look like they are cruising to the Supporters Shield, which would be their second trophy ever.  Dallas is tied 1-1 with SJ, who are a tougher and more motivated team than the Fire.
 
KC is dangerously close to missing the playoffs.  Right now they are in, but if they concede another goal to LA or if SJ takes the lead against Dallas they're out.

 

[DJnVa]

Timbers still hanging on, up 4-1 and KC up 2-1 on LA.
 
Nagbe with 2 goals and assist and Timbers radio broadcast was talking about a possible call-up to USMNT.
 
EDIT: Ack, Vancouver is up to the #2 seed. Portland going to be #3.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

Galaxy vs. Sounders should be epic. 

 

[Titans Bastard]

NYRB held on to beat Chicago 2-1 and take the Supporters Shield.  Great year for them and great work from Jesse Marsch, especially after the huge fracas with the supporters when Mike Petke was fired.  Dallas did their part, beating SJ 2-1, but they lose out on goal difference.
 
#1 NYRB bye
#2 Columbus bye
#3 Montreal vs. #6 Toronto
#4 DC vs. #5 New England
 
#1 Dallas bye
#2 Vancouver bye
#3 Portland vs. #6 KC
#4 Seattle vs. #5 LA
 
The brackets will be reseeded after the first round, so if -- for example -- NE and Toronto win, NE will play Columbus.
 
The Montreal and Seattle games should be a lot of fun.  This will be the first time a Canadian team has ever hosted a playoff game, thus has been the success of Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal in MLS history.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

DC United-New England, 7:30 p.m. EDT on Wednesday
Galaxy-Sounders, 10 p.m. EDT on Wednesday

 

[Arroyo Con Frijoles]

Disappointing last month or so for the Revs, but this is a pretty good matchup all things considered.  

 

[Titans Bastard]

There's an interesting rumor that Philadelphia making a run at Earnie Stewart.  I've thought that Stewart would be an intriguing candidate for US technical director, actually.  He's a former USMNT player who grew up in and mostly played in Europe, and who has TD experience at multiple Dutch clubs.  Isn't that pretty much an ideal resume?

 
Philadelphia Union Reach Agreement with Earnie Stewart to Become Club’s Sporting Director
 
I didn't think they would actually pull this off.

 

[Titans Bastard]

As expected, the Union name their Lehigh Valley USL franchise "Bethlehem Steel".  It's a great throwback and it's the outcome that pretty much everyone was rooting for.
 

 

[dirtynine]

The head-on steel beam "I" is a very good mark.  And the snake is obviously beloved by domestic fans.  They look great together... but: is the beam like an inch deep? How can the snake slither around it like that?  Maybe somebody cut snake-holes in it?
 
Whatever, I'll probably get a shirt. 

 

[wilked]

Game day

 

[wilked]

Gotta try to find this thing on fios...

 

[Titans Bastard]

The Revs are lining up like so:
 
 

Agudelo​

Fagundez - Nguyen - Rowe​

Jones - Caldwell​

Tierney - Gonçalves - Farrell - Alston​

Shuttleworth​

 
Alston comes in at RB for the injured London Woodberry.  Despite a hot game against NYCFC, Davies heads back to the bench in favor of Agudelo.  Doubtless we'll see him off the bench.
 
Crappy weather, which I think hurts the Revs.

 

[daburgaman]

The Revs are lining up like so:
 
 

Agudelo​

Fagundez - Nguyen - Rowe​

Jones - Caldwell​

Tierney - Gonçalves - Farrell - Alston​

Shuttleworth​

 
Alston comes in at RB for the injured London Woodberry.  Despite a hot game against NYCFC, Davies heads back to the bench in favor of Agudelo.  Doubtless we'll see him off the bench.
 
Crappy weather, which I think hurts the Revs.

Sooo is this game only on the Spanish channel on fios????