Zlatan scores a hat-trick against LAFC to win the game and then tells one of the LAFC coaches: “Go home. You little b*tch, go home”
Major League Soccer 2019: Your Humble Local League (and a little USOC too)
- Thread starter Titans Bastard
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Zlatan scores a hat-trick against LAFC to win the game and then tells one of the LAFC coaches: “Go home. You little b*tch, go home”
Zlatan’s comments in the lead up to the LAFC clash about MLS and Carlos Vela would sound arrogant if it weren’t for that performance. Instead they come across as factual.
Bossing the league at 37 doesn’t help the retirement destination reputation.
Bossing the league at 37 doesn’t help the retirement destination reputation.
He’d still be a productive player in the PL- not a top striker maybe but an 8-10 goal guy. But yeah.
Why does Zlatan doing well make MLS a retirement league? If he was doing this in Belgium or in the Championship would people think they are retirement leagues?
Elite players will still be elite in second tier leagues even if they’ve lost a step. That Zlatan is so good at 37 in MLS might prove that it’s not as good as the very top Euro leagues, but everyone already knew that.
The number of Zlatan or Rooney types is a tiny, tiny fraction of the league player pool.
Elite players will still be elite in second tier leagues even if they’ve lost a step. That Zlatan is so good at 37 in MLS might prove that it’s not as good as the very top Euro leagues, but everyone already knew that.
The number of Zlatan or Rooney types is a tiny, tiny fraction of the league player pool.
If anything, the lesson here ought to be surprise that a player of Zlatan's capability and competitiveness was willing to come to LA at all. I mean, his most recent team beforehand wasn't VVV-Venlo, it was Manchester fuckin' United. He'd have had options to continue playing in top-4 UEFA leagues, for damn sure. He chose MLS, he wasn't forced here for lack of a UEFA option. That's progress.
I guess I'm wrong. MLS is a retirement league for the greats of the game.
www.chicago-fire.com
Chicago Fire Soccer Club Acquires Defender Jonathan Bornstein
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (July 22, 2019) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced today that it has acquired defender Jonathan Bornstein from Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Netanya. Bornstein is under contract with the Fire through the 2020 season with a Club option for the 2021 season. He will be
www.chicago-fire.com
The loss of Will Bruin was on display last night. Seattle has no good subs who can come on and force the issue offensively.
They controlled possession the final 30 minutes and barely even had a shot on goal to show for it. Very good defense by Portland and the Timbers finished their chances while Ruidiaz missed a sitter and Roman Torres inexplicably was the target on all set pieces.
I look forward to Joevin Jones replacing Shipp and hopefully Nouhou replacing Smith.
That said, Seattle definitely needs another attacker.
The other thing missing for Seattle these days is that enforcer type. Dempsey and Alonso would've made their mark on that game in a way that no one on the Sounders can currently do.
They controlled possession the final 30 minutes and barely even had a shot on goal to show for it. Very good defense by Portland and the Timbers finished their chances while Ruidiaz missed a sitter and Roman Torres inexplicably was the target on all set pieces.
I look forward to Joevin Jones replacing Shipp and hopefully Nouhou replacing Smith.
That said, Seattle definitely needs another attacker.
The other thing missing for Seattle these days is that enforcer type. Dempsey and Alonso would've made their mark on that game in a way that no one on the Sounders can currently do.
Hmmm.
Matt Pentz:
Schmetzer referenced Rodriguez's injury and the need for an Ozzie Alonso replacement in terms of areas of need, for whatever that's worth
Maybe, and here's a novel idea, don't let Alonso walk in the first place?
Matt Pentz:
Schmetzer referenced Rodriguez's injury and the need for an Ozzie Alonso replacement in terms of areas of need, for whatever that's worth
Maybe, and here's a novel idea, don't let Alonso walk in the first place?
Austin FC officially announced Josh Wolff as their first head coach.
Wolff was an assistant under Berhalter at Columbus and then the USMNT. He'll stay with the NT until the end of the year.
Wolff was an assistant under Berhalter at Columbus and then the USMNT. He'll stay with the NT until the end of the year.
The Timbers just beat LA Galaxy 4-0.
The Timbers had been winless in the last 27 games they had played without Diego Chara. What w a way to break that streak.
The Timbers had been winless in the last 27 games they had played without Diego Chara. What w a way to break that streak.
The Timbers certainly look like a top two team at this point. They are so talented.
It's irritating.
It's irritating.
Yeah, you know it's bad when they actually win a game without Chara...
Over in the East, it's a huge mess, with only seven points separating #1 from #8. No one has been especially convincing in their attempts to stand out from the pack.
Philly has led the East for a while and although they are a decent squad, it always felt like they were outperforming their true level. Their form has declined and it won't be surprising if they are overtaken soon. Atlanta is #2, but has never been firing on all cylinders under Frank de Boer. Although they are uninspiring compared to last year, it's not a disaster season. Nonetheless, there has been a lot of blatant, public criticism of FdB by a number of the South Americans in the team. They seem ripe for a locker room meltdown.
NYCFC are fourth, but because of games in hand they have the best PPG and are one of only two teams with a double-digit positive GD at +12 (LAFC is at an absurd +36).
Over in the East, it's a huge mess, with only seven points separating #1 from #8. No one has been especially convincing in their attempts to stand out from the pack.
Philly has led the East for a while and although they are a decent squad, it always felt like they were outperforming their true level. Their form has declined and it won't be surprising if they are overtaken soon. Atlanta is #2, but has never been firing on all cylinders under Frank de Boer. Although they are uninspiring compared to last year, it's not a disaster season. Nonetheless, there has been a lot of blatant, public criticism of FdB by a number of the South Americans in the team. They seem ripe for a locker room meltdown.
NYCFC are fourth, but because of games in hand they have the best PPG and are one of only two teams with a double-digit positive GD at +12 (LAFC is at an absurd +36).
Bedoya is in the news for hijacking the field mic during a goal celebration to talk about gun control:
www.espn.com
There are suddenly a lot of rumors from legitimate sources that Wayne Rooney will leave DCU early, after this season, to head back to England — possibly as a player-coach. Derby are supposedly interested in him.
Bedoya calls out Congress on shootings after goal
Philadelphia Union captain Alejandro Bedoya used goal celebration in Sunday's MLS game at D.C. United to call on Congress to act on gun violence.
www.espn.com
There are suddenly a lot of rumors from legitimate sources that Wayne Rooney will leave DCU early, after this season, to head back to England — possibly as a player-coach. Derby are supposedly interested in him.
Yikes for DC United. Luciano Acosta will probably want out sooner or later, and Rooney is now confirmed to be gone this winter. The situation seems to be that Rooney's wife wants to go back to England.
Lots of rebuilding to do.
View: https://twitter.com/dcunited/status/1158726702501105664
Lots of rebuilding to do.
View: https://twitter.com/dcunited/status/1158726702501105664
I just caught the last 20min of Dallas/Minn and it was a great night for the U-20 USMNT.
Brace for Brandon Servania in 20min off the bench, and both of those goals were based off of driving Pomykal runs.
Brace for Brandon Servania in 20min off the bench, and both of those goals were based off of driving Pomykal runs.
RSL fired Mike Petke last night.
Petke got into trouble due to yelling Spanish homophobic slurs at referees in a match against Tigres. RSL had generally been doing well in recent months, but I also can't shake the feeling that Petke wasn't viewed 100% favorably by RSL brass even for on-the-field issues. From what I can tell, Petke is really good at man-managing veterans, but IMO he's no great shakes tactically and he seems to have trouble managing young players. For a club that has recently made major investments in their youth pipeline, that's a problem.
Petke got into trouble due to yelling Spanish homophobic slurs at referees in a match against Tigres. RSL had generally been doing well in recent months, but I also can't shake the feeling that Petke wasn't viewed 100% favorably by RSL brass even for on-the-field issues. From what I can tell, Petke is really good at man-managing veterans, but IMO he's no great shakes tactically and he seems to have trouble managing young players. For a club that has recently made major investments in their youth pipeline, that's a problem.
Houston has fired Wilmer Cabrera. The Dynamo have sucked lately, so this isn't a surprise.
He's the fifth managerial casualty of the season.
I don't see too many more immediate hot seat managers except Veljko Paunovic in Chicago.
He's the fifth managerial casualty of the season.
I don't see too many more immediate hot seat managers except Veljko Paunovic in Chicago.
From 1-1 to 2-1 America to 3-2 Atlanta in the span of 8 minutes.
EDIT: And now Bruno Valdez gets sent off, America down to 10.
Red cards, goals from fringe US internationals, Jeff Larentowicz deflected 20 yarders, VAR reviews, Miguel Herrera.
This game has *everything*
This game has *everything*
Atlanta is playing like they still need a goal, not a team a goal up and a man up with a couple of minutes to go.
In other news, St Louis appears to be in:
View: https://twitter.com/Ben_Fred/status/1161777214641319937
View: https://twitter.com/Ben_Fred/status/1161777214641319937
Anyone watching this LA-SEA craziness? Red card and a penalty overturned by VAR in the first 12 minutes. (Both correctly called imo.)
Now throw in one of the sillier own goals you will ever see.
View: https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1162936368755924993
Rémi Garde gets the sack in Montreal, and will be replaced by Wilmer Cabrera, who hopefully enjoyed his eight days of unemployment after being fired in Houston.
It feels a little harsh. My take on Montreal is that they simply aren't that good. In this league, you can be dominant if you sign the right type of good foreign player, like Atlanta or LAFC. If you just sign average dudes just because they've played some Champo soccer or were with a low-end Ligue 1 team, you're going to be mediocre at best.
It feels a little harsh. My take on Montreal is that they simply aren't that good. In this league, you can be dominant if you sign the right type of good foreign player, like Atlanta or LAFC. If you just sign average dudes just because they've played some Champo soccer or were with a low-end Ligue 1 team, you're going to be mediocre at best.
This became official earlier this week. The league will run with 26 teams in 2020 (Miami + Nashville), 27 in 2021 (Austin), and St Louis will be #28 in 2022. It's been clear for a while that MLS has wanted to be in St. Louis pretty badly, and now that the ownership group has a solid stadium plan in place, they've gotten the stamp of approval.
St. Louis has a lot of grassroots soccer history, and is still a reasonably fertile area for talent production compared to the rest of the country. Taylor Twellman, Josh Sargent, Tim Ream, Steve Ralston, Brad Davis, Chris Klein, et al. Even Vedad Ibisevic spent a few years playing HS and college soccer in the area!
Sacramento will probably be #29 after being a perpetual bridesmaid.
Rooney sent off for a forearm shiv to the head of a RBNY defender during a corner. Took VAR to get it right but it's a straight red all day long.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGS4vJVmE8M
He can't get back to England fast enough.
I would bet my bank account that Mrs. Rooney forced through the move due to the proliferation of Wayne's goomahs in the metro DC area.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGS4vJVmE8M
He can't get back to England fast enough.
I would bet my bank account that Mrs. Rooney forced through the move due to the proliferation of Wayne's goomahs in the metro DC area.
Carlos Vela is very good.
View: https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1164376966318841856
MLS teams by GD:
LAFC +46
Atlanta +15
NYC +14
Philly & Minnesota +8
Bob Bradley has this team playing so well. I can't remember any team running away with the Supporters Shield the way LAFC is doing this year.
View: https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1164376966318841856
MLS teams by GD:
LAFC +46
Atlanta +15
NYC +14
Philly & Minnesota +8
Bob Bradley has this team playing so well. I can't remember any team running away with the Supporters Shield the way LAFC is doing this year.
I made the trip out to LA for the Revs last MLS Cup failure, but if they somehow get hot and get LAFC in the final this year, I don't think I'd bother. Amazing team.
Rivalry weak continues tonight at the Timbers host the Sounders. the Timbers get the Cascadia Cup back with a Win or a Draw, Seattle maintains it if they Win. Match is at 10pm Eastern time, I hope people watch it. It looks like, for the second time ever, the Timbers Army and Emerald City Supporters are going to be joining forces on something. The last time was to save the Cascadia Cup from being trademarked by MLS, and now it's a fight over the Iron front.
This issue has been been getting more and more attention for the news lately:
www.theguardian.com
www.portlandmercury.com
sports.yahoo.com
I don't know all the details yet, but it will be an interesting night.
This issue has been been getting more and more attention for the news lately:
MLS and Antifa: America's top flight grapples with political signage ban
The lone major North American sports league to ban political statements inside stadiums is finding enforcement isn’t so simple
www.theguardian.com
Timbers Double Down on Support for Iron Front Ban
On Monday morning, barely more than 12 hours after their loss to Atlanta United, the Portland Timbers front office released a longwinded, wide-ranging statement on "the Iron Front symbol, politics at stadiums and human rights." In it, the Timbers doubled down on a position that has drawn an...
www.portlandmercury.com
As Timbers defend MLS ban of Iron Front symbol, fans continue to criticize and push back
The issue over the "Iron Front" symbol often used by Antifa is boiling over in northwest soccer cities.
sports.yahoo.com
I don't know all the details yet, but it will be an interesting night.
Sounders won the Cascadia Cup, and I lost a little more faith in humanity by reading the comments on the Sounders Facebook post declaring that the club is against racism and fascism.
LAFC vs. Galaxy coming up in a bit. LAFC are on pace for the best season in MLS history, with room to spare, but they've never beaten the Galaxy in four meetings.
LAFC's $11.5m summer acquisition, the 19 year old Uruguayan attacker Brian Rodriguez, is on the bench for the first time.
LAFC's $11.5m summer acquisition, the 19 year old Uruguayan attacker Brian Rodriguez, is on the bench for the first time.
ok, seriously Zlatan, WTF. Turning back the years there.
and you gotta love the "I welcome your hatred!" WWE move towards the stands after he scored it, too. I don't even like the Galaxy but goddamn is Zlatan a hell of a lot of fun, even if he only actually tries about 5% of the time.
and you gotta love the "I welcome your hatred!" WWE move towards the stands after he scored it, too. I don't even like the Galaxy but goddamn is Zlatan a hell of a lot of fun, even if he only actually tries about 5% of the time.
When Timbers and Sounders fans are united on a mutual, humanitarian cause, you know its a problem.
MLS has announced its new compressed playoff schedule. The bracket is single elimination and there are no extended breaks for international play. Notably, all four NFL teams that play in MLS venues are off or away on the weekend of November 10.
Regular Season
Sun. Oct. 6: MLS Decision Day
Oct. 7-15: International break
First round
Sat. Oct. 19: Two matches (Univision)
Sun. Oct. 20: Four matches (two each on ESPN/ ESPN Deportes and FS1/Fox Deportes)
Conference semifinals
Wed. Oct. 23: Two matches (FS1/FOX Deportes)
Thurs. Oct. 24: Two matches (ESPN2, ESPN / ESPN Deportes)
Conference finals
Tues Oct. 29-Wed. Oct. 30: (one on ESPN/ESPN Deportes and one on FS1/FOX Deportes)
MLS Cup final
Sun. Nov. 10, 3:00, (ABC, Univision)
Nov. 11-19: International break
Regular Season
Sun. Oct. 6: MLS Decision Day
Oct. 7-15: International break
First round
Sat. Oct. 19: Two matches (Univision)
Sun. Oct. 20: Four matches (two each on ESPN/ ESPN Deportes and FS1/Fox Deportes)
Conference semifinals
Wed. Oct. 23: Two matches (FS1/FOX Deportes)
Thurs. Oct. 24: Two matches (ESPN2, ESPN / ESPN Deportes)
Conference finals
Tues Oct. 29-Wed. Oct. 30: (one on ESPN/ESPN Deportes and one on FS1/FOX Deportes)
MLS Cup final
Sun. Nov. 10, 3:00, (ABC, Univision)
Nov. 11-19: International break
Nashville has signed their first DP, German attacking midfielder Hany Mukhtar.
www.tennessean.com
He comes from Brøndby, though he's passed through bigger clubs like Hertha and Benfica. Given how many German youth caps he has and his stint at Benfica, it seems like he's one of those guys who was a touted prospect, but fell back to a mid-major league like Denmark. It seems a little risky to use a DP slot on a guy who has only had success in Scandinavia, but then again the CBA is up this year and who knows how the roster rules will change.
Nashville SC signs midfielder Hany Mukhtar as team's first designated player in MLS
Nashville SC has announced the signing of Hany Mukhtar as its first designated player in MLS.
www.tennessean.com
He comes from Brøndby, though he's passed through bigger clubs like Hertha and Benfica. Given how many German youth caps he has and his stint at Benfica, it seems like he's one of those guys who was a touted prospect, but fell back to a mid-major league like Denmark. It seems a little risky to use a DP slot on a guy who has only had success in Scandinavia, but then again the CBA is up this year and who knows how the roster rules will change.
Big statement win for Philadelphia over Atlanta tonight with an emphatic finish. The Union retake first place and are playing nice soccer.
NYCFC are still only four points back with three games in hand, so things will remain close at the top.
NYCFC are still only four points back with three games in hand, so things will remain close at the top.