MLS 2013 -- Deuces Wild
- Thread starter Titans Bastard
- Start date
The Timbers came back twice to win at SKC. It was Sporting's first loss at home this season, it was also the first time in MLS history that a team gave up a goal in the first minute on the road but came back to win. Portland is also the only team unbeaten on the road this season (which if you watched them on the road last year is crazy)
http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-27-SKC-v-POR/highlights
http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-04-27-SKC-v-POR/highlights
So, the Revs are gonna be here at Jeld-Wen in a few days. Who should I look for from them and what have they been doing tactically this season?
I would say Andrew Farrell at right back, but it doesn't look like he'll be fit for the Portland trip. Kelyn Rowe is quality, very fast and fairly direct in how he attacks, can be tricky on the ball as well. Rookie Scott Caldwell played under Porter at Akron, but he's not a starter. The star player is probably Lee Nguyen.
As for tactically, the answer is... not much. They're solid defensively, and to be honest you can probably expect a parked bus. In attack though, they just lack ideas, booting it forward semi-randomly. Very direct soccer, on the whole. They usually play a 4-2-3-1 that looks more like a 4-4-1-1 because they drop back to defend so much. On the whole, this has led to a whopping 10 total goals being scored in Revs matches in 7 games, 4 for and 6 against. I would expect a low-scoring match tomorrow.
As for tactically, the answer is... not much. They're solid defensively, and to be honest you can probably expect a parked bus. In attack though, they just lack ideas, booting it forward semi-randomly. Very direct soccer, on the whole. They usually play a 4-2-3-1 that looks more like a 4-4-1-1 because they drop back to defend so much. On the whole, this has led to a whopping 10 total goals being scored in Revs matches in 7 games, 4 for and 6 against. I would expect a low-scoring match tomorrow.
The Timbers teamed up with Make-a-wish Oregon yesterday to make a 8 year old cancer patient's wish come true. His team, The Green Machine, got to play a game at Jeld-wen Field against the Timbers. It was free and open to the public. Over 3000 people showed up at 11:30am on a Wednesday.
Here are a bunch of links to photo galleries and videos. Fair warning: you will likely cry.
Videos:
http://www.portlandtimbers.com/news/2013/04/portland-timbers-players-nagbe-jewsbury-and-silvestre-all-prepare-atticus-make-wish-gam
http://www.kptv.com/video?clipId=8833043&autostart=true
http://www.portlandtimbers.com/video/2013/05/01/highlights-green-machine-10-timbers-9
http://www.portlandtimbers.com/video/2013/05/01/how-atticus-green-machine-beat-timbers
http://www.portlandtimbers.com/blog/post/2013/05/01/espns-stuart-scott-dude-we-fight-together (SportsCenter Top 10 plays)
http://www.portlandtimbers.com/news/2013/05/mlssoccercoms-anatomy-goal-breaks-down-atticus-nutmeg-gamewinner (MLS Anatomy of a goal)
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151578698377236.1073741840.182844932235&type=1
http://photos.oregonlive.com/photo-essay/2013/05/portland_timbers_grant_the_wis.html
Edit to add my favorite photo on the day:
Here are a bunch of links to photo galleries and videos. Fair warning: you will likely cry.
Videos:
http://www.portlandtimbers.com/news/2013/04/portland-timbers-players-nagbe-jewsbury-and-silvestre-all-prepare-atticus-make-wish-gam
http://www.kptv.com/video?clipId=8833043&autostart=true
http://www.portlandtimbers.com/video/2013/05/01/highlights-green-machine-10-timbers-9
http://www.portlandtimbers.com/video/2013/05/01/how-atticus-green-machine-beat-timbers
http://www.portlandtimbers.com/blog/post/2013/05/01/espns-stuart-scott-dude-we-fight-together (SportsCenter Top 10 plays)
http://www.portlandtimbers.com/news/2013/05/mlssoccercoms-anatomy-goal-breaks-down-atticus-nutmeg-gamewinner (MLS Anatomy of a goal)
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151578698377236.1073741840.182844932235&type=1
http://photos.oregonlive.com/photo-essay/2013/05/portland_timbers_grant_the_wis.html
Edit to add my favorite photo on the day:
Zomp said:
The Revs have been playing Jerry Bengtson as a lone striker and it's been a disaster. The return of Saer Sene from injury will help the attack, but Agudelo will add another dimension and start to build some depth up top. Every time the Revs spend allocation money in trades for players, it's a good move considering the alternatives are (a)not using allocation money at all or (b)using it to buy down the cap hit of the latest disastrous foreign signing.
Agudelo has been a little fragile this season, which is a concern. The other major point to make about this trade is that Agudelo is out of contract at the end of 2013. It could be a short ride. However, Agudelo is a player who has a lot of potential and who has received a ton of hype. He has not yet truly produced yet, though, and it's difficult to predict what the market would be for him internationally.
Great and entertaining game for the Revs tonight in Houston. Diego Fagundez scored, continuing his great form, and Juan Agudelo scored in his Revs debut (though they might end up making it an own goal for Houston).
First road win of the season, and it was very exciting to see the goals come from the two absurdly talented young forwards!
First road win of the season, and it was very exciting to see the goals come from the two absurdly talented young forwards!
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/05/21/major-league-soccer-announces-new-york-expansion-team-new-york-city-football
Randy f'ing Levine??? We can start hating this team already.
Randy f'ing Levine??? We can start hating this team already.
http://nycfc.com/
So far, the website is decked out in MCFC blue, has the MCFC logo and several links to the MCFC website. That will be good for attracting people who are fans of other EPL clubs. And the Yankees as the minority owner? I'm sure glad they are pursuing stadium near Citi Field.
Well, NY2 is finally here and it's already been designed in a way that will needlessly alienate potential fans in two different ways.
So far, the website is decked out in MCFC blue, has the MCFC logo and several links to the MCFC website. That will be good for attracting people who are fans of other EPL clubs. And the Yankees as the minority owner? I'm sure glad they are pursuing stadium near Citi Field.
Well, NY2 is finally here and it's already been designed in a way that will needlessly alienate potential fans in two different ways.
Still no stadium deal for DC, but let's get another team in NYC. Awesome job Garber. Ain't no money like oil sheik money.
So all the talk for the past 4 (5? 6?) expansions being dependent on a new stadium deal being inked just goes out the window when a $100 million franchise fee is there.
Apparently the Cosmos owners talked to MLS but decided to stay in the NASL because they didn't like the salary limitation in MLS.
Apparently the Cosmos owners talked to MLS but decided to stay in the NASL because they didn't like the salary limitation in MLS.
steeplechase3k said:
Oh, please. The Cosmos owners couldn't even get it together for the first half of the NASL season and they are talking about MLS salary limitations? They are small-time and never had a chance at MLS.
As far as the stadium rules -- the league is desperate enough to put another team in NYC that the "rules" go out the window. It's hard to know what has gone on behind the scenes, but I would guess that the Yankees involvement is in part a bid to improve their position with building a stadium. Even with $100m, I don't think the league would have signed off on this if the prospects to build a stadium were not good.
There is a shitstorm brewing in DC. United just extended its winless streak to 10 tonight with De Rosario left on the bench healthy. After the game...
Ben Olsen: "We’re going to get new guys in here because we are not good enough. It seems like we are always a player or two short"
De Rosario: "There is talent in this locker room, but I don’t know if we are using the talent to the best of its ability"
SHOTS FIRED!
Ben Olsen: "We’re going to get new guys in here because we are not good enough. It seems like we are always a player or two short"
De Rosario: "There is talent in this locker room, but I don’t know if we are using the talent to the best of its ability"
SHOTS FIRED!
As much as I enjoyed the Timbers beat DC last night, I do feel for that club. They either are that bad or Olsen has lost that locker room. I'm thinking it's the latter.
Former employees Dan Calichman and Ted Chronopoulos are suing Chivas USA:
http://folfry.com/chivasusa/
I can't give a legal analysis of the complaint, but regardless of what happens in court this looks bad for the league. We can't get rid of Vergara and Chivas USA fast enough.
http://folfry.com/chivasusa/
I can't give a legal analysis of the complaint, but regardless of what happens in court this looks bad for the league. We can't get rid of Vergara and Chivas USA fast enough.
Dallas sold Richard Sanchez to Tigres for $1m + a sell-on clause.
That is a good bit of business for a player with zero professional appearances. For those unfamiliar, Sanchez is a Mexican-American GK who was a star of Mexico's U-17 WC title in 2011. If Sanchez turns out to be as studly as people hope, he will eventually be worth a lot more, but right now MLS doesn't have the developmental credibility to get huge money for unproven players.
It's been a reasonably good year for the homegrown initiative. Najar was sold to Anderlecht for $3m and Sanchez was sold for $1m. Teenage defenders like Yedlin and O'Neill have immediately won starting spots. Villarreal, McBean, and Zardes are rotational starters and are going to be an embarrassment of attacking riches for LA down the line. Fagundez has netted four goals for the Revs already. Bill Hamid -- as talented and frustrating as ever. Agudelo. A bunch of others have moved up to be minor contributors.
There are still too many prospects stuck in developmental limbo, not good enough for MLS and left with only a crappy reserve league system. Clubs are starting to wise up and the volume of lower-division loans has increased significantly. We obviously aren't where we need to be and I want more resources and intelligent thinking put into development. I'm concerned that more investment and effort won't be forthcoming if we don't start seeing returns, so an uptick in the creation of value either on the field or in the transfer market is a much-needed boost.
That is a good bit of business for a player with zero professional appearances. For those unfamiliar, Sanchez is a Mexican-American GK who was a star of Mexico's U-17 WC title in 2011. If Sanchez turns out to be as studly as people hope, he will eventually be worth a lot more, but right now MLS doesn't have the developmental credibility to get huge money for unproven players.
It's been a reasonably good year for the homegrown initiative. Najar was sold to Anderlecht for $3m and Sanchez was sold for $1m. Teenage defenders like Yedlin and O'Neill have immediately won starting spots. Villarreal, McBean, and Zardes are rotational starters and are going to be an embarrassment of attacking riches for LA down the line. Fagundez has netted four goals for the Revs already. Bill Hamid -- as talented and frustrating as ever. Agudelo. A bunch of others have moved up to be minor contributors.
There are still too many prospects stuck in developmental limbo, not good enough for MLS and left with only a crappy reserve league system. Clubs are starting to wise up and the volume of lower-division loans has increased significantly. We obviously aren't where we need to be and I want more resources and intelligent thinking put into development. I'm concerned that more investment and effort won't be forthcoming if we don't start seeing returns, so an uptick in the creation of value either on the field or in the transfer market is a much-needed boost.
The Sounders capped their miserable week by losing 1-0 to the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the U.S. Open Cup, which eliminated the three-time champs.
Chivas USA fires Chelis.
The press release from the club is literally what came out of Google Translate:
He is being replaced by Jose Luis Real, currently the technical director at Big Boy Chivas.
I feel bad for Chelis. From all third-party accounts, he had no say in most of the club's bizarre player moves over the past months. A manager may be the captain of his ship, but Chelis was bound and gagged belowdecks of a rudderless ship. He's an entertaining guy for sure and although it is unlikely I'd like to see him get a shot at a normal club in the league.
The descent of Chivas USA continues.
The press release from the club is literally what came out of Google Translate:
He is being replaced by Jose Luis Real, currently the technical director at Big Boy Chivas.
I feel bad for Chelis. From all third-party accounts, he had no say in most of the club's bizarre player moves over the past months. A manager may be the captain of his ship, but Chelis was bound and gagged belowdecks of a rudderless ship. He's an entertaining guy for sure and although it is unlikely I'd like to see him get a shot at a normal club in the league.
The descent of Chivas USA continues.
ThePrideofShiner said:
There's always somebody who bites the dust against lower division teams in the USOC. That'll happen when you play your scrubs against a 2nd division first line with more team cohesion. LA, Colorado, and San Jose also fell to lower league opposition.
Fourth round:
New England vs. New York
DC vs. Philadelphia
Chicago vs. Columbus
Kansas City vs. Orlando City (USL)
Dallas vs. Houston
Carolina (NASL) vs. Chivas USA
Salt Lake vs. Charleston (USL)
Portland vs. Tampa Bay (NASL)
FYI, the Revs rarely play USOC games in Gillette. In the recent past, they have often played in Ludlow, MA and New Britain, CT. This time, they are play at the Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium in Allston. I don't make it to Foxborough often, but I'm showing up for this.
dirtynine said:
Yes, it's the tiny soccer/lacrosse stadium next door. I'm told the capacity is 2500 and there's only seating for 1000. From what I understand, the quality of the turf at Harvard Stadium is horrible and the field isn't wide enough to meet USOC regulations.
Yeah, really enjoyed watching the Galaxy lose, for the second year in a row, to the NASL juggernaut and poorly named Carolina Railhawks. Would enjoy watching Chivas USA lose to this same team on June 12th.
The SBNation headline for their story about the Chelis firing was Chivas USA Is A Burning Dumpster Fire. Sounds about right.
Not sure if this has been posted (or is even post-worthy) but, David Beckham is looking into the possibility of reviving an MLS franchise in Southeast FL:
http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2013/05/david_beckham_coming_to_miami.php
This would be a dream of mine (owning an MLS team in southeast FL) so I'll be watching closely.
http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2013/05/david_beckham_coming_to_miami.php
This would be a dream of mine (owning an MLS team in southeast FL) so I'll be watching closely.
OilCanShotTupac said:
No. They've basically limited their potential audience to fans of Chivas who are willing to watch a pathetic, half-assed version of the club. While I think it would be possible to build a club in LA that caters mostly to a Spanish-speaking audience, they screwed up their chances with the "Chivas" branding. Would a Club America fan consider supporting this team? Of course not.
They used to get around 13,000 per game which is probably the ceiling, but now the team is terrible and in turmoil, they dropped the ball with ticket sales outreach this offseason, and I don't think they've even bothered with a local TV deal. It's always been a problem club, but the bottom is really falling out now.
In a perfect world, I'd like to see the team sold, rebranded, and moved to an eastern part of LA or a western part of the Inland Empire. The Galaxy represents the classic glitzy LA image. But there's a very large working class and Hispanic swath of territory and I think building a club around that identity would be effective and would be the interesting counterpoint to the Galaxy that Chivas USA never became. Secondly, LA is an enormous place and Carson is just too far for a lot of the metro area to reach -- to say nothing of the San Bernardino/Riverside MSA, the largest in the country without a major pro team (and it's not even close).
More realistically, MLS will be happy to send this franchise anywhere where there is stable and reliable ownership and workable stadium situation. Orlando City is making some noise and has built a very good fanbase for D3, but they need the stadium and probably another deep-pocketed investor as well.
Zososoxfan said:
"I think Miami fans are very passionate about their sports and very passionate about winning," he said.
Er... David...
The Revs have looked pretty good for about a month now. They might have something with Fagundez who assisted on the first and scored later on.
Fagundez was running the show for the Revs. He's really impressing for a shrimpy 18 year old. This is the fourth straight game in which he scored. It's a damn shame that he'll never become a US citizen in time to play for us.
The game-changer has been the acquisition of Agudelo and the return of Saer Sene. Unlike Bengtson, Agudelo is a true center forward who can lead the line and free time and space for meandering forwards like Sene and Fagundez. This allowed Heaps to bring Nguyen inside in the 4-3-3, which has been successful in harnessing Nguyen's strengths and minimizing his weaknesses (lack of speed limited him on the wing).
Goncalves has been a big pickup at CB. Farrell is definitely an interesting project, although I don't think he's an RB long term. With Alston's illness, our fullback depth is nil so he'll stay there for a season at least. I wasn't impressed with his distribution this game; too many pointless long-balls.
Rowe is inconsistent, but when he's on, he's almost as exciting as Fagundez. I think a central role in this 4-3-3 suits him better than a place on the wing in the 4-1-4-1 of the early season. If he keeps up his form, he should take Juan Toja's place in the starting XI.
What this team really needs to take the next step is a top DM.
http://www.mlssoccer.com/video/2013/06/02/highlights-ne-revolution-vs-la-galaxy
The game-changer has been the acquisition of Agudelo and the return of Saer Sene. Unlike Bengtson, Agudelo is a true center forward who can lead the line and free time and space for meandering forwards like Sene and Fagundez. This allowed Heaps to bring Nguyen inside in the 4-3-3, which has been successful in harnessing Nguyen's strengths and minimizing his weaknesses (lack of speed limited him on the wing).
Goncalves has been a big pickup at CB. Farrell is definitely an interesting project, although I don't think he's an RB long term. With Alston's illness, our fullback depth is nil so he'll stay there for a season at least. I wasn't impressed with his distribution this game; too many pointless long-balls.
Rowe is inconsistent, but when he's on, he's almost as exciting as Fagundez. I think a central role in this 4-3-3 suits him better than a place on the wing in the 4-1-4-1 of the early season. If he keeps up his form, he should take Juan Toja's place in the starting XI.
What this team really needs to take the next step is a top DM.
http://www.mlssoccer.com/video/2013/06/02/highlights-ne-revolution-vs-la-galaxy
URI said:
If only I had a more famous resume, I could be signed by the LA Galaxy!
Seriously, Cudicini was an odd signing from the beginning. One of the reasons why LA has been so successful is a solid base of US talent led by smart international DP choices (Beckham + Keane) and supplemented by other shrewd signings like Juninho. If you just want a veteran stopgap, Kevin Hartman was available and would easily outperform Cudicini,
2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League draw is out. In classic CONCACAF fashion, they announced the groups and then re-drew half of them because they realized they had forgotten that MLS and Liga MX clubs weren't supposed to be drawn together. Our confederation is truly a bunch of incompetent hacks.
GROUP A:
Árabe Unido (PAN)
Houston Dynamo
W Connection (TRI)
GROUP B:
Olimpia (HON)
Sporting Kansas City
Real Estelí (NCA)
GROUP C:
Herediano (CRC)
Cruz Azul (MEX)
Valencia (HAI)
GROUP D:
Club América (MEX)
Alajuelense (CRC)
Sporting San Miguelito (PAN)
GROUP E:
San Jose Earthquakes
Montreal Impact
[Clausura winner] (GUA)
GROUP F:
Comunicaciones (GUA)
Toluca (MEX)
Caledonia AIA (TRI)
GROUP G:
Club Tijuana (MEX)
Victoria (HON)
Luis Ángel Firpo (SLV)
GROUP H:
Los Angeles Galaxy
Isidro Metapán (SLV)
Cartaginés (CRC)
The league got three teams to the quarterfinals last year and it would be disappointing if we did any worse. Up north, Montreal spared us from having to watch Toronto in this tournament again by ending TFC's embarrassingly long run of titles. The Impact are the first Canadian team in MLS history to not suck and will be favored over an out-of-form San Jose team.
GROUP A:
Árabe Unido (PAN)
Houston Dynamo
W Connection (TRI)
GROUP B:
Olimpia (HON)
Sporting Kansas City
Real Estelí (NCA)
GROUP C:
Herediano (CRC)
Cruz Azul (MEX)
Valencia (HAI)
GROUP D:
Club América (MEX)
Alajuelense (CRC)
Sporting San Miguelito (PAN)
GROUP E:
San Jose Earthquakes
Montreal Impact
[Clausura winner] (GUA)
GROUP F:
Comunicaciones (GUA)
Toluca (MEX)
Caledonia AIA (TRI)
GROUP G:
Club Tijuana (MEX)
Victoria (HON)
Luis Ángel Firpo (SLV)
GROUP H:
Los Angeles Galaxy
Isidro Metapán (SLV)
Cartaginés (CRC)
The league got three teams to the quarterfinals last year and it would be disappointing if we did any worse. Up north, Montreal spared us from having to watch Toronto in this tournament again by ending TFC's embarrassingly long run of titles. The Impact are the first Canadian team in MLS history to not suck and will be favored over an out-of-form San Jose team.
The next round of pairings in the US Open cup has been released.
http://www.ussoccer.com/news/lamar-hunt-u-s-open-cup/2013/06/potential-quarterfinal-pairings-for-the-2013-lamar-hunt-open-cup-determined.aspx
If they win New England will travel to the winner of Philly/DC
If they Win the Timbers will travel to Houston or Dallas.
http://www.ussoccer.com/news/lamar-hunt-u-s-open-cup/2013/06/potential-quarterfinal-pairings-for-the-2013-lamar-hunt-open-cup-determined.aspx
If they win New England will travel to the winner of Philly/DC
If they Win the Timbers will travel to Houston or Dallas.
Yes, you should be watching the Stanley Cup Finals, but in case you don't give a shit or enjoy Open Cup soccer, the Revs are up 2-1 on the Red Bulls nearing the end of the first half. They're playing Harvard's stadium in Cambridge and it's cool to see the amount of people that showed up because it's easily accessible.
Stream: http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/schedule/details/revolution-vs-new-york-red-bulls-june-12
Stream: http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/schedule/details/revolution-vs-new-york-red-bulls-june-12
Random question as I've been catching a bunch of the Revs games this season. It seems that Andrew Farrell is involved in the offense quite a bit for a back, certainly more than it appeared for most EPL sides. Is this a feature of the Revs system, his particular skillset? He also seems very solidly built (not sure how else to put it) for a soccer player, wonder how that will work out over time.
Terras said:
I was there -- it was the Harvard soccer stadium, not the Coliseum. It's a small venue, but it was sold out; the bleachers were packed and the supporters groups filled up the berms along the endlines. Great to watch a meaningful pro soccer game in Boston, and good to see a Revs B team beat a New York team with all but a few regulars. Kelyn Rowe is going to be a player.
And down goes Chivas USA to the fearsome Carolina Railhawks. That was another fun game to be at. On to the quarter finals
One interesting twist to this round was the Sporting Kansas City vs. Orlando City matchup. This year, KC and Orlando affiliated, which basically means that KC has four players on loan on Orlando's USL team. One of them, Dom Dwyer, is just killing it in the USL with 15 goals in 13 games. Dwyer was already cup-tied to Orlando, having scored an additional three goals in two USOC wins against the Ocala Stampede and the Colorado Rapids. But KC didn't let Dwyer or any of the others play against them in the USOC and they still lost at home.
QF:
Columbus/Chicago vs. Orlando City (USL)
D.C. United vs. New England Revolution
Real Salt Lake vs. Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
FC Dallas vs. Portland Timbers
The QF is scheduled for 6/26, or three days before the Revs have a game at Chivas USA. On one hand, that may mean we'll see the reserve again -- risky this late in the tournament. On the other hand, it might be a more effective strategy to play the reserves against Chivas USA.
QF:
Columbus/Chicago vs. Orlando City (USL)
D.C. United vs. New England Revolution
Real Salt Lake vs. Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
FC Dallas vs. Portland Timbers
The QF is scheduled for 6/26, or three days before the Revs have a game at Chivas USA. On one hand, that may mean we'll see the reserve again -- risky this late in the tournament. On the other hand, it might be a more effective strategy to play the reserves against Chivas USA.
Titans Bastard said:
D.C. 3-1 NE
Chicago 5-1 Orlando
Dallas 2-3 Portland
Salt Lake 3-0 Carolina
I tried to watch the Revs game, but the stream quality from D.C. was so poor that it was impossible. New England fielded fewer first-team players than D.C. and paid the price for it. It's a shame, considering the team had a bye over the weekend. When you are three games from a trophy, two of which would be against weak teams (D.C. + Chicago), you need to put yourself in a position to succeed.
The respectable runs of Carolina (NASL) and Orlando (USL) come to an end after they each took two MLS scalps.
The semifinals are set for August:
Chicago vs. D.C.
Salt Lake vs. Portland
The current top two teams in the West and two of the bottom three in the East. For D.C. especially, this tournament is the only thing in 2013 that still matters. The winner qualifies for the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League.
Clarence Goodson comes back to MLS and signs with San Jose. Not a surprise to see him leaving the sinking ship that is Brøndby.
Kansas City re-signs Graham Zusi, reportedly through 2017.
Kansas City re-signs Graham Zusi, reportedly through 2017.
It's going to cost about$350 A bur I'm looking at attending this match. There could be one 200timbers fans there