MLS 2014: The U$MNT Comes Home

[steeplechase3k]

The Timbers traded away Futty Danso (who just last week played in his 100th match for the Timbers going back to 2009) to Montreal for a draft pick.
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/06/02/portland-timbers-trade-futty-danso-montreal-impact-exchange-2015-draft-pick
 
Futty had been the longest tenured Timber, so it is sad to see him go.  He was never a star but shined pretty much every time he was given a chance.  A friend of mine wronte this piece on him:
http://www.5mtko.com/2013/07/11/the-many-lives-of-futty/
 
 
That move could be because... the Timbers are rumored to have made an offer to Joleon Lescott who is out of contract right now.
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/06/02/report-portland-timbers-make-offer-former-manchester-city-defender-joleon-lescott

 

[Titans Bastard]

Kansas City has sold Uri Rosell to Sporting CP for a reported €1m.  Rosell came to KC two years ago from Barcelona's reserve team and has done quite well anchoring KC's midfield.  He's still only 21.  It's a tough loss for KC and good news for the other teams atop the Eastern Conference like the Revs.
 
This is the second year in a row that Sporting CP has bought an MLS player; last year it was Fredy Montero.  The Rosell deal is a decent bit of business for a player who was signed on a free, but it's the middle of the season and KC needs to sort out what they are going to do now.  KC has a serious injury/callup crisis in defense right now and their backup DM is going to be pressed into service at CB.

 

[Titans Bastard]

On the minor league front, a couple of new franchises have been announced.  St. Louis is getting a USL Pro (division 3) team and Orlando's franchise will relocate to Louisville and become MLS-Orlando's affiliate next year.  This would be a net gain of four teams for 2015, with Louisville, St. Louis, Colorado Springs, Tulsa, and NYRB Reserves coming in and Orlando departing, bringing the league total to 18 clubs.  In terms of league size, this would be the largest our third division has been in quite some time and would be a nice rebound from not long ago when it had collapsed to about 8-10 teams in most the mid-Atlantic region.
 
That being said, minor league clubs fold all the time and it's just a matter of time before the Orange County Blues go down the drain.  Dayton and Arizona aren't on particularly firm ground either.
 
2015 in USL Pro is somewhat relevant from an MLS perspective because the MLS Reserve League is completely going away next year.  All clubs will have to field a reserve team playing a full USL Pro schedule or affiliate with a USL Pro club.  The Galaxy already have a reserve team playing this year, NY is officially adding one next year, and several others like Seattle, Salt Lake, and Dallas have been making noises about following suit.
 
Personally, I think the cooperation between MLS and USL Pro is going to be a godsend for talented teenagers who need playing time but who are stuck in limbo on MLS benches.  The minors have also been a breeding ground for future MLS franchises/ownership groups.  Montreal, Portland, Vancouver, and Seattle all had origins in the second division and Orlando's bid was aided by strong support in the third division.  Right now, the new USL Pro team in Sacramento is absolutely crushing it, averaging about 20,000 per game so far.

 

[Spacemans Bong]

Titan, how has St. Louis not got an MLS team yet? That was the soccer capital of America until MLS started. Is there nobody in StL with the money and interest? Is it a lack of a stadium? 

 

[Titans Bastard]

Titan, how has St. Louis not got an MLS team yet? That was the soccer capital of America until MLS started. Is there nobody in StL with the money and interest? Is it a lack of a stadium? 

 
It's both, although if you have someone with money and interest, the stadium often follows.  A lawyer named Jeff Cooper tried to make a strong push for a St. Louis expansion team, but lost out to Portland and Vancouver in 2011.  His pockets weren't major-league deep and he was later involved in two short-lived local teams -- AC St. Louis (second division) and St. Louis Athletica (women's).  Let's just say that those two experiments made it clear that MLS chose wisely in passing him over.
 
I don't think expansion is imminent, but there isn't even much buzz around St. Louis these days.  There's more talk around Minneapolis and places like Sacramento and San Antonio.  But who knows.  Sometimes these things come together relatively quickly and/or quietly.  The Miami expansion slot isn't officially locked down and won't be until Beckham lands a stadium deal....which isn't going well so far.

 

[Billy R Ford]

Tough loss for the Revs, breaks their home unbeaten streak that went back to last September.
 
There are a few more MLS games on Wednesday, then the season goes on break until the end of the month, because of the World Cup.

 

[Arroyo Con Frijoles]

Blech, too bad for the Revs, they controlled the game for a substantial majority of play.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Another new team for USL Pro next season: the Austin Aztex move up from the PDL.  USL is hot and heavy with expansion now.  Stupid name, though.

 

[Titans Bastard]

John Hackworth is out in Philly.  First managerial casualty of the season and not much of a surprise.  Assistant coach Jim Curtin will be interim manager while they interview candidates.  Presumably they'll try to actually get someone real this time instead of settle for the last assistant/interim manager like Hackworth.

 

[MetSox1]

This is my happy dance.  
 
There is talent on that team, but good lord did they get worse as the season went on.  Hack is a nice guy but this couldnt have happened soon enough.
 
Nick Sakiewicz has just been a disaster everywhere he has gone in MLS though, hasn't he?  Lot of problems in Philly, this was just one of them.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Beckham's Miami bid is not going well.  Negotiations for his Plan A and Plan B stadium sites have fallen apart and Garber is saying that the franchise won't be granted if they don't get a downtown stadium.  It's too bad because Beckham's group is offering fairly favorable terms as far as stadium deals go.  It may be for the best, as Miami is a crappy sports town.  There's still time and opportunity, but it's looking increasingly possible that there will be no expansion in Miami.
 
Meanwhile, Atlanta's early season ticket deposits have been quite strong.

 

[Infield Infidel]

The city doesn't want anything to do with a waterfront stadium. They own land in Little Havana near Marlins Park; the thinking is that Becks should team with UM to build a stadium there.
Pros: costs are shared by Beckham's group, UM and the city.
Location isn't terrible, it's still pretty close to downtown.
 
Cons: UM wants a 40k-45k seat stadium, and Beckham wants 20-25k. They'd have to cover seats like in Seattle or New England.
Gameday parking when Marlins and MLS are playing simultaneously would be very tight.
 
That's really his only out for a new stadium and it's sub-optimal. They could team with FIU as well, but that's further from downtown.
 
Meanwhile, Soccer by Ives reports that an Asian investment group asked Beckham to join their bid to buy Chivas USA 

 

[Billy R Ford]

MLS is on break for the World Cup, but the US Open Cup continues!
 
The Revs beat the Richmond Kickers of the United Soccer Leagues Pro Division (third tier of American Soccer). Patrick Mullins continued his good form with a goal- the team plays so much better with him in form.
 
In a huge upset, DC United lost to the Rochester Rhinos (also of USL Pro). As a result, the Revs will play the Rhinos next week in the next round.
 
The match will be held at Brown University I believe instead of Gillette. The Revs typically play US Open Cup matches away from Gillette, I assume because of the smaller crowd sizes.

 

[OCST]

The city doesn't want anything to do with a waterfront stadium. They own land in Little Havana near Marlins Park; the thinking is that Becks should team with UM to build a stadium there.
Pros: costs are shared by Beckham's group, UM and the city.
Location isn't terrible, it's still pretty close to downtown.
 
Cons: UM wants a 40k-45k seat stadium, and Beckham wants 20-25k. They'd have to cover seats like in Seattle or New England.
Gameday parking when Marlins and MLS are playing simultaneously would be very tight.
 
That's really his only out for a new stadium and it's sub-optimal. They could team with FIU as well, but that's further from downtown.
 
Meanwhile, Soccer by Ives reports that an Asian investment group asked Beckham to join their bid to buy Chivas USA 

 
If Beckham got involved with a group to buy Chivas USA, rebrand it, and establish it as a second viable team in LA, I think that would be better for MLS than Miami, where MLS has already failed once, where the stadium situation looks iffy, and where many sports franchises struggle.

 

[MetSox1]

Orlando Sentinel's twitter account announced the signing of Kaka. Loan for next year, playing for them their first MLS season in 2015.

 

[rembrat]

Hey everyone, does anyone have a gauge for how NYCFC tickets will be priced? Will they be on par with Red Bull tickets or are the Yankees going to pull their usual shit? I would love to see a match in person and with the Toilet literally right there this would be ideal for me. Shame it's not a real Soccer stadium but what are ya gonna do.

 

[luckiestman]

I think their pricing a available for season tickets.

http://www.nycfc.com/season-tickets

 

[rembrat]

Thanks! That's totally reasonable. 

 

[Titans Bastard]

The World Cup group stage is over and life marches on in old MLS.  The league has been on hiatus over the past few weeks and now resumes league play.  Tim Cahill (Australia), Oswaldo Minda (Ecuador), Oscar Boniek Garcia, Victor Bernardez, Marvin Chavez, Jerry Bengtson (all Honduras), and Steven Beitashour (Iran), while the US and Costa Rican contingent happily march on the Round of 16.
 
In the meantime, we've seen a few rounds of the US Open Cup take place and as always some upsets have occurred.  Carolina beat the LA Galaxy for the third consecutive year (sorry, but LOL) -- sad times for poor Landon.  Colorado also lost to the Atlanta Silverbacks in a match than finished 10 v 8 after a fight saw a bunch of players red-carded.
 
The quarterfinal draw is as follows:
 
Philadelphia vs. New England
Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) vs. Chicago Fire
Carolina RailHawks (NASL) vs. FC Dallas
Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers
 
Seattle-Portland is the obvious match of the round here, especially because this is the stage where teams are close enough to a trophy that they start taking it 100% seriously.  Philly have been shit all year and are a favorable match for New England.  Philly need extra time to beat the Harrisburg City Islanders and New York Cosmos in the previous two rounds, at home.
 
 
A few transfers of note:
 
* Not 100% official yet, but all signs indicate that Montreal's CM Hernan Bernardello will be leaving on a free transfer to Cruz Azul.  He's one of their few good players, so nice job Montreal.
 
* Montreal has also signed Polish left back Krzysztof Krol from Piast Gliwice.  Not sure that's going to solve their problems.
 
* Dallas has sold young keeper Richard Sanchez to Tigres of Liga MX.  Sanchez came through Dallas' academy, but plays for Mexico and started for the team that won the U17 World Cup a few years ago.  No word on the fee, but they probably made some decent money for a player with no appearances for the club.
 
* According to Forbes, the average MLS team is worth $107m, up from $37m five years ago.
 
* Portland has signed Liam Ridgewell on a free from WBA.

 

[steeplechase3k]

The sad part about the Timbers - Sounders match up is that due to a Mariners game the Sounders can't use Quest field so the match will be held in Starfire stadium which only holds about 4-5k. I hope to get tickets in the Timbers group.

 

[Quintanariffic]

The sad part about the Timbers - Sounders match up is that due to a Mariners game the Sounders can't use Quest field so the match will be held in Starfire stadium which only holds about 4-5k. I hope to get tickets in the Timbers group.

That's awful.  Is UW's new football stadium unavailable or unsuitable?

 

[Titans Bastard]

New rules and regulations at Red Bull Arena.

 

[Youkilis vs Wild]

Jermaine Jones is eyeing MLS again, and perhaps with a bit more gusto given the World Cup performance.

https://sports.yahoo.com/news/jermaine-jones-stellar-world-cup-223600142--sow.html

 

[Arroyo Con Frijoles]

I won't bother getting excited that he might end up on the Revs.

 

[rembrat]

Is MLS on hiatus until the World Cup is over?

 

[Arroyo Con Frijoles]

No, it was on break during the group stages, but there are games today.

 

[Youkilis vs Wild]

Including the Revs in about half an hour!

 

[Arroyo Con Frijoles]

World Cup watchers will surely see no dropoff in quality as they tune in to watch the local team in a key Eastern Conference matchup!

 

[theapportioner]

Revs struggling recently after a fast start. Watching the SJ LA game now. After the World Cup, it's a little... underwhelming.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Revs struggling recently after a fast start. Watching the SJ LA game now. After the World Cup, it's a little... underwhelming.

 
Sometimes the Quakes are good and sometimes they are bad; either way, they always play a shit style of soccer.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Ridiculous goal from Jack McInerney:
 

 
 
Sweet finish from Cubo Torres as well:
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-sYPzfP1Lo

 

[Titans Bastard]

Big scene for Kaká's arrival in Orlando:
 
 

 
 
Orlando is going to do well off the field at the very least.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Montreal signed Ignacio Piatti from San Lorenzo.  Attacking midfielder who's been around Argentina and Italy, recently scored the goal that sent San Lorenzo past Cruzeiro and into the semifinals of Copa Libertadores.  Montreal better hope he's good, they need help badly.

 

[Billy R Ford]

Officials want New England Revolution to move to Rhode Island
 
 
 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – With all eyes on the World Cup, officials in two Rhode Island cities said Tuesday they’ve discussed the possibility of bringing the New England Revolution soccer franchise to the state.
 
A spokeswoman for Providence Mayor Angel Taveras confirmed to WPRI.com that the city’s economic development director “has had preliminary discussions with officials from the New England Revolution” while Central Falls Mayor James Diossa said he spoke personally to team president Brian Bilello about a move.

 
Veeery interesting, I hadn't heard anything about this previously, and still would say it's in the team's best interest to move to Boston. If Providence is legitimately interested, though, a soccer stadium there is better than a football stadium in Foxboro.
 
EDIT: I'm also seeing people comparing this to when the Patriots were rumored to go to Hartford. Makes sense, but considering the Revs just played in Providence last week (for a US Open Cup match, at Brown University) I wouldn't totally discount these rumors.

 

[Titans Bastard]

 
Officials want New England Revolution to move to Rhode Island
 
 
 
 
Veeery interesting, I hadn't heard anything about this previously, and still would say it's in the team's best interest to move to Boston. If Providence is legitimately interested, though, a soccer stadium there is better than a football stadium in Foxboro.
 
EDIT: I'm also seeing people comparing this to when the Patriots were rumored to go to Hartford. Makes sense, but considering the Revs just played in Providence last week (for a US Open Cup match, at Brown University) I wouldn't totally discount these rumors.

 
I can't see this happening.

 

[steeplechase3k]

CONCACAF Champions League schedule is announced:
http://www.concacaf.com/category/champions-league/schedule-results

Montreal's first match is August 5th at home against Club Deportivo FAS (El Salvador)
Portland's first match is August 19th at Alpha United (Guyana)
KC's first match is also August 19th at Real Estelí (Nicaragua)
DC's first match is August 19th at home against Waterhouse FC (Jamaica)

 

[djhb20]

Oh yeah, when I think world class football, I think "Central Falls!"

 

[Senator Donut]

Oh yeah, when I think world class football, I think "Central Falls!"

I think a professional soccer stadium is a brilliant idea for recently bankrupt municipality. I'm sure the taxpayers will love it.

 

[luckiestman]

Central falls has taxpayers?

 

[Billy R Ford]

Revs have lost 4 in a row after losing to RSL last night. I was kind of surprised to see Beckerman play so soon after the World Cup, but I suppose he didn't play against Belgium. He was Man of the Match, so I guess it worked out for them.
 
Didn't like Soares at D-mid much- if Dorman is out again in the future, I'd prefer to see Caldwell there.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Revs have lost 4 in a row after losing to RSL last night. I was kind of surprised to see Beckerman play so soon after the World Cup, but I suppose he didn't play against Belgium. He was Man of the Match, so I guess it worked out for them.
 
Didn't like Soares at D-mid much- if Dorman is out again in the future, I'd prefer to see Caldwell there.

 
Revs are having a real Jekyll & Hyde season.  Have to hope that all the young talent comes together and performs consistently by the end of the year.
 
 
In other news, all Cubo Torres does is score ridiculous goals...this from last night:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mrHogdLiFw

 

[Turrable]

I'm sure none of you are up watching this but Bill Hamid is standing on his goddamn head in San Jose

 

[DJnVa]

I'm sure none of you are up watching this but Bill Hamid is standing on his goddamn head in San Jose

 
I watched the first half, and he didn't have a hell of a lot of action.

 

[Turrable]

Yeah he wasn't tested until the 2nd half but he singlehandedly kept them in the game http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-07-11-san-jose-earthquakes-vs-dc-united/recap
 
Really hoping he gets some looks with the NT next summer

 

[Arroyo Con Frijoles]

Revs host the Fire tonight at 7:30 in a matchup between two pretty crap teams at the moment.

 

[SoxFanInPdx]

To those that won't get enough soccer on Sunday, later on after the WC Final - the Timbers play the Sounders in Seattle on ESPN2. Will be a good, intense match as it always is.

 

[Senator Donut]

The Revs lost their sixth straight game, 1-0 to the Fire including a saved penalty in the 85th minute.

 

[Youkilis vs Wild]

Really awful showing from the Revs. Chicago's showing this season and the home game really should have made this a very winnable game...and the Revs really needed one given their recent slide. Instead they fell behind in the third minute and didn't show any life until the second half. And even then, they didn't show much.
 
For as good as they looked earlier this year, reeling off wins against KC, Seattle, and Toronto...this stretch has been dreary, at best.

 

[Titans Bastard]

The World Cup is over, but as my girlfriend now knows all too well, "soccer is never over".
 
Seattle-Portland on tonight for any east coast insomniacs out there - should be a great atmosphere.  Dempsey and Yedlin are starting for Seattle.  The soon-to-be-naturalized Darlington Nagbe is the player of USMNT interest in Portland.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

I watched a good chunk of the Revs/Fire game the other night, and my goodness, after watching so much World Cup, it was like watching High School soccer.  No idea where throw ins were going, long passes were barely 50-50 that they wouldn't be interecepted, no one even tries to go 1 on 2. Sheesh, but I got spoiled