MLS 2022: Our Weird, Fun, Chaotic, Dumb Domestic League

67YAZ

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Chicharito missed another PK tonight. Saw someone mention he is 16-31 in his career, which is an abysmal percentage for someone who has taken so many.
FBref says he’s 12-23 in his career for club & country. Pro league conversion rates run about 75%…so, yeah. That’s bad. like there’s no reason he should be taking them bad unless it’s in his contract.
 

Pesky Pole

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The Union won at home 5-1 over Orlando to remain unbeaten at home and pushing their goal differential to +46. With LAFC losing, Philadelphia have a 3 pt lead for the Supporters Shield (LA has a game in hand). The only worry with the Union is whether they are peaking too soon. It’s amazing to watch a team without any “stars” find so many goals from so many places consistently. .
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
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Jan 10, 2004
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FBref says he’s 12-23 in his career for club & country. Pro league conversion rates run about 75%…so, yeah. That’s bad. like there’s no reason he should be taking them bad unless it’s in his contract.
That sounds low to me- I thought it was like 85%?
 

SocrManiac

Tommy Seebach’s mustache
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Apr 15, 2006
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Anybody that gives a below replacement taker a contract clause deserves what they get.

I’ll never understand why there isn’t at least one player per team that is near automatic on penalties. We see what these guys can do with the ball- it’s otherworldly. Nobody can reliably tuck the ball into the top corner from twelve yards every time?
 

67YAZ

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That sounds low to me- I thought it was like 85%?
The rates bounce around a bit per year & league:

For the five years leading into this season, the Bundesliga, La Liga, Premier League and Serie A had annual leaguewide penalty conversion rates between 70.3 percent and 81.7 percent, with an overall across-five-years average of 75.7 percent. There was a broad downward trend from 2015-16 through 2017-18 before conversion rates spiked in 2018-19. In the in-front-of-fans portion of 2019-20, the average rate across the leagues climbed again slightly, to 81.3 percent.


Anybody that gives a below replacement taker a contract clause deserves what they get.

I’ll never understand why there isn’t at least one player per team that is near automatic on penalties. We see what these guys can do with the ball- it’s otherworldly. Nobody can reliably tuck the ball into the top corner from twelve yards every time?
I only spot checked this list, but it looks accurate for who is included. Some names I’d expect, but some I didn’t.

55316
 

Senator Donut

post-Domer
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Apr 21, 2010
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Fire win! Their first 3 point outing in 5 matches and their first goals in 4. There’s no hope for the playoffs, but Duran netted twice tonight. It’s been amazing to see his development on the pitch this season - he’s pressing with coordination, timing runs, and learning how to hold up play. He’s still painfully immature and liable to act out in response to run of the mill physicality. Chicago’s hopes for next season rest in no small part on an 18 year old growing up.

Also, this week the Bears had a new type of sod laid in an effort to have a more durable turf. Well, Chicago and Miami ripped that thing up tonight and we saw players slipping around as well as balls taking screwy bounces. The Fire have 2 more home games and the Bears will plays twice at Solider Field during that span. It’s gonna be a shitshow.

(If and when the Fire become Soldier Field’s main tenant, I’d love to see them get a synthetic/real blend pitch like the major English stadiums as well as Lambeau Field.)
Yikes, glad the finale has been moved to Bridgeview. Right now the water isn’t even draining properly. I think the Bears mentioned the field would be “flatter” which seems to be pooling water in the field instead of flowing off.

View: https://twitter.com/jasonlieser/status/1568984680518795266
 

67YAZ

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Yikes, glad the finale has been moved to Bridgeview. Right now the water isn’t even draining properly. I think the Bears mentioned the field would be “flatter” which seems to be pooling water in the field instead of flowing off.

View: https://twitter.com/jasonlieser/status/1568984680518795266
My buddy’s conspiracy theory is that the Bears did this on purpose to further embarrass Solider Field. We’ll see what that looks like on kick off, but that’s utterly insane for a professional field.
 

67YAZ

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Slonina had a stinker last night as the Fire fell 3-2 at Montreal. That probably ends whatever slim chance Gaga had of making the USMNT camp. He didn’t save one he usually gets to and that seemed to rattle him. Slonina was indecisive coming off his line in the second half.

Duran continued to boss things. He drew 2 PKs (Shaq converted both) and was consistently getting behind the defense. He skied a couple of those chances and several other opportunities went begging for accurate service.

Last night was the first time I heard chatter that Duran might be one and done In MLS. Wouldn’t be a shock if a European side tabled an offer, but he really does need more seasoning
 

dirtynine

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Dec 17, 2002
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Any comprehensive list of MLS players that are in the running to be at the WC? I’d love to read a breakdown by club and country.
 

67YAZ

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Duran buries another one. That’s 3 goals & 2 PKs drawn in 3 matches.

And it was BGuti’s 40yd chip to send Sekulic free down the flank that started the move.

Edit: here’s the goal.

 
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nayrbrey

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Jul 20, 2005
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Driving somewhere most likely

67YAZ

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The Fire fell apart and allowed 3 goals form the 68th minute on.

Given how much Mansueto has invested into Heitz and the international network of clubs, I don’t think we’re going to see Georg get dumped. But he needs to relinquish control of the Fire so an experienced MLS hand can come in.
 

Titans Bastard

has sunil gulati in his sights
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Barring a miracle, the Sounders are going to miss the playoffs for the first time in their MLS history, a very impressive run. And it all comes during the season they were the breakthrough team for MLS in CCL.

Not the first time a CCL run wore out an MLS team, and the Joao Paulo injury was brutal too. But still, an underwhelming few months for them.


And sadly, the Revs are following up their MLS-points-record season with missing the playoffs too.
 

67YAZ

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After a couple failed attempts, the Fire finally came to agreement with the Mayor to build a practice facility/academy facility/community rec center in the city of Chicago. Unlike previous attempts, this agreement uses land owned by the Chicago Housing Authority. 20 years ago a major affordable housing complex standing there was razed with the promise to build mixed-income/multi-use buildings within a decade.

For reference, the CHA currently has over 30,000 processed applicants on their waitlist for housing, an estimated 22 year backlog. The urban renewal effort spearheaded by Daley in the late-90s and early-00s is estimated to have replaced less than a third of the units it destroyed.

all of this is background to today’s city council committee vote where affordable housing advocates, after a year of intense lobbying, carried the day. The Fire’s proposal was voted down 7-5. But the mayor’s ally is the committee chair and he promised to call for a new vote…tomorrow. Yeah, there’s going to be 24 hours of intense arm twisting and pork rolling to flip 2 votes at the mayor’s behest and Joe Mansueto’s benefit. Ugly stuff.
 

67YAZ

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Just as expected - the mayor was able to flip 3 votes overnight and the Fire's proposal to build a new practice facility on CH-owned land passes. Should pass the full city council easily by end of week.
 

Pesky Pole

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Just as expected - the mayor was able to flip 3 votes overnight and the Fire's proposal to build a new practice facility on CH-owned land passes. Should pass the full city council easily by end of week.
If I have it right, this only solves the practice facility question. The whole stadium issue is still open to resolve (whether it's Soldier Field or something built) right?
 

67YAZ

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If I have it right, this only solves the practice facility question. The whole stadium issue is still open to resolve (whether it's Soldier Field or something built) right?
Correct. I think it behooves Mansueto to wait out the Bears drama and see what could happen if the Fire become Soldier Field's premier tenant.

Long term, Mansueto is going to explore a Fire stadium in the city. He's already heavily investing in Chicago real estate and it makes sense to grow the club's value. (Or possibly just his personal portfolio's value if he owns the stadium, not the club.)

Edit: the city council actually rammed it through this afternoon. The mayor is not screwing around on this one.
 
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ThePrideofShiner

Crests prematurely
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Jul 16, 2005
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Washington
Barring a miracle, the Sounders are going to miss the playoffs for the first time in their MLS history, a very impressive run. And it all comes during the season they were the breakthrough team for MLS in CCL.

Not the first time a CCL run wore out an MLS team, and the Joao Paulo injury was brutal too. But still, an underwhelming few months for them.
Couldn't agree more. I'm at my last match of the season (have to work on decision day) and they have only four starters playing. International duty and CCL wreaking havoc still.
 

67YAZ

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Wild win for the Fire, who threw a wrench in Cincy’s playoff chase.

Duran scored a brace, Guti netted one. Up 3-0, the Fire allowed Cincy to claw back 3-2 in the last 15 minutes. Duran tainted the crowd after his second goal and Miazga go into a shouting match with a Fire trainer administering to an injured player.
And then a brawl broke out in stoppage time. Utter mess.

But lives this goal - Guti one time chip to Duran, who then chips the keeper. We need a full season of these 2 teens in the attack.

 

67YAZ

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Feels fitting that Chicago and New England would draw to end the season, a disappointing campaign for both squads (more so for the Revs).

It was great to see the Fire’s academy grads make big contributions the last couple matches, capped off in style by Alex Minis’ stoppage time goal to secure the draw. Heitz may never understand how to build a complete MLS roster (why the fuck was Gimenez extended for 2 additional years???), but the academy has come along really quickly - Slonina, Brady, Oregel, Minis, Casas, BGuti. Add in Duran’s last season explosion - 5 goals in his last 5 matches - and there’s reason for cautious optimism. You know, until Heitz starts making more transfer moves…
 

ThePrideofShiner

Crests prematurely
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Jul 16, 2005
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Washington
What a wild end to the season.

Portland and Columbus eliminated on the final day. You love to see it.

Columbus fired Caleb Porter just now.

Also, with Seattle and Portland out, the West will have a new rep in the final for the first time since 2015 and the first time neither team has been in the Western Conference Final since 2011. That is insane.
 

ThePrideofShiner

Crests prematurely
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Jul 16, 2005
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Washington
Entertaining game between Cincinnati and NYRB right now, though there are only about 12 people there to witness it. Red Bulls controlled the first 70 minutes before giving up a PK and now a breakaway goal to Vazquez.

As an aside, NYRB cleared a ball off the line and based on replays, MLS doesn't have a camera right down the line. That seems stupid. Why have VAR if you can't review that one?
 

Senator Donut

post-Domer
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Apr 21, 2010
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Are today's games really only available on Spanish TV? Why play at noon on a Saturday if we can't get better TV options than this?
Inglese disponibile con SAP o Twitter

Thankfully, these are the last Spanish channel broadcasts before Apple takes over. This current contract was signed way back in 2014 when it was bundled with USMNT rights.
 

Senator Donut

post-Domer
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Apr 21, 2010
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Entertaining game between Cincinnati and NYRB right now, though there are only about 12 people there to witness it. Red Bulls controlled the first 70 minutes before giving up a PK and now a breakaway goal to Vazquez.
Fans are practicing social distancing to avoid contracting Metro Playoff Fever.
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
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Jan 10, 2004
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Entertaining game between Cincinnati and NYRB right now, though there are only about 12 people there to witness it. Red Bulls controlled the first 70 minutes before giving up a PK and now a breakaway goal to Vazquez.

As an aside, NYRB cleared a ball off the line and based on replays, MLS doesn't have a camera right down the line. That seems stupid. Why have VAR if you can't review that one?
It’s a beautiful park and a fantastic place to watch a game but it’s in what looks like a parcel of bombed out Dresden, just across the river from downtown Newark, where the Devils arena is. Not dangerous neighborhoods but just flat asphalt and a few crumbling abandoned factories. There’s a train station nearish-ish but then it’s a 15 minute walk through Dresden. Traffic is a nightmare. They did well to get a parcel so close to the city but the train line that runs there doesn’t have mindshare among the city population most of whom would rather go to Yankee Stadium. I also think that the RB branding turns off Americans who don’t know that TB owns and named teams all over the world, they like the City/Yankees branding.

I keepsaying, get the Cosmos IP and change the name to Cosmos and the place sells out every game.

.
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
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Jan 10, 2004
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See the empty area around the stadium, those are truck storage lots and brownfields with piles of bricks that used to be foundries.
 

Pesky Pole

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So the semi-final times are set:

Austin @ LAFC 3pm ET (so 12noon in LA)
NYCFC @ Union 8pm ET

Strange choices for the timing but I guess they were trying to avoid the Eagles - Steelers game at the Linc at 1pm. I have to imagine the neutrals cheer against NYCFC and LAFC while the network suits do the exact opposite.

My Union looked very shaky against Cincy but gutted out the win with Flach being the most unlikely goal scorer. The big question for Sunday is whether Ale Bedoya has sufficiently recovered from his hip flexor injury to play. McGlynn is a good player but the pressure of the playoffs got to him a bit against Cincy and Bedoya's energy is vital for a big game. This game is a rematch of last year's conference final that the Union was forced to play with 11 players sidelined due to Covid protocols (you may have forgotten that they started Sylvester Stallone in goal and Michael Caine at midfield).
 

Titans Bastard

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The rollout of the Apple TV deal might have some bumps in the road given how much they need to do in a short timeline, but some good news here: 40% of the regular season games next season will not be behind a paywall. This is in addition to the games that will also be broadcast via cable TV partners.

That does something to prevent the accessibility issue posed by paywalls, but it still be a lot of work to directly people to a relatively new platform. I can't imagine a lot of people will serendipitously find themselves on an Apple TV MLS broadcast.

https://theathletic.com/3736063/2022/10/27/mls-apple-tv-broadcasts/
 

Pesky Pole

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An old Philly team would have been dead after that NYCFC goal but this one fought right back. Love that first goal off the sub free kick then good Burke went beast mode. Lunch pail guys versus glamour guys next week. Both teams match their cities perfectly.
 

Pesky Pole

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I always hate the requested yellow card then the referee obliges. He wasn't carding Elliott there until LAFC whined for it. Union wanted to make the first 15 minutes rough and physical and so far, so good. Now they need the counter over the top to Carranza or Uhre or Gazdag.
 

Pesky Pole

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Jose Martinez not having his best match so far.
He's usually good for 2-3 of those a game. Hopefully he's got them out of the way in the first 20 minutes.

McGlynn was unlucky there on the deflection. That kid is tough enough to go get one back instead of sulking about it. I honestly thought he'd be the first of the kids to go overseas but looks like it's Paxton.