MLS 2024: It’s Leo’s league, we’re all just playing in it

Jimy Hendrix

Jimy Hendrix

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So it’s unacceptable to be checks notes twice as good as Caleb Porter.

Interesting, interesting.
 
Senator Donut

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There’s been persistent rumors that San Diego will hire Miguel Herrera. He was just fired at Xolos, so he wouldn’t even have to move. I’d take him over Caleb Porter in a heartbeat.
Jimy Hendrix said:
So it’s unacceptable to be checks notes twice as good as Caleb Porter.

Interesting, interesting.
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Would love Porter gone yesterday, but the order of operations needs to be removing Onalfo first (and ideally the president too). I can’t believe Richie Williams is managing Revs II as if nothing happened. They did just hire David Kammarman, so there is someone capable of doing Onalfo’s job ad interim.
 
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Jimy Hendrix

Jimy Hendrix

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Senator Donut said:
Would love Porter gone yesterday, but the order of operations needs to be removing Onalfo first (and ideally the president too). I can’t believe Richie Williams is managing Revs II as if nothing happened. They did just hire David Kammarman, so there is someone capable of doing Onalfo’s job ad interim.
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It seems wild, but I still can't quite judge it because we still don't have a tremendously clear picture of what specifically happened to blow the season and Arena's tenure up so thoroughly (unless I have missed reporting).
 
OCST

OCST

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Late game in FS1 is fun tonight- Minnesota at LAFC. LA up 1-0 at 70’. Just has a good vibe, crowd is enjoying themselves and players are hard at work. Not a paragon of technical brilliance - some LAFCer just missed a sitter, and one of his own fans made a jerk-off motion at him- but wholly entertaining.

Loons goalie just made a terrific stop in the 6 yard box.
 
Titans Bastard

Titans Bastard

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The CONCACAF Champions Cup final is tonight. The Crew are in Pachuca for what will be a one-leg affair this year. I don't like this new system, which confers home-field advantage upon whatever team has the best record in the previous three rounds. The reality is that competition can be fairly uneven in the early rounds so it produces an arbitrary result.

But we'll see if Wilfried Nancy's magic continues.
 
Jimy Hendrix

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Titans Bastard said:
The CONCACAF Champions Cup final is tonight. The Crew are in Pachuca for what will be a one-leg affair this year. I don't like this new system, which confers home-field advantage upon whatever team has the best record in the previous three rounds. The reality is that competition can be fairly uneven in the early rounds so it produces an arbitrary result.

But we'll see if Wilfried Nancy's magic continues.
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It did not continue. Could blame altitude but the Crew have been thoroughly whipped and I think a lot of it’s on Nancy.
 
nayrbrey

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MLS.com has an article with the Mid season grades. Let’s check in on the Revs.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-midseason-grades-how-your-team-is-doing-halfway-through-2024

They look lost any time they build from the back, so Gil has had to drop deeper and deeper to get on the ball, which obviously has negatively affected the attack. Giacomo Vrioni has been poor, as has Tomás Chancalay.
Their build-out struggles mean the group as a whole is unreliable on the ball, which means the fullbacks can’t get forward as effectively. The center backs have struggled. Noel Buck looked like a potential $10 million sale last year; this year he barely plays.
In terms of the advanced stuff, they are the worst team in FBRef’s MLS database (which goes back to the 2019 season) at -1.00 expected goals differential per 90. They are the second-worst team in ASA’s g+ database, ahead of the legendary 2013 Chivas USA side.
Grade: F. Never would’ve dreamed this group could’ve been this bad.
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From the few games I’ve watched the build out comments hit home. Just a lost group of players.
 
67YAZ

67YAZ

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Shaqiri saying out loud what his body language has screamed for 2 years - “I want to return to Europe.” This feels like a buy out or maybe a free transfer if Shaq’s agent already has a suitor lined up. Heitz will want to use the DP slot & free up salary during this summer window.

It’s addition by subtraction for the Fire. Since Shaq left & Guti moved into the 10 full time, the Fire have picked up 5 points from 3 matches. It’s not rocket science - Klopas is rolling out a 5-2-1-2 kinda-thing that just puts players into their natural positions.

Of course, the run from now to the Leagues Cup is brutal - 6 of 8 on the road. But they’re only 4 points out of the playoff spot. Close enough to disappoint us in October.
 
67YAZ

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The Fire travel to Toronto and put a hurting on the hosts: 4-1! Guti pulled the strings beautifully, completing 41/44 passes, an assist, a shot on target, and only 2 turnovers in 56 touches.

And Chicago fans love that Shaqiri couldn’t get off the bench for Switzerland today.
 
Jimy Hendrix

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The Union players are here and there getting more openly mutinous, not towards Curtin, but towards the front office's unofficial "no help coming to the squad unless it comes from the academy but we will sure sell players" model.

They have barely refreshed their title winning squad, the biggest transfer they did bring in (Tai Baribo at a whopping $1.6m or so in an era where MLS teams spend real money now) has been a huge flop, and through regression or stagnation the strengths of that team are withering away. They have high Revs potential right now, but for non-scandal reasons.
 
MetSox1

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Jimy Hendrix said:
The Union players are here and there getting more openly mutinous, not towards Curtin, but towards the front office's unofficial "no help coming to the squad unless it comes from the academy but we will sure sell players" model.

They have barely refreshed their title winning squad, the biggest transfer they did bring in (Tai Baribo at a whopping $1.6m or so in an era where MLS teams spend real money now) has been a huge flop, and through regression or stagnation the strengths of that team are withering away. They have high Revs potential right now, but for non-scandal reasons.
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STH since inception for the U... they are in a place now where they make me feel optimistic about the red sox. Prob havent felt that way since Earnie Stewart arrived. It's bad. Kai Wagner, the voice behind a lot of this, isnt exactly making me root for him over these last 8 months either. A real mess. Need to hear more from Bedoya or Curtain... And see real changes in the transfer window, or else "Re-Doop" is going to be a challenge for them this yr,
 
steeplechase3k

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This is only somewhat MLS related, but last night the Timbers and Thorns had a joint scrimmage with mixed teams raising money for charity. Just over 10k people where there.



One of the highlights was a goalkeeper taking a PK while facing TWO opposing GKs:
View: https://twitter.com/ThornsFC/status/1806189218592694574


The Thorns coach put on cleats and played in a suit:
View: https://twitter.com/ThornsFC/status/1806165336754213189


Highlights:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qexMQy2v0g4


Full stream:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJOy6LrOrAw
 
Arroyo Con Frijoles

Arroyo Con Frijoles

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Life had kept me away from seeing the Revs in person lately, and I should have stayed away some more.

Arreaga had about as bad a game as you'll ever see, I think he was primarily responsible for three or maybe four of the goals, and while I really feel for Vrioni, it's gotten so bad that the stadium is basically laughing at him when he fails to convert. He had .93 xG himself, and that probably undersells the quality of some of his chances. You see better in person how frustrated the team is - there was a sequence from Buck to someone else on the left to Vrioni who skied it over the bar - and Polster lost his mind. It feels weird to harp on the attack in a game where they gave up five, but his bad finishing is even more noticeable in person, and I actually think a good 9 would help a lot.

I'm afraid Porter will get something of a pass since there were so many guys out, but the backline and keeper were there, and whatever defensive plan he has in place doesn't work.

Esmir has the sauce and I love him.
 
67YAZ

67YAZ

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What’s that? The Fire gave up a 93rd minute winner? Yeah, that sounds about right.
 
67YAZ

67YAZ

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So Shaqiri leaves for the Euros early, tells the media he’s not coming back to the States after the tournament, and proceeds to play well enough to kick up transfer rumors…then decides to retire from the Swiss team and come back to the Fire in time for the Leagues Cup.

JFC dude. Just stick with the thing you love doing - scoring bangers for Switzerland - and give up the thing you so obviously loathe - playing for the Fire.
 
67YAZ

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Guti didn’t start, but comes on around the hour mark and scores in under 10 minutes to give the Fire a 1-0 lead in Cincy. Love our kid.

Brady is the Fire’s rock - 6 saves already.
 
67YAZ

67YAZ

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We’ll fuck. Brady goes down with a non-contact injury, unleashes a primal scream, and grabs his lower back. Yikes.
 
67YAZ

67YAZ

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Fire nab only their 2nd road win on the season. Of course they were handed a gift when Cincy’s Powell earned 2 yellows in the 88th min for giving Souquet a 2-hand shove in the back into the ad boards, whacking Czichos across the face with an outstretched arm, and then giving Acosta an elbow to the chest. It was a kind of “get 2 cards, third foul is free” situation.
 
Jimy Hendrix

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nayrbrey said:
Cavan Sullivan has been added to the Unions game squad for tomorrow vs the Revs. Would be the youngest ever MLS player (beating Freddie Adu) if he sees the field.
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He got about 10min. Had a solid shot, some nice dribbles. Is a wee tiny 14 year old kid, but something about his dribbling just pops off the screen to me.

Also has a debut from 16 year old comparative geezer LB Peyton Miller for the Revs, which was neat. If that’s how the team is gonna defend after Porter sets them up with a back 3 though, then injuries be damned, that’s another one for the Fire Caleb pile.
 
67YAZ

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With Messi injured, the Fire are proactively trying to quell discontent among fans who bought tix for Miami's visit to Solider Field on Aug 31. Just like last year when Messi didn't play despite a 62K sell out, the Fire are offering a $250 credit on single season tix next season plus a $100 credit on Miami at the Fire tix next season. It really is incredible what a draw Messi is.
 
Titans Bastard

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Another reported big sale coming out of MLS:

View: https://twitter.com/tombogert/status/1814685544405725317


MLS also announced a rule change that gives teams more flexibility with how they structure their bigger-money signings, and effectively expands the salary budget.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-announces-significant-roster-rule-changes

Designated Player Model
Clubs can use:
  • Up to three Designated Player roster slots
  • Up to three U22 Initiative roster slots
This model eliminates previous restrictions clubs faced with DP and U22 roster slots.
U22 Initiative Player Model
Clubs can use:
  • Up to two Designated Player roster slots
  • Up to four U22 Initiative roster slots
  • Up to an additional $2 million in General Allocation Money (GAM)^
The increased GAM can be used to "buy down" a player's Salary Budget Charge, sign players new to MLS, re-sign an existing MLS player, offset acquisition costs and more.
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The U22 Initiative allows teams to sign young players without much of a hit to the salary cap. Transfer fees aren't counted against the cap, and the overall salary budget charge wouldn't be more than $200,000, as long as the player's salary is under ~$625,000 (or whatever the precise max salary budget charge is this season).

Up to now the options were: three "true" DPs + U22 Initiative player or less than three "true" DPs + three U22 initiative players. "True" DP = someone who is not classified as a Young DP and whose salary cannot be bought down from DP status with TAM.

The Rube Goldberg Machine of MLS budget and roster rules continues... but this is a good change for player investment and the quality of play.
 
67YAZ

67YAZ

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Sigh, Miami up on the Fire after 7 minutes. Their Dolphins unis look slick, tho.

Interesting to see Chicago already play several balls over Busquet’s head and watch attackers just stride past him.
 
Titans Bastard

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Jimy Hendrix said:
Also has a debut from 16 year old comparative geezer LB Peyton Miller for the Revs, which was neat. If that’s how the team is gonna defend after Porter sets them up with a back 3 though, then injuries be damned, that’s another one for the Fire Caleb pile.
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I missed last night's slate, but Miller started, hit the post, and provided the assist on the Revs' only goal in a 1-1 game against Dallas.

Miller was injured for the first part of the season, but I imagine he'll be firmly ahead of Ryan Spaulding on the LB depth chart. Since DeJuan Jones has struggled to stay healthy this year, that could be a lot of playing time.
 
Titans Bastard

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Big move for the Revs here. It'll be very sad to see DeJuan go, as another piece from the recent great Revs teams departs. Still, the purpose here is to clear salary space and also clear more playing time for Peyton Miller, who I think the Revs clearly see as a major prospect going forward.

Will Sands, who is James' twin brother, should be a solid player too.

View: https://twitter.com/tombogert/status/1818462257052819604


Another big sale appears imminent:

View: https://twitter.com/tombogert/status/1818461616221917528
 
Arroyo Con Frijoles

Arroyo Con Frijoles

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I suppose I'm not shocked by the Jones move, since Miller is the real deal, and I recall that despite being right footed, Jones has a strong preference for left back at this point. So it's not just as simple as letting Bye go at the end of the season. Will miss him, but he hasn't seemed nearly as good lately anyway, whether that's Porter Ball or just general decline.
 
Titans Bastard

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We're done with the group stage of Leagues Cup, which to be honest has felt rather overshadowed by the Olympics this summer. I'm looking forward to the knockout rounds, though, which were pretty fun last year.

There were 45 teams in the group stage — 17 Liga MX and 28 MLS.

10/17 Mexican teams advanced (59%) while 20/28 MLS teams advanced (71%), though MLS teams had home field advantage. Somehow Austin FC beat both Pumas and Monterrey, and Rayados(!!!) finished last and were knocked out. Chivas also got the boot after losing on penalties to the worst team in MLS, San Jose (lol).

The Revs won their group with Mazatlán and Nashville and now host NYCFC. If they win, they'll play Pachuca or Tigres, which would be fun matchup that the Revs would likely lose.
 
Titans Bastard

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Charlotte has signed Tim Ream. This makes sense for him because he was firmly in "veteran locker room vibes guy" territory with Fulham.

View: https://twitter.com/CharlotteFC/status/1821170509150597605


Bogert reports that LAFC are chasing Griezmann.

View: https://twitter.com/tombogert/status/1820878252434714716




The Revs shipped out Henry Kessler to St. Louis in return for Tim Parker. A CB-for-CB swap. Kessler is five years younger, but it feels like he needs a change of scenery. They both make around $1m, but Parker is reportedly out of contract this winter, so this is effectively a salary dump where we get a stopgap CB for the rest of the year.

The bigger news is that the Revs signed 22 year old Argentine winger Luca Langoni from Boca Juniors for $7m. Hopefully a building block for a more successful 2025.
 
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