MLS Turns 21 - the 2016 season

Titans Bastard

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1-0 Montreal via Dominic Oduro. Excellent pass from Patrice Bernier to set it up.
 

Titans Bastard

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There it is. Giovinco to Jozy. Toronto still in bad shape but if they hold on to this score it's doable in the return leg.
 

ThePrideofShiner

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Good effort from Seattle. I thought after the early goal they were in trouble against such a defense minded team, but they really deserved that win.

Everything is set up for Seattle to host Montreal. That would be epic.
 

Titans Bastard

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Everything is set up for Seattle to host Montreal. That would be epic.
I wouldn't quite go that far. Since Colorado and Toronto are taking home one goal deficits with one and two away goals respectively, both have very reasonable chances of advancement.

Colorado is an undefeated 12-6-0 at home this year. However, they've lost Sam Cronin to yellow card accumulation. He's kind of a boring DM, but he does a lot of dirty work and they don't have a good like-for-like replacement. That's not the sort of player you want to lose when you need to figure out how to contain Nicolas Lodeiro.
 

ThePrideofShiner

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I wouldn't quite go that far. Since Colorado and Toronto are taking home one goal deficits with one and two away goals respectively, both have very reasonable chances of advancement.

Colorado is an undefeated 12-6-0 at home this year. However, they've lost Sam Cronin to yellow card accumulation. He's kind of a boring DM, but he does a lot of dirty work and they don't have a good like-for-like replacement. That's not the sort of player you want to lose when you need to figure out how to contain Nicolas Lodeiro.
I was certainly a bit too optimistic in that post, but the chance of Seattle hosting is on the table. Which is all you can really ask for as the No. 4 seed.

It sucks that we have to wait until Wednesday for the East to be decided.
 

Titans Bastard

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Ivanschitz back for Seattle, Morris in the lineup despite being sick over the last few days.

Azira in for Cronin for the Rapids, with Jones moving up the field a bit.

Bruce Arena is reportedly in the house. Jones, Morris, and Roldan are likely his main concerns. Maybe Eric Miller could sneak into January camp given our lack of depth at fullback positions.
 

Titans Bastard

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All Colorado so far. Jones has been everywhere. It feels like a matter of time until the Rapids score, at this rate.
 

Titans Bastard

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Morris scores for Seattle! Nice finish, but he's down clutching his knee.
 

Titans Bastard

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Morris walked off with a limp, but now he's back on.

That was a huge goal for the Sounders, as they are up 3-1 on aggregate and are now insulated from losing on away goals. Seattle had created so little to that point.

Marlon Hairston comes on for Sebastien Le Toux now for the Rapids.
 

Titans Bastard

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Mastroeni brings on Pappa for Azira. The Rapids need two goals, Jones has run out of steam and they really need someone to create.


Bad news for Seattle - Alonso comes off injured. Friberg and Evans are already injured, so Fernandez comes in side, Joevin Jones move up, and Oneil Fisher comes it at left back. Big fifteen minutes ahead for the Roldan+Fernandez midfield pairing.
 

Titans Bastard

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Gashi off for Badji. I don't love that sub from Colorado's perspective. Badji is more of a speed merchant who won't have much space to work with against a Sounders defense that will be in pack-it-in mode. I'd rather have Gashi's set piece abilities on the field, even if he hasn't been great in that department so far tonight.

Zach Scott on for Valdez. Bunker time.
 

Titans Bastard

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Holy shit. They finally make the final, this year of all years. Go Montreal!
It is remarkable, and yet classic MLS. Seven years of making the playoffs and failing to get to MLS Cup, and the one year where they looked awful halfway through the season, they pulled it together and went on a huge run to the final.

In other news, Jermaine Jones is taking the loss hard:


On the bright side for him, he managed to avoid a six-game suspension for assaulting the referee this time.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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Are there any teams in that league that are just boringly stable & somewhat successful? It really feels from news coverage like a few are very successful demos for "give us an MLS franchise" and the rest are disasters.
 

Titans Bastard

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Though the playoffs are ongoing, the also-rans are trimming rosters in preparation for the offseason. The Revs announced their moves today:
  • Declined options on Steve Neumann and Jordan McCrary
  • Jose Gonçalves, Darrius Barnes, Daigo Kobayashi, and Gershon Koffie are out of contract
The Revs retained all four goalkeepers, which is a bit curious. If they like Cropper, they should find a way to jettison one of Knighton/Shuttleworth as both are below-average starter quality.

McCrary and Neumann are first round disappointments. Neumann stuck around for three years but never worked into the rotation. McCrary only lasted one year.

I hope they re-sign Koffie. Kouassi is still a question mark after his injury and we could use the CM depth anyway. I wouldn't miss Barnes and Kobayashi.

They really need to figure out CB. Farrell was a total failure there and Gonçalves is still frustrating. They definitely need to sign one CB and they'll need another if Gonçalves walks. Woodberry shouldn't be higher than third on the depth chart.
 

Titans Bastard

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Are there any teams in that league that are just boringly stable & somewhat successful? It really feels from news coverage like a few are very successful demos for "give us an MLS franchise" and the rest are disasters.
Indy Eleven and the Carolina RailHawks seem solid, but the league has a weak bench.

USL has plenty of small-time clubs living on a shoestring budget, but the league is more appropriately designed for that sort of thing (regional travel, etc).
 

steeplechase3k

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It's been a while since I watched "Once in a Lifetime" but even if the team folds the name won't come cheap, or easily. I recall that several people claim to own the name.
 

Titans Bastard

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Peter Vermes gets a contract extension through 2019 in KC. He continues as the club's TD as well as manager.

KC also re-signed impending free agent Benny Feilhaber, putting an end to rumors that he may be headed to Mexico...or Israel.

In LA, Pete Vagenas has been promoted to GM, replacing half of Bruce Arena's duties. Manager is still TBD, but there's talk of LA Galaxy II manager Curt Onalfo, which would be totally underwhelming. His KC and DC teams were dire.
 

Titans Bastard

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Minnesota hired Adrian Heath, which had been rumored for a while. He's an easy guy to like, though I'm not sure he's the greatest manager.

 

Titans Bastard

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Reports are circulating that the Cosmos has informed the league they are folding.
The situation is still unclear. There are some reports that the Cosmos aren't quite done yet, but may be hoping that an outside group will come in to buy/invest in the club.
 

FlexFlexerson

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I was a season ticket holder for the Rapids this year. No idea the season would be so exciting when I upped for the package (I mostly just did it because it was cheap). Disappointing end, but not exactly unexpected given how well Seattle was playing, and I'm cautiously optimistic the Rapids will maintain or improve for at least the next year or two.
 

SoxFanInCali

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California. Duh.
Isn't the whole point of NYRB to market their energy drink owners? Why would Red Bull change the name?
Well, if business takes a downturn and they look to sell some of their sports holdings, the club will need a new name. You never know.
 

ThePrideofShiner

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I was a season ticket holder for the Rapids this year. No idea the season would be so exciting when I upped for the package (I mostly just did it because it was cheap). Disappointing end, but not exactly unexpected given how well Seattle was playing, and I'm cautiously optimistic the Rapids will maintain or improve for at least the next year or two.
How much are season tickets for the Rapids, if you don't mind me asking? I've looked into them for the Sounders and they can be had for $495 - granted those are second deck end zone seats. I have no idea if that is good or bad, though.
 

steeplechase3k

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For a point of comparison, Timbers Season tickets are as low as $450.

2016:2016 Timbers Prices.JPG


2017:
2017TimbersSeasonTicketPrices.JPG

However there's 9,000 or 10,000 people on the waiting list.
 

Titans Bastard

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It looks like the Rapids go as low as $340 for the small stand on the north side which, I think, is the main supporters section and functionally SRO.




The Revs are even cheaper; the Fort is $307, the corners are $336, and the non-midfield sideline is $441.
 

Arroyo Con Frijoles

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I was going to complain about Neumann having been protected over Mullins, but I didn't realize that Pat had been traded for Garber Bucks this summer.

I also feel really far removed from MLS Cup in LA.
 

FlexFlexerson

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It looks like the Rapids go as low as $340 for the small stand on the north side which, I think, is the main supporters section and functionally SRO.

The Revs are even cheaper; the Fort is $307, the corners are $336, and the non-midfield sideline is $441.
Yeah, I sprung for the East Sideline which is a great location. Comes with what I imagine is a standard package for most teams around the league: some extra tickets, discounts on additional tix, discounts on beer and food, etc. A (good) season ticket for the Rapids costs about as much as a second hand ticket for a single Broncos game, which again I imagine is pretty typical for a lot of areas with NFL and MLS teams.

FWIW, the South End at Dick's actually features a larger and more rambunctious supporters group. The North End section is fun but can be a little thinner.
 

SocrManiac

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The Toronto player jumping into the long throw-in should have been carded. I wonder if he'll get away with that all night.
 

Titans Bastard

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Toronto just doesn't make things easy for themselves. 1-0 Oduro and now Toronto needs two.

Tremendous atmosphere.

Bernardello really shouldn't have been allowed to come back into the game after that earlier collision with Altidore.
 

Titans Bastard

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1-1 now off a corner kick. Hagglund got a header on goal, Armando Cooper put away the rebound. That felt like it was coming.

This game is pretty fast-paced and the crowd is really adding to the intensity.
 

Titans Bastard

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Goal! Jozy with a great near post run and perfectly angled header off another corner. 2-1 right before halftime and Toronto is now ahead on away goals.
 

SoxFanInCali

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California. Duh.
As a Bruins fan, I feel dirty rooting for anything Montreal, but I have a ticket to the final lined up if it's in Seattle.

EDIT: Ha, PrideofShiner and I are thinking alike.
 

Titans Bastard

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Piatti! 2-2 and that's a HUGE goal for Montreal. They're now even on away goals so if Toronto scores an aggregate equalizer it will now go to extra time.
 

SoxFanInCali

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California. Duh.
Piatti! 2-2 and that's a HUGE goal for Montreal. They're now even on away goals so if Toronto scores an aggregate equalizer it will now go to extra time.
Yup, and if Montreal could get another, Toronto would need 3.

I know a lot of people hate the away goals rule. I love it because of the different scenarios it creates.
 

Titans Bastard

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Wow - a short corner routine that works!!

Nick Hagglund is a mediocre defender overall but he's a beast in the air - and that's the second time Montreal has done a bad job marking him tonight.