One Strike and You're Out: The 2015 MLS In-Season Thread

[Titans Bastard]

The Revs about to kick off against Orlando in a very rare Gillette game on grass, which has been laid down in advance of the USA-Brazil game on Tuesday.  The Revs are quietly on a five-game winning streak and there's really no excuse for not winning again tonight.  Orlando's two biggest attacking threats (Kaka and Cyle Larin) and part of their midfield engine (Darwin Ceren) are on international duty and Brek Shea is still injured.  The Revs are missing Jermaine Jones.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Revs dominating so far.  Davies nearly headed home a Rowe cross, but Tally Hall saved it and then Fagundez scissor-kicked it off the crossbar.  So close.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Fagundez, 1-0.  Finally.  Nice interplay from Davies and Nguyen to set it up, good run from Diego.

 

[Titans Bastard]

2-0 Agudelo to ice it as Orlando chases the game late.  Well deserved and a great team goal.

 

[Titans Bastard]

3-0 FT with Tierney scoring another pretty team goal in stoppage time.
 
Craziness in Montreal.  Drogba just scored a hat trick to put them up 4-3 over Chicago in a topsy turvy game.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Montreal held out for the win in Mauro Biello's first game in charge.  It's a big win for them; they move back into playoff position still with games in hand.  They just need to convert one or two of them into win to put the bottom four in the East out of their misery.
 
Seattle is up 1-0 on a very short-handed Toronto team that trotted out a highly unexpected 3-4-3 out of sheer desperation.  A Toronto loss would be very helpful to the Revs as they jockey for a good playoff seed.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

Seattle got a much needed victory and now San Jose has completely crapped the bed.
 
Philadelphia sub Conor Casey scores twice - one in the 74th and one in the 86th - to rally the Union past the Earthquakes 2-1.
 
The win by the Sounders launches them into third place, while the Earthquakes are three points behind Portland for the final spot.
 
It's amazing what Dempsey and Martins being back on the field does for a team.

 

[soxfan121]

Montreal held out for the win in Mauro Biello's first game in charge.  It's a big win for them; they move back into playoff position still with games in hand.  They just need to convert one or two of them into win to put the bottom four in the East out of their misery.
 
Seattle is up 1-0 on a very short-handed Toronto team that trotted out a highly unexpected 3-4-3 out of sheer desperation.  A Toronto loss would be very helpful to the Revs as they jockey for a good playoff seed.

 
Talk about burying the lead: Drogba with a hat trick as part of the Montreal comeback from 2 goals down (IIRC). 

 

[Titans Bastard]

 
Talk about burying the lead: Drogba with a hat trick as part of the Montreal comeback from 2 goals down (IIRC). 

 
I didn't want to repeat my previous post!
 
Highlights from the Revs-Orlando game.  Great stuff from New England:
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Dr1477jCag
 
FC Dallas set an MLS record last night by starting five players from their academy, including their entire four-man midfield.  And ended up beating Columbus 3-0 on the road without Fabian Castillo, Blas Perez, Mauro Diaz, Tesho Akindele, Dan Kennedy, or Je-Vaughn Watson.  Kellyn Acosta & Victor Ulloa are their regular midfield partnership, but due to injuries and call ups they had to start 17 year old Alejandro Zendejas and 18 year old Coy Craft on the wings.  Dan Kennedy is injured, but 20 year old Jesse Gonzalez has been surprisingly starting in goal over Chris Seitz for a couple of games.  Unfortunately Gonzalez is playing for Mexico and started for them at the U-20 World Cup this summer.
 
 
It was also a good result for the Revs, who are now one point behind Columbus with a game in hand.  The Revs vaulted over Toronto and Columbus on PPG this weekend.  If DC continued to free fall, finishing 2nd in the conference is a possibility.

 

[soxfan121]

 
I didn't want to repeat my previous post!

 
That is totally my bad. I can't believe I didn't scroll up. My apologies - of course you were on top of the story. ;-)

 

[Titans Bastard]

 
That is totally my bad. I can't believe I didn't scroll up. My apologies - of course you were on top of the story. ;-)

 
Hey, don't back down.  I still buried the lede/lead (awaiting V&N confirmation on this one).

 

[Titans Bastard]

Good road win for the Revs last night.  Toronto got the better of the run of play, but NE capitalized on their chances and defended well.
 
Five wins in a row, Lee Nguyen is humming now, Fagundez is in form, and Jones is back.  The back line needs to stay healthy, but the team is really clicking now and aside from Wednesday's game against NYRB, it's a very soft schedule to close the season.  This win puts the Revs in second in the East on PPG, so with a game in hand over DC and CLB and six to play, taking 2nd place in the conference seems a real possibility.
 
 
The Supporters Shield race looks like it is down to four clubs: NYRB, Vancouver, Dallas, and LA.

 

[Titans Bastard]

- New Seattle Sounders acquisition Roman Torres is out for the season with a knee injury sustained in Saturday's draw with SJ.  That's a tough blow for Seattle.  I guess Brad Evans will be bumped back to CB after they made a big deal out of him being a midfielder from here on out.
 
- Giles Barnes reportedly signed a four-year extension with Houston, which should come with a substantial raise on his current $275k salary.
 
- USSF officials were in the Senate answering Maria Cantwell's questions about the youth solidarity fee issue.
 
- The USL is set to announce a new team for 2017 on Wednesday - Reno.  The owner is Herb Simon, who owns the Indiana Pacers and the Reno Aces.  Plenty of money there, but one of the stated reasons is to get better usage out of the Reno Aces park.  A stadium focus instead of a soccer focus can lead to poor execution on the soccer side, but it all depends on who is hired.  Reno is a pretty small market even by USL standards, so this one is a little risky.  But the USL could use more western clubs that aren't just MLS reserve teams.  Reno would be the 29th team, counting Orlando's reserve team (which hasn't been officially announced by the league, but Orlando has announced coaching staff hirings already).

 

[Titans Bastard]

Another win for the Revs last night, this time actually over a respectable opponent (NYRB).  Jones was suspended due to yellow card accumulation and Heaps chose to rest a few starters amid this Sun-Wed-Sat stretch of games, whereas NYRB came in full strength.  Fagundez scored for the fourth game in a row.
 
The Revs are now temporarily in first place in the East(!) although NYRB are one point back with two games in hand.  NE's final five games are all against the bottom half of the East, a very soft schedule, but NYRB's last seven aren't much tougher.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

I was glad the Sox were running away with it last night so I watched a good chunk of the Revs game.  Got a little dicey in extra time when the Bulls got the ball in to the box, but was good to see them not give up a late tying goal like they were doing regularly earlier in the year

 

[Titans Bastard]

- LAFC officially confirmed that they would be called LAFC, to the surprise of nobody.  They are adopting red and black as their main colors, with gold and silver accents as a result of their faux "fan contest".  I think that's a bit boring, especially because Atlanta just chose something very similar.  Everyone is trying to emulate the old MetroStars colors these days, it seems...
 
The most recent team names:
 
New York City FC
Orlando City SC
Atlanta United FC
Minnesota United FC
Los Angeles FC
 
Exciting!  Hopefully Minnesota will emphasize "Loons" and the other teams can adopt nicknames that people will rally around soon.  Do Orlando fans use Lions much?  I don't know.
 
- Word is that Colorado is bringing back Pablo Mastroeni for a third year.  What a dysfunctional franchise.  Mastro coming back should fill Rapids fans with complete and utter despair.
 
- The manager of the NASL-leading Ottawa Fury, Marc dos Santos, announced he's leaving at the end of the year to take a job as one of Peter Vermes' assistants at SKC.
 
- In the CONCACAF Champions League, Vancouver and DC won, while RSL tied Santa Tecla on the road.  DC clinched their group and results elsewhere mean that LA have virtually clinched as well.  RSL is on top of their group with both of their home games yet to be played and one of Seattle and Vancouver are very likely to advance as well.  I don't think MLS has ever gotten four teams through to the quarterfinals before.
 
More importantly, changes are afoot.  There had already been rumors of switching to a spring-to-fall format.  This would help MLS because the knockouts won't start in preseason and it helps Mexico because the CCL winners won't have to wait eight months before the CWC starts.  And now, there's also talk of going back to the old format which I think would be great.  The current group stage is useless and awful: there aren't any MLS vs. LMX games, which is what people want, and there are way too many shitty teams.  Pare it back from 24 to 16 with a preliminary round, go from 8x3 groups to 4x4 groups with one MLS and one LMX team in each group.  That gives you a higher quality of play and more compelling games.  There will be more travel and 2-4 more games, but I think you have to suck it up.
 
Hopefully CONCACAF follows through with this.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

Cascadia Cup goes to the Sounders with a 3-0 win in Vancouver.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Chicago finally fired Frank Yallop, who is (sadly) only the second managerial casualty of the season, despite some additional deserving candidates (Mastroeni!!!).  Yallop looks well past his sell-by date at this point.  He won a couple of MLS Cups in the early 2000s -- ancient history -- and his last success was winning the Supporters Shield with San Jose in 2012.  Since then, he's had an absolutely abysmal record with San Jose and with Chicago.  I'd hope that this is his last job in MLS.  Chicago's TD Brian Bliss is taking over on an interim basis; this will be Bliss' third interim stint but he's never gotten a full time managerial job.
 
The Fire also hired Nelson Rodriguez as GM.  Rodriguez is a league insider who once worked as an MLS VP in biz dev and most recently was the MLS appointee presiding over the Chivas USA wind-down.
 
 
 
On the field, the Revs got thumped in Montreal this week 3-0.  Not a good result at all, but not unsurprising for a team that had to play three games in seven days.  NYRB beat Portland on the road, which vaults them back over Columbus and NE with two games in hand.  NYRB became the first team to clinch a playoff spot and they are also back in pole position for the Supporters Shield, but it's tight.  NYRB's SS competitors in the West (Vancouver, Dallas, LA) all lost this weekend.
 
Next up for New England is a home match against Philadelphia, who have little to play for in the league, but who have the US Open Cup final four days after the match.  Hopefully they rest some starters.

 

[Arroyo Con Frijoles]

I wasn't particularly surprised by the Revs beating by Montreal (though a couple fluky-ish deflections, in all fairness).  As TB said, the third game in a week can be tough for anybody, and the Revs probably have less depth than most teams.  You won't see Caldwell sitting for Neumann in any important matches going forward, I assure you.  They are still in the hunt for a high seed in the East, and Philly sucks, so hopefully things turn around this weekend.  

 

[soxfan121]

The Fire also hired Nelson Rodriguez as GM.  Rodriguez is a league insider who once worked as an MLS VP in biz dev and most recently was the MLS appointee presiding over the Chivas USA wind-down.

 
Is there any talent evaluation in that CV or is he there to preside over the salary cap? I don't get hiring a business guy as the GM for a team that lacks talent. 

 

[Titans Bastard]

 
Is there any talent evaluation in that CV or is he there to preside over the salary cap? I don't get hiring a business guy as the GM for a team that lacks talent. 

 
Bliss is still the technical director in addition to his new duties as interim manager.  As long the technical director position continues to exist, I'd guess Rodriguez will stay mostly on the business side.  That being said, we need to wait for Rodriguez to settle in, pick a permanent manager, and see if he makes any more changes to the structure of the technical staff before being sure about it.
 
Honestly, the Fire need a lot of help on and off the field.  Chicago is a huge market and the Fire aren't much of a presence.
 
Another casualty of this shake-up is Yallop's assistant, Clint Mathis who looks a good deal older than his 38 years:
 

 
Presumably fitness wasn't under his purview.

 

[Vinho Tinto]

Fitness wasn't a part of his purview when he was an actual player. He played like he was 60 when he was 25, but his goal in Korea was sweet.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Fitness wasn't a part of his purview when he was an actual player. He played like he was 60 when he was 25, but his goal in Korea was sweet.

 
This guy?
 

 

[robssecondjob]

The annual MLS salary survey can be found here:
 
http://www.mlsplayers.org/salary_info.html
 
Scott Caldwell is a steal at that price.  

 

[Titans Bastard]

Cascadia Cup goes to the Sounders with a 3-0 win in Vancouver.

Another 3-0 win for Seattle over Vancouver in the CCL last night clinches the group for the Sounders.
 
LA tied Central on the road with their scrubs, which was enough to officially win their group.  It's still entirely possible that the quarterfinals will be all Mexico + MLS.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

NYC FC topped Vancouver tonight, 2-1, meaning the Sounders could be tied for the top spot in the West if they can steal a win at Kansas City on Sunday. What a weird, roller coaster season for Seattle.

 

[Titans Bastard]

The US Open Cup final between KC and Philadelphia is tomorrow at 7pm.  It has surprisingly been picked up by ESPN2.
 
Philly lost in the final last year, while KC won the tournament in 2012.  Philly has never won any silverware ever and have nothing to play for in the league at this point.  KC still needs to wrap up a playoff spot.  However, both teams rested a ton of starters over the weekend and I would expect both to field full-strength teams.  The winner gets a place in the Champions League.

 

[dirtynine]

Reading that Chad Marshall seriously hurt his head/neck after a fall during Sounders practice. He was taken away by ambulance; sounds like he was able to move extremities. Scary. 

 

[Pesky Pole]

Entertaining Cup Final is going to PKs on ESPN2.

 

[Titans Bastard]

1-0 PHI, Le Toux converts

 

[Titans Bastard]

Philadelphia subbed in John McCarthy at the end of extra time, Tim Krul style.
 
But Feilhaber sent him the wrong way on the first PK.  1-1.

 

[Titans Bastard]

2-1 PHI, Nogueira

 

[Titans Bastard]

Edu up now.  He's going to miss.

 

[Titans Bastard]

He missed.  2-2, KC with a chance to take the lead.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Huge save from McCarthy on Krisztian Nemeth to keep it 2-2 after three tries.

 

[Titans Bastard]

3-3 after 4.  Tranquillo Barnetta and Matt Besler both converted.
 
Lots of guys going high so far, and all have been successful.

 

[Titans Bastard]

4-3, Conor Casey.  Went upper right.
 
Nagamura converts, 4-4, after five PKs.

 

[Titans Bastard]

5-5, Lahoud and Zusi convert.

 

[Titans Bastard]

6-5, Gaddis converts.
 
Kevin Ellis steps up for KC....good PK, not what I expected from him.  6-6 after 7.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Wenger with a terrible PK that's saved by Melia.  KC with a chance to win it.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Quintilla converts, KC takes the Cup.
 
Another tough loss to take for Philadelphia.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Major news out of Philly - Nick Sakiewicz is out.  He's been CEO of the Union for the franchise's entire existence and at this point is blamed for much of what ails the club.  Union fans seem seriously stoked about this, as Sakiewicz seemed tough to dislodge because he is a minority owner in the club.  The rumor is that his stake will be bought out.
 
 
In other news, the USOC final drew 333k on ESPN2, which is a fantastic number for a poorly-promoted tournament whose rights were purchased just days before the event.  This bodes well for the TV status of future USOC finals.

 

[robssecondjob]

Reading that Chad Marshall seriously hurt his head/neck after a fall during Sounders practice. He was taken away by ambulance; sounds like he was able to move extremities. Scary. 

Fortunately "only" a sprained neck.

 

[wonderland]

Major news out of Philly - Nick Sakiewicz is out.  He's been CEO of the Union for the franchise's entire existence and at this point is blamed for much of what ails the club.  Union fans seem seriously stoked about this, as Sakiewicz seemed tough to dislodge because he is a minority owner in the club.  The rumor is that his stake will be bought out.
 
 
In other news, the USOC final drew 333k on ESPN2, which is a fantastic number for a poorly-promoted tournament whose rights were purchased just days before the event.  This bodes well for the TV status of future USOC finals.

I had two friends who normally don't watch soccer text me about the match. Both really enjoyed it.

I guess people are really used to switching to ESPN and sticking and watching.

 

[Pesky Pole]

I had two friends who normally don't watch soccer text me about the match. Both really enjoyed it.

I guess people are really used to switching to ESPN and sticking and watching.

 
It was a really good match to watch.  Even the penalties were well taken up until Wenger's pathetic effort.  Hopefully your friends come back for some more.  You can always count on the Union giving up goals in the last 20 minutes so it keeps things exciting.  
 
The Sakiewicz sacking has to be good news.  Something different just has to happen here although I don't know enough about the rumored Zambrano replacement to be excited or resigned to more of the same.  
 
Titans - any thoughts on Zambrano?

 

[Titans Bastard]

 
It was a really good match to watch.  Even the penalties were well taken up until Wenger's pathetic effort.  Hopefully your friends come back for some more.  You can always count on the Union giving up goals in the last 20 minutes so it keeps things exciting.  
 
The Sakiewicz sacking has to be good news.  Something different just has to happen here although I don't know enough about the rumored Zambrano replacement to be excited or resigned to more of the same.  
 
Titans - any thoughts on Zambrano?

 
My understanding is that Zambrano was being considered for a sporting director role under Sakiewicz.  Now that the Sak has been sacked, I suspect Zambrano isn't coming.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Bad loss for the Revs last night, at Chicago.  Between Farrell's blunder and Agudelo's miss, there was just some inexcusable stuff against arguably the worst team in the league.  It was a golden opportunity to put a small amount of daylight between New England the rest of the pack chasing #2 in the conference.  Instead, we've fallen behind DC with two games to play and are right in the thick of things with Columbus and Toronto.  At least we have two reasonable games on paper (vs. MTL, @NYC), Columbus and DC have to play each other, and Toronto has some relatively tougher opponents.
 
NYCFC's loss means they are on the precipice of mathematical elimination.  Orlando has won four in a row now but it's too late.  They are only one point behind Montreal after beating them yesterday, but have two games remaining to the Impact's four.  They are dependent on a total Montreal collapse.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

Man, this Sounders-Galaxy game would be so much better if the field wasn't painted up and ready for Monday Night Football. It's really hard to follow the action with the sidelines.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

What a fun game that was.
 
Galaxy scored off a terrible Sounders turnover in the first half, then went into a defensive shell for the second half. Sounders had full possession the entire second half but couldn't score, nor really get a shot on goal. Finally, in the 93rd, Chad Barrett - the supersub - scored on a set piece.
 
I'll take the point, considering the Sounders' defense is patched together by duct tape.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

Great atmosphere at the game in Seattle. Over 56,000 there. Lots of Gerrard Liverpool jerseys in the crowd.