Topic: MLS Thread

[Lone Star Red]

Atlanta United set the MLS attendance record for a single game last night. Amazing stuff.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2017/09/17/professional-soccer-attendance-records-fall-in-atlanta-and-cincinnati/?utm_term=.6775d1e9823a

[Buck Pete]

Thrashed the Galaxy 4-0 last night.

Playoffs here we come.  Still holding on to the hope of Atlanta nicking that second spot from NYC come the end of the regular season

[afc tukrish]

Thrashed the Galaxy 4-0 last night.

Playoffs here we come.  Still holding on to the hope of Atlanta nicking that second spot from NYC come the end of the regular season

Almiron's goal to finish things off was so class, cheeky dink over the keeper after a ridiculous explosion of pace.

Think NYC are playing too well to be caught, but the Fire are struggling a bit. Might be possible to slip into third before the play-offs...

[Buck Pete]

Think NYC are playing too well to be caught, but the Fire are struggling a bit. Might be possible to slip into third before the play-offs...

Third is easily doable. Atlanta are 2 points behind Fire with a game in hand.

Failing finishing in the top 2, I think they would really like to avoid NYRB in the conference playoff 1st rd.

NYRB currently in 6th but I think they will move up to 5th at least come the end of the season.

1st Conf playoff round is 3rd v 6th and 4th v 5th.

So I'd take Atlanta V Columbus in the first round then a semi against NYC. Then beating Toronto in the conf final.

Actually it's Columbus V NYRB at the weekend. That could be 5th and 6th decided right there!!

As for Western Conf?  No idea.

[afc tukrish]

Rodderzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz appears to have been right about Vancouver.

They play very crap, direct, typical "physical" MLS stuff under Carl Robsinson, but it's very effective, especially during play-offs at the end of a long season...

[Buck Pete]

oooh NYC slip up at home and drop a couple of points.

Massive game tomorrow night for Atlanta at home to Montreal. Can get within 3 points of NYC with a game in hand.

[afc tukrish]

oooh NYC slip up at home and drop a couple of points.

Massive game tomorrow night for Atlanta at home to Montreal. Can get within 3 points of NYC with a game in hand.

Qualified for the play-offs tonight, 2-0 over Montreal...

Unreal run they're/we're on in the new digs

[Buck Pete]

Qualified for the play-offs tonight, 2-0 over Montreal...

Unreal run they're/we're on in the new digs

Told ye that 2nd place is doable mate

2nd place is in Atlanta's hands now

[rodderzzz]

Atlanta V Vancouver will be the MLS Cup final I reckon.


Vancouver have a c*nt of an end to the season, we play Seattle away on Wednesday, then Kansas Away next weekend, then NYRB away week after. Then San Jose at home before finishing the season at Portland away.

I've booked all the playoff dates off anyway now just need to book the travel when we know our games! Off to Seattle away on Wednesday and wll be in Portland for the last game of the season

[afc tukrish]

Atlanta V Vancouver will be the MLS Cup final I reckon.


Vancouver have a c*nt of an end to the season, we play Seattle away on Wednesday, then Kansas Away next weekend, then NYRB away week after. Then San Jose at home before finishing the season at Portland away.

I've booked all the playoff dates off anyway now just need to book the travel when we know our games! Off to Seattle away on Wednesday and wll be in Portland for the last game of the season

That is a ridiculously difficult series of matches, San Jose at home will be no problem, but all four of the others might be possible dropped points. And because KC and Seattle are so close in the table, still all to play for out west...

[Buck Pete]

That is a ridiculously difficult series of matches, San Jose at home will be no problem, but all four of the others might be possible dropped points. And because KC and Seattle are so close in the table, still all to play for out west...

Yeah there's a shit-storm brewing in that Western conference that's for sure.

Another brace for Valeri last night I see. Portland are the team to watch in that conf IMO.

[afc tukrish]

Yeah there's a shit-storm brewing in that Western conference that's for sure.

Another brace for Valeri last night I see. Portland are the team to watch in that conf IMO.

Caleb Porter is a bit of a prick, but he tries to get his sides to play good football, always fun to watch...

[rodderzzz]

Bunch of expat reds who live in vancouver will be down in Seattle tomorrow watching the whitecaps. If we can win that one I think we'll finish top 2

[Buck Pete]

Good Luck to your boys later Rodderzzz

Can't believe how much I've gotten into MLS and especially Atlanta. Ok I've got money riding on them but I genuinely want them to do well regardless

Really hoping Montreal can get something out of NYC tonight. I'd take a draw all day long providing the 5 Stripes can dispatch of Philly.  Philadelphia not won away since May so fingers crossed.

[WillG.LFC]

There no uk highlights for this? Seems most of the stuff i find you need to be in the usa

[NHRed]

There no uk highlights for this? Seems most of the stuff i find you need to be in the usa

Have you tried the league's site itself? mlssoccer.com  (yes that's 2 "s" in there and it expands to "Major League Soccer soccer dot com" which is f'ing stupid)

[WillG.LFC]

Yeah always seems a chore on there as it says cannot be shown in your country. They seem to like making it as difficult as possible for people to follow it. Used to have the app on my ipad for the highlights before they restricted the content by country

[Buck Pete]

Just seen the Atlanata result from last night. FFS, incredible

Down to 10 men and winning 2-1

Concede 2 injury time goals and lose 2-3 to fucking bottom feeders Minnesota.

That's a massive blow to their 2nd place finish hopes.

[Buggy Eyes Alfredo]

Caleb Porter is a bit of a prick, but he tries to get his sides to play good football, always fun to watch...

Bizarre sentiment.

If you believe the statisticians we are guaranteed a playoff berth now.

[afc tukrish]

Bizarre sentiment.

If you believe the statisticians we are guaranteed a playoff berth now.

He admits as much himself in some of the interviews he's given. You're free to classify the statement as bizarre sentiment, I just don't really agree.

Being a bit of a prick can also be a helpful character trait as a manager.

His interview about how he had regarded football before failing to qualify for the Olympics is instructive... I'll see if I can find it, although if you follow Portland you've doubtless already read it...

Just for the record, I'd like to see Porter running our National Team. A bit of a prick is not a bad thing. Bruce is a huge one...

[Buck Pete]

Atlanta spunking an absolutely glorious opportunity to go 2nd here.

So frustrating.

[please, I have my reasons for it but...]

Amazing the amount of people over there who believe pro/rel won't benefit the sport in the US.

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/76pv4z/silva_promotion_and_relegation_system_could/

[skipper757]

Amazing the amount of people over there who believe pro/rel won't benefit the sport in the US.

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/76pv4z/silva_promotion_and_relegation_system_could/

The general sentiment is that pro/rel has a huge barrier considering the current league structure and ownership.  MLS has focused on expansion and introducing pro/rel isn’t going to attract investors.

I think people believe that pro/rel would help the sport (not all problems are solved), but the current set-up is not conducive to introducing the concept.

Ultimately, MLS and NCAA have different objectives than those that advocate for the improvement of the sport.

[Chakan]

Are there enough teams to even support the pro/rel structure?

[please, I have my reasons for it but...]

Are there enough teams to even support the pro/rel structure?

There are a lot of teams in the lower divisions like the NASL (though that is currently struggling), USL, NPSL, NISA, etc.

Most of the owners there though don't want to invest in proper infrastructure without pro/rel, as it doesn't make sense to buy a tier 2 team, spend the same amount of money on operating costs as a tier 1 team but still never having the chance to go to tier 1.

[Chakan]

There are a lot of teams in the lower divisions like the NASL (though that is currently struggling), USL, NPSL, NISA, etc.

Most of the owners there though don't want to invest in proper infrastructure without pro/rel, as it doesn't make sense to buy a tier 2 team, spend the same amount of money on operating costs as a tier 1 team but still never having the chance to go to tier 1.

Fair enough. I know next to nothing about soccer in the US.

[afc tukrish]

Perfectly aware that the following is not strictly MLS related, but there is no thread for the US  National Team and...

http://www.espnfc.us/united-states/story/3232018/sam-allardyce-interested-in-taking-united-states-job-sources

We don't really drink wine out of pint glasses.

But then neither do we play creative, modern football...

[Buggy Eyes Alfredo]

sam-allardyce-interested-in-taking-united-states-job

That would be a horrible decision.

[afc tukrish]

Atlanta spunking an absolutely glorious opportunity to go 2nd here.

So frustrating.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaUZF53h0QZ/

Problem might be solved...

[Buck Pete]

SO...Atlanta yet again spunk their chance of 2nd place by conceding in the 84th minute.  A winnable tie against Columbus in the playoffs to come now but who knows.

Reckon Roderzzz will be mightly pissed off this morning as Vancouver also managed to throw away a top 2 spot.  They have San Jose in the playoffs which is quite winnable though.

So here is the Playoff lineups and schedule.

[rodderzzz]

Fuck Me did we ever blow it! Just got back from Portland, it was actually a good trip despite the result. Happened to stay in the same hotel as the team so was having a beer with Robbo on Saturday night.

fancy us to do San Jose on Wed, then it'd be back to Seattle. The west teams are so tight its hard to say who'll get out of it

[LFC_1981]

Simple for The fire beat the two New York teams and your in eastern finals with Toronto probably.

[Buck Pete]

Simple for Thr fire best the two New York teams and your in eastern finals with Toronto Atlanta probably.

Changed that for you mate

[Buggy Eyes Alfredo]

So here is the Playoff lineups and schedule.

The Thorns lifted the silverware this month. Time for the men's squad to follow suit.

[LFC_1981]

Changed that for you mate

Could’ve magically fixed my spelling, just noticed.

Actually I can’t wait until we get the Toronto/Atlanta eastern semi.

[Buck Pete]

Could’ve magically fixed my spelling, just noticed.

Actually I can’t wait until we get the Toronto/Atlanta eastern semi.

The recklessness of Atlanta I can see them fucking up against Columbus. Although at home surely they have a bloody good chance.

The Fire first up tomorrow night I see. Hope they dispatch of NYRB. I really do.

[rodderzzz]

MLS higher ups have showed their amateurishness once more. They forgot to check if the Seahawks were playing on Nov 5th before telling the world thats when the second leg semi final would be. So the winner of Vancouver/San Jose will now travel to Seattle on Nov 2

[please, I have my reasons for it but...]

Playoffs have started.

So far NY Red Bulls are leading Chicago Fire 2-0 in Chicago.

In about an hour, Vancouver Whitecaps will host San Jose Earthquakes.

[please, I have my reasons for it but...]

Finished 4-0 for NY Red Bulls.

They play Toronto FC in the Eastern conference semi finals.

[Buck Pete]

wow didn't expect Fire to get such a thumping.

Atlanta v Crew tonight at midnight (UK). Live on SKY cant wait