MLS 2021

Three weeks in and it’s chaos as usual but I love Cade Cowell’s start



and Caden Clark’s too



Must be nice to be 17!

 

Here’s a blast from the past: Rubio Rubin was a great goal scorer for the U17/20 Nats squads, but went to Holland and disappeared. He’s bounced around, but looks to have found a home in Salt Lake. 3 goals in 3 matches, and this was a cracker

 

@SoCalJoe that was a cracker but I want a blood transfusion from Wondo to see if it will reenergize me. Two goals in roughly 20 minutes is a pretty nice night.

 

FC Cincinnati have signed Geoff Cameron.

 

https://www.espn.com/soccer/soccer-...e$22m-cap-hit-over-designated-player-dealings

Miami motto; if you ain’t cheatin’ you ain’t trying

 

Chris Armas is the first MLS coaching casualty after a 7-1 loss to DC United.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/toronto...nager-chris-armas-amid-clubs-struggles-in-mls

 

Was on vacation in Mexico in a bar that was prepping for the Brazil v Argentina Copa Final. The match that was on was Columbus v Cincinnati. Have to say it was a high quality, great intensity (Derby feel for sure), and great goals.

 

Could Tony Khan actually be on to something with his AEW venture?

https://www.espn.com/soccer/sportin...-tim-melia-banned-by-mls-for-rock-bottom-foul

 

From the ridiculous ^^^ (how did he not get a red card?) to the sublime:



Of course the play by play’s call ‘the air is crisp!’ Is painful

 

https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-l...rerex-usmnt-striker-chris-wondolowski-retires

@nevzter Wondo needs to be saluted for a great career. His last goal (171 in total ) was quality.

 

Playoffs up and running. Old friend Graham Zusi with a cracker in KC’s win. Blanco w/a brace for my Timbers in getting past Minnesota (sorry encore). However, the best goal of the first round was Philly’s 123rd match winner from Union CB Jakob Glenes, perfect looping volley to see them thru.

 

The Loons got exactly what they deserved out of that match (except for the red card that should have been given to Fragapane). We scored early on some beautiful soccer, then decided to try and go conservative for 75 minutes...and we all know how that turns out. Sigh, on to next year.

 

Suddenly, there were eight (seven, actually)
Back to back conference semifinals today. Sporting KC have converted a penalty to lead Real Salt Lake 1-nil at Children’s Mercy Park.
Seattle beat the Rapids 1-nil Thanksgiving night in Commerce City. Later this afternoon/early evening, the Union host Nashville at Subaru Park.
Enjoy.

 

At the death goal by Bobby Wood (remember him?) propels Salt Lake past KC in a squeaky bum affair that started in favor of the hosts but slowly and surely swung toward the visitors.

 

And we thought Fulham were poor at penalties…
Yikes…

 

No. I honestly completely forgot about him. Honestly

 

Crazy ending late last night in Foxboro. Nice run and season by Bruce Arena and the Revs.

 

This is a prime example of why I’ve come to embrace the European way of declaring champions . The Revolution set the single season MLS points record. They accumulated 12 more points than the next best team and won their conference by 19 points. But due to the playoffs/tournament nature of American sports, they aren’t declared champions. All they get it is an essentially meaningless Supporters Shield.

Don’t get me wrong, I love March Madness. It’s fun, engaging, and perfect as an amateur competition. But all too often in the professional ranks the best team is not the eventual champion (see 2021 SF Giants). Whatever team has hot hand in the playoffs is crowned champion. Another issue with the playoff system, and one that I think had a direct affect on the MLS this year, is that the best team, New England, ended up having 23(!) days between their last match of the season and their playoff match last night. How is the hottest team expected to stay hot with a 3 week layoff? Just crown them champions and be done with it.

 

Many, many excellent points sir. Perhaps some day.