MLS In-Season Thread

...and look at the Galaxy's disappointing performance tonight (thus far). Down THREE at home and they fielded a fairly strong lineup that included Donovan. Now it's FOUR to NIL as I'm typing this...disgusting.

 

Well.. yeah. Puts some perspective on those friendlies, doesnt it?

Remember... it's 'how did they PLAY'? Awful you say? Well... why do they still play the FA cup in engerland?

 

I understand the points about the Hunt Cup and CONCACAF competititions but I think first and foremost MLS needs more fans and better TV ratings. As stupid as you may think it is, beating ManU, Man City, and other famous clubs in friendlies does more to accomplish those goals than beating Mexican teams or lower tier US teams. I know guys who grew up playing soccer in this country and they dont watch MLS because they think it's a joke and they think the US sucks at soccer. Winnning the Hunt Cup is not going to change their opinions. But when I tell these same guys that the MLS All Stars beat Chelsea they're like, "what, really, wow".

this report says Man City and Spurs are interested in Kandji after seeing him play in ther Spurs friendly. First of all, is there anyone that City is not interested in? Kandji run away from them as fast as you can and dont look back. Second, has anyone seen a lot of Kandji's play. Do you think he will make the US MNT? Maybe it would be a good idea to give him a cap in the Brazil friendly.

 

LA Lull: Bianca or Bruce to blame

When reality bites...
BS LAG: I blame Bianca

Or is it Bruce?

Ummmm.. the Crew lost at home to KC while fielding their usual lineup. Oh, wait.. that's different, right?
heh

 

The MLS stretch

Lots of interesting stuff:

NYRB signs Marquez and now has 3 dp's. Can they catch the Crew with their steroidal roster? Like Alexei said last night, it takes more than big names.

Fire picks up Ljungberg, who says he's thrilled to be there. And DC makes their move for the comeback of the century by firing yet another coach.

West is interesting too. LAG are in the doldrums. RSL are right behind them and essentially 'even' with the Crew.

A really interesting club is Dallas. Look at the standings, points arent so great but they are 6 2 and 9. Their W/L is 3-1!!! And they gave Inter an interesting match.

So what's with Sigi?!!!
First he lets LeToux go unprotected making him the Union's 'star'. Then he essentially dumps Ljungberg. Jury's gonna be out on that but as a Crew fan, I aint amused.
LAG fans are deliriously overjoyed as Gals finally dumped Alan Gordon.. onto Chivas. Careful what you wish for, ACB!
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Chatter on the Crew/Philly in-game thread last night brought up something interesting. One punter asked if it wouldn't be a good idea to try to get Brian McBride in for the remainder since the Fire isnt playing him.
He didnt get shouted down.
That was before Lenhart scored twice on headers. Lenhart is morphing into a combo McBride/Hejduk.

 

I've been trying to stay true to my word and watch more MLS. Saw the last 20 of last night's Crew/Union match, and I thought it was a lot of fun to watch. Schelotto really is amazing. Will definitely be watching more.

I thought Fire wasnt playing McBride due to injury; is that not true?

 

Really dont know... could be. I dont want him back. Stevie with Renteria {el toro negro} is enough for me.
BTW: Collins John is back in the pic. Check the Fire news on MLSSoccer.
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RSL just announced their 'Third kits'

check their sched.
fcukwad arseholes!

 

Agree with Don. A much truer and important measurement of where MLS is right now is against our regional competition, especially Mexico. Manchester United's smack down of the MLS All-Stars was a much better measurement of where the MLS and its best are in the world rankings than any other Summer Friendly Competition.

Once an MLS Team starts getting much closer to sniffing the Club World Cup will MLS have achieved much in the way of global progress and improvement.

Sorry Homers. Doh!

 

Good MLS broadcast points: http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slu ... ythemlsonv

IF MLS wanted to really go with a immersive (and aggressive) marketing plan, why not do all three channels?? More than enough matches to provide us soccer-fiends for the summer.

 

MLS Week 19/rankings

Poor Philly. Dont expect them to be putting on any Lamar Hunt tributes soon.

First they had to play the Crew at home and Philly did well until Steve Lenhart came on and they found out that he DOES have a nose - well, forehead, anyway- for goals.
Lenny, two off the noggin, and the second was a classic string in counter. Frankie>GBS> Renteria>Lenny - GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLL! All in 5 seconds.
Check it out on MLS site 'Lenhart strikes again'

Then Philly had to travel to the Pizza Oven {100 deg gametime} to play Dallas. They got screwed on the Red for their stating GK, IMO. Maybe the PK was justified, not a red.
And Lenhart's long ago predecessor, Jeffro C, subbed on and also got two goals.
Philly got their singleton from Lenny's immed predecessor, Ale Moreno.

I really enjoyed the battle of the footy media stars last night. RB needs to do some work, obviously. And the Fire may find it's too little too late. Nice work from McBride but it was Johnson, the backup keeper who was MoM. Tells me that furriner managers 'aint all that.'

And, after last night, I think Kandji's glamour index went down considerable. Missed a cross 1 foot from goal. And whiffed two other chances.
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The top teams in MLS remain LAG, RSL and CLB.
But
Dallas is climbing with a bullet. ELO {power ranking} puts them currently 1st. How long's it been since Dallas was first in any performance chart?

Check out the best rank posts, here:
Bigsoccer: Crew: Week 19 :: Rankings

Click on second graph to expand it. Then look at Foos' table.

Very interesting, huh?
I wont even try to dupe those here because it's a lot of work annd still wouldnt look right.

 

MLS GOTW

http://www.mlssoccer.com/content/att-goal-week-vote-now

IMO, {and most others'} there are only two to choose from and they are WAY different:

Montero's chest trap, turn and shoot classic

and a textbook counter from the Crew. Cant describe it better than:

And so do I. Unless I was a Sounders fan, I guess.
They give diddly squat for second of two great goals.

 

GBS

Fog, I watched a DVR of the Crew/ Thugs (Philly) game today, and I was just blown away by GBS -- he was a menace. His runs, his pressure on the offensive end, he tied the thugs defense in knots for 90 minutes. Califf looked like he would have nightmares about him.

I want my son to see a few players and how they played the game, depending on the position -- Ironhead as a striker, several as a GK, and GBS in the midfield/ off the striker role. 37 years ols and he has that much fortitude on the offense and defense. Buenos Dios, Senor Schelotto.

 

RE: GBS

yep, looking forward to seeing him this weekend at the RioT. But first, RSL is playing Philly tonight and have got to come up with 3 points to keep pace with LA & Columbus. Could be tough without Saborio.

 

Re: GBS

Coincidently, maybe, he is one of few on the Crew who doesnt have a niggle. Bad news considering our upcoming sched, incl CCL and OC matches

Schelotto plays on as others fall off

- also no beef, naps and coffee

To Barros Schelotto
For a great GBS@Boca highlight vid - most of what he is now.... plus speed!
He'll prolly go down as the greatest Argy player never to perform on their National team... many {even Plate fans} already say that.

 

Re: GBS

The coffee picture got a laugh out of me.

Just for GBS, here goes --

FORZA BOCA!!