MLS 2016-17

An interesting read. From the players and of the players

http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/2826676/2016-mls-anonymous-player-poll


The big news around these parts is the official announcement of Tim Howard signing with the Rapids. Guess I'm going to have to finally come through on my promise to catch a few matches.

 

Thanks for posting Evan, interesting comments from the players. Big surprise for me was that 66% of players would go to Europe if given the opportunity. That seems way too high given the trend of fewer guys leaving. The dumbest comment came from the player discussing Jordan Morris. Klinsmann didn't decide to watch a college game instead of an MLS game, everyone knows it was an accidental discovery due to Stamford scrimmaging the Nats. Looks like Morris is going to have a baptism by fire.

 

I dunno. I think 66% is about right. You're essentially asking players if, besides the adventure aspect, they think they are good enough to succeed if given a chance. There will be a few who dont believe, with good reason, they will be given a chance.

The question of chances for given MLS team in Prem is a gotcha. Relegated every time is just as stupid an answer as 'Top 5'. Players who say the key is TEAM are right.
And punch line, as one commenter notes IS Leicester City.

 

I think Nigel De Jong might have killed Darlington Nagbe tonight.

 

That's horrible. Looked as bad as a two footed tackle. At least Nagbe's leg is not broken. Stu Holden is having cold sweats.

http://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/index.ssf/2016/04/portland_timbers_cautiously_op.html

 

Stu was at the game with Fox so they had him talk about it last night after the game.

 

Holden should be allowed to put Johnny Evans and De Jong in a room with UFC fighters and watch an ol' fashioned pummeling.

 

Beat me to this exact sentiment HD, @tim, did the Galaxy really need an enforcer?

 

You can blame it all on Steven Gerrard. Here's the thing. The Galaxy had a very solid midfield with Juninho and Marcelo Sarvas. But when they decided to bring in Gerrard, that all changed. Gerrard's a defensive liability (hell, at this point he's an offensive liability, too, but that's beside the point), and he didn't pair well with either Juni or Sarvas. So if they were going to continue to play Stevie, they definitely needed a more defensive player alongside him.

So the short answer to your question, Joe, is yes.

But, did that defensive player have to be de Jong? No.

And are the Galaxy a better team with Gerrard/de Jong than they were with Juninho/Sarvas. Definitely not.

It's frustrating to me that this team continues to make accommodations for a DP that, overall, hurts the squad. But I guess that's MLS for you.

As for the tackle ...definitely a red card. Probably worthy of a 3-game suspension. But the reaction and vitriol has far more to do with his reputation than the tackle itself.

 

Stop being level headed on a message board!!!!

 

Earth! Quakes! Earth! Quakes!

 

Interesting video on Benny Feilhaber (the title is misleading, it's more than just him and JK). Always gave the US a spark, and perhaps he'll get another shot if things go poorly in June.

http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-soccer/19/video/2856076/video-via-mls-feilhaber-on-klinsmann

 

SCJ, you remind me it's never a bad time to watch this:

 

Or this Nev:

 

Does anyone subscribe to MLS Live? I was looking into it but it looks like their are a lot of blackout matches and I probably won't get many Rapids matches.

What do you think? What's the good / bad? I have a roku or can watch on the computer.

 

the division of matches between local cable, Fox and ESPN make it hard to even find the match that is televised on any given day. given the growth, MLS needs to shore up the television rights and scheduling of matches (aside from the ppv package of all matches).

 

This was a bombshell. Time will tell if it was the right move, but goalscorers are, how shall I put this, a scarcer commodity. Gotta give props to Greg Berhalter for not putting up with any BS, but...does Columbus get back to the final without him?

http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-...c-trades-kei-kamara-to-new-england-revolution