MLS 2017

By beating my team with a -23 goal differential and the worst goals allowed performance in MLS history, at the death. Ugh, that's going to leave a mark.

 

The Earthquakes really turned into a pumpkin last night.

 

So did the Fire. They were the team to beat mid-season.

 

Killer match last night in Atlanta. Zach Steffen's only USMNT callup was in May...of LAST year. A prime example of how inept our current setup is at identifying and promoting young talent. This kid owned the building...the big, new building. We're going to be hearing Taylor Twellman say "That ball is behind him!" over and over and over...for years.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/10/27/crew-scs-zack-steffen-after-huge-win-we-wanted-shut-crowd

 

I immediately thought of the 2015 U-20 World Cup when seeing Steffen last night. I had not seen or heard his name mentioned since then (I keep telling myself that I need to watch/follow the MLS better). A couple of his parries could have been better placed, but he was a solid wall for the parts of the match that I saw. And two huge saves in the penalty shootout - that's a night he won't soon forget.

 

Jozy and Sacha involved in a brawl in the tunnel. Jozy to miss the first leg of the conference final, at the 2:50 mark of the attached vid, Jozy's dive is so freaking embarrassing I can't blame Sacha for going at him again (if that's what happened). Toronto is the best team, but along w/Altidore missing so is Giovinco for losing his cool.

Very unfortunate that there will be no Cascadia Derby to determine the west. Credit to Houston for going into Portland and getting the W, but the Dynamo ain't exactly dynamic in terms of what an electric Sounders v Timbers matchup would've created.

EDIT: Forgot to paste the video
http://www.espnfc.com/video/espn-fc...os-to-blame-for-the-kljestan-altidore-scuffle

 

Jozy was flat out a punk and an instigator in that match. The flop when Sascha "shoved" him was beyond embarrassing and I hope the media have the guts to repeatedly call him on it in interviews. I want him to be repeatedly reminded of how pathetic he looked while trying to get a fellow professional kicked out of a match.

 

This is a surprise, the Timbers were the #1 seed and dealt w/injuries in the playoffs. Add that he just signed an extension and there has to be more to this story. The article didn't say anything, but that they 'parted ways', could he be looking at the USMNT gig?

http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-s...imbers-coach-after-first-place-finish-reports

 

Porter's departure is a surprise. I would think the USMNT as a likely landing place but with the upcoming election the timing seems wrong. I wonder if he's heading abroad.

 

Watched most of Columbus and Toronto. You've got to like the Canadian's chances in the second leg with Jozy coming back. Still, the Crew has a lot to play for, so it could be a barn burner. Went to bed just after halftime of Houston-Seattle, but it would be a miracle if the Dynamo rally to take that one. I get the feeling that this is it for Clint. He was subbed off at halftime so "save minutes," but, watching him closely recently, he's not the same player. He's morphed into the classic, lazy older striker just looking to cherry pick or get on the end of something. I'll be extremely sad if it happens, but he's still a young man, one with a heart condition, and four small children. It's the right thing to do if he does it.

 

Jump, Clint just signed a 1 year extension, so he'll be back for one more round-up.

From the sounds of it, the Crew is going for the 2 legged 0-0 PK decider.

 

Toronto v Crew this evening. The best player in the league is back for TFC...oh and Jozy is playing also . Giovinco will likely come out with his hair on fire, Jozy likely to walk briskly. Jokes aside for the neutral observer an early Toronto goal is needed, otherwise the Crew will go full Northern Ireland (everyone behind the ball, look for a set piece goal) for the full 120 until PKs.

 

And the next round of expansion finalists has been announced...
http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2017/11/29/garber-names-4-finalists-for-2-mls-expansion-teams/

I'm not sure that I understand much of the reasoning behind some selections and why some selection criteria count for certain cities but is ignored for other cities. Hopefully the league can maintain and be successful in the future.

 

Jozy finds a burst of speed on a bum ankle and slots it home to eliminate Columbus. By the way, will it be the Austin Crew? Doesn't have quite the same ring to it, does it? Anybody think the Dynamo can come back on the Sounders at CenturyLink? Didn't think so. I'll be rootin' for Dempsey's team on the 9th. As for the MLS expansion plans? Meh. You can count on the governing body to screw up any professiona American sports league at some point. I think THEY think Cincinnati can take up the slack, and then some, in pretty much the same DMA. We'll see, I guess. Sorry Hatter. The little guys get screwed again.

 

HD, I never thought the US would adopt relegation/promotion between MLS/USL, but w/the number of cities getting great support, I think it's becoming more and more viable that within next 10-15 years there will be rel/pro.

Back to the games. Seattle put on the best footballing display in terms of passing, touch, creativity I've seen from an MLS team. They were fantastic to watch and the rematch w/Toronto should be far more entertaining then last year when the only style they could win with was to bunker in.