MLS 2018

For my southern Californian fans:

I found it interesting in the El Trafico highlights seeing a full section of supporters fully decked out in black, waving flags, and going crazy after Vela's first goal. At a quick glance, they looked like die hard, life-long supporters. But then I realized that the organization has only been around for a year or two and this was the 3rd match ever for the franchise. So... I’m wondering how all the LAFC fans came to be. Is it a geographical divide? Are they disgruntled old Galaxy fans? Are they new soccer fans hopping on the next trend?

 

I’ve been asking myself that same question. I know some of the most vocal fans are holdovers from Chivas who have been without a club for a few years. Some others are probably just general fans of the game, who, for whatever reason, have never bought in to the Galaxy. Geography could play a role, too, although that wouldn’t explain all those people in Carson on Saturday.

One (away) match is hardly enough to provide a definitive answer. I’d be really curious to see the crowd at a LAFC home game. But if I had to provide a guess, I’d say mostly Chivas fans and Galaxy haters (with a smattering of bandwagoners looking for the new, cool, thing in town).

 

Besides what Tim mentioned I believe that the MLS is finally being accepted by the futbol fans of SoCal. They've also done a good job in grass roots marketing. I was at a pub watching the Europa Final last year, and a couple representatives of the club were handing out business cards and talking about the new stadium. My buddies who are huge El Tri fans love the signing of Vela. Throw in Bradley and Feilhaber for the USMNT supporters and the bandwagon is picking up folks.

 

@FulhamDC, @dcheather; not sure how much tread are on those 32 year tires, but Wayne Rooney looks like he’s going to playing in the new stadium (btw, when is that opening?)

http://www.espn.com/soccer/soccer-t...s-deal-in-principle-to-join-dc-united-sources

 

I have to admit that I am perfectly happy to be in Atlanta United's home market. They are such an exciting team to watch. Last night's match against Sporting KC was as entertaining as expected - and that's even with Guzan's red card in the 35th minute. SKC rightfully got the victory but it wasn't for Atlanta not trying. The SKC keeper made 3 fantastic saves in the last ten minutes to preserve the clean sheet.

 

First match is July 14 against Vancouver. We have 15 home games from then until the end of the season, with a lot of midweek matches and a couple of runs of 4 matches in 10 days, so old legs are going to hurt even more. And let's not even talk about the typical July/August weather of 85-90 degrees and 80% humidity!

On a more positive note, my office looks out over one of Washington DC's finest strip joints, so if Rooney does come here, I imagine I will see a lot of him - walking in and out!

 

Myriad ways to interpret that statement.

My Quakes are not playing well (despite the surprising road win at Minnetonka). Top notch analysis right there.

 

@tim For those not on FB and that didn’t see your pic in the Galaxy section at El Trafico, how was the new stadium? atmosphere? getting in and out of there parking/traffic wise. As for the game from the highlights it looked like a smash and grab point for your boys.

 

I actually went with the Galaxy supporters groups and they bussed us in and had us go straight to the visitors section. So I didn’t get to see much of the stadium. What I did see was nice enough. I like the recent design trend of steep stands that bring people closer to the pitch.

The news the day after was mostly about fan violence and vandalism. What I saw was mostly pretty harmless. But I’m guessing they’ll step up security for the next one.

As for the game itself, pretty much the standard MO for the Galaxy these days. Play terrible defense and just hope to score more than the other guys.

 

Pretty amazing sequence from Wayne Rooney:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/syndic...en-net-goal-then-assists-game-winner.amp.html

 

I was at the third edition of El Trafico Friday night. A few thoughts:

-The Galaxy played probably their best half of the season to open the match (before petering our in the second, pretty much the opposite of what we’ve seen all season).

-The Galaxy are undeniably a better team without the dos Santos brothers in the lineup.

-Ashley Cole can still play the game.

-It’s only been three matches, but this is a legit derby. I got my hair cut yesterday and found out that my barber is a member of the 3252. We spent the whole cut talking about the teams, the rivalry, and giving each other a hard time. That’s what derbies are supposed to be.

-Zlatan remains Zlatan.

 

http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-le...negotiations-with-mls-to-buy-columbus-crew-sc

Really hope this happens, not just for Crew supporters, but for USMNT fans also. We get great support and turnouts around the country these days, but when I think of our ‘home’ stadium I think of Columbus:

 

Happy for the Crew fans, but that looks like the final nail in the coffin for Sacramento's bid. At one time we supposedly had the inside track for one of those slots, until guys with more money showed up and MLS wanted another $100 million. Between that *&^%$#@! and the horrible season the Earthquakes have had, my interest in MLS is fading. Sacramento Republic finishes their season tonight and they'll either be the #2 or #3 seed in the USL West playoffs, and in the playoffs for the 5th year in a row. I'll watch them instead.

 

Rooney was serious when he said he wasn’t here for a check & a holiday. @FulhamDC Apparently he has stayed from the strip club & pubs. He’s come in and lifted the psyche of the entire club and the rest of the squad have raised their games. Brilliant free kick last night, 4 wins on the trot and looking at the playoffs:
http://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=502381

 

@SoCalJoe you're absolutely right. From all accounts he's been a model citizen. His on-field partnership with Luciano Acosta extends off the field as well, and now the entire team refers to him as Senor Wayne.

 

Went to LAFC-Vancouver this weekend. Holy cow is Alphonso Davies good. First time seeing him live and he is built like a mack truck and is only 17 (his MLS profile claims he is only 5-10, 155 but he looks way bigger in person).

I really hope he does some things in Germany.

 

Tata says tata. Let’s see how it works out, but while it’s not a surprise it’s curious to announce it before the playoffs.
http://www.espn.com/soccer/atlanta-...rtino-wont-renew-contract-with-atlanta-united

@encorespanish, 52K at the final home game (Zlatan says you’re welcome ), before they move into their new digs.

 

@SoCalJoe there were quite a few fans at the final match in the Gopher's football stadium, all there to see Zlatan, according to him. I show up for my team regardless of who were playing against, but I will tell you this, at 34 (or whatever age the lion thinks he is), he could play anywhere he wants...still. He was toying with us in that match, and he's toying with the MLS. I don't think he broke a sweat against us and still had a goal and a beauty of an assist. Zlatan is in a different stratosphere.

 

@tim Who has had it worse then USMNT/Galaxy supporters? 2 nil lead at home against a team that’s packed up for a fishing trip and blowing it? An El Trafico playoff tilt dashed in the process.

 

It wasn’t the most fun I’ve ever had.

Side note: After the game two players came over to the Riot Squad section. One was Ashley Cole (voted by Riot Squad as their player of the year). The other was a gentleman named AJ DeLaGarza.

Zlatan, meanwhile, left the building as soon as humanly possible and didn’t speak to the press. If I had to guess, I don’t think we’ll see him in a Galaxy shirt again.