2024 MLS Thread

[M2]

Seeing that it's a new year and a new season has started, we probably ought to put the 2023 thread to sleep. Miami beat RSL in the opener. Though let's see how long it takes for Miami to breakdown from running in weekly track meets. Meanwhile, FCC are the current Community Shield holders. I'm assuming one of the fans groups has that out before every home game. I highly recommend getting your pic with it. Though beware, that sucker's heavy.

[dabvu2498]

Seeing that it's a new year and a new season has started, we probably ought to put the 2023 thread to sleep. Miami beat RSL in the opener. Though let's see how long it takes for Miami to breakdown from running in weekly track meets. Meanwhile, FCC are the current Community Shield holders. I'm assuming one of the fans groups has that out before every home game. I highly recommend getting your pic with it. Though beware, that sucker's heavy.

I’ve eaten a cheese coney off of the Shield. FCC has had a fair amount of roster turnover. They’re slightly weaker up front but a full season from the striker (Boupendza) acquired last summer could make it even. A good bit weaker in the midfield, especially if you’re considering the wide guys in their system at midfielders. And they lost a young guy on loan back to Wolves (now loaned out to Villarreal) at CB but filled that spot with Miles Robinson, so maybe just a slight downgrade. Lucho Acosta is the show, though. He put a lot of mileage on his legs last year. He looked really solid last night on the CCC match. Hopefully his conditioning holds up.

Wild that Miami is still buying players on the last day. I really want to know the accounting that’s allowing them to buy so many players without offloading much salary at all. They’ve probably got 4 additional guys that could be DPs anywhere else. I keep wondering how good they could be without the Barcelona guys.

[M2]

I’ve eaten a cheese coney off of the Shield.

That's how you do it!

[Big Red Smokey]

Didn't watch the FCC game but a home draw vs the worst team in MLS probably not great.

[dabvu2498]

Didn't watch the FCC game but a home draw vs the worst team in MLS probably not great.

Teams that played in the CONCACAF Champions Cup during the midweek went 0-1-5 on the weekend.

FCC played in Kingston, Jamaica at 9 PM EST on Thursday (didn’t arrive back at CVG til almost 6 AM Friday) and had to turn around and play at 2:30 PM Sunday in Cincinnati. It was definitely not an awe-inspiring performance, but I’m willing to give them a bit of grace.

Defense looked stellar even without their #1 CB. Offense is going to take some time though.

Hopefully they can rest some guys this Wednesday and go to Chicago fully-loaded for the weekend.

[M2]

Teams that played in the CONCACAF Champions Cup during the midweek went 0-1-5 on the weekend.

FCC played in Kingston, Jamaica at 9 PM EST on Thursday (didn’t arrive back at CVG til almost 6 AM Friday) and had to turn around and play at 2:30 PM Sunday in Cincinnati. It was definitely not an awe-inspiring performance, but I’m willing to give them a bit of grace.

Defense looked stellar even without their #1 CB. Offense is going to take some time though.

Hopefully they can rest some guys this Wednesday and go to Chicago fully-loaded for the weekend.

I'm cool with that, as long as the Revs win on Thursday night when I'm standing out in the cold for their CCC game.

[Betterread]

Teams that played in the CONCACAF Champions Cup during the midweek went 0-1-5 on the weekend.

FCC played in Kingston, Jamaica at 9 PM EST on Thursday (didn’t arrive back at CVG til almost 6 AM Friday) and had to turn around and play at 2:30 PM Sunday in Cincinnati. It was definitely not an awe-inspiring performance, but I’m willing to give them a bit of grace.

Defense looked stellar even without their #1 CB. Offense is going to take some time though.

Hopefully they can rest some guys this Wednesday and go to Chicago fully-loaded for the weekend.

That’s a normal UEFA mid year schedule. Roma had the exact same interval. They won today versus Torino (mid table and Roma are 6 in Serie A) You have to rotate your entire roster. It involves faith in your young players.
FC CIn had an unbelieavable 2023. They were the class of the USA, don’t let the cup loss change that. USA is weird how the playoffs count “more” than the long regular season.
But what comes next? How will they follow it up? With a “new” club everything is possible. Aim high.

[bucksfan2]

That’s a normal UEFA mid year schedule. Roma had the exact same interval. They won today versus Torino (mid table and Roma are 6 in Serie A) You have to rotate your entire roster. It involves faith in your young players.
FC CIn had an unbelieavable 2023. They were the class of the USA, don’t let the cup loss change that. USA is weird how the playoffs count “more” than the long regular season.
But what comes next? How will they follow it up? With a “new” club everything is possible. Aim high.

I would feel differently had it been in the middle of the season instead of the first week of the season.

Yea soccer can be a slog and you need to do a good job of rotating your players, getting your younger players action in "lesser" or cup games. But its a difficult start to the season.

I do wonder if FCC is going to struggle to score this year. I think the loss of Vasquez and Barreal may be bigger than most people think.

[dabvu2498]

I would feel differently had it been in the middle of the season instead of the first week of the season.

Yea soccer can be a slog and you need to do a good job of rotating your players, getting your younger players action in "lesser" or cup games. But its a difficult start to the season.

I do wonder if FCC is going to struggle to score this year. I think the loss of Vasquez and Barreal may be bigger than most people think.
Also worth noting, the last couple years, the teams who have made lengthy runs in the Champions League have underperformed in the regular season. In 2022 Seattle won Champions League but missed the playoffs badly. Last year Philly and LAFC went to the semifinals of the CL, but underwhelmed during the MLS season. MLS roster rules really aren’t set up to develop the kind of depth you need to be successful in multiple competitions.

Worth noting as well, there were 5 players in the 11 Saturday who had never started for the home side in Cincinnati. Also, there’s not a ton of “institutional knowledge” at the club. This group has never done a Champions Cup/League gambit. They’re learning on the fly.

I do look for them to get bounced in the second round of the CCC. And I think you’re right, the losses for last year are probably greater than the additions. But I still think a top 4-5 spot in the East is attainable.

[bucksfan2]

Also worth noting, the last couple years, the teams who have made lengthy runs in the Champions League have underperformed in the regular season. In 2022 Seattle won Champions League but missed the playoffs badly. Last year Philly and LAFC went to the semifinals of the CL, but underwhelmed during the MLS season. MLS roster rules really aren’t set up to develop the kind of depth you need to be successful in multiple competitions.

Worth noting as well, there were 5 players in the 11 Saturday who had never started for the home side in Cincinnati. Also, there’s not a ton of “institutional knowledge” at the club. This group has never done a Champions Cup/League gambit. They’re learning on the fly.

I do look for them to get bounced in the second round of the CCC. And I think you’re right, the losses for last year are probably greater than the additions. But I still think a top 4-5 spot in the East is attainable.

I could be wrong, but doesn't the European structure lend itself to more depth when playing in these tournaments. While every MLS team has a second team, they still are battling with colleges for players. In Europe you don't have that, you have most of the aspiring soccer players within the club structure from an early age.

I also don't know the schedule of games and how that differs between the European Leagues and UEFA tournaments as opposed to the MLS and CONCAF tournaments. I don't think the Champions league starts right as the season gets underway.

I just think FCC is in slightly a tough spot breaking in a new squad while also competing in the Champions league as well as regular season. Had this Champions league game happened in a month, I think the result would have been different and the playing time would have been different. At this point, I think you need Acosta getting used to playing with Boupendza and Valenzuela.

[M2]

I could be wrong, but doesn't the European structure lend itself to more depth when playing in these tournaments. While every MLS team has a second team, they still are battling with colleges for players. In Europe you don't have that, you have most of the aspiring soccer players within the club structure from an early age.

I also don't know the schedule of games and how that differs between the European Leagues and UEFA tournaments as opposed to the MLS and CONCAF tournaments. I don't think the Champions league starts right as the season gets underway.

I just think FCC is in slightly a tough spot breaking in a new squad while also competing in the Champions league as well as regular season. Had this Champions league game happened in a month, I think the result would have been different and the playing time would have been different. At this point, I think you need Acosta getting used to playing with Boupendza and Valenzuela.

The top teams get a month under their belt before the Champions League kicks in, though there's a whole qualifier section that starts before most league seasons kick off. First few games of the year tend to be wonky for lots of clubs, so the CCC timing is sub-ideal for MLS.

[Betterread]

I could be wrong, but doesn't the European structure lend itself to more depth when playing in these tournaments. While every MLS team has a second team, they still are battling with colleges for players. In Europe you don't have that, you have most of the aspiring soccer players within the club structure from an early age.

I also don't know the schedule of games and how that differs between the European Leagues and UEFA tournaments as opposed to the MLS and CONCAF tournaments. I don't think the Champions league starts right as the season gets underway.

I just think FCC is in slightly a tough spot breaking in a new squad while also competing in the Champions league as well as regular season. Had this Champions league game happened in a month, I think the result would have been different and the playing time would have been different. At this point, I think you need Acosta getting used to playing with Boupendza and Valenzuela.

UEFA cup competitions start in July and are finishing the non-automatic group stage qualifiers in August. Only top 3 teams from a few leagues (Spain, UK, Italy, Germany) qualify as automatic group stage, and then only the top team from France, Por,.so even Holland, Belgium, Switzerland #1s have to play qualifying matches sometimes(depends on country rankings so sometimes they go straight to group stage and other years they don’t).
Bottom line is that UEFA teams play a lot more games than their official league matches. MLS gets by with a paltry number of extra matches in comparison.

[Betterread]

The top teams get a month under their belt before the Champions League kicks in, though there's a whole qualifier section that starts before most league seasons kick off. First few games of the year tend to be wonky for lots of clubs, so the CCC timing is sub-ideal for MLS.
Yeah, but during that month they typically play other top teams in “special cup” competitions (multi year champions or runners up and multi region champions or runners up) so they are playing extra matches to their league schedule.

[M2]

Yeah, but during that month they typically play other top teams in “special cup” competitions (multi year champions or runners up and multi region champions or runners up) so they are playing extra matches to their league schedule.

There's the super cups, and I guess those are near-enough equivalents for what some MLS clubs just did. For a handful of teams (generally the nation's league and cup champions) it happens right before the kickoff of the regular season. Yet the stakes are low and the clubs tend to treat those games like a final preseason warmup. So it's fewer teams (2 vs. 6) and a little easier to manage on the Euro side.

There's enough money in the CCC now that teams want to advance. So this is more like PSV and Braga fighting this past August in order to make it into the UCL group stages.

[dabvu2498]

There's the super cups, and I guess those are near-enough equivalents for what some MLS clubs just did. For a handful of teams (generally the nation's league and cup champions) it happens right before the kickoff of the regular season. Yet the stakes are low and the clubs tend to treat those games like a final preseason warmup. So it's fewer teams (2 vs. 6) and a little easier to manage on the Euro side.

There's enough money in the CCC now that teams want to advance. So this is more like PSV and Braga fighting this past August in order to make it into the UCL group stages.

Picked a Bundesliga CL team at random to see how their season started — Dortmund

July 12-August 6 — 7 club friendlies
August 12 — Pokal match vs. 4th division club
Aug 19 — Koln
Aug 26 — Bochum
September 1 — Heidenheim
(International break)
September 16 — Freiburg
September 19 — CL vs. PSG

This would seem a much more fitting way to open your season than how most MLS teams are forced to do it. Especially when you consider most of the other CCC leagues are midseason.

[Big Red Smokey]

That's true dabvu, forgot about that midweek game.

Esp with the Barreal transfer mess that happened late in window.

FCC moves onto face Brandon Vazquez and Monterrey in CCC.
Crew get Houston Dynamo

[bucksfan2]

I didn't realize this until I was watching the game last night. The Jamaican team is in the middle of their season. Now FCC should and did dispatch of them easily, but it makes sense for a team who has half a season or more under the belt to play a little more cohesively.

I was watching the game wondering when and if the MLS will adopt the European (or rest of the world schedule.) They probably won't do it, but I think it would be a great idea to start the MLS season right after the World Cup in America ends next year.

[M2]

I didn't realize this until I was watching the game last night. The Jamaican team is in the middle of their season. Now FCC should and did dispatch of them easily, but it makes sense for a team who has half a season or more under the belt to play a little more cohesively.

I was watching the game wondering when and if the MLS will adopt the European (or rest of the world schedule.) They probably won't do it, but I think it would be a great idea to start the MLS season right after the World Cup in America ends next year.

For a long time I thought winter in the league's northern locations made it unworkable, but global warming has changed my mind. We've rarely been below freezing this winter. We will be tonight, just barely, and I'm going to a CCC game. It's been years since we had a month of persistent frigid temperatures. I'm sure we'll get one again sometime, but it's becoming a rarity. We only failed to get above freezing five days this January. We've been into the 40s and 50s most days the past two months. And that's becoming fairly typical for a lot of formerly cold weather cities.

I think Minneapolis, Toronto and Montreal are the three MLS cities where you still get a persistently frigid winter. Also, I think, there's now only four MLS teams that share a home field with an NFL team (NE, Atlanta, Chicago and Seattle). So that conflict has largely been removed as well.

Anyway, that's the long-form version of me saying I think it's feasible.

[bucksfan2]

For a long time I thought winter in the league's northern locations made it unworkable, but global warming has changed my mind. We've rarely been below freezing this winter. We will be tonight, just barely, and I'm going to a CCC game. It's been years since we had a month of persistent frigid temperatures. I'm sure we'll get one again sometime, but it's becoming a rarity. We only failed to get above freezing five days this January. We've been into the 40s and 50s most days the past two months. And that's becoming fairly typical for a lot of formerly cold weather cities.

I think Minneapolis, Toronto and Montreal are the three MLS cities where you still get a persistently frigid winter. Also, I think, there's now only four MLS teams that share a home field with an NFL team (NE, Atlanta, Chicago and Seattle). So that conflict has largely been removed as well.

Anyway, that's the long-form version of me saying I think it's feasible.

Are Toronto and Montreal all that cold in the winter? I forgot about Minneapolis, and I am sure it can get pretty cool up there in the winter, but I always though they played the MLS in the Spring/Summer/Fall because of the NFL. And while you would start the season off going head to head against the NFL, you would end the season battling the NBA Playoffs for ratings. It seems like option two would be be best.

I am sure playing in freezing cold weather isn't ideal, and I am sure that ball may hurt to kick if its frigid, I would venture to say that playing in Miami in the middle of the summer is worse. Heck I think last year I watch FCC play at Miami and before play started players had already sweated through their jersey.

The last WC in the USA was the right time to launch MLS. And I do think as the play has gotten better in MLS, they may want to springboard off the World Cup and launch the MLS on the European schedule.

[M2]

Are Toronto and Montreal all that cold in the winter? I forgot about Minneapolis, and I am sure it can get pretty cool up there in the winter, but I always though they played the MLS in the Spring/Summer/Fall because of the NFL. And while you would start the season off going head to head against the NFL, you would end the season battling the NBA Playoffs for ratings. It seems like option two would be be best.

I am sure playing in freezing cold weather isn't ideal, and I am sure that ball may hurt to kick if its frigid, I would venture to say that playing in Miami in the middle of the summer is worse. Heck I think last year I watch FCC play at Miami and before play started players had already sweated through their jersey.

The last WC in the USA was the right time to launch MLS. And I do think as the play has gotten better in MLS, they may want to springboard off the World Cup and launch the MLS on the European schedule.

Average high in Montreal in January/February is mid-20s. They still get something like winter there. Toronto averages out to right on the freezing line.

I agree that playing in brutal heat is likely the bigger issue moving forward.

[dabvu2498]

And right on cue, RSL and LAFC are playing in a blizzard.

[dabvu2498]

Blurange of FCC put in a workman-like performance in a 2-1 win at Chicago, even with a bit of a short bench. Very 2023-esque. Could very well have been another clean sheet except for a bit of an unlucky penalty.

And this morning, it appears that FCC will acquire Deandre Yedlin from Miami for some GAM. It appears this move was in the works for some time now, but the clubs needed Barreal’s loan to Brazil to be finalized first. The promise of this deal is probably how Miami was able to skirt the salary rules for the first couple weeks. Regardless, it helps FCC immensely, assuming he still has some mileage in those legs.

M2 — what’s up with your Revs? FCC goes up there in a couple weeks. Any chance their footing on all cylinders by then?

[Betterread]

Blurange of FCC put in a workman-like performance in a 2-1 win at Chicago, even with a bit of a short bench. Very 2023-esque. Could very well have been another clean sheet except for a bit of an unlucky penalty.

And this morning, it appears that FCC will acquire Deandre Yedlin from Miami for some GAM. It appears this move was in the works for some time now, but the clubs needed Barreal’s loan to Brazil to be finalized first. The promise of this deal is probably how Miami was able to skirt the salary rules for the first couple weeks. Regardless, it helps FCC immensely, assuming he still has some mileage in those legs.

M2 — what’s up with your Revs? FCC goes up there in a couple weeks. Any chance their footing on all cylinders by then?
Why do you want Yedlin? He is one of the dumbest soccer players I have ever seen. I love outside backs and ten years ago I thought he would be something like Davies. Man did he disappoint. He was awful for Tottenham and Sunderland but keeps getting opportunities due to his blazing speed.

[dabvu2498]

Why do you want Yedlin? He is one of the dumbest soccer players I have ever seen. I love outside backs and ten years ago I thought he would be something like Davies. Man did he disappoint. He was awful for Tottenham and Sunderland but keeps getting opportunities due to his blazing speed.

He only played 1 game at Spurs and 23 at Sunderland and that was 8+ years ago.

To be fair, I’ve mostly only seen him as an MLS player and with the USMNT, where he’s held his own. FCC currently have a desperate need at RWB and I think he will fit their system well.

[M2]

M2 — what’s up with your Revs? FCC goes up there in a couple weeks. Any chance their footing on all cylinders by then?

They've got a deep roster, though their #9 doesn't score very much. So Caleb Porter's got a lot of work to do to figure out the rotation and, even when he does, they might be scratching for goals. Carles Gil, Nacho Gil and Tomas Chancalay are creating a lot of chances underneath the striker, so maybe the goals will come from them.

New keeper looks solid and the defense is healthy, though they aren't getting much attacking from their fullbacks. Nick Lima might be taking over as the regular RB by then.

[bucksfan2]

For those more plugged in to MLS soccer. Why did FCC get rid of Vasquez? Apparently he keeps scoring for his new club. It doesn't appear like they have a ready replacement for him, and I am not a huge fan of Boupendza picking up the slack.

Excited to see what Yedlin can do at FCC.

[dabvu2498]

For those more plugged in to MLS soccer. Why did FCC get rid of Vasquez? Apparently he keeps scoring for his new club. It doesn't appear like they have a ready replacement for him, and I am not a huge fan of Boupendza picking up the slack.

Excited to see what Yedlin can do at FCC.

BV wanted a move on to a new challenge and FCC wanted to cash in as much as possible. Normally this might have meant Europe, but BV’s wife just gave birth so it’s possible they wanted to stay in North America for that process.

FYI: The club bought BV for $150k of GarberBucks and sold him for $7.5M+ add ons. And if he continues to score with Rayados, I’d imagine he’ll look to move to Europe and those add ons will come to pass.

[BuckeyeRed27]

For those more plugged in to MLS soccer. Why did FCC get rid of Vasquez? Apparently he keeps scoring for his new club. It doesn't appear like they have a ready replacement for him, and I am not a huge fan of Boupendza picking up the slack.

Excited to see what Yedlin can do at FCC.

The salary stuff in MLS is very goofy and leads to expensive players moving around. Sounds like BV also wanted a move here, but either way if they didn’t either this year or next they would have to start moving guys.

[M2]

MLS is a seller league. It's a place you can go and either live comfortably while playing pro soccer or prove yourself so you can jump to a big money contract in a higher profile league. New England's sold four guys to various Euro leagues in recent years. That's the nature of the sport. Players move up the ladder, a ladder in which MLS fits somewhere in the middle.

[dabvu2498]

MLS is a seller league. It's a place you can go and either live comfortably while playing pro soccer or prove yourself so you can jump to a big money contract in a higher profile league. New England's sold four guys to various Euro leagues in recent years. That's the nature of the sport. Players move up the ladder, a ladder in which MLS fits somewhere in the middle.

FCC was just off a transfer window where a player intimated that the club didn’t help facilitate his move to Europe. He eventually ended up at Udinese, but you don’t want a reputation as a club that doesn’t help players move up in levels.

[Betterread]

MLS is a seller league. It's a place you can go and either live comfortably while playing pro soccer or prove yourself so you can jump to a big money contract in a higher profile league. New England's sold four guys to various Euro leagues in recent years. That's the nature of the sport. Players move up the ladder, a ladder in which MLS fits somewhere in the middle.

Of course you’re right. It’s a middle of the pack league so it’s a seller’s league. Players from other countries come to MLS for playing time or for a more important tactical role. When they get the opportunity, and perform well, they typically try to trade up.
But what does the league do with the money they make? The goal for MLS should be the Dutch eredivisie, which uses the money for player development for the national team and the league. Maybe that explains the Yedlin signing. Teams trade players who are not going to play many minutes so the move is good for Yedlin, who people tell me is a key National team player.

[bucksfan2]

MLS is a seller league. It's a place you can go and either live comfortably while playing pro soccer or prove yourself so you can jump to a big money contract in a higher profile league. New England's sold four guys to various Euro leagues in recent years. That's the nature of the sport. Players move up the ladder, a ladder in which MLS fits somewhere in the middle.

I think the MLS has found its niche, and its a pretty good niche. They are a training ground for some, but also a retirement place for others. They are a place where you can cut your teeth, get experience, and get a promotion to a better club. But they are also a place where you can play when you can no longer play at the top level, but still want to play, and play at a decent level.

I guess where the Vasquez transfer caught me by surprise is he went to Mexico which seemed like a lateral move to me. Barreal going to Brazil also seemed like a somewhat lateral move. I get it going from MLS to Europe, especially as a rising star, but the lateral moves are quizzical to me.

[M2]

I think the MLS has found its niche, and its a pretty good niche. They are a training ground for some, but also a retirement place for others. They are a place where you can cut your teeth, get experience, and get a promotion to a better club. But they are also a place where you can play when you can no longer play at the top level, but still want to play, and play at a decent level.

I guess where the Vasquez transfer caught me by surprise is he went to Mexico which seemed like a lateral move to me. Barreal going to Brazil also seemed like a somewhat lateral move. I get it going from MLS to Europe, especially as a rising star, but the lateral moves are quizzical to me.

Monterrey is a big club and I'm guessing Vasquez got a hefty pay raise. It's not a full leap to Europe, but it's one of the top paying clubs in the Americas.

[Betterread]

They've got a deep roster, though their #9 doesn't score very much. So Caleb Porter's got a lot of work to do to figure out the rotation and, even when he does, they might be scratching for goals. Carles Gil, Nacho Gil and Tomas Chancalay are creating a lot of chances underneath the striker, so maybe the goals will come from them.

New keeper looks solid and the defense is healthy, though they aren't getting much attacking from their fullbacks. Nick Lima might be taking over as the regular RB by then.
No mention of Noel Buck and Esmir Bajraktarevic? They are wonderful prospects. I am especially interested in watching Esmir. He has that Bosnian combination of balance and skill and he is from Srebrenica, which was ethically cleansed by Bosnian Sebs in the 90s.
He has committed to the US national team, and he is an inverted winger (think of Mahrez).

[M2]

No mention of Noel Buck and Esmir Bajraktarevic? They are wonderful prospects. I am especially interested in watching Esmir. He has that Bosnian combination of balance and skill and he is from Srebrenica, which was ethically cleansed by Bosnian Sebs in the 90s.
He has committed to the US national team, and he is an inverted winger (think of Mahrez).

They each have their moments. Though the longer they stay with the Revs and don't go to Europe, the more suspect I become of how good they are. Esmir looks like he's taken a step forward this season. Buck looks like he's taken a step back.

[bucksfan2]

This FCC team looks like its going to struggle all season to score. Boupendza just lacks the ability to finish. I wonder if they end up hitting the transfer window this summer.

[Chip R]

This FCC team looks like its going to struggle all season to score. Boupendza just lacks the ability to finish. I wonder if they end up hitting the transfer window this summer.

IIRC, they started off slow last year too. Several draws. Perhaps they will heat up when the weather does.

[dabvu2498]

IIRC, they started off slow last year too. Several draws. Perhaps they will heat up when the weather does.

They were 2-2-0 to start last season. They’re currently 2-2-0.

[Big Red Smokey]

And the Crew have knocked of Monterrey 5-2 on agg to advance to the Concacaf Champions Cup Final against Pachuca. Incredible

[M2]

And the Crew have knocked of Monterrey 5-2 on agg to advance to the Concacaf Champions Cup Final against Pachuca. Incredible

That's a very big win. Also identifies the Crew as probably the class of MLS.

[bucksfan2]

Can someone answer this for me? For the majority of the season FCC has played weekly games either on Sat or Sun. But now it looks like the season is beginning to ramp up with weekly games as well as weekend games. Is there a reason MLS does this?

[M2]

Can someone answer this for me? For the majority of the season FCC has played weekly games either on Sat or Sun. But now it looks like the season is beginning to ramp up with weekly games as well as weekend games. Is there a reason MLS does this?

The league has to play a certain number of mid-week to accommodate the month-long Leagues Cup.

[dabvu2498]

That's a very big win. Also identifies the Crew as probably the class of MLS.

Thing is, Crew haven’t won an MLS match in 6 weeks. Remember the fate of the last 2 MLS teams to reach a CCL Final? I’m rooting for something similar.

I’d also say there’s a fair chance Nancy gets a European call.

[dabvu2498]

The league has to play a certain number of mid-week to accommodate the month-long Leagues Cup.

They were also trying to take it easy on the MLS teams that qualified for CCL. FCC’s schedule gets righteous from now til the international break is n June then again til Leagues Cup.

In other news, FCC’s DP #9 is out 6-8 weeks. Rumors are he got his jaw smashed in a downtown pub Monday night. Honestly, they’d played better with him coming off the bench the last couple weeks as it had freed up space for Acosta to do his own thing down the middle.

[bucksfan2]

They were also trying to take it easy on the MLS teams that qualified for CCL. FCC’s schedule gets righteous from now til the international break is n June then again til Leagues Cup.

In other news, FCC’s DP #9 is out 6-8 weeks. Rumors are he got his jaw smashed in a downtown pub Monday night. Honestly, they’d played better with him coming off the bench the last couple weeks as it had freed up space for Acosta to do his own thing down the middle.

Boupendza has done nothing to impress in his time at FCC. I don't know how you take a DP off a player, but its got to be coming with him.

[dabvu2498]

Boupendza has done nothing to impress in his time at FCC. I don't know how you take a DP off a player, but its got to be coming with him.

6 goals and 3 assists in 18 games last year was a pretty solid start, considering he jumped in midseason. Then he was scoring for fun in preseason. But once they started for real, he’s looked less than good. Some rumors he had a bit of a hamstring injury (this why he didn’t start on turf in ATL), but regardless, he’s needed to be better. Luckily the wingbacks are starting to find their place in creating some offense and Lucho is back on form so hopefully they can muster enough goals to complement that back line.

[bucksfan2]

6 goals and 3 assists in 18 games last year was a pretty solid start, considering he jumped in midseason. Then he was scoring for fun in preseason. But once they started for real, he’s looked less than good. Some rumors he had a bit of a hamstring injury (this why he didn’t start on turf in ATL), but regardless, he’s needed to be better. Luckily the wingbacks are starting to find their place in creating some offense and Lucho is back on form so hopefully they can muster enough goals to complement that back line.

FCC is on a nice little streak here. They are still struggling to score, even playing with a one man (two at times) advantage on Sat night. Hopefully this guy they got from Shaktar helps in that department.

Just looking at the table now, they are in 2nd behind Miami, crazy thing is Miami has almost triple the GS that FCC has. But FCC's GA is tops in the league, which it should be considering they spent a ton of money in that department.

[dabvu2498]

FCC is on a nice little streak here. They are still struggling to score, even playing with a one man (two at times) advantage on Sat night. Hopefully this guy they got from Shaktar helps in that department.

Just looking at the table now, they are in 2nd behind Miami, crazy thing is Miami has almost triple the GS that FCC has. But FCC's GA is tops in the league, which it should be considering they spent a ton of money in that department.

Still on a nice streak and only one point back of $nter M$am$ with a game in hand.

Kelsy has definitely been a nice addition. Nice to have a true target man at the top. Hopefully his fitness continues to improve and he can stay on the field a little more.

Also been nice to see the depth step up. Valenzuela, Halsey, and of course Kubo, in particular have been key in dealing with some of the injuries.

I’m almost rooting for Lucho to get a yellow so he will have to sit for a game. He’s pretty obviously the most critical component and he deserves a break, even if it costs them points.

[Kingspoint]

The Timbers are making their usual late-season push to the playoffs.

Portland Timbers’ Evander was named MLS Player of the Month for August and September, MLS announced Tuesday morning. The Brazilian midfielder led MLS with nine goal contributions (four goals, five assists) as the Timbers lost only one of their six matches during that span, posting a record of two wins, three draws and one loss. Three of his goal contributions during that span changed the result of that match.

He scored the game-winning goal in the 4-2 win against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sept. 18, he contributed the assist that led to the game-winning goal in the 1-0 win against the Seattle Sounders on Aug. 31 and he scored a game-tying goal in the 4-4 draw against St. Louis on Aug. 24. Evander is currently riding a 11-game streak of making at least one goal contribution, the longest current streak in MLS. He has a MLS-leading 33 goal contributions during the 2024 season. He has scored 15 goals and added 18 assists this season.

https://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/2024/10/portland-timbers-star-named-mls-player-of-the-month.html

[Kingspoint]

The Columbus Crew sit eight points behind Inter Miami in the standings with only a scant few matches left in the MLS regular season. They lost their previous league encounter with the Herons in June, even with Leo Messi away on international duty – and the GOAT is now back in the IMCF fold after two months out injured.

The Ohioans do have a game in hand, and vow to maintain the chase until it’s mathematically over. But if the defending league champions are to have any chance of catching Miami in the race for both the Supporters’ Shield and a top seed in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, they need to beat the Floridians when they visit Lower.com Field Wednesday night @ 7:30 pm ET.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/supporters-shield-sprint-columbus-crew-inter-miami-set-for-epic-game

[SunDeck]

I'm headed to my first FC Cincinnati match this weekend. I tried to follow them more this year, but honestly the way players move around and what with in-season tournaments, it was too confusing for me. But I'm still hella excited for this.

[Kingspoint]

Momentum is everything going into the MLS playoffs. POR has backed in with back-to-back draws when wins were needed. Looks like a one-and-done for them when the playoffs begin.

[Betterread]

Momentum is everything going into the MLS playoffs. POR has backed in with back-to-back draws when wins were needed. Looks like a one-and-done for them when the playoffs begin.

Yes, but with talent like Evander and Williamson in midfield and Mora and Rodriguez at forward, you can beat anyone and if not this year, the future looks biright.

[Betterread]

On the last day of the season, LAFC move from 2nd to first in the western conference, moving the Galaxy back to 2nd. Real salt lake moves up from 4 to 3, displacing Seattle. Houston stays at 5. Minnesota moves up from 7 to 6, moving Colorado back to 7. Galaxy lost the conference title through a 101st minute goal by Houston.

[Kingspoint]

Playoff Bracket with results...

https://www.mlssoccer.com/competitions/mls-cup-playoffs/2024/bracket/

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[15fan]

Atlanta United with a reminder that you can’t spell Messi’s first name without 2 Ls.

[Kingspoint]

mlssoccer.com staff predictions:

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-cup-2024-predictions-la-galaxy-or-new-york-red-bulls


It all comes down to MLS Cup 2024 presented by Audi, held Saturday afternoon at Dignity Health Sports Park (4 pm ET | Apple TV - Free; FOX, FOX Deportes; TSN, RDS).

Either…

LA Galaxy win a sixth league title, adding to their record.
New York Red Bulls lift their first-ever cup of any sort.

Who has the edge? Are LA (Western Conference No. 2) the obvious favorite at home? Can New York (Eastern Conference No. 7) pull off another road upset?

- - - Updated - - -


Thursday, Dec 5, 2024, 08:00 AM

Major League Soccer's total attendance for the 2024 regular season and Audi MLS Cup Playoffs ranks second in the world among all soccer leagues, according to data sourced from Opta.

With over 12.1 million fans having attended an MLS match this season, MLS trailed only the English Premier League in total attendance globally through the 2024 Conference Finals.

[Kingspoint]

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[Kingspoint]

Columbus Crew's Wilfried Nancy named 2024 Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/columbus-crew-s-wilfried-nancy-named-2024-sigi-schmid-mls-coach-of-the-year-x1450


Columbus Crew's Steven Moreira named 2024 MLS Defender of the Year

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/columbus-crew-s-steven-moreira-named-2024-mls-defender-of-the-year