MLS and USL Thread 2021

[gunnar hendershow]

Oh yeah I saw that, truly top-tier work.

[9 to 5]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58621611

Didn't know Neville Jr played alongside Beckham too.

[OctoberRaven]

Interesting USL development: In a recent match between Miami FC (the good one) and Pittsburgh Riverhounds, an egregious referee error caused a Pitt goal to be disallowed ending the match in a 0-0 draw.

Normally it'd be "tough luck, guys, this shit happens", but...

As a mostly neutral observer here, this is the right call. Extraordinary circumstances merit extraordinary measures.

[Szumi]

This was only a yellow card, but went so viral even The Rock got in on it 

 

[gunnar hendershow]

MLS certainly did well this year with the races for playoff spots. Feels like there are more scenarios than can be counted in each conference.

[Szumi]

Last night also had some freaking GOLAZOS

 

 

 

 

[Lineker]

 

[gunnar hendershow]

One thing that Tifo missed is how Premier League (and Champions League) matches air with generally no competition, by being in the North American time zone most MLS matches are competing with basketball and hockey in the spring, baseball in summer, and then every major team sport in the fall. So the theoretical audience for MLS is much higher than it currently is. On both a local level and for nationally broadcast games. That helps valuations dramatically.

What will always hurt MLS to a degree is being a selling league, and thus viewed as inferior to the European counterparts. So if given a choice of what league to invest time and money into many people would go with the Premier League or La Liga where the best players call home.

 

 

[Lowerdeck]

 

Caldwell did very good for us this year, was a wise move for Miami to pick him up as a backup.

[Lowerdeck]

The top seeds out west already got knocked out.  Phoenix lost to RGV on PK's last night, and the night before Oakland upset El Paso 1-0.  Gonna be wide open on that side of the bracket now.

 

Out east, Tampa Bay put up 6 on Tulsa.  Hard to see them not being the favorites right now.  Except for maybe Charlotte.  Pittsburgh had to forfeit due to a few people catching Covid.

[OctoberRaven]

Ralph's Mob (The Rowdies SG, for those who aren't aware) have an amazing twitter bant game going on. Their back and forth with Tusla's supporters was hilarious.

[gunnar hendershow]

 

[fourstarfizzle]

 

That's one way to guarantee we make the playoffs!

[Szumi]

120+3 minute. 0-0. Penalties beckon. The CB has the ball. We all yell "SHOOOOOOT". This is the the result.

Jakob Glesnes only scores bangers. Latest goal in MLS history to boot.

 

[OctoberRaven]

 

[OctoberRaven]

Rowdies 1, Orange County 3.

[Szumi]

Andre Blake stopped the first 2 penalties, and scared the next 2 so they put them into The River End! We won 2-0 on pens to go into the Eastern Conference Finals, first time ever for the club. In true MLS fashion, our scorers were a CB and a 17 year old (who did the Jorginho pen).

Also, I'm a celebration gif: 

 

[Pooker]

This RSL team is awesome. So pumped up go watch them pull out the victory in the last minute yesterday and move on to the conference finals.

[fourstarfizzle]

Really not a fan of this NFL style play off one game system now, bring back the the two leg knockouts, provided so much more drama (and more money, which is what MLS is all about).

Also, that 21 day lay off killed the 1st seeds momentum, seems winning the league costs you the cup.

[Szumi]

I would disagree that the 2 leg system provides more drama. It doesn't at all. The 1 leg matches have been both more entertaining and more dramatic. Just look at this year alone: Philadelphia Union win on a 123' golazo from a CB, then win the penalty shootout in great fashion. RSL win a huge upset over Seattle, then comeback to beat SKC 2-1 with a 90th minute winner. Portland upset the top seed in the West in the 90th minute. Then last night's extra time drama BEFORE even getting to penalties? The drama is absolutely great.

You're absolutely right about the seeding though. New England beat us last year because they were sharp after a playoff match while the Union were flat after the same situation of no rest. Something needs to be fixed with that situation because it does not pay to be the best regular season team too.