1502 replies to this topic

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Nashville - Orlando and Seattle - RSL tonight.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

As expected Nashville had too much for Orlando but surprise on the other side.

 

The Seattle - RSL match was a prime example of how crazy results can happen in a low scoring sport. Here's some key notes from that match last night.

1. Seattle owned possession 67-33%.

2. RSL's keeper David Ochoa (can't stand him FWIW) was his usual self. Did every thing he could to sloooowww the match down. Hard to argue with him as it worked. If you don't think his slowing the match down had a major impact look at the next data point.

3. Seattle outshot RSL 21-0. How in the hell do you win a game with 0 shots? And remember that was for the 90 minutes plus 30 minutes of extra time. 120 minutes with 0 shots. Dreadful. 

 

But the win on penalties and move on to play SKC on Sunday. Don't think they can win another game with zero shots!

[BSLSteveBirrer]

RSL pulls off another upset over SKC and heads to the conference final against Portland so the top 3 seeds are all out.

 

Philly takes Nashville in penalties as Union keeper Andre Blake stopped the first two Nashville attempts so if NE holds serve tomorrow over NY the Eastern conference final will feature 1 and 2.

 

Philly vs NE would be must watch especially if you like watching keepers as they have the two best in the league in Blake plus Matt Turner.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

NYCFC pulls out the W over the Revs in PKs. Was a terrific match! 

[BSLSteveBirrer]

What was setup to be a great matchup today has taken a big hit. The Union are going to be out 7 starters due to Covid protocols including keeper Andre Blake. This has to favor NYCFC. But Philly has had a "next man up" attitude all season since Aaronson and McKenzie moved to Europe so lets see what they can come up with.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Well as expected Philly, missing 11 players, was forced to not only change players but formation and tactics as well. And they put on a really terrific effort before giving up the final goal in the 88th minute losing to NYCFC 2-1. The Cytizens will travel west now to face the Portland Timbers for the Cup.

 

Kudos to Union manager Jim Curtin and his staff for putting together a makeshift lineup and approach to go toe to toe with NY. Union fans should hold their heads high and know they got a good thing going with their program!

[BSLChrisStoner]

ESPN: MLS Cup preview and predictions: Will Portland celebrate Timbers triumph?

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Pretty good writeup by the ESPN writer.  Its always tough to win on the road and Portland is especially tough at home and their fans are really solidly behind the team.

 

Now that said there is one very interesting piece of data about NYCFC is worth noting. During the regular season NYCFC lead the league in Xg - Xg allowed.  Its crazy that they didn't finish with a better record than they did. 

 

Prediction - Coin flip. I think NY is the better team but Portland is at home. I am going with NYCFC to win.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

NYCFC leading, deservedly, at the half 1-0 and looking to be the better team. Not sure just what Portland was trying to do???

 

Rant time:

 

Why I hate basketball. Tuned to the correct channel at 5 minutes to 2. UCLA - UCONN had right at 1 minute left. Their game got over at 2:13. Took over 15 minutes of clock time to finish 1 minute of the game. Foul. Timeout. Foul. Timeout. Foul. Foul. And some tell me soccer is boring...LOL

[BSLSteveBirrer]

So Portland  the second half and tied it up with literally a handful of seconds left in extra time. Then 30 minutes get played and still tied 1-1. Off to PKs and Sean Johnson saved the first two Portland shots and carries NYCFC to the title.

 

Way to go City!!

[BSLChrisStoner]

Front Office Sports: 

 

Miami is one City Commission vote away from a dedicated MLS soccer stadium.

Inter Miami CF and the city struck a deal on a $1 billion project to redevelop the Melreese Golf Course and Country Club into a stadium and surrounding commerce area. 

The deal, which has mayor Francis Suarez’s backing, must now go before a City Commission vote, which could happen later this month.

• The project is designed around a roughly 27,000-seat soccer stadium.
• It would also include a shopping mall, hotel, and park. 
• Team majority owner Jorge Mas said in 2018 that the team would pick up the cost of the land, estimated at $35 million, and that the city would receive revenue from operations.

The team currently plays at DRV PNK stadium in Fort Lauderdale, which Mas said would host a second team and continue to act as a training facility. Mas, his brother Jose Mas, co-owner David Beckham, and others invested over $100 million to build “Drive Pink,” as it is often called.

Cash Infusion

In September, the team received a $150 million investment from Ares Management. The funds were connected to the previous month’s buyout of Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son and International CEO Marcelo Claure, who collectively owned around 48% of the team.

Inter Miami was valued around $600 million to $650 million at the time of the buyout.

[BSLChrisStoner]

• Charlotte tabs Maryland's Bender as top MLS pick

[BSLChrisStoner]

ESPN: Why DeAndre Yedlin, USMNT star, is happy about MLS return after seven years in Europe

https://www.espn.com...years-in-europe

[DuffMan]

Kevin Paredes of DC United is going to Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, that's quite the step up!

[BSLChrisStoner]

The Ringer: How to Strengthen Cross-Border Ties Between U.S. and Mexican Pro Soccer

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Here's a preview of the upcoming MLS season. The league is growing and the quality of play gets better and better!

 

https://baltimorespo...0luz0C53nWVMiuw

[BSLChrisStoner]

ESPN: 2022 MLS preview: Why is this your team's year?

[BSLChrisStoner]

ESPN: MLS Power Rankings: LAFC, Nashville make statements of intent

[BSLSteveBirrer]

[BSLSteveBirrer]

To put my above post in context!!!