MLS 2019 Season Thread

mazhar13

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Let's see if this persists with Atlanta. For their sake, de Boer has to adapt and develop in terms of preparing his teams. This Atlanta team isn't build for a slow-paced possession game. He has to realise that sooner than later.
 

golden_blunder

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Let's see if this persists with Atlanta. For their sake, de Boer has to adapt and develop in terms of preparing his teams. This Atlanta team isn't build for a slow-paced possession game. He has to realise that sooner than later.
He won’t, he’s a shit coach
 

Normandy

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De Boer has completely killed Atlanta. They're a complete mess tactically, they've no idea what they're supposed to be doing.
Confusing appointment. They didn't need to rebuild the style/club. They needed continuity.

If they were shit for a year or two you'd understand this approach.
 

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Haha Orlando. Their behavior mirrors their result and performance. Thankfully Dwyer's better at feigning being punched than scoring goals. And Sacha Kljestan can feck off the whining bitter old fake porn star.

Deserving win despite the shithouse missing two clear cut chances at 0-2 that could have changed the shape of the match. Orlando's defenders would be terrible in the USPSL never mind in MLS.
 

mazhar13

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Ok, so, I'm just starting to watch MLS now. Any recommendations on who to follow? Good young teams with good footballing approach and philosophy?
New York Red Bulls, Seattle Sounders, Real Salt Lake, Sporting KC...maybe Toronto FC or the Whitecaps? That's all I can come up with off the top of my head.
 

limerickcitykid

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Ok, so, I'm just starting to watch MLS now. Any recommendations on who to follow? Good young teams with good footballing approach and philosophy?
TFC of course. But seeing as you live in Texas then Dallas have a really good academy or wait for Austin since they'll be the closest to San Antonio.

Additionally, Atlanta are cnuts who nobody likes and Seattle were the original know it all pricks before them. So can also just support who ever they are playing against.
 

mazhar13

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Toronto FC just got their 2nd win of the season with a Jozy Altidore winner. It's always been obvious that we're much better in a back 3. That back 4 was way too open against a poor NE side.

Carles Gil helped us out by playing too deep, but he still made an impact with his 2 goals. The extra midfield was of no help as DeLeon and Osorio kept getting in each other's way. Once we moved to a 3-1-4-2, both Oso and DeLeon played much better.

Ayo had a great performance today with 1 goal and 1 assist (hockey assist). He needs to start once again beside Jozy. Chapman was okay without doing much; he provided a good defensive effort but didn't offer much going forward. Our full backs were alright but looked much better in a back 3. Jozy coming back is big for us; we badly missed him, and he transforms our side.

With Pozuelo coming in soon, we should fare much better in our 4-3-3.
 

Loublaze

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Let's see if this persists with Atlanta. For their sake, de Boer has to adapt and develop in terms of preparing his teams. This Atlanta team isn't build for a slow-paced possession game. He has to realise that sooner than later.
He won’t, he’s a shit coach
Confusing appointment. They didn't need to rebuild the style/club. They needed continuity.

If they were shit for a year or two you'd understand this approach.
Just got back from the stadium from the Atlanta-Philly game. It was like LVG all over again in the first half. 70 percent possession and no shots. Got a bit better in the second half but FDB needs some new ideas, he's taking knifes and handguns to a war when he has top of the line weapons at his disposal.

Ok, so, I'm just starting to watch MLS now. Any recommendations on who to follow? Good young teams with good footballing approach and philosophy?
At the risk of overselling and sounding like a show off, Atlanta United! Best squad in the MLS, many young and upcoming players with a contingent of young south American players, and best stadium in the league, with the highest weekly attendance, 50K home game average. We're already the most valuable team in the MLS and the most hated team because some of our fans are spoiled by early success tbh, but the owners are very, very ambitious. If that sort of thing appeals to you.

We probably admittedly have a bit of a Man City/PSG vibe about us (as some on here have said, Toronto fans haha) with how we played in the first two seasons and how lavish the club is from billionaire owners to state of the art training facilities and academy (City do own an MLS team, NY City FC, that play in a fecking baseball field) but we're unique. I like to liken us more to Man utd, focus on youth with an attacking ethos. Teams are starting to try and emulate our model, like LAFC. Frank De Boer is trying to LVG us though, but I dont think that will last too long. We have too good a team to allow that to happen.




You won't see images like this in other MLS grounds on the regular, but Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers have great fan bases with traditions that go a long way back. LAFC fans have created a great atmosphere at their new stadium as well. Atalanta United have smashed its own MLS attendance record twice already, over 70K in attendance!
 
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Tommy

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This is great. Good on em.
 

Tommy

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Very cool. I saw a similar picture first & thought it looked fake. Then I saw the video and was like damn, that's awesome!
 

simonhch

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Chicago Fire, my local team, has to be the most miserable fecking franchise in MLS. Shite stadium in the middle of nowhere, arsehole owners, arrogant and aloof relationship with the local community; and a perennially appalling squad. This last weekend they lost 4-2 at home to Seattle, with a whopping attendance of 10k. And I swear even that number was inflated. Last year the average gate was 14k, which would put them 19th in the EFL Championship for attendances. The greater Chicago area has a population of 9.5 million. The Fire’s average gate is equal to that of Preston (141k) or Barnsley (96k). 30% of the population is Latino, and their primary sport is football.

How, just how, can a “soccer” franchise fail so fecking badly in a market this big, and so demographically suited? To put it in perspective, I had more people play and watch soccer in my indoor facility here in 2018, than the Fire had visit their stadium. And we are about 20 minutes away.

Totally clueless, hopeless wankers. Also, they just pipped Utd to the signing of Nicolas Gaitan, on a free from China.

With the exception of Atlanta (50k) and Seattle (41k), MLS attendances are pretty much on a par with the Championship. Which shows two contrasting things really. (1) that progress has definitely been made with the popularity of the game in this country, and (2) just how incredibly well attended football is in England. When the third largest team (by attendance) in MLS (TFC) would rank 7th in the Championship against teams with tiny populations compared to their American counterparts; it shows how remarkably popular football is across England.
 

Loublaze

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Chicago Fire, my local team, has to be the most miserable fecking franchise in MLS. Shite stadium in the middle of nowhere, arsehole owners, arrogant and aloof relationship with the local community; and a perennially appalling squad. This last weekend they lost 4-2 at home to Seattle, with a whopping attendance of 10k. And I swear even that number was inflated. Last year the average gate was 14k, which would put them 19th in the EFL Championship for attendances. The greater Chicago area has a population of 9.5 million. The Fire’s average gate is equal to that of Preston (141k) or Barnsley (96k). 30% of the population is Latino, and their primary sport is football.

How, just how, can a “soccer” franchise fail so fecking badly in a market this big, and so demographically suited? To put it in perspective, I had more people play and watch soccer in my indoor facility here in 2018, than the Fire had visit their stadium. And we are about 20 minutes away.

Totally clueless, hopeless wankers. Also, they just pipped Utd to the signing of Nicolas Gaitan, on a free from China.

With the exception of Atlanta (50k) and Seattle (41k), MLS attendances are pretty much on a par with the Championship. Which shows two contrasting things really. (1) that progress has definitely been made with the popularity of the game in this country, and (2) just how incredibly well attended football is in England. When the third largest team (by attendance) in MLS (TFC) would rank 7th in the Championship against teams with tiny populations compared to their American counterparts; it shows how remarkably popular football is across England.
Its a sad thing thats happening over there. No excuses really, as you mentioned, Chicago is a huuuge market, third biggest and most populated city in the states. I remember when Atlanta had one pro soccer team, the Silverbacks. They had a small and dedicated following but that was USL. Chicago fire might as well be a USL team.
 

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Was at Red Bull Arena and though it was a good win against a poor team I still don't believe in Armas as a coach.
 

SportingCP96

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Ok, so, I'm just starting to watch MLS now. Any recommendations on who to follow? Good young teams with good footballing approach and philosophy?
Red Bulls play a high press game and are very academy focused bringing in lots of talents from the academy.
 

mazhar13

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I like to liken us more to Man utd, focus on youth with an attacking ethos.
Out of curiosity, why is it that Atlanta aren't integrating some of their more local talents like Carleton, Kunga, Bello, or Vazquez? I do know that, in the first team, most of your more local young players are draft picks (Robinson and Gressel) whilst the rest come from South America (Villalba, Remedi, Almiron, Barco). Carleton himself is a very good local player, but he's barely getting any minutes. Kunga has shown some promise in his USL performances but rarely gets appearances. Vazquez is similar to Kunga in that respect. Bello had a great debut but hasn't gotten too many appearances afterwards. Whilst players like Carleton and Bello are more forgiveable given their ages, it's still interesting that Bocanegra would rather have older players on the bench along with foreign imports instead of some of those younger players.

With de Boer in, I would expect him to play some of the younger players eventually, but will he even get the chance to do so?
 

mazhar13

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New York Red Bulls, Seattle Sounders, Real Salt Lake, Sporting KC...maybe Toronto FC or the Whitecaps? That's all I can come up with off the top of my head.
To add on to this, @Hoof The Ball, Philadelphia Union also have a great youth setup. Their affiliate team, Bethlehem Steel, play some great football, and several of their young players get called up into the first team. To complement that, they have a big-name player in Marco Fabian in their team as well.
 

Normandy

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In fairness five of those were against Real Salt Lake who don't even bother with defensive training under Petke apparently.
 

Loublaze

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Out of curiosity, why is it that Atlanta aren't integrating some of their more local talents like Carleton, Kunga, Bello, or Vazquez? I do know that, in the first team, most of your more local young players are draft picks (Robinson and Gressel) whilst the rest come from South America (Villalba, Remedi, Almiron, Barco). Carleton himself is a very good local player, but he's barely getting any minutes. Kunga has shown some promise in his USL performances but rarely gets appearances. Vazquez is similar to Kunga in that respect. Bello had a great debut but hasn't gotten too many appearances afterwards. Whilst players like Carleton and Bello are more forgiveable given their ages, it's still interesting that Bocanegra would rather have older players on the bench along with foreign imports instead of some of those younger players.

With de Boer in, I would expect him to play some of the younger players eventually, but will he even get the chance to do so?
Vasquez was behind in fitness, and he's been playing for Atlanta United 2. Kunga will get his chance, De Boer is an admirer. Bello played in the CONCACAF CL against Herediano and Carleton has played twice this season, including last night's game against Philadelphia Union, coming on early in the second half.
 
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mazhar13

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Unfortunately, MLS clubs don't generate enough interest to retain a fanbase in the case of relegation. For all of the NPSL, NASL, USL, etc., clubs that can grow and develop after a promotion, clubs from MLS that get relegated will most likely get bankrupt. Simply put, the lack of proper football infrastructure in the lower levels make things more difficult for MLS clubs that potentially get relegated. Matchday and sponsorship revenue will both crash, and there will barely be any TV revenue for them. At that point, owners will start to strip a club of its assets in order to not lose much money.

Unless there's a big attitude shift among the people in the U.S. and Canada, I struggle to see how this will really work out.
 

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I admit, i was bitter and underwhelmed by Seba's departure and Pozuelo's signing.

I never saw him play but still thought we should have gone for someone like Nani. I look like an idiot now.
 

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Didn't watch the game, but I can imagine Toronto fans watching the assist and the Panenka going "wow, we've got ourselves a player here", and then literally exploding when he scored The Chip.
 

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Meh, seen better in provincial leagues...
 

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Wild times when I was happy to be working instead of being able to watch the game LIVE.

I'll still torture myself into watching it, having recorded the match. I saw the line up and not too surprised of a heavy defeat...thought the depth was more able than that but we live and learn. Some investment needed.

Camacho and Cabrera together is the stuff of nightmares. I have a feeling both have a lot of explaining to do...
 

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I told everyone last season. Armas is a TERRIBLE coach. I can't understand how he became a coach and signing him as Jesse March permanent replacement was lazy and outright stupid. 95% of ALL of last season success was Jesse. The remaining 5% was the players. Armas piggy backed on his predecessors success.

Also the board gets blame too. Getting young academy players is a great idea and I love it BUT you have to mix it with quality. Buy down BWP to TAM ( he is not DP material anymore) and sign THREE QUALITY DP players! it is not that hard. You have the market and are a great franchise.

Jesus Christ.
 

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I looked up this Pozuelo fella after seeing his goals. Thinking he must be a prodigal young talent from South America. But instead find out he's a 27 year old Spanish journey man signed from Genk. Funny old league.
 

mazhar13

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I looked up this Pozuelo fella after seeing his goals. Thinking he must be a prodigal young talent from South America. But instead find out he's a 27 year old Spanish journey man signed from Genk. Funny old league.
Laudrup did give him high praise when he was at Swansea, so he had some slight potential in him. Unfortunately, he never fit into Swansea and then became a journeyman as a result. Oh well, I'm glad we still got him.

I told everyone last season. Armas is a TERRIBLE coach. I can't understand how he became a coach and signing him as Jesse March permanent replacement was lazy and outright stupid. 95% of ALL of last season success was Jesse. The remaining 5% was the players. Armas piggy backed on his predecessors success.

Also the board gets blame too. Getting young academy players is a great idea and I love it BUT you have to mix it with quality. Buy down BWP to TAM ( he is not DP material anymore) and sign THREE QUALITY DP players! it is not that hard. You have the market and are a great franchise.

Jesus Christ.
I talk to another NYRB fan who is starting to realise problems with the FO, but he thinks that Armas isn't necessarily the issue. From what I can see of the squad, you guys are badly missing a defensive midfielder to offer you some stability.
 

limerickcitykid

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I looked up this Pozuelo fella after seeing his goals. Thinking he must be a prodigal young talent from South America. But instead find out he's a 27 year old Spanish journey man signed from Genk. Funny old league.
5 clubs isn't exactly journeyman, it's average.

He was also one of the best players in the Belgian league, a league better than MLS. I don't get what's funny about targeting the best players in the Belgian League. We did it with Victor Vazquez and now Poz and we heavily scouted Hanni as well. It's a good league which is perfect for scouting top players for the MLS.
 

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Laudrup did give him high praise when he was at Swansea, so he had some slight potential in him. Unfortunately, he never fit into Swansea and then became a journeyman as a result. Oh well, I'm glad we still got him.


I talk to another NYRB fan who is starting to realise problems with the FO, but he thinks that Armas isn't necessarily the issue. From what I can see of the squad, you guys are badly missing a defensive midfielder to offer you some stability.
We do need a DM but that's the least of our worries at the moment the FO and Armas are too blame and Armas is not a coach he is not cut out for it. Absolutely clueless man who will get sacked sooner rather than later.
 

Eila

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5 clubs isn't exactly journeyman, it's average.

He was also one of the best players in the Belgian league, a league better than MLS. I don't get what's funny about targeting the best players in the Belgian League. We did it with Victor Vazquez and now Poz and we heavily scouted Hanni as well. It's a good league which is perfect for scouting top players for the MLS.
Victor Vazquez was playing in Mexico, right?
MLS teams really need to scout better defenders. The bulk of MLS teams have a mostly American defense, and it shows. The defending is all-around awful.
 

mazhar13

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Victor Vazquez was playing in Mexico, right?
MLS teams really need to scout better defenders. The bulk of MLS teams have a mostly American defense, and it shows. The defending is all-around awful.
He was in Mexico, yes.

Also, it doesn't really matter where the defenders are from. Montréal's starting defence, for example, only consists of one American (former TFC player Dan Lovitz), and he's arguably their best player out of the back line. Defenders and midfielders both in MLS are just poor, defensively. The fact that players like Bradley, Piette, and Diego Chara are standout defensive midifelders says it all.
 

Normandy

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He was in Mexico, yes.

Also, it doesn't really matter where the defenders are from. Montréal's starting defence, for example, only consists of one American (former TFC player Dan Lovitz), and he's arguably their best player out of the back line. Defenders and midfielders both in MLS are just poor, defensively. The fact that players like Bradley, Piette, and Diego Chara are standout defensive midifelders says it all.
Haha no he's not. That's Diallo or Raitala.

We are shit defensively as an unit more often than not. Lovitz is ok but often gets caught out of position.