The Official Major League Soccer Thread

jerrod · Post #501 » by **jerrod** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 3:12 am

i can't get it to play, is it really snowy there?

nghedman · Post #502 » by **nghedman** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 9:19 pm

My prediction for the RSL/Seattle game tomorrow is Real winning 3-2.

Both Seattle and Real know how to move the ball forward when needed and still maintain possession to the final third. Both have fast forwards with unique skills. I know Real has excellent middle defenders. The question in my mind is concerning Real. The whole midfield is basically returning from injury and 3 of the 4 are playing for the first time together in a while. AND the other midfielder has only played a few games after missing most the season. So it will be interesting to watch and see if the midfield still has that "team mate sense" of knowing each other and being successful in their runs and passes. I think they will!!

jerrod · Post #503 » by **jerrod** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 1:44 am

nghedman · Post #504 » by **nghedman** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 3:05 pm

RSL wins 3-0.

RSL looked like their early ball possession intimidated Seattle. Seattle then didn't maintain the ball very well and resulted to clearing the ball too much instead of passing it to team mates. RSL's possession kept on pounding it into Seattle's box and eventually Seattle broke down.

The first goal was very close to offsides but it was a good call. Sabo did the wrong thing and shouldn't have touched the ball as it was going in anyways.

Like I've mentioned earlier in this thread (or the soccer thread in the Utah Jazz section) the refs need to be consistent. That cheap blow should have been a straight red card. But again it's just a yellow. Beckerman's incident earlier that cost him a red and a suspension for around three games was the same thing. Crazy!! I suspect the league better come down hard on the Seattle player with a suspension and or fine and they might even move it to a red card for the next game. The league definitely needs to be better and more evenly consistent on these calls.

jerrod · Post #505 » by **jerrod** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 5:09 pm

yep

damn

Post #506 » by **LittleOzzy** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 11:43 pm

The playoffs have been great so far.

Some really good games, some controversy, lots of scoring.

I hope it continues.

ThreeYearPlan · Post #507 » by **ThreeYearPlan** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 12:20 am

Marquez is an idiot, hopefully that's his last game for New York ever.
Houston-Philadelphia was super exciting

jerrod · Post #508 » by **jerrod** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 3:35 am

ThreeYearPlan wrote:Marquez is an idiot,

yep

Post #509 » by **LittleOzzy** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 6:02 pm

They are really rushing the Semi-Finals just to take a whole two week break between the Conference Championships and the Finals.

I understand they do it so they have time to sell tickets to the Finals, but it makes the whole format look weird.

I would much prefer this weeks games to all be on the weekend of the 5th/6th, Conference Finals on the 12th/13th and the Finals on the 20th.

jerrod · Post #510 » by **jerrod** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 6:09 pm

i'm a little surprised that so many are on espn2

nghedman · Post #511 » by **nghedman** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 9:28 pm

Anyone making a trip out of the finals this year?

So, what are they going to do with the playoff format next year, anyone hear any word from the MLS on that? I still think division are better but arn't there a couple expansion teams next year too?

Post #512 » by **LittleOzzy** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 9:37 pm

Just one expansion team, Montreal which will need to be in the East.

Houston could move back to the West then. I would much prefer a single table though.

NeverGoingToWin · Post #513 » by **NeverGoingToWin** » Tue Nov 1, 2011 12:51 am

Do you mean a straight rip-off of Europe with no playoffs or every team just plays every other team equally?

No playoffs would be a terrible idea in North America just like taking relegation away from the EPL would be a terrible idea. The whole world does not have to use the same system.

Post #514 » by **LittleOzzy** » Tue Nov 1, 2011 1:01 am

No I agree with the playoffs, just not the East vs, West table.

I would much prefer a single table where everyone plays everyone home and away. Top 10 teams make the playoffs.

L.A. is playing New York right now in the playoffs, the current system with East vs. West isn't even working, so moving to a single table makes sense.

NeverGoingToWin · Post #515 » by **NeverGoingToWin** » Tue Nov 1, 2011 1:04 am

I don't actually care about things like that but I understand some people do so if it will keep people from insulting the MLS than I am all for that. They should do it now or when they get the 20th team so they would have the perfect amount of games with 36 or 38.

nghedman · Post #516 » by **nghedman** » Tue Nov 1, 2011 2:37 pm

If they keep the one game away and home with each team I would prefer the single playoff format with all the teams seeded 1-10/12/ or 16. But if they have divisions USE divisions.

I agree with you ozzy this LA vs NY is weird. However I love the playoffs and just wish they would set it up it in a good way. A playoff system is very exciting and the best way to end a season.

I'll tell you what for you USA folks that understand this, I hate the way college football is, it reminds me of gymnastics/ or high school's "big man on campus" because the winner isn't determined on the field, it's determined by most popular vote. Don't get me wrong here, I watch it and enjoy the game but I find myself turning it off sooner then other sports through the year because the end of the season isn't fair and doesn't hold any end of season excitement ...(and playoff excitement)

I think the MLS is still in the building mode and they will get it right... eventually.

nghedman · Post #517 » by **nghedman** » Tue Nov 1, 2011 2:49 pm

LittleOzzy wrote:The problem with the MLS divisions is that New York has a chance at winning the West this year and Houston can win the East.

Just makes the whole thing weird.

I also disagree with having an unbalanced schedule. It makes the Supporters Shield less important when you possibly may skip playing the second best team. Rivalries will be created over time, they don't need to be forced by adding more games against each other.

In 10 years for example the two games between Colorado and RSL will be way more important then if they water it down with 4 games a season.

Also extending the season is the wrong way to go, between MLS play, The US Open Cup, The Canadian Championship and Champions League some MLS teams already have plenty of games.

I actually think less games is a good thing, they really need to do away with the Exhibition games in the middle of the season.

As I ponder this you may be right ozzy. In soccer their are enough "other" tournments that a team can claim "top dog" Divsions might mess things up for the supporters shield. Hmmmm, I got to think about this more

jerrod · Post #518 » by **jerrod** » Tue Nov 1, 2011 2:56 pm

it would definitely screw with the supporter's shield.

speaking of that, i'm not a fan of it. i know why it exists but it's essentially the regular season championship. which is just sort of odd to me

Post #519 » by **magik9113** » Tue Nov 1, 2011 6:02 pm

finally over my frustration brought forward by Rafa "I fcking suck" Marquez. Hope he retires tomorrow, he's been nothing but a team cancer.

NY played a pretty good game, so I still have faith, but expect Keane to take care of them in LA.
At least Rafa got Juninho out of the second leg...

Post #520 » by **LittleOzzy** » Tue Nov 1, 2011 8:16 pm

So any predictions for tomorrow night's games?

Sporting KC vs. Colorado
Seattle vs. RSL