Arena The Old Title Was Way Too Long: USMNT/MLS Discussion

Yes, he has. I'm glad that he gets to go out on his own terms.

 

A fun tifo in Columbus last night



Edit One to troll Donovan during his last game in Columbus, too:



It reads "2013 New Heroes: Klinsmann". (I'm 99% sure this is part of the Dos a Cero tifo from last September vs. Mexico)

Of course, before the game, Donovan was honored (rightfully so, I believe):



Included there are: A photo of Donovan's first National Team Goal at Crew Stadium, a listing of every game Donovan has played (Club and Country) at Crew Stadium, and a piece of the net from his goal against Mexico last year.

 

Beautiful night in horrible weather. The Rapids blow leads of 2-0 and 3-1. Landon Donovan scores the game winner. Five of seven goals are scored on the end of the field effete I was sitting. Yummy tears from Rapids fans.

 

heels, I love the NWSL. It's a phenomenal league. I haven't been able to watch at all on TV, but I've followed it via social media. Love that Merrit Paulson, one of the best owners in MLS, treats the Thorns as complete equals to the Timbers, and not as a step-child.

I would love to see a Women's Club World Cup. There are legit clubs over in Europe that I'd love to see go head-to-head with the NWSL teams.

 

Great read from Andy Glockner on how TV access to soccer is so much better in the US now ... unless you're a fan of a team that just got relegated.

There was a strong Fulham presence at one of the soccer bars I've been to in Denver. This makes me wonder how those fans are doing now.

 

The NWSL was fantastic this year. I'm naturally spoiled as a Portland resident, but the overall quality of play in the league, attracting top international talent (Angerer! Vero! Catley!), has been really great. I'm hoping we'll see a surge of interest next year with the WWC and do another round of expansions in a couple years. I think it would be great to see a few MLS clubs bring in womens' teams. Some aren't crazy about that given the inequality between non-MLS-affiliated teams, but as long as we're profit-sharing, I think it's a great way to grow the league. Our players deserve better facilities, if nothing else.

It'll be interesting to see how the rosters shake out for next season. Supposedly the US, Canadian, and Mexican national team players will only be away for less than half the NWSL games, but it'll be a shame if we miss out on our other international players, or if half the season is significantly diminished in quality.

 

Yeah, they're taking off two weeks for WWC and running the season into September. They said the US/CA/MEX national players will miss 7-8 games, so it's still a pretty significant disruption for the league, although I'm not suggesting there was a better alternative.

 

Sporting Kansas City got knocked around again tonight, this time by Houston Dynamo. This thumping gives them consecutive defeats while allowing three goals in each. In their last five, they've only managed four points, and have given up 10 goals in those five games. That's dropped them from Supporters Shield Contender to #2 in the East.

Of course, they aren't likely to fall much further than that. Jermaine Defoe is out for quite a while for TFC, meaning that while they have three games in hand on SKC, they probably won't make up all nine points in those three games. Columbus and RBNY follow, but they are pretty far back. It's still safe to say SKC will be one of the top-two seeds in the East for MLS Cup Playoffs, and have plenty of time to figure it out to defend their title.

Looking forward to Columbus-Montreal tomorrow, among all the college football. Columbus are on a tear, outscoring opponents 7-1 in their last two, and Montreal is pretty much the worst team in the league this year.

 

I saw some of that game, it was fun to watch.

 

Terrible game from Columbus yesterday. Just terrible.

Offense was lifeless and incoherent. Only Higuaín seemed to actually know that for 90 minutes, you are allowed to attack goal. Plus, yellow cards to both Tchani and Trapp means both our starting central midfielders are suspended for accumulation next game.

Just ... ugh.

 

I'm not in favor of bringing promotion and relegation to MLS, but starting to favor relegating Chivas USA.

Good Lord, what a terrible club.

14 goals conceded since their last goal scored.
Averaging about fifteen paying guests per game.

 

Carlos Bocanegra to retire at the end of the season.

Would be nice to see him get one last national team game in

 

Maybe.

Donovan
McBride
Friedel

Leaves one spot. Maybe it goes to Boca.

 

Yeah, he's been great over the years. It'd be nice for him to get one last cap, but I'd be surprised if he got it.

 

Women's World Cup Qualifying draw was today. US grouped with Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala, and Haiti.

The only question, really, is:

which is greater: USA Goal Differential or Max Length of time (in minutes) before US Scores in a game during group stage.

 

Riverhounds wrapped up their season last night. Unfortunately for them, they came up just short of the playoffs, but still had a great run after starting the season on a seven game winless streak. They have a lot of things to figure out this off season, like getting out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy and determining if the Houston Dynamo will continue their partnership with them or if they'll partner with another MLS side. The partnership between the 'Houds and the Dynamo was very fruitful for the 'Hounds, getting a solid keeper, Michael Lisch, and their defender of the year, Anthony Arena.

All in all, it was a good season. Danny Earls and Juan Angulo were among the bright spots...hope that they're back next year. I think that I went to nine matches this year between league play and the US Open Cup. If there is a next season (they've said that there is, but you never really know with the USL), I think that I'd probably bite the bullet and go for the full season ticket plan.

 

This thread needs a title change. Maybe "The Designated Player: The US Soccer Thread"

DMC, hopefully the Hounds figure it out. That stadium is too nice to not have a tenant.

 

It's a beaut, no doubt about it.