The [Horribly Unpopular] Soccer Thread

[ThickHead]

I think a home and home situation would make more money for the league and the teams, and the actual fans would enjoy it much more. Its like every superbowl party I go to, except that one against the damn Steelers. The Seahawks aren't there so I'll usually just eat the food and drink the beer without caring who wins.

But then that would alienate a large portion of neutral fans as well as cities from the opportunity of hosting and/or attending. I watch the finals in every sport that I enjoy because I like a good match, even if my team isn't in the game. I like the single game, neutral ground final concept. Actually, there is typically always a chance that a team will have home field advantage in a final (LA). I am of the opposite opinion related to multi-game finals. I think that kind of structure is best suited for baseball and should stay there.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

But then that would alienate a large portion of neutral fans as well as cities from the opportunity of hosting and/or attending. I watch the finals in every sport that I enjoy because I like a good match, even if my team isn't in the game. I like the single game, neutral ground final concept. Actually, there is typically always a chance that a team will have home field advantage in a final (LA). I am of the opposite opinion related to multi-game finals. I think that kind of structure is best suited for baseball and should stay there.

But should there be that much concern for the neutral fan? If they want they can watch it on TV or if they really need their fix they can travel. Unless the final is in Butt-F**king-Egypt (read: Rio Tinto) there will be at least a couple of nearby markets.

Doing a home-and-away series for the final should be a reward for the supporters for sticking with their club and cheering their collective asses off. It would almost guarantee sell-out crowds at both matches.

 

[ThickHead]

But should there be that much concern for the neutral fan?

That's a good question to be sure. The issue with the neutral fan is probably not as big a concern as the neutral (or maybe not always neutral) city. That concept is very much engrained with the single game final structure. It's about celebrating the penultimate game a way in which it does not leave any participating city out (I expect). It's a huge advertisement for the game in the city which the final is held (fan building).

I like what the two-legged structures do for the champs league. Mostly due to the vast distances involved for the fans and celebrating the competition for each set of home fans and their country. I am not certain that the same format belongs in the MLS playoffs. The NFL playoff system (with home field advantage a reward for a better regular season) works well. As does the final game being a 1 match winner take all. I think that separating a final into two legs will lessen the intensity involved in an all or nothing scenario.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Good point on the all or nothing aspect. It does hype things up a bit.

I guess, by chance, the ss winner got home field advantage in the final. And that is a big advantage... literally. The pitch at hdc is huge. Maybe the largest legal dimensions.

 

[BrewKnurd]

Good point on the all or nothing aspect. It does hype things up a bit.

I guess, by chance, the ss winner got home field advantage in the final. And that is a big advantage... literally. The pitch at hdc is huge. Maybe the largest legal dimensions.

Yeah, maybe it is a hype thing. For things like CL, maybe its possible that the TV revenue from having the one ULTIMATE GAME outweighs the extra income from the second match of a home and home series. So maybe it really does work out for the best for the league to do the home and homes up til the final, I dunno.

I guess my problem just comes from my idealistic view that if you're going to have a playoff, you shouldn't at any point have fewer games in any given "series" as the games get more important. At the risk of being overly dramatic, it seems like if you're not striving to ensure the best team wins, you're to some extent sacrificing the integrity of the game.

Again, that's idealistic me talking. I also understand that whatever generates the most hype and cash for the sport also has its own value, and maybe that, in the long run, is more important.

I'll just satisfy myself by thinking of it thus: I wouldn't have a problem if everything was one game and done. And they just added an extra game to the early matchups to make fans happy. I need to not think of the finals as being fewer games, just think of everything else as an extra game.

 

[BainbridgeBrewer]

I agree that the single game ramps up the intensity that the double final approach leaves out.

As for the neutral city aspect, I wonder if they've thought about having non-member cities host the final. Meaning cities that don't currently have an MLS team. Sort of like you were saying ThickHead as a way for fan building, and a way to expand the sport throughout the country. Maybe that'd get us into the #2 slot!

 

[ThickHead]

I guess my problem just comes from my idealistic view that if you're going to have a playoff, you shouldn't at any point have fewer games in any given "series" as the games get more important. At the risk of being overly dramatic, it seems like if you're not striving to ensure the best team wins, you're to some extent sacrificing the integrity of the game.

I see where you are coming from with this. I never really thought of two-legged ties as a "series" before you mentioned it. I have always looked at it as a format completely separate from what I was ever used to growing up in the states. I still think that the only sport that requires a "series" for playoffs and championship is baseball. In my opinion, the inclusion of that format into other sports (where pitching is no factor) is pointless. I'm not knocking on the systems for Hockey and Basketball...just saying I don't get the logic (other than TV and ticket sales revenue) of applying a "series" format within those sports.

 

[ThickHead]

As for the neutral city aspect, I wonder if they've thought about having non-member cities host the final. Meaning cities that don't currently have an MLS team.

Not sure how this would work. The most problematic aspect being the need for the infrastructure to host a game. Obviously all that is really needed in terms of infrastructure is a suitable venue. However, if I had to watch an MLS final played on an American Football field (lines and all) I would probably pull out my hair. Proper stadiums coming into the league has been huge for the game in my opinion. Not to celebrate these venues (as a priority) would be a poor decision.

 

[BrewKnurd]

I'm not knocking on the systems for Hockey and Basketball...just saying I don't get the logic (other than TV and ticket sales revenue) of applying a "series" format within those sports.

The other benefit I see to a series is that it makes it more likely that the best team wins. Now, it all depends on what you want from your playoff whether that's a good thing or not. I mean, what are the odds that Villanova wins the 1985 National Championship if every round was a best of 3 series? Not very good. So if you like upsets and underdogs, then single games are awesome.

 

[BrewKnurd]

Not sure how this would work. The most problematic aspect being the need for the infrastructure to host a game. Obviously all that is really needed in terms of infrastructure is a suitable venue. However, if I had to watch an MLS final played on an American Football field (lines and all) I would probably pull out my hair. Proper stadiums coming into the league has been huge for the game in my opinion. Not to celebrate these venues (as a priority) would be a poor decision.

Ugh, yeah, I hate watching games where you can see the football lines.

I imagine you would probably be fine filling a stadium for a one time event in cities that didn't have soccer, so that wouldn't be as much of an issue. But it just seems like you should have the final in a soccer city.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

They could have the final in Vegas....

I was opposed at first to the idea but the more and the more the proposal hangs around, the more I think Las Vegas has a really good chance to be the 20th MLS club. They are in the top-10 cities for population size and have had a great youth and adult soccer culture for some time now.

 

[BrewKnurd]

So this is totally unrelated to soccer... but my telephone at home has talking caller ID. And I got a call from Reno yesterday. It was pretty amusing, because it told me I had a call from Reno En Vee.

 

[ThickHead]

...I think Las Vegas has a really good chance to be the 20th MLS club.

I think it will be the Cosmos. The American game needs more local derby matches. Although a lack of infrastructure may set them back. The next expansion will be interesting. There are a lot of names in the hat.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

So this is totally unrelated to soccer... but my telephone at home has talking caller ID. And I got a call from Reno yesterday. It was pretty amusing, because it told me I had a call from Reno En Vee.

:rockin:

 

[Reno_eNVy]

I think it will be the Cosmos. The American game needs more local derby matches. Although a lack of infrastructure may set them back. The next expansion will be interesting. There are a lot of names in the hat.

But what about the ownership fallout and the fact that Don Garber said he was making more ground with three other potential owners in NY, none of them being the Cosmos.

 

[ThickHead]

But what about the ownership fallout...

Honestly I don't know much about the current situation. I have been under the impression that ownership has changed but the goal is the same.

...and the fact that Don Garber said he was making more ground with three other potential owners in NY, none of them being the Cosmos.

Didn't here about this.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

There was an article about it on MLSsoccer.com a couple month ago.

Now this: NY Cosmos being sued

http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/sections/youth2.php?article_id=29096

 

[ThickHead]

Now this: NY Cosmos being sued

http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/sections/youth2.php?article_id=29096

Yeah, I read that one. I can't believe that Sela would have bought out the club only to destroy its chance for MLS expansion selection. But who knows...

 

[Reno_eNVy]

So C.J. "Hope Solo, Hope Solo" Sapong got Rookie of the Year and Omar "Gonzilla" Gonzalez got Defender of the Year. Both well deserved.

They just posted the MLS Best XI for 2011. I agree with this completely

G - Kasey Keller (SEA)
D - Jamison Olave (RSL)
D - Omar Gonzalez (LA)
D - Todd Dunivant (LA)
M - Landon Donovan (LA)
M - David Beckham (LA)
M - Brek Shea (DAL)
M - Brad Davis (HOU)
M - Dwayne De Rosario (DC)
F - Chris Wondolowski (SJ)
F - Thierry Henry (NY)

 

[lgilmore]

I'm a little chapped about not even having Ozzy Alonso, Seattle's defensive midfielder not win best defender or be a part of the first 11. Alonso led the league in tackles and take aways by a large margin. Gonzalez while a great player, didn't disrupt other teams attacks as often and as successfully as Ozzy did. It's a shame that Ozzy didn't get recognition on the first 11 because they went only on offense, because out of that grouping of mid fielders only Davis really plays any defense.

Keller and Alonso kept Seattle's defense together, which is what is so troubling for Seattle fans for next season with Keller retiring. It's going to be really hard to replace Keller and his leadership for this club.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Well at least Alonso is "The Honey Badger." Pfft, the Alonso doesn't care if he wasn't on the Bext XI... the Alonso doesn't give a s**t.

 

[lgilmore]

Food for next season. He's young and he's going to get better and better....

 

[Reno_eNVy]

What Seattle really needs is for Montero to play his best from day one instead of needing to be benched for a couple months to motivate him (see: the last two seasons)

 

[lgilmore]

Agreed. He seems to be Reggie Jackson though, comes through later on in the season. I think they may make him captain next year. For Freddy a lot of it is between the ears. While our season ended too soon, it's on again pretty quickly as they have CCL games before the MLS season starts. I hope they find the missing pieces and continue moving ahead. I mean, they've got to be good next season as I have a lot of beer to drink while watching.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

MLS Cup tomorrow, mofos!!

 

[Pappers_]

Should be a great game tonight. Get some work I need to do this afternoon and then watch the game in the pm. We'll have some chicken, garlic and pepper sausages and a glass or two of our Short Nights IPA while we watch.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Good choices. We're going ball park style with 1/2lb. beef dogs and chili cheese nachos, washed down with punkin ale. But with jalapeno poppers and stella for appetizers.

Disgusting, yet appropriate

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Still extra stoked LA won the double this season! Hopefully they'll keep it rolling and do well in Champions League play.

Also, here's some new kit news.

Seattle Sounders new 3rd kit: "Super Cyan"

I dig it.... and I'm glad there are no duct-tape bra straps on this one. It's got a nice, classic template and still really stands out. Nice replacement for the Electric Yellow.


Philly's new primary and secondary kits

Okay, I reeeeaaaally like these. Not only did they make some serious improvements on an already stellar kit (they got rid of the horizontal piping so the bar goes all the way to the collar) they got rid of the khaki secondary kit and added "Sons of Ben blue" like they've been begging for. Well done.


USMNT new primary kit

This one might still be just a rumor (a really well-done rumor) but I believe there is something to this one. Personally, I really like it. It keeps with the kit theme and has a faded sash across the front and the stripes are patriotic and classic soccer style.




Here's a list of who is going to get new kits and a couple of known release dates. I left off Vancouver getting a 3rd because that's still just a very faint rumor.

Dallas - New Home / Away
LA - Home
RBNY - Home
Chivas - Home
DCU - Home/Away (11/28)
Portland - 3rd - (12/6)
Sounders - 3rd (Revealed)
Phila - Home/Away (Revealed)
Chicago - Home/Away
Montreal - Home/Away (12/1)
Columbus - Home/Away (12/3)
New England - Home/Away (12/3)
RSL - Home/Away???
San Jose - Home/Away

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

Read the context above the video before viewing.

Norwegian Veterans Bohinen, Fjortoft, Lundekvam & Myhre Get Electric Shocks On National TV (Video) » Who Ate all the Pies

 

[Pappers_]

That's hilarious, Gnome!