The [Horribly Unpopular] Soccer Thread

[Qhrumphf]

ftfy

Man, Sundays have been awesome ever since Decision Day! Those 8 hour blocks of soccer last round were addicting.

I can't wait for more action tomorrow!

Columbus and Portland have the advantage in their respective series, but NYRB and Dallas are both more than able to mount a comeback (especially FCD with an away goal)

That's almost every Saturday...

Leicester continues to impress, and Vardy is looking flat out deadly. As much as I would have liked to see them get knocked down a peg (or two or three) it's gonna come, but a draw was the best outcome for that match. That, and Everton celebrated a bit prematurely and ended up paying for it. That was entertaining. Only two favorable results of the day.

With a little luck, in the morning we repeat Chelsea's embarrassment at White Hart Lane this past New Years, and hopefully Norwich is able to take down the Gooners, bumping us into 4th, and in a sweet spot for a league title challenge. I hope that despite an away match all the way in Azerbaijan on Thursday with a mostly first team, we've still got the gas to pull it off. I'm hoping for Chelsea's slumpy form to save us. I have less hope for Norwich.

Choices choices, get up early and watch the match live, or get up a little later and head up the pub up the street with the local supporter's club to watch on tape delay once they open...

 

[BrewSavage]

I had to make a choice this am....watch Spurs vs Chelsea or start an early brew day.

Lucky for me I started brewing and missed the first 92 scoreless minutes and only have to suffer the last couple of minutes of stoppage time

 

[Qhrumphf]

It was a good match. Chelsea looking like the Chelsea of old (park behind the ball and do so skillfully). Willian had a beautiful game. Tottenham looked tired, as expected. Good chances on both sides, and good saves as well. Fair result.

 

[Mongrel]

Timbers!

 

[Hugh_Jass]

Holy crap. I've butterflies. Come on Crew. #glorytocolumbus

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Really exciting but sloppy first half.

Columbus should have a goal.

 

[Talgrath]

So with a 2-2 tie at home FC Dallas are out of it, how did they get so far and what do they need to do to finally win that coveted cup?

Why does this matter to the USMNT?
Dallas doesn't necessarily have a lot of players on the current or near-future USMNT, but a lot of their young talents have gone on to feature for the USMNT, including Break Shea. Dallas has one of the best youth academies in MLS, so eventually some of them will see some time with team USA.

How are they out?
A 5-3 aggregate loss to Portland Timbers in the wester conference finals.

What went wrong?
Not much, really, if there's one area that Dallas has been weak at though, it's the forward position. David Texeira has been the primary striker for this team all season for a team that typically plays a 4-5-1, despite being the lone striker most times he only has 6 goals and 3 assists in a team jam-packed with midfield talent. Blais Perez, at 34 can sometimes create some set piece goals, but he's not able to create for a full match anymore. This killed Dallas in their last match up against Portland, since they had to throw more and more numbers forward to hope to score.

What went right?
For a low budget team like Dallas this was an excellent year, all told; first place in the west, lots of great young talent and a run all the way to the western final. All this season is missing is some hardware. Their coach, Oscar Pareja, has really let this young team get some experience and play their way with creativity and speed; his faith in them was, generally speaking, rewarded with great results. Almost certainly this is a team that will be better next year.

What do they need to do to improve?
Get a great striker, at least one, preferably two; spend some money to do so if you have to. Really the only thing this team is missing is a great striker or two. Beyond that, it's possible that some of this young talent, particularly Fabian Castillo, could be heading for Europe, so Dallas needs to make sure they keep the pipeline of talent flowing.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Also for all the talk I've read on r/mls and espn comment sections about Dax McCarty, Trapp is massively outplaying him so far. McCarty has had more space and has done less with his passing.

Trapp is part of the U-23 squad so I know he won't get much senior looks til after (hopefully) the Olympics, but he's the guy I'm liking to be the CDM for the USMNT. Would like to see the US go with him, Bradley, and Hyndman in the middle for the long term. I imagine a 4-3-3 diamond, Trapp as the 6, Hyndman as your deep lying playmaker, Bradley as your box to box, then have guys like Fabian, Green, Zardes, Nagbe, etc. playing up top with the stiker in some capacity.

 

[Talgrath]

What. An. End. Crazy last minute stuff between the Red Bulls and Columbus Crew. The Red Bulls are out, what happened?

Why does this matter to the USMNT?
Theoretically, Sacha Kljestan is still a USMNT player. Matt Miazga has gotten some recent minutes with the USMNT. Some folks think Dax McCarthy should get some minutes.

How are they out?
A 2-1 aggregate loss in the eastern conference final to Columbus Crew.

What went wrong?
Not a whole lot. If there's one spot where the Red Bulls were weak though, I felt it was the flanks on defense. While Grella, Sam, Lawrence and Zizzo are all good on offense, when it comes to defense they have to rely on the "spine" of the defense, McCarthy, Miazga and (until he was injured, Perinelle) to cover for them. A great demonstration of this was Cedrick Mabwati amazing run on the second goal Columbus scored in the first leg, sure part of that is Mabwati simply being an excellent dribbler, but that shouldn't be that easy.

What went right?
New York Red Bulls fans may be cursing another "lost season" in which they once again failed to win MLS Cup despite being a founding team of the league, but some perspective is in order. At the start of the season fans were outraged after Mike Petke was fired and bemoaned what they would be a terrible season with the relatively untested Marsch and no real star power; instead they had one of their best seasons ever, if not the best season ever. As far as actual game play, the "spine" of this team is one of the strongest in the league, Dax, Sacha and BWP make for a lethal combo and when they play down the center New York usually look great. BWP had another great season and he doesn't show any signs of slowing down. Robles has had an excellent season in goal.

What do they need to do to improve?
Some reinforcements on the left and right backs would be a great idea. Beyond that, a young back up striker with potential should be found to replace BWP when it becomes necessary.

 

[Talgrath]

So, MLS Cup is between the Timbers and Crew? Who do you think takes it? Both teams are playing lights out right now, but I'm leaning towards Columbus.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Talgrath thanks for the "Fading of the Flair" summarizations.

Additional notes on FCDvPOR:
- To call security a joke would be too kind. There were still fans waiting to get in to the stadium at the 50th minute, probably even later than that. I'd demand a refund
- That schoolyard style Portland goal. Yeesh.
- I really thought Dallas were going to rally for a draw. Props to the Portland defense

Additional notes on NYRvCLB:
- Match was meh but when NY hit the woodwork I was certain it was going in. I was freaking out and the wife was speechless (granted neither of us were pulling for either team; that was just insane)

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

So, MLS Cup is between the Timbers and Crew? Who do you think takes it? Both teams are playing lights out right now, but I'm leaning towards Columbus.

I think it depends on if Ridgewell is healthy or not. I think Ridgewell and Borchers can handle Kamara, I don't know if Paprato (sp) can. He seemed to get out of position too much against FC Dallas. If Teixeira was a better finisher he'd have like done some damage.

 

[Talgrath]

So, with the final game of the MLS on Sunday afternoon, it's once again time for the weirdest and wonkiest of MLS's various player acquisition methods, the "reentry draft"! It's also time for free agents, for the first time ever. For those of you unfamiliar with the reentry draft, it's basically how cut players in MLS at the end of the season can resign with MLS teams, by going through a draft process. Free Agents, more or less, work as you see in other American leagues though. Here's the current list of MLS free agents and reentry draft players:

http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/12/01/mls-offseason-player-moves-free-agency-re-entry-draft

One name looms large here, Mike Magee, Magee had a couple of banner years in 2013 and 2014, but injuries have kept him off the field for most of 2015 and upon his return he didn't exactly set the world on fire in Chicago. (Pun intended!) interestingly, ALL of the free agents so far are Chicago Fire players, including Jeff Larentowicz, who has been one of their most steady players.

As far as the reentry draft well, these are slim pickings. Steven Beitashour is probably the best of the bunch here, the 28 year old defender is solid enough, he won't make a starting 11 as a general rule but he's a good enough backup right back, and he's making league minimum or close to it; the same thing goes for Jalil Anibaba, although to a lesser degree. The surprising one was Chris Konopka, Toronto's starting keeper as of just a few weeks ago is out on his ass, but I can't blame Toronto as he was definitely sub par. Others may very well be at the point where its time to call it a career, Mauro Rosales, for example, is great at serving in long balls and passes in general, but at 34 he's too slow to keep up and he's fragile enough that he can't be a starter. Robbie Findley is probably done, though that has more with his lack of talent than age, I think. Overall, no "diamonds in the rough" that I can see here, but a few of these guys may find new homes as back ups.

 

[Talgrath]

Confirmed interest from an English Championship side for Gyasi Zardes. Reading FC is trying to sign the young striker/winger.

http://www.starsandstripesfc.com/2015/12/2/9835368/usmnt-transfer-rumors-news-gyasi-zardes-reading

 

[Talgrath]

There's a pretty wide-ranging interview between Grant Wahl and MLS Commissioner Don Garber, most of it is him using business speak to deflect questions, but there's some interesting bits in there:

http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/12/01/don-garber-mls-commissioner-expansion-beckham-cup-lafc-qatar-usmnt-klinsmann-gulati

A few things stuck out to me:

-He seems pretty happy with their new TV deal arrangement, no mention about Unimas not being available in a lot of areas of the country.
-No relegation, question shut down immediately.
-AEG is actively shopping to find someone to buy their majority stack in Houston Dynamo.
-He abruptly shuts down any talk of Qatari investment in the Miami Beckhams, which is a bit odd
-Garber quite clearly doesn't like Klinsmann's roster decisions, and it's pretty clear he's gotten a verbal smackdown from the rest of US Soccer telling him to stay out of it, given his answers to questions regarding the USMNT.

 

[Mongrel]

Bastards aren't letting the victory log in the stadium.

 

[Hugh_Jass]

I'm not trying to be argumentative, but does the log normally travel to away games and welcomed by the host stadium?

 

[Mongrel]

This isn't the average away game

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

-Garber quite clearly doesn't like Klinsmann's roster decisions, and it's pretty clear he's gotten a verbal smackdown from the rest of US Soccer telling him to stay out of it, given his answers to questions regarding the USMNT.

He's bummed that Luis Robles hasn't been part of the USMNT.

I get the want for Finlay, Feilhaber and McCarty kinda. I don't think Dax can cut it enough and is a fine player, but would be nothing more than training fodder for the USMNT and doesn't even have a single great skill like say Alan Gordon. I think Feilhaber is too limited in his abilities to be a positive impact on the best XI of the USMNT but I think he should have some PT especially in qualifiers where we may be down some men from injuries, teams not releasing them, etc. Also IIRC Klinsmann last time around drew heavy from the january camp for the January WCQ and January camps have traditionally been almost all MLS so there's Benny's best shot. THere's also the very real chance that Feilhaber may have bene one of the Klinsmann dissenters and is basically excommunicated. I think Finlay is about to get his callup. I don't think he's a star, but I can see value from the bench from him. I think he'll be brought in for that January camp.

But Robles makes me wonder if everyone is on crack or something. Robles is a good keeper, but even if he was being Nick Rimando 2.0 would that be a win for MLS? Wouldn't championing Hamid be better? Basically by agreeing with that he's ****ting on an MLS player in Hamid who I would think MLS would greatly want to keep in the league. Robles is a fine keeper, but he's not Howard or Guzan. He's not even remotely close to those 2.

 

[Talgrath]

This isn't the average away game

Why would the home team let a symbol of the away team besides signs and the like, in their stadium? Should Dallas have let the Sounders bring the flame-throwing posts?

 

[Talgrath]

He's bummed that Luis Robles hasn't been part of the USMNT.

I get the want for Finlay, Feilhaber and McCarty kinda. I don't think Dax can cut it enough and is a fine player, but would be nothing more than training fodder for the USMNT and doesn't even have a single great skill like say Alan Gordon. I think Feilhaber is too limited in his abilities to be a positive impact on the best XI of the USMNT but I think he should have some PT especially in qualifiers where we may be down some men from injuries, teams not releasing them, etc. Also IIRC Klinsmann last time around drew heavy from the january camp for the January WCQ and January camps have traditionally been almost all MLS so there's Benny's best shot. THere's also the very real chance that Feilhaber may have bene one of the Klinsmann dissenters and is basically excommunicated. I think Finlay is about to get his callup. I don't think he's a star, but I can see value from the bench from him. I think he'll be brought in for that January camp.

But Robles makes me wonder if everyone is on crack or something. Robles is a good keeper, but even if he was being Nick Rimando 2.0 would that be a win for MLS? Wouldn't championing Hamid be better? Basically by agreeing with that he's ****ting on an MLS player in Hamid who I would think MLS would greatly want to keep in the league. Robles is a fine keeper, but he's not Howard or Guzan. He's not even remotely close to those 2.

Well, I was also referring to his response to the question of whether Klinsmann is the right coach for the USMNT, where he basically opens with "it's not my decision", indicating he has been specifically told since his little spat with Klinsmann to shut up regarding those sorts of comments. He then follows it up with the answer about roster decisions in relation to the MLS starting XI.

I more or less agree with your assessment of the MLS players people complain should be on the USMNT. Feilhaber, in particular, irks me; he had years of being a regular member of the USMNT to do something awesome and he didn't, in 41 games over the course of about 4 years including the 2010 World Cup Feilhaber had 2 goals and 2 assists, and all of those came in his first few games. Personally, I feel that when the game is at a higher tier he simply can't cut it, just because he looks good in MLS doesn't mean he's going to do well internationally. Dax could be an okay stop-gap if we need one...but his skill at CDM has a lot more to do with the fact that he's played so long, not due to being particularly great. For the younger guys, I think the chance will come eventually, I know everyone gets hyped for young talent but a senior team call up sometimes needs to wait.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Well Finlay isn't young. I mean he's 25 which is pretty young, but it's hardly like say Julian Green.

Jurgen will keep making hard decisions. I don't envy him at all. I think the one thing he has to do ASAP is cap tie Cameron Carter-Vickers. The guy could be a machine. I can't imagine the love I'd have with the potential of CCV, Brooks, and Miazga all fighting for 2 spots

Actually my real 2018 dream if the 3 of them develop is something like a 3-5-2

CB - CCV
CB - Miazga (I actually think with his speed Miazga would be a great 3 back CB)
CB - Brooks
RWB - Yedlin
LWB - Shea
CDM - Cameron
CM - Bradley
CM - Hyndman/Zelalem
ST - Wood/Jozy/Zardes etc.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-s...e-sounders-decline-options-on-marco-pappa-mls

Looks like Seattle is starting their rebuild. Martins and Dempsey are the biggest names still safe. Wonder if they get rid Ozzy now.

 

[Hugh_Jass]

I think you're being unreasonable. I'll admit I'm a jaded CCSC fan, but I'd never expect our side to have the ability to interject any type of ritual to give our side a feeling of home field.

It's a big game. I hope our side wins. Really, though, I hope the timbers play well and it's a good match. Porter did great things at Akron and nagbe played for the Cleveland internationals, IIRC. I'll be cheering for them to have great games but our side to play lights out. Either way, it's pretty exciting. I

More than anything, it's exciting to see the growth in the past few years in C-bus. Precourt and berhalter have done some great things the past few years.

 

[Talgrath]

http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-s...e-sounders-decline-options-on-marco-pappa-mls

Looks like Seattle is starting their rebuild. Martins and Dempsey are the biggest names still safe. Wonder if they get rid Ozzy now.

Rumor is they're trying to trade him, but I'm not so sure they should. Admittedly, when he's injured he's of no help, but when he's on he's an absolute destroyer, easily in the top 3 CDMs in MLS; Evans can play CDM as can Friberg, but they're not as good defensively as Alonso is. Azira is gone, as is Pineda and Andy Rose is on trial in England, Alonso is the only "pure" CDM left on the roster right now. Unless the Sounders can get a true high quality CDM for him somehow, I think trading Alonso would b ea mistake.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

I don't disagree with you on Ozzie's ability. He is probably the best CDM in MLS. Or as you said certainly top 3.

I think Seattle needs to let him go though because of injuries but also because they need to reassess their DP slot. If their goal is no longer to win now, then he's the one to get out. Dempsey and Oba put butts in the seat. I think Seattle needs to look for their next Oba/Giovinco, etc. Someone young and skillful and who you can build your next generation around.

 

[Qhrumphf]

AFC Bournemouth just beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

I'm pretty sure the world is going to end tonight.

 

[Talgrath]

I missed this somehow. Dillon Powers, the very promising American midfielder, may be getting out of Colorado and heading to Reading. Powers has been on trial with Reading and they're very impressed, apparently. If both Powers and Zardes head to Reading they'd make quite the pair.

http://www.starsandstripesfc.com/2015/12/3/9846746/usmnt-transfer-rumors-news-reading-fc-dillon-powers

 

[ShizuokaBrad]

Just found this thread so excuse me for jumping right in without reading the previous posts! Everton supporter in Japan! COYB!!!

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Yay it's match day!

Gathering people already involved with or interested in USL Reno 2017 and the budding supporters group. We're meeting at a local soccer pub and officials from the team Front Office will be there. I wrote up a short survey asking about interest in participating in the supporters group as well as suggestions for group name.

I've been very much looking forward to this. Not just excited about watching the match but also enjoying it with other soccer fans and getting the word out about the new team. We're expecting pretty decent numbers.