MLS - 2018 Season

DanDavis

Couldn't see a specific thread for Major League Soccer so thought I'd write a few notes ahead of the new season which starts in about 3 weeks.

Being based here in Atlanta I've seen at very close hand how quickly Football can be a success stateside...Atlanta United ended their inaugural season in 2017 with an average crowd of 48,200 and twice broke the MLS attendance record with gates of 70,425 and then 71,874 on the last day of the regular season. Similar to the redevelopment of White Hart Lane the Mercedes-Benz stadium was built for both 'soccer' and NFL and has been a rousing success.

And rather than sit back on their laurels Atlanta have upped the anti this post season by breaking the MLS transfer record paying out $15 million to Independiente for an 18 year old midfielder. The days of bringing over superstars at the very tail-end of the careers is showing signs of being a thing of the past as more and more teams look to bring in promising youngsters from South America in particular.

From a personal perspective I was pleasantly surprised at the standard of competition, obviously comparison is difficult but in technical terms i'd put the better teams on a level par with the top half of the Championship back home

Its going to be a fascinating season,Los Angeles FC join the existing 22 teams in a league that is arguably getting stronger and stronger each year. Toronto will be looking to follow up winning it all last year and have already signed Dutch international van der Weil to bolster their ranks, Seattle and Portland as always will be there or thereabouts and LA Galaxy will be looking for a much better 2018 after last years disaster.

Interested to hear who you follow or what are your thoughts of MLS in general.

Cheers
Dan

SDAddick

Atlanta also got Darlington Nagbe, a very gifted player who is desperately inconsistent and goes missing unfortunately. Maybe Martino can get more out of him. He always seemed far too comfortable at Portland with his former college coach Caleb Porter.

Nug

DanDavis said:

Couldn't see a specific thread for Major League Soccer so thought I'd write a few notes ahead of the new season which starts in about 3 weeks.

Being based here in Atlanta I've seen at very close hand how quickly Football can be a success stateside...Atlanta United ended their inaugural season in 2017 with an average crowd of 48,200 and twice broke the MLS attendance record with gates of 70,425 and then 71,874 on the last day of the regular season. Similar to the redevelopment of White Hart Lane the Mercedes-Benz stadium was built for both 'soccer' and NFL and has been a rousing success.

And rather than sit back on their laurels Atlanta have upped the anti this post season by breaking the MLS transfer record paying out $15 million to Independiente for an 18 year old midfielder. The days of bringing over superstars at the very tail-end of the careers is showing signs of being a thing of the past as more and more teams look to bring in promising youngsters from South America in particular.

From a personal perspective I was pleasantly surprised at the standard of competition, obviously comparison is difficult but in technical terms i'd put the better teams on a level par with the top half of the Championship back home

Its going to be a fascinating season,Los Angeles FC join the existing 22 teams in a league that is arguably getting stronger and stronger each year. Toronto will be looking to follow up winning it all last year and have already signed Dutch international van der Weil to bolster their ranks, Seattle and Portland as always will be there or thereabouts and LA Galaxy will be looking for a much better 2018 after last years disaster.

Interested to hear who you follow or what are your thoughts of MLS in general.

Cheers
Dan

I saw a Seattle Sounders game last summer and they had a huge crowd around 40,000 I think. The top tier at the Seahawks stadium wasn't open. I did a tour of the stadium the following day and the guide said that MLS wouldn't let them sell out the whole stadium, around 70,000 I think, which he said they probably could. The MLS think it's an unfair advantage for the Sounders. He said the only time they could sell it out was when Beckham was in town. I'm assuming it's the same for the Atlanta team. Seems an odd rule if true.

Not sure I agree about the standard, the Sounders are one of the better teams but I thought it was lower Championship/League One standard at best, Clint Dempsey who's about 50 now was the stand out player by a country mile!

I've always followed it with interest after going to the first ever game in NY in1996 between the NY MetroStars and the New England Revolution at Giants Stadium. After moving to Chicago started watching the Fire when they formed, Hristo Stoichkov played for them, he was a couple of stone overweight but blimey he had some skills. Saw BWP score a hat-trick a couple of years ago for the Red Bulls.

DanDavis

Thats interesting about the Seattle restricted capacity. Atlanta themselves made the decision to only open the entire stadium a few times each season (for the upcoming year they have announced 4 fixtures throughout the summer) but I believe that is more a supply and demand exercise and to have a 'full' 43 thousand for most games rather than a feeling half empty upper tier. Interestingly almost all of those 43 thousand are season ticket holders so if you want to go to the odd game you need to by on the resale market.

Chris_from_Sidcup

I get why the MLS gave expansion contracts to the likes of Orlando, Atlanta and Minnesota but why give another one to LA? Especially when Chivas who dispanded a few years back were hardly well supported.

Who will support the new LA side and go to watch them? Surely if you're a football fan living in LA then you're already a galaxy fan?

Oakster

Chris_from_Sidcup said:

I get why the MLS gave expansion contracts to the likes of Orlando, Atlanta and Minnesota but why give another one to LA? Especially when Chivas who dispanded a few years back were hardly well supported.

Who will support the new LA side and go to watch them? Surely if you're a football fan living in LA then you're already a galaxy fan?

Heading to LA next month and will see the classic LA vs LA derby....

king addick

Been to Orlando a few times so there my adopted MLS team. Hope they do well this year as wouldnt mind catching a game in October when were out there.

ForeverAddickted

Chris_from_Sidcup said:

I get why the MLS gave expansion contracts to the likes of Orlando, Atlanta and Minnesota but why give another one to LA? Especially when Chivas who dispanded a few years back were hardly well supported.

Who will support the new LA side and go to watch them? Surely if you're a football fan living in LA then you're already a galaxy fan?

Guess they want similar Derbies to the ones you get over here... (i.e. Manchester and North London)

You've already got the New York "rivalry" and guess that the new David Beckham Miami team will create another between them and Orlando in the sense of trying to create Liverpool v Man Utd etc.

Chris_from_Sidcup

I just find it bizarre but mainly on a supporter level.

Where will LA get their support from?

Galaxy fans changing team? Odd.
Casual fan with no real allegiance? Also odd that you'd suddenly start going to football now.

Where else?

Daddy_Pig

Lots of americans don't have that mentality.

Take a team in LA, fund them until they win, watch everyone become a fan.

For everyone who loves the franchise in their city there is a whole world of people that only support winners.

I was in Orlando when they made the NBA finals in 2009. The whole of central Florida was Magic crazy. The buildings were blue, the buses were covered in stars. It was like world cup fever on steroids. Except the number of people wearing Laker jerseys was unreal. Unless the city of Los Angeles had gone to Orlando on mass, everyone was a lakers fan at a time when the Lakers won a lot of championships. My brother in law got back from there in September and he said he didnt see any lakers jerseys but saw lots of Warriors jerseys. Which doesnt surprise me cos the lakers are now pants and the warriors are now top.

Macronate

Looks as though Cincinnati will be the next expansion team.

Was hoping it'd be Sacramento Republic but I gather they've hit some financial problems with their bid.

Went to see a Republic game a few years back and the crowd, although only about 10,000, were amazing.

sam3110

Macronate said:

Looks as though Cincinnati will be the next expansion team.

Was hoping it'd be Sacramento Republic but I gather they've hit some financial problems with their bid.

Went to see a Republic game a few years back and the crowd, although only about 10,000, were amazing.

Nashville have already been awarded a spot, and Miami too, so soon there will be 26 teams

killerandflash

Looking at the list of managers, I thought for a moment that our boss had moved to Canada to manage the Vancouver Whitecaps!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Robinson

ForeverAddickted

Wonder when they'll stop as Promotion / Relegation will never be introduced will it?

killerandflash

ForeverAddickted said:

Chris_from_Sidcup said:

I get why the MLS gave expansion contracts to the likes of Orlando, Atlanta and Minnesota but why give another one to LA? Especially when Chivas who dispanded a few years back were hardly well supported.

Who will support the new LA side and go to watch them? Surely if you're a football fan living in LA then you're already a galaxy fan?

Guess they want similar Derbies to the ones you get over here... (i.e. Manchester and North London)

You've already got the New York "rivalry" and guess that the new David Beckham Miami team will create another between them and Orlando in the sense of trying to create Liverpool v Man Utd etc.

Historically have local derbies ever been a major part of US sport?

Baseball for example has the AL/NL split rather than a geographical split, so that the New York Yankees and Mets, for example, play in different leagues.

Missed It

killerandflash said:

Looking at the list of managers, I thought for a moment that our boss had moved to Canada to manage the Vancouver Whitecaps!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Robinson

He seems to have the same problems too. Decent players that try hard, but he can't make it work as a team.

ForeverAddickted

killerandflash said:

ForeverAddickted said:

Chris_from_Sidcup said:

I get why the MLS gave expansion contracts to the likes of Orlando, Atlanta and Minnesota but why give another one to LA? Especially when Chivas who dispanded a few years back were hardly well supported.

Who will support the new LA side and go to watch them? Surely if you're a football fan living in LA then you're already a galaxy fan?

Guess they want similar Derbies to the ones you get over here... (i.e. Manchester and North London)

You've already got the New York "rivalry" and guess that the new David Beckham Miami team will create another between them and Orlando in the sense of trying to create Liverpool v Man Utd etc.

Historically have local derbies ever been a major part of US sport?

Baseball for example has the AL/NL split rather than a geographical split, so that the New York Yankees and Mets, for example, play in different leagues.

True but do you really get Derbies outside of Football even here in England?

I'm not a big fan but with Cricket is there quite a rivalry between Essex and Kent for example? - Or Rugby when any of the London sides face each other?

Chris_from_Sidcup

killerandflash said:

ForeverAddickted said:

Chris_from_Sidcup said:

I get why the MLS gave expansion contracts to the likes of Orlando, Atlanta and Minnesota but why give another one to LA? Especially when Chivas who dispanded a few years back were hardly well supported.

Who will support the new LA side and go to watch them? Surely if you're a football fan living in LA then you're already a galaxy fan?

Guess they want similar Derbies to the ones you get over here... (i.e. Manchester and North London)

You've already got the New York "rivalry" and guess that the new David Beckham Miami team will create another between them and Orlando in the sense of trying to create Liverpool v Man Utd etc.

Historically have local derbies ever been a major part of US sport?

Baseball for example has the AL/NL split rather than a geographical split, so that the New York Yankees and Mets, for example, play in different leagues.

LA has the Lakers and Clippers in basketball and New york has the Knicks and Nets

Macronate

sam3110 said:

Macronate said:

Looks as though Cincinnati will be the next expansion team.

Was hoping it'd be Sacramento Republic but I gather they've hit some financial problems with their bid.

Went to see a Republic game a few years back and the crowd, although only about 10,000, were amazing.

Nashville have already been awarded a spot, and Miami too, so soon there will be 26 teams

Yes, sorry meant after those 2.

killerandflash

ForeverAddickted said:

killerandflash said:

ForeverAddickted said:

Chris_from_Sidcup said:

I get why the MLS gave expansion contracts to the likes of Orlando, Atlanta and Minnesota but why give another one to LA? Especially when Chivas who dispanded a few years back were hardly well supported.

Who will support the new LA side and go to watch them? Surely if you're a football fan living in LA then you're already a galaxy fan?

Guess they want similar Derbies to the ones you get over here... (i.e. Manchester and North London)

You've already got the New York "rivalry" and guess that the new David Beckham Miami team will create another between them and Orlando in the sense of trying to create Liverpool v Man Utd etc.

Historically have local derbies ever been a major part of US sport?

Baseball for example has the AL/NL split rather than a geographical split, so that the New York Yankees and Mets, for example, play in different leagues.

True but do you really get Derbies outside of Football even here in England?

I'm not a big fan but with Cricket is there quite a rivalry between Essex and Kent for example? - Or Rugby when any of the London sides face each other?

There's certainly rivalry between the London rugby clubs, while in League the Hull vs Hull KR is probably the biggest

Man_About_Town

Love watching MLS. Good standard and much, much less ‘theatrics’ than NW Europe. Love watching Toronto - they would do well in the Championship

Oakster

Portland are my team, hoping the new manager works out - it’s a fun league that until the recent Toronto/Seattle dominance was unpredictable and threw up suprise title contenders every season.

The standard of football in the Premier League may be miles better but by Christ is it boring - which of the mega funded big 5 will buy their way to the title this year zzzzzzz

The Carl Robinson at Vancouve was a very good player, huge playing experience in the English game (50+ caps with Wales as well) & I remember seeing him at The Valley with Wolves & I am sure others. Decent manager who may well end up managing in our league system at some stage.

ForeverAddickted

Am surprised that New York City havent done better out there to be honest.

Or do the League rules stop them from spending the sort of money that Man City have done

Chris_from_Sidcup

ForeverAddickted said:

Am surprised that New York City havent done better out there to be honest.

Or do the League rules stop them from spending the sort of money that Man City have done

Don't think they really spend much at all. And this year they have lost Pirlo to retirement and Harrison who went to Middlesbrough via Man city.
Think they signed a couple of internationals from Swedish champs Malmo though.

Oakster

ForeverAddickted said:

Am surprised that New York City havent done better out there to be honest.

Or do the League rules stop them from spending the sort of money that Man City have done

I think the play-off system to decide the MLS Champions makes the definition of success very narrow. They have made the play offs in 2 of their 3 seasons - not bad for a new team.

DanDavis

Orlando v Atlanta became an instant derby game last season (I mean its only a 6 hour drive?!)

Atlanta stirred it up by buying billboard space across from the Orlando stadium:
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta-united-fans-apparently-reference-pulse-attack-ahead-of-game-in-orlando/565289376

After the return fixture in Atlanta 2 of the Orlando supporters groups were banned from future matches after smashing up seats in the stadium, 'bless their hearts' as we say in these parts.

paulie8290

Interesting start:

First MLS game was Toronto v Columbus Crew, Toronto odds on Columbus 11/2 but it was Columbus who won 2-0

Next was Houston Dynamo slaughtering Atlanta 4-0 including a rare goal for Senderos only the 7th of his career (2 for Fulham 4 for Arsenal)

Philadelphia then beat 9 men New England 2-0

Followed by 2 1-1 draws
Orlando v DC United
Dallas v Real Salt Lake

San Jose Earthquakes v Minnesota is currently 0-0


At 10pm tonight Los Angeles play there first ever MLS match at Seattle(LA managed by Bob Bradley and have ex Standard defender Ciman and ex Arsenal and Sociedad player Vela on there books)

paulie8290

Well its all going off in Atlanta

11th minute Bedoya booked
19th minute ref awards a penalty
19th minute Bedoya 2nd yellow and sent off for dissent
19th minute Medunjanin booked for dissent
19th minute Medunjanin 2nd yellow and sent off for dissent
21st minute Atlanta score the penalty

Atlanta 1-0 Philadelphia Union but with 9 men I expect Atlanta to get a couple more in 2nd half

paulie8290

This is the reason

https://twitter.com/ARLSports/status/1003064245804765186?s=19

Chris_from_Sidcup

Austin FC has been announced as Major League Soccer's 27th club and will join the league in 2021.

It is the first major professional sports team in the Texas city - the 11th biggest by population in the US.

The team will play at their $225m (£175m) 20,000-seater stadium with work set to begin later this year.

"Austin is a thriving metropolitan city - the personification of what we mean when we say MLS is a league for a new America," said commissioner Don Garber.

Austin mayor Steve Adler added: "This is a historic day for Austin, as MLS becomes the first major league to plant roots in our beautiful city."


FC Cincinnati will start in the league later this year, while Nashville and David Beckham's Inter Miami are set to make their MLS debut in 2020.

Rossman92

killerandflash said:

ForeverAddickted said:

Chris_from_Sidcup said:

I get why the MLS gave expansion contracts to the likes of Orlando, Atlanta and Minnesota but why give another one to LA? Especially when Chivas who dispanded a few years back were hardly well supported.

Who will support the new LA side and go to watch them? Surely if you're a football fan living in LA then you're already a galaxy fan?

Guess they want similar Derbies to the ones you get over here... (i.e. Manchester and North London)

You've already got the New York "rivalry" and guess that the new David Beckham Miami team will create another between them and Orlando in the sense of trying to create Liverpool v Man Utd etc.

Historically have local derbies ever been a major part of US sport?

Baseball for example has the AL/NL split rather than a geographical split, so that the New York Yankees and Mets, for example, play in different leagues.

Definitely a few derbies here in the states! Here's a couple notable ones. Most prevalent in the NFL

MLB
Red Sox-Yankees
Cubs-Cardinals

NFL
Packers-Bears
Cowboys-Redskins
Colts-Patriots
Vikings-Packers
Cowboys-Giants

MLS
Portland-Seattle
Red Bulls-NYCFC (A joke of one)
The LA derby will for sure become a thing
New England vs Philadelphia