My question: Is transcendentalism antiquated, or does it in fact have a place in the modern era? Thanks
Ask them, "What is the one thing you wish Jason Kreis would quit talking about." I have no idea if there is something Kreis beats to death, but it might prompt fun responses.
I think out enthusiasm for someone we expected nothing from - and who has played fairly well - obscures how much less he is able to do at this stage than Will Johnson. I don't think there's a chance Sebastian stays in when Will is back.
I agree that Tian will probably not stay in when Johnson is back, BUT, I think that it would be awesome to see him, johnson, and grabs rotate possibly between the 3 to keep them all fresh and fighting for the spot. Honestly, johnson gives the ball away way more and doesn't have near the creativity and ball skills as sebas.
I highly doubt we see any changes from the lineup we've seen the last two games. We've played well and have been able to get minutes to guys on the road to recovery. It does make it an interesting question, though, as to what Kreis should do once all these guys are healthy. Has Sebastian really been bad enough in the middle to lose his spot to Johnson? Has Gil not done enough to start over Javi for awhile? Is Paulo and Espy proving to be a better combo than Sabo and Espy? Why in the hell would you bench Schuler? The guy made best XI last week and honestly has been nothing but solid for us in his two starts... Problems Kreis will like to have, but problems nonetheless.
Frankly, these are all good problems that need addressing... all of which speak to our depth. Which, IMO, obviates the fact that we need to make a run at all cup competitions this year (including the SS!). We could be experiencing the other side of the pitch with CD Chivas... they seem to be a sinking ship!
the supporters shield is Kansas City's to lose go look at their schedule, it is built for them to win it.
I completely agree with this...I was just talking to my co-worker about it actually. With the east teams playing the crappy east teams more often and us playing teams like LA, Seattle, Dallas, etc...they have a huge advantage! That being said...if we somehow pull it out, it would be that much more awesome!
it would be incredible, it would also mean KC laid a complete and utter brick. look at this schedule: West Opponents Host: FCD, LA, RSL, SJ Travel: PDX, VAN, SSFC, CUSA, cRap East Opponents Host 2x's: HOU, CHI, TFC, NER Travel 2x's: MON, CLB, NY, Home/Away 1x: DCU, PHI, Whats even more important, though, is that they will have played all of their games against Western Conference teams by June 20 (@ SEA). After that, it's all against Eastern Conference teams. Unless the East turns things around, KC is going to run away with this thing by late July
I hope it happens. I hope KC wins the Supporters Shield in a runaway...and then gets boat raced by the first Western Conference team they face in the playoffs. Maybe that would show The Don how silly this unbalanced schedule thing is.
There is no mixing of conferences this year. The first WC team they would face would be in the MLS Cup at Livestrong Park. And I think that would be a tough game for anyone.
this is my least favorite part of the unbalanced schedule. Not only does KC get an easier route to the SS, but then they get home field advantage because they played better in the unfair setup. I'm fine with an unbalanced schedule so long as the Cup is at a neutral (or two-leg) location. This is all a moot point, though, as I guarantee that KC gets knocked out of the playoffs before the Cup because of their youth. A team like Houston, like we saw last year, that has veterans on the squad will always be favored even on the road in my book during the playoffs. Also, crazy shit happens in the playoffs. Like NY beating Dallas last year. Just weird
Wow I hadn't looked at it that close, but they get all the best teams at home as well? That is crazy. I was just thinking about the numbers...
ya, the league really ********ed this one big time. an east team is perfectly capable of running rampant through the garbage east and winning the SS which is essentially meaningless....except that the team that wins it gets home field advantage for the playoffs and MLS Cup if they make it. how they could allow this when there is such a disparity between conference is mind boggling. i've come to expect it from garber and his chronies though.
This is exactly why they did this, to do what they could to bring a more balance appearance to the east and west.
(Proving I'm from Utah, raised a Jazz fan, and can formulate an incredibly awesome conspiracy theory) Don: "LA got their MLS Cup. Now I need to find a way to get NY one. How can we do this?" Assistants: "Well we can go unbalanced. Some people won't like it, but most will at least sympathize when we throw out the travel distance numbers." Don: "I like it, but how does that get NY the MLS Cup?" Assistants: "See, this is where we pull a quick one. While everyone focuses on the unbalanced schedule, we reformat the playoffs so that the West has to play itself and the East has to play itself. This was, all New York has to do is win the East. They won't have to play a West team until the final." Don: "Good, that can get them there. But how do we make sure they win it?" Assistants: "Easy, we have the team with the better record host the final. After the West kills itself during the season, teams like New York will have a bloated number of wins because they get to play worse teams more often." Don: "DO IT NOW!"
From 2005 to 2011 only one Eastern Conference team won the MLS Cup (Columbus). In fact since 2000, only TWO Eastern teams have won the Cup. Not hard to see why the changed things up.
You forgot the part where they don't mix east and west teams in the playoffs, thereby ensuring that the eastern champion doesn't have to play a good team until the finals. They will arrive at MLS Cup refreshed and ready (and likely with home-field advantage). Meanwhile, the western champion will have run themselves ragged plowing through a murderer's row playoff schedule. They will arrive at MLS Cup spent, injured, and road-weary.
Can we just get a single table already? They can even keep the unbalanced schedule if they want. Doesn't the NFL have the stronger teams playing a stronger schedule when they play their non-division, non-conference opponents? Why can't we do something similar? I don't get it.