http://www.onceametro.com/2016/9/23...t=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter ------------- I thought more points determined who hosted matches in the playoffs, but appears may be going to bid process for the final. I get not being thrilled about having less than a thousand people at a final, but I do like the idea of hosting on merit. Your thoughts?
The A-League used to take shots over not only the bidding process, but the (usual) non-transparency surrounding that process. I think they may be prepping themselves for what to do should NYRBII win the East (which they have a good shot at doing). They have to be hoping for Cincinnati or Louisville to get there. And Rochester, who looms as the potential opponent (I believe) as the potential 4-5 winner, has been playing quite well lately.
http://www.onceametro.com/2016/9/25...y-explained-new-york-red-bulls-ii-espn-u-2016 A followup article that says the new "guidelines" are explained but not really explained. It would be nice to see those guidelines. A lot of high seeds went out in the quarterfinals but NYRBII is still in there. Teams left by points: NY Red Bulls II - 69 Louisville City - 60 Rochester Rhinos - 51 Swope Park Rangers - 48 Charleston Battery - 48 Vancouver Whitecaps 2 -45 OKC Energy - 43 Orange County Blues -40 Under the old rules, it looks pretty likely that an East team would host the final. We shall see what happens.
They need Rochester and Louisville to win this weekend. Louisville will certainly get a crowd for a final, and Rochester could at least potentially get some people there.
Remember, the NPSL did this just last year (coincidentally, to a New York team that had the better record), putting the final in Chattanooga, saying it was what was best for the league. Which, of course it was. And is. There is a lot of money invested in the perception game here. The final on ESPNU can't be in front of friends and family. Fans think "sporting merit" matters. But it doesn't matter as much as these other concerns. And if it were THEIR money invested, they would likely agree.
Completely agree. A Red Bulls 2 home victory in the final is nice ... but it may not be as nice as RBNY2 playing in a higher profile league in the coming years based off the league's ability to showcase a final at a location such as OKC or Louisville or other places. Worst case right now ... the league needs to worry about Swope Park (or Vancouver 2) vs NYRB 2. Not sure there's a "winner" there unless the team could promote the heck out of it (better chance at Children's Mercy Park than at RBA IMO). Wonder if they'd consider a "neutral" location in Cinci if it was NYRB2 vs Swope Park.
People in Concinnati have no incentive to go see that. They have made their case already. I would guess KC could at least get some folks there, given their success with the varsity team. You would not need to fill the park. It's also worth noting that Sporting KC is at home on Sunday, Oct 23 at 4 ET (as all MLS games that day are). They could get people to stick around for the 8 pm ET final. Vancouver is also home that day, but RBNY is at Philadelphia.
I have no issue with the affiliate clubs, but I agree from a league perspective having your champion win the title in front of less than a thousand people doesn't look great for a league that some are saying could be D2 in coming years.
http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/709773?referrer_id=2333971 Looks like New York will be hosting Swope Park in the final on Sunday.