PBP: MLS 2019 Season Week 4 Game Thread (R)

Praise baby Jesus, We are spared from Portland and their atrocities to the game of football.

 

Ah, but RSL comes off a 5-0 loss to face one of the best teams in the league, down 5-6 starters.

 

Only 5 games? What is this, 2003?

 

Week 4 last year, also during the FIFA break, had six games. So actually fewer this year.

 

The Ismitjes thank RBNY for playing through the break, so we can attend this weekend's game at Red Bull Arena.

 

An International Break the Loons aren't playing in! Excellent!

('Cause we're down 5 starters...)

 

It is with regret that I must report that the Seattle Seawolves have a bye this weekend and won't be playing. They are currently in second place, 1 point behind league leading NOLA Gold, but NOLA has a game in hand and will be at home against bottom dwellers Austin Elite, so chances are the Seawolves will be at least 4 points and probably 5 behind NOLA come Monday. The good news is that there is a pretty good chance the Seawolves will retain 2nd place as third place RUNY are playing 4th place Glendale Raptors. A win puts RUNY up a point, a win with 4 tries puts them up by 2 points. Fingers crossed, everyone!

We're almost half way through what is shaping up to be an interesting season up at the top of the standings. There is only 4 points separating first from 5th and only the top 4 teams make the playoffs. The bottom three teams are all but eliminated as they only have 2, 6, and 7 points respectively and would require a miracle in the final 9 games to make up the difference to get a playoff spot.

 

4 (or 5 points with the bonus) for a win in rugby union so the Seawolves are likely to be 5 or 6 points behind NOLA after this weekend.

Whoever wins the RUNY/Glendale match be at least 2 points ahead of Seattle and possibly 3 points up.

I have to keep reminding myself that it is 4 points for a regular wins not 3 as in soccer.

I went to the Sabercats v. NOLA game last Saturday. Houston is not very good but that was demoralizing. We play Utah, who isn't much better, on Thursday but I don't know if I will make the trek out to the suburbs in commuter traffic to see that or not..

 

One of these days I'll remember it is 4 points for a win, but I'm hoping for a draw (with less than 3 tries each)!

 

Rugby always reminds me how wimpy American sports teams are for complaining about travel. Super Rugby involves weekly league travel between New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Japan and South Africa.

 

Justin Meram scores the lone goal in Iraq’s victory over Syria.

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Awesome that they're able to play in Iraq again.

 

Bad news for Philadelphia: Marco Fabián is getting at least one extra game suspension for his red card against SKC.

 

Not sure this is bad news, to be honest. Means I very likely get to see Aaronson again.

 

USA - Ecuador, anyone?

Fun so far. We look organized and hungry on the attack.

 

The ESPN+ feed is jumpy. It's giving me a headache.

 

Esta Noche is going to become the new I believe.

 

I believe esta noche tenemos que ganar ...

 

@appoo How about that play right there.. shoulda been a goal. Bah!

 

I assume nothing has happened in the game prior to my arrival and the almost goal?

You’re welcome.

 

I thought that was a great miss by Zardes to set up the assist that was called offside.

 

Woah, woah, woah. That was an expertly played dummy, not a miss.

 

High paced match so far. Good thing the average age for the USMNT is approximately 2. Daamn.

 

Why keep showing that ********ing replay?