I'm asking Santa for a waiver of the prohibition on bringing beverage containers into the stadium. I'm bringing at least a fifth of bourbon.
This certainly deserves it own thread, but in the meantime.. .. I'm deeply undecided at this point. On the positive side: - any scheme that does away with the away goal rule can't be all bad. - Middle of the road teams like DCU are advantaged. Over time quality will out. In the old system the better team had 180 minutes to sort things out, But in one 90 minute match the lower seeded team has a better chance. in a single elimination format a hot and healthy team is just three matches away from playing in the MLS Cup. On the negative side: - MLS is a game day supporter's league, and it's a rip off that supporters who attend 17 matches over 8 months may not see a home match if their club makes the playoffs. Despite the loss, this year's home playoff game was a great experience. - Expanding to 14 teams is an unfortunate confirmation that the MLS playoff system rewards mediocraty. For the last couple of seasons the 12 playoff teams have been pretty good. Going two deeper may result in struggling clubs getting in. - Since some teams play on grass and others on artifical turf, the new format will result in many matchups with one of the teams playing one and done on a surface with which they are not familiar. Watching the MLS Cup made it clear that soccer on turf is a somewhat different game. The ball moves much more quickly, and the team used to playing on it has a major advantage. It's easier for a turf team to adjust to the slower grass surface than a grass team to the faster game on turf.
The endgame here will be 16 playoff teams because it creates a clean bracket. I'm also disappointed by single game knockout. After such a long season, it's bizarre to just end it so quickly. I'd rather shorten the regular season to 30 games if congestion is the issue. Playoffs should be your top seller in attendance and TV. For a long time my dream was actually a first to 4 points format. Gets rid of the annoying away goal rule. No series would feel over after game 1 just because one team got blown out. And it gives a tangible reward to the higher seed by having them host the possible game 3.
What would you do if both teams tied all three games? Make them play a 4th? Extra time after the 3rd?
I would make it like tennis, play until the winner gets a 4 point advantage over the other. Think of the thrilling 25 game Eastern Conference semifinal we could have. On a serious note, the one and done really will suck for fans of lower seeds because they won't get a home playoff game. Given that MLS teams drive revenue from ticket sales more than TV rights, the lack of any post season home games for a team is a big revenue hit. Also deprives the fans of the team a chance at a special event. As someone posted earlier, despite the result in the Columbus game, the atmosphere in the stadium was electric. Even on the west side, fans were singing, chanting and standing during the game. Not at least offering a chance for that to fans of all playoff eligible teams is a mistake. This new move by MLS has a Tom Hunt type sports marketing smell to it.
I'm good with the playoff model. I do agree with fairfax's points about turf/grass. I just hate turf, but I guess that's what home field advantage gets you. I do wish they would re-seed after each round so the top team during the season is always playing the worst seed. It would theoretically reward regular season performance more. I worry that the 4 month season break for non playoff teams will stifle player development. That's a long break.
I think they have to do the 4 month break this year, but next year, they'll be able to move up the drafts, start the preseason the first week of January and start games mid-February. Hopefully they will do that...?
Nicky scored some fine goals. Love his attitude. https://www.dcunited.com/iframe-vid...d=default&brightcove_account_id=5534894065001
Since I don't control the outcome of the game, that's irrelevant to my concerns. Attending home playoff games is exciting and something that could draw in the occasional fan. I'm not sure watching a DC United march to MLS Cup on the cable access production on NewsChannel 8 would have the same lasting effect. I certainly remember the 2004 Eastern Conference final in ways I don't remember televised playoff games.
Most American sports leagues don't give enough of a reward for being the better team during the regular season. IMHO, if you've got a best of 5 playoff (like the Division Series in MLB), the worse team should only get one home game, and in a best of 7, they should only get two.
The Goff Machine reports GK Earl Edwards Jr likely to move to DC for second round draft pick. United working on signing Pines and Bustamonte to homegrown contracts.