Fumbled coaching hire spoils an otherwise great week for the Galaxy https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-galaxy-offseason-20181215-story.html A Year After Kaká: A Look Back https://www.themaneland.com/2018/12/15/18142175/a-year-after-kaka-a-look-back Report: Vancouver Whitecaps FC interested in Swedish defender Johan Larsson https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018...-fc-interested-swedish-defender-johan-larsson Concacaf Champions League champs Chivas crash out of 2018 Club World Cup https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018...e-champs-chivas-crash-out-2018-club-world-cup LAFC compile best moments of co-owner Will Ferrell and the team (so far) https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018...moments-co-owner-will-ferrell-and-team-so-far
The writer wants to paint the Galaxy as inept or dysfunctional. Which may be true. But I think he underestimates the unique draw that Columbus may hold for Caleb Porter. It seems entirely reasonable that Porter would want to go back to Ohio where he really made his name at the University of Akron. And the fact that he could be a part of the rebuild of the Club with a new stadium and training complex is no doubt exciting. He has cache in Ohio and will likely be given time to build a competitive team. If he used the Galaxy as a bargaining chip with the Crew good for him...
Or maybe it's just the fact that Porter has a family and would like some form of long term stability. Moving your wife and kids cross country for a one year deal? That's not very stable, nor good for their well being. Also he's done on record saying that he knows what he wants in his next coaching job. He wants a front office and ownership group that has a clear long term plan and vision for the organization and team. He turned down the Orlando job because of this. Don't be shocked if he ends up being Nashville's first MLS coach.
I think that, at least in part, that its due to the MLS 3.0 mindset that Haslam is bringing to the table. They're saying that the Gals made a strong financial offer they were confident he would take. They were shocked when Haslam bettered it. Columbus Ohio does not out bid Los Angeles. Then LA said fine, we'll match Haslams offer, confident that being LA would make the difference, and were stunned when Porter said "No thanks" I think partly it's that the guys leading the Galaxy are rookies and partly it's because Haslam is a close friend of Arthur Blank, who - they admit - talked him into coming on board. The new paradigm in MLS is becoming one of cash: owners who will pay what they have to to get what they want. I find it fascinating. Not because I'm a Crew fan but because I think its a sign of the emergi g new MLS. People are always clamoring for the owners to take charge, use their wallets and act like real owners act. Well, here you go. Welcome to the future. The league is evolving and billionaires get what they want.
Not really - its just pretty solid writing. The fact of the matter is the Galaxy have quickly turned things around, but their mismanagement in the post Arena world has put them in a hole. Failure to sign Porter due to contract length is an example (but I think it is good fortune as I'm not sure Porter is as good as Kinnear - and would have been committed to for longer and at more money). I had not been a fan of Baxter in the past, but he's moved past his post Graham Smith Eurolicking phase and has become a solid reporter.
This is a great development and I'm excited MLS is getting to this stage. This will, however, be a disaster for teams like the Rapids. But unlike some of the player salary exceptions I'm generally against this I'm in favor of, because the Rapids failure is all self-inflicted.
an update for ssaturday's discussion re: alphonso davies- bayern munich's 2 aging star wingers- Robben and Ribery- are both leaving the club at the end of the season which opens the door for fresh blood... and Bayern loves fast wing-type of players AKA davies https://bayernstrikes.com/2018/12/15/bayern-munich-winger-arjen-robben-psv-eindhoven/ https://bayernstrikes.com/2018/12/11/bayern-munich-sporting-director-hints-franck-ribery-exit/ earmarked for first team minutes in january - cant find the article but apparently it is in his contract and its why he started training with bayern in late november rather than going over january 1- potentially will be getting minutes as early as january 18 https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/...yern-munich-1st-team-by-niko-kovac-517582.jsp
As much as I would love to read what Bill writes into Porter to Columbus over LAG, its hard to ignore Caleb's ties to the Midwest. LA matched the Crew's offer. Give the "tongue bath" that he is getting the Crew "Fire Caleb Porter" thread, there is definite love there. I don't see the Caleb thing as a turning point in MLS's history of the order of the Beckham signing. Rather, its a guy who enjoyed being wooed with a court side Lakers ticket deciding to take another job. Happens all the time.
In his contract that he has to play or be in the squad ? Earmarked for the first team squad rather than Bayern II makes sense.
This sounds right, though it makes me wonder why the Crew wouldn't go for Schelotto rather than an "Ohio guy" ...if they're following the lead of Atlanta United. Some of these markets really dig international flair. See Tata and Barco fever. Salt Lake liked being called Real apparently, Kansas City is Sporting, Madison wants to have a Football Club. No need to rebrand or completely ditch the hard hats, but I'd heard since year one that adidas, in coming up with a rust belt/ Joe Lunchpail brand identity for the Crew, had shown their ignorance of the cultural and economic dynamics of Columbus. If I were Columbus, I'd be all about "bringing home" GBS rather than Caleb Porter. They've already nailed the Nordecke / Bayern flag with Dortmund colors/ Bundesliga 2 rivalry with FC Cinci. They already have the brew pub and Barbasol plebe/ tat shop appeal. Now you really bring the World's Game home - like it maybe feels when Dos a Cero comes 'round.