How do you measure which one was more meaningful than another? I would think a Tourney where the team won $1,000,000 prize, a Trophy, beat the best Mexican Teams and won a final against our MLS arch rival was of significance.
Easy! USOC- berth in CCL and win oldest trophy in the US CCL-berth in World Club Cup MLS Cup- CHAMPION of MLS-CCL berth Supporters Shield- best team over the Season, home field advantage- CCL Berth. Also it has been shown and stated the Revs did not win $1,000,000 prize.
Yes, the 'Revs' did win the $1 million prize. The players, unfortunately, did not get their fair share of that prize.
And just last night at the tailgate I was mentioning how the Superliga is going to be glorified on these boards. The Revs played like an average team last night. Long stretches of mediocre play with moments of brilliance. The point is a major point towards RSL's playoff chances, and two points that solidify Columbus's Shield chances and (highlight to reveal) two points that could have put distance between us and Chicago. Onward to Kansas City...
So are we not allowed to be happy about winning the Superliga? No one is trying to say that winning the Superliga no longer makes it necessary to win MLS Cup, but it also shouldn't be forgotten or looked at any less. It was a major victory, if not for the trophy, at least for the teams the Revs had to beat to earn it.
I'm happy we won it, but I am also able to look past the "$1 million prize" and see a bunch of mid-season friendlies against invited Mexican teams and, more importantly, our form since that trophy win.
I think winning international matches are more important for the most part. I think it gives a little more worldwide respect.
Why would they want to win something with a CCL berth? That would just mean more games next year, which would tire them out.
I thought that Larentowicz was nearly invisible much of the match and that Shalrie had a pretty poor passing night on Saturday. Hence, we did not control the midfield nearly as well as should expect to. I think Castro certainly helped change the dynamic of the midfield, even though he played on the right versus the middle. Before him we had two guys who would run to the endline and try to put in a cross - he changed that up a bit. Not saying he was direct reason for us scoring the goals, but the game seemed different after he came in. Good to see us come back - but it only got us back to even for the game. I guess I'm not unhappy - but not happy either. The whole - wait until we get practice time and some rest - just hasn't seemed to work. It appears we got into some bad habits and we're having a tough time breaking out of them.
Actually, if I'm a pragmatic coach I would be telling myself that until the substantially increase the Cap and Roster size I want no part of the CCL and SL, esp the CCL. MLS teams currently have enough trouble with all the travel of the regular season and the Open Cup. SL and CCL add a burden that the current roster limitations are not able to handle. "Enough is a feast---too much is too much."
Of all the bitter pills of this year, this may be the bitterest. We thought that by succeeding in MLS, we'd be ready to climb onto the world stage. In fact, we aren't. We'll be ready when Heaps, Albright, Larentowicz, Dube, Cristman, Nyassi, Castro and Smith are available off the bench, and Thompson, Mansally, Tierney, etc. are strictly reserve squad. Which is to say, we are a ways off.
We won three international matches against teams that all had to play every match on the road, and partially during their preseason. Remind me again how'd we do against Joe Public, which also is an international team? Yes, he runs a lot. I'll give him that. So in all honesty Doc, what would you suggest? The best thing for the team is to blow off anything like the USOC or the Shield, that give you a chance to make the CCL? Or just make sure we finish low enough in the standings, or don't win the MLS Cup, so we don't have to play in the CCL or SL? The problem is that it can be done. Or you can just continue to ignore what Houston's doing, since that doesn't help your argument that it can't be done. Sadly, true.
CCL is a huge waste of time. I do see benefit in US Open Cup and SuperLiga. Revs looked awful this weekend, but I am glad they hustled 2 goals in and almost took the game. It shows there is still heart out there. It's been tough watching the struggle as the season is quickly coming to a close. But in true Revs fashion, we'll hold our own.
Actually true Revs fashion has generally been a hot Revs team going into the playoffs. I don't think even the most optimistic people here could argue that one at this point.
Great post! Totally agree with your first point about the midfield holding/distribution, among other things, Shalrie's uncharacteristically bad pass led directly to the second RSL goal. I wear #21 to every home game, and will be the first to point out his good traits, but Saturday, they weren't really on display. Also agree on Castro. I let out a bit of a groan when he went in on the right (he's seemed a pure left-footer to me), but he did well and provided a change of pace as you noted. I don't think Reis made that much of a mistake on the first goal. It was unfortunate that the ball went directly to an opponent and it took a well-placed shot to beat Parkhurst. I thought Khano's card was a bit harsh at the game, but after watching my DVR, I can see why it was given. He may have been fouled, but sort of launched himself after about three more steps. The handball and the push on TNT in the box, however, both could easily have been called. After our second goal, I kept telling the people around us that we need a win, not a tie (the squad kept pressing, they seemed aware of this). If, as they say in hockey, a tie is like kissing your sister, well this was more like kissing your 94-year old aunt.
This sure didn't "feel like a win" to me even though they came back from 2 down. Still maintaining their record of never coming back from being down to win a game this season. The Revs are barely clinging on to 2nd place in the east right now and wouldn't have that if KC hadn't pulled out a tie over Chicago. They really need to play for 90 minutes a game and not just the last 10.
Quick comment on the Jeff/Shalrie angle: I thought Beckerman was a beast in the first half - the best I've ever seen him play. Teams have figured out that if you play the revs with high energy pressure in the center of midfield, you can neutralize Shalrie and effectively take Jeff out of the match. As I watched Saturday's match, I remember thinking, "I hope they get tired". They eventually did tire, and we were able to climb back in the match.
From my seat, it *looked* like Andy Williams spit in Jay's face, and at the very least Williams did say "Eff You" that was very audible. My hearing though was off since the 16 years old in my section were shrieking their love for Twellman and Khano (Really?!) the whole game.
As I mentioned before, I wonder if the addition of Badilla as a DM playing behind Shalrie would help. He is more skilled and faster than JL. I think its worth a shot to try and see if it works
Thanks, I was wondering what was really going on. My view from the Fort and blurry internet replies weren't good enough. EDIT: I'm pretty sure Jay Heaps is now 1 more yellow card away from a suspension.
I was thinking the same thing (not too seriously though)! Hopefully he gets it for delay of game and not for a violent challenge or anything that would provoke an opponent to do something that could hurt a Revs player. However, knowing Heap's style he'd probably do anything he could to instigate .