You are right. The prize money in MLS is pathetic to what you see in EPL. https://www.sportekz.com/football/mls-cup-prize-money/ 80k for runner ups. 250k for champions. If their team wins supporter shield, its 55k. What was I thinking for women to earn more than the men.
Orlando has released their "Plume" kit: A nod to our birthplace. A nod to our fans. Introducing The White Plume kit. @orlandohealth | #VamosOrlando— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) June 9, 2020 I like the idea of incorporating swans (inspired by the swans of Lake Eola), but I'm kind of "meh" on them, tbh. Utah is supposed to release their kits this Friday.
Since the two leagues are related: MLS has announced its return tournament as well. As mentioned before, it will take place at the Wide World of Sport complex in Orlando (and why I thought NWSL wouldn't be going to Orlando). 26 teams in 6 groups (one group of 6) starting July 8 vying for a spot in the 16-team knockout tournament. While most games will be 8pm or later, a good chunk of games will be at 9am. Group stage games will count toward regular-season standing, and MLS plans to return to normal play after this tournament. (We'll see about that...)
No. I'm guessing Utah is it. Unless they decide to do a second similar thing later. The economics of NWSL and its income streams are completely different than that of MLS.
The initial announcements of the tournament quietly suggested this might be a way of testing if a shortened season afterwards were possible. I think they will make a decision after the group round is done; but this has taken so much effort and thinking that far ahead at this point is impossible so i doubt they are giving it much thought yet.
Exactly. Throw in the fact that the infection and hospitalization rates are hitting records in places - despite the summer heat, and the fact that there's still no vaccine, and I'm guessing once cooler temperatures start hitting in some parts in September it could get real ugly real fast once again. At least we are gaining information on the disease, and we're beginning to develop strategies that help in treatment, but it's still a novel virus and until we get a safe and effective vaccine we're all pretty much sitting ducks. People going on about "getting herd immunity" don't really understand what that would take.
Yeah... as I kinda suggested with that last statement in my previous post, I'd honestly be surprised if MLS actually follows through on continuing the season after their MWC-style tournament. Even with the different economics of being a bigger, more-established league, I'm kinda expecting the pandemic to pick up a fair bit by the time these summer one-off tournaments are done, so that could put a damper on just about any sports if it gets bad enough.
I definitely believe we'll see more MLS after the MLS is Back tournament. I also expect some teams will be forced to play "home" games away from home due to restrictions (possibly the three Canadian teams encamping somewhere in the U.S.). I am dubious that there'll be any games with more than a handful of fans - most likely the luxury suite set if anything. And likely very abbreviated. The MLS is Back tournament will get the 2020 season to five games. I'm guessing the league will announce a schedule trying to push that number to 15-20. I would not be shocked to see it become even more abbreviated in the end. Frankly, I've heard they're looking at pushing MLS Cup back into December again. If anything, I think it should be pulled forward. My concern is that we'll see Covid rates soar again once the cooler temperatures return in the fall. And when things start to shut back down, it could lock up tighter than it has been. Better to shorten things and get it all over with and wait for next year. Playing games outside in the cold with Covid-19 raging around isn't going to be sustainable. The NFL and NCAA Football are looking at the same problems. And throw in the fact that you're talking about trying to safely transport a bubble of people around, and the logistics become far more daunting than sending 500-2000 people to Salt Lake or Orlando for a month or two.
Received from the Portland Thorns today, sent to season ticket holders. Quoted only in part: "The NWSL has announced the Challenge Cup to take place in Utah, kicking off June 27 .... The 2020 NWSL regular season remains postponed, and we continue to consult with national, regional and local public health authorities to evaluate the viability of matches in 2020 at Providence Park after the tournament. While we still hope to play in front of our supporters in 2020, the National Women’s Soccer League has yet to make a final determination. We will keep you posted."
Herd immunity would require about 60-80% of the population getting the virus (counting both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases). I found a good article in LiveScience, which helps explain the rise in rates: Please also note that different states have different ways of recording the cases of infected, hospitalizations, etc. The percentage positive rate is what you want to keep an eye on. Here's another good excerpt from a USC article about that rise in rates: I highly doubt we go through another shutdown of everything. Worst case is we close down a certain region if we have a flare up, in order to keep our healthcare system from being overwhelmed. Finally, however unlikely, we are not guaranteed that we find a cure/vaccine anytime soon. Our best hope right now is through social distancing and therapeutics.
I agree with this, but for professional (and major college) sports, a regional shutdown or two is as good as a national shutdown. Folks in Colorado or South Carolina might be able to go out for a movie or a burger while those in Utah and North Carolina are sitting at home, but if North Carolina shuts down, you're talking about the NHL, the NBA, the NFL, NWSL, next year MLS, 4 ACC, schools and another dozen Division I programs spread amongst more than a handful of conferences. If the Carolina Hurricanes, Panthers, or Bobcats can't play, that screws up those schedules. And if there's an outbreak associated with one of those teams, any teams they had recently played will likely have to shut down. I agree that I don't think we'll go through another full shutdown, but spectator sports just might.
Yes, it could get weird alright, but hopefully not for everyone. I believe spectator sports will be one of the last facets of society to return to normal.
Utah has finally released their kit, and I really like this one (its up there with Chicago's and Portland's for me): It’s all in the details 🏔 pic.twitter.com/vOIadgXQFw— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) June 17, 2020
Damnit.. Every time I see an NWSL jersey it makes me hate Adidas more and more. That's a nice jersey. The mountains are a little busy, but it still works.
My only quibble is having another team use a shade of blue for their primary. I liked Utah in the yellow. But still, I really like this jersey. On the scale of "I hate it" to "I will buy that jersey," I'm currently looking up prices.
I think OL Reign just announced their jersey, too...maybe: We’re ready, are you? ⚽️ #BeBold pic.twitter.com/HcpKBQp26J— Seattle Reign FC (@reignfc) June 17, 2020