We'll have to agree to disagree on the Blanco point, but on the officiating, that's just the way the game is called in MLS. Last night's officiating was pretty normal for a 2009 regular season game, but compared to the rest of the playoffs, it was tightly called. I guess that's why I wasn't angry at the way Prus called the game. I don't think it would have been fair to expect him to drastically change the way he officiates for last night's game. I should point out that I'm not happy with the overall level of MLS officiating, but we can do a lot worse than Alex Prus. There was still plenty of attractive soccer to be seen at Toyota Park last night.
I thought the referree did a fine job last night. This was the Fire team I've been dying to see all season. Playing with passion, playing with intensity. A full crowd cheering and chanting. It was awesome.
From Bill Simmons (with edits): "I thought of a new gambling theory after last week's Denver-Oakland game when the Broncos sat on a 13-3 lead for the entire second half: The Milton Berle Theory. In case you didn't know, Berle was famous in Hollywood circles for being more endowed than anyone else. Basically, he was the Dirk Diggler of Hollywood. Anyway, the famous story about Berle was that somebody challenged him to a "who's bigger?" contest once, and Berle soundly defeated the guy, then bragged to someone else in the room, "I only pulled out enough to win." Well, why does this happen? Because they only pulled out enough to win. They do it because they don't want to waste surprise formations, no-huddle offenses, gimmick plays or anything else that they need to save for a good team. Maybe, and I mean maaaaaaybe, this was what Hamlet was doing all season. Remember at the beginning of last year when we were destroying everybody in our path? Other teams eventually caught on, figured out how to defend us, and we couldn't figure out how to crack Columbus. But maybe Denis just wasn't pulling out much because he knew that during the regular season we'd probably skate by on our talent alone, and he was saving the dynamic, focused attacking soccer for this game, and presumably against RSL. I agree, you gotta have faith. Awesome crowd, awesome playing. Buschy calling out Lalas was great. The refs weren't horrible. And on the FSC broadcast, right about at the end of the game, the cameraman was pointed at the crowd and was focusing on this dad and his kid who were all happy about the Fire winning. But right behind them was what appeared to be a girl who was topless, but covered by just her scarf. As soon as she drunkenly realized that she was on TV, she looked super embarrassed and tried to turn away from the camera. It was the icing on the cake.
Hoo boy, I wish that was true! I mean, stranger things have happened, I guess. I still doubt, however, that we deliberately tanked both the Superliga and the USOC and then threw away the SS just to sandbag for the MLS Cup. Instead, I think this season really was the best we could do with this roster and this coaching staff. I also think... OK, I hope... that Denis has learned some things over the course of the season as he was forced out of his original schemes due to injuries, call-ups red cards, and experimentation. Based on the series of tactical and personnel changes that he has made since the start of September, I suspect that maybe Denis has learned that you don't cripple one of the most potentially exciting attacking roster in the league by playing two d-mids. Also, I believe that perhaps Denis has very belatedly realized that he was wrong and Chris Rolfe was right when Chris said he is a forward, not a midfielder. And hopefully Denis has seen what happens when he unshackles Thorrington from the 2nd d-mid role and lets him go full out as a true CAM. Agree. Agree X 100. Mostly agree. Prus wasn't horrible by MLS's pathetic standards, it is true. We didn't see three missed handballs, none of our players got mindbogglingly amazingly incorrect cards for diving after being fouled by the opposing goalkeeper, etc. So we can all be thankful for that. But if this is what we call a "good" performance by our officials, USSF will be bitching for a LONG-ASS time that none of its referees are invited to another World Cup. Wow, I missed that. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be off to review my game tape again...
I don't think it's a matter of sandbagging it, I think it's a style/tactical thing. I think we played our butts off in the SuperLiga final and were unfortunate not to come out with the hardware. From what I remember of that game, we were creative and attacking as well. But I can think back to several games this year, both games against New York, at Colorado and Seattle, where we didn't play this style of game and still came out with results. MLS coaches are pretty smart for the most part, but have limited resources due to the cap. Once our attacking style is figured out, it's not like we can draw from a wealth of top players like a UEFA Champions League team can, nor are our players good enough to play at a really high level at that many positions. Let's just hope that Kreis and either Arena or Kinnear can break the code in time.
http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20091109&content_id=7642752&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp "FSC sideline reporter Brian Dunseth astutely noted that the Fire seemed to have moved the signboards in a few feet along the sidelines -- perhaps to limit Darrius Barnes' ability to fire in those dangerous throw-ins." Nice.
A quick FYI from a rival supporter that watched the game on TV. After you scored the goal the camera went to Section 8. There was some dude with a bass drum held above his head, thrusting it in to his own forehead in lieu of using a mallet. Quite possibly the most manly thing I have ever seen. I loved it.
yeah I saw that too and the casual fans I was watching the game with down here in Florida absolutely loved it
Not sure if anyone has mentioned the broadcast. I used to be annoyed by Max and Christopher but they have grown on me. Watching a tape of the game, they really added to the excitement as they were clearly into every minute of the game. The build up to the Blanco goal was terrific.
I'm fine with Max. He gets into the game and seems legitimately excited. It's Sullivan that I can't stand. He's from California. Went to school in Florida. And because he bounced around some lower leagues in Europe, he feels the need to talk with this bizarre accent and praise everything European. It's so annoying.
Christopher Sullivan was born in California? WTF??? I thought the guy was from SA or something, that is just bizarre.
From Wikipedia: Christopher Sullivan (born April 18, 1965 in Redwood City, California) is a retired U.S. soccer midfielder/forward and current soccer trainer and sports broadcaster. His professional career spanned two continents and seven countries. He began his career in France with lower division clubs Joué-Lès-Tours and Le Touquet. In 1989, he was back in the U.S. with the Orlando Lions of the American Soccer League.[2] He then returned to Europe, signing with Hungary club Raba ETO before moving to Swedish club Landskrona BoIS, Danish club Brøndby IF and German club Hertha BSC. He also spent time with Mexican lower division club Yucatan. In 1995, he played for the San Francisco Bay Diablos in the USISL. During this time, he twice left active playing for family reasons. On February 1, 1997, Major League Soccer allocated Sullivan to the San Jose Clash. He played the 1997 season with the Clash. On November 6, 1997, MLS held an Expansion Draft. The Clash did not protect Sullivan, but neither Chicago nor Miami selected him. Despite this, the Clash traded Sullivan to the Miami Fusion for the third round draft pick in two weeks later.[3] He elected to retire rather than join the Fusion. However, he continued to play in the San Francisco Soccer Football League, including club El Farolito in 2003. I guess after living in so many countries, he might pick up an accent that's hard to place. I like his enthusiasm and how he nicknamed Temo "Mr. Chicago."
I really like Sullivan as an announcer yes he is quirky but that is his thing. He really does know the game and he really does his homework on the league and team's within it. 9 times out of ten if you listen he will make a sound and accurate predication on how things will develop within the game. I also enjoy how he mixes up languages to make up words to express hsi passion and enthusiam or what he is watching.