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The MLS fan in me wishes all the last fixtures were played at the same time, but the Red Bull fan in me is happy that we'll know EXACTLY what we have to do to win the shield before kickoff.
Agreed. Watching the last day of the Premiership season is nuts exciting. Don't see why MLS can't do the same. Unless there are scheduling conflicts with different stadia.
I'm sure there are lots of conflicts with stadiums and TV contracts. I also think that because the supporter's shield plays second fiddle to most fans that there isn't a lot of pressure on MLS to overcome those hurdles. However, if they continue to have close races like this year they might reconsider how they handle the last weekend of the season. Live updates/graphics of playoff and shield changes during those 90 minutes would be amazing.
Most leagues around the world have the luxury of playing in just one time zone, two at the most. MLS plays in four. And quite frequently games are played either according to the home team's or TV network's preferred time. The scheduling, as a result, has always been pretty facacta. But like many things that are quirky about this league in comparison to others, it quite literally only requires the will to change. 7pm on the East Coast is still 4pm on the West, which would seem pretty workable to me. And MLS would benefit from having everyone gathering close to watch the key matches all at once.
My thoughts exactly. It can be done. I'm just not sure how hard MLS really wants to push for it. Even an 8pm/5pm or a 9pm/6pm would be fine by me. However, I imagine it's incredibly difficult to get ~10 games in 4 times zones on the same day at the same time.
Petke's going for it. Red Bulls Notes: Petke plans to start strongest lineup available; Carney and Espindola progressing; and more
Big Apple Soccer. I'm sorry, but I just don't like the thesis. I mean I get the point, but it sure suggests that they are perhaps not looking forward enough. It is one of the most important Red Bull games ever and they need to be firing on all cylinders. The playoffs will still be there when they get done.
What past this week should they be focusing on? Petke already said that he'll keep the players health in minds, but the 90 minutes against Chicago absolutely deserves 100% of their attention.
Kick Off: Real Salt Lake top Chivas USA, push back into Supporters' Shield lead No backing in and no backing down. The Red Bulls now need at least a tie to win the SS. Just win and no one can say you didn't deserve it.
My pre game analysis of the match, as of today, which could change based on other results. NY has scored 29 goals (1.81 gpg) and allowed 14 (0.88) at home for a +15 goal differential. Chicago has scored 16 (1.00) and given up 26 (1.625) on the road, a -10 difference. My prediction would be a 2-1 victory for NY, but this team is so hot right now, I could see somewhere in the neighborhood of 3-1 or 4-2. On a points per game basis, NY earns about 2.13 ppg (10W-2L-4D, 34 points) at home and Chicago 1.19 (5-7-4, 19) on the road, a slightly less than one point differential. Given the respective clubs relatively small number of ties for these matches, 4, it is far more likely (3-1 against a tie) that the game will be decided for full points, but that gives NY the edge. Finally, my shootout scenario. NY has played in 10 home games where 3 or more goals were scored and gone 7-1-2, for 2.3 ppg. Chicago is 4-2-0 in matches of at least 3 goals for 2.0 ppg. But then when the total goals are more than three in a match, NY is 3-0-1 for 2.5 ppg and Chicago drops to a very paltry 1-2-0 for 1 ppg. So the sweet spot for Chicago to win is a three goal game where they score two while only allowing NY one goal. But to score two goals they will have to put pressure on NY, which will leave Chicago exposed without Jeff Larentowicz there to clean up the midfield. If they allow NY a second goal, chances are very good they lose. But given their road defensive record, it is highly likely that Chicago will allow a second goal. Likewise for NY, their best results come when they press the home advantage and score two or more goals. Since Larentowicz is out, which will make things easier for the Red Bulls up the middle. If Espindola is healthy, I could see Cahill dropping back to the attacking mid role and having a field day. The wild card might be Luis Anangano, who hasn't scored much, but ala Peguy Luyindula, always is dangerous. If he catches the Red Bulls favoring Magee too much then he might take advantage. It will, I think, start off with NY pressing the home field advantage to score at least one early goal (from Cahill) and get back to the top of the table. If Chicago needs a result, things will open up from there. Otherwise, I think it could become a slog. Thereafter, there might be some scoring late in the game, too (Wright-Phillips and Magee). But there are a number of factors that could come into play, including other results, freak injuries, big referee decisions and mistakes. In other words, looking beyond the stats, it is likely to be a very fun match.
Some further analysis. NY does well enough okay scoring is low, a combined 6-4-5 in games with 2 goals or less. 3-2-3 in games with 1 goal or less. They are 3-3-2 when scoring only one goal and a combined 3-8-5 when they have one goal or less. In other words, NY is very human in low scoring matches, 1-0 wins and 0-0 draws are not their strong suit. But that flips around when NY scores at least two goals. If they score 2, the record is 7-1-2, and a combined 13-1-3 for games where they've scored 2 or more goals! And of course that means NY is also 10-5-3 in all games of at least 3 goals combined scoring. They are also 6-0-1 where scoring 3 goals or more, including a perfect 4-0-0 when scoring 4 goals. So despite playing much better defensively this term, NY is still a team that wins by scoring goals. The more the better.
So if we lose the shield this weekend how do we think it goes down? I'm already on record as saying it will be a complete Metro melt down in stoppage time involving Lindpere and Magree (possibly Miller is he's healthy enough to play). Anyone else? Red card? Bogus PK or offside call? Goal called back? On the flip side: If we win how will it go down? I say from the most unlikely of sources. Hulk, Miller, Peggy, etc. Hulk has yet to score a goal this year. He's due. Peggy has yet to score from the run of play. If we win I say it will be from someone no one would ever put their money on. Connor Lade?...
This is all I'm interested in, no curses or "so Metro moments". Henry is put through after a midfield turnover and puts us up 1-0 at the half. Second half Sam puts in a cross that gets cleared to the top of the box, where Peguy ********ing Luyindula squibbles a shot that manages to sneak through a crowd and into the corner of the net to seal the win.
Win: The joy of 1st major title will be unimaginable, and it will validate many things the club have done since the rebranding, DP signings and moving to a new stadium... Lose: It's going to be as painful as RSL's loss in USOC Final to none other than D.C. United... :-(