I did hear in Indy this weekend that the Indy Eleven are building a SSS with a 20K capacity. Just south of Victory Field and the power plant. Opening 2025 https://www.indyeleven.com/news/2022/06/24/eleven-park-location/
This should make them a front runner to join after St Louis among teams Like San Diego & Las Vegas etc …
There was a discussion of this somewhere else but I doubt Indy is a leading candidate for MLS. The venue looks fine but the owner probably doesn't have deep enough pockets.
I've heard(*) that there's former Crew fans who now drive to Detroit and Indy because USL is more affordable, is more exciting, is more family-friendly, has pro/rel or probably whatever other reason they choose. Wouldn't it just be a kick of irony if these people quit MLS only for their new adopted team to join MLS? I'm not saying it *does* happen or that it's droves of people. I'm saying I've *heard* that there's "a few."
Philly Union Sporting Director fined for his comments wondering how LAFC was able to have all these stars without some sort of salary shenanigans The first rule of MLS ball is you do not talk about Calvinball...
Don't all the teams have access to all the player contracts like in other sports? Usually unions are opposed to opacity on pay. If he's suggesting there are undisclosed side deals between the owner and player, he ought to have some evidence.
There's an athletic article all about the weird side deals done in MLS usually in the form of marketing contracts.
I feel bad for Josef. He is 100% correct that Carlos Bocanegra has completely rat-fvcked that team: bad coaching hires, poor player talent evaluations, obscene transfer fees for said poor players, endless excuses, etc. Josef had the nerve to speak out and he got benched two games in a row. I kinda hope he leaves, don’t know where he’d go though. I don’t think he’s a top 5 European league player, maybe Portugal with Porto, Benfica, or Sporting. I think maybe Liga MX as well, somewhere like Club America, Monterrey, or Tigres (Gignac has to retire sometime).
I'm guessing he'll become increasingly vocal, airing his grievances and not worrying about consequences. He loves Atlanta and the city loves him. He'll let them hang themselves punishing him and walk away the good guy. I could easily see him not wanting to play for any other MLS team. While im sure he could find a suitor in Europe.... at 29 I can't imagine there's a European team that would offer him enough to be worth his while. Liga MX would have him for sure. He'd find a starting role at a big club and not have to sacrifice too much money.
I've tried to become a Detroit City fan due to my proximity, attending a few games over the years but it doesn't feel right for me. You would think it would as Toledo is basically a sports territory of Detroit (Tigers/Mud Hens, Red Wings/Walleye) but there's a lot of anti-Ohio vitriol from the fans there that I can't identify with that kinda makes me feel like I don't belong there. I'm not trying to ditch the Crew because it's expensive....but I would like to go to more soccer games in general than I do...but just can't afford it. I really would like to have an additional choice to supplement the Crew with but so far nothing has done it for me. I follow multiple lower division teams but I'm not a real fan. Not even of my own local USL League 2 team in Toledo. It's been hard to get into teams at such a low level because the level of play is kinda crappy and there's not a lot of consistency to the rosters with college dudes coming and going so it's hard to feel connected or invested in any players. My thought/hope is that if Toledos team makes the move up to League 1 eventually (professional, which they're interested in) or Cleveland Force moves up the Championship like they initially indicated they wanted to....I could see myself getting more into them then.
The hits keep coming for Atlanta: https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/darren-eales-newcastle-new-ceo-built-atlanta-daniel-levy-1746551
I said this in another thread, in reference to Dybala, but Juventus just completely lost their identity in the last few years between several odd signings, and odder coaching changes. (I, for one, blame the departure of Beppe Marrotta and elevation of Pavel Nedved.) I was VERY high on Bernardeschi at Fiorentina. And he's not far removed from the player who set off fan riots in Florence when he left for the Juve. (I also think playing under Allegri would stifle any wingers creativity and joy). I do agree with Kyle that his attitude over here will be key to whether he succeeds, I don't for a second doubt he is talented enough to have a huge impact. As for his attitude? He seems....happy? Maybe a bit deranged? He understood the assignment 🙌@fbernardeschi | #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/mLtrPTZ3pi— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) July 18, 2022
This week is the MLB All-Star Break. The game was last night. I’ve heard this day referred to as “the slowest sports day of the year,” as there are no baseball games, NFL preseason camps haven’t started yet, and of course basketball and hockey are in their off-season. There are no MLS matches this Wednesday. Last Wednesday, there was damn near a full slate of midweek matches. And there are midweek matches next week. ISTM that it would be a no-brainer to have some matches (preferably a full slate) on the “slowest sports day of the year.” More coverage not only on the national networks like ESPN but also more time for stories (or more attention to the stories) in all the local MLS markets in the USA. Albeit relatively small, it seems like a missed opportunity.
No matches on Wednesday? I just flipped between 4 of them on ESPN plus. Minnesota beat Everton easily. Charlotte and Chelsea on grass. Bayern big over DC. Orlando and Arsenal in a slug fest. Pretty solid entertainment to me.
Huh. Using the MLS app and clicking on “scores” (which also lists the schedule), no games are mentioned. Click “latest”, and none of these friendlies are mentioned. Seems like something that might be worthy of noting. Regardless, I’d also argue that league matches would garner more attention in the media. Clearly that’s the case on MLS’ own website.
ESPN2 last night was great while relaxing in the hotel: Louisville vs Phoenix USL match followed by Man City vs Club America.