There needs to be a mini pre-tournament in preseason for the CCL MLS teams against each other. Just hard to play good teams when your just starting the season and they're in mid-season form.
Just to clarify: The 7 editions of CCL/CCC from 2018 to the present have produced 10 MLS semifinalists and 5 finalists. The 7 editions before that, 7 semifinalists and 2 finalists were produced. The 7 before that, the numbers were 4 and 0. It's been a methodical climb for the league.
That's certainly not valid for the games from quarterfinals on. Those were in April. Miami & New England did poorly, Columbus performed well. Even for the round of 16, MLS was up & running for a couple weeks. So it's a limited excuse. It's not like MLS has done well late in the tourney either, going back years. I mean there's only 1 competition win to date.
Yeah I felt he was very sloppy in possession during that first half. But all the credit in the world to him on that goal, starting with the anticipation and quickness to win the ball in the first place.
I thought he was a half step behind rotating defensively as well. Led to Monterrey keeping the ball and running at the Columbus defense. Incidentally, Schulte was decent. He's good for questionable play as a sweeper/claimer cuz he's hardly an explosive athlete, & can be adventurous on the ball. But you can trust his technique, hands, size, ball-playing ability, and mentality under pressure to not compound damage.
Regardless, over the years, the league has shown significant improvement in the tournament. The next 7 years will hopefully see MLS teams taking up a majority of the 28 semifinalist slots.
Columbus started brightly the first 10 minutes or so. Then Monterrey got their teeth into the match and were flying high after the goal. Even though Columbus had the possession edge, none if it was remotely dangerous. Monterrey were threatening nearly every time they had it. But the last 5-10 minutes of the half, Columbus started to actually create some danger. But for the most part, Monterrey were content to let them have the ball once they got the goal. After Morris scored, that mentality needed to change. It did, but Matan coming in for Hinestroza just ripped them apart, almost immediately. Then they needed 3 more, and it was effectively over.
MLS roster transparency!?!?!?!?!?! Major League Soccer today released club roster profiles for each of the 29 @MLS clubs as of May 1, 2024.The club roster profiles provide a snapshot of the roster composition for all MLS clubs following the conclusion of the Primary Transfer Window.https://t.co/bqOm1bzX9I— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) May 2, 2024 https://mlssoccer.app.box.com/s/e8eu9jpgtk09j03ynasb6zpd6hur37yk
Nancy seems to me pretty clearly the best coach in MLS at current. But also a very good chance he wouldn’t be interested in the USMNT job and someone who likely has ambitions to go coach in Europe. If they are able to win in the final I at least hope he waits till after the Club World Cup to make any sort of move.
Very interesting to see some quiet raises there for American players. Aidan Morris is on a TAM, deal, for example, which generally means he's getting paid more than $700k. Atencio is a U22 player, etc. It's also interesting to see who can spend this summer now. A team like Philly, if they wanted to, could probably get 2-3 quality players.
That whole team plays better for the Crew. The only proven winner in the team is Nagbe and, arguably, Rossi. None of them are regulars in their NTs. Nonetheless, they are a top MLS team and arguably still the best.
A couple highlight's from Nate Harriel's performance against Seattle on Tuesday night. His movement was fantastic all night long with runs into space, underlapping/overlapping runs, winning the header for the Carranza chance.He's getting better and better offensively. #Doop pic.twitter.com/yjavWZV8UU— Todd Lewis (@ItsAToddLife) May 2, 2024
Philly had a total meltdown where their very good and well paid veteran CB shot the whole team in the foot. Miami was crippled by injury to their young players. MLS can change the roster rules but that’s not the problem this go around. MLS teams can beat the Liga MX by having a good day now, it's not a miracle or a shock anymore.
Harriel has always impressed me from a defensive perspective... It is nice to see him open up a bit more on O.
Yup. And I think we can add Cincinnati, who gave Monterrey a very tough series as well. Succumbed 3-1 on aggregate. I mean, it wasn't really that long ago that MLS teams struggled against central American competition in this event. From 1997 to 2008, MLS was 2-8 in knockout series against Costa Rican teams. From 2018 to 2024 we're 9-0. This year the Revs punked Alajualense and the Union ousted Saprissa. Yes we'd like to have more than 3 quarterfinalists. But hell, anybody paying attention to the trends over last 20 years can see massive progress in CONCACAF. How will this look 20 years from now? And actually, the Leagues Cup is a completely different measure. Its measuring the quality of teams further down the table as well. The CCC/CCL just measures the tops of MLS versus Liga MX. I think the middle-bottom of MLS is significantly better than Liga MX. FCD beating Mazatlan comfortably. That kind of thing. I know that all the games were at home, so it's not completely a perfect picture. But.................I really believe that.
In a way it would help in CCL if there were games in Mexico for League's Cup. Would get all of the teams more used to going there for real games and then when CCL games came they'd be more prepared. Thing is it's always Mexico and their teams that want to play here because they make more money.
Yup. And the League Cup was a smashing success in 2023 for all involved. Maybe they got lucky because of Messi and Inter Miami's run. Either way it was a smashing success where it mattered. How MLS and Liga MX will build on year 2 of a historic rivalry with Leagues Cup 2024 | Ad Age
From the file of "you better be friggin' athletic to play in MLS." Top sprinting distance per player & 90', 2⃣9⃣ non-big-5 leagues 🌐🥇 #MinnesotaUtd 🇺🇸🥈 #StLouisCity 🇺🇸🥉 #SlaviaPraha 🇨🇿#ColoradoRapids 🇺🇸 #YoungBoys 🇨🇭 #Elfsborg 🇸🇪 #AtlantaUtd 🇺🇸 #SanJoseQuakes 🇺🇸 #ViktoriaPlzen 🇨🇿 @CIES_Football analysis powered by @SkillCorner 📊 pic.twitter.com/6EcBx8QTIL— CIES Football Obs (@CIES_Football) May 3, 2024
THAT LEFT FOOT IS LETHAL 🤯Jack McGlynn with a golazo to equalize!!!#DOOP | #DCvPHI 2-2 pic.twitter.com/1zA4loNs29— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) May 5, 2024
Yeah, if McGlynn is going to start scoring bangers he’ll be special. Seems a luxury player, but there’s nothing more meat and potatoes than goals, it’s everything.
My concern with Jack McGlynn mirrors my concern with Alex Mendez. Having a wand of a left foot is great but will physical limitations limit the ceiling?
Anyone who thinks McGlynn is a "luxury" player isn't paying attention and/or watching. Kid's defense has improved immensely since last season. He's turning into a legit two way player. Enjoy watching him play in the states now while you can. He'll be in Europe in January at the latest, possibly this August.
Morris has started and won 2 MLS Cups in the last 4 seasons. He was out injured in one of those. So 2 of the last 3 healthy years.
I mean he keeps this up he may deserve a look for the Copa America roster. Especially with the move to 26.
He looks like a kid that will reach his athletic peak around 22-23. Who knows how good he will be then.