I don't particularly like to use refs as an excuse, and it certainly doesn't account for some of the defensive frailty; but when you get 4 yellows (one was for time wasting TBF, though even that one I question how you give it so quickly) and a red off 20 fouls and the other team gets 1 yellow off 28, I think you question the officiating. If Philly was being overly aggressive then yeah, but this wasn't that. It reminded me of old school CONCACAF games where an MLS team would get a yellow for sneezing incorrectly and the opposing team would get a warning for dismembering an opponent. I'm not even sure we have back-ups, yet alone decent ones.
My guess is Blake probably won’t be back by then either. So I’d just throw all the kids in at this point and focus on the regular season.
Another huge advantage for getting seated directly into the round of 16. I wonder if the red can be appealed and changed to a yellow?
Imagine how demoralizing that would be to the rest of the team? "Yeah, boys, a couple guys are out today, so we have no chance to beat this Mexican team. We're just gonna throw the kids out there and call it a learning experience."
Just being a realist. Rather them prioritize something they have a better chance at winning. No shame in the towel and admitting you’re not good enough this year.
I missed most of the STL at HOU contest. Not really surprised by the end result. While disappointing, I hope it's not a harbinger of how this season will go in St. Louis' sophomore season.
Hard to judge a season based on one close away loss, especially since STL already didn't have great away form last year
I'll admit, last year spoiled me. The team exceeded expectations by leaps and bounds. I think their defense was pretty shaky toward the end of last season, especially, as Burki had to do a lot of work to keep some games manageable/respectable.
Don't forget a handful of goals were scored when the defenses basically passed the ball directly to St Louis players in or close to the box. That's probably not going to happen again (certainly not as often).
Well now that we have a bunch of US teams into the second round they won't have the excuse of pre-season rustiness. Nashville and Cincinnati go into their home games tonight with a nice cushion but I don't trust New England. So far we're set next week for Philadelphia v Pachuca, Orlando v Tigres and Houston v Los Crewes.
Well Curtin will be forced to play one of the kids since both Elliott and Lowe are suspended or will we go with three in the back? I like the thought of Sullivan, Harriel & MBazio on the right hand side with plenty of speed to cause problems. For some reason I have a feeling Jim is going to play conservative and ask Bedoya to play center back.
No team should be doing that kind of triage in Week 2. Also like...if 3 injuries/suspensions kill a team's chances in CCC, they also have roughly zero chance to win MLS Cup.
I don't blame you. But they have a few things in their favor. The weather is supposed to be in the 20's, which will be a challenge for the team from Panama. And Vrioni only played 25 minutes Saturday, so he's well rested... Seriously, I expect Vrioni to have a monster game, simply because he owes it to his teammates after Saturday's double brain fart. After all these years, we finally have a chance to exorcise the ghosts of Joe Public.
A look inside @GDMetellus8's brain last night 🤣#DOOP pic.twitter.com/8ziT8k6SAy— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) February 28, 2024 the pbp guy for the Union match was a great listen.
St. Louis - Houston was the 9th all-MLS knockout tie in the CCL era, and the 8th time that the team hosting the second leg advanced. Bad news for Houston and Nashville against Columbus and Miami in the R16.
Again, you ask, I deliver.George Metellus is a name that many Philadelphia Union fans will never forget. His commentary during the Saprissa second leg match will be etched into the minds of all who watched or listened to it.I sat with George for over 50 minutes to learn about… pic.twitter.com/JgpabXrWKM— José Roberto Nuñez (@JoserNunez91) February 28, 2024
First time I think I've really paid attention to the opening graphics on the CCL broadcast. What sort of madman decided that they'd scroll down the list of players in numerical order and then highlight where they are on the field instead of just going through it position by position?
So you saying they can offer Cavan Sullivan a contract and have him out on the field in the Champions Cup immediately? Bet!