2026 Non-Massive MLS teams (because Eboe said it should be clarified) (Come Bite The Apple!)

And the only prescription, is MORE GOALS

 

More cowbell....

 

One snoozer, one thriller, and one shellacking. Last night wasn't the worst night of MLS.

We also got this great shot:

 

"The owner-operators of Major League Soccer have narrowed in on three finalists as next commissioner of the league: LAFC co-owner Larry Berg, former Fox executive David Nathanson and San Francisco 49ers and Leeds United executive Paraag Marathe, multiple sources confirmed to The Athletic."

"A committee of owners chaired by LAFC co-owner Bennett Rosenthal and Columbus Crew owner Jimmy Haslam worked alongside Korn Ferry and The Miles Group to narrow down candidates as part of a succession plan."

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/74...hared_gift_article_copylink&smid=url-share-ta

 

A couple of sources (Sportico and now Matt Barrows ant the Athletic) are saying that Marathe has removed himself from consideration within the last day or so.

 

As a 49ers fan this is great news, but he would have been an excellent choice to run MLS

 

So obviously it'll be the TV executive.

 

The Fox tv executive ugh....

 

Hugo Cuypers heading to Monterrey to join up with Diego

 

So…lots of people assuming Messi is going to just keep playing. Like he’s thirsting to bring more MLS and Leagues Cup glory to Miami Florida because he truly needs that to end his career.

Are we sure about that?

 

Seems like a fun gig, makes good money, probably enjoys playing, and pretty much runs the entire organization. Why would he quit?

 

Walking around is harder at 39, especially in the Florida heat. Sitting > walking.

 

He's literally the greatest to ever play. I bet he likes it. Just a thought.

 

In fact, he seems to like it very much. He's regularly been spotted with his kids shopping for groceries at Publix and sitting undisturbed with a couple friends at various restaurants. Now sure, he's fairly well known at this point (like a couple hundred other people who also live in South Beach) but he doesn't draw the frenzy of lunatics like he does pretty much anywhere else on Earth.

He's now a 40 year old guy living in paradise in a mansion with his family. We've all seen these guys who pick up and run as soon as their contract runs out. I'm just not sure he has much desire to run anywhere.

Bottom line, if he still enjoys playing the game, and one suspects that he does, he can hang around Miami, practice or work out when and where he likes, play maybe 50% of the schedule and/or 70 minutes, I can very seriously see him hanging around.

 

Per soccerwise, the first Publix thing was a choreographed PR stunt. The only good bit of marketing they've done with him

 

I've seen others say the same thing, but it has always struck me as just cynicism. I'd like to know the source of that rumor.

 

A big reason he went to Miami was that his family had been spending summers there for years. It was his second home when he was still in Europe. I bet he stays in Miami until his kids are out of school, at least (as a dude, not as a player).

 

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.c...ll-new-back-of-kit-sponsorship-to-dude-wipes/

 

Should be on the shorts. Back in the day, I think it was the Project 40 team, one team was sponsored by Target and they had the target bullseyes on the reverse of the shorts.....

 

Vs them, as I recall. I did some team photography back then. Not sure where that game is (pre-digital).

 

I tried to find the photos.... No luck yet.