Post-match: Crew @ Cincinnati - 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs: Conference Final - 12/2/23 6:00 PM

LETS FVCKING GGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

 

Win by two (or more).

 

What did they decide on Miazga, after he tried entering the referee's locker room after the NYRB match? Is he back for the ECF?

 

Apparently we don't know. Cincy reddit said the boardcast mentioned its still ongoing https://en.as.com/soccer/why-isnt-matt-miazga-playing-for-fc-cincinnati-n/

 

Get on the 'bus!

 

Yeah, it should be pretty obvious if he was in that area and whether he succeeded in getting inside or not. Why does it take so long to investigate? PRO filed their complaint against him, is MLS just going to piss off their officials?

Miazga missed their Philly game due to yellow card accumulation and should miss FCC's next 2 or 3 MLS matches for his serious misconduct vs the referees. Or if he is entirely innocent, there should be security video showing he was elsewhere than outside the ref's dressing room.

 

IIRC the dispute is about his demeanor and the timing.

Miazga claims that it was well after the game, he had showered and changed and simply, politely, knocked on the door because he was confused about what had happened and hoped for some clarification.

That's the Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm narrative.

The referee report apparently says he stormed in immediately after the game like the SS kicking in the door of a Jewish family and belligerently confronted the official in a threatening manner.

If you have to pick one then based on the fact that Miazga has always been an arrogant, obnoxious asshole I'd have to go with version 2.

 

MLS has no guts. Miazga will play. He shouldn't, but he will.

 

How fuct is it that MLS gives coach of the year award before this game is played?

 

Beyond Miazaga's status, I think there is tremendous league office interest in seeing FC Cincinnati reach MLS Cup.

This is Cincinnati's window.

Supporters Shield, Coach of the Year, League MVP.
Vazquez possibly off to Germany. FCC going for the city's first major pro sports title since 1990.

Lots for MLS and Fox to hype if they win.

In contrast, Crew's window is opening, won in 2020, All-Star Game next year, will be among pre-season favorites to win in 2024.

Hopefully, getting a "fair shake" Saturday from the match officials will not be a challenge.

 

Why would MLS have any interest whatsoever in having a specific 2 million population market (Cincy or Columbus) reach MLS Cup? In 2008, we were supporters shield winners, had the league MVP and defender of the year on the roster, the coach of the year, were the league’s charter franchise that built the first soccer specific stadium, and played in a city without any modern history of ever having a pro sports championship. But I never had a sense we were the league’s preference to get to MLS Cup.

Are you seriously implying the league will try and affect the outcome of this game? Come on.

 

It does seem as though they’re dragging their feet on the Miazga case. How long could an “investigation” like this take, two days tops? In this day and age, there’s security cameras everywhere and I’d assume, one was pointing directly at the locker room. I’m sure there were at least 6-10 people including security, standing around in the pathway between the Cinci and ref locker rooms. It seems as though the league is intentionally dragging this out.

 

MLS was probably hoping Cincy lost so they wouldn’t even have to deal with it.

 

The question I've had from the second I heard this tale of woe is where was the security?

Every sport known to man has a security guard outside the officials' locker room. I assume it's a mandatory league requirement for obvious reasons.

 

My goodness yeah, I’m just imagining Don Garber rubbing his hands together salivating at the thought of the millions of eyeballs and advertising dollars that would roll in if Cincinnati were to advance to the Cup. No doubt he’s on the phone with the refs right now, conniving and scheming deviously about how to best dispose of the dastardly Columbus Screw so they don’t ruin his brilliant plan to get Cincinnati to the championship game.

Wow.

 

We have scored at least 2 un every PO game so far, though we need AET to do it in the last one.

Our 10 PO goals have cone from a wide array of players: Cucho (4, 1 PK), Arfsten, Nagbe, Amundsen, Matan, Rossi, Ramirez.

Assists: Rossi (3), Moreira, Yeboah, Morris, Cucho, Matan, Molino.

In four games, our front 3 attackers all have goals and assists. Cucho with 4 G & 1 A. Ramirez & Arfsten have goals off the bench. Plus Nagbe & Amundsen chip in with a goal each.

Rossi has 3 PO assists to lead. Cucho & Matan with one each, as does Yeboah. Morris & Molino also with one.

Yeboah's assist is the only scoring contribution from the WBs, but improved D may be more important.

 

My guess is that this "investigation" will wrap up just after Cincy loses and he will be suspended for the 1st and 2nd games of next season.

 

Cincinnati is notoriously fickle as a sports market, attendance dropping when a team does not compete. Making a final helps solidify FCC's position in the market.

And, in recent times, nothing helps future expansion fees projections like an newer team succeeding.

Also, sports leagues and their broadcast partners love new, fresh narratives that can draw in casuals.

FCC is fresh, the Crew aren't.


I don't think anyone is scheduling a conference call.

I also think match officials are human and will feel pressure to make sure FCC gets every benefit of the doubt, especially at home.

Saturday's goal vs the Union felt that way.

 

Let's make it an AAA kind of day.

 

See my post above.

I think the match officials will be under tremendous pressure Saturday to give FCC every benefit of the doubt.

No one has to tell the match officials anything.

 

lets party like its 2008!