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

I think with Barreal on the left for this match, it is extremely unlikely Gressel starts for Farsi. I don't think Ramirez starting is likely either. He is our best goal-scoring threat off the bench, and we really do not have another. Plus, Matan is one of the keys to our possession, transition, and press games with his energy, movement, and tidy skill on the ball.

In short, if it ain't broke...

 

FWIW, should be about 50 degrees at kickoff tomorrow, dipping down into the upper 40s throughout the match. Almost no wind or chance of rain. About as good as one might hope for this time of year.

 

Yes.

 

From: https://www.wvxu.org/local-news/201...cinnati-check-out-fc-cincinnatis-new-branding
The emblem, referred to as a "stabby lion" or "knife-y lion" by many fans, remains, but is updated to a more regal, angular design with harder lines. "A lot of effort went into this rebrand," says Berding. "This consumed our staff this summer."

I think both adjectives are used. But I've heard Stabby more.

 

I thought their mascot was called Gary. Which is about as dumb as their stupid city.

 

A moving outtake, from my convo w/ @stevesirk on the Crew's renewal:

"What you see night in and night out at https://t.co/wVQlOhBzS1 Field is exactly what Crew fans said Columbus would be with committed local ownership. And what others maliciously insisted could never ever be."

— Charles Boehm (@cboehm) December 1, 2023

 

I will preface this by saying I think MLS was completely within their rights to suspend Miazga and we need to make sure things like this don't happen as refs serve a valuable part of the game and should be protected from abuse even if (and maybe especially if) they miss a call.

However, we cannot simply accept everything they do as right and facts DO matter. I read the eyewitness report you posted and it is clear that security did NOT remove Miazga. That was a material portion of their allegation originally (that Miazga was so heated he had to be forceably removed by security). If it was, in fact, an FCC staffer, that changes the story from Miazga was so heated you couldn't possibly remove him without dragging him out with security to he was taken out by his own staff member likely without the need for force. It materially changes the story. If the PSRA lied about that fact and continues to lie about that fact it makes it harder to believe anything they suggest happened. If they are simply mistaken about the fact, it leads to questions about what else they missed as part of their allegation.

Ultimately, I don't think it matters, as I mentioned above, because Miazga clearly broke the rules and did something that should be prevented and the eye-wittness can testify to that...But again, I understand where the MLSPA is coming from a procedural and defense standpoint. If this was a criminal case, it would be easy to destroy the PSRA's case and create doubt as to whether or not any of their testimony should be allowed.

I guess this is a long way of me saying that I think Miazga was wrong but also it's actually a good criminal defense tactic to attack the credibility of the accuser who is pretty clearly mistaken (or worse lying) about a material fact.

They also do not have a defamation case because there's no way they can prove what the MLSPA said was a lie, especially since the eye-witness you listed more or less confirmed there were inaccuracies between what the PSRA alleged and what happened.

 

Again, WHO eventually forcibly escorted Miazga out of the referees room is completely immaterial. SOMEONE had to do it.

The officials were in their locker room. I'm sure they weren't exactly looking at a name tag or a security badge to see who was hauling Miazga away. I know that if I were in my place of work and someone with bad intentions broke into my office area, I wouldn't really notice if it was the police, security, or someone else who eventually subdued the attacker.

Nothing changes based on who eventually hauled Miazga away. It's as immaterial of a fact as whether Miazga was eating pizza or a burger.

I get it's a common defense strategy, but the key facts from two independent eyewitnesses are consistent. That's all that matters. Whether Person A says Miazga was eating pizza or person B says it was an FCC employee forcibly escorting Miazga away makes zero difference in the course of events.

 

In what I read, security was called in and attempted to remove Miazga, but Matt resisted, yelling "don't touch me", at which point the FCC staffer AND security walked Matt out of the ref dressing room.

 

All this is interesting fodder, but it is beside the point now. It's done. He's suspended & won't play.

How about we talk about the guys that will play or could play.

BTW, has anyone who got NorOnTour tix actually gotten them yet? Or is everyone still pending?

 

I don't agree at all it is immaterial as to who took Miazga out of the room as it pertains to the MLSPA argument that the PSRA are lying.

It may be immaterial to his ultimate penalty because it doesn't matter who took him out of a place he shouldn't have been (as you noted, somebody had to do it), but it is material in terms of the statement and allegations that the PSRA are lying and should be held accountable for its misstatements. You can't just make up allegations in order to make sure someone gets punished EVEN if they would have been punished with the real facts. By your logic, all witnesses should exaggerate factors in order to guarantee a larger punishment. I think we can all agree that the circumstances of WHAT miazga actually did would factor into his specific punishment. If he punched a ref, for example, he would have received a much larger ban and alternatively, if he had been calm when he went in, he might have received a lesser ban.



Here is what the PSRA said in their statements and incident report:

Miazga needed to be "forcibly removed by stadium security while acting in an aggressive and hostile manner"

Here is what the eyewitness said:

"The FCC member then sprang into action entered the room and quickly removed Matt Miazga."

If the stadium security did not take him out then it could lead a reasonable person to wonder if the rest of the statement (acting in an aggressive and hostile manner) is also false. It also, as I mentioned, gives the MLSPA grounds to argue that the PSRA are lying since their statement is inconsistent with the facts (even if it again, is immaterial to his ultimate suspension, because again, he clearly broke rules).

The food stuff is nonsense but it's not immaterial but exaggerating or lying about key facts is not immaterial.

That's possible, but it directly conflicts with the eyewitness report that RefIAdad posted.




Sorry to get everyone off topic. I am glad he's (rightfully) suspended. I just don't think the PSRA handled this very well themselves and I can understand why the MLSPA is mad. Either way, 2-0 Crew.

 

MiazgAAA

 

Where are the watch parties? Fado at Easton still a thing?

I like our chances!!

 

Off topic or on topic, when @GoCrew1996 posts on a Friday, I get a little tear in my eye. Reminds me of 'F5 Fridays'.

 

Where are the gatherings in Cincinnati before the game? Our group should be down there around 3.

 

My hotel room.has been set up with the travel Roku and is working with Apple TV. So, if Union Jack lied to me and don't have the MLS package I have a fall back (and I can watch the Western final and re-watch our game again with no group distractions)

 

I think you're overreacting. I really doubt your phone will be blowing up with indoor soccer scores and updates on your son's team during the game.