MLS 2017 Week 28 Continuous PBP Thread [Multiple R]

Yep, ATL took a totally different approach. Instead of spending on established, big-name players on the back-end of their careers to sell tickets and merchandise, they went after promising young South American players that hadn't become stars yet; guys that would otherwise be playing in Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, or a league in Europe outside of the Big 5. And it looks like they are pretty determined to hang onto those guys. Unless a top division European Club offers ridiculous money for one of them (only Almiron would seem to be a candidate), ATL intends to keep them in ATL.

 

Agreed. The handballs were mostly just bad luck, but the overly-aggressive play was by design. The red card for stomping on Asad's ankle was deserved, as were the other early yellows, and, although it didn't even draw a penalty, NE also head-butted Pirez and cut his head open. The NE player was clearly losing that challenge, yet flailed at it anyway and injured Pirez as a result.

There's a difference between playing physical and playing reckless. NE was reckless on Wednesday night and it cost them, big time.

 

The only team I'm really concerned that TFC might fail against is Atlanta, if it turns into a track meet. That 2-2 game earlier at BMO Field was helluva entertaining.

 

They invested that money in a top manager who, maybe even more importantly, is incredibly well-connected in South American football, giving them access to that type of player.

Everything about Atlanta has vastly exceeded every expectation I had for them, and they deserve a ton of credit, regardless of the final outcome of their season.

 

I wouldn't like ATL's chances against a team like TFC if they had a single road match in the knockout round. But if ATL were to make it to the semi-finals or conference finals, and it switches to a two-match, aggregate goal format, you just never know.

But I won't get too carried away with MLS Cup expectations. Right now, I just hope ATL can finish top-4 in the East so they can host a playoff game in the knockout round.

 

Expecting a couple points out of the three games in hand compared with Columbus sounds reasonable. Winning a home game against them or NY1 sounds like a better than even prospect.

 

Might be 4-4 next time.

 

I prefer the old rule. I'm sure Don cares.

 

I heard it quoted on some Thursday morning SiriusXMFC show. My immediate thought was DCU won a game without a shot on goal once recently.

Thx,

Jay!

 

Been there done that, except it was the 2016 MLS Cup.

 

A USMNT update @sitruc

The United States' final game in regional World Cup qualifying against Trinidad and Tobago will be played at 10,000-seat Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva rather than 27,000-capacity Hasely Crawford Stadium in the capital of Port-of-Spain.

 

Can Orl stay within 4 goals of ATL today?

I say, no.

 

I see empty seats, is this not a sell out?

 

The time wasting by Bendik is already ridiculous.

 

That wasn't in the script.

 

GOOOOOOOOOOOOL! Dom Leroux.

 

Well that was out of nowhere.

 

On it!

Chill RT @thesoccerdon: This is the biggest crowd at a sporting event in American history, PERIOD. https://t.co/jel4HTvWdL

— Empty Seats Galore (@EmptySeatsPics) September 16, 2017

 

Jeez these Facebook broadcasts are annoying.

 

Tata's reaction after he was told "don't touch me" from Chapman.

 

The question isn't if it's a penalty, but how bad is that turf burn. They both slid a good 8 years.

 

I'm finding MLS games a lot more fun to watch than EPL now.

 

off da post for ATL

 

dear orlando,
are you sure you want that useless bag Nocerino to be your captain?

 

I think games like this have a similar feel. Not just the rivalry and big crowd but the pace the game is played at.
This game is light years ahead of something you could have watched in MLS in that respect even 5 years ago IMO.