2013 MLS Thread

[mac_82]

Sounds like Diego Forlan is on his way to TFC. Could be announced in the next few days...

[Montana Moe]

I don't know what to believe about that. There's been plenty of denial about that today by Forlan's side. I'd like to see him in MLS, obviously, and TFC needs all the help they can get right now.

[mac_82]

TFC just traded 2012 #4 overall pick Luis Silva to DC for allocation money.

Things are starting to heat up for the transfer window.

[Bill Bumface]

Something better come on this. Silva/Brockie were the bright spot recently, and it's not long until both will be missing off the roster.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by mac_82

Heading to my first Vancouver game later this month. It will be interesting to see what the atmosphere is like compared to the "golden" years in Toronto.

Depends on which game you're going to. The atmosphere last week when Seattle was in town was fantastic, best I've been a part of. But a couple weeks prior against Chivas was pretty bad.

Caps are playing better now and play real well at home, scoring goals, and creating chances.

If you want to soak up atmosphere, sit in the supporters groups sections.

[mac_82]

I'm going to the Philly game. Not much of a rivalry, but a Saturday afternoon none the less. I'm sitting near half, but I'm a card carrying Red Patch Boy, so I'm very familiar with sitting in supporter sections.

Any food recommendations? Chip Butty? Bratwurst? Anything unique?

[Montana Moe]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

So I'm booked! Flights, match tickets (in the Norwich section), and hotel should all shake down to just shy of $650 for two of us - all in. It was more expensive when my wife and I went to Vancouver on Air Miles for a night last summer and took in a Whitecaps game.

I called the Timbers ticket guy and hey said that a few people are making their way over from the UK, plus there has been some interest from Norwich supporters from around the region. So I figured that we'd sacrifice location for camaraderie and sit with the other Norwich fans. That being said, my seats were in "Row B" of that section, so there aren't too many sold yet. That doesn't bother me - it'll be fun regardless. My Dad has always been good to me, so this will be a nice surprise for Fathers' Day.

I hope you had a good time, Jimmy Stang! Sorry about the result, you never know how those B squad friendlies are going to go. Enjoy Portland!

[Jimmy Stang]

Thanks Moe! Full report to come later, but I'm hitting the pillow for the night. I'm loving Portland, despite the crap result tonight. No regrets!

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

Thanks Moe! Full report to come later, but I'm hitting the pillow for the night. I'm loving Portland, despite the crap result tonight. No regrets!

Cascade.

GO TO CASCADE.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

I hope you had a good time, Jimmy Stang! Sorry about the result, you never know how those B squad friendlies are going to go. Enjoy Portland!

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Cascade.

GO TO CASCADE.

Well I have returned from my brief adventure to Portland. A great little jaunt, for sure, and I am definitely looking forward to the next time I'm able to go down there. This was the first time to Portland for myself and my Dad.

Because we were only there for slightly longer than a day, we weren't able to do much besides seeing a little bit of the city, eating, drinking, and seeing some soccer. The city itself is vibrant and there are lots of things going on. You can't throw a stone without hitting a cafe, restaurant, brewpub, etc.

I did take Blaster86's advice and stopped in at the Cascade Brewery (it was sort of on the way back to the airport sort of!). Excellent beers, good food, cool vibe. And cheap. My Dad and I both ate and had 6 beers between us and the bill came to $49. I found Portland in general to be considerably cheaper than Calgary - dining, drinking, hotel, etc.

I have to give full credit to Portland and their embracing of the Timbers and the MLS in general. It seems that all of the pubs have Timbers things in them and run game-day promos, and the fans fill the places up as they make their way to the stadium. Loads of Timbers shirts all over the place, and the fans seemed to be both passionate and knowledgeable. I assumed as much before seeing it first hand - their fans are well known around the MLS. They obviously have had a strong soccer culture there for a lot longer than the MLS has been around, and it shows.

The stadium wasn't completely full, but close, and the atmosphere wasn't as wild as it would be for a league game. But that was to be expected, as it was a mid-week friendly. It was still a fun atmosphere to be part of. Jeld-Wen field is a pretty interesting place. It was formerly a baseball stadium but was converted/renovated into soccer a few years back. It isn't hard to imagine it as a baseball stadium, and one side and one end make up the old stands, with a newer stand and club section along the other side. The other end felt a bit sparse and open, but they are somewhat restricted by the building immediately adjacent. But still a very cool venue in a very central location.

The game itself was a little disappointing, but I could see something like that happening. Norwich lost 1-0, but as Moe eluded to earlier, you just never know how those things will end up. Portland are mid-season and are a very good MLS side this season, and Norwich are just getting settled after a busy summer of transfers. There were a few good chances at both ends of the field, and it did get a little scrappy at times. There were probably about 60 Norwich fans sitting in the away supporters section, and we tried our best to be vocal. Some had planned vacations around it from the UK, New York, etc. and some were ex-pats from the West Coast. A good friendly vibe.

Although a different result on the pitch would have been nice (or at least a goal!), it was really just a small part of our 24 hours there. Primarily, it was an excuse to go somewhere I had never been, and to take my Dad long with me. I can honestly see myself going back there for a quick trip sometime in the future, as I think it would be cheaper than going to Vancouver for a weekend. Perhaps for a Whitecaps away match? Or perhaps just for beer.

[Montana Moe]

I'm glad you had a good time! Yes, there is plenty of good food and drink to be had in Portland. I'm looking forward to moving back this year.

The building on the south end of the Stadium is the Multnomah Athletic Club, an athletic/social club that has been there for over 100 years. It's apparently the largest indoor athletic club in the world at 550,000 square feet and 22,000 members.

Here is a pic of how the stadium was situated for baseball before the renovation:

[Blaster86]

Did they have the ginger lime yet?

DID THEY?!

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Did they have the ginger lime yet?

DID THEY?!

The did! But sadly, I didn't have it. I had a raspberry one, a tangerine one, and the Gose-style one. My dad is a bit of an English ale purist, so he stayed far away form their "sours". I don't mind a fruity twist to my beer, however.

So the Whitecaps nearly hung on for a draw after playing with ten men for most of the game. Davidson's foul was stupid and cost the team dearly. I wouldn't be surprised if the hacking that led to the retaliation gets reviewed by the league, however. It was a pretty vicious kick with no intention of getting the ball.

I'm not a huge fan of Davidson at the best of times, so Rennie's hand is finally forced into sitting him for a few matches.

And Toronto FC - about time they won a game late instead of losing in the dying seconds. Quite the exciting finish, and finally something for the BMO field faithful - what's left of them - to cheer about.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

And Toronto FC - about time they won a game late instead of losing in the dying seconds. Quite the exciting finish, and finally something for the BMO field faithful - what's left of them - to cheer about.

The best game of the year by far, just because they finally did something they've been the victim of for 2 seasons.

Too bad the insane driving rain sent a lot of the spectators home at 1-0 in the 80th minute.

Ryan Nelsen looked like he'd just won the championship. Some relief in the players and coaches after that one for sure.

First win at BMO in over a year

[Nuje]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

I can honestly see myself going back there for a quick trip sometime in the future, as I think it would be cheaper than going to Vancouver for a weekend. Perhaps for a Whitecaps away match? Or perhaps just for beer.

I'm doing just that this weekend. Can't wait!

What's this about Ginger Lime? It sounds like something I should partake in.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Nuje

I'm doing just that this weekend. Can't wait!

What's this about Ginger Lime? It sounds like something I should partake in.

Enjoy the match! It will no doubt be a great atmosphere, and the Whitecaps should be playing with some urgency after dropping the last two!

On Blaster86's recommendation, I tried out the Cascade Brewery. Here is their site that will show you the beers, location, etc.

http://www.cascadebrewingbarrelhouse.com/

It is across the river from downtown, so not exactly close to Jeld-Wen. But the trains and streetcars are good there, and a taxi would be quick and cheap as well.

And I lied about one of my beers earlier after seeing the beer list on the web again. It wasn't tangerine, but rather apricot. Close enough? Probably!

[Nuje]

Sounds awesome! I think we'll check it out.

Except I'm cheering for the Timbers. I don't cheer for any Vancouver teams. No exceptions.

[Montana Moe]

MLS Commissioner Don Garber just announced intentions to expand MLS to 24 teams by 2020.

Get your #### together, Calgary!

[seattleflamer]

My Twitter and FB handle are exploding with this rumor that Hotspur will transfer the Deuce--Clint Demsey--to SoundersFC.

Reports from ESPN

The Seattle Sounders and Tottenham Hotspur are finalizing the transfer of U.S. national team star Clint Dempsey, who is expected to be introduced as the newest Sounder as early as Saturday, multiple sources told ESPNFC.com

.

and the Mirror's report

Tottenham have agreed a deal to sell Clint Dempsey to MLS club Seattle Sounders.

Seattle's west-coast rivals LA Galaxy are understood to have expressed a late interest, but USA international Dempsey is expected to confirm his move 'home' within the next few days.

Condolences in advance Moe...IF true.

[Montana Moe]

Well, if it is true, that will certainly give Seattle a nice boost. Though, I really think their issue is with service, not finishing, so we'll see.

So many confirmations and denials, I'll believe it when he walks out in that terrible kit.