2014 MLS Thread

[browna]

Whitecaps have to win tonight to make the playoffs. Couldn't win last week vs. a poor SJ team, and now tied with another team below them in Colorado with half hour to go.

[seattleflamer]

Waston with winner for the Caps and play Dallas in the play-in game on Wednesday. Amazing atmosphere at the Clink today. Here's to a Caps/Sounders tie in November which will be more competitive than if Portscum made it.

Obligatory gif to the best team over 34 games in 2014 :

[Montana Moe]

Portland didn't deserve to make the playoffs. Late season Timbers were good enough, pre-August Timbers? Not so much.

They should have taken the CONCACAF Champions League a bit more seriously, MLS playoffs were a pipedream.

[Ozy_Flame]

It's 27 degrees (Celcius) outside in the Kansas City/New York game right now. They're sweating like dogs, and we're here about to get an Arctic butt licking

[Zach]

Whitecaps game was awesome. Great atmosphere.

[J epworth]

I'm I the only one switching between the Whitecaps game and game 7? Anyways, Whitecaps tie it up, 1-1 in the second half, look like a new team out there with Kekuta Manneh now in the game.

[The Big Chill]

What a crappy way to lose. Garbage call.

[MillerTime GFG]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

What a crappy way to lose. Garbage call.

Finally just saw the replay after hearing so much about it. I actually didn't think the call was that bad. Real tough spot, but I think a ref calls that more often than not...it's not like it was a shot that was rifled straight into his arm, he even started to move his arm away because he had time to react.

Just unfortunate for the guy IMO.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by MillerTime GFG

Finally just saw the replay after hearing so much about it. I actually didn't think the call was that bad. Real tough spot, but I think a ref calls that more often than not...it's not like it was a shot that was rifled straight into his arm, he even started to move his arm away because he had time to react.

Just unfortunate for the guy IMO.

He has his arm by his side and he had no chance to move it out of the way. That shouldn't be a penalty, and it usually isn't. The ref let at least 2 or 3 of those go throughout the rest of the game. There is no need to call it, especially late in a tie game in the playoffs.

Pretty tough way to end a long season.

[Zach]

Originally Posted by MillerTime GFG

Finally just saw the replay after hearing so much about it. I actually didn't think the call was that bad. Real tough spot, but I think a ref calls that more often than not...it's not like it was a shot that was rifled straight into his arm, he even started to move his arm away because he had time to react.

Just unfortunate for the guy IMO.

It's a borderline call at best. Not something you call in a sudden death playoff game that didn't even affect the game whatsoever.....but rules are rules I guess.

[MillerTime GFG]

Originally Posted by Zach

It's a borderline call at best. Not something you call in a sudden death playoff game that didn't even affect the game whatsoever.....but rules are rules I guess.

A ball coming through the box that is impeded by a hand could definitely affect the game. Inadvertent hand balls are called more often in the box for that exact reason.

I still think that was not a bad call. 50/50 IMO

[Addick]

Originally Posted by MillerTime GFG

A ball coming through the box that is impeded by a hand could definitely affect the game. Inadvertent hand balls are called more often in the box for that exact reason.

I still think that was not a bad call. 50/50 IMO

As the ref said: "Waston deliberately handled the ball", it was most definitely was a terrible call.

Arm was in a natural position, ball took a close range deflection and it was ball to hand. While it may have created an advantage, it fails three out of four tests.

[Ozy_Flame]

Doesn't sound like Jermaine Defoe is going to stay at TFC, despite denials from TFC. Interesting that QPR head Harry Redknapp has confirmed player terms and "will come back with it in January", and MLS boss Tim Leiweke said:

"Now we just have to determine do all three DPs want to be a part of what we're building here. And if one of them does not, then the only way we ever make a move for any of our DPs is a deal that is in our best interest. And so this is the club's decision, it's not the players. In all due respect, we have acquired the rights to all three players. And so we're going to do what's in the best interest of TFC. Period."

http://www.tsn.ca/leiweke-says-toron...eturn-1.125269

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/11/04...-headed-to-epl

I think he's as good as gone.

[Johnny199r]

He might as well leave. He's become a distraction. It should be interesting to see what TFC does to try to improve the squad. The in-season signings that TFC made this summer (Oduro, Warner, Creavalle) seemed to sink the ship a bit (along with Defoe's injuries). However Bez said Nelson made those trades and he disagreed on them.

TFC really needs a ACM and CB for next year. But if I'm going to be honest, I really don't like their winger siuation either. They need some draft picks from next year to be able to step in asap.

I would get rid of:
Wiedeman, Richter, Orr, Oduro, Hall, DeRo and make Caldwell take a pay cut.

[seattleflamer]

Pashaw, who needs Defoe when you're getting Wesley Sneijder and Steven Gerrard!

http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/in...-in-2015-r4951

Multiple sources have confirmed that TFC brass intends to target Wesley Sneijder and Steven Gerrard.

Previously, Sjneider has been linked to MLS. The Gerrard rumour is new, but the Liverpool legend has recently told UK media that he'd be willing to move from Merseyside if not offered a new contract. His contract expires at the end of the 2014-15 Premier League season.

Sources did not indicate whether the players had been approached in any way, nor did they handicap whether TFC would be able to land either target. However, they are confident that TFC's plan is to approach the players.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Johnny199r

He might as well leave. He's become a distraction. It should be interesting to see what TFC does to try to improve the squad. The in-season signings that TFC made this summer (Oduro, Warner, Creavalle) seemed to sink the ship a bit (along with Defoe's injuries). However Bez said Nelson made those trades and he disagreed on them.

TFC really needs a ACM and CB for next year. But if I'm going to be honest, I really don't like their winger siuation either. They need some draft picks from next year to be able to step in asap.

I would get rid of:
Wiedeman, Richter, Orr, Oduro, Hall, DeRo and make Caldwell take a pay cut.

When Vanney tried a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 late in the year, you really saw the weakness on the wings kill things. Jackson and Oduro are speedy, athletic guys, but not smart and don't have great touch or crossing abilities. Jackson tracks back well, Oduro does not.

If you want to play a formation where you rely on your wingers for service and for defending, those aren't the right guys. You can maybe get by with Jackson if you have a really strong AM beside him and something serviceable on the opposite wing.

I can't believe Henry is gone. Their CB depth killed them this year. Yes, he's a red card machine, but was 21 years of age the right time to make a call on this guy?

I want Bekker gone too. Useless player with a poor work rate. Osorio should not be a starter. Good option off the bench, but he isn't going to get it done.

I think to have any chance this year they need:

--------------------Gilberto-----------------------
New LW/Lovitz------New AM-------New RW/Jackson
--------------New DM---------Bradley--------------
Morrow-------Caldwell---------New CB------New RB/Bloom
----------------------Bendik-----------------------

Sooooo many holes still. Laba would be great beside Bradley. Sigh.

[Johnny199r]

Since there's no 2015 MLS thread:

Great, exciting season, especially for the Canadian teams. I've really gotten hooked on MLS with all the games on TSN. I enjoy watching it more than the Premier League now...

[Magnum PEI]

I watch more MLS than any other league now, just because its on in the summer and during the evening. Try to watch Champions League but inevitably find out scores.
Doesn't help that my team (Pompey) went bankrupt and is now in tier 4.

[Johnny199r]

It's been rumoured that a Canadian domestic league in conjunction with the CFL is set to start in 2017. A primary driver of this league is all the Canadian sports channels that need to fill airtime.

It would be great for our national team if it happened.

[Bill Bumface]

Toronto FC Plays the Montreal Impact to close out the season. Depending on various results, Toronto can still finish between 2nd and 6th. It's amazing the parity this year.

Interestingly enough, the lowest 3 payrolls in the league are currently sitting 1,2,3 in the standings.