2012 MLS Thread

[Montana Moe]

N.E. Revolution trade Captain Shalrie Joseph to Chivas USA

The New England Revolution’s overhaul under new coach Jay Heaps continued Wednesday in the most profound way possible, with the departure of club icon and captain Shalrie Joseph.

The center midfielder, who has been with the Revolution since 2003, was dealt to Chivas USA in exchange for reserve midfielder Blair Gavin, a second-round draft choice in 2013 and allocation money.

[shermanator]

Can't believe the Revs traded Joseph, he's been around that club forever.

TFC sign Irish international Darren O'Dea. Good move for them to center their backline, and a much younger signing than the recent Whitecaps / Impact signings.

http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2012/08...-o%E2%80%99dea

Speaking of TFC, they won their first CCL game 5-1 on Wed against CD Aguila of El Salvador. I can't see them reaching the quarterfinals however.

http://the11.ca/2012/08/02/tfc-score...-seen-by-many/

[Montana Moe]

22 year old Columbus Crew rookie MF Kirk Urso was found dead Saturday night. No information on cause of death was given.

Link

[shermanator]

Donovan Ricketts has been traded from the Impact to Portland for Troy Perkins. An upgrade in net for Montreal, as Ricketts was quite inconsistent in his performances this year.

http://www.tsn.ca/soccer/mls/story/?id=402563

[Montana Moe]

Yeah, the Timbers fan base is not too happy with the trade. They've been on a mission to get rid of the current GM/interim manager since before they entered MLS. The prevailing wisdom has been "If you have a USL caliber front office, you'll get USL results.", which is what you're seeing from them this season.

While he wasn't perfect, Perkins was probably their most consistent player. It was also obvious he wasn't happy with the team and their direction. I'm happy he's off to a place where he may have a chance to make the playoffs.

Obviously, this is a sign that they've thrown in the towel this year, and found someone that can bridge the gap and help mentor their 22 year old Kiwi goalkeeper, Jake Gleeson.

[seattleflamer]

Sounders play Sporting KC for the US Open Cup. Sounders playing for a record 4th title in row. Broadcasted on goltv for its 7 subscribers. Not a great way to increase visibility of this championship or US soccer in general but I'm sure there is a good reason.

Sounders on a role with a 4 nil win against LA on Sunday before a MLS high 60K in the stands and solidified third place.

Rosales/Johnson have been a very good combination.

[seattleflamer]

Sounders lose in a heartbreaker in 3-2 Penalty kicks to SKC.

Controversy with Seattle goalkeeper called for leaving his line too early on a PK save that resulted in a second chance that became the eventual winner.

Must be one of those kinds of weeks to make rare calls first with Mcleod for Canada and now Gspurning. It looked liked he left his line early on the first PK attempt and was warned but I don't see that called often.

At any rate, PK takers didn't help themselves by missing the net on 2 of its 5 chances.

Link to PKs.

[604flames]

SKC may have won the penalty shootout but watching last night I couldn't help but think that they took some of the worst spot kicks I've ever seen.

Tough break for Sounders especially after equalizing so quickly.

[shermanator]

Don't really have a dog in the fight, but good to see a team other than Seattle get into the CCL. Sporting KC has really turned itself around with their new stadium, and IMO, this won't be the last trophy for them in the next couple years.

[Jimmy Stang]

Well it was a scrappy, chippy affair in Vancouver earlier today. I was lucky enough to see my second live MLS match, and although it was a lot more tentative and tight than the Houston match I saw in June, it was still worth every penny. Honestly, if money and other commitments were not in the way, I'd fly out for every game. Bought a jersey for myself and my baby boy while I was at it, so I guess I'm in with both feet now.

Fun stuff aside, this win is was also pretty big for the Whitecaps as they are trying to maintain a playoff spot in the West. After a tight loss two weeks ago at Salt Lake, winning this home leg is huge after having a couple of weeks off.

Topped the night off with Greek dinner and a half litre of wine. Good day all around.

[604flames]

^^ really liked Andy O'Brien on his debut tonight, won the majority if not all of his challenges, real steady influence on VAN's back line.

Richards goal was nice too.

[seattleflamer]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

Well it was a scrappy, chippy affair in Vancouver earlier today. I was lucky enough to see my second live MLS match, and although it was a lot more tentative and tight than the Houston match I saw in June, it was still worth every penny. Honestly, if money and other commitments were not in the way, I'd fly out for every game. Bought a jersey for myself and my baby boy while I was at it, so I guess I'm in with both feet now.

Fun stuff aside, this win is was also pretty big for the Whitecaps as they are trying to maintain a playoff spot in the West. After a tight loss two weeks ago at Salt Lake, winning this home leg is huge after having a couple of weeks off.

Topped the night off with Greek dinner and a half litre of wine. Good day all around.

Did you get the 3rd kit? I was tempted just b/c it looks so smart but that would look bipolar with my Sounders gear.

Big game on Saturday for 3rd place in the West b/w Whitecaps and Sounders.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by seattleflamer

Did you get the 3rd kit? I was tempted just b/c it looks so smart but that would look bipolar with my Sounders gear.

Big game on Saturday for 3rd place in the West b/w Whitecaps and Sounders.

I did get the third kit, as a matter of fact. I got my baby boy a navy blue one, but I have been a fan of the brown kit since it was released. I couldn't resist.

A lot of good it did them last night vs. Dallas though!

I'm looking forward to Saturday as I'm sure you are as well. Hopefully we are both treated to an entertaining match!

[shermanator]

This is the only soccer kit that matters fellas....

[Montana Moe]

OK, so things aren't exactly going as planned for the Portland Timbers. Many fans believe that the GM, Gavin Wilkinson (GW), saddles most of the blame as he's been assembling the squad since the USL days, and is now the interim head coach.

Anyway, while twitter is amazing for access to what once were inaccessible people, I don't think this is what the owner of your team should be saying about the fans:

@MerrittPaulson
@mpacific what I see is a whole bunch of idiots embarrassing themselves. Make it #MPout ...gw's not going anywhere.

@MerrittPaulson
@mpacific when we win a cup I hope the same morons starting this movement line up to kiss gavin's ass.

Tweets have since been deleted, which is par for the course with these little outbursts.

I like Merritt Paulson, I think he's invested emotionally as well as financially, but I'm not sure why he has this blind faith in his GM. Oh well, nothing like a win vs. Vancouver on Saturday to ease the pain...

[Ozy_Flame]

http://www.vancouversun.com/business...650/story.html

I think this was interesting. Not only is Canada in a healthy position to expand with major league sports teams over the next two decades, but Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa will be ready to host MLS franchises by 2035.

I suppose it's nothing overly new and seems like a fair plausibility anyways, but nice to know that we're moving the right direction. I believe a Canadian berth into the World Cup in 2016 (cross fingers) and a successful hosting of the 2015 Women's World Cup will do wonders for soccer in this country.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

http://www.vancouversun.com/business...650/story.html

I think this was interesting. Not only is Canada in a healthy position to expand with major league sports teams over the next two decades, but Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa will be ready to host MLS franchises by 2035.

I suppose it's nothing overly new and seems like a fair plausibility anyways, but nice to know that we're moving the right direction. I believe a Canadian berth into the World Cup in 2016 (cross fingers) and a successful hosting of the 2015 Women's World Cup will do wonders for soccer in this country.

2035 is over 28 years away. Even if someone could look into the future and say the Flames will win the Stanley Cup in 2035, I still wouldn't be excited.

[Montana Moe]

Originally Posted by flameswin

2035 is over 28 years away. Even if someone could look into the future and say the Flames will win the Stanley Cup in 2035, I still wouldn't be excited.

Math is hard.

Go Timbers! Still leading the Cascadia Cup standings!

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

Math is hard.

Go Timbers! Still leading the Cascadia Cup standings!

haha, whoops, meant 23 .

Point still stands, though.

[The Big Chill]

Wow, this ref really has his hate on for the 'Caps. Pretty rediculous.