|
|
Post by rifle on Mar 13, 2022 20:08:29 GMT -5
Welp - they have started better than last year but that’s not saying much. Today’s game looked pretty rough. Nice to see the new DP and Moreno back on the field - but when Brooks Lennon (journeyman veteran making near minimum) is the most dangerous player.. it’s not a good sign.
It was interesting to see AU has 3/3 and 4/7 of the highest transfer fees in league history.
I’d like to see Fox fire every single one of their MLS studio and broadcast team. They’re simply not good.
|
|
|
|
Post by bogan on Mar 13, 2022 20:13:00 GMT -5
“
I’d like to see Fox fire every single one of their MLS studio and broadcast team. They’re simply not good.”
☠️Dead💀. 🤣🤣🤣
|
|
|
|
Post by Soccerhouse on Mar 13, 2022 20:17:57 GMT -5
Agree 100%. Lennon was the most dangerous player on the pitch, that’s a huge problem.
Usually everyone knows when I dog a player they become a legend - I.e. the legend of the great Bobby woods
But Wolff come on. His best 2 players were being fouled in the final third, kid just ain’t good enough to start at this level. Sorry.
He’s not active at all, stands around and rarely looks to receive the ball.
I was stunned he was left in for the 2nd half.
|
|
|
|
Post by atlutd17 on Mar 14, 2022 10:15:34 GMT -5
Let's be realistic. We're an average playoff team, at best. Arthur has done his part financially (we have too with a full house and season ticket prices higher than most MLS markets), but he's not a soccer expert. That's the role of the FO. Even if all our players are back and healthy, only about 5-6 of them are considered Champions League / MLS Cup level material as advertised per FO and DE for the level Atlanta United wants to be. Another 7-8 are simply mediocre MLS level just good enough to push the team into the playoffs and make them an above average side. I won't comment on the bench ... except to say everyone can have an outstanding game or few great moments from time to time.
All that said, I never fault players provided they give us 100% effort. They do what they can and I respect that. Beyond the effort, if they're not good enough, I look at those who put them on the field, and that's not necessarily a slam on the coach. He's doing his best with the cards he's dealt, and actually the team looked well trained tactically which was refreshing.
|
|
|
|
Post by Soccerhouse on Mar 14, 2022 11:58:54 GMT -5
I think what your describing is the MLS in general, I don't watch enough, but do any teams really blow you away like Atlanta United were in year 1 and 2?
Colorado is 4th in the west, and that team wasn't anything special. Is Columbus and Philly good? Philly the past few years have impressed me the most, and bedoya's play.
But again, I only watched them against Atlanta United.
Campbell was lucky, he could have gotten an earlier yellow in the game which would have resulted in a 2nd yellow. Granted maybe he plays differently sitting on that yellow and doesn't pull the guy down.
|
|
|
|
Post by bogan on Mar 14, 2022 12:56:28 GMT -5
I think what your describing is the MLS in general, I don't watch enough, but do any teams really blow you away like Atlanta United were in year 1 and 2? Colorado is 4th in the west, and that team wasn't anything special. Is Columbus and Philly good? Philly the past few years have impressed me the most, and bedoya's play. But again, I only watched them against Atlanta United. Campbell was lucky, he could have gotten an earlier yellow in the game which would have resulted in a 2nd yellow. Granted maybe he plays differently sitting on that yellow and doesn't pull the guy down. Pretty much-MLS is basically USL Championship with a few designated players thrown in at this point. Fingers crossed that it will get better. |
|
|
|
Post by flamengo100 on Mar 14, 2022 13:19:42 GMT -5
Do you think the overall quality of teams in the MLS is declining due to the expansion of the league? soon to be 30 teams?
|
|
|
|
Post by bogan on Mar 14, 2022 13:34:45 GMT -5
Do you think the overall quality of teams in the MLS is declining due to the expansion of the league? soon to be 30 teams? Definitely. |
|
|
|
Post by Soccerhouse on Mar 14, 2022 13:44:09 GMT -5
Unfortunately our country size creates problems for sure, but I think it's mls 1.0 vs 2.0, and the only way for them to generate interest and excitement in the league is through expansion.
I can't give an honest enough impression because I don't really watch other teams play in the league and only watched sporadically over the years prior to Atlanta joining. But there is no question, Atlanta united in year 1 and 2, took the league by storm --- their was something different, a different sense of magic than hadn't been replicated before outside maybe seattle and portland.
AU was the perfect storm -- incredible fan support, aurther blanks $, tata, almiron and martinez playing at another level.
But in my opinion the MLS is USL with 3 DPs. There is competitive balance in theory in the league because of the salary cap and the rules, but clearly many new fan bases are dumping money into the expansion teams that older clubs just can't match .
Attendance for many clubs are bad -- blame the bad weather, not sure, but opening day for New England and this past weekend at NYFC were embarrassing. They could have both played in a high school stadium and had left over seats.
I think MLS is in a tough spot because clearly people don't watch on TV.
|
|
|
|
Post by baller84 on Mar 14, 2022 16:55:32 GMT -5
I do not think 30 teams in this country is too many and I do not think recent expansion is the problem.
Fans in this country (not just this town) want to see better soccer and better soccer players, but the greed of some owners holding the salary cap low does not allow for optimism. What's worse, many of the same owners do not even see the value in investing in academies or help fund local soccer communities. In contrast one might want to take a look how the local associations and federations such as "evil UEFA" help fund the grassroots, and not just the men but the women's game as well.
|
|
|
|
Post by rifle on Mar 14, 2022 20:31:33 GMT -5
There might be some nice properties on the street.. but the street is a dead end without TV money. I’m curious to see how the next MLS TV deal is structured and funded because it’s gonna take some very fuzzy math to justify (until and after the World Cup** happens). Its a shame.
**Edit: assuming they manage to package MLS and WC. I did read recently that marketing of the USNT and Open Cup are no longer being done by SUM - so it’s possible MLS will be on their own
|
|
|
|
Post by baller84 on Mar 14, 2022 23:42:35 GMT -5
Butts on stadium seats across the MLS must come before a decent TV contract.
Selling out in just a couple of markets isn't gonna cut it for the MLS.
And to do that, the overall product has to get better. Just not good enough right now.
Proof is the fact of how well the EPL is attended and the TV viewership worldwide including the US.
|
|
|
|
Post by Soccerhouse on Mar 15, 2022 17:29:50 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by rifle on Mar 15, 2022 20:22:41 GMT -5
Thats a shame honestly. I watched it too since it wasn’t on “Whatever SportsSouth”. Just 1% of the country watches cable news. And a lot less watch MLS. |
|
|
|
Post by footyfan on Mar 18, 2022 7:59:43 GMT -5
Butts on stadium seats across the MLS must come before a decent TV contract. Selling out in just a couple of markets isn't gonna cut it for the MLS. And to do that, the overall product has to get better. Just not good enough right now. Proof is the fact of how well the EPL is attended and the TV viewership worldwide including the US. IMO game attendence and TV audience are diff animals. Local sellouts do not encourage TV viewing. MLS can't bridge the local v national TV viewing gap. 75k went to Charlotte franchise grand opening and nobody else cared. Is it bc MLS is unwatchable? Partly. But also bc other MLS fans don't care what happens outside their city. |
|
|
|
Post by oraclesfriend on Mar 18, 2022 9:05:41 GMT -5
Butts on stadium seats across the MLS must come before a decent TV contract. Selling out in just a couple of markets isn't gonna cut it for the MLS. And to do that, the overall product has to get better. Just not good enough right now. Proof is the fact of how well the EPL is attended and the TV viewership worldwide including the US. IMO game attendence and TV audience are diff animals. Local sellouts do not encourage TV viewing. MLS can't bridge the local v national TV viewing gap. 75k went to Charlotte franchise grand opening and nobody else cared. Is it bc MLS is unwatchable? Partly. But also bc other MLS fans don't care what happens outside their city. I also think it is because MLS competes against other nations' soccer. People watch EPL and others in the morning and then go about their business. They don't work the schedules around soccer. As an aside maybe the playoffs play into it. Each game has less meaning. Also no pro/rel drama. |
|
|
|
Post by Soccerhouse on Mar 18, 2022 10:33:47 GMT -5
MLS has a full slate of games tomorrow going head to head against the NCAA tourney
On the bright side - AU has montreal and should get another win. The bad news -- the game is on Bally -- so there is a good chance, the camera will be pointed at the sky for 10 minutes, the audio will go out, the producers will focus on the camera on the crowd instead of the game, and the coverage will look like an old ACC basketball game from Raycom Sports.
Charlotte FC has New England and should get another loss!
|
|
|
|
Post by bogan on Mar 18, 2022 10:43:07 GMT -5
MLS has a full slate of games tomorrow going head to head against the NCAA tourney On the bright side - AU has montreal and should get another win. The bad news -- the game is on Bally -- so there is a good chance, the camera will be pointed at the sky for 10 minutes, the audio will go out, the producers will focus on the camera on the crowd instead of the game, and the coverage will look like an old ACC basketball game from Raycom Sports. Charlotte FC has New England and should get another loss! Bally has not impressed me. Maybe if there were a professional production group more people would watch…I’ve seen better presentation on the “Ocho.” |
|
|
|
Post by rifle on Mar 18, 2022 21:13:41 GMT -5
MLS has a full slate of games tomorrow going head to head against the NCAA tourney On the bright side - AU has montreal and should get another win. The bad news -- the game is on Bally -- so there is a good chance, the camera will be pointed at the sky for 10 minutes, the audio will go out, the producers will focus on the camera on the crowd instead of the game, and the coverage will look like an old ACC basketball game from Raycom Sports. Charlotte FC has New England and should get another loss! Bally has not impressed me. Maybe if there were a professional production group more people would watch…I’ve seen better presentation on the “Ocho.” wait for it, the new tv deal will be crowdsourced from mobile phones and still blacked out in a 250 mile radius. |
|
|
|
Post by rifle on Mar 18, 2022 21:19:48 GMT -5
I also think it is because MLS competes against other nations' soccer. People watch EPL and others in the morning and then go about their business. They don't work the schedules around soccer. As an aside maybe the playoffs play into it. Each game has less meaning. Also no pro/rel drama. Playoffs are a gimmick designed for teams from large tv markets to extend their seasons.. in hopes of selling more commercials. Except it doesn’t work for a sport with no commercial breaks. Oops. Meanwhile pro/rel countries attract massive interest in the games at top and bottom of the table in multiple levels of the pyramid… because they all matter. |
|
|
|
Post by footyfan on Mar 20, 2022 13:07:51 GMT -5
I also think it is because MLS competes against other nations' soccer. People watch EPL and others in the morning and then go about their business. They don't work the schedules around soccer. As an aside maybe the playoffs play into it. Each game has less meaning. Also no pro/rel drama. Playoffs are a gimmick designed for teams from large tv markets to extend their seasons.. in hopes of selling more commercials. Except it doesn’t work for a sport with no commercial breaks. Oops. Meanwhile pro/rel countries attract massive interest in the games at top and bottom of the table in multiple levels of the pyramid… because they all matter. Playoffs (except maybe top east v top west?) should be replaced with a focus on US Open Cup and USSF should create a lesser cup for lower leagues to qualify into including those who are eliminated from US Open Cup rounds Agree about pro/rel. I watch EPL games to see who will finish in CL/Europa spots as well as top spot. Top 8 teams in play. I also watch matches between bottom-of-the-table teams(like Burnley v Brentford last week). Bottom 6 teams in play. Who needs playoffs? |
|
|
|
Post by bogan on Mar 20, 2022 13:11:32 GMT -5
Playoffs are a gimmick designed for teams from large tv markets to extend their seasons.. in hopes of selling more commercials. Except it doesn’t work for a sport with no commercial breaks. Oops. Meanwhile pro/rel countries attract massive interest in the games at top and bottom of the table in multiple levels of the pyramid… because they all matter. Playoffs (except maybe top east v top west?) should be replaced with a focus on US Open Cup and USSF should create a lesser cup for lower leagues to qualify into including those who are eliminated from US Open Cup rounds Agree about pro/rel. I watch EPL games to see who will finish in CL/Europa spots as well as top spot. Top 8 teams in play. I also watch matches between bottom-of-the-table teams(like Burnley v Brentford last week). Bottom 6 teams in play. Who needs playoffs? Agreed-I also watch the English Championship-a lot of quality games to see who will make the EPL. They even have a playoff, too. |
|
|
|
Post by Soccerhouse on Mar 20, 2022 13:44:16 GMT -5
EPL has been very good the past month for sure.
I’d go crazy for a true local team to be able to rise up the ranks - it would be authentic and real.
It’s never gonna happen with the current mls Ponzi scheme though. Charlotte paid what $350 million?
It’s the only thing that can save Soccer in this country. It’s not necessarily about pro/reg, but an open system that with some sort of ability to get return on your investment. Obviously pro/reg is probably the only option, but so much money would get dumped into the game if the system was opened. Imagine the pressure it would put on clubs to produce.
|
|
|
|
Post by rifle on Mar 20, 2022 20:55:35 GMT -5
EPL has been very good the past month for sure. I’d go crazy for a true local team to be able to rise up the ranks - it would be authentic and real. It’s never gonna happen with the current mls Ponzi scheme though. Charlotte paid what $350 million? It’s the only thing that can save Soccer in this country. It’s not necessarily about pro/reg, but an open system that with some sort of ability to get return on your investment. Obviously pro/reg is probably the only option, but so much money would get dumped into the game if the system was opened. Imagine the pressure it would put on clubs to produce. What I don’t understand is those who defend the “investment” of the current owners. Most of them invested as a hedge.. little to no interest in soccer. If USSF opened the pyramid the current MLS owners would have a thousand yard head start in a 1,200 yard race. But there would be enormous interest from new owners willing to come in and perform. Still very curious to see what MLS can get in the next broadcast deal. |
|
|
|
Post by mightydawg on Mar 20, 2022 22:16:05 GMT -5
Except that to for an EPL type league, 10 teams would have to be relegated right now so no real head start and a lot of wasted money. If you had a 40 team top league, then your analogy would apply.
|
|
|
|
Post by Soccerhouse on Mar 21, 2022 13:32:52 GMT -5
Recently, I've flipped on and watched Charlottes Games. I've watched 3 of them so far. They looked good on Saturday, but to be fair -- New England looked terrible. yikes.
Jozy literally looked like an over weight old man trying to play soccer with 18-23 year olds.
Omar isn't not good.
Will be very interesting to see how they build on this with Cincinnati next, then Philly then AU again. Swiderski had 2 goals, and could have had more, he might be the real deal. On one of their goals, I think all 10 field players touched the ball.
But I'd much rather had seen charlotte independence being moved up creating a new club out of thin air.
|
|
|
|
Post by rifle on Mar 21, 2022 19:06:59 GMT -5
Except that to for an EPL type league, 10 teams would have to be relegated right now so no real head start and a lot of wasted money. If you had a 40 team top league, then your analogy would apply. relegating ten now sounds good to me. Let them play against USL teams if they’re of comparable level. Let them come right back up next year if they are better. If supporters support the club rather than the false premise that their franchise is something special - they’ll have every opportunity to rise again. Or just keep on losing to new teams that play better. This is merely a thought elexercise because it won’t happen.. but I’m sick of being told it’s not crappy. |
|
|
|
Post by baller84 on Mar 31, 2022 16:59:10 GMT -5
Butts on stadium seats across the MLS must come before a decent TV contract. Selling out in just a couple of markets isn't gonna cut it for the MLS. And to do that, the overall product has to get better. Just not good enough right now. Proof is the fact of how well the EPL is attended and the TV viewership worldwide including the US. IMO game attendence and TV audience are diff animals. Local sellouts do not encourage TV viewing. MLS can't bridge the local v national TV viewing gap. 75k went to Charlotte franchise grand opening and nobody else cared. Is it bc MLS is unwatchable? Partly. But also bc other MLS fans don't care what happens outside their city. Football fans will care to watch a football game not involving their own team if the quality is there, I promise you. |
|
