2023 General TFC/MLS Banter (no transfer/roster discussion)

[Oldtimer]

This thread is a catch-all for general banter not specifically related to transfer rumours.

[OgtheDim]

Wisdom in this tweet

https://twitter.com/GraceOnFootball/status/1610592987062353921

[ag futbol]

I don’t know where this goes (not worth starting a thread elsewhere) but the Gio Reyna / Greg Berhalter drama. Holly crap, talk about dysfunctional.

[Canary10]

I don’t know where this goes (not worth starting a thread elsewhere) but the Gio Reyna / Greg Berhalter drama. Holly crap, talk about dysfunctional.

Yeah I was just reading it. Almost makes the CSA look ok.

[Richard]

Imagine trying to blackmail someone publicly for an incident 30 years ago......which was reconciled 30 years ago by each party involved.

Like wtf is wrong with today's culture? Shit happened and everyone moved on.

Cancel culture nonsense.

[OgtheDim]

Gets worse...the families were friends. Went on holidays together.

&

The guy who hired Berhalter & didn't ask about any past domestic issues - his brother.

[Canary10]

Gets worse...the families were friends. Went on holidays together.

&

The guy who hired Berhalter & didn't ask about any past domestic issues - his brother.

And it’s all over Gio Reyna’s playing time in the World Cup. And Greg insinuating he has a bad attitude and doesn’t work. Which sounds bang on after reading about his mom tattling on Greg.

[ag futbol]

And it’s all over Gio Reyna’s playing time in the World Cup. And Greg insinuating he has a bad attitude and doesn’t work. Which sounds bang on after reading about his mom tattling on Greg.
Yeah. By no means would I support Greg here but matter-of-fact Reyna’s own teammates nearly voted to boot him off the squad mid tournament. So clearly it’s not just a problem with the coach.

[OgtheDim]

Remember, this is coming from the guy (Reyna) who was running NYCFC when their star DP's behaviour of harassment caused them to have to pay off numerous female staff members.

Soccer in the US is one gigantic cesspool of misogynistic petty crud - no wonder NWSL has so many issues with coaches.

[ensco]

As a long time USMNT follower… this strange story doesn’t 100% add up to me. I don’t quite believe that Earnie Stewart genuinely launched a legal investigation into this based on what he heard this phone conversation as described. Either there is a lot more to it, or it was a pretext.

Also yeah, the USMNT setup is bad, a clubby closed shop.

I am feeling the absence of Grant Wahl. He would have just told us all what happened.

[Canary10]

As a long time USMNT follower… this strange story doesn’t 100% add up to me. I don’t quite believe that Earnie Stewart genuinely launched a legal investigation into this based on what he heard this phone conversation as described. Either there is a lot more to it, or it was a pretext.

Also yeah, the USMNT setup is bad, a clubby closed shop.

I am feeling the absence of Grant Wahl. He would have just told us all what happened.

The whole story is bizarre. Maybe it was Greg’s claim he was being blackmailed triggered the investigation? Yeah, Grant Wahl would have figured out what’s going on. 😭

[jloome]

The whole story is bizarre. Maybe it was Greg’s claim he was being blackmailed triggered the investigation? Yeah, Grant Wahl would have figured out what’s going on. 

I suspect this was not as clean as Mrs. Reyna is making out and she attempted to use this to force him to play her son, or threats to do so in the future if he benched him again.

However, these are close friends (believe it or not) and it's possible Berhalter doesn't want her charged criminally.

In other non-roster news BECKHAM MADE $50-million a season off MLS revenue for eight years.

https://www.the-sun.com/sport/7060270/david-beckham-earned-mls-transfer-contract/

[jloome]

Also, Ensco, you owe me a beer for our Aaron Long bet, as he did not start for the U.S. at the World Cup, and Tim Ream did.

[Canary10]

I suspect this was not as clean as Mrs. Reyna is making out and she attempted to use this to force him to play her son, or threats to do so in the future if he benched him again.

However, these are close friends (believe it or not) and it's possible Berhalter doesn't want her charged criminally.

In other non-roster news BECKHAM MADE $50-million a season off MLS revenue for eight years.

https://www.the-sun.com/sport/7060270/david-beckham-earned-mls-transfer-contract/

It’s hard to imagine that the claims of Gio being lazy and not putting in the work could be true in light of his mom using an incident from 30 years ago to shoehorn him into a starting role despite the players disliking him.

[ensco]

Also, Ensco, you owe me a beer for our Aaron Long bet, as he did not start for the U.S. at the World Cup, and Tim Ream did.

Yeah, I meant to tell you that. Slipped my mind somehow…

[jloome]

Yeah, I meant to tell you that. Slipped my mind somehow…

How about that Beckham deal, eh? I doubt anyone would offer that now, but wow... 400 million pounds to play for four years in LA.

[ensco]

How about that Beckham deal, eh? I doubt anyone would offer that now, but wow... 400 million pounds to play for four years in LA.

The franchise appreciation bit is kind of a one in a million bluebird.

But his merch deal structured way, that is interesting. Because MLS got Beckham to take the risk if the merch piece flopped.

If that is what MLS tried with CR, the CR team must have laughed. CR could get that deal anywhere without risk now, the model is proven. It is not even part of the conversation any more, a global athlete like that just has his own brand.

[jloome]

https://www.wireservice.ca/toronto-fc-insigne-is-set-to-return-to-canada-but-in-the-meantime-he-distributes-socks-to-santophono-children/

Some nice words about the fans and his family enjoying life here.

[OgtheDim]

https://www.wireservice.ca/toronto-fc-insigne-is-set-to-return-to-canada-but-in-the-meantime-he-distributes-socks-to-santophono-children/

Some nice words about the fans and his family enjoying life here.

This one is very telling...


My dog, Ciro, is happy in Toronto; I can take him for a walk, which I haven’t been able to do before.

Tough life when you can't even walk your dog because of papparazzi.

[Mr. Inbetween]

Where's Bill, where's Bob?
Maybe they could use a decent assistant?
Would this individual be considered?

https://twitter.com/PaulTenorio/status/1611066285344886798

[ensco]

This is a good read on the USMNT situation. The “parents working the coach because their kid isn’t playing” meme gone wild, and a splash of entitlement

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jan/05/soccer-parents-gregg-berhalter-gio-reyna-family-feud

If you have a spare 3 hours, grab some popcorn and check out the “Berhalter releases statement” thread on bigsoccer. A 75 page thread that looks like nothing so much as the Kingsmen movie battle royale in the church.

That thread did turn up several things I hadn't realized. Lots of speculation that Claudio Reyna passing on Berhalter's son (after his loan at Austin, pre Vancouver) is the start of the problem. Also discussion about Tom Bogert, given his unique situation (a reporter paid by MLS, who only covers MLS, and who had no history on the USMNT beat -but is the one who first published that Gio Reyna was the player Greg Berhalter was talking about in that conference) - did the MLS offices want to spike Berhalter also?

[Smokecell]

Taylor Twellman to Apple TV all but confirmed at this point. He has announced his departure from ESPN.

[Canary10]

This is a good read on the USMNT situation. The “parents working the coach because their kid isn’t playing” meme gone wild, and a splash of entitlement

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jan/05/soccer-parents-gregg-berhalter-gio-reyna-family-feud

If you have a spare 3 hours, grab some popcorn and check out the “Berhalter releases statement” thread on bigsoccer. A 75 page thread that looks like nothing so much as the Kingsmen movie battle royale in the church.

That thread did turn up several things I hadn't realized. Lots of speculation that Claudio Reyna passing on Berhalter's son (after his loan at Austin, pre Vancouver) is the start of the problem. Also discussion about Tom Bogert, given his unique situation (a reporter paid by MLS, who only covers MLS, and who had no history on the USMNT beat -but is the one who first published that Gio Reyna was the player Greg Berhalter was talking about in that conference) - did the MLS offices want to spike Berhalter also?

I can’t imagine Berhalter potentially tanking the World Cup, and his own coaching career, to get even about some slight against his son. And there seemed to be evidence Gio isn’t liked in the US camp.

[ensco]

I can’t imagine Berhalter potentially tanking the World Cup, and his own coaching career, to get even about some slight against his son. And there seemed to be evidence Gio isn’t liked in the US camp.

I can't either. But there are a lot of overlapping stories here. This thing seems to involve every single person in the USMNT setup over the last 25 years except Jozy and MB.

[Canary10]

I can't either. But there are a lot of overlapping stories here. This thing seems to involve every single person in the USMNT setup over the last 25 years except Jozy and MB.

Lol. Bet they would love and ole fashioned suit fitting scandal.

[OgtheDim]

I can’t imagine Berhalter potentially tanking the World Cup, and his own coaching career, to get even about some slight against his son. And there seemed to be evidence Gio isn’t liked in the US camp.

Big Soccer can imagine.....

I don't miss that place.

[Hala Hrvatska]

This is a good read on the USMNT situation. The “parents working the coach because their kid isn’t playing” meme gone wild, and a splash of entitlement

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jan/05/soccer-parents-gregg-berhalter-gio-reyna-family-feud

If you have a spare 3 hours, grab some popcorn and check out the “Berhalter releases statement” thread on bigsoccer. A 75 page thread that looks like nothing so much as the Kingsmen movie battle royale in the church.

That thread did turn up several things I hadn't realized. Lots of speculation that Claudio Reyna passing on Berhalter's son (after his loan at Austin, pre Vancouver) is the start of the problem. Also discussion about Tom Bogert, given his unique situation (a reporter paid by MLS, who only covers MLS, and who had no history on the USMNT beat -but is the one who first published that Gio Reyna was the player Greg Berhalter was talking about in that conference) - did the MLS offices want to spike Berhalter also?

Soccer mom at the pro level...lol.

Berhalter though was in way over his head though tactically.

[Mr. Inbetween]

So, Jason Hernandez has been interacting with Agents in some sort of capacity for Bill and Bob since he joined TFC front office management in April 2019.
Has he just recently transitioned to such mentioned added responsibilities from Manager of Player Engagement to now Assistant GM?
At the most, that could be about 8 windows of front-line selling the club involvement.
Shared responsibility in the good- of those that signed and the bad- of those that passed on us.

https://twitter.com/Total_TFC/status/1611571018975379463

[ensco]

Big Soccer can imagine.....

I don't miss that place.

Agree with your general point. It has some gems on this, as it turns out:

All Berhalter had to do was say, “I should have played Gio more. He is the world’s greatest player. And I am merely a buffoon because I coached in MLS. That’s why I’m resigning right now in the middle of the World Cup. I will be replaced by a committee of extremely sexy super genius Internet warriors who have logged a lot of Football Manager hours and have excellent collections of European soccer scarves. That is how we will win this World Cup.”

[Canary10]

Gareth Bale retired today. That means LAFC will have an open DP spot, I think, since they had like five DPs.

[Smokecell]

Gareth Bale retired today. That means LAFC will have an open DP spot, I think, since they had like five DPs.

Can only mean one thing...he'll be signing for Genoa in a few months time.

[Yuushalinsky]

https://twitter.com/NBAMEX/status/1608254009718054913

Putting some Salcedo love here, damn he probably really liked the city. Feels bad.

[Gringo Starr]

Gareth Bale retired today. That means LAFC will have an open DP spot, I think, since they had like five DPs.

Too bad, I would have liked to have seen him live a few times…

[613reppingTFC]

Gareth Bale retired today. That means LAFC will have an open DP spot, I think, since they had like five DPs.

I thought I read somewhere that he wasn't on a DP deal. That was when he was originally signing though, not sure if that changed afterwards. Said they used TAM to acquire and wouldn't use up a DP spot

Edit:
ORIGINAL (June 25, 10:49 am ET) – LAFC (https://www.mlssoccer.com/clubs/los-angeles-football-club/) are finalizing a deal to sign former Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale, sources tell MLSsoccer.com.

Bale is a free agent after his contract with Real Madrid expires this summer. One source indicates the deal will not require a Designated Player spot, leaving LAFC with one DP spot open still. The deal will run for 12 months, through June 2023.

[Canary10]

I thought I read somewhere that he wasn't on a DP deal. That was when he was originally signing though, not sure if that changed afterwards. Said they used TAM to acquire and wouldn't use up a DP spot

Edit:
ORIGINAL (June 25, 10:49 am ET) – LAFC (https://www.mlssoccer.com/clubs/los-angeles-football-club/) are finalizing a deal to sign former Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale, sources tell MLSsoccer.com.

Bale is a free agent after his contract with Real Madrid expires this summer. One source indicates the deal will not require a Designated Player spot, leaving LAFC with one DP spot open still. The deal will run for 12 months, through June 2023.

Funny I read an MLS tweet yesterday saying it opened up a spot. Pretty sure there was some sort of fishy accounting going on when they got him.

[MikeForbes]

An interesting thread here.

https://twitter.com/MLSist/status/1612846730424483847?s=20&t=uMm13vF23cDFvBGlovqx4Q

[MikeForbes]

Also, Luke Wileman appears to have a new gig. No idea if this will effect his status with TSN.

https://twitter.com/SoccerInsider/status/1612872887702110210?s=20&t=ATbnq1vzfrh6xVoE1Kc9mA

[noxx98]

Also, Luke Wileman appears to have a new gig. No idea if this will effect his status with TSN.

https://twitter.com/SoccerInsider/status/1612872887702110210?s=20&t=ATbnq1vzfrh6xVoE1Kc9mA

He tweeted out that he’ll be staying with TSN.

[OgtheDim]

An interesting thread here.

https://twitter.com/MLSist/status/1612846730424483847?s=20&t=uMm13vF23cDFvBGlovqx4Q

Yeh, for us with TFC, most of this is done already.

Can see some of the managers going "what do you mean this is live" about post game pressers...

[OgtheDim]

Apple announces its broadcast teams.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/apple-and-major-league-soccer-unveil-broadcasters-for-mls-season-pass-x1835


They announced the French language groups but nothing particular for the Canadian teams - are we sure TSN is still involved?

Sebastian Le Toux?

BWP?


This could all be either bad or good....can't be worse then Wheeler.

[jloome]

Apple announces its broadcast teams.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/apple-and-major-league-soccer-unveil-broadcasters-for-mls-season-pass-x1835


They announced the French language groups but nothing particular for the Canadian teams - are we sure TSN is still involved?

Sebastian Le Toux?

BWP?


This could all be either bad or good....can't be worse then Wheeler.

Their announcers are basically a bunch of ex players and Max Bretos, plus an NHL studio guy from Fox. It's fucking woeful. Every so often, every decade or so, America feels the need to try to imprint something American on the game itself. Now, it's going to be all-American commentators for the (not) all-American league.

Bleh. I don't care if they're English or French or Spanish or American or Canadian. Just make them profoundly knowledgeable and with some turn of phrase, some actual flair that matches the poetry of the game, rather than some idiot screaming "GOLAZO" at the top of his lungs.

[jloome]

https://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/liga-mx/goles-grita-hermana-carlos-salcedo-presenta-sencillo-polemicas-frases

Salcedo being classless.

[Mr. Inbetween]

https://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/liga-mx/goles-grita-hermana-carlos-salcedo-presenta-sencillo-polemicas-frases

Salcedo being classless.

Wow!
Mexico's contemporary 'Julio Iglesias'.
A singer wanna be footballer? D'oh.
According to a translation of the article...
Apparently he mocks Canada lyrically in a musical video?
Yet, article's author declares...
'The high earnings he had at Toronto FC, where he was one of the highest paid without even standing out'; hehehe.

[Mr. Inbetween]

An interesting thread here.
Also...
Luke Wileman appears to have a new gig. No idea if this will effect his status with TSN.


Great highlight; intriguing information.

[OgtheDim]

Concussion subs....maybe

https://twitter.com/HenryBushnell/status/1613311989148680199


I think its about time....

[los sonadores]

Their announcers are basically a bunch of ex players and Max Bretos, plus an NHL studio guy from Fox. It's fucking woeful. Every so often, every decade or so, America feels the need to try to imprint something American on the game itself. Now, it's going to be all-American commentators for the (not) all-American league.

Bleh. I don't care if they're English or French or Spanish or American or Canadian. Just make them profoundly knowledgeable and with some turn of phrase, some actual flair that matches the poetry of the game, rather than some idiot screaming "GOLAZO" at the top of his lungs.

Amen!

[613reppingTFC]

Concussion subs....maybe

https://twitter.com/HenryBushnell/status/1613311989148680199


I think its about time....

They already had Temporary Concussion subs used last year. You are able to use it on a concussion sub, that then gives the opposing team an additional sub they are able to use as well for one. I thought I saw it somewhere last year. Found it- This was posted last year on 2022 MLS Competition Guidelines: https://www.mlssoccer.com/about/competition-guidelines

GAME DAY ROSTERS: Each team can select a maximum of 20 players (11 starters and nine substitutes) for its official match roster. Teams are allowed a maximum of five Normal Substitutions per game to be used over the course of three opportunities, excluding half-time, but including cooling and/or drink breaks.



Additionally, MLS has implemented The IFAB Concussion Substitution Trial/Initiative. This new initiative allows teams to make up to two concussion substitutions during a match to replace players with concussions or suspected concussions, regardless of the number of normal substitutions already used. If a team elects to use a concussion substitution, its opponent will receive an additional substitution and an additional opportunity.

[OgtheDim]

The new rules would allow for subs in who will go out if the person with the possible concussion is proven to not have it

i.e. Out to be looked at- cleared - comes back in.

[jloome]

https://old.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/10bfh1s/statement_from_la_galaxy_sgs_announcing_boycott/

Galaxy supporters groups all boycotting until Chris Klein is fired.

[OgtheDim]

Got down 5 comments below that announcement & had to bail - reddit is such a cesspool.

[Oldtimer]

They already had Temporary Concussion subs used last year. You are able to use it on a concussion sub, that then gives the opposing team an additional sub they are able to use as well for one. I thought I saw it somewhere last year. Found it- This was posted last year on 2022 MLS Competition Guidelines: https://www.mlssoccer.com/about/competition-guidelines

GAME DAY ROSTERS: Each team can select a maximum of 20 players (11 starters and nine substitutes) for its official match roster. Teams are allowed a maximum of five Normal Substitutions per game to be used over the course of three opportunities, excluding half-time, but including cooling and/or drink breaks.



Additionally, MLS has implemented The IFAB Concussion Substitution Trial/Initiative. This new initiative allows teams to make up to two concussion substitutions during a match to replace players with concussions or suspected concussions, regardless of the number of normal substitutions already used. If a team elects to use a concussion substitution, its opponent will receive an additional substitution and an additional opportunity.

Nice to see MLS being the trial league for IFAB new stuff, like it was for VAR.

Totally different from the original NASL/early MLS attempts to "Americanize" the world game. In this case the league is working with the world body.

[OgtheDim]

https://twitter.com/plattoli/status/1615409921041829902

Voyageur's schedule known in 2 weeks

[jloome]

So if anyone's bored, here's some potentially surprising trivia for you:

Danny Dichio, Tosaint Ricketts and Jordan Hamilton all had exactly 66 appearances at striker for the club.

Put them in order of who scored the most goals (without looking it up).

[OgtheDim]

JHams, Dichio, Ricketts

[jloome]

JHams, Dichio, Ricketts

Good guess! Incorrect. (Notably, Danny Koevermans played 25 fewer games than all three... and scored more goals.)

[Joe Kool]

Ricketts/Dichio/Hamilton....Ricketts had better support around him so guessing he might have most. I recall him having some good goals coming on as a sub. Dichio had the memorable first goal but not a ton of support around him in his years at the club so maybe less than Ricketts. Hamilton I just don't remember a whole lot that impressed me that much ever.

[jloome]

Ricketts/Dichio/Hamilton....Ricketts had better support around him so guessing he might have most. I recall him having some good goals coming on as a sub. Dichio had the memorable first goal but not a ton of support around him in his years at the club so maybe less than Ricketts. Hamilton I just don't remember a whole lot that impressed me that much ever.


Good guess. Incorrect!

(I mean sheer numbers alone suggest someone has to get this before we hit nine attempts).

[Ultra & Proud]

Good guess. Incorrect!

(I mean sheer numbers alone suggest someone has to get this before we hit nine attempts).

You never know with sheer numbers. Could end up like Chad Barrett's strike rate.

Well goes my shot: Dichio, JHams, Ricketts

[jloome]

You never know with sheer numbers. Could end up like Chad Barrett's strike rate.

Well goes my shot: Dichio, JHams, Ricketts

See, that would've been my guess but... Incorrect!

(This is sort of like that password game in Fallout 3.)

[Smokecell]

I feel like they all didn’t score very much so gonna go out on a limb and say 3 way tie. Or at least 2 of them tie.

[jloome]

I feel like they all didn’t score very much so gonna go out on a limb and say 3 way tie. Or at least 2 of them tie.

That would've been a good statistical coincidence, eh? But... nope. Incorrect!

[ensco]

Dichio, Ricketts, Jhams?

[jloome]

Dichio, Ricketts, Jhams?

And that would be.... Incorrect!

(As we're running out of potential options, I shall point out that this may be complicated by some pretty natural cognitive biases. THat's definitely a clue.)

[Kamp Berg]

And that would be.... Incorrect!

(As we're running out of potential options, I shall point out that this may be complicated by some pretty natural cognitive biases. THat's definitely a clue.)

Has to be Ricketts, JHam, Dichio

[jloome]

Has to be Ricketts, JHam, Dichio

Bingo!

16, 15, 14 respectively. Vasquez played two fewer games and had 18 goals (in his first go-round). Danny Koevermans played 25 fewer games and had 19 goals (in 41! Fucking great striker, made of glass).

[Kamp Berg]

Bingo!

16, 15, 14 respectively. Vasquez played two fewer games and had 18 goals (in his first go-round). Danny Koevermans played 25 fewer games and had 19 goals (in 41! Fucking great striker, made of glass).

I had a feeling Ricketts had the most, so many late game goals. I’m surprised by JHam, but I remember his goal rate for minutes played was super high at some point.

[jloome]

I had a feeling Ricketts had the most, so many late game goals. I’m surprised by JHam, but I remember his goal rate for minutes played was super high at some point.

Ricketts' goal ratio was good at Vancouver, too. Per minute, he's something like a 13 in 36 scorer, or something like that.

So never looked the part that he never got a start, would be the poem, or something like that. I don't really know why he wasn't more valued. Really a clutch player.

[ensco]

Ricketts was a polarizing player for CMNT fans, and that didn’t set him up for success with TFC fans initially.

We sucked, he played a lot of games because there was nobody else (our other striker in this era, call it 2009-15, was Marcus Haber, and both of them were journeymen in terrible lower level leagues). Ricketts actually looked good for the CMNT sometimes, but nobody really rated him. He bounced around a lot, I don’t know why, I remember there was a CMNT meme that he played for “Unattached FC” (this is a big change in recent times - Canada always had unattached guys on the team historically - not any more!)

I remember being unhappy when TFC signed him, I just didn’t think he was good enough. But I was wrong, he was good enough! Of course now, you hear his name, you think of him scoring that goal against Montreal. Free beers for life in Toronto, just for that.

But yeah, cognitive bias. For Ricketts, I guess it's a combo of his rep pre TFC, and the fact he never started. For Danny, it's that he just wasn’t a player here for that long. For Jhams, it's that almost none of his goals were decisive or in big games.

[ag futbol]

The guy had greyhound like speed and a first touch so bad you’d think his feet were made of cinder blocks. Ya, he was polarizing.

I don’t particularly have any regrets on that one.

[FootBallAZ]

Ricketts was a polarizing player for CMNT fans, and that didn’t set him up for success with TFC fans initially.

We sucked, he played a lot of games because there was nobody else (our other striker in this era, call it 2009-15, was Marcus Haber, and both of them were journeymen in terrible lower level leagues). Ricketts actually looked good for the CMNT sometimes, but nobody really rated him. He bounced around a lot, I don’t know why, I remember there was a CMNT meme that he played for “Unattached FC” (this is a big change in recent times - Canada always had unattached guys on the team historically - not any more!)

I remember being unhappy when TFC signed him, I just didn’t think he was good enough. But I was wrong, he was good enough! Of course now, you hear his name, you think of him scoring that goal against Montreal. Free beers for life in Toronto, just for that.

But yeah, cognitive bias. For Ricketts, I guess it's a combo of his rep pre TFC, and the fact he never started. For Danny, it's that he just wasn’t a player here for that long. For Jhams, it's that almost none of his goals were decisive or in big games.



Ricketts was on the same flight leaving world cup in Qatar- chatted with him, told him his goal was amazing VS. Montreal and how it was one of my favorite moments- jumped so high up- my phone fell out and was cracked and I cut myself picking it up and didnt even realize.

got a picture with him as well- really nice guy- on the way out in toronto I was waiting for my people to get off the plane he even dabbed me up on the way out- so nice.


didnt realize he was still in the league playing lo.

[FootBallAZ]

The guy had greyhound like speed and a first touch so bad you’d think his feet were made of cinder blocks. Ya, he was polarizing.

I don’t particularly have any regrets on that one.



the one thing i remember fondly is he somehow found ways to score goals awkwardly - falling down head first- or tripping and then torpedoing the ball.lol

[ag futbol]

https://twitter.com/MLS_ZONE/status/1616027322720681984
Make what you will of that… definitely some outliers there (IMFC, NYCFC? WTF?) but it would appear nobody is all that hot on our prospects for the upcoming year.

[Mr. Inbetween]

Charlotte FC footballer Anton Walkes has died at age 25! In Florida, Miami... as a result of a boating accident; crash?

https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/19/football/anton-walkes-charlotte-fc-death-spt-intl/index.html

[jloome]

Charlotte FC footballer Anton Walkes has died at age 25! In Florida, Miami... as a result of a boating accident; crash?

https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/19/football/anton-walkes-charlotte-fc-death-spt-intl/index.html

Two boats colliding. Only 25.

[jloome]

Former TFC youth player Dapo Afolayan is off to St. Pauli from Bolton.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/23261073.bolton-wanderers-sell-dapo-afolayan-st-pauli-500-000-transfer

He had fourteen goals last year in the championship. Not really a miss on our part, as he started in the UK and was only with us for two years, bookended by multiple other clubs.

Trained with the first team in 2016 but wasn't signed.

[Auzzy]

Bingo!

16, 15, 14 respectively. Vasquez played two fewer games and had 18 goals (in his first go-round). Danny Koevermans played 25 fewer games and had 19 goals (in 41! Fucking great striker, made of glass).

Yup, made of glass, and not treated accordingly by TFC coaches and management, as so often. Always behind the eight ball, therefore having to overplay people relative to their stamina and durability. Incl. on the shite old plastic carpet at the Revs stadium, where Danny got injured. Yeah I know players get injured in footy, some more than others, especially as they get older. But there have just been so many occasions where you think "this isn't going to end well" -- and it doesn't.

[Mr. Inbetween]

^^^ Ocean is not so vast.

[OgtheDim]

Hmm.....

https://twitter.com/yay_yee/status/1616138497232076800

[Areathrasher]

BMO bought a California bank last year. The deal got approval this week.

[DSouzaZ]

MLSE should ask BMO to match the deal or terminate

Curious what the expected ROI is from this, find it hard to believe it's that much more than rights to BMO field. Customers don't look at the name of a stadium and think "ahh I think I'm going to switch my banking to BMO".

[Mr. Inbetween]

Yep... Things just keep passing TFC by! Just an afterthought organization. LAFC's grounds will supposedly be renamed... 'BMO Stadium'. Hmmm... the fine line between BMO Field and BMO Stadium; no confusion there.

https://twitter.com/CratesOfFrates/status/1616142874818510860

[mowe]

WTF? MLSE should ask BMO to match the deal or terminate the offer
Why? TFC doesn’t get exclusive rights on sponsors. BMO sponsors CF Montreal too, you think they pay them the same as us?

[ag futbol]

WTF? MLSE should ask BMO to match the deal or terminate the offer
Market is what it is. Stadium naming rights are worth more in LA than they are in Toronto.

And dare I say it, that’s a much nicer facility than our souped-up Honda Civic of a stadium.

[Richard]

We're not a bigger club than LAFC. Just how it is.

[leedsandTFC]

LA tax.

[OgtheDim]

Our naming rights come up again for 2026....

who's hosting some of the World Cup that year again?

[Canary10]

Our naming rights come up again for 2026....

who's hosting some of the World Cup that year again?

Not BMO Stadium.

[reggie]

Our naming rights come up again for 2026....

who's hosting some of the World Cup that year again?

did they not extend those rights last june?

BMO extends naming rights to home of Toronto FC
By




Rob Ridley

| 22 June 2022




Posted in Features | Industry News
Tagged BMO | BMO Field | MLS | Naming Rights | Sponsorship | Toronto FC
Canadian investment bank and financial services company BMO has agreed a 10-year extension to its stadium naming rights deal with Major League Soccer (MLS) club Toronto FC.

[jloome]

We're not a bigger club than LAFC. Just how it is.

Meh... They seat 22,000. Yeah, it's in LA and that's huge, but they have one title and two supporter's shields. I don't think they can claim to be bigger than anyone of the clubs who've won recently.

Galaxy can, because they've won five or six titles now since 2000. They're the only club with more than two in the modern era.

In value, I'm sure LA is bigger. In football terms, no.

In football terms, to me, the order of gravity in this league is based on success and willingness to achieve it, because we're still a secondary league either way.

That would make the biggest clubs (when combining size, money and wins)

1) LA Galaxy
2) Seattle Sounders
3) LAFC
4) NYFC
5) Toronto FC
6) Atlanta Utd

.... and the rest are just a mix of "could win it but probably won't" because they're not bankrolled by multi-billionaires, or haven't shown a willingness to spend to win.

Probably naive on my part, but as someone who spent a chunk of his life living outside Canada, Torontonians and Canadians in general have impostor syndrome about the size and importance of the city, whenever it's compared to something in NY and LA in particular.

It's a megacity of 10 million people and our owners have billions. Outside of the win column, that's pretty much on par with the other "biggest" clubs.

[bdiddy]

MLSE should ask BMO to match the deal or terminate

Curious what the expected ROI is from this, find it hard to believe it's that much more than rights to BMO field. Customers don't look at the name of a stadium and think "ahh I think I'm going to switch my banking to BMO".

So Sponsorships aren't built for that in terms of directly winning customers over.

But think of all the media attention it gets in replays/live TV games that then BMO gets to have it's sponsorship, advertising and media everywhere.

Media tracks all those hits, those views, it help builds brand recognition.

That cost is building and maintaining brand recognition, so that if you are ever thinking of changing banks, then BMO may become more of a though process. Especially since BMO bought Bank of the West.

[jloome]

So Sponsorships aren't built for that in terms of directly winning customers over.

But think of all the media attention it gets in replays/live TV games that then BMO gets to have it's sponsorship, advertising and media everywhere.

Media tracks all those hits, those views, it help builds brand recognition.

That cost is building and maintaining brand recognition, so that if you are ever thinking of changing banks, then BMO may become more of a though process. Especially since BMO bought Bank of the West.

A British comedian I like said last week, "People always ask why I love going on panel shows so much. I don't, I hate them. But when your job relies on being reasonably famous, you take whatever opportunities exist to remain continually in the public eye." Same deal.

[Richard]

Probably naive on my part, but as someone who spent a chunk of his life living outside Canada, Torontonians and Canadians in general have impostor syndrome about the size and importance of the city, whenever it's compared to something in NY and LA in particular.

It's a megacity of 10 million people and our owners have billions. Outside of the win column, that's pretty much on par with the other "biggest" clubs.

Canada doesn't even have the best hockey league in the world, it's owned by Americans.

We're not going to be a bigger market when you got the #1 Gorilla as a neighbor.

[OgtheDim]

Canada doesn't even have the best hockey league in the world, it's owned by Americans.

We're not going to be a bigger market when you got the #1 Gorilla as a neighbor.

We are the 13th largest GDP for a city in North America. There is no way we are going to get a stadium deal for the price LAFC would get.

Thankfully, our attraction to players is not based on the same criteria and our owners are second only to NYC's in terms of cash flow.

[NK Toronto]

BMO bought a California bank last year. The deal got approval this week.

Bank of the West. BMO is slowly becoming an American Bank.

[Joe Kool]

Bank of the West. BMO is slowly becoming an American Bank.

It is the way it is for Canadian banks these days to keep growing. They are all international now. Some own more bank branches in the US than they do in Canada now.

[MikeForbes]

Leagues Cup draw is done. We will play Atlas and NYCFC.

https://twitter.com/Total_TFC/status/1616484024045666322?s=20&t=mUWnhgsU8uXqX9__9iv5pQ

[Joe Kool]

Leagues Cup draw is done. We will play Atlas and NYCFC.

https://twitter.com/Total_TFC/status/1616484024045666322?s=20&t=mUWnhgsU8uXqX9__9iv5pQ

Saw that on the MLS site. I can't recall if we have the tickets in our season package or if this is an add-on coming later. All games played at MLS stadiums so we get Atlas game for sure but NYCFC game might at the ballpark.

[los sonadores]

Saw that on the MLS site. I can't recall if we have the tickets in our season package or if this is an add-on coming later.

No home match in this first round because we are unseeded.

[Joe Kool]

No home match in this first round because we are unseeded.

If they are being played at all MLS stadiums how are we playing Atlas if not at home? I must have missed that info.

[los sonadores]

If they are being played at all MLS stadiums how are we playing Atlas if not at home? I must have missed that info.

I might be wrong. I’ll defer to someone who knows better.

[Redpunkfiddle]

Wouldn’t be surprised if we had to play them in Dallas or LA where they can (maybe?) cash in on a Mexican crowd. They definitely said Liga MX teams would play in US venues against each other.

[los sonadores]

Wouldn’t be surprised if we had to play them in Dallas or LA where they can (maybe?) cash in on a Mexican crowd. They definitely said Liga MX teams would play in US venues against each other.

Yeah, I thought I’d seen the news that it was all happening on a fairly restricted scale. I assume the Mexican teams have nominally home games, just not at their own stadiums. And as unseeded we would have no choice in the matter.

[OgtheDim]

Uh, so apparently the allocation order is no longer a thing

https://twitter.com/MichaelSingh94/status/1616530651246723093

[Oldtimer]

Uh, so apparently the allocation order is no longer a thing

https://twitter.com/MichaelSingh94/status/1616530651246723093

Long run this is a good thing. I like to see some of the training wheels come off of the league. It was no longer playing its intended function of promoting parity anyway as MLS is now in competition for top talent. It was just costing teams that wanted a talent that happened to be on the list.

[OgtheDim]

Molinaro with an article on BB & Analytics

https://www.tfcrepublic.ca/tfc-mls-bob-bradley-data-analytics/

Paywalled but if there is one thing journalism wise TFC related worth paying for, its Molinaro.

[ag futbol]

Long run this is a good thing. I like to see some of the training wheels come off of the league. It was no longer playing its intended function of promoting parity anyway as MLS is now in competition for top talent. It was just costing teams that wanted a talent that happened to be on the list.
Correct me if I’m wrong but I think this just replaces one backwards mechanism with another. So there’s no more allocation order but there is still “discovery” whereby a team has exclusive rights to negotiate with a player.

[Mr. Inbetween]

Molinaro with an article on BB & Analytics

https://www.tfcrepublic.ca/tfc-mls-bob-bradley-data-analytics/

Paywalled but if there is one thing journalism wise TFC related worth paying for, its Molinaro.

So Devin Pleuler, The- 'TFC Analytics Guy'- Director of, resigns some time in October22 and we find out just now near the end of January23? And that's ok?

[jloome]

So Devin Pleuler, The- 'TFC Analytics Guy'- Director of, resigns some time in October22 and we find out just now near the end of January23? And that's ok?

According to his twitter, he's still director of analytics, I think they just promoted him to head of the whole schebang for MLSE, not just TFC.

https://twitter.com/devinpleuler?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eser p%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

EDIT: Yeah, he's head of the MLSE sporting lab.

I think, from Bradley's comments about the difficulties tying analytics to actual performance, this was more of a separation. It sounds like he's playing the diplomatic game of saying data analytics are important, because some teams are taking it on like it's a holy grail for performance. But he also has said more than once that making the data useful has been a challenge in the past.

So I'm not sure he's too worried by it.

[Oldtimer]

Correct me if I’m wrong but I think this just replaces one backwards mechanism with another. So there’s no more allocation order but there is still “discovery” whereby a team has exclusive rights to negotiate with a player.

There always was "discovery" so one backward mechanism is being removed.

[Mr. Inbetween]

According to his twitter, he's still director of analytics, I think they just promoted him to head of the whole schebang for MLSE, not just TFC.

https://twitter.com/devinpleuler?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eser p%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

EDIT: Yeah, he's head of the MLSE sporting lab.

I think, from Bradley's comments about the difficulties tying analytics to actual performance, this was more of a separation. It sounds like he's playing the diplomatic game of saying data analytics are important, because some teams are taking it on like it's a holy grail for performance. But he also has said more than once that making the data useful has been a challenge in the past.

So I'm not sure he's too worried by it.

Appreciate further info and clarifications. Yes, I think your take is most reasonable. DP enjoys upward mobility. No replacement? TFC may lean on MLSE SL with a familiar face? 3rd or 4th in line after TML and TR? BB positions any 'analytics' at arms length and his discretion.

[jloome]

Luke Wileman making his first US Nats call on his new HBO deal as Brandon Vazquez scores in his first cap. He'll be at Leeds before too long, just watch.

https://twitter.com/USMNT/status/1618453927867060225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5 Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1618453927867060225%7Ctwgr% 5E0103544ee28e438a2bb8248d0694eb0fdca66e66%7Ctwcon %5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mlssoccer.com%2Fnews%2Fr ecap-brandon-vazquez-nets-in-debut-but-usmnt-fall-to-serbia

[OgtheDim]

Luke Wileman going back to Leeds would be a thing....

[jloome]

Luke Wileman going back to Leeds would be a thing....

Hah! Inadvertent accurate double entendre. "Luke Wileman, on Radio Five Live!"

[reggie]

apparently Caldwell did a Sunderland game last weekend for sky or another network.lets hope its a full time gig.lol

[Kamp Berg]

apparently Caldwell did a Sunderland game last weekend for sky or another network.lets hope its a full time gig.lol

Yes! Please God 🙏

[jloome]

apparently Caldwell did a Sunderland game last weekend for sky or another network.lets hope its a full time gig.lol

Unfortunately, MLS' deal with TSN means they'll only show one Canadian team game per week. So anyone wanting to get all TFC's games online is going to need Apple TV+, and if you opt out of their awful lineup of ex Yankee hacks, TSN Radio is voiced by.... Gareth Wheeler.

It's the worst of all possible scenario's commentary wise. We are truly fucked this season in terms of listening.

Maybe someone entertaining will start a decent watch-along channel. (Note provisos of 'someone entertaining' and 'decent'.)

[Kamp Berg]

I just noticed that Phillies backup to Blake this year is Bendik. They better hope and pray Blake doesn’t get injured, otherwise it could be a game changer, in a bad way, for them.

[ElvistheEvilScotsman]

Unfortunately, MLS' deal with TSN means they'll only show one Canadian team game per week. So anyone wanting to get all TFC's games online is going to need Apple TV+, and if you opt out of their awful lineup of ex Yankee hacks, TSN Radio is voiced by.... Gareth Wheeler.

It's the worst of all possible scenario's commentary wise. We are truly fucked this season in terms of listening.

Maybe someone entertaining will start a decent watch-along channel. (Note provisos of 'someone entertaining' and 'decent'.)

If we cant get anyone with a brilliant read and commentary of the beautifully game then let’s go with this hilarious Scotsman. Can you imagine having him do commentary on Alex Bono mistakes? 🤣

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hlvo9dqdxcs

[OgtheDim]

Vaguely MLS related but this is a very good tweet

https://twitter.com/SoccerByIves/status/1618724046518255616

[Mr. Inbetween]

^
Agree. Witty. Apropos... 'It's not personal, it's strictly business'... 'Today, [to close this cycle], I settle all family business'. Somehow USMNT is self-regulating/managing itself of the static.

[jloome]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jan/27/usa-copa-america-2024-concacaf-conmebol


Copa America coming to the US, Canada has to qualify via Nations League.

Will that interrupt the season?

[reggie]

Toronto FC
@TorontoFC
·
52m
FT | It finishes 1-0 to the Quakes. Next stop: Toronto 🍁
close door match today

[Richard]

Unfortunately, MLS' deal with TSN means they'll only show one Canadian team game per week. So anyone wanting to get all TFC's games online is going to need Apple TV+, and if you opt out of their awful lineup of ex Yankee hacks, TSN Radio is voiced by.... Gareth Wheeler.

It's the worst of all possible scenario's commentary wise. We are truly fucked this season in terms of listening.

Maybe someone entertaining will start a decent watch-along channel. (Note provisos of 'someone entertaining' and 'decent'.)

Considering Apple TV is an American streaming service that is purely optional, as in its an opt into subscription platform, there should no real reason we cant be given just the stadium feed. No censorship whatsoever.

Who was the guy that did TFC radio commentary on the Fan 590 back in the day? I found him to not be too bad.

[ag futbol]

It wasn’t Dan Riccio was it? He did killer TFC podcast back in the day too. Sadly ended up transferring jobs to Vancouver with sportsnet and took on new coverage responsibilities.

[OgtheDim]

Considering Apple TV is an American streaming service that is purely optional, as in its an opt into subscription platform, there should no real reason we cant be given just the stadium feed. No censorship whatsoever.

Who was the guy that did TFC radio commentary on the Fan 590 back in the day? I found him to not be too bad.

SSH's will get access to the service as part of their package - Apple TV+ not necessary or included.

For others in the rest of the country, yeh, its gonna suck - I'd be interested to know what the Timbers Army diaspora thinks about all this.

[Richard]

It wasn’t Dan Riccio was it? He did killer TFC podcast back in the day too. Sadly ended up transferring jobs to Vancouver with sportsnet and took on new coverage responsibilities.

Dan Dunleavy. Now I remember.

[jloome]

Dan Dunleavy. Now I remember.

Yeah, well, it's Wheeler now.

[Stress]

It wasn’t Dan Riccio was it? He did killer TFC podcast back in the day too. Sadly ended up transferring jobs to Vancouver with sportsnet and took on new coverage responsibilities.

That was the best podcast. Was so upset when he went out west and the show ended.

[MikeForbes]

Dan Dunleavy. Now I remember.

Dunleavy now does Sabres games and calls each player by their first names. Absolutely embarrassing.

[ag futbol]

That was the best podcast. Was so upset when he went out west and the show ended.
Same here. Haven’t found anything else that comes close.

[Amir.]

Atlanta still looks like a mess..3-3 at the break vs D3 Chattanooga..when you cant defend properly against a low level team its not good news

[Smokecell]

Rest of the Apple TV announcers have been named. Kaylyn Kyle and Patrice Bernier providing some Canadian content.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/apple-and-major-league-soccer-add-31-talented-on-air-personalities-to-the-mls-se

[Yuushalinsky]

Rest of the Apple TV announcers have been named. Kaylyn Kyle and Patrice Bernier providing some Canadian content.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/apple-and-major-league-soccer-add-31-talented-on-air-personalities-to-the-mls-se

slightly better suited for the Transfer chat, but this gives us insight as to why the former CF MTL man would break news on TFC.

[Canary10]

Not sure where to put this, but the hand-wringing that went on yesterday over ESPN broadcasting and sending a crew to cover the Wrexham FA Cup game was kind of interesting. Strange that people don't seem to recognize Ryan Reynolds is the whole reason for it. Also, Jebbison getting a red. Ugh. This was probably the most seen game in his career!

[jloome]

Atlanta still looks like a mess..3-3 at the break vs D3 Chattanooga..when you cant defend properly against a low level team its not good news

Any idea who that little winger from Chatanooga was? That guy dribbles like Richie. Seriously have to wonder how he's in D3.

[OgtheDim]

Rest of the Apple TV announcers have been named. Kaylyn Kyle and Patrice Bernier providing some Canadian content.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/apple-and-major-league-soccer-add-31-talented-on-air-personalities-to-the-mls-se

A lot of MLS broadcasting experience among that group.

Kaylyn Kyle is a good choice as a studio host.

[jloome]

A lot of MLS broadcasting experience among that group.

Kaylyn Kyle is a good choice as a studio host.

It's better than the initial announcement. There are a few play-by-play guys there who aren't dreadful.

Shame Kilbane isn't there. TSN still has a game a week so perhaps he'll stay on there.

Either way, he has good tape. Probably get lots of commentary work in England if not here.

[jloome]

Tosaint Ricketts, scorer of great goals, officially retires and joins the Whitecaps staff.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/tosaint-ricketts-retires-joins-vancouver-whitecaps-staff

[Mr. Inbetween]

Tosaint Ricketts, scorer of great goals, officially retires and joins the Whitecaps staff.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/tosaint-ricketts-retires-joins-vancouver-whitecaps-staff (https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/tosaint-ricketts-retires-joins-vancouver-whitecaps-staff)

Not a bad commentator and Griddy too!

https://twitter.com/TosaintRicketts/status/1600270215396610048

[Mr. Inbetween]

CC23... TFC will play either CFM or Vaughan FC? @ Home!

[JoesphNdo]

MLS stuff is available in apple tv now, though we don't yet have our free access from season ticket holders. But there's a bunch of content in there you can watch anyway, and non season ticket holders can seemingly sign up for the rest

It's quite nice. Also the little seba highlight package they have, fuck me I actually forgot how good he was. Some of the clips had my jaw on the floor

I'm actually pretty excited for how this will turn out. I really think it'll be a step up in terms of quality vs what we had before, likely in a big way

[OgtheDim]

The team page has post match videos & player profiles including the Insigne & MAK 2023 media day interviews.

[OgtheDim]

Emails out today to SSH about the MLS Season Pass.

[Bushmancan]

Received mine about 2 hours ago.

[Oldtimer]

Emails out today to SSH about the MLS Season Pass.

Can share with family members with an Apple membership. Awesome!

[Red CB Toronto]

Has everyone got an email yet, none so far on my front.

[Joe Kool]

Has everyone got an email yet, none so far on my front.

I just checked. Got mine at 10:01 AM it looks like. Subject line "Redeem your free 2023 MLS Season Pass now."

[JonO]

Got mine but it went to an older email address that is not (or should not) still be on file.

[Joe Kool]

I was worried it would make me use the email that I have on file with TFC as my Apple ID and force me to create a new Apple ID but luckily the process it let me use my existing Apple ID email to sign in and accept the offer. Would have sucked if I had to create a new Apple ID just for this.

[Oldtimer]

Very pleased with the quality. Includes a series on "iconic" MLS Players, which includes Bradley, Giovinco, DeRo, and some Montreal player among others.

[James17930]

I just signed up! It's going to be so great not to miss any games this season, and to be able to watch them all in HD without having to scrounge around for streams.

[jloome]

Ahem... so apparently there may be a pattern of behavior at play.

ST. PAUL -- Kemar Lawrence has joined Minnesota United for the tail end of its preseason work in Florida this week, a club spokesman told the Pioneer Press on Wednesday.
While the club continues to wait on Emanuel Reynoso — the star midfielder staying in Argentina for “personal issues” — the return of Lawrence is an encouraging development for the club and its left fullback position going into the 2023 season.
Loons manager Adrian Heath said Monday that Lawrence was in his native Jamaica for “family issues” but was expected to arrive imminently. Lawrence, 30, ended up being truant for the opening three weeks of preseason work in January.

[Mr. Inbetween]

FWIW...

https://twitter.com/Total_TFC/status/1621195295261446145

[613reppingTFC]

I just signed up! It's going to be so great not to miss any games this season, and to be able to watch them all in HD without having to scrounge around for streams.

I will most likely have to sign up for this as I doubt TSN will get all the coverage for only Toronto games. Anyone who is interested, it looks like you can wait as all the first games on Feb 25 & 26 seem to be free on the apple streaming service.

[Gazza_55]

Unfortunately, MLS' deal with TSN means they'll only show one Canadian team game per week. So anyone wanting to get all TFC's games online is going to need Apple TV+, and if you opt out of their awful lineup of ex Yankee hacks, TSN Radio is voiced by.... Gareth Wheeler.

It's the worst of all possible scenario's commentary wise. We are truly fucked this season in terms of listening.

Maybe someone entertaining will start a decent watch-along channel. (Note provisos of 'someone entertaining' and 'decent'.)

That’s a minimum of one MLS match per week on TSN/CTV/RDS

[ensco]

I can afford Apple TV so it's fine, and for most everyone here the benefits of getting good access to the whole league is huge… but I really think that these narrowcasting models stunt interest when they are expensive. Not everybody is an “MLS Sicko” (this is a term of endearment, I promise!)

I bet a lot of people with interest just cannot do it. If they need the Leafs and Raps they still need cable. They have spouses and families, so they need Netflix and Disney and Apple and Crave and and and and….

[nick.mastro]

My apple account is connected to my Apple ID, but our seasons are under my dads name and email. Does anyone know if this seasons pass can be connected to my Apple TV if my dad just uses my email for the offer ?

[JoesphNdo]

I can afford Apple TV so it's fine, and for most everyone here the benefits of getting good access to the whole league is huge… but I really think that these narrowcasting models stunt interest when they are expensive. Not everybody is an “MLS Sicko” (this is a term of endearment, I promise!)

I bet a lot of people with interest just cannot do it. If they need the Leafs and Raps they still need cable. They have spouses and families, so they need Netflix and Disney and Apple and Crave and and and and….

This is a big bet on the unknown. There's a whole lot of pros and a whole lot of cons with this deal, so it's a big gamble. But I think, given the absolutely dire performance of MLS on tv, it was probably one worth taking and the upside is enormous IF it pays off. But I do agree, this definitely hurts the league in some ways

I think they're doing the right thing and doing it smart (we still have local broadcast AND they're giving away and absurd amount of games for free, around 6 a week, no subscription required) and I do suspect this is a shrewrd play for the league but time will tell

[leedsandTFC]

I can afford Apple TV so it's fine, and for most everyone here the benefits of getting good access to the whole league is huge… but I really think that these narrowcasting models stunt interest when they are expensive. Not everybody is an “MLS Sicko” (this is a term of endearment, I promise!)

I bet a lot of people with interest just cannot do it. If they need the Leafs and Raps they still need cable. They have spouses and families, so they need Netflix and Disney and Apple and Crave and and and and….

doubt they are expecting a ton of paying subscribers, especially first year.

40% + of games will be available for free, either on TV or in front of a paywall on apple tv.

every single ST holder account has a free account has a free account and can share with up to 5 people. when you start to do these numbers, it starts to get big pretty quickly.

they are giving it away for free a ton, at least in year one. the gamble imo is to make the product good enough that enough people get hooked in first few years that they start to pay.

will be interesting to see how it goes. they have a long contract so time to get it right.

[ensco]

This is a big bet on the unknown. There's a whole lot of pros and a whole lot of cons with this deal, so it's a big gamble. But I think, given the absolutely dire performance of MLS on tv, it was probably one worth taking and the upside is enormous IF it pays off. But I do agree, this definitely hurts the league in some ways

I think they're doing the right thing and doing it smart (we still have local broadcast AND they're giving away and absurd amount of games for free, around 6 a week, no subscription required) and I do suspect this is a shrewrd play for the league but time will tell

They definitely needed to do something different, for sure, but…

This is where I howl at the moon and just feel old… OK here goes…

Why is everything so effing complicated? These “charging a ton to demographic X but giving a bunch away for free to demographic Y” business models, full of weird rules, are everywhere, why? Why do buying a cellphone or a plane ticket or picking a savings account all feel like you need to work at NASA to understand them?

[MightyDM]

Don’t know where to put this, but Joe Cho’s mother died last week. We (Red Patch Boys) should do something, and people who have his contact info should offer him condolences. Shoeless was an incredibly important part of our history and it’s not the same without Joe.

I have stopped posting or reading the boards since an ignorant poster relentlessly attacked me - if I want social media BS there are lots of other avenues - but will monitor this thread for the next day or so to ensure Joe is appropriately recognized by all of us Red Patch Boys. Unfortunately this is the only way I know how to spread the word, particularly in the off season. Can we have a day for Joe and Helen at a match?

[Joe Kool]

They definitely needed to do something different, for sure, but…

This is where I howl at the moon and just feel old… OK here goes…

Why is everything so effing complicated? These “charging a ton to demographic X but giving a bunch away for free to demographic Y” business models, full of weird rules, are everywhere, why? Why do buying a cellphone or a plane ticket or picking a savings account all feel like you need to work at NASA to understand them?

Speaking of old...I have to go get Apple TV up and running at both my parents and my in-laws so they can continue to watch TFC games. Anything not coming on cable is difficult to understand for the older older generation when it comes to TV viewing. They can barely use the DVR function to record and play back stuff. Never mind figuring out apps. But it is the way of the future. I am sure I am not alone in setting up the old folks for this new change.

[Oldtimer]

Don’t know where to put this, but Joe Cho’s mother died last week. We (Red Patch Boys) should do something, and people who have his contact info should offer him condolences. Shoeless was an incredibly important part of our history and it’s not the same without Joe.

I have stopped posting or reading the boards since an ignorant poster relentlessly attacked me - if I want social media BS there are lots of other avenues - but will monitor this thread for the next day or so to ensure Joe is appropriately recognized by all of us Red Patch Boys. Unfortunately this is the only way I know how to spread the word, particularly in the off season. Can we have a day for Joe and Helen at a match?

Please start a separate thread for this.

I'll quote your post in the Private RPB member part of the board as many members won't read the main section of the board (for the same reason you stopped posting).

[FootBallAZ]

Speaking of old...I have to go get Apple TV up and running at both my parents and my in-laws so they can continue to watch TFC games. Anything not coming on cable is difficult to understand for the older older generation when it comes to TV viewing. They can barely use the DVR function to record and play back stuff. Never mind figuring out apps. But it is the way of the future. I am sure I am not alone in setting up the old folks for this new change.


anyone have success signing up for apple tv? as a non apple user it said i had an account- i assumed thru my work phone- it wasnt the case- once i registered - wouldnt accept any password.

not impressed so far - if this is part of our 20 % increase - hopefully its fixed soon.

[Kamp Berg]

Don’t know where to put this, but Joe Cho’s mother died last week. We (Red Patch Boys) should do something, and people who have his contact info should offer him condolences. Shoeless was an incredibly important part of our history and it’s not the same without Joe.

I have stopped posting or reading the boards since an ignorant poster relentlessly attacked me - if I want social media BS there are lots of other avenues - but will monitor this thread for the next day or so to ensure Joe is appropriately recognized by all of us Red Patch Boys. Unfortunately this is the only way I know how to spread the word, particularly in the off season. Can we have a day for Joe and Helen at a match?

Been there, the block function really helps.
I for one always valued your posts, hopefully you’ll return.

[jloome]

Don’t know where to put this, but Joe Cho’s mother died last week. We (Red Patch Boys) should do something, and people who have his contact info should offer him condolences. Shoeless was an incredibly important part of our history and it’s not the same without Joe.

I have stopped posting or reading the boards since an ignorant poster relentlessly attacked me - if I want social media BS there are lots of other avenues - but will monitor this thread for the next day or so to ensure Joe is appropriately recognized by all of us Red Patch Boys. Unfortunately this is the only way I know how to spread the word, particularly in the off season. Can we have a day for Joe and Helen at a match?

A general air of civility has largely returned. Be good to have you back.

Edit: The RPB forum doesn't see much traffic. I'd post it on the RPB Facebook page, lots of the guys are on there every so often.

[jloome]

For anyone wondering, the Club World Cup is available on FIFA+, Fifa's free streaming service.

[Bushmancan]

^^^ here, here. Good to see you

[Oldtimer]

For anyone wondering, the Club World Cup is available on FIFA+, Fifa's free streaming service.

Here's the link. Seattle plays Feb 4.

https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/articles/watch-the-fifa-club-world-cup-live-on-fifa

[MightyDM]

Been there, the block function really helps.
I for one always valued your posts, hopefully you’ll return.

Thanks Kamp. Both ways!

[MightyDM]

A general air of civility has largely returned. Be good to have you back.

Edit: The RPB forum doesn't see much traffic. I'd post it on the RPB Facebook page, lots of the guys are on there every so often.

Thanks Jeremy. Good to be in touch.

[MightyDM]

Thanks Oldtimer, and thanks for all your work on these boards.

[OgtheDim]

If you are looking for interesting content involving Diomande, he is seen within a piece from Caleb Carr's "The Movement" series - "Being Muslim in MLS". Filmed a few years ago with LAFC teammates - features BB a lot.

As with everything else MLS these days, on Apple TV.

[Mr. Inbetween]

Ahem... so apparently there may be a pattern of behavior at play.

ST. PAUL -- Kemar Lawrence has joined Minnesota United for the tail end of its preseason work in Florida this week, a club spokesman told the Pioneer Press on Wednesday.
While the club continues to wait on Emanuel Reynoso — the star midfielder staying in Argentina for “personal issues” — the return of Lawrence is an encouraging development for the club and its left fullback position going into the 2023 season.
Loons manager Adrian Heath said Monday that Lawrence was in his native Jamaica for “family issues” but was expected to arrive imminently. Lawrence, 30, ended up being truant for the opening three weeks of preseason work in January.

Appreciate the update. Great to have some written/journalistic confirmation and indication of a possible pattern as to what was rumoured/suspected. Seems accurate, so I would agree for that reason TFC/BB are now <more> covered/justified <professionally> in their decision from a supporter's perspective.

[DOMIN8R]

Curious how the MLS/Apple deal will impact my ability to go to a local sports bar to watch games on weekends, if not available on SN/TSN.

[ensco]

Anybody else watching Seattle in Club World Cup? Or is it just too irritating...

0-0 in 70th minute

[jloome]

Anybody else watching Seattle in Club World Cup? Or is it just too irritating...

0-0 in 70th minute

Yeah, it's an interesting microcosm of MLS football versus the rest of the world.

You can see Seattle's overall skill and athleticism is well higher than Al Ahly's. But AL Ahly's players have technical skill and field vision, so they're still more effective and dangerous than they should be.

If MLS teams were as tactically and technically astute as European/African/Asian teams, this game would be a walk, as Seattle has controlled most of the actual offensive threat.

But they could still easily lose it, because their opponents have the technical understanding to take opportunities. Look at that little dink shot Ashar, their forward, hit that almost beat Frei: one little step, roll it toward the corner. In MLS, the player would've assumed their skill on the ball gave them extra time, and it usually doesn't.

We are a ball skill league. We are not a strong technical and tactical league. We have a league full of guys who can beat other players one-on-one all day; but we are not a league where they'll see the oblique angle runner, unseen by the defense, and hit him with a through ball. The vision, decisions and tactical movement still lag.

[ensco]

^Haha and here I was just thinking that Seattle have more of the play but Al Ahly are better, as they get nearer the box on both ends, than Seattle

[jloome]

^Haha and here I was just thinking that Seattle have more of the play but Al Ahly are better, as they get nearer the box on both ends, than Seattle

They've been a little better in the second half, but that goal was literally their first shot on net.

Sounders were outshooting them 11-7, and only one from either sided on net up to that point.

EDIT: Why would they credit the striker? That was an OG, nothing but.

[OgtheDim]

Schadenfrude for the 2019 deflection in the MLS Cup final....

Poor poor game though.

[jloome]

Even now, down 1 with no time left, Seattle doesn't turn up the pressure. Frei should be trying to get up field to a box full of players, but when they got into Al Ahly's end, they just sent the same three runners into the box.

Don't see the desire. They played like it was a pre-season friendly, frankly.

90 seconds and a free kick in their end.... and two defenders stay back while a third takes it, instead of just leaving it for the keeper.

They just don't want it enough, or understand what that means.

EDIT: Seattle fans are pissed at Schmetzer; only two subs when they haven't even finished pre-season, and he brings on defensive players, as if playing for the tie.

[jloome]

That was the Seattle we lost to on penalties in 2016, when they didn't have a single shot on next during the game and then lucked it in penalties.

They had 2/3 of the offensive play until about minute 60, then looked like they were playing for a tie.

[OgtheDim]

Gotta hand it to them - Seattle invented MLS teams not taking their CWC opponent seriously, doing a half arsed job, not using subs properly & then losing on a deflected goal.........well done.

[ensco]

Schadenfrude for the 2019 deflection in the MLS Cup final....
.

So true.

[Mr. Inbetween]

Huh? Ok. Accurate? Seems Apple is already punting content to the sidelines.

https://twitter.com/AlxRuiz15/status/1621296145711661056

[Mr. Inbetween]

Let's see how/where this goes. An MLS/Apple canary in the coal mine indicator...

https://twitter.com/kit_magazine/status/1621155285984497668

[Mr. Inbetween]

Forbes Valuation... TFC at 6th position with value @ 690M. DC United at 5th with a value at 700M and the have four historical MLS Cups. LAFC who have just won the Cup are first at 1B. MLS Club Average Valuation rose 85% from the magazine's last published numbers of 2019. And that is through two seasons of Covid challenges. Now consider the organic build-up towards the upcoming NA-WC26. If just the same average pace of 85% is maintained then in 4 years MLSE have a TFC franchise worth over 1.275B! If we win the shield and/or cup in the meantime, then that estimate will surely be accelerated and surpassed. Apple lookin' to be gravy in the short term.

https://twitter.com/andresfloaiza/status/1621299357621313537

[OgtheDim]

Huh? Ok. Accurate? Seems Apple is already punting content to the sidelines.

https://twitter.com/AlxRuiz15/status/1621296145711661056

From my understanding, preseason content is not in Apple's contract and is solely available at the discretion of the teams & the facility where the games take place.

As the venues being used are not necessarily set up for TV (we've seen this before) & some teams don't want trialists known....:noidea:

[nick.mastro]

Forbes Valuation... TFC at 6th position with value @ 690M. DC United at 5th with a value at 700M and the have four historical MLS Cups. LAFC who have just won the Cup are first at 1B. MLS Club Average Valuation rose 85% from the magazine's last published numbers of 2019. And that is through two seasons of Covid challenges. Now consider the organic build-up towards the upcoming NA-WC26. If just the same average pace of 85% is maintained then in 4 years MLSE have a TFC franchise worth over 1.275B! If we win the shield and/or cup in the meantime, then that estimate will surely be accelerated and surpassed. Apple lookin' to be gravy in the short term.

https://twitter.com/andresfloaiza/status/1621299357621313537

Any Forbes links to the evaluation of premier or serie a clubs to see where we rank to the lower end teams?

[jloome]

From my understanding, preseason content is not in Apple's contract and is solely available at the discretion of the teams & the facility where the games take place.

As the venues being used are not necessarily set up for TV (we've seen this before) & some teams don't want trialists known....:noidea:

They haven't regularly broadcast these games since Charleston Battery's tournament back a decade ago. It's always been the odd one, usually only streaming from one of the clubs.

Along with triallists, they also regularly abandon regular time and roster rules. For instance, Vancouver's "training tournament" in Spain featured on some days one 45 min game featuring the starters followed by 90 min featuring subs, invites and youth players.

[613reppingTFC]

Let's see how/where this goes. An MLS/Apple canary in the coal mine indicator...

https://twitter.com/kit_magazine/status/1621155285984497668

I'm guessing we don't see any more "this substitute is brought to you by OFF tick and mosquito repellent" lol

[Richard]

Huge grain of salt about those Forbes valuations, they are at least partially overinflated because of MLS expansion fees increasing over the years.

MLS is a gate driven league and the TV viewership numbers as still abysmal. While the Apple deal is potentially game changing, the $2.5B over ten years is still not a lot in the grand scheme of things(works out to roughly $8M per team annually).

[MikeForbes]

Huge grain of salt about those Forbes valuations, they are at least partially overinflated because of MLS expansion fees increasing over the years.

MLS is a gate driven league and the TV viewership numbers as still abysmal. While the Apple deal is potentially game changing, the $2.5B over ten years is still not a lot in the grand scheme of things(works out to roughly $8M per team annually).

My valuations are spot on, I'll have you know.

[jloome]

Huge grain of salt about those Forbes valuations, they are at least partially overinflated because of MLS expansion fees increasing over the years.

MLS is a gate driven league and the TV viewership numbers as still abysmal. While the Apple deal is potentially game changing, the $2.5B over ten years is still not a lot in the grand scheme of things(works out to roughly $8M per team annually).

I don't know their source, but the BBC was discussing this on one of its radio shows the other day, and it's allegedly a hard number, based on revenue. They use a seven-times gross up factor to determine an overall value, based on year to year revenue.

So TFC's suggests they took in $99-million.

Now, having said that, they also managed to mix up revenue and profit several times in the same conversation, thus my leeriness over a lack of stated source.

[jloome]

My valuations are spot on, I'll have you know.

The menu prices at the Tasty Treat by the Canso Causeway don't count.
(Admittedly, you may have to be of a certain pedigree to appreciate this. That, and you had to watch a lot of ATV in the afternoons.)

[ensco]

I don't know their source, but the BBC was discussing this on one of its radio shows the other day, and it's allegedly a hard number, based on revenue. They use a seven-times gross up factor to determine an overall value, based on year to year revenue.

So TFC's suggests they took in $99-million.

Now, having said that, they also managed to mix up revenue and profit several times in the same conversation, thus my leeriness over a lack of stated source.

Impossible.

- Gate potential is 20 games x 30000 seats x $75 ticket price. Let's generously say they got 80%. That's CAD 36M, so USD 27M.
- TV is less than $10M a year per team in the Apple deal. There are expenses and some revenue share opportunities. Let's call it USD$10M
- BMO sponsorship is $4M
- Jerseys etc are not nearly as much as people think. The base sponsorship deal from adidas is USD$100M a year for the league, or USD$4M a year per team.
- TFC probably gets an additional USD$1-2M for shirt sales for the Italians (that business is nowhere near as lucrative as people think, royalties per jersey sold are small)

Food is something, I dunno what, a couple of million.

I can't get to even $50M....

[jloome]

Impossible.

- Gate potential is 20 games x 30000 seats x $75 ticket price. Let's generously say they got 80%. That's CAD 36M, so USD 27M.
- TV is less than $10M a year per team in the Apple deal. There are expenses and some revenue share opportunities. Let's call it USD$10M
- BMO sponsorship is $4M
- Jerseys etc are not nearly as much as people think. The base sponsorship deal from adidas is USD$100M a year for the league, or USD$4M a year per team.
- TFC probably gets an additional USD$1-2M for shirt sales for the Italians (that business is nowhere near as lucrative as people think, royalties per jersey sold are small)

Food is something, I dunno what, a couple of million.

I can't get to even $50M....

Yeah, seemed high to me, too, thus my reticence. Unless there's a lot of background sponsorship and broadcast revenue we're not being told about. But you'd assume enough of these teams have public companies as investors that it would be out in the ecosystem.

[Mr. Inbetween]

My valuations are spot on, I'll have you know.

Alright, that's enough, we all know your a twitter presence on MLS, as well as astute at financial analytics and publishing. Just cause you're from renowned and influential lineage, you don't have to show boat. :)

[Mr. Inbetween]

From my understanding, preseason content is not in Apple's contract and is solely available at the discretion of the teams & the facility where the games take place. As the venues being used are not necessarily set up for TV (we've seen this before) & some teams don't want trialists known....:noidea:

Suppose. I then do not understand at all the point by LAG's initial effort to make these 'friendlies' more of an event by branding them 'The CVI'. Subsequent to all the implied and expected inevitable and related media communiques or reporting on the tourno; including broadcasting them in some manner. Which logically could/should have been Apple.

[Smokecell]

Yeah, seemed high to me, too, thus my reticence. Unless there's a lot of background sponsorship and broadcast revenue we're not being told about. But you'd assume enough of these teams have public companies as investors that it would be out in the ecosystem.

Further to what both yourself and Ensco have said, these valuations usually factor in real estate, which is how teams like DC United get so far up the list. Frankly this also makes me wonder about the LAG valuation too, although admittedly I’m not certain whether AEG owns that venue or not - could swear that the university owns it but I could be wrong. In any event, that is obviously not the case with TFC which makes the valuation worthy of an eyebrow raise.

Perhaps given all of the investment involved in expanding BMO, they are treating it as MLSE owned for the purposes of their valuation?

Who knows.

[Mr. Inbetween]

Any Forbes links to the evaluation of premier or serie a clubs to see where we rank to the lower end teams?

Suspect there is, just haven't found any yet. Instead, FWIW, with for a base of reference, and with a 'from wikipedia' caveat, the following... paraphrased, edited, cut and pasted... 'In July 2003, Roman Abramovich, completed a £140 Million or 168M USD takeover of Chelsea... At the time of the Abramovich takeover, the club also had debts of around £100 Million or 120M USD... Chelsea did not turn a profit in the first nine years of Abramovich's ownership and made record losses... Chelsea have been described as a global brand... In 2016 Forbesmagazine ranked Chelsea the seventh most valuable football club in the world at £1.15 Billion or $1.385B USD. On 7 May 2022, the club finally confirmed that "terms have been agreed" for a new ownership group led by American Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital... Chelsea sold for circa £4.25 Billion or $5.11B USD with one reported debt of circa £800M or 957M USD. Therefore, one of the best clubs in, arguably for some time, the best league in the world, in about twenty years went from a valuation of £40M or 48M USD to one of £3.445B or 4.15B USD... < Edit... If my calculation is correct that would 'ballpark' reflect, within a reasonable parameter, an 85 times or 8500% growth/return? In comparison, the NA- MLS- TFC franchise was acquired for 10M USD in 2005 and has a current Forbes Valuation of 690M USD. Therefore, in approximately 19 years, about a 69 times or 6900% growth/return?>

BTW, Bournemouth, currently in and fighting EPL relegation, was recently bought by American Bill Foley's Consortium reportedly for circa £120M or 145M USD.

[nick.mastro]

I did find the top Serie A teams (sorry if this is incorrect)

Juventus 2.4 Billion
Milan 1.2 Billion
Inter 1 Billion
Roma 545 mil
Napoli 471 mil

I would assume with MLS teams being worth more than Roma and Napoli that alot of the price tag has to do with future projections of what MLS teams will be making in the future with its predicted upwards growth

[Canary10]

Impossible.

- Gate potential is 20 games x 30000 seats x $75 ticket price. Let's generously say they got 80%. That's CAD 36M, so USD 27M.
- TV is less than $10M a year per team in the Apple deal. There are expenses and some revenue share opportunities. Let's call it USD$10M
- BMO sponsorship is $4M
- Jerseys etc are not nearly as much as people think. The base sponsorship deal from adidas is USD$100M a year for the league, or USD$4M a year per team.
- TFC probably gets an additional USD$1-2M for shirt sales for the Italians (that business is nowhere near as lucrative as people think, royalties per jersey sold are small)

Food is something, I dunno what, a couple of million.

I can't get to even $50M....

What is each team's cut of expansion fees? That's probably half of most team's revenue right there.

[ensco]

What is each team's cut of expansion fees? That's probably half of most team's revenue right there.

Not that significant. St Louis paid $200M. So that's $6M a team. I would not "annualize" that. They can do maybe 3 more of those, so would simply add $20M to the number you get otherwise.

[Canary10]

Not that significant. St Louis paid $200M. So that's $6M a team. I would not "annualize" that. They can do maybe 3 more of those, so would simply add $20M to the number you get otherwise.

So about half of revenues. Lol.

My comment was more a commentary on the league's addiction to expansion fees.

[ag futbol]

Hold onto your hats kids, Jesse Marsh was fired by Leeds meaning… Chris Armas is the interim caretaker manager for the next few games against Manchester United.

[Canary10]

Hold onto your hats kids, Jesse Marsh was fired by Leeds meaning… Chris Armas is the interim caretaker manager for the next few games against Manchester United.

They fired a bunch of the support staff and assistants along with Marsch except.....you guessed it.....not Chris Armas.

[burlington Red]

mad thing is, Armas could be interim boss in Leeds v Man Utd match on Wed.

[Canary10]

mad thing is, Armas could be interim boss in Leeds v Man Utd match on Wed.

Guy is, to quote Natasha Lyonne in Russian Doll, a cockaroach.

[ag futbol]

They fired a bunch of the support staff and assistants along with Marsch except.....you guessed it.....not Chris Armas.
He’s just a straight shooter with upper management potential written all over him, lol

[Oldtimer]

Hold onto your hats kids, Jesse Marsh was fired by Leeds meaning… Chris Armas is the interim caretaker manager for the next few games against Manchester United.

Bwahaha. There's not too many abject failures in MLS that manage not only to get into the EPL, but even continue to get jobs after also failing in the EPL. This guy must have amazing networking skills.

[jloome]

Bwahaha. There's not too many abject failures in MLS that manage not only to get into the EPL, but even continue to get jobs after also failing in the EPL. This guy must have amazing networking skills.

They're only keeping him on because he's definitely going when the new guy comes in. They need an interim until someone is picked and they've canned the rest.

To me, Rangnick and Marsch (also at leipzig) have now demonstrated Gegenpress is an outdated tactic against top talent, which can low block it into irrelevancy. Without poor defenders allowing space in the box that they shouldn't, it just clutters it up too much and prevents solid chances, while leaving the defense exposed.

Armas proved it here, they've proved it there. The only time it works is when the gegenpress team has league-leading defense (Salzburg under Marsch, his NYRB team when Aaron Long was breaking through) and skilled enough attackers to bypass the low block. At the Premier League level, the latter happens zero times.

[Richard]

Probably the best example of failing upwards.

I am going to enjoy Leeds getting smashed.

Let's go ManU!

[OgtheDim]

Red Bull philosophy has its limits - beats us most times but can't beat a low block & can't survive a whole season.

[Canary10]

Interesting that Marsch, as you'd expect, is now being named in speculation for the USMNT job. Wonder if his dedication to gegenpress will sandbag that? Just can't see it being a good national team strategy for reasons Jloome said. Can Marsch do anything else?

[Canary10]

Probably the best example of failing upwards.

I am going to enjoy Leeds getting smashed.

Let's go ManU!

This is REALLY bad news for me as I didn't triple captain Rashford in my fantasy Premier League.

[OgtheDim]

Oh look, its an MLS playoff format change

https://twitter.com/TheAthleticSCCR/status/1622701134228979732

[OgtheDim]

Interesting that Marsch, as you'd expect, is now being named in speculation for the USMNT job. Wonder if his dedication to gegenpress will sandbag that? Just can't see it being a good national team strategy for reasons Jloome said. Can Marsch do anything else?


Funny thing is when he was at Club Foot, he was not a "must do this thing always" sort of manager. Then he went to NYRB & drank the energy drink kool-aid & seems stuck.


Guy needs a venue where the press is not necessary to succeed. (if BB went south, we could do a lot worse, to be honest)

[Bushmancan]

Oh look, its an MLS playoff format change

https://twitter.com/TheAthleticSCCR/status/1622701134228979732

Am I reading this right, we move from single knockout to North American 2 out of 3 for each round?

[rydermike]

Am I reading this right, we move from single knockout to North American 2 out of 3 for each round?
First round only. Then it's single knockout

[Richard]

Best or three? Really?

:picard:

[rydermike]

That they're considering top nine in each conference making the playoffs is a bit too much. While I can accept that MLS will never get rid of the playoffs, season performance has to mean something (like in the rest of the world). Using last standings, Charlotte finished 9th with 13 wins, 18 losses, and 3 draws. They had more losses than wins+draws combined. The fact that a team can lose that much then get hot at the right time (win three matches when it becomes single knockout time as one-rounder games have greater potential for upsets than multi-games) and be the champion is not right. There has to be some reward for teams that were consistently good (I know they get to be the home team, but still)

[ag futbol]

The business mentality of playoffs = revenue is really causing them to overlook a lot here. They should have a MLB / Liga MX sort of cut-off with a limited number of teams included.

[Blindside16]

FFS just go back to the 2 legs for the playoff series and stop trying to follow the NHL, NBA, and MLB

[OgtheDim]

One of the issues with best of 3 is once you get the first win, you can play defensive in the next one in order to get to the PK scenario.

Call this the Brian Schmetzer tactical ploy.

[Smokecell]

Whatever they choose, they have absolutely got to stick with.

The best competitions are steeped in tradition. Traditions don't change on a yearly basis.

Personally, I would be OK with single game or two legged playoffs.

[nick.mastro]

Bring back 2 leg quarters and semis !!

[Mr. Inbetween]

Whatever they choose, they have absolutely got to stick with. The best competitions are steeped in tradition. Traditions don't change on a yearly basis.
Personally, I would be OK with single game or two legged playoffs.


Bring back 2 leg quarters and semis !!

Agree with these. Tradition matters; and not a new one every few years! I would prefer 2 leg quarters and semis with a single game final.

[613reppingTFC]

That they're considering top nine in each conference making the playoffs is a bit too much. While I can accept that MLS will never get rid of the playoffs, season performance has to mean something (like in the rest of the world). Using last standings, Charlotte finished 9th with 13 wins, 18 losses, and 3 draws. They had more losses than wins+draws combined. The fact that a team can lose that much then get hot at the right time (win three matches when it becomes single knockout time as one-rounder games have greater potential for upsets than multi-games) and be the champion is not right. There has to be some reward for teams that were consistently good (I know they get to be the home team, but still)

Yeah I agree with you here, it's not right that a team could potentially pull this off. So another example might be a team that is in the top 4 could start heavily rotating the squad through the last maybe 10 games and just not care about results as they can put on their starters and turn it up in the playoffs. Not sure how many teams would implement that strategy.

But I agree with what was said above, it needs to go back to a 2 leg playoffs as it's only fair for the teams that are doing well that season (you would still get upsets), and they need to leave it alone and stop changing things.

[OgtheDim]

So I watched the video of BB tonight & apart from the "we are always looking to get better" bit where he mentioned the midfield they haven't really done anything about, the most interesting part was his "I don't like your wording" to a Michael Singh question about motivation.

[jloome]

So I watched the video of BB tonight & apart from the "we are always looking to get better" bit where he mentioned the midfield they haven't really done anything about, the most interesting part was his "I don't like your wording" to a Michael Singh question about motivation.

Singh was framing a bunch of unqualified statements about the Italians settling in as fact, or even open discussion, and Bradley basically smacked him down for asking leading questions.

It's actually not a bad tactic on Singh's part but there are always some people more prickly about it than others, on the assumption any affirmation will be used as a backward confirmation of the initial proposal.

I mean, when interviewing really difficult subjects -- criminals, corrupt officials etc -- it was standard practise back in the day to affirm the unknown or frame a question as a sympathetic statement to get them at ease and willing to talk.

The nastier the individual, the more likely it was the inner terror that spawned their emotional disconnection or narcissism would cause them to cling to that "opportunity" to tell their side, like a man jumping overboard holding the anchor.

[Graeme]

To me, Singh brings too many of his own ideas and suppositions to his work. He still has much to learn, but it's always good to have more people working in this space. We need more reporting!

[OgtheDim]

New names dropped for Apple MLS coverage


Of note

Paul Dolan

Blake Price

Greg Sutton

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/apple-and-major-league-soccer-name-31-accomplished-on-air-personalities-to-the-m

[FootBallAZ]

So I watched the video of BB tonight & apart from the "we are always looking to get better" bit where he mentioned the midfield they haven't really done anything about, the most interesting part was his "I don't like your wording" to a Michael Singh question about motivation.


he could just answered the question lol.

[jloome]

he could just answered the question lol.

Nah, from his perspective he wants Singh to understand that supposition isn't a good framework for an honest answer. It's pushing the answer in the direction of an angle the writer has already dreamed up before checking on whether it's true.

But it's pretty common. I suspect as Singh is young, Bob is deliberately harder on him to try to encourage him to play it as straight as possible.

I just want one person to ask a tactical, football based question.

[FootBallAZ]

Nah, from his perspective he wants Singh to understand that supposition isn't a good framework for an honest answer. It's pushing the answer in the direction of an angle the writer has already dreamed up before checking on whether it's true.

But it's pretty common. I suspect as Singh is young, Bob is deliberately harder on him to try to encourage him to play it as straight as possible.

I just want one person to ask a tactical, football based question.


I wonder how I can get in on the press conferences lol- Im sure I'd get kicked out after my first question lol.

[jloome]

Speaking of football tradition...

People have often crapped on the notion that US franchise owners would ever allow promotion/relegation. But the most commonly cited reason for following Wrexham by US fans of the documentary show "Welcome to Wrexham" is the notion that a team can be promoted up leagues... and they are now so popular in the U.S. that ESPN has shown two of their games in primetime.

Go look at the comments from their fans and you'll see repeatedly "I don't even follow MLS/I've never been to an MLS game, but the idea that a team from a small community means so much and has a chance to ...etc etc"

They've totally bought into promo/relegation before they've even bought into their own domestic league.

Doubtless, the nature of bias being what it is, this will be completely missed in the U.S.

[OgtheDim]

Speaking of football tradition...

People have often crapped on the notion that US franchise owners would ever allow promotion/relegation. But the most commonly cited reason for following Wrexham by US fans of the documentary show "Welcome to Wrexham" is the notion that a team can be promoted up leagues... and they are now so popular in the U.S. that ESPN has shown two of their games in primetime.

Go look at the comments from their fans and you'll see repeatedly "I don't even follow MLS/I've never been to an MLS game, but the idea that a team from a small community means so much and has a chance to ...etc etc"

They've totally bought into promo/relegation before they've even bought into their own domestic league.

Doubtless, the nature of bias being what it is, this will be completely missed in the U.S.


As a supporter of Barrow AFC.... I find US based people's ideas of relegation totally skewed by the Cinderella fairy tales - Wrexham fits that.

Where do we talk about Chester or Darlington or Hereford or Scarborough?

All those teams went bust after dropping out of the league system.


Barrow took 48 years to come back


PAH....all those US based pro/rel people have NEVER followed a lower league team that got relegated.


They have no clue what the rel bit of that means. And until they do, or somebody pro/rel can explain to me why the rel bit is worth it....I don't buy into ANYBODY in US soccer going down that route.

[ensco]

^Someone in my life is a Preston North End supporter. It is a tortured fan base, complete agony.

They were a First Division stalwart, sometimes a powerhouse, for many decades, and via that history, have a significant following, passed down from parent to child.

They went down in 1960… and have never made it back. 60+ years in the wilderness, most of them in the lower two leagues. Went bust a couple of times.

[jloome]

^Someone in my life is a Preston North End supporter. It is a tortured fan base, complete agony.

They were a First Division stalwart, sometimes a powerhouse, for many decades, and via that history, have a significant following, passed down from parent to child.

They went down in 1960… and have never made it back. 60+ years in the wilderness, most of them in the lower two leagues. Went bust a couple of times.

Also briefly home to Taylor Twellman, early in his career. (HE was on loan to them in Champ Manager circa 1999).

It's difficult, English football. Communities are so close together that they bleed fans when a nearby larger city club gets big. But beyond that, it's a community endeavour, usually, to keep them running.

TFC, meanwhile, is sending multiple youth teams to a big tournament in Dallas.

https://3rddegree.net/host-club-fc-dallas-confirmed-for-2023-dallas-cup-super-group

[jloome]

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/minnesota-united-star-emanuel-reynoso-suspended-for-preseason-absence

Reynoso suspended for missing pre-season. The club appears to not know why. Same club that took Kemar Lawrence off our hands... and who also missed much of preseason without explanation.

[Mr. Inbetween]

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/minnesota-united-star-emanuel-reynoso-suspended-for-preseason-absence Reynoso suspended for missing pre-season. The club appears to not know why. Same club that took Kemar Lawrence off our hands... and who also missed much of preseason without explanation.

That is odd, even harsh? Common (public) knowledge for a while he was experiencing 'personal' issues. Suspect club would know the details; have been informed of. Perhaps a MLS courtesy to him until there is a legal determination; to not pour further fuel on any fire of the situation or his reputation. Seems he may be facing assault charges in Argentina on a teenager from DEC21?

[jloome]

That is odd, even harsh? Common knowledge for a while he was experiencing 'personal' issues. Suspect club would know the details. Perhaps a MLS courtesy to him until there is a legal determination; to not pour further fuel on any fire of his reputation. Seems he may be facing assault charges in Argentina on a teenager from DEC21.

Why? The average employee doesn't get unlimited time off for 'personal issues.' Certainly, facing an assault charge doesn't generally win anyone sympathy points.

[Mr. Inbetween]

Why? The average employee doesn't get unlimited time off for 'personal issues.' Certainly, facing an assault charge doesn't generally win anyone sympathy points.

He may not be able to report due to a judicial condition? Had to surrender his passport?

[jloome]

He may not be able to report due to a judicial condition? Had to surrender his passport?

Oh, possible I suppose. Doens't seem likely though. THey usually only do that when a person is a risk of not returning to the jurisdiction.

[Mr. Inbetween]

Worse. IIUC, there may be no presumption of innocence for the purposes of US immigration, which means that as soon as you are arrested/charged for a crime, you may risk being denied entry into the United States; 'if your situation is discovered', nowadays just a google/social media search away. Once flagged/denied, you are in another level of bureaucracy; dystopian absurdity.

[Oldtimer]

LAFC's stadium has a new naming sponsor, BMO (BMO has moved in a big way acquiring US business). Their stadium will be known as BMO Stadium. So TFC could play in BMO Field one week, followed by BMO Stadium in the next.

https://infotel.ca/newsitem/soc-mls-nwsl-bmo/cp126990421

[levyashin]

I am not sure where to post this but I feel that I have to make a statement in regard to the National program.
Again we read that the vultures at the CSA are under cutting the Mens and Womens programs to line their own pockets.
I came to live in Canada in 1975 and it has been like this now for 48 years no wonder the likes of DERO have had run ins with the hierarchy in years gone by.
Nothing will change until the present way of doing things is torn down and replaced by real football people not vultures with gold Visa cards and fancy suits feeding of the house league/Rep money they squeeze out of parents.

[ensco]

LAFC's stadium has a new naming sponsor, BMO (BMO has moved in a big way acquiring US business). Their stadium will be known as BMO Stadium. So TFC could play in BMO Field one week, followed by BMO Stadium in the next.

https://infotel.ca/newsitem/soc-mls-nwsl-bmo/cp126990421

Why are we all going along with this?

The newspapers and media are not owned by BMO. They should just be calling it LAFC Stadium, or something more clear or meaningful than these endless ever-more-confusing names…

In the short run, how about we just call our pitch David Miller Field?

[NK Toronto]

Why are we all going along with this?

The newspapers and media are not owned by BMO. They should just be calling it LAFC Stadium, or something more clear or meaningful than these endless ever-more-confusing names…

In the short run, how about we just call our pitch David Miller Field?

The city / MLSE or whoever holds the stadium naming rights could have said no to any corporate name and instead named the stadium after a distinguished Torontonian