State of the league - MLS 3.0
TFC is looking like PSV or FC Porto of MLS but what about the rest of the league? Here are my thoughts and I would like to hear yours.
I put them into 4 categories.
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1) Elite
2) MLS 3.0 ready
3) MLS 2.5 still
4) Survival
1) LOOKING VERY ELITE;
Atlanta United - 48 k fans average, elite young talent, electric stadium, great market, they are the Lakers of MLS.
Seattle Sounders - 40 + k average, big stadium, Atmosphere, Model of consistency.
La Galaxy - Still the most glamorous brand in MLS in my opinion. You think of MLS you think of Galaxy… though TFC is challenging that.
Toronto FC - Deep pockets, 15 north american players, the best team in MLS, great fan support with a vision to expand to 40 k fans.
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MLS 3.0 Ready -
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Portland - Some will be angry I included La Galaxy over Portland, but overall the LA Galaxy brand is more known with higher potential because of population.
NYCFC - If they had a proper stadium and didn’t copy Man City they would be in the elite 4. I don’t really think the Man City branding should hurt them to much though... but honestly I don't like it.
Orlando - Lack of success has kept them from top 4, but they are right there. Re-locating to a smaller stadium hurt there attendance.
NY Red Bulls - Just a Solid group is what we can say about the Red Bulls, they run it well in New Jersey.
LAFC - tbd but I think they find them selves in this group with there new team and stadium.
Sporting KC - looks great on t.v, solid team, good management, consistent like the Red Bulls.
Real Salt Lake - They make the 3.0 list. I like games vs RSL Good crowd, unique atmosphere.
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Basically it's enjoyable to watch games vs these teams minus yankee stadium.
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MLS 2.5 - The great thing about this group is they don’t really hold the league back; they could just use some spicing up.
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Philadelphia Union - Nearly ready for 3.0. Give it a year or two.
D.C United - They could make the jump this season with there new stadium.
Vancouver Whitecaps - There run well, competitive, 20 + k fans average; there stadium is to big though, doesn’t make it glamorous to watch. You can cover those seats all you want, you notice them.
Minnesota United - Once they have there stadium and a few years in the league; I predict a quick transition to 3.0.
Quakes - just not sexy to watch on t.v.
Montreal Impact - see above.
Houston Dynamo - see San Jose.
Chicago Fire - They have there issues, but at the end of the day it’s Chicago, and they are willing to invest. They should get to 3.0.
F.C Dallas - There run well, good team, but overall a low attendance and there stadium is pretty weak. Looks like a 1st division England team.
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Survival:
Colorado Rapids
Columbus Crew
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Unknown/weird situation:
New England gets there own bracket, they actually have a great fan base in a great market. The fact they average 20 k playing in that stadium is a testament to there support, they draw good crowds. There issues are a stadium and some say there owner but I don't know a ton about that issue. In my opinion the market it self is strong and once they figure them selves out I honestly predict them being among the top in the entire league with the big 4. They sell out 20 k a night in a terrible atmosphere that makes it look empty. If they had a stadium New England would do very good in MLS.
West viewpoint on where they are at this Season
West (in no particular order)
Portland has a much better more dynamic coach this season in Sevarese. He will push them to win every game - but they are getting older. A better team without Nagbe. I think they make the MLS Cup final this season in one last hurrah.
LAFC - when you look at that team, the back line looks good but the rest is a work in progress. Not sold on Feilhaber as the midfield general. The most adept coach at getting something out of nothing though (look what Bradley did in Egypt, Norway & France) Playoffs might be a step too far but they will be in the hunt down to the wire.
SKC - who's going to score. Core midfield is better with Feilhaber gone. Defence is one of the best in the league and they will be more organized then anybody. But, Vermes drives his teams way too hard - doing subs at the 85th minute is standard. Playoffs but a quicker then preferred exit - again.
Seattle - not sold on Schmetzer as coach. Dempsey either has one last hurrah or he falls off a cliff. Morris is not getting better. Defence lost its best player in Jones. Midfield blows hot and cold. They beat teams who are unorganized. Will there be 6 teams more organized then them in the West? Playoff run might end.
LAG - lots of hype about being a better team but when I look at what they brought in, its really MLS starter level. Is anybody really hyped over Perry Kitchen? Like any team that gets rid of Zardes for Ola Kamara in theory is improved but can Kamara play with the Dos Santos brothers? More importantly, is Sigi Schmid good enough to coach at MLS 3.0? Tough to make the playoffs.
Houston - improved? Well Cubo Torres is gone but he couldn't score outside of the penalty area. Steady as she goes for a decent attack - their defence needs shoring up though & that hasn't changed. Playoffs likely but nobody will fear them outside of games in that heat
Minnesota has Adrian Heath and as long as that continues, this team is going nowhere. No significant improvements. The attack is opportunistic but the midfield & the defence can be had. Reality is they are going to go through 2019 with Heath & not succeed until he is gone. The nicest fans in the league with a really cool stadium coming next year but this team is just cruising for mediocrity.
SJE - treading water roster wise (with the exception of Quintara in the back) but this should be a team that starts to gel - need to find somebody to score other then Wondo. No real playmaker. No playoffs until they invest.
Vancouver - Championship level team circa 2007. Great solid defence. Attack? Chance creating? Nah...who needs it. Robinson got his team "this" close to a West championship last year and then blew it with some weird roster moves at the end. Playoffs? Sure. Voyaguers? They won't beat Montreal in a home and home.
RSL - watch them. Mike Petke knows what he is doing. Seriously under rated midfield - Rusnak is very very good indeed but dirty hippie is slowing down (this is his last season). Defence holds enough. They will grind out wins & points & nobody will like playing them.
Dallas - man, this team was soo good a couple of seasons ago. Then their coach, for whatever reason, decided to not play his kids. Urruti still banging in goals & Mauro Diaz is still only 27. That defence should be better then last season's melt down. Playoffs for sure but consistency will be an issue. Not a supporter's shield contender.
Rapids - well we all saw what they are - better then last season but putting all that money into an aging Tim Howard was ultimately a bad call. Look like Nelsen 2.0. Will be ugly.