The logistics for such an undertaking are...difficult.
Check out this tweet at https://twitter.com/i/status/1260394829474934784
The logistics for such an undertaking are...difficult.
Check out this tweet at https://twitter.com/i/status/1260394829474934784
I have lots of doubts about that plan. Especially having a whole bunch of games (and training) in extremely hot weather.
However food wouldn't be my biggest concern. They may be getting lots of prepared individual meals. Think of the huge operations (for food production) that MLSE has set up at Scotiabank Arena and at BMO Field. There are lots of big hotels and restaurants in Orlando that won't be very busy, and that could help to prep the food. And it could be served outdoors to reduce the crowding and risk. (Although generally in June & July in Orlando, you would want to stay inside with a/c as much as possible.)
Last edited by Auzzy; 05-13-2020 at 05:35 PM.
Remember The Man, The Legend, The Goal 5-12-07 and All That #9 Left On The Pitch, Thanks For The Memories !!!
The logistics comment above is really about money. If the money is there, you can do the logistics. As I have said, I am sceptical that the money is there for MLS.
I believe Goff has good sources - this MLS proposal is being floated because the NBA plan is falling apart, and there is an “opportunity“ for MLS to “step in”to the Disney plan.
But is there, really?
The NBA is having multiple problems with this
-Owners and players nowhere near agreeing amongst each other, let alone with each other. Owners agitated about competitive/fairness and related money issues. Should they just go straight to playoffs? What happens to bubble teams? The NBA players have big internal squabbles about whether/how to accept pay cuts, and the players union President called the proposed approach “incarceration”...
- the NBA are worried about the PR hit they will take from doing repeat testing on 1000 people performing non essential services, when there still aren’t enough tests
- the aforementioned problem with what to do if someone tests positive anyway
MLS doesn’t have the owners arguing about fairness that comes from changing the playoff system mid stream, sure. But would MLS do any better on the testing or pay issue, if this gets real?
I think none of these summer restarts are happening. The NFL will be up next: the PA is weak there and those owners won’t care about any of this and will plough forward.
Last edited by ensco; 05-13-2020 at 06:20 AM.
"There are some people who might have better technique than me, and some may be fitter than me, but the main thing is tactics. With most players, tactics are missing. You can divide tactics into insight, trust, and daring." - Johan Cruyff
Fauci is optimistic about fall NFL but its based on a lot of "we will get there" that the US hasn't shown a willingness to actually do.
The interview transcript is here https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...ia-peter-king/
The actual interview is here http://art19.com/shows/peter-king-nb...f-db1aa73081de
(as usual during this health crisis, be careful of headlines from secondary sources - find the primary interview wherever possible)
The smart thing to do for all sports leagues is to cancel the season. Once a player gets it, which by the way will happen again, the team can't interact with anyone.
What if a play-off team has infected players?
This whole thing about playing in one location and thinking it's an effective barrier is plain stupid.
It's only May. When we won the MLS cup, the season ended in December. If you take out international breaks, the Canadian championship, etc, there's still a lot of time left to play some sort of season. Who knows what the situation will be in July.
That said, I do not think any of us will be in BMO field until 2021. Surely can't social distance in that tunnel! How many of us were at risk opening day?
That's a good point I hadn't thought about in a while. I do remember feeling a bit... odd that day. Glad I biked so I didn't have to go through the tunnel.
W/o fans, I think most modern industrialized nations could have at least part of the season. The problem is, we have no idea where many parts of the US are headed (and related to that, how much pressure will be on Canada to open the borders to chaos). That's why I have a hard time imaging what will happen in the summer, nevermind the fall.
Lots of talk today about the Orlando thing. No agreement between unions & MLS. Players individually showing willingness but only if safe & done right.
Last edited by Red CB Toronto; 05-14-2020 at 03:33 PM.
Remember The Man, The Legend, The Goal 5-12-07 and All That #9 Left On The Pitch, Thanks For The Memories !!!
Same thing happening with the NBA. Lots of generic happy talk, players all say they want to play... but it feels to me like the clock is running out.
btw one issue that is emerging is fear of just how bad this is projected to get in Southern US. Silver is actually talking about playing these games here...
https://www.si.com/nba/raptors/news/...ba-bubble-city
Any of these leagues need a plan, like, yesterday, for July 1...
Last edited by ensco; 05-14-2020 at 03:36 PM.
"There are some people who might have better technique than me, and some may be fitter than me, but the main thing is tactics. With most players, tactics are missing. You can divide tactics into insight, trust, and daring." - Johan Cruyff
Until there is enough tests here for everybody that needs to get one gets one, these leagues can pound sand.
“If this plan sounds like a sclerotic facsimile to a legitimate baseball season, it is. If it sounds like a possible health catastrophe waiting to happen, it is...”
https://www.thenation.com/article/so...l-coronavirus/
"There are some people who might have better technique than me, and some may be fitter than me, but the main thing is tactics. With most players, tactics are missing. You can divide tactics into insight, trust, and daring." - Johan Cruyff
I posted this three weeks ago, and now that I have watched some of this, I am doubling down. This is depressing.
Any league other than the NBA that plays in front of empty stands is making a huge business mistake.
(The NBA has a novelty opportunity to capture player conversation, the squeak of the sneakers, etc. For a playoff sprint.)
"There are some people who might have better technique than me, and some may be fitter than me, but the main thing is tactics. With most players, tactics are missing. You can divide tactics into insight, trust, and daring." - Johan Cruyff
The Bundisliga thing actually worked - should mic the refs.
I found it a little strange early on but over time go into it. I do worry though if a league like the MLS goes the training ground/small stadium route the broadcast could look amateur. I mean we here are used to the 1-2 camera pre-season/USL streams but for an overall general audience it make be off putting. Some of the angles the stadium field at Disney presents are not great.
Remember The Man, The Legend, The Goal 5-12-07 and All That #9 Left On The Pitch, Thanks For The Memories !!!
If you guys liked it, who am I to argue?
I felt like it was fake and weird. I only watched for 20 minutes. It just made me sad about the quarantine, so I didn’t stick with it, maybe it would have gotten better.
I will definitely check out Phonzie tonight, at least for a bit.
I guess the question will be answered by the ratings over a few weeks (no question they should be high out of the gate).
Last edited by ensco; 05-17-2020 at 04:03 PM.
"There are some people who might have better technique than me, and some may be fitter than me, but the main thing is tactics. With most players, tactics are missing. You can divide tactics into insight, trust, and daring." - Johan Cruyff
I Watched some of today’s game, and decided I don’t like the game without the crowd.
Plus, if it succeeds, then the leagues will know they don’t need supporters and we will essentially become props on a set like on a TV show. It’s already getting that way - watch videos of old games pre video review and you will see the spontaneous joy or outrage or anger of the fans - fantastic, and now diminished. If we become props the next thing will be some pretext to stop the game and have ads.
The good thing is the games don’t look real and I doubt whether they will succeed from a broadcasting numbers perspective.
Every person said it would be better with fans.
I noted a comment that players found it more intense as they didn't feel the need to badger the ref and thus had less "off time" while guys complained about a call. Also, less hard tackles to prove a point to the fans & flair moves to get the crowd going (although that last goal by Dortmund was training ground flair).
I found the Mainz Gladbach game was a lot like watching TFC & Seattle - two teams who preferred to counter with decent enough defences that eventually gave up stuff.
Yes, it didn't work for everybody and I can see why neutrals would go "meh". Not sure I'd want to watch Nashville vs. San Jose. BUT...put TFC in that first game & I think the emotional investment supporters have with the team would take over.
So, the Leagues Cup has been cancelled.
Was that in our season's seat package?
Interesting to see communication of Hibs (club in Scotland) to season seat holders:
The decision to end this season, 2019-20, based on points per game has seen Hibernian finish the league in seventh position, dropping one place through the method chosen to reflect the sporting performance of each team over the 30 matches completed.At this time of coronavirus-driven crisis, it brings some certainty and clarity to an otherwise extraordinary situation.Since football was shut down by Government and our sport’s governing bodies in mid-March, Hibernian fans have been magnificent in the support they have shown. Our fans continue to amaze and humble us.The season ending prematurely means supporters have seen four home matches fewer than they should have. Some fans have generously indicated they would not be seeking a refund, recognising that financing refunds when your club has had no income for several months will compound the scale of the economic pressure we face.We want to be honest – if you are able to take this course then please do. We will make it up to you, and we are looking at creating unique experiences of real value to fans – such as invitations to attend a special series of open training sessions with Jack and the first team. For all who can and do take this course, our gratitude and sincere thanks are due yet again.However, we also know some people face real challenges. The club will deal fairly with all supporters. Those fans wishing to have the unused portion of their ticket refunded should email us at tickets@hibernianfc.co.uk with their season ticket client reference number(s) before 5pm on May 29.Supporters who email us by this deadline will be refunded for the four games lost against the value they paid for their season ticket. Supporters who purchased last year via credit or debit card, will be refunded directly on to their card. Those who purchased by other means, or if your card is no longer valid, will need to be refunded manually. We ask for your patience. Please make sure your contact information is fully up to date on your account.