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2012 Major League Soccer |OT| THIS LEAGUE IS RELEVANT!
- Thread starter Akim
- Start date
SKC's new designated player: Claudio Bieler.
More at link: http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2012/12/sporting-kc-signs-claudio-bieler-designated-player
Seems like a great signing. With the addition of Feilhaber, someone who can get the ball to him, this is a definite move towards scoring more goals. I'm happy to see these moves.
sportingkc.com said:
More at link: http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2012/12/sporting-kc-signs-claudio-bieler-designated-player
Seems like a great signing. With the addition of Feilhaber, someone who can get the ball to him, this is a definite move towards scoring more goals. I'm happy to see these moves.
Aw man, Montreal home opener is at the Big O. They probably aren't going to be bringing in real grass.
Expecting more of this in the future. Especially considering KC sells out most of it's games anyways there's no reason to get an aged star. Use those DP slots on what best fits the team's needs.
I'm expecting Toronto's opener to be at Rogers Centre too.
I thought you siwtched to TFC?
added_time
Member
He switched *from* TFC like a treacherous swine!
Well that's not right.
added_time
Member
There is something comforting about supporting a team that is consistently the worst in the league.
You have to really be loyal. haha
I'll never jump ship even if it stays this bad forever!
Home opener at Rogers Centre? GET GRASS! While it was super fun, the extremely crappy turf at the Skydome was heartbreaking.
Nah, I siwtched to MTL last summer. I still have a soft spot for TFC and hope they succeed though (since they are my hometown team and all). I guess I'm still a fan of both (which people are going to hate me for).
Most consistent team since day 1, yo!
platypotamus
Member
Awesome, my baby isn't due until the 5th, so I think I've got a clear schedule for that March 2nd season opener...
well as long as we get goals.
Good stuff for future academy signings.
http://nasn.tv/2012/mls-working-with-usl-pro-on-reserve-league-integration/
http://nasn.tv/2012/mls-working-with-usl-pro-on-reserve-league-integration/
sazabirules
Unconfirmed Member
I saw that link too and am excited for it. I want our youngsters to be able to get more playing time.
It's a solid step in the proper direction.
sazabirules
Unconfirmed Member
So can anyone tell me why Montreal's strategy is to be an Italian retirement home? A census from 2006 says 7% of the population is Italian.
added_time
Member
It's because Joey Saputo is part of the Italian mafia.. seriously though it's probably because of his Italian background that he is making foolish decisions.
sazabirules
Unconfirmed Member
Luyindula has terminated his contract so I assume he'll sign with NY in a few days.
Something about a Italian type of game, which is why Saputo is looking for a coach that knows the European game, knows English, and knows French. So I'm assuming we'll either see a French or Italian coach. I really doubt a coach from MTL or any current MLS coach fits the bill. As for the players, I think Saputo wants to put together a squad that can play Euro-esque ball >>> Which means bringing in guys who have the instinct and feel for the game. Unfortunately, these guys are old as fuck.
EDIT: I do think instead of I don't think.
sazabirules
Unconfirmed Member
I guess Di Viao and Nesta did okay. Bernier and Felipe were two of the best players for Montreal this season I thought.
Frank the Great
Banned
they should sign some more guys from serie b, there are some good players there and i'm sure they could find a couple of youngish guys who would like to try and play in north america. instead of only going after serie a retirees, i mean.
a lot of serie b players grew up in the youth academies of top clubs so they have at least a better understanding of the game than your average american player.
The players you mentioned did pretty well. I know Di Vaio had a dry spell where he wasn't really effective though. Overall, I'm happy with how he played this season.
I thin Felipe is a super solid player; he's my favourite player on the team. I'm a little skeptical with Bernier, I thought he was too one-dimensional and too slow.
For sure. I think going after young Serie A talent is going to be next to impossible since most, if not all, Serie A teams are looking to keep and grow their young players. I do however really want to see more Impact academy players make the side and I really want to see more of Wenger at striker. Wenger at striker = more time as the target man = more development as a target man = me wet.
ProgramFighter
Member
Thoughts?
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/s...ides-mls-as-'struggling'-to-take-hold?cc=5901
I don't agree with his points but maybe I'm just a little biased for the league and against him. I just don't see how competing with the NFL, NBA, and NHL by changing the calendar will help MLS grow in the USA. The league continues to grow each season as is so I'm not sure what are his unrealistic expectations. I think money more so than anything else will get the best players from around the world eventually wanting to play in the league as well as America's best athletes to at least consider playing soccer compared to our other sports. Right not there is no tangible incentive.
EDIT: Seeing how I live in New Jersey, not sure how I forgot to include weather as another reason against a change of calendar. Yes, the games can still be played but it definitely will not help attendance. http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2012/12/30/soccer-anyone-its-snowing-out-you-know/
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/s...ides-mls-as-'struggling'-to-take-hold?cc=5901
I don't agree with his points but maybe I'm just a little biased for the league and against him. I just don't see how competing with the NFL, NBA, and NHL by changing the calendar will help MLS grow in the USA. The league continues to grow each season as is so I'm not sure what are his unrealistic expectations. I think money more so than anything else will get the best players from around the world eventually wanting to play in the league as well as America's best athletes to at least consider playing soccer compared to our other sports. Right not there is no tangible incentive.
EDIT: Seeing how I live in New Jersey, not sure how I forgot to include weather as another reason against a change of calendar. Yes, the games can still be played but it definitely will not help attendance. http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2012/12/30/soccer-anyone-its-snowing-out-you-know/
Amibguous Cad
Member
I'm genuinely surprised at Blatter's remarks. It seems like he was expecting an American league to rival the EPL and NFL right out the gate after hosting a World Cup, which seems pretty unrealistic to me. MLS isn't as big as those, but it has a passionate fanbase, is no longer in existential danger, and outdraws several major leagues in in-person attendance. It's has the 11th best attendance of all soccer leagues. It's doing fine.
It's in North America competing against the NFL, the NHL, MLB. Still, it's gaining more ground every year. More and more fans are coming in. They are making more money. They are striking TV deals. New stadiums are popping up for each team. The league is growing and shows no signs of stopping.
His expectations for an EPL style league that is just as competitive as the EPL in 2-3 years were and are unrealistic.
His expectations for an EPL style league that is just as competitive as the EPL in 2-3 years were and are unrealistic.
Blatter is a fucking idiot. Dude still thinks that most of the teams play in NFL stadiums. Switching to August-May schedule would kill the stadium attendance at games in the winter, one of the positive MLS has going for it. I have no idea if Russia follows August-May and how they do it.
And compete with Europe for better economic might ? Sure that can happen and players wouldn't give a fuck about the calendar if they were offered multimillion dollar deals. For that to happen the league needs more income which will only increase by improving the dismal TV situation. This World Cup cycle is crucial in that regard.
And compete with Europe for better economic might ? Sure that can happen and players wouldn't give a fuck about the calendar if they were offered multimillion dollar deals. For that to happen the league needs more income which will only increase by improving the dismal TV situation. This World Cup cycle is crucial in that regard.
If MLS had top quality soccer average attendances would be above the Bundesliga and TV ratings would be solid as well.
However, MLS competes with not only 4 other major professional sports leagues all of which have high ticket prices and only 1 has fewer games per season than MLS, but it has to compete with both European league, Mexican league, and South American leagues.
I have no doubts that MLS will be a huge league one day but that will come at a slow pace. The salary cap needs to go up, and youth development will have to get better. Once those two things happen there will be a plentitude of young talented players throughout the league that are both physically and technically sound.
I can see where Blatter is coming from but he's talking as someone who has never lived in the U.S.
However, MLS competes with not only 4 other major professional sports leagues all of which have high ticket prices and only 1 has fewer games per season than MLS, but it has to compete with both European league, Mexican league, and South American leagues.
I have no doubts that MLS will be a huge league one day but that will come at a slow pace. The salary cap needs to go up, and youth development will have to get better. Once those two things happen there will be a plentitude of young talented players throughout the league that are both physically and technically sound.
I can see where Blatter is coming from but he's talking as someone who has never lived in the U.S.
you see those reasons alone is why people from around the world keep away from MLS.
I would think that once MLS is an entertaining league to watch as a neutral, fans throughout the world would be happy to have a league to watch during their off-season.
the best players follow to where the money is. Shocker.
Blatter has always been an idiot.
Amibguous Cad
Member
The Sounders are pretty hard up against the cap, so it makes a little bit of sense, particularly if the loan/sale terms are good enough to net us some allocation. It also makes sense if the rumors about us signing Joan Verdu are true, who also plays in a kind of Trequarista role.
EDIT: Just saw that the transfer offer is rumored to be at $4.5 million. If I'm understanding the arcane transfer rules correctly (always a difficulty), that'd be enough to net us the max allocation from the sale of $600k or so - enough to pay down a new DP signing's cap hit for two years in a row. If those are the terms, I'm really happy about the deal, though I'll miss Fredy.
Ambition rankings from Grant Wahl
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130103/mls-ambition-rankings/?eref=twitter_feed
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130103/mls-ambition-rankings/?eref=twitter_feed
sazabirules
Unconfirmed Member
A 31 year old that was last playing in the third division of Italy.
Rafa=FedKilla
Banned
Love these MLS owners and their fetishes. Inter Canada. AC Canada Bologna Montreal
Ugh what are you doing Saputo?! Fucking guy...
Rafa=FedKilla
Banned
What are the Impact thinking signing a coach with no Serie A B C or D experience?
sazabirules
Unconfirmed Member
What a terrible choice. A guy that hasn't coached in a few years, no MLS experience, jumped around coaching so many different Swiss teams...
added_time
Member
So Ives is reporting that TFC is replacing Paul Mariner with a new head coach: Ryan Nelsen.
http://www.soccerbyives.net/2013/01/breaking-tfc-set-to-name-nelsen-new-head-coach.html
On the one hand, I'm thrilled to have Mariner out but this new guy has never coached before and hasn't even officially retired as a player yet.
Seems like a risky move for a team that came dead last and has to do a lot of work to hire someone with no coaching experience.
http://www.soccerbyives.net/2013/01/breaking-tfc-set-to-name-nelsen-new-head-coach.html
On the one hand, I'm thrilled to have Mariner out but this new guy has never coached before and hasn't even officially retired as a player yet.
Seems like a risky move for a team that came dead last and has to do a lot of work to hire someone with no coaching experience.
Rafa=FedKilla
Banned
That's the Payne way brah.
added_time
Member
Well, we can't get any worse than last season so anything is worth a try at this point!
Anyone is better than Mariner. Wait no, everyone is better than Mariner.
Rafa=FedKilla
Banned
TFC can't get Nelsen to coach yet since he is still plying for QPR so they got this college coach named Fran O Leary to fill in the interim. Hahahahhahahahahhahahahahahhaahahaahahahahhahahah I love this league.