The MLS 2017 Season Thread

Some great scenes from Toronto's home opener last night. Stadium is looking good after the reno's and after shoring up the defense the team is actually looking very good. Good times for football in TO.



[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV0DXGXNYO0[/ame]

 

The stadium does look decent, but exactly how functional are those roofs they've added? That south stand cover doesn't look up to much.

 

The south stand canopy doesn't do much but to be fair driving rain generally doesn't drive the supporters groups in the south end away. For the most part the east and west roofs will protect the fairweather fans on rainy days. Also, I believe the reason they built it so high is to allow for a second deck in the south end in the future, or to allow for temporary expansion for cup finals or World Cup.

Have to give credit to MLSE for the ambition they've shown with the club.

 

I think Cincinnati is one of the cities in the mix for a future MLS team as the league continues to build. So if they are pulling in a number like that for a USL game that bodes well for their chances.

 

I read that Cincinnati expects 25 000 for tonight's game. It's impressive for a new club in the third division, hopefully it lasts long term.

What helps them a lot is that they have a rich owner, so they can afford to spend on marketing and good staff. They also have a good enough stadium in a good location.

To be honest, at this point, I'm not convinced that there's any city in the US where football couldn't be successful. It seems that whenever owners put in effort and find a nice stadium around downtown or build one, they get a lot of people to show up.

MLS expansions have all been very successful, except Chivas USA, which was messed up for many reasons.

 

To be fair, they really took notice of the stadium when talks were underway to host the Argos there, so it's hardly as though they're throwing their entire weight behind the MLS team.

Anyone see that Kamara was traded after kicking up * that he wasn't allowed to take a penalty? :smiley-laughing002:

 

Looks like a cheap rip off of the Arena Corinthians World Cup stadium.

 

Well, it's official. MLS has arrived. We have derby violence. :smiley-laughing002:

https://twitter.com/wrongsideofpond/status/734092952847458304
https://twitter.com/wrongsideofpond/status/734097929384890369

 

Also, there is some comedy gold in the r/soccer post game thread after Red Bulls beat NYC 7-0. Man City over-35's. :smiley-laughing002:

 

there was no Violence , Basically the Red Bulls have been New Yorks team since the MLS started and Man City and Eitihad have been pushing this * that They will make New York blue with NYCFC, and the only fans they have are naive people who live near the Stadium and get cheap or Free tickets or man city Fans, so when they started chanting * at the Red Bulls fans, who it should be mentioned their hardcore fans are sponsored by the New York Hells Angels, the Red Bull fans just scared the crap out of them

 

Also before the game, Man City and NYCFC were offering people to exchange a Red Bull shirt for any NYCFC shirt of their choice, they cancelled it after the game

 

And have also even deleted the tweet where they first offered it to destroy the evidence. :smiley-laughing002:

 

I think City is a * joke just as much as the next guy, but am I the only who thinks that jersey swap thing was just taking the *? I found it funny.

 

How come Lampard was booed?

 

I thought it was great and clearly a joke, but it backfired in spectacular fashion.

 

Because he's a lazy, fat piece of * who has stolen money over the past year and a half. The typical Eurostar who came to the league expecting it to be easy, but hasn't been in shape and was woefully underprepared. Add the fact that he's chosen to go back to the UK to work for BBC during the Euros while he's still under contract, he just comes across as somebody who doesn't give a * about the league.

 

Lampard is the kind of signing that has to stop happening in MLS. The guy is making boatloads of money and has been an absolute embarrassment. NYC are deplorable so I think it's hilarious, but the league in general needs to stop with the glamour signings. The league has enough momentum now that these aging stars aren't required anymore. I'd much rather see more big club fringe players in their prime like Giovinco who has been absolutely tearing the league up since day one.

 

Andy Walker is absolutely sickened by these scenes of violence

 

Aye, it probably does have to stop. Haven't seen him play, but from what I've heard Pirlo has been a bit of a joke as well.

MLS teams need to stop being a retirement home for these guys or it will never be taken as seriously as it perhaps should.

 

Many of them have, and have been rewarded. It's the likes of NYCFC who make a conscious decision to handicap themselves.

Regarding Pirlo, it's a bit different. He suffers from the physical nature of the league and a lack of talent around him. I read an article where the author pointed out two quite important things regarding Pirlo:

1. His last match before MLS was when he started and went 90 minutes in a Champions League Final. He still has it.

2. In his last match, he was being guarded by Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal. He is now being protected by Andrew Jacobsen and Mix Diskerud.

Lampard though is just a stupid fat *.