MLS is back!

[Boomcoach]

Season begins tonight! With my Crew team coming in as defending MLS Champions and opening a new stadium, I am about as excited for a season as I have been in years.

All 5 MLS teams advanced to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League, including the Crew winning their first round games by a 5-0 aggregate. They had a 4-0 lead after the first game, so they played mostly bench players last night, which made for a bit of a blasé game, but they got a late goal on a great pass from Zelaryan and a nice finish from BWP for his first goal for the Crew so good stuff overall.

My personal focuses this season:

• I am interested in see how Inter Miami fare this season. Beckham is pulling as many strings as his connections and reputation can manage, will it be enough to make them contenders?
• I am looking forward to rooting against Austin FC. After the way that their owner treated the Crew, I will enjoy any and every bad day that they have.
• I am hoping to see FC Cincinnati get their act together so we can have a serious rivalry. Hell Is Real, Baby!

[Déjà Bru]

You've had your time in the sun. Now is the turn for NYCFC greatness!

Which would be surprising, however.

[Boomcoach]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

You've had your time in the sun. Now is the turn for NYCFC greatness!

Which would be surprising, however.

I am surprised that they have had as much trouble being consistent as they have, considering their backing. Its not like the Knicks or Mets owners are involved!

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by Boomcoach

I am surprised that they have had as much trouble being consistent as they have, considering their backing. Its not like the Knicks or Mets owners are involved!

Thank God for that! (Sorry, Westheim, but I will own the Knicks — "own" as in owning their futility, not possessing the team ).

[Déjà Bru]

According to the New York Times, here are 5 things to know about M.L.S. as this season begins:

New Team: Austin F.C.

Charlotte is to follow in 2022 and St. Louis in 2023. But plans for a Sacramento franchise in 2024, which would have been the league’s 30th team, may be falling through after the lead investor withdrew.

New Protocols

After a truncated 2020 season, teams will be playing a full 34-game schedule. But to minimize travel, each team will play only two or three games against members of the other conference. The Canadian teams will be playing stateside, in shared stadiums, at least at first: Montreal in Miami, Toronto in Orlando and Vancouver in Salt Lake City.

Fans will be coming back, with most teams planning to fill 20 percent to 50 percent of their stadiums.

New Stadiums

In addition to Austin, which will play in a new stadium, Cincinnati will get its own home after playing at the University of Cincinnati’s football stadium for two seasons. Columbus will open the season in its old stadium before moving to a new one in July.

New Star

There were fewer big-name signings than in some years, but there is plenty of excitement about Brenner, a 21-year-old Brazilian striker. [Another guy going by one name only. His full name is Brenner Souza da Silva.]

A New Winner?

While perennial contender Seattle looks good again, the betting favorite for the season is Los Angeles F.C. [Sorry, Boomcoach, but they are not looking for a Columbus dynasty.]

[Boomcoach]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

A New Winner?

While perennial contender Seattle looks good again, the betting favorite for the season is Los Angeles F.C. [Sorry, Boomcoach, but they are not looking for a Columbus dynasty.]

I am realistic enough to hope for a repeat, without expecting it!

Crew have added some good pieces and I expect them to be competitive. Winning it all requires talent AND a good dose of luck. Porter also does not have a history of good seasons following his appearances in finals. But, if the Crew do go back to back, I won't mind too much!

[Déjà Bru]

You said "I am looking forward to rooting against Austin FC. After the way that their owner treated the Crew, I will enjoy any and every bad day that they have." I remember from last year that you had a beef along these lines.

But, the Times says, "M.L.S. has brought major league sports to everyone’s favorite weird city, and of course Matthew McConaughey is a co-owner of Austin F.C. (He has also been given the title 'minister of culture.') 'We’re a very multicultural place,' he said. 'An Austin fan can go talk Austin F.C. with a banker in London now, and a cabdriver from Lagos.' "

Your dispute is not with McConaughey, is it? He's a bit of a flake, but generally harmless as far as I know.

EDIT: No, your beef is with Anthony Precourt, I see. It was an omen: "At the first Crew match he attended, several months before the sale [for him to buy the team in 2012] was finalized, the scoreboard at Mapfre Stadium caught fire and delayed kickoff for hours."

[Westheim]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

Thank God for that! (Sorry, Westheim, but I will own the Knicks — "own" as in owning their futility, not possessing the team ).

I'm sorry, I can't hear you - the Mets are in first place.

I know nothing about the US version of soccerball, except that all the European stars go there when they're no longer any bueno.

[Boomcoach]

Issue is definitely with Precourt, and I will admit that there are some players on the team that I with grudgingly enjoy when they have success.

Jiminez was a workhorse for the Crew for a number of years and was a great pickup for them in the supplemental draft. Probably won't start, but can do a journeyman's job in a number of roles and was always a nice player to have on the bench ready to do whatever was needed.

Gregg Berhalter's son Sebastian was also signed by them and I he was fun to watch with a decent amount of upside, so seeing him do well wouldn't make me sad.

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by Westheim

I know nothing about the US version of soccerball, except that all the European stars go there when they're no longer any bueno.

That may change in our lifetimes, though.

[Boomcoach]

Originally Posted by Westheim

I'm sorry, I can't hear you - the Mets are in first place.

I know nothing about the US version of soccerball, except that all the European stars go there when they're no longer any bueno.

Sadly still true to some extent, but a number of young Central and South American players have been coming and the level of play has improved dramatically over the years.

While it is hard to say that Beckham was worth the money he was paid, the rules that the league put in place to allow the Galaxy to sign him, have helped the league grow. (A history of MLS roster/salary rules changes can generally be summed up as "How can we help the Galaxy?")

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by Boomcoach

Issue is definitely with Precourt ...

Every sport needs villains!

[Michael Hopcroft]

As you can tell, I love the Timbers with all my heart. RCTID, baby!

They open in Utah against the Whitecaps. I want to watch the match, but I'm not sure where it is on the dial in Portland.

Is ESPN+ going to show live streams and replays of all the matches again this year?

[Boomcoach]

Originally Posted by Michael Hopcroft

As you can tell, I love the Timbers with all my heart. RCTID, baby!

They open in Utah against the Whitecaps. I want to watch the match, but I'm not sure where it is on the dial in Portland.

Is ESPN+ going to show live streams and replays of all the matches again this year?

Yes, ESPN+ is carrying the broadcasts.

[Boomcoach]

First game gives us a goal of the week candidate, Paul Marie with a nice curler for San Diego.

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by Boomcoach

First game gives us a goal of the week candidate, Paul Marie with a nice curler for San Diego.

That thing does curl! Best vantage points to notice it are the first replay and the last (plus Houston's Tim Parker disrobing in frustration ).

https://www.mlssoccer.com/video/goal...es-74th-minute

Noob question: Like everybody else, I've heard about "Bend it like Beckham" (the practice, not the movie). Do these guys actually try to do this or is it accidental? I cannot imagine how it is possible to kick a ball in a certain manner with the intention of getting it spinning and curving around defensemen.

EDIT: So, I guess what I am asking is, does he actually see this open lane between defenders (red lines) and purposely kick the ball in such a manner (yellow arrow) as to curl it between them and into the net? Or does he just get lucky?

[dsvitak]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

According to the New York Times, here are 5 things to know about M.L.S. as this season begins:

New Team: Austin F.C.

Charlotte is to follow in 2022 and St. Louis in 2023. But plans for a Sacramento franchise in 2024, which would have been the league’s 30th team, may be falling through after the lead investor withdrew.

New Protocols

After a truncated 2020 season, teams will be playing a full 34-game schedule. But to minimize travel, each team will play only two or three games against members of the other conference. The Canadian teams will be playing stateside, in shared stadiums, at least at first: Montreal in Miami, Toronto in Orlando and Vancouver in Salt Lake City.

Fans will be coming back, with most teams planning to fill 20 percent to 50 percent of their stadiums.

New Stadiums

In addition to Austin, which will play in a new stadium, Cincinnati will get its own home after playing at the University of Cincinnati’s football stadium for two seasons. Columbus will open the season in its old stadium before moving to a new one in July.

New Star

There were fewer big-name signings than in some years, but there is plenty of excitement about Brenner, a 21-year-old Brazilian striker. [Another guy going by one name only. His full name is Brenner Souza da Silva.]

A New Winner?

While perennial contender Seattle looks good again, the betting favorite for the season is Los Angeles F.C. [Sorry, Boomcoach, but they are not looking for a Columbus dynasty.]

I live near St. Louis, which has always been a hotbed for soccer.

The stadium is being built now, and, like the Cardinals, tickets will be almost impossible to get, for ANY game.

[Boomcoach]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

Noob question: Like everybody else, I've heard about "Bend it like Beckham" (the practice, not the movie). Do these guys actually try to do this or is it accidental? I cannot imagine how it is possible to kick a ball in a certain manner with the intention of getting it spinning and curving around defensemen.

EDIT: So, I guess what I am asking is, does he actually see this open lane between defenders (red lines) and purposely kick the ball in such a manner (yellow arrow) as to curl it between them and into the net? Or does he just get lucky?

The players definitely curl shots and passes intentionally, using inside/outside of the feet for different curl. I cannot say that the player saw the corridor, but he was definitely curling it to get past the keeper.

[Déjà Bru]

Thanks. That is rather amazing in that one is using one's foot to accomplish the feat.

[rudel.dietrich]

It also depends on what part of the ball you strike, like a golf ball. Strike the bottom part of it and you will put air under it and lift it high. Hit higher on the ball for a low grounded shot.
Hit either side of the ball and you will put a spin on it and it will curl.
But players who are capable of hitting long shots like that are valuable and work on their craft for hours every week from a young age. It is an incredible skill to have.