Major League Soccer

Discussion in 'General Football & Other Sport' started by Fitz, Feb 12, 2011.

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  1. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    Yeah I watched that game with interest as I picked Hassli for my fantasy team.

    I did not have a good week.
     
  2. luke_golden

    luke_golden Space Cadet

    Word is Houston are in negotiations with a DP who has been on the radar of teams in Europe. Hoping it's either a tidy forward or a decent CM. Although local press has said we're in negotiations with JeVaughn Watson, a Jamaican attacking midfielder so hopefully the mystery DP is a striker.

    Ching came on at Seattle for 20 minutes and by all accounts, made a huge difference just by his presence. He needs to keep fit.
     
  3. sonofben

    sonofben Reservist

    Very pleased with the way our defense has been playing the first couple games.
    Slightly worried about the lack of attack, but can't complain with the 3 points again.
     
  4. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    Lukey, The Dynamo were the San Jose EarthQuakes at first. They won a Championship with Landon Donovan, who now plays for the Galaxy, of course. When the club bailed out of San Jose (again) and fled for Houston to become the Dynamo, they won another championship mostly on the boots of Canadian hothead Dwayne "looks like Osama bin Laden" DeRosario.

    We definitely need a plan B for Beckham at this point. I wouldn't be surprised to see him gone as soon as the August transfer window. DeRosario, unlike Beckham, is proven in MLS and alongside Angel and Donovan could be a real difference maker.
     
  5. Timbers

    Timbers Apeman

    Well the rumour on Beckham today on Chiltern Radio here (the local Herts and Beds commercial radio for you US of A guys) is that he is buying a house just outside St Albans (and will be virtually my parent's neighbour, all be it in a house 50 times the size of theirs!).

    That goes with the general consensus that he is moving back here, I wonder whether Galaxy will see fit to rid before the season starts again here in August and save the hastle of having a highly paid, under performing, unhappy player.
     
  6. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    See above? My v'orns are on an Aug transfer...
     
  7. sonofben

    sonofben Reservist

  8. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    He simply doesn't have the skills to be more than just a PR opportunity for KC. I wish the Galaxy did this instead of signing Beckham.
     
  9. luke_golden

    luke_golden Space Cadet

    The draws keep on coming. 2 points from Seattle and NYRB on the road is pretty satisfactory in my book. Should have won tonight though. Ching missed a couple of golden opportunities before he went off injured. Took a pretty savage blow from the keeper who came flying out to punch clear but got nowhere near the ball and just ploughed into Ching. Got a feeling he could be out for a few weeks considering the way he went down. Tried to play on, but collapsed in pain the next time he ran. Broken rib or something similar i suspect. Without him, our attack is desperately toothless. Had he made the 90 minutes tonight, i am sure we'd have won. NY were pretty poor considering the names they had on the field. Henry is a shadow of his former devastating self.

    Word is we were in negotiations for DeRo, but i'm not sure he's what we needed anyway. Good player, but aging now and not sure he'd be worth the money. Naturally he assisted their goal tonight. JeVaughn Watson should be signing soon, no idea he's any good but he's supposed to be an attacking minded midfielder, which we are crying out for. Apparently negotiations are on-going for a mystery DP who has choices to play in Europe or South America but wants to play MLS. We shall see whether it develops beyond rumour stage.

    Whitecaps up next and a victory is vital to really kick start the season. Last 2 games have seen much improved performances, although defensively without Taylor (picked up an unspecified leg injury playing for Jamaica) we look shaky. Tally Hall has earned his pay the last couple of games with some pretty awesome stops. Need that win though.
     
  10. Timbers

    Timbers Apeman

    The Beckham's kids have now enrolled in Haberdashers Askes Boys School in Elstree from September so your theory definitely seems to have some truth in that.

    Saw their rumoured house today when visiting the parents for Mother's Day. Helipad put in now!

    As for the Whitecaps, their entertaining start to the season continues. 3-0 down, came back to draw 3 all against Kansas Chiefs (or Sporting FC or whatever they are now called!). No Jay as was injured in the US friendly in the week.

    Good to see attendance of over 20,000 as well.
     
  11. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    Galaxy 1-0 Union

    3 points is 3 points.
    [EDIT: Galaxy and Colorado were the only MLS teams to earn 3 PTS this weekend. Caleb Folan had a great game for Colorado...]

    That said, what a miserable match. I've seen Philly before and I can't blame them for (other than the predictably *****y flopping of Carlos Ruiz) for the outcome, but the ref really lost control giving out 8 yellows and two straight reds.

    I'm convinced Ruiz succeeds here in MLS only because our refs are so terrible that he knows he can take advantage of them to earn fouls and penalties. He did it for years as a member of the Galaxy, did it in Dallas and is doing it again in Philly. I am glad that though the officiating was so awful, the best he could get was a red card on Birchall which the Union were frankly too weak and disorganized to take advantage of before they got their own red card.

    Beautiful header by the rather unloved Brazilian defender Leonardo off a set piece for the win.

    Go G's! Next up is DC United in the District...
     
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2011
  12. sonofben

    sonofben Reservist

    In other MLS news. Real Salt lake won their semifinal match with Saprissa to advance to the CONCACAF Champions League final. One game away from the Club world Cup. No MLS team has qualified for that.
     
  13. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    That was a good game, with a very spectacular goal.


    On a different note, I just found this screen cap from midway through the Union/Galaxy game.
    [​IMG]
     
  14. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

  15. Timbers

    Timbers Apeman

    Vancouver Whitecaps vs New England Revolution ended up 1-1 in mid-week and like the Fitz showed with LAG game, the cards were out in force here, including this sending off for star striker Hassli. Sent off for throwing shirt into the crowd for second booking indeed, but he tried to hide it by having shirt underneath! Unlucky:)

    [yt]Jt3mLtylRq8[/yt]

    Still no DeMerit and 'Caps need to improve fitness as another injury time goal conceded.

    Still unbeaten though with Luke's Dynamos up next this weekend
     
  16. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    I will enjoy the Caps Dynamo match... The caps won't win with Hassli out again.

    2 red cards in three matches for Hassli is indeed an MLS record. I will take him off my fantasy team for the rest of the year...
     
  17. luke_golden

    luke_golden Space Cadet

    Well as mentioned above, Dynamo faced Vancouver tonight. Houston dominated the majority of the game and really should have won by more. Poor finishing limited us to the 3 goals and I can't think of a shot the Whitecaps had on goal beside their scored effort. They looked like a new team and were very vulnerable from crosses.

    Demerit started for Vancouver but had to go off at half time. He appeared to stretch too far and pull a muscle making a clearance in the build up to the opening goal. He was slow getting up following a headed clearance and played Weaver onside for an easy finish following a cracking delivery by the ever classy Brad Davis. I know he's been injured recently, but Demerit looked really unfit out there tonight, not just injured, but really out of shape.

    Apparently we failed this week in a bid to make Edgar Pacheco a DP signing. Supposedly the deal was agreed and ready to go through, before the player decided he didn't want to play MLS. Shame as supposedly he is highly rated. Still, I'd rather we invested in a quality centre midfielder or a forward to replace/support Ching. Incidentally, Ching should be back in action within a couple of weeks following the injury he picked up at NYRB. Without him, the attack is fairly toothless. Good to get our first win and the team have improved vastly from opening day. Hopefully it continues.
     
  18. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    It was a good game for a Dynamo fan. The Whitecaps were awful. They have some good finishers though, in the aforementioned oft red carded Hassli and "Camilo" who inexplicably has a different name on his shirt. He scored a nice one today for the Caps. The Dynamo goals all seemed to be the sort of goals you get when the opposing team's midfield destroys their counterparts and the defenders are slaughtered. Jay ought to have been used to that over the last few years at WFC...

    Galaxy got robbed and jobbed again by the MLS wonder ref's. So horrible. But the Galaxy are culpable insofar as if you score one and bunker down to the end of the game, you should expect to give up leads as the game gets close to wrapping up. Go up 3 on the other team and it doesn't matter if they get a cheapy...
     
  19. Timbers

    Timbers Apeman

    Oh dear Vancouver! They remind me of Blackpool with their kamikaze play. Don't know why DeMerit was playing, not fit and he made it a little easy in the first half. We look decent going forward but the defence needs sorting. Still, the first loss so not too bad.

    To me, it seems the whole fitness of the team is lacking. Whether it is the step up in football I don't know. They may have been set piece goals but the players were just not sharp enough in their thinking as well as physically
     
  20. sonofben

    sonofben Reservist

    Good home win against the Red Bulls this week end. While not at all comfortable watching our defense attempt to absorb the star studded NY attack, ill take the unexpected 3 points. If we continue playing defense like this, and find a midfielder that can create some chances for us, we can make some noise in the east.
     
  21. luke_golden

    luke_golden Space Cadet

    Henry looked so poor. But i must admit i thought the weight of numbers would finally go against you guys and they'd get a goal. Good result.

    JeVaughn Watson played for our reserves yesterday and should finalise his signing this week, possibly even making the squad for this weekends game against New England. I am hoping he'll bring a much needed dose of attacking flair to our midfield. Looks as though the hunt for a DP will prove to be fruitless though. But i'm encouraged that the sounds coming out of FO are that they'll only pursue young players who'll hopefully use us as a stepping stone to Europe. I feel as though it is a much more sensible avenue to go down with regards to building a winning side.
     
  22. luke_golden

    luke_golden Space Cadet

    Houston supposedly on the verge of wrapping up a deal for flmaboyant Spanish playmaker Sergio Koke from Greek side Aris, whom Eddie Johnson and Freddy Adu have appeared for on loan. Koke, by all accounts, was the dearly loved captain of his side and broke down in tears at the press conference to announce his departure.

    Sounds promising as we are crying out for somebody with a shred of technical class to provide some guile and creativity to a very workmanlike attack.

    Not so promising are the reports of psychological problems that have hampered his form in the last 2 seasons. Apparently he put so much pressure on himself to repay the fans that it began to have a negative effect on his performances.

    At 27 (28 in the next few weeks) he should have plenty left in the tank. I'm quietly optimistic about this signing. If he can stay fit and settle in, Houston may have the attacking player we dearly require to become anything more than a nuisance to the better sides. Although as with most Dynamo signings, he can't play for a few weeks due to have surgery for appendicitis recently. He'll join Colin Clark and Calen Carr on the sidelines as Dynamo signings yet to make an appearance.
     
  23. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    I don't know if anyone saw the Portland supporters sing the National Anthem the other day, but it is going down as a top 5 US soccer moment.

    Guaranteed NOT to be a high point is today's Galaxy game against Chicago.
    Donovan is out hurt, Kirovski is suspended for a second game after mouthing off to the officials the last time he played, Beckham picked up a 5th yellow card resulting in a suspension, Juninho got a red card in the last game...

    My predicted lineup for today's game:


    ----------RICKETTS--------
    AJ - OMAR - LEO - TODD
    WHO-THE-FうCK-KNOWS
    ----ANGEL----OTHER------
     
  24. Timbers

    Timbers Apeman

    The 'caps drew 0-0 with the team that Fitz loves to hate Chivas USA (why are they called the goats?). Didn't manage to catch this one but saw highlights with Vancouver hitting the post twice but Chivas gave as good and could have snatched something from the game. After a good start, Vancouver have not won in 5 now with DeMerit hardly featuring really, missed the game again today due to the long standing groin injury.

    The 'caps international flavour continued with the 1st Chinese born player in MLS, Long Tan. It looks like it will be a 'long time' till he scores though.

    Dallas come to Bell field next week, which I am sure will be a very tough match and possibly a continuation of the win less run.
     
  25. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    No Beckham, no Donovan, no Juninho, no problem...
    2-0 so far, one each to Gonzalez and Barrett.

    Goat es 'chiva' en espanol.
     
  26. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    Oduro uses his blazing speed to blow past Leonardo and earn a really nice shot that Ricketts can't get a hand on.

    2-1 final, G's b-team wins.
     
  27. Timbers

    Timbers Apeman

    muchas gracias!
     
  28. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    Two interesting things:
    First, there was a wonderful game last night in the CONCACAF Champions League, a contest NOT known for wonderful games. Real Salt Lake of MLS went into Mexico for the first leg of the Final and came out of Monterrey's stadium with a 2-2 draw, setting up a second leg at home in Salt Lake City next week. Keep in mind that MLS teams have a salary cap limiting what they can spend on team members salaries and FLM (Futbol Liga de Mexico) teams do not. Monterrey has battered and beaten pretty much every other team in FLM for three years or so now, so RSL going into a very hostile away game and coming out with not only a draw but two huge away goals is a major statement. Let's see if they can close out the contest with a win on Wednesday next week?

    Next, Benny Feilhaber, a midfielder playing in Scandinavia (?) somewhere was rereleased and decided to return to the US and signed a contract with MLS. The allocation of players in MLS is very unusual, but basically the league signed him, and Chivas USA had the first crack at taking him. They couldn't figure out a way to come up with the money after dithering for hours and hours about it, so he got passed on to the Union, who also passed, and then the New England Revolution got the chance to take him and did. He will be a great match with Shalrie Joseph there. I really really wish www could have ejected the $6.5 million man Beckham and taken Feilhaber for the Galaxy...he will do great here. The Chivas passing on him tells a sad story of chaos and disarray at their awful ****** little club.

    That is all...
     
  29. Y&P

    Y&P Squad Player

    im afraid to tsay that ive more or less shed my fire fandom for that of the whitecaps. GO CAPS.

    i was also in the shower the other day, which is wher ei do all my great thinking, and realised that what i want to do with my life is to move to america and write some football sociology, the best type of non-fiction there is.

    now if only my sodding degree would hurry up and bugger off.

    /pipedream
     
  30. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    Nice, Y&P! Good luck with your plans to move to the USA...give me a shout if you make it out here. The future really looks bright for the beautiful game here.

    As for swapping the Fire for the Caps, well... Both teams are terrible, so...yay?
     
  31. Timbers

    Timbers Apeman

    Did he play for Derby County a few years ago when they had that disastrous season in the Premiership?

    EDIT - yes he did, released after only 10 games.
     
  32. krisvad

    krisvad Forum Viking

    Benny played in Denmark for Aarhus GF or plain AGF. He was very good for them but they still went down last season. This year they are storming away with the 2nd tier title. Benny will be a huge assett in MLS, as will he new team mate, another recent arrival Rajko Lekic - a Dane with serb parents. He is a natural goal scorer, fox in the box type player. His take on mls so far is good physique but poor tactical knowledge. Will be interesting to follow the two and revolution in the league as it will be a good comparisson between Danish and US leagues.
     
  33. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    This bolded part above is a bit like saying "Brazilians are really good on the ball" or "Italians like to dive". It would be news only to those who have never considered American soccer before. The problem goes way back to youth club play, where only the physically strong survive and creativity is ironed out of players in favor of following the coach's plan. Development is a major problem here, and the evidence is in none other than Jay DeMerit who was not considered a valuable player in American talent assessor's eyes, but immediately caught on in England.

    My prediction for the two: Benny does well, Lekic doesn't.
     
  34. luke_golden

    luke_golden Space Cadet

    Lekic looked pretty poor against us. I think it was his debut though and in fairness, their whole team performed very poorly.

    Introduced a couple of visitors from back home to MLS soccer and they were impressed with the atmosphere, but not so much the action.

    No idea how we didn't put 4 or 5 past New England, with Will Bruin being particularly wasteful in front of goal. Sure he's a rookie, but an open goal is an open goal regardless of the level you're playing at. Delighted that we've managed to keep picking up points despite a number of injuries to important players. Koke and Watson should be good to go within the next couple weeks and this will hopefully have a positive impact. Chicago up next and we've got to be looking at bringing home at least a point.
     
  35. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    That's definitely a game only a true MLS fan could love. Chicago won't be much better...

    Galaxy have Portland tomorrow at home. Looking forward to a day out!
     
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