Philly Postmatch

[Midas Mulligan]

Wouldn't that mean 10?

9 + .25 + .25 = 9.5

 

[Ulrich]

Toronto looks awfully good without their best player. You that confident we're better if both at 100%?

I'm not sure Toronto is better with Giovinco because everything has to go through him, and they're more one dimensional. I don't know which way I'd rather play them, but I don't think Toronto will be able to overrun our midfield with Ring, Hererra, and Maxi - that's a whole lot of pace and ability to disrupt Bradley & Co. compared to last year with Lampard, Pirlo, and Iraola. It's like a car that can hit 5th gear versus one stuck in second.

 

[LionNYC]

I burned 1,000 points on field access to warmups today. It's a decent way to use points if you don't sit pitchside or close to the field otherwise, but it's not super awesome either. It's fine. Here are some shots.
View attachment 7104 View attachment 7105 View attachment 7106 View attachment 7107

I've been spotted.

 

[SoupInNYC]

9 + .25 + .25 = 9.5

ETA: either way, I don't mind. I thought we played well given we played with 9.5 (Ucubed and sweat equal .5 a player.)

9 + .5 +.5 = 10

 

[Midas Mulligan]

My first post is not going to be about the game. It's going to be about something off the field that stood out as the lowlight of the season. If you know who I am in real life, or at least on Twitter, I posted this publicly. Because for it to happen is irresponsible.

Vince and Vance Moss, surgeons who live in New Jersey and served in our military. They are also public in MLS circles as Red Bull fans and more notably as arrogant ones. See last year, them getting in the face of Didier Drogba...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football...ogant-and-a-sore-loser-he-told-us-to-be-resp/

These two individuals have a history of accosting opposing players and coaches.

They were in attendance today. I noticed them in the Legends suite sitting with another Pitchside season ticket holder who I've seen at many games in the past. Based on this, I'd say that they were invited by this individual. They were dressed in sport coats and wearing Philadelphia Union scarves. As an NYCFC fan, I would never wear the scarf of another team to a match.

Before the game, Jim Curtin comes over to the NYCFC side of the field and shakes their hand. Does Curtin know who they really are? I can't answer that. But they were rooting for the Union and wearing Union scarves, so there's that.

They're fine during the course of the game, not making any scenes.

Then comes the Union goal. One of the brothers, I cannot tell which one, leaves PS1 which is the one closer to the corner flag and makes his way, Union scarf above his head, toward PS2 in the direction of the NYCFC bench. He gets as close as he can to Vieira and starts saying some language and in a manner that would "cross the line". Vieira turns around and responds with some kind language himself. Moss continues to accost Vieira and Vieira steps over the video boards. They are face to face as the NYCFC and Yankee Stadium security come to separate them. Nothing gets physical. Patrick goes back to the NYCFC bench, the Moss brothers goes back to his seat with Yankee Stadium security nearby him.

Vieira is likely to see a suspension, maybe multiple games, for leaving the bench/tactical area and entering a fan section.

Though, these brothers have a history and continually create a hostile environment where some worse can happen if escalated. And this continued behavior by them needs to be addressed by the league office. You can't have fans like them continued to be allowed to accost players in the manner in which they do.

After we scored the first goal, Vieira had his fist in the air and looked right at these guys. After the game, same thing. Vieira and Curtin spoke after the game, and I think Vieira said something to Jim about these guys. Jim Curtin then went back over to these guys after the game and said something.

I get angry, I get heated at referees and opposing players and coaches. But I never swear, never accost, never get into confrontation. It's sporting fun and in good taste. "Do your job" to referees. "Sit down" to opposing coaches. "Never forget 2014" to Wondo.

They create hostile environments, are aggressors, and agitators. I would ban these individuals from all MLS stadiums, games, and events.

As Drogba said in the article, these guys needs to be more respectful or in my opinion never be allowed to come to an MLS game again.

This is insane, yet not at all unexpected based upon the bullshit we see MLS PRO perpetrate against us on the field.

I've said it for 3 years and Vieira has said it this year, the biggest thing holding this league back is the refereeing.

 

[Ulrich]

9 + .5 +.5 = 10

Where the "a" is placed is important.

 

[mgarbowski]

I've been spotted.

That you in the bottom photo on the right?

 

[Midas Mulligan]

He seemed like Jack with pace and a bit less D to his game. The future looked bright today. Will be awesome to see one on each wing.



I'd agree they are equally poor defenders but Mata's deficiencies on D are tolerable because of what he brings offensively, Sweat seems to just bring a shitty attitude. I hate to complain after such an amazing match but Sweat annoyed the hell out of me today. Things a 3rd string LB that just got a second chance in a league should never do:

1. Jog back slowly behind the play over and over
2. Yell at much more accomplished teammates for not playing you the ball the way you want
3. Try to do cute back heals well beyond your ability when you have no cover behind you.
4. Concede a goal and immediately yell at the far superior defender next to you even though you were, as always, jogging back behind the play after another shitty LW impersonation.
5. Commit an obvious foul and then bitch out the ref for calling you on it like you're some kind of world class super star.

Guy's a 3rd string LB with the skills to match, he should be putting his head down, shutting his mouth and running his a$$ off. I can't wait for Mata to take that spot again, he sucks at D but at least he has the offensive skills to make up for it and I've never seen him petulantly scream at his teammates.



I agree, guy looked totally shook, Lewis made the best of every second he had on the pitch today. I think Villa respected what he did so much that he tried to force a pass to Lewis for another run at goal even when he knew we needed to be running out the clock. That moment seemed like the ultimate sign of respect to me.

Can't read all of this, but locked up a Sweat is shit vibe.

Fully agree.

 

[Midas Mulligan]

9 + .5 +.5 = 10

No. They don't.

If Sweat plus Ucubed equal .5, we played with 9.5.thats what I said. That's what I meant.

 

[LionNYC]

This is insane, yet not at all unexpected based upon the bullshit we see MLS PRO perpetrate against us on the field.

I've said it for 3 years and Vieira has said it this year, the biggest thing holding this league back is the refereeing.

What about what I posted is about refereeing?

That you in the bottom photo on the right?

The guy with the scarf? I'll never tell.

 

[Ulrich]

So at what point does NYCFC call the Yankees and tell them to put some real grass down before one of our players tears their knee on the shit surface? There is no way the sod they're using is up to snuff, embarrassing the last two games.

 

[Midas Mulligan]

What about what I posted is about refereeing?



The guy with the scarf? I'll never tell.

It's indicative of the lack of control and competence demonstrated by these refs.

A good 4th official stops this, either by getting security involved or booting PV.

 

[LionNYC]

It's indicative of the lack of control and competence demonstrated by these refs.

A good 4th official stops this, either by getting security involved or booting PV.

The only official really involved was the sideline official on the bench side. But yes, surprised that Vieira was not ejected at that moment.

Security intervened on their own but it was after Vieira crossed the video boards.

 

[Midas Mulligan]

The only official really involved was the sideline official on the bench side. But yes, surprised that Vieira was not ejected at that moment.

Security intervened on their own but it was after Vieira crossed the video boards.

So how is it not reflective of shit refereeing?

 

[SoupInNYC]

The only official really involved was the sideline official on the bench side. But yes, surprised that Vieira was not ejected at that moment.

Security intervened on their own but it was after Vieira crossed the video boards.

Not sure we'll ever find out. But will be interesting to hear what words were exchanged.

 

[LionNYC]

So how is it not reflective of shit refereeing?

You're right. Referees are responsible for game control on and off the field regarding the players and bench personnel (i.e. Mark Geiger CONCACAF Gold Cup 2015). Poor refereeing.

Not sure we'll ever find out. But will be interesting to hear what words were exchanged.

I don't believe Vieira was mic'd up for this match. So yeah, we'll never know the full transcript.

 

[Midas Mulligan]

Jesus wept, Midas doesn't fuck around.

Do not ever try to out drink that southern son of a bitch.

Sorry, Garret. I hope you made it home okay. My wife said it was mean of me to let you think you knew what you were doing.

We just opened a bottle of chardonnay and we're looking at the recipe book for something to cook for dinner.

I think I am bragging this time.

 

[Midas Mulligan]

I apologize if someone mentioned this but the play of the game may have been Mata and/or Okoli turning a goal kick into a corner kick - a game tying corner kick. Hustle is key and game changing.

Especially when you're Ben Sweat, and you can't be bothered to close down a cross.

 

[LionNYC]

Especially when you're Ben Sweat, and you can't be bothered to close down a cross.

Still triggered...

 

[Midas Mulligan]

Villa and Maxi played below expectations today. Jack, Chanot, Ring, White, Mata, Johnson at potential Callens, Sweat, TMac above expectations. Camargo was a bust, Lewis was a revelation.

Allowing for the fact that Villa is still world class, stands above the league, and his subpar is still pretty amazing, this is a pretty solid result.

It's easy to bash the depth players. But look across the league and our depth players at least make positive contributions. Depth players are where playoff teams become also-rans and we are nowhere near that. Bashing Tmac and Sweat is cheap. They are both smart players with physical limitations, who play positive football and have good positional awareness and (respectively) great touch and the ability to get in a good cross. They are a step up from the likes of Brovsky and Jacobson and Grabavoy and Khiry. And oh yeah, Mikey.

PV is not a moron. He clearly favors brains and positivity over brute force and destruction (which are thankfully trending out). He's setting a good example for the club and the league, within the constraints of talent and budget. Let's keep things in perspective.

With a healthy Herrera (and Pirlo) we have a very deep midfield.

Wow. This isn't entirely bullshit. But I'm going to keep hating on Sweat and Ucubed.