Mls Week 1 Matchday Thread

[MagnusPax]

One thought that springs to mind reading the analysis is how little time people seem to get in US sports to establish themselves. In Europe fans are more likely (usually!!) to allow a bit of time (say a season) for people to bed into the team. I wonder if the short n sharp format of NFL etc affects expectations in MLS?

?

Is that why we keep reading about half of Europe sacking their head managers 6 games into a season?

Sure people are critical of play and coaching decisions, but I think on a whole, most american sports teams have amazing patience, probably too much.

 

[Falastur]

He means for players, not for managers. Most fans are willing to excuse a season of average performances from a new signing as it's expected that you take some time to adjust to your teammates and to the league. If a player can't perform in his second season then the fans will start to call for them to be jettisoned. Of course, there is less lenience for expensive, big-name players, but for most players fans will be patient.

Managers, on the other hand, get little patience at all simply because if they aren't performing then there's no-one else who can make up for it. Can't substitute a manager for his assistant when he's having a bad game. The price of failure in the big leagues is extreme, so managers get no slack whatsoever, especially if the team is at risk of getting relegated.

 

[MagnusPax]

Did you just defend euro-trigger happy manager signings?

 

[Falastur]

I'd say I explained it more than defended it. My comment included nothing of my own feelings on the matter. I'm not a great fan of sacking managers early by any means, although I will say that I understand the decisions when clubs rooted to the bottom of their leagues sack their managers. The cost of failure is far too high right now.

 

[DM-Belfast]

?

Is that why we keep reading about half of Europe sacking their head managers 6 games into a season?

Sure people are critical of play and coaching decisions, but I think on a whole, most american sports teams have amazing patience, probably too much.

Yeah sorry I meant players. I watched the NFL combine and thought, wow these guys are tested and retested to the the point where if they don't hit the ground running and perform in what is a short sharp season then they'll immediately be in trouble. But in soccer I wonder if the same expectation in there. Don't want to drag the thread o/topic tho my fault.

 

[NYCFC 12th man]

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...says-controversial-celebration-not-aimed-fans

This article is a little incomplete but I thought I would share it because it speaks to a controversial moment during the opening game to the season. From the article, I only know that Keane did not aim his gesture at the fans. It's still unclear who the message was to and what he was trying to convey (but I'm guessing its frustration and some anger to one or more people / players). I'm not buying that he was trying to just say "I'm a passionate guy and I want to motivate my teammates."

I'm also disappointed that it took Keane so long to offer an explanation. I love Keane's passion but he shouldn't be upset about people speculating on something they don't know if he waits OVER FIVE days to offer an explanation. I will look to see if there is anything further on this, but after waiting five days to talk, Keane seems to be offering only a partial explanation at best. Normally, I feel that players don't have to reveal the way they feel but when Keane acts the way he did after he scores the goal, he does owe an explanation.