MLS Week 12 - 2018

[LionNYC]

WEDNESDAY
Vancouver vs. San Jose 10:30 PM

FRIDAY
Toronto vs. Orlando 8 PM

SATURDAY
New York City vs. Colorado 1 PM
Portland vs. LAFC 3 PM (FOX)
Dallas vs. Vancouver 4 PM
New England vs. Columbus 7:30 PM
Philadelphia vs. Salt Lake 7:30 PM
San Jose vs. D.C. 10:30 PM

SUNDAY
Minnesota vs. Kansas City 2 PM
Chicago vs. Houston 4 PM (Unimas, Twitter)
Atlanta vs. Red Bulls 7 PM (FS1)

 

[Gotham Gator]

538’s odds for the Toronto-Orlando and Atlanta-N. Jersey games make no sense.

 

[mgarbowski]

Three interesting Eastern Conference matchups this week where I think it's not clear who NYCFC fans should root for. Of course ties between rivals are always best, but that easy choice aside, I think it's tough to pick between:
TFC-ORL
NER-CLB
ATL-RB

In the first, I lean TFC. It's tempting to prefer they lose and just further kill them dead, but Orlando needs to keep failing away against decent teams to remind them they aren't as good as they think they are right now. I also think TFC is already pretty firmly headed towards spots 4-6 almost no matter what, and if they're not, they are more likely to drop than rise above that range.

Next, I pick the Revs. Let them have their home fortress just like last year. They will be better away this year (hard not to improve on 1-13-3) -- maybe enough to make the playoffs, but I prefer to create separation between us and the Crew, who are pesky and won't fall away. I could regret this if Midas Mulligan is right about how scary the Revs could be in the playoffs. I actually think he might be right. But I'm going for the near term satisfaction of seeing CLB slip. Can't help myself.

Toughest call of all. I'm tempted always to root for ATL to drop points at home, but if the Red Bulls don't drop points here, there won't be many places they are likely to drop points. Extremely unpleasant preference for the 5 Stripes.

If you disagree with any of this, I can't say you're objectively wrong.

 

[mgarbowski]

Though MLS weeks usually end Sunday evening, this game on Monday is also part of Week 12.

 

[LionNYC]

View attachment 8660

Though MLS weeks usually end Sunday evening, this game on Monday is also part of Week 12.

For fantasy purposes, it is included. I'm going according to the calendar though. I'll have it as part of Week 13.

 

[mgarbowski]

For fantasy purposes, it is included. I'm going according to the calendar though. I'll have it as part of Week 13.

Doyle includes it in his Week 12 preview:
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/05/18/armchair-analyst-your-complete-guide-week-12-mls-slate

 

[Ulrich]

Three interesting Eastern Conference matchups this week where I think it's not clear who NYCFC fans should root for. Of course ties between rivals are always best, but that easy choice aside, I think it's tough to pick between:
TFC-ORL
NER-CLB
ATL-RB

In the first, I lean TFC. It's tempting to prefer they lose and just further kill them dead, but Orlando needs to keep failing away against decent teams to remind them they aren't as good as they think they are right now. I also think TFC is already pretty firmly headed towards spots 4-6 almost no matter what, and if they're not, they are more likely to drop than rise above that range.

Next, I pick the Revs. Let them have their home fortress just like last year. They will be better away this year (hard not to improve on 1-13-3) -- maybe enough to make the playoffs, but I prefer to create separation between us and the Crew, who are pesky and won't fall away. I could regret this if Midas Mulligan is right about how scary the Revs could be in the playoffs. I actually think he might be right. But I'm going for the near term satisfaction of seeing CLB slip. Can't help myself.

Toughest call of all. I'm tempted always to root for ATL to drop points at home, but if the Red Bulls don't drop points here, there won't be many places they are likely to drop points. Extremely unpleasant preference for the 5 Stripes.

If you disagree with any of this, I can't say you're objectively wrong.

A Tie is best for ATL/RB and also NER/CLB. Take a point out of circulation for all four teams.

 

[mgarbowski]

A Tie is best for ATL/RB and also NER/CLB. Take a point out of circulation for all four teams.

As I stated. It doesn't make for a particularly interesting discussion, and ties are less common, so I tried to pick a side.

 

[adam]

Three interesting Eastern Conference matchups this week where I think it's not clear who NYCFC fans should root for. Of course ties between rivals are always best, but that easy choice aside, I think it's tough to pick between:
TFC-ORL
NER-CLB
ATL-RB

In the first, I lean TFC. It's tempting to prefer they lose and just further kill them dead, but Orlando needs to keep failing away against decent teams to remind them they aren't as good as they think they are right now. I also think TFC is already pretty firmly headed towards spots 4-6 almost no matter what, and if they're not, they are more likely to drop than rise above that range.

Next, I pick the Revs. Let them have their home fortress just like last year. They will be better away this year (hard not to improve on 1-13-3) -- maybe enough to make the playoffs, but I prefer to create separation between us and the Crew, who are pesky and won't fall away. I could regret this if Midas Mulligan is right about how scary the Revs could be in the playoffs. I actually think he might be right. But I'm going for the near term satisfaction of seeing CLB slip. Can't help myself.

Toughest call of all. I'm tempted always to root for ATL to drop points at home, but if the Red Bulls don't drop points here, there won't be many places they are likely to drop points. Extremely unpleasant preference for the 5 Stripes.

If you disagree with any of this, I can't say you're objectively wrong.

I’ll go with Toronto for the reasons you stated.

I’ll got Revs & NJ for CCL purposes.

 

[mgarbowski]

I’ll go with Toronto for the reasons you stated.

I’ll got Revs & NJ for CCL purposes.

You're objectively wrong.

 

[adam]

You're objectively wrong.

Oh, why’s that?

 

[mgarbowski]

Oh, why’s that?

I'm just being an ineffective smartass. Read the last sentence of my OP.

 

[Gotham Gator]

Toronto wins and knocks Orlando fans down a notch.

I will say Orlando has been decent in the last two games, even with the loss.

New England over Columbus. The Crew are up in the standings, but against a terrible schedule and on more games than anyone.

Atlanta v. NJ is just a no win situation, which is why you root for a tie.

 

[LionNYC]

Ryan Maera will start for a Red Bulls on Sunday.

https://www.newyorkredbulls.com/post/2018/05/19/luis-robles-ruled-out-red-bulls-match-atlanta

 

[adam]

Ryan Maera will start for a Red Bulls on Sunday.

https://www.newyorkredbulls.com/post/2018/05/19/luis-robles-ruled-out-red-bulls-match-atlanta

Nycfc made him who he is.

 

[Gotham Gator]

Portland’s bunker and counter working against LAFC. Timbers up 1-0 halfway through the 2nd.

If result holds, we stay ahead of LA in Supporters’ Shield.

 

[Shawn Ryu]

Timbers LAFC match is very entertaining.

 

[LionNYC]

Timbers LAFC match is very entertaining.

Best goal celebration I've seen in MLS.

 

[mgarbowski]

https://twitter.com/x/status/997963136358432768

 

[Seven]

https://twitter.com/x/status/997949168189616128

The whole back and forth is both great, and stupid