Race for CCL Spot 2019

[Ulrich]

I think they'll eventually fall off.

I'll give them credit, they're looking better than I expected them too, but I still don't see them competing with TFC, NYCFC, and Atlanta in the East over the long haul of the season (and yes, I am aware that they won at TFC - this part not directed at you Ulrich , I just know if I don't caveat that, that comment will come)

No doubt, I don’t think Berhalter can keep them rolling the entire season (fingers crossed) considering they’ve retooled so much - I’d like to hope they will drop points when rotation is required with their lineup, if not sooner, but their front four can be scary.

 

[Kjbert]

Berhalter may be the next USMNT coach.

 

[Ulrich]

Berhalter may be the next USMNT coach.

He has as good of shot as anybody. But isn’t the federation waiting until after the WC to make a decision?

 

[Kjbert]

He has as good of shot as anybody. But isn’t the federation waiting until after the WC to make a decision?

Yes. GM first. If Bocanegra is the choice as rumored. I would put good money on Berhalter

 

[SoupInNYC]

https://twitter.com/x/status/975518974791299077

 

[mgarbowski]

Doyle last night:
"Through three weeks Medina looks like a star, and through three weeks NYCFC look like they're the best team in the league. They're a good bet to stay up near the top of the table all season once again, and are the odds-on favorite to win themselves a spot in next year's CCL."

 

[SoupInNYC]

Doyle last night:
"Through three weeks Medina looks like a star, and through three weeks NYCFC look like they're the best team in the league. They're a good bet to stay up near the top of the table all season once again, and are the odds-on favorite to win themselves a spot in next year's CCL."

The only team I'm worried that could catch us in that is Atlanta. While we have looked great and ATL did look poor in its season opener, still cannot doubt them (and not saying Doyle or you aren't). Especially once Barco is healthy.

 

[mgarbowski]

The only team I'm worried that could catch us in that is Atlanta. While we have looked great and ATL did look poor in its season opener, still cannot doubt them (and not saying Doyle or you aren't). Especially once Barco is healthy.

Agreed. The race should be between Atlanta and us. Anyone else would be a surprise. I suppose the Crew might keep pace, though I don't expect it, and everyone else is already in a pretty big deficit.

 

[Sabo]

The only team I'm worried that could catch us in that is Atlanta. While we have looked great and ATL did look poor in its season opener, still cannot doubt them (and not saying Doyle or you aren't). Especially once Barco is healthy.

Count me in on the Atlanta doubters. The core of their defense is 50 year old Larentowicz sitting in front of Parkhurst who I think has lost a step and Gonzalez-Pires who is ok with no depth at those spots. When Almiron has to drop back to 25-30 yards in front of his goal to touch the ball their attack loses its flow. They are probably going to lead the league in scoring but will probably be top 3 in goals shed -- not a recipe for SS success.

 

[Seven]

Count me in on the Atlanta doubters. The core of their defense is 50 year old Larentowicz sitting in front of Parkhurst who I think has lost a step and Gonzalez-Pires who is ok with no depth at those spots. When Almiron has to drop back to 25-30 yards in front of his goal to touch the ball their attack loses its flow. They are probably going to lead the league in scoring but will probably be top 3 in goals shed -- not a recipe for SS success.

I agree that Atlanta looks to have some problems defensively, and it will be interesting to see if anyone gets sold this summer (Almiron?). But I also worry because I think Atlanta's offense will be good enough to win them a lot of games, and they will be willing to bring in reinforcements in the summer if need be. And they supposedly have a good chunk of cap space left

 

[dannd23]

Atlanta doesn't even have Barco yet who will probably end up being better than Almiron in the near future. Pretty sure he will be healthy for our match with them. I think Atlanta is the most dangerous team in the league but we are the most complete.

 

[SoupInNYC]

Count me in on the Atlanta doubters. The core of their defense is 50 year old Larentowicz sitting in front of Parkhurst who I think has lost a step and Gonzalez-Pires who is ok with no depth at those spots. When Almiron has to drop back to 25-30 yards in front of his goal to touch the ball their attack loses its flow. They are probably going to lead the league in scoring but will probably be top 3 in goals shed -- not a recipe for SS success.

That is true, and Franco Escobar was subbed out of their game on Saturday due to an injury that looks like it will keep him out for at least an extended amount of time.

I still think they are too talented offensively, especially once Barco is healthy that they will contend with us not only for this CCL spot but also for a playoff bye.

 

[FredMertz]

Agreed. The race should be between Atlanta and us. Anyone else would be a surprise. I suppose the Crew might keep pace, though I don't expect it, and everyone else is already in a pretty big deficit.

One of us takes the league champ spot, the other takes the 2-year aggregate spot. Easy Peasy.

 

[DeGrozz]

Anyone know what the rumors are on the summer transfer window with ATL?

Almiron obviously had a lot of interest last year and there was speculation he could be on the move in the near future -- you'd have to expect Martinez would be attracting quite a bit of attention too.

Although it wouldn't be the best for us, I'd hope they try to keep the team together because they are so fun to watch and ATL is doing great things for the league, but I don't watch the rumor mill too closely and was wondering what early thoughts were.

 

[canchon]

Anyone know what the rumors are on the summer transfer window with ATL?

Almiron obviously had a lot of interest last year and there was speculation he could be on the move in the near future -- you'd have to expect Martinez would be attracting quite a bit of attention too.

Although it wouldn't be the best for us, I'd hope they try to keep the team together because they are so fun to watch and ATL is doing great things for the league, but I don't watch the rumor mill too closely and was wondering what early thoughts were.

There were rumors that Atlanta wanted to sell Almiron for $20M or so and that he most likely would move in the summer transfer window.

I’m not so sure about Martínez, his strike rate is ridiculous. The guy never has scored more than eight goals for any other team he has been on and now is hitting at almost a goal a game in MLS. Sounds like his talent is more due to the ATL system.

 

[Falastur]

The only team I'm worried that could catch us in that is Atlanta. While we have looked great and ATL did look poor in its season opener, still cannot doubt them (and not saying Doyle or you aren't). Especially once Barco is healthy.

Bear in mind that if ATL perform well enough to qualify for the CCL through regular league position, then they are out of the running for the combined seasonal total qualification spot anyway. You could very well argue that we can afford to let one team get above us on that basis alone.

 

[canchon]

Bear in mind that if ATL perform well enough to qualify for the CCL through regular league position, then they are out of the running for the combined seasonal total qualification spot anyway. You could very well argue that we can afford to let one team get above us on that basis alone.

Don’t just the MLS Cup and Open Cup winners get automatic spots? (2017 and 2018 - for a total of four spots). So there is no qualification through league position. This whole “combined two year points watch” is because Toronto won the MLS Cup - so that spot is open. If Atlanta finishes above NY then most likely they get the spot as I believe ATL was 2 or 3 points back last year.

 

[adam]

Don’t just the MLS Cup and Open Cup winners get automatic spots? (2017 and 2018 - for a total of four spots). So there is no qualification through league position. This whole “combined two year points watch” is because Toronto won the MLS Cup - so that spot is open. If Atlanta finishes above NY then most likely they get the spot as I believe ATL was 2 or 3 points back last year.

This is correct. And if we don’t win the MLS or US Open Cups ourselves, we should be rooting for ATL, CLB, and CHI (already 11 points back!); depending on who’s closest to us in the SS race.

 

[SoupInNYC]

This is correct. And if we don’t win the MLS or US Open Cups ourselves, we should be rooting for ATL, CLB, and CHI (already 11 points back!); depending on who’s closest to us in the SS race.

Or SKC

 

[adam]

Or SKC

Nope. Already in from USOC last year