Leagues Cup - July 29 - Puebla (RBA)

[LionNYC]

The other teams in MLS entered the season with fully formed rosters that had actual depth, allowing for real rotation throughout the year, so their players are fresher. By not backfilling Santi before the season and waiting until the second window to sign Nico, Maxi was run into the ground. The underperformance of Ojeda and Fernandez has limited the ability to rotate Wolf. Injuries to Martins and Parks have made matters worse, especially after letting Risa walk for nothing.

The fate of this season was sealed about a month in, when it became clear that Lee had no plans to address the glaring holes in the roster. Even if the second window signings turn out to be excellent, it’s too little too late. The mileage is already on the players, and we're way down in the standings, barely above the playoff line. We barely have the depth to manage our regular-season games with a first-choice squad, so there was never going to be a chance to field a team capable of making a real run in the Leagues Cup or Open Cup. Lee and Sims’s stated goal of “competing for trophies at every opportunity” continues to ring completely hollow.

And we're due an included "home" playoff game in 2025 in paying for a 2026 season ticket. Class action lawsuit if we don't get that. And it's looking like we don't...

 

[mgarbowski]

And we're due an included "home" playoff game in 2025 in paying for a 2026 season ticket. Class action lawsuit if we don't get that. And it's looking like we don't...

You need to finish 8th or better for a home game. You can argue whether the first round play-in is a playoff game but it is. We currently sit in 8th and are 7th in PPG. We can certainly fall, but I would not say it's probable. Playoff Status gives us 68% of 8th Place or better right now.

 

[Revfugee]

jansen mentioned the 4 game away stretch in short period and then these leagues cup games in short period. he thought it was important to take care of the players. i didn't look at the other squads, but scheduling may have played a part? better to rotate and give guys a rest for leagues cup than actual league play.

Not questioning the logic. Was legit asking if anyone else had similar predicament and priorities.

 

[Revfugee]

The other teams in MLS entered the season with fully formed rosters that had actual depth, allowing for real rotation throughout the year, so their players are fresher. By not backfilling Santi before the season and waiting until the second window to sign Nico, Maxi was run into the ground. The underperformance of Ojeda and Fernandez has limited the ability to rotate Wolf. Injuries to Martins and Parks have made matters worse, especially after letting Risa walk for nothing.

The fate of this season was sealed about a month in, when it became clear that Lee had no plans to address the glaring holes in the roster. Even if the second window signings turn out to be excellent, it’s too little too late. The mileage is already on the players, and we're way down in the standings, barely above the playoff line. We barely have the depth to manage our regular-season games with a first-choice squad, so there was never going to be a chance to field a team capable of making a real run in the Leagues Cup or Open Cup. Lee and Sims’s stated goal of “competing for trophies at every opportunity” continues to ring completely hollow.

Not really an answer to what I asked, though I agree that our roster is underbuilt amd I’ve been saying so all season. BTW I think Montreal and NE and KC and RBNJ supporters would disagree that “the other teams in MLS” (implying all of them except us) are built for depth and quality and rotation.

Looks like most teams didn’t rotate. I’m fine if Pascal made a strategic decision to deprioritize LC. I just find it interesting that even some teams below us and below the playoff line didn’t rotate like we did.

 

[gbservis]

Not really an answer to what I asked, though I agree that our roster is underbuilt amd I’ve been saying so all season. BTW I think Montreal and NE and KC and RBNJ supporters would disagree that “the other teams in MLS” (implying all of them except us) are built for depth and quality and rotation.

Looks like most teams didn’t rotate. I’m fine if Pascal made a strategic decision to deprioritize LC. I just find it interesting that even some teams below us and below the playoff line didn’t rotate like we did.

Hovering around the playoff line while managing injuries to key players like Martins and Parks likely plays a big role in the decision to rotate. Making the playoffs is probably the team’s top priority right now. Missing out for the second time in three years would be a tough look, especially with a new stadium to fill. For teams well below the playoff line, the MLS season is already a lost cause, so going all-in on Leagues Cup makes sense. Rotating in upcoming games doesn’t cost them nearly as much.