MLS Cup Playoffs 2016

This is so interesting. Seems the same on both sides of the Hudson. We both relish/fantasize about the glory of beating the other but also intensely, agonizingly fear having the other be the team that bounces us. I think both sets of fans would probably opt for losing in the semis rather than losing to the rival in the conference finals.

Welcome to derby rivalries. This is a fairly standard attitude to them in my experience .
 
I was just looking through the Playoff Disciplinary rules. In short, yes, two yellows before the MLS Cup result in a player missing their next match.

For all the details:

Playoff Disciplinary Guidelines
  • Yellow card accumulation thresholds are reset entering the MLS Cup Playoffs.
  • A player who reaches an accumulation threshold in the last 2016 MLS regular season match (e.g. 5th, 8th, etc.) is eligible for the MLS Cup Playoffs and is eligible for the first regular season match of 2017.
  • A player who receives a red card in his last 2016 MLS regular season match is suspended for the next match for which he is eligible including the MLS Cup Playoffs match or the first regular season match of 2017.
  • A player sanctioned by the Disciplinary Committee will have any corresponding suspension applied to the next match(es) for which he is eligible including a MLS Cup Playoff match(es) or the next season’s regular season match(es).
  • Once the MLS Cup Playoffs begin and up until MLS Cup (when playoff yellow card accumulation will again reset), a player accumulating two yellow cards will be suspended for the next Playoff match for which he is eligible, except as detailed below (if a player’s club does not advance in the MLS Cup Playoffs, the suspension does not carry over to the 2017 MLS regular season).
  • A player who accumulates two yellow cards in any of the following matches is suspended for his next match: Knockout Round match, Conference Semifinal Leg 1, Conference Semifinal Leg 2, Conference Championship Leg 1.
  • A player who earns his second yellow card in the Conference Championship Leg 2 is eligible to play in MLS Cup.
    • For the avoidance of doubt, playoff yellow card accumulation resets entering MLS Cup.
  • A player who earns two yellow cards in the same match is suspended for the next match for which he is eligible including MLS Cup.
  • In an instance where a player earns two yellow cards in the same match, neither yellow card will count against his playoff yellow card accumulation. This is different from the regular season.
  • For example, if a player earns a yellow card in the Knockout Round match and then two yellow cards in the Conference Semifinal Leg 2, that player would be suspended for the Conference Championship Leg 1 due to the red card/second caution but would remain on one yellow card for his accumulation total. If the player’s club does not advance in the MLS Cup Playoffs, the red card suspension will carry over to the 2017 MLS regular season.
  • A player who earns a straight red card in the same match in which he previously has earned his second cumulative yellow card may be suspended for his next two MLS Cup Playoff matches.
    • For example, a player earns a yellow card in the Knockout Round match. He then earns a yellow card (his second cumulatively) in the Conference Semifinal, Leg 2 AND a straight red card (different from earning a second yellow card) in the same match. The player is suspended for the Conference Championship, Leg 1 (due to the red card) and is suspended for the Conference Championship Leg 2 (due to playoff yellow card accumulation).
    • However, if a player earns a yellow card in the Conference Semifinal Leg 2 and then earns both a yellow card (his second cumulatively) in the Conference Championship Leg 1 AND a straight red card in the same match, then the player is suspended for the Conference Championship Leg 2 (due to the red card) but is not suspended for MLS Cup as the yellow card accumulation re-sets entering MLS Cup.

  • A player who earns a red card in any MLS Cup Playoff match, whether a straight red card or two yellow cards, is suspended for his next match (if this occurs in MLS Cup, then the suspension carries over to the first regular season match of 2017).

  • A player sanctioned by the Disciplinary Committee will have any corresponding suspension applied to the next match(es) for which he is eligible including any MLS Cup Playoff match(es) or MLS Cup or the 2017 MLS regular season. In instances in which a player receives a yellow card in a match and the Disciplinary Committee acts to suspend the player for the offense, the yellow card will not count toward the player’s cumulative yellow card total.

Jesus. Just get rid of yellow card accumulation suspensions in the postseason. If you get any type of red, suspended next match. Otherwise, play on.
 
Jesus. Just get rid of yellow card accumulation suspensions in the postseason. If you get any type of red, suspended next match. Otherwise, play on.

Agreed - and wasn't it the same in Copa America? 2 yellows and you would be out next game? That rule seems to do more harm than good, especially with the refs we have over here. Right now we're all laughing at Bradley, but watch Villa get a bullshit yellow on Sunday and it's not so funny anymore (that is, if we plan on making it past this round).
 
Jesus. Just get rid of yellow card accumulation suspensions in the postseason. If you get any type of red, suspended next match. Otherwise, play on.
Agreed - and wasn't it the same in Copa America? 2 yellows and you would be out next game? That rule seems to do more harm than good, especially with the refs we have over here. Right now we're all laughing at Bradley, but watch Villa get a bullshit yellow on Sunday and it's not so funny anymore (that is, if we plan on making it past this round).
Yes and No. nobody wants to see their star player miss a game, but we don't need each game to be a hack-fest with each player taking a turn. And most importantly, the accumulation list rewards the top two teams by making sure their start(s) has a clean slate compared to their opponent(s) likely having cards to consider when devising the tactics and lineup.

And if a player has to sit, then roster depth (or lack of) comes in play with the best formed squad surviving the challenge. LA would suffer badly considering the dropoff in talent from the top 11 to the bench, but that was their choice.
 
Yes and No. nobody wants to see their star player miss a game, but we don't need each game to be a hack-fest with each player taking a turn. And most importantly, the accumulation list rewards the top two teams by making sure their start(s) has a clean slate compared to their opponent(s) likely having cards to consider when devising the tactics and lineup.

And if a player has to sit, then roster depth (or lack of) comes in play with the best formed squad surviving the challenge. LA would suffer badly considering the dropoff in talent from the top 11 to the bench, but that was their choice.
Yeah, I see your point. They really should relax it from 2 yellows and make it 3 or so. 2 yellows just seems a bit too easy to get to.
 
My internet & cable just went out right before the matches start. Screw you FIOS LI!!!!
 
I do think it's a little weird that even for a playoff match MLS can't get the DC v Montreal game onto English-language television.

I'm watching on Univision Deportes and turned on the SAP function and there's no commentary, it's silent except for what is picked up from the microphones in the stadium.
 
4 minutes in and Ciman makes is 1-0 Montreal. Not doing my bracket any favors.
 
I'm watching on Univision Deportes and turned on the SAP function and there's no commentary, it's silent except for what is picked up from the microphones in the stadium.
Yup. Regretting I stopped taking Spanish in 10th grade.
 
And now clearly there are two commentators. One with a working mic and one not. Holy amateur hour Batman.
 
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