MLS Cup Playoffs - December 11 - Portland (Away)

I expect the Timbers, mainly Chara to hack Maxi, Santi, Medina and Taty the entire game while the PRO stooge keeps the cards in his pockets.
Until Morales makes a play, then he gets a straight red. All you gotta do in this league is scream like a banshee after a tackle and you'll draw a card. PRO stooges fall for it every time.
 
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Looks like it's new episodes each night -- this is one of YES's soccer guys behind the scenes.
Anyone know if there is a way to stream this? Doesn't seem to show up in the Yes app, can you only watch it live? I'm not able to record, missed the first 2 episodes
 
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Anyone know if there is a way to stream this? Doesn't seem to show up in the Yes app, can you only watch it live? I'm not able to record, missed the first 2 episodes

It's reairing pretty constantly on YES overnight and in the morning, just set your DVR and you'll catch it.
 
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It's time to have the weather discussion.

Current forecast from the National Weather Service has the following conditions at kickoff:
  • 46 degrees, wind chill 39
  • rain between 3/4" and 1" over the day
  • winds of 23 mph, gusting to 33
In short, a mess.

So, whom does this favor?*

I think the two biggest potential factors are the combination of rain/turf and wind.

The rain could be pretty heavy. I have heard Portland's artificial surface is about the best there is for the fake stuff, but I don't know how well it deals with rain and how that will affect how the ball moves on it - e.g. whether it will be more prone to skipping quickly across wet turf. I do think Portland will be more familiar with how it plays.

The wind could be an even bigger factor. Portland's stadium, however is fairly vertical and well enclosed, so perhaps that will block its worst effects. The winds are supposed to be out of the south-southwest, or basically straight from the goal on the athletic club end. There are openings on either side that could allow the wind to get in and swirl around. In the end, I think this is a push - a random element that might impact either team on long balls & switches.

EDITED to correct temperature and distinguish between temp and wind chill.

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* - other than the fans who have elected to watch from home
 
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It totally makes sense to introduce a new ball for the first time in the league championship contest:

Seems odd to start it now instead of you know, next year like every other year. I will say if you watch the training videos you see the payers practicing with the new ball so it shouldn't be too much of a change if they've had some practice.

On a completely different note, I read in a facebook comment that the league used to let the former MLS cup champion from the year before play with a different colored (silver?) ball for the next season. Any MLS lifers here have any memory of this? I did a little research but wasn't able to find any reference to this.

edit: found it, 2007 champions. no picture of the ball in action though.

 
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2021 MLS Cup Referee: Armando Villarreal (VAR: Chris Penso)

Portland
2021: 1 Win, 2 Draws
- 12.67 fouls per game; 8 yellow cards; 1 red card
All-Time: 18 Appearances, 44.4% Win, 16.7% Loss, 38.9% Draw

NYCFC
2021: 1 Loss
- 14 fouls per game; 2 yellow cards; 0 red card
All-Time: 14 Appearances: 50.0% Win, 42.9% Loss, 7.1% Draw
 
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So, whom does this favor?*
In the end you have to play the game, but I think it's hard to argue this doesn't favor Portland. Home team will generally just understand better how inclement weather affects their pitch. Plus bad weather leads to sloppier play overall. Our team is at its best IMO when they can play clean crisp interactive passes. Harder to do in heavy rain.
 
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I don’t know why I find it so funny that this post on Facebook doesn’t match the 11 in the article that Greg Steltzer put out in his article. It’s just very dumb and inconsistent for a league trying to build a reputation.

 
2021 MLS Cup Referee: Armando Villarreal (VAR: Chris Penso)

Portland
2021: 1 Win, 2 Draws
- 12.67 fouls per game; 8 yellow cards; 1 red card
All-Time: 18 Appearances, 44.4% Win, 16.7% Loss, 38.9% Draw

NYCFC
2021: 1 Loss
- 14 fouls per game; 2 yellow cards; 0 red card
All-Time: 14 Appearances: 50.0% Win, 42.9% Loss, 7.1% Draw

Pro: no Elfath, Kelly, Chapman
Con: someone who hasn’t screwed us yet is only a chance to join the list above.
 
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I don’t know why I find it so funny that this post on Facebook doesn’t match the 11 in the article that Greg Steltzer put out in his article. It’s just very dumb and inconsistent for a league trying to build a reputation.

I too find that funny. It's not even just switching a Portland guy for NYCFC or vice/versa either. The graphic has Asprilla at RW and the article lists Santiago Moreno.
 
In the end you have to play the game, but I think it's hard to argue this doesn't favor Portland. Home team will generally just understand better how inclement weather affects their pitch. Plus bad weather leads to sloppier play overall. Our team is at its best IMO when they can play clean crisp interactive passes. Harder to do in heavy rain.

time for the old "champion teams get it done and know how to win" cliche