MLS Cup Playoffs - November 7 - Charlotte (Away)

[dark knight]

There is a scenario where we tie the game, lose in penalties, we are undefeated in the series and yet also lose the series.

Would much prefer each game go to extra time before penalties, or at least a combined points scenario. Even if it's 2 points for a SOW and 1 point for a SOL, it would still protect from that scenario happening. This is a crappy way to decide postseason games.

I’m confused what you mean by your scenario - if we have a win and two ties we go through. They would have to win game 3 as it currently stands. Only game 3 would go to extra time and pks if even on points by either 3 ties or 4 points each.

 

[Gotham Gator]

Intrigued by this. I take it if the 3 games go 1-1-1 and each team has 4 points then you have PKs?

This is my preference.

 

[mgarbowski]

I'm very liking the first to five idea. Keeps game integrity instead of the single 180 minute contest stuff I always hated. But adds back soccer trad elements like ties and points, and relegates PKs to a last resort.

 

[ZYanksRule]

I’m confused what you mean by your scenario - if we have a win and two ties we go through. They would have to win game 3 as it currently stands. Only game 3 would go to extra time and pks if even on points by either 3 ties or 4 points each.

So under my scenario we would still play PKs in every game -- 3 points for a regulation win, 2 points for a SOW, 1 point for a tie/SOL, 0 pts for a regulation loss.

Under this scenario, we are currently on 4 points, Charlotte is on 2 points. If Game 3 is tied after regulation under my scenario, we wouldn't need to go to penalties; NYCFC will already have 5 points and won the series. If Charlotte wins in regulation, they win the series.

The main reason they would never go to this system is it's too confusing for casuals; it would take too much education to make fans understand it. But there would still be a chance to end the series after 2 games (even a regulation win & SO win would do it), and there would even be a chance that we wouldn't need penalties in a decisive Game 3. Obviously a team only needing a tie to advance could lead to a boring Game 3, but teams already play for penalties now so I don't think that would look too different.

I really do think the Race to 5 would work in this round and be a more equitable formula than what we have now, where NYCFC could go undefeated in the series and still lose the series.

 

[moogoo]

So under my scenario we would still play PKs in every game -- 3 points for a regulation win, 2 points for a SOW, 1 point for a tie/SOL, 0 pts for a regulation loss.

Under this scenario, we are currently on 4 points, Charlotte is on 2 points. If Game 3 is tied after regulation under my scenario, we wouldn't need to go to penalties; NYCFC will already have 5 points and won the series. If Charlotte wins in regulation, they win the series.

The main reason they would never go to this system is it's too confusing for casuals; it would take too much education to make fans understand it. But there would still be a chance to end the series after 2 games (even a regulation win & SO win would do it), and there would even be a chance that we wouldn't need penalties in a decisive Game 3. Obviously a team only needing a tie to advance could lead to a boring Game 3, but teams already play for penalties now so I don't think that would look too different.

I really do think the Race to 5 would work in this round and be a more equitable formula than what we have now, where NYCFC could go undefeated in the series and still lose the series.

What you've just explained as your scenario is the MLS next pro point system.

 

[413Blue]

So under my scenario we would still play PKs in every game -- 3 points for a regulation win, 2 points for a SOW, 1 point for a tie/SOL, 0 pts for a regulation loss.

Under this scenario, we are currently on 4 points, Charlotte is on 2 points. If Game 3 is tied after regulation under my scenario, we wouldn't need to go to penalties; NYCFC will already have 5 points and won the series. If Charlotte wins in regulation, they win the series.

The main reason they would never go to this system is it's too confusing for casuals; it would take too much education to make fans understand it. But there would still be a chance to end the series after 2 games (even a regulation win & SO win would do it), and there would even be a chance that we wouldn't need penalties in a decisive Game 3. Obviously a team only needing a tie to advance could lead to a boring Game 3, but teams already play for penalties now so I don't think that would look too different.

I really do think the Race to 5 would work in this round and be a more equitable formula than what we have now, where NYCFC could go undefeated in the series and still lose the series.

I guess I like that better than the current silly format, but I still don't like relying on penalties in an unnecessary situation. Penalties should only be used as a final decision maker in a decisive elimination game.

Or we should go back to single elimination!

 

[canchon]

The three game series is bonkers (especially when the games afterward are single elimination).

Going straight to PK’a is also bonkers - making a PK win exactly the same result as winning a game in regulation. I like the group stage / first to five.

We are at a point where a team could not lose any of the 3 games and go home, or a team could not even score a goal nor win a game (a very real scenario given how the first 2 games have gone) and win the series.

Every other football league does either single elimination or 2 game aggregate series.

Under single elimination - NYCFC wins the first game and moves on:

Under 2 game aggregate series - it’s 1-0 combined after both legs and NYCFC wins. You could also argue that under that CLT would have gone more all out to score and opened up the end of game 2 instead of just playing for penalties.

Why would any team play attacking football in this dumb game 3? Risk aversion is more likely.

Fix this MLS.

 

[moogoo]

The three game series is bonkers (especially when the games afterward are single elimination).

Going straight to PK’a is also bonkers - making a PK win exactly the same result as winning a game in regulation. I like the group stage / first to five.

We are at a point where a team could not lose any of the 3 games and go home, or a team could not even score a goal nor win a game (a very real scenario given how the first 2 games have gone) and win the series.

Every other football league does either single elimination or 2 game aggregate series.

Under single elimination - NYCFC wins the first game and moves on:

Under 2 game aggregate series - it’s 1-0 combined after both legs and NYCFC wins. You could also argue that under that CLT would have gone more all out to score and opened up the end of game 2 instead of just playing for penalties.

Why would any team play attacking football in this dumb game 3? Risk aversion is more likely.

Fix this MLS.

the 3 game system will stay until at least the schedule flip.

but i think they should get rid of the shootout after every tie game. it's not a great way to decide games. i'd much prefer teams take risk in the 90.

 

[ZYanksRule]

The only reason MLS changed to this 3-game format for the first round was to give Apple more postseason inventory. This round is literally a made-for-TV event, which is why it's so deeply flawed. The rest of the playoffs are great, but this round is a joke.

 

[Gotham Gator]

The only reason MLS changed to this 3-game format for the first round was to give Apple more postseason inventory. This round is literally a made-for-TV event, which is why it's so deeply flawed. The rest of the playoffs are great, but this round is a joke.

The 3-game first round is also in place due to the scheduling of FIFA international breaks. The 4 weeks in between the October and November breaks allow for Decision Day followed by 3 weekends of games. That’s not enough for all the playoffs, so the League came up with this convoluted solution.

Next year, there are 5 weekends before the break. I don’t think that will lead to much of a difference. Any real change would come when/if the schedule flips.

 

[Kenny]

Anyone going to the Watch Party at the "Etihad Park Experience Center"? Free food and beverages (probably hot dogs and soda, or Bud Light at best) but likely with a healthy dose of timeshare-style sales pitching?

 

[mgarbowski]

Anyone going to the Watch Party at the "Etihad Park Experience Center"? Free food and beverages (probably hot dogs and soda, or Bud Light at best) but likely with a healthy dose of timeshare-style sales pitching?

Some of us didn’t rate an invite.

 

[ZYanksRule]

Anyone going to the Watch Party at the "Etihad Park Experience Center"? Free food and beverages (probably hot dogs and soda, or Bud Light at best) but likely with a healthy dose of timeshare-style sales pitching?

I've received multiple phone calls since the summer from them asking if I want to buy season tickets. You'd think at some point they'd put in my file that I'm not willing to do season tickets at this time, but they keep calling.

On some level, I appreciate it, on the other level they're wasting their time.

 

[gbservis]

I've received multiple phone calls since the summer from them asking if I want to buy season tickets. You'd think at some point they'd put in my file that I'm not willing to do season tickets at this time, but they keep calling.

On some level, I appreciate it, on the other level they're wasting their time.

They have been calling me on and off for over 6 years since I dropped my tickets. I've spoken to them at least 5 times and explained that I moved away and there is no way I can buy season tickets. They still keep calling, I'm convinced they don't have a CRM system or any type of file they keep updated.

 

[Kenny]

Some of us didn’t rate an invite.

I'm sure I rated one because I haven't re-upped season tickets for 2026 and told my rep I was still on the fence. Which is true.

 

[mgarbowski]

They have been calling me on and off for over 6 years since I dropped my tickets. I've spoken to them at least 5 times and explained that I moved away and there is no way I can buy season tickets. They still keep calling, I'm convinced they don't have a CRM system or any type of file they keep updated.

In 2017 I went to a Swansea game at what was then Talen Energy Stadium where the Union play. A Union ticket rep emailed me a few weeks later about getting me to a regular Union game. I told him I'm a NYCFC STH and live in NY. I never heard from him or the Union again. It's not hard to do it right.

 

[moogoo]

I stopped my season tickets 2 years ago due to scheduling changes and not being able to go enough to justify having them.

My rep or any rep has not called or emailed me again about tickets since.

Guess I'm not wanted

 

[LionNYC]

Anyone going to the Watch Party at the "Etihad Park Experience Center"? Free food and beverages (probably hot dogs and soda, or Bud Light at best) but likely with a healthy dose of timeshare-style sales pitching?

NYCFC should pay for my trip to Charlotte that shouldn't have happen since we should have won Game 2

 

[mgarbowski]

Including Leagues Cup, Charlotte has been held scoreless just 3 times in its last 29 games going back to April. NYCFC is responsible for all 3 of them.
NYCFC has failed to score 3 times in the last 5 games.

ETA: 3 times in the last 6 games.

 

[DeGrozz]

Anyone travel lately? TSA slowdowns and air traffic controller shortages make me wonder if it'll be worth the headache...