MLS Cup Playoffs - November 9 - Cincinnati (Away)

Looking at the email it seems like they had no choice. What could be causing that?

Maybe they are already setting up for that golf event that they were going to have?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gene
What are the struggles he’s faced away from the field?

from what lucho says, it seems it was never made public information. his contract is through 2026 with an option for 27, so if he's thinking he's done then there may be some serious off field stuff going on.
 
What are the struggles he’s faced away from the field?

The only thing I recall was he got allegations against him during his time in liga mx, something about a secret relationship with some model. But that was 2020 I think.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kenny
Outstanding result. Penalties should go to the Geneva Convention because that was absolute torture.

Freese incredible. Mitja was outstanding. We just gritted that damn thing out in incredible fashion.

I stated that I thought they needed to win this series for me to consider the season a success. Well, it's a success now, no doubt about it.

We host the Red Bulls, then Orlando or Atlanta on the other side of the bracket. The East is all of a sudden completely wide-open. Any of the four teams remaining can go to MLS Cup. Why not us!
 
At the first shot of Mitja walking up I thought, "Oh good. We have a 12 year old trying to close this out now." Now I have watched the clip of his walk up, smiling at Celentano, more than a dozen times. They seem to have some pointed but good natured trash talk and psyche-outs going on. Celentano is a good keeper and seems a decent guy btw. Ilenic also had an air of resolve behind his smile. I actually like that walk up more than the shot of Freese picking him up while he makes the "shush" gesture. That's great, but I like the anticipation better. Nice top shelf: almost Callens style but not as central.

In 2021 I could not watch the shootouts. Even in Portland I looked down and let the crowd reaction tell me what went on. I could watch last night. It's not just that winning one takes the edge off. The 2021 team completely and absolutely deserved to win MLS Cup, but lived on the edge of bad fortune all year. NYCFC was legitimately a league top 3 team annually from 2018-21. The 2021 defense was utter class.I could not bear to see them fail.
But this team, it has already done more than it deserves. I hope it does more. Honestly all 4 teams left in the East have an easy path to MLS Final. Why not us? But if it doesn't happen? Even if they lost last night that was no worse than they deserved. This team can play just-good-enough defense in front of a keeper capable of excellence. The offense is high-end mediocre, and far too reliant on 2 people (the third best scorer has 5 goals). I mean, that shootout was tense enough, and a bit crazy, but I can rest easy whatever happens.
 
Last edited:
I was at work around a group of people -- sports fans, a couple other NYCFC fans but most don't care about MLS.

During that shootout, a group of 5 people crowded around my computer to watch. All, even the non-NYCFC fans, were invested. I love how the interest skyrockets in the playoffs, and I continue to think it's absolutely criminal that MLS is hiding its product behind a paywall on a streaming platform and not on TV. People don't even know the games are happening when they're not on TV.
 
When Ilenič came up with that smile and laugh, I knew he was burying it in the back of the net. No fear.

I also want to add that I yelled at the TV, "C'mon, Freese. Save this one." before every one that he either saved or a Cinci player skied. You're welcome.

He looked so confident. Cocky kid who had an absolute banger of a game.
 
At the first shot of Mitja walking up I thought, "Oh good. We have a 12 year old trying to close this out now." Now I have watched the clip of his walk up, smiling at Celentano, more than a dozen times. They seem to have some pointed but good natured trash talk and psyche-outs going on. Celentano is a good keeper and seems a decent guy btw. Ilenic also had an air of resolve behind his smile. I actually like that walk up more than the shot of Freese picking him up while he makes the "shush" gesture. That's great, but I like the anticipation better. Nice top shelf: almost Callens style but not as central.

In 2021 I could not watch the shootouts. Even in Portland I looked down and let the crowd reaction tell me what went on. I could watch last night. It's not just that winning one takes the edge off. The 2021 team completely and absolutely deserved to win MLS Cup, but lived on the edge of bad fortune all year. NYCFC was legitimately a league top 3 team annually from 2018-21. The 2021 defense was utter class.I could not bear to see them fail.
But this team, it has already done more than it deserves. I hope it does more. Honestly all 4 teams left in the East have an easy path to MLS Final. Why not us? But if it doesn't happen? Even if they lost last night that was no worse than they deserved. This team can play just-good-enough defense in front of a keeper capable of excellence. The offense is high-end mediocre, and far too reliant on 2 people (the third best scorer has 5 goals). I mean, that shootout was tense enough, and a bit crazy, but I can rest easy whatever happens.

We are 100% playing with house money at this point. We only made 2 subs! Nick trusts Maxi with his abysmal PK history and on an injury more than any of the millions in transfer money sitting on the bench. In a BO1 any team can get hot, hopefully, we go on a run, NYCFC winning early rounds on PKs has the good vibes flowing.
 
True story.

Before Bucha stepped up to take his penalty, I said to my kids, Freese is going to save it. He did.

Two rounds later, as Martins was taking his kick to win it, I said that Celentano had guessed wrong on every kick so far, but he is going to guess right this time, so the kick better be perfect. It wasn’t, and he saved it.

Two rounds later, it was Perea’s turn to win it. I said - he’s going to freaking bury this one. He kicked it over the bar. I stopped making predictions.
 
True story.

Before Bucha stepped up to take his penalty, I said to my kids, Freese is going to save it. He did.

Two rounds later, as Martins was taking his kick to win it, I said that Celentano had guessed wrong on every kick so far, but he is going to guess right this time, so the kick better be perfect. It wasn’t, and he saved it.

Two rounds later, it was Perea’s turn to win it. I said - he’s going to freaking bury this one. He kicked it over the bar. I stopped making predictions.
I wasn’t surprised Thiago Martins or O’Toole had their penalties saved. I was shocked that Perea missed though.

By the time Ilenic came up to shoot I had no idea as this was bordering on lunacy for one team to have four chances to win and not convert.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KevinJRogers
True story.

Before Bucha stepped up to take his penalty, I said to my kids, Freese is going to save it. He did.

Two rounds later, as Martins was taking his kick to win it, I said that Celentano had guessed wrong on every kick so far, but he is going to guess right this time, so the kick better be perfect. It wasn’t, and he saved it.

Two rounds later, it was Perea’s turn to win it. I said - he’s going to freaking bury this one. He kicked it over the bar. I stopped making predictions.

I still can't believe how torturous that shootout was. We only had one moment when we were on the brink of losing and it was still just so miserable.