MLS Week 9 - 2018

[LionNYC]

WEDNESDAY
Club Deportivo Guadalajara vs. Toronto 9:30 PM (CCL Final 2nd Leg)

FRIDAY
Vancouver vs. Salt Lake 10:30 PM

SATURDAY
Atlanta vs. Montreal 1 PM
Toronto vs. Chicago 3 PM
Philadelphia vs. DC 3:30 PM (Unimas, Twitter)
Columbus vs. San Jose 7:30 PM
New England vs. Kansas City 7:30 PM
Minnesota vs. Houston 8 PM
LA Galaxy vs. Red Bulls 10:30 PM

SUNDAY
Colorado vs. Orlando 4 PM (ESPN)
New York City vs. Dallas 6:30 PM
LAFC vs. Seattle 9 PM (FS1)

 

[LionNYC]

No help from Montreal as they fall to Atlanta 4-1. Montreal led 1-0 at halftime.

Atlanta now sits with 19 points after 8 games, 2 points higher than NYCFC who has also played 8 games.

 

[Ulrich]

No help from Montreal as they fall to Atlanta 4-1. Montreal led 1-0 at halftime.

Atlanta now sits with 19 points after 8 games, 2 points higher than NYCFC who has also played 8 games.

Their home/away schedule has been complimentary to start their season. And they’re gonna get SKC at home in a few weeks, that’s also convenient to play the other top two teams in the standings at home (although their trip to YS is still pending).

 

[mgarbowski]

No help from Montreal as they fall to Atlanta 4-1. Montreal led 1-0 at halftime.

Atlanta now sits with 19 points after 8 games, 2 points higher than NYCFC who has also played 8 games.

I turned that game on shortly before Montreal scored. I never really thought they could win until the 60-70 minute period. Montreal had no possession, but Atlanta had very few chances and the Impact were very composed in defense. Then Montreal committed a stupid handball in the box. The defender jumped, with his arm above his head, and the ball hit his arm. It wasn’t intentional but it was completely unnatural and his arm position made himself bigger. Almirante hit the PK and Montreal fell apart, giving up 3 more goals in 15-18 minutes, including 2 to a late game sub for Atlanta — a free kick specialist named Kratz I never heard of before. The combo of players adept at drawing fouls and a FK specialist is deadly.

 

[mgarbowski]

Also New England beat SKC and looks solid, at least at home, as they were last year. And they already are with 2 Away points of their entire Away point total last year.

 

[Midas Mulligan]

Also New England beat SKC and looks solid, at least at home, as they were last year. And they already are with 2 Away points of their entire Away point total last year.

I think NER is going to be solid all year, and an annoyingly tough out in the playoffs.

It appears Freidel knows what he’s doing, at least a little bit.

With a player like Penilla, they are always capable of getting a goal, and as we saw, they can overwhelm a team when their press is clicking.

I think they will get the 5th or 6th spot, with an outside shot at 4.

I know it’s still really early, but Toronto is nearly at a place where a bye is extremely difficult. At some point, it’s not just about the points but the points and sheer number of teams between them and the top slots.

 

[canchon]

I know it’s still really early, but Toronto is nearly at a place where a bye is extremely difficult. At some point, it’s not just about the points but the points and sheer number of teams between them and the top slots.

I think Toronto is done for the Shield this year, given the gap and the number of quality teams above them.

 

[Keith Putnam]

I think Toronto is done for the Shield this year, given the gap and the number of quality teams above them.

Does this give us pause about committing to a run in the CCL?

 

[Shawn Ryu]

LAFC stadium looks so nice on TV

 

[Victors87]

LAFC stadium looks so nice on TV

Cant wait for our stadium to be able to have blue smoke

 

[ferrarinycfc]

LAFC stadium looks so nice on TV

They will need to extend the stadium ASAP. 22,000 seats isn’t nearly enough.

 

[Midas Mulligan]

LAFC stadium looks so nice on TV

Agree. Definitely the crown jewel of MLS stadia now.

 

[Sabo]

I think Toronto is done for the Shield this year, given the gap and the number of quality teams above them.

Just read this Toronto stat.

2018 after 6 games 4 points.
2017 after 6 games 5 points.

I agree with you because Toronto is 16 points behind us and will have a much more difficult schedule and we have a better deeper team than 2017. But that stat made me think.

Playing for CCL title even if it means sacrificing Supporters Shield and getting in playoffs as 3-6 seed is definitely the right way to go.

 

[Gotham Gator]

I think NER is going to be solid all year, and an annoyingly tough out in the playoffs.

It appears Freidel knows what he’s doing, at least a little bit.

With a player like Penilla, they are always capable of getting a goal, and as we saw, they can overwhelm a team when their press is clicking.

I think they will get the 5th or 6th spot, with an outside shot at 4.

I know it’s still really early, but Toronto is nearly at a place where a bye is extremely difficult. At some point, it’s not just about the points but the points and sheer number of teams between them and the top slots.

I think Toronto is done for the Shield this year, given the gap and the number of quality teams above them.

One question about Toronto is whether they can regain the edge they had last year for the long MLS season. That’s easier said than done given the potential for a CCL hangover and the fact that they won everything last year.

I didn’t see their game against Chicago, but I enjoyed watching things unroll on Twitter as various commentators first proclaimed them to be “back” and then had to change their tune as the Fire erased that 2-0 lead. Ultimately, the stats suggest 2-2 was a pretty fair outcome from an even game, which is not what an Elite team should expect when playing Chicago at home.

 

[mgarbowski]

Just read this Toronto stat.

2018 after 6 games 4 points.
2017 after 6 games 5 points.

I agree with you because Toronto is 16 points behind us and will have a much more difficult schedule and we have a better deeper team than 2017. But that stat made me think.

Playing for CCL title even if it means sacrificing Supporters Shield and getting in playoffs as 3-6 seed is definitely the right way to go.

I count 7 points for TFC after 6 games last year.

 

[canchon]

I count 7 points for TFC after 6 games last year.

Yes, I read that too that they also had a slow start last year and then rolled to the Shield. I don’t see that happening twice, especially given the added depth (and all the injuries they have now). I read that Drew Moor might be out for a long time.

 

[canchon]

I didn’t see their game against Chicago, but I enjoyed watching things unroll on Twitter as various commentators first proclaimed them to be “back” and then had to change their tune as the Fire erased that 2-0 lead. Ultimately, the stats suggest 2-2 was a pretty fair outcome from an even game, which is not what an Elite team should expect when playing Chicago at home.

Way too easy to troll Doyle on that one.

 

[LionNYC]

They will need to extend the stadium ASAP. 22,000 seats isn’t nearly enough.

That’s the limit set by either the city or state before all these further regulations and taxes kick in.

 

[Shawn Ryu]

They will need to extend the stadium ASAP. 22,000 seats isn’t nearly enough.

Nope, limiting supply will increase their profit, and when they are bad they will not be able to sell it out. Even if they could expand its not a good idea.