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re: Your 2017 Major League Soccer Thread: Previews, Highlights, News, Comments

Posted on 3/8/17 at 2:13 am to
Posted by John Keating
College Green, Ireland
Member since Jan 2015
2593 posts
Posted on 3/8/17 at 2:13 am to
I very much appreciate the feedback lads.

This year's MLS player survey by ESPNFC has been released to the public. The responses of 140 players were compiled regarding many questions. Without further adieu, here are some:


Should MLS games be played during FIFA international breaks?
- 82% NO
- 14% YES


Does the USMNT benefit when its players leave Europe to compete in MLS?
- 46% YES
- 31% NO
- 13% DOESN'T MATTER

"Look at the January camp. They get to spend more time together, which is hard for other national teams to do. Players playing all over the world have a tough time getting in sync. Having the U.S. players close to home is an advantage."

"Europe is where the best leagues are. To come back to MLS, you're promoting MLS, but you're not doing yourself and your country any favors."

"It's all about a mentality. You can't come back and take days off. This league is on the come-up. Guys who think it's easy usually don't do too well."


Was Bruce Arena the right man to replace Jurgen Klinsmann as U.S. head coach?
- 90% YES
- 1% NO


Which side has the best, most vocal, home support?
- 49% Portland
- 28% Seattle
- 14% SKC
- 4% Orlando City
- 3% Toronto


Who is the most underrated player in the league?
- 9% Dax McCarty
- 6% Diego Chara
- 6% Sebastian Lletget
- 3% Ignacio Piatti
- 2% Darlington Nagbe
- 2% Sam Cronin
- 2% Tommy McNamara
- 2% Kellyn Rowe
- 2% Eric Alexander


Who is the most overrated player in the league?
- 16% Mix Diskerud
- 7% Michael Bradley
- 5% Alejandro Bedoya
- 4% Jozy Altidore
- 4% Andrea Pirlo
- 2% Erik Torres
- 2% Kei Kamara
- 2% Jermaine Jones


Does the Chinese Super League's spending power threaten MLS' ability to compete for top talent?
- 54% NO
- 46% YES

"I think as long as they have that limit of three foreign players on the field, no."

"Maybe, but I think the majority of them would still rather live in America."


Which big-name Designated Player would you like to come to MLS?
- 22% Zlatan Ibrahimovic
- 20% Lionel Messi
- 17% Cristiano Ronaldo
- 6% Wayne Rooney
- 6% Neymar
- 4% Iniesta
- 4% Javier Hernandez

"Ibrahimovic would be great entertainment. He'd be on SportsCenter almost daily."

"There's a type more than a specific player. They have to be 23-27-years old. They have to be on the upswing of their career. Giovinco is the archetype DP for this league."


Which player crosses the line in terms of discipline more than any other?
- 25% Ozzie Alsonso
- 11% Felipe
- 7% Jermaine Jones
- 5% Kendall Waston
- 4% Diego Chara
- 4% Aurelien Collin
- 2% Clint Dempsey

"Jermaine Jones. He thinks he's bigger than what he is. I know that sometimes you get frustrated, but you can't get into personal stuff like 'I have money and you don't.'"


Has refereeing got better or worse over the past year?
- 49% BETTER
- 28% SAME
- 16% WORSE


If you were commissioner for a day, what would be the one thing you would change?
- 36% Raise salaries
- 18% Charter flights
- 8% Greater freedom of movement
- 5% More transparency
- 4% Eliminate player classification
- 3% Ban turf


Are you happy with MLS' salary structure?
- 79% NO
- 16% YES

"It could be better, but the strides they made over the last two CBA have been good. I came into the league on a $12,000 contract; now these guys are making $50,000 and $60,000. It's come a long way and hopefully it keeps going."

"The discrepancy between the DPs (designated players) and the guys on the minimum salary is insane."


What is the best thing about being an MLS player?
- 24% Getting paid to play soccer
- 22% Living in the US/Canada
- 13% Being part of MLS' growth
- 9% Lifestyle/schedule
- 8% League infrastructure


Link to the full survey: ESPNFC
Posted by JohnZeroQ
Pelicans of Lafourche
Member since Jan 2012
8514 posts
Posted on 3/9/17 at 1:18 pm to
quote:

"It could be better, but the strides they made over the last two CBA have been good. I came into the league on a $12,000 contract; now these guys are making $50,000 and $60,000. It's come a long way and hopefully it keeps going."



I had no idea it was this bad. Shame
Posted by oauron
Birmingham, AL
Member since Sep 2011
14512 posts
Posted on 3/9/17 at 4:55 pm to
Not sure how I missed this thread back when you posted initially, but I'm happy for the season to start. Houston probably won't be great, but they have the perfect squad for counter attacking. So much pace in attack and a good enough defense to win 1-0, 2-1, etc.
Posted by John Keating
College Green, Ireland
Member since Jan 2015
2593 posts
Posted on 3/11/17 at 3:46 am to
Only two years ago the minimum was $35K. Now, thankfully that has essentially doubled. The goal is to get to $100K after the next few years.
Posted by John Keating
College Green, Ireland
Member since Jan 2015
2593 posts
Posted on 3/11/17 at 3:47 am to
Houston looked good in their opener. If Quioto can continue to attack and make plays, there could be cause for some excitement.
Posted by John Keating
College Green, Ireland
Member since Jan 2015
2593 posts
Posted on 3/11/17 at 3:54 am to
Matches on tap for today:


RSL@CHI - 2PM Eastern (MLS Live)

COL@NY - 4PM Eastern (Unimas)

FCD@SKC - 9PM Eastern (MLS Live)

VAN@SJ - 10PM Eastern (TSN1)
Posted by oauron
Birmingham, AL
Member since Sep 2011
14512 posts
Posted on 3/12/17 at 3:11 am to
All of the front 3 scored today against Columbus.

MLS is doing so much to develop CONCACAF.
Posted by Dalosaqy
I can't quite re
Member since Dec 2007
12304 posts
Posted on 3/12/17 at 4:55 am to
NYRB would have beaten the Rapids by 3 or more if not for Tim Howard. Amazing work. Robles was a net beast as well.
Posted by John Keating
College Green, Ireland
Member since Jan 2015
2593 posts
Posted on 3/12/17 at 2:36 pm to
Yes, Houston fans have to feel better about their team. They are looking good thus far. And Robles is a fantastic keeper. I am intrigued by the Atlanta United v Minnesota United match.
Posted by Michael Stein
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2016
1906 posts
Posted on 3/12/17 at 2:52 pm to
Can't wait to see Minnesota's home opener. Forecast is supposed to be one of the coldest MLS games on record.

We'll get to see the two expansion teams face off today. Always fun.
Posted by Michael Stein
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2016
1906 posts
Posted on 3/12/17 at 4:27 pm to
Wow. Atlanta already up 2-0 just 14 minutes in. Minnesota have conceded 7 goals already in about 105 minutes in MLS. Not a good start.
Posted by John Keating
College Green, Ireland
Member since Jan 2015
2593 posts
Posted on 3/14/17 at 2:21 am to
quote:

MLS is doing so much to develop CONCACAF.

This is good for every country in the association, including the US. North America as a whole needs to develop and raise the game. Better, more competitive national teams from Central America is good for the USMNT.
Posted by John Keating
College Green, Ireland
Member since Jan 2015
2593 posts
Posted on 3/14/17 at 2:24 am to
quote:

Can't wait to see Minnesota's home opener. Forecast is supposed to be one of the coldest MLS games on record.

We'll get to see the two expansion teams face off today. Always fun.

I think the match has been confirmed as the coldest ever in MLS. It is interesting that the turf was heated from underneath, keeping the ground temperature in the 50s F. Even still, the snowfall was so significant that it piled up on the field and required clearing at multiple points in the match.
Posted by John Keating
College Green, Ireland
Member since Jan 2015
2593 posts
Posted on 3/14/17 at 3:55 am to
4 Minute Match Highlights


NYC v DC
- Villa the talisman: an exquisite touch header and an outstanding finish from the side to which Steve Birnbaum could only shake his head and smile. What a return for Rodney Wallace. A virtuoso performance by Sean Johnson.

MON v SEA
- Piatti and Mancosu are good. Morris is fast.

LA v POR
- Blanco+Chara+Valeri=Beauty. A tough break for Van Damme and the Galaxy.

MIN v ATL
- Minnesota has the makings of an offense but in terms of defense the squad is a shambles. Atlanta United is good.

HOU v CLB
- Houston is lively. Jonathan Mensah has had a rough go of it thus far in Columbus.

PHI v TOR
- It is only week 2 but I am concerned for PHI with Onyewu. He looks stiff and slow.

SJ v VAN
- The red card completely changed this match.

CHI v RSL

SKC v FCD
- FCD rested multiple starters in anticipation of their CCL match against Pachuca this Wednesday.

NY v COL
- Two excellent keepers in Robles and Howard.


Outstanding Goals

Villa

Villa

Wallace

Godoy

Torres

Piatti

Mancosu

Chara

Martinez
Posted by JohnZeroQ
Pelicans of Lafourche
Member since Jan 2012
8514 posts
Posted on 3/14/17 at 1:05 pm to
Does it piss anyone else off seeing Wondo score in that WFC match and think about that shitty goal he missed in the WC?

Posted by cheesesteak501
The South
Member since Mar 2014
3152 posts
Posted on 3/14/17 at 3:38 pm to
What's wfc
Posted by GeauxColonels
Tottenham Fan | LSU Fan
Member since Oct 2009
25604 posts
Posted on 3/14/17 at 4:18 pm to
quote:

What's wfc

Whitecaps FC?
Posted by oauron
Birmingham, AL
Member since Sep 2011
14512 posts
Posted on 3/14/17 at 4:31 pm to
Oh, I do wish we could embed videos on TD.

LINK

The tweet LA put out towards Portland was amazing!
Posted by John Keating
College Green, Ireland
Member since Jan 2015
2593 posts
Posted on 3/15/17 at 2:49 am to
The tweet was well done.



Hopefully the disciplinary review committee will visit Portland players soon. MLS says that all divers will be punished by the review committee so we shall see if they follow through with the declaration.
Posted by oauron
Birmingham, AL
Member since Sep 2011
14512 posts
Posted on 3/15/17 at 3:37 pm to
quote:


Hopefully the disciplinary review committee will visit Portland players soon. MLS says that all divers will be punished by the review committee so we shall see if they follow through with the declaration.

Hopefully they'll get slapped with a 1 game suspension and be out for the Dynamo game.
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