Major League Soccer (MLS) Thread

[SubaruAdrian]

Hokie, where's the article you wrote? I'd like to see it.

I hope Wicks is sitting out for the game against us. I don't want him to come diving into our section in a roid rage and stomp on one of us!

[Scuba Steve]

I ended up with three articles from the game -- well, one was a player ratings though.

Player Ratings: DC United v Seattle Sounders - Goal.com
Seattle Triumph Over United In Open Cup Final - Goal.com
Seattle Savor First Cup Win As MLS Club - Goal.com

[DeacsWF]

Originally Posted by hokiegooner

Actually, its not. If you have a look at the replay, you'll see Wallace intentionally try to flick it onto the path of Simms.

I don't know if Tino had any idea if that was coming, but from Wallace to Simms, it was perfectly planned and executed.

Goal

Ah, you can't link to specific clips Just go to the one for the United goal.

No, he was trying to get his foot out of the way. You can see from how he lifted his foot up and then turned to the right to look at the goal.

[Scuba Steve]

Pretty funny ad campaign. There are 8 of these, just click on the video and then you can find the rest (they are right there).

IMPORTANT NOTICE: No media files are hosted on these forums. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website. We can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material.

I AGREE

[Scuba Steve]

Originally Posted by ESPN

Goodell foresees no salary cap in 2010

NEW YORK -- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell foresees an uncapped 2010 season as the league and the players' union negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement.

Goodell said Thursday owners are preparing for no salary cap next season, citing the lack of progress in talks with the NFLPA. Last year, owners opted out of the CBA that was reached in 2006. That agreement included no salary cap in its final year, which both sides believed would spark serious negotiations toward a new contract.

"Because of the timing, we recognize there's a strong reality there will be an uncapped year, and the owners have planned for it," Goodell said.
Goodell met with union chief DeMaurice Smith on Tuesday over lunch, but no negotiations took place.

"I told De, 'Let's start negotiating," Goodell said, "and that's our intent."

But there is no timetable for beginning significant talks, and the union says the onus is on the owners to present an offer.

According to league figures, the players have received about 75 percent of revenues since 2006, while the other 25 percent has gone to costs, plus another 6 percent over that which owners have absorbed because of rising costs.

The union disputes those numbers.

"The CBA explicitly restricts player costs to just under 60 percent," NFLPA spokesman George Atallah told The Associated Press. "That is fixed. They'd have to provide relevant information to support that wild claim, because we certainly don't have it."

Goodell insisted the union knows everything about the teams' finances.
"The union has incredible information with respect to the teams. They have audit rights," Goodell said. "I think that's a distraction from the real issues. We don't want to get into rhetoric. I told that directly to De on Tuesday."

Citing a recent survey by Forbes magazine showing 19 franchises are worth at least $1 billion, Atallah said: "Average team profits last year increased by 31 percent and labor costs by only 4 percent. Historical reports by Forbes also reveal that team values have increased exponentially. The Patriots, for example, increased in value from $172 million in 1994 to $1.4 billion today. That's 713 percent in the past 15 years. Doesn't seem like a broken model to me.

"Just tell us directly the specifics of why this CBA is not working," he added. "We can't be forced to negotiate over a proposal that doesn't yet exist."

Early in a news conference Thursday at league headquarters, Goodell announced Eagles quarterback Michael Vick will be eligible to play in Week 3. Originally, Goodell ruled that Vick, who completed a 23-month federal sentence for dogfighting earlier this summer, could not return before the sixth week of the season.

"He understands he has very little margin for error," Goodell said of Vick, who played Thursday night against the Jets.

Goodell also noted several early-season games are not sold out and could be blacked out locally, although he said "our worst-case projection is at least 80 percent of our games will be shown in local markets and are sold out."

The commissioner also said the video boards in the new Cowboys Stadium won't present a significant problem for punters.

After Titans punter A.J. Trapasso hit the video board at the $1.3 billion facility in Arlington, Texas, on Aug. 21, the league altered its playing rules. The boards hang at 90 feet, which is 5 feet higher than NFL guidelines.
When asked how concerned he was about punters consistently hitting the bottom of the video screens, Goodell responded: "One kick in a preseason game?"

"What's become clear from research is that up to 85 feet [is a maximum], and that's our guideline," he said. "Above that is not supported by our research."

But he recognized the need for a rule for such situations, and how game officials should handle them.

"We have to have a rule that deals with anything that strikes an object -- a speaker or scoreboard -- and we didn't have that in place specifically as it relates to instant replay," Goodell said.

That rule, issued last Friday, calls for an immediate whistle and a replay of the down, with no time taken off the clock. Plus, the replay official can ask for a TV review to determine if a ball hit the video boards, regardless of the time in the game.

While Goodell wasn't bullish on a quick resolution to the labor situation, he expressed optimism about the league's presence in England. So much so that he envisions more than one regular-season game in London next year, and perhaps a London franchise in the future.

This is just a pipe dream. But since MLS tries so hard to mirror their league after the NLF (this was intentional, for all the MSL haters), does this mean that MLS will try to go without a salary cap next season as well?

[DeacsWF]

hmmm, no salary caps?

Well, Patrick Vieira did say he was coming. Wonder if he was friends with Ljungberg?

[Scuba Steve]

D.C. United’s Dejan Jakovic to undergo surgery

Defender suspected to require bilateral hernia repair

Washington, D.C. (September 4, 2009) - D.C. United announced today defender Dejan Jakovic has traveled to Munich, Germany to be evaluated for a suspected bilateral sports hernia. He will be seen today by hernia specialist Dr. Ulrike Muschaweck and, if deemed necessary, will be scheduled for surgery Saturday and Monday. Jakovic will miss two to three weeks.

Jakovic was signed by D.C. United on February 27 from Red Star Belgrade in Serbia. The 6-foot, 2-inch defender immediately stepped in to the starting lineup as a centerback and has started each of the 20 games he has played in. His 1,800 minutes on the pitch during League play this season is third most on the team.

Oh when it all, it all falls down. I'm telling you oh, it all falls down

Oh sorry, I had missed the rest of the good news.

*D.C. United defender Marc Burch's ankle surgery will likely sideline him for a few weeks, Coach Tom Soehn said. Burch is on yellow card suspension for Wednesday's match against Kansas City.

[y0daddyalex]

Originally Posted by brasilflamengo09

WOW did people see what wicks did ?....i thought he was okay but until last week and then this...thats pathetic and sorry...but anyhow..this was all waiting to happen..there was mistakes made by BOTH teams in the defense and it really could be either team up 1-0.

Wicks should be suspended for the rest of the year for what he did. That was completely pathetic and has no place in sports

[dena]

Originally Posted by hokiegooner

This is just a pipe dream. But since MLS tries so hard to mirror their league after the NLF (this was intentional, for all the MSL haters), does this mean that MLS will try to go without a salary cap next season as well?

No, with the revenue of MLS teams it's too much of a risk.

Anywho, someone mentioned to me earlier that imagine if the NFL goes into a lockout in 2011, pretty big opening for MLS if you ask me.

[Scuba Steve]

They don't overlap much. Plus, I am 100% sure that most will not swap one for the other anyways.

[dena]

Yeah to bad about the overalp, we need MLB to go into a lockout like in 94... no doubt that helped the sport in my mind, especially with it being a WC year.

EDIT:

(muahaha, too slow stevie)

Danny Dichio to announce retirement

Danny Dichio appears to have played his final game for Toronto FC.
The 34-year-old will announce his retirement at a press conference on Wednesday morning. Contrary to other reports this press conference is not to introduce Julian De Guzman. Sources close to De Guzman informed me today that the Canadian international will definitely not be introduced at that press conference.

Dichio, who played the final 20 minutes in Saturday's loss to Colorado, is expected to take up a coaching job at BMO Field with immediate effect.

and

Toronto FC lands De Guzman

Defensive midfielder poised to become club's first designated player
Canada’s top soccer player Julian de Guzman is finally coming home.
While Toronto FC has refused to confirm details of the blockbuster signing of the 28-year-old Canadian international midfielder, a source close to De Guzman says a deal had been reached and would be announced at a media conference later this week.

[steve1892]

Few hours too slow.

Good that Danny will stay at TFC in some capacity.

Great news about DeGuz.
Thought that was not a possibility. Not read much about him for quite some time, plus didn't he release a statement a while back saying he wouldn't be going there?

[Scuba Steve]

Not quite signed yet, but its inevitable.

[Scuba Steve]

I think tonight's attendance will be 0. Literally. There is even only like half of the amount of reporters for this game.

I won't even bother posting the lineups.

[dena]

McBride nears return from shoulder injury

As the playoffs approach, late season additions can add that extra edge to equal playoff success. For the Chicago Fire, the return of Brian McBride from shoulder surgery, perhaps as soon as this weekend, could be just what the Fire need to push them over the top.
With Chicago already looking like a lock to make the playoffs, McBride will boost an offense that has been rather inconsistent in his absence. Despite missing eight games due to his injury, the American striker still leads his side with six goals.

Chicago has six games left, plenty of time to get McBride back into the mix and be prepared come playoff time. And while they've lost Boukary Soumare to a transfer, remain one of the favorites in the East.

Ruh-roh

[wellzsauce]

Hey just wondering if any of you guys are taking part in the ESPNsoccernet fantasy leagues. Some friends and I have a league in the EPL and Champions league sections, the league name is Mclean Premier League and the password is: redskins

That is the name and password for both the Premier League and Champions League sections. Would love to have some of my fellow real football MLS fans join up if you guys want.

Champions League fantasy

[dena]

The New York Red Bulls signed their first Academy Product on Friday, adding forward Giorgi Chirgadze to the roster as a Homegrown Player signing.

Chirgadze has been a part of the Red Bulls Academy since 2005 as a member of the Under-15 team. Now 18, Chirgadze was a key figure in the Red Bulls Under-20 team's win in the Super-20 National Championship. He first gained wide notoriety for scoring two goals in helping the Red Bulls Under-17 team defeat Inter Milan's Under-17 team, 3-1, on Aug. 23, 2008.
A 6-foot-1 native of Tbilisi, Georgia, Chirgadze joins the Red Bulls as a Developmental Player.

In other Red Bulls news, the club dealt the rights to goalkeeper Jon Coway to Chivas USA for a fourth-round pick in the 2011 MLS Draft.

Beautiful, apparently some of the higher profile guys (Duka, Jhonny X) have some restrictions that are preventing them for signing with us but this kid seems like the next best thing, I heard about him once but havent seen much, I wonder if he is eligble to play.

EDIT: Forget it.

In July 2009, the MLS Board of Governors approved an amendment to the rules governing the signing of youth academy players. MLS clubs will receive two additional roster slots that may be used to sign academy players, in accordance with current Home Grown Player rules, to Generation adidas or Developmental contracts during the 2009 season. These players will not count toward the 24-player roster limit in 2009. Additionally these players may not play in League games during the 2009 season, but can participate in training, exhibition games and CONCACAF Champions League games. These additional player signings will count toward a team’s roster upon the commencement of the 2010 season.

[Scuba Steve]

Yeah, this was something new I found out when united announced the signing of Bill Hamid. New ruling.

[dena]

Can a club sign two players? Since there are two spots?

[Scuba Steve]

Yeah, you can sign two players this season. Of course, in theory, its really pointless. Because they can't play in the league, and by the next season, they have to be considered part of your roster.

I think a better way to go about it would be to allow you to sign any player from the academy, and not have them count against your roster, and allow them to play in any competition, for the length that they are with your team.

Just as an added incentive.

[Scuba Steve]

Took all of one pass from midfield to get in behind our defense. And of course Zakuani put it away.

DC 0 :: 1 Seattle

5' Zakuani

[dena]

Down 1-0 already, Jorge Rojas... my lord how I hate him.

[Scuba Steve]

That better be the iPhone you are updating with.

And what did he do this time?

[dena]

Silly header, then lost a foot race to get beat off a counterattack that led to the goal.

We need Celades... and Angel... lalala I'd take Goldwaithe right now! (we are starting the incredible Andrew Boyens and father time Leo Krupnik)

[Scuba Steve]

And Montero, and Conde, and Donovan............