• The KillerFrogs

MLS 2021,2022 and beyond

hiphopfroggy

Active Member
When I was in NYC I went to see the Redbulls when Beckham, Donovan and the LA Galaxy came to town. Was a great atmosphere in their new soccer specific stadium. So raucous that some Jersey Guido's (It's ok I'm part Italian American) a few rows in front of us got in a brawl and had to be escorted out. Then there was Pirlo with NYCFC, saw them at LaGuardia.

Then Atlanta got that new stadium, I think Dallas won a title? Giovinco in Toronto and Ibrahimovic in LAFC. That pretty much sums up my MLS experience and I never really bit too hard on the MLS bait. Until now.

I could not be more excited for Austin FC's inaugural season. As an Austinite who is now back in Austin, we never had a pro team growing up so this has been a long time coming. Will be getting a Pochettino jersey soon now that he finally got a kit #. First game to be nationally televised on Fox against LAFC.

Alex Ring a Finnish defensive midfielder(widely regarded as top5 in MLS at his position) from NYCFC will probably be captain while the Dutchman Danny Hoesen will don #9 (He has a champions league goal against Barca on his resume). A couple of young exciting Paraguayans, Dominguez and Redes will support Hoesen on the wings. Daniel Pereira was the #1 overall MLS SuperDraft pick out of VT and the Irishman from Notre Dame Jon Gallagher should provide strong depth off the bench if not as starters. The consensus is that their D will be solid and Claudio Reyna has done a good job building a roster from scratch and now it's time to see what Josh Wolff will accomplish as head coach.

So with a partial schedule released and pre-season just getting underway I thought it would be nice to get an MLS thread going.


MLS Preseason 2021: Sporting Kansas City roll over Phoenix Rising, Atlanta United knock off Tormenta, FC Cincinnati fall to Louisville City SC

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2021/03/13/mls-preseason-2021-sporting-kansas-city-roll-over-phoenix-rising-fc-cincinnati-falls

National TV
The 2021 opening weekend will be the first time all five national broadcast partners showcase MLS matches on their over-the-air networks, including ABC, FOX, and Univision's UniMás in the U.S. and CTV and TVA in Canada.

ABC and ESPN networks will kick off their 26th season of national coverage on Sunday, April 18 as Inter Miami CF host David Beckham’s former club, the LA Galaxy (3 pm ET | ABC, ESPN Deportes). ESPN+ will stream all regional broadcasts nationally, out-of-market, including 17 club home openers.

FOX Sports will showcase three matches opening weekend, headlined by Austin FC’s inaugural match against LAFC on FOX, and two additional matches on FS1. All three matches will also be broadcast nationally in Spanish on FOX Deportes. Univision's coverage will begin when UniMás spotlights Orlando City SC hosting rivals Atlanta United, with new coach Gabriel Heinze, on Saturday, April 17 at 3 pm ET.

Any nationally televised matches not aired by a national English-language network will be streamed live in English on Twitter.
 
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Purp

Active Member
When I was in NYC I went to see the Redbulls when Beckham, Donovan and the LA Galaxy came to town. Was a great atmosphere in their new soccer specific stadium. So raucous that some Jersey Guido's (It's ok I'm part Italian American) a few rows in front of us got in a brawl and had to be escorted out. Then there was Pirlo with NYCFC, saw them at LaGuardia.

Then Atlanta got that new stadium, I think Dallas won a title? Giovinco in Toronto and Ibrahimovic in LAFC. That pretty much sums up my MLS experience and I never really bit too hard on the MLS bait. Until now.

I could not be more excited for Austin FC's inaugural season. As an Austinite who is now back in Austin, we never had a pro team growing up so this has been a long time coming. Will be getting a Pochettino jersey soon now that he finally got a kit #. First game to be nationally televised on Fox against LAFC.

Alex Ring a Finnish defensive midfielder(widely regarded as top5 in MLS at his position) from NYCFC will probably be captain while the Dutchman Danny Hoesen will don #9 (He has a champions league goal against Barca on his resume). A couple of young exciting Paraguayans, Dominguez and Redes will support Hoesen on the wings. Daniel Pereira was the #1 overall MLS SuperDraft pick out of VT and the Irishman from Notre Dame Jon Gallagher should provide strong depth off the bench if not as starters. The consensus is that their D will be solid and Claudio Reyna has done a good job building a roster from scratch and now it's time to see what Josh Wolff will accomplish as head coach.

So with a partial schedule released and pre-season just getting underway I thought it would be nice to get an MLS thread going.


MLS Preseason 2021: Sporting Kansas City roll over Phoenix Rising, Atlanta United knock off Tormenta, FC Cincinnati fall to Louisville City SC

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2021/03/13/mls-preseason-2021-sporting-kansas-city-roll-over-phoenix-rising-fc-cincinnati-falls

National TV
The 2021 opening weekend will be the first time all five national broadcast partners showcase MLS matches on their over-the-air networks, including ABC, FOX, and Univision's UniMás in the U.S. and CTV and TVA in Canada.

ABC and ESPN networks will kick off their 26th season of national coverage on Sunday, April 18 as Inter Miami CF host David Beckham’s former club, the LA Galaxy (3 pm ET | ABC, ESPN Deportes). ESPN+ will stream all regional broadcasts nationally, out-of-market, including 17 club home openers.

FOX Sports will showcase three matches opening weekend, headlined by Austin FC’s inaugural match against LAFC on FOX, and two additional matches on FS1. All three matches will also be broadcast nationally in Spanish on FOX Deportes. Univision's coverage will begin when UniMás spotlights Orlando City SC hosting rivals Atlanta United, with new coach Gabriel Heinze, on Saturday, April 17 at 3 pm ET.

Any nationally televised matches not aired by a national English-language network will be streamed live in English on Twitter.
MLS has improved significantly in quality over the years. I'm still pissed about FCD moving to Frisco b/c it's just way too inconvenient for me to get out there for games. That said, they've got an extremely productive academy that the world's major clubs have taken notice of. Several other MLS clubs also have comparable academies. Even more clubs have large and loyal fan bases. The product is night and day better then it was 20 - 25 years ago. Hell, it's night and day better than even 10 years ago. Glad to see it's getting wider coverage on TV.
 

cheese83

Full Member
MLS has improved significantly in quality over the years. I'm still pissed about FCD moving to Frisco b/c it's just way too inconvenient for me to get out there for games. That said, they've got an extremely productive academy that the world's major clubs have taken notice of. Several other MLS clubs also have comparable academies. Even more clubs have large and loyal fan bases. The product is night and day better then it was 20 - 25 years ago. Hell, it's night and day better than even 10 years ago. Glad to see it's getting wider coverage on TV.

I think it’s improved a ton but the actual time when the season takes place is horrible for the players and fans. Guys running for 90 mins in 100 degree heat doesn’t work. The Dynamo are a crap club these days and watching a match during peak heat isn’t worth it.
It is really cool how FC Dallas has pumped out some top USMNT players. Hope McKinnie can keep it up at Juventus. I thought Hyndman was going to do well overseas and was surprised he didn’t make his way back to Dallas after he flamed out.
 

Purp

Active Member
I think it’s improved a ton but the actual time when the season takes place is horrible for the players and fans. Guys running for 90 mins in 100 degree heat doesn’t work. The Dynamo are a crap club these days and watching a match during peak heat isn’t worth it.
It is really cool how FC Dallas has pumped out some top USMNT players. Hope McKinnie can keep it up at Juventus. I thought Hyndman was going to do well overseas and was surprised he didn’t make his way back to Dallas after he flamed out.
FCD just sent Bryan Reynolds to AS Roma (they outbid Juve for him) and Reggie Cannon is a stalwart for Boavista with the rumor mill for him transferring to a big club in the summer window gaining a lot of steam. Chris Richards is a promising FCD product signed by Bayern Munich. He's currently on loan, but they expect him to have a future for Germany's top club. FCD also has a partnership with Bayern where academy prospects go to Germany to train with them for a few weeks. No doubt that will help even more top players get noticed.

I'm really excited about Ricardo Pepi as the next prospect with that potential for FCD. He really impressed me late last season at only 17 years old as a guy who puts pressure on back lines and who knows how to finish. The striker position is the USMNT's Achilles heel, but we've got several promising young talents who could fill that void and make it a strength. Pepi may be the youngest of them.

You're right about Emerson. I was hopeful he'd turn into a top end player for the Nats, but his career trajectory has been a lot like Brek Shae's.
 

hiphopfroggy

Active Member
Who are the top 5 center backs in MLS?

4. Matt Hedges – FC Dallas


Soon to turn 31, Hedges has been instrumental for FC Dallas since entering MLS in 2012. He’s racked up 16 goals and four assists across 262 appearances, injecting leadership on all fronts to Luchi Gonzalez’s team.

A rock at the back, Hedges has found consistency with whichever player he’s joined by in the heart of defense.

“You just write him into the lineup, you put the C on him, he is usually mistake-free and has gone through a good number of center-back partners and a lot of young players around him,” Wiebe said.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2021/03/11/who-are-top-5-center-backs-mls-extratime-debates
 

ftwfrog

Active Member
I stayed in Austin last night and our hotel was down the street from an apparent kickball stadium. Didn't know Austin had a team.
Ironic. We stayed there Monday-Tuesday at Lone Star Court. Cool place. This (2021 season) is the inaugural season for Austin FC. Looks like a really cool stadium. I’ll bet it’ll be packed for the first few years. I know the Longhorns dominate Austin, but the only pro sports team in the 9th biggest city in the US? I’ll bet it’s a tough ticket.
 
Ironic. We stayed there Monday-Tuesday at Lone Star Court. Cool place. This (2021 season) is the inaugural season for Austin FC. Looks like a really cool stadium. I’ll bet it’ll be packed for the first few years. I know the Longhorns dominate Austin, but the only pro sports team in the 9th biggest city in the US? I’ll bet it’s a tough ticket.

Man, we just missed each other. We stayed there Saturday night. Friend of ours got married in Jonestown. Looks like Daniel Laruso's apartment with and updated western chic vibe.

Only downside were the randos who just thought everyone there was their best friend. I made a passing Biden joke bc my buddy who got married is a huge lib and we've always traded political jabs. Some drunk 50-something d-bag was within earshot and thought then was a good time to beat us all down with his 50-point plan to rid America of liberalism. Mind you, this was at 2 AM and we were hanging out with friends we hadn't seen in years. Finally had to tell him to piss off. There were several other interlopers that night that we had to put on ignore but he was the worst. It's like people treat it like a damn commune or an RV park. Otherwise, neat concept.
 

ftwfrog

Active Member
Man, we just missed each other. We stayed there Saturday night. Friend of ours got married in Jonestown. Looks like Daniel Laruso's apartment with and updated western chic vibe.

Only downside were the randos who just thought everyone there was their best friend. I made a passing Biden joke bc my buddy who got married is a huge lib and we've always traded political jabs. Some drunk 50-something d-bag was within earshot and thought then was a good time to beat us all down with his 50-point plan to rid America of liberalism. Mind you, this was at 2 AM and we were hanging out with friends we hadn't seen in years. Finally had to tell him to piss off. There were several other interlopers that night that we had to put on ignore but he was the worst. It's like people treat it like a damn commune or an RV park. Otherwise, neat concept.
Yeah, there needs to be a self awareness clause into the nightly rental agreement. Monday night there were kids sprinting thru our conversation circle, which I don’t mind too much, we’re not staying at the Four Seasons. Then there were kids playing tag from floor to floor yelling across the common area which we kind of shrugged off until the mom started yelling just as loud at them to tell them to be quiet. My wife got mad at me for laughing at her so maniacally. Tuesday night was like all the crazies had left. It was nice and calm.
And we took our kids with us, it’s a kid/dog friendly place.
 

hiphopfroggy

Active Member
Steve Zakuani's top five MLS wingers for 2021 | Extratime

1. Diego Rossi, LAFC

Zakuani was particularly impressed with Rossi's form last year, which saw the Uruguayan capture the 2020 AT&T MLS Young Player of the Year and the Golden Boot presented by Audi with 14 goals and four assists, becoming the youngest player in MLS history to win that trophy. Filling a massive void left by the injured Carlos Vela proved his worth.

"He proved [himself] without Vela last year, he was unbelievable," Zakuani said. "Absolutely unbelievable player."

Zakuani did, though, stir a little controversy by saying he doesn't consider Vela a winger. "If I was a manager, I'd play Carlos Vela as a No. 9," he said. "I'd put him close to the ball and I'd put Rossi out wide."

 

SuperBarrFrog

Active Member
I’m ready for this season too. I split season tickets last year to Atlanta United with a fellow frog Alum and her Fiancée and I didn’t get to go to a single game. I live walking distance to Mercedes Benz Stadium and can see it from my patio. We have the biggest crowds and best fans and I imagine Austin will be super passionate as well. Fun times ahead!
 

cheese83

Full Member
I’m ready for this season too. I split season tickets last year to Atlanta United with a fellow frog Alum and her Fiancée and I didn’t get to go to a single game. I live walking distance to Mercedes Benz Stadium and can see it from my patio. We have the biggest crowds and best fans and I imagine Austin will be super passionate as well. Fun times ahead!
Helps their matches are inside. Mid Summer Dynamo games are horrible.
 

hiphopfroggy

Active Member
The top 10 newcomers for 2021

While a slower-than-usual transfer market kept Major League Soccer clubs from making as many big splashes as they did in recent winter windows, they still managed to attract plenty of enticing talent from abroad ahead of the 2021 season.

No. 10 Jose Antonio Martinez (FC Dallas)
Though FC Dallas allowed just over a goal per game last season, there were definitely times when things got too frantic at the back. Veteran left center back Reto Ziegler departed at season's end, leaving a big hole for the club to fill. Enter Martinez, a seasoned defender from Spain's top two divisions. He should provide a calming influence in defense and a steady hand at passing out of the back.

No. 9 Jáder Obrian (FC Dallas)




It's not easy to win the Golden Boot in Colombia's top flight as a diminutive flank player, but Obrian darn near pulled it off this past season. That's because, instead of staying wide to provide service like the guy he's slated to replace in FC Dallas' lineup (Michael Barrios), the 25-year-old likes to raid the inside channels for box finishes.

No. 4 Cecilio Dominguez (Austin FC)

Austin FC's first ever Designated Player was brought in to be the vaunted "goal dangerous winger" every team craves. His form dipped after moving from Club America down to Argentina, but Dominguez spent 2020 gaining chemistry with fellow Austin FC attacker Rodney Redes down in Paraguay. The 26-year-old is a classic swashbuckling type who loves dribble drives across the grain and getting behind the defense on the weak side. As things stand, he's the best bet to be the expansion side's top scorer.

No. 2 Tomas Pochettino (Austin FC)




When bringing an expansion team into MLS, it certainly helps to have a positive organizing force in central park. While Pochettino is certainly able to hurt foes in the attacking third, he might even be better at guiding teammates to that business zone. Unlike some other recent examples, Austin FC will have a genuine ace to direct traffic during their debut campaign. The Boca Juniors product can make plays from Zone 14 and loves to find open looks to shoot from the top of the box, but his top value may come from when drops deep to navigate a team from defense to offense.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2021/03/22/top-10-newcomers-2021-greg-seltzer

 

Froglaw

Full Member
MLS has improved significantly in quality over the years. I'm still pissed about FCD moving to Frisco b/c it's just way too inconvenient for me to get out there for games. That said, they've got an extremely productive academy that the world's major clubs have taken notice of. Several other MLS clubs also have comparable academies. Even more clubs have large and loyal fan bases. The product is night and day better then it was 20 - 25 years ago. Hell, it's night and day better than even 10 years ago. Glad to see it's getting wider coverage on TV.


Five minutes up the tollway from me, but the only reason to go to the stadium is the annual Jimmy Buffet Concert each spring.

Parrot heads have the worlds greatest tailgates.
 

hiphopfroggy

Active Member
MLS Preseason 2021: Freddy Vargas nets stunning free kick as FC Dallas beat Austin Bold 3-0

FC Dallas secured their second lopsided win of the 2021 preseason, beating USL Championship side Austin Bold FC 3-0 on Wednesday at Toyota Stadium.

Homegrown defender Eddie Munjoma opened the scoring in the 15th minute when chesting down an aerial through ball from midfield creator Andres Ricaurte. Munjoma lashed a shot toward goal that was initially saved, only to deflect off a defender and in for the 1-0 lead.

FC Dallas doubled their advantage in the 75th minute when homegrown forward Dante Sealy forced the Austin Bold goalkeeper into a turnover through high pressing. Franco Jara quickly made it 2-0 with his first preseason goal, as the Designated Player looks to reach another level in 2021 after joining last July from Liga MX side Pachuca.

Venezuelan winger Freddy Vargas then scored his second preseason goal in as many games, curling home a beautiful free kick in the 81st minute to cap the scoring. Vargas, who soon turns 22, is on loan from Deportivo Lara and FC Dallas hold a transfer option after the 2021 season.


 

Purp

Active Member
MLS Preseason 2021: Freddy Vargas nets stunning free kick as FC Dallas beat Austin Bold 3-0

FC Dallas secured their second lopsided win of the 2021 preseason, beating USL Championship side Austin Bold FC 3-0 on Wednesday at Toyota Stadium.

Homegrown defender Eddie Munjoma opened the scoring in the 15th minute when chesting down an aerial through ball from midfield creator Andres Ricaurte. Munjoma lashed a shot toward goal that was initially saved, only to deflect off a defender and in for the 1-0 lead.

FC Dallas doubled their advantage in the 75th minute when homegrown forward Dante Sealy forced the Austin Bold goalkeeper into a turnover through high pressing. Franco Jara quickly made it 2-0 with his first preseason goal, as the Designated Player looks to reach another level in 2021 after joining last July from Liga MX side Pachuca.

Venezuelan winger Freddy Vargas then scored his second preseason goal in as many games, curling home a beautiful free kick in the 81st minute to cap the scoring. Vargas, who soon turns 22, is on loan from Deportivo Lara and FC Dallas hold a transfer option after the 2021 season.



That's a great goal. I can dip a ball like that over a wall, but I've never figured out how these guys can do it with so much pace. It's just amazing to me.
 
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