The League Soccer

 Today marks the end of a season that started in February of this year with LAFC taking on the Columbus Crew. The original '96 Crew against the new giants of Los Angeles, the reigning MLS Cup Champions.  As much as I love a good romantic preview, there are no legacies on the line here. Carlos Vela has proven to be one of the most impactful signings in MLS history. The former MVP and MLS Cup Champ can just add to his legendary MLS status today. They are looking to be the first back-to-back MLS Cup Champions since the LA Galaxy of 2011-12.  On the other side Wilfred Nancy has proven himself to be a very good MLS coach, Darlington Nagbe has won it all twice with Portland and Atlanta United. Aidan Morris could use a moment in the spotlight as he tries to make a move to Europe to get back in the National Team conversation.  I am excited for this final, but I do think most of the major storylines of the year have been eliminated: FC Cincinnati the Supporters Shield winners...

 As usual life and obligations have slowed down my blogging. This time of the year there is a lot going on around my house, but I sneak in soccer when I can and blogs when I can. This year is the first year of expanded playoffs. I think playoffs are fun, they bring in crowds and revenue that the league needs.  My gripe against the expanded playoffs is simple: its waters down an already watered down regular season. To make the playoffs all you have to do is not be historically bad for a two month stretch. Hell SKC was historically bad for the first 11 games of the season and still hosted a playoff game and made it to the conference semi-finals. I'm just saying when there's 5,000 people at a San Jose-Chicago game on a beautiful May Saturday night, that's why. The games don't matter.  Also I'm a big fan of give me all of the soccer you can. However a February to December season is a bit much. In the name or revenue we now have this incredibly long season that means alm...

 Thirty four weeks of the regular season have been played and the playoff matchups are set, well with the exception of who will be playing the top seeds in either conference. For that we have two play in games this week! Let's dive in: Eastern Conference (9) Charlotte FC at (8) New York Red Bulls It's slightly amazing that both of these teams have made the playoffs. Both teams intermittently struggled throughout the regular season and the Red Bulls playoff streak was in serious danger up until decision day. The Red Bulls will have the home crowd at their back and a group of hungry dedicated players led by young USMNT prospect John Tolkin. The young left back scored the penalty to put the Red Bulls into the playoffs. For Charlotte they will rely on their strong forwards led by Polish international Karol Swiderski and Argentinian Enzo Copetti.  Prediction: NYRB 2-1 Charlotte Western Conference (9) San Jose Quakes at (8) Sporting Kansas City. As a midwesterner and someone who fol...

 I will admit my headline is a little bit of a bait and switch from what I'm going to blog on today. The US took the field yesterday in East Hartford, CT against a German side who have had a dip in form recently, but have looked better under new manager Julian Nagelsmann. First I want to give a big props to Connecticut for having such a great crowd show up to a game in UConn's college football stadium. I'm a firm believer in moving games around our expansive country. Not every game needs to be in Ohio, Missouri or Orlando (though I do love most of these places).  From a lineup perspective we put our best foot forward against the European giants. It was arguably as good of an eleven as the US can field minus maybe CCV (who would come off the bench in the second half), Jedi Robinson and Tyler Adams.  From very early on the game was wide open. There were scoring chances on both ends and the game was moving up and down the field quickly. It did get to showcase our athleticism...

 Gregg took a new tactic, that I'm sure won't continue in non-friendlies but he named his starting eleven for Saturday's match in St. Louis. From the looks of things Gregg really wants to beat Uzbekistan. Let's have a look at what he announced: GK: Matt Turner (Nottingham Forest) RB: Sergino Dest (PSV) RCB: Chris Richards (Crystal Palace) LCB: Tim Ream (Fulham) LB: Jedi Robinson (Fulham) CM: Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo) OR Tanner Tessman (Vanezia) AM: Yunus Musah (AC Milan) AM: Weston McKennie (Juventas) ST: Florian Balogun (Monaco) half time sub Ricardo Pepi (PSV) RW: Tim Weah (Juventas) LW: Christian Pulisic (AC Milan) First off, that is an impressive club list to type, especially considering everyone except Chris Richards is a regular starter/important role player for their club. You have Premier League and Champions League players all over the field. It's our best XI minus Gio and Tyler Adams.  The result is far less important to me than how we look tactically....

On Saturday night, I had the privilege of going to the first ever Derbeque/I-70 Derby/Whatever you want to call it between St. Louis City SC and Sporting Kansas City and it was a mad house. The stadium was standing room only and we parked a mile away from Children's Mercy Park. So by the time we got inside we were in the second row of standing room only, and it was totally worth it.  I have been to college football and basketball rivalry games, been a Chiefs season ticket holder, witnessed probably a dozen Cubs-Cardinals games and this was far and away the most wild atmosphere I've ever seen at a sporting event. The St. Louligans were there en masse chanting as loud as the KC Cauldron supporters section. Big Sam Adeniran opened the scoring up in the 22nd minute and the place went nuts, only to be matched by Alan Pulido's 31st and 43rd minute goals.  The second half was full of hard tackles and questionable challenges. Adeniran thought he had pulled City level in the second ...