The League Soccer

 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...