The Current MLS Table
New MLS Adidas deal is a positive sign
On the surface, anytime a sponsor, or partner, re-ups their commitment and gives more cash to an already current deal, you can pretty much assume two things… one, that they think their deal is working for them (whatever that may mean) and two, that they believe the longer they wait to renegotiate, the more it will cost them in the long run.
And so Adidas is now the partner to MLS through 2018 (previously 2014).
In and of itself… it is a good thing… but as my friend Laurie pointed out to me, it could see the reemergence of the reserve league in some form or another. Looking at the comments in various locations, she isn’t alone in that thought. Here is this line that gets one thinking about such a thing…
“…In line with other recent initiatives by MLS, such as “Generation Adidas” and the newly expanded homegrown player rule, the new Adidas-MLS extension includes a specific focus on youth development. The major aim of this focus, according to league and corporate officials, is to help shape the future of the sport in North America.”
I would love this. So much. And here is why. Read more
Montero Named MLS Player of the Week
Montero in Action! (Chris Coulter photo)
Seattle Sounders FC forward Fredy Montero was voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters for Week 22 of the 2010 MLS season. Montero’s first goal tied the game at 1-1 in the 36th minute.
His second, was a goal winner that came in stoppage time.
Montero was the MLS Player of the Month for August, but this is his first weekly honor in 2010. In 2009 he won the honors in Week 1.
How Did This Week’s Games Affect Sounders’ Playoff Chances?
Sounders fans, it is that time of year again! The time when we need to stop worrying just about how the Sounders do and start worrying about how their playoff-spot rivals do.
Won’t be long before Yamsmos will start repeating last year’s homage to the Deities of the Bullet Points, which should guarantee the playoff spot. (Like it did last year. Because Yamsmos is just that powerful.)
Until then, though, here’s a look at how this weekend’s games affected Sounders’ standings in MLS.
First, a look at who, exactly, gets into the playoffs. Much like last year, according to MLS:
- The top two teams in each conference qualify and are seeded 1 & 2 in respective four-team playoff conference brackets.
- The four MLS teams with the next most points, regardless of conference, receive “wildcard” berths.
- The four wildcard teams will be seeded according to conference first.
- If more than four teams qualify from one conference, the team finishing lower than fourth in its conference will shift over to the other conference bracket.
- A team switching conference brackets will be seeded below all other teams in its new conference playoff bracket.
Got it? And looking at the current standings, there is the proverbial snowball’s chance that we — currently with 29 points — could ever pass the top two Western Conference teams, LA Galaxy (43 pts) and RSL (39.) But with Columbus in first in the East at 40 and Red Bulls in second at 34, we’re in a good position to pass up some of the eastern teams.
And, since Sounders are not playing this weekend, this gave three other teams a chance to equal or pass them in the standings: Toronto, San Jose and Colorado.
So what did the weekend do for us?
Sounders and League Stats
Goals
- Fredy Montero t-4th (8)
- Steve Zakuani t-7th (7)
Assists
- Fredy Montero 2nd (9)
Shots
- Fredy Montero 3rd (60)
At this point, Montero has to be considered a candidate for league MVP.
Keller & Montero (& Ljungberg) Named All-Stars
Each year, a total of 32 players are named All-Stars in accordance with the MLS Collective Bargaining agreement. Previously, 25 players have been announced to this year’s roster, and today, MLS announced the final seven…
The additional list include Seattle’s Kasey Keller, Fredy Montero, and, yes… Freddie Ljungberg have been added to the squad.
Goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen (Kansas City), midfielders Joel Lindpere (New York), Robbie Rogers (Columbus), and forward and Conor Casey (Colorado) round out the final group.
The three Sounders will be on the “Inactive” roster.
How Ljungberg makes it over Steve Zakuani? Sad.
Jhon Kennedy Hurtado placed on IR
For those wondering about Hurtado after the game on Saturday. From the team:
RENTON, WASH. – The Seattle Sounders FC announced today that central defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado has been placed on injured reserve due to a torn left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Read more
All Star Voting is Live
Voting for the 2010 MLS All-Star Game is now live!
The match will take place at Houston’s Reliant Stadium on Wednesday July 28th, when MLS’s First XI take on Manchester United.
Fan voting will comprise one quarter of the total vote for the First XI selections, with MLS players, coaches & GM’s, and media each accounting for one of the other three quarters. Read more
Your Current MLS Standings
Thanks to three points on the road this weekend, Sounders FC moves back into a Playoff Spot…
understanding MLS part 2 of 4, the new CBA
last week, Gilby wrote a great piec on allocation $ which is part 1 of 4 articles he is writing for us to help decipher the inner workings, rules and processes of major league soccer. it was met with great appreciation as most of us knew some or most, but not all of what was written… well here is part 2. to Gilby’s credit, the CBA has not fully been released, so hats of to him for understanding something that he can’t even read.
part 2 of 4 in explaining MLS: The New Collective Bargaining Agreement by Gilby
If you’re like me you were sitting around the week before opening day contemplating life without the MLS this year. The last 5 year Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) had expired and the players and owners had spent most of the last month digging in their heels and leaking ominous threats to the media. Players were pushing for Free Agency and guaranteed contract the owners had vowed to shut down the league before granting either. Five days before the season was set to start compromises were stuck and a new CBA was signed with 5 years of labor peace being assured. Read more
Next / Last Match
Next- @ New England [Tickets]
Saturday 9/4 | 4p
Last- Chivas USA (USOC): W, 3-1
Next Match @ Qwest
9/9 vs. Real Salt Lake [Tickets]
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