Wednesday, September 29, 2010

MLS: After the World Cup

I had already started to put this table together when I heard the question come up on Richard Farley's MLS Talk Podcast as to how MLS was doing after the World Cup.

pre cup during cup pre/during thru cup after cup thru/after overall
GPAvg GPAvg +/-GP AvgGP Avg+/- GPAvg
 1998  82   14,894  23  15,827  6.27%  105   15,098  87  13,363  -11.49%  192   14,312 
 2002  45   16,483  25  13,011  -21.06%  70   15,243  70  16,398  7.58%  140   15,821 
 2006  60   16,057  40  13,198  -17.81%  100   14,914  92  16,142  8.24%  192   15,502 
 2010  93   16,472  24  17,227  4.58%  117   16,627  87  16,369  -1.55%  204   16,517 

The '98, '02 and '06 overall numbers are for the full season.

MLS

Club Tournaments


Monday, September 27, 2010

A Small Monday Post

MLS
  • Draftees: As of the September 15 roster freeze date, and according to the rosters listed on MLSSoccer.com(no giggles please), 42 of the 64 players drafted this year are on MLS rosters.The round by round breakdown is 14 first rounders, 13 second rounders, 9 third rounds and 6 fourth rounders.
  • DP's: DP updates 
  • Attendance Update 
  • Steve Davis: His weekly MLS 5 
Interesting Reads


Friday, September 24, 2010

A Friday Post

MLS
  • The 'big' game is just an hour away. Of course, it's not really a big game. LA has clinched a playoff spot and the Red Bulls would have to collapse not to finish 2nd in the East. Of course, LA does want to stay ahead of RSL and win the Supporters' Shield, but otherwise, I'd say the KC/Dallas game is the 'big' game, featuring the two hottest teams in the league and KC making a late run to overcome Seattle for the 8th playoff position.
Club Tournaments
Interesting Reads


Thursday, September 23, 2010

Midweek MLS, CCL Champs League

MLS
Club Tournaments
Interesting Reads
  • If you read a lot of articles about soccer, and let's face it, you wouldn't be here if you didn't, you've often seen pieces done in the US on why MLS clubs don't take the US Open Cup or CONCACAF Champions League seriously. Fielding weakened teams is often the case as clubs put a priority on league play. Well, it was good to run into this piece on the same issue for English Premier Clubs: It’s Time for Premier League to Take the Carling Cup More Seriously


Tuesday, September 21, 2010

On MLS Roster Expansion

With the recent announcement of the MLS schedule expanding to 34 matches next year, something I speculated about when the 17th and 18th teams were awarded, there has been a bit of chatter about enlarging the rosters. Jason Davis, over at Match Fit USA, has a recent post on the subject. We won't even touch on what happens when the league expands to 20 teams.

Back during the CBA negotiations, I put forward the idea of unlimited home grown players on the roster with no salary cap hit. I also like the new English Premier roster rule that permits unlimited players age 21 or younger.

Other MLS Stuff

One Toronto fan's rant about next year's ticket prices.

How the DP's performed last week.
Are DP's good or bad for MLS.


Other Stuff

Miriti Murungi of Nutmeg Radio on why International Friendlies do matter.
Serie A: No strike, for now.


Friday, September 3, 2010

News and Views from Thur-Fri Sep 2-3

Starters
    Just a heads up that I will be on a two week hiatus, starting on Saturday. I may be able to sneak in a post or two, but no guarantees. The sites on my blog list are regular stops for me, and I recommend them to you for your soccer fix. Enjoy your soccer.
MLS
Club Tournaments
Around the World
Interesting Reads



Wednesday, September 1, 2010

News and Views from Wed Sep 1

MLS
Club Tournaments
Around the World
Interesting Reads

Player Moves