i always thought it was quite remarkable to write a column for Sunday night delivery with all of the games that happen over the weekend... quite impressive!
One thing I've always wanted to see is a healthy information environment for the league, and part of that means platforming people who I think provide good coverage. Wish there were more, but honestly feels like we've made some progress in the past 12 months.
Do the recent new owners/owner groups who've ponied up 100s of millions $$ to invest in new MLS teams over recent years understand that the Athletic and others are bucking for "stratification" of the league? I hope to NEVER see a top 4 or 6 in MLS. This is still a relatively young league going through an exciting period that it will only experience once in history. Every team and its fanbase wants real hope each season. If writers can't build narratives each season with the parity that MLS has, maybe we need new writers.
A lot of the new owners want to see the rules loosened, but not eliminated, so there's never going to be a top 6 like what used to be* in the Prem, let alone the type of duopoly there is in La Liga or a one-team league like the Bundesliga.
* Yeah, used to be. There's so much money in the Prem now that the difference between the "top 6" and 7-15 is waaaay narrower than it was. So if somebody makes stupid decisions (Man U) or gets hurt (Tottenham), the floor can fall out real quick.
San Diego were fun to watch, I was impressed. Granted, the Galaxy looked a little lost and they have some problem solving to do until Puig gets back, but still it's a good sign for the new kids on the block. Also agree with you that while Denkey looked pretty good, Evander had a quiet night, although I suspect it won't take long for him to find himself again. I think Cinci are still my shield favorites, and Miami's continued defensive issues made me feel even more confident about that after the weekend. Good writeup.
When Miami's been playing with 11 this year, they've been fine defensively. Playing Messi as a true 10 seems to have helped (simplified) their structure, a la Argentina these days.
Results from the first weekend were obviously good, but I do think folks are getting ahead of themselves with this idea that teams won't whiff on in-league cash transfers just like they whiff on international transfers. We have decades of horrid trades and free-agent flops from our other sports leagues for evidence, not to mention the rest of the soccer world. Not disagreeing with the idea that it's good to sign players who understand first-hand what they're getting into with MLS, but there will always be bad fits on the field, bad fits off the field, and dumb GMs doing dumb GM things.
i always thought it was quite remarkable to write a column for Sunday night delivery with all of the games that happen over the weekend... quite impressive!
Everytime MLS adds another team Doyle probably cries on the inside
and on the outside
Appreciate all the work you do personally while still pointing out different voices around the league.
Great opening weekend.
One thing I've always wanted to see is a healthy information environment for the league, and part of that means platforming people who I think provide good coverage. Wish there were more, but honestly feels like we've made some progress in the past 12 months.
Nice article Doyle. Great MLS weekend.
Do the recent new owners/owner groups who've ponied up 100s of millions $$ to invest in new MLS teams over recent years understand that the Athletic and others are bucking for "stratification" of the league? I hope to NEVER see a top 4 or 6 in MLS. This is still a relatively young league going through an exciting period that it will only experience once in history. Every team and its fanbase wants real hope each season. If writers can't build narratives each season with the parity that MLS has, maybe we need new writers.
A lot of the new owners want to see the rules loosened, but not eliminated, so there's never going to be a top 6 like what used to be* in the Prem, let alone the type of duopoly there is in La Liga or a one-team league like the Bundesliga.
* Yeah, used to be. There's so much money in the Prem now that the difference between the "top 6" and 7-15 is waaaay narrower than it was. So if somebody makes stupid decisions (Man U) or gets hurt (Tottenham), the floor can fall out real quick.
San Diego were fun to watch, I was impressed. Granted, the Galaxy looked a little lost and they have some problem solving to do until Puig gets back, but still it's a good sign for the new kids on the block. Also agree with you that while Denkey looked pretty good, Evander had a quiet night, although I suspect it won't take long for him to find himself again. I think Cinci are still my shield favorites, and Miami's continued defensive issues made me feel even more confident about that after the weekend. Good writeup.
When Miami's been playing with 11 this year, they've been fine defensively. Playing Messi as a true 10 seems to have helped (simplified) their structure, a la Argentina these days.
The problem is Aviles being a lunatic.
"Just plug-and-play."
Results from the first weekend were obviously good, but I do think folks are getting ahead of themselves with this idea that teams won't whiff on in-league cash transfers just like they whiff on international transfers. We have decades of horrid trades and free-agent flops from our other sports leagues for evidence, not to mention the rest of the soccer world. Not disagreeing with the idea that it's good to sign players who understand first-hand what they're getting into with MLS, but there will always be bad fits on the field, bad fits off the field, and dumb GMs doing dumb GM things.
I think with MVP-level No. 10s who are in their atheltic prime, it really will be plug-and-play. But we'll see!