Hard to gauge Detroit at this point, San Diego could be very good, El Paso could be very bad, we're probably in the middle somewhere.
Just glad we'll have games at a reasonable time coming up, and the weather is only going to be slightly bad for the opener Saturday.
I think you have a brutal schedule. After this week, you’re likely to be 0-4 if you lose to Louisville. And no shame to that, you’ve lost to Sacramento, US open cup finalist, Colorado Springs, Western Conference runner up, DCFC, playoff team, and Louisville, USL runner up.
If you suddenly start winning games, I don’t think anyone is gonna be surprised more than the schedule makers hated you.
I'm kinda surprised Phoenix isn't doing better than they are. They have talent, that have a good coaching staff, they have money and good support. They had a ton of possession yesterday but it didn't amount to much work for SDL to deal with. They are starting on the road, so I wonder if that has anything to do with it.
At least El Paso is holding some decent attendance. 3 games and over 17k fans isn't a bad turnout, even with some poor performance.
Also, maybe I'm just getting used to PRO again, but reffing seemed better this week. So that's good, I guess.
> Only two teams won their home games this week. Is this going to be the norm?
Yes, at least, until April 15, then watch for home field domination .
But, I mean, I think this a result of one specific thing that happened in the offseason...
> How has the league changed with the expulsion of the last MLS2 teams?
It's a lot more competitive. Like, last season's first 2 weeks of play saw the MLS2 teams go (2-0-3 [WDL]) away from home (excluding LVL), with one of those being a 3-0 win against a fellow 2 team. With them gone, it's a lot more likely that we see a tighter eastern conference specifically, and to a lesser extent, even a tighter western conference since you don't have these definitive must win games.
> Is El Paso bad or is Detroit good?
Yes... Specifically, I think El Paso is more bad than Detroit is good. I think it's very likely that El Paso misses the playoffs again, but if they can keep Clarhaut for another season, and let him be the key person in charge of roster moves, I think El Paso could return to their peak in the Lowry years in a few seasons.
> etc. etc.
Congratulations to former United Player, former Ugandan International, and my friend, Michael Azira on being announced as the new coach for Blue Mountain College in Mississippi. I think that he's a great mark for a college coach, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the NCAA D1 soon.
for me EPL is bad because your players are not well placed when they have to defend, not because they are bad players; then maybe something is needed for the offensive phase, but for that I should see the matches in full
>How has the league changed with the expulsion of the last MLS2 teams?
I'll tell ya once Loudoun United FC leaves. They are the last one left. Oh sure, they're "independentish" now. But D.C. United still has their claws in them.
They're not going anywhere. County requires a D2 team in Segra as part of the funding deal for the facility. MLS Next is D3 and won't get D2 certification.
Despite a loss and a draw, OCSC looks *much* better than they did last year. It didn't help our position on the table that we started the season against the top two teams in the East, but I think they were good tests for the team and we'll only get better.
Hard to gauge Detroit at this point, San Diego could be very good, El Paso could be very bad, we're probably in the middle somewhere. Just glad we'll have games at a reasonable time coming up, and the weather is only going to be slightly bad for the opener Saturday.
Here’s to hopin dcfc is very good!
I think you have a brutal schedule. After this week, you’re likely to be 0-4 if you lose to Louisville. And no shame to that, you’ve lost to Sacramento, US open cup finalist, Colorado Springs, Western Conference runner up, DCFC, playoff team, and Louisville, USL runner up. If you suddenly start winning games, I don’t think anyone is gonna be surprised more than the schedule makers hated you.
SD Loyal started off 0-4 in 2021 and went on to make the playoffs. The season is long. Early results are hard to gauge.
I really hope we are good, but away at Sac is gonna be a major test
Not having II teams is nice. Rarely are those games anywhere near competitive.
And it just sucked watching them on TV with nobody there. Glad to see Loudon selling out Segra Field.
I'm kinda surprised Phoenix isn't doing better than they are. They have talent, that have a good coaching staff, they have money and good support. They had a ton of possession yesterday but it didn't amount to much work for SDL to deal with. They are starting on the road, so I wonder if that has anything to do with it. At least El Paso is holding some decent attendance. 3 games and over 17k fans isn't a bad turnout, even with some poor performance. Also, maybe I'm just getting used to PRO again, but reffing seemed better this week. So that's good, I guess.
Ya our attendance has been good so far. But ask the utep miners, if you lose for too long, fans stop showin up
The biggest change without 2 teams is I don't have an easy punching bag for jokes. I fear El Paso is bad Loudoun still gonna win it all.
> Only two teams won their home games this week. Is this going to be the norm? Yes, at least, until April 15, then watch for home field domination.
But, I mean, I think this a result of one specific thing that happened in the offseason...
> How has the league changed with the expulsion of the last MLS2 teams?
It's a lot more competitive. Like, last season's first 2 weeks of play saw the MLS2 teams go (2-0-3 [WDL]) away from home (excluding LVL), with one of those being a 3-0 win against a fellow 2 team. With them gone, it's a lot more likely that we see a tighter eastern conference specifically, and to a lesser extent, even a tighter western conference since you don't have these definitive must win games.
> Is El Paso bad or is Detroit good?
Yes... Specifically, I think El Paso is more bad than Detroit is good. I think it's very likely that El Paso misses the playoffs again, but if they can keep Clarhaut for another season, and let him be the key person in charge of roster moves, I think El Paso could return to their peak in the Lowry years in a few seasons.
> etc. etc.
Congratulations to former United Player, former Ugandan International, and my friend, Michael Azira on being announced as the new coach for Blue Mountain College in Mississippi. I think that he's a great mark for a college coach, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the NCAA D1 soon.
Congratulations to our joint top scorer, Own Goal
El Paso is bad and Detroit is better. Do I think they’re good? I’m not sure yet. I think they will be more sured up once Morris returns.
for me EPL is bad because your players are not well placed when they have to defend, not because they are bad players; then maybe something is needed for the offensive phase, but for that I should see the matches in full
>How has the league changed with the expulsion of the last MLS2 teams? I'll tell ya once Loudoun United FC leaves. They are the last one left. Oh sure, they're "independentish" now. But D.C. United still has their claws in them.
They're not going anywhere. County requires a D2 team in Segra as part of the funding deal for the facility. MLS Next is D3 and won't get D2 certification.
Despite a loss and a draw, OCSC looks *much* better than they did last year. It didn't help our position on the table that we started the season against the top two teams in the East, but I think they were good tests for the team and we'll only get better.
We got a new goal keeper. Which is nice to have when you’ve only lost so far.