Major League Soccer 2014 Discussion

Copes · #1 Posted **Mar 6, 2014, 12:53 PM**

Preseason is over, and what a whirlwind it was. Toronto made some expensive acquisitions. Vancouver lost a Golden Boot Winner. Montreal... replaced their coach again?

I'm thrilled MLS is back this weekend and thought I'd start a thread to discuss with anyone else on the edge of their seat and wishing this work week would end.

It's a new season!

MexiQuebecois · #2 Posted **Mar 6, 2014, 9:44 PM**

Jermain Defoe and Julio Cesar with TFC.... That's the stuff of legends.

Copes · #3 Posted **Mar 7, 2014, 11:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MexiQuebecois

Jermain Defoe and Julio Cesar with TFC.... That's the stuff of legends.

I honestly think Bradley is going to end up being the biggest difference maker. The team's ball movement was awful last year. While they had no finishers, they didn't have anyone to get the ball to the Strikers anyway. Caused the Defense to constantly be on the ropes and look worse than they are.

I'm gonna give them a month or two to get used to playing together, but unless any injuries come, I think this team is going to be beastly.

PhilippeMtl · #4 Posted **Mar 7, 2014, 12:56 PM**

TFC defensive is NASL caliber. They have a good middle and attack but I don't think they will make the playoff with that defense. My guess? 6 in the East

Montreal will suffer without Di Vaio in the first month... After, we will see but I have bad feeling for this year. My guess? 8 in the east

Denscity · #5 Posted **Mar 9, 2014, 9:22 AM**

Vancouver beats New York 4-1 in the Whitecaps home opener! This is Vancouvers 40th anniversary season making the Whitecaps the oldest club in Canada and the US.

biguc · #6 Posted **Mar 9, 2014, 5:14 PM**

Awesome. A thread to discuss what a joke MLS is.

FrankieFlowerpot · #7 Posted **Mar 9, 2014, 5:24 PM**

Go on ............. I'm listening

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denscity

Vancouver beats New York 4-1 in the Whitecaps home opener! This is Vancouvers 40th anniversary season making the Whitecaps the oldest club in Canada and the US.

I think Seattle are also 40 years old this year as well.

Denscity · #8 Posted **Mar 9, 2014, 9:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankieFlowerpot

Go on ............. I'm listening

I think Seattle are also 40 years old this year as well.

Wiki says the Sounders were founded in 2007 and the Seattle storm were 1984. The Whitecaps were founded in 1974.

FrankieFlowerpot · #9 Posted **Mar 9, 2014, 11:34 PM**

The Seattle Sounders and the Whitecaps both formed in 1974 and played in the NASL that season

Copes · #10 Posted **Mar 10, 2014, 12:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by biguc

Awesome. A thread to discuss what a joke MLS is.

Thanks for your valuable contribution.

I enjoyed the weekend. Whitecaps looks fierce, as did Houston. Portland surprised me, I thought them winning was a sure thing.

As for Toronto's D, I really don't think its as bad as people make it out to be. Caldwell and Henry do a decent job in the centre, and Toronto upgraded both their LB and RB in the off-season. Cesar should prove to be a great asset this year, but Joe Bendik I thought looked good last year. The problem was that in a 90 minute game, TFC spent a huge amount of that defending. It doesn't surprise me that they would drop late goals. The defence was undoubtedly exhausted. With a more effective attack this season, I think the defence will get a lot more credit. Keep in mind to, in the final few months of the 2013 season, TFC's defence was actually one of the more effective.

Denscity · #11 Posted **Mar 11, 2014, 8:17 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankieFlowerpot

The Seattle Sounders and the Whitecaps both formed in 1974 and played in the NASL that season

I don't think there was a pro team the whole time tho. Vancouver was continuous, that is the difference.

MexiQuebecois · #12 Posted **Mar 11, 2014, 12:44 PM**

A little late to the party, but I just wanted to mention that I watched the MTL - HOU game and I was pleased, despite the loss. At first I thought it was going to be a repeat of last season: Montreal crumbling when they're losing, but I was pleasantly surprised that they came back and did all they could. I expect them to make the playoffs again.

(Unrelated) Side note: World Cup, anyone?

Copes · #13 Posted **Mar 11, 2014, 1:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MexiQuebecois

A little late to the party, but I just wanted to mention that I watched the MTL - HOU game and I was pleased, despite the loss. At first I thought it was going to be a repeat of last season: Montreal crumbling when they're losing, but I was pleasantly surprised that they came back and did all they could. I expect them to make the playoffs again.

(Unrelated) Side note: World Cup, anyone?

Heading to Rio with my Ecuadorian buddy to see Ecuador play France. Going to be in Rio for a few days, also a few days in Quito to party there as Ecuador moves through the Group stage.

MexiQuebecois · #14 Posted **Mar 11, 2014, 1:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Copes

Heading to Rio with my Ecuadorian buddy to see Ecuador play France. Going to be in Rio for a few days, also a few days in Quito to party there as Ecuador moves through the Group stage.

Nice! I predict France and Honduras advancing in that bracket, though.

FrankieFlowerpot · #15 Posted **Mar 11, 2014, 2:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denscity

I don't think there was a pro team the whole time tho. Vancouver was continuous, that is the difference.

The original Whitecaps folded in 1984. Then in 1985 a team named the Vancouver 86ers formed and played until they changed their name to the Whitecaps in 2001.

Copes · #16 Posted **Mar 13, 2014, 12:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MexiQuebecois

Nice! I predict France and Honduras advancing in that bracket, though.

I don't think Honduras will make it out. If I were betting I'd say France and Switzerland. I really hope we see another France collapse though, and see Switzerland and Ecuador move on.

Keep in mind, Switzerland is ranked 7th globally right now. That team is no pushover. France and Ecuador are very close, ranked 17 and 23 respectively. Honduras comes in at 36. While they looked decent in CONCACAF play, they weren't the most impressive in our zone by any stretch, and CONCACAF isn't really the toughest zone.

FrankieFlowerpot · #17 Posted **Mar 16, 2014, 8:00 PM**

Flying start to the season for Toronto FC and Jermaine Defoe

Copes · #18 Posted **Mar 17, 2014, 12:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankieFlowerpot

Flying start to the season for Toronto FC and Jermaine Defoe

What a game! Toronto definitely has some quirks to work out, but that was the start I think everyone needed. I thought they could beat the Sounders! I'm thrilled.

Denscity · #19 Posted **Mar 22, 2014, 10:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankieFlowerpot

The original Whitecaps folded in 1984. Then in 1985 a team named the Vancouver 86ers formed and played until they changed their name to the Whitecaps in 2001.

Is Vancouvers long soccer history a sensitive area for you? It seems to strike a nerve. So what if they've been around for a long time? And you've got a team now so you should be happy. Im glad you guys finally have a team.
Actually it was the league (NASL) that folded in 1984 so every team had to fold but Vancouver came back the very next year with a team.

Denscity · #20 Posted **Mar 22, 2014, 10:20 PM**

The Whitecaps and Revolution played to a nil nil draw today. Toronto is currently leading 1 nil in the second half. Will probably win with only 10 minutes left. Montreal plays later today.