***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (9 Viewers)

[NewlyRetired]

Well this sounds a lot more positive than the doom and gloom article earlier.

The tone of these articles must be based on who the source favors.

This is almost exactly what we have pieced together as a reasonable plan for both sides. See bold

I have been on the players side but I feel like this is a pretty big move on the owners part (with the normal caveat that assumes this is true) from their original stance.

This seems to provide at least a semblance of free agency.

From ESPN

With time running out on negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement between MLS and the MLS Players Union, it appears that the two sides are inching closer on the contentious issue of free agency.

For the past month, the two sides have staked out their positions on the issue, with the union threatening to strike if the new CBA does not contain at least some form of free agency, with MLS against any kind of free agency.

But a source with knowledge of the negotiations told ESPN FC that the current offer on the table from the league provides players who are 28 years or older, and who have been in the league at least eight years -- and not necessarily with the same team -- will "have the right to choose their next market" when their contract runs out or when their option is declined.

The source added that the player's previous team will not be able to make a modified offer of a nominal salary increase to keep the player.

Earlier in the day, the Washington Post reported that the offer that was on the table was for players 32 years of age and over who had been in the league 10 years. A quick perusal of MLS rosters revealed that this would have affected one player, that being Houston Dynamo midfielder Brad Davis. Now it appears that the window has widened.

While negotiations are always fluid, the movement can be taken as a positive sign that both sides intend to get a deal done. MLS has been saying throughout the negotiations that they would be against any form of free agency.

It now appears that the league's stance has softened a bit. With negotiations expected to last deep into the night, it remains to be seen if there will be further movement on the issue.

 

[El Floppo]

Andy- thanks for keeping us up to date with the MLS talks. You've been my go-to source for this stuff... excellent work.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Andy- thanks for keeping us up to date with the MLS talks. You've been my go-to source for this stuff... excellent work.

It has been quite a roller coaster day.

And I should know better than to go up and down emotionally with each news story based on leaks from either side but I just want to see this completed and get on with things.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Montreal just scored an outstanding goal in the 94th minute to level aggregate 3-3 with Pachuca.

Montreal is through on away goals to the CCL semis. Holy smokes what an ending.

Nice result for the 38k that came out in Montreal.

 

[CBusAlex]

Holy ball####, what an ending. I ####ing love the CCL knockout rounds. #### Mexico.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Holy ball####, what an ending. I ####ing love the CCL knockout rounds. #### Mexico.

The long ball was near perfect and the touch to control that long a ball on turf is not easy. That is very good goal in normal play, but to score that as the winner in the 94th is exceptional.

Shame that Hamid was hurt in the first leg for DC. It could have been an MLS v MLS semi final.

 

[El Floppo]

Dilly Duka still right up there for top name.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Liga MX has never put less than 2 teams in the semi finals. Most years it has been 3 or 4.

Only one max Liga MX team will make the semis this year, but they (Club America) are also favored to win the whole thing

 

[Christo]

Dilly Duka still right up there for top name.

Former FIRE!-man

 

[NewlyRetired]

The kid, Cameron Porter, who scored the winner just signed his first pro contract in early February.

 

[El Floppo]

ok- so if there is a work stoppage.... how does that affect CL play?

 

[NewlyRetired]

ok- so if there is a work stoppage.... how does that affect CL play?

They will forfeit.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Even JK was impressed.

@J_Klinsmann: fantastic achievement by the Montreal Impact !! @impactmontreal

Congratulations !!! what a goal in the last minute !!!

 

[NewlyRetired]

More Frank Klopas, less CBA

Very funny red card for him at the end of the Montreal game.

http://i.gyazo.com/8faec916e3520bf444a64de7d3cae34d.gif

 

[NewlyRetired]

ok- so if there is a work stoppage.... how does that affect CL play?

They will forfeit.

Or maybe not

@DougMacESPN: .@ridgemax @JeffreyCarlisle FWIW, Montreal vet Bakary Soumare said if given choice, Impact players would want to play #CCL semi regardless.

 

[Mjolnirs]

DFB Pokal Third Round:

FC Kaiserslautern (BL2) @ Bayer Leverkusen     0:2 aet1899 Hoffenheim         @ VfR Aalen (BL2)      2:0FC Köln (BL2)           @ SC Freiburg          1:2Borussia Dortmund       @ Dynamo Dresden (BL2) 2:0TodayWolfsburg                @ Leipzig (BL3)Werder Bremen            @ Arminia Bielefeld (BL2)Borussia Mönchengladbach @ Kickers Offenbach ESPN3 2:25Eintracht Braunschweig   @ Bayern München    ESPN3, ESPN DEPORTES 2:25

 

[Christo]

More Frank Klopas, less CBA

Very funny red card for him at the end of the Montreal game.

http://i.gyazo.com/8faec916e3520bf444a64de7d3cae34d.gif

Former FIRE!-man.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I can't stop watching this

http://youtu.be/gDtODhgiTug

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I can't stop watching this

http://youtu.be/gDtODhgiTug

That is really cool.

What was the impetus for Klopas's Pete Weber routine there? Was the officiating bad or was he just feeling his oats?

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I can't stop watching this

http://youtu.be/gDtODhgiTug

Any idea what is going on from 0:47 - 0:52?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Quick CBA Update:

The talks went deep into the night

League officials left around midnight

Players stayed for many more hours after.

It is thought they were taking the procedural strike vote but no one knows for sure

Talks resume today

Chicago Fire did go to airport today to fly out to LA for the opener on Friday.

It appears the latest offer from league is the 28/8/10* but that it may have come at the price of an over all smaller cap jump than expected

*free agency = 28 years old, at least 8 years in league, 10% salary bump

 

[NewlyRetired]

I can't stop watching this http://youtu.be/gDtODhgiTug

That is really cool.What was the impetus for Klopas's Pete Weber routine there? Was the officiating bad or was he just feeling his oats?

The entire game Klopas was riding both the ref and asistent ref. At one point the ref had to come over and tell him to sit down.

Montreal also gave up a pk late in game, which must have cut like a knife (even if it was the correct call).

Klopas says he was just celebrating goal but it certainly looks like a "#### you" to the ref

 

[NewlyRetired]

I can't stop watching this http://youtu.be/gDtODhgiTug

Any idea what is going on from 0:47 - 0:52?

It was an odd scene. Multiple coaches were on field celebrating but the game was not yet over. At that point Klopas had already gotten his red and looks like he was sharing more good will with the ref

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Quick CBA Update:

The talks went deep into the night

League officials left around midnight

Players stayed for many more hours after.

It is thought they were taking the procedural strike vote but no one knows for sure

Talks resume today

Chicago Fire did go to airport today to fly out to LA for the opener on Friday.

It appears the latest offer from league is the 28/8/10* but that it may have come at the price of an over all smaller cap jump than expected

*free agency = 28 years old, at least 8 years in league, 10% salary bump

My prediction was this would all come down to the cap number and guaranteed contracts and that FA was a smoke screen issue. No surprise that I'm likely wrong on that.

Thanks for the ongoing updates Andy.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Quick CBA Update:

The talks went deep into the night

League officials left around midnight

Players stayed for many more hours after.

It is thought they were taking the procedural strike vote but no one knows for sure

Talks resume today

Chicago Fire did go to airport today to fly out to LA for the opener on Friday.

It appears the latest offer from league is the 28/8/10* but that it may have come at the price of an over all smaller cap jump than expected

*free agency = 28 years old, at least 8 years in league, 10% salary bump

My prediction was this would all come down to the cap number and guaranteed contracts and that FA was a smoke screen issue. No surprise that I'm likely wrong on that.

Thanks for the ongoing updates Andy.

no problem.

If your guess was right that the players were using the FA as a smoke screen for a bigger capped, they played it very poorly as it seems to have surprised everyone so far that MLS appears to be offering a very modified form of FA which most did not expect to happen.

It is very hard to make any good guesses either way based on the leaks because the leaks themselves are self serving and might be inaccurate.

 

[NewlyRetired]

All good points from Rob, Sammy and roadkill.

I think Sammy is right that much of the MLS dna is based on the NFL, but there is less NFL ownership in the league than many might realize.

I think of the current 20 teams, the only MLS majority owners who are also NFL owners are Kraft (Pats and Revs), Hunt (FC Dallas and KC), and Kroenke (Rapids and Rams).

Paul Allen is a minority owner in the Sounders.

Arthur Blank will join this list in 2017 when they start up.

I don't think I am missing anyone but one of the 77 LAFC owners must have some ties to the NFL.

FWIW, I think the more critical point is that between Hunt, Kraft, and Kroenke you have 3 of the 7 or 8 most powerful NFL owners (along with Jones, the Mara's, and Pitt's group), so it's not like these same guys are going to cower to the players. Kraft in particular was heavily involved in these types of negotiations, so if he cares at all about the MLS situation (for all I know he's still celebrating his Super Bowl victory), it's going to influenced by his historical ability to get about anything he wants in these types of disputes.

I forgot to mention this yesterday when you posted this.

You might find it interesting that the two owners who are representing MLS at the table are Kraft (Sonny) and Hunt.

Goff reported yesterday that it is Hunt who is seen as the hardest of hardliners in the league.

 

[NewlyRetired]

No team has more to lose in games being cancelled this weekend than Orlando which makes this following tweet very interesting

.@OrlandoCitySC owner Flavio Augusto Da Silva will speak to media today following Lions practice @CitrusBowl #MLSCBA

10:49 AM - 4 Mar 2015

 

[CBusAlex]

I can't stop watching this

http://youtu.be/gDtODhgiTug

Big fan of that dude on Pachuca taking a flop in leiu of trying to defend Porter. If he'd stayed on his feet he probably could have at least affected the shot enough to give his keeper a chance.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I can't stop watching this http://youtu.be/gDtODhgiTug

Big fan of that dude on Pachuca taking a flop in leiu of trying to defend Porter. If he'd stayed on his feet he probably could have at least affected the shot enough to give his keeper a chance.

Props to Porter for keeping his balance too. He might have drawn a pk if he went down but so much better to finish it with the nutmeg.

He must be on cloud nine. He had a grand total of 9 minutes of professional experience before he subbed in late last night.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Take with your normal serving of salt since we have heard this before

======================

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/barcelona/transfer-talk/news/report-xavi-agrees-new-york-city-move_209119.html

Report: Barcelona's Xavi agrees move to MLS side New York City FC

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter

Filed: Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at 10:28 UK

Last Updated: Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at 10:28 UK

Barcelona star Xavi is reportedly close to sealing a move to MLS side New York City FC.

The American side's interest in the Spaniard has been widely reported, but it is believed that significant steps have been taken to finalise the switch.

According to Cadena SER, Xavi's father Joaquin and his agent Ivan Corretja met with a New York City representative at a restaurant in Spain to tie up negotiations.

It is understood that Xavi, who has made more appearances for Barcelona than any other player in the club's history, will sign for the MLS club before joining David Villa and Frank Lampard in the team in 2016.

Xavi has won every trophy possible while at Barcelona.

 

[El Floppo]

I can't stop watching this

http://youtu.be/gDtODhgiTug

the defender did great work there, dribbling out of pressure and hitting that perfect long ball.

the kid who scored was perfect too- off the chest perfectly into space, shrug off the challenge, beat the GK... all at a full sprint in the 94th minute.

 

[El Floppo]

I can't stop watching this

http://youtu.be/gDtODhgiTug

Big fan of that dude on Pachuca taking a flop in leiu of trying to defend Porter. If he'd stayed on his feet he probably could have at least affected the shot enough to give his keeper a chance.

looked like the defender tried to commit to winning the ball when he realized Porter was going to be by him, and lost his balance when Porter shrugged him off... why on earth would he flop there?

 

[El Floppo]

Take with your normal serving of salt since we have heard this before

======================

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/barcelona/transfer-talk/news/report-xavi-agrees-new-york-city-move_209119.html

Report: Barcelona's Xavi agrees move to MLS side New York City FC

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter

Filed: Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at 10:28 UK

Last Updated: Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at 10:28 UK

Barcelona star Xavi is reportedly close to sealing a move to MLS side New York City FC.

The American side's interest in the Spaniard has been widely reported, but it is believed that significant steps have been taken to finalise the switch.

According to Cadena SER, Xavi's father Joaquin and his agent Ivan Corretja met with a New York City representative at a restaurant in Spain to tie up negotiations.

It is understood that Xavi, who has made more appearances for Barcelona than any other player in the club's history, will sign for the MLS club before joining David Villa and Frank Lampard in the team in 2016.

Xavi has won every trophy possible while at Barcelona.

Gerard and Xavi... I like that they're coming here, but hate that they aren't ending their careers with their one and only original clubs.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Twellman and Bob Ley just had a decent piece of the CBA on Sportscenter. Bob Ley was really animated. You don't often hear an ESPN guy saying he will turn on NBCSN.

"Don't break the stupid meter"

http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/19/video/2330827

 

[El Floppo]

Twellman and Bob Ley just had a decent piece of the CBA on Sportscenter. Bob Ley was really animated. You don't often hear an ESPN guy saying he will turn on NBCSN.

"Don't break the stupid meter"

http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/19/video/2330827

While I agree with Ley in terms of needing to grow the sport and what a work stoppage does right now... the same thought goes towards why now is the time for the players, at least, to leverage that success into something worthwhile for themselves.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Twellman and Bob Ley just had a decent piece of the CBA on Sportscenter. Bob Ley was really animated. You don't often hear an ESPN guy saying he will turn on NBCSN.

"Don't break the stupid meter"http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/19/video/2330827

While I agree with Ley in terms of needing to grow the sport and what a work stoppage does right now... the same thought goes towards why now is the time for the players, at least, to leverage that success into something worthwhile for themselves.

It must be such a delicate balancing act.

Every one on the players side of the room knows one of the big sticks they have to wield is the threatening of the Orlando game being missed.

But you can only use that stick so much imo. If there is a work stoppage and the league takes the massive PR hit for Orlando, I think the players are screwed. I could easily see the owners pulling back evety concession they made and try to break the union.

Until I know for sure I am just holding out hope that the players are trying to get every last inch they can out of the deal and then it will be signed at the last second.

If a work stoppage occurs, it is the perfect storm of no one winning, be they fans, players, sponsors, tv, or owners.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

But you can only use that stick so much imo. If there is a work stoppage and the league takes the massive PR hit for Orlando, I think the players are screwed. I could easily see the owners pulling back evety concession they made and try to break the union.

The owners need a deal too. And they need the union to help them get it. A whole bunch of stuff baked into the league structure becomes illegal in the absence of a CBA.

 

[NewlyRetired]

But you can only use that stick so much imo. If there is a work stoppage and the league takes the massive PR hit for Orlando, I think the players are screwed. I could easily see the owners pulling back evety concession they made and try to break the union.

The owners need a deal too. And they need the union to help them get it. A whole bunch of stuff baked into the league structure becomes illegal in the absence of a CBA.

Agreed. At least indications are that they are trying. This just dropped on twitter a moment ago

@JeffreyCarlisle: I'm told there has been some movement in union direction on 28/8 free agency offer & 10% cap on FA salary increases. More to come. #mlscba

 

[NewlyRetired]

The Orlando president just announced they are adding 2000 standing room seats for the game this weekend and fully expects CBA deal to be signed, possibly within the next few hours.

==================================

This public statement, the leaks from the negotiations and the fact that Chicago flew out today all give me some marginal hope that they won't break the stupid meter as Bob Ley so clearly put it.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Is this Brit speak for something else or can I read this at face value?

"Unfortunately Brady has fallen down a hole in the training ground and it looks an awful injury, I have to say. ... I doubt he will be available for weeks. It could be the rest of the season."

-- Hull City coach Steve Bruce on his Irish midfielder Robbie Brady

 

[The Gator]

Crazy line-up from Rodgers...game might end up 7-6

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Crazy line-up from Rodgers...game might end up 7-6

Front seven seem a little light.

 

[B Maverick]

over mata?!?!!?

Evans?!?!?!

 

[Jaysus]

In other lineup news today:

A) I still can't guess Chelsea's formation given the announce line up

B) Bony is starting for Man City today!

ETA:

C) Man City also benched Kaptain Kompany

 

[B Maverick]

Newcastle denied a clear PK by the Ref. Smalling with the foul

MU not shooting despite creating opportunities.

 

[The Gator]

In other lineup news today:

A) I still can't guess Chelsea's formation given the announce line up

B) Bony is starting for Man City today!

ETA:

C) Man City also benched Kaptain Kompany

Three CBs for Chelsea? GET YOUR OWN TACTICS, MOU

 

[Jaysus]

In other lineup news today:

A) I still can't guess Chelsea's formation given the announce line up

B) Bony is starting for Man City today!

ETA:

C) Man City also benched Kaptain Kompany

Three CBs for Chelsea? GET YOUR OWN TACTICS, MOU

Apparently you need a CB to replace Matic as CDM... this is the second game in Row that Zouma has filled that roll

 

[The Gator]

Holy ####, beautiful build up and near goal 30 seconds in...decent save <_<

 

[Jaysus]

Dear Senor Costa,

Please finish chances like this so that your team can win many "Goal of the week "awards.

Sincerely,

Your 3rd kit designers

 

[Jaysus]

Any idea what happened with Gomis?