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Atlanta United beats the Liga MX Champs 3-2
Posted on 8/15/19 at 8:12 am
Posted on 8/15/19 at 8:12 am
One of the more intense and entertaining matches I've seen from an MLS team and it was clear that Club America (the Mexican league champs and the most historically accomplished club in North America) wanted to win badly.
Pretty nice feather in the cap for Atlanta United and Major League Soccer to win this battle of North American champions.
Pretty nice feather in the cap for Atlanta United and Major League Soccer to win this battle of North American champions.
3
Posted on 8/15/19 at 8:29 am to elposter
does this automatically qualify them for anything next year? I have lost track of what gets you placement in what tournaments.
Posted on 8/15/19 at 8:36 am to VinegarStrokes
quote:
does this automatically qualify them for anything next year? I have lost track of what gets you placement in what tournaments.
Nope. Just a trophy and bragging rights for this one.
They have made it to the US Open Cup Final as well (August 27 I think) and if they win that then they will be in CONCACAF Champions tournament next year. Would also be in that if they win the MLS Cup (how they got in it this year).
Posted on 8/15/19 at 8:55 am to elposter
quote:
They have made it to the US Open Cup Final as well (August 27 I think) and if they win that then they will be in CONCACAF Champions tournament next year.
That's the one that I was thinking about. I had a vague recollection that if they won something here soon that they would be automatically qualified for CONCACAF next year without having to win the MLS cup.
thanks.
Posted on 8/15/19 at 9:11 am to VinegarStrokes
Went to the game last night... that shite was fun as hell.
I'd always heard Club America was the most popular team in North America... didn't really get it/believe it until last night. Those fans make LSU Tiger Stadium patrons seem like a small gathering of quaint virgins. They were loud AF whenever they did anything well.
As the OP said, you could tell CA wanted that game. It's a bragging rights thing for them, and, they've since become the ire of La Liga rivals for losing that match to an MLS club, and in somewhat convincing fashion. If Martinez would stop with that stupid hitch in his penalty kick, it'd have been 4-2.
My one gripe with MLS has always been, "it's a minor league," and even the MLS cup felt somewhat cheap because of that. Last night's game changed my mind. We bested the absolute most dominant team in North America, and played at their level, and beyond it, for the entire game.
The only growing pain for the league now will be to find owners in the same hemisphere of Arthur Blank, who are willing to invest the kind of capital to make their operations/team worth a damn. Right now, it's pretty top heavy with teams that are still run/owned the way MLS used to be with weird stadium locations, shitty practice facilities, and tight player purses (i.e., Houston, FC Dallas, Chicago, etc...) vs. teams who are opening up wallets for better venue options, willing to spend money on players (ATL UTD, LAFC, Seattle, NYFC - new stadium looks dope, Miami, Nashville, Orlando to some degree, Portland).
MLS resembles college football to the extent there is the "haves" and the "have nots." If that evens out as all teams get the financial backing they deserve - with the size and strength of the US population and economy, there's no reason it can't become the dominant league in North America.
Fun times last night. Hope to catch at least one more game before the fall kicks in and football/basketball start up and take precedent.
I'd always heard Club America was the most popular team in North America... didn't really get it/believe it until last night. Those fans make LSU Tiger Stadium patrons seem like a small gathering of quaint virgins. They were loud AF whenever they did anything well.
As the OP said, you could tell CA wanted that game. It's a bragging rights thing for them, and, they've since become the ire of La Liga rivals for losing that match to an MLS club, and in somewhat convincing fashion. If Martinez would stop with that stupid hitch in his penalty kick, it'd have been 4-2.
My one gripe with MLS has always been, "it's a minor league," and even the MLS cup felt somewhat cheap because of that. Last night's game changed my mind. We bested the absolute most dominant team in North America, and played at their level, and beyond it, for the entire game.
The only growing pain for the league now will be to find owners in the same hemisphere of Arthur Blank, who are willing to invest the kind of capital to make their operations/team worth a damn. Right now, it's pretty top heavy with teams that are still run/owned the way MLS used to be with weird stadium locations, shitty practice facilities, and tight player purses (i.e., Houston, FC Dallas, Chicago, etc...) vs. teams who are opening up wallets for better venue options, willing to spend money on players (ATL UTD, LAFC, Seattle, NYFC - new stadium looks dope, Miami, Nashville, Orlando to some degree, Portland).
MLS resembles college football to the extent there is the "haves" and the "have nots." If that evens out as all teams get the financial backing they deserve - with the size and strength of the US population and economy, there's no reason it can't become the dominant league in North America.
Fun times last night. Hope to catch at least one more game before the fall kicks in and football/basketball start up and take precedent.
Posted on 8/15/19 at 9:29 am to ATLabama
MLS salary cap and other player restrictions is a problem. You have too many owners that own MLS teams to make money with no real ambition to make US soccer more competitive internationally. The salary cap of course creates parity in MLS and enables smaller markets to compete and have a fairly entertaining domestic league. But MLS will flat out not be able to consistently compete internationally until salary cap, designated player limits, etc are changed.
Liga MX average player salaries still exceed those of MLS. And the difference between MLS and the big European leagues for player salaries is just laughable.
Of course MLS is still a very young league and salary caps to create a competitive new domestic league is probably a necessary first step (you can't just have 2-3 super teams with other teams just fodder or folding altogether). The hope is that as things like last night keep happening and clubs like ATL and LAFC show the potential to be players not just domestically but internationally the rising tide will lift the entire MLS, clubs/owners will start making more money, salary caps will rise/player restrictions will lessen, and MLS will be seen as a viable option for some of the better players in the world. It takes time but hopefully it happens.
Liga MX average player salaries still exceed those of MLS. And the difference between MLS and the big European leagues for player salaries is just laughable.
Of course MLS is still a very young league and salary caps to create a competitive new domestic league is probably a necessary first step (you can't just have 2-3 super teams with other teams just fodder or folding altogether). The hope is that as things like last night keep happening and clubs like ATL and LAFC show the potential to be players not just domestically but internationally the rising tide will lift the entire MLS, clubs/owners will start making more money, salary caps will rise/player restrictions will lessen, and MLS will be seen as a viable option for some of the better players in the world. It takes time but hopefully it happens.
Posted on 8/15/19 at 9:51 am to elposter
quote:
The hope is that as things like last night keep happening and clubs like ATL and LAFC show the potential to be players not just domestically but internationally the rising tide will lift the entire MLS, clubs/owners will start making more money, salary caps will rise/player restrictions will lessen, and MLS will be seen as a viable option for some of the better players in the world. It takes time but hopefully it happens.
In my lifetime, I just want MLS to be the best league in the Americas. However, if we play the cards correctly, there isn't a reason we couldn't be up there with the European leagues.
Why? Two reasons: (1) Money and (2) an unmatched love of competition.
I had a friend I worked with at my old firm who transferred from our London office to the States. We invited him and his wife to thanksgiving, to eat, play in our annual turkey bowl game, and watch football. He had the time of his life. The next Monday he remarked, "I just can't believe how much you Americans love sports. Competition is everything here." The idea that fantasy sports here is such a big deal blows his mind. This, coming from a die-hard Arsenal fan who gets up early to watch almost all of their games.
I genuinely think that football, basketball, and especially baseball will continue to lose market share to soccer. If you ever read those McKinsey reports on the professional sports landscape, Gen Z's interest and habits have led to a small decline in football, a rapid decline in baseball, and upticks in baskeball and soccer. Which is crazy, right? Growing up, our parents were in a "baseball is king," universe. I grew up where football was the emperor of the sports landscape. In a world where kids aren't allowed to play football, it's not totally unreasonable to think in 50 years, that basketball and soccer are up there with football in popularity. With that, comes money, players, revenue, and prestige.
Posted on 8/15/19 at 10:17 am to elposter
I'm glad one football team from the state of Georgia can claim some hardware
Posted on 8/15/19 at 11:06 am to elposter
quote:
They have made it to the US Open Cup Final as well (August 27 I think) and if they win that then they will be in CONCACAF Champions tournament next year. Would also be in that if they win the MLS Cup (how they got in it this year).
We would also qualify for CCL if we finish 1st in the East.
Posted on 8/15/19 at 11:09 am to elposter
As far as the salary cap, player designations, restrictions, etc., let's wait and see what happens between this season and next.
Posted on 8/15/19 at 11:10 am to ATLabama
quote:
Gen Z's interest and habits have led to a small decline in football, a rapid decline in baseball, and upticks in baskeball and soccer.
This doesn't appear to be true. There was a decline in interest with millennials, but Z seems to be shifting that trend:
LINK
Color me skeptical about this huge decline facing baseball and likewise this huge uptick in soccer popularity in the US. People have been predicting soccer being the "next big thing" in this country for at least the last 40 years.
This post was edited on 8/15/19 at 11:12 am
Posted on 8/15/19 at 11:15 am to elposter
MLS teams have beaten some Liga MX teams in the past, but the impressive thing about last night was how they won. Usually it takes a lot of bunkering and defending for your life, trying to steal a goal on a counter. Last night, Atlanta largely dominated long stretches. That's something I don't think we've seen before in games between the leagues. No, not only has Atlanta beaten the reigning Liga MX champs (Club America), they have also beaten the CCL winner (Monterrey) both in the same year.
Posted on 8/15/19 at 11:18 am to playmakers in space
quote:
People have been predicting soccer being the "next big thing" in this country for at least the last 40 years.
We didn't even have a professional league from 1985-1996. Now, we are about to have 28 MLS teams. And we finally have, for the first time ever, a stable 2nd division (USL-C) and are starting to build a stable 3rd division (USL-L1).
This post was edited on 8/15/19 at 11:22 am
Posted on 8/15/19 at 11:19 am to playmakers in space
I’ll take McKinsey’s study over something MLB produced in the same vain as RJ Reynolds had doctor research “prove” for 50 years the linkage between cancer and smoking was non-existent.
I love the Braves, but my interest in baseball as a whole has waned dramatically since I was a kid. If the Braves aren’t good, I don’t watch.
This also isn’t a “soccer is the next big thing,” thread. It’s dead last in my pantheon of sport. However, after going to AU games, I do believe something has finally clicked.
I go to Braves games because it’s nostalgic, and I want the team to win. I go to Atlanta United games because they’re quite plainly, fun and rowdy. If I were an agnostic sports fan I’d rather go to a United game.
I love the Braves, but my interest in baseball as a whole has waned dramatically since I was a kid. If the Braves aren’t good, I don’t watch.
This also isn’t a “soccer is the next big thing,” thread. It’s dead last in my pantheon of sport. However, after going to AU games, I do believe something has finally clicked.
I go to Braves games because it’s nostalgic, and I want the team to win. I go to Atlanta United games because they’re quite plainly, fun and rowdy. If I were an agnostic sports fan I’d rather go to a United game.
Posted on 8/15/19 at 11:37 am to ATLabama
quote:
I’ll take McKinsey’s study over something MLB produced in the same vain as RJ Reynolds had doctor research “prove” for 50 years the linkage between cancer and smoking was non-existent.
Okey dokey.
Your personal preference doesn't mean shite. You are one person in a sea of millions. And you've already proven you have no issue making proclamations that have absolutely no basis in reality. Tell me again about how the Hawks are one of the highest attendance draws in the NBA.
Posted on 8/15/19 at 11:38 am to ATLabama
quote:
Right now, it's pretty top heavy with teams that are still run/owned the way MLS used to be with weird stadium locations, shitty practice facilities, and tight player purses (i.e., Houston, FC Dallas, Chicago, etc...)
You should remove Dallas from that group. They have built one of the best academies in the US. They are pumping out talent right now. They helped produce Hyndman, Weston McKennie (Schalke), Chris Richards (Bayern Munich/U20 WC), Pomykal (U20 WC), Servania (U20 WC), Cerrillo (U20 WC), Reggie Cannon (USMNT), Ricardo Pepi, Jesus Ferreira, etc., etc.
Posted on 8/15/19 at 11:45 am to pvilleguru
quote:
We didn't even have a professional league from 1985-1996. Now, we are about to have 28 MLS teams. And we finally have, for the first time ever, a stable 2nd division (USL-C) and are starting to build a stable 3rd division (USL-L1).
Right, but the top level is still viewed as a vastly inferior league across the world. It consistently loses its best players to various other leagues (even South American). Hell, just witness Ibrahimovic's recent comment about Pavon being "too good" for the MLS. How are they going to make up that gap?
And MLS is also on an attendance decline from last season:
LINK /
I just don't see MLS ever getting anywhere near the same level as the Big 3. Demographic trends in this country over the next few decades could potentially change that, but even then I still doubt it.
Posted on 8/15/19 at 11:54 am to playmakers in space
quote:
Right, but the top level is still viewed as a vastly inferior league across the world
No shite. It's only 24 years old and was close to folding 15 years ago. We don't have anything that can compete with UCL, so it will be a very long time before we can compete with the history/prestige of the top 5 leagues in Europe.
quote:
It consistently loses its best players to various other leagues (even South American).
Name them.
quote:Zlatan will say anything to stoke his ego.
Hell, just witness Ibrahimovic's recent comment about Pavon being "too good" for the MLS.
quote:
How are they going to make up that gap?
Slowly.
quote:
And MLS is also on an attendance decline from last season:
That has much more to do with a condensed schedule that has a lot more mid-week games. It's not due to a decline of interest.
Posted on 8/15/19 at 12:18 pm to playmakers in space
quote:
North GA
Checks out.
McKinsey (along with BCG and Bain) are the most reputable consulting firms in the world. They've driven the innovation strategies for many of the world's biggest projects. They're reputation stems from exceedingly high amounts of brain capital (I think the minimum GMAT score is between a 680-700 to get an associate's job), unlimited resources, and a higher caliber of data than virtually anyone else. It's why they charge millions of dollars for sometimes, 8-week projects.
So, it's not my opinion. It's their thesis. And it's a helluva lot better than the dregs of society like you, picking splinters out of your arse in hick-town Georgia, yearning for the good ole' days when people gave a frick about small-town politics, what betty sue cooks for dinner, or when corporal punishment was legal. Sorry segregation happened - I know it's been a rough couple decades for you, bro.
Posted on 8/15/19 at 12:28 pm to ATLabama
well, I'm staying out of this argument.
Although, I would be interested in knowing how:
1) MLB ratings/attendance would be affected if they went from 162 games to 30 or so.
2) MLS ratings/attendance would be affected if they went from 30ish games to 100+
I watch probably 140 Braves games a year which is probably the only reason I don't watch more games of other teams. Usually I'm so burned out by the time the Braves are done that I don't have the desire to watch other teams in the playoffs. I rarely watch the World Series, not because my interest in baseball is declining but because I put in so much time and effort with the Braves that I can't do anymore. Yes, I am one data point, but I'd imagine that there are many like that, so comparing national ratings between different sports is a useless exercise.
Although, I would be interested in knowing how:
1) MLB ratings/attendance would be affected if they went from 162 games to 30 or so.
2) MLS ratings/attendance would be affected if they went from 30ish games to 100+
I watch probably 140 Braves games a year which is probably the only reason I don't watch more games of other teams. Usually I'm so burned out by the time the Braves are done that I don't have the desire to watch other teams in the playoffs. I rarely watch the World Series, not because my interest in baseball is declining but because I put in so much time and effort with the Braves that I can't do anymore. Yes, I am one data point, but I'd imagine that there are many like that, so comparing national ratings between different sports is a useless exercise.
This post was edited on 8/15/19 at 12:30 pm
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