This is so entertaining and it isn't even in the RR! *makes note to get the Spurs fan an Arsenal jersey for xmas*
Congratulations Seattle, and enjoy the victory, @Ancalagon ! The goalie Frei was excellent. He's from my home town.
I'm happy that soccer is as popular as it is here in America. Other sports, basically if not ~non-existent here in the U.S. are rugby (both Union & 7s), rounders, cricket, Australian Rules Football, plus others not coming to mind, but those are the main ones that spring to mind. Rugby & Aussie Rules Football would probably be very profitable & popular here in America were they to be introduced & integrated into our sports culture.
Fuck that was crazy. Started drinking Friday night in anticipation, didn't end up stopping until late Sunday night. Haven't done that in a long LONG time. Yesterday afternoon, after the parade, and a couple celebratory beverages I FINALLY started feeling alive. Frei is a beast. Between him, Keller and Gspurning we've always managed to have one of the best keepers in the league.
I heard it was a brutal game, Seattle barely mustered a shot on goal the entire time, and then when it came to slotting the winning penalty kick, the US TV coverage were off on an ad break.
Depends. Of by barely you mean didn't and by brutal you mean AWESOME, CUZ WE FUCKING WON, yes. This Frei save in the 108th minute..... https://mobile.twitter.com/MLS/status/807791572523876352/photo/1 Damn!
It's called a "dirty victory "! It happens all the time in football. (Or "soccer") Remember Munich vs. Chelsea in the Champions League 2012? Now THAT was ugly... A win is a win is a win...
To give you an idea just how crazy this season was, at our low point we were second from the bottom in the West, and that was only b/c of goal differential. We had a LESS THAN 4% of even making the playoffs. Not only did we go on a crazy ass run to get in, but we then took it all! Visually:
Another neat graphic. We only moved back to the top league (MLS) in 2009. Six trophies in eight years isn't too bad. Top: MLS Cup - Post-season knockout tournament that decides season champion 2nd: Supporters Shield - Regular season winner 3rd: US Open Cup - Similar to English FA Cup Bottom: Voyageurs Cup - No one is really sure. Apparently created so Canadians can get silverware
In other news, over 20'000 spectators on average in the MLS this season! Which is more than in Italy. Football ("soccer") is becoming more and more popular in the US. This was the first time our media even took notice of the final. Football ("soccer"): It's important!
Sounders averaged 42,636 this year. Not bad, but still got a ways to go before we consistently fill up CenturyLink (67k). We currently tarp off a lot of the upper deck except for big games.
And after the worst start in modern history the US took 4 points this International Break and is back into a WC (playoff) spot. Obviously not where we want to be (we should be at the top, for the first time in 12 years Mexico holds that position), but considering we have now played 3 of our 4 toughest matches (Mexico at home, at Costa Rica, at Panama). At Estadio Azteca is the only one where a loss will be expected, so hopefully can take the points we are supposed to take. It will be hard to get back to the top but still possible. Both matches were impressive in their own way. First we put a 6-0 drubbing on Honduras which was cathartic after the last set of matches (lost to Mexico and Costa Rica the later a 0-4 blowout). This was Dempsey's first match back after 7 months out for a heart condition. He scored a hat trick. Also, Christian Pulisic showed that he is the real deal. He was involved in 5 of the 6 goals either directly or with a key pass. Obviously still early but the results are promising. Second match was impressive b/c we were able to grind out a point in Panama playing with a solidly B- back line. Our back four were 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 3rd choices. And the 2nd choice only really solidified his position playing there this break. Although if Arena wants to push Fabian Johnson up to LM (where he plays for M'gladbach) then he could become 1st. Also Dempsey and Pulisic combined again for our only goal, so glad to see them developing a partnership. Dempsey is now one goal away tying the all time scoring record.
This pretty much sums up our season so far. (for non soccer fans, it's basically hitting the post on a field goal, except games are my more low scoring so a single goal makes a much bigger difference)
We can't sweep this one under the rug. The USMNT has officially hit rock bottom. They couldn't even get a draw against Trinidad & Tobago! I'm glad they aren't going to the World Cup. It will give them four years to clean house, retool the youth system, and come back better. It's CONCACAF for gods sake, they should be dominating it.
