MLS announces a major rebrand: Should the league have considered changing its name? 18 Sep 2014 But there’s something I hope came up at the marketing meetings. If MLS has decided to go ahead with a major rebranding of itself, it should tackle what is maybe its own worst enemy. And that's its name.
Eddies expect season-best crowd for this weekend’s Tampa Bay tilt 18 Sep 2014 Tickets are 97 per cent sold for Sunday’s match. FC Edmonton’s front office reports that there are just “100 to 150” tickets left for sale. And, for the first time this season, ESPN3 will simulcast a broadcast from FC Edmonton’s crew.
USL-PRO silent on status of Canadian MLS teams’ bids for affiliates 16 Sep 2014 But, when asked about who could be in and who could be out, USL President Tim Holt said Tuesday that the process of adding teams is still ongoing.
Breaking down Michael Bradley’s comments, by the numbers: Do Canadian refs really favour American teams? 15 Sep 2014 Well, the only thing to do is crunch the numbers; to sift through all of the matches in 2014 — both MLS and NASL — and isolate all the games where a Canadian referee has watched over a meeting between a Canadian-based side and an American-based side.
FCE coach Miller looks at Indy draw as point gained, not two points dropped 14 Sep 2014 “It’s not just the free kicks, I thought Neil played his best game of the season for us tonight,” FCE coach Colin Miller said after the match. “And it’s not a fluke, he practices those free kicks every day.”
FCE’s Blanco hoping injuries are behind him, looks for strong performance in Indy 11 Sep 2014 But Blanco will be back in the lineup this weekend, as he’s been cleared to travel to Indianapolis with the Eddies for this Saturday night’s match against the Eleven. He’ll be needed; because of red cards issued in last week’s 3-0 loss to the San Antonio Scorpions, holding midfielder Cristian Raudales and right back Edson Edward are suspended.
Floro gets his first Canadian win as the home team scores three, count’ em, three! 10 Sep 2014 Yes, Canada’s first two goals came on set pieces, and the third goal was the result of a howler from Jamaican keeper Andre Blake — who certainly did nothing to convince his Philadelphia Union bosses that he deserves a shot between the sticks in MLS action anytime soon. But, still, three goals!
Seeing red in San Antonio: FCE coach Miller says lack of oversight on NASL referees is “laughable” 7 Sep 2014 “But my question is this, if someone doesn’t perform in his job, who is there to hold him accountable? I am told that, this year, in NASL there is no mechanism for us to appeal red cards. That is laughable.”
Canadian quotas are price USL must pay for not having Canada at the table when MLS deal was hatched 6 Sep 2014 But let’s be clear. If you want to bitch and moan about the Canadian Soccer Association legislating new rules, understand that’s the price that comes with not inviting Canada to the table when this deal was first hatched.
FC Edmonton says they won’t use San Antonio’s punishing heat as an excuse 4 Sep 2014 When the Eddies arrive to San Antonio’s Toyota Field for Saturday’s clash with the Scorpions, it will be a little bit warmer. OK, a lot warmer. The daytime temperatures are expected to be in the mid-30s. The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. Central Time, so it may be a bit cooler than the daytime high. Still, it will be a heck of a lot more uncomfortable than an average September day in Alberta.