Tag: Soccer
Sounders Practice Notes [10-13-18]
I wasn't going to write anything up today (recovering from yesterday's chaos), but looking at the schedule, this is the last Sounders practice before they take off for Orlando. So, it's probably a good time for an update. Those players who had been on the shelf with injuries continue to make their way back. Harry ...
One Year Ago Today…
Here is an odd-but-fun anniversary. Exactly one year ago today, I tweeted out my first comments on the NASL suit against (then) USSF. From then, I'd go on to cover the case, writing a story for Sounder at Heart and appearing on a couple of Podcasts to explain what was going on. Who knew that ...
Sounders Practice Notes [10-09-18]
In what should be a surprise to no one, less than 18 hours after trouncing the Houston Dynamo 4-1, there wasn't a first-teamer who saw the field last night to be found on the training pitch this afternoon. A regen day for the starters will be followed by a couple of precious off-days for the team, ...
Schedules and Standards: “Parallel Paths” Likely Creating Headache for MLS in 2019
One of the outstanding questions in the SaveTheCrew saga (aside from the question of whether they'll be saved) revolves around how MLS will handle the 2019 season with the fate of the team not resolved. PSV has been processing ticket payments from Crew fans, in anticipation of playing at Mapfre in 2019, though the fine print ...
Sounders Practice Notes [10-06-18]
A quick update today for everyone. The most pressing question right now is how the international absences will affect the team. The international break technically starts Monday, but players are likely starting to be released with the end of the games this weekend. Of course, this presents a problem for the Sounders who play on ...
Sounders Practice Notes [10-05-18]: Fall is Here
The change of the calendar to October has brought the usual rain and cold, as the Sounders resumed practice ahead of the oddly scheduled match with Houston this Monday. There were a couple of bits of good news ahead of the game. First, a Sounders spokesman confirmed that there will be no (American) football lines ...
Austin Initiative Aims to Rein in Council, Expand Disclosures (And an Update on the PSV Lease)
It's been a very slow period for news both out of Columbus and Austin as it pertains to where the Columbus Crew will end up in 2019 (and beyond). It's been a bit surprising; if you read my "Save These Dates" story, you'll have seen that we've already blown through a couple of deadlines with ...
Sounders Practice Notes [09-26-18]
The Seattle Sounders returned to training today for the first time since their loss on Sunday to the Los Angeles Galaxy. If there were any lingering effects from the two-loss week falling the nine-game winning streak, they weren't visible. Perhaps the visit from Saturday's honorary captain, Emmanuel, helped brighten their spirits. Emmanuel is from the ...
Discovery in NASL v. USSF/MLS Anti-Trust Case Moving Forward
With a discovery cutoff of April 30, 2019, the parties in the NASL v. USSF/MLS anti-trust case are starting to prepare to obtain the necessary documents to bring this matter closer to a conclusion. To be sure, we're still likely ten or so months out from a trial (or a summary judgment motion) in this ...
Sounders Practice Notes [09-21-18]: Silver Linings
The Sounders returned to the training field for the first time after Wednesday's disappointing loss to Philadelphia. Most of the starters remained inside as it typical for a practice two days after a game. However, there were a couple of pieces of good news. First, Chad Marshall was training off to the side this morning, ...
Sounders Practice Notes [09-17-18]: Homecoming
A light practice today, as the Sounders began to prepare for Wednesday's game versus Philadelphia. The actual session went about as long as usual, but the participants were limited, as the entire starting lineup from Saturday's big win in Vancouver trained inside. Of those who were outside, the return of Roman Torres was probably the ...
Sounders 2 Are in the Market for a New Name, But What About a New Division?
The Seattle Sounders and Tacoma Rainiers announced on Tuesday their new rebranding campaign for the Sounders 2, which will culminate with a new name (and eventually redesigned colors and badge) for the USL side. Originally, the Sounders and Rainiers partnered up for a move to Tacoma in 2020, but circumstances (cough) led to that relationship being consummated ...
Sounders Practice Notes [09-13-18]: Anniversary
Today saw the return of the remaining Sounders who were on international duty, as both Christian Roldan and Gustav Svensson returned to the training pitch. Both slotted in seamlessly, though Svensson took things easier than Roldan, as he had a much longer trip from Europe. Svensson said that while he took it easy today, he ...
Save These Dates
With the oral arguments for the PSV/MLS Motion to Dismiss in the rear-view mirror now, we can look forward as the Modell lawsuit continues on its track towards a potential trial in March, 2019 (although that is not a firm date as of yet). However, there are number of upcoming dates which could impact this ...
Sounders Practice Notes [9-11-18]: Break’s Over
The first international break since the World Cup concludes today, but the Sounders are hard at work as they prepare for this weekend's game versus the Vancouver Whitecaps. Players on international duty are already returning, highlighted by Nicholas Lodeiro, who was full in training today. Lodeiro's return wasn't particularly shocking, since his Uruguay team had ...
ESQ2CLB: So, What Did I Think?
Become a Patron: Note: I covered some of the following in my Periscope after the hearing. Well. I'm home back in Seattle after something of a whirlwind four-day trip to Ohio to check out Columbus and cover the Motion to Dismiss hearing. I was hoping to do more of a daily diary, but Tuesday ...
ESQ2CLB: Day 1
Whew! After a 12-hour ordeal, I finally got into Columbus around 1:00 p.m. local time Sunday. I checked into to my room; thanks to German Village B&B for the set up. I'm staying in the German Village ('natch) which is located right on the edge of Downtown Columbus. It's a pretty nice area, and I'll look forward ...
Why Alexi Lalas’ USL2Columbus Proposal Won’t be a Thing
Alexi Lalas, former MLS player/GM/President-turned soccer pundit, tossed a couple of logs onto the SaveTheCrew fire, opining in a commentary during halftime of the game between D.C. United and New York Red Bulls, that Anthony Precourt and MLS should "rip off the bandaid" and make the move to Austin official. Further, he suggested that as ...
Sounders Practice Notes [08-22-18]
Amidst the heat and terrible weather conditions, the Sounders continued their preparations for the big derby match versus the Portland Timbers on Sunday. The health of the team, in light of the continuing poor air conditions, continues to be a point of discussion. Christian Roldan said the team is suffering some effects from the air conditions, ...
NASL Files Motion to Compel USSF and MLS to Provide Discovery; Court Sets Hearing for August 27
You didn't forget there were other lawsuits in U.S. Soccer besides SaveTheCrew, did you? With the motion to dismiss the Modell lawsuit set for next month, and the MLS2ATX proposal resolved (for now), I'm afforded an opportunity to check in with the NASL v. USSF/MLS anti-trust lawsuit. When last we left off, NASL was attempting to ...
