Glory Glory Revolution: (Take 2) 2007 edition

[SirFozzie]

We nearly give back the lead when we travel to the new Harrison Stadium, home of the Mutts, as Khano Smith tied things up in the first half after an early MetroStars goal form Razov, but Jason Thompson scores twice for the Mutts, and we go into the break 3-1.

Not saying that this is a big game for us.. but I actually am upset with them, and let them know about it in the halftime break. I just hope it translates into second half goals.

Enter the Wolff.

54th minute, he cuts the lead to 3-2, with a beautiful shot into the right side inside the net.

As the minutes tick by, the Mutts drop deeper and deeper into the bunker, as we search for the equalizer.. 88th minute.. cross from Ralston headed out. Ohbum shoots.. blocked.. Vercollone shoots.. blocked as well.. but it squirts to Wolff....


GOAL NEW ENGLAND! They've done it, come back from 3-1 down to tie 3-3!

Columbus won 1-0 over KC, so the lead is still 3.

[SirFozzie]

Up next, a home game against FC Dallas.

Wolff clashes heads with a Hoops defender in the 20th minute, and has to come out.. but that's ok.. our attack is strong.. Meet Conor Casey.

As I said previously, he was frozen out at Mainz, and this is a big opportunity for him to prove that he's an international level striker.. and in this game, he proves it.

Goals in the 8th, 28th and 34th minutes give us all the cushion we need, and it's an easy 3-0 win for the team.

Columbus won again, so they're still 3 back, but with four games left in the season, both the Revs and Columbus Crew have qualified for the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

FOz, try to sign the South African youngster. Mokena? He's young and he's a stud...

I believe it's spelled Mokoena.

[SirFozzie]

Up next is a trip into Colorado, who have had an awful year, and there's rumors that Mariner is going to be forced out after just a single season. I praise him in the local papers, and ask that the fans give him time.. I just hope that helps save his job for a bit longer, because I can't afford to be merciful when it's time to play the game.

Conor Casey scores in injury time in the first half, and it's 1-0 into the break, and indeed deep into the 2nd half, but since Colorado are pressing for an equalizer, I know we'll get opportunities, and Khano Smith puts it away with a goal in the 84th minute, and Casey adds his 2nd in the last minute of normal time, and it's a 3-0 final.

Casey now has two goals in five games.

Columbus just LOST to Real Salt Lake 2-1, so we're up 6 with 3 to play!

[SirFozzie]

The standings entering the 30th round of games (32 in total)

| Pos   | Inf   | Team        |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   | Q     | New England |       | 29    | 16    | 7     | 6     | 56    | 31    | +25   | 55    | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   | Q     | Columbus    |       | 29    | 13    | 10    | 6     | 37    | 26    | +11   | 49    | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | MetroStars  |       | 29    | 9     | 14    | 6     | 40    | 39    | +1    | 41    | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | D.C. United |       | 29    | 9     | 12    | 8     | 30    | 29    | +1    | 39    | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Chicago     |       | 29    | 9     | 11    | 9     | 33    | 34    | -1    | 38    | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 6th   |       | Kansas City |       | 29    | 6     | 10    | 13    | 35    | 42    | -7    | 28    | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
|       |       |             |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 







| Pos   | Inf   | Team        |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   |       | Chivas USA  |       | 29    | 12    | 6     | 11    | 40    | 39    | +1    | 42    | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   |       | Los Angeles |       | 29    | 9     | 13    | 7     | 41    | 37    | +4    | 40    | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Salt Lake   |       | 29    | 9     | 12    | 8     | 31    | 34    | -3    | 39    | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | San Jose    |       | 29    | 9     | 7     | 13    | 37    | 46    | -9    | 34    | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | FC Dallas   |       | 29    | 7     | 12    | 10    | 31    | 38    | -7    | 33    | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 6th   |       | Colorado    |       | 29    | 5     | 8     | 16    | 33    | 49    | -16   | 23    | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
|       |       |             |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

Wow, the West are NOT best this year.. look at em!

[SirFozzie]

Originally Posted by Desnudo

I believe it's spelled Mokoena.

ah.. there's about 20 players with that last name. a couple good ones too.. but sadly.. the good ones are making a ton of money.

[SirFozzie]

Columbus win the US Open Cup after a 0-0 draw on penalties..

Talk about a nervous penalty shootout.. thanks to saves, posts, and people hitting it over the cross bar.. the final score of the shootout was 2-1 (after 5 rounds). Ex-Rev Marshall Leonard took the winning PK

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

ah.. there's about 20 players with that last name. a couple good ones too.. but sadly.. the good ones are making a ton of money.

Lebohang Mokoena is the guy. If you don't sign him right at the start, he usually ends up at a big club.

[SirFozzie]

Well, clinching the East (and the Supporter's Shield) isn't going to happen just yet, as we draw 1-1 with San Jose, thanks to 40-Year-Old (!) Goalie Pat Onstad putting together a man of the match performance. Onstad, who's started 21 games for San Jose this year, is finally calling it a day at the end of the season.. but still.. wow.

Actually.. the draw IS enough to clinch the East/Supporter's Shield, as Columbus lost at home to FC Dallas, so our 56 points will be enough to clinch (Columbus has 49)

Three teams out West clinch playoff berths, LA, Chivas USA, and Real Salt Lake are all in, and Colorado is out.. FC Dallas (36 points) and San Jose (35) will fight it out for the final playoff spot.

In the East, the Revs and Crew are in.. The Metrostars are pretty much in (1 point away from clinching a playoff spot), Kansas City is out.. so it's between DC United (39) and Chicago (38) for the final playoff spot.

[SirFozzie]

Pirata Castro has stepped up and played well with the mass exodus of players we have, and he's willing to take a paycut, so the 31 year old gets a two year contract extension, he'll make $925 a week.

Up next is a game against Chicago.. damn.. if I beat them, I make it much easier for DC United to make the playoffs.. Oh wait.. if DC United makes the playoffs, I'd get them in the first round. REVENGE!

In a somewhat boring game, Busch makes a couple key saves, Khano Smith scores in the first half, Wolff late, and it's a 2-0 win.

DC United Steals a point against KC with a late penalty, so they are two up on Chicago. So Chicago must beat the Mutts, and hope that DC loses to Columbus (Theoretically, Chicago could get in with a win by 5 or more goals and a DC tie, but I doubt that will happen)

In the West, San Jose survives a late goal by Real Salt Lake to win at home 3-2, and move 2 points ahead of Dallas, who lost 2-0 at LA. Dallas will have it all to do at Salt Lake, and hope the quakes some how screw it up at home against Chivas

[SirFozzie]

With nothing to paly for but pride and momentum, we sit down our starters for the final game against KC, and allow Brian McBride to start his final MLS Regular Season Game (thankfully, he got his coaching badge, and has agreed to stay on as a coach)

In nearly a movie-ending moment, McBride scores in the 2nd minute.. sadly.. unlike the movies, the ref called offsides.

McBride has two further shots in the first half saved, and a third that hits the cross bar.. arrrghh..

It's 0-0 at the break.

McBride gets a yellow card for a rough challenge early in the 2nd half..

Jaime Holmes scores the only goal of the game, but it's a standing ovation for Brian McBride (who was just announced to be part of that All-Time Starting XI for MLS in Real life).. as he ends his career in a 1-0 Revs win.

[SirFozzie]

In the East, DC United fall 1-0 to Columbus, but they'll back into the playoffs, thanks to Chicago playing out a scoreless draw against the Metrostars.

FC Dallas eliminated themselves, when they couldn't win, drawing 0-0 with Real Salt Lake, meaning San Jose's 2-2 draw against Chivas mattered not.

The 2007 MLS playoffs:

East:

(1) New England (62 Points) vs (4) DC United (40 Points)
(2) Columbus (52 Points) vs (3) Metrostar (48 Points)

West
(1) Chivas USA (46 Points) vs (4) San Jose (39 Points)
(2) Los Angeles (46 Points) vs (3) Real Salt Lake (43 Points)

[SirFozzie]

The 2007 New England Revolution Regular Season Stats:

| Pkd   | Inf   | Name              | Apps  | Gls   | Ast   | MoM   | Pas   | Tck   | Drb   | Sh T  | Av Rat| 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Khano Smith       | 30 (1)| 17    | 11    | 2     | 67%   | 0.80  | 4.01  | 62%   | 7.81  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Josh Wolff        | 25    | 14    | 10    | 6     | 72%   | 0.69  | 3.70  | 72%   | 7.72  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Tony Medina       | 1 (1) | -     | -     | -     | 78%   | 5.33  | 1.33  | -     | 7.50  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Daniel Mendes     | 5 (3) | 2     | 2     | -     | 70%   | 0.46  | 4.43  | -     | 7.50  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Conor Casey       | 12 (3)| 9     | 4     | 2     | 61%   | 1.06  | 2.28  | 85%   | 7.47  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Jim Henning       | 7 (3) | -     | -     | -     | 71%   | 5.43  | 0.76  | -     | 7.40  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Julinho           | 33    | -     | 3     | 1     | 68%   | 3.06  | 1.39  | -     | 7.39  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Jon Busch         | 32    | -     | -     | 2     | 76%   | 0.03  | -     | -     | 7.34  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Ohbum             | 31 (1)| -     | 4     | -     | 62%   | 3.66  | 1.44  | -     | 7.28  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Steve Ralston     | 29 (1)| -     | 4     | -     | 73%   | 3.50  | 0.75  | 31%   | 7.27  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Pirata Castro     | 15 (1)| -     | 1     | 1     | 77%   | 2.88  | 0.13  | -     | 7.25  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Inj   | Daniel Hernandez  | 22    | 2     | -     | 1     | 75%   | 3.02  | 0.24  | 47%   | 7.23  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Ricardo Faty      | 8     | -     | -     | -     | 71%   | 1.68  | 0.52  | -     | 7.13  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Jamie Holmes      | 4 (4) | 3     | 1     | -     | 72%   | 1.26  | 2.95  | 80%   | 7.13  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Chris Tanner      | 0 (1) | -     | -     | -     | -     | 30.00 | -     | -     | 7.00  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Ret   | Brian McBride     | 5 (5) | 1     | 2     | -     | 71%   | 0.65  | 3.57  | 87%   | 7.00  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Inj   | Sergio Flores     | 30    | -     | 1     | -     | 72%   | 3.47  | 0.21  | -     | 7.00  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Eric Denton       | 1     | -     | -     | -     | 63%   | 5.00  | -     | -     | 7.00  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Alex Zotinca      | 1 (2) | -     | -     | -     | 80%   | 3.50  | 2.00  | -     | 7.00  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Inj   | Luke Vercollone   | 12 (5)| -     | -     | 1     | 74%   | 3.59  | 0.50  | -     | 6.76  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Robbie Russell    | 6 (7) | 1     | 1     | -     | 72%   | 2.81  | 0.64  | -     | 6.62  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Unf   | Santiago Biglieri | 6 (3) | -     | -     | -     | 76%   | 3.02  | 0.50  | -     | 6.56  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Matt Reis         | 2     | -     | -     | -     | 75%   | -     | -     | -     | 6.50  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Greg Brown        | 2 (8) | 1     | -     | -     | 70%   | 1.16  | 2.70  | -     | 6.40  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Brian White       | 0 (3) | -     | -     | -     | -     | 4.39  | 2.20  | -     | 6.33  | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Mark Glazer       | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Tim Johnson       | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Mike Suarez       | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Paul Johnson      | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Ryan Donaldson    | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Peter Hunt        | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Inj   | T.J. Tomasso      | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
|       |       |                   |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       | 
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

[SirFozzie]

Eastern Conference Semifinals 1st Leg: AT DC UNITED

With the injury crisis at central defense (with Hernandez, Vercollone and Sergio Flores all injured), we have a couple youngsters in skill positions. Here's our line up:

GK: Busch
DR: Ohbum
DL: Julinho
DC: Henning
DC: Medina
DMC: Castro
MC: Faty
MC: Ralston
FC(L) Smith
FC: Wolff
FC (R) Casey

S1: Reis
S2:Zotinca
S3: Biglieri
S4: Daniel Mendes
S5: Russell

[SirFozzie]

3rd Minute: Khano Smith hits one from a bad angle.. hits the side of the net

5th Minute: DC United's Brian Alvarez hits one.. tipped onto the post by Busch

7th Minute: DC United's Hanapiah hits a shot over the bar from just inside the 18.

11th Minute: Well, FUCK. Another injury to a defender, Henning can't contnue. I decide to put Zotincal on and hope for the best.

15th Minute: Busch goes up for the cross, gets undercut and thuds to the ground painfully.. he needs assistance from the trainer, while I curse at the ref asking why there wasn't a card issued.

21st Minute: A long range shot by DC's Van Sicklen is easily saved by Busch

27th Minute: Alvarez's scoop shot is well over the bar.. they are having the better of play at the moment.

29th Minute: Throw in by Ohbum deep into the box finds Casey, who nods it down and back to the oncoming Steve Ralston, who volleys it with his right foot.. TOP CORNER! GOAL REVS 1-0!

30th minute: DC tries to come right back, but Hagi Hanipah's header goes well wide, no trouble at all

40th Minute: DC's Wagenfuhr is booked for tripping Casey.

43rd Minute: Simms puts one just a bit too high for DC, skimming the bar as it went over.

1-0 Revs at Halftime. They make a double change at half, thug/legbreaker Dema Kovalenko comes on for Hanapiah, and Alvarez is off for Jaime Moreno. 24,055 in attendance at RFK

I'm encouraging them, a second score would be good, but let's win and make them beat us at our house to win.

47th minute: A Van Sicklen shot is well held by Busch

50th Minute: A free kick from Castro finds the head of Casey, but it's just wide.

51st Minute: Zotinca booked for a shirt-tug on Moreno.

54th Miinute: DC nearly punishes a defensive mistake by Julinho, but Lobodzinski's shot went high.

55th Minute: A cross by Khano Smith finds the head of Wolff, but Andrews parries it, and DC clear their lines.

56th Minute: Ohbum crosses for Smith, who heads it wide.

64th Minute: Lobodzinski breaks the offside trap and was racing through to get a through ball, but his first touch is poor and Busch is able to gather just before the onrushing attacker can get to it.

71st minute: Van Sicklen off, Lewis on for DC.

78th minute: They win a corner that comes to nothing. Biglieri on for the tiring Ralston

81st Minute: A cross nearly finds Khano Smith, but the defender nearly puts it into his own net trying to defend it.

85th Minute: Russell on for Faty

90th Minute: Zotinca with the corner kick, Medina with the header, but no real power on it, easy save by DC.

92nd Minute: Biglieri booked for a foul on Simms.

Final Score: 1-0 Revs. Means we did our jobs, but it's by no means over coming home for the 2nd leg.

[SirFozzie]

Busch got the man of the match award with an 8.

In other games:

Metrostars lay a surprise beating at home on Columbus, the 4-1 win means that Columbus will need to win by three goals at home to force extra time.

Salt Lake look comfortable, winning their home leg 2-0 against LA..

It's all over but the shouting, as San Jose absorbed a 4-nil thrashing by Chivas USA at Spartan Stadium, meaning Chivas can take it easy in the home leg.

Henning is fine after the game.. we really couldn't afford another defensive injury at this point.

Our Injury Status:

Luke Vercollone: Out 1-3 weeks (Groin Strain).. almost definitely won't take part in the 2nd leg.. and iffy for a possible Conference final. If we made the Cup final, he'd PROBABLY be ready for that.

Sergio Flores: Out Up to 3 weeks (twisted ankle).. well.. the doctors say he isn't ready to start putting weight on the ankle regularly (he hasn't returned to practice yet), but hopefully we'll have him for a possible conference final.

Daniel Hernandez: Out 2 days-2 weeks (Back strain) Hasn't returned to practice yet, but odds are good at least for a possible conference final

[SirFozzie]

Time for the 2nd leg:

Both Daniel Hernandez and Sergio Flores are back in practice, unfortunately they both lose the race for game fitness, and I have to regrettably leave them off the game roster.

[SirFozzie]

EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINAL Leg 2: Home Vs DC United (REVS LEAD 1-0 ON AGGREGATE)


GK: Busch
DR: Ohbum
DL: Julinho
DC: Henning
DC: Medina
DMC: Castro
MC: Faty
MC: Ralston
FC(L) Smith
FC: Wolff
FC (R) Casey

S1: Reis
S2: Russell
S3: Denton
S4: Holmes
S5: Johnson
S6: Brown
S7: Daniel Mendes
S8: Zotinca
S9: Biglieri

[SirFozzie]

4th Minute: Andrews gets to the cross by Khano Smith before Wolff, and holds on to it.

5th Minute: Kovalenko puts a ball forward, it bounces off a New England defender, but Busch is there before any harm can come of it.

9th Minute: Medina blocks a shot

13th: Simms turns and fires from about 20 yards out, but Busch holds it easily

19th Minute: Smith puts a cros in, that's not great, but in the swirling winds, Andrews has to jump up and parry the ball over the crossbar just in case.

21st Minute: Olson is booked for a trip on Ralston

42nd Minute: Lewis seemingly had a half step on the Revs defense, but Castro manages to slow him down long enough for help to arrive.

Halftime: 0-0. We still lead 1-0 on aggregate, and right now, we're playing to keep that way. I tell them.. "Think on this. Right now, we are at a point where one mistake could undo 135 minutes of hard work. 2 mistakes could cost us a season's worth. We've played about 40 games this year. Let's not get stupid in the 2nd half. Make the plays, and we'll be playing next week."

[SirFozzie]

DC brings on Amoroso for Alvarez, and Lobodzinski for Hanapiah. 19,279 Rev fans in attendance.

46: Khano Smith booked for breaking up a possible DC attack by holding Lewis

51: Conor Casey goes down awkwardly under Wagenfuhr's challenge and has to come off. Daniel Mendes is on for him.

58: Wolff with the ball, he taps it to the oncoming Ralston, who tries to repeat his wonderful strike from last game.. Unfortunately, it went over the bar.

62: Busch makes a WONDERFUL save to rob Lewis, even holding the ball.

63: Our second change: Brown on for Ralston

66: Daniel Mendes in deep, tries to cross it across the face.. Wolff.... JUST hits it wide. If he could have gotten to it an instant earlier, the goal was wide open!

70: Gibson takes a hard shot, that deflects off Medina and seems to have Busch wrong footed.. but the goalkeeper recovers and somehow deflects it!

72: Olsen has a half volley, but Busch is there.

73: Gaxa nods down the ball, goes by Faty. cross.. AMOROSO UNMARKED.. GOAL DC! 1-0, 1-1 on aggregate! Julinho completely lost his man and Amoroso made him pay!

74: Our final roll of the dice. Biglieri on for Faty.

75: DC's Gibson needs treatment after a challenge by Brown.

80: Brown dispossesses Kovalenko at midfield.. it's a foot race.. Brown has the speed.. one on one with the keeper.. touches it around the keeper's dive.... GOOOOOOALL NEW ENGLAND! 1-1! Wonderful goal from the first round draft pick, and he's staking a claim for a first team place in the future! It's 2-1 on aggregate!

81: Wagenfuhr booked for a bad challenge

87: A shot by Khano Smith deflects off a DC defender and right to the keeper.

90: 4 minutes of stoppage time.

95: The final whistle blows! it's a draw on the day, but 2-1 on aggregate, the Revs avenge last year's Eastern Conference Championship defeat!

Julinho had a awful game, a 4.. normally that would draw a fine, but I just tell him he needs to do better if we are to advance. He understands.

Busch again is man of the match, with an 8.

We will play Metrostars, who drew with Columbus 0-0 (winning 4-1 on aggregate), in the Eastern Conference Championship at Gilette.

[SirFozzie]

Casey has a dead leg: He's probable for the final (2 days-week out)

Greg Brown must have rolled his ankle late in the game, he's out for the year, but it's only a sprain thank god.. (4 weeks-2 Months)

Chivas USA also win the 2nd leg, 2-1 over San Jose, so the top team in the West is through to the final as well, 6-1 on aggregate.

Real Salt Lake beat LA at home (Landon Donvan was out injured in the series), 1-0, to win 3-0 in the series. They'll be right back at the Home Depot Center next week for the WCF

[SirFozzie]

Hernandez resumes full training on Tuesday, he's an almost definite go for the final. Flroes is back on Wed.. he's a bit more iffy..

But I have a feeling they'll both be in the game squad at least, if not starting.

[SirFozzie]

Something has to give in the Eastern Conference Final.. we have a 9 game unbeaten streak.. they have a 13 game unbeaten streak. They are a slight favorite, apparently folks remember our record in these games.. 2002..2003..2004..2005..2006..

Hopefully it ends here, and gets us to the Cup Final.

GK: Busch
DR: Ohbum
DL: Julinho
DC: Pirata Castro
DC: Hernandez
DMC: Faty
MC: Ralston
MC: Henning
FC (L): Smith
FC: Wolff
FC (R): Casey

S1: Reis
S2: Sergio Flores
S3: Denton
S4: Holmes
S5: Russell
S6: White
S7: Daniel Mendes
S8: Zotinca
S9: Biglieri

[SirFozzie]

3: Thompson's shot is blocked by Busch, but he can't hold on to is, and it bounces back to Thompson, who stuffs it past Busch.. GOAL Metrostars 1-0.

6: Wolff is through, but Pearce slide tackles the ball away and the Mutts clear it.

11: Thompson nearly adds a 2nd, but Busch makes the save, it comes back to Nat Borchers, but he's not close

16:Thompson has another go, and Busch saves

26: Gaven's header is well over the bar.

30: Quill gets a shoulder ahead of Julinho.. crosses over.. Thompson heads it back across the net, Busch has no chance.. GOAL Metros.. 2-0!

31: Mendes steps in and takes a golden chance for the Revs right off of Wolff's foot.

35: Wolff is limping.. we'll let him go till halftime

39: Wolff seemingly is gutting it out.. he intercepts a wayward Mutts pass.. and fires it on net.. saved by Westberg

45: Ralston finds casey on the Right side, Casey breaks it back in towards the net.. crosses.. WOLFF HEADS IT HOME! 2-1.. and a ray of light for the Revs!

2-1 at the Half.. 44,260 in the attendance. I tell the team the excuses stop here. We need one goal, let's go out and get it..

No changes at half, but Ralston and Wolff have eyes on them (78% condition)

47: Busch with a blunder, and Thompson intercepts.. shot.. save.. rebound.. Ibrahim.. GOAL mutts! 3-1.. ouch

50: Hernandez finds Smith.. Smith on the left side.. crosses for Casey.. GOAL! 3-2..

55: Borchers nearly scores the Mutts 4th, but Busch tips it around the post.

61: Thompson's had an awesome game, and Busch barely keeps him from getting a hat trick.

64: Razov on for Ibrahim

70: Wolff off, Mendes on, Biglieri on for Ralston

73: Thompson off (whew), Lisi on, as well as Brown on for Quill. Having Thompson off=GOOD THING.

87: Mendes has a shot go wide

90: Casey goes up for the header... just over the bar.

93: Full time./


Shit.

[SirFozzie]

Chivas USA win the west on penalties after a 1-1 draw with Real Salt Lake.

[SirFozzie]

Real Madrid are not doing that well, they are 11th in La Liga again, and Hugo Sanchez is quickly showed the door. Told ya you'd need luck

A 114th minute goal from Nat Borchers is the difference as the Mutts raise the MLS Tropht, defeating Real Salt Lake 3-2 in extra time. Damnit. DC United last year, Mutts this year. When the hell is it our turn?

[SirFozzie]

Arsene Wegner is the new gaffer at Real Madrid.

Awards time in MLS:

GK of the Year: Busch
Defender of the Year: Ohbum (julinho 2nd)
Rookie of the Year: Tim Ward (no Revs in top 3)
Golden Boot: Jason Thompson 21 (Khano Smith 3rd)

6 Revs in the All-Pro Team: Busch, Hernandez, Julinho, Ohbum, Khano Smith, Wolff

Khano Smith wins the MVP (his 2nd), Wolff is 2nd.

But I'd trade all that for an MLS Cup :/

[SirFozzie]

We have two months before training camp opens, but we already know what next year's status will be.. we signed a 5 year sponsorship worth $350K a year.

Our transfer money will be about 1.7 Million.

I will update all on some of the Revs that now play in other leagues in the next few posts, then the 2008 season will be in this thread as well

[SirFozzie]

Taylor Twellman: Left the Revs in 2005 to join Dortmund, in a transfer worth 4.6 Million dollars. Has gotten off to a good start finally this year for Dortmund, 6 goals in 9 games, 7.33 rating. Valued at 2.6 Million, earns $24K/wk

Clint Dempsey: Joined Maccabi Tel-Aviv in 2005 for 2.9 Million, more of a defensive midfielder, has played three times for the Israeli Premier League squad, before a knee injury sidelined him for a month. Valued at $300K, but Maccabi has turned down $2 million dollar offers for him previously. (earns $9750/wk)

Michael Parkhurst: Had joined English Premier League side Birmingham for $975,000 early in 2006, and has been a regular for them. Had 24 appearances for them last year, with a rating of 7.04. Has four starts for Birmingham this year.

Shalrie Joseph: Joined Scottish Premier League side Rangers for 1.9 Million.. has already played for them 15 times in various competitions (8 starts, 7 subsitutes) and done well if not great (rating of 6.87). Valued at $1,000,000, earns $10,250/week

Pat Noonan: Joined Toulouse, and is now a regular in their lineup, has 18 appearances and 4 goals for the French Ligue 1 side, and an average of 7.13 ( Valued at 7.25 Million, makes $21,000/week)

Sasha Victorine: Joined Bastia in France, has 17 appearances, 2 assists and averaging 7.00 rating. Makes $22K/week after his 1 million dollar transfer.

[SirFozzie]

As part of my mission to bring in new players, Columbus offers me the extra 1st rounder they have (from LA) for Julinho. He's a senior international, so I'd get a decent american player, and free up an international spot.. I think for a while, but I accept it.

[SirFozzie]

it's obvious that Matt Reis will never star as long as Jon Busch is here, and I put him on the market.. and I get a pretty nice offer too.. San Jose offers their 2nd and 4th round draft (5th in each round) for him.. I accept.

[SirFozzie]

At the last minute, KC tries to sweep in for Reis, offering the 2nd pick in the second round, but I'd rather have him in the West, then in the East, and getting a chance to beat me.. so I stay with the San Jose offer.

[SirFozzie]

We fill the void by fofering our 4th round Supplemental Draft selection to Columbus for their reserve keeper, Jan Kjell Larsen. He played for Columbus's reserves last year, but the year before, he was the Crew's first choice, allowing 1.33 Goals per game (36 goals in 27 games).

He's a bit pricy (1900/wk), but we have room

[SirFozzie]

Chicago fires Werner Lorant, the hot favorite to replace him is ex-DC United gaffer Piotr Nowak.


Nowak does replace Lorant as Fire boss.

The trades go through, so now we wait for the MLS Draft.

[SirFozzie]

Well, well well.. if this isn't an interesting offer. Real Salt Lake has offered us their first round pick (#9) if we give them Daniel Hernandez.

I have my eyes on a couple defenders, and I am a sucker for draft picks.. I think long and hard on this one.. and resolve to grab a defender ASAP.. and accept the offer.

[SirFozzie]

We make a 190k bid for Berg, a 19 year old Brazillian defender for Brazillian Serie A side Paulista who's valued at $75K. They come back at 45k, 220K over 24 months and 25% of next sale..

He has a mininum fee release at 300K, and I figure, if he turns out well, he'll be eventually going elsewhere for a good amount of money.. the kid's talented enough to star for a top Brazillian side's U20 team.. so I just go ahead and offer 300K straight.

[SirFozzie]

Berg only wants $450 per week till 2010, and I am MORE then happy to give it to him as a hot prospect. I expect good things from him.

Berg agrees, and will join us on the first of the year (just 8 days away)

[SirFozzie]

Mick Harford, the former Rotherham coach, joins DC United as their new manager.

[SirFozzie]

Things are getting better.. we have good facilities, but I request that they improve them, and they agree to.. it's not as good as an overseas team would get with the youth academy and all that, but I want to get young trainable players, and get them to the best of their abilities.

[SirFozzie]

In the big name transfers, AC Milan acquire Michael Essien for $61,000,000.

Berg signs, and says he can't wait to play for us... I think that he doesn't know it yet, but I have a feeling he'll get PLENTY of playing time.

[SirFozzie]

It is now draft day.

We have five picks out of the first 24:

1st Round:
LA (#7)
Real Salt Lake (#9)
Ours (#10)

2nd Round
San Jose (#5)
Ours (#10)

3rd Round
Ours (#10)

4th Round
San Jose (#5)
Ours (#10)

[SirFozzie]

1st Round Pick

#7: Ryan Lopez (21 years old, D C, but can play anywhere in the back line) 6'1, 178 lbs. He had 1 man of the match award in the combine, and his size, team work, and work rate made him the choice here.

#9: Jason Myers (21 years old, Natural Midfielder, listed as an attacking midfield, but he can play anywhere in midfield or attacking midfield), 5'9, 160: A dead ball specialist, (19 at PK's 13 at Free Kick). Decent at getting to speed and top speed (12 at acceleration and pace.

#10: John Allen (21, AM/F C, 5'11, 174) Well now, how did he drop so low? Had 2 goals in the combine, and a very good finisher already (15 finishing, 14 Heading, 11 Long Shots), Fast too, Pace of 14, Acceleration of 17, Needs a bit of off the ball work (7), but once he gets it, he has a good first touch (15). Welcome to the team, John.. have a feeling if you work hard, you'll be breaking the first XI soon enough.

2nd Round
#5 (#17 overall) David Warren (Striker, 5'11, 169) Had 3 goals and 2 MoM awards in the combine, Raw, but not bad physically (17 natural fitness, 11 Accell, 11 Pace, 11 Strength). Will take some time to make his mark.

#10 (#22 overall) Ryan Rudisill (Midfielder L/C, 5'9, 163) Good creative (Passing 14, First Touch 12) base.. but needs to translate it into on field Creatively (4), Good Influence 12, and good stamina (16 Natural Fitness

Also Drafted (Round 3 and 4)

3rd Round #10 (#34 overall) Jeff Barragan (Sweeper), Long way from MLS ready, but has some good physical tools (Fitness 20, Strength 12, Acceleration 10)

4th Round #5 (#41), Jeff Stewart (Defensive Midfield), Good Tackling, average physically. May need some USL time to mature.

4th Round #10 (#46) Tony Schulte (Defensive Midfield) Not bad, this late, 17 years old, already has some good physical stats (Accel 14, Natural Fitness 13, Pace 14, Stamina 12)

[SirFozzie]

Another US icon travels overseas, as Landon Donovan signs on with Serie A laggards Fiorentina for $13,500,000, and the Galaxy fans hate it. If Fiorentina don't get out of the relegation zone however (they are five points from Safety, about halfway through the season)

[RPI-Fan]

A few questions if you don't mind:

1) Are you using any extra/different graphics/skins?
2) What leagues are you running on your database, and what database size are you using?
3) Can you compare MLS in FM06 to previous versions. It seems like they have done an OUTSTANDING job on MLS so far from what I can tell here. Is that correct? Why or why not?

Thanks!
~rpi-fan

[SirFozzie]

1) I'm using the Aurora 2006 Blue Skin
2) It'd take all day to list the ones I'm using: There's a couple more/less from my last game, so I'll copy from a previous game's list

Following leagues selected:

S. Africa (Premier)
China (Super)
India (NFL)
South Korea (K-League)
Mexico (First Div A and above)
USA (MLS)
Austria (Premier Only)
Croatia-First Division
Czech Republic- First
England- Confernece National+
France-2nd League+
Germany-2nd division+
Greece- National B+
Isreal- Premier
Italy- Serie C/1+
Holland-Premier
Northern Ireland-2nd div+
Poland-1st Division
Ireland-Premier
Russia-Premier
Turkey-Premier
Wales-Permier
Scotland-3rd Div+
Slovakia- 1st Div
Spain-2nd Div+
Sweden-Premier
Australia-A-League
Argentina-2nd div+
Brazil-2nd Div+
Chile-1st Div
Colombia-1st Div
Peru-1st Div
Uruguay-1st Div

3) It is much improved.. there's a couple things I think need tweaking.. overage Euro stars come to the MLS draft for a year (or a few months) then retire, but otherwise it is bang on.

[RPI-Fan]

Wow that's a lot of leagues! I have a career in MLS w/ FC Dallas, and am running 31 leagues in 10 nations.

I think it will at least provide a good base of players (Normal database size) and so far the speed has been very tolerable for me!

My laptop is 1.6GHz w/ 512MB RAM, and I'm running (parantheses indicate how deep the levels are):

USA (1)
England (6)
Belgium (3)
Italy (4)
Spain (3)
Brazil (3)
Argentina (2)
France (4)
Germany (3)
Holland (2)

What kind of speed do you get with that many leagues?!?!? (and what are your computer specs?)

[SirFozzie]

usually, it takes me longer to write about it then do it, the off season stuff was, "See what's happened, hit continue, write about it, hit post, come back, see what else has happened..


All on Normal:

AMD Athlon64 Processor
3000+
2.0 Ghz, 1.50 GB of Ram

[SirFozzie]

Well, after the disappointment in real life today, hopefully tonight will be a bit better for the Revs. At least I hope so..

Clint Dempsey, who I mentioned a few posts up.. is going to England. Ipswich paid 3.1 Million dollars to pry him away from Maccabi Tel-Aviv, and that's a nice pay day for us, as we had a 20% sell on clause, earning us a nice 620,000.. the gift that keeps on giving..

[SirFozzie]

We have 34 players on roster.. we can have 28 in the regular season, so it's time to see which 6 players will be cut.

[SirFozzie]

Goalkeepers

Jon Busch (31, Valued at 300K, 1200/wk) Last Year, 34 Appearances, 36 Goals Allowed, 7.32 Rating: Jon did a great job for us last year, hopefully he can keep it up.

Jan Kjell Larsen (24, Valued at 140K, 1900/wk) Last Year: Did not Play first team: banished to the reserve bench for Columbus last year. Will be a capable backup, and still can get better

TJ Tomasso (24, Valued at 14K, 250/wk) Last Year: Did not play First team: Still the #3, and on his final year contract. Does not expect to get much action this year.