2012 MLS Schedule: Might Sounders Receive Same Treatment As Toronto FC?
by Jeremiah Oshan on Jan 3, 2012 6:54 PM PST
in Sounders: News
Email
Print
The ever diligent folks at Canadian Soccer News managed to get their hands on a leaked copy of Toronto FC's schedule. While that is all fine and good, there's a nice little nugget in there even if you only care about the Seattle Sounders' 2012 schedule: TFC will not be playing on First Kick weekend.
The reason that might be of interest to us is because, like the Sounders, TFC is playing in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals. While one team was destined to get a bye during opening weekend -- as with 19 teams there will be a bye every week -- that it was TFC brings all kinds of issues to forefront. Namely, why would MLS elect to give TFC a bye while forcing the Sounders and the LA Galaxy to play? More importantly, why would MLS schedule the Sounders to play TFC on March 17?
While this is completely idle speculation, I have a feeling MLS may have had second thoughts about having the Sounders and Galaxy host games on First Kick. While giving the Sounders and Galaxy the weekend off after previously announcing they would play might seem like more MLS shenanigans, it would make a lot more sense than having them play.
If the Sounders and Galaxy are both forced to play that weekend -- and since we now know the Sounders won't be given a bye during Week 2 -- that would set up a situation where the Sounders have played four games before the season is even two weeks old. That wouldn't be the craziest thing if it were to happen, but it would seem unnecessarily unfair.
28 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
seems quite logical to me
give TFC, LAG, and SSFC the weekend off – it’s my understanding that MLS wants to help teams pursue CCL through proper scheduling. It just seems like a slam-dunk decision, and I bsolutely couldn’t care less that it means we won’t host a “first kick weekend” match. I’d much rather we get an honest shot of Santos Laguna without worrying about a League Opener in between.
...and you will hear us scream
i completely agree
the only other “fair” thing would be to give us either toronto or la who are dealing with the same thing we are and will probably play some second stringers as well instead of a team who wants to go all out and play and win the first game.
If I were a Gals fan
I would really be upset if Toronto gets a bye and LA doesn’t that first weekend between their CCL matches.
If I were a Gals fan
I would be disappointed to loose to the Seattle Sounders in the Champion’s League Semifinal.
But then, I probably wouldn’t feel too bad, as I would know deep down that the better team finally won.
I would then likely find myself inevitably compelled to cheer with wild and passionate abandon for my neighbors in the far North, as the men in Rave Green go on to win the entire tournament and the FIFA Club World Cup… every year… for the next 25… no make that 50… wait, better say 100 years.
Then I would probably go hang out with some celebrities or something, just to try and numb the pain.
by bago'juice on Jan 3, 2012 10:18 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I love a conspiracy
It does seem like a slam dunk: give all three CCL teams a bye on the first weekend. It’s equitable and addresses the problem with a 19-team league. But I remember getting “First Kick” last season versus the Gals on a Tuesday, then traveling across the country to play NYRB on that Saturday. Meanwhile, LA stayed in the time zone and played at home. It’s not the only reason we were 0-2 at the end of Week 1 but I’d like to hope the league is a little more reasonable this time around.
The leaked schedule has Toronto play at KC twice, not at all at home
Gotta think that is an error, which makes me wonder if this is the final / correct schedule.
According to CSN that error was in the documents they received
They are trying to figure which of those two dates needs a venue switch.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart Follow Dave on Twitter @bedirthan
I have a hard time believing a final schedule
has been made. Why would they have it finallized but not released?
Because the past two weeks aren't really well staffed?
It is our belief that it is done and will be announced this week.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart Follow Dave on Twitter @bedirthan
I would guarantee a schedule is either finalized or almost finalized
Heard from multiple sources that this is the case. They still need to finish off details (maybe like TFC playing at KC twice), but it’s very close to done.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Jan 4, 2012 9:04 AM PST up reply actions
Indeed
Even an uncertainty with just one match might prevent them from releasing the schedule, which obviously is very frustrating, but I understand why they don’t want to release a schedule that needs to have an asterisk on a date that might still change.
With even one game not worked out
A lot of things could end up changing to get that last game scheduled. It can have a cascading effect. So to me 1 game not scheduled or 20 games not scheduled is all the same… it is tentative till final and announced. No announcement, means tentative.
No one ever goes from final details ironed out
to announcement with no space for planning the reveal.
It doesn’t happen.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart Follow Dave on Twitter @bedirthan
You are saying
No one ever worked out a plan to reveal something in parrellel with the actual plan? I should trademark that idea then! :)
When as the last time a player signing
went from finalized to press release in seconds?
Never.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart | Follow Dave on Twitter @bedirthan
I'm putting my trust in Dave
Considering it’s January it isnt out of the question to think that the schedule would be 98% figured out now. It makes sense for the league to not schedule TFC, LAG, and us for the first week considering how much emphasis they’re putting on CCL.
Go banana!
I am not disagreeing
that it is probably 98% worked out. My point is a 98% worked out plan could change considerably to complete the last 2%.
in any case...
they aren’t going to release the schedule teh second it’s finished.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Jan 4, 2012 2:25 PM PST up reply actions
they'll wait a few days tho
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Jan 5, 2012 8:34 AM PST up reply actions
How much does the schedule get delayed by NBC, Fox and ESPN?
With various juggling of broadcasting games and what not doesn’t this factor into their schedule time slots and other media they have? Or is that a separate thing and results in shifting times and dates after the initial schedule is announced by MLS?
Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!
They work with broadcasters for the initial schedule
But during the season can add more games or change times as needed.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart Follow Dave on Twitter @bedirthan
So the delay on releasing the schedule is housekeeping on MLS' side
MLS is just getting the kinks worked out and will released in the coming week or two, as opposed to blaming the media. Got it.
Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!
No, my statement doesn't change that we expect it to be released tomorrow
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart Follow Dave on Twitter @bedirthan
Oh I missed that it was coming out tomorrow
BTW started reading Ender’s Game, good stuff
Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!
MLS should make it their goal
to give us a 2 month window before opening kick. It helps with away travel.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
