hmm, seems like Columbus might be ****ed:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus...elocation.html

doesn't sound like they're at all interested in negotiating anything
more like they're just gonna leave and that's that

but then i still don't get why the plan involves playing a lame-duck season in Columbus in 2018

or maybe this is just the pretense for a year of furious negotiating? idk
(and i mean, it's not like Dallas or Houston have been incredible success stories for MLS)

like I said - fvckyoumls

sure they'll get another team in a year or two

So kind of like the Cleveland Browns deal. Still kind of sucks. Wish they could make the owner sell the Crew and start in Austin from scratch as opposed to move the franchise intact give it a new name and making Columbus effectively the new expansion team.

So MLS is playing their marquee final day of the season when all the games are at the same time and playoff spots and positions are at stake on the same day and time as the NFL? wtf why aren't they playing on Saturday?

Almost certainly because their broadcast "partners" are completely booked on Saturday and have open slots on Sunday. Of course the playoffs, the pinnacle of the season, start Wednesday; it's not like they could actually use the extra 24 hours for player recovery, ticket sales, media promotion, etc..

Incredible.

And really they should make sure the final day is all inter-conference games so they can have a time slot for all the east teams and then another for all the West teams. Says a lot of their broadcast partners are bumping them for ****ty college football games to go up against the NFL

On a typical Fall Saturday there are approximately 50 different D1 College football games filling the TV schedule (and even a couple of FCS games) versus 13 NFL games on a given Sunday. There is way more TV time available on Sundays.

Personally though this is related to a thought I have had for awhile that they should shift the Calendar so decision day is late August with the Playoffs running in September and start the season mid-February after the Superbowl.

I get it, but the NFL traditionally crushes everything, including the MLB playoffs in most years. I haven't paid attention anymore since players brains have turned to mush and dudes are kneeling for the anthem, but I'd imagine much hasn't changed. My point is that MLS decision day should be more attractive than Western Michigan v. Bowling Green or whatever is getting shown over it.

Also to Klingbard's point you'd want your players to have as much rest as possible when the actual playoffs start instead of going Sunday to Wednesday.

To your second point I completely agree. They are crazy to have their postseason showcase up against NFL, when it really gets cranking, and the World Series, then being played in freezing cold weather in most cities. I get they wouldn't want their season opening hype to be played in 0 degrees, so see why they don't do it, but it would make for a much smoother schedule

i doubt it

it's intentional, to give the teams who secured byes an advantage

all local sports tv stations have college football all day but there is only one NFL game on tv at 4:00. plus sunday you can be on espn networks

saturday would be the worst possible plan

ya i think the schedule is ~correct

they're doing as well as they can with the start and end of the season to avoid snow & ice

avoiding college football probably better than ducking a few NFL games

and going up against the late NFL schedule at that isn't such a big deal

roof open today at the benz, nice surprise to see

Anyone thinking they have the schedule right should re-watch last year's final in Toronto on December 10.

https://twitter.com/nbc4i/status/922145270699307011

Having seen the quakes disappear without much of a fight and unresponsive owners before, wishing luck to Columbus.


Time to punch the last ticket.

Whitecaps just need a draw here, so they'll definitely be losing within 30 minutes

it was cold, but i don't remember it was snowing or anything

also, i'm guessing most years a cold weather town won't be hosting the final

2chainz and Ceelo in the house

that was a bit of bad luck plus they did no favours making kickoff at 8pm for the final. This year the final is 4pm.

Also it's a La Nina so you guys won't freeze if you make the final

+24 C today ..... ran a half marathon and was dehydrated lol fluids .... back in the day this race was wet & cold now it's like a summer race

4pm kick off seems right to me.

Playoff schedule is always going to suck, there's also an international break in there for big time matches.

One solution would be moving to the Euro calendar but that has all kinds of problems too.

lolllll bradley and altidore eating massive boos

2 goals already out West.

RSL and Galaxy, one good for the quakes and one not.

HOESEN

what was that penalty for?

Handball. Defender has his hand above his head.

LOL Dempsey. VAR spots violent conduct off the ball and he'll miss the first playoff game now.

LOL galaxy strikes again.

Dallas now 6th after minnesota screamer equalizes.