What went wrong for Oscar Pareja in Orlando? Josh Sargent’s debut! | MLS Update
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Philadelphia Union front office misconduct
MLS is going to suspend Ernst Tanner without pay through June 1st. It seems not nearly a harsh enough hand from Major League Soccer. It kind of blows my mind that MLS said, 'Yeah, okay, one window, that's fine, you can come on back.'
Oscar Pareja sacking
It's a things-can-be-two-things situation. Oscar Pareja could have done better with this group, and a new coach may, but Orlando just don't have the horses right now. I don't think they have the horses to really feel like they've given whoever the coach is a chance to go out there and actually compete for trophies this year.
Antoine Griezmann transfer rumors
Can I sell you on a conspiracy in which Antoine Griezmann's camp watched Orlando in one game and they were like, 'No, this is not going to work for us'? But if you fire the manager and bring in some better players by the next window, we'll be on board.
Josh Sargent transfer
I don't think Josh Sargent is going to be worth the price tag if we're trying to strictly value transfers. They pay a ton of money for Josh Sargent. But I do think he's going to be a well above average MLS striker, very much a DP level striker in this league.
US youth development/scouting
I think we've over-indexed as an American soccer culture on technical ability. You don't have one or the other really in most cases. You need the athleticism too. Gomez at least has the frame and the strength to bring something to the Columbus midfield.
Houston Dynamo vs Portland Timbers
The essence of 2010s Major League Soccer is alive and well in Houston v Portland. You can put a pin in what that implies about Ned Grabavoy and Phil Neville's works with the squads.
Real Salt Lake season outlook
I think this RSL team is going to be better than I thought. It would not shock me whatsoever if they end up finishing fourth in the West.
MLS pool goalkeeper rule
Every position on the field is important, but you do need goalkeepers to play soccer. MLS will often keep a couple of guys on standby, your substitute teachers who are salaried by the district, and they will get called in. It's an amazing, only-in-MLS, single-entity salary cap structure.
Austin FC performance
I'm on Austin worry watch before the season started and I have not been dissuaded from that position. I don't see the vision and I don't think they're going to be good even when they get Owen Wolff back.
