Those from the north will take on eachother, thrice locally in phase one, all shown in Canada on TSN & the half dozen of Montreal also onTVA Sports, in the states on ESPN+.
As explained in earlier writings, the time has now been determined for when the region will set the journies for the 35 member nations to compete in getting to Qatar. This event is set for Aug. 19 @1900 CET and streamed on FIFA.com, conducted of course in the home of FIFA, Zurich. At that time, the first and final rounds will be known as per the new rules of qualification. The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings on July 16 of 2020 are the basis for this happening as the lowest 30 go into 6 groups.
Please MLS come up with a better name for this award, if I were MLB, we would be going to court over this and you should differentiate yourselves from other US based sports. Maybe honor the late great David Vanole who coached 'keepers in the league?
Anywho, this high honor was snagged by Andre Blake of the Philadelphia Union as he topped the 'keepers in the games with his 32 save by a long shot, his 86.5 save pct. was near the top as well as the Union helped him to 4 wins on their way to the semis.
FIrst order of business, MLS wise, a massive congrats to the Portland Timbers on their title last night. Giovnni Saverese with his staff and to no suprise had his players ready and raring to go. Oscar Pareja and his charges put up a most valiant fight, but I feel in the end the better team did in fact win and they were by far the more experienced team in such big games. The man in the middle did an admirable job, yes he missed some, as all always will, but it was officiated very fair, consistent and he handled the players well.
It all comes to a head on Tues eve, OCSC & the historic TImbers, the victor gets the spoils $1.1 million, the title and a berth in the CCL of next year, a huge prize.
There are few times in the game of soccer when a booking is a good thing, in this case it does a World of good as MLS will now be in the Guinness Book of World Records. This was achived throughout their MIB tourney and the conducted the "Largest Single Location Professional Soccer Tournament" at the ESPN Wide World of Sports facility in Orlando, the final is Tues. eve., 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, TSN & TVA.
Like all other member teams in MLS, NYRB is back to their regular season games in this first phase.
Due to MLB rules barring anything other than MLB events in their venues, all NYCFC home games in this phase and 2 will be hosted at Red Bull Arena with no fans. Any games to be played after the end of the Yankees year are at the option of NYCFC to be played at Yankee Stadium.
They are back on a limited basis, the home games in NJ would be with no fans in attendance. All game are rather nearby, so if the other cities allow fans, a road trip would not be too difficult. It opens with a Hudson River Derby.
These 6 games will of course be done with full protocols relative to COVID-19. There are to be 18 more games coming to a head on Nov. 8, Decision Day. This year, 18 teams will make the playoffs, 4 more than last year, the MLS Cup is to be held Dec. 12.
Ligue 1 back Bakaye Dibassy whose acquisition was the result of a protracted scouting effort, negotiating over the term of a pandemic and fortunate timing. At just 30 he is now a Loon from Amiens SC, the club he joined in 2016 with over 134 games including 22 this season ahead of the virus caused shutdown. They had designs on him for quite some time as he filled the bill they sought to fill.
The Brazilian winger has left Chelsea, is not going far, but heading instead to Arsenal rather than South Beach with David Beckham. At 32, he was unable to set a deal with Chelsea, maybe next contract he pops the pond? He had rejected a 2 year pact from his team, having him then avail. on a free transfer. Arsenal is said to get him the three years he sought.
