**MLS 2020, CONCACAF Champions League, US Open Cup, etc.**

[Menace Sockeyes]

For those that didn't watch, LAFC is the last hope.

Crash and burn for the MLS. Again...

Though MLS has won two of the three second legs, which begs the question whether things would be different if this tournament was ALWAYS mid-to-late December. LAFC has mostly dominated so far: hit a crossbar, and has two point blank chances saved. But they are down having committed a stupid penalty in the box. Former Orlando city man Yotun scored it for Cruz Azul.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

Though MLS has won two of the three second legs, which begs the question whether things would be different if this tournament was ALWAYS mid-to-late December. LAFC has mostly dominated so far: hit a crossbar, and has two point blank chances saved. But they are down having committed a stupid penalty in the box.

That is 100% a legit concern and I have asked why these stupid games have to be played in the MLS preseason.

MLS gets one back after Kaye really should have scored in the run if play. LAFC looks like the much better side... minus their defense.

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

Penalty! Vela buries it! 1-1. LAFC deserved it.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

Can LAFC get the rights back to Walker Zimmermann for the 2nd half?

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

BOOM! The hyped Ghanaian teen international, Opoku, with a huge first pro goal to put LAFC (who looked like the 2019 Supporters Shield winners again) into the semis:



Semifinals are set. MLS goes 3-1 this round but only get one through due to bad first legs months ago...

Olimpia vs Tigres
LAFC vs Club America

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

Unfortunately, LAFC and Atlanta United have both regressed since the break

I can't see any MLS team moving on other than Montreal.

Well yea, with the exception of LAFC, of course, they're all behind. The ball is round, as they say, but if I were to do a four-way, I'd bet Montreal and the 3 Mexican teams. The three US teams just seem far too flawed and out of form to be much of a threat.

Can LAFC get the rights back to Walker Zimmermann for the 2nd half?

Tigres were gifted a goal via a harsh handball against a very game Olimpia. 1-0 at halftime, but evenly played so far in the first semi final. LAFC take on Club America In the second semifinal at 9:30 central time tonight.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

Haven't been able to watch but I see it's a 1-0 game at half for America. Is the game close?

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

Haven't been able to watch but I see it's a 1-0 game at half for America. Is the game close?

Yes. LAFC creates chances and got robbed of a PK that was a blatant kick across the gut in the box as Atuesta went on the run. Then Ochoa goes over to him as play goes the other way, bumps him in the head, Atuesta strikes out at his leg, and Ochoa acts like he was just sniped. Flopping down, holding his head, etc. Then Atuesta gets a red. Another CONCACAF refereeing embarrassment.

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

Haven't been able to watch but I see it's a 1-0 game at half for America. Is the game close?

Vela! Seconds in with the steal and the smash! 1-1!

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

Haven't been able to watch but I see it's a 1-0 game at half for America. Is the game close?

Vela! Seconds in with the steal and the smash! 1-1!

Vela AGAIN!!!!!!!! 2-1 in just 1 minute into the second half! NUTS!!!!

 

[Hawkfan_08]

Okay, 2 goals in 5 minutes and the tool bag former Mexican coach gets tossed.

How did LAFC get a red?

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

Okay, 2 goals in 5 minutes and the tool bag former Mexican coach gets tossed.

How did LAFC get a red?

Read post #48 above.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

How does he get to stay in the stadium with a red card? He can still direct from the empty stands! Get him the eff out!

 

[Hawkfan_08]

Read post #48 above.

Thanks, I missed that. I also hate Ochoa.

What did Herrera do to get tossed? I hate him too.

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

Thanks, I missed that. I also hate Ochoa.

What did Herrera do to get tossed? I hate him too.

Left his box early and pushed LAFC assistant coach, Ante Razov on the way to the locker room, FS2 announcers said.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

Left his box early and pushed LAFC assistant coach, Ante Razov on the way to the locker room, FS2 announcers said.

I'm shocked... I still want to know why he gets to sit in the stands.

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

I'm shocked... I still want to know why he gets to sit in the stands.

CONCACAF officials banished him to the skyboxes now.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

That was scary. That wall leads me to think back to my freshman year when we moved like that and gave up a goal. We had to all stand in a wall untill our coach punted the ball into us from 10 yards. Nobody moved in the wall again.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

Yes! Red for America! Now let's pile around the ref for 10 minutes.

Edit- what is Club America complaining about? That was a horrible tackle!

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

RED for Club America! Horror tackle!

 

[Hawkfan_08]

CONCACAF officials banished him to the skyboxes now.

He's still using his radio to coach from the box! You see that crap!?

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

He's still using his radio to coach from the box! You see that crap!?

Embarrassing. Honestly should disqualify them no matter what.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

Embarrassing. Honestly should disqualify them no matter what.

Agreed. Or at least he shouldn't be able to coach.

 

[jaxhawk06]

Wow, LAFC is going to the final

 

[Hawkfan_08]

Heck ya LAFC! Get out of here you Mexican floppers...

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

Agreed. Or at least he shouldn't be able to coach.

Wow, LAFC is going to the final

Feels good, man! 3-1.

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

In the last three editions of this tournament, MLS is now 8-8 in knockout round games vs Mexican competition. If only they could avoid the upsets to other Central American sides. And another wild stat:

 

[Hawkfan_08]

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

Heavyweight fight of 2020: Liga MX Clausura Champions 2019 vs 2019 Supporters’ Shield Winners. And here we go!...

 

[Hawkfan_08]

GOOOOOAL LAFC!

Back to watching after the Hawks triumphantly defeat the most hated rivals in Purdue.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

Poor communication gives up a corner and goal for Tigres. Eff...

 

[Hawkfan_08]

This game is rapidly deteriorating. Blessing continues to give the ball away. Tired thoughts while in the attacking 3rd.

You can tell they have played too many games in too few days.

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

Poor communication gives up a corner and goal for Tigres. Eff...

Unfortunate whiff on that clearance attempt.

 

[jaxhawk06]

Welp, maybe next year

 

[Hawkfan_08]

Criminal defending again. Three defenders. Outside back marking??? What was he doing? Holding mid gassed. CB doesn't step.

LAFC freaking had it.

Now the Mexican flops will happen.

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

After such a promising start to the second half, it’s not looking good for LAFC now....

 

[Hawkfan_08]

The last 30 minutes were painful to watch.

A few chances to make it 2-0 that were poor.

Constant give aways.

Poor defending and communicating.

Looked completely gassed, physically and mentally.

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

Fuuuuuuugggggg. Another MLS team that comes oh so close.

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

Welp, maybe next year

The last 30 minutes were painful to watch.

A few chances to make it 2-0 that were poor.

Constant give aways.

Poor defending and communicating.

Looked completely gassed, physically and mentally.

Can’t wait for Gignac to retire or move elsewhere. The guy is a beast, and a CONCACAF slayer. How does Liga MX have a legit French national teamer and superstar? Just wrong.

 

[BeepBeepInMyJeep]

Can’t wait for Gignac to retire or move elsewhere. The guy is a beast, and a CONCACAF slayer. How does Liga MX have a legit French national teamer and superstar? Just wrong.

I had to go back and do some research on this because I wanted to make sure I wasn't mis-remembering.

But: He hasn't capped in five years and wasn't involved at all in the 2018 WC cycle, hadn't scored a goal in World Cup 2010 (the only one he was on the squad for) or Euro 2016, never scored a goal in a UEFA Champions League match and only played a few of them with Marseille and of course, never left Ligue 1 (in his defense, that was largely against his wishes). Also in Gignac's defense, France has obviously been loaded for the last 5 years, and sure runs circles against anyone we can claim as a USMNT #9 today.

While there's no doubt a player can come overseas and enjoy a renaissance, I see Gignac's success well into his 30s on this continent as a feather in the cap to the Euro-snob. I guess that's all a long-winded way of saying that Gignac had been a very mediocre player on very mediocre clubs in a very mediocre league, and I think it was hardly a coup for Tigres. I'm guessing he (hopefully) may take a swan song somewhere back in France on a loan or a free to end his career.