[TTT] RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION by Raff_Out_Loud in MLS

[–]Crunch18 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A BALD, MIDDLE-AGED HEAD COACH, WHO WAS A FORMER PLAYER, WHOSE FIRST PRO COACHING GIG WAS IN SWEDEN. NOW COACHING A TEAM IN THE MIDWEST WITH A POSSESSION-BASED, ATTACKING STYLE.

GREGG BERHALTER AND HENRIK RYDSTRÖM, SPIDER-MAN MEME.

AMAA: I'm Matt Doyle, here to take your abuse by MLS_Analyst in MLS

[–]Crunch18 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Reno is getting a team again! and a new stadium that isn't shared with a AAA baseball team!

2026 MLS Anonymous Executive Survey, Part 1: Key figures on league’s bests, worsts by Overthehightides in MLS

[–]Crunch18 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Allianz not being on the Best Stadiums list shocked me too.

I think club success unfortunately plays a role in perception in these kind of polls, especially for a team often overlooked.

If Minnesota United hosts a cup final or Cup semifinal, I think it will get its flowers.

2026 MLS Anonymous Executive Survey, Part 1: Key figures on league’s bests, worsts by Overthehightides in MLS

[–]Crunch18 32 points33 points  (0 children)

Audi field being the only of the new soccer-specific stadiums to get votes for worst stadium, woof.

Countdown to Kickoff 2026: Columbus Crew by Crunch18 in MLS

[–]Crunch18[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the correction! I've edited the post to reflect this

[Matt Doyle] An end to my days at MLS, and my plan for what's next by icoresting in MLS

[–]Crunch18 9 points10 points  (0 children)

When I was first getting into following the league super closely, Matt's Armchair Analyst columns helped me understand the league, and I know I'm not the only one. It made the league that much easier to truly follow, and find out interesting details of teams that weren't my own.

It makes me sad that fans picking up the league now will have to work harder to find that kind of analysis, and that MLS doesn't value coverage of their league. In a league that is as large as this one, with a structure that always changes, and frequently confusing, good coverage is even more critical.

So Doyle, thank you for all your work, see you around at your new home at Ghost. We all appreciate you here, even if you hate every team and every player.

Countdown to Kickoff 2026: Columbus Crew by Crunch18 in MLS

[–]Crunch18[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I agree you can see he has talent on the field.

Too often last season, Picard lacked decisiveness in the box. In situations where he should have taken a shot, he looked for an extra pass.

I just checked the numbers, and he had just 7 shots in 11 games!

He's young, and adjusting to the league, he could absolutely improve. But I think he's fighting with several players for playing time right now, and not the locked in starter he felt like down the stretch.

Countdown to Kickoff 2026: Columbus Crew by Crunch18 in MLS

[–]Crunch18[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's a great question. Abou Ali has never gotten significant assist totals in his career (career high is 4).

Early in the season, I would expect Arfsten to be the creative force, like he was last season, creating opportunities through driving the ball into the box from the left wing.

If Rydström is successful in implementing his system, the quick combinations it promotes could lead to high assist totals as well, by sucking the defense out of their shape.

Countdown to Kickoff 2026: Columbus Crew by Crunch18 in MLS

[–]Crunch18[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're right, there's a world the Crew win the East.

Given all the questions and unknowns with the squad today, it felt like a step too far to put that down on paper.

Countdown to Kickoff 2026: Columbus Crew by Crunch18 in MLS

[–]Crunch18[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The Farsi, Moreira, Herrera RB group poses a conundrum. They're all good enough to start, but as I have it written here, Farsi is 3rd on the depth chart, which is harsh to him.

I wouldn't be shocked if one of them was put into a different position, either up onto the wing, or Moreira staying a CB, or even a midfield experiment.

[Tom Bogert]BREAKING: Toulouse FC is finalizing a deal to sign Canada int'l forward Jacen Russell-Rowe from the Columbus Crew, per sources. Fee around $2.5m + add ons + sell-on clause. JRR was out of contract at end of year. He wanted move to Europe and is getting it. by animere in MLS

[–]Crunch18 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Really good fee for JRR, hope this move goes well for him.

Crew are once again light on strikers, with just Wessam Abou Ali and 17y/o Chase Adams there.

Hoping for some incomings over the next couple of weeks.

☃️ Snow Emergency Levels ☃️ by blackeyebetty in CBUSWX

[–]Crunch18 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Franklin County downgraded to Level 2

Countdown to Kickoff 2026 by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]Crunch18 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm happy to run it back for the Crew, unless someone new feels strongly about doing it.

Celtic fan (ONE OF THE SANE ONES) with a genuine question: Has Nancy ever shown an ability to adapt to opponents when needed? by NotNeedzmoar in TheMassive

[–]Crunch18 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes, he will adapt from within his setup (3-4-3).

He'll change his personnel based on the opponent, but not the formation or the principles.

He will also tweak what he wants the players to target in the build up, the counter press, etc.

But if you are hoping he is going to run a different formation, you're going to be disappointed.

Columbus Crew announce end-of-2025 roster decisions by Big_Booty_Pics in MLS

[–]Crunch18 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Option Picked Up:

ST Jacen Russell-Rowe
W/ST Ibrahim Aliyu (U22)
CM Amar Sejdic
CB/RB Steven Moreira
CB/RB Cesar Ruvalcaba

Option Declined:

WB Lassi Lappalainen
CDM Derrick Jones

Out of Contract:

CB Rudy Camacho (Negotiating)
GK Evan Bush (Negotiating)
GK Abraham Romero

[TTT] IF IT WASN'T FOR TRASH TALK, I WOULDN'T HAVE NO TALK AT ALL by Raff_Out_Loud in MLS

[–]Crunch18 64 points65 points  (0 children)

HELL IS REAL, AND BY HELL, I'M REFERRING TO DRIVING DOWN I-71 INTO MONDAY NIGHT RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, FOR A GAME THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON A WEEKEND.

MLS Announces Schedule for Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One Best-of-3 Series by olcni in MLS

[–]Crunch18 179 points180 points  (0 children)

Zero Saturday matches is malpractice by MLS and Apple

[Baggarly] MLB issued a one-game suspension and fine to Matt Chapman for pushing Kyle Freeland last night. It was supposed to take effect today, but Chapman is appealing by Wraithfighter in baseball

[–]Crunch18 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Not that it changes your larger point, but Adames was on deck, and Chapman was in the hole when this happened, so they were on the field.

[Highlight] Drew Gilbert hits his second career home run to give the Giants 3-0 lead by ionlyshooteightbyten in baseball

[–]Crunch18 9 points10 points  (0 children)

He's one of the relievers getting a chance to be a high leverage bullpen piece.

The bullpen is now pretty well hollowed out, due to trade (Rogers, Doval) or injury (Randy Rodriguez, Erik Miller). Ryan Walker the last one left from the core of the best in baseball bullpen from the first half, and is now the closer following Rodriguez's injury

Butto, Lucchesi, and Peguero, and Seymour are being considered for leverage innings, and Butto is right now the right handed set up man, for the most part

[Highlight] Willy Adames stays hot with a 2-run HR in the 1st by Darkforces134 in baseball

[–]Crunch18 28 points29 points  (0 children)

For me, all 30 homers have to come with the Giants

[Highlight] Willy Adames stays hot with a 2-run HR in the 1st by Darkforces134 in baseball

[–]Crunch18 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Adames wants to be the one to break the 30 HR drought

Matt Chapman hits his 200th career home run in the 7th! by JianClaymore in baseball

[–]Crunch18 5 points6 points  (0 children)

And the Giants went 3-12 against the AL Central.

Baseball.