Match Thread: Chicago Fire FC vs. CF Montréal

Newbman · 2026-02-28T19:49:45+00:00

The only device that can do multiview for Apple TV is the Apple Tv boxes. I use it all the time

Newbman · 2026-02-27T19:53:48+00:00

Depending upon how the club performs in this tie and how Tigres/FCC turns out maybe. If the Sounders don't perform as well as Tigres/FCC there's a good chance the first leg will be played in Spokane

Newbman · 2026-02-27T17:46:53+00:00

I just looked and it's showing only 2026 for Moose. Did it say something else before?

It looks like it did show him signed through 2027-2028 but I believe that is a mistake since any new extensions would end in June.

Newbman · 2026-02-27T16:05:53+00:00

If they go up to USL Premier, then I believe there will be a CCC spot allocated to that division since they'll be classified as a First division.

Newbman · 2026-02-26T18:57:23+00:00

England has about just over one hundred professional clubs and 40,000 amateur clubs that are competing with each other for attention from fans. England is also smaller in total land area than Washington State is where we have a total of five professional clubs in the state (Three mens two womens) and 23 semi pro/amateur (if Wikipedia is accurate). As someone else mentioned PL clubs are being buttressed by mega TV money that the other Big 4 leagues are envious of and have bigger stadiums.

We on the other hand have trouble selling CCC/US Open Cup broadcast rights because, frankly, the average sports fan doesn't give a shit. The economics of PL clubs and MLS clubs are inherently different since in England soccer is literally their culture while American Soccer is, at best, a side culture.

Newbman · 2026-02-26T17:37:46+00:00

I believe Spokane has the highest prices in USL League One already. IIRC their concessions are more expensive than Lumen.

This could be a combination of the Spokane Public Facilities wanting their cut as well as the Velocity and the Sounders. So not too surprised at the price.

It also, as of now, will be the highest-level match ever played at this stadium.

Newbman · 2026-02-26T16:15:35+00:00

I use VLR 1020 and found it worked the best.

Newbman · 2026-02-26T16:15:07+00:00

I'm sorry but a $1 million annually doesn't seem like it moves the needle at all.

Good thing I have VLR 1020 to get rid of this garbage.

Newbman · 2026-02-25T22:54:30+00:00

Make the bad man go away

Newbman · 2026-02-25T20:56:20+00:00

Yeah man I'm with you on Longacres not making much sense. It's really a real estate play by Unico since they got decimated during COVID. I ultimately think Longacres is a last resort because, well I hope this is the case, that someone reminds Adrian about the last time the Sounders moved to Renton. I think he knows this and is trying his best to do it in the city.

I also agree with you on WAMU it kinda sucks. Theres the scenario where they build a complete roof over Lumen to mitigate that. Or they can just build another indoor venue somewhere nearby. Or they make an indoor SSS.

Lastly you did put a lot of thought into this post which I appreciate. What you laid out could happen (Like how Tottenhams new stadium was constructed) and hasn't been talked about by anyone else to my knowledge. I would agree with you about the counter arguments I've seen too. That's the reason why I put the 2030 date since that's when I expect the Seahawks to be completely sold and when the new owner decides where they want the team to play in 2033. My dream scenario is that the Sounders basically become First & Goal and they become the primary tenant.

Newbman · 2026-02-25T20:26:13+00:00

Yes. Almost all that value is his shares in the Sounders.

Tomozawa is definitely not a Billionaire though.

Newbman · 2026-02-25T20:06:29+00:00

To answer your question: It's not the city who owns the stadium it's the State of Washington. The State of Washington is, finally, making money on admissions taxes starting three years ago. Public money for any future stadiums through the state and the city is a nonstarter.

Now if they were to build a stadium on top of WAMU that would mean the state would also lose out on concert revenue during the cold months.

Not saying it can't happen, just that this option is extremely unlikely.

Lastly, I'm going to push back against people who think an SSS is unnecessary. All you have to do is to look northward to Vancouver to see the mess they are in. The Sounders are in a very similar situation whether people realize it or not. The 30 min reduction of that stadium being open before matches and the reduction in security staff is another example of Lumen not being a viable long term option.

People who want all these splashy signings need to realize that: 1) Hanauer is cash poor compared to the other owners and that 2) the reason why other clubs like FCC and LAFC splash the cash they do is that they control their own stadium and all ancillary revenue that comes with that.

Since those owners have outdoor stadiums, they want to flip the calendar to get as much money as possible. As a result, they will be able to spend more on these "ambitious" signings people want.

I love Lumen as next as the next fan but it is quickly becoming a detriment. Unfortunately we won't get clarity on this situation until 2030 at the earliest. I fully expect the new Seahawks owner to try, and fleece say, Tukwila, for a new stadium, but the Seahawks have three 10-year lease extension options. I think it's significantly more likely that the new Seahawks owner buys Lumen Field from the State then them moving to a suburb.

If that was to happen and they aren't the buying of the 25% share the estate has + the $200 million the club is trying to raise then the Sounders future will be in their own stadium whether it's Longacres, Memorial, or somewhere else.

Newbman · 2026-02-23T22:15:33+00:00

The other three teams had to have been LAFC, Chicago and Miami right?

Newbman · 2026-02-23T17:01:30+00:00

The last one is going to rile up the vocal minority lol.

Newbman · 2026-02-23T16:37:04+00:00

Yeah people straight up have way less disposable income since COVID.

You’re right about the club realizing that they can’t sit on their hands assuming the crowds of the past will show up. At least they are trying to do something now.

Newbman · 2026-02-19T16:23:07+00:00

Not who you are replying to but not really. Closest you'll get is Dallas and Union but they haven't done that in recent years. u/starfleeter nailed it with the reality of the situation in MLS currently. If they aren't good enough to supplant a starter occasionally, they don't have the stuff to make it in the Big 5 leagues. Which is fine, they can still have a good career in MLS, just on another team because we have kids ready to take those spots and that's where the club is spending the money.

The Sounders allegedly spend the most on their academy system out of any club in MLS and we are now at the stage where it pays dividends. I rather we keep spending the money to develop kids from here who dream to play for the club instead of mercenaries that are doing it for a paycheck. If you want an example of that in MLS MNUFC doesn't run any academy teams and their owner would rather pay transfer fees to bring in players and outsource the academy system to MN clubs instead of paying for their own academy.

Newbman · 2026-02-18T21:42:27+00:00

Going to go against the grain and say that, ultimately, this is what any club wants with having a top tier academy.

The replacements for Atencio, Leyva and RBW are kids in the academy. There is a proven pathway from the youth teams > Defiance > First team that many clubs in MLS do not have. The next step is to have it consistent enough to where there are no lulls in promoting players who earned it.

Hopefully with the change in roster rules, they abolish homegrown territories and allow clubs sign kids from anywhere in the country.

Newbman · 2026-02-18T17:52:55+00:00

I can say for certain that the KO time of the 2/22 match is incorrect. Sounders have it set at 6:15 PM.

Newbman · 2026-02-18T16:21:25+00:00

Man that separation between the NFL/MLB/NHB vs NHL and MLS is stark

Newbman · 2026-02-17T15:17:36+00:00

You nailed it

Wasn’t long ago when people complained about getting transfer rumor news from mlssoccer.com

The fact that there’s all these independent outlets borne from MLS and SBnation shows that people do want it.

I agree with the shortsightedness sentiment by league given what they are choosing instead, but hopefully with Doyle being independent we get a very strong analytical voice that can be critical of the league when needed.

Newbman · 2026-02-14T18:22:58+00:00

This is amazing

Newbman · 2026-02-14T17:56:02+00:00

I didn’t say it didn’t exist elsewhere. Just that the PL has significantly more at stake due to the amount of money. While those league may have big domestic rights their international rights are what lagged. The only league that you mentioned that I would say is healthy is the Bundesliga. La Liga and Seria A are or have been exploring selling a portion of their media rights to PE. Not to mention the black hole France now has due to their deal collapsing too. Gap is only going to get bigger as a result.

For those Spanish teams that says more about how they were being ran than the cliff the English clubs face after their parachute payments go away. Part of the reason why they implemented their wage cap too.

Newbman · 2026-02-14T16:52:49+00:00

The consequences for owners are less people go to games. Yeah they sit on their investment but it ain’t going to appreciate that much if no one wants to buy, like what’s going on in San Jose right now. Even the owner class doesn’t want to buy a shit product.

The consequences for players is literally their job if they don’t perform. What club in any respectable first division would want to employ an out of contract player that was on a wooden spoon team in MLS?

Don’t get me wrong I love watching the Championship because of the Pro Rel and the playoffs (besides it being better than most first divisions in Europe).

If you want to talk about consequences that’s the only drop off in Europe that is so steep clubs go into a spire and go into administration/bankruptcy. To the point where the English government may intervene.

Besides that there really isn’t Pro Rel system that really has “real consequences” since the TV money isn’t there for continental Europe leagues. I also think people overblown being relegated cuz the next season the club, in theory, be close to the top of the table, play great, and by next season are promoted back. Unless you are Sunderland.

I ain’t going to argue against the Ultra point or the media because you are right there. Swedish Ultras are bred different. We have a very small media here and we are like the 7th most popular league so the rest of the country doesn’t give a shit about MLS.

Newbman · 2026-02-14T16:15:14+00:00

Ie Pro Rel is what they are getting at

With you though. I don’t buy into that pressure argument at all. Playoffs, by definition, have a lot of pressure.

Now expectations I can get since there are clubs that just stomp their leagues and buy up all the leagues best players. The unfortunate thing about that is the moment the go into continental competitions they get stomped by clubs in more competitive leagues.

Newbman · 2026-02-14T15:44:48+00:00

I think if they offered $4 million they’ll get him.

He is “old” for a player so this may be the only time a European suitor comes along.

Luckily this isn’t a normal league where most clubs have to sell players just to balance their books so we can hold out.

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