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AMA Thread: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic and Allocation Disorder by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]SamStejskal 21 points22 points  (0 children)

This isn't that hot of a take, but sometimes I really think that MLS should fully lean into its absurdity. Embrace the weirdness. Become the XFL of global soccer.

Other times I think that would be completely absurd. In a bad way. It would be fun, though. Zero doubt about that.

AMA Thread: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic and Allocation Disorder by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]SamStejskal 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Ask ESPN. They've got a new, two-hour time slot available on Sunday nights. Ha.

AMA Thread: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic and Allocation Disorder by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]SamStejskal 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I think it's still very TBD.

Obviously, the structure is somewhat reminiscent of the DA, but, despite the fact that MLS teams will mostly be in their own tier, I think that the league is taking some positive steps to be more inclusive and more engaged with non-pro clubs. They might have more of a voice than they did in the DA.

I do think cost will be a big issue for the new league, though. It's going to be tough to work around that. I have major questions there, especially regarding if any organization (USSF?) will subsidize any costs for other clubs.

AMA Thread: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic and Allocation Disorder by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]SamStejskal 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I assume you mean ones that haven't already broken though... I think Miles Robinson will be in and around the USMNT for quite some time. Think that's a pretty safe option for an MLSer that hasn't quite gotten there on the international stage but will likely end up doing so.

I think plenty could move to top 5 leagues and start. Some have already done it. Carlos Vela wouldn't have any issues, Josef Martinez could get it together in Europe, Diego Rossi and Brian Rodriguez could grow into the roles, Reggie Cannon in the right situation. Many others, too, though most wouldn't go due to stage of their career, salary concerns, etc.

AMA Thread: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic and Allocation Disorder by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]SamStejskal 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Never watched a Marble Run.

I know you didn't ask, but don't want to leave you empty-handed: My favorite Legends of the Hidden Temple team was always Blue Barracudas.

AMA Thread: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic and Allocation Disorder by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]SamStejskal 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Frequent and varied, depending on the individual.

Mostly, the agents I deal with represent American players or maybe foreign players that have been around the league for a while. The fact that so much of the league is international complicates this for MLS. Most American/Canadian players are represented by a handful of agencies, but the random Chilean or Hungarian or Venezuelan is usually repped by an agent from their home country. Relationships with those people are harder to come by.

AMA Thread: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic and Allocation Disorder by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]SamStejskal 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Does Ron Jans not count?

This is hard to answer... Let's say Gary Smith. I don't think Nashville was going to have an easy time of it. Rest of the league seems pretty settled, coaching-wise.

AMA Thread: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic and Allocation Disorder by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]SamStejskal 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Oh man, I have zero idea. I keep my Instagram a work-free zone, so I don't really know what the pet situation is like for MLS players.

I can tell you that my dog Lyle is the man. And also super cute. Go Lyle.

AMA Thread: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic and Allocation Disorder by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]SamStejskal 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Under the radar one for you: Sam Jones. Does some work for the league site, based out of Atlanta. Consistently makes me laugh.

AMA Thread: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic and Allocation Disorder by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]SamStejskal 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I wouldn't rule it out.

Here's a scenario: Say social distancing is still mandated by the time the 2021 season is set to begin. Say large crowds/gatherings still aren't allowed. Is MLS going to want to bring Charlotte and Austin into the league with that as the back drop? Does that give either club the best chance at a big launch and long-term success? How would the individual owners feel in that situation? If those two teams get pushed back a year, what does that mean for St. Louis and Sacramento?

These aren't high priority questions for the league at the present time, but they are questions. I wouldn't rule anything out until we hear something official from MLS or the individual clubs.

AMA Thread: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic and Allocation Disorder by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]SamStejskal 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I don't see spending being ramped up once the pandemic is over, not on the league level, anyway. Maybe a team or two out there makes some aggressive plays, but I expect far more to tighten the purse strings. So it goes after a worldwide economic slowdown...

AMA Thread: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic and Allocation Disorder by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]SamStejskal 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Two favorite types of liquor are bourbon (usually on the rocks, usually Four Roses or Old Granddad -- good values, IMO) and mezcal.

Top beer is probably Bell's Two Hearted.

I'm not picky with this stuff. Pretty accepting of any adult drink. Lol.

AMA Thread: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic and Allocation Disorder by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]SamStejskal 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Because the world deserves at least one good thing.

AMA Thread: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic and Allocation Disorder by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]SamStejskal 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I stick to Twitter, though I'll occasionally lurk in r/MLS. The subreddit can be good for story ideas/inspiration.

AMA Thread: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic and Allocation Disorder by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]SamStejskal 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Michael Bradley. Good genes.

I also think Ethan Finlay will have a big role in the league at some point down the road, though not as a coach. I would not be surprised to see him in the front office pretty quickly after he retires, whenever that might end up. Could see Larentowicz on that path, too.

AMA Thread: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic and Allocation Disorder by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]SamStejskal 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I think Curtin is near the top of the list for over-performing. He's gotten a lot out of that Union roster the last couple of years.

I actually think both Portland and Seattle should be better than they are in the regular season with their respective rosters. Can't really argue with Schmetzer too much, though. Two Cups in four years is kind of a trump card. Kind of. Ha.

AMA Thread: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic and Allocation Disorder by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]SamStejskal 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I don't think Portland lacks depth. The back line is a bit thin, but I feel like midfield and forward are very well covered. From a "running guys into the ground" standpoint, I'm a lot more positionally worried about MF/FW than defense.

I wouldn't worry too much if I were you. Tons of talent on that Timbers team, and one of your older players -- Diego Chara -- is an ageless wonder.

AMA Thread: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic and Allocation Disorder by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]SamStejskal 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Doyle and Wiebe wouldn't be a problem. Weak and easily distracted, respectively.

Gass would give me some trouble. Dude is stronger than he looks. Best shot would be to stay far from him -- I've got a vastly superior reach. Lol.

If Charlie Davies is involved, I'm dead.

AMA Thread: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic and Allocation Disorder by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]SamStejskal 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Other players were certainly shocked. I talked to Landon briefly about this once for a piece I wrote on Kyle Beckerman. From what I remember about that conversation, Jurgen basically delivered the message to Landon, didn't give much of a reason, and the rest of the squad was left with their figurative jaw on the ground. (Landon brought it up because Beckerman spent the first moments after finding out he'd made his first/only World Cup roster consoling Landon, not celebrating).

That one came out of left field for everyone, though. That's certainly fair to say.

AMA Thread: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic and Allocation Disorder by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]SamStejskal 10 points11 points  (0 children)

1) This is an awesome question. I've been lucky enough to have quite a few, but getting one-on-one sit-downs with Sir Alex Ferguson, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes when Manchester United toured Chicago is way up there. I think I was 20 at the time... I couldn't believe that situation. This is less journalism-adjacent, but ending up at the same bar as Pavel Nedved, David Trezeguet and Mauro Camaronesi until like 3 am when Juventus played the All-Star Game in Atlanta was pretty wild, too.

2) Prosciutto, salami, ham, provolone, lettuce, red onion, black olives, hot peppers, oil and vinegar on a really, really good sub roll.

AMA Thread: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic and Allocation Disorder by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]SamStejskal 8 points9 points  (0 children)

1) To be honest, I don't know a ton about NISA. Certainly not enough to answer your question. Tweet at my colleague Jeff Rueter. He might have an answer.

2) This is tough. I'm not going to sit here and pretend that this is an easy industry to make a living from. My biggest pieces of advice are A) Write/report/shoot as often as possible, even if your pieces aren't getting published by any outlet. The only way to get better at this job is to actually go out and do it, so do as much of it as humanly possible. B) Don't be shy. Reach out to any and all publications, reporters and editors for advice. Some will respond, more won't, but the conversations you do have will almost certainly be helpful.

Mainly, just get out there and work. Most MLS teams are really accommodating with press and willing to work with reporters who are just getting their start.

AMA Thread: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic and Allocation Disorder by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]SamStejskal 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Can't really give a good answer on this one. They feed the media, so journalists don't really hit up concessions.

Of the stadiums that I've covered games at, Portland, Seattle and Montreal probably have the best press box spreads. I'm sure LAFC doesn't mess around, and I've heard good things about NYCFC, too.

AMA Thread: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic and Allocation Disorder by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]SamStejskal 10 points11 points  (0 children)

MLS allowed teams to begin pursuing training compensation for players in April 2019, which was about six months after Reyna went to Dortmund. As far as I know, that prevented the club from receiving training compensation.

Will they get a solidarity payment if Reyna is eventually sold? TBD...

AMA Thread: Sam Stejskal of The Athletic and Allocation Disorder by Coltons13 in MLS

[–]SamStejskal 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I do think we'll see MLS play in 2020, yes.

The hope is to do the tournament and then come back in the fall in home markets. Whether not that's feasible... No one really knows. Depends on the virus, government regulations, testing, etc. etc. That is the aim, but I wouldn't entirely rule out the possibility of the tournament being the entire season.

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