PV 2 NYCFC

[Alioune DVToure]

I agree with the points being made about this definitely NOT being a step back professionally. He'll be under pretty intense scrutiny at an MLS club, and we shouldn't underestimate the challenge. It's hard for expansion teams and takes most of them years to have any kind of success (for instance, finishing in the top 3 of their conference or top 7/8 overall). If he gets NYCFC into the play-offs next year and succeeds in taking them a bit further over the subsequent two years, it'll be a good indication that he's got what it takes to make it as a manager.

[iwasthere2012]

From the sounds of it, managing an MLS team is not a brilliant job. Is this an actual step up from his current position? Would he not have been better off going to a Huddersfield or a Fulham or a Barnsley?

Yes i honestly think it is a step up.

Without wanting to demean the Academy, the role there is more about nurturing the players and getting them playing the "holistic" way that club is using as the blueprint. Yes the EDS and U's play competitive games but they don't really count for anything except bragging rights?

By going to NYCFC he will have the pressure that comes with being the manager where results really do count and at the same time be able to carry on the way he has in the academy i.e. holistically with full support of the board (funny that).

If he went to Huddersfield etc he might be forced by the chairman/board to deviate from what City want from him in the future?

I know little about the standard of the MLS, but that is pretty much what I feel about it.

[iwasthere2012]

I agree with the points being made about this definitely NOT being a step back professionally. He'll be under pretty intense scrutiny at an MLS club, and we shouldn't underestimate the challenge. It's hard for expansion teams and takes most of them years to have any kind of success (for instance, finishing in the top 3 of their conference or top 7/8 overall). If he gets NYCFC into the play-offs next year and succeeds in taking them a bit further over the subsequent two years, it'll be a good indication that he's got what it takes to make it as a manager.

Can I show my ignorance and ask what an expansion team is, please.

[Alioune DVToure]

I agree with the points being made about this definitely NOT being a step back professionally. He'll be under pretty intense scrutiny at an MLS club, and we shouldn't underestimate the challenge. It's hard for expansion teams and takes most of them years to have any kind of success (for instance, finishing in the top 3 of their conference or top 7/8 overall). If he gets NYCFC into the play-offs next year and succeeds in taking them a bit further over the subsequent two years, it'll be a good indication that he's got what it takes to make it as a manager.

Can I show my ignorance and ask what an expansion team is, please.

The MLS has been 'expanding' over the last decade; as in, accepting new teams. It's now a 20-team competition, split into East and West conferences (10 teams in each). The team I 'follow' over there (because it's where my wife is from) is Philadelphia Union: an expansion team which joined the league in 2010. In six seasons, I believe they've only qualified once for the MLS Cup Play-Offs. The way it now works, the top 6 in each conference qualify. Union finished 9th in their conference this year and 18th overall (when a full league table is compiled from both conferences).

You can win win the Supporters' Shield (which is finishing top of the table when both conferences have been merged into one league table at the end of the regular season, pre-playoffs), but the big one is the MLS Cup. Any one of the 12 teams that qualify can win it. The top two in each conference qualify straight for the conference semis, where they're joined by two of the four teams who finished 3rd-6th. The winners duke it out in a conference final (which is, in effect, a nationwide semi-final). The winner of the conference final is declared the conference winner and qualifies for the MLS Cup Final. The team with the best record in the regular season hosts this. The winner 'wins' the MLS that season.

It's a pretty similar structure to Super League RL, but with two conferences.

There is also a straight knockout competition called the Lamar Hunt Cup. Think of it as the FA Cup.

[Wonderwall]

How are they going to change that God awful.playing surface. It can't be a holistic approach on a pitch that's got surface like the local councils.

[Alioune DVToure]

The MLS can honestly be a pretty exciting competition. I'm surprised how Yanks always talk it down. If I ever move over there - which I might - I'll buzz off it.

For anyone with five minutes to spare, check out this video of highlights from the FC Dallas vs. Seattle Sounders match the other night. This was a conference semi-final, second leg (so a quarter-final in a competition-wide sense).

If you watch this, I reckon you'll be surprised at the excitement, the quality of the atmosphere and standard some of the play. To be fair, though, these are two of the better sides. Turn a blind eye (deaf ear?) to the cringeworthy commentary.

Context: Dallas were 1-2 down from the first leg away in Seattle. Away goals apply.

Watch on youtube.com

[JamieMCFC]

How are they going to change that God awful.playing surface. It can't be a holistic approach on a pitch that's got surface like the local councils.

It isn't their stadium and they can't make any changes. The priority will always be the Yankees and what they need.

[JamieMCFC]

I agree with the points being made about this definitely NOT being a step back professionally. He'll be under pretty intense scrutiny at an MLS club, and we shouldn't underestimate the challenge. It's hard for expansion teams and takes most of them years to have any kind of success (for instance, finishing in the top 3 of their conference or top 7/8 overall). If he gets NYCFC into the play-offs next year and succeeds in taking them a bit further over the subsequent two years, it'll be a good indication that he's got what it takes to make it as a manager.

Can I show my ignorance and ask what an expansion team is, please.

The MLS has been 'expanding' over the last decade; as in, accepting new teams. It's now a 20-team competition, split into East and West conferences (10 teams in each). The team I 'follow' over there (because it's where my wife is from) is Philadelphia Union: an expansion team which joined the league in 2010. In six seasons, I believe they've only qualified once for the MLS Cup Play-Offs. The way it now works, the top 6 in each conference qualify. Union finished 9th in their conference this year and 18th overall (when a full league table is compiled from both conferences).

You can win win the Supporters' Shield (which is finishing top of the table when both conferences have been merged into one league table at the end of the regular season, pre-playoffs), but the big one is the MLS Cup. Any one of the 12 teams that qualify can win it. The top two in each conference qualify straight for the conference semis, where they're joined by two of the four teams who finished 3rd-6th. The winners duke it out in a conference final (which is, in effect, a nationwide semi-final). The winner of the conference final is declared the conference winner and qualifies for the MLS Cup Final. The team with the best record in the regular season hosts this. The winner 'wins' the MLS that season.

It's a pretty similar structure to Super League RL, but with two conferences.

There is also a straight knockout competition called the Lamar Hunt Cup. Think of it as the FA Cup.

To clarify a little further on expansion teams there are two types. One is a brand new team entering the league like NYCFC. The other is an expansion team that comes up from one of the lower leagues. This year Orlando is the other expansion team. They came up from the USL which is the 3rd division. In 2017 two more teams will enter the league. Atlanta which is a brand new team like NYCFC and Minnesota which is coming up from the NASL the 2nd division. We don't have promotion/relegation over here. Teams entering the league have to pay an expansion fee to enter the league it's currently $100 million. I've followed the expansion process closely for the last year or so. I've been a season ticket holder for Minnesota for about 5 years or 6 years now.

[bigblue]

Still think they should bring back the shootout:

Watch on youtube.com

[Mase]

There's more people at Sunday league matches than in that stadium!

[Clowncrete]

Still think they should bring back the shootout:

Watch on youtube.com

That's a class idea. Better than the penalty shootout!

[Beefymcfc]

He's not proved anything yet in a management position so this gives him that experience. If he's good then there's an option for him to stay in the fold. If he's shut, he can fuck off to the Arse like all the media have quoted.

[Pretty Boy Lee]

Damn I wanted that job :)

Love new York!

[Sideshow Bob]

stupid move for the club. this will hurt our academy and our ability to attract top kids. fuck nyfc.

[Mase]

stupid move for the club. this will hurt our academy and our ability to attract top kids. fuck nyfc.

We've just spent about a billion pounds on academy facilities so big Pat going won't do any harm mate.

[Saul Goodman]

As an expansion clib how do they fill their squad? Seems like hes got the dregs at the bottom of the barrel plus ex-Euro players...
Gonna be very hard for him if thats the case

[Alioune DVToure]

As an expansion clib how do they fill their squad? Seems like hes got the dregs at the bottom of the barrel plus ex-Euro players...
Gonna be very hard for him if thats the case

They get decent draft picks and sign players who rivals are willing to let go (it's obviously a problem that they have no players to trade). Unless you strike it lucky with good coaching and a group of players that all clicks into place straight off the bat, which can happen, it takes years to get a well-balanced squad. Philly are still trying to get there after six seasons.

[getdressedmctavish]

My worry is that managing NYC will be akin to trying to herd cats

[Beefymcfc]

As an expansion clib how do they fill their squad? Seems like hes got the dregs at the bottom of the barrel plus ex-Euro players...
Gonna be very hard for him if thats the case

They get decent draft picks and sign players who rivals are willing to let go (it's obviously a problem that they have no players to trade). Unless you strike it lucky with good coaching and a group of players that all clicks into place straight off the bat, which can happen, it takes years to get a well-balanced squad. Philly are still trying to get there after six seasons.

Sounds a bit like the CL.

[Burt]

A question I have that nobody seems to be addressing:-

Who is going to be taking over Paddy's job?