ohiobucks1;1184980 wrote:There is a HUGE talent gap between the starters in the MLS and the Starters in the bottom leagues.
There however, is not much of a gap between the reserves of the MLS teams and the starters of the bottom leagues
Its still enough that teams play Bunker ball (see Chelsea in the champions league) but that is sometimes very effective.
I was at the Crew game last night, and the DDL maybe had 3 shots but they scored all 3 and many of the crew players didn't seem to care much
You were at the game and didn't see the final was 2-1?
The talent gap isn't that "HUGE." There is with the "elite" players, but not all starters and first-teamers are "elite." That's in every sport and in every league. There is a lot of interchanging of players from MLS-NASL-USLPro...not with the "elite" players but with the reserves and/or the role players.
chicago510;1184996 wrote:This. Crew played a B- lineup, and their effort sucked. Game should have been 6-0 at one point. Oh well, I really couldn't care less about the USOC....I'd rather be rested for MLS play and keep our form.
It was never going to be 6-0. Sorry.
The Crew's effort did suck, but it wasn't their whole "B-lineup." Many first-teamers were on the field: Josh Williams, Julius James (first game back from injury), Ethan Finlay, Olman Vargas, Emelio Renteria (late sub), Justin Meram, Francis and Gehrig and Anor are regulars, and even Birchall can be included in there. So, where exactly is their "B-lineup?" Gruenebaum wasn't in the goal and Renteria didn't start. Chad Marshall is hurt. Duka didn't get on the field.
It's no surprise that 2nd and 3rd division professional teams are scary to play. There were 6 other MLS teams that fell last night. It happens in every other country's "open" Cups as well. I am not shocked at lower-tier teams winning -- I am with the Dutch Lions only because they haven't scored many goals this year OR came from behind. But, good for them. They deserve it. They'll be traveling to Pontiac, Michigan to play the Michigan Bucks (a Columbus Crew affiliate). If lower-tier teams can go far in other countries' Cups, why can't we expect the same in the US in the MLS? It goes beyond playing "B-lineups" or "not caring mentalities."
Any given day to any given team. It happens more times in soccer than any other sport, in my opinion. That's part of the beauty of the game.