Timbers Tid Bits: Scheduling Edition... with Poll!

by Geoff Gibson on Oct 11, 2011 12:01 PM PDT

So Jurgen Klinsmann had some choice words about MLS players and the way the league currently operates its scheduling. In a few words he wants the league season to be longer in order to facilitate a more competitive environment as compared to the rest of the world.

Those of you who have followed SF for a while now should know that I'm a huge proponent of keeping a balanced schedule and increasing the number of games played per year. This doesn't only mean expanding games to accommodate a balanced schedule for the Montreal Impact, it also means adjusting the U.S. Open Cup in such a way so as to ensure that MLS teams are playing more games.

But I'd like to know what you guys think. I've attached a poll to today's TTB to see if a longer schedule is something that's wanted or if you prefer a shorter, more regionalized schedule like what is currently planned to happen in 2012.

Enjoy your afternoon news!

Timbers news

Monday Morning Centre Back: The Reckoning in the Land of Trees and Chainsaws
Fellow SB Nation site Dynamo Theory talks about Friday's game a bit.

Portland Timbers: Fashion Forward For EarthTec
In case you were wondering how this whole thing went down. Warning: lots of pink!

Playoff spot and much more on line for Chabala, Palmer
I'm sure Mike Chabala and Lovel Palmer would like to deal Houston a bit of revenge.

Other news (after the jump)

Jurgen Klinsmann calls for MLS changes
I like this man. He's got some good ideas.

Fire in dire need of finishing kick
After the Fire played its most recent Major League Soccer game Oct. 1, a playoff berth didn’t seem out of the question.

Chicago Fire manager Frank Klopas facing selection headaches
Injuries are depleting Chicago's squad.

Klinsmann changes 'the landscape' for US soccer
Klinsmann calls for a balanced, longer schedule. I agree!

Impact re-sign 2011 MVP Hassoun Camara
French midfielder is the first player from last season's squad to join the club's roster for 2012

Poll

Do you want to see a longer, balanced schedule?

Longer and balanced

79 votes

The same and more regionalized

2 votes

Longer schedule AND more regionalized (not balanced)

7 votes

88 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 21 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Where's my "No changes" option?

Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.

by Kejsare on Oct 11, 2011 12:12 PM PDT reply actions

Granted, if I choose balanced with no changes and teams are added, it is assuredly

a balanced season with a longer schedule by virtue of more games.

Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.

by Kejsare on Oct 11, 2011 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Sorry!

The middle one is actually “no changes” as that’s what MLS is doing next year. Same amount of game as this season but more regionalized.

If you want a completely balanced schedule no matter what then you’d select the first option.

I should have been clearer about that.

RCTID - Stumptown Footy
Moderator of /r/MLS

by Geoff Gibson on Oct 11, 2011 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions

No Changes = I'm with MLS on the changes?

I mean no changes with respect to balanced schedule, but since there is guaranteed under that model more games with more teams, the first option is the true “no changes.”

Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.

by Kejsare on Oct 11, 2011 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Keep the balanced schedule

Integrate better with CCL, USOC, and Int’l play. But drop a few friendlies.

It’s nonsense when Garber says they can’t play a balanced schedule with 19 or 20 teams when teams are playing 4 friendlies a year and RBNY is traveling to London to play an exhibition match.

by yepyou'reright on Oct 11, 2011 2:00 PM PDT via iPhone app reply actions

Absolutely correct

I would not be at all unhappy if there were no friendlies at all. The inconvenience of having a friendly in the middle of a competitive season isn’t really worth it.

by pdb on Oct 11, 2011 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Not excited about the prospect of playing

SJ and Colorado three or four times per year. I can barely take watching those teams twice. Rivalry matches will risk burn out and we might as well do away with the Supporters Shield if it’s an imbalanced schedule.

by yepyou'reright on Oct 11, 2011 4:47 PM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions

I think it wouldn't be good for the rivalries at all

Three against each would be a big home and away balance issue, four would be too many.
Also as you say, it loses a little luster from being one night a year.

volatilelyle.com

by almost awesome on Oct 11, 2011 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Scarcity creates value

and I would not want to see MLS play teams more than once. I have no idea why they want to change the schedule – play each team twice, once home and once away. What more do you need?

by pdb on Oct 11, 2011 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions

this is exactly what Ive wondered

There have got to be ways to reorganize the league and lengthen the schedule to keep things balanced. Better CCL management, restructure USOC, and for chrissakes limit friendlies to one per season, and make it a big one. Unbalanced schedules, manufactured rivalries, and as you mentioned exploiting Cascadia will turn what we all have into a bust.

by chrisperry1983 on Oct 12, 2011 12:28 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Chara got a cap for Colombia!

Not germane to the thread, but very cool. Chara came off the bench for Colombia in its WC Qualifier at Bolivia. 1-1 in extra time… I have no diea how he played, but great for him!

Actually, I just checked — it’s his second cap. But still!

by West Side Drew on Oct 11, 2011 2:54 PM PDT reply actions