Episode 10 - 2013 MLS Awards

Hello everybody and welcome to another episode of Super Soccer Ian. This time, I'll be talking about the given awards of the 2013 MLS Season. Currently, the MLS Cup finals are not far away! Sporting KC will play Real Salt Lake. Write it down! Now, let's take a look at the awards that have been given in the 2013 MLS Season.

We'll start with the Rookie of the Year Award. The three finalists were DeAndre Yedlin for the Sounders, finishing the season with one goal and two assists, Dillon Powers for the Colorado Rapids, with five goals and six assists, and Deshorn Brown for the Colorado Rapids, with ten goals and four assists. The 2013 Rookie of the Year winner was Dillon Powers. I think that he deserved the win. He has provided a strong attacking threat and has made many plays for the team. I think that he has a great future in the MLS. Deshorn Brown came in second, and he was a very big attacking threat for his opponents. He scored ten goals and tallied four assists, which are some big numbers for a rookie. DeAndre Yedlin came in third with one goal and two assists, but provided lots of speed and defensive strength for the Sounders. He even made the US U-20 team and the MLS All Star squad. Anyways, Dillon Powers won Rookie of the Year, and I think he deserved it. Now, let's take a look at the MLS Defender of the Year Award.

The three finalists for the MLS Defender of the Year Award were Jose Goncalves, Matt Besler, and Omar Gonzalez. The 2013 MLS Defender of the Year winner was Jose Goncalves. He has provided a very sturdy defense and has helped the Revolution earn many clean sheets during the season. He started all thirty-four games of the season and scored two goals from set pieces. He has been a very important player for the Revolution. I think that he deserved the award. Matt Besler was another candidate, and he has provided both the USMNT and Sporting KC with lots of strength and ball winning abilities. He started twenty-three games during the 2013 Season and tallied two assists. The other candidate was the LA Galaxy's Omar Gonzalez. He scored once from a set piece and provided two assists. He won the 2009 MLS Rookie of the Year Award and was also named the 2011 MLS Defender of the Year. In 2013, he was also named a designated player. He has provided a strong presence in the back for both the USMNT and the LA Galaxy. Jose Goncalves was the winner, and I think he deserved it. Now, let's take a look at the MLS Fair Play Award.

The MLS Fair Play Award went to the LA Galaxy. The team did play fairly, and they didn't get very many red or yellow cards. I think that Bruce Arena and the LA Galaxy deserved the award. The award also goes to a player that plays fairly and doesn't get bookings very often. The winner of the 2013 MLS Season was Darlington Nagbe for the Portland Timbers. He finished the 2013 Season with only one yellow card. In fact, that's the only booking he's ever gotten so far in his three-year MLS career. I think that he deserved the award for only getting one yellow card and because he's been an excellent playmaker and team player in his career. Darlington Nagbe I think deserved the award, and I think the same for the LA Galaxy.

That's all for today, folks! Those are the awards that have been announced, and soon, we'll be finding out the winners of the Coach of the Year Award, MLS MVP, MLS Newcomer of the Year, and the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year awards. We'll also find out the winners of the MLS Goal of the Year, and MLS Save of the Year. I'm voting Camilo's bicycle goal against the Portland Timbers for Goal of the Year and Donovan Ricketts's double save against the Whitecaps in the same game for the Save of the Year. Those are the awards that have been awarded, and I'll be back next time for another episode of Super Soccer Ian. Thanks for reading and have a great day!

2014 Season Preview - DC United

Hello everybody and welcome to Super Soccer Ian. This time, I’m going to be noting three tips about DC United that would help them make the playoffs next year and get more wins. This is the fourth of the series, and I’ve noted tips for Chivas USA, Chicago Fire, and the Columbus Crew.

1. Last year, their attacking was not super good. They finally started to score some goals towards the end of the season, but at the beginning, they barely scored any at all. Dwayne De Rosario’s contract is up with DC United. I think that because he’s a designated player, and Eddie Johnson might be leaving the Sounders, that they may trade De Rosario for Johnson. I think that they may need an additional attacker or two. 
2. DC’s defense last year was not good at all. They conceded a lot of goals in games, and their average of conceding was about two per game. I think that DC United will need at least two new defenders so that they won’t concede so many goals. If they can get a couple of additions to the defense, then I wouldn’t be surprised to see DC get more shutouts next season. 
3. The team’s midfield was okay. I think that it was their midfield that was making most of the plays. Jared Jeffrey has been important in the club, and he was able to score from distance, and Dwayne De Rosario was pretty good last season, too. De Rosario finished the season with three goals and two assists. Jared Jeffrey finished the season with two goals, playing only ten games. I think that the club’s midfield wasn’t that bad last season, but they may need a midfield addition so that they can complete a sturdy attacking threat and score more goals.

Those are my thoughts about how DC United can improve for next season. I personally think that DC United might need a new coach. Ben Olsen has been good in the past, but DC’s 2013 season was not good at all. I think that maybe if they got a new coach, then the team may improve a little more. If the team can get some new additions and improve, then I wouldn’t be surprised to see them have a go at a fifth MLS Cup title. That’s all for today, folks! Thanks for reading, and I’ll be back next time for a three tips page on the Colorado Rapids!

2014 Season Preview - Columbus Crew

Hello everybody and welcome to Super Soccer Ian. This time, I’m going to be noting three tips about the Columbus Crew that would help them make the playoffs next year and get more wins. This is the third of the series, and I’ve noted tips for Chivas USA and the Chicago Fire.

1. Last season, their attacking was excellent. They had two very strong strikers, Federico Higuaín and Dominic Oduro. Higuaín finished the season with eleven goals and nine assists, and he was one of their most important playmakers. Oduro finished the season with thirteen goals and four assists, and he was a Golden Boot Candidate. Columbus’s attacking was excellent, and I think that they shouldn’t make any attacking changes because they attacked so well last year. 
2. The Crew’s defense last year was not so good. The start of the season wasn’t bad for them, but later on, they started conceding a lot of goals, costing them the playoffs. I think that the Crew may need new defenders added to the team so that they can defend better and not concede so many goals. 
3. With the midfield, I think it was okay. They finished the season with only 31 assists, which put them in 16th place in the league. I think that the Crew have some good playmakers, but they may need additional midfield players, so that they can complete a strong and sturdy attacking threat. 

It was a tough year for the Crew who are still looking for a new coach. Those are my thoughts about the Columbus Crew in the 2013 season. I think that the team can improve and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them make the playoffs next season. Next time, I’ll have a three tips page on DC United.

2014 Season Preview - Chicago Fire

Hello everybody and welcome to Super Soccer Ian. I’m going to be noting three tips about the Chicago Fire that would help them improve and make the playoffs next season. This is the second of the series, in case you missed the one about Chivas, click here.

1. The start of the season was slow for the Fire until Mike Magee arrived. When he did, their attacking was absolutely incredible. He became one of the Golden Boot Award candidates, but lost to Camilo Sanvezzo by a goal. I think that they should have a brighter start to 2014 season now that Magee should start at the beginning of the 2014 season. 
2. The Fire’s defense improved over the course of the season. Bakary Soumaré joined the Fire during the season, and he has provided a strong presence in the back. At the beginning of the season, the team conceded a lot of goals. By the middle of the season, they started to score goals, rather than concede. I think that goalkeeper Sean Johnson is very important to the team because they concede most of their goals when he is absent. I think that the Fire may need one more strong defender so that their defense won’t concede quite as many goals, even with the absence of Sean Johnson. 
3. The Fire’s midfield was good this season, and the team tallied 39 assists in the 2013 season, finishing in 12th place with assists. I think that Jeff Larentowicz, Dilly Duka, and Joel Lindpere were very important presences in the midfield role. Mike Magee has also done well in the forward position, previously being a midfielder for the LA Galaxy. I think that their midfield doesn’t currently need any additions, since their midfield was excellent last season. 

Those are my three tips for how the Chicago Fire can improve next season. Personally, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Fire in the playoffs of 2014. We’ll see what Frank Yallop can do next season. Next time, I’ll have a three tips page on the Columbus Crew.

2014 Season Preview - Three Tips for Chivas USA

Hello everybody and welcome to Super Soccer Ian. At this time, I’m going to be noting three tips for each team that would help them make the playoffs next season. First, we’ll start with Chivas USA.

1. Attacking has gotten quite good with the new addition of Erick Torres. Their attacking has improved greatly. Now that they’ll have him for the start of the next season, I think that Chivas will score more goals and they will move up in the standings. 
2. Defense has gotten better with Carlos Bocanegra. I think that Dan Kennedy is a very important presence in the back, and Chivas concede a lot of goals without the veteran goalkeeper. I think that if one more strong defender were added to the club, then they would certainly be both an attacking and defensive threat. 
3. The midfield was better last season, with the new addition of Edgar Mejía and Carlos Alvarez. I think that the club may need another midfield player just so that they can complete an attacking threat. 

Those are my thoughts about how Chivas can improve next season. Next time, I’ll have a Three Tips page about the Chicago Fire! Thanks for reading!

Episode 9-Conference Finals

Hello everybody and welcome to another episode of Super Soccer Ian. There were some big wins and losses in the last round, and the next round will determine who gets a spot in the MLS Cup Final. The next week could be the most important one in the playoffs. The MLS Cup Final is not far away! Now, let’s take a look at the recent scores and results. 

There were only two games in the last round. Sporting KC travelled to play the Houston Dynamo, and the Portland Timbers travelled to play Real Salt Lake. Those are the only four remaining teams. The first game was a 0-0 draw between the Houston Dynamo and Sporting KC.  The next game was an exciting 4-2 win for Real Salt Lake over the Portland Timbers. With the Dynamo and Sporting KC game, just one goal can win a team a spot in the final. With the Timbers and Real Salt Lake, the Portland Timbers need to win by at least three. Now, let’s take a look at the MLS Fantasy picks for this upcoming round. 

In the games coming up, the majority of your players I think should be on Sporting KC. I think that somebody like Aurélien Collin, Claudio Bieler, or Graham Zusi would be good. If you wanted somebody on Houston, which I do not recommend, then I would maybe choose Giles Barnes, Will Bruin, Tally Hall, or Oscar Boniek Garcia. I think that somebody on the Portland Timbers might not be bad, since they do well at home. I think that Diego Valeri, Rodney Wallace, or Ryan Johnson would be good. Somebody that I think would be good would be Pa-Modou Kah. He is inexpensive and I think that he can rack up points. Somebody like Javier Morales or Joao Plata wouldn’t be bad, either. Real Salt Lake still scores on the road, but Portland defends very well at home. I think that that will be a very close game. Those are my MLS Fantasy picks for this week, and that’s all for today, folks! Good luck with your MLS Fantasy and I’ll be back next week for another episode of Super Soccer Ian. Thanks for listening and have a great day!

Episode 8 - Conference Semifinals

Hello everybody and welcome to another episode of Super Soccer Ian. During the playoffs, we had some big wins and eliminations. The MLS Cup finals are not far away! This year, it’s been pretty close in terms of who’s going to win the cup. Now, let’s take a look at the recent scores and results.

We’ll start with the first matchup between Sporting KC and the New England Revolution, which the Revs won 2-1 at home. The Seattle Sounders hosted their biggest rival, the Portland Timbers, and the Timbers won 2-1. Houston and New York tied 2-2 at BBVA Compass Stadium, and the LA Galaxy won at home 1-0 over Real Salt Lake. Moving on to the next weekend, the Houston Dynamo won 2-1 against the New York Red Bulls, eliminating the Red Bulls. Sporting KC won 3-1 against the New England Revolution, eliminating the Revs. Real Salt Lake won 2-0 in overtime against the LA Galaxy and The Portland Timbers beat the Seattle Sounders  3-2 in an exciting game. The two upcoming matchups will be the conference finals. The Houston Dynamo will host Sporting KC and Real Salt Lake will host the Portland Timbers. Those are the scores and the upcoming matchups. Now, let’s take a look at the MLS Fantasy picks for this upcoming round. 

In the games coming up, you should probably choose the majority of the players on your team from the home teams playing. I think that somebody like Giles Barnes, Will Bruin or Corey Ashe might me good. If you wanted somebody on Sporting KC, then I suggest that you get somebody like Aurélien Collin, Graham Zusi, or Claudio Bieler. The only other matchup this upcoming round will be the game when Real Salt Lake hosts the Portland Timbers. I think that somebody like Nick Rimando, Javier Morales, or Álvaro Saborío would be good. If you wanted somebody on the Portland Timbers, which I don’t recommend, then I would maybe choose Diego Valeri, Rodney Wallace, Pa-Modou Kah, or Darlington Nagbe. Those are my MLS Fantasy picks for this upcoming round, and that’s all for today, folks! Good luck with your MLS Fantasy and I’ll be back after the next round for another episode of Super Soccer Ian. Thanks for listening and have a great day!

Episode 7 - First Leg of Playoffs

Hello everybody and welcome to another episode of Super Soccer Ian. Earlier this week, we had some pretty big wins and losses. The MLS Playoffs have become very intense. There were only two games in this leg. The Seattle Sounders hosted the Colorado Rapids, and the Houston Dynamo hosted the Montréal Impact. There were some big results. Now, let’s take a look at the final scores and results.

The first game of the leg was the matchup between the Seattle Sounders and the Colorado Rapids. The Sounders scored twice to make it a 2-0 win, eliminating the Colorado Rapids. The biggest news of that game is the red card for goalkeeper Michael Gspurning. He will be suspended for the next match against the Portland Timbers. The other match was the Houston Dynamo and the Montréal Impact. The Houston Dynamo won 3-0, eliminating the Montréal Impact from the playoffs. In that game, there were a whopping three red cards given all to the Impact. Nelson Rivas, Marco Di Vaio, and Andrés Romero all got sent off. Montréal finished the game with only eight men. The next match will be between the New England Revolution and Sporting KC. Seattle’s next match will be at home against the Portland Timbers. Then, Houston will host the New York Red Bulls. The LA Galaxy will play Real Salt Lake. After that, the Red Bulls will host the Dynamo, Sporting KC will host the New England Revolution, and the LA Galaxy will travel to play Real Salt Lake. The final game of the next round will be the Portland Timbers hosting the Seattle Sounders. That’s the upcoming schedule in the MLS Playoffs. That’s all for today, folks! I think that an exciting week is coming up, and it’ll be interesting to see what happens. Thanks for listening and have a great day!