1: Fits and starts. I can not and have not been able to make heads or tails of this team this year and the quality of some of our performances. In our waking states we look ok, even pretty good at times. But we have not been able to maintain any sort of consistency for any extended period of time. 

Sometimes it works with this formation and that formation and this group of players and that group of players but then not again with those same players in the same formation. So then we make changes and that doesn’t work. Then we have a good outing against a quality opponent and shit the bed against a lesser opponent and then vice versa. My shoulders hurt from all the shrugging. 🤷‍♂️ 

2: Almada is such a technically gifted player. I hope next season goes differently for us because if he’s still here and if he’s playing in a system that suits his abilities, he could be one of those players that has a relatively short stint in MLS but is talked about for years. 

3: Next year will be very different with MLS going to Apple TV and Leagues Cup. I’m very excited about being able to watch every match no matter where I am. Being able to sync up local radio calls is also going to be a fantastic addition. At the same time as much as I’m thrilled to have the games moving away from Bally (who is truly awful) I’m going to really miss Mo, Jillian, and Kev on the broadcast. Im assuming Apple will have their own people but maybe they’ll recognize the value this team has brought over the years and bring them over. Leagues cup next summer is also gonna be great. I love the idea of having a month long tournament outside MLS for a trophy that could end up becoming really big. It’s an opportunity to grow the league and for teams and players to test themselves against opponents they would regularly never see. It’s also a chance for casual MLS viewers to be exposed to more of what the beautiful game has to offer. 

4: Joe stays. His time will come to an end but I don’t think anyone, least of all him, wants it to end like this. He has a year left on his contract and an option. Play it out. Move on from Luiz, and keep Thiago if you can, and then let’s see if whoever comes in compliments him well and maybe he can get back to his old form or close to it. If it doesn’t come off next year, we’re in for a full on reboot anyhow so I say let’s wait till then, even if that may mean risking another year of pain. I think the potential reward is worth it. 

5: It was nice to see and hear from Guz at the end. My lord how we have missed him, Miles and Ozzie this year. Of all the things that hurt us this year, not having veteran leadership on the pitch game in and game out hurt the most.