Nutmeg Soccer

Your Weekly MLS & USMNT Digest

The MLS’s New Playoff Format

The MLS unveiled a new playoff format that will start with this seasons playoffs. This is the 8th different playoff format since the league started in 1996 which isn’t a huge surprise given how much the league has grown since then.

Nine teams from each conference will qualify with the top seven moving directly to round one and the 8th and 9th team battling in Wild Card matches. It’s the first time the league has had a 3-game playoff series (home-away-home).

If tied after 90 min:

Wild Card Games - 2 Fifteen Minute OT’s, then penalties if needed

Round 1 (Best of 3) - Straight to Penalties

Conf Semis, Finals, and MLS Cup - 2 Fifteen Minute OT’s, then penalties if needed

This wasn’t the only format the MLS considered. A World Cup style format with a group stage was also considered as it’d bring more games but it leaves the possibility of teams having nothing to play for in the final group game which would hurt viewership.

One downside to the MLS Playoffs is not the format itself but the timing. The MLS has to compete for viewers with the end of season NFL, College Football, and the start of the NBA.

Unrest In Philly

The Athletic reported late last week that the Philadelphia Union will not be renewing the contracts of Alejandro Bedoya and Kai Wagner. Bedoya, a club legend, will finish his 8th season with the team at 36 years old. Reportedly, Technical Director Ernst Tanner, informed Bedoya of the news after a training session last week in a conversation that lasted “less than 20 seconds”. The players don’t seem to be happy about it at all, with some including Bedoya taking to instagram to express their frustrations.

Wagner, one of the best left backs in the MLS, will play somewhere else, likely in Europe. According to reports, he has an offer from AEK Athens and has drawn interest from other clubs in Europe and the MLS. Once again fans weren’t happy, chanting “Pay Kai Wagner” at last weeks home game. Last year he was named a finalist for defender of the year and was named to the MLS best XI.

It’s surprising that a team that currently sits in third place in the Eastern Conference is moving on from two of it’s best players at the end of the season. Philly has a history of developing talent but it’ll remain to be seen if they can replace these two next year.

USMNT Two Game Breakdown

USA vs Germany

The US men's national soccer team lost 3-1 to Germany in an international friendly on Saturday.

Pulisic’s goal was the highlight of the game. Check out this screamer.

Overall I loved the performance from Pulisic, Weah(shit he’s fast), and Turner. The defensive outlook for this team is worrisome though. Not having Tyler Adams available really does affect the defensive line.

USA vs Ghana

A tale of two games as the US dominate Ghana 4-0.

Sergino Dest started this game and was the shining star attacking out of the back. At times Dest can be a defensive liability, but against weaker attacks he shows so well.

Gio Reyna returned from Berhalter’s “shit list” with a brace showing how important he is as a creative outlet in this squad.

The US are now 4-4-6 against teams ranked in the top 20 of FIFA World Rankings under Berhalter, with three of those wins being against Mexico. Yikes… so we’ve won just 1 out of 11 matches against top teams that aren’t Mexico. If Berhalter is to remain head coach through the World Cup, we’ll need to see a huge improvement over the next year or so against the top teams.

FC Dallas Player Wins Top U22 MLS 3 Years in a Row

FC Dallas has won the top MLS player under age 22 award for three years in a row, with Ricardo Pepi (2021), Jesús Ferreira (2022), and Alan Velasco (2023) all taking home the honor. This is an insane achievement, and it is a testament to the club's commitment to developing young players.

There are a few reasons why FC Dallas has been so successful in developing young players. The FC Dallas academy is one of the best in MLS, and it has produced a ton of talented players in recent years. They typically lose top talent to other clubs leaving openings for young talent to get minutes. The club has a history of promoting players from the academy to the first team, and it hasn’t been afraid to give young players playing time.

USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter: "FC Dallas has done a phenomenal job of developing young players. They have a clear and concise philosophy, and they create an environment where players can thrive. It's no surprise that they have produced so many talented players in recent years."

Gregg is perhaps most familiar with some of FC Dallas’s best ever American players, Weston Mckennie and Chris Richards. Bottom line, this academy produces top talents. Think Ajax in the Netherlands, Santos in Brazil, or La Masia in Spain…that might be far-fetched but you get the point.

Pepi left the MLS shortly after winning this exact award and set off for Europe. Is Velasco set to follow? European clubs Brighton and Atalanta are said to be very interested in Velasco. Brighton has previously made approaches but failed to sign him in the past.

Tweet of the Week

Quick Hits

• Alex Kei became the 4th youngest player to debut in MLS history (Link)

• Charlotte FC introduced their new 52k sq. foot soccer facility 🫣 (Link)

• Messi luring Sergi Roberto to Miami (Link)

• USMNT Legend Michael Bradley hangs up his boots after an incredible career (Link)

• Inter Miami are headed to China in November for two friendlies. Check out the scenes the last time Messi went to China 🤯 (Link)

• MLS Player salaries reveiled (Link)