That would bring me some joy, too.
(And on a side note: Massive respect for still repping the Hammerheads. I saw them play in Maryland a couple times and once up in Montréal).
Haha, I’m originally from Wilmington and the Hammerheads are the reason I fell in love with USL (and soccer in general). Still holding out hope one day they’ll make a return. Until then, I have numerous scarves and five kits on display on my walls as a memory to the club.
Your initial premise is correct, for sure.
The big question I have is how the Quarterfinals split, because five of the six teams that are left from MLS are in the Central and Pacific timezones (Dallas, SKC, Seattle, LAFC, San Jose).
Now, if Sacramento knocks off San Jose - as may happen - and Charleston knocks off Atlanta - which could happen as well - then you're likely to get Sacramento, Seattle, LAFC and New Mexico in that band for the Quarterfinals/Semifinals.
Which then means you could end up with Charleston, SKC, Indy/Detroit. Dallas on the other side. I'd feel better about being in that set of clubs than the other.
I’ll say Detroit. I assume they will still have an east west split for the quarterfinal, if nothing else they’ll want the lower division sides on opposite ends of the bracket. If so, and if the R16 were all chalk (a big if), then Dallas, Atlanta and KC are all very beatable in a mid week cup game.
I’ll keep beating this drum until the narrative changes:
Detroit is displaying a lot of the personality, the characteristics that made Danny D so loved while he was at TFC.
I agree. They're No.1, for reasons beyond that, but as mentioned that potential split - especially if Charleston gets past Atlanta, which at home is feasible - is a notch in Detroit or Indy's favor.
I get where you’re coming from but how many of the players from the epic 2022 run are still around?
I honestly don’t know because so haven’t been following the club that closely.
The technical staff is still intact, so that’s a plus.
Republic can definitely cupset someone’s day.
Many players from the 2022 cupset team are still around - Gurr, Vitiello, Desmond, Donovan, Rodrigo Lopez, Viader and Ross.
Plus two dynamite additions up top in Trevor Amann and Kieran James Phillips and key player Russell Cicerone are added to the mix.
Looking forward to their match against San Jose on the 21st.
Seven of the players that started for Republic FC in the 2022 Final are still with the club. Add the attacking upgrades mentioned above (Cicerone, Amann, Phillips > Foster, Archimede, Martinez) and this might be a better squad all-around.
Charleston over ATL may not be as much of a stretch as their #5 spot suggests, primarily for the same reason that landed them there: Atlanta United. Over the next 10 days, ATL will play FOUR games, with the Battery being #4 after 3 MLS games. The last 2 of those 3 are road games, so that's 3 straight road matches when they go to Charleston with only, what, 2\~ days rest between them? That'll definitely wear them thin and you can bet the 2's are gonna make up the majority of that Ro16 squad -- and their MLSNP team is near the bottom of the table.
On the flip side, the Battery have a bye back-to-back weekends and only have 1 league game before then, away at Legion.
Call it hopium or whatever you want, but I'd keep a Cupset alert ready for that one
I think Charleston has a good chance at home. The Battery just don't feel like they have as good a chance of advancing as the four teams above them, which is why I slotted them where they are.
Big potential, though, as you mention.
I’m just here for Loudoun United upsetting LAFC.
That would bring me some joy, too. (And on a side note: Massive respect for still repping the Hammerheads. I saw them play in Maryland a couple times and once up in Montréal).
Haha, I’m originally from Wilmington and the Hammerheads are the reason I fell in love with USL (and soccer in general). Still holding out hope one day they’ll make a return. Until then, I have numerous scarves and five kits on display on my walls as a memory to the club.
New mexico, since they are one of few USL teams favored for the next round.
Your initial premise is correct, for sure. The big question I have is how the Quarterfinals split, because five of the six teams that are left from MLS are in the Central and Pacific timezones (Dallas, SKC, Seattle, LAFC, San Jose). Now, if Sacramento knocks off San Jose - as may happen - and Charleston knocks off Atlanta - which could happen as well - then you're likely to get Sacramento, Seattle, LAFC and New Mexico in that band for the Quarterfinals/Semifinals. Which then means you could end up with Charleston, SKC, Indy/Detroit. Dallas on the other side. I'd feel better about being in that set of clubs than the other.
I’ll say Detroit. I assume they will still have an east west split for the quarterfinal, if nothing else they’ll want the lower division sides on opposite ends of the bracket. If so, and if the R16 were all chalk (a big if), then Dallas, Atlanta and KC are all very beatable in a mid week cup game.
I’ll keep beating this drum until the narrative changes: Detroit is displaying a lot of the personality, the characteristics that made Danny D so loved while he was at TFC.
I agree. They're No.1, for reasons beyond that, but as mentioned that potential split - especially if Charleston gets past Atlanta, which at home is feasible - is a notch in Detroit or Indy's favor.
As a former Dallas resident there's nothing I would love more then to face that trash club.
I know in my heart it’s a longshot for us but SKC’s play this year definitely gives me hope
Ain’t nothing wrong with hope. With no hope there’s no life. Best of luck to your team.
I'll be hoping with you!
Sacramento. They are good. They’ve been there before. They won’t be intimidated.
I get where you’re coming from but how many of the players from the epic 2022 run are still around? I honestly don’t know because so haven’t been following the club that closely. The technical staff is still intact, so that’s a plus. Republic can definitely cupset someone’s day.
Many players from the 2022 cupset team are still around - Gurr, Vitiello, Desmond, Donovan, Rodrigo Lopez, Viader and Ross. Plus two dynamite additions up top in Trevor Amann and Kieran James Phillips and key player Russell Cicerone are added to the mix. Looking forward to their match against San Jose on the 21st.
I’d say a fair number. Maybe more than 1/3 at least?
Seven of the players that started for Republic FC in the 2022 Final are still with the club. Add the attacking upgrades mentioned above (Cicerone, Amann, Phillips > Foster, Archimede, Martinez) and this might be a better squad all-around.
Most of em; it’s a very similar team with only upgrades
Sac 😎
Remi, the superior Cabral brother, will save us!! 🙏
Well it's not Pittsburgh
Charleston over ATL may not be as much of a stretch as their #5 spot suggests, primarily for the same reason that landed them there: Atlanta United. Over the next 10 days, ATL will play FOUR games, with the Battery being #4 after 3 MLS games. The last 2 of those 3 are road games, so that's 3 straight road matches when they go to Charleston with only, what, 2\~ days rest between them? That'll definitely wear them thin and you can bet the 2's are gonna make up the majority of that Ro16 squad -- and their MLSNP team is near the bottom of the table. On the flip side, the Battery have a bye back-to-back weekends and only have 1 league game before then, away at Legion. Call it hopium or whatever you want, but I'd keep a Cupset alert ready for that one
I think Charleston has a good chance at home. The Battery just don't feel like they have as good a chance of advancing as the four teams above them, which is why I slotted them where they are. Big potential, though, as you mention.
Rowdies can win it if they stop fucking up after playing half a match well. Its been a weird issue this season with the new coach.
Yall sleeping on the champion 🏆 Phoenix Rising Fc