I enjoyed the discussion, but felt like it spent way too much time refuting extreme criticism from Union fans rather than addressing the valid complaints of long time supporters.
There is a lot of room for different team building strategies between paying multi-million dollar transfer fees like ATL, Miami, LAG, CLT, etc and the Union’s current academy heavy/first team light strategy. To present any opposition to the Union’s current strategy as calling for that model on the other end of the spectrum as you all did is disingenuous.
Richard Leibovitch made that same analogy at the Town Hall and it’s an absolute false choice.
First, I just want to say thank you, George, for reading my work and listening to the podcast—especially this latest episode, as it was longer than usual. Before the three of us went live, we discussed how we could steer the conversation away from the prevailing narrative among fans on social media and other media members. The complaints and frustrations fans have are completely fair, especially after the way last season unfolded.
To come so close to winning the MLS Cup in 2022 and feel like all the team needed was a little more investment—only for that not to happen—makes it understandable why fans feel let down and disappointed. It seems like there are far more negative comments on social media than positive ones. As frustrating as it may be for fans to hear Ernst Tanner or Bradley Carnell discuss their vision and plans for the club, at the very least, they are being transparent about what that looks like.
Thanks, Todd. I appreciate your perspective and thanks for the additional pre-pod color.
I truly appreciate that the Union have a clear and definitive plan, but I do doubt the viability of that plan for a successful club which is competing/contending for championships.
And I think that's fair, right? I think the best example for the Union is to be like Columbus Crew. I've said it before on the podcast, but I do think that's a model the club should try and emulate. They've built their team with academy, Columbus Crew 2 and draft pick guys (which the Union are obviously doing), and then they invest heavily in two crucial DP spots with Diego Rossi and Cucho (though he's been sold now). It helps that they have the best coach in the league for sure, but that model shouldn't be too hard for teams the Union to follow.
I enjoyed the discussion, but felt like it spent way too much time refuting extreme criticism from Union fans rather than addressing the valid complaints of long time supporters.
There is a lot of room for different team building strategies between paying multi-million dollar transfer fees like ATL, Miami, LAG, CLT, etc and the Union’s current academy heavy/first team light strategy. To present any opposition to the Union’s current strategy as calling for that model on the other end of the spectrum as you all did is disingenuous.
Richard Leibovitch made that same analogy at the Town Hall and it’s an absolute false choice.
First, I just want to say thank you, George, for reading my work and listening to the podcast—especially this latest episode, as it was longer than usual. Before the three of us went live, we discussed how we could steer the conversation away from the prevailing narrative among fans on social media and other media members. The complaints and frustrations fans have are completely fair, especially after the way last season unfolded.
To come so close to winning the MLS Cup in 2022 and feel like all the team needed was a little more investment—only for that not to happen—makes it understandable why fans feel let down and disappointed. It seems like there are far more negative comments on social media than positive ones. As frustrating as it may be for fans to hear Ernst Tanner or Bradley Carnell discuss their vision and plans for the club, at the very least, they are being transparent about what that looks like.
Thanks, Todd. I appreciate your perspective and thanks for the additional pre-pod color.
I truly appreciate that the Union have a clear and definitive plan, but I do doubt the viability of that plan for a successful club which is competing/contending for championships.
And I think that's fair, right? I think the best example for the Union is to be like Columbus Crew. I've said it before on the podcast, but I do think that's a model the club should try and emulate. They've built their team with academy, Columbus Crew 2 and draft pick guys (which the Union are obviously doing), and then they invest heavily in two crucial DP spots with Diego Rossi and Cucho (though he's been sold now). It helps that they have the best coach in the league for sure, but that model shouldn't be too hard for teams the Union to follow.
Solid episode.
Thanks for listening, Eliel!
Where did you get the map that you mentioned with all the MLS stadiums ?
I got it for as a Christmas gift, but this is exactly like the one I have!
I need to find a way how to get St.Louis and San Diego's stadiums added. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1400910625/mls-stadium-map-mls-stadium-tracker
Thanks, Mark, for being the voice of reason.