It was a busy weekend in MLS with goals aplenty scattered throughout the three-day stretch.
The Seattle Sounders topped Minnesota United while the Portland Timbers took down previously-unbeaten NYCFC on Sunday. (READ)
Saturday’s action was headlined by Atlanta United’s big win over the LA Galaxy and LAFC’s comeback victory over the Montreal Impact. (READ)
Johnny Russell’s hat-trick pushed Sporting KC past the Vancouver Whitecaps in Friday’s lone match. (READ)
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FC Dallas is continuing to gel as the team’s unbeaten run continues. (READ)
Orlando City’s attack has been the catalyst behind a four-game winning streak. (READ)
LAFC took care of business during a six-game road run to start the season. (READ)
The Galaxy are ready to move forward following a frustrating attacking performance. (READ)
Atlanta United’s defense led the way in the win over the Galaxy. (READ)
Laurent Ciman capped a perfect return to Montreal with a stunning goal. (READ)
Goalkeeper Richard Sanchez stepped up to lead the Chicago Fire to victory at Red Bull Arena. (READ)
It will take the whole season to do the comparison, but the approaches taken by Bob Bradley and Jesse Marsch are nearly opposite it philosophy. FWIW Bradley coached Marsch at Princeton, DC. Chicago and Chivas and Marsch was an assistant to Bradly for the USMNT, so such different approaches are surprising.
Marsch has built the Red Bull around a philosophy of high pressure and has shed quality players to maintain the young legs and mentality that requires. (He has kept only BWP as a bona fide star player) even his DP acquisitions are young.
Bradley OTOH has tried to assemble the best players he can find irrespective (or nearly so) of the tactical bent of their previous team. While Vela was signed before Bradely, Ciman, Beitashor, Zimmermann, Feilhaber, and Rossi are among the talent he has assembled and he is working with to shape a system that allows his star players to shine.
One is taking “it is the system” to the extreme, while the other is taking it is the “quality of the players” that matters and it is up to the coach to figure out how they can play together.
I think it is and interesting contrast.