Dilbert Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 We have some drama brewing between FC Cincinnati, independent reporter Laurel Pfahler and FCC fans. Laurel is one of two local independent reporters who cover the team. She is one of the best in the industry. Last week FC Cincinnati temporarily revoked Laurels press credentials for two weeks. Since then fans have been spamming FC Cincinnatis social media with the hashtag #FreeLaurel. Many fans believe she has done nothing wrong. For days it had been nothing but silence regarding the matter from FCC, but as people kept spamming FreeLaurel, they finally released a statement just hours before tonights CONCACAF match at Monterrey. The statement from FC Cincinnati: To our fans who have inquired about the status of media credentials for Queen City Press: In seven years over thousands of stories, FC Cincinnati has never rescinded a reporter’s credentials. Reporters are invited into FC Cincinnati’s Mercy Health Training Center and TQL Stadium – our workspaces – consistent with a tradition of integrity and trust between sports organizations and the media. Since its founding in 2015, FC Cincinnati has supported local journalism and coverage from its hometown newspapers, television and radio stations, and news media bloggers alike. We have no issue with critical yet professional coverage of the team, as it is the passion of fans for a successful team that drives the intensity of our support while we aim to proudly represent our community. We had no intention of making this story public. However, since Laurel Pfahler has driven public attention to the matter, we have no choice but to provide answers to the many questions our fans are asking. Laurel has failed to act in accordance with the standards and practices of the Society of Professional Journalists and the MLS Notice of Credentials Use Conditions. She refuses to accept responsibility for her actions, despite multiple conversations and attempts at working together to forge a productive relationship between her and the club. Out of professional decorum, we will not be sharing the details publicly. The decision to temporarily rescind her media credentials is meant to serve as an opportunity to reflect and rebuild based on trust, transparency and an adherence to a common set of standards and ethics associated with her role as a journalist. In the spirit of “All for Cincy,” we hope to move forward in a positive manner soon. Laurels Response to the statement: So basically they suspended an independent journalist for.....reporting. She is INDEPENDENT. She does not work for the team. As far as Im concerned, being independent, you can source from whoever you want. Since she doesnt actually work for the team, she shouldnt have to use the club, or anyone approved by the club or MLS to source her material. FCC fans are pissed they are treating her this way. 1 Quote Signature intentionally left blank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digby Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Today in MLS unseriousness: New England somehow has home-field advantage (e.g. hosts second leg) of the next round of Concacaf Champions Cup against none other than Club America. But they have motocross at Gillette Stadium that week so the team asked to swap the legs so now they’ll voluntarily play the 2nd leg at the Azteca. oh and 1st leg in Foxboro is on a Tuesday at 9pm. Feels like they’ll be lucky to keep the aggregate goal differential in single digits. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GDAWG Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dilbert Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 It appears MLS is in the beginning stages of killing off the "2, II, B" names in MLS Next Pro. I heard a few months ago that they were encouraging MLS clubs to move their Next Pro clubs outside of the MLS cities and stadiums. Effective immediately, LA Galaxy II has been rebranded to Ventura County FC and will move to Thousand Oaks playing at California Lutheran University. San Jose Earthquakes II have been rebranded to The Town FC and will move to Moraga at Saint Marys College 1 Quote Signature intentionally left blank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJWalker45 Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 11 hours ago, Dilbert said: It appears MLS is in the beginning stages of killing off the "2, II, B" names in MLS Next Pro. I heard a few months ago that they were encouraging MLS clubs to move their Next Pro clubs outside of the MLS cities and stadiums. Effective immediately, LA Galaxy II has been rebranded to Ventura County FC and will move to Thousand Oaks playing at California Lutheran University. San Jose Earthquakes II have been rebranded to The Town FC and will move to Moraga at Saint Marys College I think this works for some teams, but Crew2 are in a good location for them at HCS, so moving elsewhere doesn't make sense to me. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fowler2 Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 Moraga is right over the East Bay hills from Oakland, about 15 miles or so. Interesting. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dilbert Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 6 hours ago, MJWalker45 said: I think this works for some teams, but Crew2 are in a good location for them at HCS, so moving elsewhere doesn't make sense to me. I think MLS is trying to get to markets with MLS Next Pro before USL gets them, as is the case with Huntsville. 1 Quote Signature intentionally left blank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sport Posted March 18 Share Posted March 18 On 3/14/2024 at 10:06 PM, Dilbert said: We have some drama brewing between FC Cincinnati, independent reporter Laurel Pfahler and FCC fans. Laurel is one of two local independent reporters who cover the team. She is one of the best in the industry. Last week FC Cincinnati temporarily revoked Laurels press credentials for two weeks. Since then fans have been spamming FC Cincinnatis social media with the hashtag #FreeLaurel. Many fans believe she has done nothing wrong. For days it had been nothing but silence regarding the matter from FCC, but as people kept spamming FreeLaurel, they finally released a statement just hours before tonights CONCACAF match at Monterrey. The statement from FC Cincinnati: To our fans who have inquired about the status of media credentials for Queen City Press: In seven years over thousands of stories, FC Cincinnati has never rescinded a reporter’s credentials. Reporters are invited into FC Cincinnati’s Mercy Health Training Center and TQL Stadium – our workspaces – consistent with a tradition of integrity and trust between sports organizations and the media. Since its founding in 2015, FC Cincinnati has supported local journalism and coverage from its hometown newspapers, television and radio stations, and news media bloggers alike. We have no issue with critical yet professional coverage of the team, as it is the passion of fans for a successful team that drives the intensity of our support while we aim to proudly represent our community. We had no intention of making this story public. However, since Laurel Pfahler has driven public attention to the matter, we have no choice but to provide answers to the many questions our fans are asking. Laurel has failed to act in accordance with the standards and practices of the Society of Professional Journalists and the MLS Notice of Credentials Use Conditions. She refuses to accept responsibility for her actions, despite multiple conversations and attempts at working together to forge a productive relationship between her and the club. Out of professional decorum, we will not be sharing the details publicly. The decision to temporarily rescind her media credentials is meant to serve as an opportunity to reflect and rebuild based on trust, transparency and an adherence to a common set of standards and ethics associated with her role as a journalist. In the spirit of “All for Cincy,” we hope to move forward in a positive manner soon. Laurels Response to the statement: So basically they suspended an independent journalist for.....reporting. She is INDEPENDENT. She does not work for the team. As far as Im concerned, being independent, you can source from whoever you want. Since she doesnt actually work for the team, she shouldnt have to use the club, or anyone approved by the club or MLS to source her material. FCC fans are pissed they are treating her this way. What was the initial incident that caused them to pull her credential? I can't actually find the inciting issue and can only find the after-the-fact back and forth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dilbert Posted March 18 Share Posted March 18 24 minutes ago, Sport said: What was the initial incident that caused them to pull her credential? I can't actually find the inciting issue and can only find the after-the-fact back and forth. Neither side has actually said themselves, but others are pointing to the team didnt like her sources from some recent players transfers, notably Barreal. Quote Signature intentionally left blank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaGrandeOrange Posted March 18 Share Posted March 18 Between that and the Jeremy Filosa situation it doesn't seem like MLS is too interested in independent reporting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GDAWG Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GDAWG Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 With the USL Championship and USL Super League (the Women's League), is the USL dealing with delusions of grandeur? The USL diehards want the USL Championship to compete against the MLS and are upset that the USSF have sanctioned them as Division II. There's also some in the USL Championship who also believe that they should compete with the MLS. This isn't happening for two reasons: In order to compete with MLS, they have to go toe-to-toe with them for talent. It is unlikely that they have the finances to compete for Neymar should Neymar want to play in the US. USL Championship teams folding doesn't help their cause. Rio Grande Valley FC and San Diego Loyal folded. If they wanted to compete with MLS, at least consider relocation. As for USL Super League? Well....the best US player not in NWSL is Catarina Macario. If she wants to play in the US, does she go NWSL or USL Super League. If she goes USL Super League, it would be their biggest signing ever. If she goes to the NWSL, what chances does the Super League have? Also, two of the teams in the NWSL are owned by USL teams, so it will be interesting to see what happens with the North Carolina Courage and Racing Louisville. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJWalker45 Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 6 hours ago, GDAWG said: With the USL Championship and USL Super League (the Women's League), is the USL dealing with delusions of grandeur? The USL diehards want the USL Championship to compete against the MLS and are upset that the USSF have sanctioned them as Division II. There's also some in the USL Championship who also believe that they should compete with the MLS. This isn't happening for two reasons: In order to compete with MLS, they have to go toe-to-toe with them for talent. It is unlikely that they have the finances to compete for Neymar should Neymar want to play in the US. USL Championship teams folding doesn't help their cause. Rio Grande Valley FC and San Diego Loyal folded. If they wanted to compete with MLS, at least consider relocation. As for USL Super League? Well....the best US player not in NWSL is Catarina Macario. If she wants to play in the US, does she go NWSL or USL Super League. If she goes USL Super League, it would be their biggest signing ever. If she goes to the NWSL, what chances does the Super League have? Also, two of the teams in the NWSL are owned by USL teams, so it will be interesting to see what happens with the North Carolina Courage and Racing Louisville. Seeing that some of the USL W-League stadiums are high school venues, I don't see them catching NWSL talent any time soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dilbert Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 11 hours ago, GDAWG said: With the USL Championship and USL Super League (the Women's League), is the USL dealing with delusions of grandeur? The USL diehards want the USL Championship to compete against the MLS and are upset that the USSF have sanctioned them as Division II. There's also some in the USL Championship who also believe that they should compete with the MLS. This isn't happening for two reasons: In order to compete with MLS, they have to go toe-to-toe with them for talent. It is unlikely that they have the finances to compete for Neymar should Neymar want to play in the US. USL Championship teams folding doesn't help their cause. Rio Grande Valley FC and San Diego Loyal folded. If they wanted to compete with MLS, at least consider relocation. As for USL Super League? Well....the best US player not in NWSL is Catarina Macario. If she wants to play in the US, does she go NWSL or USL Super League. If she goes USL Super League, it would be their biggest signing ever. If she goes to the NWSL, what chances does the Super League have? Also, two of the teams in the NWSL are owned by USL teams, so it will be interesting to see what happens with the North Carolina Courage and Racing Louisville. NASL visions have infiltrated the minds of the USL Quote Signature intentionally left blank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GDAWG Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 4 hours ago, MJWalker45 said: Seeing that some of the USL W-League stadiums are high school venues, I don't see them catching NWSL talent any time soon. It's the USL Super League that is going to start playing this fall. The USL W-League is a developmental Women's League. Also if Macario was to ever play in the US, it will be in the NWSL. She has ties to San Diego (moved there as a kid) and the San Francisco Bay Area (went to Stanford) so it probably won't be an MLS situation where "high profile international player wants to play in MLS but only for the two LA teams, the two New York teams or Inter Miami" as we expect will happen to Neymar if he wants to play in the US. This is the USL Super League: USL Super League - Wikipedia USL Super League 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJWalker45 Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 1 hour ago, GDAWG said: It's the USL Super League that is going to start playing this fall. The USL W-League is a developmental Women's League. Also if Macario was to ever play in the US, it will be in the NWSL. She has ties to San Diego (moved there as a kid) and the San Francisco Bay Area (went to Stanford) so it probably won't be an MLS situation where "high profile international player wants to play in MLS but only for the two LA teams, the two New York teams or Inter Miami" as we expect will happen to Neymar if he wants to play in the US. This is the USL Super League: USL Super League - Wikipedia USL Super League Yeah I meant the Super League. San Antonio has a team in the W-League and they'll be playing in basically a practice facility instead of Toyota Field. I also don't know how they have Division I for women, and no teams in 2&3? W-League is Division 4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GDAWG Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 46 minutes ago, MJWalker45 said: Yeah I meant the Super League. San Antonio has a team in the W-League and they'll be playing in basically a practice facility instead of Toyota Field. I also don't know how they have Division I for women, and no teams in 2&3? W-League is Division 4. Macario would be a huge signing for the NWSL if she was to ever decide to play in the States again, not the USL Super League. Now the question might be "if she's so great, why didn't she play for Team USA in the Women's World Cup last year?" well, there's an easy explanation for that: she was at the time recovering from a torn ACL. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJWalker45 Posted March 26 Share Posted March 26 https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/39811812/mls-referee-lockout-new-cba-agreed-2031 MLS referees have approved the new CBA. Now we can blame proper refs for screwing our teams again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GDAWG Posted April 11 Share Posted April 11 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GDAWG Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 So apparently, the NYCFC Soccer stadium only needs the mayor to sign off before official groundbreaking. That seems likely since he's in support of this stadium since the start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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