Minnesota Utd vs St. Pats

[holidaysong]

Anyone else watching this or just me? It's FTA on the MNUFC website.

St. Pat's probably had the best chance so far, no idea of the strength level of the MLS side to be honest, they could be playing a bunch of kids for all I know.

https://www.mnufc.com/livestream

[joey B]

Watched bits and pieces of it,3 players that started for them in their last league game are playing the first half here,just starting their league season aswell so using it to get a look at their squad players I’d say….

[holidaysong]

0-0 at half time. The Brazilian keeper has come on for Rogers at half time for St. Pats.

[Jack B]

You see it happen when our sides play against better standards of opposition in Europe and it's the case here too that the difference in general athleticism seems vast. Keating is by no means a slow player in the LOI but he got played in behind in the first half at one point and looked like he was moving through quicksand as their centre back easily made up about 5 yards on him before he could get a shot away.

Not much else to take away from it really, been a fun if quite weird one overall. Even for a friendly it's been strangely reflective of most of our games so far this season.

[2 Year Contract]

Agree with you there, athletically Minnesota were miles ahead of any LOI side. Even so I thought Pats put in a good account of themselves and created some good chances, McClelland had a great chance to equalise at the end but the pass seemed to have too much power on it for him to keep his effort down. Good test for the 19 Pats players used against a side with a lot of senior internationals playing. I feared injuries with a few of the tackles flying in and with the game being played in -5 degrees but all appeared to be ok on that front too

[2 Year Contract]

The picture and sound quality of the stream was excellent I thought. (the camera and the microphones were good, not the verbal diarrhoea being spouted out of them ;)).

Obviously MLS clubs have much more resources than the LOI would but it was far better quality than any LOITV stream I’ve watched. The only pain point being that throughout the match they seemed to continuously show a replay of a 5 yard pass for example, when one of the sides were on the attack, resulting in missing out on seeing the attacks in real time. That’s an easy fix for them however, they just need a director that has the slightest clue about the sport :)

[TonyD]

You see it happen when our sides play against better standards of opposition in Europe and it's the case here too that the difference in general athleticism seems vast. Keating is by no means a slow player in the LOI but he got played in behind in the first half at one point and looked like he was moving through quicksand as their centre back easily made up about 5 yards on him before he could get a shot away.

Not much else to take away from it really, been a fun if quite weird one overall. Even for a friendly it's been strangely reflective of most of our games so far this season.

I’ve always thought the same. Our teams seem to lack strength and athleticism in a lot of cases. Not quite sure why this should be the case for full time teams. Should we not be paying more attention to strength and conditioning work ?

On the game last night, I thought Pats did ok. Faded a bit in the second half, which maybe could be put down to the travel. Passing could have been better at times, gave it away needlessly on a few occasions.

[ontheotherhand]

I’ve always thought the same. Our teams seem to lack strength and athleticism in a lot of cases. Not quite sure why this should be the case for full time teams. Should we not be paying more attention to strength and conditioning work ?

On the game last night, I thought Pats did ok. Faded a bit in the second half, which maybe could be put down to the travel. Passing could have been better at times, gave it away needlessly on a few occasions.

Players with natural speed and strength get snapped up earlier I suppose?

Farrugia is probably the most athletic specimen in the league and would have been gone as well but he stayed in Ireland to study.

[2 Year Contract]

Players with natural speed and strength get snapped up earlier I suppose?

Farrugia is probably the most athletic specimen in the league and would have been gone as well but he stayed in Ireland to study.

Even since he finished his studies, he’d be gone abroad ages ago if it weren’t for how incredibly injury prone he is

[ontheotherhand]

Even since he finished his studies, he’d be gone abroad ages ago if it weren’t for how incredibly injury prone he is

Yeah, absolutely. They also keep him from working on his technique as he'd been unstoppable if he could find the top corner!

[TonyD]

Players with natural speed and strength get snapped up earlier I suppose?

Farrugia is probably the most athletic specimen in the league and would have been gone as well but he stayed in Ireland to study.

Well, possibly, to an extent, but I would have thought that speed and strength are things that can be worked on, more so than natural, skill and ability. I can’t help wonder are our manager and coaches missing a trick here ?

[2 Year Contract]

Well, possibly, to an extent, but I would have thought that speed and strength are things that can be worked on, more so than natural, skill and ability. I can’t help wonder are our manager and coaches missing a trick here ?

Strength can absolutely be worked on but for me, speed isn’t something you can improve a huge amount by coaching. Of course working on running technique etc can shave time off a sprinter's speed, but we’re talking minimal amounts of time which in sprinting are huge. In football however, simply put, no amount of training is going to turn a slow lad into a fast one really.

The resources and finances a club like Minnesota has makes their accessible player pool infinitely better than any LOI clubs, meaning they can cherry pick big, strong, fast players from many markets. Hence why when you look at their squad, the majority are from outside of America. Good quality overseas scouting is something that LOI clubs have really struggled with but considering the gap in finances it’s to be expected unfortunately

[ontheotherhand]

Well, possibly, to an extent, but I would have thought that speed and strength are things that can be worked on, more so than natural, skill and ability. I can’t help wonder are our manager and coaches missing a trick here ?

Would agree (with no backing from actual experience or qualifications) with 2YC below i.e. you can build up strength and speed in anyone but the natural athletes (in terms of body shape and size etc) will always have an advantage and always be snapped up because academies know they can train the other pieces better. Armstrong, Ogbene and Ferguson spring to mind.

I remember Real Madrid coming to Tallaght and looking like a different species to our lads. Just bigger frames outside of being in better shape.

Dundalk did put a lot of focus in to S&C and waltzed the league here along with competing much better in Europe so maybe it was something that gave us an edge then. Have other countries just improved more than we have on that front?

I don't know, I'm probably talking out me hole.

[D24Saint]

I’m delighted we held our own. It’s clear that Minnesota are at a different level but he had some chances in the game. I reckon we are but rigid this season as on a couple of occasions we had the opportunity to get forward and didn’t take the chance. The crowd was ok , it was a lovely stadium just a pity it’s in the coldest place on earth.

[ger121]

I’m delighted we held our own. It’s clear that Minnesota are at a different level but he had some chances in the game. I reckon we are but rigid this season as on a couple of occasions we had the opportunity to get forward and didn’t take the chance. The crowd was ok , it was a lovely stadium just a pity it’s in the coldest place on earth.

I lived in the City. As they like to say locally. White out in the winter and white hot in the summer.

[nr637]

What was the attendance for this game! :confused:

[2 Year Contract]

Haven’t seen an official figure so just basing it on watching the stream and videos that pats posted.. their ground holds just under 20k but it was pretty sparse for this game, I’d guess about 8k maybe?

[redobit]

Good luck to Pats on this and great experience for all involved.

Am I the only one that thinks the whole thing is a bit Oirish. May as well have St. Patricks Vs Shamrocks playing on Paddies day to go full hiy-diddly-eye on it. Throw in a guinees drinking competition during half tme to be sure to be sure.

[seanfhear]

Good luck to Pats on this and great experience for all involved.

Am I the only one that thinks the whole thing is a bit Oirish. May as well have St. Patricks Vs Shamrocks playing on Paddies day to go full hiy-diddly-eye on it. Throw in a guinees drinking competition during half tme to be sure to be sure.Now, you're talking ! (wink)

[Nesta99]

There are worse promo ideas than St Patties Athletic v Shamrock Rovers for a league game in New York around the 17th of March....

[ontheotherhand]

Good luck to Pats on this and great experience for all involved.

Am I the only one that thinks the whole thing is a bit Oirish. May as well have St. Patricks Vs Shamrocks playing on Paddies day to go full hiy-diddly-eye on it. Throw in a guinees drinking competition during half tme to be sure to be sure.


It absolutely is but, like Nesta, I'd have no issue with it as a Rovers supporter. We should be promoting the game anywhere it can get a bit of support. Make it a double header and get the yanks over for it. I'd greet them in a leprechaun suit if they filled Tallaght and went home with suitcases packed full of merchandise.


Ok maybe there's a way to do it without the leprechaun suit....

[Nesta99]

It would be totally exploiting the Oirish types in the US. Are we at a stage where our domestic game should be promoted abroad when there is still a whole lot to do on the issue at home, probably not but maybe it is the sort of stuff we should be at least having a think about. It would deprive 1 large home gate for either club, would exclude fans who cant travel, cede home advantage and so on but the novelty aspect could actually grab some attention. Ive experienced the scoffing at the stereotype like names of the 2 clubs on an occasion in England when mentioned, followed by a 'have you a Lucky Charm FC too'. Im sure the authorities over Gaelic Park in New York would be more than happy to host such a game. Its as mad an idea as having Bob Marley away jerseys...

More realisticly the Dublin Derby could be penciled in as part of the St Patrick weekend fesitval stuff with maybe the possibility of double headers at the national stadium!?

[dundalkfc10]

It would be totally exploiting the Oirish types in the US. Are we at a stage where our domestic game should be promoted abroad when there is still a whole lot to do on the issue at home, probably not but maybe it is the sort of stuff we should be at least having a think about. It would deprive 1 large home gate for either club, would exclude fans who cant travel, cede home advantage and so on but the novelty aspect could actually grab some attention. Ive experienced the scoffing at the stereotype like names of the 2 clubs on an occasion in England when mentioned, followed by a 'have you a Lucky Charm FC too'. Im sure the authorities over Gaelic Park in New York would be more than happy to host such a game. Its as mad an idea as having Bob Marley away jerseys...

More realisticly the Dublin Derby could be penciled in as part of the St Patrick weekend fesitval stuff with maybe the possibility of double headers at the national stadium!?

Would any of the Dublin clubs give away home advantage for a league game in the Aviva, highly doubt it

[TonyD]

There are worse promo ideas than St Patties Athletic v Shamrock Rovers for a league game in New York around the 17th of March....

Back in Pat Dolans day there was one year where it was floated that Pats play Shels in the US on Patrick’s day. Probably just some Dolan hype at the time (he was never averse to a bit of that.

The whole thing was linked to Pats new American investor, a former US football player (their version of football.) Seems to have got a bit of attention anyway, there’s a clip on Facebook with Ger O’Brien and the guy (Chad something I think) on some kind of daytime/breakfast TV show.

A nice distraction I think, but not much more than that.

[nr637]

What was the attendance?

[Nesta99]

Would any of the Dublin clubs give away home advantage for a league game in the Aviva, highly doubt it

There are a load of obstacles for sure but as far as league promotion ideas its one possibility. All-Ireland club finals used to be a St Patricks Day tradition that got attendances far bigger than the clubs' communities involved. With proper planning/promotion and over time it could be something like Boxing Day fixtures in England or Scotland, do Linfield play Glentoran on the 26th of December each year? It would cede home advantage for clubs involved (rotated annually maybe) but if say 15k and that could be grown then maybe the clubs would consider it. Not saying its likely, just that its possible. Theres something of a precedence in rugby too where Leinster play Munster as big rivals in the Aviva rather then the RDS. Bohs could be more open to something if they could cash in on the extra gate income when or if Dalymount capacity is significantly smaller than demand. Other clubs could be involved over a weekend of a festival type thing. As said its floating the idea that LoI could become part of an international festival and we happen to have 2 teams that fit the bill name wise. Electric Picnic started as a niche alternative festival for people not fussed on the likes of Oxygen and is now one of the top events annually...maybe people would go to something thats not overcrowded streets and pubs...maybe we could find a way to play the FAI Cup final that weekend as part of an all island competition:eek:

[EatYerGreens]

It would be totally exploiting the Oirish types in the US. Are we at a stage where our domestic game should be promoted abroad when there is still a whole lot to do on the issue at home, probably not but maybe it is the sort of stuff we should be at least having a think about. It would deprive 1 large home gate for either club, would exclude fans who cant travel, cede home advantage and so on but the novelty aspect could actually grab some attention. Ive experienced the scoffing at the stereotype like names of the 2 clubs on an occasion in England when mentioned, followed by a 'have you a Lucky Charm FC too'. Im sure the authorities over Gaelic Park in New York would be more than happy to host such a game. Its as mad an idea as having Bob Marley away jerseys...

More realisticly the Dublin Derby could be penciled in as part of the St Patrick weekend fesitval stuff with maybe the possibility of double headers at the national stadium!?

I've said it before, and will say it again: St Patrick's Day should be derby day in the LOI.

Let it develop into the kind of event that 'Boxing Day' is in the Irish League. Have games KO at 3pm or 5pm, which still leaves plenty of time for a night out for those who value that. Build it up over time into one of the biggest matchdays in the league. Not every club has a natural derby opponent - but most do.

[sbgawa]

I've said it before, and will say it again: St Patrick's Day should be derby day in the LOI.

Let it develop into the kind of event that 'Boxing Day' is in the Irish League. Have games KO at 3pm or 5pm, which still leaves plenty of time for a night out for those who value that. Build it up over time into one of the biggest matchdays in the league. Not every club has a natural derby opponent - but most do.

Derry v Sligo
Rovers v Bohs
Shels v Pats
Dundalk v Drogs
Galway v Waterford

That woujld be a good St Pats day this year.

[EatYerGreens]

Derry v Sligo
Rovers v Bohs
Shels v Pats
Dundalk v Drogs
Galway v Waterford

That woujld be a good St Pats day this year.

Plus in First Division:

- Treaty v Cork.
- Kerry v Cobh.
- Longford v Athlone
- Bray v UCD.
- Harps v Wexford.

Towns where the LOI clubs have a big local presence (e.g Sligo, Harps, Cork, Derry) could make the game part of their official Paddy's Day events too.

[sbgawa]

Plus in First Division:

- Treaty v Cork.
- Kerry v Cobh.
- Longford v Athlone
- Bray v UCD.
- Harps v Wexford.

Towns where the LOI clubs have a big local presence (e.g Sligo, Harps, Cork, Derry) could make the game part of their official Paddy's Day events too.

That actually looks excelent as well for the first division....glad you put Harps at home , those feckers in the sunny south east have it to handy a trip up to the Artic is just waht they need

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Derry v Sligo
Rovers v Bohs
Shels v Pats
Dundalk v Drogs
Galway v Waterford

That woujld be a good St Pats day this year.

Unfortunately no way the cops in Dublin will go for that. They’ve enough hassle with all the drunks in town.

[nigel-harps1954]

That traditional Harps v Wexford derby is a no brainer

[2 Year Contract]

Unfortunately no way the cops in Dublin will go for that. They’ve enough hassle with all the drunks in town.

This is true. Rovers vs Pats was on paddy’s day last year but I can’t see that and Shels vs Bohs being given the go ahead on the same day. It’s also worth pointing out that the Dublin derbies will pretty much all sell out this year regardless of team combinations so planning them for Paddy’s day just to pull in tourists wouldn’t work until ground capacities are bigger and clubs can’t fill them again like the pre Covid years, but as the crowds are now, it’d be a pointless exercise

[EatYerGreens]

That traditional Harps v Wexford derby is a no brainer

Well as you're the only club from Connacht or Ulster in the FD, you don't exactly have much in terms of 'derby' choice.

In fact you're the only FD club in the entire northern half of the island.

[EatYerGreens]

This is true. Rovers vs Pats was on paddy’s day last year but I can’t see that and Shels vs Bohs being given the go ahead on the same day. It’s also worth pointing out that the Dublin derbies will pretty much all sell out this year regardless of team combinations so planning them for Paddy’s day just to pull in tourists wouldn’t work until ground capacities are bigger and clubs can’t fill them again like the pre Covid years, but as the crowds are now, it’d be a pointless exercise

Who said it was just to pull in tourists?

[2 Year Contract]

Who said it was just to pull in tourists?
I may have read that between the lines myself. What’s the purpose of playing the games on paddy’s day then considering they’re sell out games regardless of the date?

[EatYerGreens]

I may have read that between the lines myself. What’s the purpose of playing the games on paddy’s day then considering they’re sell out games regardless of the date?

It's to create a long-term marquee annual 'event' for Irish football, similar to what Boxing Day is for the IL. One with the potential to catch the public's attention, create a new tradition, and draw more occasional/new fans to our league.

In reality, we won't be playing to sell-out crowds forever.

[sbgawa]

Fair point about the guards but you could have one match at and another at 8 maybe. Also a fair point re matches will sell out anyway but it hasn't and won't always be like that

[2 Year Contract]

It's to create a long-term marquee annual 'event' for Irish football, similar to what Boxing Day is for the IL. One with the potential to catch the public's attention, create a new tradition, and draw more occasional/new fans to our league.

In reality, we won't be playing to sell-out crowds forever.

Fair enough, it’s not a bad idea for the future if the games weren’t selling out. As for the present moment it’s a non runner given the existing demand for tickets for the derbies

[Nesta99]

Fair enough, it’s not a bad idea for the future if the games weren’t selling out. As for the present moment it’s a non runner given the existing demand for tickets for the derbies

I understand the current reasoning but I disagree, you make hay when the sun shines! If we are afraid to try things in case it disrupts things as they are currently then we are going backwards. If the reasoning was its too expensive, FAI cant afford to subsidise the use of the Aviva in the near term then yeah there is no point in even thinking about it. But if it is thought a non runner because restricted capacities = sell out crowds then it old LoI thinking. I get that people would probably prefer 4 or 5k in a small ground than 15k in a 60k ground but if were talking about developing a brand, as EYG says, a tradition that is for the longer term, then peak interest is the time to try not chase the crowds when we cant get them to fill a stand. Ceding home advantage can be ironed out, imo the crowd rather than the venue is what creates the edge* and cup finals are an indication. I know Im focusing on games held in the national stadium short to medium term but potential of 30k+ stuff should warrant a discussion by the cubs and association. Maybe if all stadia were wp to scratch the same kind of festival of football could be incorporated in to a weekend in home stadia but in the mean time the focus would be say a double header in Landsdowne. Policing is an issue but as mentioned All Ireland club championship finals were managed, its also now a multi day festival so doesnt have to be parade day though ideally games would be the early evening to rty and catch those out and about who maybe dont want to wedged in to a pub but dont want to head home either. Its all hypotheticals anyway.

*I wasnt happy at all about Dundalk home European games in Tallaght (or the Aviva) but retrospectively the likes of a BATE Borisov game in Tallaght compared to sitting in a reduced capacity Oriel Park well i'd take Tallaght - until there is an approprately sized modern facility in Dundalk, hopefully New Oriel Park.

[sbgawa]

Its a shame that the small number of eejits in the various clubs rule out a double header in the manner of GAA in Croke Park.
Rovers Bohs at 2pm followed by Shels v PAts at 4pm on St Patricks day in the Aviva stadium could be a 40k gate easily.

Would it really be impossible? i was at the MAn Utd v Liverpool match recently 60k with 11k unemployed scousers mixed in and the UK Police manage it

[2 Year Contract]

i was at the MAn Utd v Liverpool match recently 60k with 11k unemployed scousers mixed in and the UK Police manage it

How would they have got on if there was thousands of Man City and Everton fans also there?

[sbgawa]

Fine id say for the 99% and the police re there for the 1%

[EatYerGreens]

Fine id say for the 99% and the police re there for the 1%

Whilst I agree with you - the issue is that the English police are very good at dealing with knobheads in football crowds, whereas our police are fairly crap at dealing with crowds full stop.

[2 Year Contract]

Whilst I agree with you - the issue is that the English police are very good at dealing with knobheads in football crowds, whereas our police are fairly crap at dealing with crowds full stop.

Very true. Not only are they crap at dealing with crowds, they don’t even learn from experience. 2021 cup final with the issues at the Irishtown house was followed by similar incidents at the exact same pub the following year helped by incompetent policing. The idea of 4 rival groups of fans in the same ground would be a unique and fascinating spectacle of its own let alone the 2 matches but the gardai are miles away from being able to deal with that unfortunately