Congrats on Rep. Kamlager-Dove on winning understatement of the year in global soccer β even though it's only March.
U.S. Rep from California was not amongst initial favorites for the award.
And fantastic answers from Tyler Adams in the press conference in the lead up to that game.
They're even stupider than we thought and that makes this all even scarier.
This is a story worth following closely for anyone who cares about the game in North America. The economic incentives in USL are bizarre from pretty much any stakeholder's point of view (except one).
Dude, The Highwaymen is RIGHT. THERE.
Feels like an OK time to mention that the Guardian does not take ad money from sports betting companies and we just hired three of the best U.S. soccer journalists around.
πππ
So the fact that Polymarket is cool with restrictions keeping people who would be able to "enhance" the market price on the sidelines of this is a tell (to the extent that something can be a "tell" when it's abundantly obvious what's going on anyways, which is gambling under much less regulation).
But that means you really want expert $ on the line.
Back to MLS: and who would be better-positioned to be able to do that than say, MLS front-office execs, coaches, players, etc.
*They* have subject knowledge and expertise!
For that to work, though, you need REAL money from participants on the line.
The "theory" is that over time, the market forces will balance out so that the "prediction market" becomes a better reflection of he likelihood of an event than any single model or person could provide.
The thing that the "I'm a libertarian who too econ 101 so I'm basically a genius" crowd has been pushing about prediction markets is their utility:
In theory, society benefits if we have better models to predict the outcomes of uncertain events.
And the fact that Polymarket would agree to those terms just shows what a transparent and obvious fig leaf they are for unlicensed gambling:
In THEORY, prediction markets should people with relevant knowledge and experience to engage in the market, as much as possible, as often as possible.
The nature of those - or even what the restrictions are - have not been made public.
I think we all assume that they are a carbon-copy of the restrictions around gambling.
For the obvious reason that Polymarket is a carbon-copy of gambling.
MLS has said the Polymarket "partnership includes safeguards designed to protect the integrity of MLS and Leagues Cup matches, including independent monitoring of trading activities and collaboration on MLS and Leagues Cup markets offered."
They do not. And people I've talked to that have worked in the industry think that even if Polymarket tried, they wouldn't be able to put in place a system nearly as effective as the ones that they use to catch gambling like this.
Brady team of the matchday graphic from Chicago Fire FC
#cf97's Chris Brady selected to the MLS Team of The Matchday after his second consecutive clean sheet.
#VamosFire
πΈ: Chicago Fire FC
The limits of the Fire's roster build were on display against Columbus: 3 starters were out of position and #cf97 really could have used a creative midfielder
HOWEVER: Seeing Dylan Borso come on and absolutely shine in his debut shows that there's talent down the depth chart.
Armchair Analyst: Nashville's continuing evolution, NYCFC's catalyst & more from Matchday 3
Including a Miami team just throwing stuff at the wall & a Cincy side that looks lost both on and off the ball.
tacticsfreezone.ghost.io/nashvilles-c...
Ball don't lie (or follow instructions)
And to think I've seen complaints in years past that #cf97 supporters were low energy.
Working out if it comes out tonight or tomorrow. (We may push The Bonfire till Tuesday as well.)
You have no idea how validated I feel seeing you reading this as I'm staring at a bird's nest of words that should've been out hours ago.
They're really starting the pre-academy program earlier and earlier
And how hard is it to be THAT locked in coming in unexpectedly off the bench in a game where Borso was probably thinking there was no chance he'd get on the pitch?
Borso is a midfielder that has *just* started getting minutes as a fullback in Next Pro.
And then he gets to the big leagues and does this.
Chicago Fire fans in Columbus
#cf97 fans showed up for the short 353 mile drive between Soldier Field and Scotts in Columbus.
That's 4 miles longer than the distance from Newcastle to Bournemouth in the EPL for those keeping score at home.
#VamosFire
Chciago Fire FC lineup
The 3-4-3 returns and Chris Mueller gets a start at striker, something we saw in preseason. RadojeviΔ on the bench, as is Dylan Borso.
#cf97 #VamosFire
Stadium picture with very few people visible
Scotts Miracle-Grow empty stadium picture ahead of the #Crew96 home opener vs #cf97
And if MLS wants to kind of cash next time, they've got to invest. Monday Night Football in the UK is a great example and it's popularity has, if anything, gone up in the current media landscape. Ideally it wouldn't be from the league but that's the TV deal they've got.
Instead, we're getting some of the worst production decisions I've seen for top-level pro sports... ever. Goals fans don't get to see live b/c they're instead showing a guy on his butt asking for a foul.
Audio issues that would embarrass a podcaster.
And basically no shoulder programming.
