MLS playoffs roll on, Metros fans disciplined & more: Monday Freedom Kicks

Hi. If watching Sunday night soccer while packaging canned beer to ship for a trade is living the dream, then I’ve got it made in the shade brother.

So the Seattle Sounders (minus Clint Dempsey) and the Vancouver Whitecaps (with 3 defensive midfielders in their starting XI) played the 0-0 tie that everyone expected yet dreaded nonetheless. Sounder at Heart and Eighty Six Forever have the takes.

In D.C., a small step towards tackling U.S. Youth Soccer’s accessibility (WaPo): Some may know this story and if you don’t, Goff’s got you covered. Related: another reason why the Academy, while improved, has some work to go.

Hey, remember when the New York Red Bulls traveling fans threw a flare from the upper deck last week? So does MLS:

Ramsey condemns Swans to another defeat (Wales Online): In partner club news, Sam Clucas started Swansea City nicely, but Arsenal came back to level and pass them, with Aaron Ramsey’s second-half goal enough to down Swans 2-1, putting them in 17th (owning the differential tiebreak over Everton) in the Premier League.

Finally, it can be understood if you missed it, but Patrice Bernier retired from MLS last Sunday as well. The Quebec born 38-year old midfielder ended his career the same way he started it, playing for the Montreal Impact (the Impact were in the NASL when Bernier made his debut in 2000).

Anyway, the Impact’s video production team, who for my money has made some phenomenal films on players and games in a brief period of time, covered the runup to, during and after his last game. It’s 20 minutes long but damned if it isn't emotional and riveting throughout: