MLS playoff wins for ATLUTD and Timbers, Mario Balotelli rumors, and more: Freedom Kicks for 11/30/18

Y’all, it has been a week. It’s cold and also I’ve had a cold for two weeks and work sucks (you know) and man, thank goodness it’s Friday. We know MLS Cup will be between Atlanta United and the Portland Timbers, for anyone that wants to go south in the near future.

Let’s talk some soccer.

Atlanta United reaches its first MLS Cup Final with 0-1 result, 3-1 aggregate win vs. New York Red Bulls | Dirty South Soccer
Can’t say I’m disappointed about the Red Bulls not advancing.

They’re back! Portland Timbers win at Sporting Kansas City and are going to the MLS Cup Final! | Stumptown Footy
(hey, it’s Jason. Leanne goes to bed at normal hours like a real adult, whereas I am a goon who stays up entirely too late. Today, though, it panned out because I was up for all of this game and can add this to your Freedom Kicks)

The Timbers were well on their way to losing to Sporting until Sebastian Blanco scored an unbelievable goal, the kind of goal that forces you to literally shout. Here, let’s look at it again:

Yeeeeeeeesh.

The goal stunned the Sporks, even with a delay after Mark Geiger made teams leave the field after at least one can of beer was thrown at Portland players. Peter Vermes appealed for calm, but KC was still reeling and conceded again. Gerso’s late goal set up a wild finish, but Diego Valeri completed a brace (based on unreal work from Diego Chara) to send the Timbers to Atlanta.

Source: Union in talks to bring Mario Balotelli to MLS | Brotherly Game
Pass.

Reports linking Mario Balotelli to Union are false, Ernst Tanner says | Philadelphia Inquirer
Then again, maybe Philly is also ready to pass.

Sky Blue FC’s own supporters group is in open revolt against them | Once a Metro
This one’s a must-read. Sadly, it might not fill you with confidence that Sky Blue FC is about to make the improvements they badly need to get done to catch up to the NWSL’s bare minimum standards, much less to keep up with a continually growing league.

La Liga Sues Spanish Federation Over Disputed Match in USA | Sports Illustrated
My main takeaway from this is how much the spelling “Relevent” for a company annoys me. (I mean, I get it. But I’m annoyed!)

Ugly moments of fan violence can’t wash away Ajax’s special Champions League achievement | Yahoo! Sports
Musings on Ajax from an Ajax fan.

Irish Soccer Club Fakes Player’s Death to Get out of Game | Vice Sports
OK, maybe not the best idea, guys.

Throwback Thursday: Abby Wambach becomes all-time leading goalscorer
Make that a Flashback Friday.

I’m out, folks. Hit the comments, and have a great weekend!