MLS CUP:  A PREVIEW. 

 

 

The last game of the regular season decided who got the last place in the 2007 play offs; Blanco goes onwards whilst Beckham gets to ruminate before another season starts. 

 

First let's start with the axe - now that the eight teams have their chance to prepare for the first leg what do the other franchises do. 

 

WEST:-

 

Colorado - A team with a solid manager and a real lack of goals.  Will the wily Clavijo retain his job?  I haven't seen enough of the Rapids this season to really make anything more than a guess.

 

LA Galaxy - surely a coach; who admittedly managed to get the team on a late season burst with some good away wins; who has a goal difference of -10; only won nine times in a thirty game season; who has the best US player on is side and the terrible mismanagement of Beckham's (a manager who doesn't get to decide his team sheet should surely resign immediately) and finally the Galaxy played some of the poorest MLS football this season, especially the back four; should go.  Alexi Lalas comes across as pretty hard nosed and it's hard to see how he can justify keeping Yallop on. 

Yallop isn't a bad coach but he's probably not the coach that LA need right now. 

 

Real Salt Lake - still struggling with the previous coach's poor initial selection of players Jason Kreis is making the best of a bad hand.  Trouble is he's traded quality for quality (Beckerman for Ballouchy) so the team as a whole remains rather poor (Eddie Pope aside but he'll retire now) and he's barely out of his playing boots.  He's a prime candidate to accept an assistants job but without any coaching experience I think the rebuilding of Real is beyond him. 

 

 

EAST:-

 

Columbus Crew - Some quality players and a useful coach but a lack of consistency.  That might save Sigi Schmid's job. 

 

 

Toronto FC - Mo Johnston has a sound platform upon which to build, his season has been up and down with two terrible records to his name (longest winless streak and longest goalless streak); but he has shown signs of good management and will probably be given at least 2008 to really turn things around, he really needs to sort out his sievelike defence. 

 

FIRST ROUND MATCH UPS:-

 

 

October 25th

Chicago Fire v DC United

One convincing win for DC and two draws.  DC have taken their foot of the gas a touch recently and Chicago will be buoyed by the win against LA.  Expect a tight game with a result for DC.  Will Emilio have his shooting boots on?

The weather forecast is cool; mid 40's; and cloudy. 

 

October 27th

New York Red Bulls v New England Revolution

Two wins and an away draw.  The rivalry, the form of NE and home advantage scream a home win.  Angel's performance in front of goal could a spanner in the works though. 

The weather forecast is cool; low 50's with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. 

 

FC Dallas v Houston Dynamo

Two wins and goalless draw without conceding a goal.  Houston seem to have their rivals' number.  De Rosario is the one to watch in this game. 

The weather forecast is mostly clear with temperatures in the 60s. 

 

Kansas City Wizards v Chivas USA

Both sides won at home this season.  Tough one to call; if Chivas injury problems subside you have to fancy them for the win.  How will Eddie Johnson perform in front of goal?

The weather forecast is partly cloudy and temperatures in the 50s. 

 

 

This season the East has five teams, the West just three.  Is the East the better conference? 

 

The Supporter's Shield goes to the East. 

63 wins versus 43 for play off teams - an average of 12.6 versus 14.3. 

230 goals versus 126 scored for play off teams - an average of 46 versus 42. 

207 goals versus 95 conceded for the play off teams - an average of 41.4 versus 31.6. 

Each Eastern conference team has three inter conference games but only plays two against the West. 

Each Western conference team has three inter conference games but only plays two against the East. 

Of the ten top scorers only nine make the play offs; of those nine 6 are from the East. 

New York has Angel (19) and Altidore (9).  New England has Twellman (16).  Kansas City has Johnson (15).  Chivas has Galyndo (12) and Razov (11).  LA has Donovan (8).  DC has Emilio (20) and Gomez (10). 

Of the top five goalkeepers; by MLS statistics; three are in the West and one of those won't be in the play offs. 

Assist leaders (for the stattos amongst you) with only Schelloto from Columbus missing out.  Again, Chivas have two, Kljestan 13) and Razov (8).  LA has Donovan (13).  New England has Ralston (14).  Kansas City has Arnaud (9).  New York has van den Bergh (8).  DC has Gomes (9) and Fred (8). 

Feisty players abound, the top yellow card holders (making the play offs are) Robinson (11) for Houston.  Marsch (9) and Nagamura (8) for Chivas.  Olsen (8) for DC.  And the only real livewire in the play offs is New York's Mathis with two reds. 

 

The Supporter's Shield winner has won the MLS Cup four times:-

1997 - DC United

1999 - DC United

2000 - Kansas City

2002 - LA Galaxy

 

Whomever you think is the best conference it'll be a tough competition.  The away goal rule will surely come into play so a 2-1 loss away in the first game isn't curtains.  Some of the best talents in the MLS are being left out this year but the teams involved have enough quality to provide the end of season tournament with plenty of quality football.  This season no one team has dominated the league; every team has had it's ups and downs.  And when it's win or go home the games can throw up suprises.

 

I still have to go with DC - they've just played the best football I've seen in the MLS this season. 

 

 

I hate Play Offs; especially in football.