America's Football 11.18.07: Issue #11 - MLS CUP Final preview
Posted by Sean Garmer on 11.17.2007
It's here folks, the MLS Playoffs come to their end and its Houston vs. New England in the final. We also get to some MLS News that includes the Galaxy getting a new manager. Matt Adamson joins me one last time too, it is all inside, and you must read it.
Hello everyone, well, this is it. The MLS Cup Final is upon us, time to crown the champion of MLS 2007. We had some rather interesting match-ups for the Conference Finals. Houston soundly defeated Kansas City to gain the ability to defend their championship. While, New England bested Chicago by the slimmest of margins to get to their 3rd consecutive MLS Cup Final. They have Taylor Twellman to thank for that. I've brought Matt Adamson from the wrestling zone, one last time. Don't forget to read his Destiny column when you have the chance. There's some big news to get to into as well. So sit tight because there's more Footy info coming your way on….
How We Got to This Point
Matt Adamson: As a whole this years playoffs, despite having the best overall attendance in the history of the league playoffs, has been somewhat lackluster. I was unable to see either leg of the Houston vs. Dallas series, so I cannot comment on it (though I have learned that the second leg was fantastic). As for the rest of the games, only one stuck out to me as being special, and boy was it ever exciting. DC vs. Chicago, leg two just had it all, drama, close calls and of course some nice goals (especially that shot by Rolfe). It was clear to me while watching that these two teams were exciting, that would even have been said for the first leg. New England, New York, Kansas City and Chivas played some boring football, and aside from Twellman's bicycle goal (Bicygoal! That needs a copyright, consider it done!) New England played some of the most boring football I've seen since Toronto was in the beginning of their scoreless streak. I suppose one could argue that ESPN made the right call about which games to televise.
Sean Garmer: Both sides had some big upsets. It is crazy to think that both Conference champions were out in the first round. Chivas looked in disarray against KC, no Ante Razov and a hobbled Maykel Galindo just seemed to dower the side that had a great season in MLS. Other than Brad Guzan there wasn't much to say about Chivas in that two legged affair. KC had to thank Kevin Hartman as he was outstanding the whole series, but even though Eddie Johnson won "Comeback Player of the Year" He still didn't look like it in this series or the game against Houston for that matter. He had an alright game in the first leg, but both teams just looked awful in the 2nd. DC came into the first game with arrogance written all over them, and Chicago took advantage, mainly Chris Rolfe. The 2nd leg was a joy to watch though. After hitting in two goals in the 31st and 33rd minute, it left DC with a whole half to attempt a comeback. Clyde Simms and Christian Gomez tied up the game, and at the end, Christian Gomez attempted the hand of God, to tie the aggregate but it was rightfully disallowed, and Chicago advanced.
New England and the Red Bulls had two rough contests but with a hurting Juan Pablo Angel, New York were done from the start. As they really had no way to break through that stifling Revolution defense, (congrats to Michael Parkhurst on winning defender of the year), then Taylor Twellman does what he knows, and squeaks one in to get them through for the sixth consecutive time. Dallas astounded me in the playoffs, they got a quick goal from Goodson and went into Houston with the lead. Carlos Ruiz did his best to get Dallas through, but then Arturo Alvarez costs Dallas the series. Honestly, I don't know what goes through a player's head in these moments. It's the playoffs, your team is facing the 2006 champions, who you have failed to beat all year, and you do something stupid like hitting another player? Good lord, if I was Lamar Hunt's family he'd be suspended for a little bit to start next year's season. After that, Houston took advantage of Dallas being a man down and pulverized them.
Conference Finals ended the way they were supposed to. Houston dismantled KC with Nate Jacqua and DeRosario getting on the board. Chicago didn't have the same spark they had against DC, probably had to do with New England having a more organized defense, but the star again was Taylor Twellman with this peach of a goal.
Nothing short of spectacular, folks.
MLS News & Notes
LA Galaxy Have a new Head Man & the old one goes to San Jose
The LA Galaxy hired a new manager recently, and he so happens to be the former AC Milan star, Ruud Gullit. Ruud has managing experience with Chelsea (winning an FA Cup), Newcastle, and Feyenoord (they placed fourth the year he left). Thing is though he's coming from Europe and I have a feeling Gullit is going to be in for a brand new awakening. Not only is there a Draft, but there's a playoff system, and the overall difference in style between MLS and Europe is something that will surprise him. I think Cobi Jones is a great hire to help him deal with the players and all that, but he needs to bring in some folks to help with all this new stuff. We'll have to see how long Gullit can deal with the players he has, and if MLS may change its rules to accommodate David Beckham and the squad. For one, the team still has to do something with Landon Donavan because he becomes a DP next season; rumors are he wouldn't mind joining Frank Yallop and also returning to San Jose, where he won two MLS cups. Dallas also runs into that problem with Carlos Ruiz, but if MLS decided to allow two DP's, it would be to help the Galaxy. Then also, this league is purposely structured to allow American players to grow, and not have it become the New York Cosmos of the NASL, where one team just buys a bunch of players and dominates the league. He cannot just bring in anyone he wants from around the globe, is the $10 Million dollar man going to be able to deal with that? I just don't see it. Best of luck to the Galaxy, but I have a feeling AEG may have to start making internal personnel changes before its all said and done.
On the San Jose side of things, good that Frank Yallop gets to manage a team that wants him there, and he'll be able to build it from the ground up. I do hope the Earthquakes can make as big a splash next year, as Toronto did this season.
Seattle Becomes the 15th MLS Team
Matt Adamson: Besides my obvious displeasure that Portland didn't pull this off first, as we should have, Seattle will be a tremendous market for MLS. People often compare their terrible USL attendance numbers to what to expect along the lines of success in MLS, however, Seattle gets behind their major league teams in a huge way. AEG has managed to get loads of media attention onto the Houston Dynamo, and if any city is going to come up with a media support like Houston has, my bet is on Seattle. Good luck to everybody involved, I'll be looking forward to the first trip Real Salt Lake takes to Qwest, I'll be there all decked out in Red, Blue and Yellow.
Sean Garmer: I'm not too happy with this because they could have chosen three other cities (namely Portland or Vancouver) That would one, have better attendance, and have more of a Soccer specific stadium. I hate watching Soccer with a bunch of lines on the field, and I don't care what they say about tarping the top part of the stadium off, Its still going to have that American Football vibe to it. My problem with this whole thing is, the league has come out and said, that they would only accept teams that were going to offer a Soccer specific stadium, yet Seattle has shown no signs of doing that, and just because some big company comes in and says "they want to make a team" MLS gives in to them. That they can get attendance I wouldn't doubt it, I'm glad to see MLS grow, but the league needs to stand by what they say. With the promise of a 16th team, possibly in St. Louis in 2009 as well, its great to see the league expanding ever quickly to that 20 spot. At least Seattle will be able to have first dibs at signing Sounders players. In addition, 3,000 tickets have already been sold, as well as the announcement that celebrity and big US Soccer fan, Drew Carey will be a minority owner. Seems as if, things area are looking pretty good for Seattle. If they get their own stadium soon, it'd be awesome.
Stadiums Become Visible For KC and San Jose
Matt Adamson: Kansas City @ Community Arena Ballpark: Supposedly they are going to be constructing some more seating in the outfield of this Rookie League baseball park, home of the T-Bones (fantastic name) in order to bring it's capacity up to 10,000. While 10,000 doesn't seem like much, this is Kansas City we're talking about here, and their average attendance last season was a little over 11,000. That average includes the Beckham visit, which certainly gave it a little boost. realistically, Kansas City will be in fine shape in their new home. They will likely sell it out most of the time making for a very intimate experience. Let's just hope this stadium doesn't see a national TV audience. Football matches on baseball fields, especially in small capacity stadiums is not a good thing to show your curious viewer.
San Jose @ Buck Shaw Stadium: With San Jose coming back this season and the apparent lack of a certain stadium plan, the Earthquakes are going to be remodelling Buck Shaw Stadium into a 12,000 seat Soccer Specific Stadium. Having seen the renderings, I can attest to the awkward design with the practice field and the playing field overlapping. While that is strange and makes the existence of said practice field a mystery, it becomes an even great mystery once you realize a good 1000-2000 additional seats could be put in if the practice field were done away with. Unless Chivas takes a sharp downturn in their attendance, San Jose is almost a lock in for #13 in attendance in 2008, beating out only Kansas City. This could of course be made up for with huge numbers when Los Angeles visits and the Earthquakes play in a large stadium like McAfee or Candlestick.
Thoughts on the MLS Playoff System
Matt Adamson: I'm not much of a purist when it comes to soccer, obviously as I just used that cursed American word for football. I like the system because it allows for the most important part market the league, crossover audience. While I'm not a huge fan of the home-home Conference Semi-final system, I see the need for it. With a league that is trying it's hardest to turn a profit, it would hurt for a club to play all away games in the playoffs. Allowing all 8 clubs in the playoffs a chance to make some income from the playoffs is important and is a smart consideration by MLS.
I also love the neutral site of the MLS Cup final. If it were a home game for Houston, then I believe that it would be spectacular for the fans, but it wouldn't look nearly as important as it does as a Neutral location much like the Superbowl. You get the idea, I like things the way they are.
Sean Garmer: I am a purist of football and I really don't like this playoff system. I understand that the MLS is attempting to market their league to an American audience, but if we aren't going to do a single table this needs to be either of two ways. Both of the first rounds need to go to two legs, or, The Conference Semi-Finals and Conference Finals need to be reversed. The current system does not make sense to me. Why would you reward the lowered seeded team with a home game? If they want to keep it this way, it needs to move to a 1-2-1 format. The higher seed gets the game at home, and its only one game. That way it provides for bigger chances for an upset, especially considering, the lower seed has to win away. Then the Conference Finals is two legs because it's the Conference Finals, and you are supposed to be playing a tougher opponent. Then, the final is still one game to decide it all. I really wish FIFA would have kept the Golden Goal rule in effect, as I really hate penalties deciding tied matches. I'd rather see it be done with a goal in the run of play, Truly proving, who is the better team, and it provides great suspense. Alas, that's not the way it is. Honestly though, this playoff system needs to be changed for the future.
As for the neutral site, I wish the United States had a large Soccer stadium to host the Cup every year, but since they don't this works fine. It's pretty much what NFL Football does. It does help add some revenue to the city, and so far, since the neutral site was introduced that team has never reached the final.
MLS CUP FINAL: New England Revolution vs. Houston Dynamo
Matt Adamson: It's not terribly surprising that we have this rematch from last years MLS Cup and very little leads me to believe that the result won't be the same as well. In addition to playing interesting football, Houston has the most impressive defense in the history of the league. New England was only able to put away 2 goals in 3 games against New York and Chicago, and those were two teams with average to below average defense. In my opinion, Houston is the superior side and all they have to do is prove it once.
Winners: Houston Dynamo (2-0)
Sean Garmer: Matt is right on his assessment of the match-up, but this is not just about defense here. Houston has to deal with the possibility of not having Brian Ching and knowing they are without Ricardo Clark. Their offense did not look very good against Dallas until in the 2nd game, Dallas goes down a man, and Houston is able to put in Joesph Ngwenya and Stuart Holden, adding the pace necessary to blow by the Dallas defenders. They can't do that if Ngwenya has to start, they also lose speed in the midfield without Ricardo Clark, not to mention some of their defenders are limited. So its going to be DeRosario against that 3-5-2 of New England. Steve Ralston has been absent in the Playoffs, and part of it is because New England seems to tighten up in the playoffs. The other, is the holding midfielders Shalrie Joesph and Larentowicz were busy not stopping Chris Rolfe and Chad Barrett. Footy is always won in the midfield, and this one is no different. Taylor Twellman will need to show up big once again for the Revs. Both of these squads have experience, New England is hoping the third time works, and they can ride the wave of Boston sports teams. My feeling is this will be as close as last year's contest, but I don't necessarily think we are going to penalties again. I take Houston, but another thing to point out is I'm sure the rumors of Shalrie Joesph and Michael Parkhurst possibly headed to Europe, may be another reason for New England to want to win this year. The best thing about football is that it can't be scripted, and it all comes down to the play on the field, the team that finds the spaces and takes advantage of chances can lead to ultimate victory.
Winners: Houston Dynamo (2-1)
Now, I leave you with my pick (and Matt's too) for MLS Goal of the Year.
Michael Parkhurst catches the Toronto FC Keeper off-guard and scores this blast. What a way to end the season for him. There are rumors that he's going to Fulham in the transfer window, if it does happen it would be another American joining the squad, and it would be a great addition.
That's it for this column as it relates to the MLS season. I'd like to thank Matt for joining me during the playoffs. I'll be back soon all by my lonesome, with MLS news, and the America's World Cup Qualifying. Until then, enjoy the MLS CUP Final on Sunday (noon, ET, on ABC or Telefutura) and always think of footy.
