Calling soccer by it's worldwide name, football, can be a confusing affair in North America. Round ball or pointy ball? Now with MLS introducing Wild Card playoff spots, well, that certainly doesn't help distinguishing the two and all that is left to do is mandating cheerleaders and starting the season in September. The first ever set of Wild Card matches that salvaged the seasons of New York and Columbus are out of the way and now we can get down to the business of Conference Semi-Finals.
With New York dispatching FC Dallas, it all but cemented the Hoops as having one of the most epic late season collapses in league history. Losing eight of their last ten, Dallas looked to be a team that was either figured out (ie Brek Shea) or desperately needed back the skill and guile of former league MVP David Ferreira.
Colorado saw off Columbus for the second year in a row, with the exact same 1-0 scoreline at Dick's Sporting Good Park. Without a return leg for The Crew to try and level the result, they once again fall very short of their overall potential and place in the standings.
The precedent set at this stage of the playoffs for the last three years, and question to be asked is, which bottom seed has the best chance of making it to the MLS Cup? More specifically, which conference cross-over will be most likely to go the distance?
Since 2008, when New York represnted the Western Conference coming in as the 8th seed, every Cup finalist has been one of the last playoff teams and arrived at the last game of the year as Champions of their opposite conference. With New York in the West, Colorado in the East and if you want to split hairs, Houston a traditional Western Conference club also competing in the East, there are plenty of interesting matches to watch and see if this trend continues.
Sporting Kansas City v Colorado Rapids
2011 Head to Head: KC @ Colorado 1-1, KC v Colorado 1-1
Colorado arrives to the semis literally following the same route as 2010, which ultimately left them raising the MLS Cup. However, the Rapids do not quite possess the same threats they did last year. The loss of Conor Casey to an achilles injury mid-summer has essentially taken away 10+ goals and the type of power forward that can completely change the dynamics of any game.
Sporting Kansas City finished top of the East and that is quite a feat considering they began their campaign with ten straight road games as they waited for the completion of LiveStrong Park. They were able to overcome that start and through it, put out one of the most balanced attacks in the league with three players notching nine goals, and two more with five. That balance has been key to teams going the distance and SKC have that in their favour in 2011.
Over the last four years, being the #1 seed has appeared like a curse. Only once has a first place team truly lived up to their seeding and gone the distance. Kansas City possesses several intangibles that should at the very least take them into the Conference Finals. Colorado have done well to get this far, but it is unlikely that without Conor Casey they will be able to duplicate their run of 2010.
RNO Pick: Sporting Kansas City
Philadelphia Union v Houston Dynamo
2011 Head to Head: Philadelphia @ Houston 1-0,
Philadelphia v Houston 1-1
Houston's first season in the Eastern Conference was an up and down one, as at times they did not look like they could overcome what was a disastrous 2010. However, sixteen points later and a second place finish thanks to a excellent run down the final stretch, secured a superb turnaround. Lead by stalwart midfielder Brad Davis, Houston possess a real team approach where no player stands head and shoulders above the rest. They also have the invaluable experience of head coach Dominic Kinnear to guide them through what has been familiar territory for him over the last six years.
Philadelphia were one of the most surprising teams from this year as they were in first place in the early going and never truly dropped off, holding on for third place. After an expected expansion campaign in 2010, they made smart acquisitions in the offseason, most notable Columbians Faryd Mondragon in the keeper position and Carlos Valdez in defence. A slow start from Sebastian LeToux went a complete 180 in the second half of the season as he stands out as one of the most complete strikers in MLS with 11 goals and 7 assists.
Both of these teams should signal to other bottom-feeding clubs that stability and a few tweaks can improve your side by fifteen points or more. Both have had exciting seasons with Houston coming on strong down the stretch. This head to head will likely come down to experience as the Dynamo possess the players who should not be phased or surprised how well they've done, and know what needs to be done to get to the next round.
RNO Pick: Houston Dynamo
LA Galaxy v New York Red Bulls
2011 Head to Head: LA v New York 1-1, LA @ New York 0-2
The Supporter Shield winning LA Galaxy look to get the monkey off their back and give Don Garber what he hoped and prayed for when David Beckam came to MLS, which is an MLS Cup. This might be the best chance they've had, as they'll have home advantage right to the finals if they make it that far. The keys to their success is no secret, as it begins with Bruce Arena, and goes from back to front with a disciplined side that now possesses a formidable attack with Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane. However, Keane's recent injury should not be an insurmountable challenge for the Galaxy as they were a top side without him in the line-up.
There is no other way to put the Red Bull's season other than utterly disappointing. Even making it into the playoffs, thanks to two new positions, is so far off their potential that there really is nothing to celebrate even when they dispatched the sinking FC Dallas. Thierry Henry lived up to his paycheque, and one of the best midfield's continued to impose themselves, but overall team harmony and chemistry is amoung the worst in the league and the cause for their plummeting position in the table.
At the start of the year, this looked like a potential MLS Cup Finals match up. Now it presents what would be a huge upset should the Red Bulls pull it together and follow their regular season head to head form against the Galaxy. While the Red Bulls have been built around individual names, LA still looks to be the more complete and balanced team with a clear hierarchy of who leads the club and what it takes to be winners. New York do not look mentally strong and, again, it would be a surprise if they could pull it together to take out the number one seed.
RNO Pick: LA Galaxy
Seattle Sounders v Real Salt Lake
2011 Head to Head: Seattle @ RSL 2-1, Seattle v RSL 1-2
The darlings of MLS expansion continue to show North America how it's done with a perfect opportunity this year to solidify themselves as the best team in the league by winning the MLS Cup. Top to bottom, the Sounders have found a way to do it right. Sigi Schmidt stands shoulder to shoulder with Bruce Arena as the best head coach in MLS, and the team they've put together is arguably the most complete in either conference. The loss of dynamic midfield Mauro Rosales could be a blow, but Uraguayan Alvaro Fernandez has more than stepped up this year to become a legitimate Designated Player. Fredy Montero put up MVP like numbers, proving to be up there as one of the most complete players notching 12 goals and 7 assists.
Real Salt Lake have put together one of the most exciting teams in league history. Jason Kreis had a vision for the make-up of his side and more often than not, executes high octane football each week. However, an impressive Champions League run likely took alot of steam out of the MLS campaign as they've appeared extremely vulnerable, especially on the road. The loss of Javier Morales in the regular season cannot be overstated as easily the most dynamic midfielder in the league cannot be replaced. Their attacking duo of Alvaro Saborio and Fabian Espindola are two of the best, who at home, should be formidable, but defending and a slew of road losses hinder their chances this year.
Seattle are clearly league heavyweights now, and it is not a stretch to say the Western Conference Semi-Final match-ups are all on the level of Cup Finals in terms of potential excitement. The Sounders have a distinct advantage going into this round in that they are one of the few teams who have beaten Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto stadium. They have the best road record in MLS and coupled with Salt Lake's poor road form, should be just a head above to move on to the Conference Finals.
RNO Pick: Seattle Sounders
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