1. The schedule for both visiting teams wasn't the best. While you can understand DC's situation, Seattle/RSL was scheduled for Thursday anyway. I think (I hope) that has more to do with TV scheduling than anything. 2. I'm not saying it would be an easy choice, but it's still a choice.
Wait, let's get back to Pollo Campero--is that place good or not? They sell empanadas, any good? When people are talking about Pollo Campero from El Salvador, are they referring to a style of chicken?
I think the player in the middle keeps him on, but I'm also thinking that Zach Scott's foot keeps him onsides as well.
The PC here isn't as good as the PC in ES. The ES version we're talking about is the same restaurant chain, but their food is prepared differently, and better.
In case any one is unaware, at the HDC they give out coupons on the way out for free pollo compero chicken when the galaxy get a clean sheet. We all got fat on this the last few years with our stingy defense. This year, not so much. So we appreciate the chicken that much more now.
Now I have the "Pollo Campero" chants from last week's first bus trip to RBA in my head again... Didn't realize I was on the MLS N&A board... It's best you don't ask why chants were made
The game will be on ESPN, for better or worse. And unfortunately we're back to a Saturday afternoon time slot, which I just discovered last night. I must have missed that announcement earlier this year, because I would have heartily complained about it at the time. There's something about a championship game in prime time that just feels more substantial and important.
In terms of head-to-head programming competition, perhaps. But not in the macro "Big Important Event" sense.
I already knew that was a possible counterpoint. But my rationalization would be that (A) the game does roll into (East Coast) prime time, and (B) the Super Bowl doesn't need any help feeling like a Big Event. At any rate, it doesn't look like MLS will be up against much at 4 p.m. Dec. 1 -- even on the college football front: http://espn.go.com/travel/sports/calendar/?type=list&date=20121201 (Cue head-scratching over MLS Cup absence from ESPN master schedule...)
Nobody parks a bus like we can. But with that said, the game should be much better this year if we make it. Our attacking is far better than it was last year. (Boniek > Danny Cruz, Carr 2012 > Carr 2011, Bruin 2012 > Bruin 2011, Depth 2012 >> Depth 2011).
Seattle fans, just don't forget that back in 2003, LA had a 4-0 lead on aggregate with 75 minutes to play and lost 5-4. There's still hope. Not a lot of it, mind you. But still, all you need is an early goal and it might get very interesting.
I think the Sig-ster remembers that game, too. :--) There have been a few playoff games like that since too - teams coming back from big aggregate goal deficits at home in the 2nd leg. I think there was one involving NE, and then Seattle almost came back last year against RSL. There is something that can happen psychologically. The "down" team feels like they have nothing to lose and goes for it, the "up" team starts to get tight after a goal or two. But you gotta get it going, you gotta light the flame, and Seattle can't afford to give up more goals, something that will probably require some good fortune, especially given the strength of LA's counterattack.
Where's Jeff Agoos when you need him? (Wasn't he the one that got the SJ comeback going with a splendid free kick?....if memory serves.) The problem, as JazzyJ points out, is Galaxy's exceptional counterattack led by Donovan (and to a lesser extent Keane and Beckham with his long kicks over the top). The Seattle backline will have to be at their best to keep it a contest.
If there is any place in the league you want to be bringing a 3-0 deficit to it has to be Seattle. It'll certainly be interesting but I doubt the Sounders can pull three goals back. LA to advance as well as Houston.
Just curious why you think the place to be would be Seattle? While they have a ton of fans into the game, it hasn't really proven to be anywhere close to a fortress for them.
Agreed. And LA certainly has had enough success in Seattle. How can anyone forget the notorious "refund game", where Seattle decided not to put much energy or effort into the game.
The Earthquakes/Dynamo franchise is on a streak of 12 consecutive playoff appearances, if I'm not mistaken, with five MLS Cup Final appearances, winning four of them. On the verge of a sixth appearance. No team, not even the mighty Galaxy, even comes close to putting together a run of success like that. Potentially the greatest dynasty in MLS history if not for some shenanigans around 2005.