Time to spend nearly two seemingly endless weeks waiting for this thing to get started. Rematch time, with what I think is a much different Dynamo team than the one that played in last year's final.
Some stuff worth noting: Brad Davis is healthy this year and will play in the game. Ricardo Clark is back, and didn't actually play in the 2006 or 2007 MLS Cup wins. Macoumba Kandji practically destroyed his knee to create the MLS Cup winning goal in 2o1o. He's also primed to make an appearance in MLS Cup for a 3rd different team. I can't imagine many other players in league history can say that. 3rd MLS Cup appearance for Beckham. If they win this it will really make his time with the Galaxy look like an incredible success on-field. Landon is looking for a 5th MLS Cup win.
His teammate in 2010, Brian Mullan. Technically he's represented 4 different geographic areas in MLS Cup (LA, San Jose, Houston, and Colorado).
I think this will be a much more even game. This Houston team offers a lot more then last years. The galaxy will need every day of the two week break for Landon, beckham, AJ, and Juni's injuries. I don't think there is any guarantee we will see Landon in two weeks. Bruce and co. Lie through thei teeth about injuries and it would not shock me in the least if Landon is far more seriously injured then they are letting on. Anyone remember was if the same hamstring he injured away at mexico? that took him about a month to come back from.
We need Carr to really be healthy. Mac just doesn't make those same killer runs and I think Carr would have burried at least one of the 2 chances Mac had yesterday. Hopefully he'll be ready.
Indeed, will be very interesting to see which team is able to impose it's will. The only game between the two teams this year was a 2-1 win by Houston in Houston on May 26th (before LA really turned it around and got it going).
Hopefully it's an entertaining match. The last two MLS Cups for sure have been somewhat dreadful to a neutral (in my opinion)--- and 2008 and 2009 were debatable (2009 was somewhat ruined by injuries). I think Houston will be more apt to provide attacking with Boneik Garcia and Davis (and an improved Will Bruin). That would help trememdously.
LA looking to be only the second team to win four MLS Cups, since the Smurfaloompas' San Jose trophies belong to San Jose. Could be a great one, escpecially if all principles are healthy and playing.
Watson was the CAM for Houston at the time of the last match up this season. Oscar Boniek Garcia brings a bit more to the table for the Dynamo. If the weather holds, it should be a very good game.
Even with the improved attack from Hou, this is likely to be a 1-0 final. Both teams play good defense when called on.
I see your Watson instead of Boniek Garcia and raise you that LA played that day without Keane, Donovan, Juninho and Gonzalez...