So we get approx 5% of the stadium this is just so wrong. The MLS CUP FINAL should be played at a neutral site which is fair for both teams
We get to go to their house, kick in the door and take away the cup they think is theirs in front of a crowd packed 95% with LA supporters. I wouldn't have it any other way.
I agree with Mr. Jack. It makes it sweeter, more fun. Though I do admit, it sucks we aren't in our house playing in front of our fans because of one lousy freaking point. I blame it on Toronto. But ok, if the game were in Houston you know MLS would make one side the LAG side. That of course would only be fare. It may be, after all, David Beckham's last game in MLS. What a moment that would be. The HDC will actually be full for once.
Beckham's possible last MLS game? MLS Cup Final? Dynamo v. LA at HDC? Are we recycling scripts? Hahaha
We have had two away games to prepare for the cup final......we can do this.............we can beat LA in LA.............comeonyoudynamoweneedseveralofyoutohavethegameofyourlivesandwewillwintheCUP!!!!
I think back to '06 at the team dinner when talking with Wade about rivalries-as per Wade, rivalries are for fans, it's just another match for us. That being said, he did mention that he thought even way back then that real rivalry was HOU/LA because of all the ties between the clubs and that guys like Mully, Waibel and Chingy took that stuff personally. I am glad to see that this has continued and that it is way past 'I wanna beat the team that traded me mentality' and is now about how we are the ugly orange headed stepchild that Uncle Phil often forgets he owns. I am pretty sure the guys are pretty pumped to go back to HDC to redeem themselves against Big Brother.
So he said rivalries are for fans but that players do take stuff personally against other teams??? Sounds like maybe he doesn't see teams as rivals but other players do.
I think his jist was that the majority of players don't get hyped about "rivalries" but IF there were, they are about the personal connections (We were discussing the HOU/FCD thing) between the teams, thus back then it was LA as opposed to players getting mixed up in hating "the colors" He alluded that most players don't get caught up in the us vs them rivalry thing like fans do. Just another game. I would have to imagine that the HOU/LA thing is about revenge now for last year for them as opposed to they are from So Cal and we're just from some bayou in Texas.
That neutral site thing really didn't work for us last year. We had the chance to host this year, but blew that. This is a better system, remember that final in Toronto between Dal/Col? That was the worst atmosphere. When the league becomes more popular we can start talking neutral sites again.
neutral sites will not happen again until the league is more popular than the NFL. Garber already said it's about controlling your venue and those proceeds. So unless you are assured of selling out a NFL stadium at 70K plus, and can turn a reasonable profit, there is no incentive to lose the cash you are assured of from hosting at your modest 22K home. The whole point of netural sites was due to the fact that needed to set a date to make sure a place was available. With almost all teams owning their houses there is no reason for this.
If we had gotten a few more points, we'd be hosting and defending the system. The only problem I have with it is with the unbalanced schedule it doesn't make points truly 100% comparable, depending upon which teams you play an extra time and where you play everyone.
The only awesome concept of a neutral venue is winning a trophy, yet winning it on your rival's home ground when they have to post up in the stands and just watch you win on their field.
Bottom line (and this may be the 1000th time I've said this): the Orange had five home ties against non-playoff teams. Take three points in those instead of one and get a result in Colorado, suddenly we're talking Supporters Shield. I realize you can't win them all, but flipping one or two of those to the win column changes a coronation at the Oven to vying for revenge at HDC. Granted, I personally relish the opportunity to see that happen, but it'd be a lot cheaper if the Dynamo hosted. As far as the rivalries are concerned, I would use the 90's Rockets as an example. The NBA's layout has more "natural" geographic rivalries for Houston than any other league, yet the two teams I truly grew up hating were Seattle and Utah (with residual hate for the Lakers popping up from the 80's). Those rivalries were forged from hard-fought battles as opposed to just being near each other. It would not surprise anyone if the hate in the Texas Derby started to resemble the Rockets-Mavs rivalry in ten years.