MLS Cup Pre-, In-, and Post-Game Thread: Houston at Los Angeles, 1 December

I would agree. I don't really think that our success over the last few years is due to any sort of chemistry between the two of them. Donovan's got more chemistry with Keane in the season and a half he's been here then he's had with Beckham. Chris Klein actually had really good chemistry with Beckham when they were both playing down the right in those early years of Beckham's time with us, and that didn't really get us very far.

Beckham's influence on the team has been waning and I, for one, am looking forward to seeing the new direction of the club post DB23.

Assuredly this is just a slip of the proverbial tongue. Your first sentence says we aren't the best, but the second sentence implies we are dominate, just not as dominate. You're a Galaxy fan, you just don't know it yet. Just give in to it. Feel it flow through you. The water's fine on the dark side.

 

Who is talking about Cristman? Why would we be talking about players who aren't on either roster?

Houston will also be missing DeRo, Dominic Oduoro, and Kei Kamara.

 

Houston will never miss Oduro.

 

I disagree - I think LA is really going to miss Cienfuegos. It'll probably decide the final.

 

Waiting this long for the final is not a good move. All the hype (if any) dies down and those who don't follow the league as much as us forget about it. It would be best if the league corrects this and doesn't allow such a huge gap between the Conf. Finals and Final.

That being said LA should be favorites, too much attacking power for Houston.

 

Yeah, that is a tough loss. Not having Jorge Campos in goal also hurts.

 

I'm wondering what will the dynamo do without DeRo or Holden.

 

Um, isn't Brian Mullan, he of 5 rings, clearly the missing element for Houston?

 

You're right. We are focked.

 

The problem for MLS is that if they dont wait the requisite 2 weeks :

#1 first of all the stadium that is going to host the final may not be ready and will definitely not have enough time to sell tickets and promote in the local community.

#2 the league runs into the problem of televising the final during the Thanksgiving break which the NFL has a broadcasting monopoly on. Ratings for the final of a niche sport are already low as it is--have it compete head to head with NFL on a holiday date where most people are looking to watch NFL football is a recipe for even lower ratings.....

Yes the NHL has a bona fide hit with the New Year's Winter Classic--but they only have college football to contend with and the NHL schedules the hockey game during the daytime when the Big New Year's BCS Bowls are not yet being played.

 

inb4 "MLS should move to the European schedule"

 

oh for goodness's sake not that whole discussion again please.......

 

There's nothing that says the league has to play the final game on Thanksgiving Day itself - just look at the last two years of MLS Cups.

The two-week break is necessary for selling tickets with this new "top seed hosts" format, though. And frankly, MLSsoccer.com dropped the ball last week in terms of building up the final game. Having the holiday disrupts some of that momentum, no question, but where's the analysis articles? Player profiles? Why are we getting distracted instead with Waiver Drafts and GOTY voting?

This week has felt more like a FIFA week than a build-up to a final match.

 

Haven't been the same since Lalas left IYAM.

 

This is BigSoccer bro. We have to must discuss these salient issues as well as other hot topics such as promotion/relegation and the New York Red Bulls rebranding.

 

When are they moving Chivas USA to San Diego?

 

You assume MLSoccerSoccer.com has a plethora of writers capable of building said player profiles and analysis.

 

Disagree, College Football and MLS popularity is not the same. A one week break is fine but waiting 2 weeks is too long. I've seen no hype on ESPN and I think the league spreading it out only hurts the viewership.

 

Hard enough to get a decent air price 2 weeks out, let alone 1 week.

 

True,

 

LA will either tie the record for most MLS Cup Final wins or gain the record for most MLS Cup Final losses.

 

You make a great point. But hey, at one point scaryice was writing articles for their site, and Matthew Doyle ain't half bad. Round up some of the writers who are writing puff pieces on PNW players right now, and you could get something not-half-bad together.

 

Also, a bit of substance:

Petrescu named head referee for the Final.