10/28/04: Virgin Territory

[pbsharp]

My first time so go easy....

MLS
Quakes fans must worry if anything's good enough (http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/10035608.htm)

A Letter From Cobi Jones To All Galaxy Fans (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3096450&l_id=&t_id=)

Herron named MLS Player of Month (http://msn.foxsports.com/story/3115786)

Connolly: Eskandarian takes chances (http://fc.dallas.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20041027&content_id=17868&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp)

First XI: Chances are ... (http://sanjose.earthquakes.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20041026&content_id=17786&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp)

Restart Opportunity (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3096494&l_id=&t_id=)

Nearly 400 'fubolistas' to try out Sunday for Chivas
USA

(http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3096404&l_id=&t_id=) Cochrane Helps Stabilize Quakes (http://206.21.217.79/qmdefault.cfm?page=ARTICLE&show=479)

Small MLS mention
The Show: SportsNation Vice-Presidential Debate (http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=6333)

Paul.

[GPK]

Wizards' Meola ready to return, but…-KC Star (http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/soccer/mls/kansas_city_wizards/10032132.htm)

Metros will need goals for net result-NY Daily News (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/story/246838p-211454c.html)

Some Revs don't mind the red Cards-Boston Herald (http://sports.bostonherald.com/soccer/view.bg?articleid=51248)

MLS postseason doesn't reward regular season winners-Fox Sports (http://msn.foxsports.com/story/3118190)

Two days in a row..... :p

[nyrmetros]

The Knight News (http://www.qcknightnews.com/news/2004/10/26/Sports/Sportswire-781803.shtml) - Blurb on the Metrostars playoff battle and ESC plug

[Stan Collins]

MLS postseason doesn't reward regular season winners-Fox Sports (http://msn.foxsports.com/story/3118190)

Two days in a row..... :pWheelock starts with the premise that he should ignore the 'eliminate the playoffs' take because, much as he supports it, MLS ain't gonna do it. But then he goes on to suggest the league cut the playoffs to six teams.

Well, Sean, much as I've supported it, the league ain't gonna do that, either.

And it needs to be said yet again, before you go around saying the playoff structure doesn't reward higher seeds enough, you might actually want to wait until they get their home legs. (See San Jose last year). The higher seeds went 4-for-4 last season, and I'm willing to bet they end up at least 6-for-8 after two years. 7-for-8 wouldn't shock me, as of the higher seeds only the Wiz are really in deep water, and even they could still pull it off.

[christhestud]

And it needs to be said yet again, before you go around saying the playoff structure doesn't reward higher seeds enough, you might actually want to wait until they get their home legs. (See San Jose last year). The higher seeds went 4-for-4 last season, and I'm willing to bet they end up at least 6-for-8 after two years. 7-for-8 wouldn't shock me, as of the higher seeds only the Wiz are really in deep water, and even they could still pull it off.

You're right, the league probably wont do it. But it has to be said that if the higher seeds advance in this year's playoffs, it's because they are simply the better teams - it has NOTHING to do with the playoff structure. I think Wheelock's just arguing (and I agree) that the playoff structure should FAVOR the team that had the better regular season. Why put the top 4 seeds in a pressure-filled position where they likely need to come from behind at home? Is that really much of a reward for a 30 game regular season well-played? If 8 of 10 teams get in, the top few teams should certainly get a big advantage against the lower teams (like a first round bye for the top seeds, or one-game sets with true homefiled advantage - more than simply second leg at home) or else there isn't much incentive to play hard during the regular season. If you cut the number of playoff teams (i.e. 6 of 12 in), the need for such incentives decreases because making the playoffs becomes an accomplishment worth playing hard for in itself. Plus you can still offer first-round byes as incentive to compete for conference titles.

[Ringer]

Studly,
I like that. 6 of 12 teams in playoffs. 1st in each division get first round byes. Home and away for 2nd and 3rds. Winners play #1. Winners play for cup. Seems fair all the way around. More incentive during the season to get results. Eliminates the chance of a 1st place team getting bounced in the first round.

[MightyMouse]

Studly,
I like that. 6 of 12 teams in playoffs. 1st in each division get first round byes. Home and away for 2nd and 3rds. Winners play #1. Winners play for cup. Seems fair all the way around. More incentive during the season to get results. Eliminates the chance of a 1st place team getting bounced in the first round.

BINGO!!!! EXACTLY! JESUS OPEN THE GATES FOR THIS ONE AND HAND OUT A MEDAL. Seriously, 12 teams, half make it, half don't, top of each division first round bye. WHY NOT? Cause it makes too much sense...

[Michael K.]

BINGO!!!! EXACTLY! JESUS OPEN THE GATES FOR THIS ONE AND HAND OUT A MEDAL. Seriously, 12 teams, half make it, half don't, top of each division first round bye. WHY NOT? Cause it makes too much sense...

You want your division winning team sitting for two weeks on a bye? I sure as hell don't.

[harttbeat]

You want your division winning team sitting for two weeks on a bye? I sure as hell don't.

if it means going to conference final, hell yeah... why would u want to play extra two games in the first round? what u smoking

[kingwho]

Studly,
I like that. 6 of 12 teams in playoffs. 1st in each division get first round byes. Home and away for 2nd and 3rds. Winners play #1. Winners play for cup. Seems fair all the way around. More incentive during the season to get results. Eliminates the chance of a 1st place team getting bounced in the first round.


i like it too
except the 1st seed would get a bye in the first round
and there would be no home and away in that first round
its one match with the 2nd seed getting home field vs 3rd seed
then a one match semifinal with the 1st seed getting home field vs the previous winner
this way the playoffs would be three weeks long total - not the current 4

[metros11]

You want your division winning team sitting for two weeks on a bye? I sure as hell don't.
Not two weeks, but if you do it as one game like NFL then at least it makes more sense. That way there is also a difference between the 2nd place and 3rd place. Hence Metro have something to play for instead of scratching their @$$. I, for once, agree with Wheelock on the 6 teams in the playoffs format.

Lets face it, its not like the playoffs are making MLS any money!

[rocketeer22]

if it means going to conference final, hell yeah... why would u want to play extra two games in the first round? what u smoking

I think he is using the logic of the French WC team from 1998. As defending champions in 2002 they didn't have to qualify...and they exited the first round. One argument for this was that the players weren't 'sharp'.

[MightyMouse]

Less is more...

[Wallydrag]

You want your division winning team sitting for two weeks on a bye? I sure as hell don't.

So make the lower seeds play two/three games in a 9 day span. Seeds 2 and 3 play home and way with a Saturday game, as Wednesday game then the winner takes on the 1 seed on Sunday. then the division winner's only sitting out one week.

Between the 2 and 3 seeds, the higher seed should get to choose whether they want home field the first or second game. And yeah Wed night won't be the best for attendance but lets face it. There aren't a lot of people coming out for playoff games period no matter what night it's on.

When the winner of 2/3 meets the 1 seed, 1 seed gets home field.

Does this all seem unfair to the winner of the 2/3 seeds? To be playing 3 games in 9 days and then have the 3rd game be away? Well you know what? Win the division on you won't have to deal with it.

It think doing this would make the regular season very much worth playing for.

[Etienne_72772]

You're right, the league probably wont do it. But it has to be said that if the higher seeds advance in this year's playoffs, it's because they are simply the better teams - it has NOTHING to do with the playoff structure. I think Wheelock's just arguing (and I agree) that the playoff structure should FAVOR the team that had the better regular season. Why put the top 4 seeds in a pressure-filled position where they likely need to come from behind at home? Is that really much of a reward for a 30 game regular season well-played? If 8 of 10 teams get in, the top few teams should certainly get a big advantage against the lower teams (like a first round bye for the top seeds, or one-game sets with true homefiled advantage - more than simply second leg at home) or else there isn't much incentive to play hard during the regular season. If you cut the number of playoff teams (i.e. 6 of 12 in), the need for such incentives decreases because making the playoffs becomes an accomplishment worth playing hard for in itself. Plus you can still offer first-round byes as incentive to compete for conference titles.


I guess, but as soccer fans, don't we want to see soccer being played? Don't we want two extra chances to see our team dominate?

Basically, you are trying to legislate away upsets. Any time there is an upset in a playoff game, everyone starts clamoring to change the structure of the playoffs. But if there weren't the possibility of upsets, why play the game at all (which is what you are actually advocating by allowing byes into the conference final).

[vmax71]

My first time so go easy....

MLS
Quakes fans must worry if anything's good enough (http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/10035608.htm)

A Letter From Cobi Jones To All Galaxy Fans (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3096450&l_id=&t_id=)

Herron named MLS Player of Month (http://msn.foxsports.com/story/3115786)

Connolly: Eskandarian takes chances (http://fc.dallas.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20041027&content_id=17868&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp)

First XI: Chances are ... (http://sanjose.earthquakes.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20041026&content_id=17786&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp)

Restart Opportunity (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3096494&l_id=&t_id=)

Nearly 400 'fubolistas' to try out Sunday for Chivas
USA

(http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3096404&l_id=&t_id=) Cochrane Helps Stabilize Quakes (http://206.21.217.79/qmdefault.cfm?page=ARTICLE&show=479)

Small MLS mention
The Show: SportsNation Vice-Presidential Debate (http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=6333)

Paul.


Only criticism: You need an avatar dude! You can use mine ... I have others ... how's athens doing this year? :D

[Rocket]

Wheelock:

One of the many great things about the top flights of UEFA is that almost every match truly matters. Very rare is the side that enters the final month of the season without an interest in the league championship, a place in Europe, or relegation.
What's Sean talking about?

For being such an Anglophile, Sean should realize that even this early in the season it's pretty clear that they're about 6 to 8 teams in the middle of the Premiership table who have little chance of reaching European competition and don't much to worry about relegation.

What does a match between Charlton and Man City matter for in October, let alone April or May?

[pbsharp]

Only criticism: You need an avatar dude! You can use mine ... I have others ... how's athens doing this year? :D

Haven't figured out the avatar yet (I really am saving it for the MLS-Detroit team logo).

Athens hurt; beat #2 (Rochester), lost to #5 (Utica Ike), strong season overall.

Paul.

[Ismitje]

You're right, the league probably wont do it. But it has to be said that if the higher seeds advance in this year's playoffs, it's because they are simply the better teams - it has NOTHING to do with the playoff structure. I think Wheelock's just arguing (and I agree) that the playoff structure should FAVOR the team that had the better regular season. Why put the top 4 seeds in a pressure-filled position where they likely need to come from behind at home? Is that really much of a reward for a 30 game regular season well-played? If 8 of 10 teams get in, the top few teams should certainly get a big advantage against the lower teams (like a first round bye for the top seeds, or one-game sets with true homefiled advantage - more than simply second leg at home) or else there isn't much incentive to play hard during the regular season. If you cut the number of playoff teams (i.e. 6 of 12 in), the need for such incentives decreases because making the playoffs becomes an accomplishment worth playing hard for in itself. Plus you can still offer first-round byes as incentive to compete for conference titles.

It's not like this is unique to MLS. Sheesh, a wild card team enjoyed home field advantage over the team with the best record in baseball in this year's World Series.

[Winston Smith]

Wheelock:


What's Sean talking about?

For being such an Anglophile, Sean should realize that even this early in the season it's pretty clear that they're about 6 to 8 teams in the middle of the Premiership table who have little chance of reaching European competition and don't much to worry about relegation.

What does a match between Charlton and Man City matter for in October, let alone April or May?

Er... [groan] Man City and Charlton could still get relegated or qualify for Europe and as with any sport it matters if you support Man City or Charlton. The top of the table looks like Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd catching up. Also in with a shot are Liverpool, an outside chance is Newcastle and Everton (who were fighting relegation last year btw). Although Everton are probably aiming for Europe to be more realistic. Birmingham City, Charlton, Man City, Spurs and Aston Villa are all competing for the coveted 5th and 6th spots, and no-one is ever happy with mid table mediocrity (unless your relegation fodder, as in West Brom, Norwich, Crystal Palace, Portsmouth etc.)

There are two points between Arsenal and Chelsea and I think eight between Man Utd and Arsenal? If Spurs had won last weekend, then we'd be 4th and in a similar position (although I'm not for one moment suggesting we could challenge for the top spot).

The season lasts from August to May and is never tedious or boring. Every year, the relegation battles, fights for cup spots and the title more often than not come down to the last game. To compare MLS regular season to the tedium of the premiership is like comparing ChampionsWorld to the Champions League.