Share the laughter

[Dan Loney]

Might or might not have made it onto the ABC broadcast, but there was a BigSoccer ad on at Pizza the Hutt Park during Sunday's game.

It said "Share the passion," not "Check out the blog and laugh at Dan's horrible, horrible predictions," which was nice.

Brian Ching was an easy and deserving MVP pick. Houston brought a couple of fans, as well. There was lots to bswet zombie Jesus. I can only imagine watching the game on TV. I really thought this one was going to be an all-time classic. Yeah, not so much. Houston joins Washington and Chicago in the "What's so hard about winning MLS Cup, anyway?" club - Toronto's application is pending, but it's probably worth a bet at this rate.

I'm not looking forward to reading Paul Gardner's take on the game, anymore than I'm looking forward to watching the tape. But I feel I should apologize to him anyway. The man has spent his life trying to promote attractive soccer at every level in every country, and what are my reactions to the goals?

"Idiot! You left Taylor Twellman open!"

Followed seconds later by "Idiot! You left Brian Ching open!"

So while I'd like to join what I assume is a tabernacle of criticism towards Steve Nicol's tactics (with what I further assume are extended a capella solos by Messrs. Cancela and Abundis), I have to admit that, without even realizing it, I bought into the "Defense first, avoid mistakes at all costs" mentality that even, finally, affected the ex-Earthquakes.

First the World Cup final, now MLS Cup final. When did the beautiful game become rock, scissors, paper?

[houstondynamofan]

I agree the game sucked.

[CLEATS]

People's expectations are way too high.
While far from a great game this was a memorable final

[Northside Rovers]

Somehow I've ended up attending all 3 MLS Cups the Revs have played in. I'm not going again.

How does Steve Nicol turn into Colin Clarke every time at the MLS Cup?

[Alberto]

People's expectations are way too high.
While far from a great game this was a memorable final

It was memorable only because of the two second half overtime goals. Otherwise, both teams spent the game thwarting the others teams attempts to attack. A very defensive game, with very reduced spaces to attack.

[Pablo Chicago]

Brian Ching was an easy and deserving MVP pick.
Ching won the MVP for being on the receiving end of a deflected long ball. Yes, it was a nice header, but he was invisible for most of the match, as was DeRosario.

Smith, on the other hand, created most of the Revs opportunities, and put the ball at Twellman's feet for the first goal. Ching can keep his MVP, but Smith was the MOTM.

[John L]

Typical "Championship" game - Both teams played not to lose - Unfortunately, this is how the Revs usually approach most of their games

Typical in just about any sport and competition where there is "FINAL" - And most of the semis and some quarterfinals as well - Most Super Bowls suck, most WC final rounds suck, most single-elimination tournaments suck in the final rounds

Soccer just isn't geared toward consistently exciting tournaments - Pro baseball, basketball and hockey have playoffs with best of 5 or 7 series, and the games are usually better and more entertaining - But this just isn't possible with soccer - If you're going to have a "FINAL" make it only the regular season champs of the East and West - PERIOD

[HiImTom]

Ching won the MVP for being on the receiving end of a deflected long ball. Yes, it was a nice header, but he was invisible for most of the match, as was DeRosario.

Smith, on the other hand, created most of the Revs opportunities, and put the ball at Twellman's feet for the first goal. Ching can keep his MVP, but Smith was the MOTM.
Dont forget that he played pretty good defense. He also converted the winning penalty. I think Ching played pretty well... not amazing... but overall pretty good. In a game where there were no obvious standouts it makes sense to reward Ching.

[SankaCofie]

complain complain complain.

Watch the tape. Count how many times the ball was cleared off the line by a defender.

Granted the attacking was haphazard sometimes but I think that is to be expected. No team has a clear superiority over the rest of the pack, or an abundance of top-level attacking players. Its not like the Beasely-era Fire or Etcheverri-era United.

Watching Chicago attack and attack against a useless talentless KCWiz team who had someone managed to pull a goal from their ass was one of the most foul things i've had to endure.

Theoretically DC DOES have the talent to run away with a game but they seem to go on vacation in mid-september.

[Bill Archer]

A Funny Soccer Quote
http://www.passaquote.com/Soccer/view.php?caid=558

Particularly if, like Jim Murray, you're a complete idiot.

[vabeacher]

complain complain complain.

Watching Chicago attack and attack against a useless talentless KCWiz team who had someone managed to pull a goal from their ass was one of the most foul things i've had to endure.



Same as sitting at RFK last weekend, after Twellman's early goal, most exciting game I've been too in a long time. You just knew DC was going equalize (still waiting for that)

The final could have used an early goal to open things up.

[vabeacher]

A Funny Soccer Quote
http://www.passaquote.com/Soccer/view.php?caid=558

The best anti-soccer quote I ever heard "In basketball, you only have to watch the last 2 minutes of the game to get all the excitement. In soccer you also only have to watch only two minutes, you just never know when they are going to happen"

Even as a fan it made me laugh, certainly could have applied to Sunday's game. The last 15 minutes is all you had to see, two goals and the PKs.

[Cassano]

First the World Cup final, now MLS Cup final. When did the beautiful game become rock, scissors, paper?

What are you talking about? MLS made sure it would go to a shoot-out to emulate the WC Final and attract international soccer viewers...;)

[SankaCofie]

Particularly if, like Jim Murray, you're a complete idiot.

Kind of a funny quote coming from a baseball fan too. As if baseball is perpetual motion.

[Dr Jay]

Smith, on the other hand, created most of the Revs opportunities, and put the ball at Twellman's feet for the first goal. Ching can keep his MVP, but Smith was the MOTM.


Wasn't it Smith's mark who sent the ball into Ching for the goal ?

I rate Smith's plus/minus as 0 in this game.

[Dan Loney]

Didn't Ching himself clear a goal off the line? That's partly where I got the "easy and deserving" part. I really was sitting there going "And some Pando is going to win MVP for this, I know it."

[Eric B]

Particularly if, like Jim Murray, you're a complete idiot.Nah, Murray was actually a decent read, unlike the aboslute dreck the LA Times tries to pass off as culumnists nowadays. I can't believe that the same paper that dares to print Bill Plaschke on a daily basis once had Murray, Scott Ostler, and Mike Downey all at the same time...

[Eric B]

If you're going to have a "FINAL" make it only the regular season champs of the East and West - PERIODHow would that POSSIBLY make a one match final any more exceting/less defensive?