MLS joins the single table cult

[3rd Degree]

http://web.mlsnet.com/playoff_standings/

seriously.

[texgator]

This is nothing new, the playoff format has been this way since the beginning of the season. Now, get rid of the unbalanced schedule, play a real round robin, and lets make the Shield a real championship.

[wcharriscpa]

Now, get rid of the unbalanced schedule, play a real round robin, and lets make the Shield a real championship.

Hear, hear.

[SeventhRowScreamer]

This is nothing new, the playoff format has been this way since the beginning of the season. Now, get rid of the unbalanced schedule, play a real round robin, and lets make the Shield a real championship.
It may be nothing new but I'm sure 80% of the folks watching the MLS don't know that.

Hopefully we don't end up playing DC or Chivas away in the playoffs.

[3rd Degree]

This is nothing new, the playoff format has been this way since the beginning of the season. .
Yes. but they made an actual page for it and posted it under the standings.

So now it's "official."

[texgator]

So the official press release announcing the format wasn't "offical".


Okay, okay.....I get your point. I still don't consider it a true single table until the schedule is fully balanced. That's the tiny, little bit of Eurosnob in me peeking out.

[3rd Degree]

So the official press release announcing the format wasn't "offical". not compared to them embracing it with official single table listed on the site. Not when the continued to only show us conference tables. Before it was just a playoff format, now it's an official standing.


I still don't consider it a true single table until the schedule is fully balanced.
baby steps. I take what I can get.

16 teams = two games against every team = 30 games.

[85FinMiles]

Doesn't the unbalanced schedule in the form of geographical conferences cut down on the travel time?

[The Gribbler]

16 teams = two games against every team = 30 games.

18 teams = 34 games and you got yourself a deal.

[texgator]

Doesn't the unbalanced schedule in the form of geographical conferences cut down on the travel time?

Minimally. Do you consider "travel time" to be more valuable than a competitive format that generates a true champion? I don't know.

[3rd Degree]

Doesn't the unbalanced schedule in the form of geographical conferences cut down on the travel time?

in a 162 game baseball season yes. In MLS? not sure it matters so much.

[marco4]

not compared to them embracing it with official single table listed on the site. Not when the continued to only show us conference tables. Before it was just a playoff format, now it's an official standing.

Great. It's "official". Let the rejoicing begin. What, exactly, are they embracing? More of the typical MLS confusion? Until the "official single table" actually gets interpreted as such - in the context of playoffs, anyway - then this means nothing. OK, so it's the top 8 who make the playoffs. That's good. But considering that the playoffs will still be structured by "conference", that's not so good. In fact, it's pretty damn ridiculous. Couldn't just be happy with 1v8, 2v7, 3v6, and 4v5, could we? Is something too confusing about that? Must be, 'cause having Chicago be seeded 4th in the "West" for the playoffs (as would happen given current standings) after having played in the "East" all season apparently seems like a good idea to the powers-that-be.

For every one step forward, it feels like another two steps back. No wonder this league is so easy to make fun of.

[Chris '66]

If you go to MLS general we have a recent "Playoffs" thread going on with all kinds of ideas, schemes and theories regarding changing/tweaking of the system.

[rocketeer22]

Doesn't the unbalanced schedule in the form of geographical conferences cut down on the travel time?

In my opinion, when the league was at 10 teams, then playing an unbalanced schedule within a conference was beneficial as teams were playing each other up to 4 times a season.

However, if the league reaches 18 teams, then it would probably become less of an issue. For instance, 17 games would be away games. Eight of these would be games against 'conference' opponents. As for the other games, MLS teams are already playing other conference teams at least twice in a season, and so there wouldn't be a change there.

[texgator]

If you go to MLS general then prepare to beat your head against a wall for hours on end
fyp

[Parrothead FC]

so, never ever again will there be the possibility of an East-West All Star Game, eh? it's always going to be some poor Euro team in their offseason whom we wallop?

[TrueCrew]

Sorry to jump in, but we had this discussion on the Crew boards a while back.

Unless you guys finish behind Colorado (no chance) you'll stay in the Western Conference "bracket". The only way a team switches brackets is if they're are more than 4 from a conference.

So, assuming no one collapses (KC, NY), if Chicago or the Crew grab the 8th spot, they'll be shipped out west and seeded 4th, and get the western conference champ.

Point is, you guys are safe from DC. If you finish 3rd out west, you will be away to Chivas or Houston, however. With 6 pts this week you guys would catch Houston (and CHV, but they'd have 2 in hand).

Peace.

[Davidraether]

How about this?

20 teams = 38 game schedule.

+ each club gets an extra derby home/away set.

So, for instance, Galaxy plays everyone home and away once, plus there's an extra home/away set with Chivas USA.

Voila! 40 game schedule.

My choices for the 7 new teams

1. San Jose (already a done deal)
2. Philadelphia
3. Seattle
4. St. Louis
5. New York II
6. San Diego
7. Cleveland

The derbies:

New England-DC United
New York Red Bulls - New York II
Philadelphia - Toronto
Columbus-Cleveland
Chicago-St. Louis
Kansas City-Colorado
Real Salt Lake-Seattle
Houston-Dallas
Galaxy-Chivas
San Diego-San Jose

Just my suggestions. Have at it!

[Rex Kramer]

Eh, I don't like extra rivalry/derby games. It gives Chivas an unfair advantage.