MLS Playoffs 1st round (R)

Chicago.

 

Why? Is there some strange law I'm not aware of?

 

Revs website says that NE-Chicago will be on FSC at 4 on Saturday:

http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pid=39944&pcid=115

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints

 

yes, I am aware of this group, and that they are very popular in Utah, but why specifically can't they play on sunday?

 

Not to answer any particular question, but I just looked at RSL's schedule over the last five years. They've only played seven games ever on Sunday, none ever at home.

Columbus, by contrast, had that many games on Sunday just this year. New England had six Sunday games this season. Colorado had four, RSL had one.

 

Because the LDS church essentially, but quietly, suggests that they don't.

 

2nd game of the Fire/Revs series will be on Saturday November 7th at 7:30pm CST per the Fire's twitter account.

http://twitter.com/chifiresoccer/statuses/5163859607

 

I'm not Mormon (I'm gay, so I'm not welcome there), but from what I understand their churches don't operate like traditional Christian churches. They divide their communities into "wards" and each ward is designated time for when they can meet in the local church building. So, instead of one church service where everyone in the community comes together, they have church services throughout the morning and afternoon. My guess is this is one reason why they won't play home games on Sundays - it would conflict with church service.

 

I can't believe NE and Chicago will be slugging it out AGAIN in the playoffs. Nicol, for one, must be getting a bit tired of it. A moment of Blanco magic may decide this one...err, well, maybe Joseph's box-to-box energy will do it.

I think Columbus may have some trouble with RSL. RSL can explode for goals at home and Columbus is strugglign with their offense. They've only scored one goal in their last 3 games and that was Padala's fluky 50 yarder past Osei and Reis in the NE game 3 week back. They don't seem in synch, plus they may be having team problems with the flu.

Chivas is 5-8-3 in their last 16 games. J. Marsch better be healthy for them come playoff-time or I don't give them much of a chance. I can see Beckham and Donovan rising to the occasion, and Ricketts, who may be the Galaxy's MVP given how the Galaxy's D turned it around this year, is tough to beat.

Seattle and Houston is a pick 'em for me. Houston may be worn out from traveling to El Salvador, then back to Houston, then to LA, then back to Houston, then to Seattle, all in a matter of 2 weeks. It may catch up to them. Will Seattle's lack of MLS experience finally catch up to them? Who knows.

All great matchups. Can't wait.

 

Thanks for the update. Plan on being there for both of 'em.

 

So, so far we have:

10/29- 9 pm CST- #2 Houston @ #3 Seattle
10/31- 3 pm CST: #2 Chicago @ #3 New England
10/31- 5 pm CST: #1 Columbus @ #4 Salt Lake
11/1- 4 pm CST: #1 Los Angeles @ #4 Chivas

11/7- 7:30 pm CST: #3 New England @ #2 Chicago
11/8- 6:30 pm CST: #4 Chivas @ #1 Los Angeles
11/8- 2 pm: #3 Seattle @ #2 Houston
TBA- #4 Salt Lake @ #1 Columbus

right?

 

You ready to dance, Houston???

I'm so f'in hyped. I can't believe some of my brothers in arms are worried about facing Houston. You can't be the best until you beat the best. Let's root for an awesome playoff series.

 

Houston not pleased with their compressed travel schedule:

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110...4692/mls-playoffs-canales-daily-orange-crunch

 

Why would that put an end to it?

 

''Home field disadvantage?''

2009 and thanks to MLS we invent a new sports term

 

The first LA Chivas match will also be on ESPN2, right after the La Liga match.

The second week is supposed to have an ESPN2 match at 10 p.m. eastern on 11/5 (Thursday). Preceding it is two hours of 30 for 30 documentaries (both re-runs I think) so maybe they will flip them and show the Columbus game there.

The second week has a Sunday game at 5 eastern, again following La Liga, so that looks like the Seattle-Houston game that Kinnear is already working up excuses for.

The west final will likely be on ESPN2 at 10 p.m. eastern (10:30 p.m. kickoff) on Thursday, 11/12.

 

Just a nitpick but the games on Oct. 29 and 31 are CDT. CST doesn't kick in until Sunday.

 

Wich games will be on ESPN and FOX?

 

i THINK THIS IS IT i may be off on the RSL-Crew game

10/29 MLS PLAYOFFS - SEATTLE SOUNDERS v HOUSTON DYNAMO LIVE 8:30PM ESPN2

10/31 MLS PLAYOFFS - NEW ENGLAND v CHICAGO FIRE LIVE 4:00PM FSC
10/31 MLS PLAYOFFS - REAL SALT LAKE v COLUMBUS CREW LIVE 6PM FSC


11/1 MLS PLAYOFFS- CHIVAS USA v LA GALAXY LIVE 5PM ESPN2

 

In regards to RSL doing a RedBull and winning the East, this could be further "evidence" to can the conf system in favor of a straight 8 table, but next year's balanced sched should have more impact in the decision, even if as a one year "experiment." Imagine if say the 2nd place East Fire had less points than any of the West clubs not making the current postseason cut?

Great matchups, and high expectations for big attendance numbers. Seattle with its crazed fanbase is the perfect fit for the Thursday night primetime clash, sorry Dom. If they do indeed open the doors for the whole stadium, could we see 60K?

At home, Houston drew 30K last season in Round 1, so I expect at least 20K this time for the return leg with Sounders.

The LA Derby should guarantee true sell-outs for both games and electrify LA like never before. RSL has shown that its supporters will come out for the big games. I suspect Crew and Fire fans will number in that 16K-18K range, depending on when the games are and the weather, with higher totals a bonus.

I have no clue on the Revs, hope for a big crowd. Good point that the Patsies have not and will not be playing for a while so it would only be cheapskateness if the field still had gridiron lines for game 1.

As someone noted, since the point totals from one thru 8 are close, no winner of the whole dang thing can be considered a fluke. Each team has a nice angle, in no particular order:

1. Seattle-expansion club wins in home stadium before massive crowd.
2. Crew-gets the repeat.
3. LAG-Donovan and Becks go from worst to first, Becks hype justified.
4. Chicago-Blanco gets his title, McBride reaches the MLS summit.
5. RSL-Checkett's dream comes true, Kreis vindicated.
6. Chivas-kudos to Preki for molding a winner.
7. Revs-would finally shake that Bills label of bigtime losers.
8. Houston-heart of a champion, three titles in 4 seasons.

 

What is your source for this information?

 

And perhaps Kljestian has a big playoffs and starts to regain some of his 'young USA star' hype.

 

ESPN has the Thursday and Sunday matches. FSC has an 8:30 eastern slot for a match so not sure what they are doing. They currently have a live Serie A match at 3:30 and a SDD EPL match at 6 so not sure how they will handle that.