Best for MLS and TV: D.C. (because of Adu and him getting the game-winner in double OT) against LA (most famous and popular team in MLS history and is hosting MLS Cup this year). If not for Adu, a Revs-Galaxy rematch would be great also. But I hope my wizards beat the revs in the final, which is what I want to see as the matchup.
Wizards - Revs would be attrocious and DC - LA would be the best possible scenario. Since it is at HDC I'm sure LA being in the championship would create more of a demand for tickets but DC was also the highest selling road team, because of Adu. The league probably wanted San Jose because of the potential of another Donovan - Adu matchup and that this was probably Landon's last season in MLS. But if LA and DC make the final it will definitely be all out offensive game. You cannot say that for New England and KC. I already have my tickets though so I will be there no matter who is playing. How can you say LA is the most famous and popular? DC has the most trophies and the most famous player in the league.
He is probably basing it on home attendance. I think you have to factor in road attendance too though, to determine which team is the most popular. I think DC averages about 6,000 more fans on the road then any other MLS team. Wheras LA averages I"m guessing about 5,000 more at home a game than DC. So overall I give the edge to DC. Plus if you asked an average sports fan to name one MLS team and one MLS player if they can give an answer it most likely will be DC United and Adu.
Every year I have to add my two cents: I wish the league would have a third place game on the same day and same location as the final. Right now fans from 4 teams would be buying tickets, hotel rooms, airfare, whatever. Even if the final were KC vs. NE, the place would be sold out.
Well, I'm saying this because even before I followed MLS (I started following it 2/3 of the way thru 2002), I knew 2 MLS teams: The New England Revolution (my home team) and the Los Angeles Galaxy, just because of their logo, succes (all-time winningest team), and Cobi Jones.
OK... In my opinion, MLS wants DC in the final for reasons that are too obvious to mention. They obviously want LA in the final too, b/c it's a big-market team, a home crowd, and who knows? Maybe some celebrities could be spotted! NE - KC, I'll admit, would be an awful marketing scenario. KC's too small a market with too many unrecognizable stars, and NE's a small market with an often less than entertaining style of play (but we have the capability to go goal-crazy... Joe Cannon, I'm talking to you.) If it's DC/LA, league wins. Plain and simple. If it's DC/KC, league still does great, simply because of Freddymania. If it's NE/KC, league will not be too happy, and sports writers everywhere will lament the downfall of the 15-year-old prodigy. If it's NE/LA, league could be OK with this. Still have a big market team, plus it brings up a hell of a storyline (2 years ago, Gals won it in our house... can the Revs return the favor?). So 3 out of 4 situations aren't bad (and 2 of those 3 could be really good). But we'll just have to wait till Sunday to debate this.
Not withstanding the Adu factor, DC is playing the most attractive soccer and that's why more people will watch.
DC/LA would be great. Two attacking sides in front of a packed, partisan crowd would be fantastic. El Pescadito, Adu, Nowak, Sampson, I am really hoping for this.
Who cares about "Freddymania" or "home fans". There are no quick fixes to MLS hitting the big time. Let's just hope for the best game.
Same here, I have tix and am there to enjoy the players in the front of the stadium and the game itself. With regard to LA being the most popular is not incorrect, however DC United would have to be mentioned as well, because they are the most victorious team in MLS history, and with guys like Moreno and Adu you can't forget them. But LA is the premier soccer city, in the US. And about the celebrities; I wouldn't be surprised if Gov. Arnold shows up, he did at the first Dodgers playoff game. And I would hope that if the Galaxy make it to MLS Cup he is certainly there, he is a soccer fan, he has a stadium named after him in Austria.
exactly...DC verse KC would be the best game, DC is playing the most attractive soccer right now and KC is the best team in the West and can score goals... really as long as NE doesn't make it i'll be happy with the final, i'm a neutral fan so i don't care who wins, but NE in the final, i just can't see a good match coming from that...
Except no one, not even hardcore MLS fans give a good rats patoot about anything KC does or doesn't do. LA/DC would be by far the best matchup and best game.
You don't think the atmosphere of 28,000 home fans going wild would add to the experience of the "best game?" How'd you get all those green nipples anyway?
I would like to see the teams with best records remaining make the final. I will puke if NE makes the finals, weren't they tied for the worst record in the league? It's kind of embarassing to have a team with a below .500 record in the finals. Give me KC vs DC. Although if LA makes it, it should be interesting too, with them playing at home and the third time meeting DC in the MLS Cup. But right now, I am pulling for Kansas City to win the whole damn thing. I don't want to have to hear the media 'crediting' Freddy for leading DC to the promised land.
LA vs DC is the best option. New England doesn't deserve to be there, so I really hope they lose, not even taking into account the boring 2002 final.
I would like to see dc vrs kc as I think LA having the home field advantage would not be fair. This is the third time LA has had the mls cup and I would like the tradition of the galaxy failing to make it to their own finals continue.
Exactly. I'll put them in order of league preference: 1. LA v DC - too obvious to explain 2. LA v NE - Home team. Rematch of MLS Cup 2002 3. DC v KC - Freddy 4. NE v KC - Bunker ball from minute 1. 2 mollosks playing soccer. New England has a history of pain - you can feel it from their supporters. It is etched on their faces as the team struggles against the dead weight of its own management. Their losses are now even more stark given the success of the Red Sox and the Patriots. Kraft treats the Pats as the beautiful show dog sleeping on fine cushions eating steak tartar. The Revs sleep outside and eat Purina. Kansas City. No one cares about Kansas City. The first 3 games listed have a story line that coudl reach beyond MLS fans. Option 4 is game only bigsoccer types could love. Or at least tolerate.
Besides the MetroStars, has any other MLS team not made it to at least the Cup (although didn't win)? *Besides Miami and Tampa