Since its not an option, I'll just add my response here. LA Wins. I think they are too hot to stop right now. I really despise baseball. But they are the Rockies of the MLS right now.
Statistics means little in Soccer. Sorry for the Lalas & Becks Circus-MLS. It's time to leave the game for the real deal. After all if LA passes how far will they go anyway? Just one more game, right? This is the time when the playoff should be home and away games, with only advantage to the team with more points if there were ties.
Just for the sake of lifting an eyebrow or two. The tie breakers have me a shade confused at the moment: Playoff berths will be determined by points in the standings upon the completion of the regular season on Oct. 21; all 13 teams will have played 30 games. If two teams are tied on points, the first tiebreaker is head-to-head results, the second tiebreaker is goal differential, and the third is goals scored for the season. (Subsequent tiebreakers are available in the Fact and Record Book). (from MLS website) going by this, obviously Chicago tops Columbus on the head to head so Chicago over Columbus. But if LA beats chicago today they will also be tied with columbus on points. Head to head is even unless they go by total goals in the head to head (which if they do both teams won on the road, LA @ CLB 1-0 and CLB at LA 3-2 for again a tie) Goal Differential, Columbus is at -5 and LA is at -9. Next tie breaker is Goals Scored Columbus has 39, and LA has 38 (before kickoff today) So any way just trying to get clarity here, if I'm reading this right, if LA wins today (by less than 4 goals), Chicago gets ranked higher than Columbus, LA Gets ranked higher than Chicago, and Columbus Gets ranked higher than LA... How do you solve that one?
You put all the teams into a mini table and figure out who has the most points (well there was another scenario where there was in equal number of games played between teams in a group, but that doesn't apply here).
Bet you anything that Blanco scores on a beautiful, bending free kick. I also bet that Beckham starts and looks lost and not fit (did you see how much he walked during his 20 minutes on Thursday?). Yallop curses that Beckham came back, b/c this team (LA) will mentally crumble under the pressure of having him around again.
also, I cannot wait to see Telefuturas ratings for the game (compared to their other programming & MFL games) -2 big markets (LA & CHI) -2 big names (Becks & Blanco) -All the marbles on one game = playoff berth This is what the MLS league office dreams about, and their nightmare is a blowout in either direction...
the game is ALSO being broadcast in english locally in LA, it will take some of the Telefutura market. being non spanish speaking I do watch MLS on Telefutura whenever possible. If i can get it in english, even with the crappy announcers It will win my tv
FSC should pull any strings possible to get this game on English TV. I really want to see it in NY,and this is the type of game that can help sell the game.
I'm surprised ESPN didn't jump on this game. Blanco and Beckham will get into today. Donovan scores a goal other than a pk. LA wins.
Even without Beckham it's still the 2001 CONCACAAF all-star strikers tour: Blanco Pavon Wanchope Donovan all on the field together. Now we just need Ruiz, Dwight Yorke and Brian McBride.