Have they changed the format this year? Did they do away with first to 7 points or whatever format they previously had? I saw it and never liked it so stopped watchingit? What has the MLS to encourage more offense in the playoffs? I guess what I am asking is what type of format to they have to ensure they the underdog doesnt come into someones home and just go for a tie? In the MFL, aside that its home home series and each team is obligated to attack at home in front of its fans, if the underdog is content with sitting back and not attacking and hope for some counterattack.. if the aggregate score is tied, then the team with the higher standing during the season advances. I was skeptical of this format and just though they should do it with away goals... but as of late... it has proven (at least in the MFL) that the visiting team does attack Is the MLS cup a one shot deal still or is it a home and home series? I hope its a home home series. I noticed that playing a one game final tends to be a bunkerfest.
They have indeed changed the format for this year. 1st Round is home and home, aggregate goals. If it is tied after the second game they play a 30 minute golden goal overtime and then PK's if neccessary. 2nd Round is single elimination at the higher seed. Final is single elimination, played in LA. Also note the conferences are kept seperate until the final this year, unlike the last few years where other than the conference champs teams were seeded 3-8 by merging the conferences into a single playoff table.
thanks Whats the reason behind making the semifinal matches a one game playoff? I am all for giving the higher seed an advantage in the playoffs, but why one game?
Probably reflects the reality of trying to schedule these things last-minute when most teams do not have their own stadium as of yet.
I don't really know. I think a couple of factors play into it. First they got rid of most of the dreaded mid-week regular season games which pushed the season later this year so making the semi's a single game saves a week. Second I think the whole new playoff system is an effort to throw a few bones to the fans who were so upset at the old system. Advocates of a two-leg system get the first round, while those who favor single elimination the whole way get the semis and final. No one gets all that they want but everyone can be happy with part of it.
imo one game knockout for each round, settle by penalty kicks if its tied, just like in the good ole' days of the early mls. pk's kick ass.
With expansion over the next few years that won't be as much the case. Perhaps I may not have thought out the 2nd round being also home and away well enough though. I'm sure both ways have pros and cons.
I don't know if I'd go as far as to say PK's kick ass, but I definitely agree with the one game knockout for each round. If we have to have eight teams in the playoffs, don't give the lousy Galaxy a chance to do what they did on saturday and put the quakes, who had a good season, behind the eight ball. The galaxy shouldn't be playing at home unless they make it to the MLS cup final. I would even go as far as to say that the final game should be played in the highest seed's home stadium, but that might have to wait a while until more teams have control of their stadium. The world cup does one game knockouts, and people really seem to like that tournament. Maybe we should take their lead rather than the Champions League lead. Just an opinion.
I believe the reason for the one game is because, while this game wil be the semi-final of mls cup, it is actually the final in the Conference Championship.
how do you give advantage to the highest seeded teams ? think about that. Real advantage is a one game series hosted by the higest seeded team. question for everyone ! We are in the 8 th MLS season, playoffs never attracted a lot of fans, what should it be done about it? keep with the tradition of american sports even if its seems a waste of time or get rid of the playoffs and have the conference winners go to MLS CUP ?