Of course, a lot will depend on where you live and who you support - but here are my choices: 1. San Jose-Los Angeles. Last Cup holders meeting for the final rounds of a four-match series. I am looking for a lot of physicality and probably a couple of phantom calls got LA's way. Think the league doesn't want the Gals in the final? Still, this should be an entertaining battle as the rest of the country roots for ABC*. 2. Chicago-DC United. Two cup holders meet before two of the best supporters groups in the league. DCU Hasn't been in the playoffs for a while, so I'm hoping the fans will come out to RFK and make the place rock. There are players to dislike on the opposing teams and make some payback opportunities for players like Hristo and Dema. 3. Kansas City-Colorado. IMO, these were two of the most entertaining teams in MLS this year. Kansas City largely abandoned their bunker-ball mentality, and although they played stupidly too often, put together a pretty good year. The obvious downside is the Tuesday match in Denver and chewed up turfs. 4. New England-New Jersey. Seems like no hope of big crowds for either match. New England is heating up, and NJ is spiraling downward. Mathis has a chance to redeem season with a clutch goal or two. Giants Stadium in Autumn is MLS least-watchable venue. ------------------------------ *Anywhere/Anybody But California.
Some playoff history trivia: MLS Playoff series records: DC 11 series wins 1 loss Los Angeles 11-6 Chicago 6-4 ... Tampa Bay 1-4 Miami 1-3 Dallas 2-7 MLS Cup Appearances: DC 4 (3 wins) Los Angeles 4 (1 win) Chicago (1 win) Columbus, Dallas, Miami, New Jersey, Tampa - 0 appearances MLS Semi-final appearances (final four) or better: Los Angeles 6 Columbus 4 DC 4 ... Miami 1 New Jersey 1 New England 1 San Jose 1 Tampa Bay 1 Playoff Appearances: Los Angeles 8 Dallas 7 ... Miami 3 Missed Playoffs Los Angeles 0 Chicago 0 Dallas 1 .. New England 4 San Jose 4 Average playoff points per year (MLS Cup win=5, Cup Final Appearance=3, Semifinal Appearance=2, Playoff Appearance=1, Missed Playoffs=-1): Los Angeles 2.5 Chicago 2.2 DC 2.0 ... New Jersey 0.4 New Enland 0.3
The most interesting series will be whichever one involves the Los Angeles Galaxy. As bad as the Galaxy have been away from home, they've been almost that good at home. The Galaxy can put up an impressive performance in front of a charged Victoria Street crowd. Going ahead by 2 goals in game one isn't only possible, I'[d say it might be probable.
I disagree. While I don't think it'll be pretty soccer, personally I'll appreciate the determination I expect to see in the games. I think I'll see it in the D.C./Fire series and the L.A./S.J. series too, but the Metros and New England are both ready to put up a fight.
Well, there's a pretty depressing conversation. I think it pretty much bums up the state of the Revs-Metros series.
For me any match involving the Fire will be the most exciting and have the most buzz. For everyone else it will probably be the California derby Los Angeles-San Jose. The Galaxy are the defending champions and have played the Earthquakes well in the last two matches. The Earthquakes were a midseason favorite and still are still a strong contender along with the Fire. Not to mention Landon Donovan the potential MVP. The scoring of Carlos Ruiz. Not to mention the keeper duel in Hartman vs. Onstad. This is the noteworthy series of the first round.
Except for what I've read on bigsoccer.com and mlsnet.com, I say there is NO BUZZ. I've yet to see it mentioned on Sports Center, on ESPN, on local news, or read about it in SI or the local newspaper.
Well, there a lot of coverage of the Menace. Our local team support is about 4,000 per 400,000 population = 1%. Where San Jose, Dallas, and the Metrostars are about .1%. (actual statistics may vary )