Tuesday is just a bad day to travel. If the Burn didn't still have a good chance for the MLS Cup I probably would have anyway. If we make it to the final I will try hard to be there. If LA makes it will you travel to Columbus or KC if it is held there?
Generic Keys to beating LA tonight The Red and Black must Contain Pescadito, Cienfuegos and Cobi. Watch for Lalas and Califf on corners Take some mid-range shots. Mix in some attacks down the center of the park against the Galaxy defense. bring plenty of O'Brien and Johnson to break down that slow backline of the Galaxy. Wear the all black 3rd kits.
Never seen the field at Columbus so I would love to go, and KC happens to be one of my favorite towns (for reasons having nothing to do with soccer). So much depends on what's going on at work that it is hard to plan. Then there is that money thing .... Although Southwest has pretty good rates LA to KC, so that is a possible. Last year, there was a good sized turn out of Revs fans at the Open Cup final in Fullerton, which made for a better atmosphere at the stadium. I've got a lot of respect for Revs fans - they give so much and their team gives them so little. Lets hope for a good game tonight and no injuries to either team. I've said before and will say again, I think this is the best edition of Burn in years and my hat's off to Mike Jeffries for the job he's doing. He would get my vote for coach of the year, if I had one.
I have to agree with cadaver on the burn; they're one of the teams we have a good rivalry with, but it's one that doesn't always turn into a fight, or horribly bad feelings between the fans (as much as there is on big soccer anyway). I do however really question his choice to basially give up on the MLS Season for the open cup..
He's chosing to play his 2nd team in an MLS game where had they won, they'd have been in sole position of first place. Then he's trooping out his 1st team for the open cup game. Which will in turn mean it's pretty much back to the 2nd team on thursday. I'm guessing he figures they have just as good of shot on the road as they do at home, but if they crash out on the road, are you guys all going to call for his head for his run at the open cup (regardless of a positive or negative turn around)? I understand he's in a very bad position due to a stupid scheduling (call it a fix for LA, i doubt it is, but I can't prove anything one way or another ), but I'd have to say when you're in a VERY good position to win the supporters shield, to risk it for the open cup, is a GIGANTIC gamble.
I agree with you completely profiled. The decision was made to take our best shot at the Open Cup no matter what the consequences. Why? The players want a shot at the cash prize and who can blame them? But for the fans, it just sucks. We worked so hard to get into this position. On Sunday morning we were in the pole position for the Supporters Shield and home field throughout the playoffs. But by this coming Sunday it is very possible that we'll be on the outside looking in for even a first round playoff series at home. If we lose to NY, and Colo wins, we'll even lose control of our own destiny with only two games to go. Win or lose in the Open Cup, if we lose on Thursday, it's going to feel like we just threw the whole season away.
Personally, being in first place on September 2 doesn't interest me as much as being in first on September 22. I'll be happy if we're in first place following the DC United game on September 19. I'll be even happier if you and the Quacks conspire to keep us there in your finale on September 21. But being in first place right now? It's interesting, but not as interesting as being in the Open Cup final. Maybe, maybe not. Word out of Burn camp is that the lineup on Thursday will likely resemble the 1st team somewhat. Well, I'm sure his reasoning is like this: Road losses hurt a lot less than home losses because neither the Gals nor the Quacks are any good on the road. Fact is that both teams are two of the worst on the road. On the flip side, both those teams are the best in the league at home. So if you're Dallas, you gotta win all your home games at home to keep pace. Either that, or make up for it with road wins. But since home wins are a bit easier that road wins, get the home wins. Add to that the fact that the Burn's single most important player, Oscar Pareja, was suspended for Sunday night's game, and Jeffries' decision was dead-easy. You can only field a representative lineup in two out of the three games, so put the scrubs in the game where the chips are stacked against you from the get-go in the first place and where a loss will do the least amount of damage. What I don't get is why Dallas and LA couldn't play on the 10th and why Kansas City and Columbus couldn't play tonight. Columbus doesn't play until Saturday and Kansas City doesn't play until the 14th. Meanwhile, neither Dallas nor LA have terrible scheduling problems next week. Of course, LA doesn't have terrible scheduling problems this week, while the Burn do, which is the reason why the cynic in me is tempted to call it a fix. The Burn are only two points behind with three games remaining. They've still got a good shot, even with Sunday's loss. Difference is, they've got a better shot tonight.
ElJefe, all fair enough, and you're right the end of the season is what matters, it just seems he's chosing to make the trip there a little harder =) I don't know why the scheduling worked out the way it did, does MLS even have much of a say for the USSF? Very interesting idea that it's easier for your fans to accept a loss on the road, then have the pressure to win at home =) LA is 3-8-1 on the raod, Dallas is 3-5-5, 4 points more, not that big of a difference really, when we win at Chicago on Saturday it will be 4-8-1, and only 1 point behind you =) in that category.
The loss Sunday makes it very difficult for the Burn to end up in first. It's highly likely that at least one of SJ and LA will get at least 5 points in the last 3 games. If SJ gets 5 (or 6) points, the Burn will need to win three straight, which no one has been able to do this year. I know they are playing the three worst teams, but those last three games include Thursday's game, the third in five days. If LA gets 5 points and SJ doesn't, the Burn will need to either get 7 points and make up a goal difference disadvantage of 5, or win all three. I'm not quarreling with the decision, as the Open Cup is a worthy goal, but their margin of error was very slim if they were shooting for first place, and it is even smaller now. Of course, my analysis falls to pieces if SJ and LA both lose Saturday and then draw twice against each other. That's the Burn's best chance, but I wouldn't bet on it.
One thing for sure: Mike Jeffries has made a statement that he takes the Open Cup seriously. That is a real good sign for the Open Cup becoming a more meaningful competition. When LA played SJ in the quarterfinals, there was no question that both teams were giving their all. The only concession Sigi makes to the Open Cup is that he gives those games to the number two GK. Luckily for LA, Matt Reis is a very creditable keeper and it is more a matter of giving a good team player some minutes and something he can call his own. I find the Open Cup intriguing - there is really nothing quite like it in any other of the big American sports. The closest we come is the NCAA tournament, and even there not every college is even elligible to qualify - only top division. Last week the LA team held its annual party for season ticket holders, and they used that occasion to give the players their 2001 USOC championship rings. The players who got the rings seemed genuinely appreciative and proud of what they had accomplished.
Win or Lose tonight, props to Jeffries for the deployment Sunday, regardless of what it means for tonight and for Thursday. The Burn are in a Cup Semi and hardware is hardware. I WANT A CUP FINAL. There are AT LEAST seven (7) games between now and Foxboro. There is only one (1) game between the Burn and CUP FINAL. The league ladder is what it is. You can't control what everyone else does. The only teams that still control their own destiny re: The Shield have a home and away. LA & SJ are also on pins and needles as far as the conclusion to their seasons as well. Everyone's in the same boat as far as the league goes. It will be what it will be, and everyone will take the challenges handed to them as the cards are dealt. The prescription for Sunday night was a draw. When a win came in reach after coming back from 2-0 down, I was so proud of Jeffries for risking the point to go for the win. It didn't happen, but you know what, not only did we save legs, we saved Karma, because we lost on the road and gained BIG confidence with four first-time starters. No Karma spent. The Burn aren't supposed to bag hardware this year, and as of this hour still have a chance at four pieces of silverware. NO ONE has ever won three in one year since MLS was founded in '96. When you have a chance at FOUR pieces of hardware, you have to go for it. No matter what happens this week, the Burn are at the business end of their most successful season ever, surpassing even the run at the end of '99. Tonight, however, is a night for incense and some karma expenditure. GO BURN! -bs
The Burn Diss begins.... Here's the rundown on the FoxWorld leadin.... 4 minutes of Galaxy lovefest, then two Kreis goals totaling 15 seconds of Burn highlights. What a crock.