Comments on: The MLS Cup 2009 Playoffs Look Like This…

By: Jose

Jose — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:14:24 +0000

I think the Supporter’s Shield is nice in how it serves as a “wink” to the winner of the league under “non-America” rules.

The summer rules are in place mostly for stadium purposes, no? There are conflicts with American football in some places, especially when the league started. Besides, the current calendar prevents competition with basketball and American football. (So summers are nice because I get to watch the only two sports that matter to me, baseball and soccer.)

Still, I agree that MLS needs to do better with the FIFA breaks. And eventually, it needs to move to a more traditional schedule, even if it means a long-ish winter break for the colder season (or at least until the Super Bowl is done). That would help MLS clubs compete internationally too, which I think would definitely help the MLS exposure here.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:30:37 +0000

Daryl, the way I figure, plenty of other leagues do summer scheduling too, in the face of weather realities. Why should the US be any different? Honestly, I think it is a happy coincidence that it also gives the league less competition from other sports, and I’ll take that coincidence. What the league does need to do is do a better job of accommodating international breaks. Several times this year MLS teams played simultaneously with the US national team. Not ok.

As far as the playoff are concerned, I explained it to an English guy here in Belfast like this: playoffs aren’t just a US thing, they do it all over North and South America. If you must, think of the Supporter’s Shield as winning the league, the US Open as the Carling Cup (face it, it isn’t as prestigious for MLS teams), and MLS Cup as the FA Cup. Otherwise, just acknowledge that US sports, and US soccer is a little different. Not worse, just different.

Now, I COULD see the league going to an Apertura/Clasura type of schedule, but I still think that the summer schedule serves the league best.

By: Cameron

Cameron — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:10:42 +0000

Playoffs are a staple of the American Sporting culture, if MLS were not to have playoffs the validity of the league would be questioned by all the casual fans that MLS is trying to garner.

By: Daryl

Daryl — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:06:14 +0000

European spectators don’t approve? Oh well. The MLS wants to do things different, and I will watch and enjoy.

john, even though I’d prefer a single table and no playoffs, I kind of like your attitude. I always feel like MLS fans should get behind their league and not worry too much about what Europeans think.

By: john

john — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:43:17 +0000

I have to agree with Matthew, the Fire v. Revs match-up is always a thriller; the teams are de facto rivals due to the amount of times they’ve collided in the play-offs in the hunt for the title.

And while I agree that the table based Champion theory is probably a better gauge of the who the best over all team is, the play-off system adds some extra excitement that serves the MLS well. European spectators don’t approve? Oh well. The MLS wants to do things different, and I will watch and enjoy.

By: Jose

Jose — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:37:42 +0000

I’m biased as a Utahn, but Crew vs. Real Salt Lake could be interesting, by being best (#1 seed) vs. worst (#8 seed) match up of the lot. RSL have started clicking at the right time and could pull an upset over the Supporter’s Shield winner. Of course, it would just further devalue the competition format of the MLS…

By: Elliott

Elliott — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:08:12 +0000

In terms of pure soccer, the Seattle v. Houston games pit two of my favorite possession-based-attack teams against one another.

In terms of drama, Chivas USA v. Galaxy has some simmering potential. Maybe a loss could reignite my favorite summer feud….

By: Laurie

Laurie — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:41:45 +0000

And yes, weather is the reason for the schedule. Last time I visited Denver in the winter, my flight was four days late because the airports were shut down, and when I got there there wer twenty inches of snow on the ground. My husband’s flight out was delayed two more days because there was another blizzard. Imagine the fun of playing soccer in this!

Okay, so it also has something to do with not conflicting with the bigger sports. But mostly weather. Pretty sure.

And yes, there have been rumors of covered fields in cold areas. But just imagine trying to get the funding passed in areas that struggled to get their original soccer specific stadia!

By: Laurie

Laurie — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:38:23 +0000

The Seattle-Houston game is scheduled for this Thursday in Seattle. (And the scheduling has nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that Seattle is the only team that can sell out on short notice on a weeknight.)

By: Daryl

Daryl — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:15:56 +0000

Thanks Matthew,

Spotted I had Houston and Seattle the wrong way around too. Should all be present and correct now.

Re: the international calendar and the teams located in areas with harsh winters, does anyone think we’ll see indoor or at least covered pitches/fields in the future?