Major League Soccer

Discussion in 'General Football & Other Sport' started by Fitz, Feb 12, 2011.

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  1. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    Really? That's unusual your mom in law is going but you aren't... Care to explain why she is a better Houston Dynamo fan than you? Or is she a Galaxy fan?
     
  2. luke_golden

    luke_golden Space Cadet

    Dollar, dollar, bills y'all. As you Galaxy fans know well, money gets you whatever you want.
     
  3. sonofben

    sonofben Reservist

    :sign15:
     
  4. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    I would like to take this opportunity to point out 3 things:
    1) the two teams in the final are both owned by AEG and therefore have access to the same deep pockets, plus Houston has Golden Boy's money to play with too.
    2) the two teams in the final must both comply with MLS's salary cap.
    3) Me and your mother in law are going to have a good time!

    Thank you.
     
  5. luke_golden

    luke_golden Space Cadet

    1) Maybe you could ask AEG to shift some of that $13m wage bill towards Houston then.
    2) Lol. Beckham and Donovan earn more than our entire squad.
    3) She's a party girl. Don't know if you West Coast boys could keep up.
     
  6. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    As far as I know, all Dom Kinnear needs to do is ask for the money... I think it is generally accepted that Dom doesn't believe in Designated Players, which for 4/5 of the Beckham years, he's not wrong.

    Don't hate the game, hate the player!
     
  7. luke_golden

    luke_golden Space Cadet

    I'll hate any team that is winning!
     
  8. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    interesting news...Value of Galaxy local broadcasting tv rights went up almost 1000%.

     
  9. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    Good times... A short video on the last MLS Cup the Galaxy won in 2005.
    [yt]-1lOxMoxO8Y[/yt]

    The only thing Pando Ramirez eve did was scored the MLS Cup winner. Seriously.
     
  10. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    MLS Cup final 2011: How they got there
    How did LA Galaxy and Houston Dynamo reach this weekend's MLS Cup final?
    [​IMG]
    Because of the nature of the MLS playoffs, even the best regular season campaigns can go for naught if a team lays an egg in one 90-minute performance. But LA Galaxy, winners of the Supporters' Shield, have been rewarded for their long and successful season. Galaxy are the overwhelming favorite heading into the MLS Cup Final but the Houston Dynamo, after briefly fading from the playoff picture, have come good with a late season surge.

    They'll lay it all on the line on Sunday, November 20, but before they do, here's a look at the road they took to the final.
    -------------
    LA GALAXY
    -------------
    Expectations from the outset for LA was MLS Cup or bust, and after 45 games across three competitions, that's right where the Galaxy is with one last game to play.

    Even with the most expensive roster assembled in MLS, there's been a ruthless, systematic – even boring at times – pattern to LA's success all year: the league's best defense, combined with timely goals, and a stifling team grinding out results. In fact, ten of LA's wins this year have had a final score of 1-0, a testament to how LA reached this point.

    Succeeding in two competitions – securing passage through the group stage in CONCACAF Champions League and comfortably winning the Supporters' Shield, the Galaxy certainly had one of the best regular seasons of all time – but coming up short on home field would undo all of that work.

    Defining game of the year

    Looking to set the tone from the very first league game of the year, LA's 1-0 win over Seattle all the way back in March set the tone for how it would win for the rest of the year, with an efficient performance and a strong defense. Juninho's game winner in the second half wasn't too bad either.

    Key Players

    While it's easy to wax lyrically about the big money stars in LA – David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane (although the Irishman didn't join until the middle of the season) – it's been the unheralded players that push Galaxy into an elite level.

    Look no further than Omar Gonzalez, recently voted as MLS Defender of the Year, or left back Todd Dunivant, arguably the best in his position in the entire league as two big reasons the Galaxy made it this far. There's also the Brazilian Juninho, who has partnered superbly with Beckham in central midfield.

    Playoffs
    Quarterfinals
    New York Red Bulls 0-1 LA Galaxy
    LA Galaxy 2-1 New York

    Semifinal
    LA Galaxy 3-1 Real Salt Lake
     
  11. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    ----------------------
    HOUSTON DYNAMO
    ----------------------

    Before the season started, the addition of two new teams to the Pacific Northwest forced MLS to shuffle its conferences. One team in the West had to go out East, and as fortune would have it, the Dynamo was picked.

    Contrary to the Galaxy's dominance, this year could have gone south quickly for head coach Dom Kinnear. Longtime veteran and former U.S. international Brian Ching struggled through injury at the season's start, and the late spring brought forth a seven game winless streak.

    But the Dynamo hung on through the steamy summer months, at times standing on the precipice of losing sight of a playoff spot. A big loss to Sporting KC trigged a different team in September, and since that game Houston hasn't lost heading into Sunday's final.

    Defining game of the year

    All season long, winning away from Robertson Stadium was something the Dynamo couldn't do. And on September 24, playing in-state rivals FC Dallas, Houston finally managed that breakthrough, scoring late in a 1-0 win at Pizza Hut Park. Since that win, the Dynamo has gone on to win three more games on the road, including two in the playoffs.

    Key Players

    The ability of Brad Davis – labeled by some as the 'left-footed David Beckham' – has driven the Dynamo to this point. Davis' ability to deliver a dead ball is rivaled by very few. Unfortunately, an injury picked up in the win over Sporting KC means Houston has to cross the final hurdle without its talisman. Davis led the league with 16 assists, and created countless chances from set pieces all season.

    Here's an example of what Houston will be missing this weekend:
    [yt]T_N0HFU6DDI[/yt]


    The tactical shift to the back of Geoff Cameron after the loss to KC has made a huge difference to Houston down the stretch. Playing most of the year in midfield, Cameron now pairs with either Canadian international André Hainault or Bobby Boswell, and his quality has pushed the Dynamo to another level at the back.

    Playoffs

    Quarterfinals
    Philadelphia Union 1-2 Houston
    Houston 1-0 Philadelphia

    Semifinal
    Sporting KC 0-2 Houston

    Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/nov/16/mls-cup-final-la-galaxy-houston-dynamo
     
  12. luke_golden

    luke_golden Space Cadet

    Massive game. Can't wait. Sounds like a few Dynamo fans will be making the trip. Oscar put on a couple of buses for fans as well. Should be a good game. We're a threat from set pieces and pretty solid defensively. Not expecting many goals, but it should be a closely fought battle.
     
  13. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    It really doesn't seem likely that a team like the Dynamo can win this year. By that I mean they won two MLS Cups with DeRosario...now he's gone and Davis is in place, but he's hurt...

    The one factor that scares me however about Houston is Dom Kinnear. He's a proven winner and knows how to build a gameplay to beat any team with the pieces he's got on hand. Let's see if he can outthink Bruce Arena...if the Dynamo win, it will all come down to Kinnear's plan and how it gets executed.
     
  14. The Voice of Reason

    The Voice of Reason First Team Captain

  15. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    Thanks Jimbo!

    Getting nervous now...HUGE game...
     
  16. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    The stadium is adding additional seats...expanding capacity to make it the biggest capacity/attendance ever.
    [​IMG]
     
  17. The Voice of Reason

    The Voice of Reason First Team Captain

    I imagine it is a sell out, what is the capacity? The thought did cross my mind to come over for the game, but common sense prevailed I'm not that wealthy :doh:

    Good luck for tonight, Tom & me will be cheering you on!!! Go Galaxy :sign15:
     
  18. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    Ordinarily a sell out is 27,000 but I am guessing tonight will be north of 33,000 when the final numbers come out.

    If the Galaxy lose, it will be like Santa not coming on Christmas morning.
     
  19. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    It is pouring here in LA...it really doesn't rain like this often, maybe once in 5 years.

    It will be interesting to see how the game plans get affected...
    Go Galaxy!


    Edit: Not your typical sunny So Cal tailgate...
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2011
  20. krisvad

    krisvad Forum Viking

    What a bummer mate - fingers crossed for you - hope you have a great day even with the rain. Hopefully your lads play better in the rain than Californians in general drive in the rain.
     
  21. krisvad

    krisvad Forum Viking

    Congrats Fitz! Fitting that it should Donovan who scored the winner. Finally, the G manage to live up to expectations. Hope the weather got better!?
     
  22. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    [​IMG]

    Thanks Kris! Yes it stopped during the first half finally and dried out unlike my liver.
    Tough match in many ways, as the Dynamo were forced to play a destructive (though very tidy) game of soccer, as befitting a conference champion. The Galaxy weren't necessarily lucky to win, but they really had to dig to find the goal they deserved.

    But who doesnt love a championship? It's been really fun! Soaked through so glad to be home and shower off...
     
  23. The Voice of Reason

    The Voice of Reason First Team Captain

    Congratulations Fitz, bet you are flying, GO GALAXY EEEEEEeeeeeeeehah!!!
     
  24. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

  25. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    [​IMG]
    Here is the breakthrough moment as Donovan wrecks Houston's defense for the game winning goal.
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Nov 21, 2011
  26. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

  27. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious.

    -Vince Lombardi
     
  28. krisvad

    krisvad Forum Viking

    Milking it a bit are we ;)
     
  29. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    I'm talking about me, not the Galaxy!
     
  30. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    This is everything in 6 minutes. From the arrival of the teams to the celebration in the locker room...

    [yt]XZLlumZKNh4[/yt]
     
  31. luke_golden

    luke_golden Space Cadet

    Been away for a few days. Just wanted to say, the better team won. We didn't really have a threat without Davis and LA did a great job of committing fouls in areas that weren't dangerous when we did go forward.

    It was a great run for Houston, but ultimately, too much with a group of mostly average players. The extra class you guys had in Keane, Donovan (who I thought was fairly anonymous until his goal) and especially Beckham proved the difference.

    Well done Fitz, hope you guys enjoyed it mate.
     
  32. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    Thanks Luke! The Dynamo really did well despite missing Davis.

    Looks like Ching may be off though?
     
  33. luke_golden

    luke_golden Space Cadet

  34. Timbers

    Timbers Apeman

    Who honestly wants to play for Montreal? It could be worse, Quebec could try. The good thing with Montreal, The 'caps will hopefully not be the worst team next year!
     
  35. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    I read that about Ching retiring if picked up... I think the plan was to pick him and trade him back. I wonder how it will play out? He is about ready to retire though, but I think he's got another solid year left in him.

    Matt, oddly enough the Impact de Montreal is another strong Canadian franchise. They have exceeded their place in competitions and will have good support. On the other hand, I would hate to play there in early spring or late fall. On the other other hand, it will be great having a francophone team to hate on in the league! Anything for excitement!
     
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