EDITORIAL: MLS Cup Playoffs Make American Soccer Great
Oct 30, 2014; Harrison, NY, USA; Sporting KC forward Dom Dwyer (14) reacts as the New York Red Bulls celebrate their win at Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls defeated the Sporting KC 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
As kids from all over America knock on doors for candy and merriment on Halloween night and a new club is born in Los Angeles FC, let us have a moment of silence for the MLS Cup defense of Sporting Kansas City, which died yesterday at the hands of the New York Red Bulls. It was a valiant defense, but Sporting go out with a whimper and not with a bang. There will be a new MLS Cup Champion this year.
Also, there is a 1 in 2 chance that it will be a returning champion. I’m looking at you Real Salt Lake. I’m looking at you, D.C. United and the Columbus Crew. Oh yes, and I’m looking at you, Los Angeles Galaxy. Similarly, there is a 1 in 2 chance that a new team might win it’s first-ever MLS Cup,
No bridesmaid is worthy of becoming a bride better than the Seattle Sounders, who open up their postseason against FC Dallas, who survived a stern test from the Vancouver Whitecaps in Canada’s ill-fated bid to lift the cup. But FC Dallas has as good a chance as any of the eight teams still remaining in the postseason, and Seattle has had a history of being complacent in the playoffs. We’ll see if the Sounders can clean up their act.
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The Los Angeles Galaxy came oh so close to catching the Sounders for the Supporters’ Shield but will have to put up with a team that has had their number in the postseason a few times. Real Salt Lake figured Los Angeles out over the course of two legs last year and will look to do the same. But for the Galaxy, they are hungry for payback and have the stars to step their game up. Will it happen?
D.C. United, like the Galaxy, are looking to make history and win their fifth MLS Cup title after a dismal 2013 campaign. They face a New York Red Bulls side that feels that it is their year to finally win MLS Cup after faltering so many times before. Everyone in New York is catching Metro Playoff Fever again. Let’s find out if it will be contagious and it can last beyond this round.
Finally, two dark horse teams square off in the final conference semifinal in the East. The New England Revolution are playing red-hot football at the moment and could stun D.C. United in the Conference Finals. However, they have another hot team to mind in the Columbus Crew, who have proven they can upend some of the best teams in the West.
This is what makes the MLS Cup Playoffs worth watching. Everyone has an equal chance to win the MLS Cup and a star above their crest. Everyone has a golden opportunity to be the best team in Major League Soccer. It may not be promotion/relegation, but it’s our version of it in terms of the intensity, the passion, the thrill, the fun.
The MLS Cup Playoffs make American soccer great, and so we here at the MLS Multiplex hope you stick with us throughout all of November and December as we find out who rules this great league.