Bocanegra bows out quietly as the playoff race winds down.
Ned Joyce
It’s been quite a year so far. In the World Cup, the US and Mexico advanced to the 2nd round and Costa Rica to the Quarterfinals. The MLS had what many consider the best year in its history, with almost more goals per game than any year, and more parity among the top tier as well. But the fun isn’t over. Below is an end of season grab bag of the key story lines.
Down to the wire
It will likely come down to the last weekend to find out who will make the playoffs, who will win the Supporters Shield, and whether Bradley Wright-Philips will beat the goal-scoring record. I thought Donovan might be close to the all-time single season assists record with his 19 but amazingly, Carlos Valderamma set the single season record in 2000 with 26 assists. That record is going to last a long time. Donovan isn’t the only one who will be bowing out at seasons end though.
The end of an Era
Two long-time MLS / USMNT greats will be retiring this year, Landon Donovan and Carlos Bocanegra. Landon was the MLS’ Gretzky, Jordan, Babe Ruth, and Bart Starr. Hyperbole? Perhaps, but he set the all time record in goals and assists and he was undoubtedly the MLS’ greatest ambassador. Carlos Bocanegra leaves the MLS more quietly (our own writer Neil W. Blackmon’s great article not withstanding) but he was our stalwart for two world cups and was an an example of how a rookie in the MLS can advance to playing with some of Europe’s great teams.
Will this be the end of the road for Thierry Henry, Robbie Keane or Tim Cahill? We sure hope not, although Tim Cahill does look more like the ghost of Rafa Marquez everyday. For Keane or Henry though, it is just one more reason to make sure you are watching what may be their last games. Other players may be close to playing their last games this season.
Last in
The last few weeks have already been great and should only get better. Philadelphia’s absolutely heartbreaking loss to Columbus ended their playoffs hopes. Up 2-0 they allowed 3 goals in 11 minutes despite a stockpile of high profile keepers. Toronto seems to be falling harder and faster than Amanda Bynes, Charlie Sheen and Justin Beiber and it is amazing Michael Bradley hasn’t been fined and/or suspended for his actions to the Refs against RBNY. Miraculously, Toronto isn’t mathematically eliminated from the playoffs (yet). We’ll find out this weekend, but we may have to wait until game 34 to learn the playoff fate of Vancouver and Portland. Personally, I would love to see Vancouver make the playoffs and be the first Canadian team to do so. They are a fun team to watch and when on, Hurtado, Mattocks and Morales are a dangerous Trio. Either team will probably lose to Dallas or RSL, but it would be fun to see an upset.
And lastly, Toronto or Columbus vs the Red Bulls. Despite the Red Bulls incredible inconsistency, (their longest winning streak this season is 2!), I would love to see them win. I don’t think they have a chance to make it to the finals but the trek may be hard for the conference leaders as well.
Dark Horses
With Luis Silva out for DC for the next 4-6 weeks, DC is looking a lot more vulnerable. Readers of my previous articles have noted I am not impressed with DC United. I still believe they play the ugliest style of soccer in North America, but with a surprisingly effective counterattack, they win. You can’t knock it if it works. Much credit to Ben Olsen who has led them from this season from worst to first.
On the other side of the coin is New England. This team is playing the most beautiful soccer in the league and has a very strong chance of claiming the MLS Cup, or at least meeting LA / SEA in the finals. It is looking like NE will get its playoff rematch from last year against Sporting KC, which would be thrilling and ratings friendly thanks to Jermaine Jones. Those two teams in Kansas City, in a soccer-specific stadium without a Patriots logo and football lines, is as close to must see TV as MLS has in the Eastern conference.
Blas Perez and Dallas remain the dark horse out west.
FC Dallas remain my dark horse in the Western conference, with some incredible athletes, a great free kick specialist in Michele and the necessary evil that is Blas Perez. He is the quintessential man you hate when you play against him but love him when he is on your team, the Joakim Noah of Major League Soccer.
I would be remiss to not put my two cents (read: not TYAC’s)on the relegation debate that somewhow started on the USMNT pregame show the other evening. This is the United States: we live for the playoffs, rooting for the underdog and the upset, and a championship game. If we want a promotion / relegation style league, I think the league needs to get a lot bigger first, and we should never do away with the playoffs in MLS. It would be un-American and frankly, anti-climactic.
Any thoughts, questions or rebuttals, feel FREE to leave some comments!
Ned Joyce is a contributing writer at The Yanks Are Coming. Follow him on Twitter at @nedjoyce.