Oldtimer
10-26-2010, 03:18 PM
http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2010/10/26/colorados-capitulation-an-indictment-of-mlss-broken-playoff-sy/
But watching Pickens oafishly set himself up for that long clearance out of the back only to have the effort blocked into his own net, I couldn't help but think to myself:
"Did he do that on purpose?"
Up until their stoppage-time implosion on Saturday, the Rapids were headed toward a spot in the Western Conference playoffs and an opening round series with the top-seeded Los Angeles Galaxy. An upset would have forced the Rapids to visit either Real Salt Lake or FC Dallas, two teams that lost a combined one game MLS game at home all season.
But the two standings points dropped in those final frantic moments against RSL draw bumped Colorado over to the East and a first round date with the stumbling Columbus Crew. A win against Schelotto and Co. would mean a trip to either San Jose or New York – two opponents and venues that are far less intimidating than either RSL or Dallas.
To put it bluntly, Colorado benefited from its Saturday stumble. Big time.
The Rapids' chances of a trip to the MLS Cup Final in Toronto improved tenfold in those final four minutes against Salt Lake.
Now, I'm not saying the Rapids threw the game. Coach Gary Smith is a stand-up guy and I doubt that a single player on the squad would ever "take a dive." But Pickens' clearance was uncharacteristically bad. And if you're Brian Mullan in the 95th minute and you know that another RSL goal means a much easier postseason path for you and your teammates – wouldn't YOU pull Olave down in the penalty area?
Regardless, it shows the flawed playoff system in MLS.
But watching Pickens oafishly set himself up for that long clearance out of the back only to have the effort blocked into his own net, I couldn't help but think to myself:
"Did he do that on purpose?"
Up until their stoppage-time implosion on Saturday, the Rapids were headed toward a spot in the Western Conference playoffs and an opening round series with the top-seeded Los Angeles Galaxy. An upset would have forced the Rapids to visit either Real Salt Lake or FC Dallas, two teams that lost a combined one game MLS game at home all season.
But the two standings points dropped in those final frantic moments against RSL draw bumped Colorado over to the East and a first round date with the stumbling Columbus Crew. A win against Schelotto and Co. would mean a trip to either San Jose or New York – two opponents and venues that are far less intimidating than either RSL or Dallas.
To put it bluntly, Colorado benefited from its Saturday stumble. Big time.
The Rapids' chances of a trip to the MLS Cup Final in Toronto improved tenfold in those final four minutes against Salt Lake.
Now, I'm not saying the Rapids threw the game. Coach Gary Smith is a stand-up guy and I doubt that a single player on the squad would ever "take a dive." But Pickens' clearance was uncharacteristically bad. And if you're Brian Mullan in the 95th minute and you know that another RSL goal means a much easier postseason path for you and your teammates – wouldn't YOU pull Olave down in the penalty area?
Regardless, it shows the flawed playoff system in MLS.