The Official 2012 MLS Playoffs thread

[Yohan]

For most teams, only one game left, but it's that time again...

From Eastern Conference, Kansas City, New York, Chicago, DC United, Houston have all clinched a spot and will be jockeying for position on the final week.

In the West, San Jose, Real Salt Lake, Seattle Sounders and LA Galaxy have clinched a spot. Vancouver has 5th spot right now, and leads 6th place Dallas by 4 points with two games left for both teams. Vancouver plays Portland Sunday at 7pm, while Dallas plays Seattle at 9pm.

San Jose is also playing LA at 7pm. What a monster year Wondolowski's had. 25 goals and 3 away from breaking MLS record of 27 goals in one season. Rumours say he wants a raise to DP level...

http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&key=40ca283ade7e55388a1bbb1a6f57b0e0&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bigsoccer.com%2Fcommunity%2Ft hreads%2Fsaturday-oct-20-2012.1976729%2F&v=1&libid=1350787559221&out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mlssoccer.com%2Fsites%2Fleagu e%2Ffiles%2Fimage_nodes%2F2012%2F10%2FPage_bracket 8.jpg&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bigsoccer.com%2Fcommunity%2Ff orums%2Fmls-news-analysis.151%2F&title=News%3A - Saturday%2C Oct 20%2C 2012 | Soccer Forum | BigSoccer&txt=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mlssoccer.com%2Fsites%2Fleagu e%2Ffiles%2Fimage_nodes%2F2012%2F10%2FPage_bracket 8.jpg&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_13507876250005

[London]

the west did not dominate this season,

if vancouver were in the east they would be out of the playoffs, they are currently tied with montreal on points and montreal is out of the playoffs.

the crew could miss the playoffs with (potentially) over 50 points -- thats crazy

[prizby]

the west did not dominate this season,

if vancouver were in the east they would be out of the playoffs, they are currently tied with montreal on points and montreal is out of the playoffs.

the crew could miss the playoffs with (potentially) over 50 points -- thats crazy

with half of those points (22 so far, 25 total if they win next Sunday) coming against Montreal, New England, Philadelphia, and Toronto (out of a possible 36 come next weekend)

Edit:
in comparison, NYRB has 20 (possibly 23 after next weekend) against the bottom 4 (in the East) (out of a possible 33 come next weekend)
Chicago Fire finished with 22 points against the bottom 4 (out of a possible 33)
SKC has 20 (possibly 23 after Wednesday) (out of a possible 33 come Wednesday)
DC United has profited the most with 29 points (out of a possible 36)
Houston has 19 (out of a possible 33)

[Yohan]

the west did not dominate this season,

if vancouver were in the east they would be out of the playoffs, they are currently tied with montreal on points and montreal is out of the playoffs.

the crew could miss the playoffs with (potentially) over 50 points -- thats crazyit's funny because people were saying the West was way stronger than the East at the beginning of the season. gotta love MLS and its unpredictability

also, never rule out Bruce Arena, no matter how shitty of a start his team might have

[Redpunkfiddle]

Didn't know the Semifinals ("Conference Finals") had been changed to two legs. Changes the dynamics of that stage.

[ouderwien]

Why is there a long break from Nov. 18th to December 1st for the Finals. Is there an international break?

[Yohan]

I think so. Nov friendlies

[Yohan]

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/148279/1/watch-san-jose-earthquakes-vs-la-galaxy.html
San Jose vs LA

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/148278/1/watch-vancouver-whitecaps-vs-portland-timbers.html
Vancouver vs Portland

[prizby]

it's funny because people were saying the West was way stronger than the East at the beginning of the season. gotta love MLS and its unpredictability

also, never rule out Bruce Arena, no matter how shitty of a start his team might have

with 1 game remaining between eastern conference and western conference teams, the east have taken 128 points to the west's 116

[AlanO]

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/148278/1/watch-vancouver-whitecaps-vs-portland-timbers.html
Vancouver vs Portland

Not convinced that Robson and Miller are worthy of DP spots, but Vancouver has done a good job of filling out the roster with solid players... Koffie, Camilo, DeMerit, Rochat, Bonjour, YP Lee, Richards, Mattocks, etc. Very good depth for a team new to MLS.

[Yohan]

Not convinced that Robson and Miller are worthy of DP spots, but Vancouver has done a good job of filling out the roster with solid players... Koffie, Camilo, DeMerit, Rochat, Bonjour, YP Lee, Richards, Mattocks, etc. Very good depth for a team new to MLS.

Robson and Miller are worth about 250k. But then again, Vancouver's standard in DP is so low... I mean they had Jarju who was even worse of a fail than Mista :p

Vancouver also lost to Portland 1-0, massively shooting themselves in the foot. If Dallas gets a win vs Seattle, last week of MLS is going to be very interesting.

Dallas vs Seattle

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/148281/1/watch-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-fc-dallas.html

SJ 2-2 LA. Wondo with 26th goal of the season.

[Yohan]

1-1 at half time in a monsoon...

[Yohan]

Seattle 3-1 Dallas.

Vancouver clinches 5th spot in the West, and will play LA Galaxy first

[Ajax TFC]

I mean they had Jarju who was even worse of a fail than Mista :p

Lol that's what happens when you get your top players from the Belgian second division

[supersaint]

At this early stage of the playoffs I am totally impressed with Seattle and pick them to lift the cup.

[ryan]

At this early stage of the playoffs I am totally impressed with Seattle and pick them to lift the cup.

I wouldn't jump on that yet. Seattle in the playoffs are about as successful as we are in the Regular Season.


Both clubs only seem to know how to win domestic cups.

[ag futbol]

Not convinced that Robson and Miller are worthy of DP spots, but Vancouver has done a good job of filling out the roster with solid players... Koffie, Camilo, DeMerit, Rochat, Bonjour, YP Lee, Richards, Mattocks, etc. Very good depth for a team new to MLS.
Oh they've done a piss-poor job of managing the assets they were pretty much gifted. Trading for Dane Richards who is leaving at the end of the season, and not even starting him? I'd call that a little bit odd to say the least.

We should see if we can pry a few players out of them in the off season. Rene probably has his eye on more of his own players who will inevitably under-perform.

[Yohan]

4th vs 5th seed playoff games

31 Oct: Houston at Chicago, 9pm
1 Nov: Vancouver at LA, 1030pm

[Canary10]

4th vs 5th seed playoff games

31 Oct: Houston at Chicago, 9pm
1 Nov: Vancouver at LA, 1030pm

These are 1 game then? I'm thinking LA and Houston.

[supersaint]

These are 1 game then? I'm thinking LA and Houston.
I am gonna pick Chicago and LA although I would like to see Vancouver pull of the upset. Really looking forward to the playoffs.Still taking Seattle for the cup, although Johnson injury is worrying. Who does everyone else pick?

[TFC_Allez]

I am gonna pick Chicago and LA although I would like to see Vancouver pull of the upset. Really looking forward to the playoffs.Still taking Seattle for the cup...
I agree with you. If Van can somehow knock off LA, I can see San Jose in the final. If LA goes through I can see Seattle reach the final. The East is tough to call. My guess is that Chicago will go through from the knock out, but it'll either be NYRB or Sporting Kansas in the final. A Seattle v SKC would be a pretty exciting match and a sweet repeat of the US Open Cup final. Not basing any of this on numbers though lol. Just a hunch.

[Yohan]

I am gonna pick Chicago and LA although I would like to see Vancouver pull of the upset. Really looking forward to the playoffs.Still taking Seattle for the cup, although Johnson injury is worrying. Who does everyone else pick?

Eddie Johnson has a minor knock and should be fit for this weekend

[Yohan]

Vancouver at LA should be no brainer. Vancouver has been just as bad as TFC in 2nd half of the season and lost to LA both times at HDC. LA has been one of consistently better teams in Western Conference in 2nd half, and managers rarely outcoach Bruch Arena, esp in playoff situations. LA 2-0 Vancouver

Houston at Chicago is a little more tricky, because both teams have been decent in 2nd half. Chicago has been the dark horse in the East and with addition of Shejill Macdonald and Alvaro Fernandez, got that extra bit of something special to unlock Houston's well drilled defence. But Brad Davis set piece, and maybe a bit of magic from Boniek Garcia might do the trick. I think I'm going with Chicago though, and this might go to extra time, because Houston don't have a legit starting striker. Will Bruin isn't ready to handle the go to guy role yet. Chicago 2-1 Houston

[Yohan]

Will bruin makes me look like a moron, scoring a brace as houston wins 2-1, their first road win in like three months

[narduch]

Ah, Will Bruin, a player we could have drafted instead of trading for Sturgis...

[Fort York Redcoat]

Ah, Will Bruin, a player we could have drafted instead of trading for Sturgis...

Yes. Him or CJ Sapong would look like a fortuitous or brilliant draft except for the fact we were after a midfielder and probably looked to make the same choice as Vancouver who got the pick of Michael Nanchoff.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/michael-nanchoff

Not as fortuitous. But hey, looking back is fun.

[Alonso]

Anybody watching LA vs Vancouver tonight?

[Petor]

I'm watching.

And isn't it great that all the Whitecaps fans got to see the Argos beat the Ticats at home on the last play of the game?!!! :)

[bones]

I'm watching.

And isn't it great that all the Whitecaps fans got to see the Argos beat the Ticats at home on the last play of the game?!!! :)

Oski Weeeeaaaaafuck. :(

holy crap VanShitty scored!

[__wowza]

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/

healthy contingent of streams tonight, this is the one im running on. anything better?
http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/150262/4/watch-la-galaxy-vs-vancouver-whitecaps.html

say what you will about vancouver, they've got a good grouping out to this game. personally i hope they take it, whatever helps grow the sport in canada. mattocks with a goal mocking the fans again, what a fuckwad.

[ag futbol]

Oh dear god, Vancouver just scored.

[tfcleeds]

Fack. Never thought I'd be cheering for the Galaxy, but here we are...

[denime]

yeah.3rd minute 1-0 Vancouver

[Alonso]

You lost me with the CFL talk... . LOL haven't followed CFL in ages.

Petrescu (Kitchener ref that ref'd the VWCFC vs TFC canadian championship game), who was singled out by Vancouver coach as favouring TFC in his opinion.

Vancouver opens scoring...

[bones]

The way LA are controlling things, this game reminds me of TFC @ Santos last year's game. Vanshitty has the lead....but it's LA

[daner90]

Fuck the Caps!!!

[__wowza]

Fuck the Caps!!!


again, i wouldnt mind them making a deepish run. same reason why i want the states to do well during the world cup, if they can grow the league it's good for everyone. if vancouver doing well in the playoffs can generate a canadian interest in their national team, i wouldn't mind.

[daner90]

again, i wouldnt mind them making a deepish run. same reason why i want the states to do well during the world cup, if they can grow the league it's good for everyone. if vancouver doing well in the playoffs can generate a canadian interest in their national team, i wouldn't mind.

I consider Van City to be our biggest rivals behind Montreal and do not want them to do well in any competition...

[Alonso]

That Keane turn around was sweet

[__wowza]

I consider Van City to be our biggest rivals behind Montreal and do not want them to do well in any competition...

fair nuff, i dont want them to win anything either. like i told many of their supporters on facebook and in the stands, they can frame their point total and stick it in their empty ass trophy case.

[__wowza]

plus, who wants ANYTHING good to happen to the galaxy anymore? aside from garber.

[Yohan]

say what you will about vancouver, they've got a good grouping out to this game. personally i hope they take it, whatever helps grow the sport in canada. mattocks with a goal mocking the fans again, what a fuckwad.
someone is going to slide in with a studs up challenge one of these days and the shitpump will deserve it. not that i condone that sort of tackling... lol

[tfcleeds]

plus, who wants ANYTHING good to happen to the galaxy anymore? aside from garber.

Eh, lesser of the two evils in this instance. Regardless of who advances in this game, I hope they get soundly thrashed in the next round.

[__wowza]

Eh, lesser of the two evils in this instance. Regardless of who advances in this game, I hope they get soundly thrashed in the next round.

hahaha, couldn't have said it better myself.

[__wowza]

i love how he laughed when he said they were slightly behind in possession.

[Alonso]

Wow 73% possession by LA

[Alonso]

Petrescu had a tough call there.....

[bones]

Petrescu had a tough call there.....

Silviu (red card) Petrescu ??? wow.

[tfcleeds]

Great save by Knighton.

[__wowza]

LA pressing hard.

[__wowza]

shoulda been a card, but it's not because its beckham.

[__wowza]

knighton is a fucking beast tonight!

[Yohan]

How did Vancouver not get a goal on that break?

Oh figures. That equalizer was so coming

[Alonso]

How much can TFC sit back?

How much pressure can they absorb?

Oh wait I mean Vancouver

[tfcleeds]

Whitecraps will rue not putting this match away when they had the chance. 2-1 LA, Landycakes penalty.

[TFC USA]

LA will win the MLS Cup just to kill off the miserable fucking season for me.

[__wowza]

jay demerit doing his best lothar matthäus impression.

[__wowza]

HOW WAS THAT NOT A PENALTY?
oh yeah.. galaxy..

[Nerepis]

I think the MLS is in the Ref's ear.

[TFC USA]

Pretty sure the ref will whistle for full time at 85 minutes to assure LA don't concede.

[Nerepis]

Only saw the last 30 minutes but for me Silviu Petrescu is LA's Man of the Match.

[gracos]

LA won pretty fairly, quite an enjoyable game, maybe someday we can be like LA Galaxy and make and win the playoffs

[Yohan]

Regardless whether you think Petrescu hates Vancouver or was bought or whatever, Vancouver didn't do enough to deserve a win vs LA. Preki ball didn't work

[Alonso]

Regardless whether you think Petrescu hates Vancouver or was bought or whatever, Vancouver didn't do enough to deserve a win vs LA. Preki ball didn't work


LA dominated the game for sure.

Deserved the win.

I have to take more taxi's in Kitchener and see if I can run into Petrescu on his day job. That would be sweet, I am sure he has some good stories to tell.

[Yohan]

Next round of playoffs: Conference Semi finals first leg

2 Nov: RSL at Seattle, 10pm
3 Nov: NYRB at DC, 8pm
4 Nov: KC at Houston, 330pm
4 Nov: SJ at LA, ?

[Nerepis]

Preki ball almost never works... unless your Greece.

[PAOK17]

^^Hey man, at least when Greece did it in 2004, their possession was still above 40%.

[ryan]

lol I bet Rennie regrets accusing Petrescu of helping TFC in the V's Cup Final now.

[Kayaker]

Does anyone know who's showing SEA v RSL game tonight on TV? MLSLive says that it's blacked out, but I cannot find who is showing it up here (NBCSports in the US, but neither TSN nor Sportsnet shows it on their websites)

[daner90]

The playoff tree shows no coverage for Canada: http://www.mlssoccer.com/mlscup/2012

[lintberg]

Does anyone know who's showing SEA v RSL game tonight on TV? MLSLive says that it's blacked out, but I cannot find who is showing it up here (NBCSports in the US, but neither TSN nor Sportsnet shows it on their websites)

Let me know if you find out where to find the match. Could be a good one.

[Sweeper]

LA dominated the game for sure.

Deserved the win.

I have to take more taxi's in Kitchener and see if I can run into Petrescu on his day job. That would be sweet, I am sure he has some good stories to tell.


That's funny, didn't know he drove cab. Had him for a men's rec league semi-final playoff game a couple years ago. Gave me a bloody yellow card for the foul, and the team scored on the ensuing free kick to win. :facepalm:

[Kayaker]

It looks like MLSLive will allow Canadians to view the game. They have just lifted the blackout restriction.

I imagine that the default for every game will be to black it out in case some network wants to pick up a game a the last minute. So it looks like I will be seeing tonight's game after all!

[__wowza]

Preki ball almost never works... unless your Greece.

g:D

i was just going to say.. look at the stats. the number of interceptions, tackles won, blocked shots and completed passes would've been enough to convince anyone that a defensive minded approach could lead to entertaining soccer as well. i never got bored watching one of their euro wins.


LA dominated the game for sure.

Deserved the win.

I have to take more taxi's in Kitchener and see if I can run into Petrescu on his day job. That would be sweet, I am sure he has some good stories to tell.


this. the ref didn't help, but you know what else didn't help? being outshot, out possessed, and giving away corner after corner. the game was there's to lose from the first 10 minutes onwards, and they did absolutely nothing short of their last chance to deserve another goal.

[ag futbol]

^ I agree. I was watching with a non-MLS fan and within five minutes he said "not sure Vancouver is in the same league as LA".

Let's not forget LA had a penalty denied in the first half as well when Donovan looked to be tripped up in the box. On balance, you can't say Vancouver was hard done by. Rene has taken a lot of talent and turned it into less talent and has sent the team backwards.

Kenny Miller is Jarju part II

[tfcleeds]

Seahawks playing on Sunday, so there are football markings at CenturyLink, although thankfully, no hash marks. Still, really annoying.

[Yohan]

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/150476/1/watch-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-real-salt-lake.html

RSL at Seattle now. Early first half

[__wowza]

first row has 5 streams up, jesus christ this field is ridiculous. white streaks running the length of the pitch and a sehawks logo at the center?

[Yohan]

holy shit. two world class saves by rimando to keep the score level

[Yohan]

jesus. duel of GKs. Gspurning with great save on Will Johnson

[__wowza]

fantastic game, i feel bad for both teams, their replays are going to be shown with the fuckin seahawks paint down. certainly doesn't help quell the "OMFG, MLS is mickey mouse!" sentiment.

[Nerepis]

Any score yet?

[Alonso]

That's funny, didn't know he drove cab. Had him for a men's rec league semi-final playoff game a couple years ago. Gave me a bloody yellow card for the foul, and the team scored on the ensuing free kick to win. :facepalm:


LOL, so you have nothing good to say about the man then eh? g:D

Check out the video report that the Record did of him: http://www.therecord.com/videozone/300478

It's from the Colo-Colo vs TFC Academy game that they had back in Waterloo a few years back.

[Yohan]

Any score yet?

quite entertaining 0-0 game. Rimando looks like he got beaten up lol

[Alonso]

8 minutes?!?

What the hell did I miss?

[Nerepis]

Thanks Yohan, just got the feed up

[Yohan]

8 minutes?!?

What the hell did I miss?
Rimando got knocked around. Treatment time

[Alonso]

Gotta say this MLS Live subscription was actually worth the money this year.

Also, internet in Toronto > Kitchener.

Blazing uninterrupted HD video.

When I was in Kitchener with max speed internet package it stuttered.

[Nerepis]

8 minutes extra time, did they have to stitch up Rimando? LOL

[Alonso]

Rimando got knocked around. Treatment time


I see.

8 Minutes though? Wow.

Did they bury him and then realize he was alive, only to have to un-bury him?

That magic spray cures cancer you know... and raises the dead.

[Alonso]

Only watched 15 minutes.

But looked like I missed an entertaining one.

[Auzzy]

You know, this is Toronto. OP really needs to start a thread like this with a definition. Playoffs? What does that even mean?

Thoroughly enjoyed the 2nd half of the game last night. Unfortunately I could only watch the last 15 minutes tonight. Wow, impressive.

[Fort York Redcoat]

fantastic game, i feel bad for both teams, their replays are going to be shown with the fuckin seahawks paint down. certainly doesn't help quell the "OMFG, MLS is mickey mouse!" sentiment.

Bigging up the PLAYOFFS, man! Ah well, they made the deal and it's given them incredible success off the field. Those yard markers make a game simply unwatchable IMO.

[Yohan]

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/150851/1/watch-dc-united-vs-new-york-red-bulls.html

NY at DC now.

Robles with good save early

[Alonso]

Finally New York comes alive... only took 15 minutes

[Yohan]

penalty save by Robles!

[Nerepis]

The story of these playoffs seems to be written by the Keepers.

[Petor]

Sad that not a single Canadian sports channel picked up this game or last nights.
I'm able to watch it because I have MLS Live.
Shows how much they care about MLS, geez it's the playoffs, you would figure at least GOL TV.

Besides that it was a fun first half to watch.

[Yohan]

that's some good lulz going on. first an own goal by Miller of NY, then Hamid makes a hash out of an easy catch and ball crosses the line for a goal.
1-1

[Yohan]

hahahaha. Andy Najar loses his cool, throws ball at ref Marrufo and gets 2nd yellow. DC down to 10 men

[Yohan]

well, bit of lulz in 2nd half. a back pass no called. ends 1-1

[ag futbol]

Frustrating game from an officiating standpoint. Incredibly inconsistent.

Najar with an incredibly dumb move throwing the ball at the ref though.

[Benficachop20]

Hamid is seriously a terrible gk. Everygame he does something stupid, i really can't understand why some people actually think he's any good and can be a future national team gk. I actually would rather have freddy hall.....

[Yohan]

Kansas City at Houston now

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/151063/1/watch-houston-dynamo-vs-kansas-city.html

[Petor]

It's on the normal NBC network, channel 17 on Rogers.

[Yohan]

Jacob Peterson starting for KC... Something is wrong in the world of soccer

[Yohan]

wow. what a half volley by Adam Moffat. 1-0 Houston

so far, no playoff game has sucked

[Yohan]

http://youtu.be/RmGiTYoyoDw

[Yohan]

final Houston 2-0 Kansas City. scrappy game. Kansas City will have its hands full on Wed

[Yohan]

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/151185/1/watch-la-galaxy-vs-san-jose-earthquakes.html

San Jose at LA now

[Yohan]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A65wug8CEAA2Qz2.jpg:large

[khso11]

Saunders is shit

[Yohan]

what a boring goal, except for last min SJ free kick goal. 1-0 SJ

[spe18]

Saunders is shit

Or as the commentators were saying, the wall should've done a much better job blocking on that free kick

[Auzzy]

Wow. San Jose in the dying moments. Again & again.

I've often wondered: sometimes folks in the wall are supposed to jump, to make it harder to bend a ball over the top. But then you get the occasional free kick struck below the wall, like just now by San Jose. Would it be allowed to have a defending player lie down sideways behind his own wall, to stop a ball that's struck low? Leaving all the players in the wall free to jump & block a high free kick?

[ArmenJBX]

Damn, Auzzy....never thought of that :O
It's possible that that could be allowed.

[Yohan]

Damn, Auzzy....never thought of that :O
It's possible that that could be allowed.

then the free kick taker just kicks the ball at the player lying down. penalty

[ag futbol]

I think whether the wall jumps or not should be a function of where the kick is placed / who's taking it and their tendency.

The way bernandez runs up on those you'd think he's not going to place it. But from that far out I'd think saunders should have anything coming under the wall covered.

[ArmenJBX]

then the free kick taker just kicks the ball at the player lying down. penalty

Penalty?
Maybe if there's a handball, but if you put the players' back towards the ball, face towards the net, and it rebounds off his back/butt, there's no penalty there.

[ensco]

Blizzard conditions in NYC right now. Power out again in many suburbs.

Tonight's game will not will played, I'd wager.

[Gazza]

Blizzard conditions in NYC right now. Power out again in many suburbs.

Tonight's game will not will played, I'd wager.

I'll take that wager.

Dero was rumoured to start on the bench. But Dero is a no-go in the snow...bro.

[Yohan]

stream

http://www.frombar.tv/wv-4/6/158/v-475871.html

apparently a delay right now

[tfcleeds]

Major snowfall in NY

[Gazza]

700 United fans made the trip. Free tickets, but still, good showing.

[tfcleeds]

Maybe they'll have to bring out the orange ball tonite!

[Yohan]

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/151575/1/watch-new-york-red-bulls-vs-dc-united.html

more stream

[Gazza]

Don Garber doing a bit of shoveling. Too easy.

[Gazza]

Doesn't look good. Wimps. Most of my ontario cup games were in the snow!

[tfcleeds]

Game postponed to tomorrow nite. Nvm, KC-Houston just starting up!

[Yohan]

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/151576/1/watch-kansas-city-vs-houston-dynamo.html

KC vs Houston now

too bad for all the DC supporters that made the trip, although Washington to NY drive isn't that long? (though the snow makes it really treacherous)

[AlanO]

Houston playing like TFC for most of the first half.

[Yohan]

There's going to be even more onslaught from KC in 2nd half. Very rough game. Atmosphere in KC is rocking.

[AlanO]

KC's finishing has completely let them down tonight. They should have buried a couple already.

[AlanO]

And there it is! Kansas with a goal. Should be a wild finish.

[Yohan]

diving header by fullback Sinovic. 2-1 Houston on aggregate. game on

[Auzzy]

then the free kick taker just kicks the ball at the player lying down. penalty

Why penalty? (This concerns the idea of someone lying down behind his teammates who are in a wall to block a free kick, e.g., the LA - San Jose game where San Jose got a freekick goal in the last moment. The wall can jump to block a high kick; guy lying down can block a kick on the carpet. It would be pretty darn hard to thread a shot between the two.) The wall isn't necessarily even in the penalty area. If the guy's arms are flat against his body, it shouldn't be a handball. Plus you could face backwards as Armen suggested.

I know that it all depends on the situation. I agree, the way Bernandez ran up to that kick, my first guess was he would blast it more than trying to bend it over the top. But with some freekick takers you just don't know, they can go over, and occasionally under to keep you guessing.

Ref normally won't restart a game is someone is down on the ground, i.e., they would check for injury. That may play a role here. I can't remember if there's any rule against being on the ground on purpose though. Obviously guys doing slide tackles or sliding kicks are often on the ground before they play the ball.

[ag futbol]

This official is a joke. Have some balls and blow your whistle for an obvious foul FFS

[Yohan]

what a pass by mr bad hair kamara and what a miss by sarpong

[Lennon]

Kamara is a beast

[Yohan]

great effort by KC who ran their balls off but well done to Houston. entertaining game

Kinnear is such a good play off coach

[Yohan]

LA at SJ. SJ leads 1-0 on aggregate

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/151578/1/watch-san-jose-earthquakes-vs-la-galaxy.html

[Auzzy]

LA at SJ. SJ leads 1-0 on aggregate

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/151578/1/watch-san-jose-earthquakes-vs-la-galaxy.html

Thanks for reminding us! Almost forgot about that.

Hey, maybe LA & Arena will have had enough of each other if they get knocked out tonight, and TFC can hire him.... LOL yeah right as if.

[Yohan]

1-1 on aggregate after Robbie Keane equalizes for LA

[Auzzy]

Oh wow the LA - San Jose game has a couple of assistant refs in white jerseys.

[Yohan]

2-1 LA on aggregate with Keane double. he woke up for this game

[ag futbol]

Keane is money when it counts, you have to hand it to them. I honestly expected LA to take this one.

They've been hot to finish the season, and to be honest, when they are on, they are a level above the rest of the league.

[Auzzy]

Holy shit 3-0!

[Yohan]

3-1 on aggregate as Mr Clutch Mike Magee with 3rd LA goal. this is getting out of control

[Lennon]

FFS San Jose .. can you do something other then lump the ball into the box on every single attack?

[TFC USA]

Fuck LA.

Watch Seattle win tomorrow and then choke against LA like normal.

Then we get LA vs. a totally overmatched Eastern Conference team and another LA title.

[habstfc]

The two most over rated teams in sj and kc losing in first round, who'd have thought.

[Yohan]

3-2 LA on aggregate. What a last 5 mins of the game with couple of real howlers of a miss

[Yohan]

with two top seeds out, looks like another cup run for LA... :p Of teams remaining, only RSL seems to play good against LA, now that LA is on top of their form (well, minus Wilhelmsson who missed like 3 great chances tonight)

Seeding for MLS Cup final

1. DC
2. NYRB
3. RSL
4. Seattle
5. LA Galaxy
6. Houston (cannot host)

Thurs 8 Nov game
DC at NY, 730pm
Seattle at RSL, 10pm

[Yohan]

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/11/07/angry-baffled-dc-amped-channel-their-fans-energy-rescheduled-ny-match

I feel bad for 700 DC United supporters... even if MLS is paying for the bus for the rescheduled match

[narduch]

I feel bad for DC supporters too, but I think MLS made the right decision.

This actually calls into question MLS' ability to extend the schedule. While this won't always happen, we should expect to see more of this on occasion in the north east MLS cities.

[Fort York Redcoat]

Congrats SJ. You won the tougher trophy to get.

This format will depreciate not just the teams effort and success but the individual accomplishments. Nothing new, though.

Will Wondo have the same sale value abroad now?

[Fort York Redcoat]

The two most over rated teams in sj and kc losing in first round, who'd have thought.

Over rated how? They were rated by their accomplishments.

[bones]

Sweet damn, DC United are now the top team so the Cup Final could be at old RFK again. Maybe a road trip to the finals. Standing on the bouncy side...ah memories. Best part back in '07 at the finals was the 30 or so of us shutting the 150 Son's of Ben up with a "Can you hear Philly sing?" which they, and the Rev's fans we were standing with, had never heard before!

[ryan]

The two most over rated teams in sj and kc losing in first round, who'd have thought.

Half disagree. KC is a good club with lots of talent and cohesion. SJ on the other hand, bunch of shady thugs who can all die in a fire. I'm pleased LA put them out and look forward to tonight's SJ/RSL winner kicking their teeth in.

[Yohan]

Half disagree. KC is a good club with lots of talent and cohesion. SJ on the other hand, bunch of shady thugs who can all die in a fire. I'm pleased LA put them out and look forward to tonight's SJ/RSL winner kicking their teeth in.

and all who hates hoofball can rejoice that SJ lost lol

[sashavukelich]

Sj definitely don't play hoofball. Baca/Cronin/Salinas/Dawkins (their midfield) ALL know how to play. Don't just assume because they have big guys up top it's 'hoof ball', people over simplifying stuff on this board drives me nuts. SJEQ were the best team this year hands down. the Regular season definitively shows that.

[ag futbol]

Sj definitely don't play hoofball. Baca/Cronin/Salinas/Dawkins (their midfield) ALL know how to play. Don't just assume because they have big guys up top it's 'hoof ball', people over simplifying stuff on this board drives me nuts. SJEQ were the best team this year hands down. the Regular season definitively shows that.
But this is where the regular season / post season arguments come into play. Sure, they were the most consistent over the course of the year? but best? Playing at the highest level? That was LA for me without a doubt, they had a slow start, but were on fire for the entire second half of the season. When the games mattered the most they didn't step up to the challenge.

As for SJs style, hoofball is a little bit simplistic but I wouldn't consider it attractive. They count on Lenhart and Gordon being physical pests up top while guys like Dawkins and Chavez provide service from wide spaces. They really didn't have a lot of ideas last night and it was just the same old crosses in from the flank. You can say that's stereotypical, but it's also very much what happened. LA in comparison is much better to watch and seeing Donovan run out on the counter with Keane is fun to see.

[ag futbol]

DCU -RBNY is on TSN2 tonight.

[ag futbol]

wow, red card to bill hamid after he takes down cooper when he's clear in on net. Cooper makes the pk but it's called back for encroachment. Cooper misses the 2nd.

Rafa Marquez loses his shit and gets a second yellow. 10 v 10, 20 minutes left !

[Flint]

wow, red card to bill hamid after he takes down cooper when he's clear in on net. Cooper makes the pk but it's called back for encroachment. Cooper misses the 2nd.

Rafa Marquez loses his shit and gets a second yellow. 10 v 10, 20 minutes left !

This game is insane!

[tfcleeds]

Wow...what a goal!

[ag futbol]

Game over! DC is through.

What was Roy Miller doing taking that kick? lol

[tfcleeds]

Fuck off Red Bulls...I'm not complaining about the result.

[jazzy]

Go DC....I've found my team to cheer for amazing second half...'....

[TFC USA]

WOW! Sounders upset RSL.

[Yohan]

Sj definitely don't play hoofball. Baca/Cronin/Salinas/Dawkins (their midfield) ALL know how to play. Don't just assume because they have big guys up top it's 'hoof ball', people over simplifying stuff on this board drives me nuts. SJEQ were the best team this year hands down. the Regular season definitively shows that.



As for SJs style, hoofball is a little bit simplistic but I wouldn't consider it attractive. They count on Lenhart and Gordon being physical pests up top while guys like Dawkins and Chavez provide service from wide spaces. They really didn't have a lot of ideas last night and it was just the same old crosses in from the flank. You can say that's stereotypical, but it's also very much what happened. LA in comparison is much better to watch and seeing Donovan run out on the counter with Keane is fun to see.

I'm a fan of 'if it's stupid, but it works, then it's not stupid' idea. So I'm ok with direct approach to game, as long as it works. Yallop's direct approach worked because he had Big Bird and Alan Gordon who wins balls in the air and creates space for Wondo to either sneak in the box or bang in the loose ball/rebound with crosses from flanks (Marvin Chavez was one helluva pick up) Rinse and repeat.

SJ relied a lot on last min heroics, and rode on their 3 strikers to put in the balls, and their luck just ran out. somehow, Wondo, Gordon and Lenhart all had career best years and Gordon and Lenhart never been prolific strikers in MLS

[Yohan]

Not many goals so far this playoffs, but man, some of them are quality

http://www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/11/09/goal-mario-martinez-super-volley-wins-it-seattle

Seattle's Martinez volley winner vs RSL

Conference Finals Sun 11 Nov
DC at Houston, 4pm
Seattle at LA, 9pm

[Detroit_TFC]

I am still in a state of disbelief that Henry passed the FK over to Roy Miller.

[Detroit_TFC]

Joe Willis wasn't as inexperienced as I thought, 973 min, 10 starts in the 2012 reg season. But still, RBNY should have challenged him a lot more in the box than they did, something would have gone in.

[Yohan]

Joe Willis wasn't as inexperienced as I thought, 973 min, 10 starts in the 2012 reg season. But still, RBNY should have challenged him a lot more in the box than they did, something would have gone in.

Willis is a big boy through. 6'5 and not afraid to bang bodies in the box

[CBTFC]

I am still in a state of disbelief that Henry passed the FK over to Roy Miller.

The response from the commentator was awesome. He sounded completely shocked.

Gonna be a gritty, grinding kind of game in Houston today. Pontius was subbed out with an injury in the 12th minute, and now Moffat out for Houston in the 23rd minute.

Really hot and humid there.

[AlanO]

Galaxy running rampant over Seattle. No way they lose the cup if they keep playing like this.

[narduch]

Galaxy running rampant over Seattle. No way they lose the cup if they keep playing like this.

And its looking like they will be hosting the final as well. Can DC come back from a 2 goal deficit?

[Yohan]

Tough for DC cuz Hainault should have been sent off for last man foul, only to have Hainault score the equalizer. Ah, drama.

LA is ridiculously in form. Robbie Keane turning out to be the ideal DP (meaning, he produces and he actually gives a damn about playing in the league)

[Platts]

Looks like a repeat of last year's Final.

Same teams same venue.

Houston fans bring out the batteries again.

[AlanO]

Tough for DC cuz Hainault should have been sent off for last man foul, only to have Hainault score the equalizer. Ah, drama.

LA is ridiculously in form. Robbie Keane turning out to be the ideal DP (meaning, he produces and he actually gives a damn about playing in the league)
DC is toast - a bunch of their starters are injured or suspended. They'll have to field a reserve squad in the second leg unless a few players make miraculous recoveries.

Keane has been dynamite lately. Last night he completely terrorized the Sounders.

[Auzzy]

Some of the interplay between Keane, Donovan, and a few others, was unreal during the last game.

[Fort York Redcoat]

Not very impressed with LA's season of inconsistency, though. This team should've easily repeated as Shield holders. Feels like they've coasted because they could and still make playoffs and turn it on again. Lame.

[ryan]

Not very impressed with LA's season of inconsistency, though. This team should've easily repeated as Shield holders. Feels like they've coasted because they could and still make playoffs and turn it on again. Lame.

While lame, it's strategic. Get teams thinking that you're a bit disarrayed and not on form...then poof, up their arse for 3 goals.

[tfcleeds]

Missing Gonzalez for the first part of the season didn't help either.

[Yohan]

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/154114/1/watch-dc-united-vs-houston-dynamo.html

Houston at DC United just starting. Houston up 3-1 on aggregate

[Yohan]

Sick massive TIFO display by United supporters.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A8A1r9nCcAArbf8.jpg:large

[ouderwien]

DeRo is on the bench.

[Yohan]

Oh, dagger. Boniek Garcia with goal. Houston leads 4-1 on aggregate

[ouderwien]

Any idea what the white banner says?
I can't make it out with the security standing infront of it.

[Yohan]

Houston wins 4-2 on aggregate and advance to MLS Cup Final

For those of you with fashion fetish, Dominic Kinnear with an ugly toque on...

[Yohan]

any idea what the white banner says?
I can't make it out with the security standing infront of it.

tifo by supporters not f.o.
Watch and learn, houston

LA at Seattle 9pm

[Yohan]

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/154236/1/watch-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-la-galaxy.html

LA at Seattle now. LA leads 3-0 on aggregate. No Donovan for LA

[Auzzy]

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/154236/1/watch-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-la-galaxy.html

LA at Seattle now. LA leads 3-0 on aggregate. No Donovan for LA

Thanks for the link!

[Auzzy]

Bouncy ball on the plastic pitch, thwarts Eddie Johnson...

[AlanO]

Eddie Johnson with a great finish. 1-0 Seattle, 3-1 aggregate in LA's favour.

[Auzzy]

Crap offside call vs Seattle, should have been a goal earlier.

But now 1-0 for Seattle after all. I hope Seattle doesn't continually get Geiger'd tonight.

[Yohan]

so far, sounders dominating LA. good game

[Auzzy]

Seattle capo horribly off-key. Rest of the fans sing much better than him. Nice atmosphere though.

[Yohan]

lol Bruce Arena with a baseball cap on

[Yohan]

sick diving header. 3-2 LA on aggregate

[Yohan]

wow. harsh PK call against Seattle and Keane converts

[Auzzy]

So Geiger gives Keane the warning for persisting fouling. Keane commits another obvious intentional foul. Still doesn't get a yellow card.

[Auzzy]

Honey badger going after Mark Geiger after the game.

[Yohan]

LA wins 4-2 on aggregate. Montero sucks in playoffs.

MLS Cup final Sat 1 Dec 430pm
Houston at LA

[narduch]

wow. harsh PK call against Seattle and Keane converts

Not harsh at all. Can't have your hand way up in the air like that.

[Auzzy]

You know what, I thought it was a harsh call at first. Ball to hand at very short range, nothing intentional, no time to react. (I know that's not the only criterion, but anyway.)

However, after taking another look at the replay: the Seattle player was crazily waving both arms, long before Keane tried to cross. He was really asking for it. Looked like Marvell Wynne in the (not so) good old days.

Overall the officiating was mostly shit to the benefit of LA.

[ag futbol]

Not harsh at all. Can't have your hand way up in the air like that.
Agreed. His hand was over his head and flailing around, don't exactly feel sorry for him. I've seen some cheesy ones but really don't have any issue with that being called a penalty.

[Yohan]

http://www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/11/18/penalty-keanes-cross-meets-johansson-outstretched-arm

Looks like from this camera angle, when the ball hits Johannson, it hits his side of the body and the arm almost at same time. Johanson's body is at 90 degree angle to Keane, and his arms also in line with his body. so even if Johanson kept his arm checked to side of his body, it would have hit his arm anyways from like 2 yds away.

[SoccMan]

I think they should change the two game total goals format to total points( two game total points home and away). Moroever, does anyone know if the away goals rule was in effect in these playoffs ? I would change it to total points, because as you saw in these playoffs if one team wins big in one game it almost makes the second game a formality. LA won 3-0 in the first game,thus, making the second game an uphill battle from the start for Seattle. A team can have a bad game in the first game and that almost renders the second game meaningless because of the almost insurmountable lead one team has over the other going into that second game. Make it a two game total points series and it keeps the series interesting no matter how the first game ended up.

[Fort York Redcoat]

LA Houston. That'll be just the game for our TFC wake. Ho hum.

[TFC USA]

Fucking told you LA would manage the one team who would ensure LA host the final.

Houston will get blown out.

[narduch]

Interesting that a league that prides itself on its parity will have a repeat of last years finalists, LA v Houston.

You can argue all you want about the validity of playoffs, but I think both teams deserved to be in the final based on their performances.

[ryan]

Dynamo will win on PK's.

[Nerepis]

Just got around to watching the Sounders-LA game, the MLS has to spend some money to train their Officials better. As a neutral it's frustrating watching these playoffs, it's almost a given that the teams will not decide the outcome, poor officiating will.

[Yohan]

Just got around to watching the Sounders-LA game, the MLS has to spend some money to train their Officials better. As a neutral it's frustrating watching these playoffs, it's almost a given that the teams will not decide the outcome, poor officiating will.

yeah... especially the Ref of the Year is non other than Silviu Petrescu... who will officiate the MLS Cup final

http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?3945-Canadian-claims-MLS-honour

[ag futbol]

I can't believe Siliviu Petrescu was named official of the year. Would like to know who exactly voted for that, was it the managers or the players?? I'd be shocked.

He calls the game and reads things like someone I would expect to officiate a Wednesday night pub game. It's not like the officiating pool is all that talented - and really what can be expected? they are paid minimally - but come on, this guy is not at the top of his peer group.

[Auzzy]

yeah... especially the Ref of the Year is non other than Silviu Petrescu... who will officiate the MLS Cup final

http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?3945-Canadian-claims-MLS-honour

Petrescu as Ref of the Year, ah that's funny, Martin Rennie is going to have a coronary.

[sashavukelich]

I can't believe Siliviu Petrescu was named official of the year. Would like to know who exactly voted for that, was it the managers or the players?? I'd be shocked.


if you read the article on mlssoccer.com it's the players, managers and media. But the players had a sweeping vote for Silviu.

[Alonso]

if you read the article on mlssoccer.com it's the players, managers and media. But the players had a sweeping vote for Silviu.


From what I gather (and it's pure speculation) he is respected for being firm, fair, and not easily influenced or cajoled by the likes of Beckham, Henry, etc....

[Yohan]

From what I gather (and it's pure speculation) he is respected for being firm, fair, and not easily influenced or cajoled by the likes of Beckham, Henry, etc....

he probably is used to taking shit from customers while driving his taxi lol

[Nerepis]

It's weird, watching Petrescu ref is a little of a guilty pleasure for me, unlike other Refs who get some joy out of the game/job, he always seems like a substitute teacher, anger and trying to exert too much control.

Hmmm, who does that sound like?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx4jn77VKlQ&feature=related

[Yohan]

There is still the MLS Cup final on Sat... kinda felt long time ago since conference finals, eh


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=V-PVl9-u6d4

[ryan]

2 weeks off is garbage.

[Yohan]

MLS Cup Final, Houston at LA 430PM. On TSN. (also a viewing at Joe's)

[Parkdale]

it's not just a viewing at Joe's... it's the Irish Wake!

We're going to drink and tell embarrassing stories, and celebrate life. The King is Dead - Long Live the King!

[flatpicker]

oh crap! That's today!
Why was I thinking the game was on Sunday?

hmmmmm.....

[Gazza]

He's so dreamy:)

[Yohan]

Streams

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/156484/1/watch-la-galaxy-vs-houston-dynamo.html

http://www.frombar.tv/v-4/8/88/v-488862.html

[Yohan]

holy fuck. so sick of becky dick sucking already

[Yohan]

kick off...

[Yohan]

how the fuck does Landycakes miss that sitter?

[Beach_Red]

how the fuck does Landycakes miss that sitter?

Yeah, how? It does feel like he's going to get a few more chances, though.

[Yohan]

and Mike Magee misses a header from 3 yrds

[Yohan]

lol@Petrescu drives a taxi gaff

[AlanO]

Moffat's a liability today.

[Yohan]

Calen Carr on the break. 1-0 houston

[ensco]

Red Grange scores!

[Gazza]

This game is missing some MC Deuce.

[Yohan]

Omar Gonzalez with equalizer 1-1

[Yohan]

Landycakes on PK 2-1 LA

[Gazza]

Landycakes pk? Didn't see THAT coming!

[Yohan]

3-1. Robbie Keane PK

Can't really argue with the penalties given though

[Yohan]

3-1 Final. Well deserved win from LA

[Yohan]

Thank you beckham chants... so far from all the hate Beckham used to get from LA supporters

[Auzzy]

Thank you beckham chants... so far from all the hate Beckham used to get from LA supporters

That chant is funny, sounds so much like F U Beckham.

[Nerepis]

I really hate L.A.

[Gazza]

Thank You Kessel!