Starting at the top:
MLS Cup 2008
I like the Crew to take it all. Basically this team reminds me a lot of other teams that have had recent MLS success. Specifically, they are similar to Houston and New England in the middle of their best stretches in that they are solid at every position. This no superstar/no glaring weakness approach really seems to work in MLS as opposed to the approach of a few superstars combined with some otherwise inferior players (I’m looking at you Galaxy). I think the big question for the Crew is can someone step it up and be the hero if need be. Somewhat similar to how New England has been able to rely on Twellman and Houston on DeRo and Ching. Schelotto is the obvious choice to fill that role and he certainly has experience in such a role from his time in Argentina. The big question is can he do it in MLS too or are such glory days behind him. I personally go with his past experiences’ indication and say he will get the job done and Columbus will raise MLS Cup 2008.
First Round Series:
Columbus Crew vs. Kansas City Wizards
Regular season matchup: Crew 2-0-1
Crew: Out of the playoffs sense their last Supporters’ Shield season in 2004
Wizards: Lost in 2007 Western Conference Final
Of course I’m going with the Crew on this one. I see the old Wiz putting up a good fight but I think in the end they don’t have the offensive firepower to finish off the strong Supporters’ Shield winners.
@ Kansas City: tie
@ Columbus: Crew win
Houston Dynamo vs. New York Red Bulls
Regular season matchup: tied 1-1-0
Dynamo: Two time defending champion
Red Bulls: Out of the playoffs sense 2006 first round loss to D.C. United
If not for their weak start Houston very well might have beat out the Crew for regular season honors. They are hot right now and as the defending champs they certainly have the needed experience. New York on the other hand has basically been a huge question mark all season, and that’s just talking about the starters and formations. Is it possibly an omen that the Dynamo’s most recent loss in MLS play was to this very Red Bulls squad way back on August 24th? I don’t think it is and I don’t really see this series being all that close in the end.
@ New York: Dynamo win
@ Houston: Lopsided Dynamo win
New England Revolution vs. Chicago Fire
Regular season matchup: Fire 3-0-0
Revolution: 3 straight MLS Cup final losses
Fire: Lost in 2007 Eastern Conference Final
The Fire have obviously had the Rev’s number during the regular season and this New England side looks to be a mere shadow of the side that lost in what feels like half the MLS Cup finals in league history. However, the Fire defense has looked marginal at best of late with their last regular season shutout coming at home against the Red Bulls on September 6th. It is rarely a good idea to bet against experience, which, at least so far as MLS playoffs goes, favors New England. So the Rev’s are certainly not dead on arrival, however in the end, as much as I dislike Blanco, I am a big fan of McBride and I think their Fire squad will find a way past Steve Nicol’s boys. One more thing, be sure to expect some high scoring ones here, which always makes picking a winner more of a challenge.
@ New England: Could go either way
@ Chicago: Fire by just enough to take the series
Real Salt Lake vs. Chivas USA
Regular season matchup: Chivas 2-1-0
Real: Playoff debut
Chivas: Upset in 2007 first round by Kansas City
In the interest of full disclosure, I’m not a fan of Chivas USA. I don’t like that the Los Angeles area has two teams while other great markets still have none. Also I am not a big fan of a club that’s owned by a foreign club, I just don’t like the impression it gives of MLS as being somehow below any foreign league (regardless of any potential current truth to such status). Despite all of that, Preki was one of the guys I cheered for in the early days of MLS and I believe he is currently among the best coaches in the league. I suppose all of that taken into account just proves that my gut is undecided on picking this matchup. I suppose such indecision is appropriate because I believe this will be the closest of the opening round. Both teams have flown under the radar somewhat this season, what with this being RSL’s first playoff appearance and many figuring Preki’s boys to be out of it due to their injury problems. I think this series will be very close and is the most likely to go to an extra session (let’s all cross our fingers to avoid penalties). In the end this one can probably be predicted by the toss of a coin as reliably as anything else. I’m going to say Salt Lake will be able to squeak it out for the lone upset of the first round, even though I myself can’t really say why them instead of Chivas USA, it’s just too close.
@ Salt Lake: RSL win
@ Los Angeles: tie, perhaps even in the extra frame
