2012 MLS Cup: 5 Reasons Why the Houston Dynamo Deserve to Win

AEG conspiracy theorists of the world unite, for the 2012 MLS Cup will once again feature two of the more prominent franchises in league history. For the LA Galaxy, this is their eighth appearance in the MLS Cup. Considered by many to be the preeminent franchise in MLS, LA is in search of its fourth title—much to the chagrin of DC United president Kevin Payne. (Update: Kevin Payne has decided to step down as president, per the Washington Post).  Standing in the way are the disregarded Houston Dynamo—a playoff-savvy bunch that have taken on the identity of cerebral head coach Dom Kinnear.  Unlike the vast majority of pundits and expert analysts, I do not believe Saturday's match is a foregone conclusion. That sentiment is not out of sheer enjoyment from being a contrarian, or due to a belief in a standard team-of-destiny cliché. No, it is for more substantial and tactical reasons than that.  Here are the five reasons why the Houston Dynamo deserve to win the 2012 MLS Cup.Begin Slideshow

Transfer Rumors: Why Chivas USA’s Juan Agudelo Should Play for Celtic FC in 2013

Just a day removed from being able to celebrate his 20th birthday, Chivas USA forward Juan Agudelo may have one more thing to celebrate by week’s end. After reportedly impressing Celtic FC boss Neil Lennon in his brief training stint with the club, a potential permanent move to the Scottish Premier League is in the works for Agudelo (via STV Sport), bringing a momentous end to his roller-coaster year. In recent years, it has become almost commonplace for Americans to take their talents to Scotland.  U.S. men’s national team players Carlos Bocanegra, Maurice Edu and Alejandro Bedoya have all recently played in the SPL—however, none are currently with bankrupt Rangers FC. The question is: Is a permanent transfer to Glasgow ideal for the American youngster? Agudelo’s potential move poses one minor issue. Simply put, the SPL is not regarded as one of the top-tier competitions in Europe. The UEFA country coefficient—which accurately ranks the prestige of football associations across Europe—currently ranks Scotland 26th. True, Agudelo would be playing against European opposition, but it would be inferior when compared to that of the MLS. As a whole, the moderate competition MLS provides is better suited to polish the skills of the 20-year-old striker.  ...

MLS: Power Ranking the 5 Things MLS Fans Should Be Thankful for on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time where millions of Americans consume an average of 3,000 calories and 229 grams of fat in one serving. Families across a multitude of cultures gather around the table with close and distant family members, reminding each other of the invaluable things in life they are thankful for. Now maybe it is because of the inferiority complex we share as a fanbase, but the MLS community is a small family of its own. No matter where your allegiance lies, we all share one common mission.  In short, it is a feasible big-picture aspiration: Propelling an American soccer league to the forefront of a crowded sports market. So before we give thanks for the obvious things in life—family, friends and health—let us look at the five things MLS fans should be thankful for on Thanksgiving.Begin Slideshow

MLS Playoffs 2012 Rankings: Ranking the Top 10 Players in MLS Playoffs so Far

The 2012 MLS Cup is less than two weeks away, bringing a conclusion to what has been an enthralling three weeks of soccer.  With 11 days to preview, predict and prognosticate a potential outcome, let's look back at the top 10 players in the 2012 MLS playoffs so far. Disclaimer: In order to avoid a list filled with nothing but representatives from the Houston Dynamo and LA Galaxy, I have limited each conference champion to three players. No matter how deserving other members of the Galaxy and Dynamo may be, it is unfair to exclude some of the memorable performances from other teams.Begin Slideshow

DC United vs. Houston Dynamo: 5 Key Battles to Watch in MLS Playoff 2nd Leg

When the Houston Dynamo walk into RFK Stadium this Sunday, an appearance in the 2012 MLS Cup is there for the taking. After a hard-fought regular season, DC United is now faced with the daunting task of overcoming a two-goal deficit in order to stave off elimination. A more concerted effort by United will be necessary if it wants to continue its Cinderella run. Unfortunately for DC, the pesky Dynamo continue to dominate in the playoffs, especially on the road.  Houston’s 3-9-5 road record and -12 goal differential in the regular season are the most irrelevant stats in MLS. As much as United fans continue to champion those statistics and transform them into some sort of rallying cry, the fact remains that Houston is a much better road team come playoff time. The Chicago Fire and Sporting Kansas City can attest to that. Given the tactical acumen of Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear, a two-goal lead is almost insurmountable for a bruised and battered United team, but it is not impossible. RFK has been more than friendly for DC all season. With a desperate team on the ropes, Houston should expect and prepare for everything (including the kitchen sink).  United ...

MLS Playoffs 2012: Preview and Predictions for Houston Dynamo vs. DC United

The MLS Eastern Conference Final will pit two of the most celebrated teams in league history against each other in the playoffs for the first time. With six of the 16 MLS Cups between them, the Houston Dynamo and DC United are on the verge of adding another star to their iconic crests.They now stand in each other's way. After a five-year hiatus from the playoffs, the most storied franchise in MLS history is back. DC is relevant once more. Against all odds, United’s resilient style of soccer has carried them to this point. No other team in MLS has faced and preserved through more adversity than DC. Left for dead after the injury to reigning MVP Dwayne De Rosario (knee), United are now unbeaten in their last nine matches (6-0-3). It has not been the most beautiful soccer ever played, but it has been the most effective. They are not looking for style points. They are looking for wins and have clearly assumed the identity of their head coach Ben Olsen.  Bill Hamid’s red card in the semifinal match versus New York will force him to sit out the first leg of the series with an automatic suspension. Joe ...

MLS Playoffs 2012: The Only Thing $13.8 Million Buys You Is an Early Exit

$13.8 million, that is the combined salaries of Thierry Henry ($5.6 million), Rafa Márquez ($4.6 million) and Tim Cahill ($3.6 million).  The New York Red Bulls are home to three of the four highest-paid players in MLS, and the only thing the franchise has to show for it is a bunch of Red Bulls gear circulating around Mexico and a half-empty stadium. No trophies. No championships. Just a miserably faithful fanbase. In recent years, the Red Bulls have adopted the prototypical New York blueprint when it comes to building a championship team—throw a bunch of money at stuff and hope it sticks. In the last decade, the New York Yankees have approximately spent a combined $1.94 billion in payroll for one World Series title.  The New York Knicks spent $63.4 million last year to celebrate their only playoff victory like an NBA championship. They would be obliterated and eliminated by the Miami Heat just three days later. The 2012 Red Bulls are just the latest installment of spending big to come up small in the definitive moments of the season. Their league-high $16.7 million payroll could not even produce a single goal in the playoffs. (Unless you are willing to ...

MLS Playoffs 2012: The New York Red Bulls Take Losing to Another Level

They sure do know how to break your heart, don’t they? The New York Red Bulls’ 1-0 defeat at the hands of DC United ended another disappointing season for New York. The Red Bulls didn't just lose 2-1 on the aggregate, they lost in the same heartbreaking fashion their fans have been subjected to for 17 years.  Kenny Cooper’s penalty kick in the 72nd minute put New York up 1-0. They would have the lead and a man advantage for the the final 20 minutes of the match following a costly red-card foul by United keeper Bill Hamid. That is, until referee Mark Geiger reminded New Yorkers everywhere what it is like to be a Red Bulls fan. Cooper’s stutter-step penalty kick was disallowed due to the encroachment of Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill, who found themselves well inside the box before the kick was taken. By the letter of the law, Geiger made the correct call. With a combined $8.5 million salary and years of international experience between them, Cahill and Henry should have been aware of Geiger’s propensity to involve himself in a match. The question is: Why did New York’s big-name talents not toe the line and trust ...

MLS Playoffs 2012: Why Postponing New York vs. DC United Was the Right Decision

The weather outside was frightful, but the MLS’ prolonged decision to postpone the second leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals was far from delightful.  Winter storm Athena invaded Red Bull Arena last night, preventing the New York Red Bulls and DC United from ending their wild and wacky series.  As if Hurricane Sandy, own goals and Andy Najar’s petulance was not enough, one of MLS’ oldest rivalries was subjected to a nor’easter that blanketed the $250 million fortress in Harrison, New Jersey with heavy winds and snow. All hands were on deck shoveling mother nature’s elements, including those of MLS commissioner Don Garber, yet they still failed to produce a suitable and safe environment to host the significant match. Every possible measure was taken by the league—even the majestic orange ball was resuscitated in order to increase visibility during the storm.  In the end, MLS decided it was best to postpone the match until this evening. It was not a decision supported by players and members of both organizations, but no one was more visibly upset than DC United head coach Ben Olsen.“Have you seen the field? It looks fine to me,” Olsen said. “I’m baffled that we can’t play ...

MLS Playoffs 2012: Should the MLS Commissioner Implement the Away Goals Rule?

Since its inception, MLS has had the arduous task of appeasing the self-hating American soccer fan—loyal to a brand of European-style football—while simultaneously nurturing a league that embodies the fairness of the American sports culture. The first installment of American soccer vs. European football centered around structure of the MLS playoffs. The single-table format synonymous with traditional leagues is something MLS commissioner Don Garber has not been a proponent of and justifiably so.  Garber’s sole purpose has always been to increase the excitement of MLS, and it is irrefutable that a playoff system achieves that. There is no joy in watching a team celebrate a championship weeks before the season is over. With the popularity of the league increasing, the latest installment of American soccer vs. European football is whether MLS should incorporate the away goals rule. As it stands, away goals in two-leg fixtures of the MLS playoffs carry the same weight as home goals—something Europeans struggle to understand. Used as the first tiebreaker in two-leg fixtures overseas, the rule increases the importance of protecting home soil. It is the perfect system for clubs that not only travel across different countries, it travels across different cultures. I find it ...