Safe to say that last night’s events will do nothing to tame one debate that reverberates steadily around Major League Soccer, and has for years: that the regular season should count for more.
The divide is between “traditionalist” who like the way of other lands, where league champion is decided by a single table. You circle the guys on top at year’s end, hand them the trophy and move on.
The MLS way is more in line with American sports, with a playoff system.
And commence the next round of this in long-standing squabble in … 3 … 2 … 1 ….
Because there is a fresh round of evidence here.
Eastern Conference champion Sporting Kansas City squandered chance after chance, and went tumbling out of the playoffs as a result.
(MORE: Going over the waste from Livestrong Sporting Park)
Out West, the San Jose Earthquakes record breaking season came crashing down as the Los Angeles Galaxy finally began playing like the champs we knew last year. Since it’s pretty much the same guys, we can only say, “about time.”
(MORE: Analysis of the Galaxy’s 3-1 win)
But L.A. certainly wasn’t the same earlier this year, as they dug that big Southern California hole. They may well race on toward a second consecutive title, never mind that awful mess they left strewn across March, April and May.
So, while we bite down into the nitty gritty of this one – again – go back and check out the highlights from last night’s pair of elimination contests.
First the Sporting KC demise:
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Then the Buck Shaw Stadium ambush. Remember, San Jose did not lose a match previously at their Santa Clara home this year. From the Supporters Shield winner’s perspective, rotten time for a first, eh?
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