The MLS is an undervalued league. I don't think I have been the first one to say this nor will I be the last, but I truly mean it. There is so much potential I can't stand it. I am here once again to say that you should watch the MLS. I know it's soccer and that it isn't even the best brand in the world, but it's fun. . I recently joined a supporters group for the Seattle Sounders and it's incredible. Never before in any other sport have a felt a closer connection to a team or fans. That isn't the purpose of this post though.
Anyway, I'll get off my soap box and back to what I wanted to write about, and that's what to expect from the second half of the MLS Season.
1. It's never over until it's over! - This is true for any game anywhere, but the MLS has been filled with late goals and comebacks. It seems like every week there are two teams that score in the last 10 minutes to seal a comeback or take the lead. These kind of wins are almost always the best. A lot of the time, one team has been dominating the game and have scored a single goal. You think your team is going to lose the match, but then BAM! The star forward puts in a scrappy shot from about 12 yards out and your team salvages a point. It gets even better sometimes because that same star forward also engineers the winner five minutes later and now your time has won it. Though it took 85 minutes to see any action from your team, the last 10 made it all worth it.
2. There will be miscues - The MLS is notorious for it's terrible defense and keeper play. This isn't going to change overnight. An MLS back line can be about as goofy as a Three Stooges Movie. "Oh wait, I thought you had him!" "Naw man I was watching the ref! Nuk, Nuk, Nuk!" It doesn't help when teams import forward from other countries that have been playing for years and can totally outclass plenty of defenders.
3. Wondo the Magnificent - Chris Wondolowski of the San Jose Earthquakes has been incredible this year. The can't seem to stop scoring. He has scored 17 goals this season in just only 21 games. He's on pace to break the old time record of 27 set by Roy Lassiter back in 1996. I guess you could call this soccer's version of the home run record. Though there is not as much history, it would still be pretty incredible if it happened. If he were to, he would undoubtedly become a new face of MLS to the public and would really open up a great market in San Jose.
4. Erratic play - If you watch the MLS this season, get ready fro action outbursts. What usually happens is that two teams will duke it out for a while and there aren't many opportunities. Then all of the sudden, there will literally be a good solid five minutes of chances, saves, and goals from both teams. The it will go back to nothing. Though it may seem frustrating at first, it get's pretty entertaining after a while.
5. Goals will come in all shapes and sizes - Though this is true for any soccer league, I feel that the MLS has the highest ratio of most incredible goals to scrappy tap ins of any league. From Marco Pappa's glorious strike to a fluke goal like Eddie Johnson's in the MLS All Star Game, the MLS has them all. In the end, they all count and in the MLS there are usually a lot of them (by soccer standards).
That's what you'll see in MLS games this year! Hopefully you will watch at least a bit of a game. They have been on ESPN a lot this summer and you can also find them on NBC Sports Network. Now it's time to look at how I think the MLS will finish this season. Remember sports fans, the top five in each division are in the playoffs.
East
1. New York Red Bulls - A lot of imported talent along side some of the best in the US = East best record.
2. Sporting Kansas City- A Great crop of MLS'ers. Kie Kamara will be big down the stretch.
3. Houston Dynamo- A recent surge has pushed them to second, but they will eventually cool down.
4. DC United- They have goals in hand coming down the stretch and Chris Pontius continues to be huge.
5. Columbus Crew- They have played the least so far and should be able to pick up some ground.
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6. Chicago Fire- Their goalie Sean Johnson will really carry them, but it wont be enough.
7. Philadelphia Union- The coaching change will do them some good, but still a disappointing 2nd season.
8. Montreal Impact - A good year for the newest team. They stayed competitive and have some young talent.
9. New England Revolution- They look like a team that doesn't want to get better. They will be staying here if they don't change something.
10. Toronto FC -They had a bad start that defines this season. They will need some big moves this off season.
West
1. San Jose Earthquakes - Great players that are playing like there is no tomorrow. They won't be caught!
2. Real Salt Lake- They will slide into second with some great play, but they will feel the heat from Seattle.
3. Seattle Sounders- They made some great transfers and now they have Gspurning back in goal. Yikes!
4. LA Galaxy- They have the talent and experience to correct for their early season woes.
5. Vancover White Caps- They will falter slightly in the second half, but will stay in the playoff race.
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6. Chivas USA- Kennedy will keep them in the race, but their flaws will catch up to them.
7. Colorado Rapids- They will get 7th only due to the fact that Dallas is terrible this year. Not much more I can say.
8. FC Dallas- Brec Shea has been terrible this season and besides that, FC Dallas doesn't have a lot going for them.
9. Portland Timbers- Awful season. They can't give up next year though. This team has potential.
And last, but not least, I have a couple of picks for you this weekend Enjoy!
New York 3 - Houston Dynamo 1 ~ Great game atop the table. Kenny Cooper is heating up and he will lead the Red Bulls to victory.
DC United 1 - Columbus Crew 1 ~ A well fought draw, but Columbus rises to the occasion and steals a point.
LA Galaxy 2 - Seattle Sounders 2 ~ It will be hard for LA to get a win up in Seattle, but the Sounders play a CONCACAF Champions League game this week and will not be rested.
Thanks for reading!
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