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Real Salt Lake: Unfazed by conference final
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Please RSL, for me... | 8:03 a.m. Nov. 9, 2009
Let each game end in a tie! I can't stand the thought of someone losing!!!
Everybody can be a winner with a tie- that's what makes soccer the
beautiful game!!!!!!
astroboy | 8:09 a.m. Nov. 9, 2009
after watching the chi-ne game over the weekend, i think rsl will have their
hands full. I think chi its a better venue for rsl than NE, and a shorter
distance to travel, but man did the fire look hungry, and even though their
record doesnt show it, it seems like a pretty good home field advantage.
on paper these two teams are fairly even: they both are pretty balanced offense to defense, they both have good but undersized goalies, they both have good forwards leaving for europe, and they both have mercurial hispanic midfielders that are the engine of their teams.
I like the approach they're taking this year, all business and act like youve been there before. Hopefully that will translate into a different result this time around.
the matchup it too close to call, but it should be a good game.
on paper these two teams are fairly even: they both are pretty balanced offense to defense, they both have good but undersized goalies, they both have good forwards leaving for europe, and they both have mercurial hispanic midfielders that are the engine of their teams.
I like the approach they're taking this year, all business and act like youve been there before. Hopefully that will translate into a different result this time around.
the matchup it too close to call, but it should be a good game.
Comments continue below
Good matchups | 8:33 a.m. Nov. 9, 2009
I look forward to the game. It should be a good test for RSL, and they will be
able to prove if it is just a fluke that they are in the Semi's.
Amazing... | 8:48 a.m. Nov. 9, 2009
How a team from the Western Conference ends up in the Eastern Conference finals.
How ridiculous. Just like last year when NY played in the West Final. This
would be like the Steelers ending up with an AFC Wild Card spot and get placed
in the NFC playoffs.
Re: pleaseRSL | 8:49 a.m. Nov. 9, 2009
I never had a problem with ties in soccer. The points system is pretty easy to
understand if you take the time to learn it and watching a scoreless draw for
six hours would be a much bigger tragedy than a game ending in a tie. I know
that you want a game to go to overtime and then into a shootout, but just watch
the Houston Seattle playoff series and you will know why these things are
actually counter productive. If a team can't figure out how to put the ball
in the net more than the other team than call it a day in my book.
I'm not saying that I can't see your side of it. Americans feel like they have to have closure, I'm an American and know what you are talking about. Soccer has been around a loooong time though and there are good reasons that they run the sport that way. Don't let something like this spoil the game for you.
I'm not saying that I can't see your side of it. Americans feel like they have to have closure, I'm an American and know what you are talking about. Soccer has been around a loooong time though and there are good reasons that they run the sport that way. Don't let something like this spoil the game for you.
Re: Amazing | 9:04 a.m. Nov. 9, 2009
No, what's ridiculous is why the NFC and AFC even exist. Why aren't
the AFC and NFC divided up geographically? And why is a team as far east as
Kansas City in the AFC west?
Even more ridiculous: Why does MLB have the national leauge and the american league? And why does each league play by different rules? I thought they both played the same sport? Maybe a better name would be "Bush League".
The point is, every sport has its quirks, and MLS' quirk happens to be the potential for teams to switch conferences during the playoffs. Personally I think it's better than the alternative: Weak teams from conference A making the playoffs while better teams from conference B don't (I'm looking at you, NBA, NHL, NFA, and MLB).
And while the other leagues are dealing with steroid scandals and players going to jail, I'm happy that all MLS critics have to focus on is the playoff structure.
Even more ridiculous: Why does MLB have the national leauge and the american league? And why does each league play by different rules? I thought they both played the same sport? Maybe a better name would be "Bush League".
The point is, every sport has its quirks, and MLS' quirk happens to be the potential for teams to switch conferences during the playoffs. Personally I think it's better than the alternative: Weak teams from conference A making the playoffs while better teams from conference B don't (I'm looking at you, NBA, NHL, NFA, and MLB).
And while the other leagues are dealing with steroid scandals and players going to jail, I'm happy that all MLS critics have to focus on is the playoff structure.
playoff paring | 10:07 a.m. Nov. 9, 2009
I like the playoff system.. The best teams actually make the playoffs....
Stupid NFL Fans! | 11:11 a.m. Nov. 9, 2009
Most of you are obviously as stupid as Donovan Mcnabb and dfail to realize that
NFL games also can end in a tie! The only difference is that you can win on a
field goal instead of being forced to score a touchdown! It would compare to MLS
winning for a shot on goal or corner. Probably the same idiots that say soccer
is boring because they don't score enough but love a pitchers duel in
baseball!
Anonymous | 11:53 a.m. Nov. 9, 2009
Go RSL! Put out the Fire!
mls playoff | 2:02 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009
i don't have problem with a west team being put in the east playoff because
you wind up with the better teams in the playoffs .. in sports where too many
teams make the playoffs (nba, nhl, mls) it makes sense to allow this .. in fact,
i was at a luncheon a couple of years ago where david stern said that the nba
was looking at different alternatives like this for the playoffs (given that
some years 10 or 11 of the top 16 teams were in the western conf)
my problem with the mls playoffs is the weirdness of the first round versus the second round .. the aggregate goal option makes no sense to me, especially when the next round goes to a one and done format ... if anything, it makes an upset more likely in the first round, giving less reward for a season's performance (ask colombus how that worked out) ... aggregate goals erodes the boundary of an individual game, i just don't get it
here's hoping rsl can make it to the cup
my problem with the mls playoffs is the weirdness of the first round versus the second round .. the aggregate goal option makes no sense to me, especially when the next round goes to a one and done format ... if anything, it makes an upset more likely in the first round, giving less reward for a season's performance (ask colombus how that worked out) ... aggregate goals erodes the boundary of an individual game, i just don't get it
here's hoping rsl can make it to the cup
Striker | 3:15 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009
Who ever invented a game with the intention of having it end in a tie? Sorry,
but people are dead on when they say soccer should never end in a tie. You play
a game to win, not to tie, or why even bother to play?
three11stu | 3:55 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009
I think the reason that the MLS has two games in the first round is to give
every team that makes the playoffs the chance to host a playoff game. Those add
revenue to the sport, and that is important. And if you look at this years
results, only one team was able to make the upset. I think 25% upsets is normal
in a lot of sports.
I am not even going to address ties in soccer, because thankfully that is something that will always be a part of the game. If you understand and love soccer, then you know why there are ties.
I am not even going to address ties in soccer, because thankfully that is something that will always be a part of the game. If you understand and love soccer, then you know why there are ties.
Re: Striker | 4:00 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009
Can't baseball and American football end in ties too?
I guess I see the action of the entire game and the beauty of the skill along with the display of true athleticism as reasons enough to love football. Ties may not be the best result but there is always a decisive finish to determine season or tournament winners.
Real football - The World's Game!!!!!!!!!!!
I guess I see the action of the entire game and the beauty of the skill along with the display of true athleticism as reasons enough to love football. Ties may not be the best result but there is always a decisive finish to determine season or tournament winners.
Real football - The World's Game!!!!!!!!!!!
Excited! | 4:13 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009
RSL is on a roll, and the Fire are just another casualty on our way to MLS cup
@ Striker | 4:34 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009
Playing soccer has absolutely NOTHING to do with winning. It's about
beauty, loving, caring, crying, laughing, and smiling as a team. What's
wrong with people just wanting to be sweet and kind to each other? There should
never be a loser in any sport- life is too short and precious! Don't hate
soccer because it's beautiful!!!!
J.D. | 5:26 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009
Where is Fedor???
todd to jd | 1:12 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009
Fedor has been busy his wife recently had a baby and he posted here the other
night
Euroties... | 8:31 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009
If it's about "beauty, loving, blah blah blah" go play charades
or UNO or something. This is a sport. Americans want 'wins' or
'died trying's. I'd rather have my team lose in a golden goal
overtime or a shootout then walk off the field in a tie. It accomplishes
nothing.
Re: Eurotrash | 9:15 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009
Watch it buddy, don't even start to tell me what "Americans"
want.
RSL!!! | 10:11 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009
This game is going to be great! FYI, the Republican is a great venue for
watching away games...the place gets packed with singing and chanting all game
long! Excellent Irish pub feel. See you there!
Cowboy | 1:35 p.m. Nov. 10, 2009
When two teams play equally a tie is the fair result, sometimes a bad team can
get lucky and give thanks when they shoulda been defeated.
Ties in soccer add spice to the contest because wins are worth 3pts - one win is worth three ties.
When a win is worth two ties it means the team can play hard one week and take the next match off - that demeans the sport.
FWIW points per game ratios (PPG) is a more accurate way of measuring performance than win-loss ratios.
RSL's 40pts over 30 matches gives a .444 record.
By comparison a .500 record in soccer is excellent and .666 is championship form.
Let's see how RSL fares in interliga/Concacaf CL next year!
Ties in soccer add spice to the contest because wins are worth 3pts - one win is worth three ties.
When a win is worth two ties it means the team can play hard one week and take the next match off - that demeans the sport.
FWIW points per game ratios (PPG) is a more accurate way of measuring performance than win-loss ratios.
RSL's 40pts over 30 matches gives a .444 record.
By comparison a .500 record in soccer is excellent and .666 is championship form.
Let's see how RSL fares in interliga/Concacaf CL next year!
Fedor | 4:51 p.m. Nov. 10, 2009
That is right my friend Todd....but I am back in swing of the thing and ready to
go RSL CRAZY!!!! A weekend in the windy city is exactly what Fedor needs to get
ready for what could be greatest moment in RSL history!!! I have it on the good
authority that magnificent team prepare for week with the heart of 1000
tigers.....with the courage of crocidile hunter and with the passion of Patrick
Swayze. I have feeling that RSL is about to set Chicago on fire for second
time in history!!! I will faithfully be there....for the first time in a long
time I will be wearing my David Archulinko signed shinguards, my lucky team
signed "fan for life" t-shirt, my adidas wristbands given to me by
main man Robbie Keane, my flag of Norway and my passion that is as full as the
lake of powell. Let's unite RSL faithful, one and all!!! It is our
destiny as it has been all year to stand on top of the MLS mountain!!!!
Gooooooo GOOOOO GOOOOOO RSL, GOOOOOO GOOOOO ALL THE WAY!!!! It is our year.
Viva la Zebra!!!
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Sorry to die hard soccer fans everywhere, but ties stink, they ruin the game, bigtime!!