Andy Williams Seals the Deal for Real in Win

Andy Williams seals the deal for RSL with a late goal in Real's 4-2 aggregate win to advance in the 2009 MLS Playoffs and move on to the Eastern Conference Final. Last week after Real Salt Lake beat Columbus at home in Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, Jason Kreis said something interesting after the game. Click to continue reading...

Apparently, there are six other playoff teams out there fighting for second place. And, get this, they actually all will play their entire ties BEFORE Dynamo run the Greens on Nov. 8. (Homer? Me? What ya talkin' about?)
So now I turn my prediction energies to the postseason, and just to help myself out I will only predict the first legs (The more games I predict, the better my chance to finish with something approaching respectable. Click to continue reading...

Seriously, I've been so busy this fall that I think I've watched maybe one MLS match in the last two months. So take this look at the playoff picture for what it's worth, unless I get something right, in which case, yay me.

EASTERN CONFERENCE
#1 Columbus v. #4 Real Salt Lake
This, of course, completes the trade that saw New York compete in (and win) the Western Conference bracket a year ago.

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Just in case you needed any help getting fired up for Sunday. And if you're looking for further inspiration there's this:
But before we get to Sunday, we'll spend some time on the weekend undercard:
Last week: 1-3
Year to date: 84-116 (.420 or 17 games over blind chance)
REAL SALT LAKE at TORONTO FC. Click to continue reading...

The Fire may have two regular season games remaining, but they want to clinch their spot in the postseason this weekend when they take on the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium. The Fire, who will be able to clinch a berth in the playoffs with a win this Saturday, have played the Revolution twice in 2009 - drawing 1-1 at Toyota Park way back on May 9th and winning 2-1 in Foxboro in the SuperLiga semifinals on July 15th.

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Major League Soccer will not play league matches during the two-week group stage of next summer's World Cup in South Africa.

Okay, fine. If teams are going to be without star players, and if you believe (as I do) that MLS' product suffers by comparison when you watch high-level international play and then watch an MLS match, not a bad move.

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Week 27 (09/16)

Last Week's Ranking in Parenthesis...

1. Columbus (2): The Crew are on top after a clutch victory over last week's #1.Â
2. Houston (1): I am betting the Dynamo bounce back this week vs.

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I've lost track of the days. I'm in a Diet Coke-induced haze that's exacerbated by my unwillingness to venture outside when it's 107 degrees*. My daughter sometimes tells me, "You drink too much Diet Coke." I tell my daughter, "Yes, but Daddy doesn't drink alcohol, Daddy doesn't smoke, Daddy doesn't do drugs, Daddy doesn't hit women, and Daddy doesn't have a 20-year-old Dave & Busters waitress for a mistress who will put four bullets in him while he's snoozing on the sofa, either, so back off.

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OK, so we've had 24 hours to reflect and rejoice on the United States' 2-0 win over Spain in the Confederations Cup semifinals yesterday. And while the win is getting somewhat its just due from the mainstream media (ESPN actually led SportsCenter last night with it), some in the U.S. soccer community are trying to put the victory in some sort of historical context. Click to continue reading...

Major League Soccer fans got a look at the League as most would like it. A couple of ties, mostly winners and losers, and a few shock results. The biggest came on Sunday, when Chicago finally lost a game. DC 1 - New England 2 The DC faithful have a legit gripe about how their game ended at Foxboro, but the home fans got the return of Taylor Twellman to go with their three points. Click to continue reading...

It's Breakers Game Day. Freezing, and quite possibly wet - but hey, we're hardy folk right?

Before embarking on this new chapter in Breakers' history - a pause to remember good times past. Maren? Dagney? We miss you!

No sound with this video - but that kinda makes it all the more resonant, doesn't it?

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Okay, so not sure if he had the Brave following his name but King Leonidas ruled. just watched 300 last night for, oh, the 300th time. Good movie, lots of action, good fighting. MLS... not always the most action, some good fights, some dull ones. Still, not a whole lot of intrigue right now. East is pretty much decided save for positioning. Click to continue reading...

The Boston Globe says that the Revs have allowed Seattle Sounders management to talk to current NE assistant Paul Mariner. I've been surprised for while now that he has stuck around at Foxboro rather than strike off on his own. It looks like the Sounders have solid (and experienced) management and strong financial backing which [. Click to continue reading...

For the third time in less than three years, New England and Houston will play for a title. The Revs made the second edition of the SuperLiga Final an all-MLS affair by knocking off Mexico's Atlante, 1-0 at Gillette Stadium last night in the semis.
The Revs' Shalrie Joseph scored the night's only goal with a header off a free kick in the 30th minute. Click to continue reading...

The New York Red Bulls came into Foxboro on a very poor run, but dominated the New England Revolution in the first half and took the lead heading into half time. The Revs showed better in the second half and after an injury forced Nicol to push Steve Ralston up to forward, the Revs captain scored in his third consecutive match to give the Revs a 1-1 draw and preserve their 7 game unbeaten streak.

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Scottish football has treated Andy Dorman very well.
Since arriving at St. Mirren Park in January, the Welshman has not only gotten himself up to speed, but has secured a spot in the Saints' starting XI as well. In his first start with his new club on January 19th, Dorman assisted on teammate Mark Corcoran's first goal of the match against Motherwell. Click to continue reading...

Yes, you've read correctly: I am back in school!
Yesterday evening, I attended my first college-credit course since my graduation from RIC in 2004. I have to admit, though I was somewhat nervous about the prospect of going back to school, I was also very enthusiastic about being back at the alma mater for the same schoolin' I despised in my early-20s. Click to continue reading...

I was at a bar full of Fire fans last night, watching my Chicago Fire beat DC United 3-2 on aggregate in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs. It was a thrilling and agonising game for both sets of fans, the Fire almost blowing a 3-0 aggregate lead, with DC's late equaliser ruled [...] Click to continue reading...