Over the next few days bloggers far and near are going to be offering up their opinions on
the MLS Year End Awards nominations.
The main reason for this isn't that they honestly care that much. Almost no one really does.
But for a blogger - and I know whereof I speak - this provides one of the "automatic topics", like
the traditional six part "Preseason Preview" or more recent "Playoff Preview", whose main value is
to relieve the author of the nerve wracking chore of coming up with something to write about.
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The opening weekend of the 2009 MLS Playoffs provided surprise after surprise when few shocks were
expected. Kyle McCarthy runs through the unexpected occurrences before reviewing the first leg ties
in the Monday MLS Breakdown.
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They all want to be at Qwest on Nov. 22. Where is the playoff upset as the MLS post-season
begins tonight?
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I've already weighed in a bit on the playoffs in this ESPN.
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Kyle McCarthy runs the rule over the eight MLS Cup contenders and assesses which teams are in the
best spot to lift the trophy at Qwest Field.
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With two playoff berths on the line and a host of possible outcomes, the final weekend of the MLS
season promised drama and delivered it in a big way. Kyle McCarthy kept a running diary of the
weekend and breaks it down minute-by-minute.
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I'm not going to lie, I've given up on trying to figure out how the different scenarios for this
weekend's matches need to play out for Toronto to make the playoffs. The numbers are too much for
me, so I'm going to just sit back and hope for a TFC win against New York and everyone else to
lose. I guess that's not entirely possible, but at least we know that if Toronto wins, they have a
much better chance of making it in than if they lose!
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After the penultimate weekend boosted the playoff hopes of several teams, there are plenty of
matters still left to decide heading into the final weekend. Kyle McCarthy spends some time
perusing the playoff landscape before breaking down all of the Week 31 action.
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Several teams have had the chance to lock up the eighth and final playoff spot over the past few
weeks, but none has stepped to the fore as of yet. Kyle McCarthy details how the chase for the
final wild card berth has flummoxed most of the clubs fighting for the berth before reviewing all
of the Week 30 action.
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With a raft of knee injuries sidelining every available Colorado winger, Rapids fullbacks Jordan
Harvey and Kosuke Kimura are facing additional pressure to provide service from the wide areas.
Kyle McCarthy checks in with the Rapids to see how their fullbacks are coping with the additional
strain before taking a look at all of the Week 29 action.
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1) Shalrie Joseph for MVP? It seems like all the forces are converging and settling on him after
his player of the week performance. Today alone, there were three articles touting his candidacy
from Ives Galarcep (Soccer By Ives), Ridge Mahoney (Soccer America), and Kyle McCarthy
(Goal.com).
He has a lot of things going for him.
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While Landon Donovan remains the odds-on favorite to life his first MLS MVP award, New England's
Shalrie Joseph has quietly compiled a similarly successful campaign. Kyle McCarthy argues Joseph
may have the best MVP case of all before reviewing all of the action from Week 28.
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In the midst of a tightly packed playoff race, the four teams adrift at the bottom of the league
could play a vital role in determining which sides reach the postseason. Kyle McCarthy examines the
role of the spoiler and surveys the remaining fixtures before tackling the Week 27 happenings.
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FC Dallas forward Jeff Cunningham tormented Los Angeles in FCD's shocking 6-3 win at the Home Depot
Center on Saturday night. Kyle McCarthy examines Cunningham's torrid recent form before surveying
the major happenings around the league during a busy Week 26.
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Tonight, nothing else matters but the two teams who will face off on the field.
After weeks of build-up, plenty of back-and-forth between Seattle and DC, marketing campaigns,
fan stunts, trash talk, and general chatter, tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET, at RFK Stadium, D.C. United
will take on Seattle Sounders FC in the U.
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San Jose built a rock-solid defense in 2008, but hasn't enjoyed the same defensive success in 2009.
Kyle McCarthy talks with Earthquakes coach Frank Yallop and defender Chris Leitch to figure out why
one of the league's most consistent units has struggled in 2009.
He scored a goal.
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In its first year, Seattle has entered MLS and developed a new standard for success off the field.
Kyle McCarthy tries to figure out what Seattle has done right and whether its model can transfer to
the other 14 teams.
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Four MLS teams made moves to go out and acquire defensive help on Friday. Kyle McCarthy analyzes
the moves – including the interrelated nature of three of those deals – before reviewing the
Week 22 slate.
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Bruce Arena had an almighty task in front of him when he took over the L.A. Galaxy 51 weeks ago. By
importing a mix of solid veterans and talented rookies and molding a unit out of the pieces on
hand, the Galaxy is in the midst of a six-match unbeaten run and on track for a playoff berth. Kyle
McCarthy explains how and why the Galaxy is back on track before he examines a renewed referee
initiative to stamp out poor sideline behavior and chats with Peter Vermes about his new role in
Kansas City.
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Kyle McCarthy of Goal.com did it. Now you can too. Submit your questions for Technical
Director/Interim Head Coach Peter Vermes today. We will ask PV tomorrow and video the conversation,
posting the results on our website. Get the answers to the questions you've been wondering about
the club.
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Real Salt Lake entered the 2009 campaign expecting to compete for the Western Conference crown.
After some early season stumbles, RSL has made a few changes as it seeks to reach those preseason
goals. Kyle McCarthy spent some time in Utah last week and has all the details.
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Happy August Everybody!
Kyle McCarthy posts expected starting XI on Twitter
kylejmccarthy TFC (4-2-3-1, R to L): Frei; Brennan, Serioux, Garcia, Wynne; Cronin, Robinson;
Barrett, Vitti, De Rosario; Gerba
kylejmccarthy N.E. (4-4-2, R to L): Reis; Alston, Osei, Barnes, Heaps; Nyassi, Larentowicz,
Ralston, Mansally; Jankauskas, Dube
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