Anyone who has been looking for a new home understands the feeling of displacement that comes with it: the yearning for something new and different which you can model after your vision, while still feeling unsettled because you haven’t found that perfect place yet. &nbsp;In June, MLS fans looked at Kansas City and either&nbsp;pitied&nbsp;or ignored them. &nbsp;For a team who should have had <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travelin&apos;_Man" target="_blank">Ricky Nelson</a> sing its theme song, the season looked like a lost one. &nbsp;Despite the new name and new logo, it was the same ol’ Kansas City, going from road game to&nbsp;road&nbsp;game trying to hang on until they could move into a new home.
Yet after last night’s 2-1 victory over Columbus, Sporting Kansas City sits atop the Eastern Conference. &nbsp;With the Eastern Conference margin so narrow, their position may be tenuous (especially with DC and Philly having games in hand) but they are the in-form team in the East right now. &nbsp;How did a team that looked so beaten early in the season rally to become maybe the favorite to win the top seed in the East?
The first place to look is last night’s game. &nbsp;A few things stand out that point to reasons for their success. &nbsp;The first is their suffocating offense, something that has been there all season but is really beginning to click. &nbsp;Kei Kamara is an absolute weapon, and playing next to Omar Bravo in a 4-3-3 type formation allows him space to find his shot. &nbsp;Teal Bunbury, who has struggled all year and is seemingly on the “outs” for the U.S. national team, is beginning to contribute in little ways and refine his game; while the goals aren’t there yet the consistent play is. &nbsp;Add in some quality play from midfielder Graham Zusi and the rotating cast of starters, and this team can score with anyone. &nbsp;Even the threat of their offense is dangerous, as both goals last night came from Columbus defensive mistakes under pressure. &nbsp;The first was a penalty after Robbie Rogers took down C.J. Sapong in the box, the second was a Julius James own-goal after a throw-in.
But the biggest key to the KC ascent has been their defensive improvement. &nbsp;The team that went from allowing over two goals a game to running a streak of late blown leads has now settled into a pretty good team defensively. &nbsp;They have allowed 11 goals in their last 10 games after giving up 28 in their first 21. &nbsp;The starting back four last night had an average age of 24, which while not terribly young was still somewhat inexperienced. &nbsp;However, two players that have really helped defensively are keeper Jimmy Nielsen and centerback/midfielder Julio Cesar. &nbsp;Both are veterans with years of international experience who are providing veteran leadership to the club. &nbsp;While their defense is still not up to par with some of the elite MLS teams, it has improved to their point where it is no longer an eye-closing liability.
Outside factors also have played into Kansas City’s rise, the biggest being their obvious home field advantage. &nbsp;After playing the first ten games of the season on the road, Sporting KC has gone 8-2-6 at home. &nbsp;Their field is beautiful and creates a definite home field advantage, which gives the team a boost. &nbsp;They also are&nbsp;benefiting&nbsp;from an Eastern Conference with no dominant team which of course has both allowed them to overcome early season struggles and grab needed points (like they did last night).
Looking ahead, can Kansas City keep this up? &nbsp;Their schedule sets up nicely to allow them to control their own destiny: they play an inconsistent San Jose team on the road this weekend, then host New York and travel to DC, both of whom are chasing them. &nbsp;New York’s away record (2-4-9) and DC’s home record (4-3-7) bode well for them. &nbsp;However, Kansas City may have set themselves up for a late stumble, scheduling a friendly against CD Guadalajara on October 12, three days before the Red Bulls match-up. &nbsp;Regardless, Kansas City is hot right now and securing the Eastern Conference crown is not only a possibility, but maybe even likely.
It’s good to be home.

Is Sporting Kansas City the Team to Beat Out East?

Is Sporting Kansas City the Team to Beat Out East? - World Soccer Talk

<div id="attachment_6798" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/MLSCup.jpg"><div><figure class="external-image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6798" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-6798" src="http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/MLSCup-215x300.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300"></figure></div></a>The MLS cup is up for grabs</div>
During the 2010 MLS Cup game, Commissioner Don Garber went on the ESPN halftime show to answer some questions about the state of the league. &nbsp;The major issue circulating in the media&nbsp;was the playoff structure – a team from Colorado had just been named the Eastern Conference champion and, with two more teams entering the league next year, fewer than half of the teams playing in MLS would qualify for the playoffs under the existing format. &nbsp;Garber <a href="http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/colorado-beats-dallas-to-win-mls-cup-but-empty-seats-cast-a-dark-shadow/10868" target="_blank">announced that MLS would change the playoff system</a> for the upcoming year to reflect the criticism coming from U.S. soccer fans and to ensure what had happened during the 2010 playoffs (i.e., a West Coast team winning the Eastern Conference) would not happen again.
In February, <a href="http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/new-playoff-format-cements-role-of-conferences-in-mls/11753" target="_blank">the playoff plan was finally announced</a>. &nbsp;The top three finishers in each conference would get into the playoffs as seeded teams, while the four non-seeded teams with the highest number of points would make the wildcard round. &nbsp;After those four teams played each other, they would become the fourth seeds in each conference and the playoffs would proceed as 1 v. 4 and 2 v. 3 in each conference, with at most one of the four teams coming from outside the conference. &nbsp;The chances of a Colorado-type run became that much harder, according to MLS’s thinking, but it did require that the number of teams making the playoffs to exceed 50%.
The decision was roundly criticized, <a href="http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/playoffs-are-dead-mls-just-doesnt-know-it-yet/10901" target="_blank">including on this website</a>. &nbsp;What kind of league has over half of its teams make the playoffs? &nbsp;Was MLS serious, or a CYO league? &nbsp;And what happens if a strong team like Real Salt Lake is one of the wild cards and gets placed in the Eastern Conference playoffs? &nbsp;Then it is 2009 all over again.
However, with mere weeks left in the regular season, the new playoff structure is looking quite brilliant. As it stands, there are two Eastern and two Western conference teams in the wild card if the season ended today. &nbsp;Of course that is faulty analysis, as the teams have yet to play the same number of games. &nbsp;However, the reality is that almost every fan base has a reason to root hard for its team in the closing weeks. &nbsp;Realistically Vancouver is not in the playoff race but mathematically they are only eleven points (or four victories) back from the final playoff spot, with eight games to play. &nbsp;More realistically, teams like DC United, Portland, and Chivas USA are definitely in the playoff race despite the late stage of the season. &nbsp;That means 13 of 18 teams are in the playoff race and can certainly tell their fans they have a shot at postseason play. &nbsp;Compare this to Major League Baseball, where at roughly the same point in the schedule about 15 of the thirty teams are arguably in the playoff race, although the actual number of real competitors is less. &nbsp;New York Mets fans have had no reason to see their team play since June.
This is especially beneficial to the weaker Eastern Conference. &nbsp;In a single table, first-place Columbus would sit fifth and second-place Kansas City would be sixth. &nbsp;Instead, both are sitting in prime position to make the playoffs. &nbsp;The Chicago Fire, a team that has been mired around last place for most of the season and is the record-holder for most MLS draws, can get hot over the next six weeks and play their way into a playoff berth; that’s a pretty good reason to remain interested in your team if you’re a fan. &nbsp;Even a team like DC United now has a crowd draw; they can with a straight face tell fans that the upcoming home games against Chivas USA and Portland are critical to make the playoffs.
The Western Conference race is even more intriguing, as playoff positioning is critical in the conference. &nbsp;As it stands, Seattle and Dallas would face off in the Western Conference semifinals; as the season progresses does it make more sense for Dallas if it is out of the Supporter’s Shield race to drop into fourth in the conference and enter the wild card round, where you could play a&nbsp;Philadelphia&nbsp;Union and Columbus Crew, for example, instead of a Seattle Sounders? &nbsp;In addition, teams like Colorado and Real Salt Lake, who have struggled this year but are arguably among the most talented in the league, still have a chance to qualify as wild cards if they stumble down the stretch and have a chance to prove themselves in the playoffs.
In short, I think the excitement of an expanded playoff race may force us to rethink the stupidity of a ten-team playoff race. &nbsp;Maybe, just maybe, MLS knew what it was doing.

Were We Wrong to Doubt the New Playoff Structure?

Were We Wrong to Doubt the New Playoff Structure? - World Soccer Talk

<div style="width: 306px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a title="Milan AC - Impact de Montréal by abdallahh, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/husseinabdallah/4927713747/"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class=" " src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4927713747_929b69f050.jpg" alt="Milan AC - Impact de Montréal" width="296" height="197"></figure></div></a>By abdallah</div>
Amidst our discussions over USL-PRO and the USSF soccer pyramid, the NASL released some good news this week and announced its 2011 season schedule.
The NASL, now composed of eight clubs, will have each club play 28 games and face each opponent four times.&nbsp; The season runs from April 9 through September 24, with the top six teams making the playoffs.&nbsp; The top two seeds will receive a bye, and seeds 3-6 will face-off in a one game quarterfinal round.&nbsp; The winners will then advance to face the top two seeds in a home-and-home semifinal round, before the two finalists play a home-and-home championship the weekends of October 22 and 29.
You can read the press release <a href="http://www.nasl.com/article/nasl-announces-2011-regular-season-schedule" target="_blank">here</a>.
The teams composing the 2011 NASL are the Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina (formerly the Carolina Redhawks), FC Edmonton, FC Tampa Bay, Miami FC, NSC Minnesota Stars, Montreal Impact, and Puerto Rico Islanders.&nbsp; In 2012, NASL hopes to add a San Antonio franchise and will lose Montreal to MLS, while Miami will become Miami FC/Strikers.
The schedule and playoffs are ambitious for such a small league, but many of these clubs have good fanbases and support, so the success of the 2011 season is possible.&nbsp; The big IF however is the unresolved “second division” situation; if NASL cannot get that resolved by the February USSF meeting, the thoughtful schedule may be for naught.
Thoughts on the NASL schedule and playoffs?

NASL Releases Schedule and Playoff Format

NASL Releases Schedule and Playoff Format - World Soccer Talk

<a href="http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/usl-soccer-field1.jpg"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5795" src="http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/usl-soccer-field1-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="166" height="109"></figure></div></a>This week USL PRO continued its development as a USSF minor league by releasing its playoff schedule. Last week it had released a season schedule and division format outlining how its clubs would compete in its first year of existence as USL PRO.
The playoffs will consist of three rounds, with the top three seeds from the American and National Divisions and the top two seeds from the International Division making the playoffs. All matches will be single-elimination played at the site of the team with the better record, and teams will be reseeded after the quarterfinals. The championship will take place between September 2 and 4.&nbsp; The press release <a href="http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/494974.html" target="_blank">can be seen here</a> and our story on the league format can be <a href="http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/usl-pro-releases-schedule-and-divisional-alignment/11412" target="_blank">seen here</a>.
Also interesting is this line at the bottom of the release: “USL PRO is the strongest, best operated and most sophisticated North American men’s professional soccer league below MLS, both on and off the field.” This of course was released after it was reported the NASL was losing its provisional sanction from the USSF. I personally don’t believe in coincidences, but maybe it was just a&nbsp; coincidence that the line was included.
What do you think?&nbsp; Can MLS learn something from the USL PRO playoff structure, and is it reasonable?

USL-PRO Releases Playoff Format, Zings NASL

USL-PRO Releases Playoff Format, Zings NASL - World Soccer Talk

Going into Sunday’s home match against the Kansas City Wizards, the Houston Dynamo knew the needed a result to secure their fourth straight playoff berth since moving to the Bayou City, but when forward Cam Weaver received a red card in the 17th minute hopes of an easy victory were quickly dashed. The crowd of 16,854 who braved the early rain that gave way to heat and humidity, were not disappointed because in the 26th minute, Luis Angel Landin scored his first MLS goal, giving the Dynamo a lead going into halftime.
Unfortunately, the Dynamo were unable to maintain their lead, with Zoltan Hercegfalvi scoring the equalizer for Kansas City in the 73rd minute. Former Dynamo player, Kei Kamara, who was warmly received by the Houston crowd, had some good looks at the goal but was unable to convert. Zoltan’s goal was the last of the match, and the one point was enough to secure the Dynamo’s spot in the 2009 MLS Playoffs, which the Dynamo have marked with the launch of their <a href="http://www.mlsnet.com/t200/fans/playoffs/2009/">Dream. Scream. Believe. website</a>.
This Sunday, the Dynamo will participate in the inaugural <a href="http://web.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20090903&amp;content_id=6774002&amp;vkey=news_hou&amp;fext=.jsp&amp;team=t200">Charities Cup</a> in which they will host Monterrey in a friendly at Robertson Stadium; however, the team will be missing Brian Ching, Stuart Holden, and Ricardo Clark who will be with the US National Team as it takes on Honduras on Saturday night in its penultimate World Cup Qualifier. The Dynamo only have two MLS regular season matches left, it will host Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday October 18th, in what might be David Beckham’s first appearance in Houston since joining MLS, then the Dynamo close their season at Chivas U.S.A. on Sunday October 25th.
Here’s some video that was shot by Erin Dutka following Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Kansas City Wizards (the angle isn’t always right, she’s learning how to use her new Nano still):
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQdfjacbtRg">Coach Dominic Kinnear following Dynamo draw with Kansas City on October 4, 2009</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAvsPY_pyYk">Luis Angel Landin following Houston draw with Kansas City</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1oZ03TcJq4">Kei Kamara following 1-1 Draw Between Houston and Kansas City</a>
<a href="http://web.mlsnet.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=7002145">Don’t forget the official MLS video too.</a>

Houston Dynamo Secure Playoff Berth With 1-1 Draw Against Kansas City Wizards

Houston Dynamo Secure Playoff Berth With 1-1 Draw Against Kansas City Wizards - World Soccer Talk

I dedicate this post to Otilino Tenorio, who died 4 years ago this week in a car accident at the age of 25.&nbsp; At the time of his death, he was the league leader in goals scored in his home country of Ecuador.&nbsp; It is appropriate&nbsp;that his name lives on at the top of this article, as the article’s focus&nbsp;is about&nbsp;the one thing Otilino did so&nbsp;well.&nbsp; He took our breath&nbsp;away.&nbsp; Never was there ever a player who scored with so much pizazz, beauty and happiness.&nbsp; Paz en&nbsp;tu tumba Otilino, para siempre.&nbsp; We love you and we miss you.&nbsp;
If scoring goals is the way to the heart of the U.S. sports fan, then, most definitely, MLS is not doing a very good job at attracting new fans or making more highlights for SportsCenter.&nbsp; Scoring is attrociously low, making for some boring games.&nbsp;
Obviously, not every match can be a great one, but too many seem lifeless and aloof.&nbsp; There’s not enough of a connection with the fans.&nbsp;
Saturday night’s game that saw D.C. United live up to their reputation was&nbsp;the exception, though.&nbsp; Justice was served for the team who gelled better together and attacked more frequently.&nbsp; It was a great comeback.&nbsp;
It proved a team can overcome a one-goal advantage, but what about a two or three goals advantage.&nbsp; Will there be a comeback from 3 to 0, where a team wins 4-3.&nbsp; Has this ever happened in MLS?&nbsp; These kind of games are so few and far between, it’s a pity the fans can’t get more excitement.
Two&nbsp;seasons ago, the average&nbsp;amount of goals&nbsp;for a regular season game was 2.27, last year the average crept up to 2.79 and this year so far, it has fallen back to 2.36.&nbsp; The average score two seasons ago was 1.61 for the winner and .66 for the loser.&nbsp; Last season, the average was 2.04 to .75 and so far this year it is 1.69 to .67.
There seems to be more emphasis on defense in the playoffs.&nbsp; This is natural.&nbsp; Teams tighten up as they fight for a championship that is closer in sight.&nbsp;
Last year’s playoffs averaged 2.28 goals per game.&nbsp; Winning teams averaged 1.73 goals and losing teams averaged .55 goals.&nbsp;
MLS needs to find a way to be more spottaneous, to give fans more surprises and more bang for their buck.&nbsp; More goals&nbsp;are the solution.

Average score tallies for MLS are offensive in the wrong kind of way

Average score tallies for MLS are offensive in the wrong kind of way - World Soccer Talk

The playoffs are almost done and only two more teams will be vying for promotion to League One, Rochdale and Stockport. What is known after today&nbsp;are what teams will be leaving and coming into the Championship for next season. Gaining promotion to the EPL along with the riches and glory are West Bromwich Albion as Champions, Stoke City in second place and Hull City winners of the CCC Playoff Final yesterday against Bristol City. Hull have now gotten rid of the “biggest city to never have a top flight team” tag. Coming up from League One are Swansea City as League One Champs, Nottingham Forest( or as I affectionately call them Notts Florist)&nbsp;in second and today Doncaster Rovers secured thier place in the Championship by beating Leeds United 1-0 in the League One Playoff Final. For Doncaster they were playing in the Blue Square Premier only 5 years ago so this is quite a rise for them.
Coming down from the EPL are my beloved Derby County, Birmingham City, and Reading. All three teams now have two years of 11 million dollars worth of parachute payments to help regroup and get promoted once more.In there last year of parachute payments&nbsp; after relegation from the EPL last season&nbsp;are Charlton and Sheffield United and Watford.&nbsp;Going down into&nbsp;League One are Colchester, Scunthorpe, and Leicester City.
With the Championship being wide open and the transfer window not open yet its almost impossible to predict who will go up and will go down but as the summer evolves I will try to do just that and I am sure be proved spectacularly wrong.

Welcome and Goodbye to the Championship

Welcome and Goodbye to the Championship - World Soccer Talk

Latest news from playoffs. Find out about all the news related to playoffs on worldsoccertalk.com

ALL POSTS TAGGED "playoffs - Page 2"

News

Is Sporting Kansas City the Team to Beat Out East?

News

Were We Wrong to Doubt the New Playoff Structure?

News

NASL Releases Schedule and Playoff Format

News

USL-PRO Releases Playoff Format, Zings NASL

News

Houston Dynamo Secure Playoff Berth With 1-1 Draw Against Kansas City Wizards

News

Average score tallies for MLS are offensive in the wrong kind of way

News

Welcome and Goodbye to the Championship