First of all, congratulations to the Colorado Rapids for winning their first league title Sunday night in Toronto against FC Dallas in overtime. It’s been a long time since their only other appearence in the title match (a loss to early MLS powerhouse DC United), and the cup is finally going home to the Mile High City.
That said, I have to say that I’m not impressed with the champions of the United States nor am I a fan of the Major League Soccer playoff system. From the outset of the match the Rapids showed absolutely no technique in moving the ball. Their only game plan seemed to be to pound the ball as high and far as possible. A strategy that might have worked I suppose if the midfielders had given any support to the two forwards. But whenever Conor Casey or Omar Cummings received the ball there was no where for them to go with it.
The midfielders did an excellent job in defending from the centre circle back even if their passing was absolutely dire. Rarely do you see a “championship quality” player repeatedly pass the ball to an area where no one is there to receive it. No one!
While I watched the entire match, I had a hard time stifling my aggravation with the Colorado squad as passes that were well reachable were watched as they rolled past and onto the toe of a Dallas player.
Colorado had a decent shout for a penalty as Casey was dragged down in the box, kicked between the shoulder blades and tripped all by the same player. Apparently lashing out and kicking a player in the MLS is NOT a red card offense. Make a note.
FC Dallas took a well deserved lead through their talisman David Ferreira. The Colombian striker latched on to a beautiful cross by Marvin Chavez, just before the Rapids keeper could reach it and popped it into the back of the net. Casey knotted the score in the second half when he stuck out a foot from his backside and poked home a rebound. A fairly stale extra time was changed completely when George John unfortunately redirected Macoumba Kandji’s shot into his own net to give the Rapids the crown.
The Colorado keeper, Matt Pickens, made a couple of outstanding saves at the end and was saved at the death by great coverage by Drew Moor. That alone was worthy of winning the cup, but honestly this was far from a worthy championship match.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced plans to shake up the playoffs for those who care to read: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/playoffs-expand-10-teams-more-changes-ahead
But, I didn’t see anything in there that would make them better. The playoffs are already watered down. does it really make sense to add more teams or more rounds?
