Things are getting brutal in the MLS Playoffs!

What a amazing result! Of course, we would have loved to have pulled out the win, but a draw is the next best thing.

Afterall, a draw  is better than a loss. I guess it all comes down to how we do on our home turf.

You know it is a intense battle when our goaltender Pat Onstad receives a yellow card. He nailed Fredy Montero to the ground in front of the goal after a whistle. The MLS playoff atmosphere was incredible, and the Seattle Sounders  have brilliant support base.

Things are heating up, and hopefully our home crowz will help support us to a win on Sunday, November 8th!!!

Thursday we face off against the Seattle Sounders.

This season has been a grind, and we have not had much time to rest with all the traveling between CONCACAF and MLS regular season matches.

The Battle in Seattle live on hursday!

But hey, it’s the playoffs, and we have to suck it up, rest when we can, and play as hard and compete to win.

Coach Kinnear had this to say about it:

“I’m not worried about their fitness. I’m worried about how many games we’ve played.

We play on Thursday and the league didn’t take into account that we played on Wednesday in CONCACAF and I think that’s unfair.”

It would have been nice for the MLS to have considered allowing some time for us to rest.

After all, it is the participation in these competitions that allows the MLS reputation to build upon this exposure.

]]> http://www.pitchpulse.com/2009/10/mls-playoffs-round-1-the-battle-in-seattle/feed/ 0 http://www.pitchpulse.com/2009/10/craigs-weekend-result-predictions/ http://www.pitchpulse.com/2009/10/craigs-weekend-result-predictions/#comments Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:36:22 +0000 CraigWaibel http://www.pitchpulse.com/?p=243

This week I thought it best if I post my predictions for all to read and comment on…..this could get ugly! If you want to comment or give me feedback, please feel free to email me!

Like I normally do on the podcast, I elaborate on my reasons for my predictions.

However, since I have to get ready for the game myself, I am pressed for time  today so I will give you the abbreviated rendition of my predictions.

In any case, I will give a score and one or two reasons as to why I think it will happen…..here goes!

Real Salt Lake @ Toronto FC-  Most interesting game of the week should end in a Tor win…They have 7 wins at home this year to RSL’s 2 road wins…Add to that the fact that RSL have only celebrated 9 away goals while giving up 23 this year and it looks like a difficult task to overcome.

Chicago Fire @ New England Revolution- I think a draw is most likely to happen in this one…..Chicago doesnt need the points as much as NE do, and NE cannot afford to throw away a point at home.  Not sure on totals but 1 to 1 or 2 to 2 sounds good to me.

Columbus Crew @ DC United- I am going to take DC in to win by a goal…..When was the last time DC didn’t make it interesting down the stretch?  This is a playoff game to DC, who can pack for the off season if they let this one slip away at home.  Nothing against CLB but they just don’t have as much to play for…..and no don’t write me that the Supporters Shield is more important to them than the post season is to DC United!

Seattle Sounders @ Kansas City Wizards- I am taking SEA to win by 2 goals in this one.  They have a very physical back line and a great deal of size for set pieces.  On the little field in KC I think they will have a great advantage because of this…..also they are still within reach of home field advantage if they win their final two games the other results go their way…..in other words they legitimately have something to play for!

Colorado Rapids @ FC Dallas- This is my second game most important game on the weekend as the result will clearly end the season for one of the two teams….and a draw could end it for both!  I would  not be suprised to see a shoot out down in Frisco and a final score of  3 to 4 or even more than that if Dallas get an early goal.  I am not sold on Dallas but Col has not won since the fifth of September….I’ll take Dallas in a heated  red card home game.

San Jose Earthquakes@ Chivas USA-  For me this one is academic, not trying to be mean and with all due respect SJ is out gunned due to two MORE injuries this week to Jason Hernandez and Chris Wondolowski.  Plain and simple I take Chivas to win.

Los Angeles Galaxy @ Houston Dynamo-  As I always do with my team I plead the fifth.  If I have to guess…well you know what I am thinking!

Craig gives you insider information and analysis on all the MLS matches.

The nitty gritty of the remaining MLS regular season, discussing New England, Kansas CIty, and then focusing more on teams on the cusp with 4 games remaining. Craig then dissects the 3 games he feels are most important heading into the weekend.

Craigs #1 game of the week analyzes Colorado facing a must win game at home vs New England. Craig explains how a Rapids win could extend the gap, and apply pressure around the league.

Craigs #2 game focuses on Seattle vs Columbus. He looks into the overall impact on the league Seattle is having this season. Seattle can play a massive spoiler role as they advance into the playoffs.

Chivas USA and San Jose Earthquakes, whom have 4 games to everyone else having 3, can be a major factor taking things down to the wire. Craig analyses the affects these teams can have, either as a spoiler or a playoff berth winner.

Pitch Pulse then finishes things up with more opinions on officiating and the Golden Goal synapsis.

Visit www.pitchpulse.com to get involved, and ask Craig a question!

Not until this past Sunday did the Columbus Crew become the first team in the league to clinch a playoff birth. That is crazy considering how much of a divide in recent years amongst the top and the bottom of the table.

This year is great for the MLS in that with such competition, and with 14-15 teams all in the hunt, it marks that the level of competition is on the raise league-wide, and this is only going to be good for growth of the domestic football product.

The Los Angeles Galaxy’s turnaround success story of a season might be undermined by the severity of David Beckham’s achilles injury.

Players like Kljestan might hold their head if they don't go through. (Credit: picapp.com)

Some teams have turned things around dramatically, while others have hit untimely slumps.

Either way, this last month will be cooking with excitement, and worth watching as the regular season close draws nearer.

Craig  reviews top MLS games from  last weekend, breaking down the importance of the Real Salt Lake 4-0 win over Chivas USA.

He then focuses on this upcoming weekend, breaking down the importance of the Kansas City vs. New England, Toronto at Colorado, and Seattle vs DC for the US Open Cup Championship.

Craig responds to your emails, and finishes things up with a golden goal rant about Officiating and ask why the second yellow cards never make their way  out of the officials pockets.
Visit www.pitchpulse.com to get involved, and ask Craig a question!