Fire vs Revolution Highlights

I guess not having the away goal rule made this game a little more interesting. My goal of the year vote goes to Nyarko and Blanco for the series winner. An absolute massive goal!

MLS Cup Playoff Predictions

In anticipation of the MLS playoffs starting tonight, I will attempt the surefire method of looking like an idiot who has no idea what he is talking about and make some predictions.

East:
Columbus Crew (1) vs Real Salt Lake (4):
Columbus has been too strong over the last two years to vote against them. Having said that, RSL has the firepower to post the biggest upset of this year’s playoffs. For RSL to get past Columbus it will have to get a huge performance from one of its creative veterans. Lucky for RSL, Andy Williams and Clint Mathis both have the ability to be the game changer that RSL needs.

My pick: Columbus

Chicago Fire (2) vs New England Revolution (3):
Neither of these teams have been playing particularly well, but they both have unique advantages. New England has as much playoff experience as any other team, plus their drive to win a championship has been building for 14 years. Chicago has Blanco. In the end, Blanco will win.

My pick: Chicago

Conference Finals:
I have to go with Columbus for their consistency over the last two seasons.

West:
LA Galaxy (1) vs Chivas USA (4):
Chivas started the year strong, but the Galaxy always have the edge in the Super Classico. The Galaxy have a well rounded team and the two best players in the league (Yes I said it. It’s subjective so go ahead and disagree).

My pick: LA Galaxy

Houston Dynamo (2) vs Seattle Sounders FC (3):
On the surface, this is the most evenly matched series, but Seattle has had Houston’s number all year. Add in the fact that Houston did not finish the season strong, and Seattle ended with a three game win streak, and I have a feeling Seattle will walk away with this one and kill off the hopes their second Texan opponent in a row.

My pick: Seattle

Conference Finals:
Mr. Roth will be getting ready to produce a Cinderella story movie about his team winning the trophy in their own stadium in their first year, but the Galaxy will not stand for it. It has been years since Donovan was in the playoffs, but no one should forget that he is unstoppable once he gets there. Donovan will lead the Galaxy to the championship game.

MLS Cup:
You could really just read what I said about Landon in the Western Conference Finals. He will lead the Galaxy to the Cup before he heads back to Europe in the winter, and pictures of Beckham with cup will be seen all over the world.

Too Many Voices In My Head!

I ran across this Houston Dynamo commercial on YouTube today. I'm assuming that they're trying to get the Spanish speaking fans out to see their new Designated Player, Luis Angel Landin face off against Mexican legend Blanco and his Chicago Fire. But here's the weird thing. It starts with Landin, who signed for the club on August 20th, but the end of the commercial plugs the game against the Fire on Sunday, August 9th. It was a great game with Houston coming away with a 3-2 win. This just doesn't make sense to me. Any Spanish speakers out there want to help me out? Hey Glenn Davis, do you have an explanation?

I think they're saying something about being, "Forever Orange." Anyone out there want to help with the translation?

FIFA Soccer 10 Update

As the release date for FIFA Soccer 10 gets closer we're seeing more screenshots and videos from the game. Set to drop on October 20th, I'm already seeing things that need to be fixed. Like in the picture above, The Sounders are clearly the home team based on the rave green banners in the stadium, yet that doesn't look at all like Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. How tough is it to import Qwest Field from the boys at Madden and then just cover the upper bowl with tarps? Well, at least Freddie Ljungberg is wearing Pumas...but who's the guy behind Blanco?

As far as game play goes, the team at EA are pumping up the 360 Degree dribbling. There has been a lot of buzz about it so you can see an official response here from EA on their forums.

The video below has the French PSM3 Magazine getting their hands on some gameplay. You may want to watch it in HQ and enlarge the video.

FIFA Soccer 10...Really?

Th guys over at FIFA must really think they need to tap into the Mexican market here in North America. First, they put Blanco on the cover. Then, they also put an ugly Sacha Kljestan to join him. Never mind that the Karate Kid wannabe plays for the one Mexican team of MLS, Chivas USA. Then to top it off, they drop a trailer two days before the U.S. vs Mexico World Cup Qualifier with Blanco scoring a volley off his stupid bunny hop.

If I wasn't such a sucker for the game I wouldn't buy it. At least Frank Lampard gets the ODB seal of approval.

Who is a mind reader?

Right now Blanco is thinking?...