Getting our Money's Worth

I think Major League soccer has done a great job of giving the fans a meaningful regular season by restructuring the league into a pseudo single table. Up until this year getting into the playoffs meant having to have more points then only two other teams in your conference which resulted in games at the end of the season that had no affect on the playoff picture. This year though only the top team from each conference earns an automatic spot and the rest have to battle it out for the final six spots. The result is that four teams (2 from each conference) must play to the final game to earn a spot into the playoffs. This is going to make for a very interesting final weekend to the regular season and I bet that the level of soccer is going to be very high. Here is how the playoff picture is looking right now:

KC: 37 pts (1 game left vs. FC Dallas)
Chicago: 37 pts (1 game left vs. LA)
Colorado: 35 pts (1 game left vs. RSL)
LA: 33 pts (2 games left vs. NY and Chicago)

Everyone thought LA had no chance of making it to the playoffs but with 5 straight games without a loss and the most games left to play they are the most promising team to make the playoffs. Their game against Chicago is going to be a dogfight since both teams need a win to make it to the playoffs.

I love that it’s coming down to the final game. I think that players now realize how important each game is and as a result practices and games will be much more intense throughout the season. I think that a lot of this drama will also carry over into the playoffs and make those games better. Once the playoffs start you will see much better soccer then before and much better match ups. In the past the teams you played up until the final were all from your conference and most of the time you had played them 4 times already so the games were somewhat dull but now the teams are mixed together and there is a greater chance of meeting a team outside of your conference.

If you haven’t been watching most of the season then I suggest you start now. You definitely will be getting your money’s worth.