Just Enough

Happy Metro Men (MLS/Wireimage.com)
Originally uploaded by mr fish.

How many times did Tony Meola stand on his head? How loud was Mo Johnston screaming in the locker room at halftime? After watching the MetroStars fight through a game Chivas side and their own tendency to self destruct, it was evident that the answers to above the questions were “just enough.” Wee Bradley picked an ideal time for to open his MLS goal scoring account, but the undisputed star of the Metros’ 2-0 win at Chivas USA Sunday was home-town boy Meola, whose stellar effort in goal pushed his team to the MLS Cup playoffs and eliminated his former KC Wizards club. There was much grumbling amongst the Metro “faithful” (a loose term) when the 36-yr keeper returned to the Jersey side earlier this season, and some soft goals allowed down the stretch did little to endear Meola to the Metro fans, but after yesterday’s performance, all is forgiven. All hail Tony the Tiger!

No Magic
While Metro-land is all aglow today dreaming of an upset playoff victory over New England, the fans of “City,” as Derek Rae used to refer to the Wizards, must be utterly despondent. Blame for missing the playoffs can’t be directed at the Wiz’s result at the PHP on Saturday, however. KC hasn’t won a game since August 19th vs. Chicago – an eight-match winless streak (0-4-4) to end the regular season. With a dreary performance on the field and at the gate (9,961 avg. home attendance, last in MLS), and a “for sale” sign still hanging on the door, things look bleak for the franchise as a whole. Here’s to hoping things are brighter for the Wizards in 2006.

Bracketology: Semis Week 1
Now to the eight clubs that will be fighting it out for the silver Rothie. In the East, DC took the season series vs. Chicago (2-1-1), but the two haven’t faced each other since August 6th. In that match at Soldier Field, DC took a 3-0 lead on goals by Carroll, Kovalenko, and Moreno and hung on to for a 3-2 win. I see a similar result this weekend.

The Metro are surely riding high, but the Revs had a sharp outing vs. Chicago last week and should be in good form. The Metros, on the other hand, will just be happy to be playing. I say 2-1 Revs on an 89th minute goal by Clint Dempsey.

Out West, the playoff-style California Classico will continue in the Quakes’ favor. San Jose took the season series over LA by a 3-1 margin (3-2 if you count the USOC). On the road at the HDC, the Quakes will "Ching-Chung-tonight" their way to a 2-1 win.

Nobody’s really talking about Colorado, but the Rapids haven’t lost a match since September 17th, going 4-0-2 to finish the regular season. Yes, they’ve been playing mostly the expansion clubs for the last few weeks, but matches over inferior opponents build confidence, something Dallas is surely lacking after blowing a win in injury time on Saturday vs. KC. I feel a 2-0 Rapids win at Invesco, with MOT Dedi Ben Dayan and Jeff Cunnigham the goal scorers.