Previewing the Playoffs: MLS Cup Final Edition

by William Conwell on Nov 20, 2011 5:14 PM PST

CARSON, CA - MAY 25: Geoff Cameron #20 of the Houston Dynamo contols the ball in front of Juninho #19 of the Los Angeles Galaxy at The Home Depot Center on May 25, 2011 in Carson, California. The Galaxy won 1-0. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The Major League Soccer Cup Final is upon us! It may not be the Timbers facing off today in Carson, California but the Houston Dynamo and Los Angeles Galaxy should provide plenty of entertainment. Continuing in the tradition of recent years, the weather at the Home Depot Center for the MLS Cup is rainy and should lend itself to a sloppy, physical game that, while maybe not the best soccer ever played on American shores, will certainly be a passionate finale to a memorable 2011 season.

Houston Dynamo at Los Angeles Galaxy

6:00 pm, ESPN

Tonight’s game will see two teams with two very different stories this season battle for the MLS Cup. The Houston Dynamo, coming off an off year during which they finished in 6th place in the Western Conference, struggled early on only to ride the league’s longest undefeated streak into the playoffs. The L.A. Galaxy had the look of a team destined for success in 2011 and succeed they did, taking the Supporters Shield with the second most points ever amassed in a season. The MLS Cup final will also feature it’s fair share of star power with David Beckham, Robbie Keane, and Landon Donovan set to suit up for the Galaxy, while the Dynamo boast their own heroes on the field in Geoff Cameron and Brian Ching. Cameron has been tabbed as a possible future United States international alongside Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez.

Tune in and drop by this thread to chat about the games with your fellow Timbers fans.

Poll

Who will win the cup?

Los Angeles Galaxy

3 votes

Houston Dynamo

4 votes

7 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 83 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

My 3 year old nephew picks Houston Dynamo

I love Portland because everyone here takes things so seriously, sort of.

by yepyou'reright on Nov 20, 2011 6:18 PM PST via iPhone app reply actions

Fun fact

Omar Gonzalez is LA’s only starting field player over 6’ while the Dynamo have Brian Ching, Calen Carr, Geoff Cameron, Bobby Boswell, and Andre Hainault plus Cam Weaver, Carlo Costly, and Will Bruin on the bench. Set pieces, people.

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by William Conwell on Nov 20, 2011 6:21 PM PST reply actions

Timbers Army scarves spotted.

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by William Conwell on Nov 20, 2011 6:27 PM PST reply actions

Oh man, we're everywhere!

by HikinGDub on Nov 20, 2011 6:29 PM PST up reply actions

awesome!

by vitaminx on Nov 20, 2011 6:30 PM PST up reply actions

Here we go.

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by William Conwell on Nov 20, 2011 6:29 PM PST reply actions

Three minutes in and already two fouls on Cristman

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by William Conwell on Nov 20, 2011 6:31 PM PST reply actions

I feel kind of bad

because in a sense, it kind of blows that this game has had practically no hype whatsoever on the national stage and also because it seems like a foregone conclusion that the Galaxy are going to win.

I for one kind of hope that does happen but that we get a good, clean game. Since this is the Dynamo playing, I don’t expect much of the latter part happening, but maybe we’ll get a good game at least.

by vitaminx on Nov 20, 2011 6:32 PM PST reply actions

Don't beat yourself up...

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by William Duke on Nov 20, 2011 6:34 PM PST up reply actions

I'm not...

Just not sure what kind of game we’re going to expect today and it’s a shame more people aren’t going to watch if it turns out to be a good one.

by vitaminx on Nov 20, 2011 6:37 PM PST up reply actions

I read that De La Hoya paid for busses to bring up Dynamo fans.

Pretty cool of him. Houston certainly has a good contingent up there.

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by William Conwell on Nov 20, 2011 6:35 PM PST reply actions

Wow, 1,555 miles on a bus, One way!

that is dedication! Another reason to root for Houston.

by HikinGDub on Nov 20, 2011 6:44 PM PST up reply actions

Moffat and his beard

That’s it, just wanted to point that out.

I love Portland because everyone here takes things so seriously, sort of.

by yepyou'reright on Nov 20, 2011 6:35 PM PST via iPhone app reply actions 1 recs

That's a NHL-level playoff beard.

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by William Duke on Nov 20, 2011 6:36 PM PST up reply actions

It is a shame that Cristman is not very good.

For LA at least.

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by William Conwell on Nov 20, 2011 6:40 PM PST reply actions

This feels like we're about to see the bottom drop out of the Houston defense, it's only a matter of time.

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by William Duke on Nov 20, 2011 6:44 PM PST reply actions

It really looks like the Dynamo are going to injure each other somehow.

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by William Conwell on Nov 20, 2011 6:45 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah dude.

Cue up the Yakkity Sax for the highlight reel.

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by William Duke on Nov 20, 2011 6:47 PM PST up reply actions

This high pressure from LA is working out pretty well for them.

Way to get to that ball by Tally Hall though.

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by William Conwell on Nov 20, 2011 6:45 PM PST reply actions

Sean Franklin's head is looking festive.

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by William Conwell on Nov 20, 2011 6:48 PM PST reply actions

Jermain Taylor is causing issues for the Dynamo.

That is not something that one should be saying about a player ON the Dynamo..

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by William Conwell on Nov 20, 2011 6:53 PM PST reply actions

At this point I would like to bring your attention to my previous comment on the quality of Adam Cristman.

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by William Conwell on Nov 20, 2011 6:56 PM PST reply actions

Cristman is Houston's best chance to win

Give someone else the ball.

I love Portland because everyone here takes things so seriously, sort of.

by yepyou'reright on Nov 20, 2011 6:56 PM PST via iPhone app reply actions

Cristman spoken word poem (in the style of William Shatner)

Adam…Cristman…
Adam…Crist..Man…
ADAM…Christ!…MAN

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by William Duke on Nov 20, 2011 6:57 PM PST reply actions

good one

Surprising how open he has been though.

I love Portland because everyone here takes things so seriously, sort of.

by yepyou'reright on Nov 20, 2011 6:59 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions

He isn't bad at everything.

Just scoring and not giving the ball away.

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by William Conwell on Nov 20, 2011 7:00 PM PST up reply actions

something weirdly good needs to happen for the Dynamo,

If they go into Halftime tied, I’ll be amazed.

by HikinGDub on Nov 20, 2011 6:58 PM PST reply actions

That was close from the Galaxy...

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by William Conwell on Nov 20, 2011 7:02 PM PST reply actions

IF BECKHAM IS CALLING FOR THE HANDBALL YOU GIVE HIM SOMETHING DAMMIT

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by William Duke on Nov 20, 2011 7:05 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

Yes

I’m sure Becks is 100% honest.

I love Portland because everyone here takes things so seriously, sort of.

by yepyou'reright on Nov 20, 2011 7:07 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions

Do you ever zone out when the commentators are talking...

and then realize that everything they are saying could apply to every player on the field?

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by William Conwell on Nov 20, 2011 7:08 PM PST reply actions

My favorite was the "third hat-trick of the night" comment....

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by William Duke on Nov 20, 2011 7:09 PM PST up reply actions

The Dyanmo are really just not on the same page.

Luckily for them, Tally Hall is coming out early and well.

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by William Conwell on Nov 20, 2011 7:10 PM PST reply actions

But they're hanging around

I love Portland because everyone here takes things so seriously, sort of.

by yepyou'reright on Nov 20, 2011 7:11 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions

True. They have done that this year.

Not sure how they will fare without Cameron, though.

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by William Conwell on Nov 20, 2011 7:12 PM PST up reply actions

But people said the same thing about losing Brad Davis.

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by William Conwell on Nov 20, 2011 7:13 PM PST up reply actions

Who needs Cameron when you have Moffat

taking shots from 40 yards out?

I love Portland because everyone here takes things so seriously, sort of.

by yepyou'reright on Nov 20, 2011 7:14 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions

Hanging around only by the virtue of some shit play from Cristman

They’re more dodging bullets than firing back in a firefight.

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by William Duke on Nov 20, 2011 7:13 PM PST up reply actions

Good for Houston, I'm suprised it's scoreless.

by HikinGDub on Nov 20, 2011 7:15 PM PST reply actions

Is it just me or does half-time of ever game involving the Galaxy feature slo-mo Beckham gesturing at the ref?

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by William Conwell on Nov 20, 2011 7:16 PM PST reply actions

His eyes, his headband, his wingspan as he mouths "oh come on!" his beautiful family, his charming accent...

They’re all what sell soccer in America!

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by William Duke on Nov 20, 2011 7:17 PM PST up reply actions

That's how ESPN, MLS, and Galaxy sell it

David just being David.

I love Portland because everyone here takes things so seriously, sort of.

by yepyou'reright on Nov 20, 2011 7:36 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions

Why, what are you implying? (haha)

by HikinGDub on Nov 20, 2011 7:19 PM PST up reply actions

So Galaxy should be up 4-0 now?

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by William Duke on Nov 20, 2011 7:36 PM PST reply actions

Keane misses again!

is this the RSL game all over?

by HikinGDub on Nov 20, 2011 7:37 PM PST reply actions

If Dynamo steal this game

I’m going to have a hard time calling them “champions”. They stink.

I love Portland because everyone here takes things so seriously, sort of.

by yepyou'reright on Nov 20, 2011 7:44 PM PST via iPhone app reply actions

Like Colorado last year or RSL the year before that?

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by William Conwell on Nov 20, 2011 7:46 PM PST up reply actions

Those teams were better

Anyone who knows the league knows Galaxy are the best team this year. Results of one game doesn’t change that.

I love Portland because everyone here takes things so seriously, sort of.

by yepyou'reright on Nov 20, 2011 7:49 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions

I beg to differ.

They were the worst teams to get into the playoffs in both cases. Houston had a better record than five of the other teams that made the playoffs.
Granted, the Galaxy are good, but I think you are misremembering how bad RSL and Colorado were.

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by William Conwell on Nov 20, 2011 7:52 PM PST up reply actions