State of the States | November, 2011

There's only one big game left on the domestic calendar and two friendlies scheduled on the international front as we head towards winter. This month''s State of the States focuses on the MLS playoffs, the dampening of Klinsmania, and the coming expansion of the US top flight.

MLS Playoffs

The final is set. The LA Galaxy juggernaut, 2011 Supporters' Shield in tow and playing on their own patch, will look to do the domestic double when they face the Houston Dynamo, massive underdogs after being robbed of their best player through injury, in the MLS Cup final. While the conference finals and semifinals provided plenty of drama, the newly-minted Wild Card games failed to spark the imagination, being both poorly attended and largely passionless affairs, throwing open the debate regarding the playoff format going forward.

Overall however, the playoff stories have been strong ones. Whether it be Seattle''s heroic attempts to overcome a 3-0 first leg deficit, RSL''s perseverance despite being robbed of their premier center back pairing, or Rafa Marquez''s childish (if unsurprising) post-game tantrum-turned-Oscar-bid, the playoffs have been an entertaining ride thus far. Here''s hoping the final lives up to the prelude.

USMNT

On the national team front, the US will look to put the bumbling start to the Klinsmann Era behind them with two friendlies in Europe: November 11 vs. France and November 15 vs. Slovenia. Though there have been some new faces introduced and a great deal of lip service paid to playing attractive, attacking soccer, results on the field have been disappointing. There have been passages of quality play, but a lack of goals and consistency have haunted Klinsmann''s first handful of friendlies.

Compounding the problems on the field are questions regarding Klinsmann''s player selection. Despite promises of fresh blood being introduced, most of the new faces arrive via Germany or Mexico, with Klinsmann seemingly ignoring those who are proving themselves in the domestic league. Simultaneously, he has shown a disturbing dedication to the likes of Robbie Rogers and Michael Orozco-Fiscal, players who haven''t exactly covered themselves in glory in recent appearances.

MLS Expansion

Returning to MLS, even those without a fan''s stake in the MLS Cup final still have one more league event to attend to before the offseason. The 2011 MLS Expansion Draft, scheduled for November 23rd, will see the new boys from Montreal stock their roster at the expense of the current crop of league sides. The choices clubs make in who to protect will provide an early window on their off-season intentions.

Looking Ahead

So as we prepare to batten down the hatches for the long, cold offseason, what should the discerning US soccer fan be turning his or her eye toward?

• Can the Galaxy''s constellation of high-wage stars bring home the domestic double?
• Will the more expensive but less successful Red Bulls clean house and start over, or will they persist with their current crew?
• What sort of core does Jesse Marsch create for his Montreal side through the draft?
• Does Klinsmann''s US side begin to gel and find a nose for goal, or do their early struggles under the charismatic new boss continue?

Well, that about wraps things up for the State of the States this month. Thanks for reading, and be sure to check in next month as we wrap up the 2011 MLS season and look back on the US friendlies in Europe.

Michael S. Hund is the creator of the Fullback Files, a blog covering DC United, the US National Team, and Major League Soccer.