State of the States | October, 2011

The last of summer has been swept away as we move into the do-or-die fall. Major League Soccer closes on its playoffs, CONCACAF’s Champions’ League brings the group stage to a close, and Klinsmann finally notches a win as USA boss. Let’s begin with MLS…

MLS Playoff Race

As the regular season winds to a close, the Galaxy have confirmed their league dominance by wrapping up the Supporter’s Shield early, eliminating any doubt on that score. Where the interest lies now is in the race for playoff spots. With 10 places up for grabs and only 2-4 games remaining for each team, only three sides (LA, Seattle, RSL) have booked their post-season passage. By contrast, five clubs have been eliminated from contention. But that leaves the remaining ten teams fighting for seven spots, with none guaranteed advancement.

Of course, this is nothing new given the parity that the salary cap enforces on the league. That said, the Designated Player rules allow for some wiggle beneath the cap, an exception ruthlessly exploited by the “marquee” league franchises in LA and NY with wildly different results. LA has coasted to the regular season title while the Red Bulls are scrambling to maintain their grip on a wild card spot. Indeed, without the expansion of the playoff field this year, they’d be on the outside looking in (let the MLS HQ conspiracy theories commence).

USMNT

After a stuttering start out of the gates in the Klinsmann era, the US National Team finally put a mark in the win column, beating Honduras 1-0 in a game that saw both teams spurn a number of good chances. Despite the promise of a more attacking side under Klinsmann, goals have been worryingly hard to come by. Likewise, the call-ups have been strangely regular for a man looking to come to grips with his entire player pool, particularly given that many of those selected haven’t been posting impressive performances and the results to match.

CONCACAF Champions’ League

Last month’s column reflected on the excellent starts MLS sides had made to their CONCACAF Champions’ League campaigns after two rounds, with all five league entrants sitting atop their groups or in second place behind another MLS team. Then came the inevitable hiccup in the next two match days that threatened the qualification campaigns of everybody but Seattle for the knockout rounds. But round 5 saw a rally of sorts, with Seattle advancing and the four other sides keeping their hopes alive going into the sixth and final matchday.

Looking Ahead

So where should the discerning US soccer fan be turning his or her eyes in the month to come?

• Champions’ League final round, October 18-20. How many teams can MLS send to the knock-out rounds of the region’s big dance?

• MLS playoff race. Who survives and who gets the easiest road to the final? That said, the MLS Cup winner is often riding a good run of form and seeding sometimes goes out the window…

• MLS post-season. By the team we meet again, the wild card matches and the first leg of the conference semifinals will be in the book. Will any of the big heads be poised to roll?

And that about wraps things up for State of the States this month. Thanks for reading, and tune in next month for another installment of my review of what’s going on at the highest levels of men’s soccer in the States.

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