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 Welcome to the State of the States for November, 2010. This month, it's all about club soccer as MLS hits the post-season, and the big Euro-leagues get into full swing.
Underdogs 'R Us
Going into the playoffs, much was made of the relative strength of the Western Conference versus the Eastern given that teams from the west claimed six of the eight playoff spots. That particular fire got a little more fuel as both Eastern Conference sides were bounced out at the first hurdle, the Quakes and Rapids disposing of the Red Bulls and Crew respectively.
The larger pattern however, is one of upsets, with three out of four quarterfinals being won by the lower seed. That said, the term "upset" means something much less here in the parity-infested waters of MLS. San Jose disposing of New York doesn't quite carry the same weight as West Brom taking out Arsenal. By its very nature, MLS begins with a more level playing field, thus making for a more competitive playoff (and league). The question is: at what price? Is it better to start the season knowing your club could go all the way or to set up Davids and Goliaths for compelling storylines?
What Price the CCL?
One storyline that shouldn't be ignored in that glut of first round "upsets" was the fact that all three MLS sides that participated in the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions' League and made the MLS Cup playoffs (RSL, Columbus, Seattle) got bounced. Tired legs? Perhaps. Kind of makes you wonder if the Galaxy going out in the qualifying stage was a blessing in disguise.
Still, they won't have the chance at regional glory that Columbus and RSL do. Major League Soccer is guaranteed a place in the Champions' League semifinals by dint of the fact that the Crew and RSL have been drawn against each other in the semifinals. Not only that, but all of the surviving Mexican sides are in the other half of the draw, meaning the road to the final looks just that little bit easier.
Americans Abroad
With the Euro season now in full swing (save for those playing in Scandinavian leagues, who are now wrapping up), we can get a better sense of how much various Yanks abroad are featuring. In some cases, the news is positive: Dempsey is scoring goals for Fulham, Holden and Edu have been instrumental for Bolton and Rangers respectively, and the likes of Howard, Cherundolo, Bradley, Jones, and Bocanegra have been ever-presents when healthy.
But there are some significant problems as well. Cherundolo and Bocanegra are nearing the end of their international careers, meaning the likes of Onyewu and Spector, players in their prime, need to take up the slack. Sadly, both rarely even make the bench for their clubs, with Onyewu recently being involved in a bust-up with teammate (and Milan regular) Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Elsewhere, Rico Clark has almost completely gone off the radar, rarely getting a sniff at Frankfurt. But probably the most worrying news for a regular US starter, outside of Onyewu, has been Jozy Altidore. He's getting a few minutes off the bench and cup games at Villareal, but he's supposed to be the US's top-choice striker, and he needs playing time, goals, and the confidence that both bring with them.
Looking forward
So what should the avid US soccer fan be keeping an eye on in the month to come?
- We'll have at least one dark horse in the MLS Cup final, so are we looking at a repeat of RSL's run in 2009?
- The MLS expansion draft takes bites out of current MLS rosters to flesh out Portland and Vancouver. Who will your club protect? Who will you lose?
- It won't feature many of the main guns, but the USA scrubs vs. South Africa match should provide a decent window on the fringe players in the pool
- In the wake of the expansion draft and cup final, MLS sides will begin the wheeling and dealing of the off-season dance, padding rosters, hiring coaches, and swapping players.
So keep those feed readers humming and DVR's primed, and we'll meet here next month for another installment of "The State of the States"
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