When MLS announced that it was going to an unbalanced schedule, a move that was going to emphasize conference rivalries, the decision was met with much-handwringing and complaints about fairness and competitive balance.
But as we prepare for the stretch run of the season the change is looking pretty good. We have two conferences with extremely competitive playoff races, and the league has created more match-ups between rivals.
No, the system isn’t perfectly fair. A team that only has to face San Jose once has an advantage over a team that will only play the Portland Timbers once. That does give a team a slight edge, but the biggest point critics raised hasn’t turned out to be an issue after all.
That was: the Western Conference was supposed to dominate the East. The fact that the Eastern teams were going to get to play more games against each other was seen as an advantage, to the detriment of the West. Not quite.
The Eastern Conference has not only been stronger and more competitive than expected, Eastern teams actually hold a winning record against West teams so far in 2012 (32-29-18). The conferences actually pretty close. Unbalanced? Not this year.
There’s only about two months left in the playoff race and from today, all teams will close out their MLS campaigns with intra-conference games. 15 of the league’s 19 teams still have a reasonable chance of contending for a playoff berth. It was a more balanced system when every team played every other team in MLS twice, but the alternative MLS chose could still wind up yielding the best playoff race in league history.
Here are this week’s Top Five MLS Matches to Watch:
1- SPORTING KANSAS CITY VS. NEW YORK RED BULLS
This first of three meetings in seven weeks between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference. New York’s Thierry Henry will miss the match after the birth of his son, but the Red Bulls still have plenty of firepower with Kenny Cooper, Tim Cahill and Sebastien LeToux.
They will need it against a Sporting KC defense that has been playing some of the best soccer in the league in recent weeks. KC’s attack hasn’t exactly been lighting up scoreboards, but it has done just enough. It probably won’t be a shootout, but the battle between the Red Bulls offense and KC defense will be fun to watch.
2- LOS ANGELES GALAXY VS. FC DALLAS
The Galaxy are gearing up for another title run, but they face a Dallas side that has hit its stride thanks to the inspired play of David Ferreira. This one could be a fast and furious clash with plenty of goals.
Dallas does have Brek Shea back in form but the key to their current success is that FC Dallas’ defense has tightened things up. George John and Co. will be severely tested by an in-form Robbie Keane, though Landon Donovan’s injury may leave the Galaxy short-handed.
3- MONTREAL IMPACT VS. D.C. UNITED
Montreal have won five of six matches, and are finally dominating at Stade Saputo. They take on a D.C. United team directly above them in the standings and need a win. This is the Impact’s best chance to put some distance between them and a D.C. team that has four games in hand on them.
Dwayne DeRosario enjoyed a good game against Philadelphia — well, at least before his missed penalty retake — and DCU will need him to put real pressure on a Montreal midfield that has been outstanding in recent weeks. Patrice Bernier has been one of the best midfielders in MLS; he and Felipe Martins are the key to the Impact breaking down a tough D.C. defense.
4- CHIVAS USA VS. SEATTLE SOUNDERS
The Sounders should be considered the favorites in this one, but with goalkeeper Dan Kennedy in outstanding form, and with Chivas USA showing signs of improving form, this will be a stiff test for Sigi Schmid’s squad.
Seattle may field the quartet of Eddie Johnson, Fredy Montero, Mauro Rosales and Christian Tiffert together for the first time. That’s a potentially high-powered offense right there.
5- SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES VS. COLORADO RAPIDS
The Rapids travel to California with their playoff chances on life support, so any hopes Colorado has of returning to the post-season will hinge on beating San Jose at Buck Shaw Stadium. That is no easy task, but with Steven Lenhart suspended, the Earthquakes could be vulnerable.
Colorado have the players, but they haven’t been able to get the results despite the solid games from Martin Rivero and Jaime Castrillo. The Rapids need their defense to step up — or they will be planning for 2013 sooner rather than later.
