MLS Cup: Five Things We Learned From Sunday’s Title Tilt

The 2010 version of the MLS Cup may not have been glamorous, but it was certainly thrilling to the end. The Colorado Rapids came from behind to beat FC Dallas in overtime 2-1, and Rapids forward Conor Casey was named the game’s MVP. Don Garber spoke during halftime and MLS fans learned some things that the league will change next year (number of playoff teams) and will think about changing in the future (going with the official FIFA calendar). It was intriguing and will certainly be hot topics for debate. That being said, there were also some things done on the field that are worth talking about. Here are five things we learned from the MLS Cup.Begin Slideshow

Conor Casey and Heath Pearce: Snubbed US Internationals Lead Clubs to MLS Cup

The 2010 World Cup in Africa was where every professional soccer player wanted to be this summer. Colorado Rapids’ forward Conor Casey and FC Dallas’ defender Heath Pearce had both featured prominently for the United States National Team during the four-year cycle, but both were left off the squad. Pearce was one of the final seven players cut from the squad, while Casey didn’t even make the final 30. Both players took the news hard, but they worked even harder to propel their club teams to new heights. Now, four months after the tournament ended and the Americans were ousted in the Round of 16, Casey and Pearce have led their teams to the MLS Cup.  “It was tough when it all went down at the beginning of the season and it took me a while to get back to pace,” Casey recently told the media. Pearce was not only disappointed in getting cut, but he had an issue with the way he was cut, saying in an interview with The Dallas Morning News in late-June, “… To have your hand shook and be told, at 2 o'clock in the morning, ‘We know you've been working hard, but we're releasing you,’ isn’t the easiest ...

FC Dallas: Playing For MLS Cup, What a Difference a Defense Makes

Last year, FC Dallas scored the most goals in Major League Soccer (50), yet they also gave up the most goals in the league (47). All that offensive firepower couldn’t save them as they finished a point shy of the playoffs. The team realized its awful weakness, and credit to them, they addressed the problem. In 2010, Dallas gave up 28 goals, as only two teams conceded fewer in MLS. (Los Angeles and Real Salt Lake, fittingly the two teams that finished ahead of them in the Western Conference standings). What a difference having a defense has made, as Dallas shut out the offensively-potent Galaxy en route to reaching the MLS Cup. The pieces to fixing the defense were put in place last season, as all four starters on the backline were all 2009 acquisitions. So what was different in 2010? Well, for starters, they all were actually available for the full season. Left-fullback Jair Benitez wasn’t signed until July 22 and made his debut July 24. He played and started in 13 games the rest of the season. Center-back Ugo Ihemelu was traded for on August 31 and made his debut September 5. The biggest acquisition was U.S. international Heath Pearce, who the team ...

Bouna Coundoul Is Like a Box of Chocolates; You Never Know What You’re Gonna Get

The name on the back of the New York Red Bulls’ starting goalkeeper’s jersey reads “Coundoul,” but it may as well be Jekyll or Hyde. Bouna Coundoul is a player with multiple playing personas, and you never really know which side of him will show up. Known for his catchphrase “It’s Bouna time,” Coundoul was named MLS Player of the Week for Week 27 for his heroic efforts in a 1-0 victory over the Kansas City Wizards. The Wizards were desperate for points in their pursuit of the playoffs, and they attacked with large numbers. Coundoul kept them at bay though, making a career-high 12 saves. The shutout was his 10th of the season, a new franchise record. His performance was so impressive that it prompted head coach Hans Backe to start his post-game press conference with the statement, “Bouna Coundoul saved us.” Literally. The win clinched a playoff berth and moved the Red Bulls into first place in the Eastern Conference. He’s also put together a strong season. In addition to his shutouts—which he ranks fourth in the league in—he posts a record of 13-7-5, a 1.04 goals against average, and 100 saves, good for second in the league. He has also earned several call-ups to ...

Are the New York Red Bulls Forcing Juan Pablo Angel out the Door?

New York Red Bull fans have been lucky this season. The team is finally in a new stadium. The team not only finally signed Thierry Henry—long rumored to be coming—but they also brought in Mexico National Team captain Rafael Marquez. Most importantly, the team has gone from worst team in MLS to a legitimate title contender. However, in the 15 years of the franchise’s existence, good fortune has not been the norm, which has left the fan base waiting for the other shoe to drop. It may have finally done so. Juan Pablo Angel, not only arguably the best player in team history but also the best Designated Player in the league’s history, is apparently unhappy. The team’s leading scorer, this season and all-time, started last Thursday’s game against the streaking FC Dallas on the bench. Pressing for goals, points, and momentum, Angel appeared as a substitute and was a key player in the Dallas own goal that would tie the game. No big deal, right? The team has a playoff spot pretty much wrapped up, and Angel has a history of injury issues. So, resting him and allowing newcomer Mehdi Ballouchy to get time with the first time was ...

Two New York Red Bull Fan Favorites Ready To Retire

The New York Red Bulls, now in their 15th year of existence, have been a roller coaster of a franchise. There have been some extreme highs but also some terrible, unthinkable lows. There has been a revolving door of coaches and players, a name change, and a new stadium for the team to call its own. Two players, more so than any others, have been through almost all of it. And after the 2010 season, they’ll be a part of the club’s history as well. Forward John Wolyniec has retired effective immediately, and defender Mike Petke will finish out the current season before hanging up his boots. Both are New York natives, were drafted by the club, and have spent the majority of their careers with the Red Bulls. They also both have two appearances with the U.S. National Team. Wolyniec spent seven of his 12 MLS seasons, over three separate stints, with the New York club. He is second in franchise history in regular-season games played with 142 appearances and fifth in goals scored in all competitions with 36. Petke is a 13-year veteran, seven of which (over two stints) have been spent with New York. He is the club’s all-time leader in regular ...

Should the New York Red Bulls Loan Teen Prospect Juan Agudelo?

In the New York Red Bulls' first game after the summer transfer window closed, they play a Real Salt Lake team that was very active in player movement. The movement featured a lot of players going away from Salt Lake, on loan to be specific. The team has temporarily moved a number of younger players to USSF Division-2 Pro League teams in an effort to get them more playing time. David Horst (24), Collen Warner (22), Chris Schuler (22), and Alex Nimo (20) all had seen limited MLS regular season action and were loaned out to get more game experience. With no reserve division in place for youngsters to see some action, Real Salt Lake added to their loaned list when they sent highly regarded 16-year-old prospect Luis Gil, who had yet to play in a league game yet has been dubbed a future “No. 10” for the United States National Team, to AC St. Louis. All the activity is a creative solution to the youth development issues that plague the league. The players may not be ready for the demands of MLS, but there is no longer a reserve division in place in order to get players much-needed game experience. Still, Real Salt Lake ...

New York Red Bulls Minus Key Players in Important Match vs. Real Salt Lake

After a long offseason of changes and the recent Designated Players added during the summer transfer window, the New York Red Bulls have quickly developed into one of Major League Soccer’s elite teams. They are a strong contender for the MLS Cup and their resurgence makes Saturday’s first-matchup with defending champion Real Salt Lake huge. However, the game will become an even tougher task for a club trying to prove that they are legitimate contenders—not just headline heroes—as the Red Bulls will be without four starters, making them a very different team. Midfielders Rafael Marquez and Dane Richards, defender Roy Miller, and goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul will all miss the match because they were called-up to the national teams for the next set of FIFA International dates. Marquez, Mexico’s captain for the past three World Cups and has earned 95 caps, was selected to play in the September 4th friendly against Ecuador and the September 7th match versus Colombia. The team’s third designated player, Marquez has been a calming force in the Red Bull’s midfield, and he will be missed. He has provided good possession, good passing and vision, and great service from free kicks, not to mention his crackling goal against Toronto FC in a ...

New York Red Bulls Need To Be Patient With Thierry Henry and Rafael Marquez

Designated Players can bring a lot of short-term things to the franchises that sign them. There are the headlines, the extra revenue generated from an increase in tickets and merchandise, and the experience from years of playing the sport in the world’s top league with the top teams and teammates. The New York Red Bulls are learning that what they won’t necessarily bring, right away at least, is wins. Since July 15, the Red Bulls have signed former Barcelona stars Thierry Henry and Rafael Marquez to go along with their first Designated Player, Juan Pablo Angel. In the four league games Henry has played in, the team has gone 1-1-2 and has been shut out twice, scoring a total of only three goals—two against the Houston Dynamo in a game that they blew a 2-1 lead in the final minutes of the match. In the two games Marquez has played, the team has not scored or won. It’s not an encouraging sign for a team that many are jumping on the bandwagon as serious MLS Cup contenders. However, it is not time yet for the long-suffering New York fans to go into a panic. Henry and Marquez are just beginning to get their feet wet in MLS. They ...

American Soccer Fan Favorite Clint Mathis Retires, Leaving Strong Legacy

Clint Mathis, one of the most memorable and beloved soccer players of his generation, retired after starting Saturday’s Los Angeles Galaxy-Real Madrid exhibition match. With a career spanning 13 professional seasons, Mathis was successful at the college, club, country, and international club levels. He had a nose for goal and carried along an iconic personality. Mathis was a star for four years at the University of South Carolina. He scored 53 goals and added 15 assists in 58 total games; he was a two-time All-American and set the school record as a sophomore with 25 goals in one season, leading his team to the NCAA tournament all four years. His goal scoring prowess really progressed in Mathis’ time with Major League Soccer. After being a first round draft pick of the Los Angeles Galaxy in 1998, Mathis finished his rookie season with five goals and 10 assists, establishing himself as a rising talent. In 2000, he was traded to the MetroStars where he quickly solidified his presence as one of the best playmakers America has produced. The MetroStars had a dismal 1999 season, but were instantly uplifted with Mathis’ arrival. He scored 13 goals and 13 assists in 21 games with the team that season, including ...