MLS Final

[rolltide]

58-53-7 +12.23 (staked 391.24, +3.1%)

LA Galaxy vs Houston
- set pieces is the key to the MLS final. If LA can keep from allowing set pieces they will win easily. LA's only weakness is defending set pieces and they allowed goals recently in 4 matches all from corners and free kicks. Houston's offense revolves around corners and free kicks as they've scored a ridiculous 22 goals this year on sets. But now that MVP-favorite, Brad Davis, had been declared out for the game they have guys that can get on the end of sets but lack the player that creates the play. Davis leads the league with 16 assists and has been the best playmaker in all of the MLS along with David Beckham (15 assists in just 26 games). Without Davis Houston are not a creative team and will come here to defend, particularly as it's being played on LA's home field. Houston on a 9 game unbeaten streak including the 3-1 win over LA's "B" team but lost here 1-0 earlier in the season. LA's home record is no joke...13 straight wins (13-0-0) in league & ccl matches since July 4 and haven't been defeated at home since Dallas in last year's playoffs, more than a year ago. Two great coaches that have won titles before but no doubt the pressure is on LA and Arena as he's yet to win a cup with the Galaxy and when you have Keane/Beckham/Juninho/Donovan making big bucks you have to win. Houston simply the inferior team on the road missing their best player. LA wins this 2-0

on a side note this has been an awful year for me as I'd never previously posted less than a 9% ROI in MLS. But, I'll still end up in the black despite some horrendous luck (25 games lost in final 10' versus 5 games won...yikes) so I'm happy about that

LA Galaxy 2u -150

 

[DialSquares]

gl in the final - i think what LA try to do to Robbie Keane was shameful and almost wants me to cheer for Houston.

but i never cheer against a fellow punter so Go Galaxy...hopefully keane wins a cup tells them to show it and comes back to Europe.

ps i'm sure most know but LA asked Robbie to skip the 2nd leg of Ireland's EURO qualifier and come back to USA...nevermind he's the captain and would have missed Ireland qualifying for something esp after the WC ripoff...shame...GL

 

[Mutiny]

A nice winner to end the year. Thanks again for taking the time to post. Hope to see you back here next season.

 

[rolltide]

LA really dominated the match. A good Keane goal was disallowed but then a Beckham to Keane to Donovan play won the match. LA deserving champs and very well could go down as the greatest team in MLS history. Pity they won't be able to keep these guys together for the spring's champions league knockout matches.

hmm, Dial, as far as Keane goes that stuff goes on all the time b/w club and country and with a 4-0 lead going into 2nd leg I don't mind the request at all. If it was 2-1 after first leg with result in doubt it would be a bit ignorant but at 4-0 there was really no need for a striker to have to play another 70' in 2nd leg, captain or not. As it was Keane was good last night but admitted he was dead tired from travelling from LA to Ireland to Estonia back to LA, plus playing 3 matches, in just 9 days. Hell of a week for him though!

LA 1-0 +2.00

59-53-7 +14.23 (staked 394.24, +3.6%)

frustrating season...see ya in the spring

 

[DialSquares]

congrats on the win - deserving victory in the end .. the question now is where do keane, becks, donavon go...gl this week

 

[rolltide]

i've heard Beckham to PSG...huge oil backing from them and a nice glitzy fit after Milan and LA. Posh will fit right in

Donovan will play in EPL for 2nd half of season, I think. Most likely suitor would be Everton...still is only 29 years old and I can't see him just spending the rest of his career in MLS. I'd be very disappointed if he never really gives europe a shot. He's still in his prime and can play a great 2.5 years in EPL then head back to MLS for the 2014 season.

Keane? no idea. he's made it a point that he will not consider a Euro loan move to play for 3 months then return to LA. my guess is he finds a cushy backup striker job in the EPL. Of the 3 I'd guess he's the most likely to return to LA but I think the brutal trips to go from LA to play for Ireland makes it less than 50%

speaking of these 3...their 12.2M salary is more than Houston's entire payroll...

 

[DialSquares]

i really haven't followed the life of soccer in North America but i thought leagues starting doing well then teams overpaid for players and in the end teams busted and leagues folded. I don't see it here but 3 players = entire team salary is crazy....but i think A-Rod made more than Pitts in MLB one year....

Keane could go back to Celtic but with EURO coming up maybe 3 months off would do him good - perhaps train with an EPL team but don't play. I would love him at Arsenal but i'm sure a famous Spur won't go to arsenal. And yes Posh did London, Madrid, LA and Paris would be the next great city. I thought Everton for Donovan too...they like him....just funny talking about multi-MLS players moving to top Euro clubs...proves the league in the USA is improving.