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      MLS Cup Playoffs: Galaxy advance to next round

      November 8, 2009 /

      Donovan

      I spent a good half hour trying to figure out the MLS Cup Playoffs system. Teams don’t compete in multi-game series like other sports. The playoffs start with eight clubs split into the Conference Semifinals. Two games are played in this round, conducted by a home-and-away, aggregate goal format. Thus, the team that scores the most goals after the two matches advances. The Conference Championships are next, followed by — you guessed it — the MLS Cup.

      I’m not even going to get started on tiebreakers because I want to be in bed before sunrise.

      Come to think of it, the format isn’t too hard to explain — just strange. For more information, written by a qualified individual, click here.

      The Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA entered today’s competition tied at two goals a piece. Technically, the Galaxy had home field advantage even though they share the same stadium. Fans were treated to an impressive first half as both teams moved moved the ball well and played their hearts out in the box. At the half, each squad only had two shots on goal. Considering the four goals in the first game (finishing in a 2-2 tie), this match was much more contained.

      The Galaxy instantly increased their attack in the second half. Landon Donovan, Edson Buddle, and Mike Magee had numerous scoring opportunities. Playing with an encouraging focus, David Beckham consistently set up his offense, at one point making a beautiful lob over the Chivas defense to a breaking Donovan. Still, neither team could put the ball in the net. Just when it looked like this game was heading into overtime, the Galaxy were awarded a penalty kick after Magee was taken down inside the box by Yamith Cuesta. Donovan subsequently scored on the kick, completely fooling Chivas goalie Zach Thornton.

      In the 78th minute, Galaxy coach Bruce Arena removed a limping Beckham from the match. Based on different reports, the British footballer may or may not be inured. The camera caught Beckham holding his ribs and grimacing in pain, so something is obviously wrong. Nevertheless, he won’t miss the team’s next match. Deep down, the guy wants to win — wherever he’s playing.

      On November 13, the Galaxy will host the Houston Dynamo in the Western Conference Championship.

      Soccer

      Saints still unbeatable

      November 8, 2009 /

      For the second week in a row, a division rival walked into the Superdome and punched the Saints in the mouth in the first half. Just as the Falcons did on Monday night earlier in the week, the Panthers took a 17-6 lead into halftime on Sunday and looked to have the Saints on the ropes.

      But the Saints never packed down, didn’t beat themselves and once again came away with a victory.

      Drew Brees completed 24-of-35 passes for 330 yards, one touchdown and one interception to lead New Orleans past the Panthers, 30-20. As usual, Brees was calm and cool despite some early mistakes that cost his team and he spread the ball around to take advantage of holes in Carolina’s stingy secondary.

      These past two wins for the Saints are perhaps more impressive than any in previous weeks. It’s not a shock that Atlanta and Carolina hung with New Orleans on its home turf, because the Falcons and Panthers are familiar with the Saints and Sean Payton’s tendencies. Yet in the end, the Saints proved to be the better team on both sides of the ball and it’s no surprise that they’re running away with the NFC South. (Not to mention the top seed in the NFC.)

      There are two more games on the Saints schedule that I’m interested to see how they respond in: Home against the Patriots in Week 12 and at Atlanta in Week 14. Can New Orleans beat (one of) the best the AFC has to offer? And if the Falcons keep things somewhat close in the division, can New Orleans go into Atlanta and beat a good division rival on the road? As of right now, I’ll say an unwavering “yes” to both.

      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL

      The NFC North is the most overrated division in the NFL

      November 8, 2009 /

      Once Brett Favre signed with the Vikings and the Bears acquired Jay Cutler this offseason, pundits couldn’t help but to gush over how good the NFC North Division would be.

      But now that nine weeks are in the books, it’s clear that the NFC North is the most overrated division in football.

      With Favre under center, the Vikings have been as good as advertised this season. But the Bears were crushed 41-21 at home by the Cardinals on Sunday and the Packers lost 38-28 to the freaking winless Buccaneers and rookie quarterback Josh Freeman, who was making his first career start.

      Turnovers killed Green Bay today in Tampa. The Packers managed to rack up 404 yards of total offense, 170 yards on the ground (Ryan Grant was effective) and also held the Bucs to just 81 rushing yards of their own. But Aaron Rodgers was intercepted three times, including once with time ticking down in the fourth to seal Green Bay’s fate. (Tanard Jackson returned the interception 35 yards for a touchdown to put Tampa Bay up for good at 38-28.)

      Somehow, the Packers allowed Freeman to throw three touchdown passes without much threat of a running game. Freeman was far from perfect as he threw an interception, struggled with his accuracy and fumbled a snap (which was recovered by Tampa). But he was solid in the second half, showed nice poise for being a rookie and bought extra time for himself while scrambling out of trouble. Head coach Raheem Morris said his rookie signal caller was ready to play coming into the game and it showed.

      The Packers still haven’t beaten a team with a winning record this season. I’ll be the first to admit that I was wrong when I said in the preseason that they were Super Bowl contenders. They haven’t been able to overcome the injuries on the offensive line and the defense has been inconsistent. Rodgers wasn’t great today, but for the most part he has kept his team in games on his own by buying himself extra time to find open receivers.

      Green Bay’s schedule is tougher in the second half than it was in the first. This is an 8-8 team at best and so are the Bears (if that). That’s not exactly what most pundits had in mind when they were talking up the NFC North in preseason.

      NFL

      2009 AFC North Champion…Bengals?

      November 8, 2009 /

      With their impressive 17-7 win over the Ravens on Sunday, the Bengals have set themselves up to win the AFC North.

      Yeah, yeah I know – the Steelers have yet to play this week and they could have an identical record as Cincinnati if they win Monday night in Denver. They also host the Bengals next week.

      But don’t forget that Cincy has already beaten Pittsburgh once this year and the Steelers will be coming off a short week of rest after playing what should be a very physical game against the Broncos. Plus, after playing in Pittsburgh next week, the Bengals take on well-known powerhouses in the Raiders, Browns and Lions, and also have the Chiefs in Week 16. If they can beat the Steelers next week, they’re set up for an 11 or 12-win season.

      The Bengals owe most of their success to Cedric Benson and an underrated defense. Benson rushed 34 times for 117 yards and a touchdown in the win over Baltimore and is now on pace for 1,674 yards and 12 scores. He has really found himself in Cincinnati after stealing paychecks in Chicago.

      The defense has been exceptional as well. To hold a potent Baltimore offense to only seven points is quite an accomplishment and the job Jonathan Joseph and Leon Hall did on the Ravens’ receivers was outstanding. Joe Flacco had no one to throw to because his receivers couldn’t get open and he wound up throwing two interceptions. All in all, it was an impressive performance by a Bengals team that has its sights on a division title.

      On the other side, this was a punch to the gut for the Ravens, who thought they had ironed out some issues with their win over the Broncos last Sunday. But they ran into a well-rested, well-prepared Cincinnati team that clearly has their number this season.

      NFL

      Kris Brown ruined a lot of people’s days today

      November 8, 2009 /

      Kris Brown made a 56-yard field goal Sunday right before half. But before you celebrate, realize that the joker also missed a 42-yarder as time expired in the Texans’ 20-17 loss to the Colts. Had he made it, Houston would have tied the game and had a chance to win in overtime.

      Now, I realize that a 42-yarder is no chip shot and given that the game was on the line, it was a pressure situation for Brown. But come on – it was a 42-yarder indoors and he had just converted a freaking 56-yarder two quarters before that. His team just busted its ass getting into field goal range in hopes to tie things up and he misses one from a distance of 14 yards less than one he had converted from earlier in the game. Kind of ridiculous when you think about it.

      Nevertheless, the Colts remain undefeated on the season and this was an impressive win given the amount of injuries Indy has in the secondary. The Texans can really move the ball through the air and yet the Colts still managed to intercept Matt Schaub twice and hold Houston to 17 points.

      That said, Indy won’t stay undefeated for very long if it can’t find some more offensive balance. I realize Peyton Manning is going to give them a chance to win every Sunday, but for the most part the 49ers and Texans did a nice job of keeping the Colts out of the end zone the past two weeks. The Colts are moving the ball successfully, but they’re turning into Boise State in the red zone because they don’t have a power running game to get them closer to the goal line. It’ll be interesting to see if the Colts can correct that moving forward.

      NFL

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