Playoffs... Playoffs?

1) Ole Ole Ole, And Other Corporate Cheers: It's playoffs time, and you know that makes us weak in the knees. First up is the classic matchup between Blanco's Red Mexican Fire against the Patriots's Side Project in New England. Hopefully Chicago can take this series. The last thing I want to see is another final with Taylor Twellman crying his "almost good enough" eyes out. More on New England in "Rant You." Lots of great games on the way, not enough on national tv, but still some good games. Surprise showing, Real Salt Lake squeaked in, and now gets to show off badass Rio Tinto Stadium just a few weeks after opening it. Good for the Mormons, should be a nice time to build a supporters group. Favorite matchup in the first round goes to Columbus Crew against the Kansas City Wizards. Sure it won't be on ESPN, but these two teams have shown well both on the field, and in creating atmosphere this season. Either city will look great in the Conference Finals.

Predictions:
Chicago Beats New England on Aggregate Goals 4-2.
Columbus Takes KC down 3-1.
Houston Dynamo ease into the Conference Finals beating NY Red Bulls 5-1.
Chivas USA will beat Real Salt Lake 3-2 after a long dog fight (don't count out some overtime here).

2) Rant You: I hate you New England Revolution. I hate your weak stadium that is built on the cheating wins of your American Football team. I hate Tom Brady. I hate your fans. I hate your bad weather finals on artificial turf in front of NOBODY. Don't get me wrong supporters, you are working hard to create atmosphere, but you sound like poop, and despite your best efforts you all look no better than FCD, or Colorado Crapids. Most of all I hate that ESPN always shows your team, in your stadium. It looks like you have 72 fans there, and your stadium can hold 68,000. Why does ESPN choose to go there every year?? One thing you have in your favor is that Shalrie Joseph is an absolute pimp. I can't hate on him. But the rest of you can go blow chowder as far as I am concerned.

3) London Calling? No, Saudi Arabia? This will be quick. There's a new underwear model in Major League Soccer. Freddie Ljundberg of Swedish National Team, Arsenal (9 seasons), and West Ham (1 just a season), has been introduced to the world as the Seattle Sounders Designated Player. The press conference was pretty sweet. You might want to check it out, click here. Joe Roth, the movie producer owner guy was talking about something pretty interesting. He basically said what they want to do in Seattle is put Major League Soccer on the forefront, the mainstream of the city's sport. Instead of being the back story, or an occasional link to a David Beckham story, they want Seattle Sounders FC to be the major sport, or at least one of them, in Seattle. Hey, if anyone can do it, I would say Seattle can. And in a related story, apparently David Beckham is showing his absolute commitment and love to Los Angeles by leaving. He's on his way to Milan, to suck a few more caps out of Fabio Capello, and try and make some history. Meanwhile, Landon Donovan has been filling out resumes for English and Spanish teams left and right. He wants to play there. He'll tell you all about it. And in another related story Jimmy cracked corn... Good luck douchebag, I hear La Liga and EPL have nothing on a bottomdweller German team like you played* for a few years back. (* Sat the bench until your sobbing ass got to go back to southern california).

4) I Be DonG- State of The League: The League got a sick new trophy. They named it after the Galaxy's devil, Anschutz. But nevertheless (see we know big words), it's sick! So might I add, is the state of the league. The stadiums keep on coming, better than the ones before them, and there are more supporters groups in every city than anyone ever dreamed of. The new cities want in all over our country, and even in our inbred brothers to the north. On top of that, it seems funny to me that 2 years ago when someone named David said he was coming to America everybody laughed, and now 2 years in to that career, one of the top teams on the planet have finally brokered a deal to get his services for 2-3 months on loan. I would say MLS is on the map, even if they don't see that yet. Holler.

5) "I said Joe Montegna:" Guess what homos, we are bringing the SacUnitedSoccerBlog's Hottest Soccer Mom Contest Back!! Look for more details later this week, with an added bonus, your official invitation to our MLS Cup Party on November 23rd. It's going to be money, and full of your Sacramento Hot Soccer Moms. Don't Miss it. Did I mention we added a fantastic new sponsor? Check it out, this guy is the best. More on that later this week as well.

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