2006 MLS CUP Reax
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by user UNT66
Sunday Afternoon at Pizza Hut Park, the Houston Dynamo were crowned the Champions of Major League Soccer, after they defeated the New England Revolution 4-3 in the Penalty Kick Shootout after the match was square at 1-1 after extra time.
For the Revolution, they scored the initial goal of the game in the second half of extra time in the 113th of the match, as forward Taylor Twellman was able to find space along the left side of the field and sent a shot that beat Dynamo goaltender Pat Onstad inside the far post.
For the Dynamo, their goal came a minute later as forward Brian Ching evaded the Revs defense and powered a header past Revolution Goaltender Matt Reis.
After the goal, the game was deadlocked till till shootout, when the Dynamo won the shootout in the last round as Brian Ching converted and Revolution defender Jay Heaps was stopped by Pat Onstad, giving Houston their first MLS championship in their first year after they relocated from San Jose this past offseason.
Notes:
MVP Ching:
For Brian Ching, he earned MVP honors of the game with the game tying goal and the kick that gave Houston the lead in the shootout.... A lead they would hold on to.
Yet, for the entire game, he was more active then his counterpart Taylor Twellman, who was bottled up except for his goal.
In a way, this game was a statement as he ended up being the difference in a match and turned around a disappointing 2006 World Cup where Bruce Arena, the former head coach and a broadcaster at the game for ESPN, never used Ching as a starter or a substitute in Germany.
For Ching, this had to be retribution for all those who wanted to see him see the field during the failed run of the Americans in July.
Houston Dynamo Fans:
The record crowd at PHP was dominated by Dynamo fans who made the trip up to Frisco and turned the normally red seats into a sea of Orange.
During the game, they were boisterous, waved banner, large jerseys, streamers and even set off a couple flares that light up the sky.
Infact, one of the orange flares landed on the field, giving the scene a shade of orange on the turf. For all those fans from Houston who ventured to the Metroplex, I salute you and wish that FC Dallas had a passionate fan base like that.....
De Rosario:
Dwayne De Rosario may have played his last game as a Dynamo on Sunday, as Toronto FC looks to do everything they can to bring one of the league's best players up North for the 2007 season.
You see, De Rosario is a Canadian and with Toronto FC coming into the league next season, he will be an asset to their club as he will seen as a domestic player if he joins their organization, according to MLS Rules.
Thus, look for the orange jersey to turn red in the offseason, if via a trade or the expansion draft.
Revolution Woes at MLS Cup:
For the Revs, they are no 0-3 in MLS Cup play and will have to look to next year in order for their next shot at the league title.
Yet, consider this:
Clint Dempsey probably played his last game in MLS, as his stock is rising to a level that a transfer to a European Club looks certain.
For Taylor Twellman, he is a player that should command some interest as well. The Revolution's leader in goal scoring the last two years has also made noise about moving to Europe in the near future.
Add to those facts to a team that finally got a goal in MLS Cup after going scoreless in 346 minutes, spanning two 120 minutes games and a third game that nearly went into the shootout scoreless, and it looked like the Revs would finally win the MLS Championship after Twellman broke through and marked the scoresheet......
Yet, Houston would not be denied of their first title as they quickly struck down any thoughts of a New England Championship......
Steve Nicol:
If there was anyone who deserved the Beating of the Game, it was Revs coach who once again positioned his team to play a boring game. For the third straight time, New England played an MLS Cup that was a snoozer until the end of the second extra time session.
I'm sure ESPN wasn't thrilled with how the game was played, as they are trying to sell this sport to an NFL crazy nation that would much rather see the Cowboys romp the Cardinals 27 to 10. Yet, they have to show the game that's in front of them. Once again, a Steve Nicol led team bogged down the game .....
Shame on you, Steve!
Beckham Rule:
For all those who don't know about the Designated Player Rule, just think of one player: David Beckham.
You see, MLS wants Beckham to play in North America...... but they have a salary cap system.
The Designated Player now allows team to sign one player for a gargantuan contract, but the team would only be charged $400,000 on their cap. Right now, Only Carlos Ruiz and Landon Donovan will not be effected by this rule.
Thus, look for teams to now make huge signings with the hopes of bringing fans to their stadiums. Yet, this rule is meant for Beckham.
MLS Fans: Spice up your life as they look to gain superstars from across the globe. I just hope they acquire players who have a major portion of their career intact, instead of a fading stars who wants to cash in....
JG
