MLS Keepy Uppy Part 2
| 4
|
Some fantastic news surrounding Major League Soccer as the MLS Cup Final quickly approaches. First off, congratulations to the Houston Dynamo and the New England Revolution as these two will once more meet at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. to determine the 2007 league champion. Last season saw Houston run out as MLS Cup winners. A thrilling match in which both teams scored in extra time thereby bringing the match to penalty kicks. Houston outlasted New England in the penalties by a 4-3 margin. This year's cup final should be a very interesting match because New England has chance to earn their first domestic double. Earlier in the year the Revs won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup by defeating FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park 3-2. That was the first major trophy that the Revs earned in their existance. The MLS Cup Final will be aired on ABC-TV on Sunday November 18 starting from noon. Good luck to both teams and here's hoping that the match is a showcase for the league.
Long time Chicago Fire and US Men's National Team player Chris Armas is scheduled to announce his retirement from the game today. The midfielder has served the Fire for 10 seasons and has played in MLS for a total of 12 seasons. The New York native finishes his career tied eighth overall in league games played (264), sixth in games started (260), and sixth in minutes played (23,027). He earned 66 caps for the United States, scoring two goals during his national team career (1998-2005). Good luck to Chris and thanks for a job well done.
Finally, Seattle has been chosen as the site for the newest MLS franchise. The team will tentatively join the league for play in the 2009 season. The team will be owned by Hollywood movie studio executive Joe Roth, Seattle Sounders managing partner Adrian Hanauer and Vulcan Sports and Entertainment, the owner of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks. No official word on what the name of the franchise will be but for my money the best choice is to go with the traditional name of Seattle Sounders. The Sounders started in the old North American Soccer League and played there from 1974 until 1983. The NASL version of the Sounders made it all the way to two Soccer Bowls in 1977 and 1982 losing both times to the New York Cosmos. The Sounders have recently competed in the United Soccer Leagues First Division since 1994 and have won the First Division title 4 times in 1995, 1996, 2005 and 2007. Seattle becomes the league's 15th team with the reintroduction of the San Jose Earthquakes next season. MLS has stated that their intention is to get the league to 16 teams by the 2010 season so more expansion news is certainly in the making.
Good luck to the Dynamo and the Revs and welcome back San Jose and hello to Seattle, I am really liking where MLS is going and my interest in the league continues to grow after every season. I never thought I would say it but MLS is now firmly seated as the second best North American sports league in my realm of interests. I still like the National Hockey League as the best North American league but MLS is closing the margin quickly.
