MLS 2009 Playoffs: Battle in Seattle

By: Rocky Cole | November 18th, 2009

Becks-do1 Beckerman-do

It is not just that Real Salt Lake’s captain, Kyle Beckerman, has been working on his dreadlocks longer than the LA Galaxy’s David Beckham has been coifed with an under-cut resembling a mullet with a racing-strip, that leads me to predict RSL as the 2009 MLS Cup winner. Rather, it is that RSL is peaking at the right time and relishes the underdog role. I will hazard a guess that not many soccer commentators and fans outside of Utah predicted RSL would get this far. But then again, the same could be said of the LA Galaxy after last season’s dismal finish at the bottom of the table. Add the supposed “failure” of “The Beckham Experiment”, and LA wasn’t on the top of anyone’s pre-season MLS Cup prediction. But Beckham proved he is not just a pretty face with fashion-forward hair, and the Galaxy rallied under Bruce Arena to go from worst to first in the West. RSL, as did the Galaxy, exceeded early expectations, and scraped into the playoffs despite their horrendous road record. Regardless of how their road season began, RSL’s post-season road-wins have put them in the final. RSL has taken on some of the never-quit-no-matter-what attitude of their coach, Jason Kreis, and RSL believes in their own ability to win the cup. In a head-to-head match LA and RSL are fairly even. Both teams have tremendous defense, and this has kept both teams in games all season long. RSL’s strikers, especially Robbie Findley and Yura Movsisyan will get shots off against the Galaxy and RSL’s back line will have no compunction about roughing up Landon Donovan and any other LA strikers – except perhaps Alan Gordon. The battle for the cup will likely be waged in the midfield. Both teams have strong and deep midfields, but the depth edge probably goes to RSL. Beckham continues to place balls on-target from his wide position and creates offensive chances on all set-plays. Kyle Beckerman will likely be in a battle with Beckham and LA all night for control of the midfield. Whoever wins the midfield “Battle-in Seattle”… wins the game.