Post by dragoncat on Nov 23, 2009 15:49:31 GMT
Real Salt Lake stunned all 3 people who cared in the MLS cup final last night as they defeated heavily favored L.A. Galaxy to win the clubs' first MLS Cup. After two scoreless overtime periods the match was decided in penalties. Highly overpaid hairdresser-challenged David Beckham converted the first penalty with ease but was later seen nestling Landycakes Donovan in his bossom after he sent his kick sailing high into the cheap seats, a penalty miss so poor that its equal has not been seen on American soil since Baggio '94.
For those unacustomed to American football, note that MLS table standings have almost nothing to do with crowning the league champion (RSL had a losing record during the regular season!). Being first place on the table earns you a trophy called the Supporters' Shield, however the Supporters' Shield is only equivalent to England's League Cup in relative importance.
The teams on the top half of the table play in what we call the "postseason" or "playoffs" which is the format for crowning champions in all mainstream American sports. This is a controversial format to American hardcore fans who are well-seasoned in the ways of European football and would prefer to see champions crowned on the basis of overall league performance, arguing that players are less inclined to perform at their peak level knowing that regular season game outcomes are relatively unimportant in the long run. Hardcore fans have also been crying out for a promotion/relegation system with the lower tier USL leagues. However promotion/relegation is nowhere near the horizon as the MLS is unlikely to attract expansion franchises and investors if they face the risk of being relegated to a less profitable 2nd tier.
In conclusion, American football is shit, and the fact that Salt Lake is the champion proves it.
For those unacustomed to American football, note that MLS table standings have almost nothing to do with crowning the league champion (RSL had a losing record during the regular season!). Being first place on the table earns you a trophy called the Supporters' Shield, however the Supporters' Shield is only equivalent to England's League Cup in relative importance.
The teams on the top half of the table play in what we call the "postseason" or "playoffs" which is the format for crowning champions in all mainstream American sports. This is a controversial format to American hardcore fans who are well-seasoned in the ways of European football and would prefer to see champions crowned on the basis of overall league performance, arguing that players are less inclined to perform at their peak level knowing that regular season game outcomes are relatively unimportant in the long run. Hardcore fans have also been crying out for a promotion/relegation system with the lower tier USL leagues. However promotion/relegation is nowhere near the horizon as the MLS is unlikely to attract expansion franchises and investors if they face the risk of being relegated to a less profitable 2nd tier.
In conclusion, American football is shit, and the fact that Salt Lake is the champion proves it.