What's your prediction for MLS Cup?
Each week this season, the MLSsoccer.com editors shared their picks ahead of the league matches. Nine months after it all started, it's come down to this: MLS Cup.
Here are their picks for the fight for silverware between the LA Galaxy and Houston Dynamo ahead of Saturday's final (4:30 pm ET; ESPN, Telefutura, TSN/RDS in Canada). Only one, Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle, picked the Dynamo, while the remaining seven editors predicted the Galaxy to repeat as champions and send David Beckham out on a high note.
Disagree? Make your voice heard in the poll to the right!
<strong>Editor</strong> |
<strong>Score</strong> |
<strong>Comment</strong>s |
<strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/lalas-headshot.png" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong><p class="rtecenter"><strong>Greg Lalas</strong><br><em>Editor-In-Chief</em></p> |
<br><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/losangeles_150.png" style="width: 35px; height: 35px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2-1</span> |
The best counterattacking team in MLS history has all of their weapons cocked, locked, and ready to rock. Keane, Donovan, Beckham. 'Nuff said. |
<br><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/jfminimug.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong><p><strong>Jonah Freedman</strong><br><em>Managing Editor</em></p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/losangeles_150.png" style="width: 35px; height: 35px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">3-2</span> |
They'll have to work harder this year than last, but in the end, the final outcome will be the same. LA are just too patient in the way they attack and will be completely fine to be repeatedly stifled by Houston's lockdown defense. With Donovan, Keane, Beckham and Magee buzzing, the dam will eventually break.<br> |
<strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/nickfirchau.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong><p class="rtecenter"><strong>Nick Firchau</strong><br><em>Senior Editor</em></p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/houston_150.png" style="width: 35px; height: 35px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2-1</span> |
Heart. They've got a lot of heart, and heart wins out over hype. Did I mention Heart? I love that band.<br> |
<em><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/mattdoyle.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong></em><p class="rtecenter"><strong>Matt Doyle</strong><br><em>Armchair Analyst</em></p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/houston_150.png" style="width: 35px; height: 35px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2-1</span> |
Whenever I pick "2-1" as the final score, that means I simply have no idea what's going to happen, but believe that both teams are too good to get shut out. As for going with the Dynamo... I don't mind being out on that limb. The Galaxy are very beatable if you pin their fullbacks, which Seattle did very, very well in the second leg of the Western Conference Championship. Chances are Dom Kinnear will have watched that particular match once or twice. |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/borgheadshot%28small%29.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><p class="rtecenter"><strong>Simon Borg</strong><br><em>Senior Editor</em></p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/losangeles_150.png" style="width: 35px; height: 35px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2-1</span> |
They will find it much easier to score goals, and it comes down to talent. Better talent and quicker players. Houston's going to struggle. |
<strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Jasonsaghini.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong><p class="rtecenter"><strong>Jason Saghini</strong><br><em>Director of Video</em></p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/losangeles_150.png" style="width: 35px; height: 35px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">1-0</span> |
<p>This may not be what I want to happen - everyone would love a shootout - but these teams are too savvy to let things get out of control. After two weeks off, expect a feeling out period, a sense of caution, and a deliberate chess match. In the end, LA has too many difference makers, and that will get them the goal they need.</p>
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<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Wiebe-head-shot.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><p class="rtecenter"><strong>Andrew Wiebe</strong><br><em>Editor</em></p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/losangeles_150.png" style="width: 35px; height: 35px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2-1</span> |
They found chances hard to come by in 2011, but the Dynamo are going to push the Galaxy to limit this time around with Oscar Boniek Garcia and Brad Davis providing the impetus and Will Bruin acting as the spear point. It won't be enough to keep LA from sealing dynasty status, however, as Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan strike twice to seal a second straight title in front of their home fans. |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/300e2c7.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><p class="rtecenter"><strong>Nicholas Rosano</strong><br><em>Editor</em></p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/losangeles_150.png" style="width: 35px; height: 35px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2-1</span> |
They're better than Houston. I'm going with the David Beckham free kick goal. He's gonna pull something out on his last day, I think Donovan's gonna be on form. I just think it's going to be LA's day. |
