Welcome to Starting XI, our Friday rundown of what to watch for this weekend in MLS and beyond. And don't forget to get your Spanish-language fix with FutbolMLS.com.
Our recommended listening for an MLS Cup weekend comes from senior editor Matt Doyle: "This Is It" by Kenny Loggins. Stand up and fight!
- Click HERE for complete coverage of the MLS Cup Playoffs, presented by AT&T
1. LANDON'S LAST RIDE: I covered a few of the other storylines around Sunday's MLS Cup (3 pm ET; ESPN | UniMas | Univision Deportes | TSN1 | RDS2)HERE. Can Lee Nguyen keep raising the bar while recalibrating our expectations of technical, creative American attackers? Can Robbie Rogers continue his transformation to left back? Which of the big-name guys – Robbie Keane, Jermaine Jones, Omar Gonzalez – will show best?
All good questions, but here's the one I'm focused on: Which Landon Donovan will we see in his final act as a professional soccer player? – MATT DOYLE
2. ONE LAST TIME, FOR OLD TIME'S SAKE?: It's going to be either Jose Goncalves (New England Revolution captain) or Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy captain) taking the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy from MLS Commissioner Don Garber on Sunday afternoon at StubHub Center. But the situation could be interesting for Keane: Should the Galaxy win it, would the Irishman give Landon Donovan the honor of hoisting the trophy in his final MLS match ever? Donovan didn't do it for David Beckhamin the Englishman's MLS send-off in MLS Cup 2012 (WATCH video here) so history would tell you it's probably unlikely although fans might very well expect it. – SIMON BORG
3. RIDE THE HOT HAND?: The consensus heading into MLS Cup seems to be that the Galaxy are solid, if not overwhelming favorites. But should that be the case? If you subscribe to the old adage that getting hot at the right time matters in the playoffs, then maybe not.
Everyone knows about the Revs’ excellent form since the arrival of Jermaine Jones (11-1-2, including playoffs), and they’ve impressed throughout the postseason, with road wins at Columbus and New York. LA, arguably playing a tougher schedule, are not on the same kind of roll (7-3-4 in the same span). If the hot hand means anything, the Revs might have a better chance than you think on Sunday.– NICHOLAS ROSANO
4. TEST OF STRENGTH: Along the backline the Revolution have the 2013 Defender of the Year (Jose Goncalves), a former No. 1 overall pick (Andrew Farrell), and two veterans with a combined 11 years of experience (AJ Soares and Chris Tierney). You would think that would be a recipe for a Top 5 defense, but they finished in the middle of the pack during the regular season and have shipped six goals in four playoff games so far. Can they hold up under the pressure from the record-breaking attack of the Galaxy (MLS high 69 goals)? – BEN BAER
5. IS AIRWOLF AVAILABLE?: Robert Kraft has won his share of Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots, but his MLS team? They’re the Buffalo Bills of North American soccer. Kraft is hoping that all changes on Sunday. The longtime Revs owner said this week he’ll be on hand when his club takes on the Galaxy at StubHub Center, the fifth title game appearance for the Revs, who are 0-4 in MLS championship games.
Kraft is also planning on attending the Patriots-Chargers game in San Diego on Sunday night, "As long as we get the helicopter permits,” Kraft said. "It is an important game for the Patriots and San Diego is a tough team. But if we win the MLS Cup and I am there celebrating with our team … well, I might be a little late." – NICK FIRCHAU
6. MR. CONSISTENCY: LA Galaxy captain Robbie Keane was the best player in MLS this year. I still think it's debateable as to whether or not he was "Most Valuable," but... well, the voting wasn't even close. And what's scary for the rest of the league is that Keane's season is one he looks very much able to repeat again, and again, and again.
Can he do it on Sunday, though? Keane has only one goal his last five games, and it's not for a lack of quality chances. The MVP has to play like one, or the Galaxy could be in big, big trouble. – MATT DOYLE
7. FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME: The disparity in previous MLS Cups won by Galaxy and Revolution players is pretty stark, with just two won by New England players (Teal Bunbury and Andre Akpan), while 17 LA players have tasted a championship -- and if Landon Donovan wins, it'll be for a record 6th time. Will that big-game experience come to bear on Sunday in favor of LA? – ALICIA RODRIGUEZ
8. JJ'S PARTY PASSES: Los Angeles is unquestionably Jermaine Jones' stomping grounds, and it's where he'll lift MLS Cup if the Revs can take down the Galaxy. It's also where his seemingly ever-expanding (and adorable) family lives. It's where he plays flag football with Chris Brown, Wale and "Iceman" Chuck Liddell. It's where Charlie Sheen took a dip in a No. 13 USMNT shirt. The question is not whether Jones will have a little LA shindig this weekend, it's which of his celebrity friends will show up. – ANDREW WIEBE
10. D-DAY: Saturday promises to be a captivating day for the United States women’s national team, which will get their first glimpse at the challenge ahead in next summer’s Women’s World Cup in Canada. The Americans are once again the top-ranked team in the world and will take one of the seeded spots at the World Cup draw in Ottawa on Saturday. The hope is that they won’t be drawn into a group with Sweden, who beat the US in the Algarve Cup in March and in the group stage in 2011. – NICK FIRCHAU
11. A LONG TIME AGO, IN A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY: That's a freaking Jabulani: – MATT DOYLE
