The month of September is desperately in need of some good PR.
Kids everywhere bemoan this time of the year because it means they're back in classrooms wearing uncomfortable clothes. No one on the planet seems to vacation during this month. Its main holiday of Labor Day is a downer when compared to what lies ahead in October, November and December. And even though fall starts up in September, those of us in the Northeast don't get to enjoy watching the leaves turn color until a few weeks before Halloween.
Plus, there's that whole "September Morn" thing that many Neil Diamond fans pretend did not happen.
Personally, I think the month is underrated. It just has a bad rap. If you're a TV junkie in the way that I am, you've already fired up the TiVo for the "Survivor: Guatemala" premiere on Thursday, the "King of Queens" premiere next Monday and the long-awaited fifth season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" that starts on Sept. 25.
And if you want to mix in a little drama, look no further than Major League Soccer. OK, wait, that's not entirely true. The Western Conference is on cruise control right now since Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA are out of the playoff race and - barring a major collapse - San Jose has secured home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Eastern Conference is where the fun lies. It's the Wisteria Lane of MLS. Outside of knowing that New England is Teri Hatcher or Eva Longoria, depending on where your tastes lie (has there ever been a better non-sports-related bar argument?), the rest of the teams are all looking like Marcia Cross: a little crazy, a bit weathered and as unpredictable as the climate.
As the big shots at MLS settle into their new digs on Fifth Avenue, they have to be snickering at the chaos they created by moving Kansas City to the Eastern Conference. Just as expected, the Wizards have shifted the entire power structure of the league. For the past handful of seasons, some could argue that the Western Conference was stronger due to the Landon Donovan-led San Jose squads that won two championships in three years and the Galaxy juggernaut that shined under Sigi Schmid at the beginning of the decade. It's also worth noting that four of the last five MLS Cup titles have gone to clubs out West.
San Jose may very well claim its third Cup in 10 years later this fall. But if that is to happen the Quakes will surely have a much easier time getting to Frisco for that final match in November than whomever they match up against from the East.
It's a dogfight right now for the MetroStars, Chicago, Kansas City and even D.C. United, despite the fact that Peter Nowak's side has won two of their last three and now sits in second place behind New England. What adds to the mayhem are the little dramas unfolding within each franchise, as well. And there are none bigger than in MetroLand.
It's no secret that Bob Bradley is fighting for his job right now. Just look at the circles under his eyes these days. He's like a prizefighter who refuses to go down to the canvas. If you want to see the real passion, watch his team a little more closely this weekend, too. They're not only fighting for their playoff lives, but they are also fighting for their head coach. That makes this bunch a very, very dangerous opponent for the Revs this weekend.
With 37 points, the Metros trail Chicago and Kansas City by five points going into the weekend. They are facing a Revs side that has won three matches in a row and is one of only three teams to have a winning record on the road this year. At this point in time, three points are practically an absolute must for Bradley and his troops.
Yet, even if the MetroStars rack up points down the stretch, there's hardly a guarantee that they will get in to the postseason because of the ground that has to be made up. It's very likely that we're looking at a Metros side that could rival the Miami Fusion from 2000 (41 points) as the best team not to qualify for the playoffs. And if they finish with a winning record, they'll become just the second team to miss the playoffs with such a mark. (Powered by 10 shootout wins, the 1999 San Jose Clash failed to get in with a 19-13 record.)
It won't be easy for Chicago, either. Four of their remaining six matches are on the road, which includes away dates against both conference leaders. For a team that saw their playoff dreams go up in smoke on the final day of the season last year against the Revolution, it's almost a cruel joke that they have to go into Gillette Stadium on Oct. 15 to close out the season. For that match not to mean anything and serve as nothing more than a tuneup for the playoffs, Dave Sarachan's plucky side will likely have to hold serve at home against the MetroStars 10 days before.
That's a match that is quickly becoming a circle-your-calendar event. Consider the following: outside of the obvious playoff implications, you have Bradley returning to an area where he is still beloved to coach against a group that is also playing for more than themselves. Don't think for a moment that there are not several longtime members of the Fire trying to send departing general manager Peter Wilt out on top. It'll also mark the return of Ante Razov to Chi-town, as well. Somehow, despite playing for two clubs this season, the lethal striker has yet to play in his former city.
If that's not enough to keep your interest over the next five weeks, there is one final ongoing mini-drama to monitor: the Robert Warzycha Watch in Columbus. Here's a guy that has gone 5-3-1 since taking over for Greg Andrulis, and yet word is it's now just a matter of time until Sigi Schmid takes over. Not signing Warzycha to at least a one-year deal would have been like the Revolution not granting Steve Nicol a contract after he spent half of a season cleaning up Fernando Clavijo's mess back in 2002.
It's all starting to unfold. Much like the mini-soap operas that are starting fresh to heat up the weeknights to perfectly complement the T.O./McNabb saga on Sundays, MLS will undoubtedly fill in the gaps with the perfect dose of intrigue on Saturdays.
Go ahead and have your half-day Fridays in July and 100-degree scorchers in August. I'll take the promise of crisp weather at nights, new episodes of "Lost" and the overall drama of the playoff races in MLS and baseball that the early fall always brings.
Marc Connolly writes for several other publications. This column runs each Wednesday on MLSnet.com and Marc can be reached at marc@oakwoodsoccer.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs
