and their MLS Cup win over the Galaxy in 2002 -- undoubtedly makes them L.A.'s biggest rival, but it'll take more victories to make them Bogey-ish.
3. MetroStars ... Bogey Team: Chicago Fire. In addition to the current streak of eight games, Metro are just 2-10-2 (.214) against Chicago since 2000. Metro fans will probably date their ill-feeling about Chicago back to the 2000 playoffs and Razov's injury-time game-winner in Game 3. Since that game, it's been just about all Fire and the defeats for Metro only seem to get more and more agonizing (see Dema Kovalenko, Beasley and Razov net last-second winners for the Fire at Giants Stadium; see Damani Ralph win the Open Cup ...). Is there an end in sight?
2. New England Revolution ... Bogey Team: San Jose Earthquakes. When the Revs lost to San Jose at the Big Razor earlier this year, it was their seventh loss in the last eight games against the Quakes (the eighth was a tie), all since 2001. But the Kansas City Wizards have been no treat either for the Revs: They are just 1-5-2 (.250) against the Wiz since 2000 and are just one more loss or tie away from joining that eight-game list up top, as they've gone 0-5-2 over their last seven meetings. The Revs get their chance to end that skid on June 2 at Arrowhead; they'll have to wait 'til July 31 to break the San Jose run.
1. San Jose Earthquakes ... Bogey Team: Chicago Fire. Like the Wizards, the Quakes are probably not all that distraught over their 1-3-6 (.400) record against the Fire since 2000 because in the biggest matchup of them all, MLS Cup 2003, the Quakes prevailed. We should also point out, as a courtesy to all those who bled aquamarine blue, the Quakes went just 1-3-0 (.250) in their final four matchups with the Tampa Bay Mutiny.
Jeff Bradley is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine. Send your comments and complaints (200 words or less, please) to Jeff and he promises to read (but not respond to) all of them. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author's, and not necessarily those of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
