Celticrugby
Nov 21 2003, 01:46 PM
The matchup takes place in California and is between the Chicago Fire and San Jose Earthquakes. Who do you have winning the match?
I'll say the Fire 2-1.
Here is some more info for those of you who aren't that familiar with the MLS:
Why the Quakes Could Win: Should San Jose reverse its recent form and grab an early lead, it could be lights out for the Fire. The Quakes are undefeated in 48 consecutive regular- and postseason matches in which they led at halftime, by far the longest in MLS history. San Jose has posted a 44–0–4 record since April 3, 1999 when leading at the half, including 3–0 in the playoffs. (Note: Chicago has outscored San Jose 9–1 in the first half-hour of their 17 regular-season matches, with a 7–0 margin over the past five seasons.)
Why the Quakes Could Win, Part 2: Frank Yallop’s career average of 2.2 subs used per regular-season game is the lowest in MLS history (minimum: 50 games). But during the playoffs, Yallop’s substitutions have been frequent and effective. Yallop has used 31 subs in 11 postseason games—only two fewer than the maximum—and they have scored a total of five goals. Bob Bradley is the only other coach whose subs have scored five postseason goals, but he’s coached many more playoff games than Yallop (26).
Why the Fire Should Win: Two words: Chris Armas. Can a defensive mid raise the level of an average-to-good team to championship caliber? Armas apparently does. The Fire has an all-time record of 68–36–15 with Armas in the lineup—a winning percentage of .634. That’s higher than the composite record of the first seven MLS Cup champions (.626). Without Armas, the Fire’s record is just four games above level (29–25–8, .532). In the postseason, with a smaller sample the story is the same: 16–9–2 with Armas (.630), 2–3 without him. Playing brilliantly now, Armas would have been Man of the Match in the Eastern Conference Final even if he hadn’t scored the golden goal.
Why the Fire Should Win, Part 2: The Fire have held the Quakes to one goal or none in each of their last nine meetings, two short of the longest head-to-head streak in MLS history. On the other hand, the Quakes have conceded at least two goals in each of their last five playoff games, dating back to the 2002 postseason. To use an out-of-date cliché that happens to fit here, do the math.
I'll say the Fire 2-1.
Here is some more info for those of you who aren't that familiar with the MLS:
Why the Quakes Could Win: Should San Jose reverse its recent form and grab an early lead, it could be lights out for the Fire. The Quakes are undefeated in 48 consecutive regular- and postseason matches in which they led at halftime, by far the longest in MLS history. San Jose has posted a 44–0–4 record since April 3, 1999 when leading at the half, including 3–0 in the playoffs. (Note: Chicago has outscored San Jose 9–1 in the first half-hour of their 17 regular-season matches, with a 7–0 margin over the past five seasons.)
Why the Quakes Could Win, Part 2: Frank Yallop’s career average of 2.2 subs used per regular-season game is the lowest in MLS history (minimum: 50 games). But during the playoffs, Yallop’s substitutions have been frequent and effective. Yallop has used 31 subs in 11 postseason games—only two fewer than the maximum—and they have scored a total of five goals. Bob Bradley is the only other coach whose subs have scored five postseason goals, but he’s coached many more playoff games than Yallop (26).
Why the Fire Should Win: Two words: Chris Armas. Can a defensive mid raise the level of an average-to-good team to championship caliber? Armas apparently does. The Fire has an all-time record of 68–36–15 with Armas in the lineup—a winning percentage of .634. That’s higher than the composite record of the first seven MLS Cup champions (.626). Without Armas, the Fire’s record is just four games above level (29–25–8, .532). In the postseason, with a smaller sample the story is the same: 16–9–2 with Armas (.630), 2–3 without him. Playing brilliantly now, Armas would have been Man of the Match in the Eastern Conference Final even if he hadn’t scored the golden goal.
Why the Fire Should Win, Part 2: The Fire have held the Quakes to one goal or none in each of their last nine meetings, two short of the longest head-to-head streak in MLS history. On the other hand, the Quakes have conceded at least two goals in each of their last five playoff games, dating back to the 2002 postseason. To use an out-of-date cliché that happens to fit here, do the math.