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The SBI Show: Episode 86 (Previewing MLS Playoffs, talking USMNT, and more)

Rodney Wallace, DeAndre Yedlin

By IVES GALARCEP

With the play-in round in the books, and the final eight teams decided, the 2013 MLS Playoffs are ready to really kickoff this weekend and The SBI Show breaks down all the action in our latest installment.

Episode 86 of The SBI Show takes a close look at all four conference semifinal match-ups, including the highly-anticipated Portland Timbers-Seattle Sounders series, and the tricky New York Red Bulls-Houston Dynamo match.

Co-host Garrett Cleverly and I also discuss the latest with the U.S. Men’s National Team, including Steve Cherundolo’s latest injury setback, and Julian Green’s cancelled USMNT camp visit.

Give Episode 86 a listen after the jump:

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What did you think of the show? Who are you picking to win MLS Cup? Holding out up Cherundolo recovers?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Ives said he doesn’t see the Red Bulls beating KC AND LA or Portland. So if the Red Bulls beat KC, it’s really that hard to see them beating a west coast team at RBA? Really? This is far-fetched? Care to explain why?

    Ives for some reason has never been able to give NY the credit they deserve for everything they’ve shown. Ives, it’s not unreasonable to think that NY aren’t the favorites. Surely an argument can be made for it. The thing is, you’ve never actually given us a single reason for thinking that. You just say “I don’t know … I don’t see it”. Can you tell us why? They’ve got talent. They’re deep. The closest thing they have to a weak spot is LB and even there they’re solid. They’ve got well defined roles. Their coach gets his tactics right every time. They play hard and they play for each other. They’re in terrific form. They can attack in multiple ways. They win 50/50 balls. They’ve got a goalkeeper who’s been rock solid since the early part of the season. They have more experience than you seem to think – Henry, Cahill, and Luyindula have obviously played in big games, but beyond that, McCarty was a key player in Dallas’ run in 2010 (and Alexander became a starter midseason for that Dallas team as well) and Olave won MLS Cup with RSL in 2009, and they are the leaders of NY’s midfield and defense respectively, so these guys aren’t untested. They’ve proven how good they are all season long. And if they get to the Final, it’s a home game. So can you please explain exactly why you don’t think more highly of them? I don’t mind an actual debate about this kind of thing (and obviously I’m biased), but you and many others just keep saying you don’t think the Red Bulls can get it done without saying why.

    Reply
    • Joamiq, I never say they have ZERO chance of winning it, or they CAN’T win it. I just don’t see them winning it. Why is that so hard for you to understand? You said it yourself, you’re a Red Bulls fan. You’re in love with the team and after a great regular season you simply can’t see them losing. That’s fine for you to believe. I just don’t agree. Could they win? Sure. If they won would I be astonished? No, but I don’t see them finishing this year as MLS Cup champion. I think KC or LA is more likely (as for Portland, that would be a toss-up for me, but RBNY would probably have to be favored being the home team).

      Go check out my Goal.com piece breaking down each team’s chances. I had the Red Bulls third on my list, with the third-best chance to win it all, just one percent behind KC, and just five percent behind LA. It’s not that big a gap man, so stop acting like I’ve said the Red Bulls have no chance of winning. If I had said the Red Bulls had a one percent chance of winning the trophy, like I did with New England, I could see you having a point to your little rant here, but honestly I don’t get why it’s so hard for you to fathom that other people might want to disagree with you about your favorite team.

      Reply

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