MLS Cup: League doing fine, thank you

Press coverage grows but still needs sophistication

Not surprised to see a blank look on Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes (above) if he has to field some wild inquiries from a still-young football journalism pool in the U.S. However, the problem is not the small, yet growing world of journalists covering the game here. It's when league supporters have to sift through stories written by clueless correspondents sent by editors solely because it's a championship game, ignoring the, you know, season overall.

Coverage of the game was practically non-existent about 20 years ago and continued to be so even after MLS was formed and launched in the mid-1990s. And although there has been and still is an array of talented, knowledegable writers covering not only the American domestic league but football on a global level, we'll still see some forms of narrow-minded coverage that has fans of the game shaking their heads.

Progressively, the media has adjusted and has slowly accepted the game's stamp on the U.S. sports scene over the years. That part is true. But that's generally speaking. Luckily, we have established writers that are recognized by fans all over the country.

There have been lots of interesting angles provided by reporters and bloggers alike for Saturday's final in Kansas City against Real Salt Lake. But, sadly, they're mostly confined to publications known only to league supporter unless casual fans end up googling MLS Cup itself. Basically, many of the top news organizations may not have a specific beat reporter on the scene for the title match. Truth be told, it's more likely that there may be as many foreign correspondents at the match than U.S. ones. That's not an exaggeration.

But there are lots of stories questioning the validity of the teams, shrugged off as too small-market for a final, or why they're named Sporting and Real. Some even ridicule the league's minuscule ratings, fans and overall ambience. Another even pointed out the ridiculous timeslot MLS decided to go with as college football would surely destroy its ratings.

So is bad press better than no press?

MLS Cup: Two deserving sides in the final

Sporting Kansas City, Real Salt Lake consistency rewarded

They aren't the most glamorous or most expensive teams in the U.S. top-flight division but its respective front offices and experienced managers have built deep, fluid and intelligent squads that have, for the most part, had stable campaigns for several years.

Real Salt Lake has developed a touch-pass possession style led by U.S. national-team Kyle Beckerman and Argentine Javier Morales, both of whom already boast an MLS Cup from 2009 when they topped the Los Angeles Galaxy in penalty kicks.

Sporting Kansas City, ever since being rebranded from the Wizards, have turned into a force with its physical play, especially at home, where Saturday's final will be held. Its netminder, Jimmy Nielsen, a Danish vet, and Frenchman Aurelien Collin have combined to help form a brutal backline that has prevented successful attacks in their box that's only surrendered 30 goals in 34 matches in the regular season.

You can't forget Costa Rican Alvaro Saborio for Salt Lake's attack or their goalie Nick Rimando, whose experience also has led him to serve as backup in the national team pool or Kansas City's Matt Besler and Graham Zusi, two more U.S. national team players.

But, more importantly, both sides have focused on young talent and have done well in the draft system to snap up some important signings. It's complemented their structure successfully. It also doesn't hurt that Kansas City and Salt Lake are managed by two league veterans in Peter Vermes and Jason Kreis.

Adding in the passionate atmosphere in the small, yet loud Sporting Park will only help matters as the on-the-pitch scenarios will surely not disappoint both the hardcore and curious casual fans of the league.

MLS table tightens as playoffs near

Supporters Shield leader Red Bulls clinch; Sounders, RSL, KC close

                                         (Courtesy of Rob Tringali)

Can't get any better than this.

There were some beauties scored in Vancouver-Portland's draw, a last-minute equalizer in Harrison, N.J. and downright beatings in Los Angeles and Denver.

But Alvaro Saborio could arguably be the hero of the weekend as his Real Salt Lake Side--down to 10 men for much of the match--pulled off a draw at home against FC Dallas that kept its hunt for the Supporters Shield alive with two rounds left. The quiet Costa Rican fought off the Texan club's defenders on his own to work for his 11th goal of the campaign.

The result kept Salt Lake atop of the West, one point above Seattle Sounders and two ahead of Portland Timbers. For Seattle, a 5-1 romp at the hands of Colorado Rapids represents their worst-ever loss in their short-lived MLS history. A goal by Colorado within 15 seconds and two within 10 minutes didn't help matters. Four goals in the first half pretty much sealed it.

The L.A. Galaxy demolished a hapless Chivas U.S.A. 5-0 with braces from--who else?--Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane, as both L.A. and Colorado try to lock in their respective playoff tickets, the last two.

In the East, Sporting Kansas City, 1-0 winners in Columbus, did their best to keep up with leaders New York Red Bulls. It wasn't anything spectacular in Ohio but three points is three points, good enough to have them two points behind the Red Bulls and four ahead of Houston Dynamo, where K.C. will visit Wednesday. Should be a fun one in Texas.

And yes, we already saw what Camilo accomplished in an earlier post with that cracker of a goal for Vancouver Whitecaps against Portland but we can't forget what Darlington Nagbe did for the Timbers to open up the match.

@TioPelotas74

History quietly made this year in U.S. football

Domestic tourney final hits the century mark tonight

                     
                   (Sporting Kansas City won the 2012 US Open Cup)

It's a special moment in American football.

Tonight, Utah will celebrate a century of the oldest competition in this country with a cup final between Real Salt Lake and D.C. United.

The U.S. Open Cup has been in the back of football supporters' minds in this country for quite some time, moreso after the league launched a resurged domestic championship in 1996. Realizing the magnitude of this tradition and the increasing interest by fans, organizers expanded the tournament this year to a whopping 68 teams from all pyramids of the American football scene and increased compensation for the champions.

There's been high-profile upsets and memorable matches, which has led to some coverage, albeit online or by word of mouth through social media. But tonight's final will be shown live on GolTV (9pm ET).

For Salt Lake, it could come as some sort of consolation to them after hosting the CONCACAF Champions league final at home in 2011, only to lose and watch Mexico's Monterrey celebrate on their home pitch. Another chance to lift silverware at their stadium may or may not come again so RSL will look to take full advantage with manager Jason Kreis ready to deploy his full starting 11 (he made 10 changes to his lineup in a league match this past weekend).

With D.C. United, the model team from the early years of MLS with its fanbase and trophies, this year's edition of the Open Cup is a relief as it reels from one of the worst campaigns in league history. An opportunity to add another cup to their cabinet would be a remarkable feat for D.C. However, with only three wins in 30 matches this year, no one is giving them a chance.

Regardless, the competition is celebrating 100 years of football in this country that not many casual fans or outside fans of the U.S. scene knew about. Its prominence on a global scale is miniscule by comparision to its cousins overseas, such as the FA Cup or Copa del Rey. But stateside, it's gaining respect by select media and bands of supporters, including those in the lower divisions. That alone is an accomplishment...so far.