WASHINGTON, DC (Oct 30, 2008) USSoccerPlayers -- The New England Revolution can continue the trend of personnel excuses as they open the 2008 MLS playoffs at home tonight against Chicago. Also, MLS vs the National Hockey League.
New England - Chicago
7:30pm - ESPN2
Does anybody outside of the Northeast still have New England advancing? Thought not. Suspensions and injuries have turned the Revolution into what the less polite would call a pushover. Chicago really has no excuse here, but we'll make with the preview specifics.
We know the chances that a big crowd will be on hand are slim, helping to negate whatever pickup the depleted Revs might have gotten from opening at home. We know most of us expect the worst in Bridgeview. So what does Chicago need tonight?
Simple, an early goal to stress to the Revs that their makeshift defensive alignment won't be working home or away. No risky tackles avoiding the card, no fingertip saves. Nothing to make the Revs think they can get it to the half and regroup. Sent the message early, send it often, but don't end up in the post-game explaining why you didn't get a big result.
That means you Denis Hamlett, should anyone forget the Fire's tendency towards not winning games they've controlled. Look at it this way, all the Revolution's issues have done is move the favorites to make MLS Cup to the other Eastern Conference series.
Valuation
With the National Hockey League firmly in Major League Soccer's sites - well, at least according to the MLS deputy commissioner - just how much coin will MLS need to shift to get in the game with pro hockey? More than most would imagine, considering the Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly worth $448 million on their own, and the top three teams easily carry their combined value over a billion.
This was a Forbes study, and they did Major League Soccer last month. The total worth of the League was put at $485 million. The top three teams in the NHL made $436 million last year.
Yes, one of those NHL owners is already invested in Major League Soccer and another hopes to be, but that's no indication that MLS will automatically find themselves on a similar path.
As comparative analogies go, it's going to be tough to get MLS in on the conversation. Forbes has twelve hockey teams losing money, but that's out of thirty teams. Forbes puts MLS at ten teams losing money out of 13.
Make of that whatever you want, but the reality is that Major League Soccer would need a substantial bump in revenue just to catch the bottom feeders in hockey. Phoenix is only worth $142 million, but that would take work for the LA Galaxy to match.
Cheaper In KC
Free parking and a reduction in the cost of season tickets. Credit the Wizards for responding to their market. Quick, to the press statement:
"We understand that these are tough economic times," Wizards President Robb Heineman said. "We pride ourselves on offering high-performance, affordable entertainment that fans of all ages can enjoy. Our track record of offering free parking and having the best customer service in town is important to us. For this reason, we are lowering select season ticket prices next year for our ardent supporters."
Not So Much In Bridgeview
The Chicago Fire have become the latest MLS club to charge for tryouts, asking $125 for the privilege and not even springing for water. "Participants must bring to the tryout, the signed waiver form, proof of identification, food and water and all soccer specific equipment including turf/indoor soccer shoes (molded studs only, no six studs). Players currently registered with a professional club will need to bring a waiver from their current club allowing them to attend the Chicago Fire Soccer Open Tryouts.
