Tuesday Orange Slices: Playoff Momentum

by Zach Woosley on Oct 25, 2011 9:42 AM CDT in Orange Slices

Dynamo clinch second in East with 3-1 win over LA [MLS Soccer]
Dynamo drop Galaxy 3-1 in regular-season finale [Houston Chronicle]
Moffat bomb just what the doctor ordered [MLS Soccer]
Sweet cross lifts Houston's Davis atop final assist table [MLS Soccer]
Dynamo Finish in Second Place: 4 Things We Learned [Houston Press]
Dynamo Notebook: Big win over LA carries extra benefit [MLS Soccer]
A celebration at Robertson reminds us of the goal in the future [FS Houston]
Kinnear's 100th win a milestone and momentum-builder [MLS Soccer]
Dynamo entering playoffs with momentum [Houston Chronicle]
Vote Moffat for AT&T Goal of the Week [Houston Dynamo]
Dynamo have good, bad memories of Robertson Stadium [Houston Chronicle]

In Other News:

Nicol out after 10 years as Revs coach [Boston Herald]
Nicol's run ends with Revolution [Boston Globe]
MLS Season 16 sets attendance record [Soccer America]

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Well

I’m ready for the series to start…I could see it being a replay of the Houston v Portland match a couple of weeks ago, with Philly being more disciplined at the back, though. I still think we come away with a 1-0 (winning) or 1-1 result in Chester, and I can see us getting a 1-0 or 2-1 win back home…but let’s play and find out, shall we?

As for the Revs, well…I don’t envy the situation there. I haven’t followed the club enough to know the ins-and-outs, but it did seem that there was so much drama regarding the club this year that it seemed a tall enough task to focus on the football and results. I guess Kraft offers an example of watch-what-you-wish-for in regards to individual ownership, but I just don’t see that happening here. I would hope that any one individual seeking to get majority ownership would know that this area would demand an owner who actually gave a rats’ about this team, as opposed to how Kraft is handling it there (and how, roughly, we get treated by AEG).

All that being said, JdJO just tweeted that Dom said if the Revs came a-callin’ for Steve Ralston to interview for their top spot he wouldn’t stand in the way. Is he ready to step into that sh**-storm? I mean, I love the guy and all but wow, roster aside that place is a mess

by Michael_D on Oct 25, 2011 1:21 PM CDT reply actions

Nobody in their right mind would take the NE job, the ownership is terrible, fans are jumping ship, it’s a disaster up there.

--
"You live and learn. At any rate, you live." -Douglas Adams

Managing Editor of Dynamo Theory
Yo si le voy, le voy al naranja!

by Zach Woosley on Oct 25, 2011 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions

There be dragons

I can see how for Ralston the situation has the potential for a new start and to form the team in his image – he’s young, has ideas, can connect with players, etc – but I think its far more complicated than that. I tend to be of the opinion that problems start with ownership/management (my years of experience in my professional life bear this out), and until it gets straightened out up top anyone who takes the coaching post is either a patsy or a tomato can. Or a mixture of both.

I think most skippers with experience would stay away; having someone as green as Ralston is like leading a lamb to slaughter. Unless your owner has money but cares enough to try, however wrongly (think Abramovich), you have a chance…but when they have money but don’t care – think Ken Bates – the fail will follow.

by Michael_D on Oct 25, 2011 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree completely. Another classic Sunil Gulati operation.

That being said though, I can see why Ralston would want the gig if he gets the chance. I mean, there are only so many head coach jobs, and someone has to have the job, so why not him? Also, he has immediate cred with the fan base and among players. He is an MLS original and one of the best pure leaders the league has ever seen.

So of course, you know that’s not the direction the Revs will go. Watch them hire Lalas, the killer of teams.

"We don't care who finishes second." -- Celtic's Peter Lowrie

by Martek on Oct 25, 2011 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Kraft + Lalas

will rupture the very fabric of space and time, not to mention MLS. The Revs will effectively implode into a wormhole where they will emerge in another universe, where they will have beaten the Dynamo on that fateful day for the Cup.

True story

by Michael_D on Oct 25, 2011 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions