THE Galaxy out of the playoffs for so long that the format of the playoffs has changed completely since their last visit.
This statement is totally true. But it is also a little unfair because the only constant on the MLS qualifiers is change.
The format that the League has used this year has been the third since 2018 and the 10th of the 29th anniversary of the League history. It is also, by far, the most confusing. To start, 18 of the 29 teams in the League have made the playoffs, which means that MLS played a regular eight -month and 34 games to eliminate only 11 teams.
Only the NBA, which authorizes 20 of its 30 teams in the playoffs, has a lower bar.
Galaxy's head coach, Greg Vanney, is not a current MLS format fan.
(Mark J. Terrall / Associated Press)
Then there is the format itself. For the second consecutive year, the tournament started with unique joker matches at each conference, followed by the series in the first round of the first three rounds during which the prints go directly to the penalty footing. The last three laps – the conference semi -finals, the MLS Cup finals and final – will all be unique games with more time, if necessary.
Can you locate the round that does not belong?
During a large part of its history, MLS used a two -leg format at home for the first laps of his playoff series, the winner advancing on aggregate goals, or a direct elimination tour of a match. These are familiar formats, those used in the world championships. The best heavy format, on the other hand, adapts like a square ankle in a round hole.
“I don't like it” Laftc Captain Aaron Long said that after his team opened his series at the Best Of-Three With Vancouver with a 2-1 Sunday victory. “We just don't like the best of the three. I think the other two options are better. Most guys go this way. ”
Galaxy coach Greg Vanney accepted.
“To be honest, I have always been a big fan of the house and outside and the global score,” he said.
With reason. After The 5-0 Saturday eruption of the rapids of Colorado In their first match of playoffs – corresponding to the most unilateral qualifiers in the history of the franchise – the Galaxy would have to lose by six goals in the second match on Friday in the suburbs of Denver to avoid going to the next round in the old format.
The Galaxy has never lost a six goals.
But rather than being rewarded for the dominant performances of match 1, under the new configuration, the galaxy will see this score suffered and the teams will even start in match 2.
“This match is now behind us and whatever we have done today, it has no impact on the next one,” said Vanney. “That's what it is. I liked (the old format) because I felt as a coach, there were always different scenarios and shades for which you should always prepare and consider. But in the best of the three, you take this one and now we have (one) game to win. ”
Ditto for Lafc. Rather than taking a global difference in Sunday's match in Vancouver, the teams will reset each other, leaving the Whitecaps needing a victory, by any score, to force a third decisive match.
“For us, the best approach is always to try to win every match,” said Lafc coach Steve CherundoloWho does not also like the new format but was careful to share this opinion.
MLS said the new format had been designed to promote the seeded team, which makes upheavals more difficult. And the first year, it worked, with a single upheaval in the first round.
But Vanney has a good point on the different scenarios. If the overall score still had, the rapids would have a lot to play for even after having lagged 3-0 at the start of the second half on Saturday. Keep the scoring near, add a late lens and Colorado would be a good position to move forward.
Instead, the rapids seemed to lose all interest and never took the trouble to put a shot on the target, knowing that it did not matter, because the only thing that would continue on Friday was the result. It is as if MLS had given Colorado a Mulligan and the way the game was played accordingly.
“He always had a goal and a meaning in the game, whatever happens,” said Vanney about global notation. “There is always a scenario in which someone has to go after the match. Someone has to push the attack and you should also defend yourself because you can't just concede a lot of goals.
“Today, as it happens to three, four, five (goals), they may think:” Well, we have another game at home, and that no longer matters. “
Another problem with the calendar is, well, the calendar. With the MLS qualifiers were crossed by an international break from FIFA, any team that won the first two games in its first round series will obtain a three -week rest between the first and the second round. Although this may look like an advantage, this is not the case; After playing a game – or more – almost every week for eight months, a long break at this stage can disturb the pace of a team.
Consider the New England Revolution, which three years ago had the best regular season record in the modern MLS era. In a different eliminatory format that has earned New England a first-round Bye which was extended by an international break and after being slowed down for three weeks, the revolution was eliminated eliminatory series on penalty kicks in their first match.
For those who, like Vanney, are not fans of the current format of the playoffs, the story offers this consolation: just be patience because it is about to change.
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