The MLS Cup playoffs kick off Friday when D.C. United visits Soldier Field to take on the Fire in the first game of the home-and-home, two-game series.
With one of these teams appearing in all but two of the nine MLS Cup finals, the match should have strong implications on who will represent the Eastern Conference on Nov. 13 in Dallas.
The Fire will be led by captain Chris Armas and goalie Zach Thornton. They will be guiding a team far different from the one that beat D.C. United in the 1998 final to earn the Fire’s only MLS Cup title. With rookie of the year finalist Chris Rolfe at forward and Honduras’ Ivan Guerrero on defense, the Fire is hoping change is good.
D.C. United, coached by former Fire great Peter Nowak, will be searching for an impressive fifth MLS Cup after winning the trophy in 1996, ’97, ’99 and 2004. But don’t expect the Fire to stand in awe. It knows how to win at home in the playoffs, with a 13-1-1 all-time record. Sure, D.C. has an intimidating home playoff record of 14-1, but that one loss was to the Fire. Coach Dave Sarachan has his team ready for the playoffs.
Just ask some of the key players.
The coach
Dave Sarachan
“Everyone realizes that now is a new season. We’re trying to achieve a higher level of competition, discipline and organization.”
The captain
Chris Armas
“The concentration level and attention to detail is elevated for everyone around here. I’ve been getting on guys a little more just to raise the intensity.”
The rookie
Chris Rolfe, forward
“You could just tell the mood within the team, in the locker room, at practice–everybody’s into it. Everybody’s focused.”
The goalie
Zach Thornton
“Everyone’s going to be more intense and more alert. In my case, I have to do the little things better.”
The new guy
Ivan Guerrero
“Nervous? No. More like anxious. I know we can win.”
A quick look at the first round:
D.C. United (16-10-6) vs. Fire (15-13-4)
Season: United won series 2-1-1.
Players to watch: United, Jaime Moreno, F; Fire, Justin Mapp, M.
Quick look: Although the Fire is the only team with a winning record against United in the playoffs (3-0), the Fire finished 1-3-1 in its last five regular-season games.
United, last year’s MLS Cup winner, will have Moreno and midfielder Cristian Gomez on the attack. They combined for six goals in four games against the Fire this season.
N.E. Revolution (17-7-8) vs. MetroStars (12-9-11)
Season: Revolution won 2-1-1.
Players to watch: Revolution, Taylor Twellman, F; MetroStars, Youri Djorkaeff, F.
Quick look: The MetroStars edged out the Kansas City Wizards for the final playoff spot in the final game of the season. Now they will need another strong performance from keeper Tony Meola, who is coming off a 12-save game against Chivas USA. The Revolution features the league’s top scorer, Twellman, whose 17 goals earned him the Golden Boot.
S.J. Earthquakes (18-4-10) vs. L.A. Galaxy (13-13-6)
Season: Earthquakes won 3-1-0.
Players to watch: Earthquakes, Danny Califf, D; Galaxy, Landon Donovan, F.
Quick look: Coming off their best regular season in club history, the Earthquakes will square off against their former captain, Donovan, who led them to a 2003 MLS Cup win. If this series is anything like the match between the two rivals last weekend, which included two ejections, expect the referees to have their yellow and red cards handy.
FC Dallas (13-10-9) vs. Colorado Rapids (13-13-6)
Season: FC Dallas won 2-0-2.
Players to watch: FC Dallas, Ronnie O’Brien, M; Rapids, Jeff Cunningham, F.
Quick look: With FC Dallas scoring only two goals in four regular-season games against the Rapids, O’Brien needs to create scoring opportunities for forwards Roberto Mina and “the Little Fish,” Carlos Ruiz, to contend with scoring threat Cunningham, whose 12 goals were tied for third best in the league. The Rapids are 4-0-2 in their last six and haven’t lost since Sept. 17.
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larroyave@tribune.com
