WEEKLY WHINE

Playaway

At this time of year, a topic that frequently arises for discussion is the playoffs of Major League Soccer. Yesterday the Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the New York/NJ MetroStars 3-2 in Game 3 of their first to five quarterfinal series, tying the series at four points apiece. Mauricio Cienfuegos then scored the golden goal in the series overtime to send the Galaxy through to the next round against the Chicago Fire.

So this leads to the question: How do the playoffs work? This is a simple question, and the answer isn't that complicated. Choosing a playoff scheme, however, was the hard part. We now take a moment to examine the current MLS playoff method and some other choices that didn't work out.

First to Five: This method was put into action for the 2000 MLS season. In that year, the league rules were modified to permit draws; consequently, they found a playoff scheme that would also permit draws. Each quarterfinal and semifinal playoff series is played in up to three games, with the first team to reach five points moving through. But then the series can remain tied after three games: three draws, or as in the case of the Galaxy-MetroStars series, one win, one loss, and one draw. In such a case, Game 3 is followed immediately by a twenty minute series overtime, and then a penalty shootout if nobody scores. But then we have to ask: Given that most series have gone the full three games [including three of four so far this postseason], do you really need to see the first match or two?

Best of Three: This was the method of choice in MLS's first four seasons. It's basically the First to Five format without draws. Any match that's tied after regulation would go into overtime and then a shootout, with the first team to win twice moving through. The Europeans who have migrated to this nation seem to have their difficulties with this format: what's wrong with ending in a draw? The answer, of course, is that you can't have the two teams share their spot in the next round. It defeats the whole purpose of finding out who's the best team.

Home-n-Away: This mechanism is the method of choice in most of the world. For example, the UEFA Cup works this way until the final match, and the quarterfinals and semifinals of the UEFA Champions League go the same way. Why won't this work? It basically throws the regular season results out the window. "How can we reward the team that blew away everyone else in the regular season? I know! Let's let them choose whether they want to be at home first or second!" No. The other problem is that ties are so common in this type of series. You've got to state, arbitrarily, that scoring away is better than scoring at home, which then encourages the home team to play defensively in front of their own fans.

Single Match: The most obvious, but the least lucrative. How can you expect to make money with only seven postseason fixtures on the list?

Shootout: Instead of all that tedious strategy, formation, and lineup selection, why don't we just have some guys kick the ball a few times, and whoever's guys are more efficient at having the ball come in contact with twine wins! [Warning: For use only as a last resort.]

Rock-Paper-Scissors: Quick, but not really relevant. The other issue is that you still need the shootout in case of a draw.

Comedy Club: Each team sends three players. These six take turns impersonating one of the players on their opponent's roster, judged on the basis of humour, accuracy, and posture.

Style Points: If, for example, a Home-n-Away series ends in a draw, one of the tiebreakers could be Style Points. During each match, judges will award Style Points for each of the goals based upon difficulty, æsthetics, and celebration. These Style Points would then be used in lieu of the away goals rule.