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Pablo Alsina's Crystal Ball --- 2008 MLS CUP Prediction 

The 13th Major League Soccer season is right around the corner. So if you don’t want to know how it’s going to end, make sure to STOP reading. If you instead don’t want any surprises go ahead and continue on, since I will let you know what two teams will fight for the MLS Cup Title.

Before we jump to the finish, here are just a couple of quick facts. Again this year the MLS will have a balanced league with fourteen teams. Seven teams in both the East, and the West. However, only two teams will reach the ultimate goal which is, playing at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California on November 23. For those of you that didn’t know, this season’s final will take place at the home of the L.A. Galaxy. And let me just give you a quick little hint about who will play in the final. One team will have a HUGE home field advantage.

Now I know what you are all thinking, when is he going to just get to it and jump to what two teams will be in the ’08 MLS Cup. Hopefully you want to know because you respect my opinion, and not because you are taking a weekend trip to Vegas and want to place a couple of “hundies” on a sure bet. 

***Quick break in the blog, to flashback to a great movie scene***

Mike: Do you think we will be in Vegas by midnight?

Trent: Baby, we will be up five hundy by midnight!.

Must admit I love sharing some classic Swingers quotes. Back to the MLS.  There have been 12 MLS seasons, yet there have only been six champions. And actually considering that the San Jose Earthquakes which won two, turned into the Houston Dynamo, that has won the last two, you can make the argument that there have only been 5 champions. But since the Earthquakes are back this year, let’s just call it six. Hint number two. After two thousand and eight, there will still only be six different champions. Which means, Pablo predicts that either, the Houston Dynamo, L.A. Galaxy, D.C. United, San Jose Earthquakes, Kansas City Wizards, or Chicago Fire (previous winners), will win the ’08 MLS Cup.

So let’s start with a process of elimination. Unfortunately for the Houston Dynamo they will not get the 3-peat. Valiant run, but their streak will come to an end in ’08.  The San Jose Earthquakes make their return to the MLS, but they won’t be shaking the Earth in the final, so no go for San Jo.  The 2000 champs, the Kansas City Wizards, are aiming high for 2008, and although they may reach the playoffs, sorry, they will not even get a chance to play for their second ever title. Magic and all, this Wizard just doesn’t have what it takes.

This leaves us with three teams, the Galaxy, the Fire, and D.C. United.  The team from the windy city has a new coach and will be led for the second season by Cuahtemoc Blanco.  The Mexican still has plenty left in his cleats, but may not have enough support in the lineup. They will burn plenty opponents this season, but the Fire will come up just short of reaching the Final.

That leaves us with two teams. Considering I had earlier said one club would have a huge home field advantage, it’s easy to guess that one team in the final will be the L.A. Galaxy.  Not saying a believe in the conspiracy theory, that the MLS wants the face of the league (Beckham) to reach the finals, but, the MLS wants the face of the league (Beckham) to reach the finals!. Think it’s a coincidence that the final is at the home Depot Center? Regardless, one can argue that the MLS wanted that last season, yet the Galaxy didn’t even reach the playoffs. Oh how tricky Don Garber is. Let one year go by and then the big push for Beckhamania to take another step. So put it in the bank, the Galaxy at home playing for their third league title.

Their opponent, D.C. United will be playing for their fifth and first since 2004.  The Screaming Eagles will make the long road trip, but still the Home Depot will be packed with Galaxy fans. (Including MLS executives.)  Still D.C. United led by last season’s leading scorer, and new addition Marcelo Gallardo will play for the Cup.  Also, have a strong feeling Juan Sebastian Veron, will be a part of D.C. by then.

So there you have it, L.A. Galaxy versus D.C. United at the Home Depot Center on November 23rd.  The team with the most titles taking on the face of the MLS. Don Garber could not have scripted it any better.  Now get your bets in, oops, Pablo Alsina does not in any way promote gambling, so scratch that. Just pencil it down somewhere so when it happens you can tell everyone who told you, weeks before the season even started.  And if you want to know the winner in advance, well then just keep checking my blog!. 

What are your thoughts? Comment back and tell me your predictions.

Pablo Alsina

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