OPINION: Where's the Home Field Advantage?

Current MLS Playoff Format Needs to Be Scrapped

October 30, 2007

By Emlyn Lewis

It's hard to write about the Revolution's 0-0 draw in the first leg of their MLS Semifinal match-up when the Patriots are stomping the Redskins, 52-7, and the Red Sox are winning the World Series. I mean, like you, soccer is my No. 1 love, but how do you even talk about a 0-0 match when these other things are happening.

For me, it calls into question the entire format of the MLS Playoffs.

The New England Revolution earned a 0-0 draw with New York Saturday.

Why do you play a full season of home and away matches to see who has the best record, only to have to play another home and away series to progress in the playoffs. Is the "home field advantage" for the better team really just getting to have the second match in the total goals series at your home stadium? We played 30 games for this?

Why not just have a single game to determine who moves on, and have that game at the park of the team with the better record? That's a home field advantage. And it produces a result. That way you have something to take away from your dramatic and interesting postseason experience that's worth talking about next to the exploits of the other sports teams in the area.

Of course, these aren't new questions and frustrations. They are as old as the league itself, but that begs the easy and obvious question, why do we still have to ask them?

Instead, it's half-time on the MLS Playoffs, and you might want to get up, get a snack and visit the bathroom, cause the second half whistle isn't blowing for a week. Whose brilliant idea was this anyway? The same guy who brought us the shootout and the countdown clock?

That the Revolution managed a goalless draw is not entirely terrible from a strategic perspective, but watching a nil-all snoozer that's not going to wrap up for seven days confirms the diagnosis of most soccer-haters, that soccer is like watching paint dry without the thrills and chills of the primer coat.

As for the match itself, the Red Bulls looked the better team. They denied the Revolution any serious scoring opportunities, and Juan Pablo Angel gave the New England defense problems all night. Let's hope the home-field advantage sees the Revolution's potent offense regain their potency. Is there a pill for that?

In the meantime, there will be a parade in Boston for the returning Red Sox and a frenzy of salivating football jabber over the undefeated Patriots taking on the undefeated Colts. It makes a decent halftime show for the Revolution, but isn't there some rule about not having the intermission be better than the show itself?

Emlyn Lewis can be reached at emlynlewis@comcast.net.