Major League Soccer admittedly lags behind its European brethren in talent, but what is peculiar about the North American league is its recurring inability to make obvious soccer decisions.
The idea of slotting Toronto FC a bye just seven days before the calendar itself provides an easy FIFA weekend to give every MLS team a break is just poor planning. Now I don't profess to understand the intricacies of schedule making, and working where I do I see first-hand how intangibles like television contracts can affect these things, but the simple solution would be to shade in the FIFA dates before filling out the MLS ones.
Regardless, in a match with metaphysical repercussions, the Reds will play without its second-leading scorer. Honduran Amado Guevara will be on international duty; trying to trump TFC's playoff push by helping his country qualify for the 2010 World Cup.
San Jose, the opponent on Saturday, will arrive at BMO Field minus three of its own, including five-goal midfielder Arturo Alvarez. The absence of the two Central Americans cancel each other out, but it is a shame to think it could have been avoided and two teams scratching for its playoff lives could play the game each want to with just a little bit of foresight.
(What a mess the Reds would be in if the Canadian men's team had lived up to expectations last summer/fall.)
But MLS ineptitude aside, the Reds must concentrate on not buying into the idea that the Earthquakes are an easy three points. Yes the 'Quakes recently snapped a 20-match road winless streak. Yes, the 'Quakes will barely miss out on retaining its league-worst crown. Yes, they were also undefeated in all competitions in September while conceding just three goals. Up front the team also fields a handsomely named, double-digit striker who is on two-match run of goal-scoring form.
On the weekend none of the six matches featured more than two goals. Don't expect anything to change as the 'Quakes arrive with the 'mathematically still alive' moniker that is all too familiar in these parts.
Lastly, it was good of Chris Cummins to embrace Toronto sports folklore and break out his best Dave Winfield/Joe Carter/Chris Bosh/Antonio Davis/Pat Quinn impression by asking the fans for noise this weekend at BMO Field. Unbeknownst to Cummins I am sure, the previous instances of asking for noise were based on necessity, Saturday at BMO promises to be one of those rare atmospheres.
And it'll start with the anthems.
