Rip City Hump Day Links

FC Dallas win MLS's Fashion Statement of the Year. Click Here to see why.
Juan Agudelo on the move to Spain? Think again says RBNY
St. Paul kid earns D3 All-American honors for Macalester
USL-PRO's LA Blues official introduced
New PDL team in Winnipeg: WSA Winnipeg
Diver breaks depth record
D.C. United sign 4th Homegrown Player
Big moves in the Second Phase of the Re-Entry Draft
Iconic Images of 2010
Blender's Songs of the Week, with videos!
Video of the Week: MPLS Metrodome caves in during historic blizzard

MLS Cup Preview, an in-depth look

The 2010 MLS season wraps up this weekend in Toronto with the 15th MLS Cup Final.  The Championship features the Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas, two originial MLS teams with modest histories.  The game kicks off at 8:30 ET (7:30 CT), and can be seen live on ESPN, Galavision, and of course, ESPN 3 on Xbox Live.  If your'e in the Macalester, pull through Wallace 316 for the game.  Also, Rip City Soccer will be covering the game live on the blog.

MLS Cup Final Preview

We’re one day away from the 2010 MLS Final where FC Dallas will face the Colorado Rapids at BMO Field in Toronto.  The game kicks off at 7:30 pm Central Time and you can follow the game online here at Rip City Soccer while you watch.  We’ll be posting comments and answering questions that you guys post.  For now, the authors of Rip City have gotten together and each formulated who they think will win the MLS Cup.

Country

Results: Colorado Rapids 2-1

These two teams have faced off against each other twice this year and both times they ended in draws.  I predict that the dynamic duo of Casey and Cummings will pull through and win this one for the Rapids.  They have the midfield help of guys like Smith and they have the defense led by Kimura to hold back Ferriera and the rest of FC Dallas.

Thug Winslow

Results: FC Dallas 3-1

I predict that Hartman and Dallas’s defense will be able to shut down Casey and Cummings.  Not only that, but Dallas just plays better together as a team.  They will get the ball to Ferriera and he’ll score big for them.  Yet, the game will come down to the guys in the middle like Harris and Chavez for Dallas and Smith and Thompson for the Rapids. 

Doddsy

Results: FC Dallas 3-2

Colorado just won’t be able to handle the flowing attack of Dallas that goes through Ferriera.  But, Colorado will be able to get a few goals through Casey and Cummings.  At the end of the day though, Hartman will be too much of an obstacle for Colorado.

Recap: MLS Semifinal: Los Angeles Galaxy vs. FC Dallas

It looks like there will be a first time MLS champion this year, as FC Dallas rolled over Los Angeles Galaxy last night 3-0. In the early moments of the game, Galaxy of course enjoyed the majority of possession. However, the was an early half chance by Dallas in which Atiba Harris was sprung on a breakaway the gave Dallas hope. Then, completely unexpectedly, David Ferreira opened the scoring in the 26th minute with a brilliant piece of skill. He received a bouncing ball on the eighteen with his back to goal, took a touch and turned while freezing his defender, and ripped the ball of the halfvolley under Ricketts and in the far lower corner. Soon after, Donovan had a chance that almost found the net with a hard and low shot the went across Hartman but was just wide. Read more....

Preview: MLS Cup Semifinals - Los Angeles Galaxy vs. FC Dallas

After winning an entertaining game last night, Colorado Rapids will learn their foe tonight as the semifinals wrap up. At 9:00 p.m. ET (8 CT), Supporters Shield Winners Los Angeles Galaxy will host FC Dallas at the Home Depot Center. The game will be televised by ESPN 2, ESPN Deporters, or if you're in the Macalester area, on ESPN3 on XBox Live in Wallace 316!!!! Rip City!!! takes a preview of the game:

Los Angeles Galaxy
the gals are looking to head to the playoff final for a record seventh, and the second in as many years. Although they won the regular season title, their form had dipped a little towards the end of the season. However as the playoffs commenced, Beckham and Co. regained their winning formula - score early (usually through Buddle) and defend well. In the quarterfinals, the Galaxy dumped arguably the hottest team in the MLS, the Sounders. In the first leg, a Buddle wonder-volley sealed the away victory while David Beckham stole the show in the home leg, garnering 2 assists en route to a 2-1 win (3-1 on aggregate). Statistically, Edson Buddle leads the team with 19 goals in all competitions, while Donovan has notched 16 assists.

FC Dallas
For much of the season FC Dallas were a tough read. They broke the undefeated MLS streak, yet they drew a lot of games and lacked a finishing "bite." The team's legitimacy was questioned further with two late season losses to Real Salt Lake and the LA Galaxy. However, the playoffs gave Dallas a new look as they methodically finished off defending champs Real Salt Lake 3-2 on aggregate. The highlights of the series included Eric Avila's gamewinner in the first leg, the Shea chest to McCarty finish to silence the home crowd in the second, and Hartman's heroics in goal. FC Dallas are looking for their first final appearance and their first silverware since their lone U.S. Open Cup. Statistically, Jeff Cunningham leads the team with 11 goals, and David Ferreira leads the team with 13 assists. Look for Schellas Hyndman to mix things up in the midfield as Atiba Harris is back from suspension and McCarty, Shea, Hernandez, and Chavez all came off strong performances that deserve starting nods.

Head-to-Head
The Galaxy leads the all-time series 25-18-9. This year the Galaxy took the series 2-0 (May 20: LAG 1-0 FCD, goal by Magee;Oct 24: LAG 2-1 FCD, goals by Beckham, Junihno, and Harris)
Look for there to be a tactical battle between the coaches as both teams like to defend off of their quick-scoring leads. Coach of the Year Schellas Hyndman of FC Dallas will be up against last year's award-winner Bruce Arena. Another interesting matchup will be the goalies: Kevin Hartman of Dallas and Ricketts of LA, both goalie of the year finalists. Hartman, formerly of the galaxy, was the showstopper against Salt Lake and is still coming off an injury. Ricketts, the Goalie of the Year, showed strength against Seattle's few chances but is always injury-prone.
Another battle will be up top. Buddle is red-hot and is out to prove he is the true golden boot winner and MVP. Jeff Cunningham is out to prove is MLS's all-time greatest goalscorer. The biggest match-up will be in the midfield. Veteran stars Beckham and Donovan, along with Juninho, will look to exploit the likes of in-form Dax McCarty, Brek Shea, and Daniel Hernandez.

Share your predictions below!!