"If Major League Soccer is growing up, today's MLS Cup final at Gillette Stadium could be a giant step toward maturity," writes Dell'Apa.
"Not only has the game captured the imaginations of enough local ticket-buyers for the crowd to approach a sellout, the composition of the Revolution and Los Angeles Galaxy is predominantly American, whether from Central or North America, or the Caribbean. This indicates that the league is either developing talent or providing a credible showcase for rising stars such as the Revolution's Taylor Twellman and the Galaxy's Carlos Ruiz."
Another Shot for Galaxy: L.A. hopes its fourth try will result in its first MLS title. Revolution will have the home-field advantage.
"This being futbol, not football, it certainly didn't make much sense to bring up the Buffalo Bills to El Salvador-born and bred Mauricio Cienfuegos of the Galaxy, a man who has suffered enough in three losing visits to the final of the MLS Cup," Dillman writes.
"If 1996 and 1999 were emotionally wrenching, then last year, it literally ended in tears for the classy midfielder, an original member of the Galaxy. He sobbed after the 2-1 overtime loss to San Jose, thinking he may never get another shot at the title."
He has pluck on his side: Llamosa brings passion to Revolution's defense
"You inquire about New England Revolution defender Carlos Llamosa, and the responses are delivered with solemn reverence: He has been there," MacMullan writes.
"Llamosa has been there for the US national team and for D.C. United, with whom he won two Major League Soccer championships."
"These are some bold words. Talking words, but confident words, nonetheless. Words that come from a newly crowned MVP, who has carried this Galaxy team on his shoulders for seven months," Robledo writes.
"Of course, we're talking about 23-year-old Carlos Ruiz, who led Major League Soccer with 24 goals, including a record nine game-winners, and seven more in the playoffs."
A Revolutionary leader: Nicol has reversed the fortunes of New England franchise
"Steve Nicol was officially confirmed as Major League Soccer's Coach of the Year on Wednesday, but recognition of the remarkable turnaround he worked with the 2002 edition of the New England Revolution had been spilling in from across the sea for days before that," Kimball writes.
"His old backfield mate and former Liverpool captain Alan Hansen had phoned in his congratulations for a job well done. Kenny Daglish, a fellow Scotsman who had managed Nicol at Liverpool, also phoned."
"Major League Soccer will change its playoff format starting next year and is seriously considering lightening the midseason schedule in order to avoid conflicts with two major international tournaments involving many of its marquee players next summer, Commissioner Don Garber said [Friday]," Goff writes.
"The league, which is about to conclude its seventh season, also is proposing adding two games to each team's regular season schedule, increasing the total to 30. Two years ago, MLS reduced the schedule to 28 from 32."
"Several groups attempting to bring Major League Soccer to Edmond saw, for the first time, the results of a marketing feasibility study done last week," Ojeda writes.
"Wilson Research Strategies Inc., which conducted the study, made a presentation on Thursday to Edmond city officials, Express Sports, the University of Central Oklahoma and Edmond Economic Development officials. After discussing the results, the groups were encouraged with what the study found."
