Aug 5, 2008 - 8:51 AM
0 shoutsBy Bill Bernardi PA SportsTicker Soccer Editor
Introductions will not be necessary, just bring a trophy - any trophy - and the Houston Dynamo and New England Revolution will surely be there.
On Tuesday night, the two clubs who have squared off in the last two MLS Cup finals will vie for superiority again - this time in the finals of 2008 SuperLiga at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
The SuperLiga is an annual tournament that pits the best four MLS clubs against the top quartet from Mexico's Primera Division.
An MLS side is guaranteed to claim the title after Bobby Boswell and Corey Ashe helped the Dynamo record a 2-0 triumph over defending SuperLiga champion Pachuca FC last Tuesday and All-Star midfielder Shalrie Joseph's tally gave the Revolution a 1-0 victory over Atlante the following night.
As far as bragging rights within the league, well, Houston has that covered with its postseason dominance. The Dynamo prevailed on penalty kicks in the 2006 final at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas, and then rallied from an early deficit to post a 2-1 triumph and their second successive title at RFK Stadium in Washington.
"Both (MLS Cup finals) could have gone either way," Houston striker Brian Ching said. "And we feel a little fortunate some times. We know they are a good team, and we respect them as much as they respect us. Over the past four or five years, these have been the two best franchises in the league, so to meet again in a final is pretty special. We'd still like to hold the edge on those finals, but they're a good team."
For what it's worth, New England can boast regular-season success, posting a 3-0-3 record against its rivals. The Revolution won both contests this season, as goalkeeper Matt Reis recorded shutouts in a 3-0 triumph at Gillette in the opener on March 29 and a 2-0 victory at Robertson Stadium on June 12.
The success, however, falls on deaf ears if you ask New England coach Steve Nicol.
"We always think what's happened in the past doesn't count," he said. "We've beaten (Houston) already, but that means nothing. It's who gets the job done on the night. The past is exactly that - the past."
As one would expect, both sides have lost considerable firepower to the Olympic Games, as Revolution All-Star defender Michael Parkhurst and the Dynamo duo of midfielder Stuart Holden and defender Patrick Ianni will be representing the United States in Beijing.
While the teams have mutually agreed to share the first-place monetary reward, Nicol insists there's more at stake than just a bigger share of the purse.
"Just look at the characters of the team and the way they go about business," Nicol said. "If there's was nothing on the line, they'd still go out and give 100 percent. It's nice to get a bonus, but the teams are both pros - and at the end of the day, it's the joy of winning."
