MLS playoffs need structural change

The MLS playoffs require unique methods of preparation. The ideal team would be a combination of D.C. United and New England: start fast, finish faster.

D.C. United clinched a playoff spot, home-field advantage and a berth in the CONCACAF Champions Cup early. But the other part of the balancing act is to close the regular season with momentum, nearing peak efficiency with players feeling fresh and healthy.

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Steve Nicol's Revolution teams traditionally peak just in time for the playoffs.

No MLS team has been able to quite figure out how to control things to this extent. United have slumped badly. So have the Chicago Fire, having spent much effort in winning the U.S. Open Cup. New England, as usual, has been able to fulfill the second half of the equation, saving its best for last. But the Revolution have not been as convincing as they were a year ago.

In any case, the MLS postseason should not be all that difficult for a true championship-caliber team. D.C. United always made the playoffs seem like a simple proposition in the early years of the league. If a team reaches the Frisco final Nov. 12, it will have played four games in 21 or 22 days, with no cross-country trips involved; that's less complicated than some midseason propositions.

FC Dallas has the easiest road, though the opener against Colorado at mile-high elevation will be difficult. After that, it could have three successive games off the North Dallas Tollway at Pizza Hut Park.

The Houston Dynamo also have it relatively easy, after the opener at Chivas USA. Then, the Dynamo will have a home match, and could be in position for two matches in Frisco.

Yes, travel can be an important factor in the playoffs. It is not that visitors will receive an especially hostile reception in MLS cities, but the sheer logistics of air travel these days can be draining. A year ago, the Revolution's flight from Boston to Dallas for the MLS Cup was delayed, and the team's bags did not arrive until the following morning. That might not have been a major factor in the title match, but combined with injuries and other minor misfortunes, it helped add up in the Revolution's bad omen department.

The Revolution know what it's like to have the MLS Cup at home. In 2002, the Revolution probably had no business being in the final, having entered the last quarter of the season with a 7-13-1 record. But the Revs rallied to win the Eastern Conference, then played five of seven playoff matches at home, including the MLS Cup.

The format for the MLS playoffs has not been consistent. Even now, the format is uneven -- a first-round home-and-away series, then single matches to decide the conference title and MLS Cup.

No coach or team has been quite able to master the formula for success in the playoffs.

The Revolution's Steve Nicol has probably been the best at maximizing efficiency, doing so by resting players to have them fresh both mentally and physically in the playoffs. The Revolution have reached four successive Eastern Conference finals, and are the hottest team in the league going into this year's playoffs. So Nicol must be doing something right. But the Revolution have never won the MLS Cup, so someone else must be doing something right, as well.

The Los Angeles Galaxy used the "playing possum'' approach to win both the U.S. Open Cup and MLS Cup last year. Galaxy players such as Kevin Hartman felt slightly guilty for having done so, but deserve much more credit than blame for having essentially duped the system. The Revolution almost pulled off the same trick in 2002, and a shot off the crossbar by Winston Griffiths nearly gave them a win over the Galaxy in the MLS Cup. But the point is, neither the '05 Galaxy nor the '02 Revolution planned things that way; they simply ironed out their problems as the season progressed, then hastily put things together when it counted.

By doing so, the '05 Galaxy and '02 Revolution further devalued the MLS regular season. Having a postseason playoff system by definition cheapens the regular season, anyway. The more teams that qualify for the playoffs, the less significant the regular season.

But following that logic, the ultimate conundrum is that one or the other -- either the regular season or the playoffs -- are essentially devalued by the very existence of the other. If the best teams in the regular season succeed in the playoffs, it makes the playoffs seem superfluous -- what did the playoffs prove, except that the best regular-season teams were just that. If the best teams in the regular season fail in the playoffs, it raises questions about the value of regular-season matches.

The MLS made an excellent move this year by incentivizing the Supporters Shield. By compiling the best regular-season record, D.C. United has qualified for the Champions Cup. This puts a further premium on winning the MLS Cup; last year, the Revolution lost in the MLS Cup, yet still qualified for the Champions Cup as the No. 2 MLS team. This time, only the MLS Cup winner will join D.C. United in the Champions Cup.

At this point, I don't see the playoff system evolving beyond what it is. Yes, there is drama in the playoffs and in the final weeks of the playoff race. But it needs to kick up to a higher level, and the best way to do that is with a major financial reward. Others have proposed this before, and not only could it up the intensity, it could solve problems.

Let's say the league finds a sponsor which will reward teams with some serious money for succeeding in the playoffs. That would allow the salary cap to remain intact, yet, de facto, allow more money to flow to the players. The competitive level would be raised. The credibility of the postseason would improve. Interest from outside the league would be attracted. The poorest-paid players, who I believe are at sub-minimum wage levels, could finally deposit a check without being embarrassed.

After 11 years, it's about time the league started being more imaginative about increasing compensation for players. Also, the MLS season has not proven to be a great way to prepare for international competitions. By now, MLS teams should be dominating regional club tournaments; D.C. United was moving in that direction, winning nearly everything in sight, but the U.S. impact on CONCACAF has since declined.

Frank Dell'Apa is a soccer columnist for The Boston Globe and ESPN.