The Spending Versus Relative Frugality Referendum

By Jason Davis Matchfit USA

Houston, LA, And The Money Game
WASHINGTON, DC — As if predetermined as a way bring into focus the ever-evolving nature of Major League Soccer as a competition, the big spending, superstar-laden LA Galaxy will face off against the more typically frugal blue collar Houston Dynamo in the MLS Cup Final. The storyline is as obvious as it is tired. Throw in the added twist that the two teams are both owned by MLS benefactor Anschutz Entertainment Group, and it’s almost impossible to avoid trotting out the well worn tropes about David facing off against Goliath.

Meanwhile, neither team is a stylistic innovator, with both leaning on the tried and true MLS defaults of physical, defensive-minded play. Three designated players or no designated players, the level of spending hardly matters when it comes to how the two teams play.

Turning the disparate payrolls story around a bit, it’s possible to see LA and Houston’s showdown as a referendum on spending versus (relative) frugality for the rest of the League.

Full Story