SoccerRapids may have to jump through Hoops in Toronto

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Pablo Mastroeni of the Colorado Rapids, left, battles Zach Loyd of FC Dallas during MLS regular-season play. On Sunday, they'll meet again for the league title. (Brandon Wade/Getty Images)

It doesn't exactly set the pulses racing. It can hardly be described as a must-see event. Yet MLS Cup 2010 might just be a cracking game of football.
 
Don't you just love parity? A true competition where everyone is just about as good (or bad) as everyone else means just about anyone can win. Who needs dynasties when we all love an underdog? Now we have two for the price of one.
 
In the red corner, FC Dallas, the sole remaining MLS original franchise never to have appeared in the end of season showpiece. In the burgundy corner, the Colorado Rapids, who made it to the big dance in 1997 only to play second fiddle to the then-indomitable DC United. 

Choose your team wisely. In a battle of two underdogs there has to be a favourite and only one true minnow. Will Dallas carry on in Toronto where they left off in Los Angeles? Or will the Rapids, more familiar with the weather conditions, rise to the occasion one more time?

League parity could create classic
 
You may tell me it doesn't really matter. You could tell me you wouldn't cross the street to see these two unfashionable franchises go head to head. Leave your seat empty if you wish, but wouldn't you just kick yourself if it turned into a classic?
 
In truth, these two teams have earned the right to be in Toronto. FC Dallas has been extremely difficult to beat throughout the year while Colorado have shown a similar dogged determination and held their collective nerve through the playoffs.
 
Schellas Hyndman had some serious rivals for coach of the year. Hans Backe succeeded in New York and Jason Kreis ensured Real Salt Lake was no one-season wonder. But Hyndman has been given time to build the Hoops and add the necessary pieces.
 
Early last year he brought in David Ferreira on loan from Dallas's Brazilian partner club, Atletico Paranaense. The diminutive Colombian international has made a huge difference. He scores goals and creates many more. He may be small in stature but Ferreira's influence has been immense. 

Hyndman has also managed keep Jeff Cunningham content. Despite the fact he's often used as a substitute these days, the ex-Toronto FC striker again registered double digits in terms of goals and remains a menace to opposition defenders.

Hartman standing tall
 
But the real star of the show is at the other end of the field. Kevin Hartman has been a huge factor in the FCD success story. Hyndman swooped for the 36-year veteran after he failed to agree new terms with Kansas City at the start of the season.
 
It is now 11 years since Hartman was voted MLS goalkeeper of the year. Had he not been in goal against his old club in the Western Conference Final, there is no question in my mind Los Angeles would be contesting the MLS Cup for a second-straight year.
 
A series of acrobatic saves kept the Galaxy at bay - allowing Dallas to hit them on the break and eventually break their spirit. All this from a player who was not even fit enough to take goal kicks tells you everything about his will to win.
 
Colorado must, in my opinion, be considered the real underdog at BMO Field. How could a team, which had not even reached the playoffs for four years, make it all the way to the final? What, or whom, made the difference in 2010?
 
The Dynamic Duo are the obvious candidates. As a double act, Conor Casey and Omar Cummings are probably the most effective strike partnership in MLS. Between them they accounted for 27 of the Rapids' 44 goals - more than 60 per cent of the team's offensive production.
 
Pablo Mastroeni isn't getting any younger - but he's as hungry as ever. At the age of 34 and after nine seasons in Denver, this is probably his final chance to lift the MLS Cup. A true leader, the Rapids' captain remains one of the best defensive midfielders in the League.

A Journeymen's Final?
 
Then there's the British connection - on and off the field. Former Scottish international Jamie Smith, who was once good enough to play for Celtic, has spent 2010 chalking up the assists after recovering from a serious knee injury.
 
On the bench Gary Smith, a former no-nonsense English midfielder, has taken his chance. In his first full season in charge, Colorado achieved its best-ever home record and only missed the playoffs on goal difference to Real Salt Lake - the eventual champions.
 
Few can argue with the Rapids' fully merited, if unexpected, appearance in the MLS Cup. After keeping their cool in a penalty shootout against Columbus, they proceeded to shut out a San Jose side, which had won convincingly in New York.
 
Colorado also knows how to beat FC Dallas. In four previous playoff series, the Rapids have won the lot, so keep that in mind when you're deciding which team to cheer for this weekend.
 
The stars of MLS may be missing but there is a trophy to be won and history to be made. No Beckham or Donovan; no Henry, Marquez or Angel to whet the appetite of the neutral.
 
Dismiss it as the Journeymen's Final if you will. But pride, driven by desire, will be present, and it might produce a thriller.

 

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