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The San Jose Earthquakes have lived a charmed life so far this postseason, but the team knows it cannot live on the edge this Sunday against the Chicago Fire.
Frank Yallop's side depends heavily on team defence, the leadership of veterans like Jeff Agoos, and the league's best individual player in Landon Donovan. However, they finished second to the Fire in the regular season, and can be matched and beaten on paper at every position.
However, it seems that a higher being has their chips on the Earthquakes this offseason, and Yallop and company remain confident they can pull a minor "upset" at the Home Depot Center.
"We're really looking forward to this weekend," said Yallop. "Were very glad to be here, obviously there's been a little bit of Lady Luck on the way. But having said that, we've worked very, very hard all season to get to this point.
"We're taking this game on Sunday and we're really going to go for it and obviously try and get a victory to get another MLS Cup on the shelf. We just want to take care of business and get a win on Sunday."
Yallop does have some lineup choices to make. If healthy enough to start, Dwayne De Rosario should replace Jamil Walker alongside Donovan in attack. De Rosario has an excellent history in MLS Cup finals, scoring the golden goal winner two seasons ago against the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Agoos played left back in the second leg against the Kansas City Wizards last weekend, but on the larger Home Depot field he may be shuffled back into the middle of the Earthquake defence. If that takes place, Todd Dunivant or Ramiro Corrales takes the left back role. Also, Troy Dayak, Eddie Robinson or Craig Waibel would have to taste the sting of losing a spot in the starting lineup.
The veteran Agoos will play his sixth final in the league's eight-year history. After missing out on the 1994 World Cup as the last cut, the barbs he received after France '98, and the injury that saw him miss the latter part of the run in Japan and Korea, Agoos has perhaps the best resume on the club level of any MLS player.
"I'm very fortunate to have been in so many finals in the short existence of this league," said Agoos. "Really, the championship game is so completely different from any playoff or regular season game.
"The only thing I can convey to the young players is not to worry about it, to enjoy it. How many opportunities do you get to get to a final? If you put too much stress on yourself, if you put too much pressure on yourself, you're not going to be able to perform, so go out and enjoy it."
"I think it says it all about Jeff," Yallop said, "what he's done and what he's accomplished in his career. It is not a surprise that he's in the final again."
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