The MLS playoffs are full of high pressure and amazing performance moments that only few players can handle. Very few players are able to deal with the pressure and still perform to help their team through to the next test in this win or go home format. The NBA had Robert Horry, the NFL has Eli Manning and the NHL has Jonathan Toews. These underrated players aren’t always the ones who stick out in the conversation about best players in the league; however, their mettle is proven when it counts most, in the post season. Not always the most physically gifted but often the hardest working on and off the field/court/ice to prepare themselves for that moment when their team needs them most. Here are four players who‘s playoff experience should benefit their teams in this MLS post season:
Bobby Boswell (DC United) – Boswell made his triumphant return to the team this year after six seasons in Houston. The United captain has 26 playoff games under his belt, giving him the most playoff experience out of any current defender in the playoffs. Boswell has been on good teams in the past, but hasn’t been able to win the coveted cup, making it to the Final once in 2011 with Houston Dynamo. His task is daunting this weekend as if he wants to continue his journey to his first MLS Cup his team will need to beat the New York Red Bulls by 3 goals and most likely will need to shut down the Red Bulls attack that kept him and his backline mates on their toes all afternoon in the first leg. Boswell’s leadership, organization ability, and experience should bring a calm force to the United defense.
Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake) – 2009 MLS Cup champion Beckerman has been labeled a bit of a late bloomer, despite the fact that he has always been a solid defensive midfielder. The RSL star has had 30 games of playoff experience and knows when to turn up the level of his play, having played in the playoffs for Colorado Rapids and RSL. He has 2 goals and 6 assists in his playoff career, but it is his ability to control the midfield and provide support to his defense why Beckerman has been a key piece in RSL for the past 8 seasons and becoming a USMNT player staple over the past couple of years. No one will mistake Beckerman as the greatest defensive midfielder that ever played, however, it is hard to argue once the MLS Playoffs get underway and how he fights and wins possession on the field to give RSL opportunities to control the tempo of games.
Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake) – Another 2009 MLS Cup champion, Rimando has been one of MLS’s unsung keepers who always seems to shine most in the lights of post season play. Rimando has played in 32 playoff games, for RSL, DC United, and Miami Fusion. Rimando’s qualities as a keeper have helped him to 13 playoff shutouts, including last weekend v. LA Galaxy, and seen him raise the cup in 2009 with his current team. He allows 1.16 goals per game in the post season, as opposed to his regular season numbers of allowing 1.19 goals per game. Granted it is a miniscule difference, the fact that he has a slightly better average in the playoffs may point to the fact that Rimando’s performance improves in post season play. He will be needed to match the play of LA’s goalkeeper, Jaime Penedo, who was the first leg’s Man of the Match in order to help his team advance in this post season, a challenge that Rimando should be up for based on his experience.
Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy) – While not an underrated player, all things MLS always come back to Donovan. He has 37 playoff games under his belt between San Jose Earthquakes and LA Galaxy, and out of the current players still in the playoffs has played in the most playoff games. Donovan has 22 goals and 12 assists in his playoff career, however, currently finds himself on a 3 game playoff streak without a goal or assist. History and logic point to Donovan breaking out of the slump at some point soon, LA fans are hoping this will be the weekend. He has made a career of showing up in big games such as scoring a goal in each of LA’s last two MLS Cup Final wins and timely goals as a USMNT player in World Cups, Gold Cups and qualifiers. RSL is most likely not underestimating Donovan’s ability to create memorable moments in the playoffs, however, if they are, fans may be treated to a final blast of Donovan magic.
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