There was no perfect ending to the surprising run of the New York Red Bulls through the Major League Soccer Playoffs. They worked their way to the MLS Cup, but there was no more magic left - the Columbus Crew kept them grounded. The Crew was the best team during the regular season came out with the teams first ever MLS Cup with a 3-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls.

 Alejandro Mereno, of the Crew, scored the first goal of the match in the 31st minute, slipping a tight-angled shot past Danny Cepero, the Red Bulls goalkeeper. The Red Bulls didn't stop attacking, and evened the score with a goal by John Wolyniec early in the second half. The score didn't stay 1-1 for buy 87 seconds when a Schelotto corner kick was headed in by Chad Marshall to but the Crew up 2-1. Later in the 82nd minute the Crew added some padding to there lead. Frankie Hejduk scored the goal giving Schelotto his third assist in the game.

A well deserving Schelotto was name the MLS Cup Most Valuable Player finishing the game with three assists. This makes him the third player in MLS history to win the league MVP and the MLS Cup Finals MVP honors. A fitting end to a great season for both Schelotto and the Columbus Crew.

The New York Red Bulls won Saturday night. It was kind of shocking to some - no one really expected them to make it this far. After the game Saturday and with only a week until the MLS Cup the Red Bulls boarded their plane and headed back to New Jersey. It was now championship match preparation time. If they want any chance of taking down the Columbus Crew the Red Bulls are going to need a great week of focus and practice. But where is Dane Richards? He didn't board the plane after the game in Salt Lake. He flew to Jamaica instead.

Jamaica?

Without Dane Richards those 3 goals against the defending MLS Cup Champs the Houston Dynamo would have probably never happened. He obviously is a strong part of the team. Why would he head to Jamaica then? He went to join his Jamaican squad for a World Cup qualifier match against Canada. The thing is, he probably isn't even going to get to play in the match. Not to mention that they will need to win by 7 goals and hope the Honduras loses at home to Mexico.

Not the Only One

Dane Richards isn't the only player to be called to their international squad this week. Jorge Rojas and Gabriel Cichero both joined their Venezuela squad which will face Angola in a friendly on Wednesday.

Good or Bad

The players plan on being back with the Red Bull squad on Thursday. Still that's most of the week that they will have missed. Not to mention the flying and time zone changes. But they are professionals right? And they have prior commitments. It's just hard to think that they will be playing for the MLS Cup - the championship match of the league - on Sunday and they have to fly around the world to meet up and play with other teams - which one is a friendly game and the other is a no chance World Cup Qualifier.
The good thing is they are getting the national team experience. Even if they don't get to play that much - being their learning and watching will hopefully help them grow as a player, no matter their age. Plus, it's always good to have MLS players in national events to hopefully increase the fan base and following of the MLS.

MLS Cup 2008

It's down to the final two. After a miraculous run by the New York Red Bulls there are only two teams left in the journey for the MLS Cup in 2008. The Columbus Crew, who have been a strong team all year, will take on the surprise New York Red Bulls. Neither of these teams have ever won the MLS Cup, or even been in the championship match.

The Road to Victory

The Columbus Crew tied the Kansas City Wizards in the Conference Semifinals First Leg 1-1. In the Conference Semifinals Second Leg the Columbus Crew made sure they advanced by scoring two goals to Kansas City Wizards zero. In the Eastern Conference Championship the Columbus Crew bested the Chicago Fire 2 to 1.

The New York Red Bulls also tied in the Conference Semifinals First Leg with the Houston Dynamo. But in the Second Leg the took it to the Houston Dynamo and won 3 to 0. In the Western Conference Championship the Red Bulls scored in the 28th minute and held for a surprise win over Real Salt Lake 1 to 0.

The Major League Soccer Cup Championship will be played on Sunday November 23 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. and can be watched on ABC.