So, now what? An MLS Cup home game? What does this mean? It means that visiting fans and sports media now have one or two weeks, depending on the cushion between the Conference finals and the big game, to book flights, hotels, etc. For sports editors and accounting departments, this means more expenses and more hassles. And, it most certainly means more editors saying “no” to doing anything more than using wire copy for MLS Cup.

Until Sunday, the Galaxy had been the team that couldn’t win when it mattered. But then a trio of Designated Players combined to give Los Angeles the goal that ended years of frustration.

His teammate, David Beckham, was named MLS Comeback Player of the Year on Monday; but you could make an argument that it should have been Dunivant, not Becks, who should have got that nod. At 30, Dunivant had his best-ever season in Los Angeles, playing in 33 of 34 games with one of the stingiest defences in North American soccer.

Garber wouldn’t say exactly what the new format will be, but it will have a “rivalry” focus. So, expect to see more Cascadia games for the Whitecaps. More Colorado vs. Real Salt Lake. More Chivas vs. Los Angeles Galaxy. And Toronto and Montreal could face each other more than twice next season.

Hainault, who was not invited to the Canadian national team camp for next week’s two upcoming World Cup qualifiers against St. Kitts and Nevis, scored the opening goal as the Dynamo beat Sporting Kansas City 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Final.

Canadian midfielder Will Johnson will play in the MLS Western Conference Final; but his Real Salt Lake had to survive a furious charge from the Seattle Sounders.

MLS released its playoff schedule on Tuesday — and the road to MLS Cup is tougher than ever.

The Montreal Impact became the scourge of play-by-play men across the NASL with the signing of former New York Red Bulls’ midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic.

Last month, Eric Avila was envisioning himself playing soccer in Mexico. Now, he’s a member of Toronto FC. Avila, an attacking midfielder, was acquired by Toronto FC Tuesday in a deal that sent forward Maicon Santos the other way.

LS has decided to keep its championship game at a neutral-site venue. And, it will go back to the safety of a warm-weather site for the Nov. 20 MLS Cup. The league announced Tuesday that the game will be awarded to the Home Depot Centre, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA.