Fearless predictions for tonight’s MLS Cup championship

SEATTLE – I was going back and forth on how I felt about this one … until Tommy Hilfiger gave me a tip.

Yep, that’s right. T-Hilf himself finally settled it for me.

Project Galaxy sent out a press release Friday announcing the team would de-bus Sunday at Qwest Field wearing specially made Tommy Hilfiger suits. First, if they were going to attach a clothing sponsor to the 14^th MLS Cup final, wouldn’t a raincoat maker be more appropriate for this soggy weekend?  I like Relwen myself. 

Seriously, this really did nudge me over the finish line in Real Salt Lake’s favor.

I think RSL has the better team. Jason Kreis’ side is definitely better throughout the midfield. The Galaxy is just a little better in defense (though not by much). Donovan Ricketts may be a smidge better than Nick Rimando in goal, although RSL’s man makes up the slight talent gap due to the surge of confidence right now, after last week’s memorable show against Chicago. The forwards are a wash, all things considered.

The David Beckham and Landon Donovan factor made me lean toward L.A. earlier this week, although always cautiously due to RSL’s current starburst of momentum and confidence. Plus, I think this “world against us” thing the men of Utah have bought into gives them that little extra edge.

So I teetered undecidedly.

Then I saw the release on Hilfiger and it cemented things for me. I just think the Galaxy players, even if they are saying all the right things, are just a little less focused on the prize. Beckham and Donovan have been pulled in 75 different directions the last few days. Meanwhile, RSL’s side is full of fringe international players. For a lot of them, they may never line up for a bigger occasion.

Beckham and the MLS Cup? Yeah, he wants it. But we’re talking about a man who has been in World Cup matches, Champions League finals, etc.  And even though I haven’t seen much about it this week, Beckham just doesn’t consistently hit a good ball on fake turf.

Donovan already has three MLS titles. I know he really covets this one; he is a competitor, and he got dog tired of seeing the Galaxy kick around in the shallow end of the MLS pool for the last three (trying) years.

Still, he doesn’t desire it as badly as Kyle Beckerman and Will Johnson; believe me, no one on the slick FieldTurf pitch Sunday will want it more than those two.

I’m calling the upset. (And it would be an upset according to the offshore books.) Give me RSL by a 1-0 margin.