Along with our TOW / Subside Sports Friday Jersey Contest, this week we’ve got something a little special in store for you.

This Thursday evening we’ll be giving away a pair of 2008 MLS Cup Final Tickets that also includes a Limited Edition Adidas MLS Vest, a Limited Edition Adidas Cap and an All - Star Scarf.

All you have to do is submit your first name in the Comment Section and if chosen, you will be notified and the tickets will be left at the Home Depot Center Will Call before the game.

Good luck!

PS - Those who’ve already sent in E - mails to “Submit” are already entered in the contest.

image via Cache

One of the biggest tests in the 13-year history of the Columbus Crew will come tonight in the MLS Eastern Conference Final — on the field and in the stands.

ESPN Preview here, Soccer America Preview here, Goal Preview here, Vegas Sports Odds Preview here.

Eastern Conference Final, Columbus Crew vs Chicago from Crew Stadium, Thursday 7:30 EST, ESPN2.

If the games between the teams this season are any indication then the match could be headed to penalty kicks to decide a winner. They tied 2-2 in Columbus on July 5 and 2-2 in Chicago on Oct. 12 when Fire forward and Brian McBride scored twice in his first match against his former club. This will be McBride’s first game in Columbus as a member of the Fire.

“It’s going to be a battle. It’s going to be a tough game, lots of fouls, hard tackles. We’re expecting them to come all out and the thing is it’s at home for us,” says Frankie Hejduk. “This is really big for the organization and our fans. They’ve waited a long time,” said midfielder Duncan Oughton. “We’re going to play our style of play. We’ll let them worry about us because we’re not worrying about them, ” says Hejduk.

Images via Foxsports and Flickr

I can’t believe that playoffs are about to start…crazy how quick the season seems to have gone by.

Huge, huge, huge game this Saturday with Real Salt Lake heading out to face the Colorado Rapids for the Rocky Mountain Cup and the #3 spot in the Western Conference.

While Real only needs a tie to go through, the loser of this match will 99.9% be out of the playoffs.

Thanks to Kieran for the shout.

Think your team will make the MLS Playoffs? Check out Sports Club Stats, which uses a bunch of numbers and calculations to graphically show the likelihood of each team’s chances.

Image via Daylife

When I was in school, statistics and I just didn’t get along. We didn’t understand one another, and thus our relationship ever since has been “standoffish.” But not everyone shares my sentiments toward statistics, case in point is Ken Roberts. Ken created a website that analyzes every MLS teams chances of making the playoffs for this year. Ken is this type of dude that you go and seek advice from if say you want to put some coin on your team making the playoffs.  Let’s call him the Sam Rothstein of MLS forecasting. Head over to his site to take a look at what he has put together.

Sam Rothstein in action after the jump.

[Pic Via TOR]

(more…)