Congratulations, Seattle Sounders and their attractive fans. You've won the Supporter's Shield! Assuredly 18 other teams are envious, but half of those teams now have a chance to be crowned champions over Seattle in this year's addition of the MLS Cup Playoffs! Starting Wednesday with Vancouver Whitecaps visiting FC Dallas, this new version of the playoffs aims to be much better than previous versions, which shouldn't be too hard because Portland wasn't invited.

But who are the favored teams? Who will win? It'd be easy to say Seattle, but I consulted science and history to determine the route the playoffs would take. No, I didn't bury my head in books with a lab coat and beakers next to me, instead I used analogous figures from a galaxy far, far away. And this lead me to the key of these playoffs.

Which Star Wars villain best represents each playoff team?

It's a simple question easily, one that answers itself naturally, and as a result, I was able to take bias, emotions, injuries, and statistics out of the equation. Instead it's just a one on one battle that should have one winner and one loser.

The Teams

Western Conference

Seattle Sounders

LA Galaxy

Real Salt Lake

FC Dallas

Vancouver Whitecaps

Eastern Conference

DC United

New England Revolution

Columbus Crew

New York Red Bulls

Sporting Kansas City

The Characters

Seattle Sounders - Darth Vader Darth Vader is a very powerful individual and everybody knows it. He's never been top dog, but he could if he just took the opportunity. Sometimes he doesn't get the respect he deserves for his sorcerous ways, and when that's a case he just mind-chokes a bitch. He gets his way eventually, even though there might be some ups and downs along the way. LA Galaxy - The Emperor Nobody likes the Emperor, but you can't deny the dude's extremely powerful. Facing off against the Emperor usually results in a one way trip to the space morgue. There are even hints that he has a secret to immortality, which could make this extremely worthy foe just that much more dangerous. But goodness, you can't help but hate him. Real Salt Lake - Darth Maul Darth Maul is potent and everybody knows it. Lose focus for one moment and you've got a lightsaber through your gut, and that's a good way to turn a good day into a bad one real fast. But he can be beaten. FC Dallas - Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks is probably the worst villain ever created. His ability to elicit anger from all those who watch him is otherworldly. He's annoying, his own kind outcast him, and he's easily manipulated. The world would be better off if he never existed. Vancouver Whitecaps - Stormtroopers Individually a stormtrooper is nothing to worry about, but get 11 or 14 in a group and they're still probably not that dangerous. There's not a lot to them, not a lot of character, just nameless faceless organizations that are easily tricked and shouldn't pose much of a threat ever. DC United - George Lucas

George Lucas had his heyday a long time ago, and it was a very good heyday. Since then he's been trying to rekindle his glory day to varying successes. Some of them are decent. Some of them are really, truly awful. But you never know with him. He's capable of great things. Terrible, yes, but great.

New England Revolution - Boba Fett

Everybody seems to really like Boba Fett, even though he hasn't accomplished anything ever. There seems to be a lot of hype around him that he's never earned. He doesn't do anything spectacular and always seems to be the lackey of some truly evil and rotten dudes.

Columbus Crew - Sarlacc

Have you ever been to Columbus? Yeah, it's exactly like experiencing a thousand years of pain and suffering.

New York Red Bulls - Jabba the Hutt

Historically gluttonous with a penchant for fancy, extravagant things. Jabba is a nasty dude who, if you crossed him, would freeze you in carbonite, throw you in a rancor pit, or enslave you and make you wear skimpy clothes that are very demeaning.

Sporting Kansas City - General Grievous

General Grievous is dangerous, very dangerous. But he's also kind of a dick. He's had a string of success and has a bit of an ego as a result. It'll be tough to take him down.

The Matchups

Knockout Round

Jar Jar Binks vs Stormtroopers

Have you ever seen a Stormtrooper shoot? He can't hit shit. Jar Jar Binks, on the other hand, aided in the fight during the Invasion of Naboo. He was also the senator responsible for giving The Emperor unending term limits. So thanks for that, Jar Jar. You're the worst, but if you could clumsily defeat a droid army, who's programmed to aim properly, you can definitely defeat Stormtroopers. Jar Jar Binks!

Jabba the Hutt vs General Grievous

Do you see all those lightsabers Jabba the Hutt doesn't have? Do you see all those lightsabers General Grievous does have? Yeah. General Grievous!









Conference Semifinals

The Emperor vs Darth Maul

The master faces the pupil. All The Emperor would need to do would be to telegraph his telepathy very blatantly and he'll dispatch Darth Maul in no time. One's all-powerful while the other is learning how to be all-powerful from the all-powerful one. The Emperor!



