Toronto and Rochester:
Northeast Division foes, bad blood.

Minnesota and Milwaukee:
Central Division foes, bad blood.

Sound like a similar theme here?

All year long we heard and read about how the Pacific and the Atlantic Divisions were the better groupings in the A-League and, while I tend to agree to some extent, I can't say that their representatives would have made for very interesting matchups in the Conference Finals. Realistically, the two best Western Conference teams, Minnesota and Milwaukee, made it right to where most people thought they would. In the East, Rochester made it their mission after being eliminated from the US Open Cup, while Toronto continues to raise eyebrows (and win).

So, are the two best divisions being represented in the Conference Finals? No. I easily thought that Richmond or Charleston would be in the Eastern Conference Final versus Rochester or Long Island. That didn't pan out according to script. Neither did San Diego's hopes of finally winning that elusive A-League title, as they exited early in the First Round this year. And let's not overlook Seattle, although I think Milwaukee has the better defense between the two.

Although the four remaining teams come from the A-League's weaker divisions, it's hard to deny that these teams have earned their rightful spots in the Conference Finals. Toronto may be offensively the weakest of the bunch, but they obviously thrive on being the underdog and will be a true test for Rochester with a 'keeper like Zagar between the sticks. Minnesota has the firepower and the heart to overcome adversity (evident versus Vancouver), but Milwaukee may have the Thunder's number this season. The Rhinos have hit their stride at the right time and will do some damage before it's all over. To say that the league's weakest divisions sent their teams to the Conference Finals is an injustice to the teams that are here; these are evidently the A-League's four premier squads of the 2000 season.

Will Minnesota and Rochester pull off the three-peat? That remains to be seen, much to the chagrin of the Lynx and Rampage. Of the remaining teams, only one has never won the A-League title, Toronto. I will repeat what I stated at mid-season: Is this the year of the Lynx? Experience (and luck) will be key, and the teams that want it more will get to the Promised Land for a one-game showdown. I know this sounds cliché, but right now the league has the best teams possible to make for a killer finale.

The best soccer is yet to come, regardless of the division it comes from.

It's just my opinion, but I could be right

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