Let's have a little fun.

Rochester and Minnesota have dominated for three straight seasons, and the Rhinos alone have played in four title games in five years. So what does this all mean? Well, if re-alignment is any type of indication, we'll be seeing perhaps some newer talent advancing deeper into the A-League playoffs next season. We'll also see a new playoff system consisting of only 12 teams, all on a seeding system, advance for a chance at the promised land.

With that being nearly totally confirmed, here's my prediction for next season, (all in good fun, of course!):

Minnesota gets their wish and becomes a Western Division team, starting the season with a 15-game road schedule, just to see if they can remain competitive. The Central is the weakest division, and Cincinnati vies to win it, adopting the motto, "No one else wants it, so this is OUR year." In the North, it is decided that the Rhinos have an unfair advantage, so the team is penalized and starts the season with -20 points. Connecticut is given an automatic bye into the playoffs, as a sympathy move by the league.

The league restructures into a new scoring format as well: goals from 20 yards or more now count as 2 goals, and if the 'keeper scores, his team is awarded 5 goals. If a midfielder scores, but his number is not a double digit (e.g., 10 or 23), his goal only counts if the match is tied 0-0 or 3-3 (scores of 1-1, 2-2, 4-4, etc. are not applicable). The goals are raised 15 extra inches and extended 3 extra feet on each side, and targets are placed in the corners for accuracy purposes.

When players are fouled, they are given a choice: either take a free/spot kick or line up with his 10 teammates and chase the offending player around the confines of the field until he is beaten to a bloody pulp. Fans are encouraged to throw sharp objects such as knives and steel-tipped darts at the offender as well, since these are given away as souvenirs on "Fan Appreciation Night" all around the league.

Now let's look at the playoffs. Connecticut, by virtue of sympathy, is given the #1 seed. Cincy finishes a close second, after winning 2 games during the regular season. Boston is seeded, as well as San Diego, Toronto, Minnesota and Rochester, to name a few.

Minnesota and Rochester, in order to avoid a possible fourth consecutive showdown in the National Final (Canada is annexed midway through the season as the 51st state by President Gore/Bush (circle winner here)), are pinned against each other in the first round. The teams tie 1-1, and by virtue of the new scoring matrix in effect, both are eliminated from the playoffs.

Connecticut wins its best-of-ten series with Boston by a combined score of 1-0, advancing into the semis. Boston fails to show up for six of the matches, citing the ridiculousness of the best-of-ten series and the flu as the major reasons.

Cincy wins their best of ten series on a 5-pointer late in the game versus Tennessee, who re-enact the "Music City Miracle" made famous by their American Football brethren. The play works-however Tennessee is not awarded any points, because of the fact that laterals and pitches require the use of the hands. After the third handball, the referee and his assistants decide to penalize the Rhythm by taking away their 5-point goal.

San Diego, desperately trying to reach the Final, is a few goals short of advancing, after Seattle suits the entire German National Team and wins 3-0 in the 6th game. Toronto nearly advances to the Final as well, but a strong surge and a 2-point goal by the Wolves in the 200th minute of game 10 decides the outcome in their favor.

And so the National Final pits Cincy versus Connecticut. Played at a neutral site (Cincinnati), the Final begins slow as each team tries to feel each other out.

Then, just when Connecticut is getting into a nice rhythm, Cincy steals the ball and makes a break for it! It's the 'keeper! He shoots, he scores! 5-0 to Cincy! The Wolves make a desperate final run, but three of their starters are bludgeoned to death for tripping 'Hawks forwards (or was that the grass that tripped them?!?). The final is over! The Riverhawks are Kings of the World!

…Let's just hope next year is competitive and that the rule changes (if any) are reasonable. Enjoy the off-season; the season opener is only 6 months away…

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

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