Taking a 2-0 lead into the second leg of their Eastern Conference semi-final against Sporting KC, Dominic Kinnear's men are proving to be playoff specialists once again.
The Impact's regular season skidded to an unconvincing halt in a 1-0 loss to Toronto, and they look particularly unthreatening wild card opponents in current form, especially facing a trip to playoff specialists Houston.
The luckless Watson was relieved of his duties and Kinnear, who for once had seen his playoff specialists fail to get above the red line, was left facing an emotional if hastily arranged farewell in his final home game.
Their cathartic Supporters Shield win will have to do them for the year, as they once again stumbled at the Conference semi-final stage to playoff specialists Houston (at least we won't get another LA v Houston final now).
JPW For the second straight season the playoff-specialist Orange knocked out SKC, with their disciplined and defensive outlook prevailing in a 2-1 aggregate victory to reach their fifth conference final in seven years.
Of the 36 Giants who saw regular time in the 1997 playoff game as starters, specialists or key reserves, only 10 remain on the current roster: Armstead, Strahan, Barber, Jason Sehorn, Sam Garnes, Keith Hamilton, Ron Stone, Howard Cross and the kickers Brad Maynard and Brad Daluiso.
He was called up in September and made the Dodgers' playoff roster as a pinch-running specialist.
Bruce Bowen, the Spurs' defensive specialist, who has contained Bryant in playoff battles, said he had one thought once he heard about the 62 points.
Going into the 2008 state playoffs, Mark had 10 touchdowns as a return specialist and 20 receptions for 504 yards for the 7 2 St. Pius Panthers.
"We have more balance and we have commitment," said John Madden, a defensive specialist, who has two goals in the playoffs despite missing three games in the previous round because of an injury to his right knee.
