Watching Thursday night's Colorado vs. Columbus game was not an easy experience. After all, this game really meant something -- particularly for the Colorado Rapids. This was their chance, in the opening playoff game, to score a few goals, the theory being that they will need that cushion as they now have to go to play the return leg on Columbus.

The MLS playoffs are upon us, accompanied by various organizational hiccups that could be quite embarrassing. I'll look at those in a moment, but first let me jump in immediately, with a suggestion to MLS that might help to reduce the red-face factor.

Last week's Inter-Spurs Champions League game grabbed a lot of headlines for the astounding way that Spurs, with 10 men, were able to come back from 4-0 down to a 4-3 final score -- courtesy of three goals from Gareth Bale. Three terrific goals from a 21-year-old player who gets better with every game, and who exemplifies the modern flank player.

How much longer can South American soccer last? I mean, how much longer can it continue being truly South American soccer, the soccer of artistry and goals?

I must admit, I found Alex Ferguson's television appearance moving. He was talking to the press about Wayne Rooney. Trying to explain why Rooney wanted to leave Manchester United.

Absolutely asking for it. That would be a concise comment on FIFA's bidding process for the rights to stage the 2018 and 2022 World Cups -- now engulfed in allegations of corruption.

Having been thoroughly miffed by the 6-4-0 formation that Scottish coach Craig Levein used against the Czech Republic last week, I noted his remarks before yesterday's game against Spain with considerable distaste.

Twenty years ago, a few months before the 1990 World Cup, I asked the same question of two national team coaches: Did they feel under any obligation to play attractive soccer?

From being a fervent admirer of Dutch soccer -- back in the 1970s, the days of "total soccer" -- I have passed through the stages of being just an admirer, sliding down to a grudging admirer, and now that of occasional admirer.

Back in December a headline caught my eye. "Goals Galore Expected from Favorable Draw" it read -- referring to the Champions League pairings which had just been decided, pitting Spain's Sevilla against CSKA Moscow.

If MLS ran things the way that they do elsewhere in the world and employed the promotion/relegation system, then right now we should be looking at a quite extraordinary situation.