I am going to tell you everything you need to know about this year’s MLS Cup.

First, New England is the better team. They should win. It’s as simple as that.

Second, Los Angeles has the most authentic tournament player in all of Major League Soccer. There are far, far, far better guys to have on your team if you want to win games during the regular season. But come playoff time (or World Cup time, or some or another important tournament time) Landon Donovan will “click” and magically become the player he ought to be week in and week out. I call him lazy. Others call him pragmatic. I suppose it depends which team you root for.

Anyway, as long as they’ve got Donovan the Galaxy has a chance. That’s too bad because Steve Sampson’s a pretty sorry coach, and it wouldn’t be healthy for the league if stupid moves like the one Doug Hamilton made last year when he fired Sigi Schmid found affirmation in the form of a cup win.

That’s all you need to know. A really damn good team in New England. A really damn good tournament player in Los Angeles.

What’s my prediction? Ask me after the match.