Upsets dominated the first leg of the four MLS conference semifinals, which makes these 2011 playoffs particularly enticing. The characters of the teams were revealed with underdogs stepping up, tempers flaring on the pitch and overhyped teams showing cracks in their veneer.
The MLS playoffs are proving meaningful and entertaining this season. This week, three away teams - LA Galaxy, Sporting KC and Houston Dynamo - beat evenly matched teams on the road, which is surprising because MLS doesn't weight away goals. The second leg matches are guaranteed to be thrilling because there's nothing to lose for the strong teams that lost in the first leg, but have the ability to stage more upsets.
- The two winners of the Eastern Conference pairings and the two winners of the Western Conference pairings will face each other in the Conference Championships, hosted by the higher seeds on Sunday, November 6.
- The winners of the Conference Championships will meet at MLS Cup on Sunday, November 20, at 9 pm ET at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
MLS conference semifinal match-up results and predictions
Western Conference
First leg at RSL: Real Salt Lake 3-0 Seattle Sounders. Alvaro Saborio scored twice, both times assisted by Javier Morales, who returned from injury in great form. Ned Grabavoy supplied the third goal unassisted. At times, RSL forwards looked like border collies working a herd of sheep.
Second leg at Seattle: Nov 2, 10 p.m. ET. Seattle will have to win 4-0 or by comparable margin to advance. Even with the formidable atmosphere at CenturyLink Field, that score is unlikely given RSL’s excellent form. Hopefully Salt Lake won’t just sit back and defend, but it’s possible.
Prediction: RSL advances.
Western Conference
First leg at NYRB: LA Galaxy 1-0 New York Red Bulls. Mike Magee, assisted by David Beckham, scored the early game-winning goal here. NY attacked with a vengeance as the chippy game progressed, but LA held steady and prevailed. The field erupted into a melee after the whistle and NY’s Rafa Marquez and LA’s Juninho were ejected and will miss the second leg, although Dax McCarty and suspended Jan Gunnar Solli will be available.
Second leg at LA: Nov 3, 11 p.m. ET. The truth is, the Red Bulls could bounce back from this. There's so much talent and experience on the NY team that when and if they find a way to collaborate, they are unstoppable.
Prediction: LA is favored, but NY could upset. The only absolute prediction is that there will be another skirmish on the pitch.
Eastern Conference
First leg at Philadelphia: Houston Dynamo 2-1 Philadelphia Union. Houston looked sharper than they have all season and the Union performed poorly. Andrew Hainault, assisted by Brad Davis scored first and Sebastien Le Toux equalized. Calen Carr, assisted by Brian Ching, scored the game-winning goal.
Second leg at Houston: Nov. 3, 8:30 p.m. ET. Philadelphia might have just had a bad night and still could emerge with the highest aggregate score.
Prediction: Either way. It’s likely to be a high scoring and entertaining game.
Eastern Conference
First leg at Colorado: Sporting KC 2-0 Colorado Rapids. Sporting have climbed in quality and credibility all season and there’s no indication they’ve plateaued, especially considering designated player Omar Bravo didn’t even take the field in this match. Teal Bunbury scored a goal in the run of play and converted a penalty, but his histrionics will likely have the Rapids looking for retaliation in the second leg.
Second leg at Sporting: Nov 2, 8 p.m. ET. Colorado has been hit with multiple injuries and they are a very predictable team. SPKC is playing with style and confidence.
Prediction: Sporting KC advances.
Click here for the MLS playoff TV schedule.
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