Breaking down the MLS Playoffs
By Bill Bernardi
PA SportsTicker Soccer Editor
The 2008 MLS Cup playoffs have provided fans of the beautiful game with plenty of excitement - and we’ve only just begun.
Now that the league’s conference finals are upon us, here’s a closer look at what’s in store for the final four:
WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
No. 4 NEW YORK RED BULLS vs. No. 3 REAL SALT LAKE
Schedule: Red Bulls at Real Salt Lake, Saturday, 9:30 p.m.
How they got here: New York Red Bulls defeated No. 1 Houston Dynamo; Real Salt Lake defeated No. 2 Chivas USA
Season series: The Red Bulls won the series, 1-0-1. New York posted a 2-1 triumph at Giants Stadium on September 13 before playing to a 1-1 draw in the debut of Rio Tinto Stadium on October 9.
Outlook: Well, this certainly wasn’t the Western Conference final that most expected. The Red Bulls unceremoniously ended the Houston Dynamo’s quest for an unprecedented three-peat by bouncing the defending champions in the conference semifinals. Midfielder Dane Richards played a key role in Sunday’s series-clinching triumph by scoring a goal, setting up a penalty kick and notching an assist. The Red Bulls got the better of Real Salt Lake in the season series, and they can thank Dave van den Bergh for that. The midfielder scored a goal in both contests. For New York to advance, it will have to thwart another determined challenger. Making its first postseason appearance, Real Salt Lake advanced with an aggregate victory over third-seeded Chivas USA in the conference semifinals. Midfielder Javier Morales recorded a goal and two assists en route to ending Chivas USA’s campaign. The Utah contingent will need Morales and forward Yura Movsisyan (team-high seven goals) to step up if they are going to keep Real Salt Lake’s dream season alive. The Red Bulls are 2-0-6 all-time against Real Salt Lake.
Prediction: New York Red Bulls
EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
No. 2 CHICAGO FIRE vs. No. 1 COLUMBUS CREW
Schedule: Fire at Crew, Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
How they got here: The Fire defeated No. 3 New England Revolution; the Crew defeated No. 4 Kansas City
Season series: Teams tied 0-0-2. The Fire visited Columbus on July 5 and played to a 2-2 draw, while the teams also played to the same score on October 12 in Bridgeview, Illinois. The Fire did record a 3-2 triumph over the Crew in the U.S. Open Cup on June 10.
Outlook: The winners of the Supporters’ Shield for most points in the MLS, the Crew are just 90 minutes removed from reaching their first MLS Cup Final in franchise history. After posting an 8-1-2 record in its final 11 matches to cruise into the postseason, Columbus outlasted a pesky Kansas City side in the conference semifinals. With the win, Columbus reached the conference championships for the first time since 2002. The Crew will look to take the next step with talented players such as Alejandro Moreno (team-high nine goals), Guillermo Barros Schelotto (MLS-best 19 assists) and goalkeeper William Hesmer (league-best 10 shutouts). Unfortunately for Columbus, it has lost its four previous appearances in the conference championship. Standing in the Crew’s way is Chicago, which overcame nemesis New England in the conference semifinals. After being run out of the postseason by the Revolution in each of the past three postseasons, the Fire will play in the conference final for the seventh time in franchise history. For Chicago to reach its fourth MLS Cup Final in franchise history, it will need strong performances from Chris Rolfe (team-high nine goals), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (seven goals, 11 assists) and former Crew forward Brian McBride (five goals in 11 matches). This is the first time these teams have met in the postseason.
Prediction: Chicago Fire