San Jose Earthquakes Lose to L.A. Galaxy: The Day the Magic Died for the Quakes

It was set up for another magical finish. The San Jose Earthquakes were doing battle with the Los Angeles Galaxy in their Western Conference semifinal second leg. The Quakes had earned a 1-0 lead after Victor Bernardez's 94th-minute winner in the firs leg. However, the Galaxy quickly turned the tide on the Supporters' Shield winners. The defending champs came out blazing with a quick goal from Robbie Keane in the 21st minute on a defensive error by early sub Ike Opara. It looked like that was the shock San Jose needed to get going, but it was beat twice more in the first half on a second goal by Robbie Keane and Mr. November, Mike Magee. The MLS leading goal scorer, Chris Wondolowski, had an early opportunity to keep pace, but he blasted a shot from 10 yards over the goal. The Earthquakes have been called the Goonies for their never-say-die attitude. All season long, they appeared to have magic running through them. In three regular-season games with the Galaxy, the Quakes battled from behind to win two and tie the other. Five times this season, the Quakes had stoppage-time winners, including the Bernardez goal on Sunday. It was only fitting that they ...

MLS Playoffs: Galaxy Capitalizing on Injuries to Opponents

Usually during the playoffs of any American sport, an injury to a key player effects the team's performance.The Western Conference playoff matches during the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs this season have seen the injury bug cause two clubs to be eliminated, both by the Los Angeles GalaxyThe first team to have the injury bug eliminate them from the playoffs were the Vancouver Whitecaps.Whitecaps center-back Jay DeMerit went down with an injury that took him out of the one-match play-in game with the Galaxy in the 70th minute, and his replacement, Martin Bonjour, had an instant impact on the final score.Bonjour took down Landon Donovan in the penalty area just one minute after coming on for DeMerit.Not only did Bonjour earn a yellow card from that foul, Donovan converted the penalty kick he earned as well, and that goal was the difference in the Galaxy's 2-1 win over Vancouver.The Galaxy once again took advantage of a center-back injury on Wednesday night in the second leg of their Western Conference semifinal against the San Jose Earthquakes.The hero of the first leg for the Earthquakes, Victor Bernardez, who scored the winning goal at the Home Depot Center in Saturday's 1-0 win in Los Angeles, went ...

Sporting Kansas City Defeats Houston 1-0, Still Knocked out of Playoffs

Sporting Kansas City absolutely dominated the possession in the second leg of their Eastern Conference semifinal against Houston on Wednesday night, but it wasn't enough. Seth Sinovic's first MLS goal in the 64th minute was all the offense Sporting KC could muster and they won the match 1-0, but lost the series 2-1 on aggregate.How dominant was Sporting KC? They held the ball for 71 percent of the match. Houston had only one corner kick and one shot on goal for 90 minutes. In open-play crosses, Sporting KC held a 31-1 advantage for the match.Yet, Sporting KC just couldn't finish. They had plenty of chances, but they just couldn't find the back of the net.This is a team that wasn't ready for the offseason. Team captain Jimmy Nielsen dictated a message to fellow goalkeeper Jon Kempin to put on the team message board before training on Tuesday. It said, "I'M NOT READY FOR A VACATION, SO LET'S SHOW SOME [expletive] BALLS, ATTITUDE AND HUNGER TOMORROW!"They definitely did that. The guys left everything they had out on the field. They increased the pressure on Houston, if that was possible, after they scored. This team wanted to win badly.During the postgame press ...

MLS Cup Playoffs 2012: Breaking Down Thursday’s Semifinal Action

The 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs are already underway, but Thursday’s schedule has just one matchup for soccer fans; the second leg of the Western Conference semifinals between Real Salt Lake and the Seattle Sounders FC.These bitter rivals met three times in the regular season, but between each squad, only one goal was scored. Real Salt Lake stole the only victory gained in the series all the way back on May 12. With another draw in Game 1 of the semifinals, to say these squads are familiar with each other is an understatement. Something has to give, though, and Thursday is as good a day as any for the top-tier offensive talent on both teams to unwind and get their side the definitive series advantage. There is so much on the line in this matchup that even the most causal soccer fans will be able to find serious enjoyment over this tense battle.   Where: Rio Tinto Stadium, Salt Lake, UT When: Thursday Nov. 8 at 10 p.m. ET Watch: Not nationally televised Live Stream: MLS Live  Real Salt Lake Player to Watch: Alvaro Saborío, Forward There is no better player on Real Salt Lake than veteran forward Alvaro Saborío, but ...

MLS Playoffs 2012: Why Postponing New York vs. DC United Was the Right Decision

The weather outside was frightful, but the MLS’ prolonged decision to postpone the second leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals was far from delightful.  Winter storm Athena invaded Red Bull Arena last night, preventing the New York Red Bulls and DC United from ending their wild and wacky series.  As if Hurricane Sandy, own goals and Andy Najar’s petulance was not enough, one of MLS’ oldest rivalries was subjected to a nor’easter that blanketed the $250 million fortress in Harrison, New Jersey with heavy winds and snow. All hands were on deck shoveling mother nature’s elements, including those of MLS commissioner Don Garber, yet they still failed to produce a suitable and safe environment to host the significant match. Every possible measure was taken by the league—even the majestic orange ball was resuscitated in order to increase visibility during the storm.  In the end, MLS decided it was best to postpone the match until this evening. It was not a decision supported by players and members of both organizations, but no one was more visibly upset than DC United head coach Ben Olsen.“Have you seen the field? It looks fine to me,” Olsen said. “I’m baffled that we can’t play ...

MLS Paychecks: Is the American Soccer League Value for Money?

While doing some research for a future Bleacher Report article, I stumbled upon Yahoo’s list of the highest paid MLS players.Ex-European based players, such as Tim Cahill, David Beckham and Thierry Henry, are earning millions of dollars playing in America. Meanwhile, the MLS attempts to compete with gigantic established sports like the NFL and NBA.This got me thinking: does the long-term gain justify the expenditure? Do not get me wrong, the MLS has seen a huge increase in popularity and mainstream TV coverage, particularly here in the UK on ESPN and in North America on a range of stations, including NBC and ESPN.This exposure appears to have seen an upturn in fortunes for some of the MLS based players, who have secured lucrative moves to Europe.Landon Donovan’s successful spell at Everton, where a short-term loan deal turned into a mutual love affair, and Stoke City's summer signing of Geoff Cameron are just two examples of players who appear to have benefited from the MLS’s enhanced reputation here in the UK.  The financial regulations also make the MLS appealing for ordinary football fans.David Moyes would happily embrace the MLS’s ethos of financial parity and providing every team with an equal opportunity of ...

5 Things We Learned from the United-Red Bulls Debacle

As heated rivals D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls prepare for the second leg of their Eastern Conference playoff series tonight, both teams will look back on their first game with regrets over opportunities missed, and with hopes of discerning elusive keys for advancing. Opportunities missed will haunt New York's Hans Backe and D.C.'s Ben Olsen. Both coaches watched their teams give away own goals. Olsen saw his opponents come out flat for a long stretch, and the most celebrated member among them never get in the game. Backe saw his opponents self implode, and finish the last 20-plus minutes a man down.  In a way, both Backe and Olsen should feel lucky to head into the second leg with a 1-1 tie. My guess is neither does. I am not sure I can provide the keys to advancing, but let's review what we the fans have learned from the first leg. Maybe there is a hidden gem somewhere in the mix.Begin Slideshow

New York Red Bulls vs. DC United: Players to Keep an Eye On in MLS Playoff Clash

DC United and the New York Red Bulls will be battling for their playoff lives on Wednesday inside Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, site of the second leg of the two teams' Eastern Conference semifinal matchup.Saturday's first leg in DC ended in a 1-1 draw, with both sides surrendering own goals in the second half. With both squads looking inseparable after leg No. 1, Wednesday's pivotal clash will require the two teams' top stars to be at their best. Let's take a look at a trio of players that MLS fans should keep an eye out for in this epic playoff showdown. Where: Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJWhen: Wednesday, November 7, 2012Start Time: 8:00 p.m. ET Players to WatchChris Pontius, DC United, ForwardDC United's Chris Pontius is a fan favorite around Washington, and for good reason. The 25-year-old has netted 12 goals this season for the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed. Although he failed to get on the board in the first leg against New York last Saturday, Pontius did fire three shots, two of which tested Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles. Surprisingly, Pontius hasn't scored for United since late September. Perhaps Wednesday will be the night he finally ends his drought.The ...

Sporting KC vs. Houston Dynamo: Keys to Victory in Second Leg of MLS Playoff

The Houston Dynamo will look to close out the MLS Eastern Conference Semifinals on Wednesday night when they travel to Kansas City to take on Sporting KC. The Dynamo control their destiny in this match after grabbing a 2-0 advantage in the first match on Monday night. Houston took an early lead in the first match and got a critical goal from Will Bruin late in the second half to seal the 2-0 advantage heading into tonight's contest. As we look ahead to tonight's decisive second leg, here are the biggest keys to victory we will be looking for from both sides.  Sporting KCScore early to keep pressure on Houston; Contain Will BruinKansas City is in a hole, but not an impossible one. It has one of the most potent offenses in MLS, led by Kei Kamara and C.J. Sapong, though neither player was able to get anything going in the first leg. For KC to make this interesting at least one of Kamara and Sapong needs to get going early. Houston feels in control at this particular moment, but one quick goal in front of a home crowd can change everything for Kansas City. The other main objective has to be to contain Will Bruin, ...

San Jose Earthquakes vs. LA Galaxy: Players Who Will Decide Crucial Playoff Game

The Los Angeles Galaxy lost the first leg of the Western Conference semifinals to the San Jose Earthquakes and are now playing from behind going into this crucial postseason match. The Earthquakes’ victory did not come without controversy, as the Galaxy were furious with the referee after he awarded a free kick in a dangerous position in the closing moments of the match. Victor Bernardez converted the opportunity to give San Jose a narrow 1-0 win. There is no love lost between these two teams, and the tension will be extremely high after this recent result. Kickoff is on Wednesday, November 7 at 11 p.m. ET. Here are the players for each team that will be crucial for their chances to reach the conference finals.   San Jose Chris Wondolowski, Striker The Earthquakes' success this season has been led by their attack. The team had the best record in the MLS during the regular season, and its 72 goals scored this year was 13 more than the Galaxy, who finished second in that category.  The driving force behind their unstoppable offense has been Chris Wondolowski. He tied an all-time MLS record and won the Golden Boot for the second time ...