Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders FC: Complete Preview for MLS Semifinal

The Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders renew their rivalry Thursday night. This time, the stakes have been raised, as a spot in the Western Conference final is on the line. In the first leg of this two-legged affair, the Timbers came through with a big 2-1 win at CenturyLink Field. While away goals don't count in this instance, going into Seattle and walking away with a win is still a huge result. Jeld-Wen Field will be electric for this fixture. Overcoming a one-goal deficit will be difficult for the Sounders in such a daunting atmosphere. Portland lost just one match there the entire season. Here's a quick preview for the newest entry in this Pacific Northwest derby.   When: Thursday, Nov. 7, at 11 p.m. ET Where: Jeld-Wen Field, Portland, Ore. TV Info: NBC Sports Network Live Stream: MLS Live   Portland Player to Watch: Donovan Ricketts It's not a matter of if, but how much Donovan Ricketts will be tested. The Sounders have too much strength in the attack to go out with a whimper. Seattle will have plenty of shots on goal and opportunities to either tie or go ahead in the tie. The entire Portland defense has been doing its part, especially at home. According to MLSSoccer.com, the Timbers ...

Real Salt Lake vs. LA Galaxy: Galaxy Must Improve After Close Match in First Leg

The Los Angeles Galaxy were able to defeat Real Salt Lake 1-0 in the first leg of the 2013 MLS playoffs, but they must improve if they have hopes of winning their third-straight MLS Cup this season. The Galaxy entered the playoffs as the No. 3 seed after a second-place finish in the West behind the Portland Timber. They were just four points behind Portland, but they didn't play like it against Real Salt Lake. Sean Franklin scored L.A.'s lone goal of the game in the early goings of the second half of the match, but there were a plethora of missed opportunities by Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane. Franklin's first goal in almost five months was enough to push the Galaxy into the second leg, but Donovan and Keane can't keep missing opportunities in the upcoming legs of the playoffs. They had several opportunities up front to put the game out of reach, though each striker was unable to capitalize on easy opportunities. Credit needs to be given to Real Salt Lake's defense and goalkeeper Nick Rimando, but the fact remains that Donovan and Keane simply weren't effective. Moving into the second leg, Donovan and Keane will need to work together on spacing in ...

MLS Cup Playoffs 2013: Schedule and Predictions for Thursday’s Action

The MLS Cup playoffs head back to the pitch on Thursday with the second leg of the Western Conference semifinals.   Holding a 2-1 lead, the Portland Timbers will host the Seattle Sounders. Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake will host the Los Angeles Galaxy facing a 1-0 deficit. With just a one-goal difference in both matchups, it sets up an exciting Thursday. Check out the full schedule below, and then I'll offer up predictions for Thursday's games.    Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders The Sounders found great success with the 4-4-2 lineup in the previous round against the Colorado Rapids. However, that wasn't quite as effective against the Timbers. Portland's width and ball control spread out and frustrated that formation, and if it wasn't for a late goal by Osvaldo Alonso, Seattle would be facing an even more dire position. So, what do the Sounders do now? Seattle has to aggressively look for goals to try and steal this series while on the road, but with Portland's ability to maintain possession and launch counters, that is not going to work out well. Portland only lost one game at home all season and that was back in March. I don't see that streak ending on Thursday.  Prediction: Portland 2, Seattle 0   Real Salt Lake vs. Los ...

MLS Cup Playoffs 2013: Key Teams to Watch in Chase for Title

With the 2013 MLS Cup Playoffs just getting under way, it's worth examining three key teams that each have a legitimate chance to make a run at the title. The field is full of talented teams. The Los Angeles Galaxy are looking to win their third-straight MLS Cup, while the New York Red Bulls enter the playoffs having scored the most regular season points in the league. A matchup between the two in the MLS Cup would certainly make for the best match of the season, though anything can happen from now until December 7—the day the final match is scheduled for. The teams contending for the cup obviously aren't limited to the following clubs, but putting your money on one of these three teams to win it all would appear to be a safe bet. Each club is talented enough to take it home.   New York Red Bulls It's hard to pick against a team looking to win their third-straight MLS title (the Galaxy), but the Red Bulls are the best team in position to claim the title this season. The Red Bulls haven't played for the Cup since 2008, and that should be motivation enough for this team to play with a fire ...

MLS Cup Playoffs 2013: Schedule and Predictions for Entire Postseason

The Major League Soccer playoffs are just getting started, and the upcoming action is certain to excite with some of the most memorable games of the entire season. While the New York Red Bulls stroll into the postseason sporting the most points from the regular season, there are plenty of other contenders threatening to become champions and take home the MLS Cup. Let's take a look at the schedule and predictions for the MLS Cup Playoffs. Up-to-date TV schedule here courtesy of MLS Soccer    Eastern Conference Finals: New York Red Bulls vs. New England Revolution Neither the Red Bulls nor the Revolution have secured their spot in the finals, but I expect both to do so on Wednesday night and eventually compete for the right to go to the MLS Cup.  It's no secret how the Red Bulls have emerged as the league's top club throughout the season, as they boast two players in Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill who have excelled at the Premier League level. They combined for 22 goals during the season. The Revolution have enjoyed their own offensive success under Diego Fagundez, who put up 13 goals during the regular season, and midfielder Kelyn Rowe. But they won't be any match for the most dominant ...

Sporting Kansas City vs. New England Revolution: Complete Preview for MLS Clash

The New England Revolution travel to Kansas City Wednesday with a spot in the Eastern Conference Final on the line. This is the second leg of the two-legged Eastern semifinal. The Revolution carry a 2-1 advantage into the match after a win at home Saturday. Unlike European knockout competitions, that away goal for Sporting Kansas City will count just the same as a home goal, so they're not coming into this match with any sort of edge in that regard. It should be a lively affair, as Sporting KC look to take control early in front of their home fans and get the crucial equalizer. They've got a talented side, and getting bounced this early in the playoffs would be considered a major disappointment after earning the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.   When: Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 9 p.m. ET Where: Sporting Park, Kansas City, Kan. TV: KSMO (Kansas City); CSN-NE (New England) Live Stream: MLS Live   Top Storylines Will Sporting KC's Season End at Home, Again? By virtue of having the lower seed, Sporting Kansas City are supposed to be at an advantage playing at home in the second leg. It's the more pivotal of the two matches, so the team with the better regular-season record should ...

New York Red Bulls vs. Houston Dynamo: Complete Preview for MLS Playoff Matchup

The New York Red Bulls are in the midst of an important Eastern Conference Semifinal showdown in the 2013 MLS Playoffs with the Houston Dynamo, and it's all coming down to a second-leg match on Wednesday night. The two sides finished Saturday's opening leg with a 2-2 draw in Houston, where goals by Tim Cahill and Eric Alexander helped the Red Bulls cancel out a red card and come back to Red Bull Arena playing for an appearance in the MLS semifinals. Here's everything you need to know for the upcoming match.    Date: Wednesday, November 6 Start Time: 8 p.m. ET TV: Univision Deportes Live Stream: MLS Live   Red Bulls Player to Watch: Thierry Henry The international star was quiet in the first leg on Saturday, but don't expect that to be the case at home in this crucial match. Henry finished the season with 10 goals, second on the club behind Tim Cahill—who scored in Houston Saturday. His last appearance of the regular season produced a goal in a 5-2 rout over Chicago. The Dynamo kept New York's offensive attack to just two shots on goal, both of which were scores. But that won't be the case on Wednesday with everything on the line, as Henry will show why he was one of ...

Best and Worst from 1st Leg of the MLS Cup Playoffs Conference Semifinal

The best action from the first leg of the MLS Cup playoffs conference semifinal was highlighted by the Portland Timbers and Sean Franklin, but what about the worst? Plenty of candidates met the criteria this weekend. Referees improperly officiated. Defenders took the football lines a bit too literal when making their challenges. MLS' perception took a hit. Each of the four scheduled matches from the weekend will be featured in this playoff edition of MLS' best and worst. Read on to find out why.Begin Slideshow

Houston Dynamo vs. New York Red Bulls: Top Storylines in Playoff Showdown

The New York Red Bulls may be the Supporters’ Shield winners and riding high with a current eight-game unbeaten streak, but anything can happen come playoff time. The Red Bulls will face off against the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday in the Eastern Conference semifinals. As with any postseason showdown, there are plenty of intriguing storylines to keep an eye on. Let’s dig into a few.   New York’s Head-to-Head Dominance New York ran rampant through much of the MLS this season—hence the Supporters’ Shield—but it was particularly strong against Houston. The Red Bulls knocked off the Dynamo all three times they met by a combined score of 9-1. What’s more, two of those games took place in Houston. That’s the type of dominance that could come into play mentally for both squads if New York gets off to a quick start on Sunday afternoon. It is worth noting that the Red Bulls also won in Houston in their lone postseason meeting there five years ago, but that won’t have as much of an impact as this season’s head-to-head matchups. It will be important for Houston to get off to a quick start so potential self-doubt doesn’t creep into its players’ ...

MLS Cup Playoffs 2013: Schedule and Predictions for Conference Semifinals

The Houston Dynamo and Seattle Sounders survived the knockout round to complete the eight-team field for the MLS Cup Playoffs. It should be a terrific postseason considering the playoff teams were separated by no more than eight points in the table. While it's a wide-open battle for the title, the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Galaxy will take center stage as they seek a three-peat. The veteran attacking tandem of Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan give them a good opportunity to go the distance again. Without further ado, let's check out the complete schedule for the conference semifinals and make predictions for which clubs will advance to the next round.   Conference Semifinal Schedule Eastern Conference   Western Conference   Round Predictions New York Red Bulls vs. Houston Dynamo The Red Bulls led the league with 58 goals during the regular season. It wasn't because they had one dominant force atop the formation, though. Instead, the team used its terrific depth to get production from numerous sources. Tim Cahill and Thierry Henry combined for 21 goals to lead the way. They will continue to headline the attack, but having such a deep group is going to come in handy during tight playoff games. It's usually when unsung heroes emerge, and New York ...