MLS Cup Playoffs 2015: Conference Finals Scores, Reaction and Updated Schedule

The race for the MLS Cup is underway. The first leg of the MLS Conference Finals began Sunday with the Eastern Conference Finals, as the Columbus Crew hosted the New York Red Bulls followed by the Portland Timbers playing host to top seed FC Dallas in the Western Conference Finals. Columbus is the only team in this field of four that knows what it's like to win a championship. As irony would have it, the Crew beat the Red Bulls back in 2008 to win their first MLS Cup. The Red Bulls haven't made it to the Finals since. On the West side, FC Dallas hasn't been to the MLS Cup since 2010, when it fell to the Colorado Rapids in extra time thanks to an own goal. The four-year-old Timbers franchise is looking for its first-ever trip to the MLS Cup Finals. Here's a rundown of Sunday's first-leg action.   Eastern Conference Finals Columbus 2, New York 0 It didn't take long for the Crew to put their stamp on the Eastern Conference Finals. In fact, it took all but nine seconds. Justin Meram scored the fastest goal in MLS playoffs history, nine seconds in, to put Columbus up 1-0. From there on, the Crew dictated the pace ...

Ultimate Guide to MLS Weekend: Previewing the Conference Final 1st Legs

The Major League Soccer postseason returns to the pitch on Sunday as four teams continue their respective quests to hoist the MLS Cup on December 6. Each of the remaining quartet advanced to the conference final round in a different way, but all four are more than deserving of their spots in the final four.  Sunday's two-game slate starts at a sold-out Mapfre Stadium, where the Columbus Crew host the New York Red Bulls in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Final. The visiting Red Bulls impressed for the majority of the regular season, but they struggled to finish off D.C. United in the semifinal round, as they needed a late Bradley Wright-Phillips goal in the second leg to secure passage into the next stage of the playoffs. Jesse Marsch's side must perform better on Sunday in order to take an advantage back to Red Bull Arena for the second leg on Nov. 29. In order to achieve success on the road, the Red Bulls need yet another big game out of captain Dax McCarty, who will be locked in a head-to-head battle with Columbus playmaker Federico Higuain.  The play of the back line will also be critical to the success of the Supporters' ...

MLS Playoff Power Rankings: Columbus Crew and FC Dallas Surge into Top 3

And then there were four. The New York Red Bulls, Columbus Crew, FC Dallas and Portland Timbers advanced to the MLS Conference finals. The former two will square off in the East, with the latter two battling in the West. Columbus and Dallas overcame deficits from the first leg before progressing. As a result, both sides have catapulted into the top three of the power rankings this week. As always, the eight conference semifinalists will be graded based on the following criteria: Quality of opponent and performance. Recent form beyond the previous match.  Key absences. Here are the latest MLS playoff power rankings.Begin Slideshow

MLS Playoff Player Rankings: Plenty of Fluctuation After Weekend’s Action

The most exciting start to a Major League Soccer postseason in recent memory left us wanting more and then some after Sunday's slate of four matches concluded.  In those four conference semifinal showdowns, plenty of star players delivered standout performances that earned them a good amount of accolades.  Although we aren't handing out any postseason hardware yet, we do have a good idea who the 10 best players of the postseason to date are.  Due to the small sample size on which we based the MLS Playoff Power Rankings, there was plenty of movement in the 10 positions this week. The stars closest to the top of the list were the most consistent over the last two weekends of play.  Continue reading on to see which player stood out among the pack and earned the top spot in our MLS Playoff Power Rankings. Begin Slideshow

Patrick Vieira to New York City FC: Latest Contract Details, Comments, Reaction

Former Arsenal midfielder and Manchester City reserve manager Patrick Vieira has been appointed as New York City FC's new head coach, signing a three-year contract with the MLS franchise on Monday.   The team confirmed the news on its official website. Club president Tom Glick expressed his delight at bringing the former France international into the club: The open position of head coach at New York City FC has prompted significant interest and I have no doubt that in Patrick, we have one of the most impressive young coaches I have encountered. Patrick’s ability, vision and the respect in which he is held by everyone who works with him, speaks volumes for his character and capacity to succeed. I am excited to work with him and I know the energy he will bring to the role will have a hugely positive impact across the Club. As reported by Mark Booth for City's official website, Vieira is excited to get started: I am delighted to take up the role of Head Coach of New York City FC. To work with this squad, with Claudio Reyna and Rob Vartughian and the fantastic support team that is in place is an exciting prospect for any coach.  I would ...

MLS Team of the Week: FC Dallas Quartet Shine in Conference Semifinal 2nd Leg

The playoff field in Major League Soccer was cut in half on Sunday as four teams secured positions in the conference finals with different types of victories.  The New York Red Bulls opened the quadruple header with a boring 1-0 win over rival D.C. United. Columbus added more excitement to the day as it took down Montreal 3-1 in extra time to advance to the Eastern Conference Final against the Supporters' Shield winners.  In the Western Conference, FC Dallas beat Seattle in an instant classic, while Portland downed Vancouver with a pair of away goals at BC Place.  Some of the best play of the postseason to date came from FC Dallas' win on penalties over Seattle. Due to their impressive performances in the win, four of the playoff heroes for Oscar Pareja's side feature in our MLS Team of the Week. Each of the other three victors also placed multiple players into the best 11 from the conference semifinal second legs.  Continue reading on to see who was named to our latest MLS Team of the Week. Begin Slideshow

MLS Cup Playoffs 2015: Conference Finals Schedule After Semifinal Scores

The MLS Playoffs' Final Four is set. The New York Red Bulls are the first team to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals after a 1-0 win over D.C. United on Sunday, winning 2-0 on aggregate. The Red Bulls will take on the Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference Finals starting on Nov. 22. The Crew, down 2-1 on aggregate heading into the second leg against the Montreal Impact, forced extra time with Ethan Finlay's goal in the 78th minute. Kei Kamara scored his second goal on the night in the 111th minute to give Columbus a 4-3 lead to set up a matchup with the East's top two seeds going at it for a spot in the MLS Cup.   Eastern Conference Finals Teams: New York Red Bulls vs. Columbus Crew When: first leg on Nov. 22; second leg on Nov. 29 Where: first leg at Mapfre Stadium; second leg at Red Bull Arena Time: first leg at 5 p.m. ET; second leg at 5 p.m. ET TV: ESPN, Watch ESPN, ESPN Deportes, MLS Live   Western Conference Finals Teams: FC Dallas vs. Portland Timbers When: first leg on Nov. 22; second leg on Nov. 29 Where: first leg at Providence Park; second leg at Toyota Stadium Time: first leg at 7:30 p.m. ET; second leg at 7:30 p.m. ET TV: Fox Sports 1, TSN, ...

Ultimate Guide to MLS Weekend: Breaking Down Conference Semifinal 2nd Legs

The first weekend of conference semifinal action across Major League Soccer determined very little and left us wanting more out of the four head-to-head clashes.  Sunday's playoff quadruple-header should produce more excitement, along with the required clarity as four teams will move into the conference finals that begin after the November international break.  The New York Red Bulls were the only road team to win the first leg, while Montreal and Seattle pulled off 2-1 wins over Columbus and FC Dallas respectively. Vancouver and Portland played to the only draw of the first-leg weekend, the Whitecaps and Timbers both failing to find the back of the net at Providence Park. Now the focus shifts to the business end of the conference semifinals, which begin with one of the league's best rivalries at Red Bull Arena.  The first match between the Red Bulls and D.C. United wasn't much of a contest. Jesse Marsch's men left with a one-goal advantage thanks to Dax McCarty's game-winning header in the second half. To make matters worse for the Black and Red, they failed to record a shot on target in the home defeat. The good news for Ben Olsen's side is there is still plenty of time to make up ...

David Beckham’s Miami Soccer Stadium Deal Reportedly on Verge of Collapsing

David Beckham and the ownership group behind Miami's Major League Soccer expansion franchise are running into another snag with regard to the team's new stadium.In an interview with David Smiley of the Miami Herald, Tim Leiweke, the man charged with spearheading the stadium bid, said that current landowners who occupy the space the club is looking to buy could prevent the construction a new venue."They know what we're doing and unfortunately they've let that create an absolutely unrealistic conversation," Leiweke said. "They can absolutely blow this deal up, and they probably will blow this deal up. We're willing to overpay. We just don't want to be the stupidest guys on the face of the earth."With the substantial amount of public funding committed to the Miami Marlins' stadium, the city has been loath to repeat the situation with Miami's MLS team.   As a result, Beckham and his partners have endured a difficult time getting plans in place for stadium construction. They originally desired a waterfront location but ultimately settled on a spot next to Marlins Park.Many have criticized the commitment of Beckham and the investors behind the franchise. Leiweke admitted in the interview that "this has not been the smartest negotiation I've ...

MLS Power Rankings: Seattle Sounders and Montreal Impact Surge

The MLS playoffs are underway and there's already been some incredible matches. The Portland Timbers' win after an 11-round penalty shootout against Sporting Kansas City is the first moment that stands out. Juan Agudelo's bicycle kick will also live with MLS fans for many years. Now that the playoff field has been trimmed down, it's time to rank all 12 teams that made the postseason. Every side will be graded on the following criteria: Quality of opponent and performance. Recent form beyond the previous match.  Key absences. Here are the latest MLS power rankings.Begin Slideshow