And then there were four – MLS Cup Conference semi-finals
Last night the game, that could well have been better suited for the final, ended and an unbeaten run continued. The LA Galaxy triumphed over their East Coast rivals the NY Red Bulls. So what has happened with the playoffs? Let’s break it down by conference.
Eastern Conference
In a rather lacklustre couple of ties for the Colorado Rapids, Sporting Kansas City consistently shut out and scored for each game, beating the wild card winners 4-0 on aggregate. Sporting Kansas City look set to be contesting in the final on the form that they’ve showed.
Houston followed suit with a fairly easy win against Philadelphia Union. The Dynamo completely beat down The Union in the final game leaving the aggregate score 3-1 to Houston. Philly are a relatively new franchise so they shouldn’t be disheartened. But what was more concerning was that they didn’t turn up at all for the second leg. Houston’s home advantage working wonders for them. This sets up the early game on Sunday for the Eastern Conference Championship with Sporting Kansas City hosting the Houston Dynamo.
Western Conference
Real Salt Lake used their first game at home to completely outplay Seattle with Saborio scoring a lovely back heel for his second. The return leg however saw Real struggle to maintain their confidence from the previous game and Seattle managed to get 2 goals. But it wasn’t enough and Kasey Keller’s career ends with a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Real in the first Semi Final.
Calling the NY Red Bulls the Wild Card certainly has had a double meaning for these playoffs. The East Coast team practically wiped out the home field advantage for the LA Galaxy who effectively had to travel cross-country twice. In a tight affair, LA won away from home 1-0, with former NY man Magee scoring from a Beckham cross, setting up a great return leg. But the controversy ensued as LA’s Juhinio and NY’s Marquez had an altercation after the game, which led to them both being suspended. LA would feel the loss more but certainly stoked the fire by Landon Donovan calling out the Red Bulls for taking ”cheap shots” at the Galaxy. It was only fitting then that he delivered the winner in a game where Beckham (who was doubtful for the game) set up Magee, once again, to level the game after Rodgers got an early goal. Donovan then converted a penalty in the second half to win.
LA will have a tough game against RSL without a doubt. But they also have the home field advantage now all the way to the final if they win. It’s also worth pointing out that the Galaxy haven’t lost at home all season. We’ll find out more in Sunday’s late game.
