MLS Playoffs

[killersheep]

Big upset today in the second leg as Bobby Convey (2 goals) and Wondo (1 goal) lead the quakes to take the series on aggregate 3-2 over the international hyper funded Red Bulls.

Total Team Salary
Red Bulls - $14,470,151.04
Earthquakes - $2,172,338.00

Average Player Salary
Red Bulls - $516,791.11
Earthquakes - $94,449.48

Interestingly enough, 2010 golden boot winner Chris Wondolowski was only paid $48,000 in salary this year, and that's in San Jose!

[killersheep]

Concacaf finalized their bracket on the first. I think it's kinda cheesy, but they did the domestic rivalry thing, the four remaining teams from Mexico on one side (guaranteeing Mexico a spot in the final), and one leg on the other side has both US teams that are remaining. The final leg has Olimpia (Honduras) against Saprissa (Costa Rica)

[killersheep]

Todays matches

Colorado Rapids at Columbus Crew 4pm EST
Rapids have a 1-0 aggregate advantage going into this game.
I was shocked at how the Crew were unable to find their rhythm in the first game, looks like all these extra games (US Open, CCL etc.) have really caught up with them.
First Half
Goal Gaven Crew 22' 1-0 Crew
Second Half
Goal Rogers Crew 70' 2-0 Crew
Goal Casey Rapids 84' 2-1 Crew
First Added Extra Time
2-1 Crew
Second Added Extra Time
2-1 Crew
Penalties
Crew ---- 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - X
Rapids -- 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1
Total aggregate 2-2 (5:4 pen) Rapids
With the rapids winning 5:4 in penalty shots, there are no teams left from the East Division.

FC Dallas at Real Salt Lake 10pm EST
Dallas has a 2-1 aggregate advantage going into this game.
Another unexpected advantage here, although, Salt Lake definitely have the means to turn this around easily.
First Half
Goal McCarty Dallas 17' 1-0 FC Dallas
Second Half
Goal Findley RSL 79' 1-1
1-1 Final
3-2 Aggregate FC Dallas
The defending champs are out

[killersheep]

11/7/10 Match

Seattle Sounders @ LA Galaxy
LA Galaxy up 1-0 in aggregate
Sounders were completely shredded in the final third against a strong LA defense. Edson Buddle had an amazing long shot goal to put the Galaxy up 1-0 in the series.
First Half
Goal Buddle 19' 1-0 Galaxy
Goal Gonzalez 27' 2-0 Galaxy
Second Half
Goal Zakuani 86' 2-1 Galaxy
Full Time

[No Contest]

Beckham is awesome in set pieces, that is all. You can take off the sig as soon as playoffs are done.

[killersheep]

Beckham is awesome in set pieces, that is all. You can take off the sig as soon as playoffs are done.

Damn dude, we had 8 thousand shots in the last 10 minutes, can't score if you can't hit the target!

[killersheep]

Current odds for this weekends conference championships

East
Rapids: -110
Quakes: +275

West
Galaxy: -165
Dallas: +450

[No Contest]

I would take Quakes with those odds. Casey and Cummings have been pretty good lately though.

[killersheep]

I would take Quakes with those odds. Casey and Cummings have been pretty good lately though.

Yeah they looked super physical in their last game. I wouldn't bet against colorado here, although Wondo and Convey are really dangerous as well.

Might be worth a five-spot.

[killersheep]

Todays Match
"Eastern" Conference Championship game (both teams are from the Western conference hence the quotes)

Colorado Rapids vs. San Jose Earthquakes (westernmost city in MLS)
a Kimura goal at 42' is the sole difference, putting the Rapids at 1-0 and
puts them in MLS cup to play against the winner of LA Galaxy and FC Dallas.

[killersheep]

Today's match Western Conference Final

LA Galaxy vs FC Dallas

[killersheep]

Galaxy got absolutely biitch slapped tonight. FCD showed that speed and accuracy was just out of control. An absolute dominant performance from Hartman at goal.

[killersheep]

Stats for FC Dallas vs. Colorado Rapids
42 Total matches
Rapids 12 Wins 13 Draws 17 Losses (53 Goals 1.26 p/match)
FC Dallas 17 Wins 13 Draws 17 Losses (67 Goals 1.60 p/match)

2010 Stats
2 Draws (3 goals per team)

2010 Playoff Goals
Rapids - 3 For
FC Dallas - 6 For

[No Contest]

Man that was rough, refs didnt call several early fouls....but Dallas played better and deserved it. I would have to think they're the hot team going into the final.

[killersheep]

Man that was rough, refs didnt call several early fouls....but Dallas played better and deserved it. I would have to think they're the hot team going into the final.

I'm of two minds on the final, I think it will be interesting. one the one hand both teams are very physical, Colorado is more aggressive on offense, but FCD is faster and more creative. very much a pick'em, but I slightly side with FCD. I expect a 2-1 result.