Dear Reader: this is an article continuously updated with the freshest info and data on all the playoff games in the Western Conference. We start with Round 1, in which eight teams will play Best of 3 matches to advance into the semifinals. Let us begin!
LAFC (1) vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (8)
Game 1, October 27: LAFC 2 – 1 Vancouver
Sometimes it comes down to the finest of margins. In a match that was essentially a statistical dead heat (each team had 50% possession, same number of shot attempts & on target shots), LAFC were just THAT much sharper in front of goal. Vancouver made the scoreline more respectful when Scotsman Ryan Gauld scored in the 94th minute.
LA Galaxy (2) vs. Colorado Rapids (7)
Game 1, October 26: Galaxy 5 – 0 Colorado
This was a textbook example of a blowout. In addition to 66% of the possession, half of the Galaxy’s 18 shot attempts were on frame. Y’all can do basic math, so I don’t need to provide further explanation. Just how outclassed were the Rapids? They mustered just one shot in the game. ONE. Ouch.
Real Salt Lake (3) vs. Minnesota United FC (6)
Game 1, October 29: Real 0 (4) – 0 (5) Minnesota
OK, at first glance this could be called an upset, but it would take six rounds of penalty kicks to get there. The regulation 90 minutes was a nervy chess-match that featured 13 saves between the two team’s goalkeepers. Seeing how the past four matches between these two resulted in ties, a nil-nil draw was not unexpected. But the playoffs force a winner, and that winner is determined by the spot. Fortune appeared to favor Salt Lake when their keeper Zac MacMath made a lovely left-handed save to deny Michael Boxall, but he was let down by teammates Justen Glad and Braian Ojeda who skyed and hit the crossbar, respectfully.
Seattle Sounders (4) vs. Houston Dynamo FC (5)
Game 1, October 28: Seattle 0 (5) – Houston 0 (4)
Both clubs are noted for tough defense, so the no goal scoreline was unsurprising. But the playoffs force a winner, and that winner is determined by the spot. Dynamo’s keeper Steve Clark, who made some fine saves in regulation, couldn’t get a glove on any of Seattle’s five shots, which were distributed all around the goal (lower left, upper left, chip up the middle, upper right twice). In the end it was a missed effort from Erik Sviatchenko that clinched it for the Sounders.
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