My one peeve with the MLS playoff format is that teams only stay within their conference until the final. Soccer pundits (this one included) generally agree that the East was substantially stronger and more evenly matched than the West. But it is what it is, so let’s get to the reports!
LAFC (1) vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (8)
Game 1, October 27: LAFC 2 – 1 Vancouver RECAP
Game 2, November 3: Vancouver 3 – 0 LAFC
Result: We have a Game 3!
Unlike the taut first game, this one started all Whitecaps when their talisman player Ryan Gauld punched it in at ‘10 minutes after the ball ping-ponged around the 18 yard box. When a Ryan Hollingshead own goal came three minutes later you got the feeling this would be Vancouver’s night. LAFC’s only attacks came courtesy of Denis Bouanga, but Vancouver keeper Yohei Takaoka managed to keep the clean sheet.
LA Galaxy (2) vs. Colorado Rapids (7)
Game 1, October 26: Galaxy 5 – 0 Colorado RECAP
Game 2, November 1: Colorado 1 – Galaxy 4
Result: LA Galaxy advance to next round.
This game, and the Rapids’ playoff hopes, was over in the 8th minute. Zack Steffan, WTF were you thinking? Sidenote to Potch… Colorado tried to recover from that howler with a 19th minute equalizer, but LA had too much quality, rubbing the opposition’s nose into the ground with three more goals.
Real Salt Lake (3) vs. Minnesota United FC (6)
Game 1, October 29: Real 0 (4) – 0 (5) Minnesota RECAP
Game 2, November 2: Minnesota 1 (3) – 1 (1) Real
Result: Minnesota United FC… welcome to Round 2!
Another thriller up in the great white north, eh? The Loons looked edgy and crisp, creating a bunch of chances in the opening half. Real thought they had a goal to start the 2nd, but it was (correctly) called back for offsides interference. Minnesota struck back four minutes later when Joseph Rosales slotted into the right corner. Defender Emeka Emeli earned Real’s equalizer off a stuttering run through the Loon defense and a nutmeg on the keeper, and we went to kicks. Minnesota keeper Dayne St. Clair made two stops to punch his team’s ticket to the next round.
Seattle Sounders (4) vs. Houston Dynamo FC (5)
Game 1, October 28: Seattle 0 (5) – Houston 0 (4) RECAP
Game 2, November 3: Houston 1 (6) – 1 (7) Seattle
Result: Seattle Sounders go through.
I should call a personal injury lawyer, cause I got whiplash from this game it was so crazy. Dynamo was pedal-to-the-metal for over an hour, pressing Seattle had. Three critical saves from Sounders keeper Stephen Fry kept the scoreline level. When Houston’s Herrera got a straight red, the fortunes shifted. Indeed, the game came down to a single player: Christian Roldán. His 87th minute goal put Seattle on top; six minutes later his own goal put the scoreline level. Stephen Fry made a stellar foot save on the 7th round of PKs to send Seattle through.
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