I think this is tougher to predict than the East is. But here's my 2 cents, and yes I know that the West isn't settled yet (its 3:15 EST). Minnesota vs. Vancouver. The Whitecaps advance to face Milwaukee and lose. Milwaukee marches on. Portland makes short work of El Paso and moves on to face the Seattle Sounders. The Sounders have been red hot lately and I got to give them the edge over Portland. I don't think they can beat Milwaukee however.
I would agree with you for the most part on this one houndguy. Except I'd put Minnesota over Vancouver and I don't think Portland is going to march over anyone, but I think they will take the series with El Paso. Seattle V Charleston in the Final (athough the final would probably go out west then, even though we have the superior facility ) Charleston v. anyone else we'll see Charleston hosting the final (yea for me) mikey
Minnesota and Portland are the hottest teams in the West. Minnesota did not bother starting their forwards in a meaningless game against Rochester, so that really doesn't count. Both should win in the first round. Milwaukee has not played well recently, and Seattle has been fading. Could be interesting.
Vancouver does something that they havent done all season. Play with a full roster and play attractive soccer. Domenic Mobilio plays in the playoffs and leads all playoff scorers. I crack myself up.
Minnesota; although I'm biased. Portland and Minnesota are the big two, in my mind. Minnesota will dispatch El Paso handily, and Milwaukee isn't much of an obstacle anymore. Portland is on fire, and a match with the Thunder would be a giant match for both clubs. I'm excited!
All Sounders, all the time, now that the matches mean something again... But it won't be a cakewalk, playoff footy is never easy no matter who you play. P*rtland-Vancouver will probably be the most riveting matchup of the whole thing, just by the emotion level. Hopefully it turns out that way and the survivor is a bit drained after it to make our job a bit easier. Minnesota's always been our "bogey" team, so they're our biggest threat IMHO.
Took a flyer and went with the timbers. They've been incredibly hot on the stretch run and look to them to continue on through the playoffs. Besides, want to see as few games as possible on Seattle's green parking lot.
P*rtl*nd might have gotten the most votes in the poll, but they've still won f00k all! Three leagues, no cups! Three leagues, no cups! Three leagues, no cups!
What a strange post, and perhaps a cry for help. At least the Timbers showed up for the Vancouver series. 23-4-1 then knocked out 8-2? Looks like playing the easiest schedule in the league didn't pay off after all.
Well if you call getting shut out twice "showing up", so be it. Too bad not many of your fans could be bothered to show up either for Thirsty Thursday... 2000 actually in the park and this from the self-anoited "Rochester of the West" 8-2 is bad yes, but heavily distorted by us having to take all the risks to get the 0-2 back from the first leg, and Vancouver getting some on the counter. Really doesn't matter if you lose by 1 or 6 or 200 at this stage now does it. As for the schedule, yes it did probably play a part, as did not playing any meaningful matches for several weeks. However, you can only beat the teams that are on it.... and I did post earlier in the season that we'd never know for sure where the team stacked up until we get the likes of Rochester, Charleston, et al. Or a healthy Vancouver for that matter.