Same as in the East. Curious what others think. #1 San Jose Earthquakes v. #4 Los Angeles Galaxy SEASON SERIES @ San Jose Quakes 1 LA 0 Quakes 1 LA 1 @ Carson LA 1 Quakes 1 LA 3 Quakes 0 So they actually tied the season series, 1-2-1, and Los Angeles won the aggregate goals 5-3 INTERESTING FACT: Galaxy failed to win a single game on the road this year, and game two will be at Spartan. MY PREDICTION: Galaxy are looking better (although they did look pretty bad for awhile there) and San Jose have only scored one goal in the last five weeks. It's always a very close series, but I like Los Angeles getting the upset with a win at home and a draw at Spartan. #2 Kansas City Wizards v. #3 Colorado Rapids SEASON SERIES @ KC Wizards 2 Rapids 2 Wizards 4 Rapids 2 @ Denver Rapids 3 Wizards 2 Rapids 1 Wizards 0 So Rapids win the series 2-1-1 and the aggregate goals for the season is tied at 8 apiece. INTERESTING FACT: Rapids won both at home, and got two goals in both road games. MY PREDICTION: Rapids have struggled lately (5 games without a win), but they are still scoring. Who would think getting three goals per game two weeks in a row would still wind up with zero points? It will be tough, but I think the Rapids have the offensive weaponry to put more in the net, and giving up eight goals in the last two games is, for me, a anomaly here.
In Western finals, I think the Rapids can get the win. LA would be forced to win on the road, which they have yet to do this year (I know they could take it via PK's without technically winning, but I don't see it going that far). Definitely a good matchup, if it comes to fruition.
After staring at some #'s...(very interesting findings BTW) Colorado wins first game; KC wins 2nd game; KC wins on aggregates
The winner of KC and Rapids is going to play in MLS Cup. San Jose is falling apart, LA was never together this entire season.
One lopsided result in LA does not make a team one that is "falling apart." I think SJ is much better positioned this year than last entering in the playoffs. Last year we put everything into beating LA in the last 2 games of the season, lost them both 1-0 on last minute goals, and were totally sapped for the Columbus series. This year we clinched early. We have rested our veterans, given playing time to newly acquired Rodrigo Faria and others. With the team fully rested I fully expect SJ to play as well as they have all year: as one of the best teams in the league.
I make no predictions about this disappointing team, however, your premise is flat out wrong. Two games, total goals. No need to win in SJ. For example: at LA: LA 3 - SJ 1 At San Jose LA 0 - SJ 1 LA would win that 3-2 on aggregate, and still be winless on the road for the season. I'm not saying that WILL happen - just that it could.
Did you see any of San Jose's last four games? There were huge differences between those four games and the other 26. People who did not see the games are looking at the results and saying things like "San Jose is falling apart." San Jose fans who saw all of the games are putting them into context. We'll see which San Jose team comes out to play on November 1.
Eh? Why should I have to explain Dallas. I've been there a few times, but I'm certainly not one of their fans. If you want me to explain why Chicago lost to Columbus last weekend, I could do that. In one word. In fact...I will, right now. Spiteri. Or, you know, I could do it in two words: Supporters Shield.
San Jose is fine. Yallop said months ago they didn't want to leave it all on the field at the end of the regular season this year (like he thought they did last year)...which is exactly what they haven't done. I could be wrong of course, but I expect them to pull it together in a tight series, if no other reason that if the playoff system was the same as last year, the Galaxy wouldn't even be in the playoffs, they stunk that bad this year.