Conference Finals Preview

The pressure is mounding for MLS teams as the road to the MLS Cup Final is getting shorter and shorter. This weekends slate of games are the conference finals, and the idea of aggregate scoring goes out the win, from here on out, it is win or go home. The two conference finals prove to be intriguing, as both games have their own twist to it. In the West Los Angeles and Houston will square off in a clash of dynasties, as both clubs are looking for their third MLS Cup. Out West Chicago and Salt Lake look to put their names among the MLS elite, as Chicago has not won the Cup since '98, and RSL is still looking for their first in their five year history. Both conference finals will prove to be exciting and full of action, as the clubs realize they are one win away from the Final in Seattle. Here is a preview of the two conference finals.

Eastern Conference: #2 Seed: Chicago Fire (11-7-12) 45 pts. vs. #4 Seed: Real Salt Lake (11-12-7) 40 pts.

Real Salt Lake are the surprise of the playoffs so far as they were the only lower seed to advance to the Conference Finals. The fifth place finishers in the West earned a Wild-Card spot and knocked-off the defending Champions Crew 4-2 on aggregate. Salt Lake did finish second in the league in regular season scoring with 43 goals, and are the hottest team heading in the league right now, as they have won four of their last five games. The Lakers looked like World-beaters against Columbus, and quite possibly are the most dangerous team to play right now. The Lakers will face a Fire team that rallied from a 2-1 deficit to beat the Revolution 3-2 on aggregate. Chicago is a well balanced team as shown by their plus five goal differential over the regular season, and are ranked in the middle in goals for and goals against. If a team is to beat the Fire they have to do if with their defense. Over the course of 32 league games the Fire have given up 3 goals in a game only three times, and one of those was a 3-3 draw. Chicago won the first meeting between the two clubs in Chicago 1-0, then drew in Salt Lake 1-1. The trend for both of these teams throughout the year was that the RSL was bad on the road, and Chicago was bad at home. Something has to give as the match will be played at Chicago. However to debunk the stats. Salt Lake did win on the road against the mighty Crew, and the Fire did come from behind to win the series at home.

Prediction: Chicago Fire 2-0 Real Salt Lake

Western Conference: #1 Seed: Los Angeles Galaxy (12-12-6) 48 pts. vs. #2 Seed: (13-9-8) 48 pts.

In the West the higher seeds advanced through the First Round. The Galaxy hold the higher seed since they have the tie-breaker over the Dynamo. The Galaxy won the first meeting between the two clubs in Los Angeles 1-0. In the return match at Houston the two teams drew 0-0. The Galaxy are lead by the star duo of David Beckham and Landon Donovan who set the tempo and create the offense for the Galaxy. The Galaxy are looking sharp as they are unbeaten in five and have not lost at home since a bizarre lost to Dallas by a 3-6 scoreline. The Galaxy have not been in the playoffs since 2005 when they won the Cup, and are looking to get back to the promise land, and reclaim their prize the 'Jewel of the MLS'. As for Houston the Dynamo have the leagues best defense only allowing 29 goals in 32 games. The Dynamo roster is full of players will MLS playoff experience including Brian Ching, Stuart Holden, Ricardo Clark, and Goalkeeper Pat Onstead. You have to go back seven games to get the Dynamo's last loss at Columbus. Other than that Houston has been in their Championship form, and are looking to redeem themselves after last year's first round debacle. This if clearly the more intriguing final (no offence Chicago and Salt Lake), and will be the ultimate battle of supremacy in the West, as the the only MLS Cup winners that came out of the Western Conference (if you include the first edition of the Earthquakes as the Dynamo before they moved) are the Dynamo and the Galaxy. With the stars, spotlight, and success on the field. Friday Night's Western Conference Final shall prove to be something else.

Prediction: Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 Houston Dynamo