Monday League Review

The first weekend of the 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs have been played, and not a whole lot was decided. All four of the weeks first-leg matches were completely different from one another. From staunch defending, to a lack their of. From a late goal, to a dramatic comeback. All four of the first-leg matches played thus far have had their own twist. Two are tied, and the other two are separated by only one goal, meaning this week's games will be the pivotal contest that will decide who advances and who is out. While the games from this past week were unique, and put an interesting twist on the two-games series, there was some real head scratcher throughout the week. While some of it was exciting and was a great example of the 'beautiful game', other moments were dull, and full of errors. All of this past weekend's actions proved that anything can and will happen in the playoffs. Here is how the first legs in all four of the first round series went.

Seattle Sounders 0-0 Houston Dynamo

The playoffs started with an exciting match between the Dynamo, one of the league's elite. And the Sounders, a team with phenomenal support from their fans. Seattle was rocking, setting a first-round playoff record attendance mark. The game itself was full of plenty of scoring opportunities as both teams posted 10 shots a piece. Seattle's Kasey Keller made 10 saves for the shutout, while Pat Onstad made 5 saves for his shutout. Neither team could put that final touch on the ball, as both teams had great scoring sequences going, but could not find the back of the net. The frustrations of both offences resulted in a scoreless draw. Now it is Houston's turn to host the Sounders as the Dynamo have the advantage of hosting the second leg of the series. The first match was great, and if it is an indication on how the second match will unfold, then it will be a great conclusion to the series.

Real Salt Lake 1-0 Columbus Crew

Halloween night in Salt Lake was a nightmare for the Crew. Columbus was looking sharp playing for the draw on the road, and taking it back to their place to win the series at home. That plan was going smoothly until an 88th minute goal by Real's star throughout the season Robbie Findley. The Lakers out shot the Crew 5-4, and Real's Nick Rimando only had to make one save for the shut out. An interesting point to make about the Crew is that head coach Robert Warzycha decided not to play reining MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto, or Crew standout Emmanuel Ekpo. Warzycha decided to rest his two best players for the away match, and have them rested for Thursday's match in Columbus, an interesting tactic choosing to not play your best players in game 1 of a playoff series. The series will come down to whether or not the RSL can improve their fortune's on the road and defend their lead. Or will the Crew use the fortress that is Crew Stadium and overcome the 1-0 deficit in defense of their MLS Cup crown. An interesting dilemma is developing in this series as both clubs have two different agenda's heading into Thursday Night's match.

New England Revolution 2-1 Chicago Fire

The Fire got off to a dream start on the road in Foxburo as Chris Rolfe scored in the 17th minute to give the Fire a 1-0 lead on the road. However the Fire's lead lasted until the very end of the first half when Emmanuel Osei scored right before half to make it a 1-1 tie at the break. In the second half the Fire looked to be in control hammering the post twice, but unable to find the back of the net. Then in the 75th minute Sharlie Joseph put in a loose ball right in front of the Fire goal to score the game winner, and give the Revolution a 2-1 win. New England out shot Chicago 11-8, but the Fire seemed to have the better of the play throughout the match. The return leg will be in Chicago where the Fire have struggled to win at home, but the Revolution have a losing record on the road. The Revolution will be looking to defend their 2-1 lead, and get back to the conference finals. If the Fire are to advance, they better start playing better at home, and start now.

Chivas USA 2-2 Los Angeles Galaxy

The weekend action concluded with the first ever playoff edition of the SupperClassico. The much anticipated match featured an surprising amount goals, and an even more surprising amount lack of defending. A defensive lapse by the Galaxy lead to a 4th minute goal by Chivas' Maicon Santos. The Galaxy responded with goals from Mike Magee in the 14th minute, and Landon Donovan in the 41st minute. The Galaxy's 2-1 lead carried over to the second half till the 50th minute strike by Maykel Galindo evened the match at 2-2. The match was odd for this Los Angeles rivalry on two fronts. The fours goals in this match exceed the overall amount of goals scored in the three games season series, when the two clubs combined for three goals in three games. In addition to the amount of scoring was the lack of fouling in this match. In what usually is a rivalry match of fouls and cards was not the case Sunday night. Only 10 fouls in Sunday's match, and a yellow-card a piece for each club, very rare in this series. We shall wait and see if this trend holds up as this heated rivalry resumes on equal terms this Sunday in the same building, but different fans in the seats. (Seriously MLS, why only invite Chivas fans to the first match, and Galaxy fans to the second one, this is a chance to have two great playoff atmospheres in the same series, come on' think here. Have the two rival fans sit next to each other for the two matches, that is how you build drama in the sport.)

The four first-round playoff series all have different scenarios coming into the second legs of the series. Houston and Seattle will continue their scoreless duel, only this time in front of the Dynamo faithful, who also support their club with a passion. The Fire come into Chicago trailing 2-1 to the Revolution after a heart-breaking loss in New England. The Fire have to overcome their bad play at home, and overcome a one goal deficit, while the Revolution have to hold their lead, and overcome their terrible form on the road. In the other Eastern Conference series the defending Champion Crew will put their amazing home record to the test as they need a clutch win in Crew Stadium to get by Real Salt Lake. All the while the Lakers need to overcome their pathetic road record in order to protect the minimal 1-0 lead they have over the Crew. Then the last match of the first-round of the playoffs is the rematch of the Supper Classico, as the heated LA rivals square-off for bragging rights, and advancement, this series will come down to who can come out more intense for the second match in a row.

The first games of the playoffs have set the table for some interesting scenarios. In the East the lower seeds hold a one goal lead heading into their road games, looking to hold on the the lead. Meanwhile the higher seeded teams will look to avoid the upset on the road. Then in the West, it was a case of two draws, as both series will be determined this week, in the higher seed's home. The next fours games will play out these interesting scenario's, as the MLS Cup playoffs continue to develop some interesting plots, leaving this week's upcoming action all the excitement an American Soccer fan could hope for in this time of the year.