MLS Conference Final Previews

By: travis | November 13th, 2008

With only three games left on the marathon MLS season, we’re heading into two interesting match ups this weekend. I’ll admit that it’s nice to have some news faces this time around - Chicago is the only team that is in real familiar territory. That’s thanks to the New York Red Bull, who pulled off what seemed impossible - except to Laurie - and beat the Dynamo, convincingly, on the road. They will now take their show to Salt Lake City, where they match up against an RSL team that is really playing well down the stretch. I can’t go without mentioning the fact that both games this weekend will be played in soccer specific stadiums. Without anything further, a look at the two Conference Finals:

Columbus Crew v Chicago Fire - Thursday, 11/13, 7:30 PM, ESPN2
This is a pretty salivating match up. You have the defensive stalwarts from Chicago, with Wilman Conde and Boukary Soumare anchoring the Fire defense in front of Goalkeeper of the Year Jon Busch, going up against the offensive minded Crew, led by Guillermo Barros Scelotto, and supported by Alejandro Moreno and Robbie Rogers. However, it’s not like the Fire are lacking on the offensive side of the ball, with Chris Rolfe in rare form, and the ever steady Brian McBride supporting him up front. Will Hesmer will no doubt be tested on a number of occasions.

Players to watch: I’m a big Robbie Rogers fan, and would love nothing more than to see him have success on the national stage. His pace has been a constant threat for most of the 2008 season, and he’ll need to continue that to tilt things in the Crew’s favor. The defensive trio of Conde, Soumare, and Busch will need to be at their peak in order to stymie the Crew’s attack. Sharp play from Blanco will go a long way for the Fire as well.

Edge: This is a tough call. I’ve secretly admired the Crew all season, even though I don’t know if I believed that they had a playoff run in them. They took care of business against the Wizards, and I’ll give Schelotto and co the smallest margin ahead of Thursday night’s game.

Verdict: Columbus 2-2 Chicago (Columbus wins on PK 5-3)

Real Salt Lake v New York Red Bull - Saturday, 11/15, 9:30 PM, FSC
Raise your hand if you saw this coming. I remember after the Red Bull were buried in Chicago, 5-2, and it seemed like such a long shot for them to even make the playoffs, much less have an impact. Juan Carlos Osorio, you have redeemed yourself and then some - if you now can make the finals, and face your former team Chicago, how juicy of a storyline will that be? Standing in their way is another unlikely contestant, Real Salt Lake, who seemed to get by this whole season taking full advantage of the Rice Eccles turf. They’ll get to show off Rio Tinto once again, their beautiful new SSS out in Utah. One of the turning points for RSL has been Fabian Espindola’s non-goal celebration that turned into a broken ankle. It opened the door for Yura Movsisyan, who has stepped up in the attacking role, scoring in the first leg against Chivas to give them a slight advantage, that one might say was the winning margin.

Players to watch: Juan Pablo Angel could always be mentioned here. But it’s the little guys who stepped up last week, like Danny Cepero and Dane Richards who will need to make the difference for the Red Bull again. Best of luck to the RSL defense, as Nat Borchers will have his hands full with Richards and Angel. They’ll need Javier Morales to be in top form to have a chance to advance.

Edge: After what the Red Bull did to Houston, I have a hard time giving RSL much of a chance. Juan Carlos Osorio appears to have picked a first XI in the nick of time, and if his charges from last weekend can repeat their performance, the Red Bull just may shock everyone again. But don’t count out Real.

Verdict: Real Salt Lake 2-3 New York Red Bull