conference champion and Supporters' Shield winner D.C. United (0-1-2), New England Revolution (0-2-1) and New York Red Bulls (1-2-4) were a combined 1-5-7 down the stretch, not very imposing numbers for teams that have set their sights on greater glory.
Of course, winning or winning big in the total goals, home-and-home series isn't the only formula for success. Teams can actually tie both games and still advance to the conference final by finishing tied in goals. The tiebreakers include a 30-minute extra-time period. If the teams are still deadlocked, a shootout would decide who moves on.
For the host teams -- underdogs -- a loss in the first game of the series could be devastating when they have to hit the road for the second game.
A synopsis of both playoff series:
No. 1 D.C. United (16-7-7) vs. No. 4 Chicago Fire (10-10-10), Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Ill. Thursday, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
D.C. United
United stumbled early with 0-3-1 start, but set the standard for success. Last season United finished with the best record in the league as former coach Peter Nowak ran the team into the ground, not giving enough key regulars rest. D.C. paid for it in the playoffs, getting bounced by the Revs in the opening round. Rookie coach and coach of the year candidate Tom Soehn learned by watching United's demise and rested playoffs when he could. When United dropped a 3-2 home decision Saturday to the Columbus Crew, the result snapped a 13-game unbeaten streak dating back to a 1-0 defeat at the Red Bulls July 22. It was United's first home loss since its opener, a 4-2 setback by the Kansas City Wizards on April 14.
Strengths: Two fabulous offseason acquisitions and two veterans keyed a potent attack that led the league with 56 goals. MVP candidate Luciano Emilio (league-best 20 goals in 29 matches) and Fred (seven goals, eight assists) were the newcomers who made an immediate impact. Christian Gomez (10 goals, nine assists), who did not come near last year's MVP performance, wound up in the middle of a number of key scoring sequences down the stretch. While injuries and age have caught up to Jaime Moreno (seven goals, six assists), his experience, guile and cunning make him one of the most dangerous forwards in the post-season. National team veteran Greg Vanney has bolstered the backline, which allowed a conference-low 34 goals in front of goalkeeper Troy Perkins (1.10 goals-against average). A cast-off from two clubs (Los Angeles Galaxy and Columbus), 23-year-old Mark Burch emerged as one of the league's top defenders, even though he has played in but 18 games (his acquisition could be one of the steals of the year as he was acquired from Columbus for a third-round pick in the 2008 supplemental draft). Gritty midfielder Ben Olsen (seven goals, seven assists) has enjoyed a career season.
Weaknesses: Injuries to Emilio and Moreno could gum up the works. Both were listed as questionable after Moreno re-injured his right foot Saturday and Emilio suffered a mild sprained left ankle. In a short series, every little knick or knock could mean the difference between a goal and who moves on and who goes home early. Midfielder Josh Gros, out for the season with a wrist injury and concussion-like symptoms, will be missed. When United won the Shield the last time (2005), Chicago stunned them 4-0 in its home leg. The Fire also have owned United in the playoffs with a 4-0-1 record and outscoring its foes, 10-0.
Chicago Fire
The Fire essentially had two seasons -- pre- and post-coach Juan Carlos Osorio. Under Dave Sarachan, Chicago languished near the bottom of the conference with a 4-6-2 record. With new energy under Osorio, the Fire went 6-3-6, including that eight-game unbeaten streak. Chicago was the only team among the Eastern final four to win its regular-season finale.
Strengths: Since Mexican international Cuauhtemoc Blanco (two goals, team-high seven assists in only 14 games) joined the team July 26, the Fire has lost but twice in 14 matches (6-2-6), thanks to his vision and overall performance. Not surprisingly, he was named team MVP. Colombian Wilman Conde has been a key addition, stabilizing the backline in his seven appearances, although he was used as an attacking midfielder in the 1-0 victory over the Galaxy last Sunday. Left fullback and former Costa Rican youth international Gonzalo Segares has played well at both ends of the field in front of keeper Matt Pickens (1.15 GAA, team-record 10 shutouts). Captain Chris Armas, who has some second thoughts about retiring after this season, might not be the top defensive midfielder any more in the league due to age and injuries, but few players perform with as much heart as he does.
Weaknesses: There is no one go-to player such as an Emilio or Juan Pablo Angel who can fill the net or score the odd goal. Chad Barrett (seven goals) and Chris Rolfe (six goals) are Chicago's top goal-scorers. Having played Sunday -- a 1-0 home win against the Los Angeles Galaxy, the Fire don't have much of a turnaround time to prepare. Almost half of their games under Osorio ended in ties, which can be a good or bad thing during the regular season, depending on your perspective. It means that you're not losing points. It also means a team isn't always gaining its maximum number of points. In an aggregate goals series, underdog teams can use it to their advantage by reaching the shootout, which essentially is up for grabs.
The outlook: Both teams could have used a few more days to get ready (the second game is Thursday, Nov. 1 at RFK Stadium). United won the season series, 1-0-2 (3-1 win on June 16, 1-1 tie on Sept. 23 and 0-0 draw on Oct. 13). Since winning an unprecedented fourth MLS Cup in 2004, United have forged one of best records at 47-24-23 over the past three seasons, but has nothing to show for it. If that isn't motivation enough, nothing will be. The Fire have played competitive soccer under Blanco and has tied United twice in the past five weeks, which has to give the players some confidence.
No. 3 New York Red Bulls (12-11-7) vs. No. 2 New England Revolution (14-8-8), Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J., 7:30 p.m. Saturday (Fox Soccer Channel)
New England Revolution
Whether it has been the regular season or postseason the Revs have owned the Red Bulls since 2002. They have posted a 16-4-4 record in Foxborough, Mass. against the Red Bulls/MetroStars since the league's inception. Following the tradition of two NFL teams -- the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills -- the Revs are the best MLS team never to win a league championship, falling short in the 2002, 2005 and 2006 MLS Cups. Taking home the 2007 certainly U.S. Open Cup helps -- a 3-2 win against FC Dallas on Oct. 3 (Pat Noonan scored one goal and set up two others), but the league crown means so much more. Directed by coach Steve Nicol, the Revs are aiming to play in their sixth consecutive conference final.
Strengths: The Revs have key players in every position. Matt Reis has consistently been one of the top goalkeepers around (although his GAA has dropped to 1.43 GAA). Central defender Michael Parkhurst is a leading candidate for MLS defender of the year. Parkhurst, who is expected to cover Juan Pablo Angel, has made only five fouls this season, amazing stat for any player, let alone one who has to go up against some of the top strikers week in and week out. Shalrie Joseph, who recently signed a four-year contract extension, did not let things get in the way during the endless contract negotiations and in many quarters is considered the league's best defensive midfielder. Ageless midfielder Steve Ralston proved he still can pass and cross by winning his third MLS assist title (14). Forward Taylor Twellman, who scored key playoff goals last season, proved again he was one of the league's best (16 goals).
Weaknesses: Even with the likes of Reis, Parkhurst and Joseph, the Revs surrendered 43 goals, a huge amount for a team that has championship aspirations. The Revs' three-man backline will have to contend with Angel and Jozy Altidore, who finished as the one-two punch in the league (28 goals). New England has stumbled to a 2-3-2 mark since Aug. 25, giving up deciding goals three times late in games (that included Angel's 84th-minute strike in a 2-2 tie at Giants Stadium Sept. 22.
New York Red Bulls
The Red Bulls started out strong with a 3-0-2 mark, then endured a roller-coaster ride and a rather mediocre 9-11-5 record the rest of the way. The latter was a very un-Bruce Arena like record, given the coach's success in MLS and with the U.S. national team. They need to continue to fill the back of the net and find the right defensive combination to be successful. The Red Bulls, one of three original teams that have failed to reach the MLS Cup Final -- the Columbus Crew and FC Dallas being the others -- have won only one playoff series (vs. Dallas in 2000) in eight previous attempts, using an emergency A-League call-up, Paul Grafer, in that series.
Strengths: The Red Bulls essentially have lived and died with Angel (19 goals in 24 games), who, in many observers' eyes, is the league MVP. Angel proved his worth with several timely goals. When he wasn't with the U.S. under-20 team for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, injured or attending his senior prom, 17-year-old Jozy Altidore (he turns 18 Nov. 6) found time to finish eighth in scoring (nine goals in 22 games). When healthy, few players perform with more heart than midfielder Dema Kovalenko. The speedy Dane Richards (two goals, six assists) made life miserable for left-sided players, demonstrating he was a leading rookie of the year candidate. After a rocky start to the season in midfield, Dave van Den Bergh has become a plus at left back.
Weaknesses: Captain Claudio Reyna, who has missed the past three games with a left toe sprain) has been disappointing and needs to rebound for any sort of success. Arena's No. 1 area of concern is the backline and in goal. Former Dutch international goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus, who last week announced he was retiring after this season, has struggled big time due to inconsistent performances and injuries. Jon Conway, who replaced Waterreus in the final two regular-season matches, played well and might convince Arena to give him the starting nod. Conway, however, was criticized by the Red Bulls for not coming up with the big save in last year's first-round elimination by United. The backline has broken down in vital situations to allow key goals down the strength, which is a no-no in the postseason. The Red Bulls and the Kansas City Wizards, who will play in the Western Conference bracket, enter the postseason with the most porous defenses (45 goals apiece).
The outlook: All games will be played on artificial turf, so don't expect terribly pretty soccer. There is a feeling in the Red Bull camp that the Revs could be taken this time, although that remains to be seen given their underachieving results vs. the Revs in particular and the playoffs in general. The Revs have the Red Bulls/MetroStars' number. In 2005, New England trailed 2-0 late in the second leg before exploding for three goals en route to a 3-2 triumph. New England won the season series, 2-0-1 (1-0 road win on July 14, 2-1 home win on Aug. 25 and a 2-2 road draw on Sept. 22). If the Revs are healthy, they will be difficult to beat.
Michael Lewis covers soccer for the New York Daily News and is editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He can be reached at SoccerWriter516@aol.com. Views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's, and not necessarily those of Major League Soccer or MLSnet.com.
