MLSsoccer.com's editors have been expertly picking matches all year (Armchair Analyst Matthew Doyle led the pack) and we're not about to stop during the MLS Cup Playoffs, which resume with the Western Conference Semifinal second leg between Real Salt Lake and the LA Galaxy(9 pm ET, ESPN2).
Disagree with the picks? Make your voice heard in the comment section below!
<strong>Editor</strong> |
<strong>Score</strong> |
<strong>Comments</strong> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/GregLalas_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Greg Lalas</strong><br><em>Editor-In-Chief</em></p> |
<br><p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/realsaltlake.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 52px;"><br><strong>2-1</strong><br>
(RSL win series in PKs)</p> |
There's just something about the RSL team in this "rebuilding" year. They're underdogs again, just how they like it. Plus, when this one goes to PKs, they've got Nick Rimando. |
<br><p><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/freedman_2.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Jonah Freedman</strong><br><em>Managing Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>DRAW</strong><br><strong>1-1</strong><br>
(LA win 2-1 on agg.)</p> |
<p>No one manages these "we need just enough" situations better than Bruce Arena. The Galaxy will pad their lead before RSL nick one to make this interesting ... until it ultimately ends as heartbreak city at the RioT once more.</p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Borg_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Simon Borg</strong><br><em>Senior Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/losangeles_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 40px;"><br><strong>2-0</strong><br>
(LA win 3-0 on agg.)<br></p> |
<p>Keane and Donovan will not have a second consecutive off night and they will deliver on the counter, as everyone expects (even RSL manager Jason Kreis). The RSL attack will also get some looks, but aside from Saborio, who's going to finish them?</p> |
<em><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/valencia_1.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong></em><p class="rtecenter"><strong>Kristel Valencia</strong><br><em>Editor FutbolMLS.com</em></p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/losangeles_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 40px;"><br><strong>1-0</strong><br>
(LA win 2-0 on agg.)<br> |
RSL disappointed everyone with another final loss at Rio Tinto this year, and this game won't be the exception. Donovan & Keane will lead LA to the Conference Championship. |
<p class="rtecenter"><em><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Doyle_2.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong></em><br><strong>Matt Doyle</strong><br><em>Armchair Analyst</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>DRAW</strong><br><strong>2-2</strong><br>
(LA win 3-2 on agg.)</p> |
<p>RSL just lack a little bit of dynamism up front, and LA won't let them off the hook twice in two games.</p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/AndrewWiebe_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Andrew Wiebe</strong><br><em>Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>DRAW</strong><br><strong>1-1</strong><br>
(LA win 2-1 on agg.)<br></p> |
LA were kicking themselves for wasteful play at StubHub Center, but that won't happen twice in a row. Robbie Keane keeps it even and the three-peat bandwagon marches on ... for now. |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/JasonSaghini_1.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Jason Saghini</strong><br><em>Director of Video</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/losangeles_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 40px;"><br><strong>2-1</strong><br>
(LA win 3-1 on agg.)<br></p> |
The chances were there for the Galaxy forwards in the first game and they didn't finish them off. With RSL having to push the game for the tying goal, Keane and Donovan will have more opportunities and I don't see them shooting so poorly two games in a row.<br> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Rosano_2.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Nick Rosano</strong><br><em>Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>DRAW</strong><br><strong>1-1</strong><br>
(LA win 2-1 on agg.)</p> |
<p>RSL's home struggles in the playoffs will continue against a well-drilled LA side. RSL should enjoy the better of the run of play, but the Galaxy are too good not to score a goal, and their defense will cope.</p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/DiegoPinzon_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Diego Pinzon</strong><br><em>FutbolMLS.com Assoc. Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/realsaltlake.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 52px;"><br><strong>2-1</strong><br>
(RSL win series in PKs)</p> |
<p>Olmes Garcia will be the X-factor in this game, and will push RSL for PKs, where Rimando will end the home curse.</p> |
