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 continue on Sunday night with the Western Conference Championship second leg between the Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake (9 pm ET | ESPN and ESPN Deportes).
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><strong><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/portland_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato,sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 39px;"></strong><br>
2-1</strong><strong>(RSL advance 5-4 on agg.)</strong> |
The Timbers have been awesome at home this year. But the RSL defense is more awesome right now. Kreis & Co. will lose the game, but win the series. |
<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> |
<strong><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/saltlake_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato,sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 40px;"></strong><br>
3-2</strong><strong>(RSL advance 7-4 on agg.)</strong> |
<p><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/11/21/march-match-podcast-next-expansion-debate-who-will-get-team-no-24" target="_blank">I said it on this week's <em>March to the Match</em></a> and I'm sticking to it. This game will be an enormous thrill ride. The Timbers will push and get their goals, but they'll leave themselves exposed. And god help 'em on set pieces. The Claret-and-Cobalt will squeak through and back to MLS Cup.</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> |
<strong><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/portland_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato,sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 39px;"></strong><br>
2-1</strong><strong>(RSL advance 5-4 on agg.)</strong> |
<p>Buoyed by their home crowd, the Timbers will take risks and throw enough players forward to score a couple of goals, but RSL 'keeper Nick Rimando is good for a couple of stunning stops to allow RSL to hold on for a narrow aggregate win.</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> |
<strong><strong><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/portland_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato,sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 39px;"></strong></strong><br>
2-0</strong><strong>(Portland advance in PKs)</strong> |
Portland in PKs. Diego Valeri is fully fit and Portland's job is to neutralize Javi Morales and disconnect him from the forwards. RSL will have a huge gap without Saborío in attack. |
<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> |
<strong><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/portland_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato,sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 39px;"></strong><br>
2-1</strong><strong>(RSL advance 5-4 on agg.)</strong> |
<p>The first 30 minutes will happen at about a million miles per hour, but RSL are mostly equipped to weather this storm. Expect a fast-paced, well-played game – and RSL's first Cup trip since 2009.</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> |
<strong><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/portland_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato,sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 39px;"></strong><br>
2-1</strong><strong>(RSL advance 5-4 on agg.)</strong> |
The Timbers Army will be howling and Caleb Porter will have his guys flying, but Real Salt Lake have the kind of team that can take the wind out of opponent's sails by simply holding onto the ball. Portland win but go home before the big dance. |
<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> |
<strong><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/portland_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato,sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 39px;"></strong><br>
3-2</strong><strong>(RSL advance 6-5 on agg.)</strong> |
Hopefully this game makes up for the tight game I expect in the East. Portland will go at RSL looking to bridge the two-goal gap and RSL can certainly make them pay. Set-piece defending has let Portland down against RSL and I think that could decide this shootout, allowing the visitors to squeak by into MLS Cup. |
<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> |
<strong><strong><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/portland_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato,sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 39px;"></strong></strong><br>
3-1</strong><strong>(Portland advance in PKs)</strong> |
<p>Both teams have produced some great games this year, and they'll give the series a worthy end. Portland grab a late third goal to send it to extratime and wrap it up from the penalty spot in front of the Timbers Army.</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> |
<strong><strong><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/portland_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato,sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 39px;"></strong></strong><br>
3-1</strong><strong>(Portland advance in PKs)</strong> |
<p>Yes, I know! You can't bet against Nick Rimando on PKs … Well, I'm just doing it because I'm hoping to have a perfect MLS Cup Playoffs bracket so I can rub it in everyone's face here at the office. And I need Portland vs. Houston in the final to do so.</p> |
