MLS Cup Playoff Pick 'Em: Editors weigh in on 1st leg of Western Conference Championship

<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>1-0</strong></p>

With Chris Schuler healthy and in form, the RSL defense is as good if not better than ever. And I&#39;m including the 2009-10 RSL defenses. Perhaps better than any others, it can handle Portland&#39;s pressure-happy attack.

<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"><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;"><br><strong>0-1</strong></p>

<p>I can&#39;t wait for the best tactical matchup in MLS for the fifth time this year. I just hope it&#39;s not like the drab 0-0 the last time these teams met in October in which no one could finish a thing. In my heart, I want a track meet. My head says otherwise.</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/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>1-0</strong></p>

<p>RSL&#39;s midfielders will keep the ball a lot better than Seattle did and they&#39;ll draw a fair share of set pieces, a phase of the game in which RSL can be especially dangerous. That might be the only way the home team might nick one in the end, because there won&#39;t be many clear-cut scoring chances between two organized, detail-oriented teams that may very well cancel each other out.</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>DRAW<br> 2-2</strong>

Jason Kreis is finally playing the ace under his sleeve with Sebastian Velasquez, who once again will steal the show at Rio Tinto, but Porter&rsquo;s Chara-Valeri-Johnson trio is simply unstoppable and will find the way to break down RSL&rsquo;s defense.

<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"><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></p>

<p>This one&#39;s going to be a blinder, one of the smartest and most technical games in league history. I&#39;m counting the hours until kickoff.</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>DRAW<br> 2-2</strong>

Nobody&#39;s backing down in this one. If their regular-season and USOC meetings were any indication, goals should be in the offing. Just not enough to separate two of MLS&#39; most entertaining teams.

<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/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;"><br><strong>0-1</strong></p>

With Alvaro Saborio&#39;s availability in question, I worry about RSL&#39;s attack matched up against the Great Wall of Gambia. I think Portland make the most of playing a short-handed RSL, sneak a goal and leave Rio Tinto in prime position to advance to MLS Cup.&nbsp;

<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></p>

<p>These teams have served up well-played, entertaining soccer throughout the season, and their fifth meeting of 2013 will be no different even if they don&#39;t rack up the goals. RSL could struggle up top if Saborio can&#39;t go on Sunday, and I like Portland to at least nick a draw here and put themselves in a good position for the return leg.</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>DRAW<br> 2-2</strong>

<p>Caleb, Caleb, Caleb &hellip; What happened with those two Seattle goals at the second half? Too much confidence? He&#39;ll tighten up some screws in the Timbers lineup and lead them to the Cup, although this first leg will let RSL keep their momentum.</p>