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 -- especiall not for the finale, which takes place on Saturday evening with Sporting Kansas City hosting Real Salt Lake (4 pm ET | ESPN, UniMas, TSN2/RDS in Canada).
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/sportingkc_logo.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: 44px;"><br><strong>3-1</strong></p> |
Two months ago, I never thought I'd say Dom Dwyer is a difference-maker, but he is. |
<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 style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/saltlake_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; width: 40px; height: 40px;"></strong></strong><br><strong>1-1<br>
(RSL win on PKs)</strong></p> |
<p>I felt like I had to pick Sporting KC on this week's <em><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/marchtothematch" target="_blank">March to the Match</a></em>, but I've reconsidered. I'm sticking with my extratime call, but the longer it goes, the more I see momentum favoring the visitors. And Nick Rimando will get a chance for shootout heroics for the first time since '09 to send Jason Kreis out a champion.</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"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/saltlake_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; width: 40px; height: 40px;"></strong></strong><br><strong>1-0</strong></p> |
<p>RSL have found their groove and are playing the best soccer of these playoffs. If Portland's press couldn't stop them, neither will Sporting Kansas City's. In what could be Jason Kreis' last match, they're playing with a purpose and without pressure. They get it done.</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> |
<p class="rtecenter"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/saltlake_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; width: 40px; height: 40px;"></strong></strong><br><strong>3-1</strong></p> |
Experience over the hunger of youngsters. With Saborio back fully fit and in the RSL lineup, Kreis' boys will play with SKC's nervousness and desperation and will trash them in their home. |
<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 style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/saltlake_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; width: 40px; height: 40px;"></strong></strong><br><strong>2-1</strong></p> |
<p>Head says Sporting, gut says RSL. After four days of eating KC BBQ, I'm pretty sure my gut is a genius.</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><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/sportingkc_logo.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: 44px;"><br>
1-1<br>
(SKC win on PKs)</strong> |
Real Salt Lake get on the board first, quieting the capacity crowd at Sporting Park — temporarily at least. The home team's vintage pressure eventually gets one back, and Kansas City celebrate on their home field after Jimmy Nielsen comes up big in PKs. |
<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"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/saltlake_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; width: 40px; height: 40px;"></strong></strong><br><strong>2-1</strong></p> |
Each team will get a few chances and I think RSL takes advantage of one more on the day. Saborio comes off the bench to be the hero in the last 15. |
<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 style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/saltlake_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; width: 40px; height: 40px;"></strong></strong><br><strong>2-1</strong></p> |
<p>RSL have surprised everyone this season, and it won't stop on Saturday. The margin for error between these two great teams is very slim, but RSL's technical attack will finally find that tiny opening in extratime.</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"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/saltlake_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; width: 40px; height: 40px;"></strong></strong><br><strong>3-2 (AET)</strong></p> |
<p>Bieler coming in late for SKC will hurt them, at a moment when Sebastián Velásquez is going to bring some energy to RSL's midfield and push for extratime. Javi Mo will be the MVP to cap off the best year of his career.</p> |
