The first round of the 2010 MLS Playoffs features match-ups that could go down as some of the toughest in MLS history.
When you can have a team that battled for the Supporter's Shield right down to the final weekend face off against a team that posted a 19-match unbeaten streak, you've got yourself a brutal first-round series. Instead, you've got the actual Supporters Shield winner against a team that has posted a torrid second-half record and recently won a U.S. Open Cup.
Yes, the Western Conference has itself a pair of killer match-ups. The Eastern Conference? Eh, not so much.
To be fair, the New York Red Bulls' series against the San Jose Earthquakes has its own appeal. You have two teams who didn't make the playoffs in 2010 battling, one a big-spending a big market team against a small market team led by the most unlikely of MVP candidates in Chris Wondolowksi. The Columbus Crew-Colorado Rapids series won't have the same appeal that some of the other first-round tilts will have, but it still boasts some of the best players in the league and is still a very tough one to call.
What can we expect from the first-round?
We can expect four series that are all tough to predict, where no combination of outcomes could really be seen as shocking. In this year's MLS playoffs, No. 4 seeds aren't really considered major long shots, and regular season records aren't going to mean all that much.
Here is a closer look at the four first-round series:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
New York Red Bulls vs. San Jose Earthquakes
The Red Bulls beat the Earthquakes in their most recent meeting, last month, but Earthquakes striker Chris Wondolowski has kicked into a new gear, and the addition of Geovanni has given the San Jose attack an added boost, meaning the 'Quakes attack and will be a handful for the Red Bulls defense to cope with. Throw in the fact that Thierry Henry is a doubt for the series with a lingering knee injury and you have a very good possibility of a series upset.
The key for New York will be the play of Dane Richards and Joel Lindpere, who were so key to the team's push for first place in the east. Richards gave San Jose fits in their last meeting and his presence will force Bobby Convey to defend more and contribute less to San Jose's attack. Lindpere's work rate, be it in central midfield or on the left, has often proved difficult for opponents to match up with. Another key for New York will be how Ream deals with Wondolowski. Earlier in the season, Ream had one of his worst games of the year against San Jose (albeit in a game where an early red card hurt New York). If Ream can keep Wondolowski quiet, the Red Bulls will go a long way toward winning.
For San Jose, getting Geovanni as much of the ball as possible is key, something which will be made tougher by the presence of Rafa Marquez. The Earthquakes could find room to attack on the wings, where New York has been vulnerable.
If Henry can't play, the Red Bulls will be a much more vulnerable team in the first round, but their defense and midfield are still strong enough to hold off a challenge from a San Jose side that could struggle to score.
Columbus Crew vs. Colorado Rapids
Two months ago, this series would have been seen as a heavy mismatch in favor of the Crew, but injuries and poor form in recent weeks has Columbus looking every bit like a team destined to fall in the first round, while Colorado's dangerous forward tandem of Omar Cummings and Conor Casey gives the Rapids more than a fair chance of knocking off the higher-seeded Crew.
Columbus' chances begin and end with Guillermo Barros Schelotto, who is the engine that drives the Columbus attack. Last year, Crew head coach Robert Warzycha learned a hard lesson when he rested Schelotto in the Crew's first leg against Real Salt Lake last year only to suffer a loss Columbus never recovered from. This time around, Schelotto will be in the lineup and he will have some tricky forwards to provide service for in Andres Mendoza and Emilio Renteria. Where the Crew will be hurt is defensively, with starting goalkeeper Wil Hesmer and starting centerback Danny O'Rourke slated to miss the series with injuries.
Colorado's defense has overachieved this year, due in large part to the central midfield tandem of Pablo Mastroeni and Jeff Larentowicz keeping pressure off the back line. It will be up to that tandem to slow down Schelotto and get the ball to their own dangerous talent, Cummings, who is the key to Colorado's offense. The Rapids can't forget about Eddie Gaven, either. The lanky winger is just dangerous enough to be an impact player in this series (though not likely as a goalkeeper), and he's delivered the goods in the playoffs before.
The Rapids will look to impose their will on the series in the opening match at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, but anything short of a multi-goal win will leave the door open for the Crew to clinch the series at Crew Stadium, where Schelotto should remind us why he's one of the league's best.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders
The Galaxy just finished off a regular season that saw it finish with the best record in the league, but even that accomplishment isn't making its series against Seattle look any more like a sure thing.
This match-up features two loaded teams who have endured dominating stretches of form this season. The Galaxy's best form came early in the season, but the return of David Beckham gives Los Angeles a major boost and we could wind up seeing a stronger L.A. side than we've seen since before the World Cup. With Edson Buddle still showing the scoring touch that brought him within a goal of the MLS Golden Boot, and with Landon Donovan still setting up his teammates with impeccable service, the Galaxy attack will be a handful for the Sounders improving defense to handle.
Seattle has its own weapons to show off, led by the forward tandem of Blaise Nkufo and Fredy Montero, as well as the speedy adventures of Steve Zakuani. That trio, coupled with the improving Sanna Nyassi, gives the Sounders a well-rounded attack that is difficult to contain because of the variety of options. Where the Sounders must be sound is in the back, where Jeff Parke has helped solidify the back line. It will be as much the task of the midfield to help the Sounders defense cope with the likes of Donovan and Beckham, as well as rookie Michael Stephens, who just might prove to be a secret weapon for the Galaxy.
The Galaxy come in with some questions in the back, namely whether veteran Gregg Berhalter will be healthy enough for battle through the series, or if Bruce Arena will be forced to call on second-year defender A.J. De La Garza. Either way, Los Angeles should still have enough strength in the back, and talent in attack, to hold off a strong challenge from the Sounders. Now, if the Galaxy defense proves to be shaky, look for Seattle to take full advantage and knock off the Supporter's Shield winners in the first round.
Real Salt Lake vs. FC Dallas
These Western Conference rivals are good enough to make for an entertaining conference final. Having them in a two-game series will make for great drama and should produce some of the best soccer of the playoffs.
Real Salt Lake boasts the most balanced team in MLS, a strong squad widely regarded as the strongest in MLS despite finishing three points behind L.A. for best record in the league. Pick an area of the field and RSL is strong there. Whether it's Alvaro Saborio leading the forward line, the tandem of Javier Morales and Kyle Beckerman commanding midfield, or MLS Defender of the Year favorite Jamison Olave anchoring the defense, RSL has the team to repeat as MLS champions. Dallas must try to find a way to neutralize Morales, a task that will fall to veteran midfielder Daniel Hernandez.
Standing in the way is an FC Dallas team that has thrived all season on confidence, energy and a dynamic offense that keeps pressure off its defense. Led by MVP candidate David Ferreira, and impressive late addition Milton Rodriguez, the Dallas attack is going to test RSL's back line consistently, and that's not to mention MLS career scoring leader Jeff Cunningham, who could wind up being the x-factor in the series. Perhaps just as importantly for Dallas is getting back goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, who was arguably the biggest key to the team building up its incredible unbeaten run.
FC Dallas will have a chance in the series but ultimately the injuries it has been coping with late in the year could prove costly, even though the likes of Hartman and Hernandez are making their way back. RSL has been rolling with a familiar cast for a long time and that group is playing with confidence born out of not only winning the MLS Cup last year, but also putting together a strong CONCACAF Champions League run this fall. Look for RSL to move a step closer to defending its title in what could be the best series of the first round.
Ives Galarcep is a senior writer for FoxSoccer.com covering Major League Soccer and the U.S. national team.
