New York Red Bulls 2 v 1 San Jose Earthquakes:
I predicted an entertaining 2-2 tie in the first leg and missed the boat. New York (NYRB) scored through Joel Lindpere and pulled out the 1-0 away win to take a slim advantage back home to Red Bull Arena. I should've known better, Joel Lindpere has done nothing but score big goals for New York this season. In leg two, NYRB scores early riding the energy of their first playoff game at the new arena and the return of star DP, Thierry Henry. They ride this early boost to a 2-1 victory and advance 3-1 on the aggregate. (Goals: NY-Henry, Angel | SJ - Wondolowski)
Columbus Crew 1 v 1 Colorado Rapids:
Columbus looked vulnerable in a 1-0 loss in the leg one loss at Colorado and the Rapids should've put at least one more score on the board. Although Mastroeni scored as I predicted, Casey (and others) couldn't put a 2nd ball in the net and now, the series heads to Columbus with the Crew looking to bounce back at home against the hot Rapids. I think the Crew will find the net in this one, but are unable to keep the Rapids forward duo of Casey and Cummings held in check the full 90 minutes. Colorado advances 2-1 on aggregate. (Goals: COLO - Cummings | COLU - Lenhart)
Real Salt Lake 1 v FC Dallas 1:
I got the winner and margin of victory right, but the scoreline wrong. Real Salt Lake (RSL) drew blood first against Dallas, but the Hoops fired back with two straight goals to claim an important 2-1 advantage with a trip to RSL's Rio Tinto Stadium looming. The game was filled with drama as RSL saw their midfield catalyst Javier Morales sent off with a red card. Although, the Hoops also saw a player sent off who will miss the second leg (Atiba Harris), RSL will miss Morales much more. Further, there's word out of Salt Lake that RSL's top offensive threat, Alvaro Saborio may be limited or scratched altogether with a knee injury. Although, RSL has an incredibly deep team AND has been tough to tackle at RSL, I don't think they can muster enough to keep the dangerous Hoops off the scoreboard. Dallas advances 3-2 on aggregate (Goals: FCD - Ferreira | RSL - Johnson).
L.A. Galaxy 1 v 3 Seattle Sounders FC:
Okay, so I'm officially a Seattle "homer" and I was a wreck on this prediction. L.A. Galaxy scored on a wonder goal from Buddle and their defense stymied and stifled the Sounders all night. Although Seattle controlled the ball well in the first half, they began to get frustrated and inpatient in the second half and couldn't muster any sustained possession to crack the tough L.A. defense. Now, the tie heads to the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA, with the Sounders needing to score to stay alive. Seattle's lethal wings, Zakuani and Nyassi, were held mostly in check and they need to show up Sunday or the Sounders will find their sophomore MLS season come to a disappointing end in SoCal. I'm gonna continue to be a "homer" and predict that Zakuani and the Sounders offense wakes up just in time to advance to the Western conference finals. Seattle wins 3-1 and advances 3-2 on aggregate (Goals: SEA - Zakuani, Nyassi, Nkufo | LA - Buddle)
Note: Although I was WAY off target with my 3-1 prediction in leg one for Seattle, I've got confidence my Sounders will deliver in leg two. And if not, I can take solace in the fact that my Spurs dominated the reigning European Champions, Inter Milan, 3-1 on an incredible night at White Hart Lane. Gareth Bale (my favorite Spurs player) is a beast. An absolute beast. I can't say it enough. Beast, Beast, Beast. Seriously, click on each of the previous "BEAST" links to read all about how he dominated Inter and their right back, Maicon, whom many deem to be the world's greatest right back. I'm gonna say it once more: BEAST.
So, yeah, I may have a bit of a man crush on this Welsh phenom.
Happy Footballing!
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