The MLS playoffs begin this coming weekend. After a grueling 30-game season, only eight teams remain. The Eastern Conference teams will each play another Eastern Conference team in two games, then the winners meet for the Eastern Conference Final. Same thing for the Western Conference.

Here's the matchups-
Chicago Fire vs. DC United- The league's regular season champion Chicago takes on 3-time MLS Cup winner DC United.

Metrostars vs. New England Revolution- The Revs look to continue a 4-game unbeaten streak against the potent Metros offense and strong defense.

Kansas City Wizards vs. Colorado Rapids- The Ageless Wonder, 40-year old Preki of Kansas City, will lead the Wizards versus the red-hot Rapids.

LA Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes- The California Derby continues into the playoffs, with Landon Donovan leading the Quakes and Carlos Ruiz leading the Galaxy.

Chicago and San Jose hold home-field advantage during the playoffs.

MLS Cup 2003 is November 23 at 3:30 PM EST at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.

Go Chicago Fire!!

I forgot to add my picks:

I say Chicago and Metros win their series, with Chicago winning the Conference Championship. I am a huge Metros fan, but I just can't see them winning. Chicago has owned the Metros this season (4 wins and 1 draw for Chicago in 5 games)

Western Conference winners are going to be San Jose and Kansas City, with Kansas City winning the Conference Championship, mainly because I would love to see LD's face when a 40-year old destroys his team.

Chicago will win MLS Cup by "pulling a Metro"- that is, scoring a goal with 5 minutes or so left to win the game.

Good 'ol DC United! They finally were able to slip into the playoffs with that precious one point the needed so badly. Columbus kept them from getting that point last week by scoring in the second overtime and winning the game 3-2. They finally clinched it home on Saturday night with a very precious tie! DC United could be on a roll now--it's been awhile since we have seen them in the playoffs.

First weekend is over:

The Revs rocked the Metros at Giants Stadium for a 2-0 win. Metros defender Eddie Pope had a goal, but the ref said his header went over the crossbar. Rookie Pat Noonan scored his 8th goal vs. the Metros in his first pro season.

The LA Galaxy pulled a surprising 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes. The Galaxy continued to build upon recent sucess against San Jose...in their last two matches, LA scored 4 goals vs. SJ.

Chicago sent DC United packing for their first loss in the playoffs at RFK Stadium. 2 goals, including one by Chicago's top scorer Ante Razov, were too much for DC, who were making their first appearance in the postseason since 1999.

A surprise start for Colorado goalkeeper Joe Cannon and a surprising goal for Kansas City forward Wolde Harris left the Colorado Rapids and Kansas City Wizards with a 1-1 tie. Harris scored in the 3rd minute, his first of the season, but Colorado defender Nat Borchers scored his first professional goal to knot the scoreline.

DC United's season is on the line today as they play Chicago after losing to them at RFK 2-0 last Saturday. It is frustrating since they have played so well against the Fire this entire season, and now it is mostly going to be that team that knocks them out.

And Kansas City is through to the next round. A 2-0 win at Arrowhead Stadium sends KC to face the winner of the San Jose-Los Angeles series. Goals from Chris Klein and Igor Simutenkov sent Colorado packing.

As much as I love Ray Hudson, I was surprised that he went with a tentative 4-4-2 lineup for DC United, this afternoon, when they clearly needed quick goals to stay alive. The team looked immediately intimidated and Chicago just sensed that fear. The numerous bad passes were just unbearable to watch! Maybe next year, guys? frown

You wish cattledog.....my Metros are finally going to win some silverware next year...and take down DC United in the process!

Them are fightin' words, sir! Didn't you say that the Metrostars would win their series (against New England)?

I'm going to be at the Fire game this Friday rooting them on!

Hey hey hey it's not my fault that the Metros haven't played well at home in god knows how long...

The Metros are still going to win next year. And Chicago is going to win this year.

Two very close games this weekend as San Jose takes out Kansas City in OT and Chicago's defense again controls the game--this time by knocking out New England. ...um, the Landon Donovan photo on this MLS link could almost belong in the "Hot Jock Talk" threads. Is MLS trying to woo us over to their site?


http://www.mlsnet.com/

The Fire game friday night was fun. Not the best match, but it was great to get to see the Fire win in overtime. Chicago pretty much controlled the entire game and with as many scoring opportunities as they had, should have won in regulation time by at least 2 points. That said, I was totally impressed with the play of chicago defender Carlos Bocanegra. This guy is so good. I think he won every header he went for and was just so tough in the backfield. It's too bad we'll likely lose him to european team next year. I just don't think the MLS, or Chicago, specifically, can pay him enough.

The final between Chicago and San Jose should be a good match. Can Chicago's defense shut down Donovan? Tough call. I'm rooting for the Fire and hope they pull off the amazing feat of winning all three major championships in one year.

As much as hate the Fire, I do hate the Quakes more. I have a hard time rooting against Carlos Bocanegra....he is an awesome defender for the Fire and the US national team, and he isn't too hard on the eyes either...

I think San Jose will have a harder time pulling off another comeback against Chicago. With Chris Armas, Jim Curtin, Bocanegra, and Thorton, Chicago has a strong defense right through the core. And as for LD...sure he's pretty good and not too bad looking, but he seems to have a hard time playing up to his full potential. If he has a bad day (like vs. the Metros when he should have gotten ejected!) then SJ has a bad day (SJ lost that match 2-0).

Chicago needs to ride Damani Ralph and Ante Razov for just one more game. The two have been stellar this year, and with one more strong outing, the MLS Cup will belong to the Fire.

Prediction: Chicago 2 San Jose 0

What the hell happened to Chicago's sparkling defense today? :confused:

Rats. Chicago loses 2-4. Did anyone see the game? I missed it. Was it well played?

I saw a good portion of the game. Chicago went down fairly quickly. But, after being down 3-1 about 55 minutes in, the Fire gets a beauty of header past San Jose. Only a few minutes later, Ante Razov has the chance to tie the game up with a rightfully called penalty shot, and blows it. Then a few minutes later Razov barely misses another opportunity. Obviously dejected, San Jose tacks on another goal, and that's the game.

Saw quite a bit. Fire blew a couple of opportunities that made the difference. Beasley was too timid in the frist half crossing when he should have shot the goal and Razov's free shot on goal was weak. That would have made the two point difference. Take nothing from the Quakes though. Donovan was his usual brilliant self and the only player to show some skin after a score (that I recall). I'm sure that was the critical difference. Hint to the rest of the MSL. wink Eddie Robinson are you reading this. Off with the shirt dude! Your team needs you!

It's rather upsetting when the league winners couldn't win against your fav team.

San Jose went 0-1-1 vs. the Metros this year, a 4-4 draw at Giants Stadium and a 2-0 loss at Spartan Stadium.

By the way....did anyone hear the news? MLS has named two expansion teams for the 2005 city: Cleveland and Chivas USA. Edmonton, Oklahoma is currently renovating a stadium in the hopes of attracting an MLS team.

And rather disgustingly, Damani Ralph's spinning volley won Goal of the Year, rather than the absolutely insane Zidane-esque volley by John Wolyniec or the perfectly executed bike kick by Carlos Ruiz....

[ November 23, 2003, 05:17 PM: Message edited by: metromathis13 ]

Yeah, I read about posibilities in the Oklahoma City and Cleveland areas in Saturday's Washington Post. They are also talking about possible expansion in Philadelphia, San Diego, and maybe even Houston!