2009 MLS Playoff Predictions - Revisited

Tomorrow night the MLS semi-final match-ups kick off. But before I get to my conference championship predictions lets take a look back at the first round:

Seattle Sounders vs. Houston Dynamo
- Prediction: Seattle 3-2 on aggregate.
- Actual: Houston 1-0 on aggregate.
- Thoughts: While this match-up didn't turn into the goal fest I was expecting they were entertain match-ups. Even the 0-0 draw in Seattle. True the crowd and stadium make most Seattle games better than they are, but the action on the pitch was right on par. 


LA Galaxy vs. Chivas USA
- Prediction: Galaxy 3-0 on aggregate

- Actual: Galaxy 3-2 on aggregate

- Thoughts: So I got the result and LA's goals right, but I did undervalue Chivas. This is probably due to the fact that they had struggled heading into the playoffs. But mostly because the LA defense completely disappeared for 10 mins in the first leg to give up two cheap goals.

Columbus Crew vs. Real Salt Lake
- Prediction: Columbus 4-2 on aggregate. 

- Actual: Real Salt Lake 4-2 on aggregate

- Thoughts: Got the score right, but not the team. Columbus made a grave error in sitting out their biggest star - Schletto - in the first leg. Then in the return match every time they looked to get back in the series RSL continued to pile on the goals. Big surprise. 

Chicago Fire vs. New England Revolution
- Prediction: Chicago 2-0 on aggregate.

- Actual: Chicago 2-1 on aggregate.

- Thoughts: Although they fell behind in the first leg, Chicago dominated the 2nd leg at home. The injuries for New England combined with the strikers for the Fire proved to be too much. 

So overall I was 2-2 in the first round, enough to get me through to the next round...I think. Here are my predictions and thoughts on the Conference Championships:

Western Conference Final: LA Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo

- Game: Friday 11pm (ET) - ESPN2 @ LA

- Key Players: Donovan (LA) & Ching (HOU)

- Thoughts: Should be an exciting match-up at the Home Depot Center Friday night when the MLS Mega-Stars take on the playoff experienced Dynamo. I think Houston's inability to score in the first round will hurt them here. If Donovan and Beckham are in form then the Galaxy will be back in the title match. 

- Prediction: LA Galaxy 2-1

Western Conference Final: Chicago Fire vs. Real Salt Lake

- Game: Saturday 8pm (ET) - FSC @ Chicago

- Key Players: Marco Pappa (CHI) & Robbie Findley (RSL)

- Thoughts: It is hard to go against the home team, who is also the favorite. However, RSL are hot right now and will be full of confidence after knocking off the 2008 champs. 

- Prediction: Real Salt Lake 2-1