MLS Playoffs Conference Semis Triple Header Gamethread

On a drippy, grey Sunday soccer fans get a triple header of games to enjoy. Match action starts with season #10 and wild card winners New York Red Bulls hosting the Supporters Shield winning Los Angeles Galaxy out in the suburbs of Metropolis. At Noon Pacific on ESPN2 this game has the marquee names of David Beckham and Thierry Henry, but a few of the DPs may be limited due to injury. LA without Landon Donovan or Robbie Keane are merely good. Can RBNY play as good as their best XI talent on paper indicates they are? Or is the somehow overlooked defense going to bring a draw or win back to the West Coast? Writers here picked LA 5 out of 7 times.

The next game heads down the coast to another suburban soccer stadium. Chester, PA hosts the Philadelphia Union and Houston Dynamo at 2PM Pacific on ESPN2. These two sides play patient and plodding at times, but the styles (or lack thereof) get them results. After Seattle-Salt Lake this is the other Conference Semi between evenly matched teams. We know too well how that worked Saturday. Staff picked Houston 5 out of 7 times.

Sunday wraps up with 4:30PM Pacific game on FoxSoccer. Wild Card winning Colorado Rapids host charging Sporting Kansas City's 4-3-3. Peter Vermes' side is not just the best in a weak East, but a team that is willing to ride its offense into the promised land. Dealing with higher elevation the Sporks are rested and have plenty of attacking options with either Teal Bunbury (9 goals) or C.J. Sapong (5 goals) coming off the bench. Word is that Gary Smith will be on the bench tonight. Staff picked KC 5 out of 7 times.

This is your MLS Conference Semis Leg One Gamethread