Major League Soccer Preview: Oct 29-30
The New York Red Bulls will play host to the Supporter’s Shield winning Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS playoffs on Sunday.
David Beckham and Thierry Henry will face off in MLS playoff action on Sunday.
While this game is officially named the Western Conference semi-final first leg, it is most certainly a battle of East against West. The Galaxy finished the regular season with the best record in the MLS, while the Red Bulls scraped in as the 10th playoff team, before upsetting FC Dallas in the wildcard round.
The Colorado Rapids will play host to Eastern Conference winners Sporting Kansas City in an Eastern Conference semi-final first leg clash on Sunday.
Kansas City sealed the Eastern Conference regular season title with a 1-0 win at D.C. United on the first day of the MLS regular season. Defending MLS champion Colorado advanced through the wildcard round with a 1-0 win over the Columbus Crew in midweek.
In the other Eastern Conference semi-final, the Philadelphia Union will play host to the Houston Dynamo.
Houston finished the MLS regular season second placed in the Eastern Conference, while Philadelphia were one place and one point below them.
The Colorado Rapids will play host to Eastern Conference winners Sporting Kansas City in an Eastern Conference semi-final first leg clash on Sunday.
Kansas City sealed the Eastern Conference regular season title with a 1-0 win at D.C. United on the first day of the MLS regular season. Defending MLS champion Colorado advanced through the wildcard round with a 1-0 win over the Columbus Crew in midweek.
In the other Eastern Conference semi-final, the Philadelphia Union will play host to the Houston Dynamo.
Houston finished the MLS regular season second placed in the Eastern Conference, while Philadelphia were one place and one point below them.
 | Real Salt Lake vs Seattle Sounders |  |
Rio Tinto Stadium (Sandy, Utah), Saturday October 29th, 9:07PM EST
Real Salt Lake will play host to Seattle Sounders FC in a Western Conference Semi-Final First leg clash on Saturday.
Seattle finished the MLS regular season second laced in the Western Conference, while Salt Lake were one place behind them.
Salt Lake have backed into the playoffs and enter this game looking to snap a six game winless run. “We got to win one soon, eventually, so I guess the best time to do it is in the playoffs,” defender Chris Wingert told the official MLS website.
Nelson Gonzalez is sidelined with injury for Salt Lake, while Tony Beltran and Ned Grabavoy are listed as questionable with adductor strains.
The Sounders have better recent form than Salt Lake but veteran goalkeeper Kasey Keller knows that will count for little once the game kicks off.
“Everything goes out of the window now,” Keller told the official MLS website. It doesn’t matter what we did today, three month ago or at the beginning of the season. It’s just two games now, and we have to come out and play the way we’re capable of playing and we’ll be alright.”
Terry Boss and Michael Seamon are sidelined with injury for Seattle, while Steve Zakuani and O’Brian White are also ruled out.
The Sounders are sweating on the fitness of Mauro Rosales who is struggling with a knee problem. The Argentine midfielder is an important presence for Seattle, and registered 13 assists and five goals during the regular season.
Seattle finished the MLS regular season second laced in the Western Conference, while Salt Lake were one place behind them.
Salt Lake have backed into the playoffs and enter this game looking to snap a six game winless run. “We got to win one soon, eventually, so I guess the best time to do it is in the playoffs,” defender Chris Wingert told the official MLS website.
Nelson Gonzalez is sidelined with injury for Salt Lake, while Tony Beltran and Ned Grabavoy are listed as questionable with adductor strains.
The Sounders have better recent form than Salt Lake but veteran goalkeeper Kasey Keller knows that will count for little once the game kicks off.
“Everything goes out of the window now,” Keller told the official MLS website. It doesn’t matter what we did today, three month ago or at the beginning of the season. It’s just two games now, and we have to come out and play the way we’re capable of playing and we’ll be alright.”
Terry Boss and Michael Seamon are sidelined with injury for Seattle, while Steve Zakuani and O’Brian White are also ruled out.
The Sounders are sweating on the fitness of Mauro Rosales who is struggling with a knee problem. The Argentine midfielder is an important presence for Seattle, and registered 13 assists and five goals during the regular season.
 | New York RB vs LA Galaxy |  |
Red Bull Arena, Harrison (Harrison, New Jersey), Sunday October 30th, 2:00PM EST
Channels: ESPN + Andina, ESPN DOS, ESPN3 USA, ESPN UK / HD, Bet365 Video, ESPN2, ESPN2 Australia, ESPN Middle East
The New York Red Bulls will play host to the Supporter’s Shield winning Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS playoffs on Sunday.
While this game is officially named the Western Conference semi-final first leg, it is most certainly a battle of East against West. The Galaxy finished the regular season with the best record in the MLS, while the Red Bulls scraped in as the 10th playoff team, before upsetting FC Dallas in the wildcard round.
The Red Bulls are in good defensive form, having registered four shutouts in their last seven games. New York also beat LA 2-0 in a regular season game early in October so will have reason to be confident.
“I think we tied them away and won against them at home so it’s going to be an interesting game. A lot of chances will make it a wide open game,” Red Bulls midfielder Joel Lindpere told the official MLS website. “We know we have two games so we don’t need to worry. We just need to keep working like we have done lately – as a team.”
Chris Albright, Sacir Hot and Carl Robinson are sidelined with injury for New York, while Jan Gunnar Solli is suspended. Dax McCarty and Luke Rodgers are sidelined with injury and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
The Galaxy attack has received a huge boost with the return to fitness of Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane. “My body feels as good as it has since probably te first day of preseason.” USA international Donovan told the official MLS website. “I’m eager to play, my fitness is good and hopefully I’ll be able to play a part on Sunday.”
Sean Alvarado, Bryan Jordan and Leonardo are sidelined with injury for the Galaxy, while David Beckham (back) and Sean Franklin (knee) are listed as questionable.
The game will be televised live on ESPN2 at 3pm (Eastern Time), with Philadelphia Union and the Houston Dynamo televised after in a double header.
While this game is officially named the Western Conference semi-final first leg, it is most certainly a battle of East against West. The Galaxy finished the regular season with the best record in the MLS, while the Red Bulls scraped in as the 10th playoff team, before upsetting FC Dallas in the wildcard round.
The Red Bulls are in good defensive form, having registered four shutouts in their last seven games. New York also beat LA 2-0 in a regular season game early in October so will have reason to be confident.
“I think we tied them away and won against them at home so it’s going to be an interesting game. A lot of chances will make it a wide open game,” Red Bulls midfielder Joel Lindpere told the official MLS website. “We know we have two games so we don’t need to worry. We just need to keep working like we have done lately – as a team.”
Chris Albright, Sacir Hot and Carl Robinson are sidelined with injury for New York, while Jan Gunnar Solli is suspended. Dax McCarty and Luke Rodgers are sidelined with injury and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
The Galaxy attack has received a huge boost with the return to fitness of Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane. “My body feels as good as it has since probably te first day of preseason.” USA international Donovan told the official MLS website. “I’m eager to play, my fitness is good and hopefully I’ll be able to play a part on Sunday.”
Sean Alvarado, Bryan Jordan and Leonardo are sidelined with injury for the Galaxy, while David Beckham (back) and Sean Franklin (knee) are listed as questionable.
The game will be televised live on ESPN2 at 3pm (Eastern Time), with Philadelphia Union and the Houston Dynamo televised after in a double header.
 | Philadelphia Union vs Houston Dynamo |  |
PPL Park (Chester, Pennsylvania), Sunday October 30th, 4:00PM EST
The Philadelphia Union will play host to the Houston Dynamo in an Eastern Conference semi-final first leg clash on Sunday.
Houston finished the MLS regular season second placed in the Eastern Conference, while Philadelphia were one place and one point below them.
The Union will be playing the first playoff game in franchise history and insist they are mentally prepared. “We haven’t held team meetings or anything but certainly in our own little way we’re trying to convey the kind of attitude you need to take into the playoffs,” defender Danny Califf told the official MLS website. “There’s more emotion, more urgency and everyone is juiced. I think we’re going to be ready.”
Thorne Holder and Levi Houapeu are ruled out for the Union, while Veljko Paunovic and Justin Mapp are injury doubts.
Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear has guided his team into the playoffs on the back of a six game unbeaten streak, and has been praised this week by Houston’s Geoff Cameron. “People doubted him early in the season, and look what he’s done with us this year,” Cameron told the official MLS website. “It’s a tribute to him as a coach and his hard work, day in and day out, and his putting the right team out there. He’s got us into the playoffs, and were going to make a run for it.”
Striker Cam Weaver is suffering from a hip injury and will be unable to play for Houston.
The game will be screened live on ESPN2 at 5pm (Eastern Time), with New York v LA screened earlier in a double header.
Houston finished the MLS regular season second placed in the Eastern Conference, while Philadelphia were one place and one point below them.
The Union will be playing the first playoff game in franchise history and insist they are mentally prepared. “We haven’t held team meetings or anything but certainly in our own little way we’re trying to convey the kind of attitude you need to take into the playoffs,” defender Danny Califf told the official MLS website. “There’s more emotion, more urgency and everyone is juiced. I think we’re going to be ready.”
Thorne Holder and Levi Houapeu are ruled out for the Union, while Veljko Paunovic and Justin Mapp are injury doubts.
Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear has guided his team into the playoffs on the back of a six game unbeaten streak, and has been praised this week by Houston’s Geoff Cameron. “People doubted him early in the season, and look what he’s done with us this year,” Cameron told the official MLS website. “It’s a tribute to him as a coach and his hard work, day in and day out, and his putting the right team out there. He’s got us into the playoffs, and were going to make a run for it.”
Striker Cam Weaver is suffering from a hip injury and will be unable to play for Houston.
The game will be screened live on ESPN2 at 5pm (Eastern Time), with New York v LA screened earlier in a double header.
Related Articles
- NBC Sports Network's MLS Coverage continues Saturday with Houston Dynamo hosting D.C. United
- NBC Sports Network's MLS coverage continues Saturday with Philadelphia at Seattle
- NBC Sports Network's MLS coverage continues Saturday with New England at New York
- TSN2 and RDS2 Announce Additional MLS Games
- NBC Sports Group's MLS coverage continues Friday with Houston Dynamo at Seattle Sounders
Member Sign In »
Related Articles
- NBC Sports Network's MLS Coverage continues Saturday with Houston Dynamo hosting D.C. United
- NBC Sports Network's MLS coverage continues Saturday with Philadelphia at Seattle
- NBC Sports Network's MLS coverage continues Saturday with New England at New York
- TSN2 and RDS2 Announce Additional MLS Games
- NBC Sports Group's MLS coverage continues Friday with Houston Dynamo at Seattle Sounders
- NBC Sports Group continues MLS coverage this Sunday with Colorado Rapids at Philadelphia Union
- Sportsnet Announces Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2012 Broadcast Schedule
- TSN and RDS Announce 2012 MLS Regular Season National Broadcast Schedule
- ESPN’s 2012 Major League Soccer Schedule
- Los Angeles Galaxy vs Houston Dynamo Report