MLS Playoffs Predictions

The MLS Playoffs start tomorrow night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Colorado. Here are my predictions for the first leg of the home-and-home ties (home teams are listed first). I'll post my predictions for the second leg of these ties next week.

Colorado Rapids 2 v 0 Columbus Crew:
Columbus brings a veteran lineup and a wealth of playoff experience, but their form has been poor of late. Colorado has looked very lethal on the attack with Cummings and Casey up front. Colorado cruises to a 2-0 victory at home. (Goals: COL - Casey, Mastroeni)

San Jose Earthquakes 2 v 2 New York Red Bulls:
New York rides into Northern California with the big guns and San Jose has not been overpowering at home this year. However, Wondo has thrown the team on his back and carried them all year and the Golden Boot winner will make it interesting in this matchup as well. I see an entertaining 2-2 tie (Goals: NY-Richards, Angel SJ - Wondolowski x 2)

FC Dallas 1 v Real Salt Lake 0:
Real Salt Lake are the defending champs and have been tough all year, but they're beatable away from home. FC Dallas has cooled off to end the season after a memorable unbeaten streak. Edge goes to FC Dallas at home in a hard fought, scrappy defensive struggle with Shea finding the back of the net for the Hoops. (Goals: FCD - Shea)

Seattle Sounders FC 3 v 1 L.A. Galaxy:
L.A. Galaxy were head and shoulders above the rest during the first half of the season and were able to hold off a late charge by RSL to earn the Supporters' Shield and the top seeding for the Playoffs. Seattle rebounded from two big losses to the Galaxy early in the season to win the third matchup between these West coast rivals in U.S. Open Cup play. Since then, the Sounders have been on fire, logging the best record in all of MLS during the second half of the season. The Sounders ride their torrid form to a 3-1 victory in front of a raucous crowd at Qwest field. (Goals: SEA - Montero, Zakuani, Fernandez LA - Donovan)