Armchair Analyst: Which teams played the right cards?

It was a pretty bad weekend for the home teams in the first leg of the Conference Semifinals. The notable exception was Real Salt Lake, who dominated the Sounders on Saturday night to take a 3-0 lead into Seattle on Wednesday. We’ll start there for some quickshot tactical analysis of what went right and what went wrong in each of the weekend’s contests: Real Salt Lake 3, Seattle Sounders 0 The Opta numbers break it down pretty well, with RSL showing a clear advantage in total possession and completion percentage. But the reasons behind those numbers are what tell the story. RSL were able to push Seattle into playing more vertically than the Sounders generally want to, forcing the back four into long-distance passing and generally neutralizing Osvaldo Alonso. Sigi Schmid said it was one of the worst games Alonso’s had in the defensive midfielder’s three years in MLS, and it’s hard to disagree. WATCH: Wingert tees up Saborio While that made for a stretched and disorganized Seattle side that couldn’t string passes together until the last 15 minutes (at which point RSL began to play more conservatively in an effort to protect their 2-0 lead), it also created lanes for RSL to exploit when moving forward. The positioning of Will Johnson in particular provided a dilemma for right back James Riley. Johnson stayed very deep on the night, leaving room in the left-center channel for playmaker Javier Morales to use (and use it he did – that’s where the first goal came from). Alonso frequently followed Morales with and without the ball, which left Riley to choose between pushing up and harassing the Canadian international, and thus vacating the flank for a counterattack, or staying back and letting Johnson act as a safety-valve when Real had possession. It ended up being the latter more often than not, and Johnson’s ability to switch play and keep the ball moving is one of the underrated reasons his side bossed the game. Philadelphia Union 1, Houston Dynamo 2 It seems unlikely Peter Nowak will trot out the five-man back line that played the first 45 minutes on Sunday. It also seems highly unlikely – or it should be, anyway – that he’ll go with the dual d-mid formation that’s been more hindrance than help for his team this year. WATCH: Hainault puts Dynamo up 1-0 The choice to defend deep was a baffling one for several reasons, the biggest being that you’re almost certain to concede set pieces if you play that game. Against a team with Brad Davis whipping balls into Brian Ching, Andre Hainault, Bobby Boswell and Geoff Cameron, that’s suicide. The 4-1-3-2 should be the order of the day. Figuring out who to play alongside (or just underneath) Sébastien Le Toux is the biggest decision, but it’s clear that the Frenchman should be used as a true No. 9, pushing the Dynamo back four. Defensively, the Union have two mandates: Stop giving up set pieces and stop giving Davis chances to cross the ball. The midfielder had 10 on the day, and Philly were lucky only one turned into a goal. On the Houston side, it couldn’t have gone much better, with the one blemish being Cameron’s ill-advised, poorly timed challenge that freed Justin Mapp up to start the sequence leading to the first goal. Otherwise, Cory Ashe did a very good job of staying wide to neutralize Sheannon Williams on the overlap, while Hainault and Danny Cruz did well to take the space down the right side, largely eliminating Gabe Farfan’s overlapping threat. New York Red Bulls 0, LA Galaxy 1 Over the past several years, one of the more reliable predictors of playoff success is choosing whichever team has played fewer games to advance. Teams with extended US Open Cup or CONCACAF Champions League runs simply haven’t had the legs to compete come the postseason. WATCH: Magee beats the trap That fed into LA’s plan in New York, a game in which they pressed for the first 30 minutes then spend the rest of the game conserving energy while looking for a counterattack. Obviously the pressure paid off – Mike Magee’s 18th-minute goal came at a point in the game when the Galaxy had RBNY scrambling to put out fires all over the pitch – and the decision to counter would have paid as well, had Robbie Keane or Landon Donovan been able to finish open chances in the box. LA will take the 1-0, of course, but Hans Backe and RBNY have some serious decisions to make. The Galaxy were able to neutralize Thierry Henry by leaving Juninho deep (a role likely given to Chris Birchall for the second leg since the Brazilian is suspended), putting the Frenchman in a situation where, when he received the ball, he was almost always moving away from his own net. As it turns out, Henry’s best pass of the night was a blind, overhead kick into space for Luke Rodgers. Not exactly textbook attacking soccer, that. Colorado Rapids 0, Sporting KC 2 The Rapids were spent by September and have been holding on by a thread. Factor in the injuries they suffered, the red card, and Sporting’s young legs and good health, and the 2-0 result was probably, in retrospect, predictable. WATCH: Zusi puts Bunbury through It actually obscures the fact that Colorado played fairly well through the first 45 minutes, giving few chances to counter and daring KC to beat them by stringing together passes in the attacking zone. On the few times Sporting attempted the latter, Jeff Larentowicz was usually there to clean up the threat. Of course, it was a turnover and counterattack that gave Sporting the lead just a few minutes into the second half. So the good form didn’t last nearly long enough. The real problem, though, occurred when Graham Zusi stepped into the red zone just between the defense and midfield. It’s well understood by now that anything within 30 yards means Zusi can have a rip on goal, so when Larentowicz stepped up to snuff out that option, it gave the enganche the lane to slip Teal Bunbury through and draw a red card on Tyrone Marshall. In other words, Colorado made the right play; Zusi simply made a better one.

Recap: RSL take big 3-0 lead vs. Sounders in West semifinal

SANDY, Utah — RSL looked nothing like a team that hadn’t won in more than a month. With Will Johnson, Kyle Beckerman, and Javier Morales all back in the starting lineup, the Claret-and-Cobalt controlled the tempo from the outset en route to a dominating 3-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders in the first leg of their Western Conference semifinal matchup at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday night. Álvaro Saborío scored two goals and Ned Grabavoy added the third as RSL took a commanding lead heading into the return match on Wednesday night at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field (10 pm ET; ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3.com; live chat on MLSsoccer.com). Seattle will need to regroup after managing no shots on goal against a masterful Real Salt Lake defense. Kasey Keller kept the series from getting out of hand with eight saves. Morales contributed two assists for the home side. RSL started off strongly, with Fabián Espíndola among the standout performers in the first stanza. His strike partner Saborío just missed scoring in the eighth minute, while Keller had to dive to deny Will Johnson in the 20th. Keller once again came up big in the 24th minute, stretching to his left to deny Andy Williams when it looked like the RSL midfielder would score. Kreis was forced to use a substitute in the 31st minute, bringing on Chris Schuler for Jámison Olave (right quad strain). The move didn’t slow RSL’s tempo, as the team finally broke through in the 41st. Saborío provided the final touch to a lovely maneuver as Javier Morales and Chris Wingert advanced down RSL’s left side against Seattle's James Riley. The overlapping Wingert’s cross was headed for the net, but Saborío tapped it in on the goal line. After conferring with the assistant referee about a possible offside call against Saborío, match referee Mark Geiger ruled it a good goal.

Galaxy Notebook: LA may try to exploit absent Solli's spot

CARSON, Calif. – Jan Gunnar Solli has caused a load of problems for opposing clubs this season, but the LA Galaxy won’t have to worry about New York's regular right back on Sunday in the first leg of their Western Conference Semifinal series (3 pm ET, ESPN/ESPN Deportes, live chat on MLSsoccer.com). The Norwegian was sent off in New York’s 2-0 wild card win at FC Dallas on Wednesday and will have to sit out the first leg of the Red Bulls’ series against the Galaxy. A stalwart on the right side of the defense, Galaxy forwards are relishing the opportunity to not worry about him. "It’s a huge loss for them," Chad Barrett said. "They’ll have to fill the gap there on the right side with someone who hasn’t really played. They’re a team who hasn’t really shuffled in a whole lot of players and when they have, they haven’t done great like our team has." Solli was in fine form throughout 2011, playing in 31 games and notching seven assists, tying Chivas USA's Ante Jazic for most assists from a defender. Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe told reporters on Friday that he'll fill the void with Carlos Mendes. And while the Red Bulls veteran has played in 18 games this season and has logged 146 career MLS matches, there is a drop-off in terms of offensive production without Solli in the lineup. "There’s a huge gap there of course and it’s probably something we’ll look to exploit," Barrett said. Dodging Rodgers? While Solli is definitely out on Sunday, a player who the Galaxy may do well to avoid altogether is forward Luke Rodgers. The striker scored nine goals in 23 games despite being hampered with injuries through much of the latter half of the season. He already showed the Galaxy firsthand what he’s capable of, scoring a goal in a 2-0 win over LA at Red Bull Arena on Oct. 4. "Rodgers is the guy who makes their team tick, and if he’s not on the field, it’s certainly helpful for us," Galaxy captain Landon Donovan said. "My guess is they’re going to find a way to get him ready." The Englishman does well to put himself in good positions in front of the goal. "He’s a true goal-poacher," Barrett said. "He works hard and likes to stretch the field for them. Thierry Henry is the guy they like to play to into his feet. He likes to get it, he likes to combine, he’s a great playmaker and he likes to go deep for them." Rodgers gives New York a strong weapon that makes the Red Bulls frontline one of the most productive forward units in the league. With Henry’s 14 goals and Juan Agudelo’s six tallies, the Red Bulls got 29 goals from that trio alone. Still, despite those statistics, Galaxy players are not exactly picking their jaws off the ground. "Their attack [are] all great players, but it’s nothing that we haven’t seen before," Barrett said. Magee: Don't underestimate RBNY After their midseason collapse and struggle to just reach the playoffs, many observers seemingly overlooked the New York Red Bulls as true MLS Cup contenders. But at least one Galaxy player knows what happens when the Red Bulls are overlooked in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Mike Magee was on the 2008 Red Bulls side that reached the club’s one and only MLS Cup final. And while New York are the LA Galaxy’s Western Conference foe now, Magee is one of the few who does not find that situation out of the ordinary. "When I played with New York, we won the Western Conference, so it’s not too bizarre for me," he said at training on Thursday. "Every team that’s moved over to a different conference has won so we definitely have to be careful." New York were the Western Conference champions in 2008, ousting heavily favored Houston in the first round before upsetting Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium to reach MLS Cup. However, the club’s miracle run ended there as the Columbus Crew beat them in the final, which was played at the Home Depot Center. While the Galaxy have has a slew of goals before this point – winning the Supporters’ Shield, advancing out of CONCACAF Champions League group play – New York are determined for just one thing, and that will make the club a more difficult foe. "History has shown that the teams that the teams who squeak in do very well," Magee said. "I think New York in particular, they’re desperate for an MLS Cup. I know that organization and I know this is all they’re playing for." While both New York and the Galaxy have high salaries and world-renowned stars, the similarities end there. The Red Bulls tied half of their games and needed a win in the final match of the season to reach the playoffs. The Galaxy went 19-5-10 and cruised to the top spot in the Western Conference table. But if the Galaxy view the Red Bulls as anything but a worthy and difficult opponent, they will be in trouble, Magee said. "It’s a game where we can’t see them as a No. 10 seed," he said. "They’re going to come out and they’re going to play without as much pressure as us and a lot more freely. If we let our guards down, they’ll beat us."

Dynamo Notes: Players positive after recalling point at PPL

HOUSTON – The Houston Dynamo's 1-1 draw against the Philadelphia Union on  Aug. 6 could be a much-needed rallying point for visitors as they return again to face the Union in the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday (5 pm ET, ESPN2/Deportes). "It’s obviously something that, as a team, we can pull from," Dynamo midfielder Adam Moffat said. "We were disappointed we [didn’t win] that game because we played well but gave up an early goal." Houston dominated possession on the night, controlling the ball for 58 percent of the match, while also outshooting the Union 16-8. Despite the offensive control, however, they still needed an 85th-minute Geoff Cameron strike to pull out a draw. That positive result sparked a two-and-a-half-month run that saw the Dynamo climb to their final spot of second in the Eastern Conference. That success and production can now serve as motivation heading into a hostile playoff environment. "One hundred percent," Cameron said when asked if can they pull from their August draw. "We had a good result the last time we played them there. Saying that, it’s a different environment now in the playoffs with more at stake. We’re going to go in there to get a point or three points." Le Toux factor It is no secret who has been the hottest Union player the last third of the season. After scoring one goal in the first five months of the season, Sébastien Le Toux rediscovered his form to the tune of 10 of his club's 17 goals since Aug. 13. Le Toux’s renaissance has corresponded with a move to a more forward position. As the Frenchman has transitioned from a role as facilitator – he notched nine assists on the year – to goal scorer, opposing defenses now have to know his whereabouts at all times. "When he’s making his runs, communication is a key thing," Cameron said. "If he’s making a run through you have to let the other guys know when he is coming through and know what to do." Health finally a positive It seems rare in 2011 that the term "happy" has been used in regards to the Dynamo’s health, but going into the playoffs that's exactly how the team is feeling. When the team trained Friday morning it was nearly all hands on deck, with the only missing head being Cam Weaver, who is out for the season due to a hip injury. "To come out and be able to go through things and count 20-plus players, it’s nice to have a healthy squad going into this important part of the season," head coach Dominic Kinnear said.

DeMerit documentary gets November theatrical release

Ever since its trailer began grabbing attention on blogs and Twitter feeds this spring,

Union Notebook: Paunović a question for Houston series

CHESTER, Pa. – The Philadelphia Union will take the field for their first-ever MLS playoff game on Sunday at PPL Park. Union midfielder Veljko Paunović may not be as fortunate. Paunović, a longtime pro but a first-year MLS player, could be sidelined for the Union’s playoff opener against Houston in the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals (4 pm ET; ESPN2, ESPN Deportes). The 34-year-old Serbian is currently listed as doubtful on the club’s injury report with a right hamstring strain. "As of now, Veljko is training with us but not in full capacity," Union manager Peter Nowak said Wednesday from his weekly press conference. "With those kinds of injuries, you never know how it plays out. I don’t think it’s major enough to say he’s out the whole series." Before being sidelined for the Union’s loss in last Thursday’s regular-season finale to the Red Bulls, Paunović had started 12 of the club’s last 13 games, playing mainly as a withdrawn forward behind Sébastien Le Toux. If Paunović can’t go on Sunday, the Union could start the game with a five-man midfield like they did against New York last week, or partner Danny Mwanga – who is recovering from an injury himself – up top with Le Toux. Either way, Nowak believes Paunović’s absence would hurt the club. "In the stretch where we were playing good, he was an integral part of that," Nowak said. "So it’s definitely a loss in this capacity. He’s an experienced guy." The only other key player listed on the injury report for Philly is midfielder Justin Mapp (left quad strain), but Nowak said he should be fine for Sunday’s game. Mondragón feeling fine Since goalkeeper Faryd Mondragón returned to the lineup, the Union have yet to win and Mondragón has yet to record a shutout. But heading into the playoffs, Nowak is not the least bit worried about his club’s 40-year-old captain, despite the last two results of the regular season – a 1-1 tie to Toronto and a 1-0 loss to New York. "Faryd is an experienced guy," Nowak said. "The injury was just unfortunate. It’s not like he was sitting in front of the TV with a remote control and trying to flip channels [while he was hurt]. He was around us. He was part of the team, whatever we did." Nowak was also quick to point out the goals surrendered in each of the Union’s last two games were not a result of his injury or because the team had become more accustomed to rookie Zac MacMath, who had started the previous seven games in net. "I don’t think we had any problems with communication," the Union manager said. "I think he was very confident in those two games. The two goals, we should do better defensively not to put him in that position. I’m not worried." Nowak also isn’t worried how Mondragón will handle his first MLS Cup playoff contest, considering the veteran Colombian has played in numerous pressure-packed games during a two-decade career in South America and Europe. "This kind of stuff for him is not new," Nowak said.

Ralston says no contact with Revs over coach vacancy

HOUSTON – With Monday's stunning development that the New England Revolution and Steve Nicol had parted ways, talk immediately began of who would replace the iconic head coach. Not surprisingly, one of Nicol's longtime charges was one of the first names floated. But Steve Ralston shot down any rumors of first contact with his old team on Tuesday, adding that the reports and rumor-mongering are the extent of the Dynamo assistant coach’s knowledge of the subject. "When I came in this morning, some of the guys asked about it, but I just read it this morning and that’s all I know about it," Ralston told the media after training Tuesday. "I played there for eight years and I enjoyed my time there. But my job right now is to help this team prepare for the playoffs. "I just feel really bad for [Nicol] and that’s all I’m thinking about it right now. He’s a good man and good coach and I feel for him." The former Revolution stalwart is a logical candidate for the position. Ralston was a beloved member of the team and soccer community in New England, and a big reason they made it to four MLS Cup finals during his eight seasons with the Revolution. After retiring in 2010, Ralston replaced Portland Timbers head coach John Spencer on Houston’s staff. Since then, Ralston has worked with Dynamo head man Dominic Kinnear to not only improve the Dynamo, but work on Ralston’s nascent coaching skills. "He’s more comfortable talking with the guys one on one and on the field," Kinnear said. "Another good thing is the reserve league that gives these guys a chance to make decisions, and that’s been helpful. I think he feels more comfortable being a coach." Kinnear echoed Ralston sentiments Tuesday saying he was sad to see Nicol’s tenure end, and confirmed that New England has not contacted the club for permission to speak with Ralston, who is under contract. However, as we saw with Spencer last season, Kinnear and the Dynamo are not likely to stand in the way of a coach wanting to seek out a head coaching position. "If they were to ask us to talk to Steve, I don’t see us standing in the way," Kinnear said. Still, Ralston is focused on helping the Dynamo prepare for a run to the MLS Cup and, hopefully, a victory – something that eluded him during his playing days. So while the rumor mill has already started, Ralston is content to leave any talk of his Houston departure right there. "I loved my time [in New England] and I love being here," Ralston said. "That was my past but this is my job now, to do whatever I can to help these guys. I would like to win the MLS Cup and that’s my job here."