The MLSnet.com editorial staff takes a look inside each of the Conference Semifinal Series to determine who has "The Edge" in each component of each matchup.
We break down both squads' goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards, the give "The Edge" at each position to one of the two sides, before handing out the overall edge. Agree with us? Disagree? Cast your vote for each position and overall matchup, then leave a comment at the bottom of the page with your thoughts.
Be sure to tune in on Thursday night (8:00 p.m. ET; ESPN2, Deportes) for the second leg of the 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs Semifinal Series between Columbus and Real Salt Lake.
| Position |  |  | Edge | Fans' pick |
| Forwards | Reigning MLS MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto leads, arguably, the league's deepest, most talented bunch of forwards. Steven Lenhart, Jason Garey and Emilio Renteria, all fighting for time behind Schelotto and Alejandro Moreno, could likely start for most teams in the league. | Robbie Findley's breakout in RSL's season-closing 3-0 rout of Colorado was a needed shot in the arm. Yura Movsisyan and Fabian Espindola are always a handful with their creativity, but when the speedy Findley is being disruptive in the attacking third, RSL tends to be at its best. |  | |
| Midfielders | The Crew midfield has it all. Brian Carroll, Adam Moffat and Danny O'Rourke provide a strong defensive and holding presence in the center, while Robbie Rogers, Eddie Gaven and Emmanuel Ekpo are as dangerous as they come attacking from the wings. | Kyle Beckerman is one of the league's best at maintaining possession, and you can bet he'll be constantly battling Schelotto for the ball. Javier Morales, Will Johnson and Clint Mathis round out a very talented unit, but fan-favorite Andy Williams has had the magic touch of late. |  | |
| Defenders | The Crew backline is an elite unit, but a big question mark hangs over the head of its helmsman, reigning MLS Defender of the Year Chad Marshall. Marshall is expected to return from an MCL sprain on Saturday, but has not played a minute of competitive soccer since Sept. 13. | He has not received as much attention this season as last, but Jamison Olave's size and athleticism make him a defensive terror. Chris Wingert and Nat Borchers bring a veteran sure handedness to the table, while second-year fullback Tony Beltran has come into his own. |  | |
| Goalkeepers | William Hesmer had his share of struggles to begin the season and even at one point looked to be in danger of losing his starting gig to Andy Gruenebaum, but Hesmer rebounded nicely, ultimately posting a very impressive 0.95 goals-against-average, good for third in the league. | Nick Rimando rarely seems to be mentioned among the league's best goalkeepers, but his value to Real Salt Lake was never more stated than during a three-match run back in May in which RSL struggled badly, going 0-2-1 while Rimando was sidelined with a hand injury. |  | |
| Overall | Columbus and RSL could not have come from two more divergent paths to reach this point. The Crew were on the inside track to a second consecutive Supporters' Shield for much of the season, while Real were all but written off as playoff contenders in the season's closing weeks. It would be tough not to view Columbus as favorites, but the big "X" factor at play in this series is Rio Tinto Stadium. No club was tougher at home this season than RSL, having lost just once in the thin atmosphere of Sandy, Utah. Winning at Crew Stadium is no picnic either, but a strong effort in the first leg could put RSL in position to steal the series. | | ||
