MLSsoccer.com's editors have expertly picked matches all year (Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle led the pack) and we're not stopping during the MLS Cup Playoffs. Next up: Sunday afternoon's Eastern Conference Semifinal first leg between the Houston Dynamo and New York Red Bulls (3:30 pm ET, NBC).
Disagree with the picks? Make your voice heard in the comment section below!
<strong>Editor</strong> |
<strong>Score</strong> |
<strong>Comments</strong> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/GregLalas_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Greg Lalas</strong><br><em>Editor-In-Chief</em></p> |
<br><p class="rtecenter"><strong>DRAW</strong><br><strong>2-2</strong></p> |
The Dynamo are so good at home in the playoffs, but the Red Bulls' offensive arsenal, from Henry to Cahill to even Steele and Sam, can switch on at will, it seems. They've got enough to get a result. |
<br><p><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/freedman_2.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Jonah Freedman</strong><br><em>Managing Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>DRAW</strong><br><strong>1-1</strong></p> |
<p>Of all four weekend matches, this is the biggest question mark. Based on RBNY's recent form, you'd expect them to keep rolling. But the playoffs are a different kind of curse entirely. That said, does one terrific performance against a terrible team make you believe the Dynamo are back? I'm taking my money off the table for this one.</p> |
<em><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/valencia_1.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong></em><p class="rtecenter"><strong>Kristel Valencia</strong><br><em><span style="font-size: 12px;">Editor FutbolMLS.com</span></em></p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/newyork_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 40px;"><br><strong>0-2</strong> |
Yeah, I know Houston are in "noodle time" and that Bruin, Boniek and Davis are in form, but NY have owned Houston the entire season. |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Borg_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Simon Borg</strong><br><em>Senior Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/houston_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 40px;"><br><strong>3-1</strong></p> |
<p>The Dynamo have turned it up a notch. Kinnear's suspension and the two home losses to NY make for an angry Dynamo team and the Red Bulls will suffer the consequences.</p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><em><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Doyle_2.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong></em><br><strong>Matt Doyle</strong><br><em>Armchair Analyst</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/houston_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 40px;"><br><strong>2-1</strong></p> |
<p>There's no way that Dom Kinnear loses three home games to the same team in the same season. But New York will happily take this result back home.</p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/AndrewWiebe_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Andrew Wiebe</strong><br><em>Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>DRAW</strong><br><strong>1-1</strong></p> |
Another Red Bulls blowout? Forget it. Dominic Kinnear may be up in a box, but he'll be having none of that. This one will be decided by two talented (and gritty) midfields, and eventually ends in a stalemate. |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/JasonSaghini_1.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Jason Saghini</strong><br><em>Director of Video</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>DRAW</strong><br><strong>1-1</strong></p> |
As good as Houston looked against Montreal, the Red Bulls are a different animal. Their regular season success against the Dynamo (3-0-0) included two wins in BBVA. Still, it's hard to imagine them going a perfect 3 for 3 in Houston. |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Rosano_2.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Nick Rosano</strong><br><em>Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/houston_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 40px;"><br><strong>2-1</strong></p> |
<p>Houston and Dom Kinnear's playoff mastery should see the Dynamo to a home win over the Red Bulls on Sunday afternoon, but New York will play well enough to give themselves a chance in the return leg.</p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/DiegoPinzon_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Diego Pinzon</strong><br><em>FutbolMLS.com Assoc. Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/houston_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 40px;"><br><strong>2-1</strong></p> |
<p>Kinnear learns quick (<em>viejo zorro</em>), and he won't let New York do the same thing that happened when Cahill <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2013/10/20/goal-tim-cahill-scores-fastest-goal-mls-history">scored the fastest goal in MLS history</a>. But, NY won't make the same mistakes Montreal, and Houston should expect that.</p> |
