MLS West Features Marquee Matchups

Four clubs separated by just three points in the standings, Seattle's raucous crowd, Houston's thirst for redemption, the league's only genuine derby and the first postseason appearance by David Beckham: They add up to produce the most compelling quarterfinal quartet in MLS history. The Western Conference playoffs begin Thursday night as Houston visits Seattle (10PM ET, ESPN2) in the first game of their two-game, total goals series. The Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA kick off their Southern California Superclasico on Sunday. Here is a short preview:

No. 2 Houston Dynamo (13-8-9) vs. No. 3 Seattle Sounders (12-7-11)

Schedule:

Thursday, Oct. 29: Houston at Seattle, 10PM ET
Sunday, Nov. 8: Seattle at Houston, 3PM ET

Season Series:

July 11: at Seattle 2, Houston 1
July 21: at Seattle 2, Houston 1 OT (U.S. Open Cup semifinal)
Aug. 23: at Houston 1, Seattle 1

Outlook:

A riveting U.S. Open semi that featured an 89th-minute equalizer, nine yellow cards and 40 fouls gave us a good indication that this series will be played with considerable intensity. The expansion Sounders exceeded all expectations this season, qualifying for the playoffs with relative ease, winning the Open Cup and setting the MLS attendance record. A packed Qwest Field should provide the perfect backdrop for ESPN2's cameras on Thursday night.

The Seattle story has been a feel-good constant throughout the league this year, but Houston has plenty of motivation as well. Favored to capture its third straight MLS Cup last season, the Dynamo pulled an epic choke job in the home leg of its series with the New York Red Bulls and was eliminated with a stunning 3-0 defeat. It's been a long road back to this point, and the departure of Dwayne DeRosario to Toronto FC means this Houston team has a much different look than its championship predecessors.

Seattle and Houston each gave up only 29 goals in regular season play, tieing for the top spot in MLS. The goalkeepers are well known -- the Sounders' Kasey Keller is a U.S. national team legend and the Dynamo's Pat Onstad is a two-time MLS goalkeeper of the year and three-time champion. The Dynamo's veteran back line has been hit hard by injuries this year, but it obviously has held up. A midfield featuring new national teamers Ricardo Clark, Stuart Holden (6 goals, 4 assists) and the peaking Brad Davis (5g, 12a) remains one of the league's best. Seattle counters with playmaker/underwear model Freddie Ljungberg (2g, 9a) and attacks with speed thanks to Steve Zakuani (4g, 4a) and striker Fredy Montero (12 g, 7a). Both teams feature quality target men. Houston has Brian Ching (8g, 3a), and Seattle boasts Nate Jacqua (9g, 7a).

The Pick:

Seattle won its final three games and seemed to have shaken its home scoring woes in a 2-1 defeat of FC Dallas to close out the season. Houston has been somewhat inconsistent down the stretch as it dealt with injuries and a heavy CONCACAF Champions League schedule. However, it has players up and down its roster with playoff experience and should have the advantage in midfield. For once, MLS's scant first-round "home-field advantage" may come into play. It should be close, but assuming Clark and Luis Angel Landin are healthy, look for Houston to advance at home in overtime or on penalties.

No.1 Los Angeles Galaxy (12-6-12) vs. No. 4 Chivas USA (13-11-6)

Schedule:

Sunday, Nov. 1: Los Angeles at Chivas, 5 PM ET
Sunday, Nov. 8: Chivas at Los Angeles, 7:30 PM ET

Season Series:

April 11: at Los Angeles 0, Chivas 0
July 11: at Chivas 0, Los Angeles 1
Aug. 29: at Los Angeles 1, Chivas 0

Outlook:

For the first time since Chivas entered the league in 2005 there is a real battle for SoCal, and like any good rivalry around the world, the opposing clubs represent very different sides of Los Angeles. In one locker room you have the high-profile team featuring the two most recognizable faces in American soccer, David Beckham and Landon Donovan. The team name was picked to represent a city full of stars, some of whom occasionally appear at their games. Down the hall you have Chivas USA, a club that features the coat of arms of the city of Guadalajara on its badge and strives to appeal to the Latino fan and the soccer purist. There is no home field advantage, and the games are sure to be intense.

Bruce Arena's reshaping of the Galaxy has been remarkable, and should earn him MLS coach of the year honors. The club was so dysfunctional the past two seasons that Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl wrote a book about it. Now, it's a discplined outfit that seems to get along both on and off the field and, for the first time in years, has an interest in playing defense. L.A. yielded 36 goals in MLS play this season, compared to a ridiculous 62 in 2008. Omar Gonzalez, A.J. DeLaGarza and Sean Franklin are three of the most talented young defenders in the country.

The Galaxy have a considerable advantage on the attack. Chivas relies heavily on U.S. midfielder Sacha Kljestan (5g, 3a) to engineer the offense and has not received enough production out of Cuban striker Maykel Galindo (4g, 2a). Mexican import Eduardo Lillingston lead the Goats with eight goals this season. Chivas will have to rely on effort and graft to compensate, but should be plenty motivated by their opponent and the playoff atmosphere. Goalkeeper Zach Thornton has been reborn this season and posted 12 shutouts.

The Pick:

The two best players in this series will be wearing white, and if Chivas defensive midfielder Jesse Marsch is limited by his concussion, Beckham (2g, 3a) and Donovan (12g, 6a) will have even more room to move. Chivas peaked far too early, and this should be the Galaxy's series to win without too much difficulty.