NFL Week 9/MLS Conference Finals Live Blog

Man, what is it with all the crappy early games as of late?  I mean, I guess Jets-Bills is sort of okay, but 49ers-Redskins?  That the Redskins are so bad that I am getting Seahawks-Cowboys with Chris Myers?  Ugh.  Well, on the likely more exciting side of things, MLS Conference Finals are tonight.

Houston Dynamo vs. Sporting Kansas City 5:30 (FSC - JP Dellacamera and Brian Dunseth, SR: Allen Hopkins)

Real Salt Lake vs. Los Angeles Galaxy 9:00 (ESPN - Ian Darke and John Harkes, SR: Rob Stone)

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2011 MLS Cup Conference Finals Schedule

After a round of aggregate scoring, the Conference Finals will be like the wild card, one game, better side hosts, winner advances, loser goes home.  In the event of a tie after 90 minutes, there will be 30 minutes extra time.  If still tied after extra time, it will come down to a penalty shootout. (home team listed last; all times ET)

Eastern Conference Final

November 6:  Houston Dynamo vs. Sporting Kansas City  5:30 (FSC - JP Dellacamera and Brian Dunseth, SR: Mark Rogondino)

Western Conference Final

November 6:  Real Salt Lake vs. Los Angeles Galaxy  9:00 (ESPN - Ian Darke and John Harkes, SR: Rob Stone)

MLS Conference Semifinals Leg 2 Day 1 Live Blog

Leg 2: Colorado Rapids vs. Sporting Kansas City 8:00 (FSC - JP Dellacamera and Brian Dunseth)

Leg 2: Real Salt Lake vs. Seattle Sounders 10:00 (ESPN2 - Adrian Healey and John Harkes) (TSN2)

NFL Week 8/MLS Conference Semifinals Live Blog

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!  DOOP!

Leg 1: Los Angeles Galaxy vs. New York Red Bulls 3:00 (ESPN2 - Adrian Healey and John Harkes)

Leg 1: Houston Dynamo vs. Philadelphia Union 5:00 (ESPN2 - Rob Stone and Taylor Twellman)

Leg 1: Sporting Kansas City vs. Colorado Rapids 7:00 (FSC) (TSN2)

CLICK HERE TO GO TO LIVE BLOG!

2011 MLS Cup Conference Semifinals Schedule

After muting Marcelo Balboa for 90 minutes, I can confidently said I managed to save a few brain cells watching Colorado Rapids defeat Columbus Crew in the 2nd of two MLS Cup Playoff Wild Card games.  Now to the Conference Finals.  Now to recap how we got here, the lowest seeded remaining wild card team (New York Red Bulls) moves to the Western Conference bracket to face the Western Conference and Supporters' Shield winning Los Angeles Galaxy.  And the highest seeded remaining wild card team (Colorado Rapids) moves to the Eastern Conference bracket to face the Eastern Conference winning Sporting Kansas City.  Yes, MLS thinks this is a good way to conduct a playoff.

Now moving forward in the Conference Semifinals, where each fixture will contain two legs, with each team hosting a leg.  Aggregate scoring will be used, and the team with the highest aggregate score will advance to the Conference Finals.  If after two legs, the aggregate is tied, 30 minutes of extra time will be played, and if it is still tied after 30 minutes of extra time, penalty kicks will determine a winner.  It is important to note that unlike other, better known soccer competitions, there is no away goal rule here.  On one hand, this makes keeping track of the score much easier.  On the other hand, can't MLS just for once do something like other people!  Even when MLS makes things easy it's not easy.  Now that you are all thoroughly confused, here is the schedule for the Conference Semifinals! (wild card seeds have been designated a #4 seed for the sake of ease) (home team listed last) (all times ET) 

Eastern Conference Semifinals

#1 Sporting Kansas City vs. #4 Colorado Rapids

Leg 1:  October 30:  Sporting Kansas City vs. Colorado Rapids  7:00 (FSC - JP Dellacamera and Kyle Martino) (TSN2)
Leg 2:  November 2:  Colorado Rapids vs. Sporting Kansas City  8:00 (FSC - JP Dellacamera and Kyle Martino)

#2 Houston Dynamo vs. #3 Philadelphia Union

Leg 1:  October 30:  Houston Dynamo vs. Philadelphia Union  5:00 (ESPN2 - Rob Stone and Taylor Twellman)
Leg 2:  November 3:  Philadelphia Union vs. Houston Dynamo  8:30 (ESPN2 - Adrian Healey and Taylor Twellman) (TSN2)

Western Conference Semifinals

#1 Los Angeles Galaxy vs. #4 New York Red Bulls

Leg 1:  October 30:  Los Angeles Galaxy vs. New York Red Bulls  3:00 (ESPN2 - Adrian Healey and John Harkes)
Leg 2:  November 3:  New York Red Bulls vs. Los Angeles Galaxy  11:00 (ESPN2 - Ian Darke and John Harkes, SR: Rob Stone) (TSN2)

#2 Seattle Sounders vs. #3 Real Salt Lake

Leg 1:  October 29:  Seattle Sounders vs. Real Salt Lake  10:00 (FSC - JP Dellacamera and Kyle Martino) (TSN2)
Leg 2:  November 2:  Real Salt Lake vs. Seattle Sounders  10:00 (ESPN2 - Adrian Healey and John Harkes) (TSN2)