Role reversal for Chivas vs. RSL

CARSON, Calif. -- Chivas USA has been in Real Salt Lake's position before. In 2006, Chivas USA played host to a playoff game for the first time, and the energy in the stands that day propelled the Red-and-White to a victory against a higher-seeded team.

Now, it is Chivas USA who is the higher seed and must play on the road against the energetic first-time playoff team, and that energy is what players say is important to squash early in Saturday's first leg at Rio Tinto Stadium.

"I know it's going to be a very difficult game for our team," right back Carey Talley said. "It's going to be a very emotional game for them from the standpoint that it's their first playoff game. It's going to be hectic and it's going to be crazy. We have to make sure that if anything we're disciplined as a team."

Real Salt Lake were toward the bottom of the Western Conference for much of their first three MLS seasons as the club posted a combined record of 21-50-23 entering the 2008 season. This year, the club enjoyed a turnaround campaign and finished with a 10-10-10 record.

The wait for a playoff spot has been long, but just as long was the wait for a new stadium. Rio Tinto Stadium opened in early October after years of speculation and debate. RSL has a draw and a victory in their two games there and now will have the opportunity to bring a playoff victory to their ardent supporters.

"The energy that their stadium is going to have for this game is going to be pretty big. It's certainly not going to be an easy game," Chivas USA midfielder Jesse Marsch said. "We're going to have many things going against us. Obviously the crowd, I think the weather will be in their favor because it looks like it's going to be cold and we've never played at that stadium so we don't know what that's about. But we're going to go there and play well, try and get a lead and hold onto it."

In 2008, Real Salt Lake used their home turf to their advantage. The club lost just one game at home all season -- but that fact only seems to benefit Chivas USA. It was the Red-and-White who handed RSL their lone home loss, a 1-0 victory at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Sept. 20.

And although RSL also beat Chivas USA on their turf, the Red-and-White won the overall season series. Continued success against Real is nothing new to Chivas USA. The teams split their season series in 2005 as each team won at home twice but the Red-and-White has dominated since, having posted a 6-1-3 record since.

"Even though the series tilted in our favor, I still think they were three competitive games and I don't think you can take past years' history and apply it to what their team is about this year. They're obviously vastly improved," Marsch said. "Regardless of what happens in the regular season, the playoffs wind up being a whole new series. No matter who you play it's competitive and hard fought and a real battle. I don't think you have to throw out regular season results when it comes to playoffs."

When Saturday's game kicks off, the hosts will likely come out with energy and emotion, players said. If the club can survive the expected early blitz, Chivas USA said they would be fine.

"In most cases, what usually happens in these kinds of games is matching the intensity and then it comes down to who's a better soccer team," Talley said. "If the teams are at the same intensity, the better soccer team usually ends up winning. We've got to make sure that we come to play and that we, if anything, outwork them on their home field and we'll be in good shape if that's the case. We know emotions will be high, as they should be, and so will ours."

Real Salt Lake rewarded for mental toughness

CARSON, Calif. -- Throughout the final part of the regular season and into the MLS Cup Playoffs, Real Salt Lake have shown resiliency and, most importantly, mental toughness. RSL showed these two qualities again Saturday night against Chivas USA and their reward is a spot in next week's Western Conference Championship.

RSL came back from a deficit and held on to tie Chivas USA 2-2 in the thrilling second leg of their first-ever MLS playoff appearance, winning their Western Conference Semifinal Series 3-2 on aggregate.

After going down a goal in the first half, RSL battled back to tie and then take the lead against Chivas USA before hanging on to a tie that saw them through to the conference final.

The ability to come back and hang on to the result is a testament to the progress RSL has made this year.

"If this game had happened earlier in the season we would have been in real big trouble," said RSL coach Jason Kreis. "But our guys kept a good mentality. (Mental toughness) is an area that I identified in the offseason that I wanted to make a big focus of ours. We've challenged our players all season long and now we've made big strides and I'm proud of them."

Dema Kovalenko, who negated Sacha Kljestan's penalty kick with a header in the 39th minute, sees the evolution the team has gone through after years at the bottom of the Western Conference standings.

"We went from one of the worst teams a year ago to one of the best," he said. "Nobody believed in this team all season but we believe in ourselves and now we're in the conference final."

The road to victory was a difficult one. After pulling ahead 2-1 off Javier Morales' 77th-minute goal, RSL had to withstand a Chivas USA onslaught during the final minutes of the match. RSL buckled in the 83rd minute when Justin Braun drew Chivas USA to within a goal of sending the match into extra time. After the goal, Chivas USA pushed everyone forward but the RSL defense and goalkeeper Nick Rimando were able to hold on to the result.

"We kept believing that we would win this game," said Kyle Beckerman. "We felt we were the better team and (Chivas USA) weren't in our class or at our level and the better team won."

The result also showed RSL's ability to rise to the challenge of playing on the road, where the team struggled all season long.

"We knew we had the ability to get to where we are today," said Rimando. "Where we used to not finish games and give up bad goals, now we're not doing that. We also fought together and that was the main thing."

Rimando was a key performer throughout the series, having made several critical saves to keep Chivas USA at bay.

"Rimando was a monster tonight," said Kreis. "He really kept us alive."

RSL's playoff run will live on to next week where they will face off against the winner of Sunday's game between Houston and New York.

Beckerman sees no reason why RSL's run won't continue into next week and beyond.

"Somebody's got to get to the final and win the whole thing," Beckerman said. "Why not us?"

Garber, Kraft among Hall of Fame finalists

Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber, Los Angeles Galaxy coach and general manager Bruce Arena, D.C. United president Kevin Payne and New England Revolution investor-operator Robert Kraft are among the 15 finalists for the builders ballot for the National Soccer Hall of Fame, it was announced Thursday.

Builder candidates were selected from a list of over 50 eligible candidates by vote of the builders' screening committee, a 16-member committee made up of selected Hall of Famers.

Also nominated is former Kansas City Wizards and U.S. national team coach Bob Gansler, Joe Machnik, the former U.S. national team goalkeeping coach at the 1990 World Cup and MLS official, as well as CONCACAF general secretary Chuck Blazer, former U.S. Soccer president Bob Contiguglia, International Soccer League founder and former San Diego Toros president Bill Cox, former U.S. women's national team coach Tony DiCicco, Burton Haimes, chairman of the board for American Youth Soccer Organization, United Soccer Leagues founder and president Francisco Marcos, former executive director of U.S. Amateur/Adult Soccer Association Fritz Marth, former U.S. Soccer executive Thom Meredith and David Socha, former NASL and international referee.

"These builders have made great contributions to the sport of soccer," Hall of Fame president Steve Baumann said in a statement. "Each has contributed to the growth of the game at the national level and have earned consideration for the Hall of Fame."

Garber was appointed the second commissioner of Major League Soccer on Aug. 4, 1999, taking over for Doug Logan. During his tenure, six of the league's seven soccer-specific stadiums were built, the league expanded to 16 teams, including the tremendously successful move to Canada with the addition of Toronto FC and Garber helped broker the league's first TV rights deal.

Arena is widely regarded as the greatest U.S. soccer coach of all time. He won five national championships with the University of Virginia, two MLS Cups with D.C. United and guided the U.S. national team to back-to-back FIFA World Cups, including reaching the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup. He was also the head coach and sporting director of the New York Red Bulls and is now in charge of the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Payne, who was executive vice president and, ultimately, president of Soccer USA Partners, which owned all marketing, broadcast and event promotion rights to the U.S. national team leading up to the 1994 World Cup, created the first ownership group for D.C. United in 1994. He currently serves as president of the club. He is also a board member and chairman of the technical committee for the U.S. Soccer Federation and vice chairman of the U.S. Soccer Foundation.

Kraft is the founder, chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group, an investor in the New England Revolution and owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium. Kraft's long-standing support of soccer in the United States dates back to his efforts in the early 1990s to secure Foxborough as one of the nine host venues for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Kraft's contributions to MLS also include a two-season tenure as investor-operator of the San Jose Earthquakes from 1999-2000.

Gansler helped guide the U.S. national team to a berth in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, its first appearance in 50 years. He went on to coach the Kansas City Wizards from 1999-2006, earning MLS Coach of the Year honors in 2000 when he helped lead the Wizards to the MLS Cup title. In 2004 Kansas City captured the U.S. Open Cup and he was inducted into the United Soccer Leagues Hall of Fame in 2002.

Machnik, a former All-American goalkeeper at Long Island University, was a goalkeeping coach under Gansler at the 1990 World Cup, coached the New York Arrows of Major Indoor Soccer League, officiated NCAA Finals and two MISL All-Star games and is currently the assistant to the deputy commissioner for on-field competition in Major League Soccer.

Former Colorado Rapids coach Glenn "Mooch" Myernick and New York Red Bulls broadcaster Shep Messing are among a group of 16 former players who were named to the veterans ballot for election to the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

One person on the builders ballot will be elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame for 2009, the person who received the most votes, as long as they were named on at least 50 percent of the ballots. All Hall of Famers and a select group of soccer administrators will be eligible to vote, each permitted to vote for up to five builders.

Players were selected to the veterans ballot from more than 300 eligible players by vote of the 16-member veterans screening committee, which is made up of selected Hall of Famers.

Myernick earned 10 caps for the U.S. national team and played for three teams in eight years in the NASL and was a coach for more than 20 years, serving as an assistant at the University of Tampa and his alma mater Hartwick College before beginning a long career with the U.S. national team as a U-20 assistant. Myernick coached the Rapids for three years and was the U.S. senior national team assistant coach at the time of his untimely death from a heart attack on Oct. 9, 2006.

Before a 16-year broadcasting career, Messing was a goalkeeper for the U.S. Olympic team in 1972 and played for the New York Cosmos in a seven-year NASL career, winning a championship in 1977. He also played eight seasons indoors.

Also on the list are Desmond Armstrong, who had 81 caps for the U.S. national team and played in the 1988 Olympics and the 1990 World Cup; Barry Barto, who played six seasons in the NASL, winning the title in 1973; George Best, who played in four NASL all-star games in his six seasons in the league; Hubert Birkenmeier, who was a two-time champion and three-time all-star in his six seasons in the NASL; Teofilo Cubillas, a four-time all-star in five NASL seasons; Steve Davis, a two-time scoring champion, three-time all-star and 1975 MVP in eight NASL seasons; Linda Hamilton, who had 71 caps and appeared in a pair of Women's World Cups, winning the title in 1991; Lori Henry, who was also on the 1991 Women's World Cup championship; Bill McPherson, who has seven U.S. Open Cup championships and won the title five times in his 10 seasons in the ASL; Bruce Murray, who has 86 caps and appeared in the 1988 Olympics and 1990 World Cup; John O'Connell, who is a two-time MVP and 1954 ASL champion in 10 seasons; Andy Racz, who won three U.S. Open Cups, three ASL championships and was named the 1960 ASL MVP; Bob Rigby, who was a two-time all-star in 12 NASL seasons; and Kyle Rote Jr., who played in the 1978 NASL All-Star Game and played for seven seasons.

The veterans ballot will be submitted to all Hall of Famers for a vote. The veteran who receives the most votes, as long as the total represents at least 50 percent of the ballots cast, will be elected to the Hall of Fame.

Moor wants to become Hoops' anchor

FRISCO, Texas -- Drew Moor has been with FC Dallas since 2005, when he was the sixth overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft. With the recent retirement of Bobby Rhine, he and fellow defender Aaron Pitchkolan are now the two longest-tenured players for the Hoops. A consistent performer at either right or center back, Moor was given a multiple-year contract extension by FCD earlier this week.

"Fantastic -- he's a Dallas player, a Dallas boy growing up here and has a lot of similarities to Kenny (Cooper)," FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman said. "He's a good human being, a good person of character and good defender. I think there's a good upside for him. We're glad to have him."

Moor is equally excited about remaining in his hometown.

"It's something that obviously I'm extremely excited about after supporting the club since day one really," he said. "I had some other options and it wasn't a sure thing. But obviously my heart is here and I've had a good first four years here. I want to continue to help this team grow and to help it grow into a championship-caliber team, which I know I haven't seen yet since I've been here. I want to be a big part of it."

When asked about those other options, Moor said that teams inside MLS and clubs abroad were in the mix.

The former University of Indiana player started 27 games for FCD in 2008, scored twice and assisted on another goal. But in the end, the Hoops did not qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2004, a big source of consternation for Moor and his teammates.

"It's definitely disappointing and I feel like we've trained even after we've lost in the first round the last three years," Moor said. "It's tough to come in here knowing you don't have a game on Saturday. But it's definitely a time where you need to put some work in and work on some of the things that we need to improve upon from the end of the previous season. A tough end and obviously not the result we wanted. We put ourselves into a good position with about three games remaining to make the playoffs and just didn't get it done. We had missed opportunities and just didn't take advantage of the chances we had."

Depending on what happens in the offseason with FCD center back Duilio Davino, who wore the captain's armband all year for the Hoops, Moor could be the captain in 2009. Whether he is or not, Hyndman still wants to see more leadership from his young defender.

"I think he has that inside him," Hyndman said. "I think he has the capabilities. Part of it is the confidence but the other part is the language and not knowing if he can get through to some players. I think the leadership we're looking for from players, you don't have to wear the armband to be the so-called captain. I think it's just the leadership qualities, being a person that's leading and demonstrating the right ways."

"I want to continue to do that," Moor said. "I'm a little bit disappointed in myself for maybe not taking more of a leadership role. It's not an easy thing to do. I'm a year older now and a year further along with this team. Obviously, it's time to do that.

"Whether I'm captain or somebody else, everybody needs to do their own part in helping to lead this team," he continued. "Some guys have bigger parts. I want to be one of those guys and need to be one of those guys. I need to focus a little more on this team because the last four years, we haven't had a true leader and we need somebody to get in the faces at halftime, the end of the games and in training to get this team going. It hasn't happened the last few years and it needs to."

He considers being one of the longest-tenured Hoops a big honor.

"It means a lot," Moor said. "Hopefully I have three years left to continue to grow with the team. (Pitchkolan) has been right there by my side and hopefully he and I can continue to be leaders of this team and hopefully be a big part of it. It's a young team and we want to be able to help the oung guys continue to develop and even more than that, to thrive as next season goes along. I'm looking forward to it. It's a mission that I've set out on. It's hopefully three more years and I'm ready for it."

Last week, both FCD goalkeeper Dario Sala and forward Jeff Cunningham stated their plans to remain in Frisco to prepare for next season, something Moor plans to join them in doing.

"I've talked to Jeff and Dario about it," Moor said. "Those are two guys I know I look up to and I know that all the other players do. They're kind of on a mission themselves. Dario just got his deal redone. I've talked to Jeff and think he loves it here. He loves his team and wants to grow this into a championship-caliber team.

"I think we're all ready for this team to finally get out of the hole that it's in right now in not advancing out of the first round of the playoffs and now not getting into the playoffs. It's a team with the talent to compete with any team in this league but we need to continue to grow."

Red Bulls confident entering Game 2

MONTCLAIR, N.J. -- There is no chest-thumping bravado, no "guaranteed victory" statements like those uttered by legendary New York sports figures Joe Namath and Mark Messier.

No, the New York Red Bulls instead take a quiet confidence with them to Robertson Stadium in Houston for the all-important second leg of the Western Conference Semifinal Series on Sunday afternoon.

"I think there's definitely some confidence, you can feel it within the team, the group has good spirits," John Wolyniec said. "We're not looking at this as an uphill battle, we're looking at it as an even playing field."

The series is level heading into Sunday's second leg, meaning the winner of Sunday's match will advance to the Western Conference Championship next weekend and move a step closer to a coveted berth in MLS Cup 2008.

The Red Bulls were five minutes away from taking a 1-0 lead into Houston and putting the two-time defending champions on their heels, but second-half substitute Kei Kamara struck five minutes from full time and the Dynamo escaped Giants Stadium with a 1-1 draw last Saturday.

"We're taking this just as a football game to be won," Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio said. "We're just going with the same approach. Yes, you think about what they do and how good they are, but we need to be thinking about what can we do to win this game. Hopefully the guys can execute the plan and then we can get the good result."

All the Red Bulls need is a win in Houston, but road victories have been sparse this season. In fact, New York has won just once away from Giants Stadium this year, beating the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 on May 10. The Red Bulls' away record of 1-8-6 ranked last among the 14 teams in MLS.

Houston, meanwhile, enjoyed the best home form in the league, losing just one of its 15 games at Robertson Stadium.

The Red Bulls, though, are focusing on the "new season," as rookie Luke Sassano said, rather than mull over their regular-season road woes. And in the new season, the Red Bulls are encouraged by their performance in the opening leg of the series.

"As long as we keep fighting for it we stand a chance," Dave van den Bergh said. "This was a second chance in itself, the whole playoff thing. If we can have the same performance, I think Houston is going to have a tough game."

If Friday's training session, the team's final at Montclair State University before flying to Houston, is any indication, Osorio could go with the same starting XI as last Saturday's opening leg. That means once again the benching of South Americans Jorge Rojas, Juan Pietravallo and Gabriel Cichero for the midfield tandem of Sassano and Sinisa Ubiparipovic and central defender Andrew Boyens.

"I can only go as to what I see in the last two weeks and the last two weeks tells me there are other players on form that I need to think of," Osorio said, referring to his midseason acquisitions.

It's a chance that Sassano, who had a rollercoaster first season in MLS, is relishing.

"It's had its ups and downs, but opportunities will come when you least expect it," Sassano said about his rookie campaign. "We had (Seth Stammler) go down and (Carlos Mendes) is coming back from injury. I think me and Sinisa have been working hard at practice and coach told us he has confidence in us and we'll just go out there and do whatever it takes to get the win."

The Red Bulls are trying to avoid being knocked out of the first round of the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year. New York has advanced just once, when they beat Dallas in 2000 before losing to the Chicago Fire in the Eastern Conference final. One player who is acutely aware of the Red Bulls playoff history is Wolyniec, who hails from Staten Island and attended Fordham University.

"I played in New York for a number of years and being from the area, it's definitely a little bit more important for me," Wolyniec said. "Anytime you get into the playoffs it's a short run to the finals. We know that we have to take advantage of opportunities. We win this game and we're in the semifinals."

Taking stock of the Western Conference

By Sunday afternoon, we'll know the participants in the Western Conference Championship and two teams will be just 90 minutes (or more) away from playing in the 13th MLS Cup Final. A look at the return matches in this weekend's Western Conference Semifinal Series:

No. 2 Chivas USA vs. No. 3 Real Salt Lake(RSL lead on aggregate 1-0)

These clubs are part of MLS Class of 2005, the pair of hard-trying sides that joined MLS and struggled mightily right out of the gate.

Chivas did manage to gain their feet, at least, and by their sophomore season quickly had a darned respectable team. The Red-and-White even made the playoffs that season. Sadly for fans of the Home Depot Center's second tenant, they got bounced right away by eventual MLS champion Houston.

Last year was more of the same. Preki inherited the managerial keys from Bob Bradley and kept the engine humming right along. This time, however it was Kansas City that got in the way, kicking Chivas to the curb in the first round.

So Chivas is back for a third bite off the apple, still trying to beat the first-round bugaboos.

On the other side, there's a similarly nice story coming out of Utah, where Real Salt Lake finally -- finally! -- made it out of the regular season and into the second season.

One of these clubs will have an even better story to tell by late Saturday night, as the West will definitely have a debut conference finalist.

Playoff checklist: Chivas USA

Critical stat: Preki's side has not scored in 382 minutes playoff minutes going back to 2006.

Man of the moment: Jesse Marsch has done it all in 2008: He's scored a few goals, faithfully screened a back line that varied often due to injury, forever kept things organized and always led the passion parade that drove Preki's heroic side in 2008. Now, one of the league's last remaining "96ers" might have to find a way yet again to elevate his game if Chivas is to overcome the deficit and move forward.

X factor: Goalkeeper Dan Kennedy could help brace the Chivas defense -- although it's not a certainly that Preki will turn back his former starter given Zach Thornton's nice display last week. He certainly couldn't be faulted for the sneaky goal Real manufactured. Thornton does have far more playoff experience than Kennedy, too.

Pressure point: Where have you heard this before? Preki's team is torn apart by injury. Again. Alecko Eskandarian has returned to training, and that's sure to help as he has some "big game" in him. "Esky" was MVP of the 2004 MLS Cup Final, which happened to take place in the very same stadium where events will unfold Saturday evening. So, that could give Preki's offense a lift, if Eskandarian is healthy enough to perform. And they surely need it. The Red-and-White have scored just one lone goal in three of their last four contests.

Playoff checklist: Real Salt Lake

Critical stat: Only one team in MLS is undefeated in the playoffs. OK, so one game does not a history make. Still, maybe it's something for Jason Kreis to write on the locker room blackboard. At 1-0-0 RSL is, technically, undefeated, untied and unscored upon. Lap it up while it last, Real.

Man of the moment: Let's be frank about it: this side would not still be in the playoffs -- or they'd be in a lot worse shape, at the very least -- if not for Yura Movsisyan, who has finally broken through. The third-year man has found the form that so many thought he had in him all along. He has five goals in Real Salt Lake's last six matches overall. One was a history-maker, his late strike against Colorado, which nudged RSL into the playoffs. He was consistently dangerous last week in the Conference Semifinal first leg, finally getting the goal that Real so desperately craved with a clever heel flick.

X factor: Kreis' team wasn't good on the road for six months. That changed in a season-turning win at San Jose in September. That win by the Bay happened to coincide with the beginnings of Movsisyan's rise, and the men from Utah have forged ahead confidently ever since. So, which team will show up along Victoria Street on Saturday? The meek team that finds it hard to play with authority in big moments, especially on the road? Or the scrappers that managed to turn up the critical goal two weeks ago in Colorado to bust their way into the playoffs?

Pressure point: Center back Jamison Olave has had some monster games this year, when he commanded the back line with force alongside steady Nat Borchers. But he is prone to slips in concentration, which lead to yellow cards or, sometimes, to opposition opportunities. Preki's team, which is always locked in, has the capacity to punish any slips mercilessly.

No. 1 Houston Dynamo vs. No. 4 New York Red Bulls(Series tied on aggregate 1-1)

No team has been more clinical lately than Houston at closing out a series. Over the last two years, they've done so after spotting the opposition a head start.

For two years running Houston has returned to south Texas in the playoff's opening round facing a one-goal deficit. Two years ago it was to Chivas USA, which had prevailed at The Home Depot Center by a 2-1 margin. Last year it was Dallas, which had gained a 1-0 advantage in a close one at Pizza Hut Park.

Both times, manager Dominic Kinnear's team shrugged, went back to Houston, punched the clock and got the job done.

This time around, Houston is in even better shape, having escaped Giants Stadium last week with a 1-1 draw, thanks to Kei Kamara's late strike from point-blank range. Indeed, the job looks tough for Juan Carlos Osorio and his Red Bulls in a series level on goals.

Playoff checklist: Houston Dynamo

Critical stat: Houston is an all-time league-best 4-0-0 at Robertson Stadium in the playoffs, with a healthy plus-9 goals against average. The Dynamo are 5-2-1 all-time in the postseason since moving to Houston.

Man of the moment: Ricardo Clark helped shape the game last weekend as Houston emerged with a 1-1 draw at Giants Stadium. The Red Bulls went with an inexperienced midfield, which did apply plenty of useful pressure when on defense. But with the ball, the Red Bulls youngsters generated very little possession in good spots in the midfield, and Clark was one of the main reasons why.

X factor: The Dynamo bench, probably one of the deepest ever in MLS, could spell the difference if the Red Bulls manage to keep matters close. Stuart Holden and Kamara combined for the strike that mattered last week, while rookie Geoff Cameron helped close the game with his second-half introduction. Meanwhile, Corey Ashe was in reserve, and he can always be counted on if Houston needs an injection of speed along the left. Also available are defenders Patrick Ianni and Craig Waibel should manager Dominic Kinnear decide he needs a different look along the back line.

Pressure point: Eddie Robinson, who has been strangely out of sorts late this season, was beaten last week on the only goal Houston conceded. In fairness, he wasn't the only Dynamo defender who fell asleep as Dave van den Bergh's throw-in along the left initiated the sequence. But it was Robinson who let Juan Pablo Angel get inside him for a header that could have changed the series, had Houston not dug out the late equalizer.

Playoff checklist: New York Red BullsCritical stat: The Red Bulls have just two wins (and three ties) in their last 10 matches overall. That's not exactly confidence-inspiring, considering they'll have to find a way to win on Saturday in order to advance.

Man of the moment: Juan Pablo Angel showed us once again last weekend why he's surely among the most dangerous men near goal MLS has ever seen. He certainly didn't get much service and was often on an island against Houston's tough back line. Still, he managed to make a goal out of the slightest of opportunities, finding a way to stick John Wolyniec's bouncing cross past Pat Onstad with the most sophisticated of near-post headers. If the Red Bulls can manage the upset Saturday, there's a safe bet "JP's" name will be all over it.

X factor: What will Osorio have up his sleeve for this one? Last week, he left veterans Jorge Rojas, Gabriel Cichero and Juan Pietravallo on the bench to start the first leg of the series. And what a bold move it was, as those were Osorio's hand-picked midseason reinforcements. But the manager was unhappy with the way that trio finished the regular season, so he turned to the youthful legs of second-year man Sinisa Ubiparipovic and rookie Luke Sassano, who partnered in the center of the park.

Osorio also likes to change up his back line, depending on the situation. The absence of Jeff Parke, suspended for 10 games for use of a banned substance, reduces Osorio's defensive options. And will Osorio turn once again to Wolyniec, who made a surprise start in the opening leg?

Pressure point: Red Bulls goalkeeper Danny Cepero is three matches into his pro soccer career, having been hustled into the starting position when Jon Conway was suspended, along with Parke, for use of a banned substance late in the regular season. Two of Cepero's starts have unfolded in respectable fashion. Last week, he was generally spot-on, getting off his line quickly and confidently to take command in the penalty area the way any old vet would. But here's the rub: This will be Cepero's second start away from Giants Stadium, and the first didn't go so swell. He was on the hook for five, as Chicago riddled a rickety Red Bulls back line.

Crew not lacking in big game experience

COLUMBUS -- The Columbus Crew as an organization is making its first postseason appearance in four seasons. However, the players making up the team are not lacking in big games, whether it be in the MLS Cup Playoffs or other competitions.

"A lack of experience is not even a question," captain Frankie Hejduk said.

It might or might not be a factor when the Crew open their Eastern Conference Semifinal Series Saturday at Kansas City. The Crew had the best record in the league (17-7-6) to win the Supporters' Shield while the Wizards (11-10-9) won five of the final seven to earn the fourth seed in the East.

Although the Crew certainly have veterans with a wealth of experience domestically and internationally, the key to success could be those with limited or no exposure to playoff pressure.

Midfielders Brad Evans and Robbie Rogers and goalkeeper William Hesmer will make their postseason debuts and center back Chad Marshall's only two games came in 2004 when the Crew also won the Supporters' Shield but went out in the first round against New England.

On the other hand, forward Alejandro Moreno, defensive midfielder Brian Carroll and reserve defender Ezra Hendrickson have five MLS Cups between them.

"It's good to have those guys with the experience of winning it. It's good to have guys that have been there before," midfielder Duncan Oughton said. "It's also good to have fresh guys who are eager to get after it. We have a really good blend of people here. Even the coaching staff has been there."

Head coach Sigi Schmid is no stranger to championships, having won the MLS Cup (2002), the U.S. Open Cup (2001) and three NCAA titles at UCLA. His 16 postseason victories are the most in MLS history.

"He's prepared us. Even these last couple of weeks he's been telling us the playoffs are a different beast and let's be prepared. He's got it in our minds," Hejduk said. "The preparation and experience and all the stuff people talk about is out the door with the team because we know what we have to do and we've been doing it throughout the year consistently."

A look at the wide range of experience, not necessarily in MLS, for the top 20 players on the Crew:

• High. It seems ludicrous to classify 35-year-old forward Guillermo Barros Schelotto as a playoff rookie but that's what he is -- in MLS, anyway. The MVP candidate (7 goals, 19 assists) has more titles (17) than any Argentinean ever, including 15 in various competitions with fabled Boca Juniors.

He is conductor that makes the Crew train motor to the tune of 50 goals this season, second only to Los Angeles. His set pieces could be the deciding factor at a time of the year when goals are at a premium.

In terms of MLS playoff appearances, no one on the Crew has more than Hendrickson. He has 31 over a distinguished career and won on MLS Cup winners with LA in 2002 and D.C. United two years later.

Moreno was also on the champion Galaxy of 2002 coached by Schmid. That team was also the last to win the MLS Cup and the Supporters' Shield in the same season. Moreno, who has 15 playoff games in the bank, also started for Houston's title team in 2006.

Although forward Pat Noonan hasn't experienced the thrill of winning the MLS Cup, he played in the past three finals for the New England Revolution. He has five goals in 17 playoff games.

The stats say Hejduk has only nine postseason matches for Tampa Bay and Columbus since 1996 but his international resume can't be ignored. The defender is the only U.S. player to appear in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups and the 1996 and 2000 Olympics. He was named to the 2006 U.S. World Cup squad but could not play because of injury. He has also played more than 80 matches for the U.S. national team.

"Enough of us have played in big games that we know what's at stake," said Hejduk. "We know how to prepare ourselves for these types of games. We're trying to keep that steady keel."

• Medium. Carroll, acquired in the offseason from D.C, had 10 postseason matches with United and started all four matches when they won MLS Cup in 2004.

"You had a good feeling all throughout" the playoffs, he said. "Guys were bonding together, willing to fight for each other. You had a feeling it was your year. It feels that way again."

Oughton is the longest tenured Crew but the memories from his rookie year of 2001 are not pleasant. He played in 20 games and made 12 starts in the regular season but coach Greg Andrulis did not play him in the two losses to San Jose that ended the season.

Defender Gino Padula, 32, is another Argentinean veteran without any MLS playoff games but no one can question his credentials. After two seasons in his native country, he moved to Spain before playing at several levels of English soccer from 1999-2006, where he was involved in numerous cup competitions.

Midfielder Eddie Gaven falls in the mid-range of experience. Although he played six times in the postseason for New York, his last appearance was in 2005. He also helped the U.S. U-23s qualify for the Olympics this year.

Brazilian-born reserve midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi, 31, has never been the part of the MLS postseason but has extensive experience in the first, second and third English divisions for Swindon Town FC and Portsmouth from 1999-2006. He was also on St. John's 1996 NCAA championship team.

• Low or zero. Rogers is in his second season with the Crew so he has not yet experienced the MLS Cup Playoffs. That doesn't mean he hasn't been in big matches. He played in all three Olympic matches in Beijing this summer for the U.S. That's called performing before a world audience.

The same holds true for first-year midfielder Emmanuel Ekpo. His Nigerian team knocked the USA out of the Olympics and Ekpo eventually received a silver medal after losing to Argentina in the final match.

"Look at the starting 11, Guillermo's played in huge games. Alejandro's been on championship teams. Eddie Gaven's been in there. Brian Carroll's been a champion," Hejduk said. "Myself, I've played in some big games through World Cups and this and that. Chad's been in the playoffs before. There's plenty of experience. Robbie's been in the Olympics. He's played on a big stage. Gino had some big games with the clubs he's played for. There's no question all of us to some degree have played in big games."

Marshall started both games as a rookie four years ago and he, Oughton and Hejduk are the only remaining players from the Crew's last playoff excursion. Two of his four goals this season were against Kansas City.

Central defender Danny O'Rourke's only experience is one game with San Jose in 2005 but he was captain when Indiana won back-to-back NCAA titles in 2003-04. (Crew reserve defender Jed Zayner also played for the Hoosiers those seasons). O'Rourke will likely pair with Marshall against the Wizards.

Evans, in his second season, will get his initial postseason start after having the MLS goal of the week, a 30-yard strike on Sunday that gave the Crew a 1-0 win against D.C.

Rookie forward Steven Lenhart is looking to come off the bench for his first postseason appearance but won an NAIA title last year for Azusa Pacific.

Forward Jason Garey did not play in the postseason for the non-qualifying Crew his first two seasons but could get an opportunity over the next two matches as a substitute. He and Rogers helped Maryland to the 2005 NCAA College Cup title.

Rookie defender Andy Iro was a central figure on UC-Santa Barbara's 2006 NCAA championship. He would start for O'Rourke if Schmid decides to go with a taller presence alongside Marshal because the narrower field at CommunityAmerica Ballpark is conducive to a lot of service into the box.

Neither goalkeeper has played in the postseason. Third-year pro Andy Gruenebaum, who started the first 10 matches of 2007, helped Kentucky reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament as a sophomore in 2003.

Hesmer has started 49 of the past 50 matches over the past two seasons after coming over from Kansas City where he played three matches over the previous three years.

"I'm not reading too much into playing my old team. It's a big series for the whole Crew organization, the team," he said. "They've completely reshaped and retooled the team that I was a part of (at K.C.). They've got a lot of new players. I still have a handful of good friends there so it will be fun going up against them."

He isn't worried about lacking playoff experience.

"I don't see it being any different," Hesmer said. 'I've put pressure on myself and made sure that every week I've been in there counted. I don't see how I could have made it more intense for myself during the season. I took every game seriously. I'll just keep doing what I've done all year."

His coach echoes those feelings even though Schmid knows what Hesmer's counterpart can do. Kevin Hartman was in goal for the Galaxy's titles in 2002 and also in 2005 when Steve Sampson was in charge. Hartman has 14 shutouts in 42 playoff games.

"He and I are good friends. I've known him a long time. I coached him at UCLA and coached him with the Galaxy," Schmid said. "He's a competitor. He's really worked hard going into this season. He's as fit as he's been and as sharp as he's been in a long time. He's obviously, in my mind, a very good shot-stopper, but I'm very happy with our goalkeeper."