MLS playoff predictions

Loyal followers of this blog recall our MLS predictions back in March.

Now let us make our pre-playoff predictions after correctly predicting last season that Colorado would lift the MLS Cup.

So here goes ...

Wild-card round

New York 1, FC Dallas 0

The Red Bulls will take advantage of a floundering Dallas squad that crashed out of CONCACAF play and should be vulnerable.

Colorado 3, Columbus 1

The defending champions should coast at home against a Columbus team that overachieved most of the year.

Conference semifinals:

West
Los Angeles over New York 4-2 in aggregate

The marquee matchup that MLS fans want will happen. The Red Bulls should make a good account of themselves but the Galaxy have too much on the line to lose this East coast-West coast showdown.

Seattle over Real Salt Lake 5-2

Jason Kreis' side has been living on borrowed time too much this season. The Sounders should give them a football lesson.

East
Sporting KC over Colorado 3-2 (aet)

This shapes up as a classic MLS semifinal series. We'll take Kansas City to score in extra time at home.

Philadelphia over Houston 3-1

This is the matchup the Union wanted when they tanked against the Red Bulls and they should be able to get a result in Houston to go through.

Conference championships:

Seattle over Los Angeles 2-1

The Sounders have been waiting all year to prove to the Galaxy who the best team in the West really is.

Sporting KC over Philadelphia 2-0

A raucous atmosphere at Kansas City's new stadium should favor the home side here.

MLS Cup 2011

Sporting KC over Seattle 1-0

Kansas City will avenge two regular-season losses to Seattle in front of a sellout crowd in a spectacular championship game.