MLS Playoff Previews: Everything to play for

Sunday's MLS playoff match-ups have potential. Not that they're locks to be the best MLS games of all time. There's plenty to pick and choose from, however, and it's certainly worth diving into ahead of time, as six teams will be reduced to three. Let's dive in.

Seattle Sounders at Houston Dynamo (0-0)

The entertaining first leg bodes well for the second. As does the fan support generated in both cities. Making the percolating situation even more fun, the mayor of Houston gets involved -- but only after the Seattle mayor declaring it "Sounders Day" prior to the opening match. Now, the Dynamo are trying to muscle their way past the Sounders and into the Conference final.

Again, the similarities between the two squads are eerily similar. Aging keepers, stout defenses, bright attacking talent, prolific finishers. Seattle has been competent away from home, especially towards the tail end of the season. With that is Houston's mental hurdle of last season's collapse at home against the Red Bulls, of all teams.

What will happen when the two defenses smash into each other? Well, it will come down to the team that finishes. Well, that's kind of obvious. Houston had problems on set pieces last game, leaving Patrick Ianni open on two occasions. It's looking like Tyrone Marshall might be in Seattle's lineup, denying Ianni another shot at his old club.

Even with the home crowd, Seattle pulling through the second leg looks like a safe bet. Fredy Montero needs to find his scoring shoes for that to happen, and quit with the dramatics. Freddie Ljungberg seems resigned to the fact that he'll be kicked and hacked up and down a football pitch, and he'll have to once again play through that.

Brian Ching could use a clutch performance for once. The towering Hawaiian, once a regular for the USMNT, has seen his role reduced dramatically this season. An effort that includes a goal or two in leading the Dynamo on a late playoff run would boost his standing. Ricardo Clark's health is another issue to be on the lookout for. If he can't go, that will surely open up some space for Seattle's attack.

New England Revolution at Chicago Fire (2-1)

Can these two surprise again? Count me among the masses expecting a dull, boring first leg up in New England. To see those two squad comes out and play something resembling attacking football was a change from past playoff meetings.

Saturday night, that could change, as it wouldn't be shocking to see New England come in and back the bus. And unlike Real Salt Lake last night, the Revolution have the ability to do this, and have nowhere as good of an attack to pressure Chicago with. Steve Nicol can't park all four of his defenders in front of Matt Reis' goal, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him try.

The Fire's response will be interesting, to say the least. Chris Rolfe might be in his last game, same for Cuautehmoc Blanco. How much gas does Blanco have in the tank? Can Rolfe score? When comparing strikers, the gap between the two sides practically spans the Grand Canyon.

But after examining Chicago's perennial underachievement at home, all things are possible for the Revolution with that one goal advantage. Bunkering in at Toyota Park shouldn't be something to be ashamed about, not with a Conference Final against Real Salt Lake on the line. Simple to leave it at this -- if the game comes downs to coaches and tactical decisions, New England is the easy favorite.

Chivas USA at Los Angeles Galaxy (2-2)

A home game for the Galaxy -- really? -- with it all hanging in the balance for the Superclasico: playoff edition moves to a second leg. Both Preki and Bruce Arena will want to put the first leg in the past, as Omar Gonzalez appeared to be making his MLS debut, while Preki's side tossed in a share of defensive howlers.

For two teams to fall apart at the back so quickly is a microcosm of the playoffs, and the second leg will be pressure-packed to the brim. One little mistake could be the difference between staying home or potentially hosting a Conference final. 

Simple approaches can navigate either side through. For Chivas, speed is what kills the Galaxy. So take Maykel Galindo, start him, and tell him to run at Gonzalez and Gregg Berhalter like there's no tomorrow to play for. Gonzalez will be trying to redeem himself after a disastrous first leg, so attacking the rookie needs to be a part of Preki's game plan.

The Galaxy will need Landon Donovan and David Beckham as a one-two punch. When you have someone that few defenders in MLS can cover (Donovan) and perhaps the best deliverer of a dead ball (Beckham) those weapons needs to be utilized to full capacity. If the two play off each other successfully, Los Angeles could stroll in this one. That's why it'll be up to Preki to devise a game plan to stop them. Otherwise, he's out.