MLS Cup Deja Vu

After the first leg of the MLS Conference Finals, soccer fans have a case of Deja Vu. Last year's MLS Cup finalists Houston and Los Angeles opened up huge leads in the first leg and look destined to meet again in MLS Cup.

Houston showed their might in a 3-1 win against DC United with three unanswered goals in the second half from Hainault, Bruin, and Sarkodie. This was really the tale of two halves. In the first, it look as if DC had gotten the one goal they needed to take an advantage back home to RFK in the second leg. The second half show a Houston team ready to take control of this series by enforcing their style of play.

LA blasted Seattle 3-0 in LA. The Galaxy looked like the team of last year and ground out the win in the second half. LA had goals from Magee and a brace (two goals) from Keane. Though the Galay couldn't score in the first half, they looked the better team throughout, while Seattle looked stagnant.

So what can we expect in the second leg?

I expect DC to come out firing, as the game opens up they will get a bit porous in the defense. Houston to sit deep in their zone for much of the game and try to get goals off the counter attack. They will spend time on the ball and will probably walk away with a 1-2 result in DC, but a win in the aggregate, 4-3.

As for Seattle-LA, I expect a fiery Sounders offense. They will put a bit of a scare in LA fans as they go up 2-0 early. LA will compose themselves and find holes on the counter attack and eventually score two of their own and will go on to win the aggregate 5-2. 

Both of these games are on television tonight, so if you get the chance, check them out! The Houston-DC United game is at 4 p.m. on NBCSports and the LA-Seattle game is on ESPN at 9 p.m.

Thanks for reading!