Real Salt Lake vs. LA Galaxy: Galaxy Must Improve After Close Match in First Leg

The Los Angeles Galaxy were able to defeat Real Salt Lake 1-0 in the first leg of the 2013 MLS playoffs, but they must improve if they have hopes of winning their third-straight MLS Cup this season. The Galaxy entered the playoffs as the No. 3 seed after a second-place finish in the West behind the Portland Timber. They were just four points behind Portland, but they didn't play like it against Real Salt Lake. Sean Franklin scored L.A.'s lone goal of the game in the early goings of the second half of the match, but there were a plethora of missed opportunities by Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane. Franklin's first goal in almost five months was enough to push the Galaxy into the second leg, but Donovan and Keane can't keep missing opportunities in the upcoming legs of the playoffs. They had several opportunities up front to put the game out of reach, though each striker was unable to capitalize on easy opportunities. Credit needs to be given to Real Salt Lake's defense and goalkeeper Nick Rimando, but the fact remains that Donovan and Keane simply weren't effective. Moving into the second leg, Donovan and Keane will need to work together on spacing in ...

MLS Cup Playoffs 2013: Key Teams to Watch in Chase for Title

With the 2013 MLS Cup Playoffs just getting under way, it's worth examining three key teams that each have a legitimate chance to make a run at the title. The field is full of talented teams. The Los Angeles Galaxy are looking to win their third-straight MLS Cup, while the New York Red Bulls enter the playoffs having scored the most regular season points in the league. A matchup between the two in the MLS Cup would certainly make for the best match of the season, though anything can happen from now until December 7—the day the final match is scheduled for. The teams contending for the cup obviously aren't limited to the following clubs, but putting your money on one of these three teams to win it all would appear to be a safe bet. Each club is talented enough to take it home.   New York Red Bulls It's hard to pick against a team looking to win their third-straight MLS title (the Galaxy), but the Red Bulls are the best team in position to claim the title this season. The Red Bulls haven't played for the Cup since 2008, and that should be motivation enough for this team to play with a fire ...