What started at 12 is down to four, and Matt and Andrew break down all the Conference Semifinal second leg action as the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs roll on. FC Dallas got revenge for last year’s postseason exit, dropping Seattle in penalty kicks with the help of 20-year-old goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez. Portland stand in their way after shrugging off listless Vancouver, while the other side of the bracket pits the Red Bulls and Columbus Crew SC. No big-money stars? No problem. Is that a trend?
New York City FC have their fair share of stars in Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo and David Villa. They have a new head coach with similar credentials as a player in Patrick Vieira. Is he the right man for the job? Don’t write him off just yet. Plus, is Jurgen Klinsmann’s 23-man roster, sans Clint Dempsey, the right group to lead the United States national team into qualifying? Perhaps, at least it’s easy to get excited about Darlington Nagbe and Matt Miazga.
In the mailbag, a fan writes in with his Best XI. Do the guys agree? Yes and no.