2014 MLS Playoffs: Seattle gets a goal in Dallas

The LA Galaxy owe Jaime Penedo a beer ... or two. The Panamanian goalkeeper made six saves to allow the Galaxy to escape with a 0-0 draw against Real Salt Lake on Saturday in the first leg of the Western Conference semifinals.

Penedo came up with several big saves for the Galaxy, especially in the second half. Among the biggest was his stop of Joao Plata off a shot that took a deflection right after halftime. Penedo again robbed Plata in the 69th minute, coming well off his line to cut down the angle on a 1-v-1 opportunity. Penedo also alertly stopped what would have been a wind-aided Javier Morales olimpico, and had another lunging effort to keep out a Morales free kick in the 84th minute.

For the fourth time in six years, the LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake are meeting in the MLS Cup Playoffs (8 p.m. ET, NBCSN). They’ve produced some of the best action in the competition during this era of Major League Soccer, and they have the quality to do it again in this year’s Western Conference semifinals.

Last season, these teams met in the same round. LA won the first leg 1-0, but RSL forced extra time in the second leg, then won with a 102nd minute goal by Chris Schuler.

Who did the Revs lose to? The Crew. And the Crew’s loss? Courtesy of the Revs.

Now New England and Columbus are matched up in the Eastern Conference semifinals, setting up what should be a dandy of a two-legged tie. As far as high-quality play goes, it may be the best MLS has to offer in this round.

Real Salt Lake killed the Galaxy’s dream, turning around a 1-0 deficit after the first leg to book a spot in the Western Conference final. They won there too, advancing to MLS Cup for the second time in five years.

At this point, it seems wrong if the Galaxy and RSL don’t meet in the postseason. The rivalry started in 2009 when RSL beat the Galaxy to win MLS Cup, but LA got revenge in 2011, beating Salt Lake en route to an MLS Cup title of their own. Then last season, it was RSL getting the upperhand, setting up this year’s clash.