MLS Playoffs 2014: LA Galaxy, New England Revolution win in blowouts

Sounders: Frei, Yedlin, Marshall, Scott, Gonzalez, Evans - C, Alonso (Azira 56), Pineda, Pappa (Neagle 59), Dempsey (Traore 92), Martins

Goals: none

LA Galaxy: Penedo, DeLaGarza, Leonardo, Gonzalez, Rogers, Sarvas, Juninho, Ishizaki, Donovan, Keane, Zardes.

Goals: Donovan 10’, 54’, 72’, Keane 20, Sarvas 63’.

All three of his goals were vintage Donovan.

On the first, Donovan snuck in behind the RSL defense to head in a well-placed cross.

Arguably the tightest of the MLS conference semifinal series is the one between the LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake. After the two teams played to a 0-0 draw in Utah, they’ll both feel like they have the advantage heading into the second leg.

Neither team has fresh injury concerns. Todd Dunivant is probably out for the season for LA, while a broken nose hasn’t prevented Chris Schuler from playing for RSL. If the Galaxy fail to advance, this will be the final home game in the career of Landon Donovan, who has announced that he will retire at the end of the season.

Since acquiring Jermaine Jones, the New England Revolution are 9-1-1. One of those wins came last weekend, away to the Columbus Crew in the first leg of their playoff series. Can the Crew mount an improbable comeback in Foxborough? (5 p.m. ET, ESPN2).

While the Revs were always favored in this series, no one expected them to put up four goals in the first leg. With the away goals rule in effect, a comeback for the Crew seems nearly impossible.

Back before Timbers Army, Emerald City Supporters or even the various red-clad groups at Toronto FC, United fans were creating a legendary atmosphere that included impressive tifo displays and bouncing stands that ran the length of RFK Stadium’s sideline.

It’s been awhile since United’s fans were considered the class of the league, but they issued an impressive reminder of how quickly they could come back. Here’s how they looked on Saturday as United faced off against the New York Red Bulls in the second leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Red Bulls won the first leg of this Eastern Conference semifinal 2-0 at Red Bull Arena, putting DC in a sticky spot. The Black and Red need to match that result to force extra time and win by three goals to go through. Because New York has an away goal, DC will need to score four times if they concede.

For American viewers who want to watch the game online, this one should be pretty accessible. It’s on NBC’s Live Extra service, and just about everyone should be able to watch. Unlike some streams on that service that require you to be a TV subscriber to NBC Sports Network, this one is going to be available to just about everyone because the game is being broadcast on free over-the-air TV.