You could not script more exciting scenarios for the second legs of the Western and the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2014 MLS Cup playoffs.

Out West, the Los Angeles Galaxy outlasted the Seattle Sounders in Game 1, 1-0. In the East, the New England Revolution beat the New York Red Bulls, 2-1.

Each series is only two legs, and the winner is determined by the aggregate score. That means the one-goal margins in each game were critical because the losers are still very much alive in the race for the MLS Cup. With that in mind, here is a look at the schedule and the broadcast information for the conference finals.

Western Conference

The Western Conference Finals shift to Seattle for the second leg after the Galaxy won behind Marcelo Sarvas’ goal.

While Los Angeles only won 1-0, the result was hardly in doubt because of the strong defense. The Galaxy have seven shutouts in their past 10 home games and actually haven’t even allowed a single goal in more than 270 postseason minutes. 

The defense is anchoring the team right now, and there is no reason to expect anything different in Game 2. Part of the problem for the Sounders was that Osvaldo Alonso and Lamar Neagle both missed Game 1, but Don Ruiz of The News Tribune noted that Alonso could come back for the next contest:

While the Galaxy pitched the shutout and got the win, the deficit would have been more than 1-0 if it weren’t for Seattle’s impressive defensive efforts as well. That defense has given up two goals in three postseason games and is the best chance the Sounders have at getting back into this series. 

Still, Los Angeles has the advantage because of that 1-0 deficit, and its defense is on a roll, as Arash Markazi of ESPN pointed out:

That record is so impressive, because once the Galaxy get a lead, they use that excellent defense to take the air out of the game. They will technically already have the lead entering the second leg of this series, so expect that style of play from the opening minute.

That will be enough to at least clinch a tie and advance to the MLS Cup. 

Prediction: Galaxy win the Western Conference.

Eastern Conference

The Eastern Conference Finals shift to New England for the second game after the Revolution beat New York behind Jermaine Jones’ late goal. Incredibly, it was New England’s first-ever win at Red Bull Arena.

All the Revolution have to do is win, draw or lose 1-0 in order to advance, so they are in an ideal position heading into the second leg. Making matters worse for the Red Bulls, their leading goal scorer, Bradley Wright-Phillips, will sit out the second game with a suspension.

He picked up his second yellow card of the postseason, which means he cannot play. Wright-Phillips commented on it, per Franco Panizo of MLSSoccer.com: “I didn't know the rules of the yellow card accumulation. I'm angry, obviously. I'm angry. Stupid yellow card and now I have to pay.”

Wright-Phillips scored New York’s one goal in the first game and represented the Red Bulls’ best chance to pick up the two-goal victory they would need. The impact of his loss cannot be overstated.

What’s more, New England is 11-1-1 since Jones joined the team in August, and he demonstrated why when he scored the game-winning goal. His presence in the midfield helps on both ends of the field, and the defense will need to be strong in Game 2 because the Red Bulls will be on the attack.

All New England has to do is lose 1-0 to get through. With Jones anchoring the midfield, it will do more than that and reach the MLS Cup. 

Prediction: New England wins the Eastern Conference.

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