MLS

The much-anticipated Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders Western Conference Semifinal first leg lived up to the hype at Providence Park on Sunday evening. Seattle started brightly and opened the scoring in the 10th minute through Raul Ruidiaz, but a 23-minute period of hell between the 17th and 40th minutes saw an equalizer from Jeremy Ebobisse, the go-ahead goal from Sebastian Blanco and forced injury substitutions to Cristian Roldan (groin) and Chad Marshall (knee). 

A quadruple-header of Sunday MLS Conference Semifinal playoff action began with a shock Columbus Crew first leg victory over No. 1 seed New York Red Bulls at MAPFRE Stadium, and it was thanks to a beautiful connection between Federico Higuain and the totally rejuvenated Gyasi Zardes in the 61st minute. 

Minnesota United will move into its new soccer-specific digs in Saint Paul to start the 2019 Major League Soccer season, and Allianz Field is looking spectacular alongside highway I-94. The pitch was just recently laid, and the seats, supporters’ section and mesh oval exterior give us a fantastic idea of the atmosphere that’ll reverberate around the 19,400-capacity stadium. 

A look at five games this weekend that should provide excellent drama both in the U.S. and in Europe. We're focusing on the best soccer on TV this weekend.

MLS and USL are in the midst of the 2018 playoffs, while the Premier League has another Top 6 clash to highlight its Saturday lineup. Meanwhile, the train wreck that is Real Madrid at the moment gets to find out how the team responds after dismissing coach Julen Lopetegui.

Best Soccer On TV This Weekend

1. USL Semi-Finals: Louisville City vs. New York Red Bulls 2

The MLS playoffs began Wednesday, on Halloween. Crowds were pretty pathetic. 

With the second pair of MLS Knockout Round matches on Thursday, attendance at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., and Banc of California Stadium in LA was just what you wanted it to be, with stadiums full of rowdy — perhaps too rowdy in LA. 

The MLS Cup Playoffs kicked off last night with matches at Toyota Stadium in Frisco and Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, and the attendance numbers were not good. It was, of course, Halloween night, which ruled out anyone with a kid, anyone attending a monster mash and anyone hellbent on finishing The Haunting of Hill House. 

New York City FC defeated the Philadelphia Union 3-1 to advance to the MLS Conference Semifinals on Wednesday in the Bronx. On its face, it was a comprehensive victory, with the Union’s lone goal coming far too late in the 83rd minute. But one shocking no-call in the first half absolutely had an impact on the game, and MLS is being a bit tone-deaf in the aftermath.