The Los Angeles Galaxy eliminated Kansas City in a three-game quarterfinal series in which it outscored the Wizards 9-8. Carlos Ruiz scored four of the Galaxy's goals.
The Galaxy is aiming to reach the MLS Cup for a fourth time, having finished runner-up in 1996, 1999 and 2001. Colorado has reached the final once, finishing runner-up in 1997, which was also the only year in which the Rapids reached the semifinals.
In the regular season, Los Angeles and Colorado split four games, each team winning twice, with the Galaxy outscoring the Rapids, 9-5. Los Angeles won the final two meetings.
Game 1
Saturday, Oct. 5
COLORADO at LOS ANGELES (10:00 pm ET)
TV: ATT Broadband (DIRECTV: 794; DISHNET: 456; live on inDemand)
Key Players Out: Colorado – GK Scott Garlick (fractured thumb-L); Los Angeles – F Isaias Bardales (knee sprain-R), F Gavin Glinton (fractured ankle-L).
Referee: Kevin Terry.
Neither Columbus nor New England has ever reached the MLS Cup. In New England's previous two playoff appearances (1997, 2000), it fell in the first round. Columbus has reached the semifinals three times (1997, 1998, 1999) in its previous five appearances.
New England will be without defender Carlos Llamosa, who was ejected in its Game 2 loss against Chicago. MLS added a second game to his suspension after he sat out the Revs' Game 3 win — and a $1,000 fine — for his ''prolonged and aggressive dissent towards the officials and his failure to leave the field in a prompt and orderly manner.''
Game 1
Sunday, Oct. 6
COLUMBUS at NEW ENGLAND (4:00pm ET).
TV: Sport TV! (DIRECTV: 794; DISHNET: 456; live on inDemand)
Key Players Out: Columbus – none to report; New England – D – Carlos Llamosa (red-card suspension), F Diego Serna (torn ACL & meniscus-L).
Referee: Brian Hall.