EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was originally published on November 22, as Vancouver Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson made his predictions before the first leg of the MLS Conference Finals.
Here's what Robbo had to say.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION VS. NEW YORK RED BULLS
Leg 1: Sunday, November 23 at 10:30 a.m. PT (NBC)
Leg 2: Saturday, November 29 at 12 p.m. PT (TSN2)
It’s a very tricky matchup for both teams. New England are in a fantastic groove at the moment. They’re playing well under Jay Heaps and surprising a few. They’re very difficult to play at Gillette Stadium.
With New York, everyone writes them off. Everyone wrote them off throughout the season and they’re a team you can’t write off. They have fantastic players.
Finishing fourth, they probably underachieved a little bit but full credit to Mike Petke and full credit to the players. They managed to regroup and get themselves through in the last game of the season away at Sporting Kansas City, then beat Kansas City, then deal with the best team in the Eastern Conference, and now they face New England.
If there’s one team that can beat New England, I firmly believe it’s New York. If Thierry Henry decides to play, they’ll win.
Robbo’s pick: New York Red Bulls
WESTERN CONFERENCE: SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC VS. LA GALAXY
Leg 1: Sunday, November 23 at 2 p.m. PT
Leg 2: Sunday, November 30 at 6 p.m. PT (Free stream on MLSsoccer.com in Canada)
I believed LA and Seattle would get to the conference final. They’re two of the strongest teams not just in the Western Conference, but in the league. It probably would have been a fitting final, but unfortunately it’s a fitting Western Conference final.
Seattle won the Supporters’ Shield and it’s always difficult when you win the Supporters’ Shield to go on and win the MLS Cup as well. Based upon that, and big game experience with big players, I believe that LA will conquer Seattle.
Robbo’s pick: LA Galaxy
What are your predictions?
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