ET Radio: MLS Cup Playoffs, Conference Semis Leg 1

Leslie Jones was the breakout star of Sunday night’s 2016 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs action, as the SNL star-turned-MLS fan was treated to four sterling home performances by the lower seeds as the Conference Semifinals got things rolling back-to-back-to-back-to-back. Andrew, David and Matt jump in the studio to give you the highs and lows, starting with the Western Conference, where FC Dallas played it safe and paid for it. Seattle Times reporter Matt Pentz joins the guys to dish on the roller coaster ride that is the Sounders, Brian Schmetzer’s future and the club’s MLS Cup ambitions. Then it’s out to LA, where Colorado ought to be feel fine about a 1-0 loss to the Galaxy.

 

The Eastern Conference was just as tight, with Toronto FC held in check in the late going by New York City FC. Those two goals hurt, though, and now Patrick Vieira and the boys from the Bronx have an uphill battle to climb that could have been avoided had they stuck to their guns from the regular season. Meanwhile, the Impact know who they are, and they aren’t ashamed to bunker and counter, a strategy that gave Montreal a 1-0 lead over the Red Bulls heading back to New York. Former Impact player and RDS commentator Patrick Leduc calls in the dish on the pragmatic Mauro Biello, Drogba-gate and Matteo Mancosu’s emergence.

 

In the mailbag, a New York metro area conundrum, a new MLS Cup champion, payroll vs. home-field advantage and more Ben ‘The Research’ Baer gloating by Sounders fans.