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Conference Championships: Deficit and Draw Create Suspenseful Break - This Week in MLS

November 11, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


It promises to be a suspenseful two weeks as Major League Soccer goes on an international break with both Conference Championships hanging in the balance.

In the Eastern Conference, Sporting Kansas City and the Houston Dynamo are deadlocked after 90 scoreless minutes at Houston's BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday. The two-game aggregate series will be completed on Saturday, November 23, at Sporting Park (7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN; TSN2; RDS2; Univision Deportes). If Sporting emerges victorious, they will host MLS Cup on Dec. 7.

In the Western Conference, Real Salt Lake will travel to Portland's Jeld-Wen Field holding a 4-2 lead on the Timbers. The game is scheduled for Sunday, November 24 (9 p.m. ET on ESPN; ESPN Deportes). The winner of the West would host MLS Cup if Houston wins the East.

This week, all four teams will rest for the FIFA fixture dates. The U.S. men's national team, featuring a number of MLS players from teams that have already been eliminated, will be playing friendlies in Scotland (Nov. 15) and Austria (Nov. 19).

Quotables

"These guys are mentally tough and have great character and that doesn't change in one game. They're still the same team, but for whatever reason we just got away from some of the things we've done well." Portland Timbers coach Caleb Porter following his team's 4-2 loss to Real Salt Lake in the first leg of the Western Conference Championship

"Even when it's not pretty and even when you're not playing well you find out what it takes to get back in those games. When it comes down to the dying moments until the referee blows that whistle, never give up on the Dynamo. Ever." Houston Dynamo forward Omar Cummings after adding game-tying and game-winning goals in each of the Dynamo's Eastern Conference semifinal games

"When you see a kid with a rat-tail that's like 5 foot 4, 5-6 or 5-5 heading a ball into the back of the net, it's not the easiest thing. It's just a lucky thing, and a moment I'm always going to cherish." Real Salt Lake midfielder Sebastian Velasquez after scoring the first goal of his professional career, one that ultimately helped Salt Lake advance to Western Conference Championships

"Now we have, I think, the brightest young soccer mind in Major League Soccer." Columbus Crew owner Anthony Precourt on hiring former LA Galaxy player Greg Berhalter as head coach and sporting director of the club

"At the beginning of the season, nobody thought this team would be here. This team showed a lot of resiliency, a lot of character. Everyone this season improved dramatically. We improved as a team and individually, and I don't think this is the last you will see of this team." New England Revolution defender Darrius Barnes following an impressive post-season run by the Revolution

Sweet Tweets

@NickRimando - November 11 - Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake Absolute Amazing support last night! #The Riot was at a different level last night.

@lovelpalmer7 - November 10- Lovel Palmer, Real Salt Lake Have to give mad love to the RSL fans. With 2 days notice you guys stepped up and rocked the #riot tonight #rslfamily #believe

@rodwallace22 - November 10 - Rodney Wallace, Portland Timbers We won't let this city down, we still have another match to play at Jeld Wen... Time to recharge and refocus for what's ahead. #RCTID

@jonnysteele22 - November 8- Jonny Steele, New York Red Bulls Delighted to be called up to the Northern Ireland team for friendly vs turkey!!! #happylad #oneofthebucketlist

@_AIR_RIQ_ - November 8 - Eriq Zavaleta, Seattle Sounders FC Thank you @SoundersFC fans for sticking by us through everything this year. Learned a lot this year and will be back stronger in 2014.

@mattwatson8 - November 8 - Matthew Watson, Vancouver Whitecaps FC Movember Moustache update, growing slower than anticipated. #movember #mattsmovembermoustache http://instagram.com/p/gdu8Ksmb4h/

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