Timbers Tid Bits: Wildcard Edition

So the first match of the Wildcard games are over. Shockingly, at least to me anyway, the New York Red Bulls steamrolled FC Dallas 2-nil. Given each's season I thought for sure FC Dallas would win, but I suppose that's the beauty of the play offs... one game can change everything.

In anycase, it sets up a fantastic conference semifinal with the New York Red Bulls facing off against the LA Galaxy. Both teams obviously have a lot to play for.

Tonight kicks off the second wildcard play off game with the Colorado Rapids taking on the Colubus Crew. Looks like there will be a live stream of the game on MLSsoccer.com!

Timbers news

2011 Expansion Draft List: Portland Timbers
I would swap Rodney Wallace for Eric Alexander personally. What do you think?

Timbers' Spencer: We'd have taken 42 points and 11 wins 'all day long'
Missing MLS playoffs a disappointment, but returning talent has players excited for 2012

What a kick! Timbers' future looks bright
The Portland Timbers stepped onto the pitch for the first time in 1975.In a sports nation governed by Major League Baseball, the NBA and the NFL, the North American Soccer League was a long shot.

Timbers Fans Will Have More Seats Next Season
The Portland Timbers announced Wednesday that next season will have seats for more fans at Jeld-Wen Field.  The team plans to offer more than 20-thousand seats.  Right now, the stadium holds about 18,060.

End of regular season doesn't mean end of training for Timbers
Timbers continue to practice after regular season ends.

Other news (after the jump)

Major League Soccer 2011 Attendance - By the Percents
The raw attendance numbers for MLS are impressive, but what of the percentages? Different attendance analysis.

Diego Fagundez is the New England Revolution's great hope, but what about the United States?
The 16-year old is keeping his international options open.

Toronto FC and the case for the defence
Toronto FC conceded a league-high 59 goals in 2011, a testament to the club’s defensive ineptness in what turned out to be another playoff-barren year.

Whitecaps start ringing the changes, fire 'gutted' assistant coaches Miller, Hamlett
Colin Miller was gutted but not surprised. The affable Vancouver Whitecaps assistant coach was fired.

GALAXY: Most 'don't care' who is next foe
This is about who the Galaxy are preparing to face off against.

So what do the Las Vegas odds makers think about the Major League Soccer playoffs? - RSL Soapbox
Well Major League Soccer will kick off their playoffs, fans have their opinions but I thought I would share what Las Vegas thinks about the MLS Playoffs.

Union to face sharp passer in Houston's Brad Davis in playoffs
The Union's Major League Soccer conference semifinal opponent on Sunday, the Houston Dynamo, doesn't possess any big scorers. In fact, Houston had four players who scored a team-high five goals.

Jason Kreis prepares Real Salt Lake, winless in six, for heavyweight tie against Seattle Sounders FC
Should be an entertaining game to watch. I think I'll, I don't know, root for Real Salt Lake...

WPS terminates ties with magicJack
The WPS Board of Governors voted Tuesday to terminate its relationship with the South Florida franchise, leaving many big names in limbo.