Posted by Heath Harshman

By Heath Harshman- WFD Fan Correspondent

Not wanting to be surpassed in unexpectedness, the MLS second round had its own version of "Upset Weekend" with FC Dallas smashing the tournament favorite Los Angeles Galaxy 3-0 at the Home Depot Center in California. That victory coupled with Colorado's 1-0 home "Eastern Conference Final" win over San Jose and the MLS has given us one of the more surprising MLS Cup Finals in history.

FC Dallas is in the midst of one of, if not the, most impressive playoff run in MLS history. Defeating the defending champion Real Salt Lake in the first round and dispatching the Supporter's Shield winning Los Angeles Galaxy in the second round. They've done so with supreme quality and tactics as well as a fight and determination that rivals any other team in the league. Losing just four times all season, with three of those four coming against RSL and L.A., Dallas has mastered something that can only be underrated: not losing. FC Dallas head coach and MLS Coach of the Year (and WFD guest) Schellas Hyndman has got the right guys doing the right things and has the team gelling at the perfect time of the season.

The crux of Hyndman's team and MLS MVP candidate David Ferreira has been the straw that stirs the drink for FC Dallas. Creating and scoring goals in the Dallas attacking midfield, Ferreira has emerged as one of the league's top players. He was named to the MLS Best XI this week and finished the regular season second in the league in assists (13), only behind Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan. But the Colombian topped Donovan when it mattered most at the weekend, scoring two of Dallas' three goals and leading his team to the Western Conference title.

Just as important and valuable on the defensive end, Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman has been immense in Dallas's great season. The 14-year MLS veteran has been nearly perfect in goal for Dallas, earning a 10-1-8 record during the regular season and amassing a miniscule 0.62 goals against average. With his nearly decade and a half of experience Hartman knows how to communicate well with his back line and when to take chances. Although he has a solid defense in front of him, there is no diminishing Hartman's contributions. With the same defense and keeper Dario Sala in net Dallas allowed almost one entire goal more per game, with a 1.52 goals against average in ten games. These two Dallas stalwarts will need to play as they did in the Conference Finals against the Galaxy in order to bring the MLS Cup to Dallas for the first time.

Despite not having a single player in the MLS Best XI and finishing in fifth place in the Western Conference standings, the Colorado Rapids have got hot at the right time and captured the Eastern Conference crown. A well rounded team, much like their opponent in the MLS Cup Final, Colorado has used its dual threat up front of Conor Casey and Omar Cummings to lead them to their success. The two combined for 27 goals during the regular season and are the spearheads of the Rapids attack. Neither

While Cummings and Casey often find the back of the net, the strong midfield containing former United States national teamer Pablo Mastroeni as well as MLS veteran Jeff Larentowicz have been the backbone for Colorado. The two have combined to play over 5,000 minutes this MLS season and have 15 trips to the MLS playoffs between them as well. Their experience and leadership will be necessary for the Rapids to take down a hot FC Dallas team.

These two teams played one another twice in the regular season, with scored draws being the outcome each time. In the latest matchup on October 9th, Larentowicz tallied twice and Ferreira scored for Dallas en route to a 2-2 draw. Both teams are playing hot, are well coached and are solid all over the field. All signs point to a close game with one or two big moments possibly deciding the outcome.



Prediction: Dallas's defense stays strong in a hard fought match between two very strong teams and brings the MLS Cup to the Southwest, 2-1. (November 21, 5:30pm PT on ESPN)



In addition to being a weekly blogger for WFD, I write for the Washington State University student newspaper, The Daily Evergreen, where I have a weekly sports column. I am also a WSU Men's basketball correspondent for Jim Basnight and mynorthwest.com. You can find past pieces and follow my work not only for WFD but for The Daily Evergreen and mynorthwest.com by following me on twitter @heathharshman or adding me on facebook. Any feedback is welcome at heath_harshman@yahoo.com.