The most highly-anticipated match of the English Premier League season is upon us, and so are some truly can't-miss MLS playoff series deciders.

Chelsea plays host to Manchester United on Sunday with a chance to open up a five-point lead atop the EPL standings, while six MLS teams head into action knowing that defending MLS champions Columbus has been eliminated from the post-season.

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The most highly-anticipated match of the English Premier League season is upon us, and so are some truly can't-miss MLS playoff series deciders.

Chelsea plays host to Manchester United on Sunday with a chance to open up a five-point lead atop the EPL standings, while six MLS teams head into action knowing that defending MLS champions Columbus has been eliminated from the post-season.

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This post is meant to be tongue-in-cheek. Or not. It was supposed to be, but apparently I failed. Maybe the Crew really should be moved... Another playoff run, another Columbus disappointment, and...

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Perhaps not remembering what happened to Duane the last time someone wanted to move the Columbus Crew, Jason Davis over at MatchFit USA decides he wants to take a crack at getting rid of the team everyone loves to hate now that they win a lot.

Last night, only 10,109 could be bothered to watch the men in yellow go down to Real Salt Lake.

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Friday is here and we are faced with the somewhat surprising reality that the first team eliminated from this year's MLS playoffs is the defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew. You can complain all you want about the playoff format, and the fact that Real Salt Lake barely edged its way into the playoffs, but RSL played great soccer when it mattered most, while the Crew bumbled and stumbled to the finish line and ultimately paid for its inconsistency.

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Friday is here and we are faced with the somewhat surprising reality that the first team eliminated from this year's MLS playoffs is the defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew. You can complain all you want about the playoff format, and the fact that Real Salt Lake barely edged its way into the playoffs, but RSL played great soccer when it mattered most, while the Crew bumbled and stumbled to the finish line and ultimately paid for its inconsistency.

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With J Hutcherson -- That crack media contingent that put Columbus Crew coach Robert Warzycha in the final three for MLS Coach of the Year? Well, the biggest playoff breakdown in recent memory wasn't an overwhelming display on the part of Real Salt Lake. It was Columbus playing for the draw in the first game and not getting it. Click to continue reading...

Upset? Wow, that crowd was silent on the third RSL goal...

JM

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Real Salt Lake had scored just nine goals on the road all season, and the Columbus Crew had scored a single goal in the last five games, but throw that all out the window – this is the playoffs. Click to continue reading...

His Ginger Majesty, Stoner and J Fo preview this weekend's MLS playoff matches from the ESPN mothership in Bristol, CT. Now that Columbus has been knocked off it really seems likes it's anyone's game and anything can happen at this point. I for one have already had to rip up my bracket and we haven't even reached the Conference Finals yet. Click to continue reading...

There will be a new MLS Cup champion in 2009 following Real Salt Lake's upset win over defending champions Columbus Crew at Crew Stadium last night. Real Salt Lake scored the final three goals of the game after falling behind 2-0 to defeat the Crew 3-2 in the match and 4-2 on aggregate. RSL will now advance [. Click to continue reading...

Real Salt Lake slew the mighty Columbus Crew.
Wow.
The last team into the playoff field (a team with a losing record, mind you) eliminates the defending champs. How does this happen?
Easy, you don't play Guillermo Barros Schellotto one of the games. That's how.
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Last year it was Houston falling at home to New York. This year it is Columbus having their season ended by Real Salt Lake. Schelotto did what he could, but it wasn't enough. This result continues to demonstrate that the order of matches in the two-leg format does not help the higher seeded side in MLS as it does elsewhere. Click to continue reading...

Real Salt Lake finished off a huge first round upset tonight, defeating the Columbus Crew 3-2 at Crew Stadium to win their Eastern Conference Semifinal series 4-2 on aggregate.

Real Salt Lake got behind the 8-ball early in the game, surrendering two first half goals to fall behind the Crew 3-2 on aggregate.

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I was kind of hoping for a Dynamo/Columbus final to have the last three champs facing off But wouldn't you know it, the Crew pulled an epic fail, losing a one goal advantage.
At home.
To the worst road team in the league.
Worse than NYRB.
Let THAT sink in. Click to continue reading...

The defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew saw their season end at the hand of Real Salt Lake tonight after losing the return leg of the Eastern Conference semifinal 3-2 at Crew Stadium. The early exit will be a tough one for Crew fans to stomach, as the team successfully defended its Supporters' Shield title and was heavily favored entering the match-up with RSL, who only sneaked into the playoffs on the final matchday.

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Guillermo Barros Schelotto was being counted on to help his Columbus Crew climb out of the one-goal deficit it faced after a Game One defeat to Real Salt Lake, and he did just that with two first-half goals in Thursday night's Game Two. Unfortunately for the Crew, the normally stout defense it was counting on to pitch a shutout delivered a mistake-filled performance that has helped put an end to Columbus' quest for a repeat.

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Guillermo Barros Schelotto was being counted on to help his Columbus Crew climb out of the one-goal deficit it faced after a Game One defeat to Real Salt Lake, and he did just that with two first-half goals in Thursday night's Game Two. Unfortunately for the Crew, the normally stout defense it was counting on to pitch a shutout delivered a mistake-filled performance that has helped put an end to Columbus' quest for a repeat.

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took 3 unanswered goals to the Columbus Crew tonight and the Crew (the best team in the league all season) is out. I only have one thing to say...MAN, did I pick the right team to adopt or what!?

There's something about this win for RSL that screams inflation and deflation. On one hand RSL is on top of the world, probably thinking (as is best) that they can run the table and win the MLS Cup.

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The Major League Soccer Playoffs continue on Thursday, November 5, 2009 with the second leg of the Columbus Crew and Real Salt Lake. RSL had a 1-0 lead on aggregate heading into this match. So, who won and advance to the Conference Finals? Here's a recap of the match along with video highlights.

Real Salt Lake beats the Columbus Crew 3-2 (4-2 on aggregate) Video Highlights (will be added later)

1st Half

Real Salt Lake nearly took the lead in the 10th minute as a through ball was sent for Andy Williams.

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Well, sometimes you're wrong. Like tonight. I've got to admit, I'm a little gutted considering that was my team. Salt Lake by two clear goals? Wow. Just wow.
First off, you've got to say well done by RSL. They came to play, they weren't intimidated.
And yet I'm going to lay all of this on the Columbus Crew. Click to continue reading...

The Chicago Fire routed the New England Revolution 3-0 in the return leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals to advance 3-0 on aggregate (ASN, Nov. 7, 2008).

The 3-0 score was one goal higher than ASN's chief Fire pundit had predicted on the eve of the match. With the victory, Chicago finally reversed a multi-year streak of exiting the playoffs at the hands of the Revs.

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Briefly:

*Don't forget, the second MLS playoff game between the Columbus Crew and Real Salt Lake is scheduled for 5 o'clock today on ESPN2.

*The Cal State Northridge men closed in on a post-season berth Wednesday with a 1-0 victory over Cal State Fullerton with the goal coming in the sixth minute of OT and now hold the tiebreaker over the Titans going into the final game of the regular season Saturday against UC Irvine.

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MLS Playoffs: Crew v. RSL
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The Major League Soccer Playoffs continue on Thursday, November 5, 2009 with the second legs of the Conference Semifinals. The one match scheduled for Thursday if the Columbus Crew v Real Salt Lake. Free Live Sports TV will be providing live coverage at the following link. Kickoff is scheduled for 20:00 EST or 01:00 GMT.

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The Columbus Crew quest for a repeat MLS Cup championship will ride on tonight's First Round playoff decider against Real Salt Lake at Crew Stadium (8pm, ESPN2).

The Crew will need to erase a 1-0 deficit from its first-leg loss at Rio Tinto Stadium to do win the series, and will welcome back reigning MLS MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto, who is expected to start after being benched for the first game.

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The Columbus Crew quest for a repeat MLS Cup championship will ride on tonight's First Round playoff decider against Real Salt Lake at Crew Stadium (8pm, ESPN2).

The Crew will need to erase a 1-0 deficit from its first-leg loss at Rio Tinto Stadium to do win the series, and will welcome back reigning MLS MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto, who is expected to start after being benched for the first game.

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Chad Marshall has won his second consecutive MLS Defender of the Year award, holding off fellow finalists Seattle's Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and Houston's Geoff Cameron. Marshall was a steady force in...

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Eric Brunner and Columbus try to slow down Yura Movsisyan and RSL tonight. (Getty Images)

Tonight the second leg of the first round playoff matches kickoff in Columbus as the Crew host Real Salt Lake. RSL holds a slight 1-0 lead in the goals department in this two-legged series thanks to the late goal from Robbie Rogers last weekend.

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The first Eastern Conference finalist will be determined tonight, when the first seeded Columbus Crew play host Real Salt Lake in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series (7 p.m. CDT on ESPN2).

The Crew fell to Real Salt Lake 1-0 in the series opener last Saturday and they'll need a win to have hope of continuing their 2008 title defense.

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The second round of the MLS Cup Playoffs has the two higher seeds in each conference hosting their opponents from last week's match-ups. In the four matches from last week, the home teams either tied or won leaving the seeded favorites with work to do if they hope to advance to the conference finals.

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For the second straight season, the Columbus Crew's Chad Marshall was selected as the league's best defender. Marshall was named as the MLS 2009 Defender of the Year Thursday, joining Carlos Bocanegra and Robin Fraser as the award's only two-time winners.

2009 has been a tremendous success for Marshall, named in July as an All-Star, and earning five caps with the U.

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For the second straight season, the Columbus Crew's Chad Marshall was selected as the league's best defender. Marshall was named as the MLS 2009 Defender of the Year Thursday, joining Carlos Bocanegra and Robin Fraser as the award's only two-time winners.

2009 has been a tremendous success for Marshall, named in July as an All-Star, and earning five caps with the U.

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For the second season in a row, the Columbus Crew's Chad Marshall was named the best defender in Major League Soccer. Marshall joins Carlos Bocanegra as the only other player to win consecutive MLS Defender of the Year awards. Also on Thursday, MLS announced Alex Prus as the Referee of the Year and Greg Barkey as Assistant Referee of the Year. Click to continue reading...

Make that two straight Defender of the Year awards for Columbus' Chad Marshall. The league announced today Marshall won the award for best defender.

Marshall helped lead the Columbus defense that only allowed 31 goals during the regular season, a record low for the Crew. What's more impressive is that he only played in 18 games for the Crew this season as he missed a few games with the US National team and a few others to injury.

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