MLS wild-card previews

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The smorgasbord that is the MLS Cup playoffs now has an appetizer, and oh how the suits at MLS HQ are happy about that. Otherwise, the New York Red Bulls, the most expensively assembled team in league history and one replete with some of the league's biggest names, would be making vacation plans right now.

But the playoffs are all about second chances, and the two midweek matches will allow New York, FC Dallas, the Colorado Rapids and the Columbus Crew the chance to see who will take on conference champs Sporting Kansas City and the L.A. Galaxy.

New York Red Bulls at FC Dallas

Wednesday's first wild-card game features two teams trying to recapture their impressive early-season form. After a bright start, New York sleepwalked through most of the summer but recovered to snag the 10th and final playoff spot. Dallas was more impressive and consistent, but it staggered to the finish, with its league and CONCACAF Champions League commitments exacting a huge toll.

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Andy Marlin/Getty ImagesWednesday's wild-card match between N.Y. and Dallas features two teams trying to recapture their impressive early-season form.

New York has been in better form of late and beat FCD at the same venue just more than a month ago. But that came in the midst of Dallas' CCL exertions, and in a bid to accumulate more rest, manager Schellas Hyndman rested most of his starting lineup in the regular-season finale against San Jose. That could give FCD the boost it needs to record a victory.

Key matchup: New York defender Jan Gunnar Solli vs. FC Dallas midfielder Brek Shea The Red Bulls defender loves to get forward, but just how adventurous will he be given that containing Shea is his top priority? Granted, Shea isn't a classic winger who is forever attached to the touchline, but he loves to exploit spaces on the counterattack, and his considerable skills could make life miserable for Solli, whose defense isn't always ironclad.

Players to watch: For New York: defender Tim Ream, midfielder Rafa Marquez, forward Thierry Henry. For Dallas: goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, midfielder Daniel Hernandez, midfielder Marvin Chavez.

Ream has suffered through a poor second season, prone to costly gaffes that have led directly to goals. In recent weeks, he seems good for at least one dodgy pass in the first 60 seconds. Marquez has struggled as well, and Backe decided a month ago that moving the World Cup veteran from defense to central midfield was the best way to exploit his skill on the ball and try to hide his lack of mobility. Henry's 14 goals have been impressive this season, some of which have been of the spectacular variety.

Hartman provides a steady veteran presence in the back and, even at age 37, has shown the ability to pull off jaw-dropping saves. Hernandez is the glue that keeps the Dallas midfield together. Not only is he relied on heavily for his distribution, but his tough tackling is vital. Chavez's speed helps Dallas' transition game kick into overdrive and provides balance on the wing opposite Shea.

X factors: New York midfielder Dax McCarty and Dallas midfielder Jackson

Jackson has speed, skill and a nose for the goal, and has done his bit to shore up the forward line. He also has a maddening penchant for silly tackles that get him into trouble with referees, so much so that Hyndman has pulled the player for his own sake at times. On a team short of forwards, he'll need to keep his emotions in check and use his athleticism to create havoc in the attacking third.

Outlook: The big question is: Can New York contain Dallas' transition game? If the Red Bulls play the way they did last week against Philadelphia -- calm and composed on the ball, disciplined in defense -- it's possible. And New York delivered one of its more impressive performances last month in beating Dallas away 1-0.

But the Dallas team that will take the field Wednesday will be more rested than in that previous encounter, and the likes of Shea, Chavez and Fabian Castillo will cause plenty of problems for New York's defense. That said, Dallas will need to be mindful of Henry and Dane Richards, who looks set to fill in up top for the injured Rodgers. FCD defender George John hasn't looked himself since a proposed move to Blackburn fell through, and he and backline partner Ugo Ihemelu will need to be at their best to contain the New York duo.

Look for Dallas to shade it in a tight, 2-1 affair.

Columbus Crew at Colorado Rapids

The other wild-card match features two sides who met in the Eastern Conference semifinals last year, with Colorado prevailing via penalties on its way to the league title. This year, the two teams have been going sideways during the latter part of the campaign. Columbus appeared to have a top-three finish in the Eastern Conference all but locked up, only to toss it away on the final weekend of the regular season. Colorado was well off the pace in the Western Conference for much of the campaign, with the season-ending injury to Conor Casey doing plenty to blunt the Rapids' attack.

Yet each has done enough to reach the postseason. That's a considerable feat in Columbus, where manager Robert Warzycha retooled much of his roster this season. Colorado was among those teams taxed by CCL commitments, making its attempt to repeat as league champion all the more difficult.

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Jamie Sabau/Getty ImagesWith Emmanuel Ekpo suspended, Eddie Gaven's contribution will be even more critical to Columbus' hopes of advancing against the Rapids.

Key matchup: Columbus midfielder Eddie Gaven vs. everybody

Among playoff qualifiers, only Dallas scored fewer goals than the Crew this season, and with Emmanuel Ekpo suspended, Gaven's contribution will be even more critical to Columbus' hopes of advancing. Pablo Mastroeni usually could be counted on to help blunt the attacking forays out of midfield, but a concussion puts his participation in doubt. That will put even more responsibility on flank players Miguel Comminges and Jamie Smith, as well as likely midfielders Joseph Nane and Jeff Larentowicz, to stay tuned in to Gaven's whereabouts.

Players to watch: For Columbus: goalkeeper Will Hesmer, defender Chad Marshall, forward Andres Mendoza. For Colorado: defender Marvell Wynne, midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, forward Omar Cummings.

Hesmer's play often goes unnoticed, but he's among the more dependable keepers in MLS, and his experience from having backstopped the Crew to their 2008 title will come in handy. Marshall has been among the premier defenders in the league over the past four seasons, and he remains a huge threat on set pieces. Mendoza lived up to his designated player status this year with 13 goals, and his combination of strength and power makes him a handful for any defense.

Speed covers a multitude of sins, and Wynne is perhaps the fastest defender in the league, allowing him to chase down almost any opposing forward. Larentowicz will be asked to set the physical tone if Mastroeni is unable to go, and his team-leading seven goals are testament to his ability to strike from distance, especially on free kicks. Cummings has been battling injuries for most of the season and hasn't been as effective since Casey was sidelined. Yet he remains a dangerous attacking presence, and his diagonal runs to the right wing can be counted on to open up space in the middle.

X factors: Columbus midfielder Robbie Rogers and Colorado midfielder Sanna Nyassi

When Rogers is on form, he can provide a devastating presence on the left flank and take considerable heat off Gaven. But lately he's been battling a right hamstring strain, and he has been known to go missing for long stretches. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, he must be impactful.

Nyassi has done what he could to make up for the loss of Casey, recording five goals and five assists. His tendency to drop deep into midfield helps Colorado keep possession as well as disrupt the buildup play of opponents. Nyassi also is a player with something to prove in the postseason. He was a big disappointment last year against the L.A. Galaxy while playing for Seattle, and he'll be keen to create some positive playoff memories this time around.

Outlook: At first glance, the mile-high altitude combined with the quick turnaround for both teams would appear to give Colorado a significant home-field advantage. But the fact is that Colorado left plenty of points on the table at home this season, going just 6-2-9. A result is there for the taking if Columbus is on its game defensively, especially if Gaven can shake free to supply the front-line duo of Mendoza and Emilio Renteria.

That has proved difficult in recent weeks, however, as Columbus has leaked 14 goals in its past eight games. In particular, the partnership of Marshall and Julius James hasn't been nearly as cohesive as it was earlier in the summer.

Colorado has been much stingier defensively, and if Mastroeni recovers, it's difficult to see how Columbus will get the goal it needs to progress to the conference semifinals. Look for Colorado to prevail 1-0.

Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPN.com. He is also the author of "Soccer's Most Wanted II: The Top 10 Book of More Glorious Goals, Superb Saves and Fantastic Free-Kicks." He can be reached at eljefe1@yahoo.com.

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Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPNsoccernet.