by Jamie Trecker

Below, we present quick capsules on the game and our picks to win (click here for the L.A. Galaxy vs. Chivas USA and Chicago vs. New England matchups).

2. HOUSTON vs. 3. SEATTLE (Thu., 10 p.m. ET, ESPN2)

Expansion? Schmansion. Seattle already has a title under its belt. They KO'd D.C. United in the Open Cup to take their first piece of silverware back in September.

Now, the Sounders are bidding to repeat the 1998 Chicago Fire's unlikely double as an expansion side. They can do it.

Seattle made all the right moves from the start. They built solid roots in the community, giving them enviable home support, built the team from the ground up with the signing of Sebastien Le Toux before they even kicked a ball in MLS play, and went out and hired one of the league's best coaches in Sigi Schmid.

Add in the play of veteran 'keeper Kasey Keller and Sweden's Freddie Ljungberg — who was named Player of the Month on Thursday — alongside the firepower of Nate Jaqua and Fredy Montero, and you have a team that outscore and outwork anyone. Had Seattle one more game this year, they — not defending champs Columbus — would also be holding the Supporter's Shield.

The Dynamo, on the other hand, remain one of the league's best teams — but like many dynasties, are starting to fray around the edges. Losing Dwayne De Rosario to Toronto didn't help, but the play of Stuart Holden for club and country has been impressive in his stead.

Like Seattle, Houston has a solid backstop. Pat Onstad is still Canada's best and he has proven that he is a future MLS Hall of Famer (i they ever build one, we mean). He's helped by the return of Eddie Robinson from injury and the emergence of Geoff Cameron, a rock-solid player for the Orange this year.

Still, the Dynamo have been their own worst enemies of late, picking up silly cards and going soft at the wrong time. They were unceremoniously ousted from the CONCACAF Champions League with a fluke loss to El Salvador's Metapan — that team's lone win of the entire group stage.

Head to Head this season: The Dynamo failed to beat expansion Seattle this season, going 0-2-1, and getting knocked out of the Open Cup in the process.

The big number: 30,897. That's the Sounders' average attendance this year, heads and shoulders beyond everyone else in the league. It makes a difference.

Winner: I'm going for the upset and picking Seattle. I think the Dynamo are slumping, and Seattle has the talent to get it done.

1. COLUMBUS vs. 4. REAL SALT LAKE (Sat., 6 p.m. ET, RSNs only)

Columbus is right where they expected to be at the end of the season. Those of us who thought that the loss of ex-manager Schmid to Seattle would ground the Hardest Working Men? Uh, we were wrong. And I raise my hand on this one.

Columbus got great seasons out of 'keeper Will Hesmer, right back Frankie Hejduk and central defender Chad Marshall, riding a stingy defense to the league's best record. But the MVP, once again, was Guillermo Barros Schelloto. Simply put, he's the best value in the league, and his sense of the game has allowed players like Robbie Rogers and Emmanuel Ekpo to shine.

Unfortunately, manager Robert Warzycha knows his club is coming into the playoffs dinged up and in a slump. The Crew have lost three of their last four games, and looked impotent in front of the net. They have the playoff experience and the grinding style that wins championships, but the Crew is more concerned right now about finding 11 guys it can put on the field. Marshall remains the biggest question mark. If he's fit, he gives them a big boost, despite having to sit out the last six games.

Then, there's Real Salt Lake. The bottom seed in the east (though they play in the West — don't ask), RSL got into the playoffs on the last day, winning out 3-0 against Colorado.

However, that was a rare bit of offensive accuracy from the club, which is better known for wasting chances than converting them. In fact, D.C. United president Kevin Payne was fined $5000 Thursday afternoon by the league for disparaging comments he made about RSL, echoing the viewpoint of people such as, well, former GM Steve Pastorino, who blasted the team in print three weeks ago.

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Unfortunately, RSL's detractors have a point. They have a decent midfield and Kyle Beckerman returned from national team duty recharged. Robbie Findley, winner of the final Player of the Week award, can be dazzling. But after that, there are a lot of holes, holes that force this team to play a bunkering and counter style that can be deadly dull. And this team is horrible on the road at 2-11-2.

Bottom line: This one could be a grinder, not a flower. But don't forget, RSL made the playoffs last year, and shocked Chivas USA. No reason they can't do the same now.

Head to Head this season: The Crew and Salt Lake split the season 1-0-1. The Crew lost 4-1 in their first meeting with RSL, but go revenge with a 3-1 win to even things out.

The big number: 1-3-1: The Crew's form over the last five games. RSL is 2-2-1.

Winner: Take the Crew. Of all the series, this one should be the easiest for the defending champs and Supporter's Shield winners.

Jump to Los Angeles vs. Chivas USA and Chicago vs. New England matchups

Jamie Trecker's newest book, "Love and Blood: At the World Cup with the Footballers, Fans and Freaks" is out now from Harcourt. Jamie is assisted by Jerry and Janice Trecker. Contact Jamie at jamie.trecker@gmail.com and visit his blog and website at www.jamietrecker.com.

The views and opinions expressed by Jamie Trecker do not necessarily reflect those of the Fox Soccer Channel or FoxSoccer.com.